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PENINSULA ZOOMER: ‘Beloved maestro’ remembered by CARP members

‘Delightful, warm and humble’
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But something touched me deep inside

The day the music died.

It’s hard to believe it has been 50 years since Don McLean’s iconic song, Miss American Pie hit the airwaves. I remember listening to it trying to figure out the meaning of the lyrics, although it was generally agreed it referred to the death of Buddy Holly.

Many of us Zoomers will remember that cold February day in 1959 when Buddy Holly died in a plane crash.

But for many of our CARP members, the music died last month with the untimely death of our beloved maestro Bramwell Tovey.

Our local CARP executive had the pleasure of meeting Maestro Tovey when we invited him to speak to our chapter as part of My Life series. Tovey was the conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the time and put the symphony on the world map.

He was delightful, warm and humble as he spoke to a captivated audience.

He will be truly missed.

Prior to the pandemic, your CARP executive planned so many diverse and exciting events which were always “sold out.”

Our CARP members and the community got used to us putting on such amazing events.

On a more somber note, your executive hosted a three-part series entitled Dying to Have A Conversation. This came at the time the country was discussing MAID, Medical Assistance in Dying, before the Parliament of Canada passed federal legislation in 2016 which allowed eligible Canadian adults to request medical assistance in dying.

In our first session, we invited a balanced panel of four professionals as part of our discussion. Half were pro-MAID and the other half was opposed. I remember placing my body between a man who was in favour of MAID and a Catholic priest waving a Bible who was obviously opposed.

I believe I averted fisticuffs.

One year, we celebrated Women’s History Month by hosting HerStory at Morgan Creek Golf Club. It included a luncheon, fashion show and panel of speakers which included a transgender woman and political activist, a recovered alcoholic, and author whose sister was one of Robert Pickton’s victims.

And we are doing it again, this time we are calling it the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

Undaunted by the continuous COVID restraints resulting in the cancellation and postponement of this event, your indefatigable CARP chapter president, Ramona Kaptyn and Events Director, Denice Thompson persevered.

They are tireless volunteers who care about our community and were determined to host another spectacular CARP event, pandemic notwithstanding.

This dynamic duo was recently awarded the prestigious Queen’s Jubilee medal and Ramona, who has got her eye on the political arena, was also one of the honoured recipients of the Outstanding Canadians on the Peninsula award.

They are pleased to personally invite you to attend the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party which will take place at Morgan Creek Golf Course on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. And despite inflation and rising costs, the tickets are only $60 each.

The event will include a high tea, fashion show, entertainment and raffle and door prizes including two BC Lions tickets, Sheraton Guildford Hotel gift certificates and a diamond necklace from Jose & Co.

Partial proceeds to PACA Peninsula Arts & Culture Alliance.

Buy your tickets online at www.sswrchamber.ca/events or in person at the South Surrey White Rock Chamber of Commerce at Unit 22, 1480 Foster St.

Dress up in your finery with a fabulous hat or wear a costume, as it’s time to have fun again.

Join us down the Rabbit Hole for a rollicking good fantasy adventure.

Music included.

April Lewis is the local communications director for CARP, a national group committed to a ‘New Vision of Aging for Canada.’ She writes monthly.