Forgive us if we toot our editor's horn, but we were really touched and flattered by this.
-----Original Message-----
From: John Ciaccia [mailto:johnciaccia@videotron.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 9:16 PM
To: wednesday-night.com
Subject: wednesday night bulletins
Your weekly bulletins on the forthcoming wednesday nights are most interesting and well done. But the one for Wednesday night 1262 is a masterpiece. Not only does it speak of the important issues that are facing us today, but it gives valuable references for those who wish to learn more, or even acquire the material that you are discussing. You choose topics that are not only of interest, but are vital in understanding what is going on in the world and you give a short and concise summary off their essence.
Your bulletins are provocative and thoughtful, at times witty and always beautifully written. Your choice of words makes them a delight to read. You even make it easy to acquire information and material by a flick of the finger on the computer keyboard. (Will I be able to resist ordering Madeleine Albright’s book from Amazon?) The importance and contribution of Galbraith is given in a short summary from the Washington Post. The inclusion of Arthur Schlesinger’s short comments on Galbraith is (are?) a gem. Everything is at our fingertips.
What a service you are giving the recipients of your messages. This is marvelous. It is a tour of the world, a course in current history. In two short paragraphs you managed to give a summary of what is going on in the entire world ( beginning, appropriately, with events in Quebec and Canada.)
I could go on and on.
I wonder how many realize the time and effort that you must be putting into this- And the background research.
.
I’m sure that these bulletins put people in the proper frame of mind to discuss the important issues that you raise.
I hope that you are keeping all these little gems. They would be worth publishing. They are a current history.
Thank you and congratulations for the wonderful work that you are doing.
Thanks a lot for always keeping us all in mind. Very nice to be kept updated about what is going on elsewhere in the World. At my end all is extremely hectic, but I am content with the work. It is really going pretty well for the start, but I need more time and "space" to get to the strategic parts and be a bit less reactive. But I guess that at this stage the important thing is to get enough contracts from a diversity of clients to establish a broad base for the business and the NGO. We are on track. I am working on a high level research paper for the World Bank which is very stimulating and the review process, although very critical and pretty painful at times, it fantastic, involving all the top technical WB staff in fields relating to biodiversity, land management, desertification, land reform, Africa economic reform etc. The only down - the heavy pressure. Further I inherited the finalisation of Namibia's National Capacity Self Assessment for the implementation of the Rio Conventions .... I am thrilled that I have been able to maintain some of my international work connections and I find myself invited to a drylands expert meeting at IUCN headquarters by mid February.
Now I am going out to share my knowledge about how to best catch termites in Namibia with two PhD students from Germany. Funny to think that one day in my life I was a termite expert ..... Heheheheeeee
Enjoy the snow and Montreal at large!
Greetings to David and of course the Wednesday lot!
Dear David, Dear Diane,
I want you to know how much I appreciated the talent of both of you in creating such interesting evenings as the ones that I spent at your home.
Animating in such unpredictable circumstances requires acrobatic skill ! Et quelle simplicité ! Et comme les gens sont spéciaux !
Herb opening the door. No harm could ever come from one like him.
And Béatrice with a name inspired by Dante ! It suits her so well !
Then come the other geniuses one after the other ! Comme des personnages qui font leur entrée sur la scène au théâtre.
Il faut aiguiser sa propre concentration. Tendre l'oreille car ils vont dire des choses qui vont nous surprendre ! Comme ce Stephen Blank et puis un autre qui se prénomait Peter, à qui je répondais avec plaisir et amitié même si notre point de vue différait.
And when I see your kitchen, dear Diane, as I go and get my water, je sens un élan de tendresse. Je me dis c'est une maison habitée et à découvrir à chaque fois qu'on y entre.
Thanks for your generous hospitality. Louise des Trois-Maisons
Thu 2/3/2005 Dear Diana,
In a few words, allow me to say how much I enjoyed my
[Wed1196] evening yesterday. The people! The ambiance! The swirl
of ideas! I had a great time witnessing the exchanges
that were taking place across the room that night. As
I have told you already, I was aware of its existence
through Stephanie and Jeremy, and my curiosity was
piqued further by Steph's article decribing a Very
Good Wednedsday Night. Very good, indeed. A
19th-century salon held in the 21st is the only way I
can think of describing my impression without
endeavouring to write a whole memoir about it.
I also wanted to extend my thanks to David for his
warm welcome, guided tour, and flight stories.
I shall be there next Wednesday night, and come
prepared.:)
Kindest regards, Genevieve Martel
From: robert Travers [mailto:rtravers55@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 7:49 AM
Subject: RE: WEDNESDAY NIGHT SALON #1192 - January 5, 2005
What a great read. I had to return to China on the 3rd. Have had meetings in Beijing, Harbin and Yichun near the Russian border. Will be in Hong Kong fo ra couple of weeks until I return to the Chinese capital. Hope to be back in Montreal by the end of the month with a happy conclusion to a very long project. I wouldn't mind bringing my daughter to an appropriate session of the Wednesday Night Salon. She is a graduate in criminology from the University of Ottawa and is working with the committee for international crime prevention in Montreal.. She is currently liaising with her Parisian counterparts in organizing a UN sponsored gathering of like minds here.
Diana and David Thu 12/9/2004
Just a note of appreciation.
How splendid and stimulating to be a part of your
wonderful world of thought. When "hockey season" in
New York is finished, I hope to be mobile and accept
your generous invitation to join the rich Wednesday
evening exchanges.
How lucky am I. Thanks once more. Betsy (Elizabeth McGregor)
Hello Diana and David
I would have loved to be with you this evening when you are remembering D-Day. My father was in Europe with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders just after - survived - was wounded twice - and always said that he had very happy memories of Canadian nurses!.
However, I am flying to Europe this afternoon, so I can't be with you. Be back in July though. Until then, my best wishes.
Pauline Frost Wed 1162
Saturday 22 May 2004 Diana,
A brief note to thank you and David for a delightful evening on Wednesday [1159].
What interesting company in such a charming setting.
We do look forward to seeing you again soon.
Thank you again and kind regards Piers and Edith [Piers Cumberlege]see #1159
Dear Diana and David,
Very sorry not to be able to make it tonight. I am in Herfordshire,
on my way to Jersey. I think JC is hoping to come. If he does, ask
him about China's influence in the Pacific. He learned some very
interesting things on his latest trip (and also had a very peculiar
encounter with the Chinese Ambassador to Tonga). [will do next week]
Pip pip, Cleo
Hi David
... I sent that was vapourized from your computer! Won't be able to make Wed. this time around, but am curious, and do intend to come by soon. I heard that Robert Gervais, a friend of a friend of mine, is running against Robillard - wonder if that's your nice PC boy?
Cheers Sarah Musgrave see #1158
Dear Diana and David,
I miss coming to your lively wednes-night discussions - the last one looked so promising! I have been quite unexpectedly thrown in charge of our new home renovations and it is keeping me busier than I would like - but hopefully all should be over before the end of the month and we can move in, and I can be back! in your circle of brains.
Take care, Alexandra Tcheremenska-Greenhill, MD
In HK - first time. Selling into China - putting my frequent flyer miules where my mouth was (you'll remember + said China was the big thing).
Back in 2 weeks - see you then. Jeremy Jonas
Sounds like you have all the good topics nd people on the Mortons' regular Centaur night. Too many good causes all at once.
Remember that the Chinese are now increasing energy consumers. What happens if all the world becomes comfortably consumerist, starting with that American wet dream - a billion Chinese! Des Morton
Thank you for all the interesting news. My very best wishes and congratulations to Julius. Sorry I will not be able to be with you (still in Belgium!). JJJ
Diana - I loved the line below and got a good chuckle out of it. You do
write well!
On a personal note you may be interested to hear that in an election of
the McGill professors I was elected by 1% point over the incumbent to
serve for 3 years on the Pension Administration Committee of the McGill
Pension Plan. So I will be joining Tony (and 7 others) in managing a
billion dollars worth of funds. Any advice?
Gerald. Ratzer
send my regrets. Have left Indonesia leaving a trail of paper (marking papers
under pressure) and people in hot pursuit as I rushed to airplane with only one
hour of packing(after three months) to catch a plane for Brishbane. Will be in
Australia for two weeks meeting friends (Ray and Barb Lewis--(Barb my family
doctor for many years) in Brisbane from there to the gold coast, Canberra,
Sydney and Melbourne back to Jakarta thence to London for four days arriving in
Montreal on June 3. Best wishes for a good meeting and thank you for keeping me
posted on the state of the Quebec/Canadian nation while I am far away. Carol Speirs
I am in HaNoi and will be back in Mtl in mid-June. I
look forward to seeing you shortly afterward.
