The Athol Recreation Centre

The Strawberry Social came back to a huge fanfare with about 150 in attendance. Even the Mayor made an appearance to share in the festivities. Delicious baked goods came from all over the County. Strawberries from Laundry Farms and icecream from Slicker’s.

Thanks to the local Celebrity Bakers who provided all types of baked items including gluten-free and vegan: PECish Bakery, Honey Pie Hives and Herbs, Zest Kitchen Shop, Karlo Estates Winery, Creekside Cafe, Lilac Lane B&B, Miss Lily’s, Darlings and Jan’s. Big thanks to Sarah, Pastry Chef at the Royal for her donation of a chocolate cake which was raffled off raising $152. Congrats to the winner Tangela Martin of Hillier.

Big thanks to our community bakers: Ramesh Pooram, Mike Trites, Lauri Osselton, Dini Terpstra, Bonnie Robson, Debbie Green, Sabrina Baverstock, Michelle Guernsey, Cath Collins, Wilma Ross, Elaine Marshall and the Cherry Valley WI.

Big thanks to our event organizers Glen and Susan Wallis and the entire rockin’ Athol Recreation Committee of Alison Kelly, Stephanie Cressman, Robin Snip, Jeremy Larter, Ramesh Pooram and Nancy Cherwika and Sam Branderhorst our Athol Councillor and the Cherry Valley WI.

Thanks to our strawberry hullers: Mike Trites, Janet Davies, Gaby Cole, Cath Collins, Jeremy Larter, Nina-Marie Lister, Bruce Dowdel, Donna Kaye, Jeremy Guth & Stephanie Cressman.

Huge thanks to those who helped out in every area with a special call out to Cath Colliins and her daughter Katie and Stephanie Cressman.

Sorry If we missed thanking someone!

Please note all profits from this event will go back to support other upcoming events and the “put the front door back into the hall” fund.

See you next year for another Strawberry Social.

Past Chair Glen Wallis received a nice surprise by being presented with the Phil Dodds Award for 2023 for his many years of community service in Athol through the Recreation Coimmittee and throughout the County as the founder of Food to Share.

THE PHIL DODD’S award.

The late Philip Dodds, nicknamed by those who knew him as ‘Mr. Prince Edward’, joined the Picton Gazette at the age of 18 as a reporter in 1924 and retired as the editor of the paper 42 years later. He was an active supporter of service clubs, events and organizations and is well-known for his promotions of the Picton Fair for more than 20 years.

He is also the editor of the book Athol, Stories of a Township and its People During the Past 132 Years. The book is an invaluable account of local Athol history available for all to read at the library in Picton. He is buried in the Cherry Valley cemetery.

The Phil Dodd’s award is awarded each year to a person who goes above and beyond in supporting and volunteering in their community.