Scott Parkes returned to his old stomping grounds of Ashbury College on Thursday to help host a successful fundraising gala that raised tens of thousands of dollars for kids who can’t afford to participate in recreational activities and summer camp, much less go to private school in Rockcliffe Park.

The evening, called An Unlikely Pairing, got its name from the combination of delicious dishes served that night from some of Ottawa’s best food trucks, with exotic wines. It raised $84,000 – up from last year’s already impressive $70,000 — for Christie Lake Kids, a non-profit organization that offers children free recreational and skill-building programs.

Parkes is the gala’s honourary chair and sits on the board of Christie Lake Kids. He’s also vice president at Tamarack Developments and belongs to one of the best-known families in town, the Taggarts. The Taggart Parkes family charitable foundation was the presenting sponsor.

Jeff Parkes, a V-P with Taggart Investments, with his wife, Gillian Rowan-Legg, at a fundraising gala held for Christie Lake Kids at Ashbury College on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014.

Parkes said his passion for the cause comes from his own experience of raising three kids with his wife, Tracy, and seeing the benefits gained from their various lessons and activities. “There are lots of kids in this city who do no have those same opportunities,” he pointed out.

Parkes said he likes the way CLK actively seeks out children and youth who could benefit from its programs, and gets them involved.
Its programs teach more than just physical skills but also social and character skills, like patience, empathy, compassion and kindness.

They also build self-esteem and confidence. CLK helped 580 kids last year, offering such activities as pottery, swimming, hockey, dodge ball and cooking.

From left, event emcee Steph Legari with Chris Hughes, board president of Christie Lake Kids, at a fundraising gala held for the non-profit organization on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Ashbury College.

Among the 300 attendees were Christie Lake Kids board president Chris Hughes and such recognizable names from the business community as Mike Runia, Ontario managing partner for Deloitte; Welch LLP partner Andrew Milne; and Paul McCarney from the Tomlinson Group. Local celebrity chef Steph Legari, a.k.a. Steph the Grilling Gourmet, was emcee and auctioneer.

Paul McCarney of the Tomlinson Group with Suzanne Farhat at a fundraising gala held for Christie Lake Kids on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Ashbury College.

Items sold off for charity included hockey tickets, a corporate adventure retreat to the Christie Lake summer camp property and a private group tasting at The Unrefined Olive. There was also a raffle prize of two Air Canada tickets.

From left, Kellie Major, Jane Spiteri and Eileen Mlikan live it up at the party photobooth during a fundraising gala for Christie Lake Kids, held at Ashbury College on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014.

Former Sun editor Mike Therien, now chief communication officer at Instrux Media, with his wife, Donna, at a fundraising gala for Christie Lake Kids held at Ashbury College on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014.

From left, Kathryn Tremblay from sponsor excelHR, with Steve Mlikan and his wife, Eileen Mlikan, at a fundraising gala for Christie Lake Kids held Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Ashbury College.

Andrew Milne, a partner at sponsor Welch LLP, with his wife, Kristine, at Christie Lake Kids fundraiser.

From left, Elizabeth Kilvert, from The Unrefined Olive, with Cindy Harrison at a fundraising gala for Christie Lake Kids held at Ashbury College on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014.

From left, honorary event chair and board member Scott Parkes with Natalie Benson and Darcy Delaney from Christie Lake Kids at the fundraising gala, An Unlikely Pairing, held at Ashbury College on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014.

Michael Runia, Ontario managing partner of sponsor Deloitte, with his wife, Suzie, at a fundraising gala held for Christie Lake Kids on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Ashbury College.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

If only hospital food could include fresh tortellini and chicken parmigiana, like the kind served at the Italian-styled gala for the Queensway Carleton Hospital, held at the Sala San Marco banquet hall in Little Italy on Saturday night.

There were chestnuts roasting, accordions playing and a five-course dinner, just like nonna used to make. For the men, the “George Clooney in Italy” look was all the rage.

Prizes were two Air Canada tickets to Italy and a stylish electric scooter from Scooteretti. You could pose with it in the party photo booth, with the Leaning Tower of Pisa as the superimposed backdrop.

A crowd of 363 came together to raise $200,000 for the hospital’s Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit. The hospital is in the process of raising $3 million for a new $11-million, 34-bed unit that will treat seniors with various complex health conditions.

Ottawa’s west-end population is the third-fastest aging population in Canada, after Vancouver and Toronto. As a result, the hospital is focusing on how to best treat their frail and elderly patients “with an absolute focus on getting them up and mobile and back home,” said QCH Foundation president and CEO Melanie Adams. “Every day that a patient of that age spends in bed they lose five per cent of their muscle strength.”

Joining her was hospital CEO Tom Schonberg and board chair Clare Beckton; Dan Greenberg and his wife, Barbara Crook, from presenting sponsor Ferguslea Properties; and matriarch Shirley Greenberg as honorary chair.

Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado and his wife, Martine, attended while CFRA Radio host Steve Madely MCed and Kent Browne from Royal LePage, Team Realty and Gale Real Estate, led the live auction.

There was a classy dinner for eight at the Italian ambassador’s historic home in Gatineau to bid on and a smashing experience as a driver in the next Arnprior Demolition Derby. Also up for grabs: a stay at Peter Nicholson‘s Grand Isle Resort and Spa in the Bahamas and the opportunity to put the pedal to the metal in a Ferrari at Calabogie Motorsports Park.

The gala marked the fourth year that the QCH Foundation has hosted a culturally themed gala, having previously done Argentina, Barbados and China. The hospital’s $3-million ACE unit campaign is part of its larger six-year, $30-million Advancing Care for All Ages campaign being led by community builder Ron Prehogan.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

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On the eve of Remembrance Day, some of the most generous supporters of Canada’s national gallery came together with top leaders in military, culture, diplomacy and business for a special evening that commemorated the First World War through compelling art and thought-provoking history.

Attendees included the Canadian Armed Forces’ second-in-command, Lt. Gen Guy Thibault, Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin and retired generals John de Chastelain, Ray Henault and Lewis MacKenzie. They were seen in Monday’s black-tie, medal-wearing crowd as it perused The Great War: The Persuasive Power of Photography exhibit of prints, drawings and photos from the First World War, followed by a classy dinner served with patriotism and remembrance in the gallery’s gorgeous Great Hall.

The viewing of the exhibit had been preceded by a panel discussion with Canadian military historians Dean Oliver and Desmond Morton and the National Gallery’s director, Marc Mayer. Guests heard about the impact The Great War had on Canada, including to its social and economic history.

“What we’re really trying to do is make this not just an artistic experience but a cultural, historical, political, economic experience, as well as a military commemoration,” Tom d’Aquino, chairman of the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) Foundation board told Around Town as the nearly 100 guests prepared to make their way through the photo exhibit. “So far, it’s working beautifully.”

D’Aquino’s long-time friend, Toronto businessman Blake Goldring, was truly a stand-out guest, and not just because he looked resplendent in his mess kit.

Just a few days prior, Goldring received the 2014 Vimy Award during a gala dinner in Ottawa presented by the Conference of Defence Associations Institute for his outstanding contributions and leadership in strengthening ties between the Canadian Armed Forces and the public.

Goldring, chairman and CEO of AGF Management Ltd., was the first honorary colonel appointed to the army, in 2011 (his appointment has been extended to 2016.) He’s the founder of Canada Company, a charitable organization that brings together business and community leaders to support the Canadian Forces and their families.

Goldring attended the NGC Foundation dinner as one of the gallery’s distinguished patrons. Its supporters ranged from Vancouver philanthropist Michael Audain to prominent Calgary businessman Ron Mannix to Anne Stanfield, widow of former Nova Scotia premier and federal Progressive Conservative Party leader Robert Stanfield.

High-profile Ottawa guests included respected developer Bill Teron, Rockcliffe power couple Sean and Jamilah Murray, Carling Motors Group president John Mierins and his wife, Keltie, and Welch LPP managing partner Micheal Burch, a member of the NGC Foundation board of directors. Also seen were National Capital Commission CEO Mark Kristmanson and board chair Russell Mills, and Mark O’Neill, CEO of the Canadian Museum of History Corporation.

carolyn001@symptico.ca

A female trailblazer who keeps giving and giving, the little old brick salesman who could and a grocer who sees the value of second chances were among the women and men honoured at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Ottawa’s 20th annual Philanthropy Awards Dinner.

