Reunion 2025 Passports at Reduced Prices throughout December
Grab our 10% Off Early Bird discount*
$135 Passport* - December 2024 - a 10% Early Bird discount
$150 Passport - Effective January 1, 2025
Reduced price Passports are on sale for the month of December. We encourage you to show your support, help get things started, and at the same time take advantage of the discount. * For the month of December we will be offering our $150 passports at $135, a 10% discount off the full price which begins January 1, 2025.
A la Carte Pricing begins January 1, 2025
Starting January 1, individual events, including Friday golf, will be available for purchase while Passports increase to their full price of $150.00.
Individual events (no early sign-up discounts)
$55 Friday Meet & Greet
$65 Saturday Dinner
$20 Saturday Dance
$20 Sunday Brunch/BBQ
$45 Friday Golf (*not included in Passports)
2025 All Years Reunion
Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 16, 17, 18 & 19, 2025
While no “official” events are planned for Monday, May 19th, we encourage Alumni to get together with classmates or a small circle of friends and have one last celebration (until next time). Plan a picnic, a luncheon, a tour of Montreal or whatever you desire.
2025 Reunion Meet & Greet Begins
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Passports on Sale Now
Can't Attend the Reunion? You can still help!
If you know you won’t be able to attend please make a donation to the Alumni Association
to help us continue our philanthropic efforts on behalf of the school. Just click on the donation button and use your credit card.
Season's Greetings
Editorial
November 5 OMG, what happened - it was a bad night for the Democrats as the orange Donald easily made it back to the White House. I was shocked and disappointed, it took me two days and a few scotches to calm down. Now we are going to go through a period of paralysis by analysis as Democrats try to figure out what went wrong and how they can recover. I don’t think it is just a question of Harris getting into the race way too late or that fact that she was a black women, Republicans just had a better game plan. Time will tell
November 9 Another disappointing day as Montreal Alouettes were defeated by Toronto in the CFL eastern finals. It was a very close game but six turnovers by Montreal (four while in scoring position) sealed the deal and they lost by two points. It will be Winnipeg and Toronto in the Grey Cup.
November 13 I got double jabs today, Covid and Flu. A little bit of arm soreness for a day but otherwise OK. The government opened up the vaccination center on Panama Street once they received vaccines to protect against the new variants. The facility is extremely well organized, free of charge and very easy to get a appointment. Next up is a second dose shingles shot scheduled for Sunday, December 22. I wonder what RFK junior would say about this.
November 14 Could it be that Republicans and their supporters are experiencing a bit of buyer’s remorse. Trump names RF Kennedy junior, a noted anti vaxer and conspiracy believer to head up Health and Human Services and, wait for it, Matt Gaetz to run the Justice Department. The house ethics committee is sitting on an investigative report looking into Gaetz’s alleged criminal behavior which apparently contains a lot of juicy stuff. The Donald of course is trying to have the report killed but parts of it are starting to leak out. This could be fun.
November 15 At the behest of my youngest grandson, we have started work on a new project. This summer a squirrel has been visiting their deck almost daily. I think my grandson has grown attached to her/him so he got the bright idea of building a squirrel house. He came up with a basic design drew up some plans and brought them over for so I could have a look. It was a quite a big two room structure – one room for lounging around and another for sleeping. I stuck with his basic design but reduced the size and told him I would help with the construction, to be carried out in my work shop. He plans to lure the squirrel into the house with walnuts which he claims are a squirrel’s favorite food. I said peanuts or peanut butter but he insists on walnuts. Maybe I should consult with Bob Wrigley about this. To be continued next month with pics.
November 17 Grey Cup day. I watched bits and pieces of it switching between the NFL’s Kansas City, Buffalo game and the Detroit, Jacksonville contest. If Montreal had been playing I would have focused more on the Grey Cup but couldn’t get to excited about either Toronto or Winnipeg.
