Alere FlammamInside

Members’ Forum . . . . . . . . . 2From the Archives . . . . . . . . 3Wall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Teachers Breakfast . . . . . . . 5Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6160th Recap . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The newsletter of the Lisgar Alumni Association Volume XXX ! 1st Issue ! Fall 2004

Thanks, and Goodbye to Margaret Pippy, Alumni Association Secretary Emeritusby Doug Arrand

About 12 years ago, theAlumni Association wasabout to lose its first

secretary, Marie Hutt, who wasnot only an alumna from the late1930s but was the secretary formany years in Lisgar’s GuidanceDepartment before her retirement.That was the new department thatMr. Wright Neil established in thelate 1940s when the Departmentof Education decided we allneeded to be advised as to careerand educational paths and choices.

Once Marie gave her notice —she was going to southern Ontarioto be closer to her daughters andtheir families — the Associationadvertised in our newsletter for avolunteer who would work forone afternoon a week We receivedone reply from one MargaretPippy nee Lugsdin, grad of 1953,a woman of many talents andsomeone who had been a recipientof Mr. Neil’s guidance upongraduating from Lisgar. Margarethad recently finished a long careerat the National Research Councilhere in Ottawa. It wasn’t thatMargaret wasn’t already a verybusy woman. She was theOrganist and Choir Director of St.Paul’s Anglican Church inAlmonte for 40 years until herrecent retirement. She was and isa life-long member of the CantataSingers. These were just two ofthe most demanding and timeconsuming of her myriad ofactivities. They do say if you wantto get something done, give it to abusy person, and Margaret putstruth to the saying.

Once Margaret assumed thejob with her typical efficiency,and eye to perfection, the Alumni

Alumni ExecutiveChair, RodHagglung,presenting plaqueto Marg

Association beganto grow by leapsand bounds due inno small measure toMargaret’s efforts.She first of all hadto master our database, so off shewent to a course atAlgonquin to betterunderstand theprogram we wereusing. Soon shewas improving thedata base andmembership listsby adding even more informationfor us to draw on. Margaret tookon the job of recording alldonations from the membership tothe Lisgar Fund, a task thatrequired tremendous accuracyboth for tax receipts and to meetthe government’s tax recordrequirements. When the Fund wasaudited a few years ago, theauditors found a few errors inaccounting procedures butabsolutely none in Margaret’srecords. Margaret then printed outand mailed all the receipts.

Margaret brought in newmembers by the dozens. Hermemory of former Lisgar studentswas fantastic and she reached outto them reminding them tobecome members. She took on theonerous task of responding toinquiries sent by our members tothe Alumni office. Many peoplecommented on the quick and inte-resting responses they received,almost by return mail, even if theyrequired extensive research tocome up with the answers. Manymembers came to depend onMargaret to the point where theyassumed Margaret was the chiefadmin officer of the Association,which in reality she was.

We were falling behind onshipments of memorabilia orders

from our members. Without con-sulting anyone, Margaret quietlypurchased the packaging, filled theorders, took them to the post officeor in some cases actually handdelivered them to the local Ottawadestinations and right up the valleyas far as Almonte.

When the bi-annual news-letters went out, not only didMargaret have to prepare themailing labels for each edition, butshe also had to update the database of some 4000 names andaddresses for the changes sent inand the undeliverable mail. Thenshe recorded all monies frommemberships and the donationsreceived. We receive hundreds ofletters in response to eachnewsletter, and Margaret put inuntold hours not only at theAlumni office but also at homerecording and respondingappropriately to each. So the oneafternoon per week we originallyasked for became much more thanthat by many hours.

Margaret also set up theAssociation’s filing system andprovided a clipping service of printarticles on Lisgar alumni she cameacross in her reading, includingobits and interesting notes in thealumni correspondence for ournewsletter editor.

Margaret is a life long learner.She worked with Dan Kekez andAvi Caplan, two of Lisgar’s morerecent graduates who are theAlumni Association’s softwareand programming whizzes —upgrading the computer servicesin the alumni office. This requiredMargaret to learn new computerprocedures and processes andthose of us who did not grow upwith the computer know just howchallenging that can be.

Please turn to page 5

Hurrah! Hurrah!Friends of Lisgar

Campaign Thriving

Alumni board members wereabsolutely delighted withthe response to the Friends

of Lisgar fund raising campaign.The campaign recognized Lisgar’s160th Anniversary and aims toprovide funds to refurbish ourAuditorium. In return the schoolagreed to rename the facilityAlumni Auditorium in recognitionof the generous and continuousfinancial support the school hasreceived from your AlumniAssociation over the last 20 years.This most ambitious campaign ofyour Association to date set atarget of $60,000 to repair theplaster, repaint and improvelighting, etc., in the auditoriumwhere so many of us spent so muchof our time at Lisgar. Whether itwas the daily home room program,or involvement in skits, orchestra,band, dramas, musicals, com-mencements or whatever, many ofour fondest memories center on theAud. The estimate for the completeand necessary refurbishment is inthe range of $120,000 based onestimates of work needed to bringthe facility up to 2004 standards.Your Board felt that $60,000 was arealistic goal for our Alumni andthe school community will attemptto raise the remainder if possible.

Please turn to page 6

Members’ Forum

Alere Flammam • Fall 2004 • Page 2

Editor Contributors Bill Fraser Neil Petrie Joy Heft Margaret Pippy Jim Kerr Milton Shaffer Betty Jane Marsh George Toller

Alere Flammam is the semi- annual newsletterof the Lisgar Alumni Association. Forinformation, contact our office.Telephone: (613) 239-2478Fax: (613) 235-7497E-mail: alumnioffice@lisgar.net

or writeAlere FlammamLisgar Alumni Association29 Lisgar StreetOttawa, OntarioK2P 0B9 Visit us on-line:www.lisgar.net

In MemoriamDouglas, Hugh C. (1942) Alumni Life

Member, died peacefully at home in his81st year. He is survived by his wifeShirley (Blakeman); children Ellen, Janeand Gordon; seven grandchildren; andsisters Dorothy Mackie of Toronto andJean Forward of Perth.

