More than five decades of friendship, volunteerism and community spirit were celebrated June 12 as the Roseisle Friendship Club marked its 55th anniversary with a tea at the Roseisle Evangelical Mennonite Church.
Founding members of the Roseisle Friendship Club gathered during the organization’s 55th anniversary tea held June 12 at the Roseisle Evangelical Mennonite Church. Pictured are Shirley Snider and Shirley Harder (standing) and Darlene Smith (seated), three of the women who helped establish the club in 1971
Guests gathered around lace-covered tables, sipping tea from fine china cups while enjoying dainty sandwiches, homemade sweets and conversation — a fitting tribute to a group whose foundation has always been friendship and connection.
The Friendship Club traces its roots back to 1971 following the closure of the local United Church. Members of the United Church Women group suddenly found themselves without a place to meet, but with a desire to remain connected. Armed with just $86.23 in their bank account, 12 women came together to form a new community organization dedicated to social, charitable and community service.
A “Recipe for Friendship” published in the club’s 25th anniversary cookbook listed the ingredients that have guided the organization for generations: patience, laughter, generosity, love, understanding, loyalty and kindness.
Those values quickly translated into action. In its early years, members prepared and served meals for bridal showers, weddings, funerals and auction sales. An auction menu from decades ago listed hot dogs for 75 cents, coffee for 25 cents, pie for 50 cents and doughnuts for 25 cents — while still generating a profit for the club’s charitable efforts.
Over the years, the Friendship Club became known for its commitment to helping others. Members supported local families facing hardship, sponsored children in need, provided Christmas gifts to seniors, clergy, new mothers and shut-ins, and contributed to countless community projects.
Quilting became one of the club’s signature activities. Members spent countless hours gathered around quilting frames, stitching intricate quilts that were often raffled to raise funds for community initiatives.
One of the club’s most notable projects was the Millennium Quilt, designed by member Mary Penner in 2000. The quilt required 151 hours of stitching and featured provincial and local symbols including a bison, maple leaf, crocus and wild roses. The project earned first prize when it was exhibited at the Carman Country Fair.
The club has also been a familiar presence in Roseisle’s Canada Day celebrations, with decorative floats highlighting community pride, patriotism and the organization’s commitment to service.
Supporting local youth remains an important part of the Friendship Club’s mandate. Each year, graduating students from the Roseisle area attending any of six local high schools are eligible to receive a bursary recognizing both academic achievement and community involvement.
Today, the Friendship Club has seven active members and continues to meet from September through June. Monthly gatherings rotate among members and include project planning, guest speakers and, naturally, lunch and conversation. Membership remains open to women in the community, with annual dues set at $1 plus a member’s age in change.
The anniversary tea attracted 40 attendees and included a presentation on the club’s history by member Diane Gillingham. Among those celebrated was founding member Shirley Harder, who continues to attend regularly after 55 years of involvement and served as the club’s secretary for many years.
Members say they are particularly proud of the club’s longstanding support for local graduates through bursaries, as well as the many community projects and charitable initiatives undertaken over the decades. The quilts created by members remain treasured keepsakes throughout the region.
Beyond its fundraising and volunteer work, the Friendship Club has provided something equally valuable — a supportive environment where women can share their experiences, contribute their perspectives and build lasting friendships. As rural populations have declined over the years, members say opportunities for regular social connection have become increasingly important.
Looking ahead, the club plans to continue supporting local graduates, hosting monthly gatherings and responding to community needs as they arise. Organizers also hope the anniversary story will encourage other area women to consider becoming involved when meetings resume in September.
As members reflected on 55 years of history during the anniversary tea, the event served as more than a celebration of the past. It was also a reminder of the enduring value of community connections.
The club’s mission statement includes the phrase “friends helping friends” — a simple idea that has guided the organization for more than half a century. In an increasingly disconnected world, the Friendship Club’s legacy of camaraderie, conversation and service remains as relevant today as it was when a dozen women first gathered together in 1971.
