RCMC Newsletter
February 2023

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February 2023 - Live Meetings

February 2nd.- Hugh Brewster with Laurie McGaw:
​                               Titanic and Lady Duff Gordon ​

​ Presentation:
UNSINKABLE LUCILE 
How a Guelph girl became the queen of fashion and survived the TitanicBefore Chanel there was Lucile –– the most famous fashionista of the Edwardian age.
Yet, couturiere Lucile, Lady Duff Gordon grew up as just plain Lucy Sutherland in a stone farmhouse overlooking Guelph, Ontario, during the 1860s. How she created an international fashion empire is a remarkable story of unshakeable determination and female achievement.. Among her many innovations were the first fashion shows , the first fashion models, and the Edwardian craze for oversized hats. She also helped free women from the corset and coined the word ‘chic’. A serious challenge came in April of 1912 when she survived the sinking of the Titanic and was unjustly vilified in its aftermath. Yet she didn’t allow this to sink her and Lucile went on to become a fashion adviser to millions and the creator of clothes seen in over 115 movies.
With an engaging A/V presentation Hugh Brewster and Laurie McGaw will tell Lucile’s story as featured in their new book, Unsinkable Lucile.

​Bio:

Hugh Brewster is an award-winning author, historian and playwright who has written 15 books for adults and young readers. He spent his teen years in Guelph, Ontario, not far from Summer Hill where Lucy Duff Gordon grew up. He is a sought-after speaker and gives many audio-visual presentations to schools, libraries and community groups each year.

Laurie McGaw is a Guelph artist who has previously collaborated with Hugh Brewster on a number of award-winning books, including  Polar the Titanic Bear, which was nominated for a Governor General’s Award. She is a renowned portraitist and has also been commissioned to create 35 coins for the Royal Canadian Mint
​
 
10am. To be followed by Live Questions    
February 16th. Jaya James: Understanding Poverty in Guelph
 
Presentation: 

​Through stories, Jaya will share an overview of poverty in Guelph and some of the ways that Hope House is helping support individuals work towards the life they desire. She will also share some ways that you can help.

Bio:

​Jaya James, a lifelong Guelph resident and University of Guelph graduate, is passionate about community building and has devoted much of her time to walking with people through life’s challenges and celebrations. Jaya has been married to her high school sweetheart Luke Hill for 23 years. Together they parent three very active boys.
Jaya is the Executive Director of Hope House a downtown Guelph organization that serves vulnerable people in Guelph
  • the unhoused and housed,
  • the employed and the unemployed,
  • those suffering a new, bewildering setback (I believe many of us have experienced at least a few of those over the last two years)
  • as well as those dealing with chronic, more complicated issues of poverty.
Through the delivery of our programs and services we offer dignified access to food, clothing, therapeutic support and a caring community that works with people to help them overcome the challenges they face - challenges that result in them being hurt, hungry and/or homeless.


 
10am. To be followed by Live Questions.  
Picture
Hugh Brewster with Laurie McGaw
Picture
Jaya James

Messages

Future Meetings

Meetings for March

 March 2nd. Mayor Cam Guthrie: City of Guelph State of the Union

​March 16th. Matthew Curtis: Laproscopic Surgery 

March 30th. Kate Howells & Dr. Joanne O'Meara: Communications Strategist at the Planetary Society

                                    

Activities & Events

  February 14th. Valentines Dinner
Symposium Cafe - Details to be announced

Spring Mill Distillery Tour – Details TBA

Coffee Mornings

February 9th. And February 23rd.


Coffee/Breakfast  

RCMC Live Coffee Morning  

9:30 am Symposium Café - 304 Stone Rd. West


​More news to come regarding activities and live coffee mornings
Refer to the website often ​

Other News


There is a new What's New section on the Home page of our website.  This will give you quick links to any new information which has been posted on the website.

If you have any new content for the website, please send to Ritchie Zelk at  edna.ritchie@sympatico.ca

Membership

Please send any updates to your entry in the Membership Directory, including any change in email address, to Del Campbell, 519-826-0679, susan-delcampbell@sympatico.ca

Members are encouraged to invite male friends and acquaintances to our meetings.