The winners of the first Annual Chili Cook-off are:
- People’s Choice Trophy (As voted by all ticket holders): Boisdale Volunteer Fire Department!
- Overall winner (As voted on by the judges): Boisdale Volunteer Fire Department

Congrats to the Boisdale Vol. Fire Department on cleaning up on the awards this year!
Thank you to all three fire departments for participating, and thank you also to the organizers, judges, and to everyone who came out to support this event. Until next year...

Join us at the Legion in Iona every Monday night for BINGO.

6:30 - Doors Open
7:30 - Mini-Bingo
7:45 - Regular Games

Jackpot * Regular Jackpot * Toonie Game
All books and cards must be purchased prior to 7:45pm.
Cash only (ATM on site)
Players under 19yrs must be accompanied by an adult.

Have you been thinking about joining the Legion? Now is your opportunity.
2026 marks 100 years of The Royal Canadian Legion.
To celebrate: The Legion is offering free membership for the 2026 year.
All first-time members can join at no cost. And will be known as Centenary Members.

Join Grandona Legion Branch 124, at Legion.ca/Join-us.
You can also visit our branch and pick up an application form.
Membership is open to the general public, and individuals do not need to have served in the military to take part.

Note: Free membership does not apply to membership renewals or membership reinstatements for previous members.

Thursday Night Meat Draw, Games Night!
Every Thursday evening
Grandona Legion - Iona

Bar Snack for Oct. 8: Bbq'd Hamburgers with all the fixin's ($5).
The baking table is back! Check out what goodies Dianne will be offering this week!

- Meat raffle tickets will be available for purchase
- Raffle draws at 6pm & 7pm with five chances to win each time
- Prizes available to win may include: Steak, Pork, Ground Beef, Ham & Fish
- Darts, cards and other games available to play between draws

Come check it out!
Bar opens at 5pm
Drop in for a game or hang out and socialize with a cold beverage.
19yrs and over

Legion General Meetings are scheduled for the first Friday of the month at 7:30pm
The next General Meeting is: Nov. 4, 2026 at 7:30pm
All members are welcome to attend.

Current Bar Hours:
Saturday - Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 5-8pm
Friday: 6-11pm

Chase the Ace ticket winner for October 9th: Hugh C. MacNeil from Iona!
Amount Won: $584.00
Card Picked: Three of Clubs
Next week's jackpot: $10,515.50 (plus 30% weekly sales) and with 42 cards.

Chase the Ace Tickets will be on sale from 7:30-8:00pm every Friday at the Legion with draw shortly afterwards.
Tickets are $5 for one coloured ticket or $20 for a book of all four coloured tickets.
Ticket winner will win 20% of weekly sales plus a chance to draw the Ace of Spades to win the growing jackpot.
Participants must be 19yrs or older (bar will be open).
Complete details including "House Rules" can be found on the Legion Website (link above).

Tickets can be purchased during the week until 3pm Friday at:
- The Little Dipper Boutique (at the Iona Heights Inn)
- Darby's Old Church Kitchen

This lottery is in support of:
RCL124 Grandona, Grand Narrows Waterfront Dev. Society and Central Cape Breton Community Ventures Inc.
Thank you for your support!

📅 Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24
🕖 6:00pm to 9:00pm
🎟️ Prepaid reservations required

Experience a special lamplight tour featuring traditional stories, skits and eerie special effects as you make your way through the Village after dark. Then, gather in An t-Àite Cruinneachaidh (“Our Gathering Space”) for traditional tunes and treats, including fuarag, oatcakes and more!

Tickets on sale now. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets online.

This family-friendly Halloween event is sure to be a memorable evening for all ages. 👻

🎃 *Please note that this popular event sells out every year. Space is limited. Unfortunately, tickets cannot be sold at the door. No refunds or discounts.

Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village is now open for the season until October 17, 2026 from 10AM - 4:30PM daily. Please phone (902) 725-2272 for more information or visit http://highlandvillage.novascotia.ca/

We are pleased to announce the Senior Lunches for local residents is starting on Wednesday, September 23, from 11 to 1 at the St. Columba Parish Centre.

