Canada Day was the theme of yesterday’s meeting, so let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy holiday on Tuesday. It will be Canada’s 158th birthday (–and certainly not its final one, Mr. Trump). We welcomed guests Manisha and Kumar Melwani to the meeting. A surprise visitor attended the meeting as well: none other than Angelina Jolie herself! — aka, Rubi Talavera. (Mario Keriakedes was pleased to take on the role of Brad Pitt for the duration.) Meeting Chair Phil Nayman got us started by going around the room to have us share our thoughts about living in Canada and being Canadian. Though someone chose to mention having to walk their dog through the salt and snow of frigid February mornings — a negative about Canada, to be sure — the thoughts expressed showed pride and appreciation for the privilege we all enjoy for living in one of the world’s best countries. I thought that Kumar made a great point when he suggested that President Trump’s various attacks against us may actually be the best thing to happen to Canadians in a long time, because it’s brought us together in many ways and given us a renewed sense of identity.

In the business meeting that followed Ilana Fisher was elected unanimously to the position of Club Events Coordinator — congratulations, and many thanks for taking up the role, Ilana! We can expect to see a variety of special event announcements coming up soon to take us through the rest of the year. In my view, this should become a major thrust of the club — getting members together outside of the monthly meetings. 

The first of these events is scheduled to be a summer potluck party at Jonathan Siegel’s condo in July. Jonathan and Melanie have graciously volunteered to host Wit & Wisdom members in their penthouse apartment on Yonge Street. We’ve proposed several dates to them, so we’ll get back to you with the follow-up details. Let this event be a further incentive to renew your membership in the club right now, or to sign up for the first time. As a reminder, Wit & Wisdom membership for the 2025-26 year is only $100, and is easily payable by making an e-transfer to Vasu at vasu.desi@gmail.com. 

Ilana’s election to the Board of Directors was followed by the election of Sarab Sandhu to the Board as well, in the position of Club Promotions Director — responsible for maintaining and updating the club’s website and social media accounts. We thank him for taking on the role. The business meeting ended with Phil taking us through the club’s first year-end financial report. Our expenses have been well-controlled and the club has some money in our account at TD Bank. For members who were unable to attend the meeting, here’s a link to Phil’s report.

After the social break we gathered around a table to experience a new board game created by Chris Ristic titled Pessimystic. It was a raucous time, to be sure — plenty of energy created in learning about a complex game where it pays off big to think realistically — i.e., negatively. What could possibly go wrong in a wide variety of real-life situations?? Well, just about everything, apparently; only too true. If you’re unable to answer correctly you’re sent directly to the hospital, and you may even wind up in surgery. I hope Chris got the feedback he was looking for, and that he’ll invite a group of us to play the game again in another setting. (How about it, Chris?)

The meeting ended with an online game called Kahoot. For our Canada Day theme  I put together a quiz on a wide variety of facts and trivia about our country’s history, geography, culture, etc. It was a lot of fun, but I did make one big mistake. (No, I’m not talking about mis-identifying the location of Canada’s first Olympic games.) I’m talking about my decision to let Vasu Desikachary and Al Brown team up together. Wrong move! They ran away with it, easily taking top spot, leaving others to fight for second and third. (In other words — Well done, gentlemen.)

Our next monthly meeting will be on Saturday, July 26th, at the regular time and location. I hope to see you then.