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Canadian Women’s Club of Chicago Newsletter
April 2009

President’s Message

We were all saddened in March to learn that Patti Willian had succumbed to the cancer she had fought so bravely for many months. A long-time member of the club, many of us will remember her best as the hostess of the annual Christmas luncheon. But she was much more. Later in this newsletter there’s a wonderful tribute written by her friend Susanna Doolin. Personally, I remember a genuinely kind woman, always a pleasure to talk to, and very supportive of the Board’s efforts. She’ll be greatly missed.

The old adage about time going faster as we get older must be true. The last few months have raced by, and I just realized my year as President will be over in a few months. Our incoming President, Beth Van den Berg, is hard at work building the team that will guide the club through the next year. If you might be interested in serving on the Board (or want to recommend someone) please contact her. And even if you don’t want to commit to a Board position, there are other ways you can help out –watch the newsletters for ideas!  The Board works very hard to make this club what it is, and they appreciate the support and encouragement of the membership.

Next year is a milestone year in the Club’s history, as we’ll be celebrating its 50th anniversary! We are very fortunate to have one of our founding members, Ruth Johnston, still with us, as well as several other long-time members. A committee is being set up to gather and share information about the early years, and a special party will be organized. So many things have changed in fifty years, but I know some things have remained the same – especially the pride we feel for our Canadian roots, and the pleasure that comes from sharing our “Canadian-ness” with others. I’m looking forward to a whole year of celebrating this great club that has brought so many Canadian women, and others with a Canadian connection, together in so many ways.

HELP WANTED:
As part of our 50th anniversary project, we’d like someone to go through and organize the boxes of Club archives that have been passed down through the years. Are you an organizer at heart, have a bit of temporary storage space and some time to spare over the summer? If so, please volunteer for this very important job. And if you can get a few friends together over a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine!), it could be a fun project and get done that much faster. We’d really like to have it done by the beginning of our anniversary year, so we can pull information from the archives to share. Please call or email me!
-Michelle Gillis, President

Newsletter Deadline

The deadline for submitting articles to be included in the May newsletter is April 29, 2009. All articles should be submitted to Jan Dengis. Please put CWC on the subject line. Any questions, please call.

MEMBER NEWS

On Wednesday, March 18th, even though the formal meeting was cancelled, seven members of the club met at the Prairie Grass Café in Northbrook, and enjoyed food and camaraderie. We were all pleasantly pleased that the food was so tasty and fresh, the portions more than enough and the pricing so reasonable. Some doggy bags made their way home. Halfway through lunch Jackie Brennan mentioned that the day was her birthday, so a slice of chocolate cake was ordered with seven forks.

Joan Ridyard’s sister, Dr. Anne Summers, passed away recently after bravely battling a degenerative disease for over a year. Anne was a well-known geneticist in Toronto and will be missed by many, including the Summers and Ridyard families.

Joan has happy news to share, too. Her eldest daughter Sarah graduated from the University of Guelph (in Ontario) with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, and in February moved to Seoul, Korea to teach English. Joan, Joe and daughter Emily plan to visit her this summer.

Sadly, Patti Willian passed away on Tuesday, March 3rd. Patti was a long-time active member of the CWC and friend of many in our club. She was honored this past December as our "Christmas Queen", for hosting our lovely Christmas luncheon each year for many years. A celebration of Patti's life was held on Friday, March 6th at the Donnellan Family Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11 am Saturday, April 4th at Christ Church, Winnetka. Memorial donations are requested for the Hadley School for the Blind.  Flowers were sent from the Board and a donation from the Canadian Women’s Club has been sent in Patti’s memory to The Hadley School for the Blind.  For more information, see www.donnellanfuneral.com. You can also sign the guest book at www.chicagotribune.com/obituaries.

Membership Report
Birthday wishes for April go to: Teresa Flowers on April 16th, (name withheld) and Barbara Miller on April 21st and (withheld) on April 28th.

My apologies to Helen Hughes for misnaming her as Helen Humphries in last month’s newsletter.
- Janet Walker, 2008-09 Membership Chair
 

CANADIAN NEWS

Cirque du Soleil turns 25

Formed in Baie Saint Paul in 1984, Cirque du Soleil now ranks among the world’s pre-eminent cultural organizations. A series of special activities will mark the Cirque’s 25th anniversary in Québec and around the world, including benefit galas in Montréal, Québec City and Toronto for Guy Laliberté’s One Drop Foundation, which aims to expand access to safe drinking water, as well as the AQUA project, which will be held at the Montréal Science Centre beginning in April. Over the summer, a number of Québec organizations, including the Old Port of Montréal Corporation and the Town of Baie Saint Paul, will pay tribute to the Cirque. International partners, including the Fuji Group and the Port of Santa Monica, will also be organizing commemorative events. In a fitting coincidence, the Cirque will be unveiling its 25th creation this year, a touring show provisionally titled Cirque 2009, in addition to a new Elvis tribute in Las Vegas.