Cheers, Andre Andre Saumier
Thank you for all the interesting news. My very best wishes and congratulations to Julius. Sorry I will not be able to be with you (still in Belgium!). JJJ
Diana - I loved the line below and got a good chuckle out of it. You do
write well!
On a personal note you may be interested to hear that in an election of
the McGill professors I was elected by 1% point over the incumbent to
serve for 3 years on the Pension Administration Committee of the McGill
Pension Plan. So I will be joining Tony (and 7 others) in managing a
billion dollars worth of funds. Any advice?
Gerald. Ratzer see #1158
Dear Diana and David
With the new 10 European countries included in the EU, I suppose it will be the main suject of next w-n. As I attended the annual meeting of the EBRD in London, I will speak about the updated activities of the Bank, specially the financing and capital market. If you do agree with that, I have some datas and notes that I will bring with me.
I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.
Cheers Lyda Letacq see #1157
From: Nicolas Lucas
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 #1156
Subject: Belated
Diana: A long overdue thank you note to you and David for the invitation
in Montreal. Normally, I would thank you for your hospitality and a most
pleasant eventing. But then, that was not a normal evening, and
'hospitality' and 'pleasant' are grossly inadequate to describe it. It
was much better than that! I really loved it and only regret not having
had more time for a richer debate and to get to know many of the other
people in the room. Best regards from Tierra del Fuego,
Nicolassee #1156
Tue 4/20/200 I will attend if only to listen to the echoes of Harry’s wonderful, witty interventions. see #1155
Richard Schultz
Wednesday Apr 7, 2004 This one is for David. I suspect it could even be useful to Jacques,
as it would save him a lot of research. Perhaps if he had the
numbers readily available he could concentrate on helping us to
interpret them and thus gain a better sense of the economic realities
which will shape our public policy agenda. statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/dsbbcan.htm
Also, spent Friday at McGill at the first-ever McGill Couchiching
Conferennce on Public Policy. It was run by the Youth Committee, at
Thompson house. I finally got Julius and Couchiching together and he
gave the keynote address. He spoke on the universal principle of
Thou Shalt Not Kill in the context of how we deal with refugee
claimants from countries that have capital punishment in any of its
forms.
The topic for the Conference was Canada's Immigration Policy and how
to better integrate the immigrants we so desperately need. By the
year 2016 the only possible growth in the Canadian labor pool will
have to come from immigration. We must speed up and facilitate the
accreditation of qualified professionals who languish doing menial
jobs for minimum wage while they hold degrees in medicine, law, and
other professions while faced with impossible bars (set by Canadian professional associations) to reentering the work force in their own professions.
The mood was lively, the discussion passionate, the youth inspiring.
I cameaway,as always, informed but also convinced that our future in
the hands of this new generation of leaders will be one we will be
proud of. We are truly blessed to be Canadians at this time in the
history of the world.
Thank you (and the mysterious committee) for admitting me to the distinguished group of OWN I'll attempt to continue my "research in support of hypotheses advanced in the heat of discourse, no matter how frivolous". However I will ignore some hypotheses because, as you must have discovered, I'm not always antifloccinaucinihilipilificationistically inclined.
And thank you, too, for the web links below. The Wednesday Night web master is busier than Santa and his elves!
I imagine that you now miss, or soon will, that beautiful grand-daughter.Maya. I suppose you have, or soon will have, an internet-based video link.
Best wishes for another 52 interesting discussions in this new year.
Wed 12/31/03 Dear David & Diana
I regret that I shall not be able to drop by on Hogmanay to toast the old
year out and toast the new year (at least in mid-Atlantic) in.
Thank you for all those great Wednesday Nights in 2003. May 2004 bring you
-- indeed all of us -- health and happiness in all respects.
Please convey my best wishes to Marc and Jean too.
I look forward to seeing you next year!
David Mitchell
Wed 12/31/03
What a superb message. on Wed1139
Happy New Year to your both, and the Family and indeed, Peace on Earth and Good Will toward All Men. (They seem to be the ones screwing it up, not the Women.).
With fora like Nicholsons' Wefnesday Night, there is hope...Isn't there?
Love to both, Stephen KINSMAGNUS@aol.com
Dear Diana and David,
I wish to thank you again for a most refreshing, revitalizing,
"re-quickening" experience last night. It was an honor to join this "zona
franca" of thoughts, ideas and opinions. You've created a fascinating
world.
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Paola Deda
Hi David and Diana,
I am sorry to have to confirm my absence from Wednesday Night, as mentioned
originally to David on the phone.I am still flat on my back with a slipped
disk.This morning I spent three hours as a teleconference participant with
the Committee responsible for the McGill pension fund, and that was as much
as I can do to-day.(Beds have not been invented to deal with assets in
pension funds!) See you soon. Tony.Antal Deutsch [antal.deutsch@McGill.ca]
Dear Diana
to you and David my best wishes for the holiday season.
Thank you for all your generosity and inspiration over the past months.
You efforts are greatly appreciated.
Good wishes, Julian Zeidler
From: margaret.somerville@staff.mcgill.ca
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 12:09 AM
Subject: Re: WEDNESDAY NIGHT SALON December 17, 2003 #1137
Dear David and Diana,
Merry Christmas to you and all the Wednesday Nighters! Wish I could celebrate
with you, but I'm in Oz in the middle of a +40C heatwave which shows no sign of
letting up. We've just booked my neice and her two little babies into a super
cool hotel, because the heat is so fierce the air conditioners here at home
can't cope with it. Perhaps winter solstice Christmases are not so bad after
all!
Look forward to seeing you in 2004! Happy New Year!
Love, Margo
Diana & David
thank you again for your help during my campaign.
And please convey my thanks and my best wishes to your group.
I hope I'll be able to see you in the new year and convey my best wishes
in person. Things have been hectic with meetings and meetings at the board, mostly
on Wednesdays.
Again Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
ginette sauvé-frankel
Wednesday Dec 31, 2003 Happy new year, my friends, and may there always be light on your path, warmth in your heart and grandchildren in your lap.
Big hug Marina Ocampo [jmocampo@sprint.ca]
Friday Nov 21, 2003 Dear ones,
We are so delighted for you! And have been very worried since there was no news last week. Congratulations to all and may Daddy continue to pamper you. We look forward to meeting Nicolas James on his arrival in Montreal. (When?) Fondest love to the three of you, Diana
-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:melanielauckner@sympatico.ca] Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 11:05 AM
We have a little baby son! Nicolas James Menear arrived at 14:46 on 12 November, weighing 7 pounds and 3 ounces. We are back home now and being well and truly pampered by Daddy! Melanie
Friday Nov 21, 2003
and hear! hear! to Ginette Sauve-Frankel Claudia Viereck [claudiaviereck@yahoo.ca]
Congratulations on your efforts to get Mme Sauvé-Frankel elected.
Des Morton
[ see Wed 1132 & 1133]
Wed 11/19/2003
Gosh, delighted you heard the piece. Nice to know someone is still
listening to the poor CBC. Sadly, I won't be able to make it tonight
either, I am up north saying goodbye to my family. I leave Friday for
the big Lord Of The Rings launch in New Zealand. I am back December
8th. I'll look forward to revisiting WN (and learning a thing or two)
then.
BTW, I'll be heading back to the Pacific in the winter. I would be
very interested in chatting to you before then about your experience
in the region. [ see Wed 1128]
All the best,
Cleo Paskal and Cleo's husband, Jens Christian Justinussen [me@cleopaskal.com]
Sunday Oct 26, 2003
David, this is to transmit to you Hing Hum's appreciation for having been able to attend Wednesday Night.He was very impressed with the level of discussion.
best regards, see Wed1129
Tony
Antal Deutsch
Professor of Economics
McGill University
Thursday Oct 23, 2003 Dear David and Diana,
Many, many thanks for a most stimulating evening last week. We still find ourselves discussing it. "Remember when X said..?" "What do you think about Y". It was surprisingly and delightful. We are very flattered you want us back. Unfortunately, tonight, JC has to go into studio and I am feeling rather dodgy (there was something going around Toronto). I would prefer to infect your guests with good conversation rather than a cold, So, sadly, not tonight, dear. But please, please please do invite us again. You Cirque tapes are waiting.. Wed 1128.
Many thanks,
Cleo and Jens Christian
Wow, this looks like fun.
I'm sorry that I can't join you this week [Wed 1129] (or next). We have meetings at our school and daycare both weeks.
