The Strawberry Social: A Long-time Valley Tradition
For the past 33 years, locals have come together just in time for strawberry season, baking tea biscuits and whipping fresh cream (or good old-fashioned ice cream) by the bowl to serve to locals across the valley.
While the event acts as a fundraiser, it also brings the community together, signalling the beginning of another Chateauguay Valley summer. On Friday, June 24th, Rennie’s United Church hosted their annual strawberry social. Volunteers served over 600 people, not including those under the age of five. Members of the community crowded the entryway of the Rockburn Presbyterian Hall, socializing before heading inside to enjoy a delicious treat on a hot day. Everything, from the Coaticook ice cream to the strawberries to the homemade tea biscuits was locally sourced.
While there are numerous strawberry social events in the area (the Catholic
Women’s League, along with Ormstown’s St. Paul’s Church also ring in summer with the same tradition), it is worth noting that the idea was made an annual reality by two members of Rennie’s United Church—Rosalie Maither and Jean Pringle. The tradition began in the eighties, with one of the first strawberry socials being hosted at Herdman’s original Town Hall. In fact, the idea was actually pulled from the minutes of the Rennie’s United Church. An avid reader, Maither had gone through all the notes dating back as far as 1925, and stumbled upon the idea of a strawberry social as a fundraiser. “We were looking for a way to raise money for the church,” Maither explained. “The very first one was actually held on Mrs. Leggett’s lawn in Herdman,” she added. That first strawberry social hosted close to 100 patrons; a serving cost $1.25. Since the beginning, all monies raised during the event have been filtered back into the church. In the past, funds have been used to redo the Sunday School and to replace the church shades. The money raised this year will go towards inspecting the church’s roof.
“We just want to thank everyone for coming out,” said Maither. “It was a great event, and so nice to see everyone. ”