Alere Flammam The newsletter of the Lisgar Alumni Association Volume XXVI • 1 st Issue • Spring 2011 Graduating Quiz Team Leaves Big Shoes By Junlan Li

n our last junior quiz practice today, our juniors were told Ithat they had “big shoes to fill,” as the senior team was graduat - ing. Looking back, I remembered those shoes being really big, and I realized, with a jolt, that we’d grown into them. In our grade nine year, 2008, our seniors won the “Reach for the Top” Nationals by a hairsbreadth and an air horn, against our traditional rivals, University of Schools (UTS). Our captain, Patrick Liao, was there in the stands, and I believe (although he’s modest about it) this moment was a driving factor in what pushed him to WHIZ QUIZ CHAMPIONS: Students Stuart Macdonald, Patrick Liao, Junlan Li, Joe Su, and Will Sanna show trophies. Teacher Ruth Crabtree stands behind. be one of the most influential trivia since the revival of the school’s “Reach becoming International Champions on two formats: “Reach for the Top” is players on the Canadian trivia circuit. for the Top” team. It was a bitter pill to WPBS’s “WhizQuiz” competition, by a less academically demanding, more But Lisgar won, and finally, after being swallow and I felt like we let down our fairly large margin. This year, we took adrenaline driven, and much more a title-less yet strong academic trivia teammates, our club, and our school. first and most seconds at all the controversial than its American coun - school, we had our first National title. One of my teachers asked me what I tournaments, except for our own terpart, which most players enjoyed The cameras flashed, the winners was doing back so early. I couldn’t house-run “Reach for the Top” tour - more. Still, Patrick, Alex Rochon, Joe basked, and we, the juniors, cheered. answer. nament, where the National Su, Weikai Chen, and I chose the So we had big shoes to fill. It wasn’t In our last year, we were deter - Champions from New Brunswick came Canadian championship, while Harry until grade 11 that we realized how big mined to make it count. We took every to play. It was pretty close though; we Rusnock, Stuart Macdonald, Will those shoes really were. Coming off a chance we could to play tournaments. still came second, even without our Sanna, and Geoffrey Song chose the wonderfully exhilarating We hosted tournaments like the Fall senior players, who wrote the tourna - American tournament in Atlanta. They Quizbowl Championship win, we fell Novice, for our juniors. We even wrote ment. did well, as the perennially only flat on our faces at Ontario’s “Reach our own tournaments, writing a And then we had to make a choice. Canadian team, contending with fairly for the Top” Provincial tournament. “Reach for the Top” style tournament, The Canadian National “Reach for the heavy American content, missing the Twelfth place. Lisgar hadn’t fin - and played at places like the University Top” championship, or the much big - playoffs by a heartbreaker and a slow ished outside the top ten in the decade of Toronto, the University of ger American High School National reader. Washington, and the University of Championship Tournament? For one We did well at the city tournament, Alere Flammam Delaware. We played and hosted Trivia thing, they fell on the same day. For winning the Ottawa title for the eighth Nights. And we learned, we practiced, another, going to both would have cost time in recent years. At Provincials, we and we won. us each over $2500. Plus it would Inside We started off the school year by mean having to choose between the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4... Members’ Forum 2 In Memoriam 2 Lisgar Archives 4 Your Alumni Association Needs You! Lisgar’s Wikipedian 5 We continue to look for a new Treasurer to manage the finances of the Association and a new Newsletter Editor to New Bicycle Racks from Alumni 6 lead the production of Alere Flammam . If you are interested in either of these roles, or would like to get involved with the Alumni Association in another capacity big or small, please contact us at [email protected] or (866) 236-1450. 