Turning Point Recovery Society, 12th Annual Gala Fundraiser 2019

Turning Point Recovery Society’s Gala Fundraiser remains the best fund raiser event in Vancouver.  I’ve been to all or almost all of them and nothing compares. Brenda Plant, the executive director, has a winning formula for a great time.

Rob Lowe, the famous Hollywood actor known best for West Wing, St. Elmos Fire, Brat Pack, now doing a one man show, Stories I Only Tell My Friends and loving hosting Fox’s Mental Samurai, was pure joy to  see and hear.   He’s a consummate story teller.  His tales before and after his sobriety of 28 years had us all riveted in our seats or rolling with laughter in the aisles.  Imagine age 15, asking a girl out and her saying ‘you’re an actor, my dad’s an actor.” Her dad was Carry Grant. His stories of times with President Bill Clinton or Mike Meyers or Tom Cruise were wonderful. Very witty, married 27 years, he shared his love of his 2 sons and how one had just graduated Stanford top of his class, “and I didn’t have pay billions to get him into university.”

Chris Gailus from Global BC was a delightful host.  

Howard Blank the auctioneer steals the show for me every year. A comedian and an auctioneer.  

One of the keys of the success of Turning Point Gala is the quality of ‘swag’.  Tickets to Elton John and Paul McCartney were auctioned off for thousands but who knew any could be bought at any price now. I certainly couldn’t get one early and almost, almost, almost bid but we’re talking big time folk being at this event. Telus right out gave $20,000.  West Jet is the best with their tickets to anywhere in the world draw. I didn’t win this time but I will.  I loved the silent auction items. Again the best swag. I bid on three purses getting Laura one and another couple as gifts  for my relatives. All Fossil. I ‘won’ a gold watch for Laura definitely pissing off my competitor.  Laura was so pleased. I personally now am looking forward to horse back riding in Glen Valley Stables, Langley. A psychologist has been sent to break the news gently to the horse.

 There were all these restaurant, guided tours and especially kayaking adventures in the offering. The art, jewelry and spa weekends were as good as other years.  I’m so impressed that Brenda is so successful getting the support from the business community.

The government is always well represented.  Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions of BC, gave the perfect speech, brief and to the point, thoroughly informative and uplifting despite the seriousness of the epidemic of addiction facing us today.

The video of men and women in recovery sharing at Storeys, the restaurant that Turning Point has developed to help recovery, was fascinating. What great people. 

Turning Point has a 92% success rate on second stage housing at Storey’s. When people are seen early and enter the appropriate recovery programs the overall success is 80%. The problem has been people not having access to recovery supports.  Group therapy, doctors, counselors and recovery centres are all part of the multi dimensional approach to the disease that works.  AA and 12 step programs remain the best follow up long terms solutions.  Storey’s was about ‘connections’.  Addiction has been described as isolation while recovery has been called participation. Bob Lowe spoke of the long term benefits of AA but having gone to treatment centre initially he sang the praises of Turning Point and the fine work they are doing. 35 plus years they’ve been serving the community and helping addicts in recovery. Now they have half dozen recovery homes for men and women. 

As an Addiction Psychiatrist I love Turning Point not only because the staff care and the people have success but it really is the best model I’ve presently encountered.  Both the clients and the community approve of the work that goes on.  I wish I could say the same for all facilities but some that do well enough for the clients don’t consider the greater community. Premier John Hogan celebrated Turning Point years of service, I believe , because of the balance that’s part of its  overall success.

Four Season’s Hotel meal and catering and the elegant venue all contributed to a really fine evening. I’ve brought friends over the years, both those in recovery and so called ‘normies’. I’ve always been thanked profusely for the experience they all have of this sensational gala.  

