The St. George’s Society of Toronto
NEWSLETTER
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2015
Laughing All The Way To The Bank:
2015 RED ROSE BALL RAISES OVER $350,000 FOR THE MCEWEN CENTRE FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
A unique blend of modern laughter and levity with English pomp and circumstance steeped in tradition, the 2015 Red Rose Ball
hosted at MUZIK raised $352,189.33 for The McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine.
Emceed by Canadian-born comedian and actress Caroline Rhea, well-known from her roles on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and
The Biggest Loser, Society members had a jolly good time with close to 300 of Toronto’s movers and shakers, including Mayor
John Tory, for what Hello! Canada has referred to as “a lavish highlight on the city’s social calendar”. Seated at King George-style
tables, guests dined on a Mediterranean-themed dinner completely donated by Paramount Fine Foods.
Front and centre during the festivities was the Society’s Award of Merit honouree, philanthropist and comedian, Catherine Lawrence.
A lawyer, wife, and mother of three, Catherine Lawrence, has been involved in philanthropic causes for over two decades.
From serving on the Variety Village Board of Governors, to her contributions to charities such as Bottoms Up that raises
money for colon cancer research, Catherine has given of her time and talents unreservedly. Five years ago, she put that
volunteer experience into action when she was diagnosed with a rare, serious
lung disease, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). When Catherine realized
that many doctors were not aware of this orphan disease, she quickly took
the bold step of becoming a face of LAM, and together with friends and family,
founded the grassroots movement of Green Eggs & LAM which organizes the
LOL: Laugh Out LAM! annual fundraiser. Since going public with her LAM diagnosis
over 7 years ago, Catherine organized a medical conference with the world’s top
researchers at Toronto’s MaRS Centre as well as created and funded a stem
cell research project which has been endorsed by The McEwen Centre for
Regenerative Medicine, raising over $1 Million. As the CLO (Chief Laughing
Officer) of Survival of the Funniest, promoting laughter in the workplace and life,
Catherine believes in the power of laughter to positively impact every aspect of
one’s life. She maintains that humour is a profound therapeutic tool: “When
you are deep belly-laughing, you are fully present and your mind becomes free.
Humour and laughter are critical tools to survive and thrive.”
A guest peruses the 2015 Red Rose Ball Programme
In presenting Catherine Lawrence with the 2015 Award of Merit, Society President,
Christopher Baines noted that Catherine is a woman of extraordinary resolve
in the face of adversity combined with a wonderful sense of humour and that
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
“Catherine does all this with a smile and a laugh – sort of like Mary
Poppins – while exemplifying traditional British pluck.”
(l-r): Catherine Lawrence thanks The St. George’s Society of Toronto for the 2015 Award of Merit
as Christopher Baines (Society President) and Leslie Roberts (Green Eggs & LAM volunteer) look on
Society member and George Committee Chair, Robert Baines,
offers a toast to St. George and England
Indeed, Catherine’s extraordinary resolve is shared by The McEwen
Centre for Regenerative Medicine in their goal of finding a cure for LAM.
Acting as a catalyst for regenerative medicine by facilitating collaboration,
supporting research, and promoting awareness of the field, The McEwen
Centre based within the University Health Network collaborates with
many other research institutions throughout North America, Europe, and
the Asia/Pacific region, including 15 scientists at five Toronto hospitals as
well as the University of Toronto. Their research is powered by a team
of recent doctoral graduates recruited from around the world that are
selected through a competitive process ensuring the best applicants are
awarded a fellowship. These post-doctoral fellowships are a critical tool
for supporting the work of the McEwen Centre as their investigations
facilitate medical breakthroughs. Currently, scientists are working to
accelerate the development of more effective treatments for LAM. In the
past year, Dr. William Stanford, Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Research
Institute and Dr. Molly Shoichet, Senior Scientist at the McEwen Centre,
have made tremendous strides toward understanding and, one day,
treating LAM. In fact, funds raised by the 2015 Red Rose Ball will go
specifically go toward The William L. Stanford Stem Cell Research Lab,
under the direction of Dr. Bill Stanford, and are used to finance medical
summits and other research-related events in the medical science
field. As such, given that research for this rare, life-threatening disease
receives limited government funding, the generosity of donors such as
those in attendance at the 2015 Red Rose Ball, plays a vital role in these
discoveries and resonate with LAM patients.
One such LAM patience in attendance at the 2015 Red Rose Ball, Catherine
McDonald noted that “for me, the compassion and generosity of donors
have replaced fear with hope; resignation with resolve; isolation with
fellowship. Without donors, there is only a wish for research and a cure.
With them comes action. For that I am so very uplifted and grateful.”
Bagpiper Rory Sinclair pipes in Society members participating in the procession:
Rick Comisraow (Sergeant At Arms), Tom Pam, Robert Baines,
and David Jean (Flagbearers), Nigel Mayne (Beefeater), and John Birkett (St. George)
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IN DEPTH: LAM & THE MCEWEN CENTRE FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
WHAT IS LAM?
