La Conner Tulip Festival

La Conner, WA is holding its 48th Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival from April 1 - 30, 2011.  Visit its website for more details.

Here are some pictures taken by friends of ours who visited La Conner this past weekend - just gorgeous.  Must make a note to go next year - have never been and it is just a short drive south of the Canada-US border.

Vancouver College Production of "Grease"

This past week Neil and I and other family attended the production of the musical "Grease" by Vancouver College (in cooperation with Little Flower Academy,Crofton House, York House and West Point Grey Academy). Book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.

We absolutely loved it - what a fantastic performance!  The story behind this musical is based in 1959 when American Bandstand, Elvis Presley and rock and roll were very big.  Think of Sandra Dee, Bobbie Darin, Frankie Avalon, Paul Anka days.  The students were cast, live band, some set construction and stage crew.  They displayed over-the-top energy, enthusaism, great singing, acting and dance choreography.  We were thoroughly entertained.  Here is one page from the program for this event showing some of the actors:

And of course, we attended this fabulous event because Neil's great nephew, Dylan, was MC of the Pre-Show Songs (where he did an Elvis imitation, singing Hound Dog), and also appeared in the musical as "Johnny Casino" in his gold lame suit.  Here's Dylan!

and another picture of Dylan:

Remembering My Brother, Bruce

Bruce was born on December 13, 1952, the third of four children for Bob and Dorothy, and died on April 11, 1974 from complications from Crohn's Disease. He was just 21 years old.   He had an outgoing, social personality and his death left a void in our lives.

Here are some memories of Bruce:

Formal Studio Portrait taken in 1959 of the brothers, Bruce (left) and Ken (right):

Next one is taken in August, 1962 at the home of our aunt and uncle, Vivian and Charlie, in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.  Our family had driven to Yorkton by car, camping enroute.

Bruce absolutely loved the game of chess and was very good at it, placing quite high up in junior championships.  This picture is from 1969.

And this is his high school graduation picture from June, 1971.

Bruce was also very active in DeMolay, and was Master Councillor of Beaver Chapter in Vancouver.  We miss you Bruce and would have loved to have had you a part of our adult lives.

Flamenco Rosario

Last night Neil and I attended a fundraiser which included as the feature entertainment, a dance series by "Flamenco Rosario".  Very spirited and sensual dancing.  Everyone loved it!

The mandate of Flamenco Rosario, which is based in Metro Vancouver, is to develop artists as well as dance and music works in the style and tradition of flamenco.  See its website for details.

There are also some excellent videos on YouTube of their various troops performing.

Vimy Ridge Day - April 9

One of the greatest battles in Canadian history was the battle at Vimy Ridge in France, which began on 9 April 1917. Canadian bravery and valour led to the tremendous victory for the entire Allied Force and was considered the turning point of WWI.  For more details, see the "History by the Minute" website.  A huge monument was built by the Canadian Government at the top of Vimy Ridge to commemorate this battle, which was opened by the then Prince of Wales in 1936.

Neil and I had journeyed to Vimy Ridge on April 9, 2007 for the 90th Anniversary celebrations, with our long time friends, Kerry and Roger (retired Canadian miliary). The Canadian Government spent several years restoring the momument, which had been decaying, and on this day, there was a huge re-dedication ceremony of the newly restored monument.  We attended the re-dedication ceremony as part of our two week "WWI and WWII Battlefields Tour" lead by Canadian military historian, Ted Barris, author of "Victory at Vimy".  Here is Ted addressing our group on April 9, 2007 at the Vimy Ridge memorial.

Ted Barris

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mrs. Harper, Queen Elizabeth II and the President of France were special guests at the moving re-dedication ceremony at which the restored Vimy Ridge monument was unveiled. 

Mrs. Harper & Prime Minister Harper (Govt Canada photo)

Arrival of Queen Elizabeth II - I got this close to  her.

French jets flying over the monument in a special salute (Govt Canada photo)

Queen Elizabeth II re-dedicating the monument (Govt Canada photo)

There were approximately 5,000 Canadian high school students in attendance at the re-dedication ceremony for the Vimy Ridge Memorial from all across Canada, each representing one of the soldiers who fought at Vimy Ridge.  That soldier's name is on their shirt.

Canadian High School Students (Govt Canada photo)

Huge Crowd at the Re-Dedication Ceremony

Very impressive monument

Govt  Canada photo

There were over 25,000 people in attendance - it was a very moving day.

Barbara Weaver-Bosson, Award Winning Canadian Artist

We received a thank you card from our nephew Chris, featuring this beautiful painting by Barbara Weaver-Bosson, entitled "View from Clover Point" (Towards Dallas Road Bluffs).  This is part of her Victoria Neighbourhood Series of paintings.

The description on the back of this card indicates this view includes many of the character homes along Dallas Road in Victoria, and that Clover Point and Dallas Road Bluffs is a very popular seaside area for jogging, walking the dog, flying a kite, riding a bike or spending a leisurely day wandering along the beach.

This painting is available as a print for purchase.  For information and to find out more about Barbara Weater-Bosson and her Victoria Neighbouhood Series limited edition prints, visit her website.