July 2004 Goose Droppings

Reader's Digest Just finished rummaging through a bunch of notices of prizewinners from Reader’s Digest. Wow, another couple of contests per year and we could heat the house for the winter on the paper and validation stickers. I don’t know but do you remember if it was Mort Sahl who said he used to go down to the library after lunch and listen to the “readers digest”? Does anybody remember? .

AGM Holy Smokes What a meeting! June 16, 2004. I’m not sure if it was this night after practice while I was stretching before the practice when I overheard a bunch of young girl soccer players talking loudly about the Pilsbury Dough Boy and I snuck a peek around and I was alone and I started asking myself, “Why are you so sensitive, Doug? ”

Anyhow, onto the meeting. Nothing appeared from the minutes of last year’s AGM to come back and haunt us so we moved onto the Treasurer’s Report. Ian tells us dues from about 58 playing members raised $6500, bottle draws, $977 and the Reverse Draw pulled in $3835. BCRU and CRU dues and insurance cost $3200 and Dave Mercier didn’t get any flowers this year. Bus rentals to Kelowna and Portland totaled $1147. Big ticket items but the best way to go; no worries about getting over-refreshed after the game and driving home and you can always assist Malcolm look for his sandwiches. Sort of like a treasure hunt. However these fun and games come with a cost. On future long distance road trips people who say they’re going to go will be required to commit financially on the Wednesday before the trip. OK? Ladies Night set us back $890 but that’s OK, Turner put together a night of great fun (see the web site Photo section) and you lot that didn’t show, you snooze, you lose at the Ladies Night Schmooze.

Captains’ Report George reports that we lost a couple and won quite a few, dished out quite a few Yellow Jerseys (SUOTG) and everybody that showed, played and I personally think that is the strength of this club. By the way, if you think that because of your fabulous natural, athletic, rugby ability you are not getting enough playing time, I have the cure for that, come on a road trip, don’t be shy. Also Powell River trip shaping up for the last week in August or the first week in September. More Info Later.

Social Committee Pee Wee said everything was good, good. Bottle draws made lots of money. Clean-ups went pretty smoothly. etc. etc.

AGM Continued...

Twits Web Site Garry Henry gave the report but it was good wife, Tina who did all the grunt work. This web site leaves all other sites in the PNW-Over 40’s coughing in the dust, most other rugby sites too. We’ve been remiss. Tina said she’d work for beer but so far none has been forthcoming. This situation must and will be rectified.

PNW Report From Bob Panton and Ian Gray. It was moved that the Twits run the Tournament on a “rolling” 3 year term to accommodate other teams who would like to take on the Tournament. I’ll let you know what a “rolling” 3 year term means after I find out. I wasn’t paying close enough attention: somebody was trying to steal my prawns. After the finances were discussed it was moved that the profits be apportioned 33/67, Twits/PNW. After further discussion, Dave Mercier proposed an amendment to split the profits 50/50. So moved, seconded and carried. I knew we got Dave the flowers for something.

Chair of the PNW Tournament Just when he got to know what he was doing, Steve Baron stepped down as chairman of the tournament. (Tongue in cheek here) Many thanks Steve, for a job well done. Oh and by the way one of Steve’s last acts was to send out invitations to teams planning on attending the Golden Oldies in San Diego in 2005 to extend their tours and come to our Tournament as a warm-up. So we’ll see how that shakes out. Jamie London has stepped up to assume the task of obtaining the beer sponsorship and distribution. Ian Trevor has expressed a willingness to become part of a steering committee for the tournament consisting of, Garry Henry, John Adams and Ian Gray.

LRC Report Ken Turner informs that Doug Whidden, Nick Oliver and possibly Malcolm will run the bar (hmm) and that the hours of operation will be posted and adhered to. Ken and the Committee have posted a notice encouraging any and all who have need of a meeting place to keep the Burnaby Lake Clubhouse first and foremost in their minds. For reservation information talk to Doug at the Clubhouse at 604.294.4144.

Still more AGM...

Tours Report Bob Panton sends invitations for the Nike Masters Games – in Edmonton – in July 2005 with maybe a tangent to Klondike Days.

