Alere Flammam The newsletter of the Lisgar Alumni Association Volume XXV • 1 st Issue • Spring 2010 Remembering 1960 Olympic Gold By Anne Heggtveit Hamilton the hospital for twelve weeks. There were concerns that the leg would not y high school years were heal, nor would movement in my toes significantly different return. The six months in a full-length Mfrom those of most stu - cast kept me from negotiating the steep dents at Lisgar. Certainly I considered stairs at school for the rest of the year, myself a motivated student, but that meaning I had to repeat the science motivation was tempered by my under - classes but I was given a pass in the lying goal of wanting to bring home humanities. Canada’s first gold medal in Olympic The school year of 1955-56 had an skiing. That goal became my driving interesting start for me. Once again I force since watching Barbara Ann appeared in Mr. Fitzsimons’ chemistry Scott’s arrival home to a ticker tape class, where I shared a bench in the parade after winning Canada’s first front row with Rich Little. Mr. gold medal in figure skating in 1948. OLYMPIC CHAMPION: Alumna Anne Heggtveit Hamilton (1957) speaks at a fundraising dinner Fitzsimons came into the room, spot - In the autumn of 1953 I began at held for the Alpine Ontario Amateur Ski team at which she was the guest of honour. ted me, and told me I could leave Lisgar Collegiate while simultaneously in September. train with coach Ernie McCulloch at immediately if I planned to be away being nominated to attend the World Prior to 1959, the Canada Ski Mont Tremblant. Long thongs and toe skiing again. Like most of the girls, I Ski Championships in Åre, Sweden, Association did not fund a ski team on plates did not mix well with slalom was terrified of Fitzy, as we called him which were to take place in the winter an annual basis. Thus, in 1954-55 poles and I sustained a spiral fracture behind his back. I dared not move and of 1953-54. My absence from school there was no organized training. In of the tibia and fibula of my left leg. included most of the second semester. January I took some time off school to The resulting nerve damage kept me in CONTINUED ON PAGE 6... Returning to Canada meant putting the skis away and playing catch-up with my studies in preparation for writing my Lisgar Gifted Program Under Threat? final exams in June. The ski racing sea - isgar parents have spent signifi - The second concern is with the underway to encourage schools that son in Europe, however, had been well Lcant time this year following Board’s ongoing review of the number offer Gifted programs to sign a joint worth that extra effort. By mid season, changes at the school board that have and location of secondary Gifted cen - letter objecting to a phase-out. I won my first big international race, worrisome implications for the school. tres. The recommendations under Recently, a more immediate threat the Norwegian Holmenkollen, at age The first is a revision of the school consideration at present name Lisgar to Lisgar came in the form of a motion 15, and subsequently placed in the top board’s cross-boundary transfer poli - as one of three Gifted centres (of the by Trustee John Shea that would have ten in the International Ski Federation cy. Over the last seven years, this policy current five) that will continue to offer closed the school’s Gifted program (FIS) World Ski Championships. My has allowed significant numbers of stu - this program. But as the review has and retained one at Gloucester H.S. exams went well so grade ten loomed dents to attend Lisgar from outside its proceeded, it has become evident that instead. Fortunately, this was defeated catchment area. However, certain there is now a new recommendation at committee (7-2-2). However, Alere Flammam trustees felt that this created hardship that the Board begin phasing out Gifted because the Secondary Gifted Review for the schools from which they trans - centres entirely. At present, Lisgar's recommendations are still under dis - ferred. The policy was revised this Gifted program accounts for well over cussion, the idea could conceivably be Inside spring and had an immediate effect. a third of its total enrollment, and its resurrected. Members’ Forum 2 The number of transfers allowed into presence contributes to the strength The Lisgar School Council and the In Memoriam 2 Lisgar for fall 2010 was reduced from and success of programs and extra- Alumni Association feel it is essential to Lisgar Archives 4 80 to 25 and may be reduced to zero curricular activities available to all stu - ensure that