News From The Pews
Special Edition of
"News From The Pews"
December 18, 2011
(Please also see, under tab 'Photos")
The retirement party for Rev. Dr. Alf and Barb Dumont took place at Drysdale's
Tree Farm, 6635 Country Road 56, Essa, on Saturday November 12, 2011,
from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The programme began at 3 p.m.
Master-of-Ceremonies Bob Prentice:
"Welcome! Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen:
When I accepted this assignment I was told it was a simple job. The most important thing
to do was to keep things moving and I was given the programme. You notice it's printed
in large bold print making it easy for old eyes to read. It has large spaces between items
so I can put in my witty adlibs and story notes. Mary Jane Mathieu, bless her heart, told
me she typed it slowly 'cause she knew I don't read fast. As soon as I read the programme
I knew I was in trouble. Two ministers on it, both are to speak and I'm supposed
to keep it moving. O.K. Let's do it.
"First to Alf – today is an important day in your life: do you realize when you woke
up this morning you were the oldest you have ever been yet the youngest you will ever be:
enjoy it.
"We now have Ann Price to make a presentation on behalf of the UCW. If you think I am
going to have any smart remarks about the UCW, think again, Nobody messes with the UCW."
Presentation of the Quilt from the UCW:
"My name is Ann Price and I have been given the honour to present this quilt to Barb
and Alf on behalf of the United Church Women (or UCW) of St. John's. Fifty two
members of the UC W embroidered their names on the blocks.
"Now, there may be a problem with one of the blocks, the one by Lyn Smith. Lyn has embroidered
the Montreal Canadiens logo on her block without asking the permission of the Montreal Canadiens
Advertising Department. So, Alf, now that the quilt is yours, it may cost you $50,000. or more,
if someone reports that the Montreal Canadiens logo is on your quilt.
"The colours of the decorations on the tables today and on this quilt are in recognition of Alf's
Ojibwa heritage. The four colours ... red, yellow, white and black figure strongly in the stories of
creation, and in the Ojibwa Nation's every day life. The colour:
yellow , represents honour, loyalty, happiness and prosperity .... sunshine, and the dawning of a
new day... and yellow also represents the direction ... East
white, represents purity, joy and glory, wisdom and knowledge ...
and white also represents the direction ... North
black, represents death ... introspection and reflection ... and also West
red, represents warmth, growth and energy, passion and emotion ... and also the direction of South.
"So Barb and Alf, we hope that when you look at this hand-quilted quilt with the meaningful colours
that you will remember the happy times with the UCW of St. John's."
- - - - - - - -
Master of Ceremonies, Bob Prentice:
"We now have a skit called "The Habits of the Alfian Minister" by Kerrie Perry and a cast of
mad scientists."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Habits of the Alfian Minister
(Rev. Alf Dumont)
Adapted from the work of James M. Lang by Rev. Kerrie Perry
This skit is a spoof of the Hinterland Who’s Who nature videos.
The performers, each dressed in a white laboratory coat and each carrying a clipboard with notes, enter the stage to the spooky, Hinterland Theme Song.
Narrator/Head Mad Scientist: Kerrie Perry
Most casual observers of the Alfian Minister assume his natural habitat to be the sanctuary, where he engages
in those behaviors commonly associated with his species: speaking to congregations of people in a loud voice, praying words of
confession, absolution and intercession, receiving the anthem, distributing pieces of bread
and sips of a pseudo wine substance made famous by a man named Welch.
But the casual observer may overlook that this species usually spends an equal, if not greater, part of his week in his den, holding
what might be termed "office hours." At United Churches in Canada, like the one where
our observations have been centered, he and his colleagues, in fact, spend a vast amount of time each week
in their den -- time set aside for sermonating, liturgizing, and for congregants who actually want to consort
with the minister outside of prescribed worship hours.
Working our way up and down the halls of St John’s church building, observing the sign in and out schedule posted in the
main office, and scrutinizing the work and leisure habits of the Alfian specimen, we have been able to classify the peculiar
habits of the subspecies of the Alfian minister.
My colleagues and I will now present our findings.
The Plumage: read by Peter Monahan
The Alfian minister is quite diverse in his plumage – a factor directly related to the divergent activities
for which the Alfian is known. The Alfian is most noted for appearing in casual slacks and shirt - ranging from blue jeans to
khakis and dress pants. In the weekly recurrence of worship, the Alfian appears gowned and fringed, sporting archaic icons
and symbols intending to inspire hope, belief and devotion.
