Some might say that a real sense of community, where people help and support each other, simply doesn’t exist anymore.
The Bond Head Women’s Institute (BHWI) has once again proven otherwise by hosting one of their most successful events yet — an Old Fashioned Strawberry Social.
It all started with a simple comment by a senior as to the good old days and times enjoyed in the community. The BHWI, intrigued with the stories of long ago, loved the idea and turned it into a fabulous event that will be talked about for a very long time.
The strawberry social included a simple lunch for 140 guests consisting of cold cuts, salads, buns and the BHWI’s signature strawberry shortcake. Following the meal there was music from local singer Naomi Bristow, poems by Grade 8 students from Sir William Osler Public School and acknowledgement of long-serving and new members of the BHWI with presentations of pins and certificates. The day was enjoyed by all through food, fun and friendship.
While the food was prepared by the members of the BHWI, students from Sir William Osler helped serve, along with Jaime Robertson from The Elden, Jan Malask from St John’s Presbyterian Church, Federated Women’s Institutes Ontario president Michelle Phillipo, Women’s Institute district president Patricia Richards, Bradford Deputy Fire Chief Steve Hall and councillors Ben Verkaik, Cheraldean Duhaney and Jonathan Scott. Mayor James Leduc was inducted into the group as an honorary member and was presented with a BHWI apron of his own.
The theme of the strawberry social was Partnerships and Student Achievement. To that end, there was a presentation of cheques to Sir William Osler principal Tina De Laire for school activities and Bradford District High School principal David Brooke for that school’s music program. Hall also accepted a donation of 10 kits that included books, bears and blankets to be used by firefighters to support children in situations of crisis.
Special thanks to the sponsors of the event, who through their kind donations helped to allow more funding to be directly reinvested back into the BWG community. They are: The Elden, Springh Farms, Evancroft Farm, Miller's Dairy, Alliston Creamery, Reali’s No Frills, Ontario Potato Distribution, Barrie Hill Farms, Kawartha Dairy, Big League Gear, Angelic Spa, Wood by Jim, Sentrex and Phynix MPS.
The BHWI has been serving the BWG community since 1902. The organization promotes women and families with a mission to help others and to build strong and vibrant communities. Currently, it works to raise money that is redirected at 100 per cent back into the BWG community to help fill gaps of other funding.
The BHWI is always happy to welcome new members. If you are interested in becoming one of the incredible women of the Bond Head Women’s Institute, please contact president Liz Moore at [email protected]
