September 15th 2023
There are a lot of special events and socials on the RE/MAX Garden City Realty calendar over the course of the year: Christmas Gala, Awards Celebration, Hackers Golf Tournament, Administrators Day just to name a few. And each has its unique flavor and I suppose claim to fame. But one of the all-time favorites is the end-of-summer Broker B.B.Q. held most recently at Henley Island in St. Catharines.
Like a lot of our other events, this has undergone a lot of changes over the years. Both in format and in venue. Originally it was held in the back yard of our Broker’s home. However, the addition of a pool reduced the available land to the point that this location ceased to be viable. Then for years, it was held at Place Polonaise right on Lake Ontario at Grimsby. A fabulous spot and central to both Niagara and our Halton operations. But over time development took precedence and Place Polonaise ceased to exist.
So, now we have migrated to Henley Island. What a fabulous spot, right in the middle of the city. The clubhouse and the grounds are all in excellent shape. Great for a party. And each year the Henley board seems to add upgrades and complimentary touches. But through it all, it maintains its relaxed rural charm. And that’s what sets this event apart from all the rest we enjoy throughout the year. It’s a relaxed, informal format.
As I’ve said many times, we’ve got such an amazing group of agents and support personnel. And they really like and enjoy one another. That’s why this event is so popular. Unlike more formal situations like our Galas, where people sit at specific tables, here people wander. Sit here and there, both inside and out, and mingle. It’s just a great time to interact and enjoy one another.
A lot of rain was in the forecast on the days surrounding the event, but for the most part, we enjoyed very fine weather for a primarily outdoor event. Picnic tables were adorned with tablecloths thanks to our caterer from Fiddler’s Pour House Dave Moukperian. Famous for his B.B.Q ribs, which were a bit of a problem this year due to lack of sufficient heat on the grill, but the pulled pork, chicken skewer, and 
lasagna more than filled the bill along with vegetable kabobs, salads, roasted potatoes, rolls and cobblers for dessert. Believe me, no one went hungry. And manning the bar were our beloved Jane Lockhart and Ted Kennedy, mainstays of Henley Island and always a delight to have to serve us. Music was provided by D.J Dominoes featuring the amazing Dominic Cortese. We had expected about 120 and at best guess that’s about how many came. Always a few cancellations and additions at the last minute.
Rain did arrive sometime after 10:00 p.m. but by then everyone had eaten and mingled for a few hours. The last of the group worked their way inside and sat around swapping war stories and solving the problems of the world right until the light turned off and the doors locked.
A big thank you to all those who helped and to everyone who participated. Another great event in the history books. But less than 365 days till we get to do it again.