Barbara Rodney and Mary Louise Killam, executive members of the Leif Erikson Chapter of IODE, hold pictures of two of the vessels used to bring war brides to Canada. IODE is planning a tea for war brides at the Yarmouth County Museum & Archives on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 2 - 4 p.m.
CARLA ALLEN PHOTO
Tea for war brides to be held at Yarmouth County Museum & Archives on Oct. 28
The IODE’s connection with war brides began with its provision of wedding dresses to the young women in 1945.
To celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of this group, the Leif Erikson Chapter of IODE will be holding a special tea at the Yarmouth County Museum & Archives on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 2 - 4 p.m.
BY CARLA ALLEN
The Vanguard
NovaNewsNow.com
Close to 45,000 war brides from Britain came to Canada, with nearly 100 ships carrying them across the Atlantic.
A surprisingly large percentage of the Canadian population holds kinship to war brides, says president Barbara Rodney.
“One in 30 families can claim they are related to a war bride,� she said.
In researching information for the event, she and secretary Mary Louise Killam, came across intriguing information in a Canadian war bride cookbook that was distributed to the women when they arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax.
For instance, the brides were informed that, “The average Canadian dislikes boiled meats almost as much as he dislikes suet pudding.�
The museum will be featuring a display of clothes worn during the World War Two era at the event and period music will be played.
At least eight war brides are expected to attend the tea. War brides who have not been contacted by an IODE representative, or readers who know of a war bride, are requested to call Mary Louise at 742-6909, or Barbara at 742-8719. RSVP’s are required by Oct. 22.
by Carla Allen/The Vanguard 
