• Technical Luncheons
• Tech Division Events
• Social Events
  • Squash Tournament
  • Long-Time Members Reception
  • Mixed Golf Tournament
  • 10K Road Race & Fun Run
  • Past President's Dinner
  • CSPG Classic
• Honorary Address
• Other Events

Social Events

Long-Time Members Reception

Another Successful Long-Time Members Reception
By Regan Palsgrove

Well, we've had another successful Long-Time Members Reception. This event grows in popularity every year. It was held on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, in the charming Rotary House on the Stampede Grounds. This invitation-only event, which was first held in 2001, is intended to be a celebration of the contribution of our senior members. It is a reunion of old acquaintances, and many friendships are renewed at this function. Invitations are extended to all members (in good standing) who have been members of the CSPG for 30+ years. Every year we give out an award to the member in attendance with the earliest start-date. Ned Gilbert (1945) usually wins this, but this year he brought some competition in the form of his friend Oscar Erdman, a close contender (1946). As this was Oscar's first appearance at the Reception, we gave the award to him.

However, this year we honored all our most senior members by giving out special certificates to all those with over SIXTY years of membership.

 

We also presented the 2008 Honorary Award Memberships at the Reception. This year, the Honorary Memberships went to Donald G. Cook and David G. Smith. It was a pleasure to hear their citations, and see their proud families as they accepted these awards.

We also had something different at the Reception this year: Big Rock Brewery's Shale Ale! This was a special beer brewed for the convention this year in honour of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the Burgess Shale by Charles Walcott. Ed Klovan (a Long-Time Member) and Randle Robertson, both involved with the Burgess Shale Foundation's Centennial celebrations, brought over and set-up part of the booth they had displayed at the convention. The Burgess Shale Foundation kindly donated a guided hike for two to the Burgess Shale, and it was won in a draw by Murray Frame.

 

Next year we will invite all members with a start date of 1980 or earlier (30+ years of membership) to the Long Time Members Reception. If you, or someone you know, feel you should have been invited this year, but were missed, please phone the CSPG office. Your start date and membership status can be verified in order to ensure that you are invited next year. Invitations are sent out in late April or early May.

Due to the popularity of this event, we would like to continue running it in the same format and scale as in previous years. However, costs have risen dramatically, and as a result, we are looking for a sponsor to help us fund next year's Reception. Please contact Lis Bjeld, the Executive Director of the CSPG, at (403) 264-5610 (ext. 228) for more information on sponsoring this event.

Also, if you are interested in helping organize this event next year, please call Regan Palsgrove at (403) 237-1423. In addition, we are always looking for feedback, and would love to hear from you. I look forward to seeing everyone again next year!