Cafe BBQ An Event To Remember

Just arrived home after attending the annual Destination Cafe Barbecue, an event that allows staff at Destination Cafe to get together and spend some time with one another. It was also an occasion that allowed staff to honour the departure of Mary Craig, the former Supportive Housing in Peel executive in charge of Destination Cafe. Mary left in May to join another social service organization based in Etobicoke, which is located just east of Mississauga, the city Destination Cafe is located in. There were several speeches honoring the contribution Mary has made to the cafe. For me personally it was a bittersweet occasion; I am happy that Mary has found a position that she finds enjoyable, but at the same time it is with regret that I mark her departure from Destination Cafe. Mary Craig was the person to whom I reported directly when it came to these blogs; I have always found her to be scrupulously fair and encouraging when it came to her feedback on these blogs. She was also genuinely optimistic and enthusiastic in all matters related to the cafe. She will be missed very much.

The BBQ consisted of an assortment of hot dogs and hamburgers as well two kinds of salads, all of which were very tasty. To drink there was a variety of punches and sodas -- but no coffee, which some of us found a little surprising. But it was late in the afternoon, after all (after 4:00 pm) so perhaps this is not so remarkable. Even without the cafe's famous coffee, however, the meal was memorable and the company more than satisfying.

There was also a raffle held for staff in which a number of prizes were doled out. I personally won a gift certificate for $10.00 from a local grocery store chain. Other prizes included a deck chair, an umbrella, a clock radio and an assortment of gift certificates.

The weather gave some us concern: it had been threatening to rain all afternoon and actually did so briefly at the start of the event. But the sun soon broke out once more and all was well. All in all, it was a very enjoyable way to pass the time during an early fall mid-week day.