Alumni Connection March 2023

Skiing in a Wonderland: Winter Ecology

Do you suffer from the winter blues, want to pack up and head south for a month or two? Perhaps you should reconsider, take up cross country skiing and immerse yourself in our winter wonderland, it will do you a world of good. Dr. Robert Wrigley has written a fascinating article, full of great photos, about his outdoor winter experiences.

Rime frost (as in this photo) forms under heavy fog conditions (the previous night), causing the supercooled water droplets to freeze on contact with thin objects. Similar-looking hoar frost develops as water molecules undergo direct sublimation on objects, without foggy air. Calm air permits the formation of beautiful crystal formations, which eventually shower to the ground and evaporate. (R. Wrigley)

As I hustled across the parking lot to go skiing in Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Forest this afternoon, my boots made the most pleasant crunching sounds (like munching on toast) on the packed snow. Instead of the old-fashioned cable bindings of my first skis in the early 1970s, I now sported a convenient one-click toe binding, and off I went, shifting from leg to leg with long, smooth glides. It was a beautiful afternoon with a temperature of -8°C, and the brilliant sunlight created countless sparkles of pure delight bouncing off delicate crystals, which had settled onto the top layer of snow.

This fresh white blanket, reflecting over 50 percent of the solar radiation back into space, reminded me of marzipan icing on a wedding cake, punctured here and there with long thin stalks of golden-yellow grass. Everywhere I looked, snake-like cylinders of snow wound their way, back and forth, along sloping tree branches, and white caps perched like perfectly shaped bread buns on the top of every stump, all appearing like magic from last-night’s gentle snowfall. I was surrounded by a cornucopia of snow sculptures clinging to each shrub and tree. It was so exhilarating to be immersed in Nature’s dazzling-white art gallery, to enjoy at my heart’s content, and admission was free.

The play between snow cohesiveness and gravity present some truly remarkable, snake-like creations on downed trees. (R. Wrigley)

I examined one particularly graceful snow sculpture at eye level, and dared touch it with my tongue, transforming the delicate crystals to liquid in an instant. What a story might these water molecules (consisting of bonded hydrogen and oxygen atoms) tell about their recent journey, leaping from the surface of the mid-Pacific Ocean, climbing and swirling up into vapoury clouds high into the atmosphere, and then borne by easterly flowing winds over forests, mountains, and prairies, all the while destined to land at my particular spot. Although I could not see them, trillions of these frozen water molecules were leaping back into the air by the astonishing process of sublimation. These molecular migrants have been circulating among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere ever since they arrived on Earth, bound within countless asteroids, four billion years ago– a period known as the Late Heavy Bombardment.

Rant of the century

You’ll notice it says “apparently an actual letter”. There is no way to verify if this is real but, it sounds like something an irate Newfoundlander might say. And it sounds like something many of us would like to have said but didn’t have the courage to do so. Sorry for all the salty words but it would lose its impact if they were deleted or toned down. Reader discretion is advised.

This, apparently is an actual letter received by the Canadian Passport Office, from an irate Newfoundlander attempting to renew his passport.

Dear Sirs,

I'm in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this. How is it that Bell-Alliant has my address and telephone number and knows that I bought a friggin' satellite dish from them back in 1977, and yet, the Canadian Government is still asking me where I was friggin' born and on what date.

For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand? My birth date you have on my pension checks, and it is on all the income tax forms I've filed for the past 30 years. It is on my Health card, my driving license, my car insurance, on the last eight damn passports I've had, on all those stupid customs declaration forms I've had to fill out before being allowed off the plane over the last 30 years, and all those insufferable census forms

Would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mother's name is Mary Anne, my father's name is Robert and I'd be absolutely astounded if that ever changed between now and when I die!!!!!!

I apologize, I'm really pissed off this morning. Between you an' me, I've had enough of this bullshit! You send the application to my house, then you ask me for my bloody address!!!!

What is going on? Do you have a gang of Neanderthal arseholes workin' there? Look at my damn picture. Do I look like Bin Laden? I don't want to dig up Yasser Arafat, for shit sakes. I just want to go and park my arse on some sandy beach somewhere. And would someone please tell me, why would you give a shit whether I plan on visiting a farm in the next 15 days? If I ever got the urge to do something weird to a chicken or a goat, believe you me, you'd be the last friggin' people I'd want to tell!

