Grumbler
Here is the latest edition of the Grumbler. Enjoy!
November 2012
Ouch!…… I wuz gently reminded a few days hence this rag last hit the streets in March of this year. That’s seven months ago….. only goes to show the voracious appetite of my readership who clamor for the plethora of discerning judgement which flows inexorably from my creative quill…….. Not.
Many things have happened during these past 7 months. I shall attempt to recapture some of the more salient and/or other features. Show I omit a segment of your own particular participation is this time period, please forgive me……
HALLOWEEN. Recently we celebrated Halloween. I sounded out a few of my friends, (Yes, I do have a few) should they know why we celebrate Halloween. I don’t wish to preach to the converted.. BUT…..
Halloween is a condensed form of Hallowed Evening. It is always celebrated on October 30st as it is the day before All Saints Day (November 1st) which is held in the Christian calendar when families get together to remember the passing of loved ones during the previous year. People during the medieval times believed the souls of the dead persons floated around, some thinking that evil souls also floated around. the religious aspect of the day fell by the wayside while people used the night of souls floating around as a means to celebrate and enjoy themselves.
GUY FAWKES Also at this time of year a similar event is celebrated in Britain (England mostly) where bonfires are lit and fireworks are fired off. The day is held on November 5th celebrating an event in England in the year circa 1516 when a gentleman by the name of Guy Fawkes smuggled 14 barrels of Gunpowder into the basement of the Houses of Parliament (London, England) with intent to blow up the place (for a religious/political motive with I shall not attempt to explain). He was caught, hanged, drawn and quartered then burned. the event is celebrated by the burning of bonfires on which and effigy of Guy Fawkes is placed and the usual setting off of fireworks. A fun night…… There has been a rumble that we could have a Guy Fawkes night here at the club next November, Problem is with acquiring a licence and a registered pyrotechnical operator to set off the fireworks $$$$$$$? Also insurance regulations?
ANNUAL BASH We held an absolutely great end of season bash with well over 150 in attendance. Mandy, family, et al, laid out a superb festive board, fit for a medieval King. The table decorations was truly first class, no two tables were decorated the same. While it was a Formal affair, only the lovely ladies and the 12u’s as a team, put on a show giving credence to what the evening meant and what is was supposed to be. The team’s records in their order were presented. All in all the club showed well with strong promise for the future year(s). The 18/U XV were the show piece of the evening as they paraded their well deserved Provincial Championship for 2012. During their season they came from behind on more than one occasion to steal the win with a try or Pen Goal in the very last minute of the game. Wins such as these only shows the skill, ability and discipline of the team. Well Done 18/Us.
What cheered me no end at this particular Bash was the number of parent who attended the Bash….. I’m wondering if this was a one off, or are the parents beginning to realize that they are also members of the club and show be attending functions which the club holds throughout the season?
It would be so encouraging should a few of the parent start a Parent’s supporters club (within the club) with the purpose to help in the running of the club functions…. We have 260 registered players with approximately 10 parents helping. Assuming all families are two parent units we have 520 parents with 10 parent helping = .19% helping. When one considers we have a very strong club and one of the better club houses in the Union, can one but imagine should we have, say, 5% of the parents assisting?
TOURS We were visited by a new school this season…Roxbourne G>S> from Hertfordshire ( just north west of London). A grand bunch of lads and coaches. We played two games winning both 12 – 5 and 32 – 5 . Once again , Mandy, Ali and a number of the mums putt on a really good sit down “ munchies” for all the players…………… Black Eye, there was evidence a few guys were stuffing food into their pockets intending to smuggle it out of the club house, prior to the dinner, why? A very poor show on our part
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS Ontario defeated Alberta for the National Championship this year. Lindsay was represented by Seb Pearson, Doug Wooldridge, Brett Beukeboom, Rob Brouwer, and JT Rowbotham. Playing in the international game at the ARC tournament were 11 players from Ontario, and Doug Wooldridge, and Seb Pearson from Lindsay, Doug Wooldridge and Brett Beukeboom, currently doing a professional turn at Plymouth Albion were both on the fall tour teams that played Samoa on 10th and Russia.
FUNDRAISING STUFF As a progressive club we are ever looking for ways and means to expand our programs and services to our members. Recently we were given a course by Lindsay EMS ( thanks Andrew and Coleen Rafton) on the use and implementation of /with a defibrillator. We now have these instruments stationed at /in the club house with persons trained in their use…. During the summer we engaged ourselves in a major fundraising project worth $25.000. It was an all day phone-in competition vs. another local entity. We came in 2nd but gained valuable info on how to win next time around. Please be prepared to assist in the challenge next summer. You shall be kept advised via the Grumbler and notices at the club and online.
MEMBERSHIPS You should all be aware it takes a great deal of ca$h to run this club. You can look at a $82000 per annum for starters. WE don’t have any sugar daddies in the club. We have to pay our own way for everything we do or acquire, therefore we spend a great deal of time running projects to raise funds. What we don’t have is time to chase after the “teen” members to pay their memberships. We simply do not have that time to spare………… I suggest the younger members of the club begin stashing away $10.00 a week starting now towards your membership next season, ‘COS come next season, if your membership is not paid you simply do not play… I know we have said this prior to this moment, but the time of testing has come. Should you decide not to pay or delay in paying YOU DO NOT PLAY UNTIL YOU PAY………………………and believe me, a face like mine will not lie to you.
May I assure you, I do not enjoy losing by 80, 90 or 100 points to nil in a game, but if that’s what we will want to expect by fielding only 9 or 10 players , then rest assured that is what shall be done.
TRAGICALLY We recently lost two stalwart club members. Initially a budding star in Wally Gerow who had just returned from spending two years in New Zealand improving his game and then, jovial Stan Irvine who was everyone’s friend. We all ache with Wally’s parents as with Stan’s widow in their bereavements. We shall and do miss the both of them immensely.
PROPERTY ENHANCEMENT I trust you shall have noted the dry stone wall and avenue creation at the club’s entrance. Great things happened there. Rob’s garden is becoming a memorial garden for club members who have passed on.. The playing surface is being enhanced for next season, New professional post pads are on their way. A portico is considered for the front entrance. A new water heater is on tap for the shower and a five year plan for the teams and grounds is in the consideration stage. ET AL
For all that I have said I quote you Thomas Hood for your introspection
“ For when was honey ever made with but one bee in the hive”
luvsjall
