The Alma Goldstone United Church Strawberry Social will be held on June 26 from 5 to 7:30pm at the Alma Community Hall.
“For many, the Alma Goldstone Garden Party is a family tradition, with one, two and sometimes three generations of family members attending,” said Sharon Grose, member of Alma United Church.
The Alma Goldstone Garden Party has been annual event for over 110 years.
“There is a lot of planning and behind-the-scenes work that goes into the organizing of an event of this size,” said Grose.
She explained volunteer work committees handle tasks such as menu planning, decorating, food preparation and clean up. Over 50 volunteers are busy with preparations.
Organizing food lists to serve up to 700 people might intimidate some, but the Alma Goldstone ladies are known through out the country side for their catering abilities. Mention the name Alma and people associate it with good food, noted Grose.
“Each family within the church contributes to the event – lists are handed out assigning tasks to be completed at the event by each family member.”
“Young and old alike lend a hand,” says Grose. “From the youth delivering dessert trays to the young at heart preparing food and serving it – there is a lot of socializing that goes on at this event not only by the guests but by the congregational members as well.”
The menu for this year will be an old fashioned country-style meal with all-you-can-eat ham, potato salad, cabbage salad, deviled eggs and pickles. Dessert will feature home made tarts, cupcakes and of course fresh strawberries. Boxes and boxes of fresh local strawberries are hulled for the event.
Why do people keep coming back to Alma’s Garden Party?
“It’s good food and warm hospitality in a pleasant rural setting,” said Grose.
“People enjoy home-cooked meals and church suppers are a popular evening out for folks of all ages.”