2010 Donors 6 Members’ Forum Members’ Forum In Memoriam Jim Kekanovich (1952) wrote: What EAL , E. Ruth (Todd, 1946) died on General Hospital and served as a surprise to see the photo of the 1950 July 13, 2009. Life member. President of the Canadian Dietetic junior hockey team in the Fall 2010 BOWLEY , Kathleen (Barclay, Association. In 1977 she received the issue, and myself in the second row. I 1939) died on November 16, 2010. Queen’s Medal. remember all of the faces (61 years From 1942 to 1945 she served in the HOPPER , E. Peter (1947) died on ago), and fondly recall those happy Women’s Royal Canadian Naval October 31, 2010. Life member. and carefree times. Although I contin - Service, and was the only “WREN” to KUJALA , Andrea (nee Vickers, ued to play many sports, hockey was be awarded the France and Germany teacher 1976-1991) died April 12, one of my favourite and was engen - Star. After graduation from Queen’s 2011. She taught business subjects at dered in my youth by playing hours University she worked for the Royal Lisgar, and also taught at Sir Wilfrid and hours on the outdoor rinks in Commission on the Arts, Letters and Laurier and Hillcrest. A forthright per - Ottawa’s Lowertown. I even recall Sciences headed by Vincent Massey. son, Andrea was a faithful and forceful clearing a patch of ice on the Rideau CAMERON , Claire (Ritchie, 1950) presence at the weekly breakfast of Canal well before it became the skat - died on April 22, 2011. She played former Lisgar women teachers. She ing venue it now is. I went on to a basketball and volleyball at Lisgar and was an avid reader and lover of music, degree in Forestry from the University began her habit there of forming life- having served as business manager of of Toronto and spent most of my long friendships. the Strings of St. John. Andrea was also career at Natural Resources in north - CREED , Sheila (Bowser, 1942) a regular volunteer at St. Patrick’s ern Ontario. I should also mention died on April 14, 2010. home where she provided palliative that I have been a library board mem - DUNLOP , James (Jim, 1950) died care and accompanied the elders in ber for the Municipality of Grey on November 18, 2010 in Oakville. song at weekly Saturday gatherings. Highlands for the last 10 years and GREEN , Thomas (1950) died on PERRIN , Douglas (1950) died undoubtedly this participation is due March 27, 2010. Life member. February 20, 2011. Life member. in no small part to the influence of HALLIDAY , Dr. Bruce (1944) RUDDY , Helen (Hanson, 1941/2) Lisgar. Your alumni newsletter is died on January 1, 2011. He complet - died on December 28, 2010. great. ed his high school education with two SAUNDERS , Sam (teacher 1974- years at Lisgar, where he played on the 1989) passed away on March 28, Hugh Acheson (1990) is a chef and senior hockey team before entering 2011. He had a thirty-five year career owns three restaurants in Athens, LISGAR’S TOP CHEF: Hugh Acheson (1990). Medicine at the University of Toronto. as a devoted teacher, and will be Georgia. This spring, he competed He practiced family medicine for 22 remembered for his gregarious and on the reality television program Wholesome Wave. The organization years and then became the Member of enthusiastic nature. At Lisgar, he over - “Top Chef Masters,” winning supports increased production and Parliament for Oxford, serving from saw numerous art shows and the cre - $15,000 for the charity of his choice, access to healthy, fresh, and afford - 1974 to 1993. An advocate for the dis - ation of snow sculptures on the canal able locally grown food, especially in abled, he is credited with the intro - for Winterlude. More recently, he Editor historically excluded urban and duction of sloped sidewalks at inter - organized an alumni art show during Melissa Polak rural communities. sections for wheelchair access. He the 160th anniversary of the school. Layout & Design One of Hugh’s more unusual cre - received a commendation from the STEWART , Mary Irene (St. Avi Caplan ations on the show was for the “bug” President of the United States when the Germaine, 1939) challenge, during which he prepared idea was adopted in many states. TORONTOW , Cyril (1939) Contributors Joy Heft tempura crickets with a carrot HAYWARD , Marjorie (Swerdfager, WHITTLE , Brian (1944) died on David Lamperd puree. The crickets narrowly won 1958) passed away on February 3, December 7, 2010. After graduating Melissa Polak out over a sunchoke salad with bee - 2011. After being Head Girl at Lisgar, from Lisgar, he joined the Army and tle vinaigrette. she attended Carleton University and was involved with infantry training Alere Flammam is the semi-annual newsletter of the Lisgar Alumni Hugh has a cookbook in the the University of Ottawa. She taught during the latter part of WWII. He Association. works, which we imagine will not English as a second language at graduated from the University of include cricket recipes. It will be Algonquin College for over 20 years. Toronto with a degree in English and Lisgar Alumni Association entitled A New Turn of the South. HOOD , Helen (1943) died on moved to Pembroke where he was a 29 Lisgar Street Ottawa, ON K2P 0B9 December 7, 2010. She graduated reporter with the Ottawa Journal. He [email protected] Lucy Poaps (Connelly, 1947) wrote: from McGill with a B.Sc. and became then moved to Ottawa to work for the (866) 236-1450 I have just come across an old copy of Director of Nutrition at the Toronto National Energy Board. Life Member. ■ http://www.lisgar.net Alere Flammam and realized it has been a long time since I received one. remember to advise us of any enjoyed the latest issue of Alere We are proud to use FSC certified, Very likely I neglected to notify you of change in address!] Flammam as it featured classmate processed chlorine free, 100% post- our updated address. Did you think I Raoul Jenner: In my retirement, I consumer recycled paper. had died?! [Editor’s note: Please John Dunfield (1937) wrote that he have written a number of books on the

