Ottawa’s Winterlude festival just keeps getting better. I e-mailed my colleague at the National Capital Commission on Monday to tell him just how impressed I was with just everything… the ice carvings across Elgin in Confederaton Park are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen and the ice was in the best condition I have ever experienced, even with the thousands of people skating and walking the length of it. Congrats for pulling off an amazing event!! You cannot beat the experience of skating the canal on a sunny day. Makes you feel so alive. We had the ideal combo of Winterlude, Valentines and Family Day - three great excuses to be out and about.
One of the best parts of working in a hotel that is so front and center, is that you feel the energy, the buzz and excitement of festivals such as this. The guests are in and out with their skates and dropping by for a hot chocolate or coffee at Starbucks. We have 3 TV’s in our lobby with Olympic coverage going on as well. It’s like having your house full of guests. It feels so alive and vibrant - just as a hotel should be.
We are gearing up for our final weekend of Winterlude and reservations are coming in fast. If you haven’t been, don’t miss it!!

As I have mentioned before, our owner, who recently passed away, was very involved in this community and his roots not just go far back in Ottawa, but in our national history.

Recently I was honored to attend a ceremony where our owner’s family (Gillin) donated a Ship’s Bell that came from one of Canada’s first warships. It just so happened that Lord and Lady Elgin were visiting at the time and could take part. The connection I speak of is outlined in this letter from our owner to the Navy, written in August 2007. It makes one realize that Canada is such a young country and some of our very early history goes back only a few generations.

August 20, 2007

Ms. Marilyn Gurney
Director & Chief Historian
Maritime Command Museum
2725 Gottingen Street
Po Box 99000, Station Forces
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3K 5X5

Dear Ms. Gurney

I have recently read an article in The Ottawa Citizen regarding the discovery of TR-4, a Canadian minesweeper in the First World War, and the ship’s bell which is now in the possession of your museum.

I have inherited a ship’s bell “HMS Patrician”, which I believe was given to my grandfather George J. Desbarats in the 1920’s (photo enclosed).

The following is an excerpt from “Naval Services of Canada”.

The “Patrician” was originally commissioned on July 27, 1916 for service in the destroyer flotillas of the Grand Fleet. By the end of the war, she had not seen action, but had been employed on patrol and anti – submarine duties in the North Sea.

On May 26, 1919, the destroyers Patrician & Patriot were selected for Canada and were gratefully accepted by the Canadian Government as the first destroyers in the Canadian Navy.

The H.M.C.S. Patrician was commissioned on November 1, 1920 at Devonport, England, and then sailed to Halifax. She was stationed at Esquimalt from 1922-28. By 1927, the Patrician and the Patriot were worn out and the Government decided to build two destroyers to replace them. The “Patrician” was “paid off” in 1928.

H.M.(C).S. Patrician – of the first oil burning (instead of coal) destroyers built by Britain. Displacement 1004 tons, h.p 27,500 speed 35k; size 271’ x 27 ½ x 11’. Complement of 80. Guns – 3 – 4”, 6 smaller; 4 -21 torpedo tubes.

The Deputy Minister at that time was George J. Desbarats my grandfather, born in Quebec, P.Q. in 1861, he became a Civil Engineer. He obtained a wide experience in engineering work connected with canals & railways. In 1901 Desbarats became director of the government shipyard at Sorel, and in 1908 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Marines & Fisheries. He was D.M. & Comptroller of the Naval Service from May 5, 1910 until the consolidation of 1922, and in 1924 he became Deputy Minister of National Defence. He retired in 1932 and died in 1944. Desbarats’ authority & influence considerably exceeded those of most Deputy – Ministers, as he had no Minister for the first two decades of its existence, he probably had more to do with the moulding of the service than any other man.

As I am now 82 years old, I would like to know if the Maritime Command Museum or other Museum’s might be interested in a gift of this bell upon my death.

I would appreciate hearing from you in this regard.

