The Isaac Brock Diaries: Tuesday, May 28th

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. -Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, musician, Nobel laureate (1875-1965) 

 

Hi Kathleen!

Wonderful news! We will be here so will let Cora Lee send details. I'm in Winnipeg at moment, flying home today. Love and Fondestos to you and Stefano. Talk soon! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Mike, I just spoke to Pat. He says the game is on at Sarge's. I would normally ride my bicycle but I can pick you up if you need a ride. Please let me know. No word from Ted as yet so I guess he is unavailable. G

Hi George Thanks for the offer but I am ok to drive now. So I will see you there. What time do we start? Mike

Quite a country of contrasts, have been to 3 cities so far, 2 to go. Our guide is an executive chef in California so we are calling this the gastronomic trip of China some incredible meals especially in Beijing. Lots of local beer but not much wine so far. In Xian right now with the terracotta warriors, did the Great Wall, Forbidden city while in Beijing. Hanging Monastery while in DaTong. I do not seem to have Pam or George's email can you forward this please? 

Guy, I am holding the one copy of Muddy Waters in existence. It looks like the printer only printed one copy and I have it -- Kurt owns it. I will bring it with me to Nanaimo and we can decide what to do. My suggestion would be that Kurt choose another title, something more available to the proletariat. In the meantime we can pass this copy around for discussion at another time. G

Mike, I just spoke to Pat. He says the game is on at Sarge's. I would normally ride my bicycle but I can pick you up if you need a ride. Please let me know. No word from Ted as yet so I guess he is unavailable. G

Thanks again all for donating to Create Now in Melissa Rourke’s honor…it was a great event and your thoughtfulness will really help what it truly a great social program for kids.

Dear Melissa's Friends and Family,

Our entire office at Create Now has been touched by your tributes to Melissa through the "Flesh" gallery show. It was so clear to us as outsiders how much she was loved by those who knew her and we were humbled
by your invitation to let us be part of such a special event.

We wanted to make sure you we thanked you and let you know how much your donations have impacted our organization. We've raised nearly $3000 in Melissa's name through donations given at the event, and every day a little more is donated in her honor. Create Now has never had an event where everyattendee donated and funds of this magnitude can cover our visual art supplies costs for the remainder of 2013, pay for the rental of our
recording studio for an ENTIRE year, or completely fund a screenwriting workshop for youth in need.

We tried our best to get everyone's email, as well as their donation amount in case they required a letter for their taxes. We'll begin emailing these letters out at the beginning of the week. If you would prefer to receive a hard copy of the letter, please respond to this email with your address and we'll be sure to get it to you!

Also, some people expressed interest in volunteering. Here is the link to the volunteer application on our website:
http://www.createnow.org/volunteer/volunteer-mentor-app. I also wanted to point you all to our Facebook site at www.facebook.com/CreateNow, please "Like Us" if you'd like to see your impact in your news feed!

Thank you again for including us and it would be a joy to partner with any of you on future fundraising events.

Kindly, Kelly Noonan Development Associate Create Now *Transforming the lives of youth in need through arts mentoring and experiences*

Dear Patrick,

We apologize for the delay in sending you this letter of substantiation for your tax records. We were overwhelmed by the support we were given from Melissa's friends and family and it has taken a little longer than expected to process all of the donations. 

Attached is a PDF copy of your letter. If you require it in a different format or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at 213-747-2777 x 112 or by responding to this email. Thank you again for your contribution, Kelly

Hi Charlie,

I had hoped to connect you with my uncle, Dr. Erich Vogt while you were in Vancouver with your son but regrettably he’s just come home from the hospital after a tumble during a recent speaking engagement. 

Perhaps another time though as he’s a most interesting chap with lots of great stories. He was Albert Einstein’s intern while he pursued his PhD at Princeton and made quite a few contributions of his own to nuclear physics during his career. His nick name is Dr. Kaon…and he built the Triumf Laboratory at UBC, his legacy and greatest achievement.

My parents are in Vancouver, I know they would be more than happy to help you with questions you might have while you’re in the city:

Patrick Dunn and Corinne Durston, they’re right on Granville Island, very close to UBC in fact.  My parents both received their Masters in Library Science at UBC and my Dad spent his career at UBC in their library system. I have included them on this email. Have a great trip! Ayn 

Whose Charlie? mom  Dear Sisterhood! "Who is Charlie?" Cheers, Grammar Police!

Charlie is our head counsel Crown Media and legal department head. He’s going to Vancouver to visit UBC with his son who is interested in going there. He’s a great guy and I had hoped to put him together with Erich. The timing is off though unfortunately.

Charlie is Glenda’s boss…she is his paralegal/assistant and he’s a wonderfully funny man. Charlie’s your age…has Parkinson’s He likely won’t call but wanted to give him your number in case he gets lost etc.