Alere Flammam • Spring 2011 • Page 2 Members’ Forum forestry/lumbering era in the Ottawa the public should ever be presented schemes. And that is also wrong. But it Belford (1989) and Simon Keeble Valley (1800-2000) and wondered if with. It is simply wrong. is the requirement of all schools, not (2000) recently performed in you would like one or two for the I can think of no easier way to just Lisgar. A $365 outlay is quite a dif - GLEEbe The Musical at the Glebe library? alienate the public and therefore the ferent matter. Community Center. trustees who govern the purse, than to [Editor’s note: We thank Mr. Robert Maudsley wrote: When I get a suggest the above. Since back in the Wade for raising these important Kathleen Whittle wrote to share chance when I am in Ottawa on busi - days of the forerunner of both Gifted issues. Like other public school some information and newspaper ness, I enjoy meeting with former and Enriched courses, Lisgar has been administrations, the Ottawa- clippings of her father Brian (1944) classmates from 1956-57 Alan Ross, able to deflect the constant criticism Carleton District School Board is who recently passed away: My father Bob McAskin, Dave Ivison, Hugh that the school was elite. And with studying how best to support learn - was very proud of his attendance at Hiscox, AJ Quarrington, Bob Short and good reason. It has not always been ing by incorporating technologies as Lisgar, so I was wondering if the Bob Hopwood. easy but nevertheless possible to fend fairly and effectively as possible. The enclosed information would be of off criticism of Lisgar's special pro - Board is considering guidelines interest to Alere Flammam . If you do Ann Aller (Marsh, 1947) wrote to tell grams to accommodate the specially based on a consultation process, decide to publish any of this, could us that her granddaughter Kiersten talented and motivated for what we all and the Ontario Ministry of you please send a copy to my mother Aller is currently enrolled in grade felt were obvious reasons. Education is also reviewing the Evelyn? ten at Lisgar. Yes, students are required to buy issue. A key question under consid - [Editor’s note: See newspaper books and pencils and lots of other eration is how students in financial clipping below.] David Pinhey (1955) sent in contact things that I probably have no idea of need could be supported if a juris - information for Bob Walker—one these days, having left public teaching diction were to require students to Dorothy Shannon (Harvey, 1948) of the Alumni we were trying to con - so long ago. And sadly, schools are have wireless devices.] wrote: I meet people in Victoria, BC tact. Thanks David! constantly under pressure to supple - who attended Lisgar in the 1940’s and ment tax support with fund raising Mary Tsai-Davies (1985), Reena speak so fondly of Lisgar. ■ Larry Wade (teacher 1962-1992) wrote: I have been reading the Fall 2010 issue and was struck by the lead article, “Lisgar Math Class Takes Step into Future.” I was particularly impressed with the success of math teacher Mr. Robert Tang’s students, who use the iPod Touch and have enjoyed great success in so doing. And I can well imagine that in the future such technology will be indispensible for maths students, as will other tech - nology for other subjects. My concern has to do with the maintenance of the Gifted program at Lisgar. I could not believe the sen - tence “Mr. Tang shares his goal of seeking Principal McMahon’s agree - ment next year to ask that students have an iPod Touch if they plan to attend Lisgar.” That is called a means test. That smacks of elitism of the financial kind. I can only hope that that suggestion is never seriously con - sidered at Lisgar, or for that matter in any publicly supported school. It has not always been easy but nevertheless possible to fend off criticism of Lisgar’s special programs to accom - modate the specially talented and motivated for what we all felt were obvious reasons. But to allow a means test to govern entrance to the school is quite another criterion, and not one THE WORLD’S GREATEST FIGHT: A group of fourteen Lisgar students enlisting in the armed forces are featured in a 1944 Evening Citizen clipping.

