Dare to Dine- a success- WIN group raised over $2000 for Stephen Lewis foundation

The DARE TO DINE Win event was a lot of  fun. As one of the workers I learnt alot about African food, cooperation and catering! We were fortunate to use the Petawawa  Presbyterian church for our event. Several members of the group attend the church so they "hosted" the event by showing us how to do such   practical tasks as run the dishwasher, set up the tables and chairs and decorate. We were fortunate to have a token male in the kitchen clean up group! The Presbyterian church ladies are used to catering in their basement church hall so the rest of us just followed orders!

Our group hosted about 75 ladies from all over Renfrew county. The menu catered to a  North American palate as we started with appetizers :veggie tray with red pepper dip and fruit  punch.  The main course consisted of beef curry with condiments,  chickpea stew,  chicken stew and basmarti rice. To complete the course there was a green orange salad and deep fried plantain with curry dip.
Dessert was a variety of cakes and fresh fruit.

The noise level was high the entire evening as everyone wanted to talk!
Entertainment consisted of reading from the Grandmother's Necklace, and a slide show of a trip to African- Namibia.  Our  group also knows  how to shop! We provide an enticing market atmosphere as we have jewelry, pashminas, books and a silent  auction to entice the shopper.
      

Jennifer we miss you! The Marriage Enrichment attendees miss our baker!

The Marriage Enrichment course at St. Francis of Assisi  CFB Petawawa chapel continues.
Yesterday we attended the fifth session- Family relationships-past and present. It was a contemplative session as we thought back to our childhood. Bruce talked about his parents and I commented on mine. However we did not reminise about the most important aspect of his mothers love- her  home baking and hand knit or crochet  clothes.  I miss the home baking as it was a special part of the family dynamics. However Clara Hanna died in 2005 and mentally she died in1999 when her husband died.

It made us  appreciate even more the gift of hospitality that Bob and Jennifer Lay had given us the first 4 classes. Both were busy last night so we were hosted by two male padres! One said that "someone" made
the store bought apple strudel and donuts!
Bring back Jennifer!
In all seriousness we appreciate the hospitality and would willingly bring baking for everyone as the social break helps the mood and creates community within the group of attendees.
Yes family relationships matter to any married couple.
In the military the " family" is the local community as they tend to rely on each other.      
 

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT COURSE WEEK 4- the enticement is the homebaking

Image via WikipediaThe Marriage Enrichment course being held at St. Francis of Assisi  has continued to have good attendance. The formula of food works well! I go anticipating the good home baking of Jennifer Lay, one of the chaplain's wife, who is a leader. This week we were given a fruit flan cheesecake with home made graham cracker- oatmeal base! Last week it was home made fresh cinnamon buns. The week before it was Sex in a Pan! I am surprised that Bob and Jennifer Lay are so svelt! .
The course participants vary for almost newly weds to those of us in the 30 plus range. As we stay in couples there is not much discussion between the groups other than at snack time! We are fortunate in having such generous leaders who donate time to prepare a pleasant atmosphere with small tables lit by tea lights. Our break with home baking and coffee, regular and herbal teas is the highlight of the evening as some of the discussion for the Marriage course can be intense .

we are continuing to follow the  8 week course based on the video and manuals from  www:themarriagecourse.ca.
so far we have focused on Building Strong Fouondations, the Art of Communication, Resolving Conflict and this week The Power of Forgiveness. Next week we will focus on The Impact of Family_ Past and Present..

However I am looking forward to the home baking!
We have had Bob Lay. Shaun Turner and Raachid Khadij  as chaplain support.

WIN WOMEN'S INITIATIVE NETWORK OF RENFREW COUNTY DARE TO DINE EVENT

The Petawawa Grannies will be hosting us with their 'Grandmothers to Grandmothers' fundraising campaign, all proceeds going to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. 

Expect an evening of exotic flavours as the Petawawa Grannies cater an African dinner. The 'Dare to Dine' menu includes Veggies with Red Pepper Dip, Vegetarian African Stew of sweet potatoes and chick peas, Curried Beef, Chicken Stew, Sweet Potato Biscuits and various desserts including fresh fruit, banana coconut, etc.

As the evening is a fundraiser for the Grandmothers' humanitarian work in Africa, there will be items for sale: beautiful handmade Kazuri jewelry, pashminas from the Orient and 'Grandmothers' Necklace' books and cards. There will also be a silent auction and a Chinese auction.

As you shop or browse the African souvenir display, there will be live musical entertainment and also a slide show of scenes from Africa. 

Lunafest part 2: A special variety of short films for 2010=2011

Algonquin college Pembroke,Ontario hosted Lunafest 2010-2011 on Tuesday March 8th International Women's day. This post is the second half of my comments on these films.
Thembi's Diary is very poignant as it is 19 year old Thembi recording an audio diary of her struggle to live with AIDS. The "voice" is Thembi's however the "visual" part of the film is animated.
Mother of Many is also animated. It shows various cultural ways a midwife delivers a baby. Perhaps the most poignant movie is "Irene" aboui a 92 year old grandmother who suffers from Alzheimer's but struggles to keep her independence.   It was filmed n Glasgow UK.
Miracle Lady is another animated short filmed in Jerusalem with subtitles. It is a tale of two women who spend their lives waiting.
The last short film" Love on the line" is animated- two star crossed lovers communicate by  telegraph.

