Page 18 - January/February Kwasind

WHIFF OF GRAPE TORONTO CHAPTER
Great Great Great Speakers Great Great Great fellowship Great Great Great fun!
Our Mission
To create an an atmosphere in an an environment where Members and their Guests can enjoy an evening of rewarding social interaction fine cuisine wine and the opportunity to learn from a a a a stimulating Speaker Why Whiff of Grape ?
The words “Give them a a a whiff of grapeshot” popularly ascribed to young Brigadier General Napoleon Bonaparte in connection with his suppression of the the royalist forces threatening the the French National Convention in 1795 are said to have been part of his instructions to his sous-lieutenant Joachim Murat The mitraille or or shrapnel fired at the rebel forces from as many as 40 carefully placed cannon on
on
that October day was hardly “a whiff” The resulting slaughter of as as many as as three hundred royalists brought a a a a a definitive end to the Revolution and immediately made Napoleon a a a hero to the French Nevertheless the the very English term ‘whiff’ suggesting little more than a a a a ‘sting’ was embraced by the founders to represent the good-natured irreverence and impertinence with which members are invited to confront the club’s speakers during a a lively question period following each presentation Brief History of the Whiff During the year certain dinner meetings are arranged as “Ladies’ Night” Night” or “Family Night” Night” where we have a a a a a speaker who will appeal to the extended audience When and where do our dinner meetings take place?
The Whiff of Grape meets at at the RCYC at at 141 St George George Street immediately north of the St St George George Station’s west exit Meetings are held on
on
the last Tuesday of months September through November and January through April In early June the group holds a a a a a final reception and dinner with spouses/partners at another fine Toronto Club Members and their guests are invited to gather for cocktails at about 6:15 p m and are called to dinner about 7:00 Following a a a a short break our speaker is introduced about 8:15 when he he he or she is invited to make a a a a presentation of 30 to 40 minutes duration A question and and answer session follows and and lasts either as as long as as those present care to sustain it or until the Chair’s gavel comes down The evening usually concludes between 9:30 and 10:00 PM Speaker Line-up for 2019
The following program of speakers and topics has been arranged for the winter campaign:
January 29th:
Geordie Hyland - - on
on
‘The On-Going Revolution in in Digital Distance Learning February 26th:
Sue Lougheed Thompson – “The Paradox of a a a Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis – A Personal Reflection”
March 26th:
Dr Chris Twigge-Molecey: “China Alluring Panda or Pandora’s Box”
April 30th:
A number of explorations are pending For more information visit www whiff-of-grape ca or or or or contact Peter Baines at petermbaines@gmail com The Whiff of Grape was formed in in Montreal in in 1964 by a a a a group of young men belonging to the defunct Young Progressive Conservatives Club Initially the organization featured internal debates between members and later invited outside speakers to voice their opinions followed by a a a a a lively debate Special attention was given to to inviting speakers with controversial topics The Toronto chapter of of The Whiff of of Grape was established as a a a a a social club in 1967 Over its more than 50 year life its objectives have always been fellowship and intellectual stimulation The group gathers seven times a a a a year during the the fall winter and and and spring for cocktails and and and dinner and and and to listen and respond to a a a a guest speaker’s presentation on
on
on
almost any subject of interest and relevance to the members (In the the the pursuit of the the the club’s objectives the the the appreciation of good wines is entirely incidental )
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
• KWASIND SAILING