This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before June 24." align="left" />The apt theme for this year’s annual Can-Am celebration at the Lake Chapala Society is “Together We Make a Community.”
This popular event will observe the birthdays of the United States and Canada and takes place on Tuesday, July 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The LCS planning committee has been working hard to create a real country fair atmosphere, complete with wandering musicians: Trio Ajijic and Recuerdos de mi Mexico play traditional Mexican romantic music between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Tony’s Restaurant will sell hotdogs and hamburgers, Tom’s Bar will provide their award winning chili and over a dozen non-profit organizations will showcase their contributions to our community.
After eating, drinking and cruising the booths, participants can dance to the music of the Jam Band, who regularly rock El Barco. They’ll tune up and get rolling with songs from the 1950s through the 80s in the back patio from 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The cost is only 60 pesos. Tickets may be purchased ahead of time at LCS, Diane Pearl’s or Lois Cuigini’s Opus Boutique in Ajijic.
So come out and make this a birthday bash to remember all year long, organizers say.
Seeing off Jeanne
The Jeanne Chaussee memorial fiesta will see her off with a bang.
The party begins on Saturday, June 22 with a parade starting at Ajijic’s Six Corners at 3:45 p.m. that will include Sayaca dancers, banda musicians playing her favorite tunes, charro horsemen and a calandria delivering Jeanne’s ashes and her family to the main event at the Ajijic plaza, beginning at 4 p.m. Dancing horses will perform on Calle Paroquia, a choral group will sing “Beautiful Dreamer” and eulogies will be offered.
Live mariachi serenades begin at 5:15 p.m. Also expect a marimba band, ballet folklorico, possible visits by a saxophonist and a bagpiper, finger food and both loaded libations and non-alcoholic beverages. Safe fireworks will begin at dark. About 100 chairs will be available but bring your own if you have foldable models. Valet parking is available.
For those who have a hard time climbing, there is a railing heading up the stairs next to the Ajijic delegado’s office and a wheelchair ramp just west of the pay phone near the popsicle store. See you there.
Tequila fest on hold
Chapala’s tourism office has announced the indefinite postponement of the Festival del Tequila that was originally planned for June 28 through 30. Reasons for suspending the event were not explained, although unpredictable weather conditions at this time of year would presumably be one factor taken into account.
Meatloaf contest
American Legion Post Seven (Morelos 114, Chapala) holds its 13th annual “No Rules Meatloaf Contest” on Wednesday, June 26. Cocktails are served at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m.
There are prizes for first, second and third places. To enter, sign up at the Post. Call 765-2259 for more information.
Tickets for contestants are 40 pesos; for dinner only they cost 80 pesos.
Legion’s Fourth
Post Seven will be holding its annual Independence Day picnic on Thursday, July 4.
The picnic menu will include fried chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw and ice cream with a choice of toppings. Tickets are 120 pesos. A DJ will keep the music flowing. Cocktails are served at noon. Dinner at 1 p.m.
Also, don’t forget Post Seven’s weekly “Fish Fry” every Saturday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The fish platter, with French fries and coleslaw, costs just 70 pesos.
Genealogy Forum
The June meeting of the Genealogy Forum will take place Monday June 24, 2 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala.
This month will feature a presentation by Jean-Francois Waigel, who researched his Swiss ancestors living in the Geneva, Switzerland area and was able to trace some of the lines back to 1470. He then wrote a book for his grandchildren that incorporated the history of the family and the history of Switzerland. He included some other European history. He will be showing us some of the techniques he used and resources he found. The lecture will also include a brief demonstration of Heredis, an elegant genealogy software program.
The group meets the last Monday of the month. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Canada Day
The Canadian Club of Lake Chapala will be holding their Canada Day celebration at La Nueva Posada, in Ajijic on Monday, July 1, from 1 p.m. The special guest will be Yvonne Chin, the Canadian Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner, who will be making her last visit to Lake Chapala before retiring from her position.
Tickets are on sale at the front desk of La Nueva Posada until June 27 at a cost of 150 pesos.
Venue change
Rather than the La Floresta address originally announced, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch One will celebrate Canada’s 146th birthday at Villa Encantada (Hidalgo 312, Chapala).
The event on Monday, July 1 begins at 2 p.m., with music provided by Noe, Roy and Paco. There will be a special Canada Day ceremony, as well as a drawing for a beach trip (see below), door prizes and a tequila tasting by Don Vito.
Dinner, served at 4 p.m., will be catered by Manix and feature BBQ pork on a bun, baked beans, potato salad and accoutrements. Dessert will be a birthday cake. Tickets are 180 pesos.
The drawing prize is an all-inclusive trip for two (including tips) to the Hotel Riu in Nueva Vallarta on the weekend of November 25-29, including a luxury bus ride leaving from Lakeside. Only 100 tickets will be sold at 200 pesos each. The trip is valued at 8,000 pesos and is transferable. A portion of funds raised will go toward support of Casa Corazon.
