Letters

 

Wednesday, February 25 2004

From: "Gord Arbogast"
Subject: Cult of Personality
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:10:23 -0700

Hello all present and past members of Ste. Anne's (as well as Mac College RFC),

I've been visiting the site since a friend of my brother Brian, Pete Allison, referred it to me a couple of years back. I was always lurking but never too tempted to write. However, upon this visit, could not resist, too many weird, disparate names from the past have appeared, i.e. I was lucky enough to meet and play w/Howie Hoag (c.1976 he was singing more than playing) and the tribute is more than deserved, in my memory the man had/was/is class. I actually remember Jeff Avruch, a strange, Jewish prop (how did he fit in?) and played w/him tho' I remember Boulez (Fr. sp?) as among the greatest dogs of all time. Steve Pigeon (of the Pincourt hardware Pigeons) whose perceptive comments re: 
the ubiquitous cult leader are both apt and timely (played w/him too). John Mundie (the least-hated Mundie), played w/and against "Flash" Boudreau, who w/ Vince De Grandpre, won The Canada Day Charlottetown 15's by themselves one year (think kick'n'catch) and the rest of  us successfully defended it the next year. Big hello to Matt/Sharon Dowling, the wing forward/flanker (Matt, that is!)  who'd rush to my defense whether I needed or wanted it at all, as did his bro' Greg.and Bruce Hodgman, a fearsome tackler (I always thoroughly enjoyed knocking him down in practice) and a mellow doorman. I'll ignore the usual suspects (the mayor, the cult leader) webmaster: props (all puns intended) to you. Gord Arbogast , ex-capt, scrumhalf b/t Bobby C and Randy Flanagan, etc, etc,..(currently in Banff, working for both Jamie Darroch and Steve 'Yogi' Hincks), looking for an away game. Love to all
Friday, June 6 2003

Dear Lester: I was passing through Ste-Anne's last night and by
complete accident ended up at 23 St. Pierre. There was a big party
going on in the back so I stopped in. There was tons of food,
beautiful girls, lots of booze...just like the old days. HEY BUT
LESTER, what is with the patio furniture. Like as in WHAT PATIO
FURNITURE?????? C'mon Les, you run a patio furniture COMPANY, and
you can't spare a nice big green table with an umbrella may 6 chairs
and perhaps a stash of extra chairs for parties like this. For the
old mooch Stone...he'd probably even pay if you showed up with, you know
what he's like, he doesn't buy anything that doesn't come out of his
mother's store.

LESTER, the girls were sitting ON A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY...pretty girls
lester!!! C'mon its the old Stone, didn't he take you to PEI in the
rusted old Volare with Booley, Didn't he fly over to France to visit
you on xmas when you were homesick and wasn't there something about
a stolen car and a trip to Monaco. Hey, I heard he even helped serve
food at your wedding.....LESTER get on the case, bring the old man
some furniture,

Sheesh! I was embarrassed! And I'm Acadian. GO WILFRED!

Anyway, all the best,

Ernie THE FLASH Boudreau
 

Tuesday, June 3 2003
 
I am a former rugby player, my name is Steven Pigeon and I am writing this letter because I must correct what I feel is a terrible injustice being carried out by the STE-ANNE'S WEB SITE. Yes - it is the complete preoccupation with an old man (ex. two photos and the bag with his name at present) that is setting a bad example for any younger person who visits this site (and there are plenty). To be blunt, I used to play with Ste-Anne's and for a small while was a big fan of Stone's but after a while it was like, "HEY get a life," like shouldn't this guy have a real job????

I work with young delinquents now and some of them visit the site. When I encourage them to perhaps think about getting a job, or maybe even getting married and settling down...they often just refer to your site and say, "Hey look at this guy, he's still livin' the free and easy at 49." Please, I implore, for the sake of the future of our nation, >please do not openly flaunt the hedonistic lifestyle of Stone. We all know his mother still supports him and pays his friends. 

