Good evening. When Lawrence called me on Monday night to see if I would agree to Respond to the Toast to the Ladies that Al Bleiken would be giving, I accepted knowing that Al, gracious gentleman that he is, would be paying all kinds of nice compliments to us ladies and I didn’t think I would have any trouble returning the favour to our Gyro Gentlemen.
As I thought about it that evening, I became a little too literal about the word Gentlemen and wondered if indeed all of our Gyros qualified to be called by that word.
Various dictionary sources stated that Gentlemen come from good family, breeding or social position. Well, that didn’t help me.
Then it specified they were civilized, educated, sensitive and well-mannered. Now I was getting somewhere.
A well-mannered and considerate man with high standard of proper behaviour. My many years in Gyro have disillusioned that thought.
A man who considers the feeling of the people around him and makes them as comfortable as he is able. Narrowing it down now.
Respectful and considerate of those around him. Acts politely. Treats women with respect, opens doors for them, pulls out chairs and is classy. Ah-hah – now I knew what to look for…
Getting out my Gyro Roster, it didn’t take me long to find that in my humble opinion, many qualified, many did not quite make it. I repeat this is my opinion only and that’s not worth much but I was asked to do this job and so I will in the best way I can. As they say, consider the source.
I wonder if at the end of this, some may disagree with my assessment. Somehow, I don’t think you will.
I will start by saying there are 3 Men in this room who I do not know well enough yet to judge their qualifications as Gentlemen. They all show signs of being Gentlemen so they will benefit from my doubt: Nestor Chomik, Greg Clarke and Gary Jones. I have to think they would not have been invited to join your Club if they were not.
Then there’s a group that certainly know how to behave like Gentlemen and do so when required. For over 30 years, at every Gyro social I have made my way around the room and speak to everybody for a minute or two, saying Hello or asking them about a family member or an illness. I’m always happy to see everybody and like to visit and chat. A certain group could always be located in the back of the room, out of the way of the Ladies in attendance. These fellows would visit back but almost to a man, once I was a few feet away, I could hear them say “Now, about that putt on Number 9”, or “Let me tell you about the fish that got away” or “Love Hunting for Elk”. I call them Gentlemen under Duress. Visiting with the Ladies is OK and they are true gentlemen to their wives but they would much prefer shooting the breeze with the Guys at Socials. Do I have to name you? Let’s go with Jack Beattie, Rusty Climie, Al Gordon, Gary Kleebaum, Peter Sachatsky, John Williams and Herb Zmurchuk. I don’t do my circle of the room anymore – I can’t stand to see their pain!
Another group of what I think are Gentlemen also would have to be marked as Devils in Gentlemen Guise. They are always happy to see you and are certainly friendly and welcoming but you know you will be subject to their whimsical sense of humour. It’s what makes you look forward to seeing them at Gyro functions. May I name Bill Austin, Scott Brisbin, Ray Davis, Greg Smith and Lloyd Wilson? They never let an opportunity go by without a comment of some sort.
Sadly, I didn’t have to look hard to find 3 Fellows who do not even come close to qualifying to be called Gentlemen. I think you will agree with me:
- Terry Bajer is polite, friendly, welcoming but after 38 years of seeing his performances as “Chief”, Gentleman is not the first word I would think of to describe him. But oh so funny….
- Rikke Dootjes. In some ways, such a courtly European gentleman and in others a 10 year old Boy who refreshingly will never change. As the saying goes, I may Grow Old but I will never Grow Up.
- Bernie Kropp. Unless the word Gentleman is spelled SHIT DISTURBER, then Bernie, I guess you don’t qualify either. Not only does he take pleasure in stirring up the pot, he takes Pride in it.
And so that leaves me with my list of True Gentlemen. These were not hard to find on the Roster. There was no hesitation on my part, no If Only’s or What Abouts? You will hear their names and agree being a gentleman is part of their make-up. You can count on them always to behave in a suitable manner and to always consider the feelings of the people around them. Please stand and be recognized, not only by the Ladies in the room but by your fellow Gyros:
Augie Annicchiarico Earl Korber
Al Bleiken Ken Lesniak
Erik Braun Jim Malott
Dick Caddey Art Merrick
Jim Copeland Sid Slade
Rick Craddock Gord Stewart
Roger Delveaux George Ward
Don Greig (Sick with Pnuemonia) Lawrence Zalasky
Dorne Hunt
They are all definitely civilized, sensitive, well-mannered and classy. Roger Philips would have been included in this group.
That leaves me with only one Fellow in the room not recognized and he is my own. I believe him to be a True Gentleman, the Love of My Life and the Gyro Gentleman who chose 38 years ago to join, as George Ward so succinctly worded it last year, this “Merry Thong of Gyro Gentlemen.” We have had so much fun and made so many lifelong friends through Gyro.
We wives thank you all for your sense of fun, your camaraderie, your interest in each other!
Thank you Al for your beautiful words earlier and thank you Lawrence for offering me this chance to evaluate our Gentlemen, welcome or otherwise!
And a final thanks to all you Gyros who have good-naturedly withstood Jan’s Judgement of Gentlemen and for allowing me to poke fun at you!
Jan BradleyNote: Names were based on list of those in attendance. There are several more in most categories.
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