Summer, it seems started in April when, at Easter, people were frolicking at the beach…It continued into May; and the month of June sent us back to reality with cooler and wetter weather.
Oh well, as usual, we take what we can and enjoy as much as we can.
By now you have noticed that our web site has added some new features. I do encourage you to use them and encourage others to contribute.
The web site is your tool to use and make it relevant by contributing travel tips, health ideas, and hobbies- anything that might be of interest to your retired colleagues.
For the last time, we are going to Josy and Hans’ lovely backyard for the annual corn roast. Next year we will need a new and gracious host.
Let us know if you would like to invite our group to your place. In addition, we have decided to make the corn roast somewhat of a fair day.
Yes indeed, we are inviting all IFS artists, artisans, craft makers and other creative people to bring their creations, show them, and potentially sell them.
It would be most interesting for everyone to realize how many people are busy pursuing hobbies that many times were put aside during one’s flying career.
So do join us, get your IFS friends to come out and share in the reminiscences and revive old friendships.
I want once again to encourage all members to register with Outreach so that you may get information on any of our colleagues who are gravely ill, or who have passed on.
In addition you may forward any pertinent information to Outreach that you want all your IFS colleagues to be made aware.
Our golfing group is a pretty established bunch, yet if you and others want to join in, read the information written by Anne Marie Maidich, and follow the instructions to register.
AM.MAIDICH@videotron.ca
Pionairs is organizing an information session on October 14th at the Holiday Inn on Côte-de-Liesse.
Come and join many of your retired colleagues and get informed about our pension, benefits and travel.
Check the Pionairs web site for complete information: www.pionairs.ca. If you are not a member yet, you may enroll at the door. Hope to see many of you there.
Future events
Corn roast—Saturday August 7th—Rain day August 8th
Golf day—Tuesday September 7th
Christmas luncheon—Wednesday, December 8th
Enjoy the summer, and do join us for all the next events!
Text by
Mike Chegrinec
President's spring message
2010
While January and February are our traditional winter months, so far we seem to have escaped the full blast of the Northern winds. Many of you, I am sure, are lounging around the beaches or swimming pools of more tropical climes, and while we are somewhat jealous, we survive. Others are schussing on the slopes and yodeling with joy. To all of you I say: Enjoy!
You might have noticed that on our web site, which still experiences some glitches, in the “Events” tab, you can now find all the information relative to any event. So you will find the invitation, the report, and the photos. So check it out before and after an event, and let us know what you think.
More than 145 of our members enjoyed the Christmas luncheon. As the biggest event of the year, it certainly lives up to expectations, where you can all meet up with old-line buddies, walk away with a prize, relish the food and service, and enjoy the company. Check the report and photos on the web site, under “Events” Christmas 2009.
Our next event is the cabane à sucre, on Monday March 29th at the same location as last year. Make sure you attend, and do bring along someone we have not seen for a while.
Finally, we always, and still meet every second Tuesday of every month at the 12 Bar/Grill in Lachine. All the dates are on the web site, mark them in your calendar, and join us.
Enjoy the last dates of winter, and come and welcome spring at the cabane. I hope to see you all there!
Event dates for 2010 Cabane à sucre—Monday March 29th Corn Roast—August Golf day—September Christmas luncheon—December
Text by Mike Chegrinec
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President’s Christmas message
2009
Are you looking forward to the most exciting event of the social calendar? All our members and guests sure are: the Christmas Luncheon. As many of you have experienced, the event is the key to staying in touch with your retired work colleagues. We are returning to the Casa Greque, with a little price twist. They have had some renovations, and as a result, we are asked to pay a little more. We thought that it was still worth all our while to return and savour once again the professional service, the elegant setting, and the overall good ambiance.
We held our usually popular summer events: the corn roast and the golf day with some blessedly good weather, which this summer was rather rare, as I have no doubt you have all experienced. Check out the photos!
We have encountered someglitches with our web site; as a result we are transferring all our data to one central location, which should give us more reliable service.
Elections will be held at the Christmas luncheon, if there are any nominees for the position of Web Master/Communications and Vice President. I have attached a nomination ballot. However, please note that Josy Knup and Ed Uunvarhelyi are willing to stay in office for another two years.
Do join us, and make it a point to bring along a friend or someone we have not seen in along time. “The more the merrier”, as the saying goes.