LAM, short for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, is a lung disease that affects women. The main symptoms are shortness of breath with
exertion, fatigue, cough and chest pain. Women with LAM often look completely healthy, but their lungs are full of holes and are slowly
being destroyed. About two-thirds of women with LAM experience episodes of collapsed lungs. Having a lung collapse means hospital
admission, painful treatment, and sometimes difficult lung surgery. About half the women with LAM also have kidney tumours called
angiomyolipoma (AML). Some women have abdominal LAM and others have been diagnosed after bleeding kidney tumours. LAM is
progressive, with no treatment or cure. It is diagnosed only in women and hits usually in the prime of life, usually between the ages
of 25 and 40. Continuous supplemental oxygen is often needed and the last option is a single-lung or double-lung transplant. So far,
these options allow for the extension of life only, but it is eventually fatal, shortening one’s life span and the quality of life for virtually
every woman with the disease. In the past, LAM was often misdiagnosed as asthma or emphysema, but now LAM can be diagnosed
more easily from a lung biopsy or a CT-Scan. Women with LAM are still frequently misdiagnosed because many physicians continue to
be unaware of this disease. It is important to obtain a correct diagnosis both because of the dangers of inappropriate treatments being
applied and because of the steps that can be taken to make life more comfortable for women with LAM.
WHAT CAUSES LAM?
There are two types of LAM: sporadic LAM and LAM associated with another condition called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The
cause of LAM is unknown. Recent research has found that LAM is associated with mutations in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes, the same
genes that are associated with tuberous sclerosis. What is known is that LAM cells (an unusual type of smooth muscle cell) invade
lung tissue, destroy air sacs, and obstruct the airways leading to increasing respiratory impairment. Significant strides have been made
in understanding, diagnosing, and treating symptoms and complications of LAM in the last ten years. Still, there is an urgent need
to increase awareness about LAM in the medical and lay communities, ensure that women get a prior diagnosis, dedicate research
funding to find a safe and effective treatment for LAM, and ultimately a cure.
Mayor John Tory remains in attendance
well after dinner to enjoy the evening with guests
Emcee Carolina Rhea’s stand-up comedy and infectious
laughter kept guests laughing throughout the evening
Detail, detail, detail – Society Executive Director, Samuel Minniti
discusses final plans with Event Planner, Tara O’Grady
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
IS LAM CANCER?
According to LAM researchers Dr. Frank McCormack and Dr. Lisa Henske, the term cancer defines a spectrum of diseases which have four
elements in common: genetic mutations, loss of control of cellular growth and cell survival, movement of abnormal cells to new sites
(metastasis), and tissue destruction. All of these elements are present in LAM. Determining the secrets of cancer is complex due to the
multiple genetic mutations involved. In LAM, there is only one primary gene mutation, thereby simplifying the study of how cells grow,
metastasize, and resist cell death. These are crucial areas of research in the study of cancer. This new way of thinking about LAM as a
mild form of cancer, has lead prominent cancer researchers to participate in LAM research.
ACCELERATING DISCOVERY LAM DISEASE RESEARCH PROJECT
The biggest roadblock to advancing LAM research is that, thus far, scientists have been unable to keep the cells associated with LAM
disease alive in a petri dish long enough to study the effects of various treatment regimens. Scientists from the McEwen Centre, including
Dr. Shoichet, Dr. Freda Miller, and clinical advisor Tom Waddell, are being led by Dr. Stanford in a unique collaboration to create cells
that replicate the behaviour of LAM cells in a petri dish.
THE BREAKTHROUGH
Dr. Stanford and the team have developed cells with a mutation that causes them to produce too much of a protein that influences cell
growth, division, migration through the body, and that can harm lung tissue – essentially mirroring what happens in a person with LAM.
In concert with this discovery, Dr. Shoichet’s team have developed a substance that is able to distinguish the LAM-like cells from normal
cells and keep those cells viable long enough to conduct drug testing.
NEXT STEPS
Dr. Stanford and the team will begin testing to see if these cells they have created behave in the same manner as actual LAM cells. The
team is also developing normal cells to serve as a comparison to the LAM-like cells. The goal of this research is to identify effective drugs
that will work in concert with current treatment regimens.
Members of the 10-piece Montreal Rhapsody Orchestra keep the party going
2015 Award of Merit Recipient, Catherine Lawrence
laughing with friends and family
Society President, Christopher Baines and Society Events
Co-Chair, Shelagh O’Connor enjoying the 2015 Red Rose Ball
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THE 2015 RED ROSE BALL COMMITTEE
comprised of Christopher Baines, Dianne Motley-Bailey, Jane Vining, Samuel Minniti,
Leslie Roberts, and Tara O’Grady wish to acknowledge and thank those volunteers,
donors, and organizations listed below for their unwavering support toward making
the 2015 Red Rose Ball a smashing success.
