ICS 2010 CANADIAN THANKSGIVING DINNER REPORT

The Dinner -- a sumptuous meal, well-served in a spectacular room, and best of all good company -- was attended by some 50+ ICS members and friends, less than the usual 70+, a number of former participants having returned to Canada during the past year. The table taken by former Ambassador Pat and Carol Binns was especially missed and a card was circulated through the room to accompany the farewell gift and Life Membership Certificates there wasn't an opportunity to present before their move to new responsibilities in Boston. (Pat's successor had not been appointed at the time of the Dinner.)

Charge d'Affaires Suzanne Cormie brought greetings from the Embassy and warm personal best wishes for the day. Susanne Nicholl, who is leading the ICS-sponsored project, updated the gathering on the exploration of a twinning of Malahide/Fingal County in Ireland and St Thomas/Malahide Township/Elgin County in southwestern Ontario. Susanne outlined the many historical and cultural connections arising from the pioneering efforts a couple of centuries ago of Malahide native son Thomas Talbot, for whom St Thomas is named; they led to settlement and highway projects underpinning the development of a staggering two and a half million acres in southwestern Ontario. Malahide/Fingal County political, Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, Dublin Tourism and other representatives are well along in assessing the benefits twinning would bring. Susanne's tireless efforts have also included meetings and presentations on the other side of the pond, resulting in endorsements and expressions of interest from leaders of the various jurisdictions involved there; they'll be followed up after Ontario-wide local elections take place later in the month.  
 
In addition to everyone receiving a Canadiana favour, there were more than a dozen happy prize draw winners. Emily Haji won a dinner-for-two with wine at Bewleys Bistro, compliments of Bewleys Hotel. Three gifts donated by the Embassy were won by Pat McDonnell (a designed-exclusively-for-the-Embassy Canadiana umbrella) and Liz Gaughan and Chris Wheeler (Canada-emblemed golf shirts). Paul Lake and Tharmala Tharmalingam won Canadian Ice wine generously donated by Malachy Smith, president of the Ireland Canada Business Association. Mark Eldridge, Vanessa Garrioch, Bill Nicholl, Stephen Riley and the Pat O'Brien and Chris Wheeler families each won a DVD of all the first-season shows of the  hit TV series The Zoo (now in production for its 2nd and 3rd seasons); the DVDs, now available in stores, were donated by ICS member and series producer Shane Brennan. Ann Hicks and Jeffrey Reisch shared the traditional ICS Canadiana gift basket prize: a basket, attractive by itself, filled with coffee and teas compliments of Tim Hortons, and other cross-Canada treats -- a bottle each of red and white wine, one from BC and one from Ontario, and bottles of Moosehead beer; Ann, whose husband Paul Lake was already an ice wine winner, decided to share their good fortune by donating her win back to the draw -- but, as any savvy Canadian would do, she opted to keep the Tim Hortons coffee!
 
Many had a hand in making the day's success. Thanks go to the donors of the prize draws and to ICS's Theresa Kelloway for her contribution to numerous details. Special thanks, too, go to Bewleys Hotel's Colm Murphy and his food and beverage team, not just for an excellent meal well served, but also for a very colourful Thanksgiving harvest display. 

Bewleys' spectacular Thomas Prior Room has already been reserved for October 9, 2011 for next year's celebration.
 
Dave Wilson
ICS Chair