The 2017 Dinner - Summery Execution

Wines and Goodies

A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread—and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness—
Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

This was the 18th Funi dinner held in Paradise, and the first at the new home of Brother Gillis and Lady Debbie.  Lady Gay, Brother Flute and Lady Margaret sent regrets.

* * *

26/27 August 2017

This was the first Funi gathering at the new Gillis estate, and as guests arrived, they were given a tour of the new Clubhouse.  There are fewer bedrooms now, but true to their word, there is a new pool suitable for drowning Orcas (although none were in evidence, probably intimidated by the presence of the famous Funi Orca Wranglers).   For this visit, the accommodations were supplemented by a sumptuous travel trailer, provided by neighbour Jack Pearle.  Assistance for this occasion was provided by Susan Saunders, who was group photographer as well as sous-chef.

Around 6:30, the Funis changed into their evening attire and gathered by the pool, in accordance with tradition, for the obligatory group photo and to sample the Hors d'oeuvres.  These were prepared and served by Brother Gillis and Lady Debbie, consisting of: Saucisse de Cerf Garni de Genevre (venison sausage with Dijon mustard and Capers soaked in gin [whence, assumedly, the Genevre {Geneva} derives, unless this applies]); Melon with smoked salmon & prosciutto; Cretons Gaspesienne on wheat biscuits (biscuits du ble) made with Burnbrae venison; and shrimp with tomatoes & garden dill sauce.  The hors d'oeuvres were accompanied by the sparkling wines Jacobs Creek (k) and Freixinet (c).

About 7:10, the participants moved to the dining hall, where seats were allocated by Brother Mitchell and Lady Rachel and another group photo was taken. 

Brother Mitchell presented a toast to Brother Macleod, in memory of his history both within the Funis and in the wider world. Memories of Greig's interactions with Michael "Sphinx" Tamblyn and opinions of Ian Smith of Rhodesia were bandied about.

The first course at table was Soup, prepared by Brother Smith and  Lady Clare.  This was a chilled strawberry and pomegranate soup.

The Fish/Fowl course, served by Brother Wood and Lady Jody was Ecuadorean Shrimp seviche (shrimp, tomato, onion, olive oil & spices [horseradish, coriander, parsley & garlic]) served with the Albarino (j)

The next course was the Salad, prepared and served by Brother Perina and Lady Anne.  This was an Arugula salad with toasted proscuitto, shaved parmesan, sugar snap peas, rosemary focaccia bread, and pesto, mustard, balsamic vinegar & olive oil dressing.  The wine at this time was the Tariquet (g)

Between the Salad and Meat courses, Brother Mitchell gave the thanks of the Society to Brother Gillis and Lady Debbie for yet again sharing their home with the Funis.  Brother Wood gave a toast in commemoration of Brother Macleod's negotiation skills. Brother Gillis gave the Society's thanks to Brother Mitchell for assuming the Chairman's duties pro tem and for his abilities as a presenter and toastmaster, and Lady Linda recalled some fond memories of Brother Macleod.  There were also many reminiscences about the Funis over the years.

Brother Lemon and Lady Patricia served their Meat course of Carbonnade Flamande (Belgian beef stew) with potatoes, spiced beans and bread. The accompanying wine was the Xanadu (d), from Brother Macleod's cellar.

Over the meat course, Brother wood regaled the diners with tales of how he visited with Margie Colclough during a recent trip to British Columbia.  Brother Smith made a toast to Mickey Yetman, and Brother Perina recounted how Mickey rescued a kitten.

The evening concluded with Dessert: Brother Mitchell and Lady Rachel's Magic Lemon Upside Down Pie, garnished with Barreling Tide Distillery Raspberry Liqueur (Nova Scotia) from the Macleod cellar.  The Bread and Cheese assortment (Goat cheddar, Oka, Cambazola, Camembert Coeur de Lion), provided by Brother Perina and Lady Anne, was served concurrently.  The dessert and cheeses were served with the Mount Monster (l) and various liqueurs from the Funi cellar.

The following morning, the Funis and Friends assembled at various times to produce and consume breakfast.  This included 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: Procrustean, defined as "intent on promoting conformity at any cost", and the Secretariat's disembogue, defined as something that is "pouring forth and discharging its contents, whatever they might be", again both terms should be remembered in the era of Donald of Orange and the Twitter Presidency.

And words of wisdom from the pen of Frank Lloyd Wright, famous American architect.  Just replace the outmoded "typewriters" with "Twitter".

"I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters."

a) 1 btl 2015 Gallo Family Sauvignon Blanc (California)
b) 1 btl Jost Selkie Rose Frizzante (Nova Scotia)
c) 2 btl Freixinet Gran Seleccion Cava Cordon Rosado (Spain)
d) 1 btl 2000 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River (Australia)
e) 1 btl 2016 Yvecourt Bordeaux (France)
f) 1 btl 1997 Franz Reh & Sohn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Spatlese Mosel-Saar- Ruwer (Germany)
g) 1 btl 2016 Domaine du Tariquet Marselan Rose Cote du Gascogne (France)
h) 1 btl 2015 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Italy)
i) 1 btl Benjamin Bridge Methode Classique(Nova Scotia)
j) 1 btl 2015 Albarino Laxas Rias Baixas (Spain)
k) 1 btl Jacobs Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvee (Australia)
l) 1 btl 2014 Mount Monster Cabernet Limestone Coast (Australia)

Wines H, F, D	Wines I, J, K	Wines C, E, G
Wines A, B	Wines L	Liqueur

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!
 

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Group Photo	I don't remember this	Hope I managed to get all the shot out of the deer!
At the table, Funis gather for the evening	It was THIS big...	Fascinating!
Whoops!	Hors d'Oeuvres	>A Few Words from the Toastmaster
Just look at those lees!	See all pictures

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