The 32 Day Reunion Dinner and Wrap-Up...

Well, it's been a month and a couple days since returning from Italy... so time for a reunion. Most of the Madonna girls and most of the Cardinal Newman group collected at an Italian restaurant in downtown Toronto for a pleasant dinner and opportunity to recall memories, tell some stories, look at a few photos, and have some hearty laughs. A good time was had by all.

All the Madonna group contributed a selection of their favourite photos and we have produced a compilation DVD with these 493 pictures and a couple video clips so everyone can have a copy as a remembrance of the trip.

In the main display case at Madonna, the girls have also created a multi-media display of artifacts, documents, photos, artwork, etc from the Italy trip. Mrs. Bellissimo was certainly entertained by and interested in some of the original artwork that was shown.

This seems like a good time to wind down the blog updates. Thanks to all of you who have visited - over 3600 visits as of this posting. Incredible! We'll continue to leave the blog up so you can continue to visit. If some of the students write some additional reflections on the trip, we will post these, but absent those contributions, we'll call the game complete and start thinking about the next adventure.

Now we begin the process of discussing a possible trip for next year with the most likely destinations as London and Paris (together). So much preliminary work needs to be done - principal approval, putting together an itinerary and events, getting cost estimates, selecting a tour company, arranging information meetings for students and parents, and so much more.

We want to have a very full and educational trip just like this year's trip to Italy. London and Paris offer outstanding possibilities for learning about the two European cultures that were responsible for founding the country of Canada, and their history, their art, food, and societies. Students who might be interested should pay attention to the school announcements and posters that will eventually show up.

Ciao e grazie a tutti!