Page 3 Features From the Lisgar Archives: Notes from “Down Below”

From Joy Heft Tech but had many friends at Lisgar. Lisgar. Hugh was trying to contact of these, and welcome your help. He was a member of the then-popular Frances Grimes, Barbara Horton, Ron The answer to last newsletter’s triv - wo books of interest have been Deltones, and thanks to his generosity Stewart and Joe Scanlon. We were able ia question regarding the personalities Tadded to the collection of books may now be considered a Friend of to provide information for only the last represented over the door of the by Lisgar authors currently housed in school is Beethoven (composer), the Lisgar library. The first, by Joan Galileo (astronomer), and Fermat Windle Barnes, entitled My Father’s (mathematician), a good representa - People , is the story of a British home tion of disciplines to conform with the child, a look into the roots of an school’s attention to arts and acade - Eastern Township Family. Joan wrote mics. The athletics are represented on the book in response to “an urgency to the Athletic Wall of Fame. ■ record details of the simple, pioneer life and to write down the information she is privy to.” Joan currently lives in . Thank you, Joan, for your donation. A second book, entitled Personal Reflections of Ottawa Past , was received from Hugh McCord as a result of a query Hugh had regarding former Lisgarites with whom he wished to get in touch to notify about a forthcoming event. During the call, Hugh spoke of his book and I encour - aged him to donate one to the school, not knowing he was not an alumnus. He graciously donated two of the books, which chronicle many sites and phenomena of his earlier years, including pictorial renderings of such majestic buildings as the Imperial Theatre. Hugh was a student at Ottawa TRIVIA ANSWER: The three stained glass windows placed prominently over the school’s main doors contain portraits of Beethoven, Galileo, and Fermat.

a first time for everything. We ended I’ve played with the best. And even if Besides supporting the quiz Quiz Team (continued) up third overall (while UTS came I’m now “one of the guys” (there team, she works with the school’s lost to the first seed by ten points, but fourth). aren’t very many female players), even environmental action club, which we ended up in the semi finals, in a Capping off the year in Chicago, if my parents are complaining about invites guests speakers and holds game against our old rivals, UTS. This again as the only non-American team, my trivia bill, and even if I’m still vegetarian lunches and other activi - time it was Lisgar that lost by ten we finished with a very respectable working through a backlog of assign - ties. Her environmentalism has points, but during the game the judges 28th place in another, more difficult ments for my very understanding extended to the staff as well, with did not accept our answer of “De La American tournament. Retirement teachers, I wouldn’t ever give up my her having brought worm compost - Salle,” instead, only accepting “La loomed, but not before Lisgar went to teammates, my wonderful coach, and ing to the Lisgar staff room. She also Salle” for the French Canadian explor - the University of Guelph and success - my entire competitive Trivia experi - works with the girls hockey team. er. We challenged this after the game, fully defended its Ontario Quizbowl ence. Respected not only by her stu - which resulted in our team being invit - Championship with panache. Our [Editor’s note: Teacher advisor dents, she is admired by her teach - ed to the National Finals in Toronto. juniors even came fourth, winning Ruth Crabtree recently received an ing colleagues for her leadership as We went, of course. It was fun against some of the top teams in the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Chair of the school board’s Social playing teams from all over , country. The Captain’s tie was passed, Federation Award of Excellence for Sciences Subject Council, a role she meeting new people, upping the ante the buzzers wrapped up, and the her dedication to Lisgar’s “Reach for has been in since the 1990s, and for of the competition. We played well in schoolwork backlog was addressed. the Top” team, which she has been her coaching and mentoring of the round-robin, all the way up to the Looking back, I’m proud of my working with for more than ten young and student teachers. semi-finals in Wonderland, against the High School Quiz Career even if we years, and for her many other pur - She almost missed the award cer - Ontario Provincial Champions, a team came short of Lisgar’s 2008 perfor - suits in support of her students and emony because of the schedule of we’d never lost to before. Well, there’s mance. I’ve played some of the best; the teaching profession. quiz finals.] ■