My best wishes are with you though. Also, thanks again for making my friends feel so welcome last week. Sorry I had to rush out before they were ready to go. Wed 1128
See you in November, I hope. Hugs, Tracey Arial [tarial@primus.ca]
Wed 10/22/200 Hi Folks,
David, your website looks better than ever! Congratulations! . Thanks for the invitation. Thanks also for having Claudia Vierick last week.[. Wed 1128 ] She loved it! Thanks also for her blurb on the website. You are the best! We will see soon.
Your pal, Michael Judson
Diana and David, thanks for a nice evening in Montreal, where the
lights stay on and the AC doesn't give out at the most crucial moments.
Hope to see you again,Wed1119 Fabrice Taylor Frank Magazine
Dear Diana,
Just a quick note to thank you and David for the great evening last night. It was fantastic to witness this amazing tradition. Congratulations for continuing such an important gathering. It was also an opportunity for me to meet fascinating people such as yourself and your husband! Thanks again. Alexandra Wed1119
Once again, you do a wonderful job. You investe soo much energies!!!
Here's one topic that could be interesting: Have Guy Stanley talk about certain important economic advices that he gave the Federal governement through his books which were not applied. They could be the answers for today's problems... Guy has economic ideas which deserve to be spreaded in the open ...But, he's such a low profile ... I think he needs to be encouraged... see w-n Wed1118
Yvette Biondi
Tuesday Jul 1, 2003
Re Wed1112
So great to have seen you both. really think they ought to make you both order of canada for improving the montreal intellectual climate. love, Dave and Terry
Wed 6/25/03 D&D
What a great line-up for tonight. Too bad it's a 10 hour drive from my cabin in N.B. or I'd be there. I'll raise a glass of wine and toast Wednesday Night when I hear the bell at 9 EDST! Currently I can only hear the lapping of water and the muffled roar of artillery at Camp Gagetown. I prefer the water.
cheers David Mitchill
Friday Jun 6, 2003
David,
Thank you very much for this Wednesday evening [Wed1109]. Krys was delighted
with it, as was I. Thank you for all the trouble you took to develop
the film clips, that was an amazing amount of work!
You are really incredibly generous with your time, both of you.
It's amazing and rather wonderful that you're still doing Wednesday nights. We are now spending the summers in France on a tiny doll's house of a barge, wishing the sun would come out and, in winter, still lazing around the Indian ocean on Beau Jeu. But, if and when we ever get back to Montreal, we'll certainly give you a call. Also, we're looking forward to checking out those web sites of yours.
Best regards, Pat & Jim
Patricia Michel and James Domville [beaujeu@pd.jaring.my]
Friday Apr 4, 2003 Dear David and Diana,
Thank you again and congratulations on hosting Wednesday Night for a record 1,100 times.
(Every new Wednesday Night is a record!!) Wed1100 Gerald Ratzer [ratzer@cs.mcgill.ca]
Thursday Apr 3, 2003 1:37 AM
Diana/David,
Thanks very much for inviting me[Wed1100] and for including me. I had a blast. Apologies if I interrupted too often or dominated too much.
I look forward to another Wednesday evening when I am next in Montreal.
All best wishes,
tom
March 27th
Dear David,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!
Hope you have a wonderful birthday. Remember, as a dreamer, you will be laughed at....Thank them! You see , there is no more purpose or meaning in the world than you put into it. You certainly have put a lot into "it".Best wishes for all that is good in this life. Marilyn Cox xxoooxx
2002
Friday May 10, 2002 David & Diana
Thank you again for another stimulating evening, or perhaps I should say
'night'. I'm afraid we kept you up later than we should have but that is
an indication of a high 'enjoyment quotient' .
I always learn something on Wednesday Night but last night I was especially
intrigued by David Berger's comments and today I tried to find his speech.
I clicked both under this picture and at the end of his introductory
remarks at www.wednesday-night.com/Wed1053.asp but had no success.
Have you removed or blocked it already or am I doing something wrong?
For some future Wednesday Night, might the Middle East be an worthwhile
topic?; either Israel/Palestine -- which could end up producing more heat
than light, depending on who is present -- or perhaps the wider
geo-political questions that include petroleum, Saudi Arabia's official
religious beliefs [vs. Afghanistan], reports of military build-ups, etc.
Cheers David Mitchell
Wed 5/8/02
david...the photos...on artdeco...are excellent...bravo....they could easily make a new web page...by themselves....
greetings...sam
ps/ what is the name of the black hair girl???? interesting....christine or?? something....any family name??
see SandraCohen-Rose.htm
Wed 3/20/02 David I am not able to make it tonight, as much as I would like to join the discussion. Thank you and Diana again for the pleasant salon last Wednesday and for the convivial atmosphere that you are able to foster. It obviously helped a cantankerous classical liberal like myself from being fazed by the predominant marxist flavour of the health system discussion. Hope to see again soon. JEC {J. Edwin Coffey}
Monday Mar 4, 2002
I'm pleased to be able to find the odd thing that you didn't get to but
please don't give me any credit for finding such items. My contribution is
trivial. Your web site speaks for itself --and you.
bon weekend David Mitchell
Hi David and Diana, Thursday Feb 21, 2002
It's been awhile since we spoke, but as an old friend I was thinking of you guys and just checked out the DTN webpage. I'm absolutely amazed at how Wednesday night has become such a strong cultural entity. Congratulations and keep at it. I also read about Diana's new job which really sounds great.
I am located in Rhode Island, not too far from my new moorings in Newport. The boat loves it here and so do I. I am actively architecting all sorts of good things. Mostly churches and golf clubs but some office buildings and industrial stuff`. Life is good but I miss Montreal and all of its charms.
Newport is what it has always been , but without the America's Cup. If you have a moment in the spring or summer to come down and play I have the sailboat in the harbour and would love to see both of you. My last Montreal lady-friend, Lillian Azoulay just got married so I feel like I am losing contact with the Canadian world. You must remember her, not just because of her great looks and superb mind ( blonde, big eyes etc..), but because she lived over on Kensington Street and was also friendly with Steven Jarislowsky.
I hope something good for you came out of the Burlington connection with the architects that I was working for there. I see that they now register themselves as having a Montreal office so I hope that was due to your good graces.
There is something cooking down here that seems to involve the Sunlife Insurance Company of Canada. I was wondering whether the Chairman, Donald Stewart or the President James Prieur were also Wednesday nighters ?
I could really use an introduction to either, if that was within the realm of possibilities.
Best Regards, George S. Burman, AIA
401 245 9193 ( home) 401 434 0112 ( office )
I wanted to compliment you and Diana on your most user-friendly website for your Wednesday night Salons. On perusing it recently, I found it to be easy to navigate, informative as well as a great source of information on politicial and financial matters. As a marketing and communications expert, I know that these are key attributes to have in a site in order to attract repeat visitors.
Congratulations on putting a successful website together!
Marie Bourbonnière see Wed #1041
Mr. David T. Nicholson
Chairman
Tuesday Jan 22, 2002
David,
Thank you for the phone call. I'm sorry to have missed you. Actually I had been meaning to write you a note as I had looked at the Wednesday-Night.com WebPages and was quite impressed with what was there. It seems as though you have developed a very interesting forum in which to exchange ideas. The people you have had in attendance seem quite diverse, interesting, global, and some appear to be very powerful in their respective fields.
I would like to take you up on your invitation to attend some evening. However, you must remember that I am here in Vermont. While I am often in Montreal for a weekend, it's not that often I am there mid-week. But, having said this, I will say that given my girlfriend's proclivity for social engagements there is a good chance that at some point I will be in Montreal some Wednesday evening and would certainly enjoy attending a Wednesday-Night.com evening.
Again, I enjoyed meeting you and congratulations on the continued success with Wednesday-Night.com. I look forward to attending some evening should the invitation be extended.
Regards, Geoffrey Klingenstein
Klingenstein & Co.
Mr. Nicholson,
Thank you once again for having me at the Wednesday night affair. Being at the first OWN inaugural event was an honour! I must say that many elements of your Wednesday nights inspire and educate me. Meeting Dr. Bruno was a great plus for us here at NetworX and we are starting to do some business together.
I do not think that I can make it this Wednesday night, however if you have another night that has a computer networking focus, I would be delighted to attend.
I must say that originally I thought that your site was nice but not great. Upon further investigation I quickly realized that it is quite a remarkable site with all it's pertinent content! I looked through the many pages and was very impressed with just how much attention you have put into it! I made it my homepage on my laptop and continue to poke about many times a week.
Once again thank you for inviting me into your closer circle. Eric Black
BTW, if you need any computer or networking help, please feel free to call for N/C support. I have created you in our database of supported clients and have put a credit for several hours into our billing system. Feel free to use your "get out of PC purgatory" card whenever you need!