Fraser, Kenneth V. (1940) D.F.C., World WarII pilot 100 Squadron, died suddenly athome on August 16, 2004 in his 81st year.He is survived by his devoted wife Mary(Learoyd, 1941); his children Wendy,Kerry and Roder ick, and eightgrandchildren; and his sister Jean Bowen.

Gauer, Peter (1957) on August 28, 2004 aftera courageous battle with cancer. He issurvived by his wife Daphne and his sonDrew; and was predeceased by his brothersHans and Rolf and his sister Christa. Hewas a long time employee of the CBC.

Gordon, M. Laird (1949) died peacefully onOctober 13, 2004, leaving behind hisloving wife of 50 years, Joan (Ashton,1947); his children David, Jill, Cathie andBruce and eight grandchildren;predeceased by his sister Diane Kent.

Hendelman, Devra died on August 25, 2004in Kelowna, BC. Devra will be greatlymissed by her loving husband Grant Rice,parents Teena and Walter, sister Lisanne,family and friends.

Hickman, Maud (1934) died on February 22,2004 in her 90th year. Born in Sandy Hill,she remained in the same house until herillness in 1998. She was predeceased byher brothers and sisters Mary, Thomas,Irene, James and Joseph. Left to mourn areher extended family, neighbours andfriends who worked with her at VeteransAffairs.

Hirsch, R. Forbes (1931) died peacefully inhis 90th year at the Perley and RideauVeterans’ Health Centre. Beloved husbandof Dorene June (Sutton); father of ForbesWilliam, John Gordon and Fraser Sutton;grandfather of five and great-grandfather oftwo. He was employed at the Bank ofCanada since its inception in 1935, retiringas Chief Auditor in 1974.

Lister, Marilyn Jane (Jeckell, 1955) diedpeacefully on July 28, 2004 in her 67thyear. She was the beloved wife of Bruce,loving mother of Stephen of Toronto,Graham of Ottawa, Jane of Vancouver andMatthew of West Lafayette, Indiana;grandmother of six; sister of the lateFrances “Bonnie” (1959) (Murray Crozier);and a tireless and dedicated volunteer.

Margaret Pippy, our newly retired AlumniSecretary, received this letter at the Alumnioffice. Obviously Bruce Kirby knows who isreally running the Association!You might not be the right person to bereceiving this letter, but as you are running thealumni association I know you will make sure itgets into the right hands.

I was very pleased indeed to receive from mysister, Beverley Brown, of Ottawa, the plaquenaming me to the Lisgar Wall of Fame. It residesproudly here in my home on the shores of LongIsland Sound in Connecticut.

I had fully intended to be at the 2004 reunionbut managed to break my hip late in April andwas laid up for a while. However, I would likeall my Lisgar friends to know that I havemended well and continue to work at my yachtdesign business and am back racing my sailboatat every opportunity.

Last time I was in Ottawa was in October of2002 when I was delighted to be invited by theGovernor General to lunch at GovernmentHouse with 49 other Canadians and the Queenand Prince Philip. It was wonderful to have asthe host another Lisgarite.

I attended the old school (as did my brother,sister and father) in the late ’40s and was headboy in 1949. I have had a lot of good fortune andgood times since then, but the older I get thebetter the Lisgar days look.

Sincerely yours, Bruce Kirby [Editors’ note: See also story on page 5.]

Received in the Alumni office was a letter fromDarrell McDonald (Welland Ont.) enclosing afurther donation to the Friends campaign,noting that: . . . my original donation ... was made before Iwas aware of what a splendid job the AlumniAssociation is doing. ... Congratulations on thewell organized 160th Anniversary and thank

you for providing me the opportunity tore-connect with classmates and old friends.P.S. You might be amused at the reaction ofmy 14-year-old granddaughter on seeingLisgar later in the summer. As soon as sheglimpsed the building she exclaimed“Hogwarts! Do you have Harry Potter listedamong the alumni?”

Our very own, long-time Alumni Executivemember Milton Shaffer adds a few words fromhis perspective regarding the 160th reunion(and borrowing a word or two from the Bard):“To be or not to be” that was the question inthe bleak meetings of Lisgar’s Alumni in late2001 and early 2002. In the beginning whenthe question raised its ugly head: Do we go forthe 160th? I looked around the table and metthe gaze of sad, worried and 10-year-olderfaces than those for our 150th.

“Not to be!” the afore-mentioned 10-year-older faces said, citing the loss of principalswho were well Lisgarized at the time of the150th, and the predominance of staff andteachers brand new to dear old Lisgar.

When I returned to Ottawa from the Southin April of 2002, was I ever glad to see andhear it was “To Be!” with new faces aboard,already working and even some committeechairpersons named.

G o l l yGee! it wouldfill a book totell you thew or k , t h emeetings, themar ve l l o u snew peoplewho came outto plan to theminutest detail for all the events, including ourCEO (who stepped in to replace the originalreunion committee chair) Rod Hagglund.

Well, suffice it to say that sitting in the ballroom at the Congress Centre on Saturday nightfor the Dinner Dance, and seeing 600 or sohappy Lisgarites — if it wasn’t that I wouldhave dirtied my fine clothes — indeed, my cupliterally, if not actually, did runneth over.

Bill Shakespeare, were you ever right!All’s well that ends so very well.