A crowd of nearly 400 broke bread together on Wednesday in the Trillium Ballroom of the Shaw Centre. There, they listened to moving and motivational stories of how three individuals, one organization and two businesses donated their time, energy and/or money to make a difference in their community.

The evening, chaired by Claude Drouin, director of philanthropy at the Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of History, was MCed by Kimothy Walker with keynote speaker Scott Heggart sharing his story about coming out as a gay athlete.

To start things off, Robert Merkley, president and CEO of Merkley building supply, was given the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award for his more than decade-long multi-campaign involvement with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Most recently, he’s helped bring the vision of an annual cycling fundraiser, Ride the Rideau, to Ottawa. It’s raised $8.6-plus million for cancer research, with about $1 million of that coming from Merkley’s mighty Brick Peddlers team of cyclists.

Said Merkley in his acceptance speech: “The nice thing about Ottawa is that people get it; they understand that if you want excellent health care … you’ve got to come to the table. I really haven’t had a difficult job (fundraising). I’m a little tenacious, I’ll admit to that, but the biggest thing I do is get out there and I ask people.”

The running joke of the night was that each recipient was a hard act to follow. Scott Crawford, who took to the stage after Merkley, quipped that he felt like “a lounge singer trying to fill in after Elvis.” He and Mary Gauthier, the board chair and general manager, respectively, of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Ottawa, described their team as “the everyday Joes” while accepting the Outstanding Philanthropic Group award for the association’s support of charities like the Ottawa Food Bank.

“We’re not the big guys; we’re the everyday people,” Gauthier told the dinner crowd. “We’re the plumbers sitting under your sink, the guys with their heads up in the ductwork in your offices. We live in Ottawa, we work in Ottawa and we support those in Ottawa. I’m very proud of this organization and so very proud of the people that I represent.”

Allan Foget, who, with his wife, Joanne, own a couple of Foget Sobeys Stores, received the Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist Award for their support of causes like the Heart Institute. “Every day I just try and make the world a little bit better,” said Foget after sharing his story of quitting drugs and booze to turn his life around.

Shannon Gorman, national director of community affairs at Telus, scooped up the Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist award with Jim Orban, chair of the Telus Ottawa Community Board. He took over the role following the recent passing of beloved community builder Arnie Vered (Vered was publicly acknowledged for his strong leadership, as was former Telus executive Janet Yale).

I found myself unexpectedly moved to tears watching the Telus video, called Oliver’s Story, about a young boy with cerebral palsy who — through funding from the Telus community board — can finally speak with the help of specialized equipment at the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre.

It was time for some self-reflection once University of Ottawa student Patrick Twagirayezu collected his Outstanding Youth Award. The impressive young man founded C.H.A.N.G.E. 4 Kids to engage local students in the community and the Capital Youth Initiative to fight youth poverty.

In his speech, Twagirayezu referred to a sports documentary on Tim Tebow that has the NFL quarterback sharing his philosophy on life and how, in the end, when it comes to your tombstone, it’s not the year when you were born or the year when you died but the dash placed between those dates that matters most.

“That small dash represents everything, everything that you stood for while you were here,” said Twagirayezu. “So, I encourage all of you to remember, in all our actions, what do you want your dash to stand for?”

Finally, Shirley Greenberg — one of the most generous individuals in this city — took her turn in the spotlight as she accepted her award for Outstanding Individual Philanthropist. For years, she has donated to so many causes, often with a focus on women and women’s health.

Greenberg, who was born in Ottawa but comes from a family of Saskatchewan pioneers, grew up in an environment where people always helped each other out. “It was just the thing we did,” Greenberg, a quiet, humble leader, told the audience. “It was a neighbourly thing and people didn’t get awards for it.”

It was the women’s movement of the 1970s that “ignited the fire” in Greenberg. She became a lawyer and went on to create the first all-female practice in Ottawa. If you could get women involved and interested, she came to believe, “You could do anything.
“I decided then that whatever I was doing, it was going to be primarily aimed for the benefit of women. I thoroughly believe that that is the road to success for families, for men and for communities all over this planet.”

Greenberg, widow of Minto co-founder Irving Greenberg, has reluctantly had her name bestowed on a couple of big buildings in town, including the Shirley E. Greenberg Women’s Health Centre at The Ottawa Hospital.

“It’s not something I really wanted,” Greenberg said before acknowledging that the name recognition has led people to share with her their positive dealings experienced at the beneficiary organizations. “It gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling that encourages me to do more.”

Greenberg attended the dinner with a large group of friends and family. The event’s presenting sponsor was Ferguslea Properties, owned by her son, Dan Greenberg. In 2008, he was also named outstanding individual philanthropist.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

From left, Telus Ottawa Community Board chair Jim Orban with Shannon Gorman, national director of community affairs at Telus, Garry Janz, president of Motorcycle Ride for Dad, and Telus Ottawa Community Board member Dennis Jackson at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, for the AFP Ottawa awards dinner that saw Telus named Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist.

From left, Allison Fisher, executive director of the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health with 2014 Outstanding Individual Philanthropist recipient Shirley Greenberg and Tim Kluke, CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

From left, Scott Crawford, Mary Gauthier, Robert Merkley, Shannon Gorman, Shirley Greenberg, Allan Foget, Jim Orban and Patrick Twagirayezu were award recipients at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

From left, Barbara McInnes, Telus executive Michael Sangster, Janet Yale, a former executive with Telus, and Shirley Westeinde at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

From left, Pat Kelly from award sponsor Bradley-Kelly Construction and Michael Maidment, executive director of the Ottawa Food Bank, awarded Outstanding Philanthropic Group to the Mechanical Contractors Association of Ottawa, represented by Mary Gauthier and Scott Crawford, at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

2014 Outstanding Individual Philanthropist recipient Shirley Greenberg with her family, from left, daughter Marti Bergeron, son Dan Greenberg, and daughter-in-law Barbara Crook at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner held Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

Kimothy Walker was back to MC the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

Norma Lamont, retired executive with the CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) Foundation, award recipient Robert Merkley and Steve West, board chair of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

Dr. Sony Singh, director of the Shirley E. Greenberg Women’s Health Centre at The Ottawa Hospital, with Peggy Taillon at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

Scott Heggart, who was the keynote speaker at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, shared his story about coming out as a homosexual athlete in an effort to make a difference, offer support and spread awareness.

Joanne and Allan Foget, owners of the Foget Sobeys Stores, received the Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist Award at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

From left, past recipient Lawrence Soloway, chair of the Heart Institute board, with Doug McLarty, an award sponsor, and Paul LaBarge, chair of the Heart Institute Foundation board, at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

From left, Dr. Jack Kitts, CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, with Robert Merkley, 2014 Outstanding Fundraiser of the Year, at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

Organizing committee member Heather Badenoch from Village PR with event chair, Claude Drouin, director of philanthropy at the Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum, at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

Event chair Claude Drouin, director of philanthropy at the Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of History, delivers closing remarks as chair of the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

Shannon Gorman, national director of community affairs at Telus, accepts the award for Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

Patrick Twagirayezu addresses the audiences after receiving the Outstanding Individual Youth Award at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

Michelle van Vliet, director of corporate partnerships at The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, and award recipient Robert Merkley give each other a big hug on stage as she helps presents him with the 2014 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award at the AFP Ottawa dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

From left, Jayne Watson, CEO of the NAC Foundation, with former award recipients Michael Potter and Barbara Crook at the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014.

The highly-anticipated relocation of Beckta restaurant to its elegant new spot on Elgin Street gave rise to a big celebration Friday, even if owner Stephen Beckta was on the brink of exhaustion from all his hard work getting the place retrofitted and in ready-set-serve shape.

“The adrenalin is getting me through,” said Beckta while speaking (albeit with a hoarse voice) with Around Town inside Beckta Dining and Wine Bar, a fine dining restaurant and casual wine bar at 150 Elgin St.

His fatigue is understandable; he hasn’t had a day off in 60 days.

Reaction to the new space has been “pretty amazing,” said the well-known and well-respected restaurateur.

It took “a real community effort,” Beckta added, to retain the heritage charm of the historic Grant House building, previously home for many years to Friday’s Roast Beef House.

Among the folks spotted at the sneak-peak party were Yasir Naqvi, Liberal cabinet minister and MPP for Ottawa Centre, energetic entrepreneur Harley Finkelstein from Shopify, lawyer-about-town Randy Marusyk and executive director Colleen Mooney and board chair Graham Macmillan from the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, a non-profit organization that helps children and youth. Beckta is an alumnus and sits on its board.

