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Canadian Women’s Club of Chicago Newsletter
September 2009
PRESIDENTS LETTER
Hello Ladies,
Both Paula and I hope you are doing well and enjoying the warm weather and
summer activities. I have had an excellent summer of great weather and great
travel. My daughter and I have been from one end of Canada to the other. It
started off with a Paonessa Family Reunion in Georgis! My daughter and I
visited family and friends in Halifax…Paul McCartney and 40 tall ships visited
too, making it a super week with excellent weather. We visited my brother and
family in Vancouver. Not so great weather there, as Vancouver was experiencing
the hottest weather on record…temperatures were as high as 35 degrees Celsius,
mid 90’s Fahrenheit. Luckily a swimming pool was just a short walk away.
I was on a quest this year to find Canadian Christmas ornaments and I was not
disappointed. I found 20 ornaments ranging from Mounties to moose on skis and I
know it doesn’t get more Canadian than that. I look forward to sharing them all
with you at the September meeting. They’re going to look great on the CWCC tree
at the Museum of Science and Industry this year.
This year, the President’s letter is going to come from both of us. I’ve had my
say so now continue reading and hear how Paula spent her summer.
Unlike Bev and her Canadian exploits, I stayed in the area thoroughly enjoying
pleasant temperatures. I figured all the planets were aligned this summer as I
watched the thermometer holding steady, not inching over that awful 90 degree
mark more than a couple of times. My flowers did so well and it is just so nice
seeing everything green in late August.
My closest brush with Canada this summer was at Milwaukee Irish Fest which took
place August 13-16. Tom and I made the trek up on Sunday afternoon and quickly
realized we should have allotted more time and gone earlier, there was so much
to see and do. As you all know, Atlantic Canada is deeply rooted in Celtic
culture and music, and it was wonderful to see several very popular Canadian
groups, including one of my favourites from Newfoundland and Labrador, The Irish
Descendents. In addition, Natalie McMaster was featured along with a Halifax
group named Pogey, the ever popular Evans and Doherty also performed, and many,
many more. The province of Nova Scotia was well showcased with photographers,
artists, information from their provincial tourism association and the ever
popular, Kitchen Party.
Like always, I go armed with my Newfoundland flag and this year was no
exception. Primarily I take it to alert others that might be there from my
wonderful province, that there is a fellow Newfoundlander in their midst…it’s my
thinking that anyone who knows Newfoundland, will know that flag. Like always,
it worked and I met a lovely lady whose son spotted the flag and came over to
ask if I was from Newfoundland. I immediately said yes and he introduced me to
his mother who is originally from Harbour Grace. We had a lovely chat and she
told me she has been in the United States for fifty years. She met her husband
at Fort Pepperell in St. John’s while he was in the service, and later married
and immigrated to the United States. We exchanged phone numbers and addresses,
and promised that we would get together to visit and eat some great Newfoundland
food. So even though I didn’t get to go back home this year, I experienced a
little bit of it right here and made a new friend.
There’s still time to have a rollicking good time and hear some fabulous Celtic
music as Chicago’s Celtic Fest is coming up at Grant Park September 12th -13th.
Nova Scotia is the co-sponsor. Check out our website for more information at
www.cwcchicago.com.
Bev and I look forward to the upcoming year and would like to take a minute to
express our sincere thanks to everyone who volunteered for Board positions. It
takes a lot of hard work to plan the year and keep the club running. This year
as always, there are many wonderful programmes planned starting with the
Columbia Yacht Club on September 16th. We hope you will write this one on your
calendar and attend. Reconnect after the busy summer and enjoy not only the day
but the interesting history of this great Canadian vessel.
- Bev Paonessa & Paula
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
The deadline for submitting articles to be included in the October newsletter is
September 30, 2009. All articles should be submitted to Jan Dengis. Please put
CWC on the subject line. Any questions, please call Jan.
MEMBER NEWS
Birthday wishes for September go to: Louise L'Heureux-Gilliberti, Ruth Coad
Johnston, (name withheld), (name withheld), (name withheld), Jennifer Zuriekat and Anne Sullivan Scatchell.
Ruth Johnston will be celebrating her 99th birthday on September 12th. If you
have a moment, give her a call or send her a card to mark this special birthday.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Remember to renew your
membership if you have not already done so. Memberships must be renewed before
September 17, 2009 in order to be included in the Directory.