Kudos to the Lisgar Alumni, the 160thCommittee and all who were aboard: thePrincipal, the teachers and staff, and all of youwho came — from as far away as Australia,Norway, the East and West coasts and theUnited States. P

Editor’s note: Picture shows Milton with SylviaKershman about to hand over the torch toyoung members of the Lisgar community.

Here and There

Alere Flammam • Fall 2004 • Page 3

In MemoriamMcCullough, D.Earl (1939) World War II

Veteran died July 2, 2004. Predeceasedby his loving wife Christine and a grand-daughter, he is survived by his childrenBill, Janet and Valerie, eightgrandchildren, four great-grandchildrenand one great-great-grandson.

Roderick, Elizabeth H. (Smiley, 1938) diedat home in Oakville on December 11,2003. She leaves Gerald (Head Boy,1938), her husband of 58 years.

Rothman, Marlene (Baker, 1955) on August14, 2004 at the Hospice House inWinchester Massachusetts, leaving herhusband Harry.

Sparling, Earl (1959, staff 1964 to 1970)died peacefully at home on March 28,2004. Predeceased by his wife Donna(Weisman), he is survived by hischildren Scott and Devon and threegrandchildren.

Tommy, Andy B. Jr. (1950) died peacefullyat the Ottawa Heart Institute on August2, 2004, at the age of 71. He leaves hiswife Marion; children Sarah, Randy, Lisaand Michael; and seven grandchildren.He was predeceased by his brothers Artand Fred.

Whitfield, David A. J. (Dave) (1947) diedOctober 2, 2004, after a long illness, atGranite Ridge Long Term Care Facility,Stittsville, Ontario. His sense of humourand mischief will be missed by his wifeAudrey (Cuff); his children Linda, Glenand Janet (John Luxton); his grand-daughter Samantha; his stepchildren andtheirs spouses; predeceased by his firstwife Phyllis (Wynn), his parents and hisbrother Roger. He was a proud Lisgaralumnus and a valued member of theExecutive Committee. (See tribute, thispage.)

Mail has been returned to the Alumni officemarked “deceased” from the followingalumni:Lusick, Carolyn (Cobb, 1051)

We have received phone calls and e-mail tothe Alumni office regarding the followingalumni: Massé, Godfrey (1948) died November 3,2003.Mills, Donald (1948) died February 26,2003.Stevens, Douglas C. (1934) died March 22,

2000 (second husband of Lois Tomkins[1936] Miller)

Thank you David!by Doug Arrand

The Lisgar Alumni Association has lost avery special member. David Whitfield(1947) passed away on October 2, 2004.

A very successful Ottawa insurance broker,David completed his career as senior partner inone of Ottawa’s most senior and successfulinsurance brokerages.

Those of us who have served on theExecutive Board of the Alumni Associationwith David for a number of years throughoutthe 1980s and 1990s well remember David’senthusiastic support for the Association and itsactivities. His quiet but infectious sense ofhumour contributed greatly to the fellowshipand enjoyment of his fellow board members aswe conducted the monthly association business.His contribution to planning and organizingLisgar’s Sesquicentennial Anniversarycelebrations in 1993 was without equal. Amonghis many duties related to the event, he and asmall committee stayed up all night on occasionto organize the seating arrangements for thedinner/dance held at the Congress Centre. Hesatisfied every request of attendees as to whomthey wished to be seated with at the banquetand there were over 1600 of us who madespecific seating requests, of which many camein just a day or two prior to the event itself.Subsequent to the great weekend celebration,his leadership in assisting the Association topay off its very large financial undertaking inthe publication of the Alumni Association’swonderful history book covering 150 years ofLisgar history and edited by alumna JoanFinnigan MacKenzie was invaluable. Hesponsored our first Alumni Golf Day as a fundraiser.

David always loved a party and was amarvellous host. He initiated the annual Juneexecutive luncheon at the Laurentian Clubwhich was located in the former family home ofthe Booth family whose children also attendedLisgar. He and his lovely wife Audrey openedtheir home to host an executive get togetherafter a challenging year of hard work on behalfof the Association. When he retired from theBoard a few years ago, his foresight, hisleadership , wonder-ful sense of humour andgenerous support for the Association wasimmediately missed. Shortly after hisretirement, David began to experience adegenerative disease that eventually took himaway from us. Those of us who had the pleasureof knowing David and the opportunity to workwith him have been blessed. Our deepestsympathies go to Audrey and David’schildren.P

Elizabeth Fripp and Joan Finnigan enjoy aReunion moment at the Congress Centre

Notes from Down Below ......where there’s more than meets the eye.

by Joy Heft

One elderly gentleman standing in themiddle of the alumni office asked merecently if I would show him the

archives sometime. “This is it,” was myresponse. Indeed, most of the Lisgar archives,not currently housed at the City Archives,except for excess copies of the Vox Lycei, are inthat little room. That being said, I think mostalumni would agree to the eye’s occasionaldeficiency judging from the variety and qualityof displays that added to the enjoyment of thereunion: photos, newspaper clippings, books,clothing, spoons, medals, and othermemorabilia featuring different eras of cadets,sports, musical and other events, Lisgar authors,former teachers, Senator Eugene Forsey, 1921Vox Lycei editor whose centenary was beingcelebrated elsewhere that week-end...

In addition to clothing, old documents,photographs, and other items, many copies ofthe requested years of Vox Lycei were receivedat the time of the reunion. A hearty thank you toall donors for your generosity To reach our goalof two copies of Vox Lycei of each year from1910 onward for the archives, we are stilllooking for 1912 (2), 1916 (2), 1953 to 1956,l959, l960, l962, and l963. Sales of excesscopies of the Vox and photocopies from variousVox issues were very brisk during the reunionweek-end. We still have copies of many yearsfor sale, however. If you wish to buy, please e-mail me at jheft@lisgar.net or write to thealumni office — Attention: Joy Heft, or watchfor future issues indicating available years.