Alere Flammam • Spring 2011 • Page 4 Features Lisgar’s Wikipedian ost journalists are considered ment includes local politics—he is Mseasoned when they have at currently the List Manager for New least five hundred published articles Democratic Party Member of under their belt—so what would they Parliament Olivia Chow. As List call Simon Pulsifer (2000)? Through Manager, he tracks voting prefer - the user-generated online encyclope - ences, donations, and turnout within dia Wikipedia, Simon has created over the riding to help boost campaign 3,000 new articles, updated over efforts. 100,000 articles already in existence, Simon admits that, as a student as and been profiled by Time magazine Lisgar, he was not at the top of his for his work. Having graduated a little class, but the challenging environment over ten years ago (2000), Simon’s helped to better prepare him for uni - success may seem far away in compar - versity than some of his classmates. ison to the distance between Lisgar’s Simon noticed that many of his class - North and South buildings, but mates who came from non-competi - Simon’s road to success started in the tive high school environments strug - very same classrooms that current stu - gled with the additional pressure and dents occupy today. expectations that he had grown accus - Simon is currently living in tomed to at Lisgar. Does Simon have Toronto, working for Quillsoft, a ris - any words of advice for the 2011 grad - ing software company that designs uating class? It may be a struggle, but writing software for students with dis - it is worthwhile: “always try to keep abilities. Simon’s community involve - one eye on the bigger picture.” ■

HAND-WRITTEN VOX : The school’s archives contain hand-written Vox Lycei issues from the 1880s. Your Alumni Association would like to make them available online, with searchable text, but needs volunteers to help with the transcription. Write to us at [email protected] if you would like to help! Alumni Executive Transitions After seven years as Treasurer of the volunteers with several other Ottawa- Alumni Association, Marie Fraser based not-for-profit organizations and (1984) is stepping down. Marie is a charities. She was selected as a 2008 very busy professional, and the finalist for the Businesswoman of the Association has indeed been fortunate Year award of the Women’s Business to benefit from her energy and experi - Network of Ottawa. ence over the years. Marie leaves big shoes to fill, but A partner at Hendry Warren LLP, we trust that another alumnus will step Marie is a Chartered Accountant and up to take on the important role. The Certified Financial Planner. She is a commitment is only a few hours each member of the Institute of Chartered month, in addition to participation at Accountants of Ontario, the Canadian our monthly executive meetings. If you Institute of Chartered Accountants, think you might be interested, please and the Canadian Institute of Financial contact us at [email protected] or Planners. Marie is Past Chair of the (866) 236-1450. Canadian Theatre Festival Society, We are also seeking a Newsletter which produces the annual “Magnetic Editor for Alere Flammam , and look 100,000 WIKIPEDIA ARTICLES UPDATED: Simon Pulsifer (2000) is a well-known figure on the site. North” Canadian theatre festival, and forward to hearing from volunteers! ■