2015 RED ROSE BALL PATRONS COUNCIL
The Honourable William G. Davis, P.C., C.C., Q.C., Neil Davis, Elvio Del Zotto, Q.C.,
Marlene Del Zotto, The Honourable Madame Justice Gloria Epstein, Seymour Epstein,
Martha Fell, Barbara Hackett, Craig Jarvis, Judy Jarvis, Jean Lawrence, William Lawrence, Q.C.,
Seth Mersky, Theresa Mersky, Jerome Morse, Christine Nicol, Jim Nicol, Harold Perry,
Robin Perry, Lois Rice, Jennifer Tory, His Worship Mayor John Tory
LOL: LAUGH OUT LAM! COMMITTEE
Natalie Aziz, Jane Chisholm, Bethann Colle, Phyllis Ellis, Martha Fell, Barbara Hackett,
Christine Hart, Craig Jarvis, Judy Jarvis, Claire Kilmer, Eva Lim, Susan Magee, Joanne Mealia,
Theresa Mersky, Zane Mersky, Ben Morse, Robin Perry, James Shirriff,
George Tory, Jennifer Tory, Candice Yu
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
RED ROSE BALL EVENING SPONSOR
ORANGE ROSE PRESENTING SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
VENUE SPONSOR
DINNER SPONSOR
HOTEL SPONSOR
WIRELESS POINT OF SALE SPONSOR
VALET PARKING SPONSOR
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MAJOR DONORS ($50,000)
Seth Mersky & Theresa Mersky
BEST FRIENDS OF LOL: LAUGH OUT LAM! & DONORS ($10,000)
Greg Aziz & Irene Aziz, John Barnett & Mary Barnett, Elvio Del Zotto & Marlene Del
Zotto, Seymour Epstein & The Honourable Gloria Epstein, Craig Jarvis & Judy Jarvis,
Rob McEwen & Cheryl McEwen, Seth Mersky & Theresa Mersky, E. & G. Odette
Foundation, Andy Redmond & Sue Redmond, Lois Rice, His Worship Mayor John
Tory & Barbara Hackett
FRIENDS OF LOL: LAUGH OUT LAM! & DONORS ($5,000)
Jeff Chisholm & Tamara Lawson, Dan Daviau & Karine Krieger, Victoria Foley & Paul
Fredericks, Gary Lawrence & Soon Lawrence, William Lawrence & Jean Lawrence,
Peter Menkes & Allison Menkes, Seth Mersky & Theresa Mersky,
Harold Perry & Robin Perry, Bruce Phillips & Sandy Phillips,
Diego Rizzado & Sandra Rizzado, Jennifer Tory,
DONORS
Todd Cherniak, Katharine Crossley, D.H. Gales Family Foundation, Tim Drager,
Anne Fitzgerald, Max Gotlieb, Robert Griffin & Lyn Griffin, The Hennick Family
Foundation, Craig Jarvis & Judy Jarvis, Danielle Kasperavicius, Debbie Kimel, Jayne
Kurtz, Catherine Lawrence, David Lawrence, Curtis Lederle, John Leopold & Joanne
Leopold, Peter Levy & Bonnie Levy, Deborah Locke, Cameron McIntyre, Samuel
Minniti & Anna Minniti, Ben Morse, Barbara Moysey, Thomas Pam
Red roses prominently displayed at the Red Rose Ball
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
All Abo-o-o-oard! Society members and guests assemble for a quick photo before boarding the launch back to City Station (l-r): John Hore, Pasquale Minniti, Carmela Minniti,
Sylvia lee, Bob Cartlidge, Linda Foxcroft, Christopher Baines, Maureen Milne, Dave Gruggen, Ken Foxcroft, Tom Pam, Mariko Toda, Samuel Minniti, and Howie Toda
PREVIOUS SOCIETY EVENTS
Over the past few months, Society members and their guests have enjoyed a variety of events including:
An Evening with Her Majesty’s British Consul General at the residence of Mr. Kevin McGurgan, the annual
St. George’s Day Service at The Cathedral Church of St. James, Royal Baby Birth & Queen Victoria Birthday
Celebration at the Duke of York, a wine tasting at the home of Maureen Milne, lunch at the Royal Canadian
Yacht Club (RCYC), the annual Garden Party at the home of Valerie Brennan and David Jean, and the annual
Cricket Match between The St. George’s Society of Toronto and The Toronto City Cricket Club.
Mingling at the British Consul General residence are (l-r): Michèle McCarthy (Society Past-President), Mr. Kevin McGurgan (British Consul General), Christopher Baines (Society President), Andrew McMurtry (Toronto
Branch Chairman of The Royal Commonwealth Society), and Ishrani Jaikaran (Society member)
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,
a
Assessing the next shot!
Members of The St. George’s Society of Toronto warm-up for their annual match against The
Toronto City Cricket Club for the Challenge Cup
Society members (l-r) Tom Pam, Shelagh O’Connor, and Jane Vining poised to
parade the Union Jack, Canadian flag, and St. George’s Society of Toronto flag into
the St. George’s Day Service of The Cathedral Church of St. James
Guests enjoy some shade and cold drinks at the annual Garden Party hosted
by Valerie Brennan and David Jean
Society members (l-r) break bread together at Pearl Diver after the
St. George’s Day Service: Harold Shepherd, Tom Pam, Penelope Johnston,
Samuel Minniti, Shelagh O’Connor, and Maureen Milne
TWO ABOVE PHOTOS: Society members help themselves to the homemade
buffet featuring suckling pig and cold summer salads
Society members Bill Motley and Diane-Motley Bailey lend their croquet set
for the Garden Party croquet tournament
Society members sample different wines at the home of Maureen Milne (l-r):
Bob Cartlidge, Tom Pam, Marueen Milne, Harold Shepherd, and John Welch
Extreme flute sounds of the accomplished Bill McBirnie Trio entertains guests
at the Garden Party (l-r): Fernando Tavares, Bill McBirnie, and Louis Botos
Events Committee Co-Chair, Shelagh O’Connor, presents Ingeborg Spribille
with a prize for best hat
TWO RIGHT PHOTOS: Society members toasting
the birth of the Princess of Cambridge and
enjoying a customized pink reveal cake
Society members and guests toast food, fun, and fellowship at the Royal
Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) lunch
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
Upcoming Society Events – Mark Your Calendars!
