Two things became strikingly evident as your faithful social scribe poured through hundreds of pictures to select a handful for these Year in Review pages. One: I know now why I am always tired (some might say tiresome!). And two: What amazing people we are truly blessed to have in our fair city.
There is no doubt that 2016 had its share of challenges. From the disastrous fires in Ft. McMurray to the seemingly never ending bad economic news, our positive can-do attitude was more than tested. And you’re not alone if-at times-your faith wavered. Mine did. And let’s not even go down the international news path.
And yet, we have so much to be thankful for. Look at the millions upon millions of dollars generous Calgarians have raised/donated in 2016. From the enormously successful $1 million Rockyview Invitational golf tournament to the AARC Gala, Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter Turning Points Gala, UNICEF Water for Life Gala, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity Midsummer Ball Weekend and myriad other events, Calgarians gave of their treasure-and time- even when their own lives were facing economic challenges.
And 2016 saw several magnificent milestones-not the least of which being SAIT’s 100th anniversary and U of C’s 50th anniversary. And surely the opening of the incredible National Music Centre-and the hosting of the JUNO’s should give us all something to be fiercely proud of.
So enjoy this look back at just some of the events that made 2016 the memorable year it was. It was my pleasure to attend and cover Calgarians at work and play. Here’s wishing you all a New Year filled with love, joy, health and prosperity and I look forward to seeing you out and about. God bless.
Pictured, from left at The Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) Annual Chinese New Year Gala held Feb 19 at Regency Palace Restaurant are Alexandria Sham, HKCBA national chair, immediate past president Tim Onyett and Bonita Wong Paquette, HKCBA, Calgary president. More than 600 guests attended the celebration of the Year of the Fire Monkey.
Pictured, from left, at Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Calgary Leadership Summit and Awards held Mar 2 at The Westin are Calgary honourees Beth Hamilton-Keen, director, investment counselling, Mawer Investment Management and Cynthia Hansen, senior vice-president, operations, Enbridge Liquids Pipelines.
Pictured, from left, at the Chairman’s Reception held Apr 1 in the fabulous National Music Centre (NMC) are legendary producer Bob Ezrin, multiple Juno Award winner and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Buffy Sainte-Marie, legendary performer and multiple Juno Award winner Burton Cummings and fellow rocker Tom Cochrane. Cummings was inducted into the new home of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at Studio Bell this night.
MakeFashion held at Telus Spark Science Centre Apr 2 featured wearable technology from a team of 48 artists, designers and engineers from around the world.
Broadview Homes won the coveted Builder of the Year Award at the 29th annual SAM Awards held Apr 16 in the Telus Convention Centre. Pictured are Broadview Homes’ vice-president Peter-John Woolf and his proud wife Delle.
Pictured, from left, at the Gordie Howes C.A.R.E.S. Luncheon held Apr 15 at the Westin Calgary are special guests Yvan “The Roadrunner” Cournoyer and Paul Henderson with chairman Allan Klassen and committee member and NHL alumnus Perry Berezan.
Calgary Opera chorus leader Karen Shippey-Heilman and Calgary Opera chorus member Joshua Bagby ham it up for the lens at the Calgary Opera Gala held at the Jube Apr.23.
Pictured with reason to smile at the University of Calgary’s 50th anniversary celebration held Apr 29 are U of C president and vice-chancellor Elizabeth Cannon (left) with (the then) board of governors chair Bonnie DuPont.
The 22nd annual Turning Points Gala held Apr 28 at the TELUS Convention Centre was an enormous success raising $559,644. Such a magnificent milestone is due in large part to gala co-chairs Sherri Logel and Shelly Norris. Logel was unable to attend this night but her husband Tim Logel, Cardel Lifestyles president and co-founder (left) was proud to attend on her behalf. Joining Logel are gala co-chair Shelly Norris and her husband Brookfield’s Alan Norris.
Pictured at an Intimate Evening with Sarah McLachlan held May 14 at Theatre Junction Grand is the super star herself, Sarah McLachlan. Funds raised at the fabulous concert were directed to the Project Warmth Society of Alberta.
Pictured with reason to smile at Children’s Wish Gala, Celebrating 30 Years of Wishes held May 25 at the Telus Convention Centre are gala chair Michele Boyd and her husband, RBC Regional president Jeff Boyd.
There is nothing like an original. Pictured, from left, at the opening night of DJD’s New Universe held in the organizations amazing new $26 million space are DJD’s Hannah Stilwell, Vicki Adams Willis and Michele Moss. Stilwell and Moss were day one dancers with the company while Willis was the company’s first artistic director.
Pictured, from left, at the June 18 official opening of Enmax Park on the banks of the Elbow River at Stampede Park are Stampede president and board chair Bill Gray, Stampede Foundation board chair Steve Allen, Blackfoot elder Ed Calf Robe and Gianna Manes, Enmax president and CEO.
The Calgary premiere of Swift Current was an enormous success and raised considerable funds for the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre. Pictured at the SRO event are Kennedy and event chair Ann McCaig.
Stampede would not be the same were it not for the annual Hays Breakfast held this year July 10 at Heritage Park. Organizers estimate that more than 3,000 people attended the see and be seen event. Pictured are hosts with the most Dan Hays and Heritage Park’s Alida Visbach.
Willow Park Wines & Spirits’ Peggy Perry and her husband, Secure Energy’s Brien Perry pose for the lens at the Amadeus Cork & Canvas Gala held recently at the Fairmont Palliser. More than $100,000 was raised and an additional $100,000 in Gifts in Kind were donated — all in support of our beloved CPO.
The annual W. Brett Wilson Garden Party is not only a ton of fun but philanthropic as well and this year’s fete, held recently on the grounds of Wilson’s Mount Royal estate, raised more than $500,000 for myriad charities with a focus on mental health. Pictured, from left, are Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre executive director Pam Heard, host with the most Wilson, renowned urologist Dr. Jay Lee and musical great Jake Mathews.
Looking fabulous at the 37th Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity Midsummer Ball Weekend held July 22-24 are, from left, Madam Justice Charlene Anderson and her husband, Banff Centre board chair David Weyant, Q.C. and Anna Weyant who is currently studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. The fab weekend raised more than $1 million for our beloved Banff Centre.
Pictured, from left, at the UNICEF Canada Water for Life Gala held Oct 1 at the Hyatt are UNICEF Canada president and CEO David Morley, keynote speaker this night Rwanda refugee and UNICEF Canada ambassador John Nsabimana, UNICEF Patron’s Council’s Penny Whitlock and her husband, Bennett Jones’ Wayne Whitlock, Q.C.
Pictured with Fraser Institute Founders’ Award honouree Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall (right) is Alberta Premier hopeful Jason Kenney.
The 2016 Bob Edwards Award Gala held Nov 4 at the Fairmont Palliser was an SRO success. Pictured are this year’s honouree Bret “Hitman” Hart and his wife Stephanie Washington-Hart.
Pictured at Amped for the Junos MusiCounts Charity Shopping Event held at Holt Renfrew Mar 9 are Holt Renfrew’s Deb Kerr (centre) with 2016 Juno Nominee Dear Rouge. Dear Rouge is nominated for Breakthrough Group of the Year. The husband and wife duo now live in Vancouver and recently made it to #2 on Canadian billboards.
The 19th annual AARC Gala Benefit Dinner held May 26 at the Telus Convention Centre was an enormous success thanks in large part to day-one presenting sponsor Remington Development Corporation. Pictured are founder Randy Remington and his wife Donna.
