Celebrating 125 years of service for Maple Leaf Chapter IODE

The 125th Anniversary of the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE was a milestone worthy of celebration.

For 125 years, the women of the Maple Leaf Chapter have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to volunteerism, community service and helping those in need.

The 125th Anniversary Committee was formed to honour that remarkable history while celebrating the continuing contributions of our members and our chapter to the community.

The committee's objective was to create a celebration that would be meaningful, memorable and reflective of the history and traditions of the Maple Leaf Chapter.

The 125th Anniversary Committee was formed in the fall of 2025. Tracy Maguire served as Chair, with the original committee consisting of Tracy Maguire, Arlene Sager, Kristy Daley, Penny Murray, Sharon Creighton and Nancy Hughes.

Penny Murray was also serving as Regent of the Maple Leaf Chapter. In January 2026, Karen Scott and Sandi King joined the committee, bringing the committee to eight members.

Our initial meetings were somewhat informal and sporadic as we began to "spitball" ideas and consider how best to commemorate such an important milestone. We initially explored the possibility of involving local schools, but unfortunately that did not come to fruition.

The committee eventually decided that the best way to celebrate would be to hold one major anniversary event, bringing together our members, invited guests and local dignitaries.

The committee chose June 17, 2026, as the date for the celebration because June 17 was the actual anniversary date of the founding of the Maple Leaf Chapter in 1901.

Our original thought was to hold an outdoor picnic or luncheon. However, recognizing that June weather can be unpredictable, we decided that an indoor venue would provide greater certainty. The Knights of Columbus Hall was selected and booked for the event.

The hall proved to be an excellent choice. The staff provided tables, chairs, linens, tableware, glassware and a sound system, allowing us to concentrate our efforts on creating the atmosphere and program for our special day.

As planning progressed, every member of the committee contributed individual talents, ideas and enthusiasm.

We selected soft sage green as our primary colour and developed the décor around that theme. Rather than using fresh flowers for every table, we decided on artificial floral arrangements incorporating decorated teapots and teacups as centrepieces, as well as several members donating old fashioned lace tablecloths.

Several committee members spent considerable time decorating the teapots and teacups, creating beautiful and individual centrepieces, huge vases with artificial flowers as well as old fashioned candelabras.

Other decorative elements included old lace tablecloths, matching napkins, eucalyptus napkin rings, green lace placemats, table-number signs and balloons in our chosen colours. We kept Amazon busy as we tried different decorations, returned some and tried again until we were satisfied with the finished look.

Added Touch Catering was hired to provide the luncheon as the owner, Karen Daley contributed her considerable talent for creating beautiful tablescapes.

The committee also wanted a signature beverage for the occasion. After considering several possibilities, we voted on the "Maple Leaf 125", a refreshing mocktail made with fruit punch, pineapple juice, orange juice and Sprite.

Kristy Daley took the lead in preparing the invitations for members and invited dignitaries. Once the final design was sent to The Print Shop, the committee was delighted with the finished product.

The committee then gathered to fold and insert the invitations, address the envelopes, mail those requiring delivery and hand-deliver others. Invitations were also distributed to members at our monthly meeting. A special seal was ordered for the backs of the envelopes, adding a particularly elegant finishing touch.

The committee also approached Town Hall with a request that June 17 be officially declared Maple Leaf Chapter IODE Day.

A submission was prepared and presented to Town Council. The entire committee attended the Council meeting on April 13, 2026, when Council unanimously voted to declare June 17, 2026, Maple Leaf Chapter IODE Day.

Penny Murray arranged for the IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter in Petrolia to loan us an outdoor flag to be flown on our special day. She also arranged through Artech to have the Five Points Garden sign updated to reflect 2026.

 Remembering 125 Years of History:

A central part of our celebration was ensuring that the history of the Maple Leaf Chapter was not forgotten.

The committee worked on a historical brochure outlining the great work of our chapter over the past 125 years. This project went through many drafts and revisions before the committee was satisfied with the final design. The completed three-fold brochure was printed by The Print Shop.

To make the brochure an even more meaningful keepsake, a commemorative IODE pin was attached to the front of every brochure. These were placed at each table for our members and guests.

