All Downhill From Here

The Cross Country Grand Prix Awards Dinner on Saturday, March 21 was fun as always.

Usually we play a fun party game before dinner. This year it was a scavenger hunt through our pockets, purses and cars. Our table won. Woohoo! It helped that Kent had a fountain pen, Melody had a compass on the hiking stick in her car, Philippa wore an analog watch, Lorna had an old bus pass stashed away and Jim knew the magnetic declination of Calgary. I contributed my blood donor card. The only thing we missed was an old pocket calendar.

The potluck dinner was delicious. I ate until I was stuffed. I got to dress up the awards table with various roots I found at the supermarket (celery root, beets, carrots, peanuts, onions, ginger) and then later I played “Vanna” when the age group and iron person awards were announced.

The age group awards were ceramic mugs that the XC committee hand painted at a craft shop. This year the theme was “Back to Your Roots/Routes”, so each mug had art referring to that theme. Very cool. Derek made awards from glass fusion for the male and female overall winners.

Ironpersons also received mugs, but with a race photo of the recipient on them. They also received an 8 x 10 print of their race photo. We had the most Ironpersons ever this year.

Again, I won stuff. This year I moved up to 2nd Place in the Women’s 40-49 category and I was also an Ironperson. Showing up when others don’t pays off.

There were doorprizes, good music, and lots of good conversation. It was a nice way to wrap up the season.