Al Zylstra

Alex and I, along with our various furred, finned and feathered family members want to wish you all happy holidays. It has been quite the roller coaster of a year for us. But, at the end of the day, we are healthy, happy and look forward to 2023 with great enthusiasm. Plus, we are heading back to Europe for our next vacation!

IRIS in Mexico

While it has been a few months since I posted last, there have been a lot of things that went on… but, this biggest thing was my last minute invitation to join my IRIS family in Mexico. Fairmont Mayakoba, Mexico is located about 45 minutes away from Cancun. An amazing resort with acres and acres of lush greenery, walking paths, canals and so much more. It was a truly magical place

We arrived on Sunday, December 8 in the early evening and had a huge welcome from our IRIS family

The next day, our meetings began.

Day three of the event filled schedule culminated in a Dinner En Blanc on the beach

Before I knew it, it was day four and time to head home. I had an amazing time with my work family and I hope we can do it again.

Well, it has been more than a hot minute since I last wrote. Where the heck did this summer go? One morning, I woke up and looked out the window and spring had left and summer was peeking in the windows. I blinked and summer was gone!

Fortunately, I have had the wherewithal to take lots of pictures.

Earlier this year, Alex and I discussed what we were going to do about a vacation. We decided that Europe was not an option yet. Nor was heading south. So, we felt that it was time to head back to the Maritimes.

First was to find flights. Both National airlines were stupidly expensive. Flights started at around $1,400 / person with a 3 – 5 hour layover in either Montreal or Toronto. *shudder

So, I started looking at regional airlines. Swoop (a discount airline) had flights from Abbotsford to Edmonton and then direct flights from Edmonton to Halifax – PERFECT! The best part was, even with paying to choose our seats and baggage fees, our bill was just under $1,200 for the two of us – RETURN. Hooray!

Next, was booking hotels and car rentals – we decided that we were going to make our own way around and not stay with anyone – a wise decision on our part. Car rentals have gotten crazy since the pandemic started. Fortunately, I was able to secure a 9 day car rental in Halifax for just under $930 (unlimited mileage).

Not so fortunately, I was not as lucky in Edmonton for the first part of our trip – The rental agency I used for the first (and last time) was very disappointing. I reserved a mid-sized car online – used a code that I got from an organization I recently joined was denied at the agency location in the airport. So, I was forced to take what they gave me – a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 pick up with all the bells and whistles. The rate went from $111 for the day to a whopping $378 for the day! Word of caution to anyone reading this –

DO NOT RENT FROM A RENTAL AGENCY WHOSE NAME IN LATIN MEANS “BIRD”!

Back to the trip – September 7 – we arrived in Edmonton just after Midnight. Picked up the rental behemoth and made our way to our hotel – Radisson in Leduc – short trip from the airport. We went straight to bed.

September 8th – We got up reasonably early. I went for a quick 4 km walk. Alex and I then went to St. Albert to visit my parents’ and sister’s graves. Fortunately for me, Alex has a good memory. I knew where the cemetery was but wasn’t sure of where they were resting.

Alex remembered where they were. We dropped off flowers.

Visiting this site still makes my heart ache but, they are all together and that gives me some comfort.

From there, we went and met up with my best friend from High School – Sharon. Sharon and were inseparable in High School. We did everything together. So, it was so much fun to meet up with her, her husband (Scott) and her parents – Phil and Irma.

Phil and Irma are originally from the Maritimes and so there is a possibility that Alex is related to them somewhere down the line. One day, we will have to explore that.

From there, we made our way over to my niece and her fiancee’s place.

September 9 – We said adios to Edmonton at noon on the 9th and headed off to Halifax. We arrived at around 9:00 local time and made our way to our hotel. When we entered the hotel, we were greeted by Alex’s best friend Angela and her beau, Glen. What a great surprise! We sat and had drinks with them for a couple of hours and then it was time for bed.

September 10 – After a wonderful breakfast with Angela and Glen at their house, we were off to Moncton. We arrived in Moncton mid afternoon. We made our way to our hotel – checked in and then were off to visit Alex’s sister, Anna.

We had a thoroughly entertaining visit with Anna for a few hours – then back to Moncton for dinner and a good night’s rest.

Dinner was at a great Brew Pub on Main Street in Moncton.

September 11 – The day was spent with Anna, her son, Mark and his son, Tyler and Anna’s husband Larry. We had a great time at their place. Sadly, none of Alex’s other brothers and sisters were able to make the trip to see us.

September 12 – Today was the day to head off to the Bay of Fundy where Alex and I spent the day wandering around. But, first we made a stop back in Sackville, NB where we were able to find one of Alex’s aunts living in a nursing home. She was so overjoyed to see Alex after so many years. Needless to say, lots of tears were shed.

