Rosaleen Leslie Dickson

"Learn from the past, plan for the future," is what they always say.
Now, having done all that learning and planning, I just deal with today,
at Rideau Place on the River. Click on the following *** for information about:
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Our greatest moments are not the attainment of goals,
but the amazing journeys that take us there,
and the wonderful people we encounter along the way.

Thanksgiving, November, 2012, with Donald Wright, at Jennifer's house in Perth, where many Dicksons, friends and relatives, gathered. We enjoyed a similar Wright gathering the previous day with all of Donald's children and grandchildren. We are blessed, and have a great deal for which to be thankful. .

Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant David Rutherford Dickson 1919-1992
Born Wednesday, November 15, 1919, Montreal, Quebec, only son of David Wallace Dickson ot Glasgow, and his wife, Christina Smart Rutherford of Edinburgh. David was a King's Scout. avid skier, camper; toured Scotland by bicycle at 18. Played classical piano, and attended McGill Univ. in Commerce, then worked at Price Waterhouse in Accounts. Then World War II broke out so he joined the RCAF, February, 1941. He learned then taught Astral Navigation with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, Rivers, Man. He married Rosaleen Dickson, October 28, 1942. Flew with Ferry Command, then was posted to RAF Bomb Squadron 214, Fed. Malay States, as Observer i.e. "Navigator-Bomb-aimer." Motto was "Avenging in the Shadows"
. David was a Pathfinder and DamBuster with RAF. When the war ended, he attended Queen's University, BCom.'49.
Moved from Kingston to Ottawa to work for Revenue Canada.
1953 moved to Shawville, Que.> Established Pontiac Printshop Ltd., Published THE EQUITY weekly, also North Renfrew Times,Deep River, Ont., and The Camp Petawawa Post, and printed local books, was President of the Pontiac Community Hospital Board, organized Ground Observers, gardened and raised horses. In 1984 we travelled, tracing our ancestry throughout Nova Scotia and Scotland, wintering in Florida. Together we wrote the "Dickson and Leslie Family Histories" and sailed in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida lakes, and Biscayne Bay, navigating by the stars.

At 72, on July 5, 1991, David suffered heart failure and died at the Ottawa Civic Hospital surrounded by his entire family. "Loved by all who knew him" is engraved on his tomb in the Pentecostal Maplegrove Cemetary, Shawville, Quebec.

Rosaleen Diana Leslie Dickson
Born Saturday, July 2, 1921, at the home of James Ward Moir and Annie Price Archibald Moir, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to become the third child of their only daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Putnam Moir Leslie, and her husband, Kenneth Leslie, Baptist minister, poet, "The Essential Kenneth Leslie," a political activist, author, magazine editor, musician, also wrote songs, including Cape Breton Lullaby, which the family still sings! "God's Red Poet," film by Chuck Lapp, Envision Productions, Halifax, is about Kenneth Leslie.
Beth was an Honours Music graduate of Emerson College, Boston, a talented singer, pianist and popular accompanist. She later became President of The Canadian Club of New York City, My first school was the Halifax Ladies' College, Nova Scotia, then La Maison Blanche in Paris, France, Maret French School, Washington, D.C. (where I met U.S. Pres. Herbert Hoover at his Easter Egg Hunt for children, on the White House lawn), then Brookside School, and Mount Hebron Jr. High, in Montclair, New Jersey, and Lincoln School of Teachers' College, in New York City. There I met John Langstaff (we later explored old English folk songs and dances together, in the Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina). In New York I also learned about Broadway Theatre from Mother's friend, veteran Broadway actor Calvin Thomas, and next-door neighbour Montgomery Clift. When Monty went to Hollywood, I went to Guilford College, North Carolina, to study Psychology & Education, for a BA-1941. (62 yrs later, I got my MJ at Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario. )
In 1941, David Dickson of Montreal, Simpson Edward Spencer of Cincinnatti, and I, toured New England on bicycles, rode up to Montreal, then back to visit the World's Fair in New York. I stayed in New York, living with my mother on 116th Street. I coached basketball at Hillel House Community Center, then got a job as a salesgirl at R.H. Macy's, and then interned in Hartford, Connecticut as a "life-style assisstant" , at the Psychiatric Institute of Living. Back in New York the following year, I got an office job, researching media for Edison Electric Institute.
David and I were married in Montreal, October 28, 1942.
World War Two interfered immeasurably, but "la vie c'était la guerre."
David joined the RCAF and studied Navigation and then taught it to airmen from around the world with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and then flew with Ferry Cammand, and on his arrival at Prestwick on a routine flight, he was posted to Britain with the RAF Bomber Command. By then, I was "substitute teaching" at the Roslyn High School in Long Island, N.Y. On July 20 our first son, Ross, was born and I stopped teaching and began helping out at the Maple Leaf Canteen for Allied Officers. Prominent among our visitors were U.K Merchant Navy Captain Douglas Rattray, whose tanker "Sam Spelga" docked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard between treacherous trips from Azur Baijan; (often solo, because convoys shunned oil tankers), and Sir Winston Churchill, who came to the U.S. to persuade the Americans to join the War, which they did, and it eventually ended and David came home.
David first went back to work for Price Waterhouse Coopers and we rented an apartment in Notre Dame de Grace, (NDG), a suburb of MONTREAL. then we moved to Granby where he became General Manager of the Dominion Brush Company. When he decided to resume his University studies, we went to Kingston, Ontariowhere he studied for hhis B.Commerce at Queens' University. Special friends in those days who I will never forget include the talented Canadian airman - artist Bob Hyndman, who drew a portrait of David for me to keep, and the delightful and gracious Irish singer, song-writer Tommy Makem who sang "My Dark Rosaleen" on the phone from New York to the LaSalle Hotel, Kingston, Ontario, where they hooked the phone to a PA system at a party on my 25th birthday.
When David was working for Canada Revenue in Ottawa, we lived in a log cabin in Wakefield, Que., and David went to work daily by bicycle and train. When we eventually found a "veterans" apartment on Mann Avenue, Ottawa, we moved into town and there we produced the little community weekly, "Family Gazette." Our next home was in Shawville, Que., where we bought the local paper, THE EQUITY, and established the Pontiac Printshop. We eventually retired and went to FLORIDA, traveled a lot (Nova Scotia and Scotland), researching and writing our family history, and sailing in the Bay of Mexico, Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic coast, and Florida lakes. My life in those days was a series of adventures, the major one being THE EQUITY, Pontiac County's weekly newspaper which I edited and published every Thursday for 35 years. From Shawille, I also did aerial Photography with Fl Lt Iverson Harris in his lovely little floating Cessna, wrote and announced Pontiac news at CKOB, Renfrew, helped organize the bilingual community radio station, CHIP FM, in Fort Coulonge, Que.
Produced Children's TV for Ottawa cable, and at CHOV, Pembroke.
In OTTAWA,/b>, I also wrote columns for The Hill Times - .
On Sunday, March 12, 1961, I began hosting "Valley Weekly," the first live series aired by Ernie Bushnell at CJOH TV, Ottawa, with The Ottawa Citizen's Fred Inglis doing research, and rotating co-hosts Bill Luxton, Lloyd McQuiggan and Peter Jennings.
In 1973, with Pauline Marois-Blanchet and others, we opened CFVO, first TV co-op in the world. I was "la voix du Pontiac" reading news in French. Also, as a Director of the bilingual radio station, CHIP FM, in Fort Coulonge, I announced, served as "disk jockey", and read news there as well.
In 1974, as chair of the CHEO Division of the Citizens' Committee on Children, I wrote a brief to Dr Mervin Mirsky, Ottawa Regional Hospital Planning Council President, and Ottawa Mayor Don Reid, based on the investigative work of the commitee regarding the need for a children's hospital and The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec was established in 1974.
"Cyberspace Trailblazer" feature by Ruth Dempsey in "Aging Horizons"
To explain how I had organized my "Ask The Doctors" Web site, carrying medical advice from over 100 doctors world-wide, I was invited to speak at the International Statistical Conference, Ottawa.
In 1989 I wrote "The Meech Lake Monster" - (1989 - ISBN-10: 0-919942-10-5) about still unresolved political problems in Canada,
and built two more Web sites: Old Folks at Home on the WWW, and New Canadian Books, and inaugurated "Ask Great Granny" - an on-going world-wide Internet phenomenon,
Named a Director of Canadian Assoc. of Journalists, and and of The National Press Club of Canada.
"Cyberqueen" - by Sharon Rockey, in the North Bay Record.
Taught Print Journalism at Ryerson University, TORONTO - 1995-96 -
Published "Capital Letter," hosted the Ottawa Independent Writers web site, and judged "Better Newspapers" for Canadian Newspapers Assoc.

