Chairman Bill Smith welcomed 23 members and guests to the Clifford 2017 Homecoming meeting on June 11 at the Knox United Church.
Jackie Dally stepped away from her co-chair duties to focus on other responsibilities and her role as community liaison to share her powerpoint presentation with as many people as possible.
The next announcement noted the team effort spearheaded by Al Rams was successful in obtaining a government grant of $24,100 from the Department of Canadian Heritage. Regional director Jillian Lum said “Without you, our stories, big and small would not be told and celebrated throughout Canada and in other parts of the world.” Ram was quick to thank Peter Buhrow for his historical information and Don Senek for relaying all the information to co-ordinate with Belinda Wick-Graham and MP John Nater. The actual Homecoming celebration will be held Aug. 4 to 7, 2017.
There are so many avenues to explore when hosting such a community event of this magnitude. Clifford post master Ann Lange and Stamp Club president Jim Measures have researched the possibility of having postage stamps cancelled with a specially designed logo stamp. Personal postage stamps and envelopes could also be created featuring the historical grist mill or the covered bridge at Rotary park. The cancellation celebration would be held in January 2017 at the Post Office giving collectors and enthusiastic supporters another chance to highlight the year-long celebration.
There was another surprise awaiting the members with the appearance of the quilt. Honouring a community in such a unique and inspired way took the creative talents of Sharon Kaufman. She transformed coloured cloth into a work of beauty by designing a king size quilt to include the Homecoming 2017 logo, multiple organizations, and the churches. She lovingly stitched each quilt block at her leisure throughout the winter months leading into spring. With left over material, she designed another smaller quilt to add to the growing list of items for the New Year’s silent auction. Tickets will be sold to try to win the larger quilt.
Chocolate bars and souvenier t-shirts and hats continue to be sold to raise money. Bows will be created to sell and more items will be added to the souvenier list. Recipes and stories are still being gathered for the cookbook. Storyboards of historical aspects of Clifford are also being created.
Co-ordinating the events, avoiding scheduling conflicts, adding security, ordering food and refreshments, and figuring out where to host each display, dance, dinner, and special activity requires talent and organization and site plan. Keep an eye on www.clifford2017.ca and facebook for updates.
The committee invites the community to a free “meat” and mingle barbecue on Aug. 18. Stop by the Clifford Rotary Pavilion Park at 5pm and to experience the Homecoming. The volunteer base is continuing to multiply.
Volunteers don’t have to be a resident of Clifford to get involved. They want everyone.
Many people on the committee do not hail from Clifford proper, but have a connection or like to volunteer and organize a party celebrating 150 years of Canada.
