Information for Canadian Master Athletes

Hi everyone:
I'm catching up on tons of emails regarding registration for the 2011 paddling/swimming season and fingers crossed we go on-line with this next week. Please check back to our website at that time.

This information is for all Canadian Master Athletes who will or want to participate in the Worlds Master Championship 2011, Szeged, Hungary.


Hi,

My name is Edit Fried (45) and I'm a masters coach and paddler in Pointe Claire Canoe Club, Quebec. My husband, Alain Buliard (49) and myself are going to the Worlds Championship for Masters to Szeged, Hungary in August 27-28.

e are organizing our trip and would like to know if any other Canadians are participating so we can go as a group as well maybe enter crew boats together. Therefore we are interested of any of the masters in your club are planning to go, already bought their ticket or looking for help, boat rental, crew.


Thank you!

Edit


http://szeged2011.com/icf-masters-championships/welcome

Wanting Your Maskwa Stories/Open House etc

Spring is definitely in the air! I know it was -7 this morning but with the hot sun streaming through my office window, and the fact I can now see the basketball court once again, I’ve got an extra spring in my step today.

I have had lots of inquiries about membership rates/programs and our Recreational Day Camp program already. We are currently working on having our rates up for the first week of April with a new on-line registration process. You will still have to pay by either cash or cheque but the on-line system will make it easier to calculate your 2011 fees. We have kept the Family Plus cap so for families with two or more children looking to register at Maskwa and take part in both swimming and paddling this will probably be the most affordable rate for you. The great thing about our new system is that it will calculate your actual costs of programming and then advise you what your best option for membership should be. I have to say again a huge shout out to Ian Wood, a volunteer, who has done a tremendous job putting our new system together. It’s much more user friendly.

What I’m working on now is an 8-page tabloid spread which will be inserted in The Herald for hopefully the second week of April for the Clayton Park/Rockingham/Kingswood and Bedford South areas. This insert will highlight Maskwa, our sponsors and our success stories. That being said, I’d like to hear from you.

Send me in your stories about Maskwa. What you enjoy about the club or any pics you’d like included (send as jpeg or tiff file). I know a lot of people today who are parents came to Maskwa when they were kids – so I’m asking for you to tell me what it was like. Old and new stories are great. Please send them to manager.maskwa@gmail.com.

Also we are looking for great individuals who want to work for Maskwa in the following areas:
Paddling coaches
Lifeguards
Recreational Day Camp Instructors
Custodian.

Please send in your resume and covering letter to my attention and I will forward along to the right person.

We have also booked the time for our Maskwa Open House. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 14 from 9am-2pm at the club. Tell all your friends also. Program information will be up in April but for those new to the area or just discovering Maskwa this is your time for a tour of our facility, learn about our programs and come to meet our paddling coaches.

Well, that’s it for now. Again, talk about a gorgeous day.

Icy Roads into Maskwa - Please Drive Slow

Hi everyone:
I wanted to warn everyone to please go slow when you are heading up to the club. The driveway and pathway into the club are sheets of ice. When I was there last night we actually had to help a coach get his car back onto the road. I called Kempton, our snow removal person who lives on Saskatoon Drive, and he's going to get a load of gravel to spread around today for the second parking lot and driveway into the club. I also noticed that with the high amount of snow in a short amount of time the garbage can by the trails got buried so if you plan to walk please don't litter.

I've set up the Maskwa track suits assorted by sizes inside Heritage Hall for those who want to try both the jackets and pants on. I plan to place an order by Friday,18. I'm really excited about these track suits and can't wait for my own. Since I'm working mostly from home this week - thanks to my water heater bursting and flooding my basement - please feel free to call my cell at 495-0212 if you would like to arrange a time to pop into the club to see the track suits and try them on. I will admit my best times are mornings but I can also do a few evenings.

I am also very happy to write that very soon we will come out with a formal announcement of the relationship Maskwa has forged with our Platinum sponsor.

Again if you need to reach me please email me at manager.maskwa@gmail.com. Have a great week.

PS - The pic I posted is what I'm dreaming off now because honestly if I didn't visualize this scene in my head I wouldn't venture outside.

Maskwa February Day Camps

Okay, should I be worried that so far only 4 children are registered in my first ever Maskwa February Day Camps? My hubby will tell you I'm not sleeping at night because I keep waking up with this thought on my frontal lobe. Well, that's part of the reason, but the other part is my slipped disc in my back, which kills when I roll over in bed. But seriously, I am worried about this. I thought for sure people would be looking for a place to put their children - I know the thought of being home with my four children for two weeks is the third reason I'm waking up at night. My teenager said he'd help out but I didn't leave him much of an option...either that or no cell phone buddy. I know people tell you one should never bribe kids - I personally think those people don't have kids.

So this morning, I'm pouring over my budget for the camp, trying to think of ways to spread this word of mouth because there really is no marketing budget, with a heating pad on my back (yup). I know hate looking out my window at the cold snow, which makes my office feel even colder. So if anyone out there has a great idea how to spread the word about this camp please let me know.

I love the idea of coming to work in February with Maskwa once again filled with children. I really miss all the people and kids. Feel free to drop by. My office hours, I'm trying to keep to, are Monday-Wed from 8:30am-12noon. Visitors welcomed.

So once again the info on the camp:

Maskwa February Day Camps
Grades 2 through 6
$225/per week/per child
Hot Lunch included

Enroll your child today at www.maskwa.ca (top of page) for the two-week February Day Camps (Feb. 14-18 & Feb. 21-25)

Themed-fun days with a recreational base.
A visit from Mad Scientists, The Amazing Reptile Show & J the Magician.

Limited to 30 children per week.

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.

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.