Treasurer’s Night

On Wednesday, November 22, members of the Sherbrooke Snow Shoe Club arrived at the club house where they gathered around the old brick fireplace to have conversation with friends and listen to our pianist, Janice Graham, tickle the ivories with some wonderful tunes from the past. A number of good voices could be heard singing along.

As well, a number of trampers were out for their weekly walk along the specific route of streets in the neighbourhood. When the weather cooperates some of these members would be on their snowshoes on a designated trail for this activity. On this particular night the conditions were mild with a bit of light rain.

At 6:30 p.m. those in attendance took their seats in the dining room. President Gordon Barnett introduced those seated at the head table - Honorary Treasurer Jack Noble, guest speaker Brendalee Piironen of the Wales Home, and 2nd Vicepresident Harry Brown. O Canada was sung and Harry said grace.

The White Knights then began serving the meal, beginning with a tasty vegetable soup which was followed with the main course of lasagna and a green salad. This preceded a scrumptious butterscotch graham square dessert drizzled with chocolate - a delicious feast, thanks to our cook Carole Lacroix & her team.

At this point the President asked if there were any guests in attendance. Archie Quick was welcomed, not as a guest, but as a ‘new’ member. In fact he is a ‘returning’ member, having been active in the club in the 1970s and having served as president in 1976. He then moved from the Townships only to return last year. In acknowledging his welcome back, Archie expressed the fact that it was good to be back among friends!

Don Watson introduced Nate Lavey, a film maker working for the Museum of New York City. He hopes to film some of the activities of our club and may even return for more filming at a later date.

The kitchen staff and the White Knights were heartily thanked for their good work. Then our jokester, Dave Moore, told stories to make us laugh - one of a mountain man who joined the Marines, another of an intoxicated patron who was thrown out of a bar three times, and another of the Mayberry characters of TV fame and their antics.

Next up, the winners of the door prizes were announced. Vern Dougherty and Gerald Parent were the fortunate two members to be awarded. This was followed by the sing-along with Jan Graham at the piano and led by Chorister Phil Kerwin and friends. Several songs were sung - the “Old Grey Mare”, “Paper Roses”, “Wild Irish Rose” and “Home On The Range” followed by the spiritual “The Old Rugged Cross”.

Pictures of bygone days were circulated among the members and guests. Wendell Cass presented photos of a snowshoe club in Saranac, New York dated back to the 1890s, and a World War II photograph of his uncle in the Canadian Army prior to his death in 1944. Fellow member Chris Galvin also offered a photo of a troop ensemble in Europe dated 1942.

Honorary Treasurer Jack Noble then presented the guest speaker for the evening, Brendalee Piironen, Executive Director of the Wales Home in Cleveland, Quebec. She has been involved with the Home for the past 29 years and as Executive Director for 10 years. She gave a brief history of the Home, founded in 1921 from the estate of Mr. Horace Pettes Wales. Its purpose was to provide quality care for the elderly of the English Protestant community. Over time a number of additions have been added to the original building, and over the last couple of years even greater changes have taken place. There are now plans to renovate & modernize several more of the older parts of the Home, redesigning rooms to provide private bathrooms, lifts, etcetera, creating one and two bedroom suites with kitchens. New triple glazed thermos windows, geothermal heating, extensive sprinkler systems and superior firewall protection will be part of these changes.

In the final analysis, the Wales Home begins its second century of existence with a great deal to offer the English community, and is currently the only English seniors’ facility to be government supported. Past President Don Watson thanked Brendalee for her most interesting presentation.

The meeting concluded, members dispersed for the usual post-meeting activities.

Submitted by Don Parsons, SSSC Captain