Bring along some goodies that the Women’s Shelter can use. Bring your good spirits, and come and share with all the 140 plus colleagues who are waiting to see you.
On behalf of our organizing team, I wish you many happy moments at Christmas and joyous and prosperous New Year 2010.
Mike Chegrinec
Next important date for 2010
Cabane à sucre –Tuesday March 30th
President’s summer message
2009
Have you survived the cool and rainy days? Not to despair: “summer is around the corner,” said the weatherman, holding tight to his umbrella. The bright side of this is that the grass is greener than ever; the flowers are tall and plentiful; the birds are all here eating the bugs. For nature, this is a normal. For us, sunny climes beckon.
We are planning a wonderful Corn Roast this summer. What is so special about this year? Well, it is free, almost, and just five dollars! Why? Because, finally our infamous caterer of the Christmas 2007 disaster has offered to provide the food free as a goodwill gesture to compensate for the fiasco, and hopefully regain our confidence
So do come out, share in the camaraderie, delight in the good food, savor the sweet corn, and, most importantly, get up to date on the galley talk. Some of our members have offered to host this event; and in the future it would be nice to crash in on someone else for a change. We have decided to stay at Josy’s simply because we expect a large group; what with the catered food, and so many new retirees; and Josy’s backyard is ideal if, as expected, we get many, many people to come out.
There has been quite a bit of news and information flowing about Air Canada’s situation, and particularly so in regards to pensions. As you know Pionairs is the retirees’ representative in all matters of pensions and other benefits. We encourage all our members to join, and stay informed. Pionairs issues regular updates by email, and hosts social events on a regular basis as well. www.pionairs.ca.
The other summer event is the Golf Day. Golfers join in this fun and sometimes-competitive event with gusto. If you are not a golfer, you can still join in the social part by attending the dinner.
Enjoy the summer, and do join us for the Corn Roast and the Golf Day!
Everyone is looking forward to see you all.
Mike Chegrinec
Dates to remember
Corn Roast—Saturday August 22nd
Golf Day—Tuesday September 8th
Christmas luncheon—Tuesday December 8th
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President’s spring 2009 message
The days are getting longer, the sun’s rays feel warmer, the robins are returning; it must be spring!
So, it must also be the time to get out of our cocoon and greet the season of renewal. That also means joining all your colleagues at the cabane à sucre.
Date:
March 31st—Sucrerie Ethiers—same place as last year.
We are supporting two new initiatives proposed by two of our colleagues:
Danielle Schryer, and Solly Eskenazi.
Danielle is planning to help restore some living space at the Women’s Shelter. We are still looking for volunteers to give Danielle a hand in this worthy project. Let her know of your interest and contribution at:
514 846-3799, email
danielle.schryer@gmail.com;
Solly, on the other hand, is planning something of interest to all travelers. Solly wants to accompany a small group (max 8) to Turkey. As you know Solly knows Turkey inside out, and he would act as guide and take care of all the details. Contact Solly at:
450 689-3068, email
sollyeskenazi@videotron.ca;
We have enjoyed a very successful Christmas lunch with over 135 participating members. Although it was a snow, wintry, slippery day, that so many people ventured out, and joined in the celebration, was marvelous to see. Unfortunately, the trip home was slow on snowy roads. Read all about it in the Christmas report; and see the pictures in the “Photo Gallery”
We like to promote as much participation as possible in all our events. To that end, we encourage you to bring along a colleague when you decide to come out to any event.
Once again here is a reminder on how to join Pionairs:
And don’t forget, we get together every second Tuesday of every month at the “12 Bar/Grill” in Lachine. Join us and renew line friendships; we are all looking forward to see you. Enjoy the coming spring, and join-in at the cabane.
Text by Mike Chegrinec
Christmas report--09 December 2008
Oh what a day!
More that 130 people showed up despite the wintry weather.
Let’s see, where do I start?
Firstly I want to congratulate all those brave colleagues who did show up. And thank the many volunteers who assisted in so many ways:
Helene Quintal, Irene Armstrong, Jocelyne Coté, Diane Pominville, and Sonia McGregor
After all this was a new location with a sit-down service, and different set-up. Needless to say, it was a wonderful experience for all present. In the hall, the ambience, as usual, was exciting, not to say electric. Some 12 of the new 19 members were present, and were acclaimed with enthusiastic applause.
