M’CHIGEENG—Friday evening, March 7, the Bittersweet Tea Co. was a-buzz with conversation and laughter, which is exactly what Susan Whynott, program director of Northern Ontario Women (NOW), was going for when she proposed the event to Shanna Hare, owner of Bittersweet Tea in M’Chigeeng.
Ms. Whynott greeted every woman who came in the door, had them wear name tags and invited them to have some tea and any delectable item on the menu, NOW was footing the bill.
After a brief introduction, Ms. Whynott explained that the organization has been running since 2019, servicing all of Northern Ontario, from Pickle Lake to Parry Sound, and stationed right here on Manitoulin Island. Their mission being to foster and support women owned and women led businesses in Northern Ontario. “The goal tonight is just to get you out, have a great cup of tea at Shanna’s place, great snacks and maybe meet a few people.” She then distributed cards to each person. No one was allowed to look at them before our name was called. Each card had a question: What’s your favourite vegetable? That was Ms. Whynott’s, and her answer was – “Broccoli, because I don’t like it very much and I hope others don’t either and they won’t eat me.”
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All went around the room with each person answering a question, giving everyone a glimpse into their personality. Her next activity was Bingo cards that mostly pertained to the Island and encouraged everyone to get off their chairs and go looking for someone who…has more than three tattoos, swam in Lake Mindemoya, rode on the Chi-Cheemaun, etc. Soon, everyone was roaming around and meeting those around them who had more than five grandkids or wore socks to bed. It was a fun and easy icebreaker, and by putting our names on the back of our cards, once this activity was exhausted, participants were eligible for door prizes.
Ms. Whynott gave proper praise to Shanna Hare for planning the event while Ms. Whynott was away. When she returned home, and felt the need to contribute in some way, aside from the Bingo cards, Ms. Whynott reached out to some of the women-owned businesses on the Island for door prizes and was very successful in that endeavour. Wonderful gifts from Netti’s Manitoulin Espresso Bar, E’s Flowers, Island Home Outfitters and from Bittersweet Tea Co. too.
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Before the evening ended, Ms. Hare thanked Ms. Whynott for choosing Bittersweet Tea Co. for her event. “I wanted to do something to acknowledge International Women’s Day,” Ms. Hare said, “and Susan came up with this idea, which was perfect.” Ms. Hare also had little parting gifts for all who came out.
“The goal of tonight was all about celebrating women,” Ms. Whynott concluded, and she certainly accomplished that goal.
For all interested women entrepreneurs, the NOW website is: www.nowprogram.ca.
by Margery Frisch
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