The Isaac Brock Diaries: Monday, May 27th

If you write to impress it will always be bad, but if you write to express it will be good. -Thornton Wilder, writer (1897-1975)

Hello Darling and Goils!

Trust you are well and using Maggie's tail for a finishing paint brush! I am scheduled to arrive on Air Canada Flight #297 at 3:20pm, local time. Grogg said he was leaving on Friday, around 7:00ish, I think.

I'm off to pack before dinner. Will call your parents at Pam's later. (They are in to "babysit" Dustan. Apparently he came home drunk on Saturday night, vomitting everywhere! Pam is off to Thunder Bay tonight, until Thursday, I think.)  Swam two miles at Pan Am this morning and then met Jim for lunch at a food court in old Eaton's Mail Order building across the street from WPL. Afterwards I went to library and had a brief visit with Arthur Cohen. He looks very much the same but his hair is completely white. He has a ten year old! He is working about half-time, I think. He sends his regards. Had popped by earlier, just after I met Jim and when I came out of elevator, (Arthur's office is on 3rd floor.), Nora was waiting to get on. She is off to a cabin somewhere and was loading up on books for week away. 

Had a wonderful meal with Pam and Grogg and boys yesterday. Cody looks terrific as he's lost weight and seems very fit. Funnily enough, before sitting down I helped Pam and Grogg empty out "my bedroom" of numberless boxes of toys, etc. Pam labelled boxes and I carted them to just outside tent in backyard. Greg and I had laid a number of long planks down to keep everything off the ground, beforehand. Once room was emptied, (Almost! Scads of other things still there but at least you can get in the door and move!), Gregg arranged everthing in tent and I had a shower.

Meal consisted of two different ribs, ones with salted coating, other with dark, sweet sauce of some kind, corn-on-the-cob, roasted small potatoes and strawberry/spinach salad. Everything was simply delicious, delicious. I brought along a Tempranillo, 15%, and it complimented the ribs and our ribs very nicely! No room for Angel Food Cake and more fresh strawberries as I ate Dustan's rib overlefts! Mad dash to the airport and then Spumoni dropped me off on Harvard. I invited her in but hse had much to do to get ready to leave next day.

Had a grand visit with Nora, Ian, Liam, Jamie, Sam and Nicole, his girlfriend, lovely young woman, latter both in from Toronto as well as Nora. She will be staying in Winnpeg all summer. Apparently her Mom has Crohn's and has had some major surgery. Didn't have a chance to talk to Noreen about a lot of things but she seems very well. Ian made a gluten-free carrot cake which was enormously delicious. (I was ready for dessert by this time!) Dogs everywhere as Ian is looking after two of Kevin's pooches while he is in Toronto. Lily, Noreen's dog, you might recall, wasn't amused! Ian very kindly drove me home. I was pleased to have had quite a good visit with him. I have always found him to be rather shy and/or retiring when other brothers are around so it was great to talk when not in the shadow of more extroverted siblings.

Filmer picked up steaks, (I insisted on buying them. Least I could do.), for dinner and is doing them on the bbq. Nice enough, (no bugs), that we might eat outside. Kaitlyn and Scott are coming, as well as Travis. He will be leaving for Dublin next week. At this point he is not sure how long he will be away. He did very, very well in his Surveying Technology at Red River and has been offered a job already so will probably start once he returns from travelling. Sally is at a work related meeting and Scott works until 6:00pm so won't eat until Sally is back, probably by 7:30pm.

Filmer is going to take me to the airport tomorrow. Not sure if I'll have time for a swim or not but think I can squeeze in at least a mile and a half if I start right at 9:00pm. Probably have to leave for airport by 12:10pm and can only catch a  bus from Grant Avenue, outside pool, to Point Road off Pembina Highway, (probably one transfer somewhere to get there), and then walk to Wildwood, Section H, about 15-20 minutes. Have to be at airport by 12:30-12:45pm as I'm checking my bag.

Loads of love to one and all. Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!

PS: There was a deer sauntering down the sidewalk across the street from Noreen's place last night about 9:00pm! All the dogs went crazy!

Skidmore, Missouri is a tiny town in the northwest corner of the state. As of the 2010 census, 284 people lived there, down from 342 ten years prior. When something of any significance happens in town, one imagines that the whole town soon finds out, given the size of the municipality. Which is what makes the unsolved murder of Ken McElroy both strange and entirely expected. On July 10, 1981, McElroy was murdered in broad daylight while sitting in his car, next to his wife Trena, in front of the Skidmore pool hall. He was shot twice by two different shooters, based on forensic reports. There were three or four dozen witnesses. To date, no one has been charged with McElroy's murder, let alone convicted.

McElroy, to say the least, wasn't well liked. And that reputation, also to say the least, was well deserved.

