Ian and Thea Baxter pulled out all the stops at a Canada Day party at their home in Surrey on July 1st. Most of us guests were first generation Canadians who are proud and thankful to call this beautiful country "home". Over the many years that many of us have known each another, we've danced the night away at New Year's Eve parties, dressed up in wierd and wonderful costumes at Halloween, and raised our voices in sing-along sessions—specially at Christmas time when we've belted out well-loved carols with gusto. We've soaked in the August sun at our annual Anglo-Indian Day picnics, gone on a few group trips around our city and environs, and enjoyed one another's company at birthdays and special anniversaries.

Most of us were born and lived in different parts of India and Burma, but there were some exceptions: Minnie (Gorkoff) was from Africa, while Koozma Gorkoff and Jeanette Vint were native born Canadians—a rare species!

We sat on the Baxters' sunny patio, appropriately decorated with Canadian flags and streamers, listening to nostalgic '50s and '60s music playing in the background while catching up with one another's news and views. We sipped our wine, beer and, in my case an R&C, and nibbled on bhel-puri (Thea's authentic specialty), lightly spiced Indian masala balls, crackers teamed with a creamy spread and other tidbits.

Corinne (McCarthy), Keith (Vint) and Ian (Baxter)

Rowland (McCarthy)

The McCarthys

Serious stuff? Margaret (Deefholts) and Deanne (Fernandes)

Cheers? Ashley Oliver

Minnie (Gorkoff) and Bob (Fernandes)

Ashley and Brenda Oliver

Must've been a good one! Keith (Vint) and Margaret (Deefholts)

No celebration is complete without a feast - and thanks to our hosts' and their guests' culinary skills, the pot-luck table groaned under a huge variety of scrumptious dishes —chicken, beef and, sausage curries, and a pork vindaloo. The big WOW—an enormous dekchi of biriyani! In addition our lunch included dal, several varieties of pullao, fresh salads, delicious dahi vadas and an onion-tomato-cucumber raita.

Such a marvellous spread! So who could ask for anything more? Well... a Birthday cake of course!

L-R: Margaret Deefholts, Rhyllis McCarthy, Brenda Oliver, our hostess, Thea Baxter, Gwen Vint, Jeanette Vint, Deanne Fernandes, Tessie Copeman

Say "Cheese" Margaret, Brenda and Ashley

L-R:Rhyllis McCarthy, Brenda Oliver, Thea Baxter, Gwen Vint, Jeanette Vint, Deanne Fernands, Tessie Copeman, Minnie Garkoff

Ashley Oliver, Keith Vint and Mark Baxter

L-R: Ashley Oliver, Keith Vint, Mark Baxter, Darren Baxter, Ian Baxter, Koozma Gorkoff, Bob Fernandes

Ian Baxter, Koozma Gorkoff, Bob Fernandes

Singing "Oh Canada": Jeanette, Deanne and Tessie

Watch the video clip!

Three Generations of the Baxters:
L-R: Deanna, Mark and their son Darren, Ian and Thea (all smiles!)

And then...we went on to sing Happy Birthday to Tessie as in addition to celebrating Canada Day, it was also her 80th Birthday

Happy Birthday Tessie - blow out that candle!