"Great Scot!"
We'd rather be sailing . . . "Per ardua ad Astra" Chat! "Not just another pencil.
Seniors and the Internet"
Carleton MJ thesis

Genealogy and Lore
from the Dickson-Leslie Family History Book.
They lived, as we do, in uncertain times. Some left their homes, setting out under difficult circumstances, in frail craft, across treacherous seas, enduring life-threatening conditions, to build homes and raise their children on unknown shores.
Others stayed and built great families in the lands of their birth. These were not the characters of fiction. They were our people.
Tracing a family back through history leads to a whole new realm to be explored. Rewards for following one lead after another are extraordinary.
Our family names include:
Ahearn, Aikman, Alexander, Archibald,Alrmstong, Bailey, Bashaw, Begbie, Bell, Bent, Bentley, Blair, Boggs, Boutilier, Bowditch, Brown, Bryden, Brydon, Buck, Butler, Church, Douglas, Dugwell, Fraser, Gray, Jost, King, Lawlor, Mason, Moir, Monteith, Parker, Prest, Putnam, Remby, Ross, Rutherford, Sleigh, Smart, Starratt, Wallace, Wentzel, York and other related families.

See complete histories HERE.

Our children ~ "Chance favours the prepared mind" ~ Louis Pasteur.

David Ross
Dickson
Perth, Ontario
PhD. Cambridge
"The Hill Times"
Politics and Government
"EMBASSY" - Foreign Policy
Diana Bracegirdle

Jennifer Leslie
Dickson
Perth, Ontario
Law. Ottawa U.
Executive Counseling
Leslie Enterprises
Builds cooperative processes,
businesses, government leaders and organizations.

Elizabeth Putnam
Dickson
Ex. MBA. Harvard
PhD. Rockefeller
Molecular Genetics
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Parkdale Symphony

Marjorie Monteith
Dickson
MA Ed. McGill
H. S. Teacher
Antiques in Canada
*Adventures*
Peter Bayfield

Charles Rutherford Diskson
(with his third son Thomas)
New York University and
London School of Economics
Communications Adviser
United Nations Development Programme "Africa Adaptation"
Erica Phipps Child Health

Andrew Moir
Dickson
MBA. Ottawa U.
Printer - Publisher
Broadcaster
I D Printing Ltd. and
12 "MyFM" Radio
Stations in Ontario
Karen Williamson

On Mother's Day - to the ones I love
Each day they show their love in ways I always knew they could; doing what they do the way I always thought they would.
I didn't need a Mother's Day to make my joy complete, but just the same, they all came through and swept me off my feet!
First, Jennifer sent flowers, to give my day a lift, then Ross came, with Diana, for a visit, with a gift.
Elizabeth came Sunday for a special Lansdowne Brunch, with Marjorie and Peter, Andrew, Karen, the whole bunch!
Having them all at my table, really thrilled me to the bone, then, frosting on the cake, a call from Charles on the phone.
They made the Mother's Day event as perfect as could be. They are the best and I am blessed; they are so good to me!

John Mason Dickson
(July 11 to November 13, 1957)
This child was born but just remained
A few short weeks on earth,
And seemed to hold a secret
From the moment of his birth.
Four magic months we cherished
This precious little boy.
Then he returned to heaven,
And grief replaced our joy.
Before he'd found his place in life
He found his home above
And left an empty cradle here
But keeps our endless love.
In cosmic family gatherings,
When we've all gone to rest.
The man John Mason would have been
Will stand among the best.

Our Children's Children
Children of Ross D. & Heather Alberti
Leslie Maria Dickson - '79-05-03
David Alberti Dickson - '81-05-29
Children of Jennifer D. & Peter Cotton
Christina Jane Matthews '64-02-23
Matthew Ross Dickson '65-03-07
Children of Jennifer D. & John Matthews
Tamara Leslie Matthews '68-10-10
Elizabeth Marjorie Matthews '73-02-04
Children of Marjorie D. & Ronald Burke
Kathryn Leslie Burke '78-12-25
Michael Bruce Burke '80-08015
Daniel Rutherford Burke '83-04-01
Children of Charles D. & Tineke Kuijper
Anne Sophie Kuijper Dickson '93-07-04
Willem Arthur Kuijper Dickson '96-04-02
Kenneth Alex. Kuijper Dickson '99-05-14
Children of Charles D. & Erica Phipps
Thomas Andrew Phipps Dickson '03-03-29.
Eric Rutherford Phipps Dickson '06-01-02
Audrey Estelle Phipps Dickson '07-07-24
Children of Andrew D. & Karen Williamson
Sarah Diana Dickson (Thériault) '82-4-14
Kate Moir McGregor Dickson '84-10-28
Emma Rosaleen Wallace Dickson '90-5-16

And the Next Generation
Christa Matthews and Steve Hannah
Isaac Gaelen Matthews-Hanna1998-3-1
Oliver Gabriel Matthews-Hanna 2000-11-16
Matthew Dickson and Nancy Maynard
Caleb Peter Michael Dickson 1993-01-14
Matthew Dickson and Beth Schilling
Benjamin Joseph Solomon Dickson '01-11-2
(Beth's Satinka Schilling 1995-10-07 and
Kelly Margaret Schilling 1997-2-4)
Tamara Matthews and Jeff Woods
Elijah Matthew Woods 1994-02-28
Aiden Ross Woods 1996-8-27
Leslie Dickson and Jason Barton
Owen Ross Dickson Barton 2005-07-13
Tessa James Dickson Barton 2009-02-14
Kathryn Burke and Neal Phadnis
Ellora Xaouen Phadnis 2010-05-18
Sarah Dickson and Nick Thériault
Nora Grace Thériault 2012-03-05

August 1, 2010 , in Andrew and Karen's garden in Ottawa.
Standing: Charles, Peter Bayfield, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Andrew, Ross
Seated: Erica, Marjorie, Rosaleen, Karen, Diana, at wedding of Sarah Dickson & Nick Thériault.
"It is a wonderful thing to share this planet with someone who totally gets it!" (Charles)
For David, by his cousin Sir William Lowrie Sleigh (pronounced "slay") of Edinburgh