This year, the Cirque will be presenting 20 simultaneous productions around the world. On June 16, the Cirque’s “birthday”, spectators will be given clown noses and will be asked to put them on at a certain point during the show!  Approximately 90 million people have attended Cirque du Soleil productions over the years. The Montréal-based company has over 4,000 employees, including 1,000 artists, from some 40 countries.
- From the March 2009 newsletter from the Quebec Government Office in Chicago

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Book Club
The date for the book club discussion of Adrienne Clarkson’s, “Heart Matters” has not been decided yet.

Canadian Event Calendar

	Friday, April 10, 7:30 pm, Canadian Guitar Quartet, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston
	Monday, April 13, 8:00 pm, Canadian singer/songwriter Fred Eaglesmith, Heartland Cafe, Chicago
	Wednesday, April 15, 7:00 pm, Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls, United Center, Chicago
	Friday, April 17, 7:30 pm, Companie Marie Chouinard: Orpheus and Eurydice Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
	Monday, April 20, 5:30 pm, Shakespeare’s 445th Birthday Party, Arts Club of Chicago, Chicago
	Friday, April 24, 7:11 pm, Toronto Blue Jays vs. White Sox, US Cellular Field, Chicago
	Saturday, April 25, 6:05 pm, Toronto Blue Jays vs. White Sox, US Cellular Field, Chicago
	Sunday, April 26, 1:05 pm, Toronto Blue Jays vs. White Sox, US Cellular Field, Chicago

CLUB NEWS

Programme and Hospitality Committee Report
Though February was a cold month, The Canadian Women's Club of Chicago held a cozy meeting at The Cafe in Glenview overlooking the golf course. Though it was a small turnout, Dr. Alpa Vaghasiya Modi of the NorthShore University Health System sat down with the group and covered important women’s issues including breast cancer, osteoporosis, cholesterol, cervical and colon cancer. We left with information to help inform and protect us, as well as to remember we know our own bodies the best and should always speak up when something is "just not right" and to persist until we find someone that listens.

Robin Allison has been hard at work arranging an exciting event for April 15th at the Art Institute, an exhibit of portraits by Yousof Karsh. You should have already received the invitation separately. Please note that the deadline to RSVP is early – Monday, March 30th. Please contact me right away if you are interested, in case there is still room available.
- Mirella Caputo

Looking ahead

	Wednesday, May 20th, Lunch at the Consul General’s Residence, hostess Sharon Gray
	Wednesday, June 10th, (withheld) will host us around her condo pool. We’ll have a catered picnic-style lunch

Social:  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat & Brunch at Flatlander’s
It’s that time of the year when spring is in the air and everyone is looking forward to a Canadian Women’s Club social event. Come and join friends at Flatlander’s Restaurant in Lincolnshire for a delectable brunch followed by a show at the Marriott Theatre. You have the option to do one or the other or both. The choice is yours. It’s going to be a lovely day, so bring your spouse, your family, or a friend!

	Date: Sunday, April 26th
	Time: Brunch at 10:30 am at Flatlander’s Garden View Room, Joseph at 1:00 pm
	RSVP: by Tuesday, March 31st to Paula
	Cost: $22.00 for the brunch (per person) $30.00 for the show (per person) $52.00 for both (per person)
	Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Women’s Club and mailed to: Joan Ridyard, 24 W. Brookwood, Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Garden Club:  May 16th, 2009, Reserve the date!
You are invited to a Plant Exchange and Luncheon at the home of (withheld).  All Gardeners welcome!  RSVP to (name withheld).

Plans for a Garden Walk in June or July will be announced in the May newsletter.

Attention All Walking Enthusiasts - Back by Popular Demand
On Tuesday, May 5th, Susanna Doolin will lead a spring walking tour of Grant Park. Grant Park is Chicago’s principal downtown park located between Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan. It is full of beautiful gardens, hidden pathways, historic monuments, a series of bridges that span across the City’s railway tracks and fabulous city views. You will discover the beauty, charm and history of Grant Park just as Susanna has through her many walks in this area over a 25-year period. The spring flowers will be out in bloom, the grass will be green and the temperatures perfect, so come and enjoy this unique experience.  Let’s have some fun!

Those wishing to join should be able to walk for at least an hour and a half to two hours. There will be one or two sit-down breaks along the way. Concession stands and washrooms will be available. Please be prepared and wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat and/or sunscreen. Also avoid bringing a purse – a fanny pack or sling bag would be more appropriate. There are water fountains along the route, but feel free to bring your own water bottle. And don’t forget to bring your camera!

We will meet at the “Bean” in Millennium Park at 9:30 a.m. and award ourselves with lunch afterwards at the Park Grill. Parking is available at Millennium Park. If you would like to participate, or if you have any questions, please contact Susanna Doolin.

