I took a swing at this year’s Trenton Cold Storage Annual Golf Tournament for the Alzheimer’s Society held at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ontario.

Do you know what’s worse than golfing in the rain? Not knowing how to golf and being in the rain all day long!  

Despite my limited golf talent, I just had to get involved. My friend Mix97 morning show host Sean Kelly invited me to take part. Hopefully my swing will improve for next year, so I will get invited back!  I did get the hang of it with the help of my golf partner, former NHLer Shawn Antoski. He is known for his swinging of his hands in the NHL (watch this video - yikes!) but this guy was a big pussycat to be paired up with all day.

“Anton” (one of his nicknames, the other is Moose due to the size of his legs - which made mine seem VERY VERY TINY!) was alot of fun to be with. There were a few moments when I thought our golf cart was going to roll, but I never worried … he’s big and I think he would have cushioned my fall (teehee)!

Shawn and I were auctioned off to golf with and the winners for the day were Ron and Brad who run the new Holiday Inn Express in Belleville. The Shopping Channel graciously donated a prize basket piled full with David Babaii, Diamonelle and Elizabeth Grant to give to my golf duo. It felt more like an apology for my poor golf skills, rather than a prize! Well, at least I was my humorous self and highly entertaining through the whole ordeal!

I even got to touch base with a former classmate, former NHLer Brent Gretzky at the dinner (yes, Wayne’s brother.) He is still a sweet guy, just like in highschool and married his girlfriend from highschool too!

Although the weather was wet, the golfing was good, laughs all around and lots of money was raised for the Alzheimer’s Society. It feels good to do good!

Stay Sweet,
Orlena Cain
O on the Go

Sir Anthony Hopkins‘ paintings and drawings are now available for viewing for the first time in Canada at the Harbour Gallery and I was fortunate enough to attend the opening night this past Wednesday.

I have always been a fan of Hopkins and have seen pretty much anything that he has ever appeared in. I did learn, however, that he was in one film I may have missed, which would have helped me understand his artwork a bit more - Surviving Picasso. My good friend and artist, Beckie Dileo, quickly made note that she could see alot of Picasso in his paintings and could even see the inspiration of painting in his Malibu home.

For me I have always loved art, partly because I can not truly paint anything. I’d be fearful of what the painting would reveal about me anyways! (ha,ha). I know, people say that we are all talented in painting…I think “those” people are trying to be nice! Sir Anthony Hopkins is most talented in the area of painting, acting and classical music composition! Yes, even the music playing at the art exhibit was composed by Sir Anthony Hopkins himself.

Harbour Gallery director Jackie Bryant describes Hopkins’ work as evocative and claims that no viewer of his art is left unmoved. ”His work has a magnetism that draws you in, not unlike the many characters he has played in his films. We feel very honoured to have been chosen to promote his work in Toronto.”

A true artist, Hopkins says he paints for the sheer pleasure of it. He often quotes Henry Miller: “Paint what you like and die happy.” Fortunately, Hopkins is painting what he likes and Canadians can now see the work of a true creative genius.

The exhibit runs until June 10th at the Habour Gallery which is located at 1697 Lakeshore West in Mississauga, Ontario. Check it out if you can!

BOOST is a community-based agency committed to eliminating abuse and violence in the lives of children, youth and their families. With the latest news of young Tori Stafford, I felt attending the annual fundraising event was even more essential than ever.

The Butterfly Ball is the main fundraising event held each year. CTV news reporter Galit Solomon was the emcee for the evening and disclosed how her own abuse motivated her to be more involved in the prevention of child abuse.

I was invited this year as a special guest by the Executive Director Karyn Kennedy. I was deeply honoured to be her guest and I was overwhelmed by emotion throughout the evening as I thought about my own experiences of abuse as a child and how many children continue to be abused today. I actively participate in any events I can to raise awareness and understand the power of media. I hope that being a part of The Shopping Channel will help me in getting that message out there.

It was a wonderful evening, brilliant food and elegant décor, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. I shared a table with Detective Sergeant Paul Gillespie from the Toronto Police Sex Crimes Unit and his wife. It was also an incredible display of fashion too! Many of the women were decked out in the who’s who in the fashion world - I chose to wear David Dixon and pearls from Pearl Lustre. I am always quick to show off the goods from The Shopping Channel - so proud!

If you want to learn more about BOOST for KIDS please visit www.boostforkids.org

I try to participate in as many of these events & efforts as I can. There are always so many interesting and passionate people to meet and worth-while connections to be made.

One of my highlights for 2009 already was the Crystal Ball. This was an event that that I would not have missed for anything — even the heavy snow that I faced on the drive to CFB Trenton to get there.

I was asked to attend by the Executive Director of the Quinte Children’s Foundation, Chris Costello and Len Kennedy, President of the Children’s Aid Society in Belleville. It was an invitation that was a delight to receive and I gladly accepted! The only question I pondered was, “What do I wear?” I ended up choosing the A.B.S. Sheath Dress, which I just love. 

me with General Michael Hood of 8 Wing CFB Trenton and Len Kennedy (R), President of the Quinte Children’s Aid Society in Belleville (L)

The Crystal Ball is the first event of its kind at CFB Trenton Air Base and was put together to raise money for the Quinte Children’s Foundation, whose mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect. The Foundation provides support and programs to the community and even has a summer camp for those in need.

 me with Len Kennedy again (R), President of C.A.S. Belleville, and Mayor John Williams of Quinte West (L)

As some of you know, child abuse prevention is near and dear to my heart, being a former youth-in-care at the Children’s Aid Society when I was a young girl. I do my best to be as involved in the cause as I possibly can.

The Shopping Channel provided some amazing gift baskets & prizes which included AGEOFF and MAXX New York handbags. Two lovely ladies (Nicki and Lyndsey) had a friendly tug of war over them! What a wonderful evening!

Happy Halloween!

Yes, with all the festive Halloween activities around here at The Shopping Channel, I got into the fun of things too! In order to transform myself into someone who looks different I went to Salon Zen to have my very noticeable curly hair transformed into silky straight pageant locks. Oliviere is a master at straightening, but the Ojon HairCare products went the extra mile in helping keep my mane manageable and silky smooth.

It was all in fun to become a pageant contestant called MISS BEHAVIN’ . I am always teased about my sauciness off air and my friends and colleagues at The Shopping Channel all agreed that it was an appropriate costume. To get in the mood, I had to watch Rob Zombie’s take on HALLOWEEN, the story of Michael Myers and how he came to be the scary monster he is….I jumped a few times! Honestly, when I woke the next day to head to work, I thought, “If I see Michael Myers outside my door on the street….I won’t be at work today!!”….well, I made it.

Whether you are out for Halloween or stay in to deliver the treats- I hope you have a BOO-tiful night!

Boo-from O on the Go!
Orlena