Friday, June 25, 2010

Week Two Is Shaping Up Great

Week two and it just gets better. First off I have to say hiring Frances Clark, our Custodian, has been great. She's working like mad to ensure the place is sparkling clean for our Orientation tomorrow at 11am-1pm, she's even learned how to plant and water plants thanks to Janice MacKinnon, who bless her has taken on the role as head volunteer gardener. It really is the little things that matter, like those beautiful plants Janice has taken the time to plant and tend.

Many of you that know me realize I'm always thinking of fun ways to generate revenue and I've come up with a few, but like all things I will need your support.

I'd love to hold a Thursday Fright Night (scary movie night at the lake): Scream at the Lake - of course we'd sell tickets for $10 and offer pizza and popcorn and drinks. Still working on the timing but thought 7pm-9pm.

And for us moms - how about a Pedicure Day - or Spa day at the beach. We did this event for my local writers group and it was such fun (not sure it was the best pedicure but it certainly made us ladies laugh). This would require people who might have pedicure stuff - see I don't even know what that is. But again it would be run by volunteers and a fun event for us busy moms - just think for $10 you get a pedicure at the beach.

My wish list is growing:
Honestly I need some kid friendly game, a foose ball table would be perfect, deck of cards, some craft items for the younger kids, even a smaller child-friendly table for the little ones (I've got one I'm donating I just have to get my five year-old to agree to it), even books for those rainy days.

Please feel free to drop items off at the club or call me at 443-0178 to arrange pick-up. I can't wait to meet many of you soon on the beach.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Maskwa's 2010 Season Begins!

Greetings:

We are well under way to beginning our 2010 season at Maskwa. We‘ve had a taste of summer weather and it’s given a number of our members an early start to the season. Proper thing!

In the next week we have much to do to finish our projects so any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. Check with Club Manager Renee Field by email and she’ll be glad to steer you in the right direction. I would also ask you not to call Renee if at all possible and it works much better to email her. Her email is manager.maskwa@gmail.com .Thank you.

Our needs list continues to grow as we continue to work on the best ways our new facilities can be utilized for the greater benefit of our members. This is not easy so we ask for your patience and your insights to help guide us along. We are in need of games, ping pong tables with fold down legs, foose ball tables, dvds and a large screen TV. A power washer and an industrial floor polisher would be extremely helpful. The Maskwa Manager would be happy to receive any of these items you may wish to donate.

Orientation Day will be held Saturday, June 26th at 11 a.m. This is extremely important for new members in particular to attend as you’ll be introduced to the Coaches and Lifeguards. The procedures and schedules will be outlined and explained. We‘ll outline any issues you should be aware of or new rules which will be introduced this season. This season there will be signage posted outlining expected code of conducts, safety and overall general rules. It’s much easier when everyone knows what’s expected and it’s openly and clearly communicated.

June 26th will be a busy one at Maskwa. Cheryl Kane has organized a car wash fund raiser which will take place at the Irving Station on Kearney Lake Rd. What coincidental timing this is! On your way to or coming back from the Maskwa orientation event you can stop by and get a thorough cleaning done by all those muscular Maskwa athletes. There is a note of caution however as your likely going to be temporarily blinded by the shine so suggest you wait a few moments before you commence driving.

Congratulations to Alexa Irvin who took Bronze in the K1 1000 metre race at the Ruhr International Regatta in Germany on June 19th! Alexa’s hard work, dedication, and talent have contributed to her success at home and now on the international stage. Well done, Alexa! We can’t wait to welcome you home.

Maskwa is now the proud owner of a Dragon Boat. This will further enhance our ability to offer competitive and recreational paddling for members who normally may not be able to participate. We also are in the midst of a campaign to raise funds to buy, among other things, a new war canoe. Our dragon boat will be entered in the Manulife Dragon Boat races at Lake Banook on July 10th. We‘re looking for participants to paddle as well as fund raise. See the Maskwa website for details. This promises to be a great event.

We have just hired our summer Custodial Engineer who is none other than Frances Clarke. Please give her a big welcome as she is the one who will make Maskwa sparkle both inside and out this coming season. Remember any kind of mess or misplaced dirt is her enemy so act accordingly.

That’s it for now. See you June 26th.Thank you.

Respectfully,

Yours in Maskwa

John Moore

Commodore

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Week One Was Great!

Another hot beautiful sunny day at Maskwa. I just dropped off my 12 year-old for his early morning Saturday paddling training and popped into my new office to get some more work done. There is lots to get done before the 'official' opening, but there is also a ton of stuff going on behind the scenes. This morning there are people working on the getting the floating docks ready, so beside the sweet sounds of all the birds nesting nearby I hear the lovely, very productive sounds of a saw.

So what has my first week been like? A lot of people have been asking me that. It's been so exciting at times that I wake up in the middle of the night to add another note to my list of things to get done. In all seriousness, the new facility is beautiful. I am working on creating a space for parents who might want to do a bit of business while their children are in programs and trying to establish a place for the youth and children. My ideal would be a quasi-teen lounge. We have enough sofas so now I just need a few coffee tables (if anyone would like to donate one it would be used). I've brought in some board games from my house but more are always welcomed. I also want a place for those rainy days when young children want to come in to do crafts - again donations for such are greatly appreciated. Are you getting the idea that we welcome your input, and any items you think might be of use for club members? Correct. Same goes on the sport side of things.

Here is a bit of my wish list:
2 basketballs
2 volleyballs and one net
5 skipping ropes for the young ones
soccer ball
horseshoe games

I'd like to keep all the gym equipment outside in a covered bin during the day and have it accessible for all.

Also I need people volunteers. Chad, our paddling coach and I had a very nice chat and I stole an idea of his that was offered at other clubs. I'd love to start a "Parent Afternoon Tea' - this would of course be run by a group of parents willing to bring in some sweets and make tea and serve it for the moms and dads wanting to get together as a meet and greet. I'd love this to become a regular event on Monday afternoons.

In terms of the canteen, I'm still working on what healthy choices we can offer. I spoke with Little Caesar's Pizza on Parkland and he's willing to create a Maskwa pizza day which would run much like how the school pizza programs do. Place your order on Monday (I will have it that you can pre-order up to 4 weeks in advance or on a weekly basis) and you get your pizza on Thursday. My goal is to offer something special every day. Other potentials are a Subway day and Smoothie day and then of course on Friday's it's our Maskwa BBQ day - and bless Peter Hope for once again taking this on.

Maskwa is your club! I would love to hear from you on things we're doing great and things that need to improved or we haven't thought of yet. The more you get involved, trust me the better the club will be. Please feel free to call me or email manager.maskwa@gmail.com. I'm actively recruiting members for our Parent Volunteer Committee so please let me know if you can help.

Looking forward to week two on Monday - stay tuned for another update.

Friday, June 18, 2010

ORIENTATION AT MASKWA

PLEASE JOIN US ON

SATURDAY, JUNE 26,

AT 11:00 A.M.

AT OUR NEW CLUBHOUSE

FOR AN OVERVIEW OF OUR PADDLING AND SWIMMING PROGRAMS.

MEET OUR COACHES AND LIFEGUARDS.

PURCHASE SINGLETS, BUNS, AND LIFEBELTS.

TOUR OUR NEW FACILITIES.

Trail Walks

The Halifax North West Trails Association is holding a series of walks. You can check out the details in our calendar or visit their website at http://www.halifaxnorthwesttrails.ca/

Monday, June 14 Hike on the Old Coach Road Trail
Tuesday, June 22 Charlies Lake Hike
Wednesday, July 14 Hike into Susies Lake

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

NLS Waterfront Course- June 18 -20

NLS Waterfront Course

The Link is to a poster for the June 18 - 20 Waterfront Course. We know these dates won't work well for all of you due to exams. Dan Fraser our trainer has suggested that for those that are doing it as a refresher... even if you can't attend all of it it would be beneficial if you could be there for some part of it. If you have not taken this course last year it is mandatory that you have it before the season starts. Please note that Maskwa will cover the cost of the training for its full and part-time employees.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Maskwa Dragon Boat Fundraiser!

Calling all paddlers and those who wish to be one!

Maskwa has entered the Manulife Dragon Boat Festival on July 10 and is using this opportunity to raise funds in support of the Club and its programs. There are currently open positions for paddlers/fund raisers who wish to join us in these exciting 200m races against clubs and companies from throughout metro.

This event allows us to offer tax receipts for donations over $20 and has raised over $12K over the past 3 years. Ask any who have participated as to the awesome camaraderie and fun to be experienced.

For more information on how to become one of the Mighty Maskwa Paddlers or to sponsor this worthwhile endeavour please contact Dan Dugie at kayakdan@bellaliant.net.