TEGSA Christmas 2009 Newsletter
 

Toronto East Goan Seniors Association Christmas 2009 Newsletter "Merry Christmas and A Blessed & Prosperous New Year” Charles Fernandes, Carmelita D’Souza, Sal Rocha, Mavis Pecus, Austin Viegas, Martha Menezes, Uvy Lopes, Flavia De Souza, John Baretto, Rosalind Misra In this issue: Message from TEGSA President TEGSA's Outstanding Silent Pillars TEGSA’s CHRISTMAS DANCE Christmas Carols and Christmas Bazaar About TEGSA's Christmas Dance Letter from a member 42’ Flat Screen TV Winners at TEGSA's Christmas Dance

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM PRESIDENT CHARLES FERNANDES Dear Members: On behalf of my wife and Executive Committee, It is my esteemed pleasure in extending warmest Christmas greetings to you and your families, with blessings of Peace, Joy and Good Health in the New Year. Please remember our dearly departed members in your prayers, during this holiday season. As we approach the Christmas season and the end of another year, it is appropriate to reflect on the many blessings we have had as a Community. T.E.G.S.A. continues to do its share by keeping our members interested and excited about our varied events. They range from dancing to Bingo, to trips to the Casinos, including various other trips, to Line Dancing and most of all, to Prayer Meetings and finally our traditional Goan Foods. I am proud to say that our membership is growing both, in numbers and in strength and has thus pivoted to over 700 and It is thanks to my tireless and talented Executive Committee, and a solid group of volunteers, who have dedicated their time and efforts in catering to all groups to ensure their needs are met, and in so doing, have achieved this balance. Last, but not least, I hope I am not too premature in announcing that our tenure is drawing to an end and would once more like to thank those who have shared in our vision and have supported us in our goal. We could not have achieved it alone, in making this organization as successful as it stands today. I would like to believe that we have earned your trust and we respect that, and hence, I would also like to take this opportunity to invite one and all to our AGM and upcoming Elections, scheduled to be held on Friday, 12th of March, 2010, at the Commander Hall, 140 Commander Blvd. in Scarborough, and avail yourselves the opportunity of voting in a New Executive Committee. Please note that dinner will be served free of charge, followed by BINGO, which has been a staple at most of our events. As our journey will come to an end in March, 2010, I feel confident that, with your continued patronage, you, as a Community, can carry the torch to the next level it deserves, and help it to remain the strong foundation it was built on. Once again, I would like to thank our families and loved ones for supporting us through this adventure. We hope to see you all at our last two events for the year, Christmas and New Year’s Eve Gala celebrations. God bless and have a Safe, Healthy and Prosperous New Year, 2010 Charles Fernandes, President TEGSA

TEGSA's Outstanding Silent Pillars by Claude Gomes (TEGSA's Founder Member and 1st President) The Toronto East Goan Seniors Association (TEGSA) now in it’s sixth year, with a membership of over 700, can justifiably claim to be a pillar of the Goan Community. The Association is still a work in progress, but as one who helped build the foundations, one can only marvel on how it grew from small beginnings to the edifice it is now. In this information age, effective communications is a key factor in the success of any organization. TEGSA was fortunate to have Uvy Lopes hold the communications portfolio at the start. He has served all the three Presidents to date. A multi talented and a very popular man, Uvy was well suited for the job. Initially he setup the telephone team to keep members informed of current events. He saw the potential of email and the world-wide-web and used it to TEGSA’a advantage. His email list keeps members informed of breaking news. As a veteran videographer, and an expert on the iMac for post production work, he combined years of commercial and publicity experience to create artistic posters for TEGSA events on the web. These were followed up by photos and articles of events displayed on the web which enhanced TEGSA’s standing world-wide. Uvy realized very early the potential of the world wide web in getting out TEGSA’s message, and astutely used Goan Voice Canada as the carrier of events and news. www.goanvoice.ca  which went online in 2002, helped to create TEGSA at the start, and it continues to keep members informed of forthcoming events and news of past activities. The synergy between TEGSA and Goan Voice Canada has distinct advantages for both organizations, says John J. D’Souza who runs the website. TEGSA can focus on it’s key business of getting information to members on a regular basis, and is not burdened with the tasks of maintaining a website which needs a considerable amount of time and special technical skills to stay current. Goan Voice Canada in turn relies on a team in Goa under www.demerg.com for the creation and design of the site. TEGSA’s sponsorship is highly appreciated says Goan Voice Canada, as it serves to create much needed jobs in Goa itself besides getting high quality service in a timely manner. Realizing that the reporting of TEGSA events needed some style and writing skills, Uvy enlisted the support of Muriel Lucas for the task. Muriel herself was the first general secretary of the 55PGA, the sister organization in west Greater Toronto Area. She has been a source of inspiration to all readers of Goan Voice Canada, local and abroad, as she brings in her writing skills with flair and an imagination that knows no bounds. With a steady focus and given only a few pointers to work on is a challenging task, working well under pressure & meeting deadlines on a timely basis. Her contributions on every event, is well illustrated. Her abilities for her craft takes over, combined with her working skills and ardent contributions, she forges on with a taste of real flavour in each article, for the readers to enjoy. In Goa itself, at the offices of demerg.com in Panaji, TEGSA has the support of web designer and programmer Karuna Kesarkar for all the displays on Goan Voice Canada. She is responsible for the bi-weekly display of the web page which has been continuously online for eight years. Karuna displays exceptional talents in meeting deadlines and coping with last minute changes or additions, as for example Obits, where TEGSA members rely on the web for up-to-date information. Karuna and her organization are a very valuable asset to the Goan Voice Canada/TEGSA team. Given the constraints of time and distance, TEGSA’s on-the-ground activities take place in the East end of the Greater Toronto Area. However, it is gratifying to see the organization as part of the world-wide community, collaborating with other Goan organizations when required, and building teams to fulfill it’s mission. Viva TEGSA – and Cheers to members who led the organization, and those to come, to take it to greater heights.

TEGSA CHRISTMAS DANCE DECEMBER 12, 2009 AT METROPOLITAN BANQUET HALL TEGSA’s 6th Christmas Dance on December 12th makes the “A” List! Tables at the Metropolitan Banquet Hall were all dressed up in red and white while the centre pieces of colourful miniature tinsel Christmas trees had bowls of candy hidden underneath an excellent showing by Myra Misquitta! Starting off the evening Myra Mathais had soul searching words before leading us in the grace before the excellent gourmet sit down dinner with wine ending with assorted pastries/tea/coffee. M.C. Hubert Pereira did an excellent job of ensuring that the evening ran smoothly. The music of “New Illusions” kept us dancing with their variety of old and new numbers plus a splatter of Christmas carols! The President, Charles Fernandes, introduced his hard working committee giving accolades to each member and as appreciation the ladies were presented with a bouquet of flowers. We were entertained to an excellent floor-show produced, choreographed and directed by our very own member Natty Viegas. Fifteen of TEGSA line dancing members all dressed up performed “Staying Alive” and “Jai Ho”! Watch out Hollywood here come TEGSA’s Bollywood! As the piece de resistance this was a dance like no other! Besides the many, many dance prizes TEGSA presented appreciation gifts to Joachim Menezes, Natty Viegas and Martha Menezes. Joe Lobo went home $100 richer winning top prize in the 50/50 draw! And the big event of the evening was Winnie and Nellie Sio winners of the flat-screen 42” TV donated by Adrian Hope and Chris D’Costa – congratulations!

Christmas Carols and Christmas Bazaar This is a time for giving and sharing and TEGSA members came prepared to rejoice and celebrate this annual event. As expected a big crowd was on hand to sing, laugh and enjoy this prelude to the Christmas season. The vendors outdid themselves with their array of Goan Foods and Sweets. If you were late , some items were sold out. The delicious foods displayed included Prawn Balchow, Goa sausages, Miskit, Fish Ambotik, Mackeral Para. Among the sweets were Kulkuls, Cocoanut Ice, Neuries, Almond toffee. And even Cashew Nectar. Mouth watering, indeed. Dinner followed with a traditional dish of Sorpotel, Pulao Rice, Mixed Vegetables and Pickle. Dessert was cassava. Our M.C. Joe Menezes then introduced us to Carol Singing. Song books were provided so that everyone could join in. Doug Fernandes led the first carol and soon many lead singers joined in as they led us into one carol after another  They were accompanied by the talented Maurino Alphonso and his wife, Olyn. Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa was due to arrive, all dressed up and carrying his bag of goodies. We were all treated to some good candies and fine imported chocolates. Two rounds of Bingo followed with big prizes. Thanks to Martha, our energetic Social Secretary, who as usual did us proud. It was a fun filled evening thoroughly enjoyed by all. The evening wound up at the allotted close up time, 10.30 P.M. Charles

About TEGSA’s Christmas Dance Letter from a member We have been members with TEGSA for a number of years. All the events have been very well coordinated throughout the year. This is our 2nd. year at the Christmas dance and it was a huge success. The dinner was scrumptious, music and door prizes were galore. My cousin, Willy & Nellie Sio carried away the grand prize, a 42 inch Lcd TV. This was won on his lucky entry ticket. His happy dance along with his participation in dancing the Meringue with his wife Nellie had the audience thrilled with laughter and applause. We thank the President and all commitee members in making this event such a huge success. We will also attend the first ever New Year's dance at the Qssis Banquet hall coming up shortly. Thanks to all, Harvey / Winnie Hanson.

42’ Flat Screen TV Winners at TEGSA's Christmas Dance, 12th Dec, 2009 Click to enlarge We were invited to TEGSA by my cousin, Harvey & Winnie Hanson and were happy to attend last year’s Christmas Dance. This makes it our 2nd consecutive year coming to a TEGSA function. And besides - All TEGSA event flyers are very, very inviting. Compliments to the committee’s choice of location @ The Metropolitan Banquet Hall which is very central and easily accessible from the highway, especially since we come from Brampton. The foyer is very spacious and the bar and coat check locations are quite visible and are in convenient proximity. The dance floor proved to be well polished and smooth which is excellent for dancing. The four-cornered closed circuit TV’s keep everyone well posted on floor activity. We must compliment the caterers and their staff for their continuously excellent and diligent service. The h’orderves arrived at the right time when everyone was ready for a “bite to eat”. The main entrée of Salmon and Chicken were of absolutely correct texture and the portions were generous. Toe-tapping music by the NEW ILLUSIONS was great and kept everyone in step. The crowded dance floor (and vacant tables) was an indication of an exuberant crowd, ready to digest their sumptuous feast. The numerous prizes kept everyone on pins and needles, the squeals of joy by winners and sighs of the not-so-lucky ones kept the mood lively. The line-dancing “Jai Ho” exhibition was well performed considering the short amount of time of practice by so many participants. Lastly, but by no means of minor importance was the tense but well-announced winner of the grand door prize of the evening. It was a real pleasure to dance my way to the podium. The price we had to pay by performing the Merengue was worth every cent. Thank you so much to the sponsor, Hubert the MC, the President and his Committee for a job well done. By Willy & Nellie Sio