A gentleman from Canada came knocking on my door. He'd come to visit Edinburgh and study family lore.
Though a Dickson, Sleighs are found upon his family tree but strange to say he didn't call them Sleigh, he called them Slee.
His mother was a Rutherford, whose folks, in days gone by, descended in the lineage from a man called Peter Sligh.
Now, as you know, my own name is William Lowrie Sleigh, as is my son's, my father's and his father's, by the way.
The father of Sir William, who from Lauder town did hie, was Peter Secondus, the seventh child of Peter Sligh.
To add to the dilemma, it pains me here to say, old Peter Primus named his ninth child Wiliam Lowrie Sleigh.
There had been only one with such a name as this until Sir William's pater Peter named him for his uncle Will.
That uncle's granddaughter was David Dickson's mother, which clearly means third cousins we must be to one another.
Confusion reigned when we began unraveling this mess. yet my Canadian cousin cleared it up, I must confess.
But even David Dickson, though he's looked most everywhere, can't find old Peter's ancestors. And this I find most rare.
Because with research through the files of numerous registries, he'd lined up many, many Sleighs, and Slighs, and even Slees!
Along with myriad other names included in his clan. He has them all computered in a tidy master plan.
With Rosaleen, his helpful wife, he's aimed his concentration at chronicling the family for the future generation.
Their search has gone from Canada to Scotland and the States, Tthrough libraries and graveyards, recording names and dates.
For Dicksons, Leslies, Rutherfords, Begbies, Browns and Grays, Archibalds and Aikmans, Masons, Moirs and Sleighs,
Putnams, Smarts and Elliotts, Wallaces and all, the dozens more I'm sorry but I just can not recall.
When the work is finished, I'll take another look, to see the ways they list the Sleighs in the Dickson Family Book. (W.L.Sleigh)

Return to top.

Every day I thank God and David for this awesome family of truly great Canadians.

Thanksgiving Day, 2007, at Charles Dickson's farm in the Pontiac.    (Photo by Elizabeth)
← Marjorie with her granddaughter Ellora Xaouen Phadnis.
Rideau String Quartet ~ playing classical chamber music. →
Peggy Florida, Elizabeth Dickson, Violins, Stans Van Wijk, Cello, and Barbara Jeffrey, Viola. Performing for special occasions; Weddings, Special Music Events, Birthday parties, Anniversaries. Contact them here.

At left is Sarah Diana, eldest daughter of Andrew & Karen Dickson, who married Nick Thériault, Aug. 1, 2010 Michael Burke, eldest son of Marjorie Dickson & Ron Burke, who married Lenke Hegedus, March 24, 2012. David Dickson, son of Ross Dickson & Heather Alberti-Dickson, who married Nicola Farrer, September 8, 2012
Family members around the world!
Charles and Erica and their children have a farm in Quyon, Quebec, and a house in Ottawa. Last year they also lived in New York City. Some times they are in Kenya. Click to see their children, in Central Park. Dr. Leslie Jean Eaton, daughter of my aunt Emily Leslie Eaton, who has been a hugely successful Chiropractor in Kentville, Nova Scotia, since 1951. Dermot McHugh and his wife, Anita - volunteers at Ruaha Secondary School in Iringa, Tanzania. Daughter Mwangaza Ba nurse, Columbia, Maryland, m. Ousmane Ba, airline pilot; 2 children, Baidy Dermot and Melody Guilane. Sons: Oloron Vahid, Ag. Engineer in Lesotho, Southern Africa, (heading up a water catchment management project with his wife Gnilane, and daughter, Tening Anita) and Amani Nabil, , doctorate, Environmental Science and Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Ndieme Madelaine McHugh, was born 19 July 2010 to Oloro and Gnilane in the Mediclinic in Bloemfontein, South Africa. They lived in neighboring Lesotho, but went over to South Africa because of the better hospital conditions. Brigid McHugh Wendover is in Louisville, Kentucky, Her daughters are, Dipa Artursdottir, in Toronto with son, Anthony, and Tara Artursdottir , in Lousville, with son, Cameron. Conal McHugh is teaching in Durango, Colorado. Neil McHugh , professor of "African and Middle East History" at Fort Lewis College, Durango, with wife Messel. Sons are Aman (m. Adline) lawyer, Melbourne, Australia, and daughter, Fana, Denver, Colorado. Stefan Wenk teacher, Sacramento, California. Children: Stefan Alexander Wenk , Bryan Leslie Wenk , Zachery Maxwell Wenk, and Jazlyn, in Davis California. (Dermot, Brigid, Conal, Neil and Stefan are children of my sister, the late Gloria Leslie McHugh Wenk. The Internet contact with the family of my sister, Kathleen Lathem and her husband George Lathem, Long Island, New York, is their daughter Dr. Priscilla Jamieson, Chiropracter.
Paddling bow, at left above, our 14 year old "voyageur" grandson, Will, eldest of four sons of Charles, with nine other area teens, took part in the Ottawa River Keepers' canoe expedition from Temiscamingue to Ottawa, raising awareness of the importance of the River, and build a network of community stewards. This is the same Will who raised money last year, busking in Ottawa, to help pay for a trip to England, where he played saxaphone in a festival at Stone Henge. Given this spirit, talent, and guts, the world is in good hands. Photo from THE EQUITY, by Will's sister Sophie.

Donald Wright and his Family

Jane, George and Julianne, with their father, Donald, my friend and companion at Rideau Place. Growing old alone is a challenge, but together life can be beautiful.
Just to be with Donald is a Blessing.

A few of my books The Mother-in-Law Book Based on "Ask Great Granny" - the on-going computer-mediated phenomenon. Mothers and wives generally learn early to live and let live, for the benefit of the men they care for. But also sprinkled profusely about the population are those who can't manage the generosity of spirit needed for such co-operation. These are the people about whom the tired old "mother in law" jokes are written, and who send letters to advice columnists for help. This book is based on letters from mothers and wives who haven't yet figured out how to manage their delicate relationship. The reader will not agree with all the suggestions made by Great Granny in her replies to letters she receives. They are not intended as directions or rules of procedure, just random ideas to help troubled people think through their own problems. Many alternate solutions come to mind and in thinking through these other ideas, the best for each individual case might be found. Most mature women, and the wives of their sons, are able to achieve good relations for the sake of the man they both love, and all the other family members involved. This book is for those who are still working on it. General Store Publishing House. ISBN#1-897113-30-7 Available from any book store.
Freenet For the Fun of It. cp-authered with Pierre Bourque.
Getting connected and making friends on the Internet. A useful book to give friends beginning to get acquainted with freenet. Explains email, newsgroups, gossiping online, and hundreds of places you'll be welcome. Co-author, Pierre Bourque, is Ottawa's most prolific computer columnist. His research into the best of the Internet takes you around the world "for the fun of it". Published 1995, useful for beginners.
HTML - The Basic Book - Hyper Text Markup Language, with immeasurable help from Rony Aoune,
for people who would rather Do it than Read about it.
Accents, colour charts, links, blinking features, borders, tables, images and lots more. Co-author, Rony Aoun, is a computer programer. With this primer you can handle your own material on the world wide web. It's spiral bound to lie flat beside your computer for instant reference. .
I also wrote the two-act play for 16 women and one man: "100 Years of Daring - Day One" which opened in the Panorama Room at the National Arts Center, Ottawa, starring Ray Stone, on the Centennial of The Canadian Women's Press Club, now The Media Club.
Other books I have edited and/or co-authored, with talented colleagues include:
"The Dickson and Leslie Family Histories" ~ with David Rutherford Dickson.
"Avenging in the Shadows" ~ from extensive research by Ron James DFC,
A rough draft of this book can be seen HERE.
"Adventures of a Paper Sleuth" by Hugh P. MacMillan.
"A Theatre Near You" by Alain Miguelez.
"For the Love of TREES" by R. Hinchcliff, R. Popadiouk, and others.
"Once Upon a Story" memoirs by Ellie Marshall, of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.
"Prophesy on Ice" by Albert M. Jabara, Mirath Publishing Inc.