We also wanted our guests to experience the history of the chapter rather than simply read about it. We obtained historical scrapbooks dating back to the 1950s from the library and had photographs enlarged to help illustrate what members of earlier generations looked like.

The museum generously participated by creating a display featuring clothing, shoes, purses and other items representative of the different eras through which the chapter has lived.

Karen Scott, drawing on her previous involvement with the Women's Auxiliary of AMGH, also assembled a special hospital memorabilia display.

Finally, Colleen Maguire was engaged to portray Mrs. Maude MacDonald, the founding Regent of the Maple Leaf Chapter in 1901. Her presentation allowed guests to experience the early history of the chapter through the eyes of its founding members.

A Legacy — The Memorial Bench:

The committee wanted the 125th Anniversary to leave something permanent in our community.

After discussion, it was decided that a memorial bench and special commemorative plaque would provide an appropriate and legacy. We selected a metal bench and worked with the Town to identify the ideal location.

The chosen site was at the entrance to the Menesetung Bridge, overlooking the beautiful Maitland Valley. It is a peaceful and scenic location where people can stop, sit and reflect.

The bench was ordered and once completed and installed, was formally unveiled on July 29, 2026.

The location is especially meaningful because the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE is contributing $40,000 toward the Menesetung Bridge Refurbishment Project this year.

At the unveiling, a speech was given reflecting on the 125 years of volunteerism and community service that have defined the Maple Leaf Chapter.

The committee also wanted to mark our anniversary through a project that would directly benefit the community.

The idea of "Share a story, bring a book" was developed with the goal of encouraging donations of at least 125 books.

We worked with our local library and The Bees Knees bookstore. The library prepared a list of 125 books that would be useful for its summer programs. The Bees Knees ordered the books, created a beautiful display and offered a discount to members purchasing books for donation back to the library.

The response far exceeded our expectations.

Following the June 17 celebration, committee members gathered to place special bookplates inside the donated books. On June 24, 2026, committee members and chapter members attended at the library and presented 181 books, along with several gift certificates for The Bees Knees.

The 181 books will support the library's summer programming and represent a wonderful example of turning our anniversary celebration into a tangible contribution to the community.

As June 17 approached, the committee began meeting approximately weekly to make sure every detail was covered.

Karen Scott's husband, Don, created a beautiful wooden Maple Leaf stand. Karen Scott and Sandi King painted it. The stand was designed to be sustainable and reusable for future chapter events, with changeable numbers so that it can be adapted for different years and occasions.

Balloons were tested, arches assembled and sandbags prepared. More than 200 balloons would ultimately be used in the decorations.

On June 15, the committee returned to the Knights of Columbus Hall. With the assistance of the hall staff, we installed our large vinyl anniversary sign, which was also designed to be reusable. The balloon arch and picture area were assembled, including a carpet and chairs where members could have their photographs taken.

This was truly a "what worked and what didn't work" day as we tested and adjusted our plans.

On June 16, the committee returned once again to the hall. Following our carefully prepared seating plan, we set up and meticulously decorated every table.

The various areas of the event were also established, including the mocktail area, food area, coffee and tea station, historical scrapbook display, museum display, hospital memorabilia display and book donation area. Nametags were prepared for every attendee.

The morning of June 17 began with Sharon Creighton and Nancy Hughes attending at Town Hall to raise the Maple Leaf Chapter flag in recognition of IODE Maple Leaf Chapter Day.

Meanwhile, committee members arrived at the hall dressed in period clothing. Each member had selected a different decade, creating a wonderful visual representation of the 125 years of the chapter's history.

The final preparations were completed: the Maple Leaf 125 mocktail was prepared, water jugs were placed on every table, and the sound system was checked.

Guests began arriving, including:

Mayor Trevor Bazinet

Jimmy Trieu, President and CEO of AMGH

Karen Dalton, National President of IODE Canada

Michelle Batty, IODE Ontario President

Aileen Reid, IODE Vice-President, Mid Central

Colleen Maguire, portraying Mrs. Maude MacDonald

Editor from the Goderich Sun

The editor of the Bayfield Breeze

Scott Miller of CTV News

Scott Miller of CTV News also attended, interviewing several members about the anniversary. The celebration subsequently received coverage on the London CTV News broadcast that evening.

