Message from the President For the month of June 2009
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Happy Summer All,
I am sorry this is a long one, tried to cut it down but there has been much happen and much ahead in the near future. I promise next month's will be shorter.
I know many of you were part of the 25th Anniversary Breakfast which was held on June 12, at the Union Club. was honoured to sit at the Head Table with our current Past President Suzan Lagrove, Mr. Tommy Mayne, Mr. Harry Godfrey, Michael Kattler our MC, and our first president Maxine Johnson. Events of the morning included a slide show that was displayed compliments of Lee Taal and Immediate Images, with slides that were scanned in by Duane MacNeill, after Janna Ginsberg had gone through our history. There were also two display boards of our 25 years of proud history as an organization put together by Janna Ginsberg. Bouquets to Janna, Duane and Lee. We also hatted Doug Anderson who has contributed so much of his time to Victoria A.M. The ceremony was performed by Town Crier Tommy Mayne, Ladies in waiting Anne Morley (volunteer Meet and Greet Co-ordinator), Suzette Matkin (Meet and Greet Volunteer), and Wendy Street (office manager.) I remember when the USS Lincoln was here a couple of years ago Doug and Mary Jane Posno doing the fox trot on the tarmac one evening as we all tried to stay warm. A special presentation was given to Mayor Christopher Causton for his 25 years of ongoing support to Victoria A.M. Ian Haddow and Doug Anderson as Past Presidents talked about our rich history and again I heard things I had never heard before. It is wonderful for me as a newer member (wow it's almost 4 years) to learn all about our rich history. I feel strongly that this history needs to come to the forefront in this our 25th year. While things do change, we can never loose site of the success that got us to this point in time. That is truly how things grow. It was wonderful to see so many of the founding members, new members, and interested persons at our breakfast. We appreciated the local Politicians, being at the breakfast supporting us. Thanks also to Flo Wilson, Eric Wilson, Doug Schiedel, Mary Jane Posno, Arnie Manness, Bob Barlow, Joan Robinson and everyone who helped make this breakfast a success. Thanks also to Wendy Street for getting the emails out and responding to the RSVP's.
On Friday June 19, we unveiled the tribute to the “Tradition of the Town Crier” life size bronze statue, sculpted Armando Barbon. For those of you who were unable to attend you missed a remarkable piece of Victoria history. No where in the world (at least that the Town Criers know of) is there such a statue. In total 7 Town Criers (some with their ladies or dogs in waiting ) were there for this historic event. Tommy was driven by Giles (limousine driver) from Pier A over to Pier B along with Captain George for the unveiling. While the winds tried to keep the ships from coming into port by the time the Ogden Poing Enhancement Society dedicated the new ecological kiosk at the top of Pier A the Amsterdam was almost into port. Who says good things are not happening at Ogden Point?? Victoria's best kept secret. Special thanks to our Meet and Greet volunteers who braved the chilly wind to welcome the passengers arriving on that nights two cruise ships. Our Meet and Greet Volunteers are somewhat like the post, whether there is wind or rain, or fowl weather they are there to give the passengers a friendly welcome. A bouquet to our dedicated volunteers with Meet and Greet. Bouquets to Max Caplan and Anne Morley
for their help that not only that evening but almost everyday of the week, Janna Ginsberg who catered the event which saw over 100 invited guests of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and the Ogden Point Enhancement Society, Poppies provided a beautiful table arrangement , Michael and Adam Helm of Brew Works provided the refreshments, William MacNeill for his wonderful piping, the organizing committee, Rebecca Penz (GHA), Julia Park (GVHA), Gerry Lutz (OPES), Paul Ridout (OPES), Arnie Manness (Victoria AM),Joan Robinson (Victoria AM), and the Board of Directors for helping out both with set up and take down. Only when we come together as a team can we move forward.
Coming up we have breakfast at Gorge Vale Golf Club this Friday June 26 where Fred Hook who isresponsible for all the hanging baskets in Victoria will be our guest speaker. Mary Jane Posno ofPoppies the Island Florist will be member spotlight. Gorge Vale is recently remodeled and puts on avery nice breakfast. Hope to see you there.
Hummm,, all this leads to feeling like this is a "Flower Power" breakfast,...Gorge Vale is on Craigflower, our speaker is the flower basket man, member spotlight Poppies the Island Florist. Please wear flowers/ flowered clothes, hats, etc..to celebrate summer and flowers....and Victoria.....
Time for us to show our Victoria A.M. colours, on a pre-order basis only good quality tshirts for $5+tx, and the silk screening is $2. Orders will be taken starting at this breakfast. Come on everyone lets give Victoria something to talk about!!
Wednesday July 1, 2009 join us at the Bard and Banker where we have the upstairs back roomreserved. Off this room is a wonderful balcony perfect for watching the Canada Day fireworks. Bring afriend and introduce them to your friends at Victoria A.M. The return of the Victoria P.M. Please note this is a cash function.
Monday July 6, 2009 is our annual Golf Tournament at the Royal Oak Golf club. Golf and dinner is $55.00 per person. Make up a foursome or we can make one up for you. Please call the office to register. Don't golf well come on out and join us for dinner cost is just $26.00 per person. Last year I golfed on Arnie's Angels team but I don't think Arnie was pleased with winning lowest score prize, so this year think I'll just watch and enjoy the dinner. Great way to spend some fun time with your Victoria AM friends.
Looking way to the future but hope you will save the date. Saturday October 17, we will be holding our annual Fall Fundraiser.. “Back to the Future” seems an appropriate theme. The Politics of Dancing will be our entertainment for the evening after a wonderful “Master's Buffet” prepared by the team at Gorge Vale Golf Club, M.C. Will be announced in July's newsletter... have to keep you all reading these. Tickets will be on sale June 26 breakfast at Gorge Vale and will be $75.00 per person.
We may not always agree but we all need to have a voice in the future of Victoria A.M. Past Members, Past Presidents, Current Members, Meet and Greet, and interested persons, please take the time to email me louise@umbrellacreations.com and share with me your memories, your visions, your dissatisfaction, your questions. I need direction from you all as to the future direction of Victoria A.M. We have a very strong connection to this city, as we are all passionate about it, and I as president have and idea. Once we have completed the fund raising for the statue (soon I hope), I would like to see a larger vision.
Our mandate is to promote and enhance tourism in Victoria. The cruise ship side is let's say the glitz. Homelessness is the not so glitz. For several years each Christmas we have donated the proceeds from the Christmas Breakfast to the Mustard Seed. I would like to see us get more involved in helping find a solution to this problem. While we may have different feelings about the homeless I think we all can agree on one thing, it does not enhance tourism (or local people going downtown). I would like us to get involved with Habitat for Humanity. Let's go volunteer for a weekend, help with the solution. With the task force that is now working on Ending the Homeless, we have come to a fork in the road. We can be part of the solution or we can sit back. When the homeless situation is solved, people will look at those who had no part in helping and ask where were you? Is this who we are as an organization? I know were are not!! We CARE!!! We Care about Victoria, we Care about each other.
Please forgive me if I have not mentioned your name. There have been so many members volunteering lately, that I need to make sure I keep a list so no one is overlooked. The support, comments, and suggestions you are all giving me is greatly appreciated. So Thank you!!
Talk to you again next month, or see you sooner,
Louise Ph: 250-589-5359 Email : louise@umbrellacreations.com
