President Larry presided over our Valentine's Dinner meeting at the Niagara Culinary Institute Dining Room at Niagara College. He changed the order of our meeting by having our speaker first before dinner. Larry called on Dan Patterson to introduce our speaker - Corporate Chef - J Mark Hand.

Dan Patterson began by again revealing his pride in Niagara College and in the staff that makes it such a success. J Mark Hand is one of 9 Chefs on staff. Albert Cipryk, Mike Marconi, and Michael Olsen were 3 others Dan mentioned. Mark Hand is a graduate of Niagara College and has been an instructor since 1992. He is a Chef de Cuisine graduate and has been instrumental in setting up the Showcase of Chefs program.

Dan Patterson

Mark began by telling us that he was going to demo the dessert from tonight's menu. Before getting into the demo Mark picked up where Dan left off and shared his pride in the College with us. These hosted special nights are really special for him and all the students involved in the "front of the house" as well as in the "back of the house". Mark has a passion for speaking with high school groups and in March will be hosting 100 high school competitors at the College. So on to tonight's menu

Salad of Seasonal Greens and Herbs with Rosehip Vinaigrette

This salad is made from Niagara greens from Effingham, beets from St David's, and rosehips from Jim McLean

Brie and Lavender Stuffed Breast of Chicken with Caramelized Cranberry Jus

Double cream Brie has come from the Eastern Townships and the lavender and herbs from Herbs by Daniel in Effingham. Oven roasted root vegetables are a favourite of Mark's.

Royal Gala Apple Tarte Tatin with Vanilla Bean Custard Sauce

Butter and brown sugar are the beginning of many successful desserts. This one adds uniform slices of Gala apples and some late harvest wine. The vanilla bean custard had a special Valentine's appeal as each chef was able to draw through a heart in the custard and add a sprig of mint.

Dessert

Mark shared with us some of the short history of Niagara College wines. They have received awards across Canada. 2 students have traveled to World Championships and received awards.

Margaret Jarrell thanked Mark for his presentation and demo and President Larry awarded Mark with a certificate acknowledging a donation in Mark's name to the Landmines Eradication Program in Afghanistan.

Larry Iggulden and Mark Hand

Please click here to view photos from the evening

President Larry then began the formal part of our meeting.

Grace: Ron Dubciak gave the blessing

O Canada: Larry Ross began our anthem

Toast to the Queen: President Larry proposed we toast Canada and The Queen

Birthdays: Stan Heywood Feb 10 th Tom Arkell Feb 11 th

Larry Iggulden and Tom Arkell

Happy Dollars

• Chris Bangham led off Happy Dollars with a joke about sex and bacon and which was enjoyed more.

Chris Bangham

• He then congratulated Bill Williams and Irene Pope on their engagement.

• Rick Merritt, Gene Gillies and Tom Arkell were all happy

• Roger was happy to announce his wife Liana's surprise 39 th (US that is) birthday

• Albert Cipryk was happy to announce his 34 th anniversary

• Larry Ross was happy

• Archie Heide was happy to be at our party with Loretta

• Howard Lackie was sort of happy to announce that on Feb 14 th he will have been 47 years in Pharmacy

• Rick Vanderkuip celebrates 34 years of marriage, 3 kids and 3 grandchildren

• Sam Walters shared with us that his Mom and Dad celebrate their 62 nd anniversary tomorrow and reminded us that Chris Bangham's comments about engagements is "good for business"

• John Snowling was happy to have been skiing and reminded us about the upcoming ski day in Ellicottville.

50/50 Draw:
Instead of a 50/50 draw we drew for Rotary Ice Wine. The proceeds are going to the Rotary Bridge. Kelly Buckley and Nancy Hostick were the lucky draw winners.

President Larry's Moment in History.

This being a Valentine celebration President Larry wondered if Paul Harris was a romantic but realized he answered his own question when he remembered Paul Harris was a lawyer!!

At age 35 Paul Harris met Grace Irene Mann and a year later when asked she said yes to marriage but her father said no. Paul moved on. In 1910 he met Jean Thompson and they married. They had no children. They were active in planting Trees of Friendship in their garden to honour visitors from distant lands. Paul and Jean were married for 37 years. Paul died in 1947 and Jean died 16 years later in 1963.

Please click here to view photos from the evening

Next Week: Feb 16th - The Distress Centre