By Joyce West
May. What does that mean to you? Maypoles and girls dancing. Mayday holiday. Flowers all coming into bloom. The promise of summer. This season has been celebrated since the beginning of time by anyone working on the land, as a time of new beginnings, long before the calendar told us it was time to get out and plant!
Where I grew up there was a long-held belief that on the first of May, girls should walk to the place where two streams meet, dip their shirt or “sark” sleeve in the water, then hold it in front of a fire, and in the steam that rose they would see the face of the boy they would marry! This was known as “walking your drookit sark sleeve”. I think it eventually evolved into washing your face in the dew on the 1st of May so you would become more beautiful!
Our celebration at the Seniors’ Centre is a Strawberry Tea, which we all enjoy. It is difficult to co-ordinate events and not have them clash, and we had a smaller turnout than usual, probably because there were several other functions that day. However, everyone who came enjoyed the food (and probably took some home, too!) and we all waited expectantly for the Bucket Prize draw. Thank you to our very helpful cooks in the kitchen, and the serving maids who were most helpful and pleasant to all us “oldies”, and to all who joined in with us.
On May 16 we had our potluck lunch and monthly business meeting. There was a good turnout, and the lunch, with its variety of dishes, was m-m-good and much enjoyed by everyone. Before the meeting we had a message from Vivian Edwards and Nick Lebedoff, members of the local Lions Club, regarding the run sponsored by the Lions in memory of Skip Stuart, a very generous and hardworking former member. The funds raised go to local groups that help those in need (his favourite was the Christmas Hamper Fund). It will be run on June 4, and you can start running at 8:45 that morning. All the funds raised go to local charities.
Before we got down to business, presentations of gifts and a plaque were made to Muriel and Kevin Scallon for the terrific amount of work they have done over the past four years to keep our club going, and they were wished a more relaxing time when they can just enjoy our company.
Also receiving appreciation was Donna Tetreault, who has done an outstanding job in keeping our records straight and helping with publicity. Donna, we all wish you the best of everything when you finally leave this area, and we hope you take many happy memories away with you. Just don’t leave too soon! Following that we all had a piece of the delicious cake that had been presented.
The normal business was gone through, then the major business of the meeting was dealt with. All the reports were accepted and some new ideas were discussed to help us in keeping members updated about what is going on with us. We came to the conclusion that most could be kept in touch by email, and others by phone, so we will get down to organizing that soon.
New business included a discussion about the bursary we give out in June to a graduating student, and which will be paid at the end of the first year’s successful studies. Also discussed were the number of business meetings a member should have attended before standing for office, and that was also passed.
The main business was to elect new officers to replace those whose term was over or who were resigning for other reasons. The new slate includes president Pat Kilt, secretary Dorothy Maksymiw, treasurer Linda Holland, second vice-president Isobel McGrath, and directors Irma Schalles and Louise Kenny. Kitchen convenors are Maria Paulos and Louise Kenny, who will share the purchasing and upkeep of the kitchen. We had a discussion about the use of our kitchen and the regulation that we should have FoodSafe-qualified members. One or two of us are already qualified if we are questioned at all.
The afternoon concluded with our card games, the sense of fulfillment at having all the problems ironed out, and the feeling of fellowship with each other. Drop in during the afternoon on Monday (Bridge), Tuesday (Carpet Bowling and card games), Friday (Carpet Bowling and card games) or Saturdays (Bingo) for a bit of lighthearted fun and a cup of tea or coffee! We are in the same building as the Village Office on Bancroft Street in Ashcroft.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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