Parkwood holds Come Sail Away gala – Downtown Oshawa News

Story and photos by Stephanie Foden

stephaniefoden 001 — Guests watched MC Ken Shaw play a whistle game.

The Parkwood Foundation’s Come Sail Away gala celebrated Sam McLaughlin’s love of boating.
The annual benefit on May 25 was under a marquee tent on the grounds of Parkwood Estate, a national historic site and the former home of General Motors Canada founder Colonel Sam McLaughlin.
Funds raised this year will go to support the greenhouse conservation project and continued preservation of the estate.

stephaniefoden 002 — A view of the grounds of Parkwood Estate.

The formal event included cocktails, dinner, entertainment, dancing and live and silent auctions.

stephaniefoden 003 — MC, Ken Shaw from CTV speaks to guests.

Jocelyn Shaw, the granddaughter of R. S. McLaughlin, was the honorary chairwoman of the gala, while Ken Shaw from CTV was the master of ceremonies.
Each year, Parkwood selects a theme for its gala after a significant moment in the life and times of Sam McLaughlin. The 2012 theme, Come Sail Away, reflects on Sam McLaughlin’s boating hobby, and his prized yacht, the Azara.
The Parkwood archives include home movies that highlight the McLaughlin family’s love of boating including footage taken on their yacht at the Belleville Yacht Races in the 1920s.
McLaughlin was also quoted reminiscing about his motor boat, which “would speed from the Oshawa waterfront to the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto in an hour and a half.”