McElroy, a functionally-illiterate fifth grade dropout who, while always unemployed, always seemed to have money, and was 47 years old at the time of his murder. But his relatively young age hadn't prevented him from totaling up a lifetime of indictments. Earlier in 1981, he was found guilty of shooting the town's 70 year-old shopkeeper over a piece of candy, per one report. This conviction was notable because of the twenty other times that McElroy was indicted, this was the only time a jury handed down a guilty verdict. Some charges were dropped under strange circumstances (one explained below) while a few others were tried to a not guilty verdict. The guilty verdict from the shooting of the shopkeeper, though, didn't stick. McElroy appealed and was released on bond pending a retrial.

Others in the town were not happy with what they saw as another of many miscarriages of justice. McElroy was a repeat offender in their eyes, one who had committed heinous acts and gotten away with them time and time again. In the early 1970s, McElroy -- a thirty-something who was already a father ten times over -- set his eyes on a 12-year-old girl. A year or so later, she was pregnant with his child, and by age 14, she dropped out of high school to live with McElroy and another woman. The girl, Trena, and the other woman, Alice, fled McElroy's home just sixteen days after Trena's son was born, according to TruTV. But McElroy was undaunted. He terrorized Trena's parents, killing their dog and burning down their home.
 

And then, McElroy came up with a plan to get away with it. If he married Trena, she, as his wife, couldn't be compelled to testify against him in pending arson, statutory rape, and other cases. But to marry her -- a minor -- she needed her parents permission, and given that he just torched their house and shot their dog, that wasn't likely. So he went a different route than flowers -- he threatened to burn down her parents' new home unless they gave permission. They did, and he got off scot-free. And this is just one of many stories of McElroy's evil behavior. His attorney told the Kansas City Star that represented McElroy in "three or four felonies a year." 

The shooting of the shopkeeper, though, pushed other townsfolk over the edge. As TruTV further reported, around sixty such people gathered after McElroy's release, asking the local sheriff what could be done about the super-bully in their midsts. The sheriff warned them not to confront McElroy directly (advising that they form a neighborhood watch instead) and then, the sheriff left town. The next day, McElroy was dead and the 30 to 45 would-be witnesses all told authorities a similar story: they heard a gunshot or two but ducked for cover, and had no idea who did it. McElroy's killers received the same fate that McElroy himself received at the hands at the law. That is, no one went to prison.

Trena ended up filing a wrongful death suit against the sheriff, the town, and the county. She asked for $5 million but settled for less than $20,000. No one -- not then, not before, and not since -- admitted to the killing of her late husband.

 
Bonus fact: The murder of McElroy isn't Skidmore's most grisly crime. That "honor" goes to the slaying of Bobbie Jo Stinnett, who was murdered on December 16, 2004. Stinnett was eight months pregnant at the time. The killer, a lady named Lisa Montgomery, killed Stinnett and removed the unborn child to take as her own. She was caught four days later and was sentenced to death. She is currently in prison as she exhausts appeals and other legal mechanisms. The baby was returned to Ms. Stinnett's family. 

Author: Henry Weincek

Title:  The Dark Side of Thomas Jefferson

Publisher: Smithsonian magazine

Date: October 2012

The paradox between Thomas Jefferson's authorship of the Declaration of Independence and his ownership of slaves.  When he drafted the Declaration of Independence Jefferson wrote that the slave trade was an "execrable commerce ...this assemblage of horrors," a "cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life & liberties." Yet when he had the opportunity in 1817 due to a bequest from Revolutionary War hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko, he did not free his slaves.  Jefferson owned more than 600 slaves in his lifetime and at any given time approximately 100 slaves lived on Monticello.  In 1792, Jefferson calculated that he was making a 4 percent profit per year on the birth of black children.  Jefferson's nail boys alone produced 5,000 to 10,000 nails a day, for a gross income of $2000 in 1796, $35,000 in 2013.

"With five simple words in the Declaration of Independence -- 'all men are created equal' -- Thomas Jefferson undid Aristotle's ancient formula, which had governed human affairs until 1776: 'From the hour of their birth, some men are marked out for subjection, others for rule.' In his original draft of the Declaration, in soaring, damning, fiery prose, Jefferson denounced the slave trade as an 'execrable commerce ...this assemblage of horrors,' a 'cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life & liberties.' ... 

"But in the 1790s, ... 'the most remarkable thing about Jefferson's stand on slavery is his immense silence.' And later, [historian David Brion] Davis finds, Jefferson's emancipation efforts 'virtually ceased.' ...

"In 1817, Jefferson's old friend, the Revolutionary War hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko, died in Switzerland. The Polish nobleman, who had arrived from Europe in 1776 to aid the Americans, left a substantial fortune to Jefferson. Kosciuszko bequeathed funds to free Jefferson's slaves and purchase land and farming equipment for them to begin a life on their own. In the spring of 1819, Jefferson pondered what to do with the legacy. Kosciuszko had made him executor of the will, so Jefferson had a legal duty, as well as a personal obligation to his deceased friend, to carry out the terms of the document.

