July 7, 2002 was an exceptionally warm day. It probably reached 30 C, perhaps 40 C with the humidex. What better weather than this to have a picnic? And to top it all off, at the "cream of the crop" parks in the greater Toronto area? Paulynn Park was the ultimate in picnic grounds throughout the 1970s, 80s, and to some degree the 1990s. Paulynn Park is situated in a deep valley with a small creek running through it. Ample shade, parking and perfect acoustics for listening to Macedonian music!

Paulynn Park was the most common park for "Pik-nik"s for the Macedonian community. I remember the days when my family and I would take the trek out to Pickering. My mother would be packing the tupperware and napkins, salad, watermelon and canteloupe, while my father was busy filling the cooler with ice, cold drinks, and cold beer. Don't forget the steaks! Squeeze the folding chairs into the trunk, make sure I had the baseball bat, gloves, and frisbee. Waiting until you were in the vicinity of the park when you'd read the sign, "Pik-nik" ... even as a child you would laugh at how these Macedonian immigrants would continually mis-spell "picnic" on a piece of cardboard attached to a stick in the ground, the big arrow pointing "that way!" Hoping you were the first among the attendees so that you could acquire a spot with the "senka" (shade provided by the trees).

This year was a combined event. The Banitza Benevolent Society held their annual picnic in association with the Gornicevo Society - a move primarily to boost attendance among the dwindling "Macedonian conscious" community of Toronto, and because many married between the two neighbouring villages.

Not a cloud in the sky along with a blistering heat gave an aroma of "true picnic".

Unfortunately at my discretion I did not take many up-close pictures of attendees of the picnic due to the unfavourable response I received from my article regarding the individuals advertising in the Greek Vevi Society calendar. It seemed that too many people within the "Banitsa community" frowned upon my listing of personal names and accusations ... I still don't understand why ... but you can't teach a donkey new tricks.

The following pictures are thumbnails - to view the larger image simply click on the picture:.