Celebrating s’more good times

By Brandie Majeau
The morning unfolded with a cool, muted light; the sky draped in a blanket of
grey. After a night of freezing rain that had later yielded a gentle dusting of snow,
Smore’sland faced an uncertain day. Temperatures were unusually warm, hindering
solid ice formation on the outdoor rink, which postponed the much-anticipated grand
opening of the outdoor skating season to an uncertain future. Several tables were
empty, as a handful of vendors deemed the roads too treacherous for travel. The
morning began quietly with a handful of guests trickling in to view the Christmas market
goods, grab a coffee, and maybe a sandwich.
December 8 seemed destined for disappointment. But as the time slipped by,
more and more people emerged to fill Egremont Hall with its usual warmth and
welcome. The roads, now damp instead of icy, beckoned people to venture out—the
hall filled with conversation and laughter. A table overfilled with people, barely able to
squeeze another chair into the circle. While the skates had to be left at home this
Smore’sland, it was still everything that Egremont Community Club set out to make it.
The volunteers bustled between the kitchen and main hall, filling cups of hot chocolate
and cider. The hotdogs snapped with each delicious bite.
Santa arrived, followed by the Grinch and Buddy the Elf, greeting a chorus of
squealing and giggling children as they ran through the hall, hiding behind market
tables, sneaking an extra candy cane, and embracing a different kind of fun that comes
with having to adapt and accept the uncertain Alberta winters. Santa, jolly as always,
took time to answer the “big” questions little ones have about how long it takes to travel
by sleigh and what his reindeer eat. He listened patiently to Christmas wishes and bid a
hearty farewell before heading to his next stop.
The day unfolded in a way slightly different from the original plan, yet Egremont
Smore’sland never failed to enchant. As usual, smore kits were distributed, their bright
red boxes were placed in eager hands. Crackling bonfires glowed brightly, lending an
inviting warmth that wrapped around everyone like a cozy blanket. The air was thick
with the sweet scent of toasted marshmallows mingling with laughter that echoed within
and around Egremont Hall. Joy bubbled up like the sparks dancing upward from the
fires, creating an afternoon laid out in a perfect mix of happiness and togetherness.