Turning Point Recovery Society 11th Annual Gala with Alice Cooper

Thank you Brenda Plant and the Turning Point staff for another stupendous gala event.
Turning Point Recovery Society is the gold standard for recovery housing and programs in the province. It was especially fine to see the support of present BC PremierJohn Horgan as in previous years governments have rallied to the excellence and success of Turning Point.  The Four Seasons venue and fine food offering is certainly an attraction.  Elegance is appreciated given the road to recovery often starts on the streets with homelessness,  alcoholism, or a bloody needle.  The present Fentanyl epidemic is especially grim.
Thanks to the love and experience of Turning Point so many facing ‘incomprehensible demoralization’ begin  the road back from the brink. The videos showed tonight told the stories of such individuals. Nadine who’d lost everything before  Turning Point was there tonight,  years later a fine and sober mother and great employee of a local community clinic. It’s a heart warming tale.
As ever the silent auction was the best with amazing offerings. I was thankful to win tickets to Bard on the Beach and Firehouse Theatre.
Howard Blank is the auctioneers auctioneer coaxing thousands of dollars more support for the big items, Whistler, and Victoria Retreats, Paul Simon concert tickets, Red Rock Casino and Cloverdale Race tickets.  .  “For an extra thousand” Howard rumbled, " we’re have you on stage as one of the back up singers!  “If you  just add another $500 we’ll put you on a  horse behind the jockey at the Cloverdale races.”  
This year Chris Gailus of Global News BC mc’d to resounding applause.  The West Jet, ticket for 2, draw was especially appreciated.
Willy Percy and Alice Anderson then sat with Alice Cooper in a cozy fireside chat format. What followed was utterly enthralling, the grandfather of shock rock revealing the behind scenes history of rock and roll..
37 years sober. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he’d had 27 albums, many of those platinum, but he said, “It could have only been 4 albums if I kept drinking. I ended up in hospital and it had all caught up on my liver and pancreas …I had to stop and I did.”
He told stories of those years with his friends Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison and others who didn’t make it.  They were all dying at 27 or 28.   “I thought it was part of the job, drinking, drugs and fooling around”.
 “What I liked most,” he said, " was meeting the classics” He told sometimes crazy zany stories of escaped snakes and toilets,  haunting tales of meeting a young Elvis and older Mae West.  His stories of the Vampires, Johnny Dieppe and drummer Keith Moon,  the Manson Hippy girls, the night the band inconceivably was photographed with Anne Murray, his neighbour Frank Zappa and his other neighbour Elton John’s garage sale..  It was so intimate, like stories family share yet not like just any family for sure. Especially with friends like Jim Carry.
It was heart warming though to hear that Groucho Marx had  seen his show, famous for guillotines and gore , and thought it ‘good vaudeville.” Frank Sinatra praised his dancers who glowed to hear such praise from the one and only
One night he had a helicopter drop hundreds of pairs of panties from the sky while a camel walked on the stage.  Stories of the Beatles, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger.  Each so personal, and kind. Willy Percy, a life long fan,  summed it up by saying though he loved Alice Cooper,  he most loved the  compassion,  genuineness, and caring human who spoke so fondly of his wife and children.
Alice Cooper's father,  a pastor, had told him  he loved the show and he loved the music but he couldn’t condone the lifestyle.
Alice Cooper is still the greatest of story tellers.  He came alive mostly talking about recovery and helping others.  He used the word miracle for the loss of his own craving. “I had a beer before I opened my eyes and always had a buzz on for years.”   He carried the message throughout the world to so many who had suffered the pain of this disease.  He described it as a part of recovery to give back and carry on. He helps kids with addiction.
It was an honour to hear his testimony, to stand with the hundreds there this night to applaud.   We applauded also Brenda Plant and Turning Point for their great work and this gala.  We had gathered together celebrate the success of recovery. Turning Point’s motto is  “making recovery a reality”.
The word Reality and Alice Cooper seem a bit of a stretch but not when it comes to recovery.  He really gives reason for hope.

Turning Point 10th Annual Reality Gala

The joy of Turning Point Recovery Society is it’s success with the clients and the community.  I have friends in health care who graduated from Turning Point Recovery.  More than a decade later they sing the praises of their experience with Turning Point. “I needed a place where I was safe, where people didn’t use,  where people helped me stay in recovery.”  Too many recovery houses lack standards.   Jim Ross, one of a  couple of addicts serious about recovery began this phenomena that continues till today with Brenda Plant as the executive director.  

The Turning Point Gala has been a major event for 10 years now.   Celebrity Speakers have included  Martin Sheen, Katey Sagal, Mathew Perry, Ashley Judd,  John Laroquette. Jim Belushi, David Cosby, Rob Lowe.  This year’s speaker was David Feherty, the famously entertaining golfer and golf show host.