Well, I have to go now, 'cause I have to go to the other end of the friggin' city to get another copy of my birth certificate, to the tune of $35. Would it be so complicated to have all the services in the same spot to assist in the issuance of a new passport the same day??

Nooooooooooooo, that'd be too damn easy and maybe make sense. You'd rather have us running all over the place like chickens with our heads cut off, then have to find some arsehole to confirm that it's really me on the damn picture - you know, the one where we're not allowed to smile?! (bureaucratic friggin' morons) Hey, do you know why we couldn't smile if we wanted to? Because we're totally pissed off!

Signed,
An Irate Canadian Citizen.

P.S. Remember what I said above about the picture and getting someone to confirm that it's me? Well, my family has been in Newfoundland since 1497 and I've been a Canadian Citizen since 1949. I have served in the military for something over 30 years and have had full security clearances over 25 of those years enabling me to undertake highly secretive missions all over the world. However, I have to get someone 'important' to verify who I am – you know, someone like my doctor - WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN FRIGGIN' PAKISTAN.

CCHS 2023 Reunion News

Friday, May 19 & Saturday, May 20

Save these dates, we are going ahead with our long overdue and memorable Reunion.

Momentum is Building

Momentum is building and your fellow alumni are registering, but we need more of you to get on board so that we can plan. Our caterer will need a good idea of numbers in early April.

Talk to your friends, encourage them to sign up. It has probably been years since you have seen some of them and you never know when you might get another chance. Remember, there is no risk if you register now. If at some point you have to cancel, your money will be fully refunded. So don’t wait, sign up now and book your accommodations.

Hotels & Motels in the area

Sandman - Longueuil - Metro Station
Holiday Inn - Longueuil - St. Charles Street - more remote
Comfort Inn - Brossard - Taschereau Blvd.
Quality Inn - Brossard - Taschereau Blvd.
Econo Lodge - Brossard - Taschereau Blvd.
Hotel Brossard - Brossard - Marie Victorin (runs into Riverside Drive) 
Hotel Alt - Brossard - 10/30 Complex - more remote 
Motel Escad - Brossard - 10/30 Complex – more remote 

Event Schedule

Registration Packages: Friday 3:30 to 7:30 room across from new gym
Meet & Greet: Friday 6:30 PM - Auditorium
Volleyball Pickle Ball Saturday 11: 00 AM – New gym
Walking tour Saturday 11:00 AM – Cenotaph on Green Street
Variety Show: Saturday 2:00 PM - Auditorium
Dinner: Saturday 6:00 PM - Auditorium
Dance: Saturday 8:30 PM - Auditorium

Hotels & Motels in the area

Sandman - Longueuil - Metro Station
Holiday Inn - Longueuil - St. Charles Street - more remote
Comfort Inn - Brossard - Taschereau Blvd.
Quality Inn - Brossard - Taschereau Blvd.
Econo Lodge - Brossard - Taschereau Blvd.
Hotel Brossard - Brossard - Marie Victorin (runs into Riverside Drive) 
Hotel Alt - Brossard - 10/30 Complex - more remote 
Motel Escad - Brossard - 10/30 Complex – more remote 

Volunteers Needed

In addition to ambassadors, we are looking for volunteers to help in a number of areas such as registration, decorating and bartending. Can you donate a few hours of your time?

You can sign up as a part time volunteer by contacting Harvey Carter by email at harveycarter363@gmail.com or by phone at 450-923-8045.

Looking for Talent

The Saturday afternoon Variety Show will be looking for and signing up acts. If you would like to participate and have any talent, be it musical, standup comedy, dance, juggle or whatever you can contact Bernie Praw at: berniewarp@gmail.com

Hi there all of my long lost CCHS friends!

I’m doing my best to get to the 2023 reunion as I worry that it may be one of the last. The last because I am seeing how it is getting harder and harder (at least from my rather biased perspective here in Alberta!) to expect people to return to a province that seems to be doing its best to remove any English speakers from the province.