Curiously, the Alfian is not “albian” (Mary Elizabeth Moore saunters up and models the alb) in nature
but rather academic favouring the Geneva gown (Janice Monahan saunters up – showing the Geneva gown) while foregoing the
associated hood in favour of buckskin and beads. This of course is attributed to the heritage of the Alfian, a peculiar subspecies of
both the Aboriginal and Christian traditions.
Perhaps the most bizaarre public demonstration of the plumage of the Alfian is his noted affinity for wearing
a “Hab”-it. Unlike other devout subspecies of the genus ministerus, most notably women of the catholic
variation, this Hab-it is not black and does not include the requisite head gear. In fact, according to the
observations of other inhabitants of both the church and the surrounding habitat, this particular HAB-it is quite bright,
(Hockey Night in Canada Theme Song) indeed almost garish (Janice Monahan dons a Montreal Jersey) with its bold red
in contrast to the more commonly seen blue and white in this geographical region.
The Writer: read by Mary Elizabeth Moore
One of the distinctive behaviors of the Alfian Minister is composing liturgies, sermons, agendas and reports upon the computer.
Typically, undertaken during normal office hours by the Alfian and completed early
in the week – a rare and unusual behavior for other subspecies of the ministry, the Alfian knows exactly
what he is doing. While he doesn't particularly want others visiting during writing hours, the Alfian is adaptive to frequent
interruption, and able to maintain his train of thought and focus over exceedingly lengthy periods
of interruption. The Alfian has yet to discover the best legal means of ensuring that adherants, congregants,
and the general public respect this sacred and compelling task.
In periods of great need or decreasing time, the Alfian sometimes finds it necessary to barricade himself
in the office, warding off all but the most desperate of visitors with a closed door. Observations revealed
parishioners walking up to the Alfian office, viewing the door closed, and walking away, dispirited.
Little do they know that moments later, the Alfian emerges, heading to the Conference office for a coffee refill.
Scientists Sing :
Here’s a story, of a clan named Dumont
Who were busy raising two boys of their own...
Alf nor Barb had hair of gold,
And their children,
Had not a single curl
The Family: read by Janice Monahan
The Alfian is definitely family oriented by nature. Alfians mate for life and are particularly attracted to
studious partners with a strong intellect, sense of humour, and particular health traits. The Alfian family
has a specialized diet which includes the ingestion of unusual herbs and extracts such as Echinacea, grape fruit seed extract,
and avoidance of foods commonly ingested by others in the human species. The offspring
of the Alfian is typically male, supremely intelligent, athletic, and voracious readers.
(Peter Monahan, Mary Elizabeth Moore, Ron Moore, and Wayne Van Dyke each bring a chair forward and create a car
scene with map and pointing.)
The Alfian family is somewhat nomadic in nature, engaging in and seemingly enjoying navigating long
car trips as a unified group with little conflict, as well as establishing dwellings over their lifetime in British
Colombia, Saskatchewan and various locations in central Ontario.
The Worship Planner: read by Ron Moore
The Alfian is unique in his worship preparation, a ritual he undertakes on a weekly basis except
for seasonal variations surrounding the winter and spring equinox and a complete cessation of noted activity
during long portions of the Canadian summer. The Alfian employs diverse resources and receives an unusual and inordinate
amount of assistance from the subspecies organist and administration to complete
this relatively simplistic task. This allows the Alfian the unexpected pleasure of completing the sermon
by Thursday morning rather than the more typical timeline for the minister of Saturday evening.
The Alfian has been observed on Thursday mornings, mounted high in the pulpit speaking to himself and,
on occasion, gesticulating widely. Other unique characteristics of Alfian worship preparation include
the use of Greek and Hebraic lexicons (Janice Monahan and Mary Elizabeth Moore carry in heavy books)
for etymlogical exploration, and reading of the common newspaper. The Alfian is most noted for
the competence and brevity of funeral services and is regularly engaged by the species funeral director,
subspecies Thomas, for these particular traits.
(Meditative music begins playing as an introduction to the next scene.)
The Counselor: read by Wayne Van Dyke
As Counselor, the Alfian minster is quite unique. (Ron Moore and Peter Monahan each position a chair facing each other,
with Ron miming the role of a parishioner and Peter miming the role of the Alfian Minister.)