From left, Chef Cesare Santaguida of Vittoria Trattoria with his wife, Mona Ahuja, and “Fisherman Frank” Keitsch attended the pre-opening party on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, for Beckta Dining and Wine’s hot new location at the historic Grant House on Elgin Street.

From left, popular Ottawa artist Andrew King poses with restaurateur Stephen Beckta and one of his paintings seen hanging in the new Beckta location at the pre-opening party on Friday, November 14, 2014.

From left, Marlene Floyd with her husband, Andrè Fortin, the new Liberal MNA for the provincial riding of Pontiac, Que. and Christine McMillan with her husband, Yasir Naqvi, Liberal MPP for Ottawa Centre, at the pre-opening party for Beckta Dining and Wine’s new location at the historic Grant House on Elgin Street.

From left, Scott Bradley with his wife, Fiona Smith Bradley, and lawyer Randy Marusyk with his fiancèe, Hilary Phenix, at the pre-opening party on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, for Beckta Dining and Wine’s hot new location at the historic Grant House on Elgin Street.

From left, businessman John Hamilton of CarSense with Beckta executive chef Michael Moffatt and businessman Kevin Chadwick of Focus Eye Centre at a pre-opening party held Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, for Beckta Dining and Wine’s hot new location at the historic Grant House on Elgin Street.

Former NHLer Jim Kyte, dean of the School of Hospitality at Algonquin College, was sighted. So was Michael Moffatt, executive chef of Beckta and its sister restaurants, Play Food and Wine in the ByWard Market and Gezellig in Westboro. Moffatt and the director of operations, Clay Cardillo, are also partners in the biz, which follows a community-ownership model with small investors.

Other guests included photographic artist Jordan Craig and painter Andrew King. Their works hang prominently in the new joint. Worth mentioning is the vintage-styled painting of the old Elgin Theatre that King created specifically for the new Beckta restaurant. Beckta used to watch old movies at the now-closed cinema as a kid, to escape the heartache of his parents’ split. Beckta went every Sunday, for something like 12 weeks, to see the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun. The painting depicts a shadowed lone boy staring up at the bright lights of the movie marquee. King even did research for the accuracy of his painting to find out what other movie (Aliens) had been playing and what the films’ show times were.

The new Beckta officially opens — to a full house — on Wednesday.

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From left, Peter Milsom, Isabelle Hèmard and Brent Fehr at a pre-opening party on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, for Beckta Dining and Wine’s hot new location at the historic Grant House on Elgin Street.

Photographic artist Jordan Craig, with his wife, Karolina, had several pieces of his artwork hanging at Beckta Dining and Wine during it’s pre-opening party on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014.

CBC journalist Sandra Abma with Peter Simpson, the Citizen’s arts-editor-at-large, on Friday, November 14, 2014, at a pre-opening party for Beckta Dining and Wine’s hot new location at the historic Grant House on Elgin Street.

From left, Chris Schlesak, Brad Doran-Veevers and Stephanie Doran-Veevers on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at a pre-opening party for Beckta Dining and Wine’s hot new location at the historic Grant House on Elgin Street.

From left, Crystal Green and Isabelle Khan attended a pre-opening party on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, for Beckta Dining and Wine’s hot new spot at the historic Grant House on Elgin Street.

From left, Beth Clarke with well-known Ottawa caterer Sheila Whyte on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at the pre-opening party for Beckta Dining and Wine’s much-anticipated new location at the historic Grant House on Elgin Street.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

A fetching crowd of 350 came together at the Fairmont Château Laurier on Saturday to raise enough money — more than $80,000 00 — to keep 2,000 kids in toasty-warm snowsuits during the bitter cold months ahead.

The occasion was The Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala “Asian Reflections”, but there’s no ancient Chinese secret behind its success; it all comes down to a loyal following of supporters with some creative flair and fresh ideas.

This year’s Far East theme was seen, heard and tasted everywhere. Guests were escorted by dragon dancers to a ballroom adorned with paper parasols. A kimono-wearing Sandra Plagakis from KISS FM styled her hair into a Chinese bun, with souvlaki sticks poking out, to MC the charity event with colleague Carter Brown.

Carter Brown and Sandra Plagakis from 105.3 KISS FM emceed The Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala.

As well, there were egg rolls served from the famous Golden Palace Restaurant and loot bags from Tim Hortons packaged in lovely little Chinese take-out food boxes.

One of the reasons for the gala’s popularity is that you don’t really know what to expect until you arrive, said volunteer board chair Lianne Laing, a morning host with CTV Ottawa. Last year, the theme was Marie Antoinette. The year before, Northern Lights. “Every year, people are wondering, when they open the (ballroom) doors, what are they walking into.”

From left, board chair Lianne Laing from CTV Ottawa with gala co-chairs Peter O’Leary and Valerie Hammell at the Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala “Asian Reflections” held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

The gala was co-chaired by Valerie Hammell, an owner of the Canadian Tire store on Carling Avenue, and Peter O’Leary, new chief marketing officer for the Ottawa Senators. He’s been on the board for at least 15 years and says he sticks with the cause because he likes its grassroots approach to helping disadvantaged children in need of proper outdoor winter wear. “Everything that’s raised here tonight buys snowsuits; it’s as simple as that,” said O’Leary.

Honourary co-chair Erin Phillips arrived for a night of dinner and dancing with her “date,” Caitlin Neil, since both of their Ottawa Senators hockey-playing husbands, Chris and Chris, were on the ice in Calgary.

Jeff Hunt, president at OSEG Sports, with his date, Jennifer Caverl.

Also seen were OSEG Sports president Jeff Hunt, Ottawa Senators Foundation president Danielle Robinson and charity auctioneer Kent Browne, owner of Royal LePage Team Realty and Gale Real Estate. He gavelled away such items as a framed Sidney Crosby-signed Team Canada hockey jersey, Ottawa Senators tickets, a Sarah Moffat painting, and sports equipment packages from Canadian Tire and SportChek.

The purchase of decorative chopsticks entered guests into the raffle for a pair of WestJet tickets, but there was good luck for everyone — all the fortune cookies contained promises of a free hot chocolate at Tim Hortons.

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Lindzy Thompson can’t resist while posing with her date, Johnny Bonney, alongside a Sarah Moffat painting donated for the live auction to The Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala.

From left, Eric Kalbfleisch, sales rep with Royal LePage Team Realty, with Ottawa Senators Foundation president Danielle Robinson and Ottawa-based sports artist Tony Harris.

Margaret Armour, fundraising co-ordinator for the Snowsuit Fund, with her husband, Jim Armour.

The 2014 Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

From left, Paul MacKillop with Wendy Darwin and Jeff Darwin, regional V-P with Scotiabank, at The Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala.

From left, Tanya Proulx and Joanne Mews at The Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala.

Guests were entertained with live traditional music during the cocktail reception .

Melinda Assaf and Robert Assaf, co-owner of the Kardish Health Food Centre.

Snowsuit Fund board member Andrea Gaunt with her husband, Kevin McCrann, at the charity group’s annual gala.

Sandra Plagakis from 105.3 KISS FM improvised with souvlaki sticks in her hair at the Far East-themed Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala.

Marie Anik Desmarais of Anik Boutique with her husband, Simon Theoret, at The Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala.

David Gourlay and Danielle McGee, manager for Mayor Jim Watson’s successful re-election campaign.

From left, board members Krista Kealey, Ottawa International Airport Authority, Taryn Gunnlaugson, BMO Harris Private Banking, and Lianne Laing, CTV Ottawa, at The Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

The faint clinking of sports medals was replaced with the celebratory clinking of wine glasses as the popular Gold Medal Plates fundraiser attracted its largest gathering yet for a night of excellence in food, drink, sports and entertainment, in support of Canada’s Olympic athletes.

A crowd of 600 showed up Monday night to the Shaw Centre. There, 10 chefs competed in a a culinary competition that saw Patrick Garland of Absinthe Café clinch top spot. He’ll continue to the nationals in Kelowna, B.C. this February.

It’s not often the athletic and culinary worlds team up but it’s a pairing that appeals to Olympian Scott Moir, who won gold in 2010 and two silvers in 2014 with his ice dancing partner, Tessa Virtue. “I always tell people that when you go to a Gold Medal Plates event it’s like going to the 10 best restaurants in that city, all at once,” he told Around Town.

