Congratulations Fred! Oh, Yes...Happy Birthday Too! Great News on Two Fronts!

Fred Is Honoured!

Indeed, we celebrate on two fronts today!

It is just past midnight here in Ottawa and we celebrate this new day...for last night Fred was awarded with the highest honour we can pay a railroader at OVAR.  He received the Herb McEwen award for his outstanding ambassadorial contributions to the hobby.

OVAR is Ottawa Valley Associated Railroaders, a group of nearly 200 members of which about 120 meet each month for an evening of dinner, guest speakers and railroading camaraderie. To cap off this great achievement, we have learned that it is Fred's birthday today, June 15th. He's now a spry 75 year old little boy! Brian Earl is presenting the award to our outstanding candidate. 

Yes, Fred's contributions are many and varied.

(Click on the images to enlarge and outside the images to return to the default look of the page.)

  

He has been the dinner chair at OVAR for as long as anyone can remember.

He takes great care in ensuring newcomers to the club are welcomed with open arms.

I could go on with a list that would fill pages and pages.

Suffice it to say that we all love and appreciate this fine gentleman for all that he has done for each and every person he has come in contact with.

The recipients of the McEwan award are given a McEwen car.   Many past honourees brought theirs out for the evening's celebrations.  The funny thing I heard around the tables when Fred's name was called - "What, Fred hadn't won this award yet?"  Indeed, his contributions to our hobby go back many a year!

So-o-o.   Here's to you Fred, on your 75th birthday!

Here's to many more.

Enough of the commentary from me.  No more captions in this posting.

Let's celebrate with a montage of 75 images showcasing how much you mean to all of us.

We love you, Fred!

Thanks for checking in!

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada