A quick follow up here on the Habs Inside Out fan summit donation to the Gainey Foundation after last month's raffle. The amount donated to the fund from fans totalled $1,250.00 and today I received a thank you note on our behalf.

Below, are the contents of the short note sent from Anna Gainey. Take a minute or two to visit the Gainey Foundation website and learn about all their endeavors. A big thanks once more to all the HIO summiteers who gave so generously of their time, their wallets, and of their collections to make this happen.

November 12, 2008

Dear Robert:

On behalf of my family, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Habs inside - out group for their generous support of the Gainey Foundation. I received both the money order and cheque you sent by mail.

I regret not being able to...

Continue reading "A Letter From The Gainey Foundation" »

The Habs Inside Out's second annual Habs Fan Summit has come and gone in a blur.

As was the case 12 months ago on the occasion of the inaugural event, it was indeed a blissful blur once again.

I can only truly speak for my own self, but perhaps this thought resonates throughout all the hearts and minds of the other participants in this weekend. After months of anxious anticipation, the day sure passes by in a flash.

Before you know it, the day is ending, and it seems to leave you wanting more.

Consider this: There were quite possibly 70 or more people attending the game and the individual events. For everyone gathered, there were dozens of immediate new aquaintences made. For those who took part the first time around, there were familiar faces added in to the meet and greet mix. Through the multitude of handshakes, hugs and hellos, there simply...

Continue reading "A Ball Was Had By All At The HIO Habs Fan Summit 2008" »

Alright, Habs Inside Out Summitters.....are you ready to party!

Seems like all this is approaching at the speed of light, isn't?

Well thankfully, the long wait is finally almost over!

This will be the final post leading up to Saturday's game and should serve to detail and inform about all the day's happening and events.

If I do this right, it ought to be chronological!

When the Sun rises saturday morning on Montreal - and it darn well better - some of the group will already be in the city, having travelled the night before.

Whether you reside in the city hockey never forgot, stayed over the night before at Hotel Du Fort, or are arriving in the city early, Paul Dube (Habs Rule 1) had you in mind.

BREAKFAST 9 A.M.

He's set up breakfast for us early risers at Eggspectations, located at 1313 De Maisonneuve West, at the corner of Rue de la Montagne. It is...

Continue reading "HIO Summit Day Agenda" »

The raffle to benefit the Gainey Foundation will be taking place at Baton Rouge at 3:30 P.M. We are asking that those who are proving the gift donations arrive at 3:00 to allow for some set up and organizing time.

As this is a bit of a new endeavor for us, there will be some speed bumps along the way.

We have a basement floor room reserved for our group at the restaurant, and they are prepared for what we are about to do.

The great news is that there's a very good to excellent chance that Canadiens alumni president Rejean Houle will be joining us at 4:00 p.m. Speaking with Mr. Houle yesterday, he confirmed with me that his schedule is clear for that time. Only an unforeseen situation will prevent him from stopping by and spending time with us.

Ms. Anna Gainey, daughter of Bob and the person...

Continue reading "The Raffle Prizes And Details" »

At long last, the day of the Summit is finally upon us, a mere 72 hours away.

Much work has been done to put this day together, but before getting on to discussing the agenda of the opening of Duck hunting season, a shout out must be passed on for all those who helped bring about great time we are set to enjoy.

From the moment the Summit 2 idea was dropped at HIO this summer, Rob Sweick (a.k.a Smart Dog) came on board enthusiastically, offering to help out in practically every endeavor. In the areas of ticket purchasing, travel and hotel accomodations, and scheduling, Rob did much work behind the scenes to help prepare for different situations and scenarios as plans unfolded. Unfortunately for our friend, his work was cut short by a death in his family. He passed along what he had come up with, and was very much hoping...

Continue reading "Getting By With A Lot Of Help From Our Friends" »

Seventeen days and counting!

People....are we all anxious yet?

I get the sense from e-mails back and forth from folks, and messages left in this space, that we are all excited for the drive to October 25.

PLEASE CHECK THE LATEST UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POSTING.

This post will pertain strictly to the Gainey Foundation raffle idea. Here's a little background on the idea.

Back in July when we were putting plans in place for this year's summit, several posters brought up last seasons group making a cash donation to the Gainey Foundation by means of raffling a Canadiens jersey. I do not know who originated the idea then, but I found it to be a beautiful gesture on the part of those fans. When the idea was brought up again this time, I decided I wanted to take a more active part in it.

I began to look through...

Continue reading "Habs Inside Out Fan Summit Raffle" »

Somewhere in this place you plan to enjoy the greatest sport on earth, played by the greatest team ever to play the game in the world, with many of the greatest fans of hockey and this storied franchise that you will ever meet. But being a true fan you want to expand your knowledge of the hockey universe.

On October 25th, and sometime before 7 O'clock that evening, you will be settling in to your seat to enjoy the game with all of us that are attending The Habs Inside/Out Fan Summit. But our very first official event to kick off our pilgrimage to hockey's Mecca will be starting at 10:30 that morning at the Centre Bell. At that time we will be gathering outside to prepare for the tour. We want everyone there the extra half hour early - the tour launch time is actually at 11:00...

Continue reading "Welcome to the Centre of the Hockey Universe" »

Hello all HIO Summiteers!

Game night is now 25 days away, and we are into the final planning stages for the day's events.

Two weeks ago we asked for a head count for the purposes of the pre game and post game gatherings. I have so far received e-mails accounting for 62 of the 81 persons who have ordered tickets through us. Seven non - respondants, counting for the remaining 19 people have yet to give me a shout.

If by chance you are one of those, please e-mail me (via my HIO profile tab) so that I know I have your e-mail correct. In the next couple of days I will sending out another e-mail and I would like to be assured they are reaching their proper destination.

So far, our head count is for 55 people for the meal before the game, and 48 post game party.

I...

Continue reading "Summit Plans Down To The Finer Details" »

Our tickets, 81 confirmed and paid for, have been shipped to us. The bulk group of tickets will then be sent out in the coming days.

Just a cautious reminder having to do with the group purchasing a block of 56 tickets, and an additional block of 25. People who purchased tickets from both blocks will be receiving them in two separate mailings.

With one Summit hurdle cleared, it is time to move forward with the events of the day.

Ian, our fearless scoutmaster and man of all purposes, has booked our multitudes in for a Bell Centre tour at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Due to our numbers, and the planning of other events during the day, this was the wisest choice for a time to slot this in.

Judging by last year's tour, the Bell brings in on average 30 to 35 people in each grouping, and can run two tours almost...

Continue reading "Habs Summit Update" »

Great news on the Habs Fans Summit front - our block of 56 tickets has been confirmed!

We got 'em folks - woohoo!

Even better - Ian has managed to get his mits on additional tickets, in a section directly above the block of 56. We cannot confirm how many at this point, but were in good, let's just say.

So now, for all of you who wished for extra tickets, here is what you need to do in the next 40 or so hours.

I will need all your info, full name, site name, phone, address, e-mail, and how many tickets you desire. I will be forwarding a list with this info to Ian by midnight tomorrow and the tickets will be ordered when the offices open on Wednesday.

This is all the open window we have for this. For those who have already spoken up about extra tickets,...

Continue reading "56 Tickets Confirmed, More Available For Summit 2" »