Moir and Virtue didn’t have to flash their shiny hardware, or a nametag for that matter, for the public to recognize them in the crowd that night. “Canadians are always surprising Tessa and I because we never think people know who we are, but they’re so supportive and they follow us,” said Moir. “It’s a special experience to be Canadian, and there’s a very different relationship between a Canadian Olympic athlete and a fan that I don’t even think a pro athlete has.”

Also among the 18 Olympic athletes in attendance were such hockey stars as Caroline Ouellette and the now-retired Jennifer Botterill, who MCed. Keeping busy behind the scenes was dual season Olympian Sue Holloway. She’s the main organizer of the Ottawa GMP.

Later, Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy graced the stage with Anne Lindsay and Colin Cripps to perform. As well, former Conservative cabinet minister Stockwell Day showed off his auctioneering chops by selling off adventures to New Zealand, Chile/Argentina, Tuscany, Provence and Scotland that include an all-star cast of travelling buddies from Canadian music and sports. The trips were described as “once in a lifetime” by Michael Runia, Ontario managing partner of Deloitte. It’s the national presenting sponsor while Tamarack Homes, represented by its president, Chris Taggart, was a major local sponsor.

Chris Klotz, who was back to co-chair the event with Dwight Brown, got the crowd pumped over Canada’s success at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. The athletes won 25 medals, making it one of the best games for our country.
To give the crowd some insight into the kind of sacrifices that athletes and their families make, Klotz singled out former freestyle skier Jeff Bean, who won 17 World Cup medals and narrowly missed the Olympic podium in 2002. His parents, in their effort to support Bean and his competitive skiing, ended up with a mortgage nearly three times higher than the original price they paid for their house in the ’70s. Bean, who retired in 2007, is now in the banking business, working for RBC in Ottawa.

Klotz also acknowledged the contributions of the chefs who created the “remarkable dishes” that everyone got to taste. “That’s 6,000 dishes that they put together, and all of that was donated by them, saving us all that money to donate toward the athletes.”

Since 2004, the Gold Medal Plates events have raised more than $8.2 million for the Canadian Olympic Foundation’s Own the Podium program that helps top-tier athletes win medals.

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• Absinthe Cafe's Patrick Garland wins the 2014 Ottawa Gold Medal Plates competition

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

If you want to know what the hottest ticket in town is these days it’s the one that’ll get you into the chic charity gala that Nordstrom is hosting when the American upscale fashion chain opens at the Rideau Centre this March.

This is a party that’s sure to sell out, so don’t be that cautious shopper who hesitates for too long, unless you want to be stuck on the outside looking in, with your nose pressed against the glass.

On Wednesday, Nordstrom hosted a reception with about 150 guests at Lago Bar and Grill to promote the March 4 gala taking place at the new Ottawa store, just two days prior to its much-anticipated public grand opening.

On hand were the CEOs of the two beneficiary charities, Michael Allen from United Way Ottawa and Linda Eagen from the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. They were joined by Nordstrom Canada president Karen McKibbin and such special guests as U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman with his other half, Vicki Heyman.

Also spotted in the crowd were Liberal MP for Ottawa-Vanier, Mauril Bélanger, Mayor Jim Watson and Ottawa Senators player Chris Phillips with his fun and friendly wife, Erin.

The charity benefit, which aims to raise $160,000, will offer cocktails, dinner, desserts, live entertainment and shopping.

“The gala will mark the first opportunity for our customers, and hopefully all of you, to take a sneak peek inside our doors at our newly remodelled, two-level, 157,000-square-foot store,” said McKibbin, who promised the space will look “quite different” from its former days as a Sears department store.

Nordstrom’s new Ottawa store manager, John Banks, put out the challenge to everyone in the room to help sell-out the gala in less time than a similar gala Nordstrom hosted for its new store in Calgary in September. Its tickets disappeared within two weeks. “For those who don’t know me, I’m just a wee bit competitive,” Banks half-joked.

There are 1,600 gala tickets, priced at $100 a pop. Sales started late Wednesday afternoon and, by that evening, 350 had already been snatched up.

Well-known writer, broadcaster and entrepreneur Mark Sutcliffe, who’s co-chairing the United Way Ottawa 2014 Community Campaign, is heading up the gala’s organizing committee with another notable Ottawa resident, Mary Taggart. She is married into the prominent Taggart Parkes clan, which supports the cancer foundation, among other causes in this city.

The gala will specifically raise funds for: the Project Step program that reduces drug use among youth and teens and the ORCF’s no-fee cancer coaching to help patients through the stages of cancer.

For more information about the gala, go to nordstromottawagala.com

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Two dramatic days in June 1963 made for two interesting hours in November 2014 as Canadian author Andrew Cohen launched his latest book while surrounded by 200 friends and colleagues in the Winter Garden lobby of the new Performance Court building at 150 Elgin St. on Thursday.

Two Days in June: John F. Kennedy and the 48 Hours That Made History chronicles Kennedy at the high noon of his American presidency.

“I think this time that maybe Andrew has outdone himself,” said veteran broadcaster Don Newman. He publicly welcomed a crowd that included Vicki Heyman, wife of U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman, award-winning author Charlotte Gray, National Capital Commission CEO Mark Kristmanson and retired diplomat Paul Heinbecker.

Researching and writing about JFK turned out to be a personal experience for Cohen. “In the sense that I’ve been following this guy all my life,” the author explained in his remarks. “To be able to descend into his world, which is what this [book] tries to do, and reconstruct 48 momentous hours of his life was, for me, revealing and, in many ways, deeply touching. People said, ‘Did it change your view of him?’ And, yes, I think it did.”

Many books have been written about JFK, acknowledged Cohen, while referring to one particular JFK book reviewer who opined: any author who decides to write another book about Kennedy “better have a damn good reason”.

“I’ll let you judge but I think what I have tried to do here is tell an untold story,” said Cohen, who’s also a professor at Carleton University and a columnist for the Ottawa Citizen.

The author singled out several guests, including University of Ottawa president Allan Rock, “who was so helpful to me”; newly elected Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Tobi Nussbaum; the “soon-to-be elected” Andrew Leslie and Catherine McKenna from the federal Liberal Party; and the “much-elected” Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger for Ottawa-Vanier. Also acknowledged were Ron Cohen, Anne Golden, former CEO of The Conference Board of Canada, journalist Lawrence Martin and Cohen’s family, particularly his wife, Mary Gooderham, “who I cannot thank enough”.

Cohen concluded his comments by pointing out that there were 1,036 days in the presidency of John F. Kennedy. “This is the story of two of them, and I hope you like it.”

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

I-2 had my doubts but the inaugural Black Tie Bingo proved a great success as the gala evening, held Saturday at The Westin hotel, raised thousands of dollars for people living in long-term and palliative care.

The evening, presented by MediSystem Pharmacy, drew 300 people for a night of cocktails, silent auction bidding and dinner, followed by much manicured nail-biting, heart-racing games of bingo for great prizes, like a 42-inch Samsung plasma TV, a shopping spree at the St. Laurent Centre with personal stylist Erica Wark, a corporate box for an upcoming Ottawa Senators game donated by Cisco, a VIA Rail cross-Canada trip for two, and a holiday at an Italian villa near Rome, donated by Oriana Trombetti, with flights from Swiss International Air Lines.

Catherine Clark, host of CPAC’s Beyond Politics, looked glam and gorgeous as MC while Friends’ Bingo, a local community bingo hall, made sure the games ran smoothly.

The benefit raised both $50,000 and much-needed awareness for two causes — the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa, a charity that provides funding and programs to improve the quality of life of seniors living in long-term care, and the OutCare Foundation, a charity that supports palliative care across Eastern Ontario. Both groups share the common interest of making sure people are comfortable, well taken care of and treated with dignity in their remaining years.

So, why bingo?

“Everyone loves bingo, and everyone gets to play,” explained Adam Nihmey, volunteer president and founder of Eldercare Foundation.

In the ballroom of corporate sponsors and individual supporters was Eldercare Foundation advisory council member Kay Stanley with her sister, Conservative Senator Marjory LeBreton, and their good friend, Betty Hope-Gittens.

Also seen was retired Liberal senator Sharon Carstairs. She’s vice chair of the OutCare Foundation board, which is headed up by John T. Bradley, owner of J.T. Bradley’s Country Convenience Store in Navan.

Among those to shout “Bingo!” was Kin Choi, an assistant deputy minister with Employment and Social Development Canada and a volunteer member of the OutCare Foundation board. He was seen doing a little happy dance after he and his wife, Marlene Borsboom, won the Ottawa Senators prize.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

From left, OutCare Foundation board chair John T. Bradley and executive director Lisa Davey with MC Catherine Clark and Adam Nihmey, volunteer founder and president of the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa, at the Black Tie Bingo charity event held Saturday, November 22, 2014, at The Westin.