It’s a place where recovery meets the community and the now successful, their families and those friends of friends who support recovery give back as others give forward.  The Four Season’s Hotel is all uptown and glitz with excellent service and great food. I loved tonight’s halibut.

This year with all the epidemic of  tragic fentanyl  deaths in the DTES, the Turning Point Reality Gala  really seemed  a warm place after a very chill winter. Turning Point always has been about hope. 

Every year the dignitaries are there. So often the mentally ill and especially the addict and alcoholics don’t feel heard. They are not alone. The RCMP in red serge from Richmond , the politiicians,  from province and city, the corporations and corporate leaders all gather in support of recovery. There is a way out.   What started as a few recovering addicts wanting to live together in the safety of mutual support has expanded to several large homes where individuals begin their journey home.  Now Turning Point even has businesses where those in recovery can work to help the reintegration with greater society. .  

As the first residential recovery service provider to be accredited by BC Turning Point is licensed by the province and contracted by Vancouver Coastal Health with its high standards. .  Their good management and good name have attracted, over the years,  sponsorship from the community’s finest corporations including Westjet, Global TV, Ledcor, Mayfair, Van mar, Rock 101, Save On Foods,    and so many more.  With the support of government as well they have been able to open recovery houses in Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver and now Squamish. There are always the individuals too. 

 Randene Neil is the consumate MC looking younger every year.  She has the most engaging smile and laughter   Howard Bland the auctioneer is a one man comedy routine auctioning off the finest weekend retreats with spa and fine restaurants and flights and rock concerts then throwing in a a Motel 6 night to sweeten the deal. And yes, we all love those Motel 6 extra’s and the nights at Red Rock Casino and thousands more money raised for a good cause,  all the while laughter is the norm. 

This nights speaker,  David Feherty, famous golfer, sports commentator and stand up comic shared personal stories of the highs and lows of his life.  I will forever be affflicted  by his image of how to count sheep.  His joke about his mother asked by his  father, who’d stayed too long at the pub, if she’d kept his supper warm, replied, yes,   in the dog’s stomach.  There was much appreciation for Mr. Feherty  from the golfers. A night of wild golf stories sparked with Tiger Woods tales and inside stories of Jack Nicklaus was a sportsman’s dream come true. I appreciated hearing how at the nadir of his drinking when he was popping pills and not really wanting to live that others had to tell him he was sick .  Addiction is the disease that tells you you don’t have it. His good friends took him to 12 steps meetings and helped him return from the dead.  A decade of life and relapse certainly emphasized the nature of the disease . He said, it ‘waits like a monster under the bed’ .  He described his life in recovery  as joyful even, or especially because of  his wife who he said "came from Alabama where they think Deliverance is a love story.”   The contrast, the world of alcohol and pills, was pure misery.  He was very thankful for recovery.  I can’t do justice to his Irish humor that had everyone on the verge  of apoplexy.  Truly a night to remember.

I was thankful to be with my friends Laura, Anita and Ganesh. Anita and Laura talked about grandchildren. Ganesh and I reminisced about Scotty and Malcolm our friends who are now attending the great big meeting in the sky. Kumar, known for his adventurous life,  actually got Ganesh sharing of his para sailing experiences in Hawaii. At the silent auction I won tickets to Bard on the Beach.  The silent auction at Turning Point has the very best events, restaurants, art, jewelry and shows. After all the applause and laughter the evening came to a close.  We hugged and made our way out.  I was delighted to see Michelle of Avalon Women’s centre as we made our way out of the Four Seasons.  

Another great year for Turning Point and another great gala. 

 

