Forget-Me-Not Lunch Club: Nourishing Bodies and Souls for Six Decades
In the heart of Gaywood, a heartwarming tradition continues as the Forget-Me-Not Over 60s Lunch Club enters a new chapter under fresh leadership. For almost 60 years, this beloved community institution has been more than just a place to enjoy a meal—it has been a sanctuary of friendship and connection for local senior citizens. Now, with solicitor Rebecca Burridge taking the volunteer helm, the club is poised for revitalization while maintaining its essential mission of combating loneliness and fostering community bonds among older residents. Operating under the auspices of St Faith’s Church Gaywood LEP and hosted in the Gaywood Church Rooms, the club represents a beautiful partnership between faith and community service that has stood the test of time.
Mrs. Burridge brings enthusiasm and vision to her new role, recognizing the profound social impact these weekly gatherings have on attendees’ lives. “For some people coming to the club’s weekly lunch gets them out of the house offering them the chance to meet new friends,” she explains, highlighting how these seemingly simple meals create vital lifelines for seniors who might otherwise remain isolated at home. The club serves hearty two-course meals in an atmosphere designed for conversation and connection. However, Mrs. Burridge also acknowledges current challenges, noting that “We need more new members to ensure the Club is viable and to keep down the food costs.” Her practical approach combines a heartfelt understanding of the club’s emotional significance with the pragmatic considerations necessary for its sustainability.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of long-serving volunteers forms the backbone of the Forget-Me-Not Lunch Club. These faithful helpers take on multiple roles—serving meals, washing dishes, cleaning up afterward, and perhaps most importantly, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for every diner. Their commitment extends beyond mere food service; they cultivate an environment where friendships blossom and community thrives. “The small team of volunteer helpers play an important role in ensuring everyone has an enjoyable time over lunch,” Mrs. Burridge acknowledges, recognizing how their consistent presence and caring attention transform a simple meal into a meaningful social event. These volunteers represent the often-unsung heroes whose reliability and warmth have sustained the club through the decades.
The club’s rich history spans nearly six decades, with numerous community leaders leaving their mark on its development. Figures like Connie Kenyon, Elaine Price-Jones, Lesley Harrison, Ken Robinson, and Angela Roseblade have shaped the club’s character and ensured its continuity through changing times and circumstances. Their legacy lives on in the club’s enduring presence in the community and its unwavering commitment to serving seniors. With the appointment of Rebecca Burridge, a new name joins this distinguished roster of leaders who have recognized the profound importance of creating spaces where older adults can gather, connect, and feel valued. The transition to new leadership represents not a break from tradition but rather its continuation and evolution as the club approaches its remarkable 60th anniversary in 2026.
St. Faith’s Rector, Rev Kyla Sørensen, expresses delight at the club’s revival under new leadership, noting the positive response from regular attendees. “Speaking with our regular diners, I know that they are happy too,” she shares, underscoring how the club fulfills both practical and emotional needs for its members. Her perspective highlights the dual nature of the lunch club—it provides essential nutrition while also nourishing social connections and spiritual well-being. Rev Sørensen further emphasizes the club’s significance within the broader context of the church’s mission: “The lunch club has been an important part of St. Faith’s church’s mission for nearly sixty years. What a shining example of church working with community.” This sentiment captures the beautiful synthesis of faith-based service and practical community support that the Forget-Me-Not Lunch Club exemplifies.