From left, retired Liberal senator Sharon Carstairs, vice chair of the OutCare Foundation board, with Penny Collenette at the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation, held at the Westin hotel on Saturday, November 22, 2014.

Bingo winner Elisa Lane reacts with excitement, knowing the prize is a trip for two to Italy, during the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, November 22, 2014, for the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation.

Helen Huh, president of presenting sponsor MediSystem Pharmacy, with Peter Irani at the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation, held Saturday, November 22, 2014, at The Westin hotel.

From left, Kay Stanley with Betty Hope-Gittens and Stanley’s sister, Conservative Sen. Marjory LeBreton, at the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation, held Saturday, November 22, 2014, at The Westin Ottawa.

Donor Oriana Trombetti and Matthew Peel from Swiss International Air Lines called out numbers while guests competed for a trip to Italy at the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation, held Saturday, November 22, 2014, at The Westin Ottawa.

Bingo winner Barbara Perrin waits nervously to learn if she gets the prize at the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation, held at the Westin Ottawa on Saturday, November 22, 2014.

From left, Alex Vizarro with Michael Posternak of BMO Mutual Funds peeking through his bingo card at the Black Tie Bingo night held Saturday, November 22, 2014, at The Westin hotel in support of the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation.

OutCare Foundation past chairman Kim Devooght, a V-P at Cisco Systems, and his wife, Barbara Kieley, attended the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser on Saturday, November 22, 2014, at The Westin Ottawa.

From left, Harvey Wasiuta, Kin Choi, Trevor Bhupsingh and Marc Gagnon got into the spirit of Black Tie Bingo, a fundraiser held Saturday, November 22, 2014, at The Westin Ottawa in support of the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation.

Ottawa criminal defence lawyer Vince Clifford and his wife, Catalina, attended the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation, held at the Westin on Saturday, November 22, 2014.

Megan McCarthy and Alexis HÈbert with the law firm Dust Evans Grandmaitre had fun playing in the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation, held at The Westin Ottawa on Saturday, November 22, 2014.

Kin Choi, who volunteers on the OutCare Foundation board, was seen doing the happy dance after winning a prize — a corporate box to an Ottawa Senators game — during the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for the OutCare Foundation and the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa on Saturday, November 22, 2014, at The Westin.

It was a tree-mendous night at the Fairmont Château Laurier on Monday as supporters of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario came together in the hotel’s beautiful ballroom for the 17th annual Trees of Hope for CHEO.

New records were set as more than $70,000 was raised and a practical forest — 33 trees in total — was sponsored and decorated by a variety of corporations, small businesses and community organizations, all with the shared goal of helping sick babies, children and youth living in our region.

The trees, festooned with unique ornaments and inspiring messages, brought sparkle to the room. But, so did all the sweet-faced and smartly dressed kiddies who accompanied their parents and grandparents to an event that’s become, for those lucky enough to get an invite, the unofficial launch of the Christmas season.

The benefit is organized by a volunteer committee led by Deneen Perrin, director of public relations at the Fairmont Château Laurier. Also from the historic hotel was its general manager, Claude Sauvé. His wife, Deborah, was a volunteer judge with CHEO president and CEO Alex Munter, Nancy Tremblay from wedding and event design company Wedecor, and Majic 100 radio hosts Stuntman Stu, Angie Poirier and Trisha Owens. The evening was MCed by Lianne Laing from CTV Morning and Matt Skube from CTV News.

Every year, the event holds a friendly tree-decorating competition. The judges, as the arbiters of ornaments and all things shiny (silver tinsel and stringed popcorn don’t cut it these days), chose the KPMG-sponsored tree in the Silver Bells category. Its team worked hard, spending a couple of months planning, gluing, sewing and crocheting more than 350 decorations for its tree, with splendidly elegant results.

The other winner was the Shaw Centre, in the category of superheroes. Its tree decor told stories of leadership and bravery demonstrated by Ottawa’s police, fire and ambulance workers. As a sweet bonus, the team handed out free homemade themed cupcakes.

In the crowd of 400 was CHEO Foundation president and CEO Kevin Keohane and such generous CHEO supporters as Dave and Ann Trick, residents of the small community of Rideau Ferry just south of Perth. Donations from their family charitable foundation have helped the hospital purchase vital equipment for its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

There were delicious treats to devour, 200 silent auction items to bid on and live music to get everyone in the mood, played by Nathalie Khoriaty on piano. As well, there was a draw for a pair of Air Canada tickets, to anywhere it flies in North America, and a $1,000 gift certificate from Jubilee Fine Jewellers.

The ornate trees will remain on display in the hotel’s public spaces throughout the holidays. Visitors are welcome to drop in and vote on their favourite tree while also making a donation to CHEO.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Gary Zed, a philanthropic fixture on the Ottawa society scene, is picking up the baton to lead the organizing committee of the National Arts Centre’s annual signature gala, it was announced at a gathering hosted Wednesday by NAC Foundation CEO Jayne Watson at her Brantwood Park-area home.

“I’m really excited because we want this to be the biggest and best yet,” Zed told Around Town at the reception, attended by NAC Gala honorary chair Laureen Harper, JDS icon Jozef Straus, and his wife, Vera Straus, both music lovers, and the NAC Orchestra’s concertmaster, Yosuke Kawasaki, and his wife, associate concertmaster, Jessica Linnebach.

Attendees also included NAC president and CEO Peter Herrndorf, Michel Liboiron from presenting gala sponsor CIBC, and Global News journalist Tom Clark from major sponsor Shaw. Carol Devenny, of PwC, who chaired the last two galas, was down in T.O. collecting her award from the Women’s Executive Network, having been chosen one of the 100 most powerful women across Canada.

2015 is a big year for the NAC Orchestra, with talented young British conductor Alexander Shelley taking over from the legendary Pinchas Zukerman as music director. “I think there’s a real opportunity to do some different things,” said Zed. “My sense is (Shelley) is going to be entrepreneurial about the NAC and be looking for innovative ways to engage with the community and patrons of the NAC.

“One of the things I’m hoping to do is bring in new people who haven’t really been experiencing the NAC,” added Zed, a senior partner and tax market leader for Canada with EY (Ernst & Young) and a member of the NAC Foundation board.
This year’s 18th annual NAC Gala, held Oct. 2, paid musical tribute to Zukerman. It also netted its second-highest amount of $940,000 (the $917,000 announced by Harper that night on stage excluded the live auction funds raised later at the dinner). The proceeds go to the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust that supports the development of young Canadian performers (among the artists to previously benefit is Linnebach).

“I just wanted to say, on behalf of Peter Herrndorf and all of us at the National Arts Centre, a really warm thank you to all of you who made the gala so very successful,” said Watson during her brief remarks. “We are very lucky to have and to live in a community where we have such generous supporters and volunteers. We’re really grateful because I know everyone has a lot of options in terms of what they can support, and the fact that you choose to support the National Arts Centre and the arts really is important to us.”

Watson gave a special shout-out to Harper for attending “every darn committee meeting” and for taking her role so seriously.

“You don’t just show up on the red carpet when the photographers are there,” said Watson. “You are behind the scenes prodding us, throwing out suggestions and challenging us, and it’s really fun to work with you.”

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

What a coincidence that the clock, is if cued for celebration, began playing the Westminster Chimes just as the Ottawa Chamber Music Society’s new executive director, Maxim Antoshin, was ready to address guests at a reception held Thursday in his honour.

The gathering was hosted by Ontario Arts Council board member Harvey Slack and Kun Shoulder Rest president Marina Kun as a way of introducing Antoshin to the community. “I know that you will embrace him and welcome him to our cultural family,” said Slack, speaking in the living room of his Civic Hospital-area condo.

Likewise, Kun wished Antoshin well in his new job. “He has some very interesting ideas, very creative ideas about where to take the chamber music society in the future,” she added.

Antoshin, who started his new position in September, was previously the executive director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra. He hails from St. Petersburg, Russia and has lived in such European countries as Germany and Austria, as well as smaller Canadian communities, like Prince George, B.C. His career has also taken him to the National Arts Centre and to the Kennedy Center’s arts management institute in Washington.
The OCMS puts on concerts and plans ChamberFest, the largest chamber music festival in the world, held in Ottawa. Antoshin attended this year’s two-week summer festival and told Around Town he was “blown away by the quality of everything.”