WAYS TO REGISTER FOR SOCIETY EVENTS
On-line: http://stgeorgesto.com/events/
E-Mail: sminniti@stgeorgesto.com
Telephone: (416) 597-0220
THIRD ANNUAL SCHOLARS’ RECEPTION
(Generously sponsored by Davis Webb Lawyers LLP with Special Guest Speaker,
Hugh Segal, CM, Master of Massey College)
Join fellow Society members at a reception as we acknowledge the 2015
St. George's Scholars who are pursuing their post-secondary education with the
assistance of scholarship funding from the Society's endowments at the University
of Toronto, York University, Ryerson University, OCAD University, and Wycliffe College.
Wednesday October 28, 2015, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Massey College
4 Devonshire Place, Toronto, ON, M5S 2E1
COST: $20
Register by Friday October 23, 2015
181ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
View the Magna Carta exhibit, participate in the Society’s 181st Annual General Meeting
(AGM), enjoy refreshments, as well as a lecture by Dr. Peter H. Russell, O.C., on the
Magna Carta and its contributions to constitutional democracy.
Tuesday November 3, 2015, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Fort York National Historic Site
250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto, ON, M5V 3K9
COST: Meeting (Free), Exhibit/Dinner/Lecture ($65.00)
Register by Friday October 30, 2015
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REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY & LUNCH
Join fellow Society members for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at The St. George's
Society of Toronto burial ground in the historic St. James Cemetery followed by lunch at
Cranberries Restaurant. We will remember the Canadians who paid the ultimate sacrifice to
support Allied forces overseas and honour previous Society members who selflessly dedicated
themselves to war-assistance efforts here at home. During WWII, the Society equipped and
sent a dental unit to the Armed Forces in England and members opened their homes to British
child guests who were evacuated from Great Britain. At the end of WWII, the Society's remaining
wartime program funds were donated to the Sunnybrook Veteran Hospital.
Wednesday November 11, 2015, 10:30 am
The St. George’s Society of Toronto Burial Ground, St. James Cemetery
635 Parliament Street, Toronto, ON, M4X 1R1
COST: Ceremony (Free), 3-Course Lunch at Cranberries ($40.00)
Register by Friday November 6, 2015
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Join fellow Society members for this movie-themed evening of Yuletide cheer which will
feature a traditional Christmas dinner with Christmas pudding, carols, music, dancing, raffle
prizes, a silent auction, and prizes for best male and female movie star costume. Guests are
encouraged to bring a new, gift-wrapped toy (indicating for which gender and age range) to be
donated to the Yonge Street Mission. This year's President's Appeal will benefit The Toronto
Harbour Light Ministries (The Salvation Army), a charity in downtown Toronto whose outreach
includes programs for immigrants and refugees, addictions recovery, a transitional housing
program, and much more.
Saturday December 12, 2015, 6:00 pm
St. George’s Hall
14 Elm Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1R1
COST: $100
Register by Friday December 4, 2015
LINCOLN ALEXANDER DAY PUB NIGHT
Join Society members in celebrating Lincoln Alexander Day, a day recognized not only in Ontario,
but across Canada, in honour of Ontario’s 24th Lieutenant-Governor and former member of The
St. George's Society of Toronto, Colonel The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, PC, CC, K St. J,
O. Ont, CD, QC, BA, LL. B, LL. D (Hon.), D.S. Litt. (Hon.).
Hear from Lincoln Alexander's wife and current Society member, Marni Beal-Alexander, on her
stories and memories of "Linc" and how her efforts led to Lincoln Alexander Day becoming a reality.
Thursday January 21, 2016, 6:00 pm
Duke of York Pub
39 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5R 1B2
COST: $40
Register by Friday December 4, 2015
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
RIGHT: Society members and
guests visit the Society burial
ground for Remembrance Day
Spotlight on
The St. George’s Society
of Toronto Burial Ground
at St. James Cemetery:
PRIVATE EDWARD BEETTAM
The poor, the unknown, that are passed by so easily are sometimes those that have sacrificed the most for their community.
Private William Beettam, whose final resting place is at The St. George’s Society of Toronto burial ground within St. James
Cemetery, is one such person. In his own modest way, Beettam devoted his life to what he believed was his duty, in some of the
most terrifying conditions imaginable, under virtually constant threat of death.
Private Beettam was one of the survivors of the Light Brigade immortalized by Alfred Lord Tennyson in his 1854 narrative poem.
CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
(SELECTED VERSES)
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
Prior to his enlistment at Birmingham at the age of 18, Edward Beettam
was a shoemaker who lived through the Irish famine prior to going to
Crimea, where he participated in the Charge of the Light brigade on
October 25, 1854. According to his sister, he boarded the ship to Crimea
with a broken leg (which was reported upon his death by The Globe and
Mail on March 17, 1893).
