The third Municipality of Ritchot Volunteer Appreciation Evening on September 27, held at the Farm and Food Discovery Centre in Glenlea, was a great success. With over 100 volunteers representing 20 organizations in the municipality, the evening provided an opportunity for local volunteers to share stories and socialize with their fellow residents.

Locally sourced appetizers included rosemary chicken skewers, roasted vegetable tart with Bothwell cheese, bison-stuffed mushrooms, goldeye fritters, vanilla bean mousse stuffed strawberries, and roasted hemp seed truffles. Local craft beers from Torque, Half Pints, and Fort Garry were available for sample, as well as four different wines. Manitoba singer Rheanne Gagnon performed some acoustic sets that had the crowd clapping and singing along.

The Farm and Food Discovery Centre, an extension of the University of Manitoba Agriculture Department Glenlea Research Station, hosts programs, special events, school tours, and is also a meeting venue.

The municipality thanked all volunteers for their hard work and dedication to make Ritchot a better place.

The oldest volunteer at the event was 83, and the youngest was nine. The volunteers represented groups from recreation and playground groups, to a French language group, to a health-based fitness group, to firefighters, to seniors clubs, and everything in between.