by Sylene Argent
On the morning of Tuesday, February 19, members of the Essex Retirees’ Social Club opened the door to its Russell Street Clubhouse in Essex Centre to host the 2019 installment of the Club’s annual Soup Contest.
Betty Lou Firth, Executive Director of the Essex Retirees’ Social Club, was pleased to welcome around 80 patrons to the event, who came out to enjoy a hearty lunch. Those who attended were welcomed to taste-test the 19 soups area individuals, club members, and local businesses entered into the contest. Patrons also had the opportunity to vote for their favourite recipe, which was awarded to Pat Rounding for her Russian Mushroom and Potato soup.
The Essex Retirees’ invited a couple members of the Essex (M) OPP to the event to take on the tough job of judging the submissions. After tasting each dish, the judges decided Sylvia Pearce’s Beef and Vegetable soup would take home top honour. Judy Lane was awarded with the second-place prize for her Cheddar, ham, and potato dish.
Having the 19 submissions, Firth said, was the perfect amount of dishes for the event. The hall was so full during the luncheon, a few extra tables were setup to accommodate those who wanted to enjoy an afternoon of soup tasting. Many of the diners, Firth added, stuck around after to socialize.
Members of the Essex Retirees’ Social Club brought in dessert trays to add to the event. Frith said the dessert table was lovely and offered a nice variety of goodies.
The Essex Retirees’ Social Club hosts several events throughout the year to ensure the clubhouse is well maintained and that its programs can continue. Coming up, the Essex Retirees’ Social Club will host a ham and scalloped potato dinner in April and it looking at hosting a vendors’ market towards the end of March.