The Counselor wants parishioners, and indeed, strangers, to visit him in his office. He actually cares
about how they're doing. The counselees actually divulge extremely private information to the Counselor: they tell him about
their work, and their relationships, and their home lives, and the Alfian, in his role
as counselor, is willing to spend inordinate amounts of time swamped in the emotions of the average
human being. Together they analyze dreams or counsellees offer their grief, and seek wisdom and clarity.
The Counselor loves it. Other staff members and the Board are baffled by the Alfian Counselor, and slightly suspicious of him.
They suspect – and they are probably right – that their own names come up occasionally
in the Counselor's office, and that the Counselor listens to complaints about them with a sympathetic ear.
Head Mad Scientist: Kerrie Perry
This concludes our observation of the genius Minister, subspecies Alf.
Given the early and exploratory nature of these observations, we would welcome notes from fellow
field researchers who have studied the habits of the Alfian Minster, and have observed other forms
of both common and unusual behaviours.
Of particular interest is the Alfian interaction; with fellow Rotarians, in the community at large,
the Alfian ability to move about on ice, and as spouse.
In conclusion, careful observation of this unique species of minister reveals a depth of emotional connection and
genuine affection between minister and congregation that is unprecedented. The Alfian is a much loved
and admired species, engendering respect and gratitude from those with whom he interacts.
It is with deepening sorrow that the observers recognize obvious signs of Alfian relocation.
The New Tecumseth landscape will be bereft when the Alfian Minister migrates to warmer climes.
For a more complete story of the Alfian Minister, why not contact The United Church of Canada
in Toronto.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Master of Ceremonies, Bob Prentice
As you know our Rev. Dr. Alf Dumont is a very important person. This is proven very quickly
by driving north out of Parry Sound on Highway #69. It does not take long before you see a
road going off to the right and on that road is a sign that reads "Dumont Road". Now this puts
Alf in some very exclusive company. There's the Allen Expressway, The MacDonald Cartier
Freeway and of course the Queen Elizabeth Way .... and remember Dumont Road is in
Bobby Orr country and Bobby doesn't have a road named after him.
Now, in accordance with the importance of our Rev. Alf, I would like to call on
The Very Reverend Stan McKay but first a bit of background:
• Stan was born at Fischer River First Nations Reserve, a Cree Community in Northern Manitoba.
• Attended Fisher River Indian Day School and the Birtie Indian Residential School
Post Secondary Education:
• Manitoba Teachers College
• University of Manitoba (BA)
• University of Winnipeg (BTh) ordained in 1971 by the United Church of Canada
Work Experience
• Three years teaching – Norway House, Nelson House
• Eleven years pastoral ministry – Norway House, Fisher River
• National Coorindator of Native ministry for the United Church
• Director of the Dr. Jessie Saulteaux Centre, Beausejour Manitoba
• Moderator of The United Church of Canada 1992 to 1994
• Director of Spiritual Care, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg (1997-2000)
• Co-Director of the Dr. Jessie Saulteaux Centre 1998 – 2002
Currently:
Building cross-cultural relations and participating in dialogue which addresses injustice resulting from colonial history.
Stan and Dorothy have three grown children and three grandchildren and are now living in Gladstone Manitoba.
The Rev. Stan McKay did not have a written speech; he spoke in the moment
and addressed the occasion.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Master of Ceremonies, Bob Prentice
"Thank you Stan."
(MOC Presents a wallet to Alf with the Maple Leaf insignia.)
"I realize, Alf, that this is not the bleu, blanc et rouge of your Canadiens but you must
understand when you take this wallet with you to B.C., you are carrying with you the hopes
of most Ontarians. You will find contained in it St. John's gift to you with a promise that your
cheque is in the mail.
"And now Alf, its your turn."
Rev. Alf's speech at his retirement party:
On the evening of October 19th, 2011, as I entered the Reception Room
at the University of Sudbury,
I saw Hector Copegog, a traditional Midi teacher.
He and I have worked together before.
It was good to talk with him again, as he and I attended the ceremony in which
my brother Jim received an honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters.
Barb and I and Mary then edged our way towards the food table. When you share with
friends, you should always feast with them as well, share what you have with them and let
them share with you the gifts they have.
Another man, a Nishnawbe, stopped me as I was walking to the table, and offered me his hand.