Yours truly,

M. Patrick Gillin

For those who live in Ottawa, many know that this beautiful historic hotel is locally owned. In 1987, the Lord Elgin was purchased by Patrick Gillin and he has since been the proud owner of this historic landmark of Ottawa. (that is his vintage truck in the photo).

Mr. Gillin sadly passed away last month (July 18th) at the age of 84. He had never retired, but continued to work and attend to business right to the end. He was tireless in his efforts in business and in his desire to make Ottawa a better place to live. The Lord Elgin was a better place because of him.

This hotel, which I have worked in on and off for over 34 years, has always operated as a very tight ship, yet with such a personal touch. There has always been a family feel to it that you don’t get at other places. It has only had two General Manager’s over this time and both have a real passion for this business - both so very good to their employees and of course, to our guests. You cannot fake that kind of dedication.  It requires enormous time and committment - and a sincere desire to make people happy!

As well, where else would you be able to communicate with your namesake. We have the great honor of being in touch with Lord Elgin who resides in Scotland and does visit us from time to time (He will be visiting us in September). He has provided us with copies of correspondence between his father and MacKenzie King in 1941 as the hotel was opening. What a great story!

It’s been a long Spring.. in a town that typically goes from Winter straight into summer. So today enroute to our Starbuck’s I had to step outside to feel the heat and enjoy the sunshine… feels sooo good! Makes me want to play hookie!
Signs of summer… they are gearing up across the street for the big opening of the Jazz Festival. This week and next they have an amazing line up - Al Green, Pat Metheny and on Tuesday, Chris Botti. Check it out at http://www.ottawajazzfestival.com

The Stars were all in alignment last night, when the Lord Elgin Hotel won top prize at the Stars of the City Gala. We are all still on a high today - what a fabulous night!!

With over 400 Stars awarded, the hotel was one of three finalists for Star Property of the year. We had quite the presence - nearly 60 of the hotel staff - almost all of whom were ‘Stars’, attended the event and we were not quiet. Every time our name appeared on the screen, we stood up and cheered like little kids - clapping and cheering!! Not only did we win Star Property, but the hotel had 3 finalists in different categories - all big Stars in their own right and the Evening Star went to our very own Christopher Ward. Chris, who works at our front desk, is one of those guys who just genuinely likes to help people and is always going above and beyond. He alone received over 49 nominations for Stars - an all time record says Ottawa Tourism.

FYI - Stars of the City is a program that Ottawa Tourism started years ago whereby visitors to our city can nominate those people that truly stand out. The program also delivers training that all of our staff can participate in, that encourages great service.

You know the really nice thing to see was when Chris won, each one of us went over to congratulate him. We were so happy for him. He truly deserved the award!! But it was also a testament to what great people I get to work with everyday at this hotel - truly committed people who love what they do. It’s also a testament to a great boss, our fearless leader, David Smythe, who really ignites all of the employees at the LE. He is a great champion for his team!!

Thank you to all our guests for the Stars!! You made our year!!

Each year since it’s opening, the Lord Elgin has hosted thousands of soldiers – those on active duty and veterans, as they come to Ottawa on military business, or to join with other’s to remember those who have lost their lives fighting for their country.

This year, we felt it was timely to do something special for our military and their families. The recent war on terror in Afghanistan has certainly created a heightened awareness of the difficulties our soldiers and their families face before, during and after their deployment. Personally, I have four sons, ranging in age from 17 to 22 and so I think of these families as they send their loved ones overseas and how difficult it must be.

And so, to honor the many Canadian soldiers past and present, this Remembrance Day we are offering a block of complimentary rooms (value of $199) to active military personnel and their families through the Military Families Fund, as well as offering extra rooms at a special discount for additional military families who would like to visit Ottawa during this year’s Remembrance Day services. Guests will also be asked to make a donation to help support the Military Families Fund during this period.

We actually have two web-cams on top of our hotel - one overlooking beautiful Confederation Park and the other with a clear view of the War Memorial, which is just two blocks north of the hotel. You can see both from our web-site home page where there is a link. So if you cannot make it to Ottawa for the ceremonies, you are welcome to take it in through our web-cam.

