JIM MINARDS DINNER-58 YEARS OF ROWING

An evening in honour of Jim Minards for his 58 years of dedication to the sport of rowing.
November 9, 2007
Symposium 6pm Ridley College Ross Morrow Theatre
Dinner 7pm Ridley College Great Hall
Tickets $60.00
Tickets available at Regatta Sport as of Oct. 2/07
or contact
Sue Erskine 905-646-3766
Greg Pinder 905-934-6333
George Darte 905-937-4444
Tax receipt issued for portion of cost which will be donated to rowing.

Jim has been president of the Rowing Club, Rowing Canada, Captain of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, National Team Manager, Facilities manager of the island for many years, high school coach, responsible for the building of the offices, medical building, other buildings, instrumental in the purchase of the island, the bridge, the alumni building - just to mention a few. He has had a hand in everything done on the island since 1949 when he first joined the Rowing Club.

Committee for the Jim Minards Appreciation Night

THE NIGHT BEFORE HENLEY
An ode to Jim Minards by Stephanie Brooks on behalf of ROWONTARIO

Twas the night before Henley when all through the Boathouse, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.
The showers were sparkling, the toilets ran free, the signage was clearly posted - absolutely no dogs (cars, kids, trash, parents, even rowers ETC) would we see!!

The trailers were parked in their spots just so... boats stored nicely, perfectly, row on row.
The oars were all hung in the racks with care In hopes that by morning they still would be there.

The athletes & volunteers were nestled snug in their beds, All sorts of dreams danced in their heads.
Sandwiches and free t-shirts for volunteers all the way, Gold medals and a photo op for us the athletes did pray.

And coaches of course rigging boats, doing plans, and hoping like heck, A stiff little cross wind would NOT cause a WRECK!
With all seeming set and ready to go, Jim, (still in his cap) Had just settled down for his short pre-regatta nap.

When down on the island there arose such a clatter, He sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away down to the island he flew like a flash,Tore open the gates, and to the dock he did dash

Surprising the geese as they recycled their snack Who looked up, saw Jim and flew off QUACK! QUACK!
Then, as he hosed down the poop and made the dock clear, (how many times had he done that this year?),

What to Jim’s wondering eyes should appear, but a very large shell, manned by rowers from many a year,
Along with a little old coxie, so lively and quick, Jim thought for a moment he had gone LUNATIC,

But NOT so - more rapid than eagles down the course the boat came, and the coxie whistled, and shouted, and called some of them by name;
"Now, MacDonald! now McIntyre! now Crooker, and Ross! On, Symsyk,! on Campbell! on Richardson, and Brown!

And so on and so forth, the list went on down…To the top of the course! Back into the gates!
Sit tall and ready and wait for the call Then we’ll dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

We’re here to honour Jim and show him our thanks For helping make this place on the 12 mile banks,
A capital spot, a really distinguished locale, For developing youth, breeding champs and building morale - We’re going to do the best darn row-past ever, down this canal!

The crew full of boys, and just as many girls now too, leapt out of the gates, (Just a bit ahead of the horn it is true)
Down the top 5, they really flew (loving that current under lane 2!)

Thus, in a twinkling they approached, as they planned, The 3rd 500 meters, right in front of “The Man”
The crew spoke not a word (they were trained that way) but turned to their right to cheer Jim with a wave, (so in synch, I might add, that it looked like BALLET).

Being in lane 2, they were really flying along, so they saluted and hooted for 20 odd strokes
Then the darkness surrounding them, they rowed out of sight... With the click of the oars becoming ever so slight,
Then in the distance the coxie was heard shout…Thanks Jim again for everything here and about – Henley Island is your legacy, there is no doubt.

So let’s raise a glass to remembering…THIS is what rowing is all about!