Fire and ice — two opposing elements of nature — are great on their own but put them together and you get something really spectacular, as in the Lumière ‘Fire & Ice’ Charity Gala.
The Brookstreet Hotel, in partnership with the Wesley Clover Foundation, once again hosted its popular fundraiser on Tuesday night.
The 16th annual benefit bash was held in conjunction with that afternoon’s Bell Ottawa Senators Charity Golf Classic, involving the Sens players at The Marshes Golf Club, located right next to the Kanata hotel.
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Luckily, the damp weather cleared in time for gala-goers to head to the patio later to marvel at the grand finale fireworks show. It’s always a unique and special part of the gala.
Proceeds from Lumière go toward the Ottawa Senators Foundation and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
On hand was Nyle Kelly, general manager of Brookstreet Hotel and The Marshes golf club, with the representatives from the two recipient charities: Danielle Robinson, president and CEO of the Ottawa Senators Foundation, and Linda Eagen, president and CEO of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
The Ottawa Senators’ new head coach, D.J. Smith, and the hockey club’s general manager, Pierre Dorion, were in great spirits as they took to the stage to thank the public for its support. Dorion promised the crowd that “better things are ahead of us for this hockey team, and D.J. is going to be a big part of it”.
Attendees included Marjolaine Hudon, regional president of RBC. It was a gold level sponsor, along with Deloitte, represented by Mike Runia, managing partner of Deloitte Private. Seen from silver sponsor Hydro Ottawa was its president and CEO, Bryce Conrad, while Tom Lang, vice president with silver sponsor Mitel, was also there, somewhere in the crowd.
Also spotted was Cory Ready, board chair of the cancer foundation, and ain’t he a chip off the old block: his dad is Dave Ready, former president of the Ottawa Senators Foundation.
The gala was held in the hotel’s stylish Newbridge Ballroom and its bright and open foyer area overlooking the golf course. Hundreds of guests wandered from food station to station, savoring each of the 12 dishes prepared by executive chef Clifford Lyness and his team. There were also 19 beverage stations, with wine, beer and spirits.
Keeping the crowd entertained throughout the night was the Beats’n Keys duo band.
The evening featured raffle prizes, silent auction items, and some higher-ticket items sold off by Majic 100 morning show co-host ‘Stuntman’ Stu Schwartz.
One lucky bidder bought, for $5,000, the opportunity to travel by private jet with the Ottawa Senators to watch them play an Eastern Conference rival during the regular season. The winner can bring a friend, too, and get their travel, food and beverages and hotel accommodation covered.
Kent Browne, owner of hospitality sponsor Royal LePage Team Realty, was determined to buy the four nights’ accommodations for four at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. It includes golfing on the 2010 Ryder Cup course, and a private limo shuttle from the airport. Never mind that Browne has already won the annual item a half dozen times, during previous years. “That resort is spectacular,” he told OBJ.social, who is willing to take his word for it.
Browne was the top bidder again this year, at $4,000
The Celtic Manor Resort is owned by Welsh-born Ottawa serial technology entrepreneur Terry Matthews, who also owns The Brookstreet Hotel and The Marshes, and is chairman of the Wesley Clover International, a private, global investment management firm.
Paul Chiarelli, president and COO of Wesley Clover, was at the gala that night. So was Matthews’ daughter, Karen Sparks, a director with its philanthropic arm, Wesley Clover Foundation. There were many high-tech executives, including Martello Technologies CFO Erin Crowe, as well as the software-services company’s co-chairman, Bruce Linton. He’s looking less tired these days since his departure as co-CEO from Canopy Growth.
It was no surprise to see Gowlings lawyer Lorraine Mastersmith and outgoing Quarterhill CFO Shaun McEwan sipping some vino from Kin Vineyards. The couple just purchased a majority stake in the local winery.
— caroline@obj.ca
