People in search of a delicious, filling breakfast surrounded by amicable company can look to the Donalda Coulee Friendship Club’s monthly brunch to fill that need — and their tummies.
The club gets together every second Sunday of the month, excepting in February, July and August, to put together a breakfast of flapjacks, ham, eggs, and hashbrowns, all of which can be washed down with a glass of orange juice, or a cup of coffee or tea.
During the summer months the activity lapses as a lot of the families go away, Marlene Conibear, club treasurer, explained. In February, the pancake brunch is moved to Shrove Tuesday.
“(The pancake brunch) started about four years ago, to help people in the community get together, enjoy music, and help make money to help fund the facility,” Conibear said about the event, which frequently draws in local musicians to play during the brunch, though none happened to attend the Sunday, Jan. 10 meal.
The events bring in anywhere from 30-50 people, so the day’s not particularly crowded, leaving people the opportunity to sit and chat with friends and newcomers to the community as well as linger over their food and drink.
In February, instead of the brunch the Friendship Club hosts a pancake dinner, honouring the Christian Shrove Tuesday event.
This year, the club raised the cost from $5 to $8, but attendees are able to head up for seconds of the delicious food, making it quite the bargain, Conibear noted.
The pancake brunch is just one of the several events the Donalda Coulee Friendship Club hosts. The club does catering for local museum tours, funerals, and rents out the facility to the community. The small hall, located on the corner across from the Community Hall, has a small kitchen as well.
During the winter season, the club also organizes whist nights, bringing together people of all ages to play the card game. Though technically a seniors’ organization, the club won’t turn away younger folk who want to come and play, or learn to play, so long as there’s enough to field a full table, Conibear said.
“Events like this are a great way for people to catch up on all the news,” she added. “And every Saturday, we have coffee and treats at 1:30 p.m. It’s great for fellowship, and everyone’s welcome.”