Sincerely,

Steve Pigeon
(I once had long hair and played on the wing)


 
Thursday, September 19 2002
Hello from Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue's twin community! The Acadia Men's Rugby teams have experienced two weekends of rugby that have included away matches to Sydney, Cape Breton, and Antigonish to play long-time rivals, St. Francis Xavier University. The results to date:

1st Division
Acadia 38  St. Mary's 0
Acadia 21  St. F.X. 14 (first time St. F.X. has lost at home in over five years)

2nd Division
Acadia 49  NS Agri. College 17
Acadia 31  Uni. College of Cape Breton 5
Acadia 0    St. F.X 9

Regards.

Richard Harvey

Letter to the editor (in response to Aug 24 2002 article)

August 26 2002

Who is responsible for selecting the player of the game anyway?? Leaving aside how this football tradition has permeated our sport, why select the front row? Well obviously they played courageously against a bigger front row sacrificing themselves time and time again to win ball and to disrupt any sustained attack by the Irish. So what's new, they do that every game, as a matter of fact that's what the front row is all about so under these criteria the front row would be picked every game. And why not the entire front five or the pack for that matter why not the whole team, now that would trash this pathetic tradition.

But if you were going to pick a player of the game it should have been the tall eight, I believe her name was Trish, she was a standout.

Who the hell am I you may ask? I'm a former Ste-Anne's prop, circa 1979-80. You may not remember me but my claim to fame is that I stayed in Tucker Manor (the old white farmhouse on Chemin Ste-Marie) when Stone was in France and took care of his dog Booley, something that scarred me for life. I saw the game on Saturday and WAS invited to McMullen's 40th birthday party, but no one recognized me, I would have said hello to Terry but I didn't recognize him and I'm still pissed off at Stone because he never told me about the giant rats in the basement. My girlfriend left me because of that. His dog was all right though.

All the best,

Jeff Avruch

PS: by the way the front row could easily have been picked as the prettiest front row in rugby, period

Dear Editor:

August 26 2002

As a journalist and a former contributor to your web page I must make a comment on Earl Camembert's work. Sorry about my language, but this guy sucks! His piece on the women's championship doesn't mention the biggest story of this game. All year long all he writes is Sommer this and Tess Kelley that but what does he say when Cathy Jaynes steps in to the breach and in the face of all kinds of pressure performs incredibly well.
Cathy played a masterful game and although I agree with Jeff Avruch, whom I have never met, that player of the game is more suited for football, I think Cathy easily could have won that honour.

Of course if you ever decide to look for another writer I am available these days,

Sincerely,

Cynthia Lemmon 

E-note from Matt Mitchell, Tonbridge Juddians RFC

May 10, 2002

 

Margaret,

 

It was an honour and a pleasure to be hosted by and to play Ste Anne de Bellevue RFC. Particularly so as the rugby was hard and the hosts were truly fantastic. Needless to say staying with you, Dudley and Marty was a privilege and I will always remember the short time with you all. Tam Tam, The Pub, the breakfast, Calendar, bagels and smoked meat, cats and kittens, White Russians, my 'broken' foot, Margrets drop goal / grubber, pool hall food, physiotherapy! / alchotherapy, rolling subs, the gloves are off! Or are they? BBQ, cous cous al la Dudley, Export AND off course the company. Thank you one and all. You made our stay very special and rounded off a great tour of Canada.

 

Matt

 

PS As Ken mentioned there is always the offer of coaching work over here and I look forward to returning the hospitality.

 

E-note from Ken Penton, Tonbridge Juddians RFC

May 9, 2002

 

Margaret

I intended to drop you an email this week but you have pre-empted me. In the near future you will get receive an official letter of thanks from our Chairman which will include an invitation for any or all of your sides to come over and pay a reciprocal visit to us anytime in the future.

Thank you all and the club members at St Anne's for hosting us and making sure we had such a good time. It topped off a great tour for us and I am already being pestered about when and where the next one is! Virtually everyone thought that Montreal was the hardest rugby and the most friendly place we visited.