Private Beettam also served in the 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge’s
Own), a cavalry regiment of the British Army in the Indian Rebellion
of 1857 and more specifically participated in the Relief of the Siege of
Lucknow on September 25, 1857 taking back the Residency (political
office managed by a Resident engaged in relations with British India
at the time) which had been under siege for 87 days with 1,280 noncombatants, including hundreds of women and children within the
building. In fact, during his service, Private Beettam had three horses
shot out from underneath him during the Indian Mutiny as the Indian
soldiers, or sepoys, had become increasingly troubled over the preceding
years, feeling that their religion and customs were under threat from
the rationalising and evangelising activities of the East Indian Company.
Interestingly, the flashpoint of the Indian Rebellion was the introduction
of the Enfield rifle whose cartridges came in greased packets that were
bitten open in the loading process and were believed to be greased with
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a mixture of beef fat and pork fat – a deterrent – which was felt would defile both Hindu and Muslim Indian soldiers (pork being
abhorrent to Muslims and cows being sacred to Hindus), thus their refusal to bite open the packets in which the cartridges and
powder were packed.
In total Private Beettam served just under 17 years including a period in China defending the honour and lands of the British Empire
before he was discharged on May 28, 1864. Upon his retirement he joined the Birmingham police and served in the detective
service.
The Heritage Committee would
like to formally thank John and
Eileen Archer for their unwavering
commitment over the past 15
years toward the upkeep of The St.
George’s Society of Toronto burial
ground at St. James Cemetery.
Their green thumbs and attention
to detail have ensured that the
burial ground is always in excellent
condition, regardless of the season
and especially for Remembrance Day
ceremonies.
In almost constant pain from past injuries and now retired, Edward Beettam came to
Canada to make a home for himself and his family but often could not work due to
his injuries. He was the last surviving member of the Charge of the Light Brigade from
the Crimean War living in Canada when he died on March 1, 1893. Upon his death, a
member of The St. George’s Society of Toronto intervened and with the assistance of
the local regiment commander, helped gain him a funeral with full military honours, a
three-gun salute, and a final resting place in The St. George’s Society of Toronto plot at
St. James Cemetery on the west side of what was then Kings Road. His wife Rosanna
Beettam is buried nearby and they are survived by their great, great granddaughter
Donna Beettam, currently living in Florida with her two daughters.
The St. George’s Society of Toronto has maintained a place of final resting for the poor
originally in the yard of the Cathedral Church of St. James Cathedral since the Society’s
founding in 1834 and in the St. James Cemetery since 1854. It is also the venue for the
Society’s annual Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Making Historica
The St. George’s Society of Toronto is proud to be an official entry in the latest version of The
Canadian Encyclopedia. First published in print in 1985 by Mel Hurtig dubbed “the biggest
publishing project in Canadian history”, it is now released in an enhanced digital, interactive format by Historica Canada, the largest independent
organization devoted to enhancing awareness of Canadian history and citizenship.
According to the publisher of The Canadian Encyclopedia, Anthony Wilson-Smith, “the idea of covering all branches of knowledge or aspects of a subject
in one body of work dates back to 1728 in England. However, a bilingual national edition produced by, for, and about the people of a single country,
charting its events, culture, history, and landscape, remains rare.”
Currently, The Canadian Encyclopedia contains roughly 36,000 articles contributed by more than 4,400 individuals including Margaret Atwood, Piers
Handling, Daniel Latouche, Marc Laurendeau, David Suzuki, and the late Pierre Berton. It also features more than 30,000 multimedia items, is available
to anyone with internet access, and receives more than six million unique visitors each year for a whopping 9.5 million page views. Some of the new
interactive features include curated content exhibits, interactive timelines, immediate updates of important events and a user-generated content map
that invites Canadians to share their stories. Wilson-Smith notes that “if culture is in fact the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, The Canadian
Encyclopedia will strive to be the most comprehensive collection of Canadian stories online.”
To view The St. George’s Society of Toronto article in The Canadian Encyclopedia, visit
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/st-georges-society-of-toronto/
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
Society Membership Profile: Striking Gold
The St. George’s Society of Toronto has had many presidents since it was established in 1834. No doubt,
these presidents have varied greatly over the past 181 years with respect to their personalities, approaches,
and charities of choice for their president’s appeal. Nevertheless, one unifying characteristic is that these
presidents have been presented with a President’s Medal upon the conclusion of their respective term.
For the past two decades, since 1995, thanks to the recruitment of then-Society President, Barry Davenport
(1993-1994), the Society has been fortunate to have Don Spratling, a Society member himself and jewelry
maker by trade, strike and personize the President’s Medal, each time waiving his labour and only charging
for the cost of gold.
Born in Gravesend, England, aproximately 40 kilometres east of London, Don was evacuated from the city
as a child during the blitz, a period of intense bombing by Nazi Germany. He eventually was returned to
his parents, and lived his childhood surrounded by bombed out buildings and constant air raids. During
WWII he saw the “buzz-bombs” (the V1 missiles and V2 rockets) flying overhead before they dived into the
ground, killing thousands of civilians. Eventually, Don saw National Service with the British army, where he
served in Northern Ireland as a medic.
Don immigrated to Canada to supervise gold refining at Engelhard in Toronto, before retiring to become
an independent jeweler. He specialized in producing a variety of jewelry products, and developed a
remarkable expertise in producing items in miniature for which he was sought after by companies who
specialized in doll houses. He also worked for a number of years on an educational assistance programme
offered by the Government of Canada where he travelled to Asia and Latin America to train students in the
art of jewelry making.
