IODE Goderich

10/13/2026

It's IODE Awareness Week.  Today we hear about Support as a Member of IODE Maple Leaf Chapter from Kathy Wilson.  

I came to the area 8 ½ years ago knowing that I wanted to join a service group.  Soon after getting settled, I met Heather Ball at the YMCA.  She suggested I attend an IODE meeting if I wanted to meet a “great group of women”.  I did and she was correct.  It was a perfect fit. 

Four years ago, our Regent suggested I become a House Captain at the Christmas Open House Tour Refreshment Centre.  I naively agreed. Never having been to the Refreshment Centre, I had no idea what was involved but minutes after agreeing to the job, I was approached by Lynn Bearden who said, “I’ll help you decorate.”  I thought, decorate??? 

Members approached and volunteered to bake cookies.  Again, cookies???  There were so many offers to help, it was overwhelming but after 30 minutes with our Regent, Penny Murray, I had all the information I needed:  the location and set up, where to buy the apple c***r, and a schedule for volunteers.  Kate Ryan came to help set up on the first day and stayed all weekend.  She was well acquainted with the industrial stove to heat the c***r and improved it by adding orange slices and maple syrup.  Again, I was overwhelmed by this time by the warmth and helpfulness of the members. 

The first year was a learning curve for sure.  The second year I thought I might be on my own but not a chance.  All my bakers, decorators, and host/hostesses came forward, smiling and happy to help.  And here I am four years later, still amazed and grateful for the ladies (and a few of their life partners) who have the Christmas House Tour Refreshment Centre on the calendars.

It is a pleasure and honour to work with the ladies of IODE Maple Leaf Chapter. 🍁

10/13/2026

This beautiful outfit would look nice for any upcoming dinner parties you may have. You can never go wrong with a “little black dress” and the black satin shoes are a perfect match. The black and white wool jacket looks stunning with this outfit while the colourful scarf and bright orange purse add the splash of colour needed to make this outfit pop!!
Come on in and visit us at the Op Shop on North Street in Goderich from 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Saturday 🍁

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

On our team we have Heather Ball & Kristy Daley who handle the Social Media and Advertising posts.  Kristy Daley is also the Ticket/Poster Processor, who has taken all of the information given to her from the coordinators and created our posters and tickets.  Patti McManus and Heather Ball assisted in finding our entertainment that can be experienced at the refreshment venue.  Kathy Wilson organizes the refreshment venue; this includes finding volunteers for serving the hot c***r and baking cookies for the patrons.  Heather Stewart organizes the Urn workshop; these urns will be used in some of our homes and at the refreshment venue.  Karen Scott & Sandi King will pick up the poinsettia and deliver them to the places that they are being used at on our Tour and return to the vendor at the end of our event.  Helen Lapp will work at the Opportunity Shop early Saturday and Sunday so patrons can pick up their pre-purchased tickets.  Marilyn Turner, along with her team, Heather Ball, Penny Murray, Kim Ferris and Eleanor Parent, will organize the ticket distribution and collection of monies for the event.  Tracy Maguire creates the hostess volunteer sheets for the House Captain along with the House Captain bags that hold the tools required to manage their houses.  Not to mention the House Captains along with the numerous Hostesses who have volunteered their time over this two-day Tour event. 

Both of us would like to take this time to thank the many volunteers who are instrumental in ensuring that we have another successful IODE Christmas House Tour!  And thank you to the many who sponsor our event.

10/12/2026

Today for IODE Awareness Week we present the Christmas House Tour! 🏘☃️🍁

Hi, we’re Ally Anderson and Marilyn Turner and we are this year’s 2026 IODE Christmas House Tour Coordinators. 

It has been a busy year but we are pleased and excited to announce that we are ready!!!  This picture is taken in front of one of the stunning homes that will be showcased on the tour. 

Did you know that the Christmas House Tour is one of IODE MLC’s (Maple Leaf Chapter’s) largest fundraisers?  Also, that these funds are used in our Community and are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education support, community service and citizenship programs?

You also may have not realized that it takes a lot more behind the scenes work of many volunteers than just the two of us to make this event successful. 

We are always looking for potential houses to showcase on our Tour.  This process already starts during our current tour year for the following next year’s event.  Thank you to the members and the community for their support, first for helping us to find these homes and second, for participating in this event.

10/12/2026

The Maple Leaf Chapter IODE Goderich would like to wish everyone a very wonderful and lovely Thanksgiving weekend. We hope you are able to be surrounded with all of your loved ones on this special weekend! Enjoy!! 🍁

10/11/2026

A little pin, a big welcome! 📌💛

We’re delighted to officially welcome another new member, Vicky Culbert, to the IODE Maple Leaf Chapter!

Behind every new member is the possibility of new friendships, fresh ideas, and more hands ready to help make good things happen in Goderich.

We’re growing, and we’re so honoured women are choosing our service club! 🌿

10/11/2026

Another successful initiative was our "Share a Story / Bring a Book" project. Working with the local library and The Bees Knees bookstore, we hoped to collect at least 125 books for the library's summer programs. The community response exceeded our expectations, with 181 books and several gift certificates donated and presented to the library on June 24th.

On June 17, committee members arrived in period dress, each representing a different decade of the chapter's 125-year history. The celebration included members and guests, Mayor Trevor Bazinet, AMGH President and CEO Jimmy Trieu, IODE National President Karen Dalton, IODE Ontario President Michelle Batty, IODE Vice-President Aileen Reid, and other special guests. Letters from the Governor General, MP Ben Lobb and MPP Lisa Thompson were also read. The event received coverage from the Goderich Sun, Bayfield Breeze and CTV News, with Scott Miller of CTV conducting interviews that appeared on the London evening news.

The celebration was a tremendous success and created many wonderful memories for our members and guests. The committee worked together through the final days to decorate the hall, prepare more than 200 balloons, establish displays, arrange seating and ensure every detail was in place. At the end of the day, the exhausted but extremely proud committee dismantled everything and returned the hall to order.

The 125th Anniversary has been more than
a celebration of our past. It has demonstrated that the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE — the oldest and largest IODE chapter in Canada — continues its proud tradition of volunteerism and community service. From the 181 books donated to the library, to the $40,000 commitment to the Menesetung Bridge project, to the permanent memorial bench overlooking the Maitland Valley, our anniversary year has created a meaningful legacy for future generations.

The year will conclude with IODE Awareness Week, October 11–17, 2026, when we will highlight the many contributions our members make to our community throughout the year.

The 125th Anniversary Committee is proud to have honoured 125 years of service while helping to build the foundation for the next 125. 🍁