The 'puter swallowed granny; honestly it's true!
She pressed control and enter and disappeared from view.
We searched through the recycle bin and files of every kind;
I even Googled "Granny," but nothing did I find.
   In desperation, we asked Jeeves, our searches to refine.
His reply was negative, no Granny was online.
If inside your Inbox, our Granny you should see,
   Please copy scan and paste her, and send her back to me.
(Valerie Waite, Derbyshire, England)

Special Links to Special Web Sites: Antiques in Canada; Looking for great Canadian antique shops? They make it easy. Marjorie & Peter
True North Perspective Archives: different opinions - not reported in all newspapers. Carl Dow
Custom Printers of Renfrew Ltd, and General Store Publishing Company. Andrew Dickson
Living Lightly lifestyle with a positive impact on our environment. David Chernushenko
Simon Teakettle Ink - Training - Commuications - Consulting. Barbara Florio Graham
Writers' Deadline - Ottawa-based information for writers and readers Patrick Meikle
Guerilla- Ottawa Culture at Ground Level - Magazine and Online - Tony Martins
Second Counsel ServicesVeteran Intellectual Property Attorney David J. French
Communication Matters will help you communicate effectively Elaine Kenney
News Weeklies: The Hill Times politics & EMBASSY diplomacy 59 Sparks
Shaddy International Marketing Office Equipment & Lazboy Albert Jabara
Absolute arts Contemporary art portfolios news. Roxanne Brousseau-Félio
Fast, expert, reliable Translation - English into French Anabel Associates
Old Folks at Home on the World Wide Web. An early site, 20 years ago.
Passionate About Life - "Bits and Bites" by Alberte Villeneuve-Sinclair
Quirky Bs "Pop art for the millennium" Shannon Lee Mannion's blog
News Watch - Simply most potent news force online Pierre Bourque
Flora Community Web. Founder and sponsor Russell McOrmond
Some favourite gospel songs; lyrics and music Heavenly Midis
The Arab & Muslim Writers' Union Albert M. Jabara.
A 21st Century Renaissance Man - Raymond P. Stone.
AND 20 OTHER USEFUL SOURCES:
Your suggestions - always more than welcome
One Look search to find your words and phrases
World-wide news services: Print, Radio,Television
Editor's Sidebar Find useful resources for all writers
Google Find the most comprehensive of search engines.
The Hammer is an outrageous spoof on what we are doing.
The Weather is today's and a forecast, for here and elsewhere.
Find a new job. What's available, who they want, where to apply.
Movies in Ottawa tells us what is playing, where, and at what times.
World Press - Clubs and Associations - addresses, phones - Web sites..
Gas Prices, high and low priced gasoline in the Ottawa area, updated daily.
MapQuest - shows you how to get almost anywhere from almost anywhere else.
Quotations- Bartlett's, Columbia - Simpsons. Find quotes by word, phrase, or author.
The Hill Times is the current copy of the Newspaper of Parliament with archived material.
Find MPs & Senators helps you contact them by mail, phone, email or in person at their offices.
Dictionaries are many, including definitions, translations, or searching all dictionaries . . in one place.
NewsWatch, Pierre Bourque's late breaking headlines and a list of world media, columnists and sources.
Radio and TV puts you in contact with the people who make these things happen, courtesy of Hal Doran.

          My Interim Solution, with One Caveat
   Life is a perpetual challenge, engaging us all as we age.
   It's full of confusing instructions, with new problems at every stage.
   As soon as we're born we must figure the methods required to get
   Whatever we need from our mother or father, whenever we're hungry, or wet.
   When we grow older our problems grow too, sharing with sisters and brothers.
   Then, going to school, we must learn the new rule about "Getting along with others."
   When we're adult, we think it's all done, with no more big problems to meet.
   'Til we discover how tricky it is, just trying to stay on our feet.
   "Oh well," we tell ourselves, "When we grow old, all of these problems will end."
   Then we are suddenly seventy five. That's when we need a true friend.
   However we dreamed of our future, it may not turn out that way.
   No day can be taken for granted; each one is like no other day.
   I still have some projects to finish, and many new places to go,
   Several more books to be written, and new folks I still need to know.
   Some of my plans unaccomplished, I still have some poems to pen.
   To get this all done, my only solution is,"Live to a hundred and ten."
   So, quoting James Joyce, in Ulysses, . . . writing in his fashion,
   I will "pass boldly to that other world, in the full glory of some passion."
   Yes, I will go up to heaven. One caveat only I hold:
   There must be music up there, or I'll stay - right here, and enjoy being old.

There also will be more birthdays to celebrate, such as my 91st, on Andrew's sailboat.

Left to right are our host, Andrew at the helm, Charles who brought his whole family from Quyon, Diana Bracegirdle, and then my dear friend, RCAF Squadron Leader Donald Harold Sidney Wright, Pilot, Aeronautical Engineer, seated facing me. On the bow waving are Matthew, Erica and Jennifer. Other family members were inside the cabin, and the photo was taken by Marjorie.

Good Night to my Children Now I lay me down to sleep, counting on tomorrow,
But if I don't awake do not be overcome with sorrow.
Help each other to recall the many happy ways,
That music, love, and laughter, have brightened all our days.
I believe that, though I'm gone, I still will be alive,
Through each of you, what we hold true will forever thrive.
   I gave you all the good advice I thought was worth the giving;
   And here's one more suggestion, to ensure your joy of living.
   Do what I have always tried to do, as you'll recall:
   Be the best you can be. That, and love, will conquer all. (RLD)
One evening, in my "saddle shoes & bobby socks" teens, I went with some friends to the Paramount Theatre on Broadway, N.Y., to hear Frank Sinatra sing. We sat in the front row, center, and as he left the stage, Sinatra smiled at me and tossed me his scarf. A few years later, on a similar occasion, he sang "I Did It My Way." It was as though the words were mine. Today, three quarters of a century later, this little space of the Internet which I claim for myself would not be complete without - - - click on it - - - wait for it - - - hear Pavarotti singing it with Frank - - -

I Did it My Way And now, the end is near, and soon I'll face, the final curtain.
My friends, I see it clear, I state my case, of which I'm certain.
I've lived, a life that's full; I travelled each, and every highway,
And more, much more than this, I did it my way.
Regrets, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention.
I did, what I had to do, and saw it through, without exemption.
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway,
And more, much more than this, I did it my way.
Yes there were times, I'm sure you knew, I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt, I'd eat it up and spit it out.
I faced it all, and I stood tall, and did it my way.
I have loved. I've laughed and cried. I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all is so amusing
To think I did all that, and may I say, not in a shy way.
Oh no, oh no, not me; I did it MY WAY!.
For what is man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels, and not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows - I took the blows, and did it my way!
Yes, it was my way
Songwriters: Shawn C. Carter, Paul Anka, Claude François, Giles Thibault -Lyrics � EMI Music Publishing,
Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CHRYSALIS MUSIC GROUP

