This year’s sale is taking place on Saturday, November 14th at St. Richard’s Church, 9 Rossland Avenue in Nepean. I went down to visit the folks at L’Arche Ottawa as they worked hard to prepare for the show.

About L’Arche

L’Arche was founded in 1964 by Canadian humanitarian and social visionary, Jean Vanier. Distressed by the institutionalization and the isolation and loneliness of people with developmental disabilities, Jean Vanier invited two men from an institution to live with him in a small house. He called the house ”L’Arche,” a French word for ”the ark” in the biblical story of Noah and the flood. L’Arche grew quickly and spread around the world, attracting many young people who wanted to help and opening new homes and workshops. L’Arche began in Canada in 1969. Today, there are over 130 L’Arche communities in 34 countries on six continents. All of these communities are part of the International Federation of L’Arche Communities.  L’Arche is a unique vision of care giving and community building that fosters inclusion, understanding and belonging to individuals with developmental disabilities.

L’Arche Ottawa has been here in the capital for 37 years. Louise who you interviewed was one of the early members. We have 7 homes, a community centre 2 apartments and on senior’s club. The Granobe Seniors Club was founded 12 years ago by Olivette Garneau and Cecile Aube when they decided to retire with dignity from the working world of sheltered workshops. The vision of the club was to create a welcoming space for retired L’Arche Ottawa members to continue to participate and contribute to the larger Ottawa community while creating and maintaining supportive relationships of friendship. Aging with dignity is something our fast paced society is quickly loosing sight of. The activities of Garnobe seniors club are guided by the likes and desires of its members so that they can keep the aging process dignified.

Hereis the list of the artists selling their wares at Saturday’s show:

1. Bob Mitchell, Louise Leblanc, Olivette Garneau, Dorothy Emberg, Rebecca Happy : Garnobe Seniors Club

2. Kera Willis : Blue Riot Gifts

3. Karen Thomas

4. Barbara Carlson

5. John Benn

6. Faye Dumouchel

7. Bea Satar

8. Deborah Risto

9. Deborah and Niama Coe: Niama Soaps

10. Scott Haggerman

11. Joyce Berry

12. Suzanna Sullivan

13. Sarah Futterer and Carrie MacKay

14. Bonnie Basker

15. Heidi Helm: Urbanomic

16. Carolyne Huber: CforU Jewelry

17. Theda Phoenix

18. Trish Rossiter

19. Tim Hunt: Mobius T-Shirts

20. Melanie Cameron and Marissa

21. Crazy for Almonds

Musicians who are offering their music to provide great ambiance:

1.Kera Willis and John Lloyd: One Big Smile : John Lloyd and Kera Willis are members of OneBigSmile, an Ottawa-based collective. The band was formed several years ago and got its name from a description of a performance it gave. OBS plays music that is very much like a folk-rock door with bluegrass hinges swinging open to let anybody in. The set list often includes songs from any era and any style in the history of music.

2.Theda Phoenix

3.Steve Schellenberg

4.Kitchisippi United Church Big River Band

5. Nathanael Lacrochette :12pm

who knows maybe someone else may drop by for a song or two.