Guests were welcomed with the Maple Leaf 125 mocktail, and everyone was encouraged to contribute a book to the donation project, pick up their nametags and sign the guest book.

When it was time for the formal program, Matt Hoy piped the members and guests into the head table. Everyone stood for the singing of our National Anthem and the placement of the flags.

Tracy Maguire, Chair of the 125th Anniversary Committee, introduced Penny Murray, our Regent, who introduced the head table and called upon Kim VanAllen, Archdeacon Emeritus and chapter member, to offer the prayer.

Everyone then enjoyed a wonderful luncheon provided by Added Touch Catering.

Following lunch, Penny Murray introduced our special speakers: Mayor Trevor Bazinet, Jimmy Trieu, Karen Dalton, Michelle Batty and Aileen Reid.

Penny also read letters received in recognition of our 125th Anniversary from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada; MPP Lisa Thompson; and MP Ben Lobb.

The highlight of the historical program was the presentation by Colleen Maguire as Mrs. Maude MacDonald, the founding Regent of the Maple Leaf Chapter in 1901.

The presentation was framed as an early 1900’s IODE meeting and included the reading of the actual minutes of an early meeting, with Mrs. Macklin serving as secretary.

At the conclusion of the program, Penny Murray thanked everyone for attending and for their generous support of the book donation project. Guests were reminded that special bookplates would be placed inside the donated books identifying them as a contribution from the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE to the library.

Guests were also informed of the upcoming presentation of the books to the library on June 24 and the unveiling of the anniversary memorial bench on July 29.

The June 17 celebration was a tremendous success.

Almost all our current members attended, and the event quickly became the "hot ticket in town" that day. The period costumes worn by committee members and chapter members were outstanding, with each representing a different era of the chapter's 125-year history.

There were many photographs taken, many stories shared and, most importantly, many wonderful memories created.

At the conclusion of the luncheon, the committee remained behind to clean up the hall, dismantle the displays and decorations, and return everything to its proper place.

After days of inflating more than 200 balloons, one of the most satisfying — and perhaps amusing — parts of the cleanup were popping almost all of them. What took days to inflate took only minutes to disappear!

The committee members were completely exhausted at the end of the day, but equally satisfied that the vision we had developed many months earlier had come to life. 

The 125th Anniversary celebration demonstrated not only the long history of the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE, but also the continuing strength of its commitment to volunteerism and community service.

The Maple Leaf Chapter is the oldest and largest IODE chapter in Canada, with a history that predates organizations such as the Lions Club, Rotary Club and the Royal Canadian Legion.

The anniversary year gave us an opportunity to look back with pride at the accomplishments of the women who came before us, while also demonstrating that the spirit of service that founded the chapter in 1901 remains alive today.

From the 181 books donated to the library, to the $40,000 contribution toward the Menesetung Bridge Refurbishment Project, to the permanent memorial bench overlooking the Maitland Valley, the anniversary was not simply about celebrating what the chapter had done in the past. It was also about continuing to make a difference in our community.

The celebration of our 125th Anniversary will continue through IODE Awareness Week, October 11–17, 2026.

During the week, the Maple Leaf Chapter will highlight the many ways our individual members contribute to the community throughout the year.

This provides an opportunity to shine a light on the ongoing work of our members and to remind our community that the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE continues to be an active and dedicated force for volunteerism and service.

The 125th Anniversary Committee is extremely proud of what was accomplished during this anniversary year.

What began in the fall of 2025 as a small group of members gathering to "spitball" ideas ultimately grew into a year of meaningful projects, community partnerships, historical remembrance and celebration.

The success of the anniversary was the result of the dedication, creativity and hard work of every committee member. Each person brought different talents and ideas to the table, and together we created a celebration that honoured the past, celebrated the present and established a legacy for the future.

Most importantly, the anniversary reminded us that after 125 years of service, the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE continues to embody the same spirit of volunteerism and commitment to community that inspired its founding in 1901.

We can look back on 125 years with great pride — and look forward to the years ahead with equal enthusiasm.

Committee members include Tracy Maguire, Penny Murray, Arlene Sager, Kristy Daley, Karen Scott, Sandi King, Sharon Creighton and Nancy Hughes