New Year’s donations from the Norwood Legion

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Norwood’s Branch 300 of the Royal Canadian Legion held their traditional New Year’s Day Levée to help usher in 2026. Legion Executive and members in their full uniform and regalia gathered in the festively decorated legion hall to welcome visitors as they came into the branch on New Year’s Day.

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The Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary in their usual perfect form provided a fine spread of cheese, veggies and treats for guests to indulge in. The Ladies also continued their own custom at the levée of making a sizable monetary donation to the branch to assist them with operational expenses.

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The levée is the perfect occasion for the public to exchange greetings and best wishes for the New Year, it is a chance to renew old acquaintances and to meet new friends. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon the events of the past year and to welcome the opportunities of the New Year.

The Norwood Legion uses their levée to carry out another longstanding annual tradition of their own; each year the branch makes a donation to the local churches, Norwood Community Care and the Norwood Food Bank. Representatives from the churches and the community organizations were on hand to each receive a cheque from the Legion President Bob Tyko.

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The festivities come with an open invitation to the public to come and enjoy a few hours of socializing and to partake in some free munchies and refreshments.

The New Year’s Levée is a common event in Canada with the majority of legions across the country hosting one each year, the Governor General and most Lieutenant Governors also traditionally host a Levée on New Year’s Day; however these annual “governors events” do not actually follow any precedent set by the Sovereign that they represent.

The practice of hosting a Levée in Canada traces its roots back nearly four centuries, well before Canada as a country actually existed. The first officially recorded levée in what would become

Canada was held on January 1, 1646 in Quebec City at the Chateau St. Louis, the cordial host was Charles Huault de Montmagny the Governor of what was known as New France at the time.

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Interestingly it was actually in Canada that the Levée became associated with New Year’s Day, as it continues an old custom in this country that goes back to the days of the fur trade. The first of the year was the day that people of that honourable trade traditionally paid their respects to their government representative; in most cases this would be the Master of the Fort. The day was a time for accounts to be settled, news to be shared from the home country and experiences and stories to be shared from other traders, with the master of the fort providing food and drink for his visitors of course.

The concept of a levée can be traced back nearly 1,300 years to the time of Charlemagne and his practice of inviting his friends to come in to his chambers when he was dressing and putting on his shoes, The Emperor would hear any disputes and order the disputants to be brought immediately to his rooms, hear the case and pronounce judgement, sometimes before he even had his shoes tied.

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A more formal ceremony of the levée originated in the mid-1600’s with King Louis XIV of France and his somewhat unusual custom of receiving his courtiers and subjects in his bedchamber shortly after rising from his bed. (These events were in many cases an elaborate show by the King as he frequently rose earlier and went hunting for a couple of hours before returning to his bed in time for his levée.)

The word levée itself is derived from the French verb ‘lever’ meaning to lift or rise or more specifically “se lever de son lit” to rise from one’s bed.

The more familiar form of the custom was introduced to Great Britain by King Charles II in 1672 when his court held their first official levee. The time was shifted away from the morning to early afternoon and the bedchamber was upgraded to one of the grand reception rooms at St. James Palace where officials, diplomats, and military officers would be presented individually to the King (who was already dressed in his regal splendor). Interestingly the practice of holding court levées was continued (sometimes three times a week) by the British monarchy until 1939.

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Norwood Lions Club Christmastime update

The Norwood Lions held their annual Christmas Draw at Norwood Foodland on December 24.

Each year the Norwood Lions Club purchases gift certificates from several local businesses and then raffles them off just before Christmas. Local establishments benefit from the support and the Lions raise funds for their many community betterment projects.

The draws seven lucky winners are: Connie Nelson with a $500 gift certificate from Paul’s Norwood Pharmasave, Pat Ross with a $400 gift certificate from Norwood Foodland, Christine Hewitt with a $300 gift certificate from Papa’s Pizzaland, Steve Rightmyer with a $150 gift certificate from Norwood Home Hardware, Dennis Savery with a $100 gift certificate from J J Stewart Motors, Barb Barrons with a $100 gift certificate from Mike Heffernan, Ball Real Estate and Al Nichols with a $50 gift certificate from Ralph’s Butcher Shop.

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The Norwood Lion’s expresses their sincere thanks to everyone who supported the draw; Funds generated will support local area initiatives.

Another long-time Christmas project for the Lions is their Annual Toy drive. Every year the local club collects as well as purchases toys and gift cards for local families and children who could use a little extra help. The drive was another incredible success, thanks to the amazing generosity of the community the Lions helped many children (and families) in our community, making their Christmas morning just a little more special.

The Norwood Lions Club was established in 1952: they will celebrate the 74th anniversary of the signing of their charter in February. The international Lion’s Club motto is “We Serve” and the Norwood Club has never strayed from that mandate; for over seven decades they have been and continue to be an extraordinary driving force for community betterment in the village and beyond.

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Lions Breakfast

Not ones to let the grass grow under their feet the Norwood Lions Club is hitting the ground running for the New Year. The club’s popular monthly Breakfast returns to the Norwood Town Hall this Sunday, January 11 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.. The local service club will be serving up their traditional morning fare of scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, peameal bacon, beans, fruit, coffee, tea and juice. Cost is $13 for adults; Ages 7 to 12 is $7 and age 6 and under eat for free. In recognition of Lions International Week of Service to address Hunger, the Lions will also be accepting canned and non-perishable goods for the Norwood Foodbank.

To all my followers, my personal best wishes for the New Year and thank you for reading my weekly ramblings.

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