“I wanted to be part of this organization for a long time, and I can say now that I’m living a dream that has come true,” he told the room.
The reception included an intimate musical interlude by violinist Carissa Klopoushak and cellist Julia MacLaine in an almost art gallery-like setting.

In the audience were NAC president and CEO Peter Herrndorf and its orchestra’s managing director, Christopher Deacon, as well as Community Foundation of Ottawa president and CEO Marco Pagani, National Capital Commission board chairman Russell Mills and Ottawa composer and Carleton University professor James Wright, who’s a member of the OCMS board.

From left, Irma Sachs and Christiane Racine were guests of an Ottawa Chamber Music Society reception held Thursday, November 27, 2014, at the home of Harvey Slack.

Marina Kun, president of Kun Shoulder Rest, with Christopher Deacon, managing director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, at a reception held Thursday, November 27, 2014, to welcome the new executive director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society.

Carla Pagani with Harvey Slack and her husband, Marco Pagani, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Ottawa, at a reception held in Slack’s home for the Ottawa Chamber Music Society on Thursday, November 27, 2014.

Russell Mills, board chairman of the National Capital Commission, with his wife, Judy, at a reception held Thursday, November 27, 2014, for the Ottawa Chamber Music Society and its new executive director.

From left, violinist Carissa Klopoushak with Serge Belet, chief of directorate at the National Gallery of Canada, and cellist Julia MacLaine at a reception held Thursday, November 27, 2014, to welcome and introduce the new executive director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society.

From left, Maxim Antoshin, new executive director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society, at a cocktail reception hosted by Marina Kun and Harvey Slack at Slack’s home on Thursday, November 27, 2014 to introduce and welcome Antoshin to Ottawa.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Everyone was feeling pumped about Corner Gas: The Movie as it enjoyed its Ottawa premiere across the river, at the Canadian Museum of History, on Monday night.

Heritage Minister Shelly Glover has been continuing the popular Movie Night on the Hill tradition started years ago by her predecessor, James Moore, as a way of promoting the Canadian film industry to fellow Parliamentarians.

The evening drew roughly 400 guests, including Laureen Harper (she seldom misses a screening and always comes well-stocked with licorice candy to share with her seatmates).

The new Corner Gas comedy is based on the award-winning TV sitcom that was set in the fictional roadside gas town of Dog River, Sask. In his brief remarks, co-creator, co-writer and star Brent Butt thanked director David Storey and executive producer Virginia Thompson, along with the ensemble cast, most of which was there that night with the presence of Lorne Cardinal, Fred Ewanuick, Eric Peterson and red carpet beauties Gabrielle Miller and Tara Spencer-Nairn.

Butt praised the actors for the movie-making wizardry that saw them “all coming together and spinning their magic and breathing life into these words that were on paper, and just suddenly making it all seem very real, suddenly making it seem like these were real people having real situations in a real environment, and it wasn’t just a bunch of jokes that were on a page anymore.”

The film received a standing ovation from the audience of politicians, members of the film industry and event sponsors. The screening was followed by a reception out in the lobby that worked the themes and sets from the film into the decor by, for example, recreating the small-town feel of the The Ruby diner. Meanwhile, the stars of the film were so friendly and gracious with the public.

Die-hard fans included Regina-native Dr. David Poon, who donned his autographed Corner Gas shirt for the occasion. He got himself invited, with help from his MP, Ralph Goodale, and drove up for the night from Toronto, where he’s finishing his medical training.

“The movie was fantastic, and getting to see everyone in their last hurrah was wonderful,” said Poon, who does stand-up comedy on the side.

Corner Gas ran from 2004 to 2009 and was bigger than the Prairie sky in its popularity. It saw a record-breaking 3 million-plus viewers tune into its series finale. The show may not have beat The Beachcombers in longevity but it was the highest-rated comedy series of English Canada.

Following its limited theatrical release from Dec. 3 to 7, the movie will be making its CTV network premiere on Dec. 17 followed by its debut on The Comedy Network Dec. 22. There’s also a special sneak peek on The Movie Network on Monday, Dec.8.
carolyn001@sympatico.ca

One would think Black Friday and Cyber Monday would lead to Totally Broke Tuesday but a much more charitable name has been given to this understated day of the week.

The YMCA-YWCA National Capital Region was among the non-profit organizations who used GivingTuesday as an opportunity to kick off the start of the season for generosity. It hosted a donor event for a few hundred guests at its downtown Taggart Family Y. Donors included such members of the prominent Taggart family as Keith and Chris Taggart, as well members of the Y’s board of directors led by Todd Cain.

From left, Keith Taggart with YMCA-YWCA NCR CEO Deidre Speers and Jeremy Farr at a Donor Event held at the downtown Taggart Family Y on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

Also seen were Jeremy Farr, general counsel at the Bank of Canada, Brian Scott, president of Smith Petrie Carr & Scott Insurance, and board vice-chair Ted Fobert, founding partner at the FoTenn planning and urban design firm. Popular fitness instructors Joseph Cull and Kathy Godding were also in the crowd but thankfully didn’t make anyone drop and give them 10.

Ted Fobert, a partner at Fotenn Planning and Urban Design, with Moira MacIntosh at a YMCA-YWCA donor event held at the downtown Taggart Family Y on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

The Y raises funds, usually about $1.2 million annually, to provide greater access to its facilities and services for thousands of children, youth and families who could not otherwise afford them. One in five children in the community require financial assistance to participate in Y programs.

“We are so grateful for the support from our donors and partners,” Deirdre Speers, CEO of the YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region, told Around Town. “This support is crucial for our ability to continue shaping the community we want: a community comprised of vibrant and healthy families.”

From left, Bruce Hillary with orthodontist Ian Milne at a YMCA-YWCA donor event held at the downtown Taggart Family Y on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

CEO Deirdre Speers with board chair Todd Cain at a YMCA-YWCA donor event held at the downtown Taggart Family Y on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

From left, popular fitness instructor Joseph Cull with Brian Scott and trainer and instructor Kathy Godding at a YMCA-YWCA donor event held at the downtown Taggart Family Y on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

From left, Doug McKeen with his wife, Claudia McKeen, and oral surgeon Sam Kucey at a YMCA-YWCA donor event held at the downtown Taggart Family Y on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

For the third year in a row, the Scottish Society of Ottawa was invited to a reception held in the former home of Canada’s greatest Scot, but that now serves as the official residence of the British high commissioner.

The society’s board chair, Kevin MacLeod, presented Howard Drake with a wooden plaque inscribed with the common gaelic phrase “100,000 welcomes” as a token of appreciation for the diplomat’s hospitality.

“That is the degree of warmth with which we are always received here,” the well-spoken MacLeod said during his brief remarks at Earnscliffe, the Victorian manor where Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, once lived and, in fact, died.

British High Commissioner Howard Drake, right, thanks Kevin MacLeod, board chair of the Scottish Society of Ottawa, after receiving a gift from the society on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, for hosting his third consecutive reception at his official residence, Earnscliffe.

Prominent guests of Tuesday’s reception included such senior cabinet ministers as Peter MacKay and Diane Finley as well as Minister of State (Social Development) Candice Bergen and Liberal MP Kirsty Duncan, who can play the pipes and dance a Highland fling or two.

Ross May from the Glengarry Pipe Band provided the way-back background music (he and his loud bagpipes were stationed down the hall and in the dining room) during the party.

Speaking of music, I had to do a double-take but, having grown up in the ’80s, did recognize Alan Frew, the Glasgow-born lead singer of Glass Tiger, with the band’s keyboardist, Sam Reid. The band is slated to play at the Scottish Society’s annual Hogmanay celebration on New Year’s Eve. This year’s family friendly event is happening at a new venue: the weather-controlled Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne.

Leslie Hossack and Emmett Hossack, vice chair of the Scottish Society of Ottawa, at a reception hosted by British High Commissioner Howard Drake on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, in celebration of St. Andrew’s Day.

Lately, the organization has been given many reasons to crack open the single malt whisky as it boosts its celebrations of all things Scottish. Its upcoming festivities also include the bicentennial of Macdonald’s birth on Jan. 11 and the Sir John A. Macdonald Great Canadian Kilt Skate scheduled to happen Jan. 31 on the Rideau Canal, during Winterlude.

