December 2017 Arowhon Pines, Algonquin
Dear Friends of Arowhon Pines
We’ve officially left the moose, fox and the grey jays in charge until spring! With temperatures dropping to -25 C and already a foot of snow – it was time to pack it in for the season.
Up to now, we’ve been busy as usual! In addition to our regular closing chores, we’ve tackled some fun and exciting projects. Not to spoil the surprises but … more decks and screened in porches, new/old barn board flooring and bathroom and lounge renovations as well. We promise that all we do will blend with the calm and peace that is Arowhon.
It’s been a full season without Helen who passed away in May, but we still feel her presence everywhere. We have commissioned an artist to help us honour her and Eugene’s memory. It will be an outdoor piece of art amongst the flowers and trees at Arowhon. We hope that it will be ready for spring!
As always we are grateful for each and every one of you. It’s exciting to look at the list of who has already booked for 2018. Thank you for making Arowhon Pines part of your family tradition.
We wish you the best of the season and a healthy, prosperous new year.
Theresa, David and Adam and all of us at Arowhon Pines
Happy Retirement Edwin!
Best wishes go out to a long time maintenance worker, Edwin Fillier, who has worked with us since 2004.
A typical Newfoundlander, he brought with him many skills - plumbing, carpentry, tree cutting, oil changing, trench digging, going under things where spiders lie, roofing, wiring, drinking tea, fire fighting, boat driving and much more! Always in a good mood, always laughing, always reliable – although sometimes we barely understand a word he said!
Long may your Jib draw, Edwin – you’ll be missed.
Forever in Our Hearts Gregory Hans Vontobel 1995 – 2017 2017 was a season that sadly, we will never forget.
A member of our staff, Greg Vontobel, tragically drowned off our staff dock on July 8th, despite our attempts and that of the medical team at Camp Arowhon.
Greg was young and lovely and handsome and bright. Words cannot express our grief. Greg’s mom, Grace and his family will be part of Arowhon forever.
A scholarship has been set up in his name through Algonquin College.
Our staff this year were extraordinary in every way – respectful, kind and generous. We love them and wish them well in all their future endeavors. Hopefully we’ll see some of these smiley faces back in 2018. Enjoy this mish mash of photos from the season …