"The Cape Breton Lullaby" by Kenneth Leslie Driftwood is burning blue, wild walk the wall shadows. Night winds go riding by, riding by the lochie meadows
On to the ring of day, flows Mira's stream singing; Cadil Gu La, laddie, la, laddie, sleep the stars away.
Far on Ben Brea's side wander the lost lambies, Here, there, everywhere, everywhere the troubled mammies
Find them and fold them deep, fold them to sleep, singing; Cadil Gu La, laddie, la, laddie, sleep the moon away.
Daddy is on the bay, he'll keep the pot brewing; keep all from tumblin' down, tumblin' down to rack an' ruin
Pray, Mary, send him home, safe from the foam singing; Cadil Gu La, laddie, la, laddie, sleep the dark away.
The melody is adapted from an old Scottish air. The lullaby first appeared in print in 1964 in "Songs of Nova Scotia" and first recorded by Catherine MacKinnon on "The Voice of an Angel."
For a lovely concert version, performed by the Peninsula Women's Chorus, Palo Alto, California. Click Here, and for the inspiring "Ryan's Fancy" recording, with pictures of Cape Breton, Click Here.
Here are some special Canadian Books you might also want to read - - -
"Prophecy on Ice"
Testament of a Survivor by Albert M. Jabara
In a world where many blame their wars on creed rather than greed, Albert Jabara offers light in his latest book; "Prophecy on Ice," 300 pages published 2012, by Mirath Publishing Inc., 373 Coventry Rd., Ottawa. Albert Jabara is a scholar who, since the age of 13, has dedicated all the time he could spare to his search for the truth. Now 65, states that he offered his life as collateral in the event that he should die before his mission is accomplished. Mr. Jabara is a poet-philosopher, author of seven books and a translation, and a freelance journalist. After working as a banker for twelve years, Jabara built three family businesses, managing a large staff of employees, and has raised a family of four. Through it all, this successful Canadian entrepreneur who immigrated from Lebanon as a child, has been ardently "searching for the truth." "Everywhere I looked," he says, "every time I picked my brain or picked other brains, every history file I flipped, every internet I surfed, I always ended up with incorrect information or no information at all, until October, 2010, when an unfortunate incident fell on me without notice or previous health history warning. "My heart decided there was no more fuel to accelerate it further. Stranded on a barrier line (Barzakh like) that separates life from death, I was rushed to the Heart Institute in Ottawa. "Submitting my whole self to Allah, I asked only for a short extension of life, to finish Prophecy On Ice, my latest book. I can't divulge more on this very personal experience, fearing my memory may not be 100% accurate. I want to save myself from committing the smallest sin. But following the successful heart procedure, I made a decision to read the Holy Qu'ran continuously until my time on earth expires." Jabara explains how this decision has affected his life: "First, fascination began with how the Holy Qu'ran was revealed: beautiful verses arranged perfectly; each word chosen for both meaning and sound; each line a lesson in wisdom; each chapter (surah) relating an era of a human species, blended with human stories. As I read these stories, I mentally and spiritually relived times and experienced events of these eras. Was there ever a book written from the time of our father and first prophet Adam, pbuh, to this day, that could connect your soul with your heart, and connect your mind with the rest of your body at the same time? As a poet, I relate to sounds, rhythms, beats, tunes, melodies and the slightest motion-sounds made by ants, flakes or winds. When I read the Holy Qu'ran, I find myself confronted with a new hearing, new pronunciation, new sense, new taste and smell." His latest book will not be his last, but may be his final prophecy as he continues actively along his chosen paths; business-man, manufacturer, family man and poet, still dreaming of a "Rainbow in Jerusalem skies" where Judaism, Christianity and Islam will fly their banners, together. That is his prophecy, and the book explains why it is now on ice. (rld)

"The Emperor's New Hydrogen Economy" by Darryl McMahon This book is a great read for the energy conscious person who is concerned with the environment and how ours and future generations will cope with our depleting fossil fuels. At present, McMahon believes that hydrogen is not the answer. He reviews the many ways that hydrogen can be produced.
McMahon points out that although hydrogen is an exceptional environmentally friendly fuel, it's production uses fossil fuels which contribute to global warming. Hydrogen is not viable at present but can be a very clean and efficient 'future fuel' when technology finds ways of manufacturing it using alternative energy sources.
With the world's fossil fuel supply quickly running out, the author uses the latter portion of the book to suggest ways of conserving energy. This section is for everyone who wants to use less energy and save money at the same time. (Review by Peter Bayfield)
Available at Perfect Books, 258 Elgin Street, Ottawa, and at: Chapters.Indigo.ca, BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com
"A Good Man's Life" by Wayne Kehl The "good man" is the father of this author, who calls the book fiction although it is entirely true. Knowing this, heightens the drama of the remarkable story of the protagonist, Jack MacDonald, who left the farm as a young lad and engaged in World War 2 which brought him face to face with other young men he had to kill for his own survival. As with that whole generation of young men, his "growing up" included the trauma that leaves permanent psychological scars.
Recognizing and recounting the profound goodness of his father, Kehl favours the reader with a loving assessment of a great Canadian who will be recognized as one of the many whose life-long heroism might otherwise have gone unheralded.
. That's what I love about this book; the author's open and easy way of engaging the reader in every nuance of the character's being - innocent and adventuresome on the farm, unswervingly devoted to duty in the army, brilliant and studiously attentive to the details of turning his post-war life over to the serious work of the business world, and above all, his loving gentleness with children and total commitment to his joyful, everloving, and resourceful wife.
This delightful narrative all comes to life through Wayne Kehl's home-spun prose and honest reporting of his father's remarkable life and times. Readers may recognize their own fathers in that generation of so many "good men," on the same jorurney.

A Good Man's Life by Wayne Kehl, - 215 pgs, Friesen Press, Victoria B.C.- 2010
Also available at Amazon.com; Barnes and Noble.com; Chapters, Indigo, Coles; as an ebook at Powells.com.

The "Manyberries" books, by Ron Wood There really is a small town called Manyberries, about an hour south of Medicine Hat, Alberta. Never set foot there myself, but Manyberries is where I am; in spirit. You will be there too, when you delve into one of these books.
Early in my life I became aware of the charm of small towns; where everybody knows your name and all that. Whenever I find myself navigating crowds in the great cities of the world, I hearken back to the less threatening places like Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, Lausane, Switzerland, St.Martin d'Uriage, France, Renfrew, Ontario and then, of course, Shawville, Quebec, where we chose to raise our children. And now it is Manyberries, vicariously through these engaging books by Ron Wood.
After years dealing with the highest level negotiations and intricacies of politics in Ottawa, he draws the reader into Manyberries. This is clearly his higher calling. In so few pages, you are one of them. Parliament seemed more colourful when Ron was in Ottawa, but avid readers and true appreciators of Canadian literature at its best will be happy to see this author stay in Alberta and write on about the town he has made famous. There are hearty laughs and crazy antics, and then there is this:
After Harry Charles passed away, we all decided without discussion, to make sure that his beloved Irene did not spend any days alone. We gave her a little time to grieve and mourn but after that she had visitors every day.
Despite the author's disclaimer, every line in both these books is true. This is how it really is, in Manyberries. (rld)
Meet Ron Wood, filmed at his first Book Launch. The book is available at Smithbooks, 56 Sparks Street, Ph 613-236-0637
And God Created Manyberries (2007) $15.96 ~ All Roads Lead to Manyberries (2010) $16.68 ~ Frontenac House Ltd.
For more good books you may have missed, see my original non-commercial collection of
"New Canadian Books and other good books, with Amazing Literary Links" on the Flora Communiy Web.

