Chair Bill Smith welcomed 19 members and one guest to the 150th Community Anniversary and 2017 Clifford Homecoming meeting on Nov. 12 at Knox United Church here.
Al Rams extended appreciation to Sharon Kaufman for creating a Homecoming shirt to suitably accommodate the dimensions of Cliff the big red fox inflatable mascot that will be appearing on floats and at functions. He may even arrive at the Homecoming store set up inside the Wesley Bates Gallery at 15 Elora Street North in Clifford. The store will be open every Saturday in December to give people the chance to pick up those souvenirs to include in their Christmas gift giving. Water bottles are the newest souveniers with chocolate bars and shirts still selling well. The cookbooks have also arrived.
The New Year’s Eve Decade Dance will have partygoers dancing to the twists of the ‘50s, chart stoppers of the ‘80s, and millennial favourites leading to the hits of 2016 that will play into the wee hours of 2017. Revellers will enjoy a ham and scalloped potato dinner well before the clock strikes midnight. There will be time to review the gift items up for bids in the silent auction donated by a businesses and individuals.
The committee discussed decorations and the ideas generated from the beautification committee, which will be showcasing the community in Homecoming colours of yellow, red, white, and black. Planters and gardens laden with petunias, African marigolds, zinnias, begonias, and trailing bidens will attract attention and help create enthusiasm about a beautification contest.
Other business centred on security, fencing, Smart Serve, good neighbours, volunteer lists, church service, cemetery tour, signage, registration, schedules, veterans, story boards, and a possible pageant.
Brian Durrer, past Mildmay Homecoming chairman answered many questions sharing insight into hosting a homecoming weekend. He offered praise for the group’s energetic plans and roster of events for the Aug. 4 to 7 event.