Turning Point Recovery Society Gala 2016

The 9th Annual Turning Point Gala this year was a great success.  I love the elegance of the Four Season Hotel.  It’s a perfect backdrop for the glamour the lovely ladies in the latest fashion in gowns, dresses and accessories,  bring to this night of nights.   Many of the men mostly in black and grey suits were sporting wide ties again.  Dressed in a brightly flowered spring frock, the delightful Radene Neill was the very best MC. Later she interviewed David Crosby with the charm and wit that makes her warm presence and beauty so appreciated in this city.
The evening opened with a short film of founder Jim Ross talking of the 1982  humble beginnings of Turning Point. From one person saved in a room Turning Point Recovery has grown to several homes throughout the city with the finest reputation for safety recovery and community relationship.  It was good to see all the dignitaries, the Honorable Terry Lake there again this year, and the red serge of the RCMP.
David Crosby, before coming to the gala had sat in a Turning Point Recovery House meeting with those fresh from the downtown streets and addiction sharing his experience, strength and hope.
Brenda Plant, Executive Director welcomed us all there, sharing anecdotes of her meeting Nash then awe at meeting David. She spoke of his humility and compassion while knowing his genius.  Howard Blank was hilarious as the auctioneer who helped to raise a hundred thousand for Turning Point.  Special  thanks are due the generosity of Westjet, Bear Camp at Chilko Lake, Red Rock Casino, Palladino Jewelries, the Okanagan wineries, 54-40, Fairmount and Four Seasons Hotel. Those bidding were  competitive  for the best of causes.
David Crosby shared that his recovery from drugs and alcohol, in a Texas State prison, was the hardest thing he’d done in his life.  His loving partner was his greatest gift of recovery.  He’d sailed oceans, scuba dived for the sheer joy and beauty of the sea, ridden motorcycles despite the dangers and contributed the world over with the unforgettable music of the Byrds, Crosby Still Nash and Young, and now his songs, solo, or with his son and CPR.  He said that his greatest regret was the people he’d hurt and the time he’d lost.  His creativity was harmed by his drug and alcohol abuse.  Sitting in that Texas jail he found that the poetry he’d thought he’d lost through his addiction came back in his recovery.  Having  just completed a new acoustic album, he described the joy he finds with music.  His preference these days is for the intimacy of audiences he can see compared to the nights playing to  stadiums with tens of thousands.
Yes he spoke of Woodstock but the special significance of Turning Point Galas is that those invited are there to speak about the personal not the iconic.  He shared his deepest sorrow as one day he wrote the names of those who he’d known as dearest friends but were killed by drug addiction.  It went on for two yellow foolscap sheets single spaced. " They were my friends,” He said.   “Think of what music Janis would be making today.  Think of what Jimmy’s guitar playing would be like today.”  "When someone says that alcohol or drugs is needed for creativity,  I say no….  Alcohol and drugs are a scourge that destroys creativity."  At 74, two heart attacks and a liver transplant later he is grateful for his continued creativity  so thankful for the  life that recovery has given him.
When he ended speaking, when Radene had asked her last question, when the audience had put their last question to him. When he spoke of anxiety he had for America today, what remained for me was that wonderful line he shared, as memorable as countless others his gift has given us for so many decades.  Paraphrased,  ‘war brings us down, music lifts us up. I’m so thankful to have had a life of making music. Thanks to recovery I'm still  making music."
He was a beautiful man.  As a teen I learned  guitar to play and sing his songs. It was the late sixties and early 70’s  when his music harmonized with an era.  Tonight his humour,  humility, depth and sincerity enthralled us still.
We all stood to applaud, thankful to have been apart of something rare and beautiful and intimate.
I felt truly blessed.
Thank you, David Crosby.  Thank you Turning Point Recovery Society.

