Laurie's first newsletter

First Newsletter for NTCI Class of 1968 

50^th Anniversary Reunion

Friday May 4^th & Saturday May 5^th, 2018

EVENTS  SCHEDULE 

We could only just recently set the date and finalize the activities for our class reunion next year. The format will be almost identical to our successful reunion three years ago. We will have the main event at the school on Friday May 4^th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.  We might again ask classmates to bring food but will order pizza and soft drinks.  Instead of a draw we will likely charge $15 a person. No speeches other than a welcome and Thank You’s as it will be time to mingle and catch up on the lives of our fellow classmates. 

Those who want to attend Maytime Melodies may make their own arrangements with the school music department to obtain tickets, or they can head over to Bill and Cathy Humber’s house at 30 Maxwell Avenue a short 10 minute walk away to keep the party going.  Bill and Cathy will graciously supply more food but it is B.Y.O.B. just like university days.  That party will go long into the night. There will be a lot of tales from the good old days and many of the world’s problems will be solved.

For those who can make it up in the morning Doug Campbell will again give a guided walking tour Saturday morning of historical North Toronto.

This time on Saturday afternoon if you still have not had enough of each other we are renting the Safari Room at the Safari Bar and Grill, 174 9 Avenue Road, which is just a few blocks north of Lawrence Avenue. This get together will run from 2:00pm until 5:00pm. We will munch on appetizers and keep the conversations going until supper time, at which time if you still have not had enough we can, as at the last reunion, go in groups  to local restaurants or make your own plans. The cost of the Safari room is just $20 a person which will get you a lot of appetizers. 

CONFIRMATIONS

To be able to order the food we will need to know what our numbers are for Friday evening (both for the school event and Bill and Cathy Humber’s party). Numbers need to be confirmed a week before though the sooner the better.  For the Safari Room they need a month’s notice. Just a simple email right now to me lauriepascoe@gmail.com saying which events you and/or your spouse will attend is good enough.  We will get back to you later about paying.

BIOGRAPHIES/NEWS 

Our blog/web site is still maintained in England by Bill Schabas and can be found at http://ntci68.blogspot.ca/?zx=bbbb5ceb75851e64 It continues to hold the biographies classmates wrote for our last reunion, and new ones will be added. New ones will also be published in my newsletters as I receive them. Those who want to update their last biography if they won the Nobel prize since 2014 may do so.  Also I’ll print any small announcements people would like to make of significant achievements, like the fact David Coombs published a novel “The Beckoning Land”. Information about purchasing and good reviews can be found at http://www.lulu.com/ca/en/shop/david-coombs/the-beckoning-land/paperback/product-22195518.html  I am enjoying it!  There will be an English test on it at the reunion so better buy it and read it now.  Mike Guinness had the honour of being inducted into the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame. Read more about that at http://varsityblues.ca/hof.as px?hof=286&path=&kiosk.  Those are just two noteworthy achievements I know of. Please advise me of others. Unfortunately as well as biographies I am also publishing obituaries.  As you will read, sadly a few attendees at our last reunion that I know of have passed away.

FINDING  CLASSMATES 

The biggest challenge of holding a 50th anniversary reunion is finding people. Here I could REALLY use everyone’s help PLEASE.  We did not find over ½ the graduating class to tell them about the 2014 reunion.  For this reunion l have added to the attached data base anyone who was ever in our class whether they graduated in 1968 or not.  Last time though we made it clear the reunion was open to anyone who was in our class for any one year at the school, we only really looked for those that graduated. Several people who did not graduate with us heard about the event and attended.  I am told by the NTCI Alumni Association that many active alumni did not graduate but still belong to the Alumni Association.

So please if you recognize a name on the attached database that does NOT have an email address associated with it, and you know their email address, firstly please send them this newsletter, and secondly please send me their email address. Then thirdly spend time on Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Classmates and Canad411 looking for that old flame, friend, person you had a crush on, hated or even a stranger. They are out there wanting to be found. The more people attending the better the reunion will be. 

The database shows what years people attended, whether we found them, whether there is bio and has places to state which events they will be going to, which I hope will be filled in as we progress. 

TESTIMONIALS 

After the last reunion members of the organizing committee and I received several positive feedback letters about the reunion.  A main theme was how people approached the reunion with some trepidation but had a great time and there have been renewals of old friendships. 

I will republish articles we had about why you should attend your high school reunion in a later newsletter (on the web site but for now can you send me your brief thoughts why one should come to the reunion – one sentence is enough. We want to persuade many who knew about the first reunion but chose not to attend to do so this time, and also persuade first timers it is a great life-changing-bucket-list-must-do event not to be missed or they will regret it for the rest of their lives (ok may have oversold it a little J) 

BLOG/ WEBSITE

As stated above Bill Schabas is still maintaining a great blog/website which has everyone’s bio received so far, with many pictures and articles and all my old newsletters great for falling asleep at night.  

It can be found at   http://ntci68.blogspot.ca/?zx=bbbb5ceb75851e64

OBITUARIES 

Unfortunately these classmates and teacher have passed away.

Margaret Ann Lowenberg (Galbraith)

Margaret Ann Lowenberg February 22, 1950 - January 15, 2016 We lost our beloved Margaret Ann Lowenberg (Galbraith) to cancer on Friday, January 15th at the age of 65. Ann is survived by her loving husband, Dave, children Brent and Lauralea Lowenberg, sister Marilyn (Joe) Murphy, sister-in-law Wendy Galbraith, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a legion of colleagues and friends who will miss her always. Ann is predeceased by her parents Mildred and Clarence Galbraith, her brother Ian Galbraith, and her nephew Jason Wilson. Formerly of Toronto, Ontario. Ann finished her schooling in Calgary, Alberta and has lived there ever since. A dedicated employee, she worked for Parlee McLaws for 35.5 years as a paralegal.

Though we grieve at her death we rejoice in her strong spirit, infectious optimism and brilliant mind. Though our hearts break at her passing, we will always smile in happy remembrance of her. We will carry the joy of her kindness, love and friendship, and her irresistible smile and laughter. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/calgaryherald/obituary.aspx?pid=177418206#sthash.LleKIJyb.dpuf

Michael Dragomir Pasic

March 20, 2015 by morleybedford

It is with immense sadness that we announce Michael’s sudden passing at Toronto General Hospital on March 17th 2015, in his 65th year, with his family by his side. Devoted husband of Sandi, loving father of Nik (Ryan) and Katie (Jocelyn), cherished brother to Catherine (Bill), uncle to Lisa (Phil) and David (Jack), son of the late Nikola Pasic, great-grandson of Nikola Pachitch and survived by his mother Choupie. Michael was born in London, England and moved to Canada at age five. He lived and attended school in North Toronto and relocated to Oakville to raise his family. He was widely respected by colleagues and clients at Sharp Electronics for his tireless work ethic and dedication. Michael loved photography, live theatre and tinkering with any and all electronics. He was always just a phone call away for family and friends, and happily spent hours helping us with problems. He will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank the doctors at OTMH, Trillium Hospital and TGH for their valiant efforts and compassion. Friends may call at the Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Avenue West (two stop lights west of Yonge Street) on Sunday March 22nd, from 4-7 pm. Service will be held in the chapel on Monday March 23rd at 11 am. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to the UHN – Peter Munk Cardiac Centre are greatly appreciated.

DAVID ROLFE McCULLOUGH 

Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday, December 29, 2014 at North York General Hospital. David was a man who spent a lifetime dedicated to his family and his many friends. He was compassionate, competitive, funny, bright and in all ways a man of integrity. He was also a man who met every challenge with a positive attitude, dignity and grace. His legacy lives on through his beloved and devoted wife Paula, loving daughter Robyn and adored grandchildren Alexandra and William, his son-in-law Steven, his dear sister Diane, his thoughtful nieces Mary and Sarah and his wide circle of wonderful friends. David was born and raised in Toronto to Stan and Helen McCullough. He was a graduate of Victoria College at the University of Toronto, where he studied Geography, played Football for the Varsity Blues and was a proud member of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity, Toronto Chapter. He began his professional career at North Toronto Collegiate and worked in many roles for the school board, the majority of his career spent as Principal of several secondary schools in Toronto. He was known by many as an exemplary leader who was deeply dedicated to his staff and students. In addition to family and friends, David was committed and passionate about two things: golf and bridge. He was a fixture at the 7 a.m. tee slot and was the convener of Tuesday Night Mixed Duplicate Bridge at Rosedale Golf Club, his home away from home. Upon reflection, David's greatest joys came from the people he encountered throughout his 73 great years of life. The sentiments of love, admiration and respect from all the lives he touched gave him full knowledge that his life had been truly meaningful. His optimistic outlook on life became an example for us all. His love will continue on in our hearts and his memory will guide and inspire us forever; he will be profoundly missed. The family would like to thank David's general practitioner, Dr. Wintemute, his urologist, Dr. Noakes and his oncologist, Dr. Robson; your professionalism and compassion were immeasurably helpful. To Margarita who cared for us all and the entire Palliative Care Team at North York General Hospital, our immense gratitude for your stellar work. Thank you as well to all of the family and friends who visited, called, wrote and shared such kind words over these challenging months and to the members and staff at Rosedale that honoured and memorialized David by naming a trophy in his honour. A private cremation has taken place and as per David's wishes, there will be no funeral. A Celebration of Life is being planned for Spring 2015. David's memory is best honoured by giving a hug to someone who needs one or to a charity of your choice. Thank you my darling husband for the last 35 years of love and laughter. Your grandchildren can see you in the sky; Shine on bright star.

Published in the Toronto Star on Jan. 3, 2015

BIOGRAPHIES 

Fred Evans 

Following graduation from NTCI I worked for one year at the TD Bank at Yonge and Teddington Park and at the little branch in the Eglinton subway station.  Then I was off to the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph where I became one of the “Bloor Street Aggies”.  I graduated with a degree in Agricultural Economics and Business and joined Cargill Grain Company Ltd. in Winnipeg.  While in Winnipeg I became a grain merchant and held a seat on the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange.  This was a wonderful introduction to the fast-paced world of international grain trading.  One and one half years later I was off to Moose Jaw to get some primary purchasing experience at the grass roots level.  It was my responsibility to market the grain sourced by the 27 country elevators in southern Saskatchewan owned by Cargill.  Fortunately, I had bought a horse while in Winnipeg so I was able to keep occupied in my spare time training him for Moose Jaw is not the most exciting place to be a single 25 year old man.  The following year I was transferred to Talbotville Ontario to become the Asst. Manager of the Urlin Grain Co., which Cargill had just purchased.  Of course, I brought my horse with me who was becoming an accomplished jumper.

At the same time that I was working in Talbotville, Merrill Lynch opened an office in London and was seeking to hire Commodity Futures brokers.  I had enjoyed my time on the Winnipeg Grain Exchange and I viewed this as an excellent opportunity to continue to participate in the markets.  I specialized in agricultural hedging / risk management and began, what turned out to be, an 18 year career.  I spent six years with Merrill before moving to McLeod Young Weir, later to become ScotiaMcLeod.  I built my client book up to 150 individuals and corporations, the most notable being Labatts.  All my clients were trading corn, soybeans, wheat and hedging their Canadian Dollar exposure.  I should note that during this time I had the opportunity to attend an Investment Dealers Association meeting in London with the guest speaker our classmate Tim Miller.  Tim, by then, was the top Account Executive (stock broker) for Wood Gundy in Toronto and may very well have been the number one broker in all of Canada.   What a shame he passed at such a young age.  

In 1995 one of my clients, Hensall District Co-Operative, was seeking a manager for their grain trading department and I considered that it was time to make the switch.  Futures trading is exciting but also very exhausting and I was ready to slow down, somewhat.  The next phase of my career saw me trading and hedging the grain that the farmers delivered to the Co-Op.  As well, I was acting as an advisor for the farmer customers, developing personalized marketing plans, writing articles for the farm press and speaking on a weekly farm radio program.  

By this time, my first horse was retired from competition but I had purchased some others so I  stayed active in the sport.  My wife Anne, who is a high school teacher, and I were living on a 50 acre farm at Denfield, northwest of London. We have since moved to another 50 acre farm north of Kerwood, about half way between London and Sarnia.   

In 2005 the ethanol boom was underway and I was approached by Greenfield Ethanol to develop a corn procurement program for them and co-ordinate the company’s hedging program.  The company was in an aggressive expansion mode when the ethanol bubble burst in 2008.  The plans for the new plants were shelved and the decision was made to close the London office and co-ordinate the corn buying and hedging from downtown Toronto.  I was made redundant.  That same month my wife was diagnosed with stage IV non-Hodgson’s Lymphoma so it was actually a blessing that I could be home to care for her and take her to the cancer clinic for her chemo treatments.  I am thrilled to report that this August Anne will be five years clear of cancer.  I am back at Hensall Co-Op in the grain marketing department talking with and providing marketing advice to farmers.

My passion for horses continues though I no longer compete in competitions myself.  I made the decision to get into the breeding end of the business and bought a lovely Thoroughbred broodmare, who produced a very nice filly, just months before Dalton McGuinty ruined the racehorse industry in Ontario.  Not sure what I will do with her at this time. Last year I re-bred the mare to a Hanovarian stallion who has produced animals that have represented Canada in international competitions. Just last Saturday, May 31, she gave birth to a beautiful filly.  

Finally, Mr. Hill would be pleased to know that I have continued with my vocal music as I sing in my church choir.  The highlight with my singing was a trip my choir made to England in 2005 where we sang at four different cathedrals in the East Anglia region of the country.  It was a wonderful experience and I was in awe of the architecture of the cathedrals.  

I want to thank Laurie Pascoe and the others who helped to make the reunion a truly successful event.  It was a great time seeing everyone and reliving old memories. 

Laurie's Fourteenth Newsletter

Newsletter 14 May 20th , 2014 Dear Fellow Classmates, It is hard to believe that the reunion weekend has come and gone. Judging by emails received by committee members, the reunion was a great success. I received a number of emails from people who were skeptical and almost did not attend but came and had a great time. Many said it exceeded their expectations. One person actually read my greetings in the reunion booklet (it is the first page of the booklet) and realized, as I did, that though many of us only had only a small number of friends, we had a lot of interesting people in our class we previously did not know, with whom we shared a common interest in and therefore would have a great time getting to know. There is talk of another reunion though the timing has to be decided. Some say it should be in two years because they had such a good time they miss each other already; others say three years, because two years is too soon;  others say four years because that will  then be 50 years from when we graduated   Others say five years because that is when the majority of us turn 70 and still others say 6 years because that is when we will finish eating the left over pizza and desserts.  Personally I vote for four years.  I will keep the database going (and hopefully growing) and Bill Schabas will continue administering the blog. No matter when the next reunion is, everyone can start looking now for the 120 classmates we did not find for this reunion.   But there is still a lot of unfinished business with this reunion, which is discussed in this newsletter. Janet Toppin Swann’s slide show is now posted to www.youtube.com,  some pictures are on line and I am reprinting the speeches,  all so those who could not attend the reunion can see what it was like and those that were there can relive the moments.   But first some bios which are still being accepted ( and expected ) though not sure when they will be printed in a newsletter. BIOS I must again apologize to Lesley Jo Gross for inadvertently not having her bio in a newsletter or the Bio Booklet though I had it on the blog. So here is her bio along with Les Tabor’s who was a last minute submission ( the day of the reunion) and  he was a last minute show to the reunion, but he had a great time .  I am sorry to advise that one of our classmates, Jeff Plewman just recently passed away.  Please print out the bios and add them to your Bio booklet which I assume is sitting on your coffee table for all your friends and family to read. Lesley  Gross (Binstock Offman ) Let me start by saying that I really loved my five years at NTCI. I thought it was a great school, with a terrific mix of students. After getting unconditional acceptance to U of T and York, I decided to go to Western, which would not grant me automatic acceptance because I failed 1st term grade 12 math. This despite the fact that I had applied to study English and Journalism! At the reunion in 2012, many of you mentioned that you remembered me going steady   ( when was the last time you heard that expression?) during high school. We broke up in grade 12, and I then started dating Morley Binstock, who I knew from Oriole Park Public School. In 1969, I left Western, married Morley, and enrolled in a Fashion Arts course, hoping to eventually become a Fashion journalist. After graduation, I worked for several years for Dylex and Town and Country. And, as well, started volunteering at the Elizabeth Fry Society, which helps women in trouble with the law. (Do any of you remember the fact that my father was one of only three Jewish Mounties during the war?) I spent 8 years as a volunteer there, the last 3 years as their youngest Board member. Because of my involvement, I enrolled in a criminology course at U of T. Morley and I had three sons. After the first was born in 1975, I fell into a wonderful life balance that I called - a little wifeing, a little mothering, a little (very little) housekeeping, a little working, and a little charity work. All together they kept me very happily busy until 1991. After twenty-one and-a-half years of marriage, Morley died of cancer at the age of 43. Our children were 8, 11, and 15. For the sake of my children, I was determined not to succumb to the overwhelming grief I was feeling. I didn't want them to feel they had lost both parents. As many of you know, you don't "get over" great loss, you just get used to your new reality, and with time, that is what happened. In 1994 I married Allan Offman. At that time he had a married daughter and an unmarried son. We have now been married over 19 years, and in that time my step son married, as did my eldest son. Between 1998 and 2012 we have been blessed with 5 grandchildren. My 2 youngest sons, 34 and 31, are still unmarried, but the youngest is in a serious relationship. Here's hoping! Although I have had a variety of interesting jobs, and co-owned two businesses, other than family and friendships, the most rewarding endeavours in my life have come from the many volunteer and board positions I have held in a variety of charities and institutions. Through these organizations I have met many people I would otherwise have never known, and travelled to places I may never have been, including many cities across Canada, the United States, Israel, Russia and China. Both my personal growth and values have been shaped and molded by these experiences.  In closing I want to mention my dear friend Marsha Kagan (Storm). We met in 1956 on the first day of grade 2 at Oriole Park Public School, and spent 2 years at NTCI together, before she moved at the end of grade 10. Our friendship continues to this day. She and I will be attending all the reunion events together. Looking forward to seeing everyone in May. We have at least 5 years of memories to share.  Les Tabor Sorry about the timing but today as back in 68 I was always a pro at procrastinating.  So here goes--- Thanks to the guidance teacher at NT(I think his name was Mr. Morton but I could be hallucinating) he said best opportunities were either computers or polymers(plastics).   So having chosen polymers, U of T lied to me as they never offered the proposed polymer course so Ryerson got me. Like someone else wrote in his bio, cards, table tennis (yes competitive ping pong) & the Imperial pub saw far too much of me.  