A new season
On Wednesday, November 15th, members of the Sherbrooke Snow Shoe Club inaugurated a new season, the 141st season to be exact. It was a ritual beginning that dates back to the fall of 1877.
The weather on the 15th was seasonal, with the temperature a few degrees above freezing and the skies relatively clear following a sunny, almost balmy afternoon. With no wintery groundcover to speak of, it was premature to even think about the use of snowshoes so early in the season. As a result, the more energetic members resorted to a lively trek on foot around the neighbourhood for a little pre-meeting exercise. Upon their return to the clubhouse, they found the participation board cleaned and revised by Captain Don Parsons, all prepped for a new season of check-offs for tours completed.
By this time, the fireplace was a-roar with a lively fire to warm the room and the hearts of those in attendance. As it has from the time it was first built in 1888, the brick fireplace was the focal point of the whole clubhouse as SSSC members and guests congregated in anticipation to the start of the meeting.
At the appointed hour, the crowd migrated into the back dining hall where they were greeted by newly-installed President Gordon Barnett. The President welcomed everyone to the start of the new season and asked for the singing of the national anthem. He then called upon Past President Harry Brown to ask the blessing. While standing, and in his capacity as 2nd Vice-president, Harry recited a self-penned poem highlighting all the exits in case of an emergency.
The White Knights promptly set about serving the first meal of the season. Prepared by Chef Carole Lacroix and her crew in the freshly painted and newly decorated club kitchen, the initial appetizer was a French Canadian-styled turnip and maple syrup chowder. Next, came entrees of sweet and sour pork chops which were later followed by a dessert serving of ‘a pie-in-a-cake’ topped with ice cream.
After the various guests were introduced, President Gordon thanked the kitchen crew for the tasty meal as well as the White Knights for serving it. Drawings were then held for the evening’s door prizes with relatively new member Gerald Parent and veteran member Blair Donnachie, the lucky winners. Past President Dave Moore took the opportunity to relate a couple of anecdotes, the more notable one about a nun in drag.
Next on the agenda was the traditional sing-along, with newly appointed Chorister Phil Kerwin attempting to fill the shoes of retired musical leader Bill Lyon, not it must be said, without some degree of trepidation. Notwithstanding the successful role of his predecessor, Phil, assisted by fellow club members, did a fine job at his first attempt.
In keeping with the theme for the first meeting, namely a tribute to our veterans, the President asked all members and guests alike who had served our country in time of war and peace to stand and identify their regiment and rank achieved. It was surprising to note the number of individuals who had some military experience, even if only in the form of militia service.
The meeting was subsequently turned over to SSSC member Chris Galvin, himself a 40 plus year veteran of the Sherbrooke Hussars Regiment. Chris, an avowed military historian, discussed the First World War Battle of Passchendale which took place a century ago in the fall of 1917. He discussed the battlefield conditions and the participation of the Canadian Corps which included two famous regiments from the Townships, namely, the 117th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Chris went on to discuss all the various military units that were raised in the region such as the Stanstead Dragoons and the 13th Scottish Light Dragons of Waterloo, to name but two, all of whom are historically linked to the current Sherbrooke-based regiment of which Chris is a member.
The presentation completed, the members dispersed to socialize or partake in a couple of games of volleyball.
Submitted by Steve Moore SSSC Secretary