Can I also thank you personally for all the effort that you put in prior to and during our visit to make sure that we had the good time that we did. If you or anyone from St. Anne's is in London over the next couple of years and wants to meet up for a drink or even needs a bed for the night please don't hesitate to contact me. The best way to do that is via my private email address:

ken@penton.freeserve.co.uk

I am just pissed off that I couldn't play after spending a year organizing it. I have torn my meniscus cartilage, am on crutches and will need an operation in the next few weeks. I don't think that the dancing helped!

In addition, I know that we discussed that you might wish to come over next summer. If so please don't hesitate to email me and Matt and between us we will be able to help with accommodation and some coaching.

Thanks again for all your help.

Ken

 

E-note from Kingston from Chinny

May 5, 2002

Hey Guys and Girls!

So we are in k-town and starting our summer of pure rugby. So far we've only had one practice but it looks good. Ric Suggit is an awesome coach. He's totally bringing the team together in a very big way. I am living with Jared and Scott Laekas, our house is the French Connection. All the guys are awesome. Basically we all hangout together all the time, anything we do we are always 25 guys. We have a wicked weight trainer and nutritionist, who basically brake down everything for us. The summer is gonna be really good for us. Laekas is super happy that he is not the only french guy on the team. We are three so we have to stcik together. We had a three on three b ball tournament on the street and the french connection never had any competition. Hope the season is starting well for you guys back home.

Chinny

 

E-note from John Mundie

Nov. 7, 2001

 

I just stumbled across your website while surfing. When I saw the old Macdonald College Club photos I almost had a heart attack!!! They took me back to bye-gone days when my hair wasn't grey and I actually played rugby (often against, and a few times for, the same Macdonald XV, or XIV, or XII, depending on who showed up!)

Please accept my compliments. Your website is one of the finest rugby sites I've had the pleasure of browsing. Keep up the good work, and add more history and old photos. They are simply priceless, and are a record of a time in Quebec rugby of which very little history exists.

All the best, on and off the field,


J. Mundie

 

E-NOTE FROM MATT DOWLING

MAY 30, 2001

 

Greetings SABRFC. Just another blast from the past . I got all nostalgic
after seeing a few familiar faces (Keith Wilkinson, Gary Peacock,
Graham Jameison, and Scott Armstrong )in the crowd at the internationals in Kingston last weekend {quite a crowd it was by the WAY, 7200}. So I looked up the site and thought I'd add my 2 cents worth . I played in SABRFC from 81 -90. Since then Sharon, our 3 boys Geoff, Kevin, Trevor and I have lived Kingston were I occasionally get in an old boys game; however , it is after playing with great teams in SAB very difficult to play rugby like it is only a game. It was neat to see notes from Hodgman, Adrian, Duck and Sam Baker. Anyway if you care Marty can fill in the what's and who's about us. The site is great! It looks like I missed another great tour . Sharon and I got married two weeks before the last one 1985. Bye the way nice picture with the Bridgend boys Terry and Meirion.; also great pics Paul . Regards to all and continue on your winnings ways in all things. Maybe SABRFC should arrange a friendly in Kingston since many old boys now live here.

Matt

 

NOTE FROM RICHARD HARVEY TO BILL TIERNEY

May 6, 2001

 

I thought about you both yesterday while I was yelling words of encouragement to a few loose forwards in the middle of a field.

I have started helping out a bit with the Horton High School rugby team. I have been to one game and to a practice yesterday. Rod Evans from Barry coaches the team and he was absent so I gave the team a bit of run with another young fella from Acadia. All the techniques came back like a flood. In an hour and a half I showed them everything from how to tackle defensively to how to wheel a scrum 30 degrees to allow the back row to score tries every time from five metres out on the blindside.

Hopefully I can find some time to show up as often as I would like.

Hope you are well.

Rich

 

E-POSTCARD FROM ADRIAN SCOTT

APRIL 13,2001

 

Just came across your website by accident. Most who remember me are probably in jail now but I played 86-92. It was a great time to be playing for SABRFC, great players and a great time. I even believe our record was quite good. I certainly don't remember losing too often.