On graduating I started as assistant chemist at Toronto's largest toy company. In  6yrs I went through  chief chemist etc  until I was manager responsible for 300+ people making rubber duckies etc.  As proud as I was with my 6 year progress I found out from sales guys calling on me that I was working my tail off for less money than these junior sales flunkies were making. When one of my suppliers approached me to offer a sales job I jumped at the opportunity. This was Canada Colors & Chemicals (the largest Canadian  owned chemicals/plastics distributor).   So I sold plastics, the raw material to all plastic companies throughout Canada for the manufacturing of auto parts, house siding, food containers, garbage bags etc etc.  After a few other positions & 35yrs I retired in 2007 as sales manager  & now spend my time golfing, curling & travelling with Karen my wife for 35-40yrs (god I hope she doesn't see this).   ps1--Yup we decided to be kidless (but you never know, we may change our minds) And yes we still live in Toronto  near 401 & Yonge.  ps2--If you're golfing at Royal Woodbine(near airport) move your butt as the mean marshal there could be me. Jeff Plewman Jeff Plewman was only in our class in our graduating year. He was a successful musician known as Nash the Flash. I could not find contact information to invite him to the reunion but I did have a bio for him with links to his very interesting web site. But now would like to print part of what was written about him when he passed away. “Jeff Plewman, the musician behind the experimental rock persona Nash the Slash and the band FM, has died at age 66. Nash the Slash was a mainstay in Toronto live music clubs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He was known internationally after a world tour with Gary Numan and Iggy Pop and had opened up for the Who. Before performing as Nash the Slash, Plewman played in the prog-rock band FM in the 1970s. Nash the Slash appeared on stage in a black tuxedo, top hat, dark sunglasses and wrapped in bandages. It would become his signature look. His bandaged appearance from 1979 onward prompted many questions about his mysterious identity. He started the independent record label Cut-Throat Records, which he used to release his own music. Among his albums was Decomposing, which he claimed could be listened to at any speed, and Bedside Companion, which he said was the first record out of Toronto to use a drum machine. His biggest hit was Dead Man's Curve, a cover of a Jan and Dean song. “ REUNION WEEKEND MAY 2,3  2014 Reunion Booklet http://www.mediafire.com/view/fggt17g4jk6h23k/Reunion_Handout_.pdf is a copy on the blog of the Reunion Booklet handed out to those who attended the reunion.  It contains greeting from myself, the principal of N.T.C.I. and the co-chair of the North Toronto Foundation, as well as an updated list of who attended, maps to the house parties and the words to the school song. Janet Toppin Swann’s Slide show You can  find Janet Toppin Swann’s excellent slide show that ran through out Memory Mingle by going  to www.youtube.com and search NTCI 1968 Class Reunion or go to our reunion blog where it is linked from there. You can also try this direct link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSE4id1wif8 . Photographs Fortunately Doug Gammage had the good idea of hiring a student photographer because so far, besides me, and I did not take as many pictures as I would have liked, only Martin Hart, has sent photos to me , because justifiably people were too busy talking to people.  Hopefully more pictures are out there and will added to my flickr account . The photos of our student photographer William Smythe  and can be found on the web at this link http://imgur.com/a/H8bT3#0 . There are 199 pictures showing what a great time everyone had.   My pictures along with Martin’s can be found on my flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/21874021@N08 . Please send me your photos and I’ll put them on my flickr page .    Reunion Speeches The following speeches were given at Memory Mingle in the order they were given (otherwise I would not have put mine first). Laurie Pascoe’s Speech Now that you have had the pizza you have to pay the price and listen to a few short speeches. My name is Laurie Pascoe, yes the guy who has been harassing many of you to come to the reunion, to find your fellow classmates and to write your bios. I would like to welcome you all to the first North Toronto Class of 1968 Reunion and I thank you all very much for coming.  I would like to specially thank and quickly name those who made the effort to come long distances to be here, which I have arbitrarily have decided is outside southern Ontario.  From the United States of America we have Mike Guinness from Ohio and Paul Jannimagi from Rochester New York.  From western Ontario, Thunder Bay has sent their city solicitor Nadia Koltun. From Eastern Ontario, we have Alex Sandy Sellers from Kingston, from Barry’s Bay we have resurrected David Coombs   David was listed as being dead at the last reunion so it is pretty amazing we have him here today .  From Carleton Place we  have former Member of Parliament  and liberal leadership candidate Tom Wappel, from Deep River  we have  Ted Clifford and from your nation’s capital,  Ottawa,  where we spend your tax dollars wisely  we have Martin Hart and myself. From western Canada we have from Alberta Anne Galbraith Lowenberg,  from Calgary and Liz Ingram from Edmonton  and from Victoria, British Columbia we have Jane Wolfraim Mears.  But the winners of the farthest from the stadium contest are Bill Schabas and Joan Dewhurst who came all the way from the motherland, that’s England , to be here this weekend. I would also like to point out the teachers who have come tonight   We have my grade 9 music teacher Mr Douglass  Couke , my grade 10  English teacher, Mr.  Robert Nicholson - yes I was in your class Mr.Nicholson.   We have my grade 11 and grade 13 math  B teacher Mr. Peter Broughton   and  also attending is Mr. Lorne Smith who  taught me  Grade 13A math .   We have geography teachers Mr. David McCullough and Mr. Lynn McMurray whom I did not have the pleasure of having .  