As the club approaches its diamond anniversary, its story illustrates the profound impact that seemingly small community initiatives can have over time. For nearly six decades, the Forget-Me-Not Over 60s Lunch Club has woven itself into the fabric of Gaywood’s community life, creating a tapestry of shared meals, conversations, laughter, and friendship. Under Rebecca Burridge’s leadership and with Rev Sørensen’s blessing, the club now looks toward the future with renewed purpose and energy. “I am confident that under new management it will continue to flourish again as a place of welcome,” affirms Rev Sørensen. In a world where social isolation among seniors remains a pressing concern, the Forget-Me-Not Lunch Club stands as a beacon of hope and a model for how communities can care for their older members—one meal, one conversation, one friendship at a time.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-wendy-s-restaurant-in-montreal-right-la-paan-villa-on-jean-talon-street-in-montreal.jpg?id=56313325&width=1200&height=400&coordinates=0%2C136%2C0%2C136"/><br/><br/><p>Montreal is a foodie town littered with <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/foodie-montreal-restaurants-2025" target="_blank">incredible eateries</a> on every corner of the island. But how safe is your go-to spot? </p><p>The <a href="https://media.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/condamnations/" target="_blank">Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ)</a> inspects restaurants regularly to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. Since the start of 2025, several well-known Montreal restaurants have been hit with fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for various infractions, including improper food handling, cleanliness issues, and pest control violations.</p><p>Each week, several establishments and restaurants are inspected by the MAPAQ and may receive warnings or fines following quality controls. These inspections focus on an establishment's food and conservation methods, labour practices, equipment and environment.</p><p><span></span>Despite the fines, these restaurants are still open to the public. Presumably, they’ve since addressed the issues flagged by the inspectors. To keep you updated, we've rounded up the key details.</p><p>It's worth noting that some of these violations occurred months ago due to the delay between inspection and the court's judgment. However, all of the judgments listed below were issued in January 2025.</p><h3>La Fraîcheur Tropicale - Casse-croûte créole et crèmerie</h3><br/><img alt="La Fra\u00eecheur Tropicale restaurant in Montreal" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fc3b96d2db903c11f63868d59e8f4d6d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="feb67" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/la-fra-u00eecheur-tropicale-restaurant-in-montreal.png?id=56313215&width=980"/><p>Address: 6654 rue Sherbrooke E, Montreal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $5,000</p><p>Reason for the offence: "No one may, without holding a valid permit, operate a place or vehicle where the activity of a restaurateur is carried out."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2024-01-08</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-24</p><h3>Second Cup Café & Co</h3><br/><img alt="A downtown Second Cup location in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="47ed0bc3ad8ea0a69f89a6e8e5bdfba2" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="ad71f" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-downtown-second-cup-location-in-montreal.png?id=56313202&width=980"/><p>Address: 1166 Sainte-Catherine O, Montreal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $4,500</p><p>Reason for violation: "The place or vehicle must be free from contaminants, pollutants, any species of animals including insects and rodents or their excrement."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2024-02-13</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-31</p><h3>La Paan Villa</h3><br/><img alt="La Paan Villa on Jean-Talon Street in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="89286a6a44b477fa25117d1a7dab1a20" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="26d60" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/la-paan-villa-on-jean-talon-street-in-montreal.png?id=56313049&width=980"/><p>Address: 717 rue Jean-Talon O, Montreal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $3,000</p><p>Reason for violation: "The place or vehicle must be free from contaminants, pollutants, any species of animals including insects and rodents or their excrement."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2023-11-16</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-24</p><h3>Mr. Puffs</h3><br/><img alt="A Mr. Puffs restaurant in LaSalle, QC." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1de9525528abdd138cbb2a05dfe1c40f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="6389d" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-mr-puffs-restaurant-in-lasalle-qc.png?id=56313040&width=980"/><p>Address: 7775 blvd Newman, LaSalle, QC</p><p>Total fines: $2,000</p><p>Reason for violation: "The place or vehicle must be free from contaminants, pollutants, any species of animals including insects and rodents or their excrement."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2024-01-30</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-31</p><h3>Wendy's</h3><br/><img alt="A Wendy's franchise in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="97ac0aec35d8bd1227cbb873d8dd2072" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="8739e" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-wendy-s-franchise-in-montreal.png?id=56312978&width=980"/><p>Address: 5180 blvd Décarie, Montreal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $1,500</p><p>Reason for violation: "The place or vehicle must be free from contaminants, pollutants, any species of animals including insects and rodents or their excrement."