Can't come this Wed. but want to report that we had 784 dinners signed up to raise $$$ to clear landmines with over 18,000 participants and pledges exceeding $900,000 (CDN unfortunately)
Many thanks for your help!
From:
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2001
It's the Wednesday nite after Xmas
and in house - lit
by the candles and the reflections from
stacked wine bottles
the photographs
Diana's father smiling out at you
lighting the dark
the revellers gather gather
to jointly partake
of the festivity that you both bring
to the city
the voices ranging in timbre
the faces uplifted
so many shared moments
so much openness and affection
sharing of one's own space and mind and time
that's a real gift
one that stays with the receiver for a lifetime..
India awaits you- we shall start
a Wednesday nite here-
but - you'll have to inaugurate it.
With much love to David and you
and your circle of friends
each evening was special
and you are in my thoughts
as the lights fade here in Mumbai
I can see the sea - Marine Drive is quite beautiful at this hour
Have a wonderful New Year- belated Xmas greetings- Much love Sonial
Sonia
Dear Mr. Nicholson,
I just saw your newly revised site and congradulations, it is
looking very good! Martin Cloutier
Tuesday Jan 1, 2002 Dear David, dear Diane,
First of all many thanks for the kind message celebrating the outgoing year.
Anne and I wish you a happy and healthy New Year and all the stamina you
need to keep this wonderful institution called Wednesday Night alive and
well.
Fri 12/28/01
Dear David and Diana
We’d like to thank you for your generous, warm hospitality and friendship.
A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY, PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
With many good wishes and warmest regards,
Sandra and Colin W-N page
From:
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2001
Subject: Love your website
David and Diana;
Thanks for keeping me on your mailing list. One of these Wednesday nights
I'll surprise you and land on your doorstep! Keep up the good work and all
the best for 2002 and beyond.
Please see attached although a bit (but not much) late.
Hugh Wallis
P. S. I have a really active riding school, going with a waiting list for
both horse board and students.
So much for retirement! see SedberghSchool.asp
Wednesday Dec 26, 2001
It is Xmas day and I want to wish both of you all the peace and love of the
world. You have been great friends in times of change, but also for a long
time now.
I look forward to long years of laughts and intellectual challenges
Wednesday Dec 26, 2001
hi david.....thanks for your good wishes...rain or shine or snow...your wed. night e-mail are there..even on a holy day....bravo....to reward...you...for that..I am naming you...the bullfighter of the year....with appreciation and....lots of love...from sam totah.........
enjoy your family entourage.....
Fri 12/7/01
Dear Mrs Cantlie,
Please forgive my delay in responding to your kind message. I have been quite deluged with a new job at IATA and by the time I get home, I rarely have an opportunity to take care of more personal things!
In any event, it would be a pleasure to add you and Dr. Cantlie to the Wednesday Night roster. We normally send invitations by e-mail and we try to match the guests to the evening's proposed topic(s). This also generally helps us to control the size of the group as we learned early on that too large a group is a fatal error - nobody feels that s/he has had enough air time. So, it would be most helpful if you could give us a thumbnail sketch of your particular interests.
Your nephew sounds like a major contributor for the evenings on Finance and/or the Economy and we would be delighted to ask him as well if you could send us along his "coordinates". I have noticed his name in the National Post on a number of occasions and wondered if he were related to Mireille.
Thank you again for your message. We look forward to hearing from you very soon.
Diana Thébaud Nicholson Editor
-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2001
Dear Mr. Nicholson,
Read with great interest article by Mireille Silcoff , describing your "Salon".
As a former Montrealer, both my husband, Dr. George Cantlie, and myself would
be most interested in attending, ie., should you be willing to have us! My
nephew, Sean Silcoff, head of Montreal Bureau for Financial Post, has expressed
an interest as well. Could you please let me know your thoughts? I can be
reached at 416-324-9937 or 416-712-9937 (cell). e-mail-lcantlie Look.ca.
Many thanks. Linda Cantlie.
Mon 11/26/01 Dear David and Diana,
It was interesting for me to attend last wednesdays meeting on publishing
with Sandra Cohen Rose for which I extend my appreciation. For the past 25
years I have been residing mostly in India, with summer trips to Montreal.
That is why you have seen me only occasionally at your home and elsewhere,
like my mother's apartment at Kensington Place earlier this month. However, I
intend to be in Montreal most of this winter writing a book on India, I had
my own regular column in magazines and newspapers in India, and hence my
special interest in the publishing session.
Looking forward to more frequent meetings and please put me on your e mail
list. Regards,
RE: Wednesday, November 07, 2001
Hi David and Diana,
It was nice to receive news from you. I am happy for Marc. He has grown
already! Boy, time flies. You must see my two daughters, the elder, Anna
Maria is in her second year of high school at Trafalgar School for Girls while
Angela is in Grade 4. I have really missed you both and the Wednesday
nights. I understand my friend Kimon has been attenting regularly. One
of these nights I might surprise you myself.
Aside from my on-going teaching and forecasting work at NBG Bank I have
also launched a company that handles investor relations for Greek publicly
traded companies in North-America and provides investment information on
Greece and the South Eastern Europeab economies. Maybe you would like
to visit my web site www.hellascapital.com.
I am sending you my warmest regards. My heartfelt congratulations for Marc.
How is Fionna doing?
Regards, Ken
David & Diana,
Nice to hear from you. I do travel to Montreal on occasion and should get there before Christmas. I am trying to sell something to the Caisse de depopt et placement du Quebec. They like my version of Moliere from afar now! This undertaking is with a client BroadStreet Group of London and New York. I also have another client, the Dynamis Group in Suite 2228, 1 PVM where I am financing a tissue plant in Balaguer, Catalan Spain and also refinancing a gas fired electrical power generation plant in San Diego CA.
My kind regards, Bert de Boer
Office: Lambertus de Boer
Pengrowth Management Ltd.
60 Lombard Street
London EC3V 9EA
United Kingdom
allo david and diana....bravo on the long article.......
in the national post....(hope you include it...in your web pages).........
i did learn things...about "you 2" and about the rosemount home...and more....
and i thought I knew all about it.......hahahahh
see you around...the pictures are nice too........
sam totah....
ps. enjoy your wed. nights...and more...........
sam mersi.com
Fri 11/2/01 Dear Diane and David,
Congratulations for your new wedsite. I checked it few times, I found It's very structured, easy to read, also, it has lots of interesting topics. You did a great work!
Robert and I are very sorry that we do not have enough time to visit you and Wednesday night. But we have a very good news to tell you. Robert won the first prize of 2002 AGTA Spectrum Awards. We just been told through phone this week. The award is the highest honor internationally, it's the Nobel in our trade. He will be honored at the American Gem Trade Association in Tucson Arizona in Feburary.
September 11th, terriest attack hit US world trade center. Afterward, they hit Canad's economy.
I have read that more than 75% of the companies in Canada are only hired less than four employees. That means our economy is not only supported by the big companies and high-tech companies. Healthy economy should based on the balance development of each trade. For example, Yellow knife has the richest diamond resources in the world. Canadian non-conflict diamond should be a great opportunity for the economy. The small studio like us is so specialized, the stuffs are highly trained, they are the best in North America. But we are the first suffering from the economy downturn. I checked with different Government support programmes. They all for high-tech companies!
We've heared that the Government is going to give tax break for small companies, that would be great to know.
Do you have any suggstions and comments?
Warm regards, Robert & Pauline
1/Nov/2001
To two wonderful neighbours, Diana and David:
Thank you both so much for your encouragement on Halloween! The invitation page on your website was extraordinary and very enticing. It was so lovely to welcome Wednesday-Nighters to the house and to share the event with neighbours!
David, as usual your picture-taking talents were much appreciated!! I hope that you enjoyed the cupcakes! Thanks for calling the Gazette too! I cannot believe that we made it on the front page!!!
Nice to hear from you. I feel a little guilty about not having given a sign
of life sooner, but a lot of things happened very quickly. I left the city
of Cote Saint-Luc in August to become City Manager in Bromont. Pat and I
have owned a house here since 1980, so it was in a sense "coming homne ",
but changing a country weekend house into a permanent residence is quite a
feat. But I'm getting there. I love it here, this is a wonderful place to
live, the air is clean, there are very few traffic jams, the City Council
is a joy to work with, and Louise Harel has promised not to visit upon us
the amalgamation plague?.and with all of that I am very busy, as a result
of which, I really don't get into town all that often?but I am mindful of
the fact that " once a Wednesday Nighter, always a Wednesday Nighter " and
when I'm next in Montreal on a Wednesday I will avail myself of the
privilege.