Don is a member of the City of London Goldsmiths Guild. One of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of
the City of London, the Goldsmiths’ Company received its Royal Charter in 1327. Founded to regulate the
craft of the goldsmith, the Company has been responsible since 1300 for testing the quality of precious
metals and hallmarking and it continues to carry out this statutory function through the operations of Assay Office London. Based at Goldsmiths’ Hall,
one of London’s hidden architectural treasures, the Company regularly holds exhibitions and events to promote contemporary jewelers and silversmiths,
including an annual selling exhibition, Goldsmiths’ Fair.
Favourites of Marion’s: Knight In Shining Armour
and The Mad Hatter
Through his certification as a goldsmith, Don is automatically a Freeman of the City of London and proudly displays his certificate in his workshop.
“I knew Don had the expertise and recommended that the Society utilize his services and trained eye” stated Barry Davenport. According to Barry, in
Don’s role as the Society’s Steward, he conducted an inventory review in conjunction with then-Executive Director, Frances Sommerville, which resulted in
Don’s first painting at the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy
An abstract painting by Don of a fish with a
mouth at each end
Framed artwork entitled Dromedary available via the Society’s silent auction
at the upcoming Christmas Celebration
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the discovery that two of the antique silver trophies owned by the Society were quite valuable. In fact, the trophy
presented annually to the winner of the cricket match between The St. George’s Society of Toronto and the Toronto
City Cricket Club has been estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars. This trophy is owned by the Society,
however, given the string of recent victories of The Toronto City Cricket Club, the trophy remains on display within
Council Chambers at City Hall.
Detailed miniatures made by Don
Although Don did not play cricket, he had a distinguished career in the sport of rugby union and played for many
years for the Toronto Nomads and represented Ontario at the position of Hooker. He even participated in Nomads
tours to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Argentina. His love of rugby led Don to assist
fellow Society member, John Zimnoch, in organizing a rugby match between The St. George’s Society and “the rest
of the world”, which the Society naturally won!
In addition to his role as Society Steward, Don often volunteered for the Society in the past by dressing up as a
Beefeater when the Society participated with the other Loyal Societies in Queen Victoria’s Birthday parade.
The silicone rubber mould used by Don in the lost
wax process to produce The St. George’s Society of
Toronto President’s Medal
According to Barry, Don was versatile. “Don was an expert skier, and was a member of the Ski Patrol team for many
years at the Georgian Peaks Ski Club near Collingwood. He teamed with a number of fellow ski-patrollers and rugby
players to acquire a farmhouse near the hamlet of Banks (close to Collingwood) which became known as the ‘Kraal’
and Don was the President of this cooperative for many years, presiding over the good times and great revelry that
took place there. He is known to his many friends as a generous man with a great sense of humour who would do
anything to help out someone in need”, reminisced Barry.
Now at the age of 77 and living with mild dementia, Don has understandably informed the Society that he is no
longer able to strike the President’s Medals. Although Don is using his jewelry-making moulds and miniaturemaking tools less and less these days, he’s picking up his paintbrushes more and more.
Don spends most days at the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy, a joint venture by the University Health Network
and York University offering arts-based wellness programs focused on relationships and self-expression through
movement and art for individuals living with memory loss, their families, and care partners. Despite the change in
his artistic focus, Don’s craftsmanship is quite evident as his original artwork has been displayed in exhibits at the Academy. According to Maureen Coyle,
manager of the Academy, “art is used for our participants as a way of being expressive, improving quality of life and exploring ways to live as full a life as
possible given the life-changing challenges that dementia brings”.
Some of Don’s original artwork that was displayed
at the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy
According to Don’s wife of 47 years, Marion, also a Society member, “Don’s art has undergone a dramatic change. He’s painted occasionally as a hobby
for years…but since he’s been coming here and started painting more and more, I can see that his paintings are quite different, much more creative.
Before, he used to look at landscapes, and paint them. Now he generates his own paintings that are remarkably abstract.” And abstract they are as some
of Don’s paintings have animals that are anatomically incorrect, such as a fish with mouths at each end.
Despite his prolific pace, Don doesn’t consider himself to be an artist, rather, more of a technician that lets the art emerge. “Once I touch the paint, the
paint goes on its own. I have a lot on my mind, but no specific plan when I start. It just develops as I go. I’ve switched from acrylic paint to watercolour
paints as I like to see how the colours run into each other because it changes my first idea and it becomes something a bit different.”
When asked which of Don’s artwork is Marion’s favourite, she smiled and indicated Don’s very first painting at the Academy – Knight In Shining Armour
– and The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Don chuckled and stated, “It wasn’t a tea party when I started. It was going to be an old Victorian tea party, but it
transformed. None of my paintings look like anything that I thought of initially.”
Although Don and Marion Spratling will not be able to attend this year’s Christmas Celebration, Don is donating a framed painting entitled Dromedary
for the Society’s silent auction.
