Summer’s Country Wagon
St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated at Norwich United Church with a Jamaican luncheon. On Tuesday March 17, 2015, Summer Dunchie spoke to the United Church Women’s Group (UCW) at their General Meeting about her native foods and served about 27 members lunch. Summer is the one-woman operation of the chip wagon located at 7 Stover Street South in Norwich called "Summer’s Country Wagon" which is painted in the Jamaican flag’s colours of green, yellow and black. Summer’s is opened from May 1st to October 31st, she serves both Canadian and West Indian foods like jerk chicken, jerk pork, curry goat, oxtail with rice and peas, rotis with goat, shrimp, chicken or vegetarian. Her most popular item is jerk chicken wings.
St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated at Norwich United Church with a Jamaican luncheon. On Tuesday March 17, 2015, Summer Dunchie spoke to the United Church Women’s Group (UCW) at their General Meeting about her native foods and served about 27 members lunch. Summer is the one-woman operation of the chip wagon located at 7 Stover Street South in Norwich called "Summer’s Country Wagon" which is painted in the Jamaican flag’s colours of green, yellow and black. Summer’s is opened from May 1st to October 31st, she serves both Canadian and West Indian foods like jerk chicken, jerk pork, curry goat, oxtail with rice and peas, rotis with goat, shrimp, chicken or vegetarian. Her most popular item is jerk chicken wings.
 Summer’s Country Wagon open May 1st to October 31st |  (Picture from the internet) |
Summer Dunchie speaks to UCW Ackee and salt fish
Summer described what she was serving the group; ackee and salt fish, another ackee dish without fish, green bananas, fried dumplings, fried plantation, rice and coleslaw. Carrot juice Jamaican style was also served as a beverage. Summer began cooking the food that morning from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Summer explained that ackee and salt fish is the national dish of Jamaica. Ackee is grown in clusters in ten feet high evergreen trees. There are certain parishes in Jamaica where ackee was grown, St. Elizabeth and Clarendon. Ackee was imported from Africa around 1788 probably from a slave ship. Now Jamaicans usually grow ackee as well as bananas and plantain. When ripen, ackee is pear shaped and turns from green to red. Three black seeds are exposed. Ackee is a delicacy that is served for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Summer described what she was serving the group; ackee and salt fish, another ackee dish without fish, green bananas, fried dumplings, fried plantation, rice and coleslaw. Carrot juice Jamaican style was also served as a beverage. Summer began cooking the food that morning from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Summer explained that ackee and salt fish is the national dish of Jamaica. Ackee is grown in clusters in ten feet high evergreen trees. There are certain parishes in Jamaica where ackee was grown, St. Elizabeth and Clarendon. Ackee was imported from Africa around 1788 probably from a slave ship. Now Jamaicans usually grow ackee as well as bananas and plantain. When ripen, ackee is pear shaped and turns from green to red. Three black seeds are exposed. Ackee is a delicacy that is served for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
 Ackee tree (picture from the internet) |  Ackee in a meal (picture supplied by Summer) |
Summer opened her food stall in May 2013 and has resided in the village of Norwich since last year when she joined the Norwich United Church. Summer found people to be "awesome” and is supported by all members of the community including students from both schools. Locals are getting use to the taste of Caribbean foods. When someone is not sure of something Summer provides free samples. During the months she is closed, Summer caters birthday parties, weddings, funerals, New Year’s Eve parties and even Chamber of Commerce events.
The United Church Women's Group
The United Church Women's Group meet monthly and hold general meetings quarterly. As a member of the Church and UCW, Summer was asked to give a presentation. She thought not only will she talk about her native Jamaican foods but she would also offer lunch. The best way to talk about something is to try it out or taste it.
President of UCW Lois Iring opened the meeting with a prayer. Doris Empey introduced the entertainment. The female quartet consisting of Linda Torkelson - Secretary - Joanne Ward, Janet Hilliker and Julie Ferris sang the Negro Spiritual “King Jesus is Coming” in a capella. Following the singing Doris Empey introduced the guest speaker, Summer Dunchie.