Best Regards The Cardinal
Remi Lafreniere []
Sent:Tue 9/4/01
Dear David and Diana,
Thank you both very much for the stunning plant!
Also, the web photos are so cool! Photos
I will work on the names tonight as I see that the changes I made were saved so I
can continue. Thanks
Andrea Andrea Lavergne
From: Hubert Linssen [Hubert.Linssen iru.org]
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2001 4:26 AM
Subject: RE: Belgium Presidency of the European Union - Belgisch
Voorzitte rsch ap van de Euro
Dear Diana,
You should not feel guilty... happens to me all the time. I think it's too
funny that you mention that we are only able to manage 150 relationships. I
suppose that's already overdoing it but I am sure you manage beautifully and
in the best possible taste. By the way, talking about friends and
relationships, you will not believe this : I had lunch yesterday with the
Chief of Cabinet of the Minister of Transport of France, Mr. Gayssot. His
name is Mr. Causse. We started talking about our past experiences and when
he heard I had lived in Montreal he asked me whether I knew the
Nicholsons.... Do birds fly ???? He seems to have participated to one
Wednesday-Night ! The world is my village.....
Anyway, one should never feel guilty about these things. Not with Friends.
By the way, thanks for the links you forwarded to me. Please thank David...
we are very honoured.
Best regards, Hubert
Fri 9/14/01
I enjoyed this piece, my complements. OLF-jokes
david michael sabbah
From: Marc Nicholson [marc_nicholson yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 7:05 AM
Hi Mumsy
... I had a pleasant lunch with
Peter Ratzer yesterday. he's quite taken with the
concept of weds night and seems keen to replicate it
here. I cautioned against it, warning him not to
underestimate the charisma factor! He was very
complimentary though to both you and Daddy - and I was
very proud.
We also talked quite a bit about his Eurotunnel
experience. he's considering publishing a book about
it - in fact a four volume history of the funding
process. ....
14/Aug/2001 David,
Thank you for your kind words.
Our family think you are hosting an extraordinary activity - one my brother
Peter in London would like to emulate! I think it would be great if the
style and vision of your "Salon" is exported from Canada to the UK.
Keep up the good work, and let us know what else we can do to help you.
Gerald. see Wed1013
Sent: August 12, 2001 2:30 PM
To: Christopher Davis
Chris Sir;
Did I ever thank you for your visit to Wed1007Lowy and for bringing Lawrence Chickering?
And - how can you know that we have links to www.Hawk-eye.ca from several pages on W-N, unless we tell you. See PeoplePages-Menu which is found in the drop menus on every page on the site. Also in Contributors and search in
Past Weeks
Also drop a name in any of the ‘Site search boxes’ found on most pages. If no joy here, wait a week or so and try again
David Nicholson
Mon 7/30/01 2:52 PM Dear Diana,
Just a small note to say thank you and David for a very enjoyable evening.
It did me the power of good to be in great company and having fun.
Thank you.. Marie Downey
Aviation Training and Development Institute (ATDI)
David
A slightly belated Thank You for inviting me to Wednesday Night #1007 Lowy. I have been mulling over in my head the variety of topics discussed, which just goes to prove what you said to me before I left: "One of the good thing about Wednesday Night is very often Thursday Morning...".
Once again. Un gros merci.
Rémi Lafrenière
David and Diana,
Alison and I just wanted to thank you for giving us a chance to discuss
Canada25 last Wednesday #998. It was a pleasure to discuss the issues Canada faces regarding talent retention, as well as the issues Canada25 as a group
faces in our struggle to have impact. As usual, your guests were
insightful and free in their opinions, and that's what makes the evenings
so useful!
If we can do anything else, please just ask.
Thanks again, Parker and Alison
Hi.
I came across your Wednesday night site today while researching Bill
Cosgrove. It's quite impressive and I salute you for it.
I'd like to attend a Wednesday evening session but I'd like to know if
I'm welcome, bad footwear and all. I assume your meetings aren't press
conferences so if I'm permitted to attend, I'd like to know the protocol
on what I can and can't report and know if you're interested in general
publicity or not.
Even if it's agreed that I keep my pen in my pocket, I'd still like to
see the Bombardier boss if I'm persona grata. What's the standard
contribution?
Would you be interested in a speaker who's an expert on the Duplessis
Orphans and their continuing efforts to obtain compensation? I could
probably arrange to bring an expert in on the subject who speaks very
well (and in english).
Please write me back or call 487 0101.
thanks, kg Kristian Gravenor [kgravy CAM.ORG]
Thu 3/8/01 9:50 AM Dear David,
Once again it was an (992) outstanding meeting. I find those evenings
extremely stimulating. It is always a brand new learning experience and
I consider myself priviledged to participate. Thank you so much for
letting me contribute. Just a quick question: Who is lady, the "den
mother", who so eloquently summarized the evening? I spoke to her
briefly but did not catch her name. Thanks David!
Rolf Spielmann
Thu 3/8/01 1:47 AM Dear david,
Congratulation on a most interesting Wednesday night.
MML [whitehallk citenet.net]
1/Feb/2001 David and Diana --- that was a fun evening [Wed987 Bombardier] last night. You two put on quite
a show. Thank you for alerting me by phone to the *stars* who would be
present - it was much appreciated. One of the people Larry MacDonald should
interview for his book is Pierre MacDonald (sp?), former Bank of Montreal
executive, former Quebec Trade minister and present (?) Bombardier
executive. He used to fly his own plane when a cabinet minister, even though
it was "verboten!". He tends to be quite outspoken, so there could be some
good copy!
I do tend to agree with the comment by one of the participants that
MacDonald is barking up the wrong tree if he's intending to do an expose,
though his book on Nortel was very objective. As I blurted out at one point,
though the Stockwell Days of this world - maybe that's not a good choice,
since he grew up in Montreal - will deny it, at least publicly, one of
Bombardier's problems is that it's headquartered in Quebec. What I should
have added is that it's francophone, and a success! Like it or not, there
will always be linguistic undertones in any public debate in this country
over $ and jobs where the two founding peoples are concerned. I guess we
should be lucky to live in Canada and not the States, let alone other parts
of the world that we know all too well.
Kind regards, Peter Dunn
P.S. To my mind, the event that literally put Bombardier on the map was
winning part of the New York subway contract in the early '80s. I was at
Quebec House at the time, and the publicity was tremendous.
1/Feb/2001 David and Diana,
Last night's discussion on Bombardier was very interesting, not least
because you had guests who spanned the years from Canadair to now, as well
as politically astute observers. Congratulations.
I apologize for arriving with an unannounced guest, Kathleen McCormick. We
had been talking at the city's anti-merger reception and she struck me as
likely to be a potential occupant of the seat to the right of David! She
also can carry on a lively conversation and I noticed she was exchanging
business cards before the evening ended.
You graciously made her feel at home and welcome to come again. Kathleen
was delighted to have been part of your evening and I know she'd like to
return. Should you be inclined to invite her feel free to ask me to do so.
However her e-mail address is designthing hotmail.com
Cheers David Mitchill PhD
March 13 Dear Diana
Thanks to your untiring efforts and the word in time from Mr Potter, I am sure, Mr Bill Gunn, Head of Aid, CIDA, New Delhi will be attending the workshop here in Hyderabad and hear it straight from the NGOs. This is progress.
much love Dr. Vithal Rajan
Jan 30 2001
Dear Diana and David
Thank you so much for that #986-India wonderful evening. It was a rare moment, to so many interesting people. all so fully engaged with vital issues, under your expertly managed chairmanship. I hope I may come again. I attach a brief article I found in the newspapers back home about IT and this State of Andhra Pradesh. I shall be in touch again, but my first task now has to be organising what help we can give from Hyderabad for the victims of this ghastly earthquake in Gujarat.
with warm good wishes sincerely Dr. Vithal Rajan
1-2-16/11, Block B, First Street
Habsiguda
Hyderabad 500 007 AP
India
tel: +91-40-717-2884
email: vithal2 hd1.vsnl.net.in vithal2 hd1.vsnl.net.in
Tue 1/9/01
Dear Diana and David
It is very kind of you to go to all this trouble. I am overwhelmed! I cannot
suggest one thing to add or subtract.
I thought I would title my presentation:
Can we make a Cyber pathway to Learning for the poor in India?
Both you and Sylvain have already organised for some people to come. I have
met Warren Allmond - in fact I voted for him - a long time ago, but I guess
he will not remember. Government support for TeleLearning of SFU to venture
forth into India may be important, but would anyone in CIDA be interested?
