The Arts & Cookery Bank celebrated their First Anniversary on Saturday, July 16, 2011, during the Cactus, Cattle and Cowboys event in West Lorne. One year ago, The Bank officially opened to ooohhhs and aaahhhs, in a stunning heritage barn transformed into a chef’s dream kitchen, and adjoined to an exquisite multi-purpose heritage hall.
The Bank has accomplished much in its first year in fulfilling its purpose to showcase the surrounding communities (Dutton-Dunwich, Newbury, Southwest Middlesex and West Elgin), largely via photos and cooking.
The photo lab has hosted 8 photography classes. The state of the art, yet welcoming “cookery” has been the centre for a culinary boot camp, 7 days of community Christmas Celebration, 9 imaginative Wednesday classes/feasts, 3 Sunday classic classes, 4 lost arts classes, and 4 fest-a-months celebrating the cuisines of Portugal, Thailand, Netherlands and Caribbean. The Bank has also welcomed visitors to more than 23 events for community based organizations.
People have travelled from London, St. Thomas and further afield, but 47.9% of visitors have come from the four surrounding communities. All had reason to celebrate the first anniversary. They did just that with a Cake Walk, Photo Shoot-Out and Cake Social for those who were taking part in the annual Cactus, Cattle and Cowboys festivities.
The Bank has accomplished much in its first year in fulfilling its purpose to showcase the surrounding communities (Dutton-Dunwich, Newbury, Southwest Middlesex and West Elgin), largely via photos and cooking.
The photo lab has hosted 8 photography classes. The state of the art, yet welcoming “cookery” has been the centre for a culinary boot camp, 7 days of community Christmas Celebration, 9 imaginative Wednesday classes/feasts, 3 Sunday classic classes, 4 lost arts classes, and 4 fest-a-months celebrating the cuisines of Portugal, Thailand, Netherlands and Caribbean. The Bank has also welcomed visitors to more than 23 events for community based organizations.
People have travelled from London, St. Thomas and further afield, but 47.9% of visitors have come from the four surrounding communities. All had reason to celebrate the first anniversary. They did just that with a Cake Walk, Photo Shoot-Out and Cake Social for those who were taking part in the annual Cactus, Cattle and Cowboys festivities.
Above - The Arts & Cookery Bank Board of Directors cutting the cake; L-R: Anne Kenny, Jerry Galbraith, Mary Simpson, Duncan Morrison, Grace McGartland; photo by Sharon Little (top left). Cake Walk participants holding up their numbers, waiting for the chance to win the final cake; photo by The Arts & Cookery Bank (top right). Cake Walk participants line up on Graham Road in West Lorne, waiting for the event to start; photo by The Arts & Cookery Bank (bottom).
Above - Jackson Stanley, one of The Arts & Cookery Bank’s digital photography assistants, poses for the Photo Shoot-Out; photo by The Arts & Cookery Bank (left). Terri-Lynne (L) and sister Paige Wardell (R) of Rodney had their photo taken for The Bank’s Photo Shoot-Out competition; photo by Sharon Little (bottom right). Cake Walk winner Sahra de Wit won a cake baked my Karen Carrol (R); photo by The Arts & Cookery Bank (top right).
“It was really a wonderful day,” says Grace McGartland, the Arts & Cookery Bank Chair. “We were so happy with the 200+ visitors we had who came out to help us celebrate our special day.”
A whole lot of celebrating, learning, savouring and socializing has occurred at The Bank over the past year. There will be lots more to watch for in the upcoming months. Check
www.theartsandcookerybank.com or join The Bank’s Facebook page to stay up-to-date with all the great events, recipes and updates.
A whole lot of celebrating, learning, savouring and socializing has occurred at The Bank over the past year. There will be lots more to watch for in the upcoming months. Check
www.theartsandcookerybank.com or join The Bank’s Facebook page to stay up-to-date with all the great events, recipes and updates.