"The terms came as no surprise to Jefferson. He had helped Kosciuszko draft the will, which states, 'I hereby authorize my friend, Thomas Jefferson, to employ the whole [bequest] in purchasing Negroes from his own or any others and giving them liberty in my name.' Kosciuszko's estate was nearly $20,000, the equivalent today of roughly $280,000. But Jefferson refused the gift, even though it would have reduced the debt hanging over Monticello, while also relieving him, in part at least, of what he himself had described in 1814 as the 'moral reproach' of slavery.

"If Jefferson had accepted the legacy, as much as half of it would have gone not to Jefferson but, in effect, to his slaves -- to the purchase price for land, livestock, equipment and transportation to establish them in a place such as Illinois or Ohio. Moreover, the slaves most suited for immediate emancipation -- smiths, coopers, carpenters, the most skilled farmers -- were the very ones whom Jefferson most valued. He also shrank from any public identification with the cause of emancipation. ...

 "Before his refusal of Kosciuszko's legacy, as Jefferson mulled over whether to accept the bequest, he had written to one of his plantation managers: 'A child raised every 2. years is of more profit then the crop of the best laboring man. in this, as in all other cases, providence has made our duties and our interests coincide perfectly.... [W]ith respect therefore to our women & their children I must pray you to inculcate upon the overseers that it is not their labor, but their increase which is the first consideration with us.

"In the 1790s, as Jefferson was mortgaging his slaves to build Monticello, George Washington was trying to scrape together financing for an emancipation at Mount Vernon, which he finally ordered in his will. He proved that emancipation was not only possible, but practical, and he overturned all the Jeffersonian rationalizations. Jefferson insisted that a multiracial society with free black people was impossible, but Washington did not think so. Never did Washington suggest that blacks were inferior or that they should be exiled. 

Isaac Jefferson, ca. 1847 

an enslaved blacksmith who 

worked on Jefferson's 

plantation.

"It is curious that we accept Jefferson as the moral standard of the founders' era, not Washington. Perhaps it is because the Father of his Country left a somewhat troubling legacy: His emancipation of his slaves stands as not a tribute but a rebuke to his era, and to the prevaricators and profiteers of the future, and declares that if you claim to have principles, you must live by them.

Delanceyplace is a brief daily email with an excerpt or quote we view as interesting or noteworthy, offered with commentary to provide context.  There is no theme, except that most excerpts will come from a non-fiction work, mainly works of history, are occasionally controversial, and we hope will have a more universal relevance than simply the subject of the book from which they came.  
 

Dear Patrick,

The shock has worn off. It’s now been over a week since the biggest surprise election result in BC’s history: a fourth term for the BC Liberal Party. Early on in the election the BC NDP took a strong stance against the two tar sands pipelines that threaten BC’s rivers, communities and coastline, and the party was projected to take office. The polls were wrong. And now, we must urge the Liberal government to prioritize the people and the planet over nasty tar sands projects.

It’s time to move forward… and we have a plan. The leadership of the BC Liberal Party does provide us pro-green jobs and energy alternatives folks with opportunity. And along the way you’ve helped build a massive social movement in this part of country that will not rest until we stop the threat posed by Oil Giants Enbridge and Kinder Morgan. Rest assured, the BC Liberals are taking note. 

Portrait of Thomas Jefferson 

by Rembrandt Peale, 1800

 Premier Christy Clark has restated that the Enbridge pipeline still does not meet her five conditions for approval ¹. This is a big step in the right direction for the Clark government. Now, with the Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel hearings almost complete, Christy Clark is about to make her final submission on behalf of BC. We need to encourage her to stand strong against the Enbridge pipeline on our behalf.

Sign our petition to the BC government demanding it say "no" to more tar sands pipelines and tankers!

We may not have as much money as Big Oil and their friends in government but we have each other and in a democracy that's what matters. Christy Clark is listening. Now is the time to remind her that the movement to stop these tar sands projects is more determined than ever.

Sincerely, Ben West, Tar Sands Campaign Director, ForestEthics Advocacy

Roman ruins on the Palatine Hill

Photo: Ellyn Peirson

 Mark Twain once said, "The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter -- it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."  

Hi Patrick, please send me your return flight info.
Also do you know when Greg is leaving?
Hugs
Corinne

Hi folks:

I will be making a flying visit to Vancouver next week, and if you are at home I would love to try to tee up a get-together. I am working all week, with several meetings not yet clearly scheduled, but perhaps can establish at least if you are around? I arrive on Saturday morning 1 June and leave on the afternoon of Monday 10 June, with most of my weekends already booked in for family biz.  Staying with my mum. Love and cheers from Kathleen

Dear Collaborators, Another value red wine for your consideration. Collaboratively, John

Another excellent value wine came to my attention this past week whilst quaffing a bottle of Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz with collaborator Victor Horton over a tenderloin of pork delightfully encased in pastry along with prosciutto and a mushroom mélange and accompanied by a purée of yams and parsnip. The Shiraz – 2010 in this case – proved to be a wonderful Auzzie-style wine from the venerable Barossa Valley winery.

