NUGGETS - MEMORY LANE

In normal times the Re/Max Garden City Social calendar would be pretty full. Golf tournaments, bowling outings, staff parties, etc etc. But these are not normal times. The last actual structured event we celebrated was our Awards Gala, back the first week of March. A week later the province shut things down. All group gatherings, social events, celebrations put on hold due to COVID-19.   One of the absolute highlights of our year socially is our Annual Administrators Day. A time and an event set aside to show our appreciation to the fabulous group of support personnel that keep us running smoothly and keep us great. Although officially Administrators Day is etched on the calendar in April, we have turned it into an outdoor event and consequently moved it to June. However April or June, this year with the restrictions of COVID-19 neither time was a possibility. What I thought I would do in this column is reminisce a bit. Travel down memory lane and relive some of the great Administration Days celebrated in the past.

The event has actually evolved quite a bit over the years. Once upon a time, back in the era where our company encompassed the Burlington-Waterdown area as well as Niagara, we would pick a somewhat neutral spot to go for dinner. The Old Mill in Ancaster, The Edgewater in Stoney Creek, The Keg in St. Catharines. Limos would pick up a group from each office location and converge at whatever the central point was for an evening of good food and good friends, lots of laughter. Lots of interaction.
 

Sometimes we would go to an event together. A dinner theatre in Mississauga, or a show at the Fallsview Casino proceeded by supper at Canyon Creek. More recently the event has moved from a restaurant or theatre and gravitated to the home and yard of our Broker Wayne Quirk, for a themed evening of activities and dinner. It began as dinner only, then a murder mystery dinner, and more recently to a themed event based on recent travels that Wayne and Debbie took. Five years ago, after their trip to China, the theme was Chinese with costume and catering steeped in that culture. The next year after their trip to Thailand, the theme was Thai, with an amazing dinner accompanied by a group of Thai dancers in full dress.   The next year following a trip to Italy, the theme was Italian. A former agent of ours, coming from a long family tradition of baking, food services and catering put on an amazing 6 or 7 course dinner that is the stuff dreams are made of. That year too, we introduced themed contests including a bocci ball tournament with amazing prizes like BBQ’s, fire pits, spa days, gourmet picnics to be won. Everyone wore a mask, much like you might associate with Mardi Gras and New Orleans, but they originated in Venice which has its own checkered past of parties and masked anonymity.

Last year, following a trip to Nashville, the theme was Western. The great room was done up Western, with hay, saddles, and lots of other décor. Everyone received their own cowboy hat upon entering. Activities included a horseshoe tournament, air soft marksmanship and even bull riding. A fabulous trio of western singers provided entertainment and background music. And yes, once again an amazing group of prizes was up for grabs.

This year, following a trip to Greece, the theme was intended to be Greek. We even had toga’s straight from Athens for each person to wear. Alas not to be in 2020. But COVID-19 has by no means cancelled Administration Day. It has only put a pause in the celebrations. Next year we’ll be back stronger than ever. The event quite simply is just too much fun and the group being honoured too special to let the celebration slide altogether. Enjoy a stroll down memory lane with the pictures we share from years past, and watch for more amazing events ahead once the pandemic is finally behind us.