I would like to begin with a warm welcome to Penny Joyce who has made her way back to the world of aquatics, and has begun her new job as the Chief Operating Officer of Diving Plongeon Canada. To quote a news release “ Penny Joyce has more than 20 years of experience with national sport organizations including Synchro Canada, Swimming/Natation Canada and most recently with Athletics Canada. She has participated in over ten Olympic, Pan American and Commonwealth Games as well as numerous world championships where she has honed her extensive communications, marketing and event management experience.” Welcome Penny, and we hope you will enjoy leading our team.

And now, this will be a long letter of congratulations!

First, to Linda Cuthbert who led the charge, and managed to convince the powers-that-be to re-schedule the World Aquatic Championships in Montreal this past summer. I understand they were a tremendous success, and Team Canada showed Canadians the importance of having major Games on home turf. As President of the Aquatic Federation of Canada Linda had the privilege of speaking before 10,000 people (yikes!). She wrote that Scott Sinclair was there, and he has been helping out with the CADA Foundation, and will be lending his expertise to the Aquatics Foundation in the near future. Linda said it was great to see alumni from other countries at the Worlds. For example, Klaus Dibiasi and Giorgio Cagnotto were there as Italy’s coaches, and it must have been a sweet reminder of their own medal performances at the ’76 Olympics in Montreal. Job well done, Linda!

….. to Bruno Fournier who was Team Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Worlds and loved the job! He also enjoyed seeing many ex-divers from his diving era that are now involved in various committees - Julia Cruz from Spain, Fernando Platas and Jesus Mena from Mexico, and Michael Murphy from Australia, to name a few. Bruno’s boys are now 4 and 8, and are involved in Judo and Tennis.

….. to the 2005 World Aquatics Diving Team that had the best results ever for Canada at Worlds!

….. to Martha (McCall) and Tom Heintzman on the birth of their son Luke, born on July 10, 2005, weighing in at 7 lbs.  …. Melissa (deRykere) and hubby Greg Downer and son Aydan Craig Downer, born on Saturday August 6, 2005 at 8 lbs ….. Brent Grisdale and Tiffany who welcomed baby girl #2, Stella Louise Mae-Ling born on July 25 th weighing in at 6lbs 7.5 ozs. ….. and Laurie (Nelson) and hubby Mitch Davis who had a baby girl on September 19th in Minneapolis, MN.  Effie Ann Davis arrived weighing in at 7 lbs 6 oz.  All are doing well!

Laurie also completed her Master's Degree in Food Science at the University of
Minnesota in July 2005...”finally got it done before the baby came! “

Marg and Ted Grisdale are doing great, says Brent.  They just live around the corner from Brent and his family, so get lots of time with the two grandchildren.  Work has been going well for Brent, and he now has Linda (Dennis) Tabacman a former Executive Director of Saskatchewan Diving working outside his door “protecting me from evil forces and myself.” 

Brian Anderson wrote that he has taken a new job as the Head Coach of the Lethbridge Diving Club. He says he is enjoying the slower speed of  Lethbridge, and can't wait to go skiing on real mountains. I understand that Anna Dacyshyn (who now has two small girls) has become the Head Coach at Central Toronto Diving Club, and Mike Medved is her Assistant Coach .

On a sad note, Neil Barrett’s Dad passed away on September 23, and we send our condolences to Neil and Eryn. As life fluctuates with highs and lows, Neil and Eryn(Bulmer) are happily expecting Baby #2 in January. Neil is working with Brent Grisdale’s company now, and Eryn completed her Bachelor of Commerce degree –“finally” - this past June, and is very happy not to be studying any longer. Sister Christie Bulmer- who took a diving scholarship to Reno, Nevada, graduated in May with her Nursing degree, and is going to stay down there to work for the indefinite future.

A brief note from Paige (Gordon) Parenti announced that she and Eddie are expecting their first child in mid-December. Paige graduated from Grad school this past August. Mary and Steve Carroll are also expecting Baby #2 in February.

And finally, a note from Liz Jack who is looking forward to warmer weather. Seems they had snow in Tazmania this “winter” and they were snowed in for the day and couldn't get to work or school. Katherine and Stephanie loved it, and spent most of the day outside playing with friends on their boogie boards, tobogganing down their hill. Gee, something we Canadians can look forward to!

You know, I always start these newsletters thinking there isn’t much news, but I’m always amazed at how much there is. On a personal note, I really enjoyed a brief visit with Megan (Gordon) Parker and Kieran and Madeleine in early September. Herm and I had just completed an Alaskan cruise (loved it!) and had about 2 hours in Vancouver. On a small-world note, in July we were camping in Cape Breton at the national park. Started talking to a nice lady camped two sites down from us who said she was from Ottawa, and after some questioning looks, suddenly Anne Warburton and I went into a fit of “Ohmygosh, I can’t believe it!!!!”

Thanks to everyone who writes, and I appreciate all notes, big or small. Keep the news coming! This is your newsletter and your friends want to hear about you!

In closing, I had a very nice talk with Vaughn Baird last week, and as he is writing a publication Dive Canada Over 75 Years of Reaching for the Top 1930 – 2005, I wonder if we could try to help him. The following are names of former divers whose birthdates Vaughn needs for the publication. (Diver’s name, then their coach) Please send dates to me or cada@diving.ca and we’ll pass them on to Vaughn.

Till next time!
Bev