IODE Maple Leaf Chapter History

Seen here is Nancy Hughes, IODE Maple Leaf Chapter member, with Regent Penny Murray (seated).

In this final edition of my column, we conclude the IODE Maple Leaf history by looking at our last 26 years.

Our chapter welcomed in the new millennium, or Y2K as many knew it, with celebratory plans for our centenary anniversary in 2001.

At this time, many individuals, businesses and service clubs in Goderich joined forces together as the “Mind and Body Campaign” for the expansion of the library and the building of a community health and wellness complex which ultimately became the present-day Maitland Recreation Centre.

IODE MLC chose two very ambitious goals for centenary projects; the first one was to recruit and retain 100 members by the completion of 2001. The second goal was to contribute $100,000 towards the library expansion project.

The library expansion project had a very impressive kickstart. On May 30, 2000, Hilary Weston, the lieutenant governor of Ontario, met with Maple Leaf Chapter members at the library strongly endorsing this initiative. This was followed by our usual fundraising endeavours with some very impressive additions to attain the hefty $100,000 goal.

The very successful Christmas House Tour began in 2000 and continues to be a well-loved annual event. The RCMP musical ride brought over 5,000 spectators to Ag Park on May 23, 2001. Queen Mary’s carpet, a beautiful tapestry with over one million stitches by the Queen herself, was loaned to us from the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. The carpet was on display at the Huron County Museum attracting patrons from a variety of locations.

With diligence and perseverance, our chapter achieved both centenary goals. By December 2001, the membership tally stood at 112 members. On June 17, 2002, we proudly donated the pledged donation of $100,000 to the library expansion project following their sod-turning event on April 26, 2002.

Our chapter continued with other very impressive tasks over the next two decades. In 2002, we applied and subsequently received $32,500 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to securely establish the Reuben Sallows Gallery which is located on the top floor of the library.

Reuben Sallows was a photographer from Goderich who became internationally famous for his photography depicting rural life. His family generously donated many of their father’s pictures to the gallery for visitors to enjoy.

In June 2011, a tea on the shared front lawns of the McManus and Hughes’ families was held, open to the public, to honour Maple Leaf’s 110 years in Goderich. Fancy sandwiches, squares, cookies and lemonade were served, all made by the IODE members, for the very reasonable fee of $5 per person. We profited about $250 in donations from this endeavour. This event was just prior to the devastating F3 tornado in August of 2011.

Our chapter helped complete an $8,000 playground at a 12-unit housing complex that was stalled by the disaster. IODE Ontario and IODE Canada each contributed $2,000 for disaster funds and our MLC helped organize local fundraising to finish the project. Our MOC contributed $24,000 to the Tornado Relief to the town of Goderich.

The Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020 and officially ended in May 2023. Life as we all knew it was filled with constantly changing restrictions to curtail the spread of this very contagious virus. Our MLC complied, adapted and persevered throughout these challenges. We had ZOOM meetings online and became very well acquainted with video chats to stay in touch with one another.

In 2021, the pandemic restrictions challenged any ideas of 120th anniversary celebrations, but we became inventive, resourceful and creative. Our celebratory goal was to produce and display a poppy shroud over the Sherman Tank at the Huron County Museum. Talented members, along with others in the community, knitted and crocheted poppies at home during the harshest restrictions of social distancing.

When social distancing restrictions were relaxed during the summer months, our members joined together and sewed over 3,000 poppies on the shroud netting. This labour of love was on display over the Sherman Tank at the museum from October 28 until November 12, 2021, honouring all those veterans who bravely fought and gave their lives during the two world wars.

So, what is IODE Maple Leaf Chapter’s secret to becoming and remaining Canada’s oldest and largest chapter spanning and thriving over 125 years? It is the constructive environment our members enjoy working with our community to create a force for good; steadfastly grounded in service to others and united in enduring, strong friendships.

It is commitment to the ongoing goals of building and sustaining strong communities by providing opportunities for growth and fulfillment.

This is the legacy IODE Maple Leaf Chapter continuously strives for through our actions, whether small or large; through the relationships and partnerships we make and share with others; and through the shared values of investing in present and future generations.

We are a legacy of Canadian women strongly woven together, engaging in the present and building the future for a better Canada.

Penny Murray is the Regent of the IODE Maple Leaf Chapter in Goderich