People are already calling the Maple Ridge Historical Society to check about the date of the 2011 Heritage Tea.
It will be held on Saturday, April 2, from 1-4 p.m. in the Seniors Activity Centre (12150 224th Street).
Easter is late in April this year, so we can remain with the first Saturday of the month for our event.
Every person who is interested in Maple Ridge history is welcome to attend the tea, which now has no set date restrictions.
Along with the Maple Ridge High School reunion group that is gathering the same week-end, you will likely meet long-time friends, co-workers and acquaintances at the tea.
This will be the 19th year that the Maple Ridge Historical Society has hosted its April Heritage Tea. During that time, some things have remained the same – a warm welcome, a tasty afternoon tea, and a fascinating photo display presented by the Maple Ridge Museum. The cost of a ticket is $5, collected at the entrance door.
A new addition to the tea this year is the chance to have a couple of your antiques or collectibles viewed and appraised by Al Bowen. He has appeared a number of times in Maple Ridge for similar events, where he can put his wide experience with museum items and antiques to work. He will identify mystery items, and give an estimate of your treasure’s monetary value. The appraisals will go on between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the tea. One corner of the room has been set aside for the appraisals, which will be of interest to observers as well as owners.
Because of time restrictions, only a limited number of appraisal tickets are available for sale. The cost for the appraisal of two items plus the tea is $15. These special tickets must be purchased in advance of April 2nd at the Maple Ridge Museum. Call there at 604-463-5311 for any further information or visit mrmuseum@gmail.com.
In 2012, Easter will once again fall on the first week-end in April, so our 20th Heritage Tea will be held on April 14th. Those of you who like to plan ahead may pick up a “Save the Date” reminder at this year’s tea so you can notify friends and relations.
Today’s photo taken at the 2010 Heritage Tea features Dick Sutcliffe of the Dewdney Alouette Railway Society chatting with a visitor. In the background, people are looking at the museum photo display, part of which described baseball teams from Haney and Hammond, and their serious rivalry.
For this years photo panels, Maple Ridge Museum director Val Patenaude is planning to feature the many parks of Maple Ridge. This is the theme of Heritage Week in B.C. in 2011.
She will also concentrate on the history of Albion.
These ideas, along with photos from 1961, will be of interest to visitors.
If you plan to bring antiques for appraisal on April 2, please remember to purchase your combination tea and appraisal ticket at the Maple Ridge Museum in advance.
Sheila Nickols is past president of the Maple Ridge Historical Society.