\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupplied photo<\/p>\n
The Manitoba chapter of the Lois Club gathers for a ‘Lois Luncheon’ in April each year. The club is exactly as it sounds — a place for Loises and Loises only to gather, chat and relish in the community that can come from sharing a rare name.<\/p><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n
It takes place during the last week of every April, every year, at a restaurant chosen by the club. The mission is simple, to have fun and appreciate each others\u2019 company. In the past, the group has also invited different guest speakers and indulged in different themes, such as the \u201cmad hatter party\u201d from a few years back, for which many of the Loises created their own hats.<\/p>\n
The number of Loises in attendance shifts year-to-year, according to Lois Kruse, who has been organizing the event for around 10 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happens at these luncheons, only Loises know for sure,\u201d said Kruse, with a laugh, but it\u2019s primarily lighthearted fun.<\/p>\n
Lois clubs exist all over Canada and the United States \u2014 at one point, there was even a semi-regular newsletter called Keeping up with the Loises<\/em>, which detailed what different clubs were up to throughout the year.<\/p>\n The first Canadian chapter was based in Prince Edward Island, Kruse said, because a Lois had moved there from California. The Manitoban chapter of the Lois Club was then founded in 1997 by Lois Dudgeon. It came to be when her father had heard about the other clubs on CBC Radio , and, knowing she had a friend also named Lois, let her know. It grew from there.<\/p>\n \u201cThat first year, it was just the two of them, and then the next year there were 35,\u201d Kruse said.<\/p>\n Over time, the club grew to a high of to over 250 members across the province. At moment, membership is just under 100. Kruse, who lives in the North End, said she\u2019s still trying to get hold of Loises who have lost touch.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year, we\u2019re going to ask for everyone\u2019s birthday,\u201d she added. \u201cSo we can keep tabs on the Loises.\u201d<\/p>\n The oldest Lois was 94 when she died, Kruse said, and the youngest is university age. Her name isn\u2019t actually Lois, but her middle name is \u2014 after her grandmother \u2014 and she, along with a few others, were indoctrinated anyway, as \u201cpeople just aren\u2019t naming their kids Lois anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n The club also has an \u201chonorary Lois,\u201d the daughter of the creator of Lois\u2019s Sweet Mustard, a local product which she relaunched after her father passed away.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s pretty busy, but keeps making it for us (the Loises),\u201d Kruse said. \u201cAnd comes to gatherings as much as she can.\u201d<\/p>\n In the past, Loises have been allowed to bring friends to the luncheons as honorary guests.<\/p>\n Although the luncheon is the group\u2019s only consistent event, it has been the vehicle for a number of escapades \u2014 at one point the Lois Club had a float in the Modern Corn & Apple Festival parade. Kruse hopes to plan more outdoor events, as many of the Loises enjoy golfing, but she said it\u2019s a work in progress.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Lois Luncheon is set for April 24. If you\u2019re a Lois or you know a Lois who may be interested in taking part, call Dudgeon at 204-822-6207 or Kruse at 204-619-0763.<\/p>