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THE MILLENNIUM GALA DINNER HELD AT THE HOTEL INTER-CONTINENTAL MONTREAL A big THANK YOU to Daniel Noiseux and his wife Carole-Anne for having the idea of holding our Annual Dinner at the Hotel Inter-Continental Montreal. As you all know, my connections in our wonderful hobby of Antique Cars, brought to my ears how Daniel and Carole-Anne started, this idea of organizing the Millennium Gala Dinner. It was a year ago at the last AGM Daniel mentioned to Richard Boudrias that he would like to organize the Millennium Gala Dinner. The executives of the VEA all accepted this proposal. About 3 or 4 months ago, Daniel and his backer Carole-Anne started meeting with the Hotel organizers and after, spent many hours fighting tooth and nail, with the people in charge at the hotel, to get for us members of the VEA and guest, an evening that we would all enjoy. Well all that work in the organizing was well worth it. Just to give you an idea that this is not done in a few days. If I recall from my sources, they started working on the possibility about 5 months before the date. Then the meetings with the hotel people, getting the date, then the mailing of the invitations to the members. Job still not finished; they went further and got a partnership with the SAQ-Restoration and us the VEA. Still not satisfied of what they could do for us, they wanted more. So they came up with the idea of getting some high profile guest. Just think of it, the phone calls, the confirmation with these people to make sure that the dates would work for them. Finally it all came together on the night of March 18th, 2000. Saturday the day finally arrived, I had a big decision to make, go to my closet and pick a suit, you have to realize I don't wear a suit very often, so the one with the least amount of dust on the shoulders was the one. Shirt, tie, socks and shoes. Oh I forgot underwear. Helen of course had no problem as she is very socially active, and has 5 closets full of clothes, and she started a week before deciding on what to wear. Finally the decision was made and at 6:30pm we were ready to leave for the big Millennium Gala Dinner. What is also so special about this evening is the name of the gala. Millennium, which is the first time we could use that word and we can do it one more time. The beginning and the ending of the Millennium... I don't want to put any stress on any of you, but just think of it. On arrival at the hotel, the first thing that caught our attention was the Parking sign, just kidding; it was the cars on display. The Citroen 15/6, the Fiat 500 and the BMW Isetta all displayed in the middle of the hall. The members and guest were getting reacquainted after a long winter of hibernation. Meanwhile hotel staff serving a very nice chilled Fake Champagne, why you ask. We could not afford the real stuff, otherwise no snichzel... I also noticed TV cameras taking shots of the action and Mr. Jacques Duval interviewing Mr. Alain Raymond. From what I heard, this will be shown on one of their TV show called Le Guide de L'Auto, shown Monday nights, channel 9 at 8 PM. So the action in the large hall was buzzing, with talk of what some have done this winter to their cars. Trips, seeing members that we don't get a chance to see very often. Our founding member Gilles Desroches all the way in from France. That is dedication. You know, when I think of it, what I just said about Gilles, sounds a lot like Champlain coming over to Canada. I wonder if Gilles knew him. He sure does not look his age. When we see Gilles he always brings a smile to our faces. That is what friendship is about. At around 8:15pm Richard Boudrias (I better not forget Richard, as he also did his little part, he says, re the success of this event), announced to us, that Les Voutes was ready to welcome us for an evening of fine dining. My first impression entering Les Voutes, (Caverns) was the warm atmosphere of the place. The members and guest entered and found their tables, and then the evening really started, non-stop serving of wine, white or red. Our President Gaetan Ruel at the podium in the middle of the room, with the tables of guest on his right and on his left, welcomed us and promised that his speech would not be over an hour. He introduced Mr. Jacques Duval and his wife, Mr. Luigi Chinetti, who owns a very nice and rare Ferrari Collection. Mr. Alain Proteau Vice President of the SAQ, Mr. Robert Ouellette Directeur SAQ Restoration, and finally, Mr. Alain Levesque very well known artist, who also painted our 25 Th Anniversary Poster. Speaking of Mr. Levesque, at each table, under one chair, there was a paper stuck to the bottom of a chair. The one that had the paper received a beautiful and I mean beautiful Calendar with paintings done by him. Thank You Alain for your generosity. All three of the guest spoke for a few minutes with very interesting stories and with humor, that referred back to the old days. Mr. Levesque thanked Quebecers and us for great interest we have shown for his paintings. The meal was a buffet, with foods of four different countries. England, France Germany and Italy. Helen and I ate a bit of everything, and I can tell you, it was delicious. Then came the deserts, these were outstanding, fresh fruits, pastries, cakes, beautiful tasting whipping cream, hot chocolate syrup, that you could pour on what was on your plate. Also a great choice of Cheeses. Me being a diabetic just sniffed it all. Fresh fruit for me and a little whipping cream. In the same room as the deserts, were 4 paintings displayed along a beautiful stone wall of the cavern by Mr. Alain Levesque. One, which was an interesting story, was commissioned by the grand son of the Delage family Patrick Delage. It was absolutely beautiful. Another of a Porsche Speedster, and two others of an early Alfa Romeo. The lighting and atmosphere of that Cavern made these paintings come to life. Meanwhile back at the table, more wine, and in my case, 1999 Diet Coke, but that did not bother me, I became as crazy as the rest of the table. Attending this great event was Gilbert Bureau, President and Founder of the VAQ and Mr. Daniel Thomson, President of the Jaguar Club, also the imminent restorer Richard Grenon and his lovely wife Louise. From what I heard they all had a great time. It is also at this time of the year that the Medals for the Ordre Des Grands Voyageurs are given out. This year it was awarded to Bernado Pisarzewski who traveled 10,000 km in his 1980 Fiat Spider 2000. And a special award called "Chevalier de l'ordre des Grands Voyageurs" to Mr. Roger Hamel for a trip in his Austin Healey that you can read about here (Sorry! In french. Ed). Congratulations to both of you. After everyone ate and drank to their liking, members started to go around the room and greet other members that, they had no chance to greet earlier. Also many members took the time to go and thanked the guest for taking the time to do honor to this meeting. The Gala came to an end around 11 PM. On our way back, Helen and I discussed how this was the best Annual Gala we have ever been to since being members of the VEA. To this we lift our glasses in thanks again to Daniel, Carole-Anne, and Richard Boudrias. A big Thank you to you all. 
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