And a Good Time Was Had By All

Well, the Class of '96 ten year reunion was a success. Nobody got hurt, Frederick Chapleau entered through the wrong door, and Jeff Andrews mysteriously drank beer they didn't sell at the bar.....

Things we learned about this reunion that will help us organize the next one:

1. Although the RMC Ex-Cadet Club TOLD us we couldn't have our meet and greet on the Saturday night because it interferes with their banquet....none of us want to go to the banquet anyway! So the 15-year reunion will be on the Saturday night. YEAH! Take THAT!

2. Contrary to what Monsieur "Nanook of the North" thought about the Holiday Inn being the wrong venue for our soirée, it turns out the 6th floor of the Holiday Inn Waterfront is just as compatible with alcohol as any bar downtown, and you have the room to yourselves and don't have to SHOUT ABOVE THE MUSIC!!!

3. Preregistration is great as it allows everyone to surf the blog and see who's coming. The number of (ahem!) "surprise guests" was pretty amazing, and all admitted to not being able to plan in advance but couldn't pass up the opportunity to see Norm. I think everyone paid the $25 registration too, except for Dale Cheeseman. Hey Dale, did you eat any of the food buddy? Brad White even passed up an evening with his in-laws to be there. Now that is some serious competing loyalties... Who else showed up unannounced? Brian Erickson, Nicholas De Rica, a couple others...it was great.

4. Elisha's hubbie shot a moose in Newfoundland but didn't bring any mooseballs to the meet and greet.

5. It was a tie for the "MOST CHANGED CLASSMATE" award: Michelle Bickerton and Jay Whiting. Michelle, you look great. Nobody recognized you. Jay, you are smoking somthing great. What did you do to your hair???

6. Norm was there. He even wore a nametag that said, "Norm."

7. The Francos will still sing french drinking songs when they get liquored up; even if its the Holiday Inn.

8. We need to do a better job of advertising the "March to the Arch" parade on Sunday morning. All five of us that showed up joined in with the Class of 2001 to form a "Squadron" under the command of our fearless Class Secretary for the long shuffle to the war memorial. We also need to get ballcaps with our graduating year embroidered on them so people know who we are. By the way, everyone is invited to the parade on Sunday morning.... (if you can walk after the meet and greet on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1st, 2011!)

9. Good food. The chicken and beer satay sticks were all cleaned out. The 200 shrimp didn't hang around all night either. The fruit and cheese plates were licked clean, and Jeff Andrews made off like a bandit at the end of the night with a plate full of sandwiches covered in plum sauce........

10. A good time was had by all. People walked in to the banquet room smiling ear to ear. It was a fun night. Lets do it again. It was great to see everyone! Thank you all for coming!!! See you in 5! Don't be a stranger! Keep in touch!

And check out www.rmc96gift.blogspot.com because we almost have enough for the stained glass window. If you pledged, put your cheque in the mail because the project is moving FORWARD!!!!!!!

Zoomer sends.