By the way, my good friends Herb and Mary Auerbach, both living now in
Vancouver, send their warm regards.
Looking forward very much to being at your place on the 24th, and with the
very best wishes yours vithal
May I also re-invite the president of ePals, John Irving, for the
meeting on January 24th with Vithal? I think it would be very
appropriate.
sylvain
Wed 12/13/00 4:12 PM
Hi Diana Well, Mike is away .... and I am in town ! We received the Valuation Report of Forest Gate's properties..... $3,700,000 !!!! or 57 cents per FGR share, so our private placement flow through financing at 30 cents per share is being well received. However, as pleased as we may be, it is still work, work, work as we move towards the February date for our RTO with a Canadian public shell. So....I hope you have a good gathering tonite while I mind-meld with #% **! (the computer). Sorry I/we will not be able to attend. Peter Gummer
I don't mean to be insulting and I don't usually email my thoughts but I came across this website looking for Montreal websites and my first impression was one of being overwhelmed. There may be a lot of content but it is very badly organized. I didn't care to stay long and look around because quite frankly I did not know where to start looking. Things are to scattered and there are way too many links on one page. Hope you appreciate the critism and hey it's much better than my page (considering I don't have one sinceI have no knowledge of how to create one using raw HTML).
Have a good one, Pat Acocella The Gimp [TAHE_GIMP netzero.net]
Wed 12/13/00 8:32 AM
Subject: Wednesday Night Salon December 6th #979
Dear Diana and David,
Someone should thank you, from time to time, for your weekly thoughtful
overviews of the state of the world---from a certain vantage point. Thanks,
Iris. Iris Fitzpatrick [irisfitz hotmail.com]
Just want to let you know how much I enjoyed being your guest at the November 22 Wednesday Night Salon #977. I know that my showing up a week early caught you unprepared, but I still got a good sense of how fun and interesting the evenings can be. I especially enjoyed the discussions on the stock market and analyses of your guest from the Bank of Canada. Before I turned to writing business columns and books I was an economist -- so these topics are close to my heart.
I enjoyed very much meeting all the people -- you have on hand quite a collection of brains and beauty (some of the latter were indeed quite tempting). And then there was the extra bonus of meeting persons form Bombardier and the consulting firm.
I should be coming to Montreal several times over the next few months to gather material for my forthcoming book on Bombardier. I hope you do not mind if I also drop by to attend some of your Salons.
From: larry MACDONALD [lmacdona cyberus.ca]
Sent: Thursday, November 23, 2000 3:02 PM
To: NICHOLSON Diana
Subject: Re: Wed #977
Diana and David
Just a note to thank you for the wonderful time I had at your Wednesday
Night Salon on Nov. 22.
see
It was so kind of you to say those nice things about my book. I definitely
hope I can come back and attend more Salons whenever I return to Montreal.
it is so interesting to see what is going on in westmount, specially with
one island one city and also at your soirees. i can imagine you were very busy with all
the organisation of the referendum.
i was myself busy with lucienne s campaign and also martin cauchon s. it was
a hectic time and fortunately we had a big win with the grits. we are luckier
than the u.s.a. at the present time. at least we have a p.m. solidly confirmed in his
post.
the last of november, i was invited to an international art auction in
new-york. mrs. stewart was there and there were beautiful art works from paris, london,
montreal copenhagen and the u.s.a. washington,new-york and philadelphia.
i also had the pleasure to visit the cloisters.
just can t wait to go back to your place. i learned on your web that you had
pierre-marc johnson one night and also a reflexion on the lack of nurses
here.
hoping you are recuperating from the hoopla of the last month.
hope to see you soon, helene audren hlaudren aol.com
copenhagen, montreal and the u.s.a. washington, new-york and philadelphia.
13/Oct/2000
Hello Diana,
I want to thank you for the opportunity of joining your group the other
night [#971]. The discussion was highly stimulating and I enjoyed it very much. I
apologize for the early departure, however mid week is a school night, and a
few short weeks into the AMBA programme I find myself already knee deep in
course readings.
Regards
Robert Rennert rennert look.ca
AMBA Class of 2001 President
12/Oct/2000
Dear David and Diana :
I am just taking a few seconds to thank you for inviting me at your meeting.[#962]
It was very interesting and I was impressed (not to say overwhelmed) by the
quality of your preparation.
I just got back from Montreal last week and have not yet had much time to
take any concrete action for "cloning" your idea here, but I still find it a
wonderful concept.
I will try to put my thoughts in order and think of a simple action plan
over the next few weeks.
I will email it to you to get your feed-back.
Best regards,
Gilles Therrien
National Bank Financial - Vancouver
Tel. : 604-643-2869 / 1-800-555-2812
[Gilles.Therrien nbf.ca]
Wednesday, August 16, 2000
Thanks for the kind words. It was a very good Peter Whiteon the
Peter White night and can speak for the Bombardier eCommerce
initiatives. Jeremy Jonas Jeremy Peachtreenetwork.Com
To: nicholsond iata.org
Date: Tuesday, July 04, 2000 11:31 PM
I shall return , eventually , but not tonight. Jazz tickets. However I did
enjoy the nite and the gang - and appreciate getting wednesdays menu, which
keeps you in my mind for spontaneous last minute wednesday nite decisions.
As for your site, it''s so full of local stuff its practically a second
newspaper -maybe you should get a canada council grant ,for promoting
montreal pride.
Mon 7/10/00 Dear D & D:
Thank you for your communication: it all came erased except for the header
so I knew it was something from you. I trust the whole tribe is weel; things
are less weell here. BMy twentieth book, a novel titled To Kill the Pope, is
out (it will be reviewed in the NYT Book Review on the 23rd). On the other
hand, I learned last week that I have inoperable,incurable,but treatable
cancer of the liver and both lungs (it harks back to my colon cancel of a
year ago). So we'll treat it and see where we go from there. Will keep you
posted. - Love - Tad TSzulc aol.com
Please see TadSzulc.htm
I thought you might enjoy this message from an old friend.
It seems nobody can forget the Nickelsons (sic).
----- Original Message -----
From:
Judy Roberts
To: RonMeisels phases-cycles.com
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2000 9:46 AM
Subject: A Wednesday Night Benefit
hi
i took myself off to see the movie "Gladiator" last night and
recognized Richard Harris in one of the cameo roles, because
he looked Exactly like the photo in the Nickelsons' dining room!!!
JUDY ROBERTS, President
Judy Roberts & Associates/Associés Inc.
20 Prince Arthur Avenue, Suite 9G
Toronto, Ontario M5R 1B1
Harnessing technologies to meet your learning & training needs
10/6/99
Dear David,
You will be running in competition with "Angels or Apes" for the next
few Wednesdays, and as the new chair of the speakers committee, I am
expected both to attend and to stay awake as issues of evolution are
probed for whatever audience appears. Sorry.
Hello Diana and David:
Àfter a stimulating first visit to your salon, I do miss not having been able
to attend and participate for the past few weeks. A heavy work schedule and
travel outside Monteal have not helped.. I look forward to returning next
week.
Chère Diane, Je viens tout juste de prendre mes
messages, et quelle surprise de savoir votre
anniversaire, donc permettez moi de vous dire
combien je vous apprécie. Vous êtes réellement
une personne qui sort de l'ordinaire, vous avez
su toucher avec votre chaleur tellement de
personnes, moi inclue. Merci pour vos belles
soirées que j'adores.
Elizabeth Wojtowicz
just a little mail to thank you for letting me misbehave
on your wonderful wednesday evening chatting party
i didn't realize you have been doing this already 914 times
hope to be there for the 1Kth (and some before then) thanks,
Karel Driesen
School of Computer Science, McGill University
McConnell Eng. Bldg., #327, 3480 University Street
tel: 1-514-398-4258, n fax: 398-3883, cel: 402-1208
karel cs.mcgill.ca www.cs.mcgill.ca/~karel
Too much of a good thing will just have to do.
Dear Diana and David,
Thank you for the warm welcome to your
salon last week.
Obviously I came as a tourist and enjoyed the evening. Next time I will come better
prepared to join in the discussions. The formula of your Wed. Night
salon is most interesting, and I wonder if it exists elsewhere, and of
all places, here, in Brussels, the heart of Europe? If not, you may
wish to consider technology transfer, franchising or whatever approach
suits best your business and communications goals. Just let me know,
and I might be able to facilitate something -- Brussels is replete with
policy pundits, think thanks and intelligentsia of all stripes and
colours!