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The St. George’s Society of Toronto
Colonel The Honourable
Lincoln MacCauley Alexander
as Ontario’s 24th Lieutenant Governor
24TH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF ONTARIO AND FORMER SOCIETY MEMBER,
LINCOLN ALEXANDER ALREADY RECOGNIZED PROVINCIALLY WITH
LINCOLN ALEXANDER DAY, NOW HONOURED NATIONALLY
January 21, the birthday of Ontario’s 24th Lieutenant Governor and former Society member, Lincoln
Alexander, was proclaimed provincially as Lincoln Alexander Day thanks to Bill 125 which received Royal
Assent on December 12, 2013. Now, the rest of the country will join Ontarians in recognizing January 21 as
Lincoln Alexander Day thanks to Senate Bill S-213 which received Royal Assent on December 9, 2014. Below
is an excerpt from Bill S-213:
Whereas Colonel The Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander demonstrated, through his life’s pursuits, a
longstanding interest in and commitment to serving his country and his community.
Linc and Marni holding hands
Whereas Colonel The Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander had a long and distinguished record of public
service, including as an airman in the Royal Canadian Air Force, as a Member of Parliament in the House of
Commons and a Minister of the Crown, and later as the twenty-fourth Lieutenant Governor of the Province of
Ontario.
Whereas Colonel The Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander was the first Black Canadian to be elected as
Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, to be appointed as Cabinet minister and to be appointed as
Lieutenant Governor.
Whereas Colonel The Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander was a passionate advocate for the advancement of
education, race relations and youth issues, including by serving as Chancellor of the University of Guelph and Chair
of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
Marni Beal-Alexander in the legislature at Queen’s Park
the day Bill 123 received Royal Assent
And whereas the Parliament of Canada wishes to honour and recognize the significant contributions of Colonel The
Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander to Canada by designating January 21 — the day
of his birth in 1922 — as “Lincoln Alexander Day”.
FALL
2015
HONOURS FOR COLONEL THE HONOURABLE LINCOLN M. ALEXANDER,
P.C., C.C., K. St. J., O. Ont., C.D., Q.C., B.A., L.L. B., L.L. D. (Hon.), D.S. Litt. (Hon.)
APPOINTMENTS
June 4, 1979 – October 19, 2012: Member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada (PC)
April 30, 1992 – October 19, 2012: Companion of the Order of Canada (CC)
1992 – 2012: Member of the Order of Ontario (O. Ont)
MEDALS
Knight of the Order of St. John (K St. J) (1985)
Canadian Forces Decoration (1994)
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
War Medal 1939 – 1945
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (1992)
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
HONOURARY DEGREES
University of Toronto (1986)
McMaster University (1987)
University of Western Ontario (1988)
York University (1990)
Royal Military College of Canada
Queen’s University (1992)
EPONYMS
Lincoln M. Alexander Award
Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway
Lincoln Alexander Public School (Ajax, Hamilton, Markham)
Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School (Mississauga)
Alexander Hall, University of Guelph
876 Lincoln Alexander Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron
Lincoln M. Alexander Building (OPP Headquarters, Orillia)
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, chats with Lincoln Alexander
prior to a lunch at the Pinewood Toronto Studios during her last
visit to Canada in 2010
Offering their condolences (l-r): Governor General, David Johnston (at a reception held by Society member Marni Beal-Alexander)
and then Prime Minister, Stephen Harper (while the casket of Lincoln Alexander lies in state at Queen’s Park)
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
PHOTOS: Society Executive Director, Samuel Minniti, appearing live on CTV News Channel to answer questions about the Royal Family and birth of Her Royal Highness, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana
BIRTH OF ROYAL BABY
The St. George’s Society of Toronto enjoyed national attention in the lead-up to (and after) the birth of Her Royal Highness,
Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. The Society’s Executive Director, Samuel Minniti, was interviewed on live television by
CTV News Channel on three separate occasions – Friday April 24, 2015, Wednesday April 29, 2015, and Saturday May 2,
2015 – to discuss global speculation regarding the gender and name of the then unborn child of the Duke and Duchess
of Cambridge (including the Society’s own baby contest), the anniversary of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and
ultimately the birth of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
Membership
Fee Credit
For Referring
Someone To
Join The Society
Membership continues to be of major importance to the Society and the goal is to retain present members
and increase our number through engagement and networking. As part of a membership campaign, current
members of The St. George’s Society of Toronto are encouraged to propose a new member. For each
individual who joins, the proposer will receive a credit of $25.00 to be used toward future membership
renewal fees. The Committee of Management (COM) hopes each member will be part of this campaign, giving
consideration to proposing a neighbour, friend, relative, recent retiree, or someone within a professional
circle such as an accountant, lawyer, architect, banker, or investment dealer. Members can share the delights
of events such as an historic dinner and speaker at Campbell House, the annual Christmas Celebration (while
raising funds for the President’s Appeal), the Society’s popular garden party, and lunch at the exclusive Royal
Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) just to name a few. The Events Committee also organizes wine tastings, events
with guest speakers, and pub gatherings. Guests are welcome at many events and this is an ideal way to
introduce prospective members to the Society.
In addition, members of The St. George’s Society of Toronto enjoy certain privileges via The St. George’s
Society of New York, including retail discounts, reduced rates at some hotels in London, England, and special
promotions announced monthly.