-
Sheila Chin, 2009-10 Membership Chair
CANADIAN NEWS
Bryan Adams Honoured With His
Own Stamp
 With
numerous hit singles, a Grammy Award, Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, and an
induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame to his credit, Bryan Adams may
have earned the ultimate tribute from his native Canada: a postage stamp.
The rock singer joins three other musicians -- Stompin' Tom Connors, Edith
Butler and Robert Charlebois -- as part of the Canadian Recording Artists stamp
series. The stamps recognize "talented recording artists who have enjoyed great
success in the music industry," says the Canada Post on its website. The set of
four stamps will be officially released on July 2.
"It is a wonderful honor to be amongst the great men and women who have graced
our Canadian stamps," Adams says in Details, Canada Post's philatelic
publication. "I am humbled by the recognition."
Adams, who is also a professional photographer, has another connection with
stamps: His photograph of Queen Elizabeth II was used on a Canadian postage
stamp in 2003.
The arrival of the Bryan Adams stamp coincides with two special milestones for
the rocker this year: Adams will turn 50 in November; and his blockbuster album
'Reckless' -- best known for hits such as 'Heaven,' 'Summer of '69' and 'Run to
You' -- was released exactly 25 years ago. Last week, Adams was selected for a
star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for 2010.
This is not the first time Canada Post, Canada's postal service, has honored
popular musicians. Two years ago it issued stamps of Joni Mitchell, Gordon
Lightfoot, Paul Anka and Anne Murray. Should Canada Post decide to continue with
the stamp series, it will have plenty of native artists to honour. Possible
choices could include Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Rush, Sarah McLachlan, The
Guess Who, Shania Twain and Celine Dion.
- Posted by David Chiu on Jun 23rd 2009 2:00PM
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
CANADIAN EVENTS CALENDAR
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Saturday, September
12, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Leahy at Celtic Fest, Grant Park, Chicago |
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Sunday, September 13,
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Pogey at Celtic Fest, Grant Park, Chicago |
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Wednesday, September
23, 6:00 pm, the Atlantic Salmon Federation Chicago Dinner, will be held
at the Racquet Club of Chicago, 1365 N. Dearborn Parkway. Funds raised
support important conservation research and education programs. |
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Saturday, September
26 – Sunday, September 27 Canadian Cuisine at Chicago Gourmet
Festival, Millennium Park, Chicago
Chicago Gourmet is a world-class celebration of food, wine and the
city's rich culinary heritage. Guests will enjoy celebrity chef cooking
demonstrations, a fabulous seminar series, plenty of premium wine
tastings, gourmet food samplings and more. The Canadian Consulate
General and the Canadian Tourism Commission are partnering with the
Signature Room at the 95th to bring tastes from north of the border to
the Great Lawn in the park. Chef Tom Brodi from Canoe Restaurant in
Toronto will be participating during this exciting program. Early
registration ticket prices range from $120 to $175 per person per day
(plus tax). |
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Thursday, October 1
8:30 pm Film: Know your Mushrooms, Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago
Award-winning Canadian filmmaker Ron Mann explores yet another
alternative lifestyle with this new documentary chronicling the cult of
the mushroom. Many of his socks 'n' sandals subjects are obsessed
foodies but he by no means neglects the hipsters and tripsters. Ticket
Info: $10, $7 students, $5 members |
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Saturday, October 3
8:00 pm Great Big Sea, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn |
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Monday, October 12
7:30pm Calgary Flames v Chicago Blackhawks, United Center
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If you are interested in any
of these events, more details can be found at the following websites:
www.cwcchicago.com or
www.canadianclubofchicago.org
Looking Ahead
This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Women’s Club of Chicago.
Throughout the year we will celebrate our history, highlighting the decades with
mementos from the club archives, and by sharing memories with members who joined
at those times. Past presidents, (name withheld) and Michelle Gillis,
respectively the 50th Anniversary Chair and Club Archivist, are planning for an
exciting year, in addition to the other wonderful programmes planned.
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October 21st at the home of Michelle Gillis, Yoga instructor, Susan Larson will
lead the programme, Gentle Yoga for Stressful Times.
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November 18th at the home of Lucie Dumas, the programme will be the first in a
series of 50th Anniversary Celebrations. |
Book Club
The book club will meet on Wednesday, October 7th at 10:30 am, at the home of
(name withheld), to discuss the book, Heart Matters, a memoir written by
Adrienne Clarkson. Clarkson shares the story of her life, from being a
successful television personality to her official position as Canada’s
twenty-sixth Governor-General. This book is a quick read.
