Open House and More Rooftop Photos

Last night was the open house for prospective members, where members of the National Club get to show off their club to their colleagues and friends. It was well attended, the food was great and the rooftop patio was a big hit as we get closer to completion.

Thanks to staff and members of the Membership Committee for organizing the event, and for all who attended. If you have a friend who could not attend, you are always free to contact our General Manager or Nancy for a personalized tour.

In the meantime, we have chosen and taken delivery of sample furniture for the rooftop patio (cushion colours will change and the indoor furniture will be different).

Visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne to The National Club

The National Club was host to a very special person and event last week.

The 33rd Signal Regiment Foundation held its gala dinner at The National Club last Wednesday on the 110th anniversary of military communications in Canada. The guest of honour was HRH Princess Anne. For security reasons as well as convenience, the Princess Royal and her party also stayed overnight at The National Club accommodations.

As part of protocol, Club President Stephen Lautens and General Manager Bill Morari were asked to be on hand to greet the Princess on her arrival and departure from the Club.

As you can imagine, preparing for a Royal visit can be very demanding. Construction on the rooftop patio was temporarily halted and all construction materials were cleared from the 4th floor, which also had to be quickly painted following the installation of our new elevator to the roof. The Club staff and our own Laurie Farnum in particular went to extreme lengths to ensure everything at the Club was ready to receive Her Royal Highness.

The gala dinner was attended by a number of important guests, including the current Lieutenant Governor The Hon. David Onley and former Lieutenant Governor The Hon. Hillary Weston.

As you can expect, Chef James Stewart's dinner was exceptional (bison tenderloin and an incredible butter tart dessert), and I am told that the Princess, who rarely eats at public events, enjoyed it greatly.

On her departure Thursday morning for her next event, Her Royal Highness spoke with President Lautens and General Manager Morari and expressed her thanks and delight at the Club, its accommodations and hospitality, and asked that her thanks be passed on to our staff.

The place setting for the gala dinner at The National Club

Former Lt-Governor The Hon. Hillary Weston and Galen Weston greet HRH Princess Anne

Lieutenant Governor David Onley and his wife greet HRH Princess Anne

The Hon. Hillary Weston and Galen Weston with evening organizer Col. Justin Fogerty

Karen Gilmour greets Princess Anne

Past President Ed Burns and family with Princess Anne

Guests had the opportunity to chat with HRH

Club President Stephen Lautens with HRH Princess Anne

National Club General Manager & COO Bill Morari with Gen. Michel Maisonneuve (ret.)

The Main Dining Room set up for dinner

Getting Closer - Rooftop Construction

Our members love to see the progress on the rooftop patio construction, especially as we are in the final weeks. To get a sense of how fast things are moving, have a look at the two photos below of the new elevator installation on the 4th floor:

Finishes are now going up and the furniture has been ordered. Remember - a third of the rooftop is enclosed and open year-round, so you don't have to wait for summer to start enjoying it.

 

Prospective Members Open House - Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Dear Members and Prospective members,

On Wednesday, October 30th The National Club will be holding its annual Prospective Member Open House and Cocktail Reception from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Members are encouraged to bring friends and colleagues they feel could enjoy the many benefits of Club membership, including our historic building, great food and service, exciting new rooftop addition, 47,000 bottle wine cellar, and the chance to meet other professionals and business executives.

Don't know a National Club member but interested in joining? No problem. Contact the Club and we'll arrange a personal invitation to come, mingle and look around. Chances are you'll meet someone you know who is already a member.

The Prospective Member Open House and Cocktail Reception starts at 5:00 pm and is of course without charge. Tours are available of everything from the wine cellar to the new and almost finished rooftop patio.

Please RSVP today and come see what you have been missing.

I hope to see you there,

Stephen

Stephen Lautens
President

PS - There has never been a better time to join since for a limited time there is an incentive package for both new members and their sponsors.

The Cinephile Society - "Theatre of Blood" starring the fabulous Vincent Price

Friends of the National Club Cinephile Society,

It's Halloween but your kids are grown, or you've moved to a condo, or you're looking for something a bit out of the ordinary to do. Why not spend Halloween at the National Club? The Cinephile Society will present a horror-themed evening of spooky fun. Come and enjoy a blood-red signature cocktail (Bloody Caesars for $5!) and a wonderful dinner, and see "Theatre of Blood" starring the fabulous Vincent Price in one of his classic over-the-top movie roles.

