5th Annual Holiday Photo in the Barn

bboyce • December 11, 2024

ANDARA GALLERY’S 5TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PHOTO IN THE BARN

ADDS $5,000 TO “BACK THE BUILD’ CAMPAIGN BRINGING 5-YEAR TOTAL TO

OVER $35,000 … AND 3,000 PEOPLE PHOTOGRAPHED!

BLOOMFIELD, December 11, 2024 – Spirits were bright at ANDARA Gallery as Artist-Owners Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with an early Christmas gift.

 

As part of their 5th Annual ‘ODE to JOY’ Holiday Art Show and Sale, Tara and Andrew (and a creative crew of family, friends and neighbours) once again festively decorated their century-old barn with a stunning 20-foot Christmas tree from Skootamatta Christmas Tree Farm in Flinton, Ontario and welcomed residents and visitors alike for the fifth consecutive year to visit their property for a “Holiday Photo in the Barn.”

 

Over 500 guests brought their cameras and had their photos taken in exchange for a donation to the PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign. The fundraiser ran from November 16 until December 8, 2024.

 

Individuals, couples, families, work colleagues, and groups of friends came to the barn for a photo, raising $5,000.00 for the campaign to build a new hospital in Prince Edward County. This brings the five-year total raised to over $35,000 …with over 3,000 visitors and pets photographed to date!

 

A highlight of the event was the addition of the Gingerbread Shoppe. With the help of friends and neighbours, Tara and Andrew transformed the ANDARA Studio Workshop into a magical and enchanting Gingerbread Shoppe for the 2024 Holiday Season. The Gingerbread Shoppe was a one-stop shop where visitors could purchase hot chocolate, goodies and artisanal fine craft items made by local artists.

 

“We were happy to provide such a joyful experience for our community again that brought people together to create happy memories while raising money for the new hospital,” said Wilkinson. We are indebted to our family, friends and neighbours who helped us with this year’s event … and to the hundreds of people who came to take a festive photo in our beautiful century-old barn. Many happy holiday memories were made here again this season.”

 

“Thank you to Andrew and Tara and everyone who has supported this event over the past five years. No matter the size, every donation makes a difference in the care you and your family will receive in our new hospital,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to everyone who supported this festive fundraiser again this year as we work to modernize and enhance health care services to ensure people living in and visiting our community continue to have access to care close to home.”

 

“Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Holiday Photo in the Barn. Your support makes a big difference and helps us get one step closer to making our new hospital a reality,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “Third-party fundraising events, like this one hosted by ANDARA Gallery, are a wonderful example of how local businesses can turn good fun into big impact.”


“Tara and Andrew have created a beautiful County tradition of bringing friends and family together during the holiday season, and they have also been remarkable supporters for Back the Build. It is incredible to see them build community and their local hospital through joy and connection,” said Stacey Daub, Quinte Health’s president and CEO.

 

ANDARA Gallery is a contemporary art gallery showcasing fine art paintings and photography year-round in the heart of Prince Edward County. ANDARA Gallery thanks everyone for sharing this joyful experience. Many of the photos taken this year can be seen on their homepage slideshow at andaragallery.com and on Facebook and Instagram at #andaragallerypec.

 

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.

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CAPTION:

ANDARA Gallery Artists and Co-owners, Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson, were joined by family, friends and volunteers to present this year’s cheque for $5,000 from their annual Holiday Photo in the Barn fundraiser to PECMHF officials. Front Row (Left to right): Tom Wilkinson; Nancy Parks - Back the Build campaign chairperson; Sally Cowan - Back the Build campaign cabinet member; Andrew Csafordi – Artist/Co-Owner ANDARA Gallery; Liz Moran, Jim Grant, Shannon Coull - Executive Director of the PECMH Foundation; Stacey Daub, President & CEO of Quinte Health; Lise Bowden, and Tara Wilkinson, Artist/Co-Owner ANDARA Gallery. Back Row (Left to Right): Helen Morris, Risa Zaleski, Jill Lindeblom, Brenda Wehmeier.

 

Photo Credit: Briar Boyce, Senior Development Officer, PECMHF.

