History of Maple Leaf Chapter IODE Goderich: Celebrating the decades of 1960-1999

Stepping back and visualising the years from 1960 through to 1999, many will recall that these decades brought about some radical social and cultural changes.

Even prior to the early 60s, Canada was moving towards a distinct national identity while remaining loyal to the Commonwealth.

Visible representation of this independence demanded a change from flying the British Union Jack. On February 15, 1965, our nation adopted the National Flag of Canada, popularly known as the Maple Leaf Flag.

Great symbolism marked the choice of colours and insignia of the new flag.

The white background symbolised the peaceful foundation of our nation. The vertical red sides symbolised prosperity and hope so future generations could live in strength and freedom while remembering the costly sacrifice of predecessors.

The beloved, red maple leaf is not just a logo; it represents our Canadian identity, our rich cultural heritage, unity and pride in the natural resources that make our vast country one of the richest on this earth.

Other changes were also taking place.

In the early 70s, the wake of two world wards, numerous labour-saving appliances and conveniences freed women from their daily household chores and opened the competitive, male-dominated, working world.

At that time, only 33 per cent of Canadian women worked outside their homes. Today, 80 per cent of Canadian women work outside their homes. Drastic shifts in the social landscapes were becoming a sweeping reality.

As more women entered the workforce, membership in volunteer organisations began to dwindle. Despite this change, our Maple Leaf Chapter maintained and continues to maintain a strong and active membership. Today, we remain Canada’s oldest and largest chapter.

As I reviewed our many scrapbooks in the library, I noticed what a priority it was for our members to attend the IODE provincial and national annual meetings. Hats, gloves, matching shoes and purses along with several changes in formal attire for meals and parties were pulled out of closets and attics to wear at annual meetings.

No casual sweatshirts and pants were considered appropriate for these significant events.

The year of 1970 ushered in celebrations for IODE Ontario’s 50th anniversary and our chapter wanted to mark the occasion locally.

Goderich has the well-known reputation as the Prettiest Town in Canada, and our flower gardens and hanging baskets are beautifully and meticulously maintained from spring to fall for the enjoyment of residents, tourists, butterflies and bees.

Did you know that our very own Maple Leaf Chapter initiated the idea of placing hanging baskets of flowers on the lamp posts around the square to celebrate the 50th anniversary of IODE Ontario? And now this festive initiative has blossomed into a well-loved, annual occurrence.

Our Chapter has had numerous meeting places over the decades. Initially, meetings were held in the homes of members.

As we grew in numbers, we graduated to a variety of locations – accommodations in the courthouse prior to the devastating fire, Knox Presbyterian Church, St. George’s Anglican Church and now here at the MacKay Centre.

In addition to the Op Shop, our Chapter held garage sales, afternoon teas, wine and cheese parties, luncheons and hospitality times, all in support of community projects.

Locally we strongly supported AMGH, the Livery, nursing bursaries, proficiency awards, public speaking awards, and scholarships to local students.

We participated in the annual Canada Day parades, and have supported Indigenous and foreign students, disaster relief and overseas medical care to third world countries over the years.

In 1999, we secured the very coveted location for our five-point garden. Many organisations desperately wanted this desirable site for promotional endeavours.

There is a very funny story about how this location was secured. One of our members absolutely loved IODE with exuberant enthusiasm and pitbull passion. She was a woman with a mission, and her mission was to secure the five-point garden for our Chapter complete with an IODE Maple Leaf Chapter sign and flower bed display.

There was one very major obstacle that came with securing this sought-after-site. There was no water supply available to maintain a garden.

This dilemma set her into action mode. She sought out a local inground water sprinkler company and struck up a deal. If she could get 10 people to install inground water sprinkler systems on their properties, the company agreed to install a water supply to the five-point garden.

Today, thanks to this member’s successful, pitbull persuasion, we remain as the proud planters of the prominent Canadian flag flower bed at the five-points.

Penny Murray is the Regent of Maple Leaf Chapter IODE