POINT EDWARD – A local club’s event here Saturday featuring a live band and fundraising meals was supposed to go ahead rain or shine.
But when Point Edward Ex-Servicemen’s Association officials looked at the forecast they decided to move it indoors just to be safe.
“Good thing we did,” said Gary Capp, the association’s vice-president.
A significant storm ripped through Southwestern Ontario, uprooting trees and downing hydro wires throughout the region. But the club’s three-hour event featuring a local country band went ahead at 2 pm as planned, just inside their Michigan Avenue headquarters instead of outside.
Capp estimated 50 to 75 people came out through the first 90 minutes.
“This is a great turnout for us,” he said. “Some people just come in, buy the sandwiches and go and other people are staying and sitting down, listening to the music.”
Kountry Krusin band members, and brother-in-laws, Thane Hughes and Jim Stevens performed for the crowd.
“Just starting out, having some fun with it,” Stevens said with a smile.
It was a free event as the club covered the cost of the band, but they sold roast beef sandwiches for $5 each to help raise funds for their regular donations to local minor sports and youth organizations in Sarnia and Point Edward and the hospice.
“When we have the money we’re giving donations all over Sarnia and Lambton,” Capp said.
He also pointed out the club is open to all members of the community and the public is welcome to attend any of their events.
“It’s not a private club by any nature and all of our events are open to anybody,” he said.
The association, alongside Point Edward officials, marked the centennial of the dedication of the village’s cenotaph with a service on April 19 in Veterans’ Memorial Park on St. Clair Street.