November 2002

Convention 2002

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A Final Farewell

It's hard to believe it's over!  After all those months spent meeting, planning, organizing preparing and implementing, Convention 2002 is now just a memory.

But what a memory!

Those five days in Canmore gave all of us the chance to mix and mingle with old friends from across the country and the opportunity to meet and make new friends in Progress.  Looking back at the photographs, the joy of camaraderie and the spirit of fellowship are evident in every picture.

There were so many people who contributed to the Convention's success:  from the committee members to our generous sponsors to the eloquent guest speakers, right through to the attendees themselves; that a simple "thank you" seems, somehow, inadequate.  And yet no other words can express our sincere gratitude.  It would be remiss, however, not to make honourable mention of a few folks who otherwise went unacknowledged.

Thank you to Butterfield Acres Farm for ensuring that golf tournament organizer Bruce Finnigan was able to create a tournament awards ceremony unlike any other.  Forget commemorative golf ball sets and engraved trophies—those piglets were a hit!

When Boundary Ranch event organizers, Al Cook and Barry Kozmyk, decided everyone should take home a special memento of their Boundary Ranch experience, they enlisted the aid of professional photographer and fellow Progressian, Kevin Tunney.  Thanks to Kevin's efforts, attendees were treated to exceptional souvenir photos.

No one can deny the special appeal of the Special Olympians.  Their participation in the CPCF luncheon and the President's Ball flag ceremony was a highlight of Convention.  Thanks to Grant Blakely for overseeing their transportation from Calgary to Canmore and to Ryan the DJ and Ken from Calgary North who generously offered to transport them back so that our Convention Rookies could stay behind and experience their first President's Ball.  Thanks also to Brian Hoffman of Starsilk Screening Ltd., official supplier of the Canadian Progress Club, for donating Progress-logo caps to these Special athletes.

Our appreciation also goes out to musician and composer Stan Foster for his moving performance of the Special Olympics theme song, "Heroes", and his presentation of an original piece entitled "My Canada", which he wrote specifically for Progress.

Many thanks to Janet and Wendy of Laurelwood Floral Design and the crew at Wilson Signs for helping Saturday event organizer Tim Casey realize his vision of bringing the tropical 1920s Hotel Havana to the 2000s Rocky Mountains of Canmore!

And, finally, thank you to roving photographers Denise Blakely, Janet Roach, Lucy Tougas, Darrell Stelmack, Mike Warren and Terry Clarke for the hundreds of photos that captured the essence of Convention 2002 and have contributed to the best virtual photo album since the National website went on-line.  (To view these pictures see the Memorabilia/Photo Album section of this website.  For a behind-the-scenes look at Convention see CPC Bow River's photo album at www.cpcbowriver.com.  If anyone is interested in owning a copy of Denise Blakely's 600-photo compilation disc documenting Convention from start to finish, please contact dblakely@telusplanet.net for details.)

We had a wonderful time with our friends from Sherbrooke and wish them every success in hosting the next National Convention.  We are looking forward to joining them in 2003. 

Yours for Progress,
CPC Calgary Bow River
Convention 2002 Organizing Committee

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