St. Paul鈥檚 United Church was one of the first venues to open the Canada 150 celebrations in Assiniboia. The parish held its Canada 150 banquet on February 24 and welcomed 100 guests for the meal. This event was a fundraiser for the church.
The smells of roasted vegetables and pork wafted up into the entranceway as visitors entered the church building. The hall was decorated in a Canada 150 theme with Canadian flags on the walls and the tables draped in red and white tablecloths. There were centerpieces and small flags on each table 鈥� all lending to the celebratory atmosphere.
At the front on the stage a large screen was set up with a slide show displaying beautiful scenery and other photographs from Assiniboia and surrounding locations as well as from famous points throughout Canada.
The entire four-course meal was also designed to showcase Saskatchewan and Canadian foods. All of the produce for the menu items, except for the coffee and tea, were grown in Saskatchewan and elsewhere in Canada.
The event began with a tribute to Canada. Rev. Marilyn Leuty greeted all of those gathered and asked all those present to join in singing 鈥淥 Canada鈥�. There was prayer before the meal and then punch was served for a toast. Rev. Leuty led the toast for Canada.
The meal began with an appetizer of beef puffs, followed by a bean salad, then a tasty entr茅e of roast pork and apple sauce together with roasted vegetables. The dessert featured Saskatoon berry pie and a pumpkin slice. The pies were donated using fruit grown and picked in Saskatchewan.
The volunteers completed all of the cooking on site at the church and preparations had been ongoing throughout the day.
Rev. Leuty lead the supper preparations. She has a lot of experience with summer camps and this food preparation experience served the parish well.
