Nord-Bridge breakfast always a Whoop-Up hit

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on August 22, 2024.

Herald photo by Al Beeber Volunteers serve breakfast to hungry diners as the Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre hosted its annual toonie Whoop-Up Days breakfast Wednesday morning.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre toonie pancake breakfast has become a staple on the Whoop-Up Days menu over the years and on Wednesday, organizers expected they may have served a record crowd.

Dozens of people were lined up shortly after doors opened at the northside seniors centre where a crew of volunteers worked doggedly to serve food and beverages and clean up tables.

Program co-ordinator Ashley Kern said during the event that she expected between 800 and 900 people would be served before breakfast ended at 11 a.m. A record was set in 2023 with about 770 diners enjoying a meal while listening to live entertainment provided by the Nord-Bridge Jammers, a group of musicians who perform regularly at the seniors centre.

“They are always our entertainers…they love it so much, they get to see all the people in the community and it’s great to see,” said Kern.

Kern attributes the breakfast’s popularity to a couple of factors including that the organization puts the word out early and it’s been part of the Whoop-Up Days celebrations for so many years. Word of mouth also plays a factor.

“We keep it small and simple and we also have music so that might be something that pulls something as well,” said Kern.

The breakfast attracted a wide range of diners from seniors, of course, to children.

To make the event possible, Nord-Bridge relies on sponsors to cover costs of the pancake mix, sausages and syrup.

And of course, volunteers play a role with between 15-20 participating each year including politicians. This year’s crew included mayor Blaine Hyggen and councillor John Middleton-Hope as well as a representative from Rachael Thomas’ constituency office.

Diners who prefer a quieter space than the Nord-Bridge multi-purpose hall could take meals to the adjacent dining room if they didn’t want to listen to the old-time country music being performed.

Nord-Bridge like other seniors centres is seeing a younger generation becoming members. Memberships are open to people as young as 55 and she says some members are from different generations of the same family.

Since 2021 in particular, Kern says Nord-Bridge has seen an influx of younger baby boomers who are interested in fitness and other programs that don’t appeal to an older group.

“They’re not necessarily going here to do bingo and the traditional types of programs we’ve had for years. They’re coming here moreso for the gym, for the fitness centre, they’re coming in, going out, doing a fitness class.. .In general our programming has exploded because there’s just so many age groups that are coming in so we’re always trying to be flexible with what types of programs we offer and we aren’t being stagnant with the same programs that we always offer. We always try to offer new things,” said Kern.

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