“The mandate of the Scottish Society of Ottawa is to expand an understanding and appreciation of what the Scots have done to build this city and this country, and it’s a record of service that I believe is second to none,” said MacLeod, who, when not wearing his Scottish hat is the Canadian Secretary to the Queen of Canada and former Usher of the Black Rod for the Canadian senate.

From left, John Ivison, executive director of the Scottish Society of Ottawa, in conversation with British High Commissioner Howard Drake at a reception the diplomat hosted at his official residence, Earnscliffe, on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

From left, Glass Tiger keyboardist Sam Reid with Conservative MP Candice Bergen and Glass Tiger lead singer Alan Frew at a reception the British high commissioner held Tuesday, December 2, 2014, for the Scottish Society of Ottawa.

From left, Toronto Liberal MP Kirsty Duncan with federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay and his wife, Nazanin Afshin-Jam, and Manitoba Conservative MP Candice Bergen at a Scottish Society Reception hosted by the British high commissioner on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Earnscliffe.

In conversation at a reception held Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Earnscliffe for the Scottish Society of Ottawa are Conservative MP Candice Bergen, left, with Nazanin Afshin-Jam, wife of federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay.

Ross May from the Glengarry Pipe Band provided the background music at a reception British High Commissioner Howard Drake hosted at his official residence, Earnscliffe, for the Scottish Society of Ottawa on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

Bruce Nicol from Tartan Homes with Heather Theoret, secretary of the board for the Scottish Society of Ottawa, at a reception hosted by the British high commissioner on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Earnscliffe.

Kevin MacLeod, board chair of the Scottish Society of Ottawa, with Gill Drake, wife of British High Commissioner Howard Drake, at a reception the diplomat hosted on Tuesday, Decembe 2, 2014, at Earnscliffe to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day.

From left, Kevin MacLeod, chair of the Scottish Society of Ottawa, with Minister of Public Works and Government Services Diane Finley and National Post columnist John Ivison at a reception hosted by the British high commissioner on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, in celebration of St. Andrew’s Day.

From left, Hon. Lt. Col Mike Ward for the Governor General’s Foot Guards and a defence partner at IBM Global Business Services with Lt. Col. Robert Patchett of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, and Derek Dobson, a senior manager at EY, at a reception hosted for the Scottish Society of Ottawa on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Earnscliffe.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

An area that covers almost half of Canada’s landmass but remains home to less than a half-percent of our population is now the focus of a new exhibit, Arctic Voices, at the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Realizing that few people ever visit the Arctic, the museum has brought the Arctic to us city dwellers through a travelling exhibit co-produced with Science North in Sudbury.

“Most Canadians will never step foot in the Arctic, so Arctic Voices aims to dispel the idea that the Arctic is a place that is dominated by snow and ice,” said museum president and CEO Meg Beckel, speaking to attendees in the Barrick Salon at Tuesday’s VIP reception.

Projected on a nearby screen was a photo of a polar bear lumbering through a field of purple flowers, with no signs of any of that “white stuff” to be seen. “I would suggest this image alone begins to get you to think differently about what it’s like in the North,” said Beckel.

Attendees included Canadian adventurer, environmentalist and educator Geoff Green, National Capital Commission CEO Mark Kristmanson and Mario Pinto, the new president of NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada).

Since 1913, scientists have been combing the Arctic to study, collect and document the region’s natural and geological history. “With issues such as climate change becoming a growing concern, having records of this diversity in our national collection and the experts that can interpret them is critical,” said Beckel.

Among those experts is Jeff Saarela, a botanist, or plant scientist, with the museum and its founding director of the Centre for Arctic Knowledge and Exploration. He was on hand for the opening and spoke to guests about some of the work he’s been doing up north. “I hope the exhibit leaves you with the magical feeling I get each time I go back to the Arctic,” said Saarela. “It’s a key part of our national identity.”

The reception also included Inuit throat singing by Lynda Brown and Heidi Langille. The public can test their own throat-singing skills as part of the exhibit’s interactive features. As Beckel will attest, it’s not easy. “I did try it and I did not do very well,” she told the room before giving a brief demonstration that sounded pretty good to me.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

The National Arts Centre Theatre was overcapacity Friday, if you count all the adults who brought along their inner seven-and-a-half-year-old selves to the opening night of Alice Through the Looking Glass.

“Bring ‘em out, bring ‘em out,” encouraged NAC English Theatre artistic director Jillian Keiley, who also directs this wonderful production. She and managing director Nathan Medd briefly addressed the crowd of adults, youth and children before it settled in for a night of fun and surprises that went hand in hand, like TweedleDee and TweedleDum.

Attendees included NAC board chair Adrian Burns and her lawyer husband, Greg Kane. They invited along Tom Lukiwski, a Conservative MP for Regina and parliamentary secretary to the government House leader, with his wife, Diane (one of their sons is an actor).

From left, National Arts Centre board chair Adrian Burns on Friday, December 12, 2014, for the opening night of Alice Through The Looking-Glass at the NAC with Jillian Keiley, the director of the play and artistic director of NAC English Theatre.

After the show ended and every last Sugar Mountain jelly bean package had floated down from the sky, everyone was invited to a party with the cast in the NAC Salon.

Natasha Greenblatt, who plays Alice, was all smiles with fans, including Julie Harris, 11, and her grandmother, Marti Pierce. They waited patiently for their turn to chat with the actress and let her know how “enchanted” they were by the production.

From left, Bridget Mooney with her daughter, Naomi, six, Karen Streek with her daughter, Grace, seven, and Amy Kaplan with her son, Seth, six, were all seen handing out treats to the public at the National Arts Centre for the opening night of Alice Through the Looking-Glass on Friday, December 12, 2014.

“I was just telling Alice that my husband (Max) and I have had theatre subscriptions for ever and this is the first time that I’ve sat through a show with a big smile on my face, from beginning to end,” said Pierce. “It was just so creative, magical and fun.”

Before the play, a couple of Alice characters and a Red Queen, led by NAC senior marketing manager Bridget Mooney, were seen with their six and seven year olds circulating around the lobby and handing out candy and bottles of bubbles to children and children-at-heart.

Alice Through the Looking Glass plays at the NAC until January 3.

Cast member Andy Massingham with Judi Pearl at the opening night party for Alice Through the Looking-Glass at the National Arts Centre on Friday, December 12, 2014.

From left, Eric Coates from the GCTC in conversation with cast member Andrew Moodie at the opening night of Alice Through the Looking-Glass at the National Arts Centre on Friday, December 12, 2014.

NAC English Theatre managing director Nathan Medd, right, captures partygoers’ interest with a digital photo of his newborn daughter at the opening night party for Alice Through the Looking-Glass at the National Arts Centre on Friday, December 12, 2014.

From left, Alice Through the Looking-Glass director Jillian Keiley with award-winning fiddle player Karrnnel Sawitsky and his wife, cast member Amy Matysio, at the opening night of the play at the National Arts Centre on Friday, December 12, 2014.

Victoria Steele, executive director of the AOE Arts Council, with cast member Andrew Moodie at the opening night reception for Alice Through the Looking-Glass at the National Arts Centre on Friday, December 12, 2014.

From left, Jennifer Goodman with set and costume designer Bretta Gerecke at the opening night party held Friday, December 12, 2014, for Alice Through the Looking-Glass at the National Arts Centre.

From left, cast members Herbie Barnes (TweedleDee), David Warburton (Humpty Dumpty) and Darrell Dennis (Tweedle Dum) at the opening night reception for Alice Through the Looking-Glass at the National Arts Centre on Friday, December 12, 2014.

From left, cast member Natasha Greenblatt, who stars as Alice, mingles with Marti Pierce and her granddaughter, Julie Harris,11, at the opening night reception for Alice Through the Looking-Glass at the National Arts Centre on Friday, December 12, 2014.

From left, Bridget Mooney, Karen Streek and Amy Kaplan handed out treats to the public at the National Arts Centre for the opening night of Alice Through the Looking-Glass on Friday, December 12, 2014.

From left, cast member Alex McCooeye, who plays the White Knight, with NAC English Theatre managing director Nathan Medd at the opening night reception for Alice Through the Looking-Glass at the National Arts Centre on Friday, December 12, 2014.