Last March, as some of you know, we had a promotion called “Dreaming of Diamonds”, where once a week one guest would open a card that had a lucky ticket to win one of four diamond rings we were giving away that month. It worked wonderfully well, except that many people were so skeptical, they actually threw the ticket out. What a shame!

One of our lucky winners, Pamela Fralick, with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, took her diamond ring and decided to put it to good use. She donated it to her Association to be used in one of their fundraisers. Today, she checked in (she is a regular guest) and told us that ring raised over $7,000 for her organization. I was so thrilled! What a good news story and one I wanted to share. We may be on to something. Perhaps when we run the promotion next year, we should challenge the winners to see who can raise more funds than Pamela did in ‘07.
So ladies and gents, when you stay in ‘08 when we are running our Diamond promotion and there is an envelope on the pillow, don’t be a skeptic. Open it. It really could be your lucky day!

I have just returned from the long awaited summer vacation - two weeks at the lake, just north of Ottawa in Quebec. Once a year, we go there to enjoy long swims, great reads, long walks, fabulous food and good laughs with friends and family, and of course, lots of tall cool ones by the lake. Basically, it is a time to rejuvenate and recharge.

And then I read an article in the Ottawa Business Journal this week about how Canadians are overworked and take very little vacation. When we do take it, we often stay ‘plugged’ in either by e-mail or cell. Not the vacations we took years ago. Stress-leave is becoming an epidemic.

Amazingly, our hotel is full of travellers from Europe, in particular from the UK. In the summer, we often have more guests from the UK and Europe, then we have from Canada and USA. With the ever diminishing ‘vacation time’, along with the passport issues, this trend will only continue.

Having just come away from my period of rejuvenation, I know two weeks is the mimimum to recharge - two weeks, twice a year, would be even better. And hey, our hotels would be so much busier!! A definite win-win solution!

It was such a great night! We hosted a lovely reception in Confederation Park on Sunday evening (June 24th) and despite the cloud burst, our guests were kept dry and comfy under the protection of the tent we had compliments of our friends at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.

As long-time sponsors of the Jazz Festival, we were able to invite our guests to a great night under the stars with the amazing drums of the Conga Kings - an 11 piece Rumba Group with 3 of the master congueros of Afro-cuban music. It was a great evening .. great music, fabulous food and drink and great company.

To our delight, this year, our partners at the Ottawa Jazz Festival awarded the Lord Elgin Hotel with the ‘Corporate Award of Distinction’. We have been working with the Jazz Festival for well over 10 years and it was so rewarding to have this award presented to us. With our location, it makes so much sense to give back to these festivals that provide the color and culture that make this a great town! Kudos to the unfailing efforts of people like Catherine O’Grady and the heads of all the other wonderful summer festivals and all those behind them for all they do to bring such fabulous entertainment to our city! We are proud to be a part of what you do!

In April, we have had the great pleasure of hosting the children that qualified for the annual CanSpell Spelling Bee, that is put on by CanWest. These are the brightest and most talented winners and runner ups - 41 of them, that come the Ottawa annually to participate in this week full of fun, learning, adventure and finally, to compete in the final spelling bee that took place this past Saturday.

This is our third year hosting these children and it is a great honor to be a part of this great cause - that is to promote literacy in our kids and then celebrate those that excel. As a mother of four boys, I certainly know what reading has done to enhance our kids lives. My son, who is 19, has taken his ‘gap’ year to circle the globe…first Australia and now is in Europe. Whenever he calls, his voice is full of excitement, as he is taking in so many of the sites that he has read about in his history books. As a lover of history and an avid reader, his travels and experiences have been enriched and taken on so much more relevance because of his reading.

It is great to have the children competing in CanSpell with us, because we are in some way, a part of a much bigger effort - to promote and celebrate reading for our children. Congratulations CanWest and thank you for allowing us to be a part of this great event!