Our first luncheon of 2024 was held at the Lamplighter Inn on Wellington Rd South since our usual venue at RiverBend is undergoing renovations this Spring. Everyone present was pleased to be able to see and chat with friends and acquaintances they hadn’t seen during the winter months.
Members were greeted at the door and Treasurer Jane Williams was available for members paying for their April 25th luncheon.
Our speaker was Bernie Gilmore on the topic of his time in Ethiopia forty years ago, during the 1984 Famine Relief effort by Canadians and other western countries. Nurses, doctors and volunteers from the London area went for several weeks to feed and provide emergency health care. Starving people walked from far and wide to receive life-giving help for themselves and their children. The volunteers felt they made a real difference in so many lives, such that Bernie returned later with his young family to spend a year with the friends he had made and to visit from time to time for brief periods. His presentation included guitar playing and his songs from that experience.
After the presentation we heard greetings from Area 3 Director, Lynn Sulman. A new member was introduced to the members who will receive a free luncheon next time as a welcome. The 50/25/25 draw was made for the members present, along with thanks to Irene Gauvin and her committee for their delightful table decorations we all admired.
