Our Latest Event - The "Minutes"
The 2013 Dinner - Milestones |
Wines and Goodies |
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This was the 14th Funi dinner held in Paradise. Brother Perina and Lady Anne, having escaped the curse of the 13th dinner successfully, decided to play it safe in the year ending in 13 and sent their regrets from Europe. * * * 24/25 August 2013 Hosts: Mr. & Mrs. GillisToastmaster: Mr. Flute 2013: the 13th year of the 21st Century and of the 2nd millennium. A number fraught with forebodings, but also pregnant with possibilities - and always alert to alliteration. Through the graciousness of our Burnbrae hosts, those of us who were not overcome with triskaidekaphobia gathered yet again in the bucolic splendour of the Annapolis Valley for good food, good wine, and great company. This year, we were aided in our celebrations by the assistance of former guests Robbie and Lisa, who were enlisted to help out in the kitchen (and sample the courses). We were all grateful for their presence. Around 6:45, the Funis changed into their evening attire and gathered by the pool, in accordance with tradition, to sample the Hors d'oeuvres. These were prepared and served by Brother Gillis and Lady Debbie, consisting of: mushroom caps with 3 different stuffings: walnuts and blue cheese, cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, and Gremolata (lemon zest, garlic and parsley). There were also peaches (picked from Burnbrae trees) combined with Black Forest ham and proscuitto, farm-grown tomatoes stuffed with cream cheese, shrimp, horseradish and cucumber, and homemade Steelhead Trout Gravlax with beet grindings, served on spears of endive with horseradish dressing, capers and radishes. These items were accompanied by the Gabbiano Pinot Grigio (a) and Banrock Semillon Chardonnay (b). The traditional "picture by the pool" was taken. The participants then moved to the dining hall, where seats were allocated by Brother Flute and Lady Margaret. The first course at table was Soup, prepared by Brother Smith and Lady Clare. This was a chilled cucumber and yoghurt soup with dill, parsley and onions. The KWV Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay (c) was the wine served with this course. The Fish/Fowl course, served by Brother Lemon and Lady Patricia was mini lobster rolls served with asparagus and a dijon vinaigrette. The Mark West Chardonnay (d) accompanied this dish. At this time, Toastmaster Flute offered the Society's congratulations to Sean and Jody on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. Both Sean and Jody gave responding speeches of acceptance and gratitude. Fifty years of living with Biggles on a (more or less) daily basis is certainly a milestone worth noting. Well done, Lady Jody! The next course was the Salad, prepared and served by Brother Macleod and Lady Linda. This consisted of spring leaves, asparagus and proscuitto, shaved parmesan cheese and tomato,with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The wines for this course were the Vinin Africa Chenin Blanc (e) and Next Of Kin Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon (f). These were enough to lubricate the proceedings for the customary Toasts and Addresses that precede the meat course. Brother Flute led off with an address to the Society that seemed to involve something called Ovular Speeches, but which might have been incorrectly transcribed by Yr. Obdt. Servant. Lady Gay brought news that Bob's brother Ric had moved from the uniquely Canadian town of Maple to the city of Barrie, strangely named for a British admiral who commanded forces along the Nine Mile Portage. (I say strangely, because not many British admirals are known for defending portages). Another milestone, especially for the Bagg family. And Brother Wood brought greetings from former dinner guests Michelle and Kevin, who have departed Forward House and relocated to Wellington Street (named for a British General who was famous for defending a rubber boot). Another milestone. Brother Mitchell and Lady Rachel served their meat course of pork tenderloin stuffed with black cherries, onions, orange zest and "should have a sauce but didn't." The lack of sauce was explained by Brother Macleod as "this mirrors the lack of sauce on the Australian team in the current cricket matches." The accompanying wine was the Cathedral Cellar Shiraz (g). Over the meat course, the conversation and toasts
continued with Brother Gillis' toast to Bob Bagg, the
creation of the Funis (Bob's bachelor dinner was the first
Funi dinner), the first Valentines dinner (with men in the
kitchen), the subsequent integration of men with women at
Valentines dinners, the thrice-a-year Funi dinners with
guest speakers, re-instituted by Debbie after some loss of
interest and enthusiasm to take its present form. Many a
dinner concluded far into the night with Bruce and Bob
sharing their love of rum and listening to old records. Another milestone was reached, and a dagger plunged into the heart of the "Sweet/Savoury" debate, when Brother Wood and Lady Jody presented their Avondale Sky Eiswine Mousse with strawberries, blueberries and biscuits. This paired nicely with the Concha Y Toro Sauvignon Blanc (h). For savouries, Brother Flute and Lady Margaret presented an assortment of cheeses, red table grapes, pears, crackers and breads. The cheeses included a "very sharp" asagio, a "very sharp" 15-year old cheddar, camembert, brie, and a spicy goat's cheese (quotations omitted, as I have no idea whether it is the cheese, the goat, or both that get the "spicy" attribution). The wine with the savouries was the Montes Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere (i). The following morning, the Funis and Friends assembled at various times to produce and consume breakfast. This included bacon, paté, bagels, cream cheese, toast, various condiments, juices, coffee, sliced meats, croissants, muffins, tomatoes, fruits, and cheeses. Many thanks are due to all contributors, organizers and participants. To conclude, appropriate words for the Logotichnicians: amphibology, defined as "a sentence or phrase that is ambiguous because of its uncertain construction, allowing of two [or more] interpretations" (for an example, see the reference to "spicy goat's cheese" above), and the Secretariat's solidus, defined as "an oblique stroke or slash (/)" that signifies a combination of things, as in "Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere" And words of wisdom particularly appropriate to the Funis from George Bernard Shaw:
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Wines selected by Brother Wood
and Brother Mitchell.
a) 2 Btl 2012 Gabbiano
Il Cavaliere Pinot Grigio (Italy) $11.99
Selected Images, etc. Images courtesy of David Smith. C'mon,
people, you can email your pictures to
funisoc@gmail.com and get included in the
credits! Pictures will replace this page;
Click to see a picture of the complete group of Funis
Funis gather for the evening
I pound on his head, and he sits down
Fascinating...More wine please!
(Will open in a new window) Click here to read about viewing Funi photo albums
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See the "Archives" for more material in a similar vein