NAC senior marketing director Bridget Mooney, dressed as Alice, handed out bubbles and treats to the public at the National Arts Centre on Friday, December 12, 2014, for the opening night of the play Alice Through the Looking-Glass.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Once a Fool, always a Fool. Just ask Margo MacDonald and Heather Jopling, seen at the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage on Monday night as guest artists of the annual Twelfth Night Celebration hosted by A Company of Fools.
The theatre company was founded in 1990 by the pair, back when they were young graduates of the University of Ottawa. The women really wanted to do Shakespeare but, lacking money and a venue, decided to take their performance to the streets. They recruited some of their friends to help act out scenes from A Midsummer Summer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet. They earned something like $8.17 each on their first day and later celebrated over milkshakes at a diner on Elgin Street, the audience heard.

Actors Richard GÈlinas and Margo MacDonald were among the guest artists to perform at A Company of Fools’ Twelfth Night Celebration held at the NAC Fourth Stage on Monday, January 5, 2015.

From left, Heather Jopling and fellow guest artist Elizabeth Logue read aloud random lines written by audience members as part of an improv skit performed during A Company of Fools’ Twelfth Night Celebration held on Monday, January 5, 2015 at the NAC Fourth Stage.

The Fools have come a long way since then and have continued to make Shakespeare accessible to all, indoors and out. Always popular is their outdoor touring show that takes place in local public parks each summer. This July and August, the Fools are staging The Comedy of Errors.
“Performing scenes from Shakespeare in the streets for spare change 25 years ago, I never could have imagined what the company would one day become,” MacDonald told Around Town. “I feel really proud of the crazy little company that could.”
Twelfth Night is a holiday tradition marking the end of the Christmas season but it’s also the title of one of Shakespeare’s most crowd-pleasing comedies. It’s customary for the Fools to have fun with the play by improvising their way through the story with their quick wit and talent and by keeping audiences actively engaged.

Scott Florence, artistic director of A Company of Fools, with his four-year-old son, Raffi, at the theatre company’s annual Twelfth Night Celebration, held Monday, January 5, 2015, at the NAC Fourth Stage.

Heather Jopling, left, on stage with Margo MacDonald during the Twelfth Night Celebration held at the NAC Fourth Stage on Monday, January 5, 2015, and hosted by A Company of Fools, an Ottawa theatre company founded by the pair in 1990.

Top row L-R David Hersh, AL Connors, Middle row L-R Richard Gèlinas, Elizabeth Logue, Catriona Leger, Emmanuelle Zeesman, Bottom row L-R Michael Brunet, Scott Florence, Margo MacDonald and Heather Jopling came together to celebrate the 25th anniversary season of A Company of Fools at the Twelfth Night event at the NAC Fourth Stage on Monday, January 5, 2015.

The evening brought together a colourful cast of Fools, from past and present, while raising a few much-needed bucks for the theatre company. MacDonald and Jopling reunited on stage with artistic director Scott Florence, AL Connors and Catriona Leger, and guest artists Michael Brunet, Richard Gélinas, David Hersh, Elizabeth Logue and Emmanuelle Zeesman. Audience members were left with enough laughs and smiles to get them through the rest of the winter.

Actor Richard GÈlinas, on stage with Margo MacDonald, was part of the fun and entertaining Twelfth Night Celebration hosted by A Company of Fools at the NAC Fourth Stage on Monday, January 5, 2015.

A Company of Fools’ co-founders Heather Jopling, left, and Margo MacDonald were back on stage to perform at the professional theatre company’s Twelfth Night Celebration and 25th anniversary season launch held at the NAC Fourth Stage on Monday, January 5, 2015.

Long-time Company of Fools performer AL Connors with guest artist Margo MacDonald at the theatre company’s annual Twelfth Night Celebration held at the NAC Fourth Stage on Monday, January 5, 2015.

Actor Margo MacDonald, co-founder of A Company of Fools, and Richard GÈlinas, were guest artists at the theatre company’s Twelfth Night Celebration at the NAC Fourth Stage on Monday, January 5, 2015.

Scott Florence, artistic director of A Company of Fools, welcomes guests to the annual Twelfth Night Celebration held at the NAC Fourth Stage on Monday, January 5, 2015.

From left, actors Annie Lefebvre, Sarah McVie and Victoria Luloff attended the Twelfth Night Celebration, season launch and fundraiser for a Company of Fools, held Monday, January 5, 2015, at the NAC Fourth Stage.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

A sold-out crowd of 150 raised their glasses and sang a rousing round of Happy Birthday to Sir John A Macdonald (or at least a portrait of him) in honour of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Canada’s first prime minister.
The Ottawa branch of the Monarchist League of Canada (MLC) took the lead in organizing the event, held Friday night at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom (a.k.a. the Naval Officers’ Mess).
Canada’s secretary to the Queen, Kevin MacLeod, gave remarks that were impressive, illuminating and convincing in his effort to realistically portray Macdonald — a man whose personal life was rife with tragedy but whose distinguished parliamentary career, spanning 47 years and six majority governments, was driven by passion, wisdom and vision.
“For Canadians, and I think for people in general, the more we become vague about our history and the more we become cynical about politicians, it’s very easy to overlook the accomplishments; it’s very easy to accentuate the failures,” said MacLeod.
As a man, Macdonald was not even close to perfect, but as a prime minister his accomplishments are unparalleled, said MacLeod in paraphrasing author Gordon Donaldson.
“Sir John was certainly not born with a silver spoon in his mouth and he was not offered opportunities on silver platters,” he said of the Glasgow-born politician. “Sir John fought battles all his life with conviction and dedication.”
The evening, organized by volunteers, included a bunch of prize-winning activities. On hand from the MLC was local chair Mary de Toro and the head of its events committee, Peter Kucherepa. Town crier Daniel Richer scored points with the female crowd for portraying Macdonald as tall, dark and handsome.
Attendees included Jean-Paul Ruszkowski, CEO of the Parliamentary Centre; Gregory Evanik, president of the Ottawa branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society; the legendary Grete Hale; Brian Lee Crowley, managing director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute; and Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion of The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band. Breaking down political barriers was federal Liberal staffer Kevin Bosch.
“I love Sir John,” Bosch told Around Town. “I think all Canadians should be very proud; we’re very lucky to have had a visionary like him. Confederation might not have happened if it hadn’t been for him, with his political skill. I think everyone, of all political stripes, should lift a glass in his honour.”
carolyn001@sympatico.ca

From left, Daniel Richer as Sir John A Macdonald and Mary de Toro with Canada’s Secretary to the Queen, Kevin MacLeod, and Peter Kucherepa at the 200th Birthday Social in honour of Sir John A Macdonald, held Friday, January 9, 2015, at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Mary de Toro, head of the Ottawa branch of the Monarchist League of Canada, gets a kilt-wearing Don Cummer of the Scottish Society of Ottawa, to show a little more leg at the Sir John A Macdonald 200th Birthday Social held Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Al Gullon and Joy Phillips won top hats for completing all the key activities — from buying a Sir John drink to answering historical questions on Canadian confederation — at the Sir John A Macdonald 200th Birthday Social held at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom on Friday, January 9, 2015. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Kevin MacLeod, Canadian Secretary to the Queen, gave a speech about Sir John A Macdonald during a 200th birthday social held in honour of our country’s founding prime minister, held Friday, January 9, 2015, at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

From left, Allan Jones, past chairman of the Ottawa branch of the Monarchist League of Canada, with Peter Kucherepa, head of its events committee, at the Sir John A Macdonald 200th Birthday Social held Friday, January 9, 2015, at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Cpt. Lt. Edward (Ted) McNabb from the 78th Fraser Highlanders with Honorary Colonel Grete Hale at the 200th Birthday Social for Sir John A Macdonald, held Friday, January 9, 2015, at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Brian Lee Crowley, managing director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, with his wife, Shelley Crowley, at the 200th Birthday Social in honour of Sir John A Macdonald held on January 9, 2015, at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

From left, Jean-Paul Ruszkowski, president and CEO of the Parliamentary Centre, with author J. William (Bill) Galbraith, at the Sir John A Macdonald 200th Birthday Social held at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom on January 9, 2015. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

From left, Leonel Jean Regimbal, vice chairman of the Ottawa branch of the Monarchist League of Canada, with Gregory Evanik, president of the Ottawa branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society, at the Sir John A Macdonald 200th Birthday Social held at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom on Friday, January 9, 2015. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Jim Paul, CEO of Defence Construction Canada, with his wife, Patty, were among the guests to successfully complete their activities cards at the Sir John A Macdonald 200th Birthday Social held at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom on Friday, January 9, 2015. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Former school teacher Kay Stanley caught up with a past student, Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion of The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, at the Sir John A Macdonald 200th Birthday Social held at the HMCS Bytown Wardroom on Friday, January 9, 2015. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)