I know that I’m feeling that way at least, and I like to project ha ha. If this is true, the next reunion in five years, or whatever the interval is, might be very lightly attended! Not to mention those of us who drop off due to that age thing.

Aside from my linguistic rant, I am really hoping to reconnect, at least for a short time, with those we shared our youth with. It was a great time at cchs that I failed to really appreciate when I was there but now see how lucky we all were to experience that time and place, a time and place that can never be replicated. After going through the pandemic, with all of the delays regarding the reunion, I hope that we can all get around to attending!  

This post is rather selfish: my worst fear is attending and nobody that I recognize shows up. That is said with the realization that I too might be unrecognizable but I think you know what I mean!  So please don’t leave me hanging, let’s reconnect and have a great time!

Why Go to High School Reunions?

It seems to be a question many people ask themselves and each other. I have gone to every reunion offered, and for a variety of reasons. The first one took place in 1995, before the boom in social media, when it was much harder to connect with old friends and classmates. There was a buzz in the air, a thrill of being able to see people again, explore CCHS and St. Lambert, Preville, Greenfield Park, all the old haunts. There was a great turnout!

Social media has made it easier to connect, but not so much in person. I have found a real value in returning and reconnecting with old friends and even making new friends among old classmates. We found we have more in common than we ever imagined. I value returning to my roots, spending some time with those who “knew me when.” I have gotten to know myself better in some ways, identify pieces of my old self, and I have come to value my old classmates, schoolmates, teachers and experiences in a renewed way.

In short, I will be at the reunion on May 19 and 20, and I hope to see you there. I will be waiting with a happy smile, ready to share memories and make new ones!

Karen Poulsen, Class of ‘71

Jack has a few more more Books to Sell

Jack Anderson, co-chairperson of the Alumni Association still has a number of books remaining. Sales have been brisk and the positive feedback from purchasers has been so encouraging that we thought more alumni would like copies. You won’t be disappointed.

The first book, by CCHS alumnus Lorne Perry is “St. Lambert a Train of Thought”. It is a fascinating history of CN Rail’s operation in St. Lambert and more broadly the south shore. The book comes with a CD containing 16mm films of trains passing though and stopping in St. Lambert. They were shot by Bill Leggett with the narration provided by Lorne Perry. Bill’s grandson Jim Leggett (Class of 1976) made the films available for the CD. If you are the least bit interested in St. Lambert history and/or have a passions for trains, this book and CD set will not disappoint.

A Train for Thought by Lorne Perry

The second book is an extensive pictorial history of Montreal street cars dating back to the horse drawn era of 1861. It is 84 pages and describes Montreal streetcars up until their removal in 1959. Over 150 photos with bilingual descriptions. One of the authors, Fred Angus, is the great-great grandson of Richard B. Angus co-founder of CP Rail. The Angus shops located in Montreal East were named after him. Fred was employed by CP Rail’s Information Systems department in the 60’s and 70’s and has written a number of books about railway and street car history.

Streetcars of Montreal

If you would like a copy of either or both books please contact Jack Anderson at jack@foxblocks.com. All profits from the sale of the books will go to the Alumni Association. The price is $15 per book or both for $25. Shipping is extra and will be quoted by Jack when he receives an order. Please make sure to include your full street address, including postal code when placing your order,

Bruce Marshall
March 12, 1944 ~ September 24, 2022

Bruce Roger Marshall, of Ottawa, Ontario, died suddenly on Saturday September 24th, at the age of 78, while enjoying one of his greatest passions.

Born March 12, 1944, Bruce came to Canada at the age of 12. After high school he enlisted in the Navy and graduated from McGill University as an Mechanical Engineer. He qualified as an Aeronautical Engineer and worked chiefly with helicopters for the next eight years. Changing careers at the age of thirty, Bruce attended U of T completing his medical degree in 1978. During his career with the Armed Forces, he and the family enjoyed many wonderful experiences as they were posted to Europe for 6 years.  Returning to Canada in the late 80s, after a distinguished 30 years of service, he retired from the Armed Forces at the age of 48. He then entered private practice as a general physician, specializing in HIV/AIDS treatment and drug rehabilitation programs. This work provided him a tremendous appreciation for the underserved in the city and he began to spearhead other programs in the city to help those most in need. He retired from medical practice just before turning 65, while continuing to work serving the community through church and the Multifaith Housing Initiative. He was particularly proud to have participated in “The Haven” and “Veteran’s House”.