It should be acknowledged that Mr. Mc Muarray started his teaching career the same year our class started high school and was the home room teacher of 9D. It takes a village to put on a reunion so I, on behalf of all of us would like to thank a number of people. Firstly, I want to thank my fellow members of the organizing committee  and the people  in charge of Memory Mingle  - being  Carolyn Born Kennedy, Janet MacDonald Bowler and Ruth Rosen Levkoe.   They did a great job though not sure they ordered enough food. And also working on memory Mingle was Janet Toppin Swann who put together the slide show and Anu Pettai  Marley who co-ordinated  with the school and the music department  and made sure we found the room.  Anu had an in as she also taught at NTCI. I would like to thank, all the people who volunteered to set up and clean up Memory Mingle, people who baked, those who are taking pictures, manning the registration table, and selling raffle tickets -  which are still available until the draw tomorrow at supper. We thank Bill Humber and Doug Gammage and their respective spouses Cathie and  Lea  for opening their homes and hosting the house parties tonight at Bill’s and tomorrow at Doug’s . And at Bill’s house tonight we will be entertained by our classmate Warner Clarke and also by talented young singer/songwriter Noah Pascoe. If he issues a CD please buy it so he does not move back home. Talking about Pascoes I would like to thank my wife Carol for putting up with my many reunion stories and my spending so much time working on this reunion.  She also edited a number of newsletters. She made me take out a few lines here and there – as she likes to point out, not everyone appreciates my sense of humour.  She also baked a lot for tonight  – I especially suggest you try her date squares. I would like thank Doug Campbell for leading the historical walk tomorrow morning.  Please sign up with Doug so he knows how many people to expect.   And I would like to thank Jan Wolfrain Mears who started the database for the 100th Reunion and who actively looked for classmates. And lastly I would vey much like to thank Bill Schabas , for setting  up and administering  the great  reunion blog  we have.  Bill is keeping the blog open so we can post comments and pictures of the events of this weekend. We will still accept more bios because a few of you have still not yet done your homework and sent in a bio. Or you wrote very short bios that you may want to expand upon after this weekend I noticed one of our student council presidents, Garth Drabinsky only wrote two short sentences  – Garth  you may want to add  to your bio,   otherwise how would we possibly know what you have been doing  since high school.   Then there is Mike Guinness – our other student counsel president – Mike, I don’t  think you need to enlarge on your bio.  That is my lead in, to introduce from our class, which was so outstanding that we had -not one, but two great student council presidents – Mike Guinness and Garth Drabinsky  - they will say a few words .   Mike Guinness’s Speech Hello everyone. Our reunion day is finally here! First, we owe many thanks to Laurie Pascoe for thinking of this reunion two years ago, for putting this all together for us today, and for making us do our bios while we are still able to do them. Thanks also to the many people nearby who have been essential in this endeavor.   I feel lucky to be with you today. Lucky to be 64 and still able to get this far! I wish that we could have been able to meet in our old school but this new school is built on the same site and is still called North Toronto Collegiate  Institute . This is good and reassuring and that field outside is wonderful and finally regulation size So, this is the 50th anniversary of our year in grade 9.Back then  probably no one was imagining 50 years into the future to a day Like this. However, this anniversary has prompted me to think back to my first day, our first day at North Toronto.. I can clearly recall two events of that day  first ; an awesome start to  our home room geography class ( 9D ) with Mr. McMurray. It was also his first day at North Toronto , his first year as a teacher with a lasting impact on my life. Second, I remember Sid Reynolds measuring the boys in our first gym class that day. I had known Sid from years earlier at Camp PineCrest where I was so little that he often carried me around the camp on his shoulders threatening to throw me in the lake or to blow cigar smoke in my face. Now, in the gym class, he was measuring weight and height and shaking his head. He measured me at 95 pounds and 4 feet, eleven inches tall officially making me the smallest boy in the school. ( On another day John Tafts was found to be 4 feet , 9 inches but I never knew that ) From that day onward  up to and including today , I have looked up to you , to everyone here ,  and to others not here , as being the smartest, brightest , most talented , creative , most fun loving class I have ever been in- and I have been in a lot of classes ! Our parents may have helped in this  Maybe genetics played a role. Possibly the 1960's inspired us-still my favorite decade. N.T.C.I. had an amazing tradition of achievement. Our school had more Ontario Scholarship winners than any other school in the province and we continued that tradition even if we did not write those final exams in grade 13. Each year we had numerous championship sports teams and we won many music awards throughout the city. Our Principal, Mr Page, probably energized us toward these achievements . He was so focused on excellence   About 20 years later, I read a book called: " In Search of Excellence " and it looked like Mr Page could have written half of it . Now some of our class did not exactly fit into Mr Page's framework or philosophy. I recall some tensions in this regard particularly in the spring of 1966. However, if this was the case , your bios show that you used your talents to develop exciting fulfilling careers contributing so much for so many. I can think of the bios for Liz Ingram, John Kennedy, so lovingly crafted by Carolyn, Bill Humber ,Bill Schabas and many others. I think you know who you are and I hope you know what I mean when I say that you used your talents so wisely, so