As a way of introducing myself, I said,
"I'm Alf. I'm Jim's brother."
As a way of introducing himself, he said,
"I'm John. I'm his brother too."
And he was right.
When any of us choose to follow the spiritual pathway, we gain many
brothers and sisters along the way, and we recognize that all people are our brothers and sisters, our aunts and uncles, our grandmothers and
grandfathers, our children.
That is why in first Nations community we say "All my relations". We are
related. But in saying "All my relations" we also include the four-legged, the winged ones, the ones who crawl, ones who swim, all of life.
WE ARE TAUGHT HOW TO HONOUR ALL OF THOSE RELATIONS.
I give thanks to all of you, all my relations for the roles that you have played
in making me who I am. None of us is "a self-made human being ". All of us are shaped by those who come into our lives, by those whom the spirit puts
into our lives – the invited and the uninvited. All of us are shaped by
everyone, everything and every experience.
Many years ago I met an elder named Edith who looked at me and said to me:
"When I look at you, for some reason,
I see circles, and I see more circles,
and I see circles inside circles… circles in circles in circles…"
I HAVE LIVED WITH THE TEACHING ALL MY LIFE.
So I want to thank all those people who formed the many circles of my life
and who helped me to become who I am.
I want to thank you for shaping me and making me in your image,
for all of our collective images give us a glimpse of the image God,
a glimpse of the image of our Creator.
I thank my elders from the first Nations communities and the elders from
the non-first Nations communities who took the time to push me, to mould me,
to shape me.
I want to thank all the people, all the leaders and all the elders in all
ecumenical communities and in the different faith communities, the elders
in the United Church communities, and specifically today those from
St. John's United Church who welcomed me, who challenged me,
who offered me greater possibilities than I would have offered myself.
I thank all those in the wider community of New Tecumseh who gave me
a home and said come be with us, come play with us, come dance with us,
come sing with us, come and be one of us and share your gifts of laughter,
of humour, of story, and of song.
Though there are many more circles than I could ever mentioned, let me
lift up four circles that played a significant role in my 20 year journey here:
the CIRCLE that encompasses the Church Community;
the CIRCLE of the Alliston Spoilers Senior Hockey;
the CIRCLE that includes the Rotary Club;
the CIRCLE that involves teaching at Emmanuel College,
Francis Sandy and Jessie Saulteaux Centres .
I want to thank the elders and directors of the Francis Sandy and Jessie Saulteaux centres for continuing to involve me in their circles of learning.
Several years ago a group of us from the First Nations communities in the
All Native Circle Conference, approached Emmanuel College and challenged
the staff in regard to what it was doing about providing education for
theological students around issues, and history relating to First Nations communities with the possibility of receiving teachings and being involved traditional spiritual experiences.
I was the only Nishnawbe in the room who lived close to Toronto. So they all looked at me, and thus, I began a journey for several years as adjunct staff.
I want to thank the College and especially Johanna, Tom, Joan, Peter, Bill, Mark, Roger, Phyllis, Michael, Marilyn and Judith for all their support.
THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING ME IN YOUR TEACHING CIRCLE.
The Rotary Club gave me the opportunity to be of service to the greater part of
this Alliston community and also the world, where I could work
side-by-side with other Rotarians
· to make a difference by doing simple things from picking up garbage along
the roadways, to building pathways for people to walk and parks in which children could play,
· to the dreams of seeking to eradicate polio, and providing affordable
artificial limbs camps in all areas of the world,
· to sponsoring literacy programs in Canada and abroad, to building schools
in Africa,
· to sharing the dreams of first Nations people, ways that we could share
with those communities as they sought wholeness and health,
· to having an education film night on AIDS in Africa that led to the forming Grandmothers To Grandmothers in South Simcoe.
·
We ministers are given special places in clubs like Rotary and we are
given special honours of being there as fellow Rotarians pass through the
portals of change. It has always been a privilege to be there for those I have worked beside.
THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING ME IN YOUR CIRCLE.
The Alliston Spoilers Hockey Team was a circle that allowed me to step
away from the responsibilities
of day-to-day ministry and enjoy myself
in a different way.
I took seriously the responsibility that was given to me by Doug and John
to be protector for the most vulnerable thing on the ice, the puck.
I tried to keep the puck away from the opposition, who always tried to use
it in ways that were not good, so I kept the puck away from the opposition by
passing it to their defensemen, which only served to confuse them, or by
putting the puck in a place that was the safest place on the ice - the opposition's goal.
