|
Dear RLC alumni,
Our waterfront is arguably our primary physical asset and, thanks to parent and alumni donors, it is exciting to know we are going into this Spring and Summer with new sail docks, boats, and programming. Our goal for this year is to reinvigorate an appreciation and appetite for sailing. We want as many students as possible to experience the thrill of sailing, building our numbers and program as we go.
Here is an update of our progress to date:
Program:
-
Our RLC Sailing Advisory Committee continues to guide and support our rebuilding of the sailing program and is offering wonderful strategic advice. The members of the committee are David Straiton '83, Anthony Garron '87, Jonathan Alderson '87, Bill Bremner '83, Andrew Sutcliffe, son of James Sutcliffe '87, David Carmichael, current parent, and Chris Adams, current parent.
-
Our Spring co-curricular offerings have been created as phase I of our sailing program plan. Sailing will be offered Monday and Wednesday afternoons, with the opportunity on some weekends as well.
-
We are blessed to have two RLC instructors in addition to experienced peer instructional support.
-
RLC’s OE program will continue to thrive and offer sailing as experiential learning opportunities and to further generate student interest.
-
RLC is now a member of the Ontario Sailing Association, which helps with overall program development, networking, risk, and liability management.
-
We have confirmed collaboration with Lakefield College School to engage student sailors and build a sailing culture through friendly regattas.
Infrastructure:
On the water this coming season:
-
4 brand new Zests have been ordered from Fogh Marine and are available for pick up once the ice is off the lake.
-
The Patrol 420 safety boat is also ready and available for pick up once we are ready to get boats in the water.
-
We will also have in our fleet 4 refurbished Lasers and a CL16
-
We will be updating the HOEC to accommodate student sailing maintenance work and storage of sailing equipment.
-
Safety equipment (wetsuits, lifejackets, etc.) will be ordered under consultation with our advisory members.
It's an exciting time. The ongoing development of this program will allow our current and future students to experience the benefits of sailing: the shared experience of being out together on our gorgeous lake, building relationships, and developing skills that will last a lifetime.
|
|
Best,
Dave Krocker
Head of School
|
|
In this issue
- Martin Birthelmer '87 becomes President of the RLC Alumni Association
- Back on campus with David Reeder '83
- Closing Day Class Reunion
- Registering for the Hekkla
- Explorer James Raffan comes to RLC
|
|
|
Closing Day Class Reunion
Celebrating the classes of 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003, and 2013
Last June, we hosted our first 50-year reunion for the class of 1967-72 on campus after Closing Day. It was so successful that we would like to elevate this event to include one class from each decade. Our focus is on the years ending in 3. This year the Class of '23 will walk across the stage to accept their diploma. Wouldn't it be great if you and your classmates were there to cheer them on this year—and then 10 years from now celebrate the Class 2033 together! The event is on June 17. For full details, including accommodation, click here.
|
|
|
 Comedian and RLC alum Aaron Berg '91 has headlined the U.K., the United States, and Israel as part of a forthcoming CBC Documentary "A Universal Language" which follows six comedians on their first tour of Israel. He has appeared as part of the Boston Comedy Festival, The New York Comedy Festival, as well as the nationally televised Winnipeg Comedy festival. Host of the podcast Berg's Base, he also tours extensively. He has a stop close to home in early May, with two nights at Levity in Hamilton on the 12th adn 13th.
|
|
|
Announcing Martin Birthelmer '87 as President of the Rosseau Lake College Alumni Association
|
|
by Jonathan Alderson '87
The RLC Alumni Association is excited to announce that Martin Birthelmer ’87 has been nominated and voted as our Association’s next President!
Last month I announced the end of my 5-year term collaborating in leadership with Kim Morton and a call to our alumni for nominations for the President position. Today I couldn’t be more confident about the Alumni Association’s positive direction and bright future with Martin Birthelmer driving us forward.
Martin brings to this leadership position a life-long affection for our school that began when he entered grade 9. Martin was a key athlete on many RLC’s Varsity sports teams including ice hockey, rugby, and soccer. He was a House Captain of the West Bricks and the recipient of a number of academic and leadership awards. His enthusiastic and animated character brought energy to the community. And his team-spirit and leadership was reflected in his nomination as Graduation Class Valedictorian.
Martin went on to complete a degree in education and a successful career as VP of Middle School at Hillfield Strathallan College. He and his family have been long-time donors to the school and he has been a regular at the annual work weekend. RLC’s alumni are more connected to their alma mater than ever before and we’re excited about Martin’s commitment to continuing our great traditions while looking for new ways to support alumni and for alumni to support RLC.
