In the last year I’ve seen evidence that, perhaps, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Less than twenty four months ago Rideau View was an organization which produced six hundred paper version copies of a members’ roster. The only copy that really mattered was the one that was buried in John Cummings desk – the one that the pro shop staff frantically looked for when a member would call the pro shop to get the number of a fellow member – you know, the one they could look up in their copy of the roster………Anyway, Rideau View also published a pretty thorough newsletter which was either mailed out to members, taped to their locker, or, was available in the office for all to read. It wasn’t really that long ago. Fast forward to the last eight months….
Rideau View uploaded a wonderful video showcasing all that we are proud of for public consumption. It was so well received in fact that another club in Ottawa raced, in a royal way, to put one up themselves, perhaps in feared response. We now receive frequent updates via email from the GM, there’s a “Members Side” to the website where one can see upcoming tee off times, the club calendar, dinner themes or specials AND….sadly, up to date information about your account. Rideau View is on Facebook and Twitter isn’t far behind. It’s all in an effort to give the membership various ways of communicating with each other and a way for management to communicate with the membership.
Facebook is bringing friends from the past directly under your fingertips….you can find out everything those friends want you to know. With Rideau View being on Facebook ANYONE who was ever a member, staff member, or guest of the club can find us in 2010 – they’ll be able to see all the changes that have been made to the course, clubhouse and just how “hip” we’ve become. Our Facebook group is up to 140 members and I’m sure the number will climb throughout the year. If you haven’t joined the group yet – join. Especially if you’re a long time member because it’s only a matter of time before you reconnect with someone who was a member at the club many, many moons ago – might be someone you played a lot of golf with and just lost touch over the years or it could be that guy who used to cheat in the club championships and has moved onto other clubs (you know who you are)….Regardless, it’s fun and it’s a great way for you to stay connected with Rideau View.
You might notice the subject of this post – Heather Grace Stewart. Heather is a freelance writer, published poet, and author of five books including Kim Campbell: the keener who broke down barriers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier: The weakling who stood his ground, Where The Butterflies Go, and, most recently, Leap. She is also a published photojournalist. Heather and I went to school together almost thirty years ago and haven’t seen each other since. Yet, we have quickly caught up. She thinks it’s neat she went to school with someone who became a golf pro (it’s not that glamourous) and I think it’s neat that I went to school with a published poet and author (it’s not that glamourous). She has a much better memory and recall of times spent at Glen Cairn Public School and I’m thankful because it triggers my memory of those same events – I just can’t recall any on my own (except for being able to spell Mississippi forwards and backwards much, much faster than she). She’s had a chance to hear/read about events in my life in the last four years and even used the story of our daughter Kathryn as an inspiration for one of her poems, Closer (Where The Butterflies Go). I’m bringing up this personal story for a reason. It’s an example of staying “current”. By staying current I was able to reconnect with someone from my past who gave me the gift of some childhood memories that I thought I’d forgotten.
Join the group on Facebook if you haven’t already. Share a funny story, or, ask the simple question “Whatever happened to…..” You’ll likely get an answer.
My friend, Heather Grace Stewart can be found on Facebook on her blog and you can find reviews of her latest work online.
Whatever happened to… honesty in blogging? I spell Mississippi forwards and backwards much, much faster than YOU.
Thanks for this, Matt. We don’t have the marble pit or the green box at Glen Cairn anymore, but we do have Facebook. Who’d have imagined?
Best wishes to you and your family!
Heather
I “discovered” Heather Grace Stewart through Facebook as well, and I’m so glad I did! Her latest collection, LEAP, is fabulous, and I just know it’s going to get better from here.
I met Heather on Facebook about a year and a half ago. We have yet to meet in person. Through her writing and a good number of phone calls she has become one of my closest friends. She has a big heart and that comes through in her writing. I lost my wife Robin a year ago this month and Heather deserves a lot of the credit that I am still standing. The poem in her new book Leap called Valley was written for Robin and I. I can’t express what that meant to me. She is a gem and every one who is her friend should consider themselves to be very lucky indeed.