Well, it’s that time for some Diving news, but the mailbox is almost empty. I’ll see what I can come up with for now.

It was nice to hear from Nancy Brawley who is the National Team Director for Diving Canada Plongeon. Nancy and her husband Larry live in Saskatoon SK where Larry is presently at the University of Saskatchewan on a CRC (Canada Research Council) Senior Chair Position.  They have been there for 3 years and will be in SK for at least 4 more.  Their Daughters are both living in Ottawa. Tara (25 yrs old) just moved there after spending 3 years working at the Wynn Las Vegas in a Cirque du Soleil style show as a Synchro Swimmer.  She was injured and did not have her contract renewed, so she came back to Canada and will go to school next fall.  Kristen (26 yrs old) works for Synchro Canada as their High Performance Manager.  She has been with them for a few years now.  Nancy greatly enjoys the work that she does with the National Team, and knowing Nancy, they are in good hands! 

Word from Anne-Josée Dionne is that she is on maternity leave. She and Martin had a baby boy named Louis on February 6. Their older daughter, Juliette, is 3 ½ and with lots of energy she’s having fun turning the house inside out while A-J is busy with the baby. I think some others can identify with that!

We enjoyed having lunch with Tim Jones, his wife Dianne, and their 2 year old son DJ recently here in Halifax. The Jones are enjoying their new home in St. John’s NL.

Eryn (Bulmer) Barrett wrote that Connor will be going into Kindergarten this fall, and Ava is a busy 2 year old, and is cute as a button. (No surprise there!) Neil is working with Brent Grisdale and Jack Tinney at Rigstar in Calgary, and Eryn works in the Teamwear Division of Triple Flip 2 days a week—the company sells yoga-style athletic wear for the ‘tween’ demographic, similar to Lulu Lemon.

Speaking of Brent, he and his wife Tiffany welcomed twin daughters into their family, very prematurely, about 3 ½ months ago. Abby and Hilary spent many days in the hospital, but happily both are now at home and doing well. Congratulations to you all! I can just imagine Brent with 5 females in the house! Or doghouse maybe! ;-)

Tomorrow, June 23, is the 3 rd annual Mark Lowry Memorial Drive for the Podium Golf Tournament. His wife Jen sent a note saying that the money that was raised from this tournament last year is going towards the new Mark Lowry Dryland Training Centre in Calgary at the Talisman Centre.  This year they are hoping to highlight Diving Canada Plongeon, Mark's friends and colleagues from those days, and perhaps a few stories (well - not all of them !) Many of our alumni will remember Mark when he was the Executive Director of CADA back in the early 80’s (I think?). Sadly, he passed away at too young an age, and at a time when he was the amazing leader in the Ottawa office of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

And ….. Congratulations to ….. Tony Revitt and his wife Jolene who are expecting their first child in October.

In closing, I want to wish the 2008 Olympic Diving Team all the best in Beijing this August. The Trails are going on as I write this newsletter, and I know we will have an awesome team taking on the world! Good luck to Sylvie Bernier who will be the Chef de Mission of the Canadian Team. A tremendous honour for Sylvie, and without a doubt, the team is in great hands. Also congratulations to Gord Peterson who is on the Canadian Mission Staff.

In closing, I recently had total knee replacement surgery, so while I go through rehab I am just sitting here waiting for all your news. Come on, folks; let us know what you are doing these days.

Thanks to Gord Peterson who sent this additional information late yesterday. FYI!

Blythe Hartley's family completed an amazing cycle marathon across the country, leaving Halifax and cycling (non-stop relay style) to Victoria, arriving the day before Blythe was to compete in Victoria.  They have created the Strachan Hartley Legacy Foundation in memory of Blythe's older brother who completed his medical degree and passed away last year, way too young at the age of 31, with cancer.  To honour Strachan, they have raised more than $300,000 and all former divers are invited to donate to the Foundation which is striving to "Make a Difference" for underprivileged children.  As Blythe's sister, Aimee-Noel, said upon arriving in Victoria: "This may be the first time that you have heard of the Strachan Hartley Legacy Foundation, but I promise you it will not be the last."  Blythe gave an amazing welcome speech to her family and friends when they arrived at the pool on Saturday, and she particularly thanked the diving community for being so supportive. If you, as an alumni, would like to give your support to this worthwhile cause please go to www.shlf.ca to learn about the foundation and how you can donate.

As you may have read already, the Canadian Diving Team to Beijing has been announced, and the following divers will represent Canada -

Jennifer Abel, Meaghan Benefito, Alexandre Despatie, Roseline Filion, Blythe Hartley, Emilie Heymans, Marie-Eve Marleau, Riley McCormick, Arturo Miranda and Reuben Ross.

Congratulations to all, and to their coaches! GO CANADA!

Yours in Diving,

Bev