The Bond Head-Bradford Garden Club wrapped up its year with a Christmas party and potluck dinner – an evening of festive outfits and Christmas sweaters, overflowing tables of food, and talk of plans for the 2019 season.
The event was held at the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre on Simcoe Road, where the club regularly meets, once a month.
And despite snow squalls and wintry driving conditions on Thursday night, over half of the club’s 110 members came out for the party.
“We had a little more people than we expected,” said Janet Mills, who was returned as co-president of the garden club with JoAnne Norton, at the recent annual general meeting. “We had to set up another table.”
Members were asked to suggest speakers and topics for next year, and creative ways to promote the club – from setting up displays at the Bradford Farmers’ Market, to sending out packets of seeds in the Welcome Wagon baskets that are delivered to newcomers to town. They were also invited to sign up and volunteer for the club’s various committees.
And while members and their guests chatted, and went back for seconds, the duo Tons of Clay played seasonal music and Christmas carols.
The event was more than a party. It was also a fundraiser. The Bond Head-Bradford Garden Club has been collecting donations for My Sister’s Place, a shelter in Alliston for abused women and their children.
“So far this year we’ve collected $190,” said Mills, inviting members to give generously, just in time for the holidays.
The club now takes a break until the new year – and just like members’ gardens, will be dormant until March.