FALL
2015
2016 Charitable Trust Donations
Recently, the Charitable Trust Committee of The St. George’s Society of Toronto reviewed over 40 funding applications from various
Toronto-based charities that have applied for funding. After ample review and deliberation, the Charitable Trust Committee awarded
15 organizations with funding to assist them in their worthwhile endeavours as detailed in the table below.
ORGANIZATION
FUNDING PURPOSE
FUNDING AWARDED
The creation of a new sign providing increased
visibility for Campbell House as well as recognition
for The St. George’s Society of Toronto
$1,500
Support of Casey House’s Community Program (direct
clinical care and care co-ordination by a registered
nurse, psycho-social counselling and support by
experienced social workers, massage and recreation
therapies, child care, special finance assistance, and
residence care and comfort fund
$2,000
Fund community counselling programs, their only
service open to all women, helping them deal with
underlying issues that may have brought them into
the criminal justice system such as substance use,
parenting issues, poverty, and abuse
$2,000
EVA’S INITIATIVE
Provide much-needed assistance to vulnerable
homeless and at-risk youth aged 16-24 including safe
shelter, nutritious food, basic needs, and access to a
caring staff while they are living at a shelter
$5,000
ST. MATTHEW’S BRACONDALE HOUSE
Provide seniors with affordable housing, programs
toward holistic wellness, affordable services and
classes providing physical activity, and emotional/
social support to promote healthy aging
$3,000
STREET HEALTH
Support nursing programs and clinics that offer
healthcare and mental health outreach to homeless
and underhoused individuals in Toronto
$5,000
THE BOUNDLESS SCHOOL
Support their education program serving 225 of
Toronto’s high risk teenagers
$5,000
THE GOOD NEIGHBOURS’ CLUB
Support the drop-in centre in downtown Toronto that serves
homeless and marginally housed seniors, funding would
support their emergency clothing and basic medical programs
$2,000
THREE TO BE
Support research, education, and therapies for children with
neurological disabilities, funding would allow 20 children to
access community programs that they otherwise would not be
able to access
$5,000
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Support the Job Camp program which allows youth with
challenges (homelessness, low levels of education,
criminal records, mental health disorder, drug abuse),
to identify and pursue their goals
$2,000
Veterans Wing at Sunnybrook
$4,000
Continued restoration and décor for St. George’s Chapel
$5,000
Student Financial Aid
$2,000
CAMPBELL HOUSE
CASEY HOUSE
ELIZABETH FRY
THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
– FORT YORK BRANCH
THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. JAMES
ROYAL ST. GEORGE’S COLLEGE
$43,500TOTAL
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
1
2
Society-Themed Crossword
3
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5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
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31
32
34
ACROSS
3. The Society’s year of birth according to Maximian (roman numerals)
12. Humble abode of a past Society member beside Spadina House (2 words)
14. Society member who was the 8th Canadian Prime Minister
15. Full name of the guest speaker for the Society’s upcoming Annual General
Meeting (4 words)
16. 2015 Award of Merit recipient recognized at the 2015 Red Rose Ball (2 words)
17. Patron Saint of England (2 words)
18. Setting of where COM is elected each year (acronym)
19. St. George was a solider in this Empire
20. Original site of the Society burial ground prior to St. James Cemetery (5 words)
22. Past Society member that brought hydroelectricity to Toronto (3 words)
23. Current street of the Society office
25. Full name of the lung disorder being researched at The McEwen Centre for
Regenerative Medicine
27. Current site of the Society’s burial ground (3 words)
28. A survivor of the Light Brigade whose final resting place is at the Society’s
burial ground (3 words)
31. Full name of the Princess of Cambridge born this past May (3 words)
32. The British Coffee House where the Society was founded stood at the corner
of York Street and this Street
33. Long-time host of the Society’s wine tasting event (2 words)
34. Society member who was a Lieutenant-General in the British Army and Scout
Movement Founder (4 words)
35. Value in dollars of the credit applied toward membership renewal for
referring a new member to the Society
33
35
DOWN
1. A typical holiday gift to the needy from the Society in days of yore (2 words)
2. Setting of this year’s Scholars’ Reception (2 words)
4. The largest independent organization devoted to enhancing awareness of
Canadian history and citizenship (2 words)
5. Entity within the Society which accepts funding applications (2 words)
6. Christmas Celebration venue (3 words)
7. Ontario’s 24th Lieutenant Governor and former Society member (2 words)
8. Venue for the Society’s upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) (5 words)
9. Number of organizations recently funded by the Charitable Trust
10. Emcee of the 2015 Red Rose Ball (2 words)
11. Current Society President (2 words)
13. Process by which Don Spratling created President’s Medals for the Society
16. This is the Board of Directors for the Society (3 words)
20. Name of the restaurant where the Society will have lunch on Remembrance Day
21. The legendary animal slain by St. George
24. Venue for the Society’s Lincoln Alexander Day Pub Night (3 words)
26. Society member who is Canada’s oldest active solider (2 words)
29. Street on which St. George’s Hall is located
30. The 21st day of this month is Lincoln Alexander Day
Stumped on the crossword? Questions or comments? Suggestions for the next newsletter?
Contact Samuel Minniti, Executive Director,
at (416) 597-0220 or sminniti@stgeorgesto.com
The St. George’s Society of Toronto
50 Baldwin Street, Suite 306 Toronto, ON, M5T 1L4
http://stgeorgesto.com/