nicely. Possibly by conscious recruitment, or by general gravitational attraction toward excellence, North Toronto assembled the greatest team of teachers, ever! Some of them are here tonight actually eager to be with us! We may not have known at the time, how lucky we were to have been in your classes but tonight we have the opportunity to thank you so much for being so dedicated, so inspirational in your teaching and mentoring. Finally   for all of us here tonight, I would like to establish three resolutions  They are easy and I think you can agree with me: 1) Let's stay as healthy as we can  2) So that we can " live long and prosper" 3) So that we can meet again like this, in a few more years. Thank you. Garth Drabinsky’s Speech Between 1989 and 1994, I wrote an autobiography – the story of my tumultuous life, with its share of trauma, comedy, passion, adventure, romance, conflict resolution, deep emotional pain and adversity, and from time to time – triumph. Needless to say the nearly twenty intervening years and events would have shaped my story quite differently.  But, these are a few selected extracts from that book pertaining to why we are here to celebrate tonight. **** My school years were among the happiest of my life.  I graduated near the top of my class at Allenby and then moved to North Toronto Collegiate, a school with one of the city’s highest academic standards. At first I was filled with dread.  New faces,  new teachers, the unexpected. The  other kids’ reaction to my limp.  And I would be one of maybe a hundred Jews in a student body of twelve hundred. However, I remember only good things about North Toronto. **** It was Grade 9, when I wandered into a Grade 13 drama group rehearsing Moliere’s The Imaginary Invalid, that I found myself.  I knew right away I wanted to be part of this. It was a moment of genuine epiphany.  I loved it at once.  To this day, it’s the warmth that excites me.  Making theatre is intimate and involving.  The smell, the sights. The community of players, the egos, the magical pretense, the chameleon-like nature of the theatre, the chance to lose oneself in character and story, everything. The same year, Grade 9, I heard that auditions were being held at school for Inherit the Wind.  I saw myself playing Clarence Darrow, destroying the forces of ignorance and intolerance as represented by William Jennings Bryan.  But with my limp, I knew I’d be lucky even to get on stage.  And I was lucky – I managed to get a bit part on the jury.  To me, it didn’t matter how small, how inconsequential the part, I was hooked.  Just putting on make-up, listening to the audience, watching the people react to the actors was an exhilarating experience. The first years of the sixties felt filled with promise and the possibilities seemed endless.  The shackles had come off – almost literally in my case, for I was finished with hospitals.  I was into my teens.  It was the time of Phil Spector.  The music of the Beatles echoed in my head.  **** The high point of my school career was when I was elected president of the student council.  Remember, this was 1967, when the assassination of John Kennedy was still thought of as having happened only yesterday.  Selma, Alabama, was becoming a code word for the struggle for civil rights; it was the time of Martin Luther King Jr., folk music, and fervent protest; Vietnam was already a lightning rod of high emotion; and student unrest was starting to manifest itself across North America. At the school’s seventy-fifth anniversary a few years ago, I made a soul-stirring speech about what the school meant to me.  It gave me a life, I said.  It filled up all the empty corners, it made me see I could be an achiever, it gave me friendships and made me feel whole. But was it perfect?  No. Why not? In a  word --- Girls.                                                                         **** I am profoundly saddened that the lives of too many of our fellow graduates did not reach this remarkable evening.  However, as we begin to enter maybe the last quarter of all our indelible days, I urge all of you never to quit on life – refuse to yield and always believe there is inspiration in that. In the immortal words of Robert Browning: “I was ever a fighter, so one fight more the best and the last.  I would hate that death bandaged my eyes and forbore, And bade me creep past.” Editor’s Note:  I told Garth after he delivered his speech that I was one of the four people who bought his book but he claims it sold thousands of copies. I complained that he mentioned Fred Fruitman in his book but not me even though we lived close by, were in Kindergarten together and went to camp together. He promised in his next autobiography there would be a chapter entitled “The Pascoes”. Ruth Rosen Levkoe’s Speech Good evening everyone, I can’t tell you how delighted I am to be here reconnecting and visiting with really good friends. It’s been such a pleasure reading the life stories of many of my former classmates and especially seeing many in person. Before the formal part of this Memory Mingle concludes here in this room, I want to clarify the Raffle idea and the process. Most of you purchased these double tickets. As a committee, under the very competent leadership of Carolyn Born-Kennedy, we decided to provide a light supper and are very grateful to those people who baked, cooked and even purchased goodies. However, we did have some expenses as we bought some food items, serving utensils, drinks etc. Carolyn paid for all of these and we’re hoping the proceeds from our 50/50 or 70/30 will not only cover Carolyn’s credit card, but allow some lucky graduate (or teacher) to win a cash prize. We will draw the winning ticket Saturday evening, in a fair manner, and post the winning number on our blog or contact the winner if we have that information on our sheets. Stay tuned to the blog for that…  Meanwhile…you can still purchase tickets or buy some more up until Saturday night at our second house party. While I have your attention, I also want to thank a few key people for putting this wonderful Reunion together: Carolyn—who was our terrific Chairperson (and banker)and thought of everything Anu –our school contact who took care of so many internal issues Janet Mc-the supreme organizer and details person Janet T-who took on the technical aspect of putting together the slide show and did a marvelous job Bill and Doug who will open their homes to us Bill Schabas who created and maintained the amazing blog All the food contributors … And of course the one and only, Laurie Pascoe. Not only is he working full time as a lawyer, but he must have devoted hundreds of hours on this project. Thank goodness he is not billing us for his time! I don’t know how Laurie did it—his sleuthing skills are incredible…using social media, the old fashioned telephone, contacting associates, he tracked down most of us on his own. He was relentless in convincing us to attend and even more aggressive, dare I say bullying, in getting those bios from us. He became our micro-manager throughout all our sub-committee meetings and I say that in an affectionate way. My inbox was filled with Laurie emails daily.  