Dozens of current and former members of Girl Guides of Canada celebrated a century of Guiding in the Alberni Valley, Oct. 14, 2023 at Cherry Creek Hall.
Members of the Alberni Valley Trefoil Guild—some of whom have been involved in the non-profit volunteer organization for 60-65 years—invited guests, set up displays and held a tea. Some of the youngest members from Sparks and Embers helped serve guests, who represented nearly 900 years of service to Girl Guides.
Sally Pilyk of Chemainus brought an exhibit of vintage Guiding uniforms, and some of the Embers modeled uniforms from the 1930s to 1990s. Pilyk, who has been involved in the organization for 65 years, also set up display boards showing badges earned throughout the years.
The local Trefoil Guild brought out photo albums full of photos from past events. Second- and third-generation Guiding members flipped through the albums looking for photos of family members.
The First Alberni Company was formed on Feb. 24, 1923 and was called Princess Mary Girl Guides. The First Port Alberni Company was formed the same year.
Angie Blake, a member of the Trefoil Guild, says she is entering her 60th year in Guiding—all but one served as an adult volunteer. She has two daughters who were also involved when they were younger, and she says she brought Peggy Scott into the organization. Scott has also been involved for the same amount of time.
Peggy Hartman, another Trefoil Guild member, has been involved in Guiding for 65 years.