In the movie, Price plays a vengeful Shakespearian actor who blames the theatre critics when he doesn't win a prestigious acting award. He plans their murders to look like scenes from Shakespearian tragedies.

Our emcee Thom Ernst has invited two well-known Toronto theatre critics to speak to the potentially life-threatening aspects of their profession. We are delighted to welcome Richard Ouzounian from the Toronto Star, and J. Kelly Nestruck from the Globe and Mail.

Come in costume if you can (but it's not mandatory). Costumes should relate to a Shakepearian character, or to a character from your favourite horror film.

This fun evening can be yours for just $43.50 + HST if you call the National Club front desk (416-364-3247) or e-mail frontdesk@thenationalclub.com to reserve your seats. Do it right now while you're thinking about it! The mayhem begins at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 31.

[Cue creepy music and sinister laughter] Bwaa-haa-haaa. See you at the movies!

Warm regards,

Karen Gilmour (in Shakespearian costume) and Ann Echlin (in Hitchcock-related costume) for the National Club Cinephile Society

Psst.... Those attending the Halloween event will get a sneak preview of the exciting plans for our next event, scheduled for February 26, 2014!

A Week Later - Cabinetry Going In

I was just up on the rooftop with Past President Ed Burns, and what a difference a week makes. Since last week the elevator mechanicals have been installed and bar cabinetry and drywall are going in.

We also now have access through the back stairwell to the rooftop and about half the outside teak decking has been installed.

I'll keep you posted as we near completion.

All the best,

Stephen

Stephen Lautens
President, National Club

Rooftop Patio Progress - More Photos!

Here is how the construction on the rooftop patio looked yesterday (Oct. 8th) ~

The glass is in on both skylights.

Glass doors are in at the front of the year-round pavillion

The view south

The elevator door is now through to the 4th floor hallway

National Club Book Club Selection: "Identity" - Oct. 8th, 2013

Dear Book Club Friends,

Discuss the book that is certainly the talk of our book club crowd these days - "Identity" by Milan Kundera.  Show up on time, this Tuesday, October 8th,  so you won't miss a minute of Ilona Hassan's presentation - I am sure it will be no less than brilliant and provocative.  Definition of "on time":  6 p.m. for dinner, 6:30 p.m. for Ilona's presentation.  Dynamic discussion by everyone will follow the presentation.   

Contact the Club or Book Club organizers to RSVP.

The complete list of titles for your upcoming reading pleasure is revealed below.
 
Be sure to scroll down past the list to learn about a special book club gathering at a Martini Night in November.

Tuesday, October 8th, 2013
"IDENTITY" by Milan Kundera
Presentation by Ilona Hassan
 
FUTURE DATES & BOOKS

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013
"THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED" by Jonas Jonasson
Presentation by Dr. Joe Bornstein

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013
"THE ROUND HOUSE" by Louise Erdrich
Presentation by Carol Slatt

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014
"HITLER'S LAST SECRETARY" by Traudl Junge
Presentation by Peter Boyd .

Tuesday, February 11, 2014
"FEVER" by Mary Beth Keane
Presentation by Carol Panasiuk

I had the pleasure recently of receiving word from one of the members who was around from the very beginning of our Book Club.  Caroline Cole, who was with us from Book Club day one, has suggested that we have a sort of reunion.  So, we are arranging to meet, and getting the word out to all book club members, past, present, and future, to gather with us on $5 MARTINI NIGHT at the club, on Thursday, November 7th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hope to see you all this coming Tuesday when we discover the true nature of "Identity".

Diane
 
Diane Agatston

The Petits Chefs visit The National Club for a Lesson in Fish and Chips

Ten boys with an interest in cooking visited The National Club this week for some hands-on experience in the culinary arts with our own Chef James Stewart. The Petits Chefs is a group led by Mardi Michels, a full-time French teacher to elementary school-aged boys and the author of eat. live. travel. write - a blog focusing on her culinary adventures near and far.

These adventures took her and her class of Petits Chefs to the National Club to make from scratch fish and chips (always a popular Friday lunch at the Club), and then they all got to sit down to eat the fruits of their labours.

Read the whole article here: The Petits Chefs visit The National Club.