Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Milestones and McGregor Camp

Well, July has come and gone, and a lot of really wonderful things happened. We had the last of the kids get married as our son tied the knot at a beautiful ceremony at Belle Acre’s Golf Course north of Winnipeg. We were able to spend time at the lake with friends, venturing out to Sportsman’s corner at Westbourne, and Delta north of Portage. We even tried golf for ourselves for the first time, although people are telling me that shooting 100 on a par 39 course is not the same as getting 100%...I still had fun! I’ve decided that it’s not one of my strengths, but is still a great way to put in a summer morning! There were a couple of other really notable things that happened in July I want to share as well.

Me 50 years ago!


That’s me! Can’t believe I reached the day…the big 5-0….wow, it’s been something to wrap my head around. Although looking at the picture of me 50 years ago, not that much has changed I guess. Still have short fingers, chubby arms and still have that smile (although today it’s fortunately still equipped with a full set of teeth!). Wow…fifty years. Who’d have ever thought…we the children of lead painted cribs, and cars with no baby seats…we made it in spite of everything that is considered to be so unthinkable in today’s world!
It was kind of a hard day, and was a bittersweet milestone. Knowing that there are more years behind then are likely to lie ahead, thinking of all those that aren’t here to celebrate this day, reminiscing of those that didn’t get to make this leg of the journey. There were lots of mixed emotions to be sure, but upon returning home from a birthday lunch in Treherne, I was greeted by a surprise party and all my family and friends. Suddenly the sadness of what’s been lost was overridden with the appreciation for all that I have, and it was a marvelous day of celebration with the people that matter most in my world!

The beautiful birthday cake designed by my daughter Bianca
July offered another opportunity for which I’m still on an adrenalin high from. It started with an email I received back in December from Faye Mc Gregor in Switzerland, asking how she would go about getting several copies of my most recent CD. She also wondered if I’d be available to come out to Lake of the Woods to perform at the first McGregor Leadership Camp that she and her husband Mark were going to be hosting there come July. I’ve known Mark and Faye since high school, and was thrilled that they’d think of me for this opportunity! I was honored.

Our Hosts, Mark and Faye McGregor

Mark and Faye are one of those amazing couples that seem to have accomplished so much in their lifetime together! They’ve taken the lessons learned in pursuing their own goals and passions, and have turned them into a career focusing on leadership trainings that have taken them around the world, opening doors and changing the lives of the people that come to the sessions.

At home in the cottage

Although Mark is the front man, a former professional hockey player, coach and manager, he has taken his message to the public forums that have supported him to become one of the most popular management-trainers, coaches and keynote-speakers on an international level, there is no question that it is a family team effort that has enabled so much success. (for more about Mark’s offerings go to http://www.markmcgregor.ch/1_frameset_eng/frameset_eng.htm )


Explaining the activity to be accomplished during
July 201o's McGregor Leadership Camp




One of their family dreams had been to finally have their own place to hold the leadership camps and trainings, and McGregor Camp on beautiful Lake of the Woods was the summation of that dream!
So on July 8th, my wonderful friend Dixie accompanied me as I headed off towards Kenora for a evening of friendship and singing. The first McGregor Leadership camp involved 5 remarkable people from Germany and the Czech Republic, who had come so far to focus on developing their leadership skills, and enhance the quality of their personal lives through the tools and lessons that Mark shared with them. We also got to meet another terrific couple from a little closer to home who share my passions for writing and photography, so there was never an end to great conversation! My participation for the evening was to perform a house concert to entertain their guests for the week, and give them a bit of a change up from the work that they focused on during their days. At the last minute, during our phone conversation earlier that week, Mark had thrown something out about a sing-a-long…so not knowing what to expect, we went prepared for the unexpected! I put together some songbooks of songs that I hoped even folks from across the big pond may have been familiar with, and Dixie and I stopped at the Dollar store on our way through Portage to stock up on tambourines and other assorted percussion instruments, so that even if the singing didn’t work, everyone could participate!


McGregor Leadership Camp on Beautiful Lake of the Woods



Upon arrival I realized that the cottage at the centre of my vision board was not in fact on Falcon Lake, but right in front of me! They’ve built a beautiful place there, that seconds as a learning camp, as they’ve developed a second building on the site into a center that has a large seminar room for trainings, an exercise facility for down time, and even a space for massages or experiencing the yoga that Faye teaches. They really offered a little bit of everything to those that attended!

Off to explore Lake of the Woods with our new aquaintances!
Shortly after arriving, we were all treated to a boat ride to explore a bit of Lake of the Woods, heading out from the sheltered bay that their camp inhabits. It was beautiful! The night was perfect, and the company was wonderful!


Dixie and I enjoying our evening boat ride.


The view of the Lake from the boat dock at McGregor Camp.
Upon returning from our ride, we were treated to an amazing dinner prepared by our hostess with the help of her Mom and her friend, shared a glass or two of wine, then moved into the veranda to share an evening of music. With Dixie as my supporting manager, I shared an hour of my music, and then we switched up the evening into a campfire sing-a-long (without the campfire, or the bugs…but the sensation was the same!)

Dixie and I with our host and friend, Leadership trainer Mark McGregor.


It was one of those evenings that absolutely filled my spirit with joy, a feeling I haven’t been getting enough of in the past many months. It was a very welcome reprieve! It was a wonderful evening for me, and I think everyone else enjoyed it as well. Mark ensured that the attendees all received a copy of my CD, so that my music has now had the opportunity to spread a little further…and I’ve ended up with a great new circle of people, many of whom I’ve remained in contact with since!

Evening House Concert and Sing-A-Long


One of the most amazing things about the night was Mark’s suggestion that he and I collaborate together on putting together a collection of presentations to take out to educators and various other community and business sectors here closer to home, combining his expertise and my music. It was as if he’d reached into my mind and picked out the idea that had drawn me home from Salt Spring Island all those months ago…the notion, or rather the knowledge, that I need to find a way to keep sharing the story, and the message and the lessons learned! That opportunity to perform has led to so many possibilities, that my head is still spinning…but in a very, good way! I’m thrilled about the potential, and excited about it every day. That is such a wonderful place to be each morning, especially after the pain of the past many months. I feel like my stars are aligning, and life really is very good! I’ll keep you all posted!


Lake of the Woods sunset from McGregor Camp deck


Till next time!
Lynda