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A local service club’s event was supposed to go ahead rain or shine.
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When Point Edward Ex-Servicemen’s Association officials looked at the forecast, however, they decided to move the party indoors just to be safe.
“Good thing we did,” said Gary Capp, the association’s vice-president.
A significant storm ripped through Southwestern Ontario on May 21, uprooting trees and downing hydro wires throughout the region. Despite the destructive weather, the club’s three-hour celebration, which featured a local country band and a fundraising meal, went ahead at 2 p.m. as planned, just inside their Michigan Avenue headquarters instead of outside.
Capp estimated that 50 to 75 people came out through the first 90 minutes of the event.
“This is a great turnout for us,” he said. “Some people just come in, buy the sandwiches and go, and other people are staying and sitting down, listening to the music.”
Kountry Krusin band members, and brother-in-laws Thane Hughes and Jim Stevens performed for the appreciative crowd.
“Just starting out, having some fun with it,” Stevens said with a smile.
It was a free event, as the club covered the cost of the band, but members sold roast beef sandwiches for $5 each to help raise funds for their regular donations to St. Joseph’s Hospice and local minor sports and youth organizations in Sarnia and Point Edward.
“When we have the money, we’re giving donations all over Sarnia and Lambton,” Capp said.
He also pointed out the club is open to all members of the community, so the public is welcome to attend any of their events.
“It’s not a private club by any nature, and all of our events are open to anybody,” he said.
The association, alongside Point Edward officials, marked the centennial of the dedication of the village’s cenotaph with a service on April 19 in Veterans’ Memorial Park on St. Clair Street.