November 21 Bye, bye Matt Gaetz. The New York Times publishes a chart depicting some of Gaetz’s financial transactions related to his less than stellar behavior causing him to with draw his nomination to head up the US Justice Department. What’s next Matt, maybe he can market his crushed ED medication chugged down with a power drink for enhanced bedroom performance. I suspect many guys, after hearing his exploits have already tried it.
November 22 It is time for Pete Hegseth to go under the microscope. Pete is the Donald’s pick to be Secretary of Defense but it he may have to follow Matt Gaetz lead and step down. He is a noted philanderer, an obvious misogynist and it seems he might have taken a few hints from Bill Cosby’s playbook, administering a date rape drug to unsuspecting women. If he ever has a Senate hearing to confirm his nomination it could be quite a show.
November 25 I am winding down for the month but I still have some yard work to do. Temperatures have remained warm and the last of the leaves on our honeysuckle hedge have finally succumbed to nature and gravity. I think I can get them ready for the last city pick-up. Amazingly it looks like we will get through the month with no snow and only one very minor frost.
Thanks to all who contributed this month, Fred Hore, Sharon Carey, Rod Brown, Warren MacKenzie, John Charlton and a cast of jokers including, Bob Wrigley, Jim Baxter, Jim Groundwater and George Mitev. We need to hear from more of you, dig out your old photos, write a brief story about your time at CCHS or just send in an appropriate joke. It won't take very long.
Have a great holiday season and take care until next month.
Stay Strong Ukraine
Happy New Year
Canadian Celebrity, Ali Hassan To Host CCHS 2025 Reunion Variety Show
Ali Hassan graduated from CCHS in 1989, and has gone on to a career as a stand-up comedian, actor, author and broadcaster who has performed for audiences across Canada, in the United States and internationally.
We are thrilled to announce that Ali has agreed to return to CCHS and host our Reunion 2025 Variety Show, ensuring it truly will be “The Best One Yet”! Here is his memory of school days and variety shows past…
On the day of the audition, we started jamming, I started whistling, and got to about 10 seconds of singing this time, when Mr. Praw yelled "CUT!" and added, "Ali Hassan, I think you're doing enough in the Variety Show already, don't you?", which felt like a relatively kind way of saying "Kid, you don't got it." I went on to co-host the Variety Show, possibly planting the seeds for a future of telling jokes and hosting events. I always wonder what my life could have been: toiling away for years in bars as a mediocre singer, getting free drinks, hanging with rock stars and meeting all kinds of beautiful women who worshipped the ground upon which I walked. Instead, I have one solitary wife who loves me and four well-behaved children. Sigh. Thank you Mr. Praw.
Welcome New and Renewing Alumni Association Members
New Life MemberTom Hamer
Class of 1988
From: Coaldale, AB
New MemberSandra Hudy (Hepburn)
Class of 1971
From: Fort McMurry, AB
Renewing MemberSteve Gillians
Class of 1968
From: Burlington
Expiring Memberships
Joyce Bolton
Neil Ferguson
Siobhan Moore
LETTERS AND MORE
Class of 1966
Miss Montgomery
It’s a truism that we forget most of what we learn in public school – I might argue ALL but vestiges of knowledge still cling so ‘most’ is probably correct. However, it’s also true that our teachers are remembered and over time their virtues have either grown or their blemishes have expanded. It is thus with Miss Eileen Montgomery.
She and I never saw eye to eye. I hated her math while she hated my … everything. Perhaps that’s too sweeping a criticism so let’s be generous … she didn’t like my attitude. She was ancient in 1965 or so it seemed to a 17 year old but so were most of my teachers at CCHS – 30 was old and 40… well, my parents were that old!
To those she taught, she was impossible to forget and for those who simply shared her ‘space’ perhaps equally impossible. She was of a dark complexion with grey black hair tightly wound like every grandmother since time began. Her eyes didn’t blink behind her horn-rimmed glasses – a predator’s stare, a falcon’s look moments before killing something on the ground.
