Annual General Meeting and Dinner:
A Grand Success

The tickets to this year's Annual General Meeting and Dinner sold like hot cakes. The presence of our Honorary Chair, Bob Rae, as Guest Speaker, the culinary reputation of “Two Carats Catering” who prepared the wonderful dinner, and our traditional fundraising Dessert Auction were the big drawing cards. This year the AGM and dinner was held at the Chaffey's Lock Community Hall, a heritage building, this certainly played a role in making this year's event another success.

 

While the Community Hall was being transformed from a meeting room to a cozy banquet hall, RWLT Members and guests were treated to a walk along the new “Marion Dunn Heritage Walking Trail”. Members followed Neil Patterson in an interpretive walk along the Trail, created by the Chaffey's Lock Heritage Society and recently completed for the 175 th anniversary of the Rideau Canal .

 

As our Honorary Chair and Guest Speaker, Bob Rae, was relaxed and spontaneous. He spoke about how his love of the Big Rideau stems from his growing-up years on the lake. He explained what the lake and its surrounding countryside means to him and his family. Mr. Rae often drew laughter from the room with his pointed comments and downright funny stories. One such story described how, as newly elected Premier of Ontario, when he returned to Portland he received a hero's welcome from acquaintances. He was, however, informed by one local that no one in the town had actually voted for him or for his party! Mr. Rae shared his view of the role today's governments are willing, or not willing, to undertake regarding public programs such as land trusts. Governments, he said, are more inclined to step up to the plate with services and funding if we, the public and volunteers, undertake leadership and pave the way. We must not expect or wait for governments to undertake this leadership if we want things done. In his closing remarks, Mr. Rae promised to continue supporting and helping the RWLT as much as possible.

 

Our Volunteer of the Year Award for 2007 went to David Delisle.David has a 40-year history with Rock Dunder where he served as Scouts Warden for years. We are grateful to have had David's indefatigable guidance and help in making the many improvements at Rock Dunder. We are even more fortunate in that we will continue to benefit from David's experience and knowledge as he continues his role as Warden of Rock Dunder.

 

Our Dessert Auction has become a fun and story-filled battle over favourite cakes. This year we raised over $2,500, and the highest bid for one cake reached a record of over $500! Donated by Doug and Wendy Lewis, this cake, “Chocolate Paradise” could at one sitting, increase the cumulative body weight of those at the buying table by at least 30 lbs.