An archival initiative for Remembrance Daywas a display about Alexis Helmer and cadetsin general in the alumni showcase. As well, Ireceive many requests for information aboutalumni for genealogical or other purposes.These had been put on the back burner duringthe reunion and its aftermath, but I hope to getback to them soon. If you have requestedinformation and have not had word from me,please do remind me; requests may have beenmisplaced in the frenzy of activity. #

Features

Alere Flammam • Fall 2004 • Page 4

Sports “Wall of Fame” Sadly, the Rant Is Gone by Bill Fraser

One of the many successful under-takings ofthe 160th Reunion was the establishment ofan athletic “Wall of Fame” and the inductionof its first members during Friday night’sAlumni Assembly.

The idea behind this project is two-fold:to honour former Lisgar athletes who havegone on to great success at the university,Olympic, national, and professional levelsand to inspire young athletes who attend ouralma mater. The concept embodies thetheme of the reunion – “completing the circle.”

The ceremony honoured 10 inductees,covered the decades from the 1930s to thepresent, represented eight different sports andfeatured seven Olympians. It even included aformer Head Boy and Head Girl! At the close ofthe ceremony, the group received a standingovation from the proud audience.

Initial inductees included Petra Cada (1996)who, as well as having a distinguishedinternational career, competed in both the Atlantaand this summer’s Olympics in table tennis.

Petra was followed by Pat Stoqua (1976) whowent on to an outstanding university career atCarleton in both football and basketball, andplayed six years of professional football for theOttawa Roughriders.

(Judge) Hugh Fraser (1970) was honoured forhis outstanding career as a sprinter at theinternational and Olympic level, and, amongother things, for his work on the DubinCommission and at the International Court ofArbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

Lisgar Athletics Association holds barbque

The 1960s were represented by former HeadGirl, Joan Fisher (1967), an outstanding sprinterwho highlighted her career by competing in theMexico Olympics, and by Paul Paddon, whoattended Lisgar from 1960 to 1965, and went onto quarterback Ottawa U to the Vanier cup finaland win the Hec Crighton trophy as Canada’soutstanding university football player.

Pat Hood, Kathy Ullrich, Linda Thom, ErikSpicer and Betty Jane Marsh at Sunday Brunch

The 1950s were well represented by LindaThom (1958) (seen above) gold medal winner inpistol shooting at the 1984 Olympics; by AnneHeggtveit (1957) who won Olympic gold in theslalom at the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics; andby Donald Jackson (1957) who won bronze in the1960 Olympics and gold as the 1962 worldchampion in figure skating.

Former Head Boy, Bruce Kirby (1948), athree-time Olympian in sailing who is equallywell-known as a yacht designer, with the laserdesign and both Canada 1 and Canada 2 to hiscredit was the next. He could not attend becauseof a recent injury, but was represented by hissister, Beverly Brown, also a Lisgar grad.[Editors note: See also letter, page 2]

Finally, Inez Zelikovitz accepted the awardfor her late husband, Joe, an outstanding multi-sport athlete at Lisgar from 1930 to 1934, who

went on to a successful career inprofessional football for the OttawaRoughriders, where he still holds theCFL record for interceptions in asingle game (seven).

Both the reaction of the audienceand the comments received bycommittee members indicate thegeneral approval for both the conceptof the wall itself, and for the initialselection of inductees.

The organizers of this Wall-of-Fame project regard the initialceremony as a beginning only. Theyare aware that there may have been

oversights, and that some worthy candidates mayhave been omitted. If you would like to nominatesomeone for the next induction, please contactBill Fraser at coachf@cyberus.ca or write thePhys. Ed. department at Lisgar and direct yourletter to either Tanya Asselstine or Peter Niedre.Be sure to include the years that he or sheattended Lisgar and as detailed a biography ofpost-Lisgar athletic successes as possible. Thiswill ensure that your nominee will receiveconsideration for the next induction. #

by Doug Arrand

Anumber of years ago, one John Barclay,1953 grad, retired career army officer andall round good fellow volunteered to

serve on the Alumni Association Board. Heagreed to take on the Treasurer’s mantle. I mightadd the financial books that had been maintainedto this point in the history of the Associationwere accurately maintained but very rudimentary.John quickly and without fuss had a new set ofbooks and journals created and all entries andrecords were up-to-date very businesslike in bothappearance and accuracy. The Associationrecognized John’s talents and voted him one ofthe Association’s two representatives on theLisgar Fund Board to oversee the management ofall monies donated by Alumni. John’s leadershiptalents became evident on a number of fronts insucceeding years but especially in the campaignto pay off the debt incurred by the Associationwhen it published the now famous Lisgar HistoryBook edited by Joan Finnigan MacKenzie inrecognition of Lisgar’s 150th Anniversary. Hesupported the decision to create a Lifemembership fee and subsequently managed theinvestment of that trust fund.

He helped us find a more efficient way ofdealing with Canada Post in mailing out ournewsletter twice each year. That in itself is nomean feat as anyone who has dealt with CanadaPost will know. Most recently he served on the160th Anniversary Steering Committee againinvolving himself in the money managementside. His goal was to ensure that in addition toseeing that all monies were properly accountedfor, the reunion party would not leave theassociation with any debt when it was over. Johnsucceeded in that!

