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It all began in 1967 when five ladies agreed to supply food for 450 people at the West Nissouri Township Centennial Ball in Thorn- dale. It turned out so well that the group of Roberta Atwell, Mabel Patterson,, Vera Haynes Shirley Bay- nes and Edna Wiseman started taking orders for weddings, anniversaries, the St. Marys Rotary Club (where they have served weekly meals since 1968), the St. Marys Kinsmen and Lions. The Upper Thames River Conservation Author- ity has enjoyed their meals and at the St. Marys Golf and Curling Club the group have served bonspiels, tour- naments and banquets. They have travelled as far as London to serve the curling club and received praise for their accomplishments of tasty home cooking. They have served at 153 weddings and in the Christ- mas season four or five banquets a week. They even had four engagemnts in one evening which was one of the times the ladies called in competent help from the neighbours for serving or cleaning up. They also received support from their own families at home. By Jack Matthison For the next few weeks the Village of Wellburn will be featured. Its businesses and a group of ladies who made the village famous, "The WEllburn Caterers" will be highlighted. To write about the "Caterers" is a pleasure for a country lad who enjoys charm, hospital- ity, reliability and good food "country style"that has been a legend for 10 years in the Wellburn area. A Visit To Wellburn How a group becomes so much in demand being asked time and time again to cater stems from the fact they never served anything but home cooked meals from their own ovens. They never purchased any rest- aurant equipment to speed up the volume of food cooked. THE WELLBURN GENERAL STORE was re-opened Wellbum Store on March lst Mggch 1 by Bob Ayers. Wellburn Caterers “131;. 'd Mrs. Baynes mentioned that in 1967 they received $2.00 a plate for their meals, tenyears later the price had risen to $5. Only two engagements have been missed (both on account of stormy weather). They also went to a trousseau tea one day early, but seeing that these ladies have hearts that St. Marys Journal-Argus, Wed., Mrr25 Randall, Mr. Falconer, Mr. McMurray, W. J. Jameson, Al. Marshall, Richard Quance, Roy King, Scott Keir, Gordon Bonnell, Lorne McAndrew, Ronald Davies, Mrs. Grace Braby and the present owner pob Ayers who reopened the Other store owners have been Mr. Waites, Mr. It had the first Post Office and it is believed that the Postal Authorities in Ottawa changed the name to "Wellburn". The name comes from two local families, "Burns" and "Wells". Mr. James Burns built and run the hamlet of "Opposition Corners" first grocery store on the same corner where it now stands. The day Bob Brien landJack Matthison called to take pictures, the first thing "asked to enjoy was a cup of coffee and an assortment of dainties. These were imposc sible to refuse at the home of Lorne and Roberta Atwell. The pictures of Lorne driving champion horses for himself and for the late Walter Clarke at different fairs were on the walls making for good viewing. The hospitality of Roberta, Mabel -vera, V Edna and Shirley was very much enjoyed as they reminisce about the satisfaction of serving so many and the enjoyment of each others' company. THE WELLBURN STORE So it can be seen that their dedication to everyone has made them a little tired and they have decided to call it quits. Now, they plan to take it a little easier at home, because serving away in bad weather of the winter time has made their job very treacherous over the past three winters. ON request costumes were worn to suit the occasion and meals served to go with the event, (like serving cold poached salmon which none of the ladies had tried before). like to please, a day early would not alter their thin- king of each other. , 1979 U? $5.53 L95 2: