Friends of Grassroot Grannies
NEWSLETTER
We appreciate your interest in the Grassroot Grannies and the work we do to support the
Canadian grannies
supporting
African grannies
Summer 2026 Issue
Hello, friends,
Spring came quickly this year just in time for our annual Plant Sale and Market Place now in its 18th year. We look forward to seeing you during our Ride in September and Author Day in late October . Your presence and support help us in our work for African grandmothers and their families.
Grassroot Grannies Update - Recent Event
Our annual Plant Sale and Market Place took place on Saturday, May 9, a sunny cool day. Sales were brisk the first couple of hours with people buying pretty pots, garden art, perennials, greeting cards and raffle tickets. It was a profitable morning and we ended up making $7512.00 from the sale. Lina Halle our committee chair thought of every detail and kept everyone on track throughout the morning. Thank you, Lina!
Lina Hallé at the cash.
Judy Hansen advertising the Raffle
Ute Webb selling Pretty Pots
What's Coming? - Ride to Turn the Tide on Sept. 2
This year the one day Ride will be in memory of Stephen Lewis who died on March 31. Under the leadership of Stella Val her committee has chosen the routes for the day and organized the rest stops. There will be two groups of cyclists, one doing 50 km and the other group 80 km. The two groups will meet up at the end of the ride for a celebration back at Bushtukah.
November 9th
The Grassroot Grannies Second Fall Author Event will take place on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Kanata. The special guest will be the local author, writer and speaker Roy McGregor who has written for both children and adults and will speak about his latest work “Paper Trails”. It promises to be an interesting afternoon. More details to come.
Ottawa Gatineau Regional Grandmothers Network (O-GRGN) Update
Grannyfest May 21st
Grandmothers from across our region met at the First Unitarian Congregation Church in Westboro and took this opportunity to reflect on the growth of the movement and the contribution of so many grandmothers to it. Meg French from the Organization's headquarters spoke eloquently about the grandmothers and the founder of our movement Stephen Lewis. Part of the discussion time in the afternoon was spent expressing ideas and suggestions on how to attract new members especially among younger grandmothers and women in general.
Oct. 5-7th
The 20th Anniversary of the Grandmother to Grandmother Campaign will be held in Ottawa this year at the National Archives Building downtown. Grandmothers and grandothers from across Canada and Africa will be there. Details about registering can be requested.
Honoring the Contributions of Nancy Hough
to the Grassroot Grannies
Among her many initiatives Nancy created the Ride to Turn the Tide to raise funds for African grandmothers. Sixteen years later the long distance ride has raised more than 1 million dollars for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. For her decades of community work Nancy has received a Woman of Distinction Award in Ottawa.
The Grassroot Grannies are so proud of her.
News from the SLF
The SLF will continue to support the 14 community projects they are already committed to in Africa.
In conclusion, we appreciate the support and encouragement you give us and our African partners.
Nancy Hough and Stella Val
Co-Chairs, Grassroot Grannies
Nancy Hough (right) receiving her Woman of
Distinction Award