Please join me to WELCOME Martin Birthelmer as President, RLC Alumni Association.
|
|
|
A message from the incoming President
I am both honoured and humbled to serve as President of the Rosseau Lake College Alumni Association for the upcoming terms. Throughout my years as a student and alum, the core values instilled at RLC still resonate with me today.
RLC is a vibrant and diverse community, and I look forward to building on the success of my predecessors by continuing to foster meaningful relationships with students and alumni. I am excited to connect with each of you at one of our notable alumni events, such as Work Weekend, the Hekklette, and Class Reunions. The strong friendships I have made and continue to make at RLC reinforce our strong sense of community and family.
RLC is a unique learning environment, one that we want to see continue to grow and prosper. Connecting with the Alumni Association ensures that the memories you created and experienced continue to be passed down to the next generation. So reach out, get connected, and share your stories. I am proud of the incredible accomplishments of our alumni, and I cannot wait to hear about and celebrate your successes.
Although my time on campus ended in 1987, my journey with RLC continues to flourish, as it will always have a special place in my heart. Whenever I am back on campus, it feels like I am home.
Respectfully,
Martin Birthelmer ‘87
|
|
|
Join the Rosseau Lake College community on April 21st for the annual Hekkla run. You are invited to run or bike the traditional Hekkla with our students and staff beginning at the Cardwell Community Centre in Hekkla, ON at 1:00 pm. You can also participate in the spirit of the Hekkla from anywhere in the world for a full 18 km run or 28 km cycle or a shorter 2 km - 5 km Hekklette on your own or with fellow alumni.
|
|
 For the RLC community, the Hekkla and Hekklette is in memory of our former Head of School, friend and colleague, Robert Carreau. The RLC Hekkla was one of his favourite events of the year.
The $25 “plus” participation fee will continue to develop and maintain the Robert Carreau Memorial Trail on the RLC campus. The trail will forever provide RLC students, staff and alumni a safe place to run, walk and bike.
For those who wish to donate above the $25.00 registration fee, we have included an optional donation button at registration. You can choose to donate on the RLC website to the Robert Carreau Memorial Fund to avoid extra fees.
|
|
The ice on the lake came a bit later this year than most, but it was worth the wait. In early March it thickened, the sun came out, and the entire school walked to the lighthouse.
We think of the lighthouse as ours, though of course it was here long before we were. Constructed in 1890, it's still doing what it's always done for more than a century: signalling the shoal and guiding boaters home to the marina. In 2008 it was designated a federal heritage building.
Paddling around it, and walking to it in winter, is one of those classic RLC experiences. Craig Nakamoto '88 remembers spending a night in it. For all, the lighthouse signals the uniqueness of the campus and is a symbol of the community that we share here. And it was glorious to be all together on the ice.
|
|
|
 Full circle
David Reeder '83 started a business at the suggestion of Ron Hume when he was a student RLC. He's been running that business now for nearly four decades.
|
|
 David Reeder ’83 has been back on campus a number of times in the last few months. In part he’s doing all the things that alumni do when they drop in, such as touring his boarding house, having lunch with staff and students in the dining hall. Just breathing in the Lake Rosseau air.
But he’s also been working and meeting with students and providing mentorship. In the fall he worked with them on creating the planter boxes, among other things. He’s also brought some great ideas. As Mr. Landscape, a successful business he’s run in Toronto for the better part of forty years, he’s been working with operations to provide thought leadership around some upgrades in the works for the front gate.
It’s delightful to have him here of course. He’s also attended alumni events in the city, and he came to the Rhythm for Rosseau arts event at the holidays. While he’s never been that far away, it’s just felt right to reconnect.
That said, there’s a larger story, one that feels a bit like coming full circle. His business is one that began, in a sense, when he was a student at RLC in the early 80s. “We used to have parents come up every once in a while, and talk about business,” he says. One day it was Ron Hume, father of Peter Hume '84. Ron was a successful businessman, and during his talk he challenged the students to start a summer business. David started a lawn-cutting business. “I was very, very keen on business. I wanted to make it big real quick! It was all I thought about.”
Taking a role
David worked that first summer and every summer since. He mentioned to me during an event at the holidays that many people might consider retiring at this point. He’s earned a rest. “But I don’t want to retire.” He simply loves what he does, and to bring that experience and expertise to bear on some projects at RLC, well, he loves that too.
David first arrived at RLC for summer school in 1979. It seemed like the right fit, as well as something he needed, so he stayed. Going through the yearbooks, he’s the one in the middle of the back row—he’s tall—his smile beaming out from the class photos.