At $17 and ratings varying from 88 to 91, a true value wine with a vcr in the 5+ range.

One published review for the 2008 vintage that holds for the 2010 in my view: 

It's a reliable red but it's in particularly good form of late - now that the emphasis is more on the fruit than on the oak. It tasted good from the get-go but given a little air the tannin structure and fleshiness of the fruit really started to de-robe - in an enticing way. This is pretty good clobber. It tastes of blackberries and coffee grounds, ripe plum and toffee. It's a medium weight wine of exemplary balance. It's best young but it may cellar for even longer than predicted below.
Vintage: 2008 Score: 91 points Campbell Mattinson Source: The Wine Front

 

I'll see at the airport around 3:45. Off to book club. C 

Ayn P

Overwhelmed with gratitude xoxo...thanks to all those who were able to be with us to celebrate Alex Prince and for those who included us in their wedding and birthday celebrations this weekend...can I just add that Pierre Prince gave the most beautiful best man toast ever!!! Made grown men cry Lol

Chloe Alexis Dunn

27 May at 15:40 ·

"Pig on the Street" Eat Street Episode Viewing Party tonight at The Meatery in Edgemont Village!!! Are you coming to watch me embarress myself on TV?? I would;) Oh yeah and Mark and Krissy will be on TV too!!!

Ayn P My sissy the reformed vegetarian will promoting bacon for wonderful folks on TV!!!

 

The Isaac Brock Diaries: Sunday, May 26th

Languages differ essentially in what they must convey and not in what they may convey. -Roman Jakobson, linguist (1896-1982)

I will join the cycling contingent despite the fledgling (unhatched?) nature of my bridge skills. 

Also, rest assured that despite the [minor] detail that I haven't read the book, (whatever book that is), I will be pleased to opine upon it... Kurt, do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

George, can you send me details of the cycling itinerary?  8^) cheers, Mark Does anyone have an mp3 version of TSB? 8^) cheers, Mark

Mark, Great that you will join us. I don't know the exact plans yet. Likely getting on the road to get a noon ferry. Leave 9:30 from Pat's? I assume you will be up for playing some bridge Saturday? If not, Kurt  needs to find a 4th? G

I am certainly up for playing bridge. How "up" should I get? Is pharmaceutical assistance permitted? 8^) cheers, Mark 

Mark, I dont know about pharmaceuticals but I understand is some bridge circles there are BC bud bidding conventions. Nobody seems to remember the exact details and some how the snack food becomes part of the focus. G

Hello Dope Fiends!

Glad to learn that all goes well with plans for a debauched weekend. I'm happy to leave The Heartbreak Terrace at 8:00am on Saturday morn in order to catch 10:40am ferry, in spite of malt overhang from Dram Come True, night before. We can talk about the peleton before then if Marcus Aurelius plans to ride to Horseshoe Bay as well.

Have been having a more than splendid time at the Isaac Brock 100th Anniversary reunion so am very pleased that I decided to attend. Visiting with other friends and family over next few days. Back Tuesday afternoon so will call The NRBC Secretary then to be apprised of any unanimous decisions! Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Pics: This is how I plan to cycle to HB. (Practice for getting blind drunk at Dram Come True! Have managed a couple of pretty good preliminary workouts so far. Almost ready to peak!) I know the route so well I can do it with my eyes closed! Everyone, except chap with thumbs up, was a classmates from Grade 7-9. 

Hi Goils!

Trust all goes well. Great snaps of wedding, Ayn! How is painting coming, Coriandre? Did you buy me a Mumford CD, Chloë?  Dinner with Spumoni and Grogg late this afternoon and then once we take Greg to airport Pam will drop me off at Noreen's place. She invited me for dinner as Nora, (Shauna's daughter), is in from Toronto, along with some others I can't keep straight! I had called Noreen a number of times, left messages, but didn't hear from her until I had already accepted Pam's invitation. Noreen understood but suggested I drop in for dessert and have a visit, given timing mentioned above. Should work out well so glad I can squeeze in a visit with her and some of extended family. 

Will see Jim Sutherland for lunch tomorrow, probably downtown as he has a medical appointment there anyway. Last few days I have been dropped of on Pembina Highway and taken bus to Isaac Brock. Great service on new express lanes so I'm on Portage, near The Bay, in about 15-20 minutes, to Valour Road in another 10. Former classmates have very kindly given me rides home so don't miss having a car, although I probably would have gone to Falcon today, to stay overnight, had I a vehicle. 