Business Arising from Members Pee Wee - The Docs’ Pool Party. Listen up you lot! Plan change. The BBQ Crew will be doing steaks, chicken, hot dogs for the kids and Mai-Lis, potato salad, Caesar salad and corn. OR you may bring your own stuff to grill. The tab for taking advantage of the Grillmeisters $10 per family! Waddadeal! (It was bandied about to raise it to $15 but it’s on the web site as $10 so we’ll leave it there) ALSO if you feel the need for nibblies and dip – BRING YOUR OWN! Whiners about this policy will be turned over to the tender mercies of …Pee Wee. It goes without saying that you BYOB and mix. Toilet Etiquette There will be a Porta-Pottie in place. Please remember the Docs are on a septic system so…Yellow’s Mellow, Brown goes Down. Pool Etiquette You Must Monitor your kids. Make sure the bigger ones don’t scare or swamp the little ones. We don’t want the Docs to discover a couple of floaters on Monday morning now do we. If anyone’s up for 9 holes of Golfin the morning of the18th please phone Nick at 604.522.0018.

Mal Solway No Pay (as in dues) No Play. The importance of this duty is duly noted as insurance costs are going to increase again.

Paul Dunning (starting to look like Jesse Ventura) proposed that the Phoenix Tournament on the weekend of November 11 be considered an official Twilighter Tour. Cost – airfare $435. Hotel - $110/nt.

Young Canada Player Aaron Goddard…. moved by Paul Dunning that the Twits sponsor him in his career to the tune of $500, seconded and carried.

You guessed it, more AGM

Dues – Turk Previous years’ attempts to discount yearly dues to Road Warriors did not lead to an increase in the number of Road Warriors so the dues will stay at $125 (These are cheap, folks! really, really cheap!) Ian Gray says insurance will increase. Amount is unknown as we go to press. Life members will be asked to pay a $75 “maintenance” fee. Players will be allowed 1 “freebie” after the first home game in October then you pay or make arrangements with Attila the Turk or don’t play.

Accountability – Bob Panton In the future, anyone expecting to be reimbursed by the Club for moneys they paid out on the Club’s behalf will submit their bills to the treasurer. OK?

Mike Suddaby New retiree has new job. He’s been put up for Director of the BCRU, that viper’s nest of intrigue. That should keep him out of Peg’s hair for a while.

Your New Executive! Bob Panton Abdicates and Murk Toorenburgh assumes the Mantle of President or as Jamie and Duncan would have it, “Murkules!” Gary “Pee Wee” Read goes to Vice Pres. Ian Gray stays on as Treasurer. Chuck Jung remains as Secretary and Bob becomes the Immediate Past President. Democracy in action! DirectorsDon Jenner stepped down and so George, Les, Fog, Garry, Ken Turner, Turk, Ian Trevor and Mark Grigg round out the Directors’ Squad. Y’rs truly remains as Editor – in – chief and Manager of the City Desk.

Past President’s Report Bob dished Kudos to Chuck J., Ian G. and Murk and also Honorable Mentions to Doc, Ken T., Nick O., Malcolm, Steve Baron, Ian Trevor and Mark Grigg. Bob displayed the new sign that signifies a reserved parking spot up near the Clubhouse for the Man of the (Previous) Match. This was a pet project of Bob’s and now that he’s stepped down a large block of his time will be freed up to work on another project-The Further Adventures of the Twilighters Rugby Club-The Second Fifteen Years.

New President The Manchurian Candidate Murk kept talking about a Robert Loblaw; you know Bob Loblaw but it was getting late so we adjourned.

Golf…again Mr. Nicholas Oliver is organizing another outing for a Saturday in late September at the Tsawassen Golf and Country club and aiming for a 9:00 am start.

An Example of one of the many uses the Mohawk Room can be put to. On June 30th, after “practice” while getting “refreshed” it was noticed that a lot of activity was taking place in the Room. It seems Doug Lucas, (yes, John’s bro) had a crew in and was filming some sort of X-rated puppet show for Spike, The Men’s Channel. (Is that right? That can’t be right.) I told him I think that’s how Jim Henson got his start so we’re waiting for big things from Doug and how he hit the big time in the Mohawk Room.

Parting Shot

This next courtesy Bill Grist from a list of men’s rules, a concept “borrowed” from women’s magazines but in contradistinction to their lists.

(All Rules were numbered 1. because it was felt they were all equally important, see.)
1. If you ask a question you don’t want an answer to, expect an answer you don’t want to hear.

C U Later Snoop Doug