Enjoy a free light lunch all in a welcoming accessible environment

We look forward to welcoming you back.

Thank you to Cassandra Yonder and Diane Russell. Central Cape Breton Community Ventures

Schedule:

September 23th, - Welcome Back

September 30th, - Fortress of Louisbourg Presentation

October 7th, - Highland Village Presentation

The Iona Port Cafe is open Thursday to Sunday, from 10 to 2. Drop by and enjoy the view.

The Àros na Mara Discovery Centre is open every day from 10 to 4. Drop by and explore what is inside.

The Iona Port Cafe is closed for the season. Please watch for special events and some weekend openings. Thank you for your support.

Boisdale Firehall presents 70’s fundraiser Dance

Saturday Nov. 21, 2026

Boisdale Firehall

From - 8-12 pm

Admission - $15 per person

There will be Door Prizes - and 70’s attire encouraged

19 and over

Music By DJ Nelson Scott

Come out and enjoy!

Boisdale Fire Department is hosting a Codfish Supper at the Boisdale Firehall on Saturday Oct 17, 2026

Take Out 2-3pm

Sit In 3-5pm

Tickets Must be purchased in advance at

http://boisdale.ca/dinners

Or by emailing - Boisdalesupper@gmail.com

Or call Theresa @ 902-217-5731

Darts Friday At 7.30 Fun night bar open

ST. COLUMBA CHURCH

In an effort to keep our church sustainable to our parishioners for years to come we are looking ahead at work which should be done over the next few years. This beautiful building is one of the most photographic churches on the Island of Cape Breton. Inside or out many, many people are impressed with this work of art.

It has served our community well for years spiritually and for this to continue we must keep attention on the work to keep it in good repair.

Some of the work that may be anticipated over the next number of years may include:

(1) Work on replacing the copper on the steeple to prevent leaks which was temporarily repaired and seems to be holding for now.

(2) Three windows in the front above the doors should be replaced because they are wood and are over 30 plus years old.

(3) Brick work repair.

So in attempt to raise money for this we are asking for support to our Building Fund from parishioners and former parishioners or anyone who would love to see the St. Columba Church remain in the best possible condition for what it was built for - Weekly Mass, Funerals, Administration of the Sacraments, etc.

To make a donation e-transfers can be sent to stcolumba.iona@ns.sympatico.ca Make a note on your transfer that it is for church repairs and/or upkeep. We thanks you in advance for your support of these endeavours.

Visit our website parishesofcentralcapebreton.ca for pictures taken by Neila MacLellan of the interior and exterior of the church. We would like to thank Neila for allowing us to use her beautiful photos.

WINDOWS AT ST.COLUMBA CHURCH-The two wooden windows on the water side of the church will need to be replaced this year at an estimated cost of $2000 per window. As was done with the previous window replacement, any parishioner or friend of the parish who would like to donate a window in memory of a family member or friend can do so by contacting Gregory at 902-295-7843.Thank you for your consideration.

St. BARRA, the first church in Central Cape Breton, is the new salt giving fresh flavor to the manna from heaven, the Word of God. At 10:00 AM every Sunday morning the Word of God, transcribed in the Bible, is read and explained for us today which brings the the past to life in our times. The Lord God says: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is yet to come, the Almighty. ( Rv.1: 8 ) Everyone is welcome to come hear the words of God explained, for us today. When : Sundays at 10:00 AM at St. Barra's Church in Christmas Island.

Bulletins, news and reflections for our family of parishes can be found on our website: www.parishesofcentralcapebreton.ca

The St.Barra Preservation & Development Society would like to announce their new Christmas Island Monthly Draw!! Details: Monthly prize = > $500 Tickets => $10 ea (limit 100/month) Draws => 2nd Sunday of each month To purchase or sell tickets, please contact: Anna Burke Email: annaburke1@yahoo.ca Text: 902 622-6007 Betty MacKenzie Email: mcknzbetty@aol.com Text: 902 537-1759 100% of proceeds go towards St. Barra Church (Christmas Island) building maintenance. Thank you, your generosity and support are greatly appreciated!