PATTI WILLIAN – IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER

It was a sad day indeed when we heard the news that our dear friend, Patti Willian, passed away on March 3rd,2009, after a brave, yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. I remember quite vividly hearing the news of Patti’s illness, from Patti herself, while attending the February20th, 2008 CWC meeting at the home of (withheld). Patti related how she had visited her doctor to enquire about possible hip surgery when x-rays disclosed that she suffered from something far worse. Needless to say, we were all in shock at hearing this devastating news. Throughout the whole ordeal Patti maintained a very positive, up-beat attitude and never shied away from attending any Club functions, no matter how poorly she felt. In fact, in my opinion, she became more visible and embraced the love and friendship she found from her Canadian friends.

Patricia Strong Willian was born in Portland, Oregon on September 14th, 1932, the only child of Ralph and Mary Brown Strong. Although Patti was born in the US, her Canadian heritage was very important to her. Both her mother and father came from Nova Scotia and she proudly spoke of her Canadian connection. Unfortunately, Patti lost her mother when she was only six months old, which resulted in her losing touch with her mother’s family in Nova Scotia. When Patti got older she reconnected with her extensive family in Nova Scotia (her mother had nine siblings) and gained much happiness from visits and reunions with her newfound relatives.

Patti grew up in Indiana and later attended Indiana State University where she received a teaching degree. She taught at the grade school level, and after moving to Evanston taught at Oakton Elementary School in Evanston. At the young age of 20, Patti married Indiana native, Clyde Willian, who went on to become a successful lawyer in Chicago. Their union produced four sons, Jay, Jeffrey, John and Michael, and one daughter, Mary, and eight grandchildren.

Her teaching background led to her involvement with the Hadley School for the Blind, which she was involved with for over 40 years. In 1974 she founded The Friends of Hadley, a group dedicated to meeting individual student’s needs, and set up sponsored scholarships for parents of blind or visually impaired students to attend conferences for networking with other parents. As a steward for the school Patti played an integral part in guiding Hadley to becoming the largest school for the blind in the world. Last year, on April 30th, 2008, Patti received recognition as Woman of the Year from the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce, largely for her work with the Hadley School.

Although Patti primarily supported the Hadley School, she was also involved in a long list of other groups and charities, two of which are the Women’s Board of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston and the Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care Center’s Service Board.

Our little red book states that Patti joined the Canadian Women’s Club in 1983. During that time, she was an active member and held Board positions as well, but her real contribution to our Club came as the hostess of our annual Christmas luncheon. For an unprecedented thirteen consecutive years, we all looked forward to attending this joyous occasion at Patti’s. It was the treat of the year and Patti graciously welcomed everyone into her Winnetka home. Patti’s priceless Santa Claus collection, as well as other Christmas decorations and numerous red velvet ribbons and bows, adorned her home so tastefully that no one even noticed the absence of the traditional Christmas tree. Instead her legendary, life-sized wooden Canadian Mountie stood guarding the door.

At the Donnellan Family Funeral Home, Patti’s husband, Clyde, imparted that the CWC was “very important to Patti” and, likewise, Patti was a very important member of our CWC family. We thank her for her many contributions, not only to the Canadian Women’s Club, but also to the greater society she supported. Weapplaud her tireless efforts on behalf of her many charities and thank her for being our close and constant friend for over twenty-five years. For this she will remain in our hearts forever!

- Susanna Doolin

CANADA CHRISTMAS TREE

Ladies, I am asking for your help this year with the Canada Christmas Tree displayed at the Museum of Science and Industry from November through the beginning of January.

But first of all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank (name withheld) for the superb job she did in  helming the Canada tree for many years. She not only collected decorations for the tree over the years, but also maintained decorations by mending/repairing/gluing ornaments that were broken while on display (and as she puts it, “in the hospital”). Her dedication to OUR tree was beautifully exhibited over the years with the highlight being the Plexiglas red maple leaves that truly made for a “Canadian” theme which stood brightest among all the trees at the Museum.

To continue the Canada theme, my thoughts are to utilize the symbols from each of the provinces and territories (excluding the official flower):
 

On your visits back home to your respective province/territory, please contact me before your trip to see if we are still in need of one of the symbols listed above. The criteria:

	Not your “typical Christmas” ornament with symbol painted on ornament.
	Prefer for bird/animal symbol: “stuffed” with a loop for hanging from 5” to 8”, and as “true-to-life” looking as possible. If no loop when purchasing, think about where a loop can be placed.  Consider breakage factor if not stuffed
	Cost guideline should be $15.00-$35.00; utilize judgment if a few dollars more (better made or of higher quality). Please present receipts for reimbursement to the club’s treasurer.

If you have other ideas for OUR tree which would follow the Canada theme, I would appreciate hearing from you. Please contact me at one of our meetings or via email  Thank you,

- Elsa Bruining, CWC Christmas Tree Chair

Copyright 2010 - Canadian Women's Club of Chicago

Email: mail@cwcchicago.com