Garden Club
Wednesday, September 30th, Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, 630-668-5161,
www.cantigny.org
A trip is planned to visit Cantigny Gardens, the home of the McCormick Mansion
Museum, the First Division Museum, and many beautiful grounds and gardens. The
gardens are extensive so make sure to wear comfortable clothing and walking
shoes. We will lunch at one of the restaurants on the grounds. Parking is $2.00
before 10:00 am, $5.00 between 10:00 and 4:00. Carpooling can be arranged as
there is a Target parking lot nearby. It is possible for city dwellers to take
an 8:40 am train from downtown which will arrive in Wheaton at 9:30 am. Please
contact (name withheld) at for more details.
Attention All Adventurers
For our special event this year we are offering a personalized Segway Tour along
Chicago’s lakefront. This is a three hour tour which starts off with 20 minutes
of instruction prior to heading out toward Grant Park.
The Segway is the first of its kind – a self-balancing, personal transportation
device that requires no special skills to operate. Segways are designed to be
used in any pedestrian environment and will carry you gracefully throughout our
city. Riding a Segway and seeing the sites has never been as easy or more fun.
If you would like to participate, please contact Susanna Doolin by phone at or
by e-mail. We will meet on Wednesday, October 14th at 9:45 am at the Segway
Tours office at 400 E. Randolph Street. The tour will commence at 10:00 am and
conclude at 1:00 pm. The cost of the tour is normally $70.00 per person but
since we have secured a 10% discount, the cost to us will be $63.00. Lunch will
be optional after the tour.
CLUB NEWS
Garden Club
Five members spent a beautiful summer morning touring the Green City Market,
located at the southern edge of Lincoln Park. After wandering around the market,
we walked half a block to The New Leaf flower shop situated at Wells and
Lincoln, where a fair amount of time was spent exploring. At the entrance, we
entered into a room and then another, that beheld a mass of colourful flowers in
buckets, vases and pots, and beautiful saris hanging on the walls. The basement
was a treasure trove of ribbons, candles and trinkets, and the back building was
a hodgepodge of stacks of tiles and tools, with interesting antiques strewn
throughout its two floor structure. After leaving the shop we walked to Rocco’s
Pizzeria and Café where we enjoyed a tasty al fresco lunch.
CWC at Ravinia
For those of you who missed it, CWC’s annual social event at
Ravinia on July 11 was lots of fun! About 17 members and guests enjoyed hearing
Tom Jones, while the “Mountie” stood guard. The weather was perfect and the
food was great. Tom Jones looked well preserved and everyone left with their
underwear intact. A great time was had by all! Pictures of the evening can be
seen on our website www.cwcchicago.com.
Philanthropy
Following up concerning the June clothing drive, Robin and Jan drove over to
Sarah’s Circle, Full Circle Resale Shop in Glenview, right after the meeting to
deliver the numerous bags and boxes that members donated that day. The women
working at the shop were amazed at our contributions and said that before the
clothing goes on the racks to be sold, they sort through looking for items that
are useful depending on the women’s particular needs. Needs range from young to
mature, moms to someone looking for work. Something to keep in mind, if we
choose to do this again, is that there is always a need for men’s and women’s
boots, hats and scarves, as well as women’s clothing.
Thank you to Marion for picking Sarah’s Circle, a centre serving women who are
homeless or at risk.
End of year giving for 2008/09 was decided at the Outgoing Board June meeting.
It was decided to donate $250.00 to each of the following organizations: P.A.W.S,
The Chinese Museum of Chicago, Apna Ghar (Our Home) and The Canadian Shriners.
The end of year giving is a wonderful gesture. We are so fortunate, that we can
support groups such as the ones listed above, as well as when we collect for
philanthropy at monthly meetings.
A PEEK AT OUR PAST…………
Did you know:
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that from 1960 until 1977 we were known as the “NORTH SHORE CANADIAN WOMEN’S
CLUB”? |
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that from 1962 to 1964 our President was “Mrs. Angus J. Johnston”? (We know
her now as Ruth, our only surviving charter member).
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that in 1968 membership dues were $5.00 per year, and a luncheon cost $3.00?
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that the program on February 22, 1968 was “Trickery with Wiggery”, held at
Stouffer’s Restaurant at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie. Twenty-two ladies showed up
to see demonstrations by Mrs. Stagg and Mrs. Magel on this important fashion
trend. |
This is just a sampling of the treasures in our Club archives. Over the course
of this year leading up to our 50th anniversary, I’ll be sharing more with you –
and I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed organizing the
archives over the summer.
-
Michelle Gillis |
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