information can be shared Cheerleader Cameron Hughes 5 in future years. Parents are concerned dents (e.g., string music, Advanced with interested parents and alumni Meet Your Alumni Executive 7 about the potential effect on Lisgar’s Placement program, Latin, Space Sim, quickly. If you would like to be kept The Sound of Music 8 enrollment and on some of its pro - Reach for the Top). Parents across the posted on these matters, please e-mail grams such as Latin and String Music. Board are concerned, and an effort is [email protected]. ■ Members’ Forum Members’ Forum In Memoriam Janet Jones (1963) wrote: Further to my athletic letter for doing so... and I ANDERSON , Elizabeth (1939) “Chuck” (1937) died on May 12, an “In Memoriam” notice in the Fall later went on to run marathons, died on August 22, 2009 in New York 2008. Charlie played football and bas - 2009 edition and in response to some including the National Capital in the City. She was the twin sister of Patrick ketball at Lisgar. He enlisted at the age concerned e-mails I received, please late ’70s (I think). I continue to be fit Anderson (1940) and sister of Hugh of 20 and served almost six years dur - assure my friends that the Janet Jones and healthy so far as I turn 70 in April and Thomas (1934). Elizabeth gradu - ing WWII on the front lines with the who attended Lisgar 1959−Nov 1963 this year. Most importantly I have a ated from the Royal Victoria in 51st Anti-tank Battery, 1st Division (and actually graduated from regard for language, literature, and Montreal as a nurse. Her career took Artillery. He served in England, Laurentian in spring 1964) and spent the arts... fostered in some significant her to the Sloan-Kettering Institute. France, Italy and Holland. Upon his most of her career working for the way by my years at LCI. ANDERSON , Thomas C. (1934) return to Canada he was employed by federal government in Ottawa-Hull is died on April 26, 2006. Brother of the Department of National Defence very much alive and enjoying retire - Zoë Gavsie (Davies, 1992), Lorne Elizabeth (1939), Hugh, and Patrick. and the Department of Immigration, ment in Victoria, BC, golfing, hiking and Henry welcome Theo Charles Thomas served with the RCAF during where he worked for 35 years. and gardening. Davies to the family. Born March 3, the WWII. He was a Life member of the FAULKNER , Betty Ann (Roe, 2010, in London, England, Theo Lisgar Alumni Association. While at 1946) died March 17, 2007. Neville C. Clark (1959) wrote: I was cheered for Canada (via kicking) Lisgar he won several medals for top FENTON , Gwenyth (Grant, 1930) the tenor in the Downbeats (quartet) throughout the entire Olympics. He student in various subjects. died on August 8, 2009. Gwenyth that Carl organized back then... mid- is still as enthusiastic about hockey BLUM , Michael (1961) on enjoyed lawn bowling and bridge. fifties, and sang with the Downbeats at and is a Sens fan. December 16, 2008 in Scarborough, FRASER , Rosemary (Lamarre, the large LCI reunion in or about ’93- ON. Michael played for five seasons 1965) died on January 5, 2009 in ’94. I had a couple of my short, short Heather Render (Fowler, 1966) e- with the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts Florida. stories published in the yearbook mailed: I just received my newsletter and in 1972 earned a Grey Cup ring HAMILTON , William (1962) died (’54, ’55, ’56?). I wasn't a disciplined and see that Irenka Farmilo is looking with the Hamilton Tiger Cats. on October 23, 2009. Bill was a Head student back then. The most caring for Elizabeth Meleghy. The last I heard BRUNT-TOMPSETT , M. Isabella Boy and also a teacher at Lisgar. teacher I knew was Miss McCrimmon, of Elizabeth she was working at the (Steeds, 1942) died on May 23, 2009 JACQUES , Keith (1937) died on who helped me to pass grades 10, 11, library in Morrisburg, Ontario. in Abbotsford, BC. She was employed November 23, 2008. Following his and 12 French in a single (catch-up) by BC Hydro at Pacific Stage Lines for graduation from Lisgar, he joined the year and not have to write any exam. Steve Morton (1990) and his wife over 25 years. Army Dental Corps during WWII. He But I went on to complete a BA in Beth Marshall (daughter of Lisgar BURNS , Robert “Bob”(1938) died worked for more than 35 years for Philosophy and later a Master's in Physics teacher Mr. Marshall) wel - on December 25, 2008. Bob joined Colonial Furniture when the store was Organization Behaviour. I believe my comed son Rowan on September 16, the RCAF in 1939 and after a 25-year on Bank Street. days at Lisgar were an important 2008.