Then off to Amherst where we stayed at the Wandlyn Inn. A very cute older hotel. We had a stop at Mel’s diner where we have eaten every time we were in the Maritimes. Sadly, Mel’s did not survive the pandemic.

Then off to Amherst where we spent the evening at the Wandlyn Inn

Hopewell Cape – Bay of Fundy

September 13 – Off to Peggy ‘s Cove

September 14 – Back in Halifax

We arrived at our hotel in Halifax and the manager on duty was so nice. He upgraded our room at no charge and put us in a suite. Hooray!

We then went and had dinner at Angela and Glen’s to round out the week.

September 15 – Back to Edmonton. We got into Edmonton at around 9:00 pm – made out way to our hotel.

September 16 – We spent the day visiting friends and family.

September 17 – Home Sweet Home

This week is bringing the close to one of my favourite production: Over the River and Through the Woods. This show has been a real labour of love for me. It has brought together an incredibly talented cast and crew. I am so happy to have worked with this group:

Don Briard – playing Frank

Not only did Don take on the role of Frank, Nick’s Maternal Grandfather, he also directed the entire production. Don is a multitasker par excellence. He designed the set, built the set, and created the “essence” of the entire production. I learned so much from him.

Joan Koebel – playing Emma

I have worked with Joan on a number of projects in the past including Calendar Girls and Crossing Delancey. This production, however, allowed Joan to really stretch her acting. Not only did she perfect the “Italian-American” Grandmother schtick, but, she also got to do a little singing and dancing. She definitely brought Emma, Nick’s paternal grandmother to life.

Daniele Methner – playing Caitlin

What a treat to work with Daniele. She made Caitlin her own. She brought a gentle humour and a joyful essence to her character. Her line about calling Nick an “asshole” always brings me such joy and laughter!

Mike Parker – Playing Nunzio

I have never had the pleasure of working with Mike before and I really hope that this show isn’t the last time. Mike’s ability to channel Nunzio, Nick’s paternal grandfather, a curmudgeonly gentle soul makes this production!

Sheila Keating – playing Emma

Sheila brings such empathy and joy to her portrayal of Emma, Nick’s maternal grandmother. Her ability to make everything a reason to eat embodies what a grandmother should be…

Adam Arki as Nick

You would never know that Adam has never worked in theatre before. His portrayal of Nick, a driven corporate executive in marketing, shows us all that we need to take a little time to explore the world we live in and seize opportunity when it is presented, even if that opportunity is given to us by our grandparents.

I urge you to try and see this show before it closes tomorrow.

The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival is back! I am so proud to be able to work with this incredible organization.

I am stage managing the 102.7 Peak Main Stage performances on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday June 26

Performers take to the stage starting at 11:00 am

• Qing Yun Music Ensemble: 11:00 AM
• Eagle Song Dancers: 12:00 PM
• AHSIA: 1:00 PM
• Ludic: 2:00 PM
• Dacey: 3:00 PM
• Children of Takaya: 4:00 PM
• Mauvey: 5:00 PM
• Hotel Mira: 6:00 PM
• The Zolas: 7:00 PM

Performers take to the stage 11:30

• Coastal Wolf Pack: 11:30 AM
• Desiree Dawson: 1:00 PM
• Tonye Aganaba: 2:00 PM
• Best Night Ever: 3:00 PM
• COCO JAFRO: 4:00 PM
• Niña Mendoza: 5:00 PM

Saturday, June 11 saw the opening ceremonies for the Festival. The Taoist Society of Canada was there in their full regalia to do the blessing ceremony for the new boats that the society was able to get. Local artists were commissioned to design and decorate a number of these boats. They are, indeed, works of art.

The ceremony was well attended by local dignitaries, dragon boaters and local residents. I am so looking forward to seeing these boats in action as well as watching and listening to a fantastic lineup of performers. Hope to see you there.

There are just a few performances left to see this show. Hope you can make it out to see a pretty awesome show (and one of my favourites)

To order tickets: https://www.whiterockplayers.ca/shows

In my last post, I talked about my Paternal Grandparents being commemorated by Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Centre. I got a few photos to post below:

Roughly translated: My grandparents received the medal and award posthumously. My paternal grandfather, a cattle merchant, was also a resistance fighter was shot and killed. He and his wife were hiding three young Jewish girls on their farm.

The “Righteous Among Nations” award that my grandparents received from the Israeli embassy was presented to my cousin, Wout.

I just received these photos from the event

June 8, 1949 – My parents were married

June 8, 2022

Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Centre has issued an Invitation to celebrate my Paternal Grandparents

Translation is below:

Alex and I really wanted to be there for this monuments event but alas, Covid-19, uncertainty of war in Europe and my theatre commitments prevented us from going. I was advised by my cousin that they will be streaming the ceremony. Once I get that, I will post it on my site.

So, this days fills me with pride and a touch of sadness. I am so proud of my grandparents for doing what was right and just. I am sad that my parents aren’t around to see this.