Thank you for allowing me to be your scribe and minstrel and story-teller.
Over the years that we have shared together I have also had the privilege of touching into your lives as many of you went through the portals of change.
I THANK YOU FOR ALL THE EXPERIENCES WE SHARED TOGETHER,
AND FOR INCLUDING ME IN YOUR CIRCLE.
Church families are special. Since I have been here close to 20 years and
participated in the church at the local, regional, national levels and
international, I experienced so much more
than I would ever have expected in a life.
Within the church I have experienced
· people who saw each other as family – a normal family, not always
in agreement about everything,
but willing to talk and willing to work things out,
· people who were involved in issues of justice, years before I had arrived,
andwere not afraid to participate in the educational experiences, in the challenges, and the programs that I brought from the
General Council or the World Council of Churches,
· people who allowed me to continue to be involved in the General Council
and World Council of Churches meetings in all parts of Canada and in the
world – meetings and programs that help me develop a wider scope of ministry,
· people who knew how to have fun together, as we shared in this mutual ministry that we have been given,
· and people who always enjoyed feasting together.
As a predominantly rural and farming community, you were willing to
change and to welcome into your membership, and leadership, members
from other church communities, many who came from urban environments.
That spoke volumes to me, when I first chose to come here.
When I came to Alliston I did not expect, in this circle of life,
· to meet farmers who grew mushrooms [not the sacred kind],
· farmers who grew grass [not the kind you smoke],
· farmers who grew special potatoes to make potato chips, or those who grew potatoes as seed,
· and farmers who grew trees for their livelihood.
These unusual farmers became as much a part of my life as those who raised
chickens and produced eggs or those who were dairy or cattle farmers, or
those whose vision included organic farming.
All of you who are part of this church have nourished me in ways that
I can never express.
And I'm grateful for all the staff that you have chosen to work with me:
· those who shared a ministry of word and music,
· those who took on the roles in the office as administrators,
· those who were the caretakers of the sacred places
· and those interns who were learners on the way.
Those who came and shared the journey and taught me so much:
for Marg, Lorne, Fred, John, Carol, Arch, Joan, Elliott, Robin, Kerrie,
and Elaine, and for Ken & Tom,
for Orville & Anne, Patty & Keith, and Pat, for Paula, Kathy,
Mary Jane, Louise and Shona,
for Frank, Christine, Tyler, Lori-Beth, Paul and Karen
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CREATING THOSE CIRCLES OF LIFE.
I want to thank all those who spoke today. I want to thank Stan for his
special words and teachings. Stan and I shared much together in the journey
of life and I consider him a brother in the way we have walked in this world.
And I want to thank my family.
I thank my dad, who has journeyed on, and, I thank my mom who is here
today, for the lessons they taught me and the love they gave.
I thank my sister Mary and her husband Bob and their family.
I thank my brother Jim and his life-partner Shelley and all of their family.
I thank my Barb and my son's Mike and Dan, for all the support and
love they continue to give me.
I thank all of them for helping me understand family,
· for helping me honour family,
· for helping me be a creative part of family,
· and for helping me recognize what it means to be family.
I thank them because I could walk with them in humility, and in love,
as we worked hard over all of our lives to carry the teachings of traditional
way and of Christian way, those spiritual teachings to help us understand how
we are dependent on one another, and how we are related to all the God's
creation.
ALL MY RELATIONS. CHE MEEGWETCH!
- - - - - - - - -
Master of Ceremonies, Bob Prentice
"Thanks Alf, Over the years Alf and I have exchanged a few "gotchas" and I must admit I have
been on the receiving end of most of them. The one I remember most happened like this.
Phone rings. 'Good afternoon Mr. Prentice, Rev. Dumont here.' (Wow, formal, whats up!)
'Can you read?'. I was about to give a snarky reply like ... actually no, my education only
advanced to a Masters level, reading wasn't required until the doctoral level ... when he
smoothly cut me off with 'the scripture Sunday morning?' How can you refuse?"
"As a closing, I have been asked to read a poem written by the poet laurereate of St. John's
Alliston, Kerrie Perry. It is a tale, written in the mode of the great philosopher poet Dr. Seuss."
