The 2012 Show by Cathy Dunphy

This show was THE big one. Yes, it rained and yes, many vendors decided to stay away when they'd committed to come but those who came were attended to by the courtly Alex Milburn and led to coffee and cake provided by the two Susans. Guess we know who our fair weather friends are now!

We had fewer vendors than last year even before the inclement weather. Some of the vendors didn't pay us so, therefore, yes, our overall take will probably be less this year.

But look at these numbers, all of them more or equal to last year's take:

Book Sale $315.00

Raffle Table $641.00

Food Booth $633.10

Bake Sale $822.58

Silent Auction $540.00

This is amazing and it's proof that people came even in the rain. That means that together, we have accomplished our goal -- to ensure that our neighbours and friends understand that this craft show is for them. That it is a celebration of the Kahshe community.

We doubled our sales of books -- thanks so much, Marg and Karen. I really noticed this year that people were very cheerful at the book tables. As a book lover, I am probably biaised but I thought you created a really warm

 vibe in that back room.

The bake sale rang in its highest take ever. Each year, it takes my breath away.It is so slick, so well organized and run, so creative ( love the kids' lemonade stand; loved the cake pops too!)

I remember standing in front of the beer tent (and wasn't that a hit?) and looking back up the hill (through the rain) at the photo display. Fortunately George Lindsay, the man who made it happen, was next to me. "Look at that," I recall saying, pointing at the clusters of people bending in to get a closer look at the photos. What I was trying to say was that the Kahshe Photo Contest is now part of Kahshe tradition and that thrills me -- yes, thrills. The photo contest is an important tie that binds every cottager on Kahshe.

George was also the man who stickhandled a lot of bureaucracy and shifting logistical requirements to enable us to have the beer tent this year. This has been a dream of mine -- and I don't even drink beer. I think people need and want and should spend time at the craft show. Having a place to sit. mingle, eat and drink is essential to that and this year's food and drink set up was brilliant.

Thanks to Elaine Smith for finding and setting up all those tables, then disguising them with gorgeous and waterproof (!) green tablecloths. Thanks to Sean Corbett for finding his white canopy so people could eat and drink under shelter. Once again, Keith Price fed the hungry hordes, efficiently and well. He makes things in the KKKK so much fun that he doesn't even have to beg for help. Every single man on the KLRA board worked in this kitchen. And they have a blast for sure, but it's hard labour over those hot barbecues and I'm grateful to all of you.

Delirious thanks to Peter Kiddell who responded to my increasingly desperate emails and sent out an APB to his extensive Kahshe mailing list that netted us the very talented Dave Robinson. We had music at the craft show this year. Great music. My ultimate dream came true. Dave has said he'll be back and I will hold him to that.

Sawdust City proved to be the perfect partners for us -- a small craft brewery happy to fit in with our low-key style. In fact, Sam, that very affable young brewmaster who poured you your drinks, has written to say that Sawdust City was so pleased with their reception at the show that instead of donating to us 10 per cent of their profits, they are donating $100 -- considerably more.

Thanks to Clare, Joan and Judy for their work on marking our 30th. I was enthralled with Clare's slide show and I wasn't alone. Anytime I paused to catch a few more slides, there was a crowd there looking at them with me.

I know the vendors loved their ribbons; Nancy Ogle and her twin 

sister (founder Lois Ogle's daughters) were delighted their mother was remembered and honoured, as were Beth Kennett's family. And bless Dorene Jacobs for dressing to the nines for the occasion and ignoring the fact the rest of us were wearing dripping wet Kahshe t-shirts.

(And don't you love that they are available now in colours?)

Judy Henderson tamed that squealing mike and somehow made the 30th presentation ceremony meaningful, even as it took place under a leaking front porch. The certificates were simple but I hope all of you who received one know that they are heartfelt (and probably still wet).

And thanks to the board of the KLRA for greenlighting and funding our "thank theRings" project. Artist Sandy Follis outdid herself capturing Rockhaven which has been the centre of the community for so long.I only wish we had thought of making posters of it, so many of us coveted that drawing.

Elayne Burt shanghaied -- I mean sweet talked -- so many donations this year that our silent auction table groaned. She was the one who had the idea -- and drove to Huntsville to pull it off -- of getting Survivorman loot. That netted us the highest bid, by far. Her husband Dave was, simply, a hero. For years he has looked after the parking but this year that was only the beginning of what he did, including helping us throw up emergency tents, save expensive sound equipment and calm me down so I didn't kill my only child.




Kahshe Lake Ratepayers' Association (1994) Inc. (KLRA)
PO Box 1318, Gravenhurst, ON, Canada, P1P 1V5
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