The food, plentiful -hockey player portions- someone said, accompanied with wine, completed the meal service. The service was efficient, as we like it. Our members manifested their generosity once again, as we loaded boxes and boxes of donations for the West Island Women’s Shelter. In addition, we collected $ 375 in the 50/50 draw. Gaetane Mercier was the winner of the other $375.
You should witness the joy and gratitude that the women show when we deliver all these goodies and the cash. They certainly put it to good use, on all our behalf.
During the meal service, Anne Marie Maidich conducted a random draw for the attendance prizes; 17 in all: a delicious selections of boxes of chocolate; how appropriate for this time of year.
As a bonus, the poinsettias on each table were drawn as well.
For those of you who could not join us, have a look at the photos, taken by Andy St. Laurent and Josy Knup. It will give you a flavour of the festivities, and certainly prompt you to join us next time.
One important matter that I want to draw to your attention is the need for all members to join Pionairs. As you know, Pionairs represents our retirees’ interests with Air Canada in matters of pensions. This is particularly important, now that many pension plans are having deficit issues.
On a final note, I want to thank the members of the organizing committee, who were so generously recognized and deafeningly applauded for their work and volunteer efforts.
Enjoy the winter, if you can; go South, if you must, and join us again at the
Cabane à sucre--Tuesday March 31st, 2009
Written by:
Mike Chegrinec
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Members comments
Juste un petit mot pour vous remercier, individuellement et collectivement, pour votre excellente organisation et votre chaleureux accueil d'hier. Si je n'ai pas inclus toutes les organisatrices et responsables de l'evenement dans l'envoi de ce courriel, je vousserais reconnaissante de leur faire part de ma gratitude. My very best to you and your loved ones,Sincerely,
Bohdana Zwonok
Louise and I appreciated the Xmas lunch; it was very nice to see everybody again. We just wanted to let you know that you did a great job. It was a long drive home ( 3.5 hours) But it was worth it. Once again thank you and please pass on our thanks to Nancy, I do not have her e-mail Address. Regards, Marcel & Louise Laroche
A VOUS TOUS SUR LE COMITE, je n' ai pas toutes les adresses couriels des membres du comite. S.v.p. leur transmettre. C'etait vraiment super la journee hier. Merci de tous vos efforts,Tout etait tellement bien organise comme d'habitude. Je crois que la plus part d' entre nous ne realise maheureusement pas tous les efforts que vous mettez a nous rendre cette journee si agreable et je voulais particulierement vous le signaler.J'espere que je ne serai pas la seule.Your donation to the women's shelter with money & gifts is also quite an achievement & totally appreciated.You all ROCK!!! Diane Pominville
Salut la belle Luce...juste un petit mot pendant qu'il est chaud et que nous soyions tous trop occupés par les préparatifs des fêtes.Je tiens à te remercier,toi et l'équipe d'organisation du lunch de Noël.J'ai beaucoup aimé,l'ambiance,cette salle privée.Le repas,excellent et copieux et bien sûr de revoir tout notre monde avec tant d'enthousiasme!Trop court mais très agréable!Un excellent "baptême"pour une nouvelle retraitée.A refaire!Donc félicitations et de joyeuses fêtes à tous. Claire Vicent
Juste un petit mot pour vous remercier d'avoir organisé un dîner de Noël des plus réussis.Merci pour votre bénévolat qui nous permet de revoir nos anciens collègues au moins une fois par année.Mes amis et moi avons beaucoup apprécié. Nous sommes contents d'avoir assisté à cette réunion même si certains d'entre nous avons dû passer quatre heures dans la circulation pour retourner chez-nous. Personne n'a de regrets mais tous avons de la gratitude envers vous. Joyeux Noël et Bonne et Heureuse Année et au plaisir de vous revoir. Francine Poitras
CONGRATULATIONS are in order to you and the team for organizing a most successful Christmas lunch. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the afternoon. The food was tasty and cooked to perfection. The staff was courteous and very efficient. The hall was perfect for the number of guests in the room. All in all, a most successful day.Thank you.Andy St.Laurent
MERCI BEAUCOUP. La rencontre a été formidable grâce à vous tous, les organisateurs, et la bouffe était très bonne. JOYEUSE FÊTES CRICRI (Christiane Grenon)