BTW I would appreciate it if you would correct my name on your web
site: I am generally known as Claude Gagné (in Europe, Claude is used
alternatively for men and women, and there has even been a Madame Claude
in Paris whose ill-reputation was only compensated by the sophistication
of her girls, but please note this is a digression intended to reassure
you that I am in no way less a women for using the name Claude). In fact
I am just too much of a Claude to be a Claudette (a small Claude!) --
and I'm sure you can appreciate this now!
Of course, I dare not ask you to morph the weird smile on the picture
into something more congenial and relaxed, but please retain the image
of a gentlewoman.
As discussed my role at the Mission of Canada to the European Union is
to monitor the S&T scene at the European Union level, to advise federal
science-based departments and agencies and to stimulate Canada-EU
cooperation and collaboration in science and technology, higher learning
and vocational training and information society initiatives.
Who knows will fly me back to Canada next time (hopefully a Canadian
carrier), but if at all possible I will let you know in advance of my
coming.
Best regards,
Claude Gagné
Counsellor, Science and Technology
Mission of Canada to the European Union
av. de Tervuren 2
B-1040 Brussels
BELGIUM
Tel.: 011 32 2 741 0686
Fax: 011 32 2 741 0629
E-mail: claude.gagne ibm.net
From: Steve Poloz
Subject: RE: Wednesday July 7 #905
Diana and David:
Sorry I was unable to come. Life has taken a sudden turn for me. I have
decided to leave BCA and will do so in about a month's time. I have
accepted the position of Chief Economist for Canada's Export Development
Corporation, in Ottawa. It was one of those opportunities that I could
not pass up. So, we are deep into the real estate frenzy - we sold
quickly, but now we are shopping in Ottawa, and it is a difficult
process. On top of that, I must go to Tokyo for most of next week to
give two speeches.
In any case, I will certainly try to visit again later in July once
things have calmed down for me.
Regards
Steve Poloz
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 21:45:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jonesdt aol.com
Subject: Re: Thank you
To: dtnicholson videotron.ca
As always, delightful to hear from you at any time. we should be triple thanking you for all your help. in any event, it can't hurt to have a link to Landry. he's been pretty thoroughly demonized in the press but we always found him to be very straight. it was nice that he had heard good things about you and your salon from way back.
Best to you all. Regards. Terry
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 11:28:08 -0400
From: G Delorme
Subject: The Guardian site
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2014.211
Dear David,
I heard you mention last night that you could not find any site for the Manchester Guardian. I did some research for you with the help of a neat little search programme called Copernic and was able to come up with their URL. I believe this is what you were looking for:
Last night was my very first visit at your house. John had been telling me how stimulating these exchanges were... He was right. I had a wonderful time listening to some of our best minds. I also noticed the time you have spent preparing your videos and the nice montage you did to illustrate the topic of the evening. I was very impressed with what I saw last night and I enjoyed the atmosphere and the people present. As it is, I have just spent a couple of hours browsing through your extensive site. Scintillating, truly! I thank both you and Diana for your hospitality and I hope to see you again soon!
Ghislaine Delorme
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 16:42:50
From: John Wright
To: dtnicholson videotron.ca
Many thanks for allowing me to attend your meeting last Wednesday-Night in
Montreal, at Chil Heward's invitation. I greatly enjoyed the occasion. When
asked what we think about Canada, I had to resist the temptation (partly
because I did not know my audience too well, and partly because it no
longer seems quite so true) to pass on a comment in "Over Here" by Raymond
Seitz (1st career diplomat to be appointed US ambassador in London).
"Canada," he said, "should have had the best of all worlds: British
politics, American economics, and French culture. Instead they seem to have
ended up with the worst: French politics, British economics, and American
culture." Best wishes.
Wednesday Nights and David
Xmas #877 1998Ron Meisels rose on a point of privilege to pay tribute to David as the guiding light of Wednesday Nights. He and Diana stated that when David had been in the hospital he had insisted that Wednesday Night must continue even if he were not there. They expressed their consternation at the idea of running Wednesday Night without his choice of topics and deftly edited videos to inject the right tone of seriousness - or laughter - for each issue.
John Ciaccia and David Oliver quickly followed Ron in expressing their thanks to David for having conceived the idea of Wednesday Night and for having persevered over all these years to maintain it as a vibrant and intellectually stimulating event which has also afforded many opportunities for the participants to meet and form lasting friendships among themselves.
Further tribute was paid to the energy and expertise brought to the table, the items and knowledge, interpretation of the news and intimate knowledge of current events acquired each evening. A case in point was Pierre Marc Johnson's visit when he spoke on the introduction of the anti-Scab legislation; "you could have heard a pin drop".
Marie recounted that she had first heard of the Salon in Quebec City (perhaps because of the article in La Presse) some years ago. However she had not thought that the experience would be so enriching personally nor offer her an opportunity to give back to the other participants from her own knowledge.
David responded by thanking all those present and the many absent friends including some who will never return, notably our dear Vlad Slivitzky who died in November. Glasses were raised to "absent friends".
Finally, while it has long been acknowledged that Wednesday Night is a tradition, Ron pointed out that it has also given rise to a new noun. Recently he was at a dinner with some 10 people gathered around the table. To get a general conversation started, the host said: "By the way, what do you think of Clinton? … One at a time!" The response was "Don't be a Nicholson".
We enjoyed last Wednesday's meeting. We always do, but this session with its
discussion of the Canadian economy and the choices - and constraints - facing
monetary authorities topped them all. There are so many facets to the Nazi
Gold story. I hope that the discussion left the participants with some sense
of perspective that is missing from most of the reporting.
We talked about the session all the drive back to Peru, so it didn't seem a
long drive at all. We'd gladly do it again tomorrow, but we have to be up and
out early on Thursday morning to have lunch down in Woodstock Vt. with my
collaborator on Nazi Gold research, and then on to Maine for my high school
reunion. Please tell Sonia and Gerardo that we're very sorry we shall miss
them. It's especially hard, what with their being so close, but I know these
trips can get to be so jam-packed full.
Take care,
Yolanda & Frank Kinnell
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 19:24:31 -0400
To: "D.T. Nicholson"
From: carrollm citenet.net (Carroll McCormick)
Subject: Re #857
Dear Diana and David,
It was fascinating listening to the conversation on the Nazi Gold and the Loonie last night. Definitely not the daily white bread served up on the 6:00 news. Thank you for another fine evening.
Thank you too for conferring upon me the status of "Regular". I consider
it an honour to be welcome at your Salons.
As for Herb's fine sculpture, If I were asked to offer a name, I might
suggest "Fugue" (2 Psychol. loss of awareness of one's identity, often
coupled with flight from one's usual environment). She seems to have an air
of smoke and ether about her. This strikes me as how the world must look
when someone is in a fugue state. Please fill in our
And here is a coincidence - since I did not know this until I looked more
closely at the first meaning this afternoon - fugue also means: 1 Mus.
contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is
introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed by
interweaving the parts.
So, was the fugue evesdropping on a fugue last night?
David: As per your reminder last week that we should go through you in
making business contact with other members, I have the following request: I
would like to learn more about the publication guidelines, payment rates,
proposed style of the articles, et cetera for Blue Metropolis.
Although the usual route for obtaining such information is familiar to
me, I think that since (do I remember her name and spelling correctly?)
Linda Leigh and I crossed paths at your Salon, she might appreciate my
request for more information on the magazine being channeled through you.
From: "Bertrand, J Pierre"
Subject: Re: Y2K
President Clinton has sent draft legislation to Capitol Hill that would
You may see your efforts at :-
http://pages.infinit.net/westweb/Y2kBOMA.htm
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 1998 08:01:00 -0400
Where do you find the time to do all these nice things? Looks great.
Best regards
AN EVENING AT THE NICHOLSONS'
by the Hon Lucienne Robillard - député
Last Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of being the invited guest
at the home of Diana and David Nicholson for their weekly Wednesday
night discussion group. These meetings have, over the years, become a Westmount
tradition, as members of the community come together to talk about the
issues making headlines.
The debates are made interesting by the fact that there is a true sense
of a freedom of opinion, as those in attendance are encouraged to voice
their views on the issue at hand. As well, the participants not only come
from various backgrounds, but there is also a range in age, giving the
discussion a certain uniqueness as all opinions are welcomed.
Every week is different. For instance, on the evening I spoke, those
in attendance included Westmount Mayor Peter Trent, Canada’s Ambassador
to Israel Mr. David Berger, Constitutional lawyer Julius Grey, as
well as one of my former colleagues from my days in provincial politics,
Mr. John Ciaccia, MNA for Mont-Royal.
