Penguin World Conference IV
Toronto, Canada
May 24 to 27, 2002The first international Penguin encounter and the first encounter outside of the United States
PWC IV Report from Mary Demattia of Novi, Mich...
Date: Mon May 27, 2002
Subject: PWC4 - abbreviated.
Good evening all. So that I may not be considered a tease, here is my abbreviated version of the conference. Abbreviated because I was only there for part of Sunday. I did not get there early because of family events. I knew there was a family wedding on Saturday (which I was sorely tempted to miss!), but on Thursday evening my father, who had come north for the festivities, was taken to the hospital in heart failure. So I spent Friday and Saturday at the hospital with him. He is 96 or 97 yrs. old - we and he are not sure which. HHis birth certificate says one year, and the hospital certificate and baptism cert. say another! He is as comfortable as can be in his position but very weak and short of breath. Tomorrow he may be transferred to a heart care facility/nursing home. He could probably use some prayers.
I got up early Sunday and drove to Toronto. Got there about 10 am. I helped at the aid station for a while, seeing several of the Penguins running in for their half marathon. Then I went to the finish line. (Almost lost my car as when I got to the finish, I could not remember the name of the street where I had parked! - but did find it later) Saw several of the group finish their
marathons. Saw lots of old friends and made some new ones. Our aid station rocked! Several said it was the only one where they got their names announced! Glenn was all over, and was so great. When he said jump, everyone just said "how high?"After the race I drove to Toronto, parked my car and went into the hotel. Luckily, Carol Schobert had a BIG bed and offered it to me. So while she ate and sat in the hot tub, I took a nap. Then off to the island. The boat ride was neat. We had (almost) our own ferry. Of course, with 3 of us from Antarctica there - me, Carol and Todd, someone who shall remain nameless but with the initials KB said we should repeat our "moon". No way.
The dinner was such fun and the food was so good. I am almost afraid to mention the names because I know I will forget some! Loved meeting Carol from Germany. She is one neat lady. And Marie-Claude from Quebec, who helped me park and almost lose my car. And Lauren from Ohio - finally met the sewing Penguin. Oh yes, met Beth, Kathy Flippo's friend. And all the rest of the Toronto Penguins. Kelly, Dave, Richard, Tracy, and all the rest. Saw lots of old friends too. Jane, Cher, Daniel, Josh, Kecia, Carol, Jeff, Toni, Satch, Lulu, Bruce. And I am forgetting most. Carlene made the GREATEST quilt. I sure wish I had won it. And the penguins from Bosnia were SO great - thanks John. I hope you can come next year to Chicago. After the festivities it was back to Toronto and bed.
I got up early, and left before all the Penguins had breakfast so I could drop in on my dad on the way home. He is about the same. So that is my short report. I wish I could have been there on Friday and Saturday. Next year -----
Oh yes, I have Becky with me now, and will be taking her to Kenya. I will try and keep her from misbehaving, and will try to not let the lions get her!
Mary D - watching the hockey game and getting nervous!
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