Turning Point Recovery Society 7th Annual Gala

Matthew Perry was awesome. What an inspiration.  I loved him on Friends. I took the DVD with me when I solo sailed 25 days through  winter storms Vancouver to Hawaii.  Each night I’d watch an episode of Friends as I ate my supper after battening down. The laughter lifted my spirits before the long dark scary watch. I’m forever thankful to Friends and Matthew Perry for that.
Now here he was, live, hilarious,  so very truthful, sincere and moving. And he grew up in Ottawa. Who would have guessed!
Brenda Plant, Executive Director, spoke of the work for addicts and alcoholics in recovery the gold standard Turning Point Recovery Society does. Their work in Richmond is applauded by all, Premier Christy Clark’s support was written on the front page of the evenings brochure.  So many dignitaries had turned out from Richmond and North Vancouver.  So many people whose lives had been lost and saved had shown community, politicians and families that support for Turning Point paid true dividends in lives.  Now a number of societies have joined together for an even larger housing centre for clean safe housing in Richmond. Over a hundred new units.  The North Vancouver Turning Point house for women is nearly completed.  Last year it was on the night of the Gala just being announced.
The amazing auctioneer promoted this complex raising thousands.  Westjet Raffle for two tickets return to any destination was a favourite.  River Rock Casino shows.  Elton John Tickets.  Whistler getaway.  So many incredible donations from sponsors and contributions from individuals in the community. What a great way to support community. Turning Point Gala was a white table cloth affair with Matthew Perry talking about the remarkable work of Drug Court and the success of Abstinence Recovery.  Abstinence based recovery rocks! 12 step programs. Recovery Houses. AA.  It was all there tonight.  I loved the silent auction.  I didn’t get the opera tickets I’d bid on but I got Theatre Sports and Fire Hall Theatre performances.  I’ve Pat Benatar tickets for a friend who loves her.
We missed Malcolm. He was there in spirit. His friends were present.  Brenda remembered him in kind words.  His memory was every where in design.
I was surrounded by friends at my table.  Good friends.  What a blessing friends are.  What a joy it was to be brought together by a chance to support Turning Points helping  addicts and alcoholics seeking help at last.  Only weeks before I’d sat on a panel with Brenda Plant and heard up close her speaking her heart out for the lost and homeless.  Here she was putting her life into her love for Recovery.
The Four Seasons food and service was five star as usual.  I loved that the Attorney General spoke of her appreciation that Turning Point made her job easier.   Health Minister Terry Lake couldn’t be there but sent his regards.  The RCMP were present in red Serge.  All the  women out did themselves , the best dressed Gala event of the Vancouver seasons..  Sparkle and glamor and men in suits and evening ties, though only with my generation. All the young guys wore crew neck sweaters under their better tailored better fitted suits.  I saw faces among the older set who’d come like I had for seven years. I've loved everyone of these nights for its special uniqueness and the extraordinary contributions.  I loved that Matthew Perry had built a Malibu Recovery House for men.
Thank you red dressed beautiful blond, sensitive, intelligent, television personality, Randene.  Thank you Brenda Plant, a real moving force for recovery. . Thank you Matthew Perry. You’re so very young with so much life ahead of you and so many women thinking you look better than Rob Lowe. Not what they said when he was here. But don't forget to tell him how you've changed their minds.   I really do look forward to your new Odd Couple sit com.  But most of all thank you Turning Point for all the lives you save.

Turning Point Recovery Society Gala

www.turningpointrecovery.com. I heard Fred Lee exuberantly announce the Turning Point Recovery Society Gala on CBC radio early this week. I was glad I had tickets. The event was sold out. In the past the speakers have been mesmerizing. This year's Ashley Judd, famous for acting and writing,  had been preceded by  John Larroquette, Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Katey Sagal.

It was an honour then to sit at the table with the Turning Point Board Member Malcolm Summersby and the lovely Marlene with friends Ganesh Nanda and his beautiful wife Anita. My able young assistant Hannah had come with her sister Sharisse. This was their first Turning Point Gala. They loved it. Sharisse works for the Baptist Geriatric Housing Services and said she learned a lot at this remarkable evening.
Brenda Plant, Turning Point's major driving 'force' has a true compassion for recovery that is unsurpassed. Global TV's Randene Neil was again a terrific, sensitive and entertaining host.
There were many dignitaries. The room was awash with successful handsome men and successful gorgeous women. The men's clothing was unremarkable but their jewelry from watch and pen bling to diamond earrings was as telling as their calm command of themselves. The women were equally impressive at this event, though their clothing, especially their shoes appeared to cost more than my wardrobe. Their voices carried that assurance and understatement that only the truly powerful possess. We all laughed when Randene said we were there to raise money for Turning Point. She declared we'd all be so generous that we'd leave without taxi fare.
The highly accomplished and sincere Dr. MacDiarmid, the BC  Minister of Health, gave the most inspirational opening remarks. Again, testimony from Turning Point alumni spoke to the remarkable work of the society.

I loved the silent auction. I go to several Galas but Turning Points sponsors and gift givers are the most generous. Every year I look forward competing for the very best of the best. Some very sly fellow beat me out of the Puccini Opera Tickets this year but I was glad to get the Pan Pacific Brunch and Opera I'd only learned about by winning one year at an earlier Turning Point Gala. I was disappointed yet again though that I didn't win the door prize Westjet flight for 2. The Fleetwood Mac Tickets with haut cuisine dinner limos and other enticements were a show stopper. Whistler getaways and helicopter rides and whale watching events were there too. Thousands and thousands were raised by the amazing professional auctioneer who had a glorious sense of humour. The food was all that the Four Seasons is renowned for.

