Some people at TLSARL might be very comfortable with how we are now. There are a lot of really good things about the organisation and the people who are members. Absolutely. I don’t know who you people are, actually, I would be pretty surprised if you really are out there. I don’t believe that there is anyone in our Association who hasn’t got an opinion on how we should do something better or different or not at all. That’s just human nature, and guess what?

Those of you who are not members of TLSARL but have been reading the last few entries might be forming some opinions about us as an organisation. I kind of hope that members who are reading are also thinking a bit more about who we are and where we are headed.

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about where we are at TLSARL as an organisation. Others have been doing that, too – one of the comments at the Reunion was that we need to get more younger members.

Another of the issues raised at the Annual Reunion/AGM this year was what the Association should do with its accumulated historical artifacts and documents, etc., specifically, a time capsule placed in the care of the City of Winnipeg Archives after it was removed from the plinth placed in 1912 at Portage and Main and intended for a memorial statue of Lord Selkirk, and several carousels of photographic diapositive slides and related notes that were used in school lectures given by Anne Henderson in the 1960s.

Our Social Committee members work hard every year to find a place to accomodate and cater to all of the members who attend our Annual Reunions. Sometimes, when the reminder calls go out, members have voiced their concern that venues like Canad Inn, for example, do not accurately reflect who we are and what we are about.

September is a busy month for the descendants of Selkirk Settlers! The 2012 Bicentennial Committee (not connected to TLSARL, although we have a representative on the committee) will hold its Annual Selkirk Settler Parade on the 12. The keynote speaker will be TLSARL President Bill Matheson, by the way.

This year we will be returning to one of our members’ favourite venues for the Annual Reunion: Lower Fort Garry! Circle September 27 on your calendar, and plan to be at the Fort at 1:00 p.m. After a traditional tourtiere dinner and dessert, we will have our Annual General Meeting and some entertainment.
There are only 100 seats available, so please, reserve early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are $20 and may be reserved by contacting Betty Gill or Cathie Morgan (contact details last page of Newsletter). No reservations will be accepted after 23 Sept. due to catering restrictions.
The reunion is an excellent opportunity to meet with friends and relatives, to find out what is in the works at TLSARL and to learn more about our shared heritage. See you there!