Local Heroes by Iris Winston in Business Week

The National Press Club of Canada Foundation
Fondation du cercle des journalistes du Canada

MEMBERS of the National Press Club of Canada Foundation are Canadians who write, report, record, announce, edit or publish news in newspapers, magazines and books, and on radio, television and film, and those who teach journalism.
ORIGINAL MISSION was to support press freedom, build excellence in journalism through Scholarships and Awards, work jointly on events with other press organizations, the ethnic press and the diplomatic community, and to provide a convenient place for members to meet.
The Club has been incorporated by Industry Canada as a Non-profit organisation to promote journalism, professional development, education and raise funds for scholarships.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP fee, renewable on or before April 1 in every calendar year, is $56.50 including tax. (Seniors and Students $11.10. Life Members pay no fee,)
EXECUTIVE: President: James Baxter, Vice President: Hugh Winsor, Secretary Lois Siegel, Treasurer: Phil Gibson,
DIRECTORS: Jorge Barrera, Roxanne Brousseau-Felio, Rosaleen Dickson, Diane Schmolka and Scott Taylor.
Past President: Honourable Sheila Copps,
Invaluable Service is also provided for the National Press Club by CNW Group, Serving the news media and allied professions, Flora Community Web, and National Capital Freenet. Meetings and Club events are held at the Sheraton Hotel, 150 Albert St., Ottawa
Directors meet on the second Tuesday every month except July and August.
All MEMBERS of the Club are welcome to attend meetings of Directors. The next meeting of the Board will be held at 5:30 PM, Tuesday, February 12, 2013, in the Board Room, second floor, at the Sheraton Hotel, 150 Albert Street, Ottawa.
Click here for the National Press Club as we used to be.
Click here for selections from the album of Ray Stone, a Past President.
Click here for the historical anecdotes about this Club in the random and sometimes hilarious recollections of the late John Ough, who was an illustrious member of the National Press Club of Canada 1961 - 2006. Johnny was a fighter pilot, Royal Navy 1945, Hydrographer Iraq 1947-52 India 1952-53, Canadian Hydrographic Arctic explorer 1953-1960, writer-producer Canadian National Film Board 1961-72, freelance journalist, audio-visual producer 1972-2009.
His "Ough-Zone (John Ough)" collection also includes Johnny's superb adventure, opinion and advice articles about everything from how to clean a contaminated carpet to his experiences on Hitler's yacht. You will be glad you went to the trouble of finding this document.

Why I bother? by Iris Wilson, in "Business Week." June 27, 2007
The mission occupying much of Mrs. Rosaleen Dickson's time these days is the development of the National Press Club of Canada Foundation - a matter of greater urgency since the bankrupt 80-year-old National Press Club closed its doors for the last time in May.
"I believe there should be a national press club in Canada, so I am on a very small committee that is trying to save it," says Mrs. Dickson, whose fellow committee members are Delta Media chief Tim Kane, who chairs the group, and Vice President Eed Murad. "A press club stands for the freedom, honesty and quality of the press. We are creating a whole new entity," Dickson explains. " And we're very anxious that it happens in the right way. And it will happen. I couldn't have stuck with it if I hadn't been sure of that from the start.
"The press club is known as a foundation because it has an educational aspect," she says. "We hope to liaise with the universities and Algonquin College, and deal with students of journalism, and with new people in journalism including new citizens, and people who care enough to uphold the highest standards of journalism."

SOME RECENT PRESS CLUB EVENTS: Thursday, April 12, invited by Carleton University Journalism Professor Dwayne Winseck,
Glenn Greenwald, (left) came Thursday, April 12, 2012, to St. Paul's University. Ottawa. Well-known author and civil rights activist, Greenwald is co-sponsored by Bill Owen, Eyestir Communications with support from the National Press Club of Canada Foundation (NPCCF) and Carleton University, School of Journalism and Communication.
Thursday, May 3 - National Press Club co-sponsored - PRESS FREEDOM DAY LUNCHEON, with the Canadian Committe for World Press Freedom, in the Panorama Room, National Arts Centre, Ottawa
"Press Freedom Day Luncheons" were originated by the late Spencer Moore, the mosst memorable, devoted, and hard working of all past presidents of the National Press Club of Canada, to honour Canadian journalists confronting threats to their free expression rights. International cartoonists whose work illustrates those rights are displayed. Moderator: Don Newman, former Parliamentary Editor, CBC News. Featured Panel on Free Expression Under Siege.
On the Board of the Canadian Committe for World Press Freedom are: President, James Baxter, Vice President Guy Badeaux, Secretary Charles Morrow, Treasurer Roy Christensen, Directors: Susan Allan, Bob Carty, Keelan Greene, Wayne Kines, Susan Korah, Rod Macdonell, Shawn McCarthy, Gordon McIntosh, Don Newman, David Rodier, Hugh Winsor.

Earlier local happenings of special interest.
Murray Brewster, Canadian Press Defense reporter, president of the Canadian Association. of Journalists (CAJ) National Capital Chapter has been proclaimed winner of the Ross Munro 2010 Award for defence reporting, CAJ (Ottawa) Past president Bill Curry, Parliament reporter, Globe & Mail, represents Ottawa at CAJ National office, Toronto. CAJ professional press events will include: "The Nature of News Today" and a "Multimedia Workshop".
5th annual National Press Club Iftar Dinner, Thursday, Aug. 26, attended by diplomats, journalists, and religious leaders, heard Professor Shafique Virani, Chairman of Historical Studies at Toronto University, deliver an inspiring, unambiguous and timely speech, fostering understanding between the West and the Muslim world.
Arab and Muslim Writers' Union launched August 30. Pres. Albert Jabara, author, poet, and businessman, urges members: "to be that human eye and human voice through which truth is revealed and falsehood exposed."
Guerilla at Media Club. September 20, Tony Martins, editor and creative director, presented his "Guerilla Magazine" at the National Archives and Library. "Guerilla is a quarterly publication about Ottawa at ground level, online and in print.

Public Première screening of David Chernushenko's thought-provoking, inspirational new film - "POWERFUL" - September 28, at Unitarian Church, Ottawa, including discussion with David Chernushenko.
"Taking action on postsecondary education for Aboriginal Canadians" Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation and Paul Davison, President, CEO, Association of Universities and Colleges, Canada, November 3, at National Press Club Newsmaker Breakfast in the Marriott Hotel.
The Tree Poetry series presented poems of Kenneth Leslie (1892-1974), in the Library Room, Ottawa Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave., Ottawa, on Thursday, evening, November 11. Leslie's poetry was read by three local poets Stephen Brockwell, Peter Richardson, and Zach Wells, whose collection "The Essential Kenneth Leslie" published by Porcupine's Quill, was available. The documentary film "God's Red Poet" by Envision Halifax producer, Chuck Lapp, was also shown. The photo, left, by John MacDonald, is of Zacharia Wells, author of the collection, talking it over with Rosaleen Leslie Dickson, daughter of the poet.
The National Press Club sponsored "Transforming Ontario's Economy" November. 25, an Infrastructure Forum at Carleton University, with guest sopeaker the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructures.
"Alternative Dispute Resolution That Works" and "Is Everyone at the Table - Life Lessons in Problem-Solving," by Ernest G. Tannis were launched November. 29, by the National Press Club, at the Dominion Chalmers Hall, with Dave Brown MC, and guest speaker Ottawa Police Chief Vern White (above right), with Patrick Meikle and Rosaleen Dickson. Tannis, local lawyer and peacemaker, seen at left with his wife, and Police Chief White, helped establish REACH and The Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution at St Pauls.
Afghan Ambassador Jawed Ludin. spoke on ."Afghanistan 2011 to 2014: Canada and the transition to Afghan-led security" at the Thursday, December 2, National Press Club Newsmaker Breakfast, introduced by Senator Pamela Wallin.
The McNaughton-Vanier Round-Table, Wednesday, January 19, 2011 about sources of information for government decision-making brought out high-profile scholars and military personnel to discuss how academic support might improve government decision making. "Would we have made the same decisions about Iraq and Afghanistan if we had known then what we know now? Might we have known more if we had engaged a wider academic community in the decision-making process? How will our government make the next big decisions about Sudan, the Arctic, or new terrorist threats?" This excellent event, elicited many thoughtful presentations led by Royal Military College personnel, Lt Gen Andrew Leslie and many others. My summary is: "When any person or group assumes responsibility to make decisions for others, such as when a government passes laws or enforces a course of action, they should avail themselves of, and then make use of, whatever pertinant information is available, from any and all sources." That's my take on the First McNaughton-Vanier Round-Table, looking forward to the next.

By their warmth, generosity, and talent, these colleagues live forever as components of the National Press Club during its long history. Norman Frank Pierre Gordon Percy Barbara Peter Dalton Peter Brian

Ali Bill    Charles Spencer Russ Dick Larry    George Tom
If their full names have slipped your memory, click on their photos.

A Brief History of the National Press Club of Canada by Rosaleen Dickson The National Press Club of Canada was established in 1928, by Francis Rowse of The Ottawa Journal and Guy Rhoades of The Ottawa Citizen who posted a notice at the Journal, the Citizen, Le Droit and in the Canadian Press office, inviting local editors and reporters to gather at the city police courtroom and discuss finding a special place for fellow journalists to rendezvous and talk shop. Twenty men came to the meeting and organized a small committee to establish a Press Club.
Subsequent meetings took place at the Ottawa House Hotel in Hull, and we held a "First Annual Press Club Ball" at the Chateau Laurier. In 1953, Jack Snow, provided temporary quarters, rent-free, above his Sparks Street jewelry store, where the Press Club was officially opened by His Excellency the Rt. Hon. Governor General Vincent Massey, and attended by Federal, Provincial and Municipal officials and other dignitaries.
On September 11, 1961, the Province of Ontario granted us a charter as "The National Press Club Canada" and in the following year, His Excellency the Rt. Hon. Governor General Georges P. Vanier presided over the opening ceremonies in the Connaught Restaurant on Elgin Street. Five years later we moved into the" Press Building" across from Parliament Hill.
As was the case with many press clubs at the time, women were welcome, but could not join the Press Club. but in May, 1970, the National Press Club of Canada changed this outdated policy, and let the ladies join. The much older "Canadian Women's Press Club" established in 1904, changed its name to "The Media Club" and includes men.
Over the years, the NPC was the social home for distinguished journalists, the venue of historical events, and as Canada's press evolved, so did The Press Club. After several months of renovations in 1990, the Club was reopened by His Excellency the Rt. Hon. Ramon Hnatyshyn.
Membership was broadened to include other communications industries, and our excellent catering facilities were made available to the public for private functions requiring dining rooms, lounges and bars and a full-time office and kitchen staff. This revered Canadian institution became engulfed in irreconcilable financial circumstances, and finally had to declare bankruptcy, wind down, and eventually dissolve into less than a shadow of it's early hopes and expectations.
When we were required to vacate our space in the Press Building, said to be needed for Parliamentary purposes, we moved into the Sheraton, one of Ottawa's most prestigious hotels. While this voluntary action was taking place, three concerned members formed a transition committee to establish the current National Ptess Club of Canada Foundation, with the support of the extraordinary goodwill created by the Club's time-honoured role in media, networking, education and promotion of iocal issues of the day.
Many of our members, including the "Nellies" and the "Flagons," abandoned the club and some of them continue to gather occasionally in pubs around town, to reminisce about the good old Press Club days. Meanwhile, our Canada-wide Scholarships Program, evolves as a valuable Press-conscious initiative. With the support of generous sponsors, we have built a strong program to assist worthy journalism students in the years to come.
The National Press Club of Canada, Foundation has co-sponsored events with the Ottawa Diplomatic Organization, the Media Club of Ottawa, the Canadian Association of Journalists, Carleton University, and other active associates. The intention of the three founding members of the Foundation, Timothy Michael Kane, Ahmad Eed Murad, and Rosaleen Leslie Dickson, was also to support the Press Club's original mission. In 2008, we celebrated the Press Club's 80th anniversary with the ambitious motto: "looking back on a rich history, while keeping a firm eye on the future."
National Press Club information has always been available on this Web site and will remain here as long as it lasts.
I urge all who value responsible, ethical journalism, to join the National Press Club and take an active role in its revival. It is written in our Constitution that "any member may attend any meeting of directors," and also that "extra meetings may be called when necessary, by the President, or Vice President, at the request of any Director." Our membership fee is now minimal, and if the press in Canada is part of your life, this Press Club needs you. (Rosaleen Leslie Dickson )