If Pan Am Pool is open for public swim today, (Golden Plains swim meet is still on but Training Tank is usually open.), I plan to go for a swim shortly. Spumoni said either she or Grogg would collect me from there. Dustan has a Driver's Ed session this afternoon so she wasn't sure who would be taking him. Fondestos and Love, Dad/Patrizzio!

Hi Jean and John!

Thanks for the lovely email messages, Jean, and the wonderful pictures of your family, in particular. I don't believe I've seen some of the immediate family before so those were terrific to see. Appropriate, given that I'm in Winnipeg myself, as of this writing.

I arrived here at about 2:00pm this past Thursday. My cousin's husband, Filmer, picked me up and was waiting so we made for home as soon as my bag showed up on the carousel. As you know came especially to attend the 100th anniversary of my Junior High School, Isaac Brock. Another classmate of mine, Joan Woodbury, was on same flight. In fact, she was the one who told me about the reunion. Just by chance we met at a friend's party last summer. Up until that point I hadn't seen her since the end of high school in 1965!

Pleasant day when we landed. I was planning to go for a swim at the Pan Am Pool but there is a swim meet on this weekend so Training Pool was only facility open and it closed at 4:00pm. It was shortly after 3:00pm when I discovered this so it wasn't worthwhile to make the trip, given time left.Spent time visiting with Filmer until Sally, my cousin, returned from work.

For dinner we had pizza from a local place, Tony's, not far away. Delicious, both vegetarian and another, one half Hawaiian/one half pepperoni. I made a mixed green salad and threw together a small bottle of dressing. Too much mustard for Filmer so I was happy as more for me! Dusty, (Cora Lee's Dad, who doesn't fancy other than off the shelf salad dressings), would have been pleased with the store "boughten" Italian Filmer used instead! We washed everything down with a bottle of Little Penguin red. At the risk of being accused of wine snobbery, will definitely be stopping at nearbye Grant Park liquor store in next day or so for some other more interesting hootch. Little Penguin is fine as far as it goes, price/taste, but not particularly characteristic of Shiraz varietal!

On the other hand, coffee Filmer brews/makes is simply fantastic. Vietnamese style. Filmer prepared a cup shortly after we were back at their home and it was even more delicious than I had remembered from last time I visited.

Friday morning I was up fairly early, 5:30am, as Filmer rises at 5:00am! Sally leaves for work by 7:00am so I had arranged to catch a lift with her to the pool. She works close bye so she dropped me off on her way to the school where she is the manager of the day care facility. I found a coffee-shop and read there until public swim started at 9:00am.

Not many other swimmers in Training Tank so I quite enjoyed logging two miles. Longest distance since I started swimming in LA this past weekend/week. I had hoped to do that distance at the Van Nuys pool not far from where Ayn, our eldest daughter, lives but was at just over 1.75 miles when life guard told me pool was closing for vacuuming! Anyway, enjoyed the swim and then after showering/changing walked back to shopping centre to buy some wine and spirits. 

Found a great selection of Malbecs, Carmenères, Tempranillos and Priorats so was very pleased. Much more attractive prices than in BC so even better! Also picked up a single malt, Bruichladdich 1998 Sherry Edition, (aged in Oloroso Jerez Sherry wood), 46%, on sale so saved about $20. Original price was about $20 cheaper than back home so I'll have to leave all my clothes here in Winnipeg to get all the booze home!

My brother-in-law, Greg,  very kindly offered to come and collect me. We returned to their home and I had a spot of lunch. His wife, Pam, is Cora Lee's youngest sister and she loves me to visit as I eat all the "overlefts" in her fridge. Her two sons and Grog won't touch them but I could live for weeks on them!

Grog then dropped me back at my cousin's place and I got ready to go to the first planned event of the reunion, a wine and cheese reception at the school itself. My nephew, Travis, dropped me at a bus stop about ten blocks from the house and I caught an express bus downtown to change to another which took me but a few blocks from Isaac Brock and my old neighbourhood. Bus itself stopped at Valour Road, so named to honour three Canadian soldiers in WWI who received the Victoria Cross. Interestingly enough, they all lived in the same block of then named Pine Street. When in Grade 9 I was voted by my classmates to place the Canadian Legion memorial wreath at a commemorative plaque on the corner of Valour Road and Portage Avenue on Remembrance Day, 1961. After snapping a few pictures of plaque, I strolled towards school, reminding myself of some of the houses and churches and stores that were part of neighbourhood I lived in from 1959 through 1967.

Reception itself was loads and loads of fun and I met about ten classmates whom I knew very well, and scads of others from neighbourhood, older/younger siblings, community recreation centre, mainly hockey, on my part, acquaintances/team mates, etc., as well as high school friends. Isaac Brock was a feeder school for Daniel MacIntyre and I knew many students there that I'd not known in Junior High as being older than me they were ahead of me. In many instances I "caught up" with them when they ended up failing a grade or two! Or else they were married to someone who went to IB.