November 24, 2025
The Rotary Club of Picton has once again demonstrated its long-standing dedication to strengthening local healthcare by presenting a $5,000 donation to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation in support of the Back the Build campaign.  The contribution represents funds raised through several Rotary-led community initiatives, including their annual Rotary Golf Tournament , the Waterfalls Tour , Rotary Cash Calendars and the Lilac Ride . These events continue to play a significant role in ensuring the Foundation meets our $30M Back the Build campaign goal for the new PECMH. For more than 23 years, the Rotary Club of Picton has been a steadfast partner in improving healthcare in PEC—contributing close to $225,000 to date. This includes a generous $100,000 pledge toward Back the Build campaign that was fulfilled in 2023. These funds help to ensure the new hospital is equipped with the modern tools and technology needed to serve patients today and for generations to come. “The Rotary Club of Picton has a deep and enduring commitment to community service, and supporting our hospital is a natural extension of that mission,” said J.J. Johnston, Rotary Club of Picton President. “We are proud to continue contributing to a project that will have a lasting impact on everyone in Prince Edward County.” “We are grateful for Rotary’s leadership, generosity, and community spirit,” said Shannon Coull, Executive Director, PECMH Foundation. “Their ongoing support of this campaign helps ensure our new hospital will provide the high-quality care our community deserves. Rotary truly embodies what it means to give back to the County.” The PECMH Foundation extends its sincere thanks to the Rotary Club of Picton for their support of local healthcare and their thoughtful contribution toward building and equipping the new hospital.
November 21, 2025
PECMH Foundation is celebrating a major milestone in its Back the Build campaign following a generous $600,000 grant from the RBC Foundation Community Infrastructure Fund.
November 20, 2025
Past Chairs Unite at the New Hospital Site to Reflect on Legacy and Celebrate Progress
November 14, 2025
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is proud to announce a generous $10,000 donation from the Rogers family and Keint-he Winery and Vineyards.
October 31, 2025
BLOOMFIELD, October 28, 2025 – What began as a way to bring isolated people together safely to make cherished holiday memories during the Covid pandemic … grew over 5 years resulting in over 3,000 people (and countless pets) being photographed at ANDARA Gallery’s annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event … raising over $35,000 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.  Today, Tara Wilkinson and Andrew Csafordi are proud to announce that this beloved program will be transitioning over to The Eddie Farm & Hotel for the 2025 Holiday season … and beyond. “We have loved every minute of our five years hosting this special holiday fundraiser! The program has grown so much and now requires more energy and resources. We couldn’t be more thrilled to hand the reins of this beautiful annual tradition over to the stewardship of Alex Portman and Michael von Teichman at The Eddie Hotel and Farm … the epitome of “Christmas in the County”. We know their team will do a great job continuing this treasured tradition for County residents and visitors in support of our beloved hospital”, said Tara Wilkinson, co-owner of ANDARA Gallery. Artists Tara and Andrew will continue to focus on creating, exhibiting and selling contemporary fine art paintings, photography, digital art and ceramics year-round from their colourful ANDARA Gallery - named one of Ontario’s Top 10 Best Art Galleries by TripAdvisor earlier this year. ANDARA Gallery’s upcoming holiday art show and sale, “LUMINOUS” will run November 15th through December 6th and then December 16th to 23rd from 11 AM to 5 PM. For more information, visit www.andaragallery.com. The 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event will take place at its new location, The Eddie Hotel and Farm located at 15786 Loyalist Parkway (between Bloomfield and Wellington) in Prince Edward County … Thursdays through Sundays between Noon and 6 PM starting on Thursday, December 4th and running through Sunday, December 21st, 2025. The event will now be known as “Holiday Photos at The Red Barn”. Residents and visitors can now make an advance reservation for their group photo time through www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. Guests will check in a Nellie’s Cheese Shop located in The Red Barn where they can make their donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign, purchase a snack, hot chocolate, mulled cider and other holiday gifts. You then bring your own fully charged camera and choose from one of 3 photo areas in and around The Red Barn. Eddie staff will be available to assist with taking your photo or you can use one of the iphone camera stands available at each photo location. All they ask in return is for a donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign. “We suggest a donation of $10 per group, but a larger donation is welcome if you can afford it, and less is fine if you can’t” says Alex. An income tax receipt will be issued by the PECMHF for all donations over $100. To make your reservation for the 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event at The Eddie Hotel and Farm, go to www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. “We