The United Church Women's Group
The United Church Women's Group meet monthly and hold general meetings quarterly. As a member of the Church and UCW, Summer was asked to give a presentation. She thought not only will she talk about her native Jamaican foods but she would also offer lunch. The best way to talk about something is to try it out or taste it.
President of UCW Lois Iring opened the meeting with a prayer. Doris Empey introduced the entertainment. The female quartet consisting of Linda Torkelson - Secretary - Joanne Ward, Janet Hilliker and Julie Ferris sang the Negro Spiritual “King Jesus is Coming” in a capella. Following the singing Doris Empey introduced the guest speaker, Summer Dunchie.
 Female Quartet: Julie Ferris, Janet Hilliker, Joanne Ward & Linda Torkelson |  St. Patrick, a.k.a. Deborah Dufton, Norwich Museum Curator |
Pictures of the fruit/vegetable ackee were provided by Summer in its varying forms:
 Linda serves coleslaw to Janet Slater |  Jamaican food |  |
Scrumptious desserts, some green to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day, were served along with tea and coffee. A good time was had by all who seemed to enjoy their first Jamaican luncheon of ackee and salt fish.
 Lenore Reeves choices dessert |  |  |
Pianist Karen McFadden, Norwich United Church’s Choir Director, played a hymn while collection was taken. Both Janet Slater and Doris Empey read passages and the group sang a hymn. Doris thanked Summer for speaking and she was presented with a nice floral arrangement. Lois Irving thanked everyone to make this day happen.
 Shirley Miller, Janet Slater, Doris Embey & Karen McFadden at the piano |  Floral arrangement for Summer |
History of NUC and UCW
In speaking to long-time church member Jessie Tribe, she provided me with a brief history of the church. Jessie has been a member of the Norwich United Church since she was seven years old. That is when she and her younger brother who was five at the time were baptized. At 94 Jessie continues to attend church with her family. She was an active member of the church who taught Sunday School for 40 years, was the Church Secretary for more then 10 years and sat on the Board of Directors taking turns in office. Along with now President Lois Irving, Jessie also helped formed the UCW in the 1960’s.
Jessie explained how there were two associations, the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) and the Women’s Association (WA) where she belonged to both. Nationally, the United Church Women was formed when these two groups amalgamated on January 1st, 1962.
In speaking to long-time church member Jessie Tribe, she provided me with a brief history of the church. Jessie has been a member of the Norwich United Church since she was seven years old. That is when she and her younger brother who was five at the time were baptized. At 94 Jessie continues to attend church with her family. She was an active member of the church who taught Sunday School for 40 years, was the Church Secretary for more then 10 years and sat on the Board of Directors taking turns in office. Along with now President Lois Irving, Jessie also helped formed the UCW in the 1960’s.
Jessie explained how there were two associations, the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) and the Women’s Association (WA) where she belonged to both. Nationally, the United Church Women was formed when these two groups amalgamated on January 1st, 1962.
3 of 4 generations of the Tribe Family Lori & Lyla Visser & Jessie Tribe
Meeting times
Regular Meetings of the United Church Women's Group are held the second Tuesday each month. The next meeting will be on April 14th at 2:00 p.m. held at a member’s home. General Meetings occur about three times a year with a guest speaker. All meetings are open to any woman regardless of their religious orientation. Anyone interested in joining can contact President Lois Irving at 519-863-2036.
Gallery of pictures from the UCW's St. Patrick's Day Jamaican luncheon:
Regular Meetings of the United Church Women's Group are held the second Tuesday each month. The next meeting will be on April 14th at 2:00 p.m. held at a member’s home. General Meetings occur about three times a year with a guest speaker. All meetings are open to any woman regardless of their religious orientation. Anyone interested in joining can contact President Lois Irving at 519-863-2036.
Gallery of pictures from the UCW's St. Patrick's Day Jamaican luncheon:
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