This Sunday, the NOTL Legion on King Street will be alive with its annual Christmas Craft Show. Yes, this Sunday, the 30th. An extraordinary opportunity to find unique gifts and to feel really good about supporting talented and enthusiastic local crafters.

About 30 local resident crafters, and the main rule is that all items must be handcrafted by the vendors. No fair buying something from a big company and adding a retail markup. Handcrafted means handcrafted.

This show will be open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at our local Royal Canadian Legion branch. Branch 124, named in remembrance of General Charles M. Nelles. He was the first president of our local Legion branch.

Right across King Street from the current big dig at Parliament Oak. Number 410, in between Genair and Veterans Memorial Park.

So here we are again, after a very active year filled with all sorts of Niagara area controversies. One of the most persistent discussion topics has been the potential traffic flow changes in St. Davids (note there is no apostrophe in the name of that town nestled in the shadow of the escarpment).

Another subject at the top of the list has been the change to the former Parliament Oak Public School site. Something big and substantial is definitely happening there. Lots and lots of trucks coming and going.

But let’s all lighten up a bit and get jolly as the holly appears once again. Queen Street downtown, and indeed our four villages, are being transformed again, after the poppy project around Remembrance Day.

The Toronto newspapers have been running articles describing various Christmas markets within a reasonable drive of the big city. Who knew there were so many? From Elora to St. Jacobs to Stratford to Port Perry to Stouffville to Wellington across the lake in Prince Edward County.

And so, so many other potential day trips to towns in southern Ontario.

But this Sunday, right here in our beloved NOTL, we will have the chance to be among Christmas Craft Show royalty. The story of our own Kim McQuhae was well told by my newsroom pal Dan Smeenk in last week’s edition of The Lake Report (Nov. 20, “NOTL’s Jam Queen cleans up at Royal”).

Kim was recently named the premier exhibitor at this year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair over in the big smoke of Toronto.

Her products are amazing in their uniqueness, and Kim is one of a kind. Indefatigable, a risk-taker and photogenic.

She creates about 200 flavours of jams and jellies, from lychee almond to spiced apple rhubarb. And, she also makes low-sugar jams for those of us who have to be conscious of our sugar intake.

At the Royal this year, Kim entered 23 jams in 14 categories, winning an incredible five first-place ribbons, and a whole bunch of other prizes. Indeed, Kim was featured on Breakfast Television. They featured her lychee almond creation.

So, let’s support the Christmas Craft Show at our local Legion. Organizer Karen Taylor-Jones and her helpers have assembled about 30 creative crafters who will display their wares.

Throw in a penny sale, some light lunch items, lots and lots of free parking, and what’s not to love? And be advised: the term penny sale is outdated. This Sunday, I have been told we will get 20 tickets for five bucks.

Last year, I found several perfect gifts at the Christmas Craft Show at our local Legion. An appropriately bright red Christmas sweater and cozy woven hats and mittens.

How about the locally carved and painted wooden nutcrackers, ranging in size from six feet to six inches? Or the 16-year-old local girl who sold her homemade lip balms and lipsticks? OK, she comes from Niagara Falls, but we happily welcome her as a local.

This Ramblings has indeed rambled, but isn’t that the nature of the beast?

There is just so much going on in our wee Niagara-on-the-Lake, especially at this time of the year. I almost forgot to mention the several jewelry makers who will be presenting their beautiful items this Sunday at the NOTL branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Wrapping up, may I respectfully suggest an early arrival. Some of the booths will be, wait for it, folks, jammed. Yes, ouch.

Handcrafted, guaranteed.