Canora and many other small towns are known for their generosity and thoughtfulness. In recent years, Elly Carlson of Canora has created her own Halloween tradition, donating pumpkins to groups and individuals in and around Canora.
I’m happy to shine a bit of light in people’s lives and make their day,” said Carlson. “It’s good that the pumpkins aren’t wasted.”
She has donated pumpkins to the Canora Nursery School, Kamsack pre-kindergarten program and the Gateway Lodge.
“I donated 20 to the lodge this year, so the seniors get to do various activities with the pumpkins,” shared Carlson. “The young kids love playing with them, some do pumpkin painting.”
Carlson estimates she has donated over 300 pumpkins this year and said that even though it was a dry growing season, the pumpkins seemed to thrive on the field located near the Mazeppa Church.
“Last year the pumpkins there rotted and we tilled them into the ground,” said Carlson. “This year they grew from that and did well, even though we didn’t get much rain. The field is surrounded by trees so it seemed the ground didn’t get dried out by wind too much.”