 But Ashley Judd was the night's event. What a truly beautiful young woman. I don't know why she lied about her age, saying she was past 40. She couldn't possibly be out of her twenties. She really does look that young. Her wisdom is a wholly different matter. Her journey was an epic of the heart and soul. I choked back tears of profound admiration listening to her share her love and experience. She so touched my heart that all loneliness seemed to be lifted sitting with all these others who had come out this night to help the homeless and addicted. Thanks to Ashley Judd I found again that place where I can identify deeply with those who deal with their own loneliness and separation with the illusions of drugs and alcohol, trapped in the despair of their addictive disease and mental illness. It was all over too soon. I must read Ashley Judd's memoir, "All that is Bitter and Sweet."

My guests Hannah and Sharisse had to take the coffee and seafood platters I'd succeeded in winning, forgetting I'd come on motorcycle. I was thankful though for the RCMP Bomber Jacket. The beautiful red siege wearing RCMP member from Richmond comes every year. In years past the black RCMP bomber jacket offering had obviously been made for active members. This year they had a "larger" offering, obviously for the more senior desk jockeys.
Thank you Turning Point for all the fine work you do for the addicted. You are a great non profit society. I wish your new home in North Vancouver as great success as your Richmond homes. It was terrific, too,  to see North Vancouver's mayor there.

Turning Point Recovery Society Gala Fundraiser

Last night Laura and I so enjoyed another annual Turning Point Gala.  This was our 5th one since they began and this one celebrated 30 years since Turning Point began. In 1982 Jim Ross and some fellow addicts and alcoholics banded together to have a house where they could live sober while putting back their lives after the devastation of years of the disease of addiction. With the  security and spirituality of Turning Point homes hundreds of sick people have found they way back from the abyss returning to health, employment, family and citizenship.  The spiritual message is simply that there is clearly more than death on the street that a human is meant for.  At Turning Point men and women leave the shame of addiction and gain a life of dignity in recovery.
Actor Rob Lowe humorously shared his ideas and feelings about real living, his 20 year loving marriage, his adored sons, his work as an actor doing the best he can be with the people he most cherishes.  His talk was spiced with anecdotes of childhood friends like Charlie Sheen and even stories of time with Wayne Goreski.  The room was packed full and he received a standing ovation.  A lovely soul and fine human.  His memoirs, Stories I only Tell My Friends, is naturally a best seller.
The very beautiful and chic Randene Neil from Global BC news team hosted the night marvellously  for the fourth time.  Fred Lee from CBC brought his immense enthusiasm and good will with an extra helping of hilarity to his role as Auctioneer.  The much loved Turning Point Recovery Society Executive Director, Brenda Plant spoke of the year's accomplishments, the difficulties of stigma facing those with addiction but the success of opening a new  woman's only home in Richmond. The hope is to open another home this year on the north shore.  Her heartfelt thanks went out to  all.  Randene read lists of dignitaries from Vancouver and Richmond present to the applause of all.  Again this year Finance Minister Falcon was there in great form.  The Fred Lee and Kevin Falcon combo was high wit at its finest.
Westjet tickets to anywhere and back were auctioned. Terrific weekend getaway packages  to Spinnakers in Victoria with whale watching, Tofino's Pacific Sands Beach Resort with Coastal Hotspring Tour, and Whistler Pan Pacific with River Rafting and Ziptreking.  In the silent auction there was a wealth of jewelry, dinners, lunches,  paintings, Canucks Tickets, spa packages, RCMP bomber jackets, all manner of  perfumes and lotion packages and even Canadian Tire contribution of patio sets.  Laura was really pleased that I was able to beat the pack and get her the Mary Kay and Bumble and Bumble Hair Products I knew the girlie girl in her would enjoy.
The Four Seasons meal and service was exquisite.  I loved the fine threads, the ladies most elegant in gowns while the men in suits cleaned up well indeed. I enjoyed the best of company at our Rosemary adorned table, Laura and I sitting with our friends Ganesh, Anita and Darren while tonight I was delighted to make a new friend of globetrotting Jason.  As always I loved to see my friend Malcolm, Bill  and colleague Peter.
This Turning Point Recovery Society  Gala event of the year was spectacular in every way.