Let’s be clear – my relationship with math in any form or rendition caused me to break out in hives and other physical manifestations best not mentioned. My parents hired more than a few tutors who quickly crashed on the rocks of my inability to grasp theorems, or cosines. (In the interests of complete transparency, my math skills did not improve post-Miss Montgomery.) At the end of my years at CCHS, I graduated (after summer school for geometry) and started the rest of my life.
Somehow, several years later and with the assistance of my ever hopeful mother, I went to University in PEI, majored in English (thank you Mrs. Home) and history and finally received my BA. Math, even basic arithmetic wasn’t required! In 1971, clutching my degree tightly, I headed West to study at the University of Manitoba.
However, before leaving the east, I stopped in St. Lambert to visit my Grandmother (who claimed to have never doubted my academic talents) for a day … and that day was Sunday. So, at her insistence, we were off to the St Lambert United Church reigned over by the Reverend Munson with the intention (my quess) of showing off her grandson. I suspect the congregation were whispering something like, “Imagine, that Brown boy graduated from university – will miracles never cease?”
The service was, as always, an exercise in patience and finding ways to pass the time so scanning the congregation was my first option. As I looked around, I saw her – I saw Miss Montgomery just a few pews in front of us. I knew instantly I was going to confront her after the service, metaphorically produce my freshly printed degree and force her to admit she had misjudged my ability. Through the sermon, the prayers and even the collection I practiced my opening remarks to Miss Montgomery while hearing little of Mr. Munson’s words and understanding less. I revised sections, polished my sarcasm, sharpened my wit – in short, Miss Montgomery was about to reap the whirlwind.
The service ended and my Grandmother and I exited the church and went to the front lawn where folks lingered, chatting with friends and some might have discussed the ideas contained in the sermon and the implications those ideas might have on their view of life. I on the other hand, was searching for Miss Montgomery and I finally spotted her and, with determination, I moved forward convinced that I was on the side of the angels.
Ten feet from her, my posture slumped, my righteous fury melted and I mumbled the words that every student has uttered when meeting an old teacher.
“Miss Montgomery, I’m Rod Brown, your former student. You probably don’t remember me.” (What happened to my slashing wit, the killing thrusts of my sarcasm????)
“Of course I do,” she replied.
“Well, I wanted you to know that I just earned my BA and I’m on my way to continue my studies.”
Miss Montgomery looked at me without a trace of sarcasm, without flinching one iota, without some much as a pause and said, “Congratulations. I knew you could do it.” And
then, she walked away.
“No, I screamed inside my head. “No! You never thought I could do anything. You were the villain. I was the victim. I was the one tied to the train tracks. And now I’m Dudley DoRight, not you!”
But the moment was gone. Miss Montgomery exited stage right and my Grandmother returned to my side – the encounter was over and I never saw Miss M again although she was, and still is, one of the touchstones of my life. And, surprisingly, I still can’t do math.
Rod, thanks for this. Miss Montgomery was my grade 11 home room and algebra Teacher. She certainly knew her stuff and I actually enjoyed her classes. Imagine that. I think Rod may have a few more stories up his sleeve.
Warren MacKenzie
Class of 1957
Can You Identify these Lovely Ladies?
Warren has a challenge for you. Can you identify these lovely ladies? The photos were taken at reunions past, either in St. Lambert or Oakville. I wonder if he took any pictures of the men. Anyway let me know how many you can remember. More next month.
Frederic Hore
Class of 1970
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas
What an amazing and beautiful sight to behold!
On October 19 and 22, I made two trips to Bainsville, Ontario, to photograph Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas. Some 100 km west of Montreal, previous attempts to capture it in early October when it was brighter and more visible in the dawn light were unsuccessful - the skies were just too bright, washing out the sky. The comet was a just tiny fuzzball!
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas streaks above the countryside near Bainsville, Ontario, Canada on October 19, 2024. Photo ©Frederic Hore 2024. All Rights Reserved.
On my second foray on October 22, I noticed the Milky Way slowly emerging directly above me as my eyes slowly adjusted to the dark. Ah... what luck!.