I enjoy the variety of short films i n this Luna fest. It  brings different perspectives to the way women think  All the stories have universal appeal and  all make the audience think

 Looking forward to next year.Plus we were all given Luanbars to sample!

International Women's Day in Renfrew county celebrated by the Women's Sexual Assuatl centre

This year the Women's Sexual Assault centre celebrated International Women's Day over a period of several evenings and afternoons. "Lunafest" Short Films by , for and about Women was shown in Petawawa, Pembroke and will be shown in Killaloe weather dependent. I was fortunate to view the film festival in Pembroke at Algonquin college.  
This year the ten short films featured stories from Toronto,On., San Fernando CA,  Venice CA, PalaoAlto CA, New York, South Africa,  Bristol UK, Glasgow Scotland,  Jerusalem, and Los Angeles.
"The Translator" focuses on a foreign film translator who imagines peoples relationships by thier body language on a subway line. At the end she decides to "dump" her own date as they are not communicating! This is the only short from Canada.I enjoyed recognising the TTC! (Toronto Transit Commission subway line)
"Getting a Grip" featured Fannie Barnes who became became the first woman cable car  operator in January 1998 at 52 . "Touch" tells of two women who connect- one lady is almost a guardian angel as she persuades a lonely woman not to commit suicide. "Tightly Knit" shows how a group of yarn bombers and social knitters keep an ancient craft alive. Top Spin  focuses on a young table tennis champion working towards becoming one of the top players in the world.

Snow snow snow- March lamb or lion?

Image via WikipediaWho likes snow in March? Who likes to get wet? Well March seems to bring a combination of snow and wet as the snow fall for the last 24 hours has been almost as much as for the entire winter or so it seems. It is wet snow-snowball snow that is heavy to lift. However it is beautiful a sit hangs on the trees. 
It was a challenge getting anywhere yesterday as the roads were slushy most of the day. However it was a fun conversation topic. Imagine going under the speed limit in town!  I rarely do that however I drove 60 km in an 80 km zone and still it was slippery. 
Lets imagine snow for the next week and enjoy the mess.It is part of winter and we are tough Canadans.
(hint spring break starts on March 12 so we can pretend that snow does not exist for a week)     

"leading Ladies" by Ken Ludwig- was "a blast" in Deep River

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeI attended the opening night of the Deep River Players production of "Leading Ladies" by  Ken Ludwig and am still smiling. I was originally invited by Karen Shewchuk,one of the directors, and Kristen Glowa, one of the leads. I decided to attend on the spur of the moment and my husband and I are glad we did! The Deep River Players have a core group of actors who always play slapstick comedy well.  Jeremy Whitlock played the leading lady/man Leo Maxine to perfection.Gordon Burton loves to play the fool- the character of Doc was a constant frolic.Phylis Heeney loves to play the "dumb blonde".  Kristen Glowa played Meg to perfection. However Terry Meyers played   Meg's fiance Duncan "stragiht" which must  have been difficult considering how uptight the character is. The other star crossed lover; Jack/ Stephanie was played by Marko Pilic who made such a beautiful woman.He managed to upstage Jeremy Whitelock, with his bright costumes and acting ability. Ian Graham played "Butch", Doc's son who is nervous. Another scene stealer was Nancy Rose who played Florence Snider the millionaire who is on her deathbed. She ruled the roost. I am looking forward to the next  production with this crew.                                                    

The Marriage course is being held at Camp Petawawa- St. Francis of Assis chapel

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT COURSE JOINT INITIATIVE OF BOTH CHAPELS

The  8 week  Marriage Course will be held at St. Francis of Assisi chapel for 8 Wednesdays starting on Wednesday February 23^rd at  7 pm. Cost is $15 per couple

The Marriage Course is an eight-session course set in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. You will be served with coffee, tea and dessert at a romantic table for two while listening to practical talks that are informative and fun, either presented live or by DVD. http://www.themarriagecourse.ca

It is developed by the same people that made Alpha and it is from a Christian basis but it does not require people make any spiritual commitment. The course will refer to God in one session but for the most part it will focus on communication, conflict resolution, etc.

Contact Padre Bob Lay at  robert.lay@forces.gc.ca or extension 6498 .The Marriage course is a series of seven session designed to help any married couple strengthen their relationship. The course covers : Building Strong Foundation , The Art of Communication, Resolving Conflict, The Power of Forgiveness, The Impact of Family-past and present, Good Sex, Love in Action, and Coping with Times of Separation- an optional session mainly for couples in the armed forces. Since this course is being given at a military chapel the optional session is  important. The course website is  www.themarriagecourse.ca or www.themarriagecourseusa.org.  It was orginally developed at the Holy Trinity Brompton.London U.K. 

The atmosphere at the sessions is romantic. Bob Lay has supports from other chaplains. Jennifer Lay his wife provided the dessert for the first two evenings. As each couple is set at a private table the setting is intimate and confidential