For years your Board has been engaged in anongoing debate of sorts over whether theAssociation should mail newsletters only to paidup members or follow the more inclusive policyof sending a newsletter out to every alum in thehopes that everyone will eventually pay theirmembership fee. Once it was decided to stick tothe inclusive approach, the Association had tomake a more aggressive appeal to the members topay their annual fee or take out a lifemembership. John wrote his first rant tochallenge the delinquents among us to pay up.The number of alum who appreciated John’shumour and sent in their fees sometimes coveringmultiple years along with wonderful commentsabout the Rant delighted the Board.

We will miss much more than John’s Rant-we will miss his enthusiasm, sense of humour,singing voice, Latin translations, his memoriesbut most of all we will miss his thoughtfulsolutions and creative support in carrying on thework of the Association.

So long Rant, we will miss you! #

Features

Alere Flammam • Fall 2004 • Page 5

Teachers Meet at City Hall Alumni Executive Changes

Breakfast at Andy Bear’s beatbreakfast at Tiffany’s as 55enthusiastic former staff

joined several of the current facultyfor a pleasant gathering ofr eminisc ing and renewingfriendships prior to a staff/studentgathering in the Rotunda. Enhancingthe occasion were displays featuringformer headmasters, principals, andvice principals, prepared by thecurrent V.P., Susan Smith, as wellas a memorial display of facultydeceased since the last reunionprovided by the committee. It was adelight to welcome two elderattendees, the gentlemanly former principal,Robert McMichael, and Etta Neil, widow ofanother former principal, Wright Neil, whoremains the gracious person many rememberpouring tea at the formal Lisgar teas ofyesteryear held in the school library.

Above: Seylvia Klein, Yvonne Seiers, LizKostash, Carol Pali, Angus McCabe.

Right: Etta Neil, widow of long-timePrincipal Wright Neil

Margaret Pippy cont from page 1

What we are trying to say is that Margaret inmany respects is one of the key buildingblocks of the current Association as it hasbecome. Once the Association and its missionhad been established, Margaret created theadministration and operations systems and putin thousands of hours of at times lonely workin the tiny office in Lisgar's basement, actuallylocated where the boys dressing room waswhen the gymnasium was in the basement ofthe north building. And even though she has earned herretirement many times over, Margaret is stillhelping by training her two replacements —yes, you read correctly. It has taken two goodpeople to carry on the work and theAssociation is delighted to have them. Theywill be well trained and Margaret is still everthe loyal Lisgarite as she continues to attend

Above: Heinz and Phyllis Paryas, Bob Hursti,Dave MacGougan, Bob GreenA few well known teachers who were unableto attend sent us these notes:• “I still meet many former Lisgar students

around the city and enjoy everycontact. I hope that the 160thcelebrations, your breakfast andstudent reception will go reallywell.” John Parsons — former V.P.• “Please extend my best wishes toall my teacher friends at Lisgar andto all thosew o n d e r f u lstudents whom a d e m yteaching daysso enjoyable.When I lookback to myyears at Lisgarthe memories

are always very happy.”Bob Behan — formerhead of Mathematics. #

Board meetings and take on special tasks.Margaret personifies Lisgar's motto AlereFlammam in that her flame burns brightly andshe continues to feed the flame (spirit)! On a personal note, I want every member ofthe Association to know that I had the pleasureof working closely with Margaret for the 12years and I cannot thank her enough for themany personal sacrifices she has made duringthat time to accommodate the many, manydemands the Association and I made on thisfantastic, charitable and talented woman. Ithink it is fitting here to tell the readers thatMargaret's reward for her tremendous gift oftime and talent to the association was anannual free lunch provided by the Associationat the Rideau Club and hosted by our very ownGeorge Toller. SOME DEAL!!!!!! Thank you,Margaret. #

Now that the 160th Reunion is behind us,we face several changes in your AlumniAssociation Executive. Marg Pippy, has

officially resigned her duties — to be replacedby two people! (We all knew she did the workof many all at once!) And Doug Arrand hasresigned as Alumni representative for theLisgar Fund. Both Doug and Marg receivedthank-you plaques for their long service at theannual luncheon of the Alumni Executive,hosted again by George Toller at the RideauClub. As well, John Barclay has ended his timeas Treasurer. We will miss his curmudgeonlyrants! We welcome new Executive membersElizabeth Hale and Yvonne Seiers who willdivide the secretary’s duties, Marie Hartmannwho will take on John Barclay’s duties asTreasurer, Mark Orbay and Brian Mitchell.

We asked our new members for someinformation about themselves....• Mark Orbay N.D. (1994) practices naturo-pathic medicine in Ottawa at the OptiHealthHolistic Centre treating all health conditionsfrom colds to cancer using natural medicines.He was coach and captain of the LisgarRowing Team, performed in the orchestra, andworked on the Vox Lycei. He completed hisBSc from McGill University in Microbiologyand Immunology, worked at Health Canada forthe Canadian Blood Secretariat, and receivedhis naturopathic medical degree at the NationalCollege of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland,Oregon.• Elizabeth Hale: As the infamous Godfatherwould say, “Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in!” And so it goes for myreturn to the Alumni Executive. After a briefstint in 1999, and working on the 160thReunion last year, I decided to return to theExecutive because I was looking for somethinginteresting to do and I wanted to keep in touchwith my alma matter. Little did I know that Iwould rise to the challenge of becoming thenew Alumni Secretary for Correspondence. Ihave already had my first training session withMargaret Pippy and I hope to be able to fill hershoes, although I know it will be difficult. Shehad that office running like a well-oiledmachine! If you have contacted the Alumnioffice this past summer, please be patient withme — I am catching up on all requests andcorrespondence as fast as I can. I hope that Iwill be able to serve my fellow Lisgarites welland help ensure that the Alumni Associationcontinues successfully for many years to come.Alere Flammam! #