One couple, in particular, I never expected to meet as I didn't even know that the wife attended IB: Elaine and Dick Archer. They are probably about five to seven years older. At any rtae, I played handball against Dick and his partner, Norm Armstrong, for years, when I was at University Of Winnipeg. Cora lee even came along to tournaments that were held in North Dakota, in Grand Forks, so it was simply wonderful to see them both after more than thirty years at least. They spend about half a year in Sarasota, Florida, and have invited us to visit. Hope to be able to take them up on the offer in next year or so as we'd both love to visit that part of the US.

Anyway, it was a fun-filled time machine trip down memory lane. Last person I bumped into was a chap named Warren Brooke and I knew him very well although he is seven years older. My Dad owned a small corner grocery store in the neighbourhood, at the time, and I delivered groceries, by bike, to many of my classmates' homes. In fact, I actually knew many of their mothers better than my own peers through this activity. Jack Weremy, a close friend of Warren's worked for my Dad, delivering groceries by car, until I could drive myself, and so I came to know Warren. When I went to U of Wpg, (then United College), I had all these "connections" with the "big guys" on campus, myself still a freshman, so I was accepted into the "inner circle" from the very beginning. What it meant was that i had a whole set of "older brothers" to help me find my way in a new world. Probably accounted, in large part,  for how much I enjoyed my studies there.

Warren and his wife, (I didn't know her as she is not from Winnipeg), now live in London, Ontario, so hope to visit them there at some point as we plan to drive east in a few years, all the way to Nova Scotia. Event was over just after 9:00pm and since Warren had driven to Winnipeg he offered to drop me off. He and his wife were staying with his sister in the same part of the city, not too, too far from my cousin's home. I wasn't unhappy to climb into bed around 10:30pm as it had been a long but delightful day.

Wandered the halls of Isaac Brock Saturday afternoon and then attend the reunion dinner that night at the Canad Inn, a hotel near Polo Park, not far from the school/neighbourhood itself. Was more fun continuing to catchup up with classmates. Speaker was Ted Irvine who played fro NHL for ten years or so. I knew him quite well, although he is three or four years older. He was ahead of me at IB but since he attended Daniel we crossed paths there. Also knew him because of his hockey reputation at IBCC. Another classmate, Andy Van Hellemond, was there. He became an NHL referee and has been a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame since 1999. His NHL officiating career began in 1969 and included 19 Stanley Cup Finals. I didn't realize it but in 1984 he became the first NHL on-ice official to wear a helmet. 

He was a very intelligent player and became the captain of our Playground A, B and C teams. He lead us to a Christmas Knockout Tournament victory in Playground A. We ended up beating the team from Grand Forks, in Grand Forks, in 1962, in the well established tournament played between the two cities. Just the bus trip alone and staying in a hotel overnight was the stuff of dreams for kids like us! The fact that we won was just icing on the cake!

I can still remember my two coaches coming into the locker room as we were changing out of our equipment and uniforms to stuff about six mickeys of Everclear, (not available in Canada then), into the bottom of my kit bag. I didn't understand why they were doing this but later learned that you had to be in the US for a week, I think, before you could bring any booze back, even if you wanted to pay duty. Incident held me in good stead once we started to go to California with you and John!

Visiting with other friends and family over next few days. Dinner with Spumoni and Grogg later this afternoon and then once we take Greg to airport, (He is flying to Vancouver on business so he'll be staying with us until next Friday!), Pam will drop me off at Noreen Sander's place. She invited me for dinner as one of her granddaughters, Nora, is in from Toronto, along with some others I can't keep straight! I had called Noreen a number of times, left messages, but didn't hear from her until I had already accepted Pam's invitation. Noreen understood but suggested I drop in for dessert and have a visit, given timing mentioned above. Should work out well so glad I can squeeze in a visit with her and some of extended family.

Will see university friend, Jim Sutherland, for lunch tomorrow, probably downtown as he has a medical appointment there anyway. Last few days I have been dropped of on Pembina Highway and taken bus to Isaac Brock. Great service on new express lanes so I'm on Portage, near The Bay, in about 15-20 minutes, to Valour Road in another 10. Former classmates have very kindly given me rides home so don't miss having a car, although I probably would have gone to Falcon today, to stay overnight, had I a vehicle.

Pan Am Pool isn't open for public swim today, (Golden Plains swim meet is still on), so I'll have to wait until tomorrow morning. Spumoni said either she or Grogg would collect me from here whenever I am ready to leave. Their youngest son, Dustan, has a Driver's Ed session this afternoon so she wasn't sure who would be taking him.