My favorite memory was beating a heavily favored Louisiana Exiles team in Saranac (who Scotty chose to play for over us) which was truly an accomplishment of team spirit and effort over individual parts. It killed them to loose to us.

For those who may recall me I moved to New York and joined Old Blue where I played with Greg McAllister (former SABRFC member) in 4 national finals, losing all 4.

I have just returned to New York after spending the last two years doing my Masters in London, I am married to Linda and have a two and a half year old boy called Christian.

Finally, my best regards to those buggers I still recognize, Bill, Stu, Marty, Nick, Andy Leroux, and for the rest of you, good luck for the season.

 

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM JACQUI CONBOY OF GALWEGIANS

MARCH 25, 2001

 

Hi, Jacqui here from Galwegians. It's great to see the pictures and you have a really good web site, very impressive. We are glad that every one enjoyed themselves over here, some more than others!!!!

Please let Martin Stone know that I wrote and that all the girls really enjoyed the visit. It has become even more special to us as our coach on the day, Jope Tighe passed away 2 weeks later. It was the last time that he was out with us and at one of our matches. It has been a sad time for us, so it is great to have some really good memories.

Again, we are glad that you all had a great time and come again!!!

Best wishes for your forthcoming season,

Jacqui Conboy

 

MESSAGE FROM LINDA EVANS OF PONTYCLUN

February 27, 2001

 

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANKS TO THE GIRLS FOR A GREAT GAME ON SATURDAY. U ALL PLAYED EXTREMELY WELL AND R A GREAT TEAM.

FROM PONTYCLUN RFC

LINDA EVANS

 

MESSAGE FROM STEVE LYONS OF BRIDGEND ATHLETIC

February 26, 2001

 

Dear all,
After a good three days in south Wales I think I can speak for all of Bridgend Athletic RFC when I say that you guys got to come back again soon so we can play more rugby and party harder!!! I don't think we have had such a good touring party over before.

Thanks,
Steve Lyons.
BARFC player and billet host.

 

BRUCE HODGMAN WRITES TO BILL T. ABOUT THE GLORY DAYS

NOVEMBER 20, 2000

 

Big Bad Bill Tierney!! If you can remember back far enough my name is Bruce Hodgman, we played some rugby together back in the late 70's early 80's. I've got some great memories of those times. I remember the first time we ever beat the Irish, on their home field to boot. We got pretty good and pissed in their clubhouse that day.

My reason for getting in touch after all these years is that I was recently cleaning out my basement and came across a couple of things that reminded me of those days. I realize that those were some of the best times I've ever had and the people I played with were some of the best people I've ever been

associated with. In any case I realize that I have no photos of the people and times from that period and would dearly love to get my hands on some. Bill, if you have any ideas on how I might do that please let me know! Just in case you're wondering, I found you by surfing the net and eventually through the "Rugby Canada" website.

I hope you and your family are all doing well, are you still a prof. at John Abbott?

Bruce.

 

E - POSTCARD FROM SAM BAKER

November 10, 2000

Greetings from Sunny South Africa,

Great to the Silverstone in all his glory.

I would love to see more in the way of photos from ages past as the Macdonald Club as it was known at inception had a great tradition and history. People probably have forgotten that the club was in the early days, made up of a motley crew of Canadians and ex-pats from as far afield as Rhodesia, Ireland, Argentina and South Africa. We played in hand me downs from the soccer team as we were deemed to be the dregs of Mac society, but did we know how to party!

The Mac football coach, old Bob Pugh didn't give us the time of day nor a field to play on and he was even more incensed when we started to draw players from the Armadillos as we fondly called the football team.

Still the team grew from strength to strength from the early days with Tony Johnson (now in Cape Town), Alex Schumacher, Toni Shorri, Roger Ramsay, Stan the man Hancox, and the likes of Allan Campbell. We played club teams from Montreal like the Irish, Westmont and the Barbarians. We probably won more games than we lost through sheer determination and guts than through skill which we had only in the likes of the seasoned ex-pat players.

More later when the spirit moves.

All the best to the buggers still hanging in there!

Sam Baker

Thanks!