Let 'Er Buck!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

WHATTA DAY!

We threw our doors open at 11 am to welcome the community to our newly renovated and expanded butcher shop, bakery and country cafe. We had a full line up of freebies and activities including beef on a bun, Sweet Delight's cake, live country music with Allen Christie, cowboy poet Mel Brown and Cyclone the Mechanical Bull.

Cutting the ribbon, er, butcher paper. L - R: Laura Cudmore (Mayor of Caroline), Roxanne Franczak (Sweet Delights), Mark Taylor (owner and hubby), Tamara Taylor (moi!), Nathan Taylor (baby of the year), Alice Murray (owner and my Ma), Dayle Murray (owner and my Pa), William Taylor (CEO and big bro), Earl Graham (County of Clearwater).

We were amazed, overwhelmed, shocked and touched by the tremendous outpouring of support from the community and out of town visitors. We had optimistically estimated a turnout of perhaps 200 people. By 1 pm we had already served lunch to 220. By the end of the day we suspect approximately 600 people came out to celebrate.

It was a fabulous time. I am still recovering from the excitement of it all. I was thrilled to meet so many people I had corresponded to via email from customers to producers to representatives from various organizations and companies. I wish I had had more time to sit and chat with everyone that came through the door. It was unbelievable.

THANK YOU to our awesome team of hard working individuals - Dale Nash (our butcher) JoAnn Katona (our awesome cook), Roxanne Franczak (Sweet Delight's talented cake-stress) and my wonderful family of Mark (hubby), Alice and Dayle (Ma and Pa) and my boys, Will and Nathan. You all forged ahead with smiles on your faces throughout the entire event to make a roaring success. Thanks for all that you do.

I have to give my two wonderful boys a huge thank you for being so patient, well mannered and sweet throughout the day. It was a tiring day for the grown ups so I can't imagine how tired a 3 year old or a 9 month old would have been. They were pleasant and hospitable (and chocolate covered) right up til the very end.
The community is still raving about the great bash we threw and talking about "next year" (gulp!). With any luck we'll be able to pull off another great event in conjunction with the annual bull riding event called the Small Town Smack Down. And for those of you who were unable to make it, you missed out! Be sure to come out next year and ride that bull. I promise your buns will never be the same :)

Til next time,
Tam the Bucking Bull Tamer