There is a new plaque on the wall outside theLibrary, honouring two of our most hard-working and longest serving Alumni Executivemembers: In Honour of • Doug Arrand •Guiding Presence of • The Lisgar AlumniAssociation • Major Contributor to Lisgar’s •125th, 140th 150th and 160th Anniversariesand In appreciation • Margaret Pippy • LoyalVolunteer Secretary for Many Years •Presented by The Lisgar Alumni AssociationJune 2004 #

Features

Alere Flammam • Fall 2004 • Page 6

160th Golf Tournamentby Jim Kerr (1962)

Joan Finnigan Mackenzie (former Vox Lycei editor) has recently published her 30th book LifeAlong the Opeongo Line with Penumbra Press. It is social history of one of the earliest intact andbest preserved colonization roads in the country, using text from original diaries of surveyorHamley Burritt, transcripts of interviews with descendants of first settlers, advice to immigrantsfrom Crown Land Agent T.P. French, letters from pioneers to relatives in the Old Country, evenstories about the Timber Barons who used the Opeongo to run supplies. As well, the history isenhanced with many archival and recent black and white photographs by the late ErikChristensen of the Globe and Mail and Dr. Jonathan MacKenzie of Carp, Ontario. Colourphotography is by Joan Finnigan.

Friends of Lisgar (cont from page 1)

We have not reached our target yet but wehave made a great start! The campaignprovided for three types of donations:Benefactor, Patron and Sponsor: Benefactorseach donated $1000 or more, Patron $500 ormore and Sponsor $25 or more..Grand Total received to date: $43,561*

Benefactors(13) $20,600Patrons(18) 18,000Sponsors 13,651

* US exchange to be added to the total

Now you can see why we are so delightedwith the results. It reinforces our belief thatthe Alumni Association will meet its target.We only require approximately $16,500 toachieve our target. We appeal to each andevery Alum who did not have a chance lastMay to make a contribution. Let us show ourappreciation for our alma mater, and at thesame time provide a role model for the currentLisgar students by achieving our goal andgiving the auditorium its much neededrefurbishment, one that has really beenrequired for over 30 years. When Lisgar wascompletely renovated in 1976-77, there wasinsufficient money set aside to refurbish theauditorium at that time. Since then, money hasjust not been forthcoming from the normalgovernment and school board sources for thenecessary improvements.

Lisgar has faced these kinds of challengesin our history many times before, such asinstalling the Heritage Wall and its stainedglass windows that the Alumni and students ofLisgar paid for as a 140th Anniversary projectwhen the Board refused to provide funds.Alumni have donated in excess of $30,000over the last 20 years to establish a number ofscholarships and bursary awards for Lisgarstudents. In addition, we have purchasedspecial physical education equipment, Infocusprojectors, computers, TVs, library books andscience apparatus, etc. that would not havebeen available without the generosity of youthe Alumni through your annual donations tothe Lisgar Fund.

We must achieve our objective of $60,000and we can! Every dollar helps and no amountis too insignificant. So be quick to respond!What a wonderful Christmas gift to Lisgar ifwe achieved our goal by the end of 2004! Thiswould permit the work to commenceimmediately in 2005. Don’t forget thatcheques are made out to the Lisgar Fund, andyou should designate your donation to go to“The Friends of Lisgar.”

Once the work is completed in the newyear and all the plaques and brass plates areinstalled, we plan to host an evening of musicin the Alumni Assembly to show appreciationfor a job well done. And every Alumni I knowloves a party, so let’s get going. ALEREFLAMMAM is translated to mean “feed theflame” of learning, and what better goal thanfor us to do our part for the current generationof Lisgarites.#

Judging by the feedback from participants(alumni, teachers and friends), the tourneywas a success and a welcome addition to

the range of Reunion Weekend eventsavailable for the 160th. Not only was it

apparent that a good time wasshared by all, but many suggestedthat we undertake more frequentalumni golf outings in the future.To that end, we now have asubstantial e-mail and telephonelist as a starting point for possiblefuture golfing endeavours. And totop it all off, when all was saidand done, we were able to turnover a substantial contribution tothe Lisgar Fund.

On behalf of all alumni,sincerest appreciation goes out tothose alumni and friends whodonated contest and draw prizes,including, Ottawa NCR YM-YWCA, CarletonUniversity Athletics Department, Capital Hill

Hotel and Suites, Lapointe’s Restaurants, MontCascades Golf, The Meadows Golf, Hillary’sCleaners, Texas Chop House, Barley MowPubs, Clocktower Brew Pub, Top of the WorldClothing. And a very special thanks to

Malcolm (Mac) Ross for his generousfinancial contribution to the ultimatesuccess of the event.

Many thanks to the Golf Committee(Drew Love, Bill Fraser, Kathy Ullrich,Bill Giff) for their advice and support,and to the special ladies who greeted andregistered golfers and ensured the smoothorganization of the reception and prizeceremony (Kathy Ullrich, Judy Turner,Lannie (Pieters) Scaife, Sandra Fraser andBonnie Kerr). And finally, a big thumbsup to Rod Hagglund and the 160thCommittee for the inclusion of a GolfTourney in what was already a busy

roster of Reunion Weekend choices.Congratulations to all for your continuing

support of the one and only,Lisgar Collegiate! #

Above left: left to right, TedRadmore, Bob Scaife, KathyUllrich, Bill Giff, Bob HumAbove right: left to right, BillGiff, Bob Hum, Bob Imrie,Jon Purcell, Terry Pender,Mac Ross, Dave Halliday,Bob GreenLeft: George Hathaway andfriends.