He’s also there in the drama club photos. Theatre had been something that he had wanted to get into, but never had an opportunity. At RLC, he found one. Bill Bell had started a theatre program, mounting a show to take to a local competition. “It was a whole production," David recalls. They rehearsed on the stage in what is now the gym. “We eventually staged it in the town hall. I remember that like it was yesterday.” Then they took it to a theatre festival in Barrie. “We stayed at the mayor’s house. We met students—I think there were 12 or 15 other schools—and during the week, every day, we had different theatrical activities. And then at the end of the week we put our plays on. It was a big deal.”
The play he was in was called “Out of the Flying Pan” by David Campton. It was a two-hander, and at the festival, David won an award of merit. “Yeah. That was a big deal for me.”
“That’s how we learn.”
He admits, as alumni almost invariably do, that it wasn’t always easy. In part that’s simply due to the fact, as Graham Vogt rightly says, learning is hard. He pushed back at times, which maybe didn’t go so good. “Mr. Stone was my biology teacher, and I remember one time not having a report done, and he said, ‘You had all this time to get it done, what’s your excuse?’ And I said I’d been busy playing rugby. And he said—he worded it really simply—work during the weekdays and you’ll have all the time in the world for your tournaments.”
“And I didn’t think much of it then, but years later, I’d find myself doing that. Always ahead of schedule. I saw Mr. Stone at the school reunion 1992 and he and I were lining up to go to the cafeteria. He said, ‘How are you doing?’ And we talked for about an hour and a half. He asked me about my business. We just had an incredible talk. And I told him, you know, I took your advice. It stuck with me. I’m always working to be ahead.”
As he talks, the boundaries between his experience at school and his professional life begin to blur. “I made a lot of mistakes,” he says. “It was tough. Nothing comes easy. But there’s always a time one’s life that you run into difficulties, and it’s a personal challenge. … once I was able to get past those obstacles, and sometimes the obstacle was me … and once I started to think and look outside the box, that’s when things started to take off.”
“But I think that’s how we learn,” he says. When I ask him what Rosseau Lake College meant for him, he replies without a pause. “Rosseau was an opportunity for opportunity. Not every person gets to go to boarding school. It’s an opportunity, and I used to thank my mother for letting me go there. I’d phone her up from that phone in the Perry Building, and I’d say ‘Mom I went sailing today!’ It was great.”
It's providing new opporunities for him today, and seeing him on campus, working with students, is pretty great, too.
|
|
James Raffan is coming to RLC
The famed writer, explorer, and scientist to work with staff and students, and present a fireside chat.
|
|
|
 For three days in April, scientist, writer and explorer James Raffan will be in residence at Rosseau Lake College. He’ll be working with students and staff around issues of conservation and environmental stewardship. The visit culminates in an evening of conversation, held on the campus, about his life, his work, and the state of the North.
“We act on what we feel.”
In 2020, Raffan was named by Canadian Geographic as one of the “90 most influential explorers in the nation’s recorded history.”
He has spent his life travelling the North by almost every conveyance imaginable, from snowshoes to nuclear-powered icebreakers.
Along the way, he has woven together the stories of places and people. In his latest book, “Ice Walker: A Polar Bear’s Journey Through the Fragile Arctic,” he uses the perspective of Nanu, a polar bear, to reflect the beauty of the Arctic as well as how it’s changing.
While he’s written more than 20 books, “Ice Walker” is unique in that it is science told through fiction. Despite writing so many books that were “aimed at the front part of people’s brain,” Raffan has said that “I’m convinced more so than ever that we don’t act on what we know, we act on what we feel. … I wondered what it would be like to write a book that was aimed at somebody’s heart first.” Artist and writer Robert Bateman said Raffan “captures the smells, sounds and feel of the Arctic, and that “Ice Walker” “is important reading.”
Seeing the world
Raffan's journey north began as a graduate student at the University of Guelph in the 1970s. In one study, “my job was to teach an adult male polar bear to press paddles,” he writes, “to assess the spectral sensitivity of the bear’s eyes. … Day after day with that magnificent animal — who was slowly going berserk in captivity — led me to leave the pursuit of natural science in a lab setting.”
While he spent time as a high school science teacher, later completing a doctorate in geography, there was always that pull to move and to pursue natural science firsthand. “I have a keen sense that although science is a powerful tool,” he said, “it is really just one way of appreciating our world.”
Raffan is most commonly described as an explorer. That doesn’t sound like a 21st century job, but it’s a good way to describe what has been his life’s work. Driven by passion and curiosity, he learns about the world, firsthand. Through his books, films, and talks he then shares what he’s found.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We'd love to hear from you. Please email me with any thoughts, suggestions, news, questions, or things you'd like to see in upcoming editions of The Lighthouse.
All best,
|
|
Glen Herbert
Director, Marketing and Communications glen.herbert@rosseaulakecollege.com
|
|
|
|
|