But he did it – he pulled it off. And I know I speak for all of you in thanking Laurie for this amazing opportunity to reconnect with dear friends and reflect on our formative high school years. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend. SCHOOL SONG I inserted the words to the school song in the reunion booklet so when we sang it after the speeches we would get the words right.  But the trumpeters we hired to play the school song started that famous opening before I had a chance to mention that everyone should turn to the last page of the reunion booklet. Here is a link to the NTCI choir singing the school song to hear what it is suppose to  sound like - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxXJt0OOsWc . But that rendition did not have the great cheer eaders we had after we sang the school song. REQUESTS FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE REUNION Though a number of you have written me and other committee members with some personal comments about the reunion I would ask that you send me comments that I have permission to put in a newsletter or you can directly just post your comments to our blog. Below is an unedited comment from Bill Humber which he did send directly to our blog for posting.  Editor’s Note: I did not pay Bill to write his comments. A May 2/3 Remembrance by Bill Humber To a list of insiders, outliers, rebels, entrepreneurs, lawyers, farmers, engineers, dreamers, academics, impresarios, doctors, survivors, thinkers, moms, pops, grandmas, grandpas, wanderers, dancers, debutantes, gardeners, athletes, politicians, entertainers, linguists, historians, and especially the brave, the humble, and sadly, those departed, from the North Toronto class of '68 and those close in time, let's add a new category – choreographer. Laurie Pascoe has set a high bar for cheerleading, herding cats, and light footed appearances everywhere. Those of us who contributed in some small way to this merry challenge to the gods of time and energy (didn't we study them in a 9th grade Four Ages of Man class?) bow respectfully for the dazzling performance of the indomitable LP and his thought that not only would we share our stories to date, but that many of us would meet in marvelous supplication to an idea. You did it man! – If that's not too "sixties speak". For the organizers of Friday's gathering at North Toronto CI in a building no longer familiar, there are still just enough small touches of what was once there to spark a poignant laugh or tear, as well as teachers who could have been mistaken for our classmates (do they age better than students?). For those of us who threw open our homes, we did so knowing the damage once potentially wreaked by 18 year olds was long past the delivery date of this crowd. For a wondrous walking tour through the old berg and a chance for storytellers to shine and for another to show us the rock on which she sat as a young person just to think and dream. For everything in short that made the weekend's events something to be relished and maybe, just maybe, a foundation to mount further indulgences of sweet memory and laughter. Well done all. Laurie has asked for more of our experiences. Bill Schabas has promised to keep the blog alive. Carolyn Born Kennedy had enough leftover pizza for many future gatherings. So if you haven't sent a bio, but even for those who wish to update theirs, get clicking. Some have more to say – no names here, you know who you are! Some have given their all and can take a rest – once again you know who you are! And for those who missed the weekend perhaps because of distance, other commitments, or you're still shy (after all these years?) make sure you're prepared for the next one of these because I can tell you now you will be delighted, overwhelmed, and amazed in large, small and pleasing ways by the lives of your compatriots from times long ago and now shaped at least somewhat by a kind of wisdom, humour, and, occasionally, an unexpected insight. One disappointment however. Our rousing cheerleaders (you know who you are) on Friday night did a spirited rendition of the old school song. But where were the pyramids, the cartwheels and especially the splits? Ah well perhaps age does claim some talents and bravery, and the sight of EMS personnel carting off those whose imagination exceeded their ability to deliver would have put a real damper on the evening. So you're excused, and so are those who couldn't make it, and those yet to submit their stories – but be forewarned you won't want to miss a second opportunity. Everything, but the splits, is promised. Conclusion So I hope to hear from you with your comments on this past reunion, thoughts about the next reunion date and format and photos from this reunion.  And of course if you still have not done your bio – send it to me – it will be put on the blog and eventually a newsletter, which will be infrequent the next few years. I also want your promise to look at that database and go get people who still have not been found. Maybe you know a relative of that person that could help you, or some lead that could discover their whereabouts.  There were a number of people who could not make it to this reunion though had intentions to come.  So the next reunion could have a whole new addition of people if we all look harder.  - Laurie Pascoe