SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL EVENTS

Our man Brooks showcases the city

Today marks the 150th anniversary of Confederation. There’s certainly not a better place on earth than Canada and we should all be fiercely proud of our amazing country. Celebrations from coast to coast to coast have been enveloping the nation for many weeks now.

One of the more cerebral celebrations — The Walrus Talks Conversations about Canada: We Desire a Better Country — kicked off to great fanfare at the annual Walrus Foundation gala in Toronto on Jan. 18. The charitable, non-profit Walrus Foundation, in partnership with the Order of Canada and Canada 150, presented an extraordinary national tour focusing on the future of our country and featured 50 members of the Order of Canada and 50 youth leaders. The tour visited every province and territory with Banff being one of the last stops May 27.

“Conversations about Canada will build a deeper understanding of Canada,” said Shelley Ambrose, executive director of the Walrus Foundation and publisher of The Walrus.

“It will provide Canadians with opportunities to participate and celebrate together; shape a more inclusive vision of Canadian society, its people, and what it means to be Canadian; and recognize the exceptional Canadian people, places, achievements, and events that will shape our country for the next 50 years.”

Ambrose and a select group of colleagues were the guests of honour at a reception held in the home of Ann McCaig recently. McCaig joined forces with her daughters Roxanne and Jane to co-host the cocktail reception that featured fabulous appetizers representing each province and territory (Beaver tails and east coast oysters were but two of the delectable delights prepared by Hotel Arts), libation, stimulating conversations and the opportunity to support the Walrus Foundation.

Among the 100 or so guests in attendance were: Walrus Foundation board members Karen Prentice, Chima Nkemdirim and Chethan Lakshman; Banff Centre president Janice Price; interior designers Monica Stevens and Connie Young; Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maitre and colleague Melissa Bell; Imperial Group’s Joel Poissant and his wife, Christie’s Auction House’s Alexandra Burroughs; past Banff Centre board chairman Robert Walker and his wife Barb; U of C president Elizabeth Cannon; Dr. Janice Stratton; Dr. Dianne Mosher; Suncor’s Arlene Strom; Barbara and Sarah Palmer; Hill and Knowlton western Canada chair D’Arcy Levesque; St. Joseph’s Media CEO Doug Knight; Rozsa Foundation’s Mary Rozsa de Coquet; John and Donna Ferrara-Kerr; and John and Ella Joy Maybin.

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS Pictured at the event held in the home of Ann McCaig recently in support of the Walrus Foundation are distinguished hostesses Jane McCaig, left, Ann McCaig and Roxanne McCaig. Guests dressed in Canadianainspired attire for the cocktail reception.

All smiles, from left, are Suncor’s Arlene Strom, Sarah and Barbara Palmer and avid arts supporter D’Arcy Levesque, Hill and Knowlton Western Canada chairman.

Joining Alberta Ballet’s artistic director Jean Grand-Maitre, left, are Christie’s Auction House’s Alexandra Burroughs and her husband, Imperial Group’s Joel Poissant.

Alberta Ballet’s Melissa Bell, left, with past Banff Centre board chair Robert Walker and his wife Barb Walker.

From left, University of Calgary president Elizabeth Cannon, Dr. Janice Stratton and Dr. Dianne Mosher.

From left, Walrus Foundation board members Karen Prentice and Chima Nkemdirim with Rozsa Foundation’s Mary Rozsa de Coquet.

A recent reception held in the home of Ann McCaig, right, in support of the Walrus Foundation was a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Joining McCaig is Banff Centre president Janice Price.

Interior designers Connie Young, left, and Monica Stevens were among the guests.

Walrus Foundation fundraising event co-host Roxanne McCaig, with foundation board of directors member Chethan Lakshman.

St. Joseph’s Media CEO Doug Knight and Shelley Ambrose, foundation executive director and publisher of The Walrus magazine.

Philanthropists John and Donna Ferrara-Kerr were among the guests in attendance.