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2023-10-30</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-29</p><h3>Frite Alors!</h3><br/><img alt="A Frite Alors! location in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="57185678795c6d591c6d56ca0ce3a1c5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="f3a57" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-frite-alors-location-in-montreal.png?id=56312881&width=980"/><p>Address: 1562, ave Laurier E, Montreal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $1,000</p><p>Reason for violation: "The place or vehicle must be free from contaminants, pollutants, any species of animals including insects and rodents or their excrement."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2024-01-30</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-27</p><h3>Le Platana</h3><br/><img alt="La Platana restaurant in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="02a01eb8e138b18b5093f265a1abf824" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="94aac" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/la-platana-restaurant-in-montreal.png?id=56312872&width=980"/><p>Address: 361 rue Bernard O, Montreal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $1,000</p><p>Reason for the violation: "Premises, vehicles, equipment, materials and utensils used for the preparation, packaging, storage, transport, labelling and service of products, as well as other sanitary facilities and premises, must be clean."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2024-04-12</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-27</p><h3>Tommy Café</h3><br/><img alt="Tommy Caf\u00e9 on the corner of Notre-Dame Street in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cea93e3e068fe7c09020e5d8eb423cf9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="1acda" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/tommy-caf-u00e9-on-the-corner-of-notre-dame-street-in-montreal.png?id=56312707&width=980"/><p>Address: 200 rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $1,000</p><p>Reason for the violation: "The heat-damaging product, with the exception of whole fresh fruits and vegetables, must be cooled without delay and maintained constantly at an internal and ambient temperature not exceeding 4 °C until its delivery to the consumer, except during the time required for the application of a manufacturing process or a treatment recognized in the food industry and which requires a higher temperature."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2024-05-29</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-31</p><h3>Pizza Georges</h3><br/><img alt="Google Street View of Pizza Georges in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="29264259ef48e8455529389087cc9577" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="fd99d" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/google-street-view-of-pizza-georges-in-montreal.png?id=56312560&width=980"/><p>Address: 844 rue Sauvé E, Montreal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $1,000</p><p>Reason for violation: "The owner or operator of a restaurant or business engaged in the preparation of food must ensure that all water from the restaurant or business that may come into contact with fat is, before being discharged into a sewerage system, treated by a properly maintained, installed and used grease trap."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2024-03-19</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-24</p><h3>Pizza Chicken New York</h3><br/><img alt="Google Street View of Chopstix Restaurant in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8d7b17b03b16445cbd9f8daa6ead2bf9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="bb8b0" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/google-street-view-of-chopstix-restaurant-in-montreal.png?id=56312548&width=980"/><p>Address: 6352, rue Pascal, Montréal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $1,000</p><p>Reason for violation: "Perishable product sold hot or served hot to the consumer must be kept at an internal temperature of at least 60°C until delivery."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2024-09-10</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-16</p><h3>Chopstix</h3><br/><img alt="Google Street View of Chopstix Restaurant in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6d20137818ed8d56121a787f527d88fc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="ff85b" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/google-street-view-of-chopstix-restaurant-in-montreal.png?id=56312399&width=980"/><p>Address: 325 blvd Henri-Bourassa E, Montreal, QC</p><p>Total fines: $1,000</p><p>Reason for violation: "The place or vehicle must be free from contaminants, pollutants, any species of animals including insects and rodents or their excrement."</p><p>Date of Offense: 2024-01-05</p><p>Date of judgment: 2025-01-31</p><p class=""><em>This story was adapted from the article <a href="https://www.narcity.com/fr/montreal/mapaq-amendes-restaurants-montreal-insalubrite-2025-janvier" target="_blank">"11 restos à Montréal qui ont eu jusqu'à 5 000 $ d'amendes aux inspections du MAPAQ en 2025"</a> </em><em>which was originally published on Narcity Quebec by Izabelle Bee.</em></p><em>Love this? 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