Ever wonder why the Thrift Shop has a Cora’s Coffee Corner?
The story of Cora Mustard goes back to the very beginning of the Seba Beach Golden Age Club (now known as the Seba Seniors) where the old Salvation Army Building was the first home to the group. The first Thrift Shop was upstairs in what was the campers’ bedrooms. Later, as more space was acquired for the club activities, the Thrift Shop moved downstairs to a room heated only by a stone fireplace which needed much encouragement to make the smoke go up the chimney.
Old Salvation Army Building, the 1st Seba Senior Centre (1975)
From the beginning, Cora was the head of the Thrift Shop Committee as it was her suggestion that a thrift shop would be a good way to raise funds for operating the building. She gave 100% to the project and was a great leader, mentor, and our conscience. Her old black purse was our cash register and our furnishings were sparse but she started us on the right path…(taken from 1976-1996 Seniors Anniversary Book)
Cora’s philosophy was “The coffee is on and the teapot is hot, and you are invited to sit a spell and visit if all this shopping has tired you out!” (taken from a newspaper clipping by Ivy May)
March 23, 1979 – a newspaper article said “Hello from the Thrift Shop. Every Wednesday afternoon from 2 to 4 we are at the Centre. If you would like an afternoon out, come and have a coffee and a visit.”
OUR FOUNDER CORA MUSTARD
There are not enough words to describe this special lady. She was kind, unassuming, hard-working, and quietly religious. During the building of the Seniors Centre, Cora would make countless cups of tea for the workers and volunteers.
Our Thrift Store founder, Cora Mustard. It was her idea to create a Thrift Shop as a means of generating funds for the Seba Seniors.
Another newspaper article written in 1978 by Ivy May stated…”Cora was told she looked 10 years younger for volunteering at the Seniors. Cora, over 80 years old and recently widowed, was in poor health and spirits before the Seba Seniors Centre project started. Once it began, Cora started the Thrift Shop and raised $2500 in 2 ½ years. She found a new group of friends and her health and outlook on life steadily improved. She began enjoying life again and did things she never thought she would (for example, selling on Sundays, selling raffle tickets, playing and promoting bingo, and wearing wigs and slacks). She never lost a night’s sleep though because it was all for a good cause.”
The above scenario has been repeated over and over again at the Seba Seniors where people can find fulfillment, a bright outlook and make new friends.
OUR TRIBUTE TO CORA – CORA’S COFFEE CORNER
With all these references to coffee and Cora, it is very fitting that we respectfully honor Cora’s memory by having a Cora’s Coffee Corner in our Thrift Shop today. Cora’s Coffee Corner is a constant reminder of the person who originally suggested we have a Thrift Shop!
So join us for a coffee and “sit a spell”; Cora would be pleased. Cora was born Cora Bell Petro in South Dakota in 1896. She passed away in July 1989 (at 93) and is at rest beside her husband, William, in the Edmonton Municipal Cemetery.
Article written by Diane Coulthard
