GCEL CONVENTION 2024:

On the weekend of April 12, 13 an 14, all the Eastern lodges met for a joyous reunion, starting with our usual social pot luck on the Friday evening.  So good to see old friends, and the raffle table started to fill up with the different lodges' baskets, always so cleverly arranged.  More people arrived for the 10 am meeting Saturday morning, then a terrific lunch was provided by Skylar Thoren.  After that, Eleanor led us on a scavenger hunt throughout the Danish Cultural Centre, and we were able to discover all the fascinating additions that Rick Thoren and his helpers had accumulated.  More about that to come.  Next was a presentation by the travel agents for a cruise to Canada this summer.  About 5:30, we reconvened for drinks and conversation while awaiting the banquet dinner, followed by a rousing trivia challenge arranged by Paul Malchow, and we all had fun with the drawing of the raffle tickets.  Rick Thoren provided a wonderful selection of music on his vinyl record collection.  Thank you so much to all who helped to make this a memorable Convention!   A good time was had by all!

Everyone gathered for dinner, and music and the drawing of the raffle tickets.

Thanks to Fran Cameron for many of these photos.

We all enjoyed Rick Thoren's music collection presented on his vinyl records.

It was exciting to see all the really quality paintings in the Art Room.  They were donated by a kind benefactor, and the oils dated back from 1912 to the 1940's.  Beautiful works!

This piece, The Old Shoemaker, was the prize of the collection.  Gathered beneath him are artifacts that were already owned by the Cultural Centre and so fitting for this masterpiece:  wooden shoes, antique tobacco tin, hammer, shoe form, and others.  Beside it on the wall hangs  an old curved pipe like the one in the painting.  

In the living room is a marvellous old boat table with a lid that raises to enable storage.  This piece is from Rick's own personal collection that he chose to display at the Centre.

The mantelpiece/fireplace is now adorned with a viking shield, weapons and a fierce helmet.  If you haven't seen the Danish Cultural Centre recently, you really must make a point of coming to view all the work Rick Thoren and his helpers have put into renovating and improving.  It was wonderful !!!

Altogether, it was a happy, exciting gathering, and we hope you'll join us for next year's event.

Take note that Torben Christiansen, who is now president of the Rebild Society for our area is hosting a celebration of the Danish king's birthday at the Danish Cultural Centre in Edison on Sunday, May 26, 2024.  Reach him for more details .....   dkbaker2000@yahoo.com

           ALL ARE WELCOME !

And by pronouncement of the Light Sabre, the party is over !   MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE !!