June 2001 - Nr. 6
Beyond community relevance
What is important to a community is not always only the obvious like good economics and the basic right to practise the customs of one’s heritage. Art and play are also part of the equation. And when one of our own is doing well then we all rejoice. A success story is good for all of us, may it be the expansion of a company or the establishment of a career.
It is with this point of view in mind that I am reporting on a variety of events that somehow touch us all.
ARTISTRY
We
saw her grow up together with her also very talented sister. The Kuehn girls
have been known to the community for many years. Now the younger Caroline
graduated from University of Toronto with a "Bachelor of Music in Vocal
Performance" degree. One of the qualifying "musts" was a
series of concerts she had to perform. We visited her last one. "An
evening of song: Caroline Kuehn in Concert" read the program. No longer
a soprano but a rich and vibrant mezzo-soprano Caroline surprised with a
very mature choice of demanding songs in four languages: Italian, German,
French and English. Schumann’s Liederkreis, op. 39 is by no means an easy
task, especially for one so young. How much does a 22-year-old person know
about all the downsides of life, or how much should she know? This cycle of
songs does not exactly address all the joyous moments of life, but demands
an understanding of the deeper emotions, or else no one would sit through 12
songs of romantic gloom and doom written by Josef von Eichendorff.
Caroline
Kuehn managed to keep the audience captive throughout the entire evening
with ease, demonstrating much versatility. In the French song cycle she
presented a considerable amount of humour and joy de vivre crossed the
footlights.
The evening ended with 4 songs by Benjamin Britten and we found that Caroline seemed to have a particular aptitude for this intriguing composer.
Who would have thought ten years ago that the adorable girl in her Dirndl would one day turn out to be a professional singer? She is very young and still has a long way ahead of her to fame and fortune, but we certainly wish her to succeed and promise to follow her career.
FLIGHTS OF FANCY
What
many have wished for has finally come true. About a month ago Austrian Air
started to fly Toronto-Vienna-Toronto. In the totally refurbished and posh
Windsor Arms Hotel the airlines brass had invited to a press conference with
lunch.
Most
Torontonians have fond memories of the Windsor Arms Hotel. This is
especially true for me. I remember attending the opening of the Courtyard
Café and ending my career as a model/actress in one last show in the same
place. 
Hobnobbing
with some famous celebrities in the Three Small Rooms for dinner or hanging
out at the Club 22 after a long day where Canadian pianist John Arpen
composed a special waltz for me (Sibylline Sybille) are just a few
highlights in my relationship with this fine venue.
That
Austrian Airlines chose to introduce the new overseas service in this
establishment was befitting the occasion. Austrians are known for their
diverse culture. If one asks a Canadian what is known of Austria the first
thing that comes to mind is the music, the waltz king, the skiing, the wine
and food, the art and architecture. We ourselves remember a bit more of the
history and culture, and all we recall is associated with that famous
Viennese Charm.
Well,
now they added another thing to the list of desirable memories to be made.
The joys of Austria have come to our doorstep. Toronto-Vienna is easy, no
more rerouting and changing planes, none-stop is now available. And if you
like to go in the utmost of comfort you must try the new Grand Class. A
grand name for sure for a mix of Business and First Class. The seats are so
comfortable we might well speak of a bed in heaven, or so I am told. The
menu is not the only thing that promises to spoil you. From all reports, and
quite a few are in already, Austrian Airlines can be counted as one of the
best airlines in the air, in every regard. Before, during and after, the
traveler feels well cared for.
Find Austrian Airlines also on the net with a very comprehensive website at www.aua.com. This is the place where flights of fancy become a reality.
HOME = CASTLE + GARDEN
For
many years White Rose has done much to beautify our surroundings at home.
Who hasn’t been in the spring to one of the many outlets and picked up
nearly everything needed to plant a beautiful garden. But even the most
successful business has to look to the future, if it isn’t already looking
towards the competition. Being more to the customer, making shopping for
anything an experience rather than a chore is the motto of today. Today’s
shops, especially the big ones, create environments, not stores.
At
White Rose their environment is meant to enhance your environment. Anything
you could imagine for an outdoors experience at home you can find in the
newly outfitted store in Mississauga. Big spacious isles are designed to
stimulate your imagination on how to carry the theme of the garden into the
house and the other way around. Should you be looking for a garden dwarf you
can find the most artistic version we have ever seen and some of his buddies
in one of the boutique like settings in the Mississauga store. For big
gardens or for patio style gardens or balconies the selections in ornamental
pots, planters and figurines, tableware, lamps and candles and other
accessories, garden furniture of any description for different size wallets,
the necessary tools and of course the things you want to plant are available
in such abundance that you better bring some time at the first occasion you
can make it there. You will want to linger in the bright and friendly store
and consult one of their expert staff at hand. Now shopping in a White rose
store is more than a gardening experience. The store has evolved from
gardening and craft store to a modern decorator's dream for everyone.
![Fancy catering by Lein's Delicatessen with Ron Lein [left] (White Rose)](106c_WRose-a.jpg)
When
the new idea was introduced in the beginning of May in the Erin Mills store,
3115 Dundas Street W., President and CEO Howard E. Board was very proud of
the new concept: "Our revitalized White Rose Home & Garden Centres
blend unique decorating ideas, knowledgeable service, and delightful
products that encourage enthusiastic beginner and intermediate gardeners and
crafters to rejuvenate their space." At the ribbon cutting ceremony
after a very sumptuous buffet catered by Lein’s Delicatessen, he added:
"We are proud to bring all these elements together under one roof….".
The other totally revamped store is located in London West at 981 Wonderland Road S. The other stores will be changed bit by bit. If you want more information you can also go to the website at www.whiterose.ca . Happy gardening!
Until next time
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
