Delhi Belgian Club

Wednesday July 25, 2007

Any event that brings people to Delhi for the day is a huge achievement.
But when that event brings in 300 cyclists who tour the area and spend their hard earned cash in town, then that’s a reason to celebrate.
There is no doubt the organizers of Le Tour De Norfolk were celebrating after the first annual event (of what will hopefully be many events) wrapped up with rave reviews from cyclists.
They deserve to be the ones shaking up a bottle of champagne and drinking some bubbly, just like the top cyclists do in the Tour de France, because this idea is a winner.
The cycling event held July 21 saw people arriving and raring to go before 7 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. start time. The parking lot at the Belgian Hall and the high school were jammed as people came from all over Ontario, from Michigan, even a couple of cyclists from Sweden.

Tour de Norfolk destined to grow even bigger after inaugural event. Cycling event is a tour de force

Vicki Hartlen Delhi News-Record
Wednesday July 25, 2007

Brandon Stetler had a goal to achieve on Saturday.
“I knew I could do it,” said the 10-year-old Windham resident, who completed the 75-kilometre route of Delhi’s inaugural Le Tour de Norfolk on Saturday. “It was easy.”
While Brandon says the route was easy, his father Jerry has a slightly different version of events.
“We struggled a little bit when we were down by the lake,” said Jerry, who used to professional race bicycles “back in the day.”
Due to the strong, head-facing winds, Jerry said they had to fight hard to keep pedaling.
“We only stopped twice for bathroom breaks,” said Brandon, with a sense of accomplishment. “We made it all the way.”
Brandon and his dad biked about 30-40 km, three days per week prior to the tour.
“We wanted to make sure we were at least a little ready for this,” said Brandon.

Vicki Hartlen DELHI NEWS-RECORD
Wednesday July 18, 2007

Belgian Days are almost here.
The Delhi Belgian Club welcomes the public to take part in celebrations July 20-21 that honour Belgium’s history and liberation from Nazi occupation in 1944.
“The bikes are coming back this year,” said Belgian Club president Marc Vanden Bussche, referring to the collaboration of the inaugural Le Tour de Norfolk that is joining the event this year.
The tour, organized by Uptown BIA Coordinator Yvette Mahieu, has already seen more than 200 registered to take part in one of four distance routes that will have cyclists meandering through all corners of the county.
“This is the perfect complement for Belgian Days,” said Vanden Bussche. “Cycling is a big part of Belgian life and a big part of the Delhi Belgian Hall’s history here in Delhi.”
In addition to the Saturday bicycle tour, the club has also organized meals and live entertainment.

Belgians have great interest in how Canadians operate farms

Daniel Pearce DELHI NEWS-RECORD
Wednesday June 27, 2007

The old Belgium met the new here Monday afternoon.
A busload of about 33 men and women from Belgium touring Ontario farms stopped at the
Belgian Club for lunch.
They were on their way from Stratford, where they had stayed for three days, to Niagara Falls.
Locals hosted a visit with them in the club’s basement. They sat behind long tables and ate
sandwiches together, drank Belgian beer, and spoke French and Flemish to each other.
"I met a man, his son lives in my village," said Marcel Follens of Delhi, who immigrated to
Canada in 1959 and became a tobacco farmer. "He lives so close to my niece."
The visitors included a man and his wife who once had a farm in Goderich but now live in
Belgium again.

Vicki Hartlen Delhi News-Record
Thursday June 07, 2007

Move over Friday the 13th, Le Tour de Norfolk is coming.
“The interest in this event has been just amazing,” said Delhi Uptown BIA coordinator Yvette Mahieu, when she sat down with the News-Record.
For the past few months Mahieu has been organizing the inaugural Le Tour de Norfolk, a bicycle tour that features four distances – 35, 75, 100 and 160 kilometres – for bike enthusiasts of all skill levels, set for July 21 starting between 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
“This really was an idea I borrowed from the (United) States,” explained Mahieu, a bicyclist herself. “There are bike tours throughout the States that draw huge crowds and I thought it was time Delhi capitalized on that.
“In the past, Delhi was known as a bicycle capital of Ontario and now we’re returning to that concept.”

Club is stepping up its efforts to be top of mind for hall seekers

Vicki Hartlen DELHI NEWS-RECORD
Wednesday May 16, 2007

Renovations at the Delhi Belgian Hall have begun.
"In a little while Delhi is going to have a revamped Delhi Belgian Club to look at," said president
Marc Vanden Bussche.
Work at the hall started last Thursday as PK Construction began erecting scaffolding on the
north side of the building.
"We all knew full well that the wall on the building is in need of some structural help," said
Vanden Bussche, when he came into the News-Record last week to discuss the ongoing
renovations.
Vanden Bussche said as fears over the safety of the building grew, a meeting was called to
determine the next course of action.

Wedding styles change subtly year to year

Monte Sonnenberg DELHI NEWS-RECORD
Thursday February 22, 2007

hances are the weddings you attend this summer will feature lots of traditional black and white with a dash of colour thrown in to brighten things up.
“Black formal wear is predominant for men while 90 per cent of gowns will be white,” explained Dan Hooyer, host for last weekend’s annual Bridal Show at the Delhi Belgian Club. “But there are many more colours to choose from to accessorize your formal wear –– sage green, ice blue, red.
“You’re allowed to splash it up a bit. But everything remains very traditional.”
An exception to the trend in favour of traditional nuptials is the decreasing importance of the veil. Hooyer said the veil has become “passe” in recent years. Few brides appear at the altar in full veil these days. Many brides will include a veil in their ensemble, but few deploy it as they walk down the aisle.

Vicki Hartlen - Delhi News-Record

Thursday April 06, 2006

New provisions to the Smoke-Free Ontario act will not effect the construction of the Delhi Belgian Club’s new patio.
“It’s definitely still a go,” said Mary Kowanetz, secretary treasurer. “My phone has been ringing off the hook, but it’s still going to be here this summer.”
Kowanetz’s phone was ringing after the province announced it was including enclosed outdoor patios in the smoking ban.
The new provision to the act will see an end to smoking in restaurants, clubs and halls where enclosed outdoor patios were built to protect smokers from the weather.

Vicki Hartlen - Delhi News-Record
Wednesday February 22, 2006

This summer will see a new patio come to Delhi.
Members of the Delhi Belgian Hall have been given the green light to go ahead with plans for an outdoor patio.
“We’re so excited this is going to be something new for us and we can’t wait,” said Mary Kowanetz, secretary treasurer.
Kowanetz said the club gained official licensing for a 220 person capacity patio, which is going to be built on the south side of the building.
“We’re going to try to do a lot of the construction ourselves,” said Kowantez.
The proposed patio - with dimensions of about 22’ by 106’ by 30’ by 100’ - will feature three openings and will be open regular bar hours.

Vicki Hartlen - Delhi News-Record
Wednesday February 08, 2006

Nicole Johnson already has her gown picked out, but there were a few other last minute details the bride-to-be was checking out at the 7th annual Bridal Show.
The show, sponsored by the Belgian Hall Ladies Auxiliary, saw more than 60 brides-to-be register, in addition to the more than 200 people who attended on Sunday.
For Johnson, who weds fiancé Ryan Dallaway on Oct. 21 of this year, this was the fourth show she has attended.
“You have to go to bridal shows if you want to find all the areas in one building,” said Johnson. “I’ve already found my dress, but I’ve still got to find bridesmaid dresses, veils and a bunch of other things.”
As Johnson surveyed the nearly 30 vendors she made sure to pick up brochures, pamphlets and other helpful information.
“I’ve got a lot to take home and look over,” she said, as she held a bag of “goodies.”