Bruce had many interests. He loved music. He was a singer, guitar and brass player and loved to pretend he was a pro drummer. He skied, sailed, played soccer, squash and tennis. He was a born “tinkerer”, fixing machines, broken dishes and toys, and anything else that didn’t work.

Above all, he loved his family. He will be forever missed by his wife Mary Frances, daughters Christine Binns (Gavin), Lesley Millar (Rod) and his son Roger. Also, his grandchildren Rachel, Hayden, Megan, Aimee and Tessa. Bruce also leaves to mourn his sisters Gillian Rourke and Sarah Marshall. as well as many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins in his large extended family. His many friends will hold his memory dear.

Ed Loveland - Class of 1959

In memory of Mr George Edward (‘Eddie’) Harold Loveland, who died at Langwith on 13th February, 2023,
after a long illness, aged 81 years.

Formerly of Canada (Montreal, Lennoxville, North Bay, Bishops University, Ontario College of Teachers), and Britain (Swindon, Buxton, York St John's, Croston, Mawdesley, Nantwich and Ashover).

Brother to Carol and Norman and the late John, husband to the late Josephine, he is survived by his two sons and his grandchildren. He was a high school teacher, builder, woodworker, driver and traveller.

As per his wishes, an unattended cremation is planned. Raise a glass if you wish, and if you would like to make a donation to protecting the historic places in England that inspired him in his studies, travels and memories, that would be his wish.

Fable of the Porcupine

It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold.

The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. 
 
This way they covered & protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions. After a while, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. 
 
So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. 
 
They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the heat that came from the others.
 
This way they were able to survive.The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.
 
The moral of the story is: Just learn to live with the pricks in your life.

How to Wash a Cat

1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement put the cat in the toilet and close the lid. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. At this point the cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this!
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a 'Power-Wash' and 'Rinse'.
6. Have someone open the front door of your house, making sure there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can and quickly lift both lids.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak out of bathroom, and race outside where he will air-dry himself off.
9. Both the toilet bowl and the cat will be sparkling clean.

Yours sincerely,
The Dog

Did you ever wonder?

For those who love the philosophy of ambiguity, as well as the idiosyncrasies of English:

1. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila... Floor.
2. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
3. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
4. The main reason that Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
5. I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "where's the self-help section?" she said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
6. What if there were no hypothetical questions?
7. If a deaf child signs swear words, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
8. If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?
9. Is there another word for synonym?
10. Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"
11. What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?
12. If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?
13. Would a fly without wings be called a walk?
14. Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will break in and clean them?
15. If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?
16. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?
17. If the police arrest a mute, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?
18. Why do they put braille on the drive-through bank machines?
19. How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road signs?
20. What was the best thing before sliced bread?
21. One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.
22. Does the little mermaid wear an algebra? (this one took me a minute)
23. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
24. How is it possible to have a civil war?
25. If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown too?
26. If you ate both pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry?
27. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
28. Whose cruel idea was it for the word 'lisp' to have 's' in it?
29. Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids?"
30. Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?
31. Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?
32. If you spin an oriental man in a circle three times, does he become disoriented?
33. Can an atheist get insurance against acts of god?

The “Church Lady” gets her just desserts

Mildred, the church gossip and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business.

Several members did not approve of her extra-curricular activities but feared her enough to maintain their silence. She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon.

She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing!

Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing. Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house ... Walked home... And left it there all night.

Hot Air Balloons (Politicians)

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am.” 

The woman below replied, “You’re in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You’re between 59 and 60 degrees north latitude and between 107 and 108 degrees west longitude. 

“You must be an engineer,” said the balloonist. 

“I am,” replied the woman, “how did you know?” 

“Well,” answered the balloonist, “everything you told me is technically correct, but I’ve no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is that I’m still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been much help at all. If anything, you’ve delayed my trip.” 

The woman below responded, “You must be a politician.” 

“I am,” replied the balloonist, “but how did you know?” 

“Well,” said the woman, “you don’t know where you are or where you’re going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you’ve no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is, you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it’s my fault.