are delighted to be taking over the annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event from Tara and Andrew at ANDARA Gallery and bringing it to The Eddie Hotel and Farm. It seemed like such a good fit since our property is already so decorated after The Red Barn Holiday Market - which takes place the last weekend of November each year. We loved the idea of people being able to capture their family memories over the years against the backdrop of “The Eddie”, says says Alex Portman, Co-owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “We are delighted to continue this wonderful tradition of providing such a joyful experience for our community that brings people together to create holiday memories while raising much needed funds for the new hospital,” says Michael Von Teichman, Co-Owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “Thank you to Andrew and Tara of ANDARA Gallery and everyone who has supported this event over the past five years. We look forward to continuing this wonderful holiday tradition with Alex and Mike at The Eddie Hotel and Farm. No matter the size, every donation makes a difference in the care you and your family will receive in our new hospital,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “We look forward to everyone coming out to support this festive fundraiser again this year as we work to modernize and enhance health care services to ensure people living in and visiting our community continue to have access to care close to home.” The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital. -30- PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R) Holiday Photo in the Barn Founders and ANDARA Gallery Co-Owners, Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson, celebrate the transition of their annual fundraiser over to The Eddie Hotel and Farm in Prince Edward County with (Centre) Nancy Parks, PECMHF Back the Build Chairperson and (R), the Eddie’s Co-Owners, Michael von Teichman and Alex Portman. Photo Credit: Staff, The Eddie Hotel and Farm.
October 28, 2025
The inaugural Partners in Pink Golf Tournament, held on October 9, was a swinging success, raising just over $64,000
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October 17, 2025
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is grateful to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Wellington for their generous $3,000 grant from the Poppy Fund to support the purchase of a new mammography machine for our new hospital.
Merrial Leslie
October 15, 2025
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September 24, 2025
Community Spirit Shines as Bake Off Breaks Fundraising Record PICTON, September 24, 2025 – The sweet smell of success filled the air at the Picton Fair as the 16th annual Bake Off Challenge raised a record-breaking $18,700 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF). With more than 50 entries and enthusiastic bidding, the community once again proved that a passion for baking can translate into life-changing support for local health care. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a digital mammography machine, a critical tool for early breast cancer detection. Since 2007, the Prince Edward Agricultural Society, who host the Bake Off has raised over $64,500 for the hospital. This year’s event included a special one-time memorial apple pie category in honour of the late Deputy Fire Chief Jim Young, who was the inaugural Bake Off winner in 2007 with his unforgettable apple pie. A total of 26 apple pies were entered in his honour, raising an incredible $8,250 on their own. Jim’s parents, Colleen and Murray, and daughters, Dahnon and Kendyl, were present to celebrate his legacy. Entries were judged by Ken Menlove, a local lawyer; Jordan Smart with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Auxiliary Unit; Mike Roy, a community member; and Chris Malette, MP for Bay of Quinte. The auction produced plenty of highlights. Firefighter Autumn Benlap’s Caramel Apple Spice Cheesecake topped the apple pie category and sold to Dr. Sarah Waterston, and Elizabeth Lodge’s Lemon Cream Pie, named best overall pie, sold to Herman Prinzen. “The Bake Off is more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of community spirit and generosity,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This year’s proceeds will support the purchase of a new digital mammography machine for the new County hospital, and we are so grateful to every baker, bidder, and volunteer who made that possible.” “The Bake Off has become a highlight of the Picton Fair, and it’s inspiring to see how much it has grown,” said Susan Harrington, president of the Picton Fair Board. “The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us. Thank you to everyone who baked, bid, or volunteered to make this year such a success.” The Agricultural Society also expressed its gratitude to the many individuals and local businesses who made the event possible. “There’s something truly special about seeing friends, neighbours, and businesses come together over pies and cakes to support health care,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “This event proves that even the simplest of traditions can make a lasting impact on our community.” The Foundation is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Agricultural Society and looks forward to welcoming everyone back to next year’s Picton Fair. The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital. 
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