160th Reunion Recap

Alere Flammam • Fall 2004 • Page 7

A Grand 160th!After more than a year of preparation, the

Lisgar 160th reunion saw close to 850registrants, including grads from as far

back as 1925. They and the supporters of theLisgar Fund and Lottery raised more than$45,000 for the auditorium renovations, and$13,000 for the Alumni Association. “Closing

the Circle” was done in grand style.Alumni Milton Shaffer and Margaret Pippy

passed the torch to the newest generation ofLisgarites at the student assembly. Over atthe Meadowlands Golf and Country Clubmeanwhile, 84 golfers teed off (see alsopage 6). Hundreds of alumni arrived in theLibrary for registration. Many alsopurchased memorabilia, or a scarce copy ofthe 150th History book, autographed by itseditor, author Joan Finnigan MacKenzie.

Alumni toured the Decade Rooms tomeet former classmates, leave messages andsee the faces of their youth in the old VoxLycei. Current students and faculty demon-strated achievements and invited friendlycompetition in chess, debate and “Reach forthe Top.” The evening Alumni assembly,organized by Music Head Trudy Bradley andlong-term teacher and alumni leader DougArrand, was emceed by David Love. Thepacked assembly enjoyed the excellent LisgarString Ensemble, the classical piano of EvelynGreenberg and Tu Mach, and the rousing folkstylings of Valdy. Ernie Tannis and MikeTybalt provided comedy, and former teacherand alumnus Bill Fraser introduced the firstathletes to be inducted into our new AthleticWall of Fame (see also story on page 4).

A moving ceremony in memory ofAlexis Helmer, first Lisgarite to die inWorld War I and the inspiration for thepoem “In Flanders Fields,” saw theunveiling of a plaque, donated by GeorgeToller, to be installed in our MemorialHall. Lisgarites at the assembly also saw

the first effects of their donations tothe Friends of Lisgar campaign in thenew paint and decor. The messagewas clear: the money raised is a goodstart, but far more is needed.

After the assembly, alumni joinedthose who had been watching onclosed-circuit TV from the Blue andGrey pub night in the Gym, where theymingled with all generations informally(and happily), enjoyed a pint and sampledthe commemorative cake until the weehours.

On Saturday morning, breakfast forformer faculty members at City Hall nextdoor provided an opportunity for alumni

to meet their teachers in the Rotunda. Theweather co-operated with a blazing sunlitmorning as Her Excellency, the Right

Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, GovernorGeneral of Canada — and former Head Girl —hosted over 900 at beautiful Rideau Hall.Following a barbecue on the school mallorganized by the Athletic Association, alumnienjoyed the rich displays of archival materialand music-in the-round as past members ofband, orchestra and music programs“jammed.” In the final ceremony at the school,a plaque was presented by the City of Ottawa

recognizing Lisgar’s Heritage status.In the Congress Centre, all five

living former principals (and ourcurrent principal, Pat Irving) receivedus for cocktails before the dinner-dance. Over 600 enthusiastic guests,hosted by Bill Fraser, met friends,chatted and learned the results of theLottery (first prize to George Toller,who promptly donated it back to theschool), and danced the night away.

Over 200 attended an informalSunday Brunch where food andconversation abounded.

In the end, Lisgar and its alumni can lookback on a fine occasion for the grand oldschool. Alumni went away not only satisfied,but looking forward to the next reunion

Of course, none of this would have beenpossible without the tremendous team ofvolunteers who worked tirelessly for more thana year to ensure that the 160th would live up toLisgar standards, and the many others who justappeared when and where needed, like theladies who showed up to prepare hundreds of

registration packages on the night beforethe reunion began, or the gentleman whoarrived, unannounced, on Friday morningand manned the registration computers fortwo days almost nonstop. But specialthanks must go from the alumni toPrincipal Pat Irving and faculty leadersTrudy Bradley and Robert Tang, withoutwhom nothing would have happened; tothe students who were so welcoming andhelpful; to both Glendon College andYork University who host the Web site onwhich our gurus Daniel Kekez and AviCaplan (Avi would say especially Daniel)orchestrated state-of-the-art on-lineregistration with a shoestring budget; toLo-Mor Printing which produced all

printed material under ridiculous deadlines; toCandice Presley, who provided sign languagetranslation for the assemblies and the Blue andGrey night; and to the Rideau Hall staff whobent over backwards to make the receptionpossible. Within alumni ranks, the names aretoo many but we can perhaps name the “firstand the last”: Paul Bennett, who put togetherthe original team and served as chair for thefirst six months, and Margaret Pippy, whotoiled for two months beyond the end of herterm as Alumni Secretary (and three monthsbeyond the reunion) dealing with the immenseamount of paperwork for the Friends of LisgarCampaign for campaign chair George Toller.

My personal gratitude to all who came, toall who gave time, money and effort, and tothose who have made Lisgar the special placeit is.

Alere Flammam!

Rod Hagglund, Chair, Lisgar 160th and Lisgar Alumni Executive P

Features

Alere Flammam • Fall 2004 • Page 8

Remembrance Day 2003

Editors’ note: George Toller was asked tospeak to Lisgar students last November 11th.Because of the run up to the 160th Reunion,we did not publish his remarks at the time. Webelieve it is still a timely reminder of Lisgar’spast.

Ifelt honoured to be asked to speak to theLisgar Assembly on this special day. Notbeing a Veteran, I was quite sensitive of

my status — but I was asked to speak on“Lisgar during Wartime” to help today’sstudents understand it better.

Looking back over 65 years to 1939 whenI had just entered our great grey walls, broughtback a flood of wonderful memories — socommon to many of us today. The Lisgar 94thCadet Corps in our uniforms, the Bugle Band,aircraft recognition, Red Cross Instruction,rifle drill, wartime volunteers posted overseas,veterans wounded and on leave passedthrough our portals regularly.