Page 5 Features 2010 Donors Patrick B. Anderson (1992) Linda Balke (Dewis, 1968) Morton Baslaw (1942) Paul Bennett (1973) Nonie Bermingham (Melville, 1948) Irene Broad (Woolford, 1943) William Broughton (1953) Brian Burke (1974) Virginia Byfield (Nairn, 1958) Beatrice Campbell (1942) Janus Cihlar (1999) Jana Clarke (Stepan, 1959) Fletcher Cross (1954) Joan Doubt (Klass, 1961) James Dunlop (1950) Katherine Duvall (Antonacopoulos, 1999) Ken Eades (1958) Eileen Galazka (Chequer, 1940) Dr. James Graham (1935) Henry Hallett (2003) Phyllis-Ann Harvey (Payan, 1959) Gordon Henderson (1949) Robert Hill (1953) William Hines (1965) Barry Holt (1950) & Mary Holt (Hart, 1950) GIFT OF LISGAR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION: Shiny blue bicycle racks have begun to replace the old bent and broken ones thanks to the donations of alumni. Paul Hudson (1950) Neil Johnstone (1956) Douglas Jones (1965) New Bicycle Racks From Alumni Jean Kapur (Mulvie, 1943) John Lamont (1974) he Alumni Association has been add additional racks in coming years. by alumni through the Fund have pro - Valerie Leesing (De Laute, 1953) Tpleased to contribute to Lisgar’s According to Principal McMahon, an vided such diverse items as the elec - Suzanne McCord (Ferguson, 1956) physical plant in ways large and small estimated 20% of students and staff tronic scoreboard in the gymnasium, a Robert McMichael (1976) over the years. This year, we have bike to school during the warmer SmartBoard™ for the Languages Herb Meincke (1950) responded to a school request to months of the year. With more and Department, and scholarships and William Melanson (teacher 1968-1999) assist with a much-needed upgrade of better bike parking, that number bursaries for graduating students. The Barbara Mendel (1980) the school’s bicycle racks. So far, four could increase. donations to the Friends of Lisgar Dr. Keith Mills (1944) sturdy new racks have been purchased More generally, Lisgar Alumni Campaign, organized for the 160th Alice Nakanishi (1983) for the use of students, staff, and com - were very supportive last year, making reunion and managed through the Frances Nikkel (Masse, 1953) munity members (including alumni!) donations of just over $6,500. Some of Fund, facilitated the recent refurbish - Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation who bike to Lisgar. With your contin - this money was directed to specific ing of the auditorium, which included David Paull ued support, we hope to be able to areas such as the music program and refreshing the painting and plaster - Margaret Pineiro (Isnor, 1952) library, and some of it has been allo - work and upgrading the sound system. Stephen Saslove (1966) Benjamin Shapiro (1941) cated to other worthy projects and Times change even at Lisgar, and Life Members Patricia Stackhouse (Stevens, 1951) activities. We really appreciate all of there is now consideration being given George Toller (1945) We are delighted to report that 8 your donations as they have a huge to a merger of the Fund and the Margo Trewin (1960) alumni have become Life Members impact on student life as well as the Alumni Association. Originally, the W. Robert Wellwood (1950) since the Fall 2010 issue of Alere well-being of the school as a whole. Fund had significant responsibilities Donald Whittemore (1945) Flammam . They are: Your donations are tax deductiable for managing monies that did not Charlotte Witty (1945) William J. Broughton (1953) as they are made through the Lisgar relate directly to the Alumni Pamela Fines (Sutherland, 1956) Fund, which has charitable status. Association, specifically those held for of funds to be used in a given year still Jim Kekanovich (1952) Since its inception in 1984, around scholarships and bursaries. A decision remain with the Trustees, the work of Paul F. Leslie (1961) the time of the school’s 140th anniver - made by the school board several the Fund in handling active invest - Catherine Malone (May, 1951) sary, a small cadre of former and cur - years ago moved the investment of ments has become easier. As well, Barbara Mendel (1980) rent teachers, alumni, and parents these assets to the Community coordination of support to the school Joan Spakowski (Hunter, 1952) have served as Trustees of the Fund. Foundation of Ottawa Carleton. While is likely to be easier working as a sin - Gillian Wood (McPherson, 1967) Over the years, donations channeled important decisions about the portion gle organization. More news this fall! ■

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