Diverse cultures join to celebrate

Continued from page 11 eryone with a way to meet and get to know each other,” he added.

However, there is an increasing number from the Middle East. The group includes the CK Muslim community, the CK Hindu community, the CK Sikh community, the CK Malayalee community and the CK Nepali community, among others.

Festival.

Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice

The Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes Spirit and Life Centre was filled with the smell of baking bread recently as members of the Italian community, and others, gathered to prepare for the Festa della Madonna Delle Grazie. The tortani bread is shared during the feast of the Blessed Mary. Here, Amanda Primeau, left, Maria Devito, Malfada Decola and Grace Magliaro are busy rolling dough.

Lakshmanan said that Chatham is a place for new immigrants to start their life in Canada and the festival is a great way to network.

“With this community event, we are connecting ev-

Lakshmanan said many Asian people have started businesses in the region and increasingly, students are coming to Chatham-Kent to attend St. Clair College. The CKACA supports the community in a variety of ways donating to various agencies such as the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and the Chatham-Kent Hospice and it also hosts annual events such as the Diwali

Tickets for the Spring Festival are $20 for adults, $15 for college students and $10 for Grades 6-12. Children in Grade 5 and under are free. For more information call 519-380-5973. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m.