Upon my arrival, I took some time to mingle with those in attendance,
discussing their concerns and opinions regarding the various issues facing
us today. After an hour, Mr. Nicholson lead us to the dining room where
we watched a videotape highlighting my career in politics, both on the
provincial and federal level. This provided the basis from which an interesting
discussion evolved. Those present were interested not only with my duties
as a Member of Parliament and as the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration,
but the current situation facing Canada in terms of immigration. This provided
me the chance to discuss my recent trip to Australia and New Zealand where
I met with various immigration officials to learn more about their recent
reforms on immigration.
As the evening progressed, so did the discussion, which turned towards
Mr. David Berger, the former Member of Parliament for St-Henri-Westmount
and Canada’s current Ambassador to Israel. After watching an informative
tape examining recent events in Israel, Mr. Berger explained to us our
country’s policy and position in light of these recent developments, as
well as what life is truly like in that region of the world. This was quite
interesting as it gave those in attendance a unique insight into something
most of us only read about and see on television.
In closing, I would like to thank Diana and David Nicholson,
and acknowledge the wonderful work they do in preparing these evenings.
For example, the various videos that were shown throughout the evening
were not only well prepared, but contained footage dating back a few years,
as well as, some as recent as a few hours prior to the meetings. This clearly
demonstrates the amount of time and work dedicated to making the discussion
both interesting and entertaining. They also have a unique ability to keep
the discussion going at a comfortable pace, while maintaining a certain
amount of decorum I know that for myself, this proved to be both an enjoyable
and insightful evening, where I had the chance to truly address the concerns
of those present.
Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 13:01:14 -0400
From: sylvain henry
Organization: QuadRA Systems Corporation
Subject: Wednesday's meeting
Dianna and David Nicholson:
I just wanted to thank you for yesterday's invitation. It was an
evening I wish to treasure. You are great hosts. Your idea of creating
a problem-solving think tank (or mastermind group) for our society is
noble and exciting. No doubt you have the power to do much good for
Canada. I was quite happy to meet such prominent and interesting guests.
Dear David and Diana,
Great article in the Gazette.
I enjoyed reading it.
Keep up the good work.
Season's Greetings to you and your loved ones.
Antoinette Taddeo
From: FKinnelly aol.com
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 17:44:15 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Gold and Plutonium
Dear David & Diana,
I wonder if i should turn to alchemy?? But what an interesting evening that
was. I was impressed by how informed a discussion we were able to have on
nazi gold. As for climate warming, I'm afraid I couldn't give a spirited
defense of the US stance. I am both disappointed and frustrated by the
slippage in the US commitment to control greenhouse gases. Now I see that
Canada has announced its position, which seems to be about the same as - or a
little weaker than - the US. I think we'll see a train wreck at Kyoto - but
perhaps that's for the best. It may jar some action.
What a splendid, detailed write-up of the session! You do us far too much
honor, but i shall not protest. The only trouble: I can't reach your home
page. It's the first time I've tried to reach a site that's not a www page.
Do you have any suggestions? I'd like very much to be able to access it -
it's a great way to keep up with your sessions, and with what's going on
north of us.
Take care, Yolanda & Frank
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 1997 22:15:19 -0400 Diana, I
won't make you blush by repeating all the great
things said about you and Wednesday nights--but we
are heartily agreed that there is one hope for
Western civilization so long as your salon allows
doers and thinkers to just talk and think--rather
than go through life with no more thought than a
frog hopping across a pond. Best wishes. Terry
David T. Jones
73622.1767 compuserve.com;
Washington, DC U.S.
From: hanoi!Piap netnam.org.vn postbox.anu.edu.au
Date: 1 Oct 1997
17:25:16 EDT Subject: Greetings from Viet Nam
Chere Diana,
Thanks for your e-mail of 30 September.
It was indeed wonderful to be back at 33 rosemount
and observe that so little has changed at all! You
are truly a beacon of stability in a world (and a
province in particular) which seems to be buffeted
by so many contrary winds... I trust you are all
well and look forward to seeing all of you, and
Marc of course, at Xmas time. Meilleures amities a
David et a toi. Andre Saumier Andre Saumier
hanoi!Piap netnam.org.vn postbox.anu.edu.au;
hanoi, Viet Nam
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 19:41:04 -0700
Hello,
http://pages.infinit.net /westweb/Wed812-India.htm
on this page you have an incorrect URL for Daily
NEWS. Currently you are linking to our absolute
page Our permanent page is
http://www.samilan.com/news.html . This page will
remain and will provide daily news for India on a
permanent basis. Thank you. regards, aj
South Asian Milan
webmaster samilan.com;
India, India
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 1997 17:14:10 -0400
Subject: Re: Wednesday Night Files on westweb
Hello. I have juste received your word about tomorrow on Mexico.
I will be missing another great one, I'm afraid.
But I did want to let you know that I am terribly
impressed by the new invitation Web page and by
your whole Web site for that matter. You never do
things half way, don't you? All my best.
Guy Lalonde
glalonde iq.ca;
Montréal, PQ Canada
Wish I could make it
since the subject is of great interest, but I
teach on Wednesday (last lecture in my course onthe
political economy of globalization) and will be in
Toronto the following week at the Global
Knowledge97 conference sponsored by the world bank
and the C government to deliver a paper in that
many ringed gab-fest circus (lots of noise
signifying not much beyond something of
entertainment value for those with a taste for
such things). Good luck - Morris
Morris Miller
Miller2257 aol.com;
July 2,1997
According to my notes, I believe that
tomorrow evening marks #800. Congratulations. The
number 8, as you may know, is considered
significantly lucky by many people. It significes
great wealth in Chinese. As an aside, you may be
interested to know that the Chinese homonyms for
my name "Bar-ree" translate roughly to "rich old
man" so I have something to look forward to as
well. Lots of 8s to you both. May good fortune and
good talk always share your table. - Barry
Barry Lazar
blazar babylon.montreal.qc.ca;
Montreal, Babylon
Westmount, PQ - Le 21 Mai 97, 11:26:01
Subject: Accolades Dear D&D,
Congratulations on a truly remarkeble performance. You were
magnificent! I would even venture to say that with
the possible exceptionof the NDP yours was the
stellar performance of the evening. You did us all
proud. MML
Margaret Lefebvre
whitehallk citenet.net (MML);
A Wednesday Night at the Nicholsons
Referred by: Just Surfed On In! From: Montréal
1997-04-01 Je cesserai ma
chronique la semaine prochaine à CKVL, ce qui me
permettra dans les semainesà venir de me prévaloir
de votre aimable invitation d'assister à vos
réunions qui rappellent à certains égards les
salons du siècle des lumières. Amitiés YVES
MICHAUD
YVES MICHAUD
http://pages.infinit.net/westweb/sooncomewed.htm;
Montréal,
Wednesday Night Time: 1997-03-30 18:05:00
Comments: David,
you know that I only comment on those rare
occasions when I have something to say. On the
other hand, once again, welcome to the old codger
club.
Herb Bercovitz
1997-03-28
Dear David and Diana, Thank you both very
much for having made the effort,on such a special night for
you, to come to the elections tonight. My victory was by the
very narrow margin so every gesture of support was obviously
very important. Thank you very much.
simon.potter
a page de WEB de Jacques Chagnon, Député
1997-03-26 For those of you who enjoy
trivia and have survived St. Patrick's, today is >the Feast of
St. Joseph, patron saint of carpenters (and cabinet
builders?). Please join us. Mr. T. Nicholson, I never
thought that St. Joseph could have been a Cabinet builder,but
it makes sense... I am sorry to be oblidge to stay in Québec
city the wednesday evenings,but when I will be home in
Montreal,expect me at your discussion whatever the topics
could be... Truly yours, Jacques Chagnon.
www.vir.com/Chagnon/ Jacques Chagnon, Député.
This was the first site a Politco had .. may be close now
1997-03-26
Dear David, 14 March 97 it was mighty easy
to find your page. I just put out " west" on the videotron
search mechanism and there you were. Congratulations on a nice
looking site and interesting links.I will explore at greater
length later. Yours, Congratulation on your expanded web site.
It looks wonderful.
Lynne Casgrain Grey
1997-03-25 My friend Alex Weinstein
has not stopped telling me how much he enjoyed Wednesday
night. He has repeated how lucky I am to be included in the
group, and how lucky we all are that we have you. So, on
Alex'x behalf, and again for myself, I thank you for Wednesday
night, the latest one and all of them.
Jan Davis
Andy Nulman 
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article decribing a Very
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;)
Marina Ocampo ;)
;)
Sandra & Colin Cohen-Rose 
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;)
by Herbert
Margaret Lefebvre-Walker
Bloomberg
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