I am very pleased to say the convention was a success.  There were a few problems but we can’t please everyone.   Ann Clarkson and I arrived at the Malborough on Saturday June 13^th, and went nonstop until Wednesday June 17^th.   The delegates started arriving on Saturday and we took registrations until Monday.  We ended up with 207 registered delegates.  There were over 20 delegates who didn’t register.  The Bud/Spud/Steak night was a huge success.  They sold over 280 tickets.  Everyone complimented on how great it was.  Dave did a great job with the dinner.  Thank you, Dave.  Monday’s dinner of Roast Beef again had a good turnout.  The delegates enjoyed themselves very much.  Bruce Barton and his committee sold 50/50 tickets from Saturday to Tuesday.  They did an outstanding job.  Three out of four people won from St. James # 4.  The volunteers worked very hard selling souvenirs both at the convention and at the Branch.  Thank you.  I have to thank also the ladies who worked on the registration table.  It started off slow but then got busy.  Giselle was our runner and I have to say she was running back and forth making sure all the money went back to the Branch with her two body guards, Glenn and Blake.  I want to thank all the volunteers who helped set up for the silent auction and did a great job selling the tickets.  We made over $1,100.00 on the auction.  The banquet dinner was excellent.   Thank you, Bernie for getting the Marvells.  Everyone was complimenting on how great the band was.   I think though everyone at the convention knows Al Coote eats Green Giant vegetables.  The drivers were kept quite busy driving back and forth with the delegates.

I have to say, the parade was awesome.  It was so impressive to see all the delegates,  Air Command Band and 402 Pipes and Drums marching to Memorial Boulevard.

It was sad that we didn’t get any coverage but Bob Harvey has taken action to take care of this matter.  Eric Murphy and Ronn Anderson worked very hard to make the parade happen.  It was an outstanding job you both did.  Thank you to Ed Belhumeur for being our Master of Ceremonies at the parade and the banquet.

A huge thank you to Leif, and the staff.  You did a fantastic job.   Also thank you to Ronn Anderson and Roland Fisette for all of their help.  They both helped from the beginning right till the end.   I never would have been able to do half of what I did if it wasn’t for your experience.  You taught me well.

To all the volunteers, I can’t say enough to thank you.  I have to say a special thank you to Al Coote and Ann Clarkson, my two co-chairs.  They stuck with me through thick and thin.

These are the people who deserve a huge thank you:

Raffle, 50/50 Tickets - Bruce Barton, Muriel Barton, Shelley Smith, Joanne & Kathy Sproule.

Registration - Liz Halladay, Leslie Appelt, Marilyn Patenaude & Giselle Coote (runner).

Drivers - Ken Arsenault, Doug Thomas, Don Main, Scotty Fergusen, Jim Simm, Bob Baldwin, Bill Quinn, Ron Robinson, Terry Jones, Ron Mosionier and Ryan Marand.

Bud/Spud Tickets - Mary Goss and Vicky Bilecki.

Souvenirs - Ken Morley, Sheila Baldwin, Shirley James, Norma Jean Patenaude and Lisa Patenaude.

Silent Auction/VIP Reception - Roxanne Mills, Joyce Coles, Marge Russel, Marge Dibley, Judy Appelt and Charles Appelt.

Parade - Ronn Anderson, Eric Murphy and Butch Shaen (Waterman).

Mike System - Brian Leitch.

Branch Functions & Bands - Darcy Halladay and Bernie Roy.

Money Runners - Glen Morrison and Blake Appelt.

Publicity - Bob Harvey.

Opening Ceremonies - All Coote and Mary Anne McGibney.

Pipers - Alyssa Appelt and Doc Jardine.

Banquet - Dale Bennett.

Master of Ceremonies - Ed Belhumeur.