Four centuries ago, the settlers of a small French outpost perched on the north bank of what’s now Nova Scotia’s Annapolis River came up with the novel idea of founding an organization that would not only feed its members, but also uplift spirits during the long and brutally cold winter. Led by cartographer Samuel de Champlain, the Order of Good Cheer, or l’Ordre du Bon-Temps, went on to become what’s considered America’s first social club, not to mention an inspiration for the country’s Thanksgiving celebrations that would follow. The Order…