National Press Club of Canada Foundation Constitution
Latest revision: February 1, 2007.
Article I - Name The name of this organization shall be National Press Club of Canada Foundation - Fondation du cercle des journalistes du Canada, . . . . hereinafter referred to as the Foundation
Article II - Purpose The purpose of this organization shall be:
To encourage, promote and improve the quality of journalism in Canada through the following actions: Promote dialogue on media, political, scientific and social issues of the day. Offer educational scholarships for the study of journalism and business communications. Encourage cross-cultural understanding through engagement with ethnic media and foreign embassies and High Commissions. Promote freedom of the press. Deliver educational programs on ethics and integrity. Offer mentors for students of journalism. Promote alternative dispute resolution principles. Recognize leadership in Canadian journalism. And to provide a comfortable, convenient and friendly meeting place for local and visiting journalists.
Article III - Membership Membership in the National Press Club of Canada Foundation, with all its privileges, shall be payable on or before April 1 in every calendar year. Annual membership is $50 plus tax. To join the Club, send name, address, current employer (if any), email, and phone, with cheque for $56.50, payable to "National Press Club of Canada"- to treasurer, Aleth Ottum, 1223 Walkley Rd, Ottawa, ON K1V 6P9, or use PayPal.
The Directors of the Foundation may award Life Memberships to members who have rendered extraordinary service to the Foundation.
Article IV - Officers and Committees Officers The officers of the Foundation shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer.
Directors The Directors of the Foundation shall consist of up to 15 persons, comprising the aforementioned officers, plus 11 members, at least one of whom should represent each of the categories of members.
President The president shall preside at all general meetings and Directors meetings, and shall appoint all chairpersons of committees.
Vice-president The vice-president shall act for the president with full powers of the president whenever the president is not able to act. In the absence of both these officers from a meeting, the executive may appoint a chairperson from among its members present.
Secretary The secretary shall keep minutes of all general meetings and Directors' meetings. Such minutes shall be posted in the Foundation premises.
Treasurer: The treasurer shall be the principal financial officer of the Foundation, and chairperson of the finance committee.
Committees: Committees will be recruited from among members. Committee chairs will be appointed from among the Directors. There shall be a small Membership Committee to receive applications for membership, prepare all the information needed if any is omitted, and present the applications to the Directors at the earliest meeting, and notify the new member of his acceptance.
Other Committees: Fund raising , Scholarships, Charles Lynch Awards, Nominating, House, Professional Events, Educational Projects, Multicultural Outreach, Press Freedom Contests, Social and Seasonal Events. Other committees to be added if, as and when needed.
Article V - Meetings The annual general meeting of the Foundation shall be held within two weeks of March 31 at the call of the president or secretary
Permissive Calling of Meeting
The president or secretary may call a general meeting at any time for the transaction of business requiring the action of a general meeting, and shall give notice of not less than 14 days before the convening of such a meeting.
Mandatory Calling of Meeting
The president shall call a general meeting within 14 days of receipt by the secretary of a written request for such a meeting signed by not less than 50 members in good standing. Such written request shall state the reason for calling a meeting, and the meeting shall be held within six week (42 days) of it being called.
All members of the Foundation in good standing shall be eligible to vote at a general meeting.
Quorum
A quorum for transaction of business at any general meeting shall not be fewer than four (4) members present who are qualified to vote at such a meeting.
Directors' Powers
The Directors shall be the governing body of the Foundation and shall have power to enact by-laws for the management of the Foundation's business, consistent with provisions of this constitution. It shall adopt rules for its own procedure and the conduct of members of the Foundation, and shall act as trustees of the Foundation and its property.
Signing Officers
The president and treasurer, and other Directors designated by the president shall sign for withdrawal of funds deposited to the Foundation's account, in accordance with customary banking practice. These "signing officers" shall be authorized by the Directors to execute on behalf of the Foundation under its corporate seal, all necessary deeds, mortgages, leases, contracts, and other documents necessary for the transaction of the Foundation's business.
Executive Director
The Directors shall appoint an executive director who shall be engaged under conditions set by them. The executive director shall assist the officers, the Directors, and the committees of the Foundation as directed by the Directors. The executive director shall supervise all employees of the Foundation, as directed by the Directors, and shall make a report to each regular meeting of the Directors. - The executive director or the secretary upon authorization of the membership committee shall issue to each paid-up member annually a membership card which shall constitute official receipt for a membership fee paid during the year for which it is issued, unless otherwise requested. Such membership card shall serve as a certificate of membership, which must be produced to obtain membership benefits.
Monthly Meetings
The Directors shall meet monthly, at a regular time and place, except during the months of July and August when meetings may be held at the discretion of the president. A quorum of the executive (pres, vpres, sec, treas) for meetings shall be three (3). Extra meetings may be called when necessary, by the President, or Vice President, at the request of any Director. Any member may attend any meeting of directors.
Article VI - Decision Making Process
Rules of Canadian parliamentary procedure shall apply at all meetings.
Article VII - Fees Annual membership fees and charges for Foundation services may be redefined by the Directors in accordance with the powers invested in them by the annual general meeting.
Banking All funds shall be deposited in a chartered Canadian bank, as decided by the Directors. Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Foundation shall start on the first day of January each year, and shall expire on the last day of December next ensuing.
Auditor An auditor shall be appointed by a majority vote of the qualified members attending the annual general meeting. Through the treasurer, or the executive director, the auditor shall make regular reports to the Directors and to the annual general meeting of the Foundation.
Article VIII - Nominations and Elections
Nominations to the Board will be made by the Nominating Committee to the Board. The nominations will be voted on by the Board and with that approval nominees would be invited to join the Board.
Article IX - General
Every by-law and every repeal, amendment, modification or variation thereof, unless in the meantime confirmed at a general meeting duly called for that purpose, shall have force only until the next annual meeting of the Corporation and in default of confirmation thereat shall from that time cease to have force, and in that case no new by-law or regulation thereof shall have any force until confirmed at a general meeting of the corporation" and Such by-laws, regulations, amendments, modification and variations shall replace, exclude and modify the regulations set out in form 4 in the Schedule to the Companies act, save that in any matters covered by such regulations or amendments, the regulations and provisions of the said form 4 shall apply and be in force, but all such matters which, after the passing of the Corporation's first by-laws and regulations, may be left to be governed by such form 4, may be varied, amended, excluded or modified by any by-laws or regulations.
Article X - Amendments
Any amendment to this constitution shall become effective only when endorsed by a two thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors comprising a quorum at a general meeting consistent with all provisions elsewhere in this constitution. Proposals to amend the constitution must be made available and posted for the information of the Directors at least 30 days before the convening of a general meeting.

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Exerpts from one Press Club member's open letter to those in charge of space in the Parliamentary Precinct, urging the House of Commons to allow all journalists access to the parliamentary press gallery.
Honourable Representatives:
Re: Request for compliance by Canada with the United Nations Human Rights Committee 1999 Views to provide access to the House of Commons parliamentary press gallery services without membership in the private corporation, Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery Inc.
1. When television was introduced in Canada in the early 1950s, TV journalists were denied access to the parliamentary press gallery "because they were not members of the press," according to the clique who runs these publicly funded services provided by the House of Commons for the media.
The Hon. Roland Michener, who was Speaker of the House of Commons at the time, invited the CBC TV reporters to sit in the Speaker's Gallery to report on Parliament. Eventually, after 2 years of wrangling, he was able to persuade the press gallery clique to stop the foolishness and the TV journalists were provided equal access to the House of Commons parliamentary press gallery services and facilities.
2. There is a matter of unfinished business that needs to be concluded properly and in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution Acts 1867 to 1982 that provide for freedom of expression (the right to seek, receive and impart information), equality before the law, freedom of association and, the right to participate in the political process as a Canadian citizen.
The unfinished business . . . pertains, in particular, to UN HRC Case No. 633/1995 finding a violation of freedom of expression by Canada and to provide a remedy.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, the Hon. Peter Milliken, was requested to comply, in particular, with the 1999 Views of the United Nations Human Rights Committee and provide equal access for The National Capital News Canada, established in 1982, to the House of Commons parliamentary press gallery facilities and services without the prior condition (restraint) of membership in a private corporation, the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery Inc.
3. Request to provide fair, equal and full access to the House of Commons parliamentary press gallery facilities and services without further delay. This violation by Canada of the fundamental right of freedom of expression defined as the right to seek, receive and impart information without interference, is deemed of sufficient importance to have been included by the United Nations in Selected Decisions of the Human Rights Committee 633/1995 published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations, New York and Geneva.
The Speaker of the House of Commons who funds and staffs the publicly funded parliamentary press gallery facilities and services continues to be in violation of Article 19, refusing to provide an Appeal Hearing.
4. Provide remedy before next election
Speaker Milliken is requested to provide fair, equal and full access to the House of Commons parliamentary press gallery facilities and services without further delay and not pass this problem on to his successor and to all future Parliamentarians to restore this right that was illegally revoked without cause and without due process. This Speaker's claim that the ruling of Canada's violation of Article 19 by the United Nations Human Rights Committee as read in 1999 by the then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, before the Annual General Assembly of the United Nations is "not binding on Canada" or that "Parliamentary Privilege" places Canada beyond the Rule of Law, undermines the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
5. Any law (ruling) that overrides a provision of the Canadian Constitution Acts, the supreme law of the land, is of no force or effect. Speaker Milliken was requested (by the undersigned) to correct this infringement of the fundamental right of a Canadian citizen without further delay.
6. The UN, as was The League of Nations, can only be as effective as the good faith of its members to honour commitments. All Canadian Parliamentarians should be leading the way by example respecting the Rule of Law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for all Canadians, insisting that Canada comply with the 1999 UN Human Rights Committee ruling without further delay.
Thank you for your consideration,
Robert G. Gauthier, Proprietor, The National Capital News Canada - Le journal de la capitale canadienne, 174 Bank St., rpo 71035, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K2P 2L9
robertggauthier@aol.com 613-276-8788
The National Press Club has no power over what members think, write, or broadcast, but open discussions at regular meetings with experts in matters that are crucial would be of great value. The "power of the press" is not an idle expression. This is why I advocated holding regular meetings of the Executive, Directors and Advisors, and all Members who wish to attend. You can read all about a threat to Jasper Park here. All our members may not agree to take action on these issues, but bringing these matters to open discussion and public debate could be of great value. This is a major reason for having a National Press Club whose Directors and whose Members meet regularly . "Knowledge is strength." (rld)