Thank you so very much for the invitation to stay. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be able to visit before we fly to London on July 10th. Cora Lee's sister, Patti, and family arrive for a little over a week on June 5th and we already have social engagements for the following weekends, (wedding, overnight at friend's cabin in Sunshine Valley, near Hope), and that is without even trying to get our place ready for the couple doing the house exchange in August. Granted, not all that much to do but we have to clear out closets, clean, etc., etc. At the moment, Cora Lee is painting our bedroom as she claimed it is easier to do when I'm not around! That being said, we'd dearly love to visit, that goes entirely without saying, so watch out, we might just appear on your doorstep! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick. Trust you spent an enjoyable time in L.A. Traveling on a long weekends is not much fun at the best of times. I take it from your email that you flew from the States side. I assume the airline deals are much better than flying from Vancouver. This is the only problem flying from here to Vancouver, it is near impossible to get any deals.

Look forward to seeing you on July 30th. Will give you our telephone numbers nearer the time if you haven't already got them. Hope Cora Lee is successful pleading poverty to her long lost wealthy relatives. People tend to be well healed in Somerset! Only problem is you will probably be staying in some magnificent house and then will have to rough it in our apartment when you arrive in Cornwall!

One of my sisters turned 72 this week so we took her out to lunch to celebrate. Not that there is much to celebrate getting older! Picture attached of my three sisters at the lunch. Maureen is the one that lives in the apartment below us. Gayle thinks I am far too pessimistic about age and should be more positive about the advancing years!

Spoke to Mark last evening. His first day running Pig on the Street seemed to be successful although he has come to the conclusion that running the truck without Krissy is not for him so he is going to try to train someone to take over the day to day running of the food truck and return to his teaching. Think it is a wise move.

Not much news this end. It was a beautiful day today so managed to complete a few chores in the garden then Gayle and I walked to the beach at Porthtowan. Had a beer and a lazy hour people watching then dropped in on some friends on the way back. I am now going in to make a Prawn Diavola with Squid ink pasta and a Cesar salad while Gayle relaxes on the sun bed with a Spritzer. Where did I go wrong! Best wishes Derek

Audrey on the left age 81, Margaret centre age 72, Maureen age 70
 

Hi Derek! Great snap of three sisters! I think I can see Krissy in Margaret, if I'm not mistaken! Don't have your address or telephone numbers yet, I don't think, but you can send them along when you've a moment. I shouldn't worry about some magnificent home in Somerset as I think it more likely to be a peat bog! Apparently one cousin owned a peat farm but not sure if that is still in family. Anyway, we'll need to conserve cash so will be sleeping under a haystack if we don't locate any rich relatives!
 

Busy time before we fly to London on July 10th. Cora Lee's sister, Patti, and family arrive for a little over a week on June 5th and we already have social engagements for the following weekends, (wedding, overnight at friend's cabin in Sunshine Valley, near Hope), and that is without even trying to get our place ready for you two! At the moment, Cora Lee is painting our bedroom as she claimed it is easier to do when I'm not around! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: This is how I plan to cycle to Horseshoe Bay next Saturday as I'm off to Nanaimo for my Book Club weekend. (Practice for getting blind drunk at Dram Come True night before! Have managed a couple of pretty good preliminary workouts so far. Almost ready to peak!) I know the route so well I can do it with my eyes closed! Everyone, except chap with thumbs up, was a classmate from Grade 7-9. 

Chloe Alexis Dunn Sunday night view from the roof.

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  Patrick James Dunn Nice Life, indeed! How much rent do you pay for the million dollar view?
  
  

  

  Chloe Alexis Dunn Clearly not enough, good thing I know the owners.
  

  

  Mumford & Sons

Could someone forward me pics of the wedding? Thanks, Corinne

They're on the Face Place Nana By the way...Pierre delivered an amazing speech at the wedding...made us all laugh and cry and you would have been so proud...our boys are on their way to greatness as they clearly seem to be turning into wonderful young men Love to all

  

  Ayn P Two things...we danced ALL night with joy!!!!!!

Secondly...and this is random. How does Alex Prince have the new Galaxy S4 that basically reads your mind now (you actually wave your hand like Harry Potter over the screen or nod your head to scroll!!!) but his e-mail is still @aol.com from '96???? #oldskool

Elly Cornelius

Hello Patrizzio.

Glad to receive your message. You lead a very busy life. We have our first open inspection this weekend, it has been a couple of stressful weeks trying to get the place shipshape. At the moment we have no idea when we are coming to Vancouver, so much going on. We will definitely let you know, it might even be went it's cold. It seems all of you are very very busy in the next few months travelling to so many places. Give our love to Cora Lee. Lots of cheers Elly & Tony

Wayne Sutherland

Biked 92 k from Penticton to Oliver and back. Legs are done. Wine tasting yesterday and tomorrow and then back to the real world.

Patrick James Dunn Sarge, if you had tasted a bit more wine you could have done 100K! Still, great ride. Grand Fondo in July?

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  Wayne Sutherland Sounds interesting. We should discuss when you get back.
  
  
  

  

The pics got me thinking that the idiom must now be changed to: FOUR sheets to the wind. --Kurt