A tale in the mode of that great philosopher Seuss
written by Rev. Kerrie Perry,
and read by Bob Prentice
At the far end of town,
Where the Swiss Chard grows,
and the whistle sounds loud
whenever it blows,
where squirrels find homes,
and kittens, and crows,
is the street of the gifted Alf.
Hidden between
the garage and the train
In the last lot to be found
at the end of Church lane,
If you look through the window,
for a while yet, anyway,
You will discover the place
where the Alf came to stay.
What was the Alf?
And why was it there?
And why will it be lifted
and taken somewhere
far, far away
from the place where the Swiss Chard grows?
Why retirement comes,
And with it, Alf goes.
Way back in the days
When the Chard never grew,
The trees were not there
And nary a strand of grey in his hair,
Past the park called Rowe,
And Riverdale too
That day, Alf came
to this glorious place
and our congregation rejoiced
upon sight of his face.
His time here’s been long,
His ministry, strong.
This is a place
he has come to belong.
It’s 20 years later,
yet still some might query
not meaning to make him feel weary,
What, oh whatever, does he do?
A minister is busy
Yes, busy they say
But how in the heck
does he fill up a day?
He hatches and matches and dispatches, it’s true.
And there’s always a sermon,
or service to do
and meeting after meeting,
after meeting, a slew!
Never a shortage of tasks before you.
He’s off on a visit,
For there’s someone to see
A quick jaunt to the hospital
Or someone’s home for tea.
One day from the next
Is different yet,
It’s part of the thing
Some people don’t get
There are days when he’s social,
Happy and free,
And days when grief
makes it a burden just to be.
Wednesday just past,
Went by far too fast
Winded by the end
As if in a race.
And Thursday last
crawled at a snail’s pace
Thank heaven for God
And a whole lot of grace.
Sometimes,
He lurks in his lerkum without any care
Hoping that no one will find him in there
Weighed down by the day
And the tasks yet to face
There are times
When he scarcely has time
just to pray.
To Alf they would come
The counselor chum
For they knew they would be cared for
Loved, comforted, and more
They would be accepted,
Not one excepted
And shown to the door.
The weary, the dreary, the teary all came
Searching for strength, for hope,
To be freed of blame.
The curious, spurious
Questioning lot
From senior all the way
Down to a tot.
In the midst of church life
There were other tasks too
Like partner and parent
Rotary man and community guru.
Perhaps his most precious expression of love
Can be seen in the span
It took to raise his boys
From toddler to man.
What fine young men,
that Michael and Dan
With Barb at his side
They can look on their children
With genuine pride.
Soon you will hear
the whistle no more
Your life will be lived
On a far distant shore,
And the house on Church lane
Will be waiting once more.
Go with our blessing,
That your work load is lessing.
Go and uncover
what new thing awaits
Go and discover
what’s next on your plates.
Go with the One
who has guided you far
Go, and be – just who you are.
For the you that is you
Since the day you were created
Is a gift, yes a gift,
And should be celebrated.
You taught us to dream,
To study and rest,
To welcome the stranger
as most honoured guest.
You taught us to be just
And that love
Is a must,
To dance to a tune
That comes from inside
And that courage and fear
We never should hide.
You taught us all this
And still so much more
In the years that add up
To nearly a score
So thank you, thank you
And thank you again
We’ll try to remember
Far past this December
The love that we shared
And the ways that you cared
Since the day the Alf
Came to the house
At the end of Church Lane
The programme for the day ended with Kerrie's poem.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
A big "thank you" to the Retirement Planning Committee
Thank you to Rev. Stan McKay who flew here with his wife Dorothy from Manitoba to be the special guest speaker
at the party and also at the Sunday morning church service the following morning.
Thanks also to the MC, Bob; to Eugene who ran the Sound System and videoed the proceedings; to Claire who catered the event; to Margaret for the help in decorating the room with flowers and balloons at Drysdale's Tree Farm; they are all members of St. John's United Church. Thank you to Paul Chambers, a free lance photographer for The Herald, who photographed many keepsake pictures at the party.
And thank you to all those who helped in many other ways to make the event the great success that it was. Thanks to all
who attended too. The party was a wonderful tribute to Alf and Barb and their families.
If you would like to keep in touch with the Dumont family, their address after January 1, 2012 will be:
Rev. Dr. Alf and Mrs. Barb Dumont
#329 – 1215 Lansdowne Drive.,
Coquitlam, British Columbia
V3E 2P6 alf.dumont@gmail.com