Morning Assembly was serious anddedicated — with Bible readings, the latestannouncements affecting “Our Boys,” currentwartime songs: “There’ll Always Be anEngland,” “We’ll meet Again” were the twofavourites A definite sense of urgencyprevailed throughout those years as we all feltthe importance of not letting the boys down.Many of us had relatives serving and eachgraduating class increased Lisgar’scontribution to the war effort. Their lettershome were often directed to John Dunlap andMike Strader, our Principal and VicePrincipal, who read them to us and printedthem in the Vox Lycei along with pictures.

War Savings Stamps of 25 cents eachweek were mounted in booklets and thenexchanged for $10 certificates — representingour first career investments. War SavingsBonds of $100 also became available. Foodrationing entered our lives — with monthlycoupons for sugar, butter, meat, gas. Mostfamily cars were up on blocks for the winter— and class sleigh drives started fromLisgar’s own front door along the RideauCanal to Teskeys Restaurant at Hogs Back.There we danced to “I don’t Want to set theWorld on Fire” from the Nickleodeon beforethe long road back again singing those oldtimesongs by the light of the moon: “Here’s toDear Old Lisgar School,” We’re Loyal to you,Blue and Grey” and “There’s Somethingabout a Soldier.”

Finally V-Day arrived June 6, 1945. Manyof us hiked up to Parliament Hill to join theincreasing throng assembled there, amid theCarillon bells and loudspeakers acclaimingVictory and Peace. Each of us will rememberthose glorious years of yore in our own specialway.

“Backward, turn backwardOh Time in thy flightMake us all Lisgarites

Just for tonight. #

Remembrance Day 2004

Yet again, Lisgar Alumni have answeredthe call. John Dunfield, former memberof the Executive Committee, spoke to

Lisgar students on November 11, 2004. Herecounted his early impressions of the August1938 unveiling of the War Memorial for the1914-1918 Great War by King George VI andQueen Mary in the midst of rising conflict inEurope. After joining the Army as a sapper at$1.20 per day (including board and uniform)he trained four months in Ottawa at CartierSquare, mainly drilling!

In January of 1940, he sailed for Britainwith the First Canadian Division.. Hismemories of wartime Britain includedblackouts, air raid sirens, warm beer, rations,left-hand driving, roundabouts, dances andanti-aircraft guns.

They heard Churchill speak, lived throughthe Battle of Britain which involved manyCanadian airmen, watched with horror asFrance, Belgium and Holland fell, and mannedthe beaches of southern England. He spoke ofPearl Harbour in December of 1941 and theAmericans coming, of Dieppe and the lessonslearned, of the 1943 Italian Campaign and theAllied bombing of Germany. After D-Day,June 6, 1944 on the coast of France, theCanadians fought for the first time under oneCommander — five Divisions with 150,000 to200,000 men plus the RCAF and the RoyalCanadian Navy. With mounting casualties onall fronts, he joined an Infantry Battalion in1945 and faced the difficult task of writing tonext of kin for soldiers killed during and afterthe war.

The end of the conflict, May 8, 1945 camefive years and eight months after it began.Back in civilian life he faced “rehabilitation,”got married and had children, worked,continued his education under the VeteransAct, joined the Lisgar Alumni Association andtook on the task of updating the names ofthose who served their country on the plaquesin Memorial Hall. He ended with JohnMcCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” and theinvolvement of Lisgar’s Alexis Helmer. #

Y o u r A l u m n iAssociation remindsyou again that weare always lookingfor speakers forRemembrance Dayc e r e m o n i e s a tLisgar. If you arewilling to talk to thestudents, or if you

know someone who could do this, please let usknow. As well as our Wartime Veterans, weknow there are also Veterans of the KoreanConflict and Peacekeepers among our Alumniwho could fill this role. Write to the AlumniAssociation at 29 Lisgar Street, Ottawa, K2P0B9 or e-mail us at alumnioffice@lisgar.net. #

Doug Arrand received a plaque of appreciationfrom Chairman Rod Hagglund. He resigned hisposition on the Lisgar Fund after his move toKinston, Ontario, but remains on the ExecutiveCommittee as co-editor of the Newsletter.

New Life MembersElda (Bortolotti) Allen 1957Michael C. St Amour 1972Andrew B. Anderson 1992Philippe Bernier 1998Abraham Bookman 1938Dorothy Conway 2002Doreen (Davis) Darroch 1944Roman Dzioba 2001Judy (Sleeman) Eardley 1956Mary (Learoyd) Fraser 1941Elizabeth (Thompson) Fripp 1945Mary Rose (Robert) Gagné 1955David R. Graham 1953Charles Graham 1962Anthony F. Graham 1960Kelly (Burton) Grubb 1986Derek Hartl 1988Leslie Horwitz-Beare 1976 Constance Hudak 1966 Jeffrey Hum 1998David Ivison 1956Janet Jones 1964 Iona (Ade) Joy 1958Katherine Lafferty 1989Christina Lascelles 1998Elizabeth (Pritchard) MacEachern 1952Barbara (Maddeaux) Mathison 1960Judy Mellen 1969Robert Milks 1944Frances (Massé) Nikkel 1953Violet (McAteer) Patterson 1950Allan Reddoch 1949Judy (Johannsen) Robinson 1960Peter Schonenbach 1955Evelina Shin 1991Maureen Stapley 1967Inez (Smith) Sunderland 1938Kathy (Early) Ullrich 1963John Walker 1937Andrew Watson 1948George Webb 1960John Wherrett 1949Brian Wherrett 1952Gale (Irwin) Wight 1957Martha (Rodger) Wurtele 1959J. Angus Wyatt 1936David Yates 1960#