Frederic always does such amazing work and what an effort. Driving such a distance, setting up at the church his mother used to attend, next to a graveyard no less and then getting these wonderful pictures. I imagine you have to have a very reliable weather forecast (no cloud cover or other impediments) or do you just take your chances?
If you would like to see more of Frederic’s great work go to:
Remarkable-Images.com
THE ARTS CORNER
Class of 1969I wanted to thank you for all you do to keep the CCHS most enjoyable newsletter going. Although I only attended CCHS for my graduating year, I have many fond St. Lambert memories.
I am a local artist in Franklin County, NY and have exhibited my work all over the "North Country" of upstate NY for decades.
Here are a few samples of my recent work to share.
Thanks, Sharon
I thanked Sharon for her contribution and learned that she had lived on Mortlake Avenue just up the street and across from our old house. Our family had moved there from Mercille Ave, in 1961 but my parents and three siblings moved back to Connecticut in 1968. So we never crossed paths.
Sharon said “My claim to fame was being reprimanded once for wearing the shortest skirt in the school. LOL - those were the days!”
Of course in 1960 when I graduated girls wore a uniform, blue blazers with white blouse and knee length grey skirts – no minis on the scene yet.
The Sign of a Rainbow
by John Charlton
Class of 1973
I captured this image of a Fall rainbow on Nov 26, 2024. It appeared almost due north, which in itself is unusual. The low lying midday sun lit up our now leafless apple tree, still laden with ripe fruit. The scene unfolded moments before I learned a good friend of mine had passed away. Coincidence? Maybe. Moments later the rainbow was gone. It's hard not to interpret these types of natural phenomenons as signs. Maybe they are.
Submit your artwork by email to harvey.cchs.ca@gmail.com or john.charlton@gmail.com. Don't forget to include a short description.
OBITUARIES
And Finally...
A Christmas Warning
Story with a Moral
In 1923, Who Was:
1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York Stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. Great Bear of Wall Street?
These men were considered some of the worlds most successful of their days. Now, 101 years later, the history book asks us, if we know what ultimately became of them. The Answers:
1. The president of the largest steel company.
Charles Schwab, died a pauper.
2. The president of the largest gas company,
Edward Hopson, went insane
3. The president of the NYSE,
Richard Whitney, was released from prison to die at home.
4. The greatest wheat speculator,
Arthur Cooger, died abroad, penniless.
5. The president of the Bank of International Settlement,
shot himself.
6. The Great Bear of Wall Street,
Cosabee Livermore, also committed suicide.
However: in that same year, 1923, the PGA Champion and the winner of the most important golf tournament, the US Open, was Gene Sarazen. What became of him? He played golf until he was 92, died in 1999 at the age of 95. He was financially secure at the time of his death.
The Moral: Screw work. Play Golf.
Bible Humour
Catholic Shampoo!
Two nuns were shopping at a 7-11 store. As they passed by the beer cooler, one nun said to the other, "Wouldn't a nice cool beer or two taste wonderful on a hot summer evening?
The second nun answered, "Indeed it would, sister, but I would not feel comfortable buying beer, since I am certain it would cause a scene at the checkout stand."
"I can handle that without a problem" the other nun replied, and she picked up a six-pack and headed for the check-out.
The cashier had a surprised look on his face when the two nuns arrived with a six-pack of beer. "We use beer for washing our hair"
The nun said, "Back at our nunnery, we call it catholic shampoo".
Without blinking an eye, the cashier reached under the counter. Pulled out a package of pretzel sticks, and placed them in the bag with the beer.
He then looked the nun straight in the eye, smiled, and said:
"The curlers are on the house.”
Evil trick
Think about these
I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
The eulogy
Wife’s eulogy at husband’s funeral.
Hubert needed a blood transfusion but his blood type was not on record so the doctors asked me if I knew what it was.
They urgently needed to know to save his life.
Tragically I had never known his blood type so I only had time to hold his hand and say goodbye.
I’ll never forget how supportive my Hubert was. Even as he was fading away he kept on whispering to me, B positive B Positive!
That was my Hubert. Always thinking of others.