For tickets for the picnic or the raffle call 765-3264, 765-2602 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Viva el Maiz
Celebration of Corn, a program aimed at promoting public awareness for the conservation of Mexico’s heirloom native corn species, will be held Sunday, June 30, 10 a.m., at the Ajijic Malecon amphitheater.
The event will close with a parade through the village. Organizers encourage expat residents to invite their Mexican friends and neighbors.
Cuban night in Ajijic
Velada Cubana, a social event showcasing the culture of Cuba organized by lakeside’s International Institute, is booked for Friday, June 28, 6-11 p.m. at the Centro Cultural de Ajijic, located on the main plaza.
The program will feature live music by Zona Cuba and samplings of typical Cuban foods and drinks. Proceeds will go towards scholarships for worthy local students.
Tickets, priced at 70 pesos for adults and 50 pesos for children, are available at the Cultural Center or from the school’s students and staff.
Little Chapel
The Little Chapel by the Lake (Carretera 10, Chula Vista) will conduct their regular activities on Sunday, June 23. Pre-service refreshment will be served at 10:30 a.m. and at 11:15 a.m. the Rev. Gene Raymer will deliver a message titled “Best Supporting Apostle,” based on various passages throughout the Book of Acts. After the service, members of the congregation will enjoy a fellowship meal at a nearby restaurant.
On Wednesday, June 26, 2 p.m., members will gather for their interactive class on “What We Believe and Why.” This past week’s discussion focused on the Biblical instructions for the role of women in worship and how they differ from our current practices. Next week’s class topic will be chosen by the attendees.
St. Andrew’s
Externals matter. Of course, as the Bible makes clear, God judges us on the basis of what’s inside, not outside. But we’re not God, and for us it’s true that externals matter, because what we show on the outside can actually change what’s on the inside, for better or worse.
This week’s sermon at St. Andrew’s asks, “Are You Putting Me On?” and suggests that what we choose to show to the world can become a part of who we actually are. At St. Andrew’s, the 10 a.m. Sunday worship and fellowship are the weekly “outward and visible signs” of who we aspire to be.
St. Andrew’s admits that its “Update 2013” remodeling project is temporarily making the church look a little messier than usual but explains the upside in this way: “It’s another way in which we are changing our outward appearance in order to be an even more inclusive, accepting, and welcoming home to our members, friends, neighbors and community groups.”
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is located at San Lucas 19, one block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Unitarians
The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Sta. Margarita 113 (southwest corner of Santa Clara and Sta. Margarita) in Riberas del Pilar. On June 23, Susan Miller will give the talk titled “Humor on a Sunday Morning” and Susie Wagner will lead the service. There will be a coffee hour following the service. For more information please call 766-1119 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Center for Spiritual Living
The Reverend Tim Schubert will share another topic from the center’s Storms theme, “Over the Rainbow,” at its regular service on Friday, June 28, from 5 to 6 p.m.
Classes continue on Wednesdays with a new theme, “Total Prosperity Now,” with the Reverend Maureen Jones. Thursday’s class is completing “The Experience of God.” Classes are from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with Thursday’s class preceded by an optional meditation fro 20 minutes from 10.a.m.
The center celebrates “July the Fourth” on Friday, July 5, with an all-American Potluck after the service. Center for Spiritual Living is at Nicolas Bravo 17, Ajijic. For further information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 766-0920.
Presbyterians
On Sunday, June 23 at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Pastor Ross Arnold will give a sermon on “The Secret Touch.” You may remember stories of faith and miracles from your Sunday School days, they seemed very mysterious! Do miracles still happen, or are they only historical remnants of a far distant past? Pastor Ross will use as his text Mark 5:24-34. Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m. Friday morning Bible study will resume at 10 a.m. on June 28.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church is located on the mountain side of the Carretera, just west of S&S Auto and Bubba’s Restaurant.
Christ Church
Christ Church Anglican Fellowship will celebrate the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost on June 23 by celebrating the Holy Eucharist Rite II at 9:30 a.m. in the Little Chapel by the Lake. Fr. Danny Borkowski’s sermon topic is “Deviled Ham,” based on Luke 8:26-39.
Church in a box
Christ Church Anglican will take its “Church-in-a-Box” and a “Moveable Feast” to La Sagrada Familia mission in Mazamitla on Sunday, June 30.
The relationship between the two missions began several years ago after the representatives of the Ajijic church learned that the priest who visited La Sagrada Familia once a month was in hospital and the congregation had not held a communion service for several months.
Christ Church members voted to cancel one of their services and travel to Mazamitla.
“We call this event ‘Church-in-a-Box’ because we pack up all our items for celebration and take them with us,” says Father Danny Borkowski. “We also say that we will have a ‘Moveable Feast’ because we take fried chicken and the fixings with us.”
Lakeside participants are asked to bring dishes to accompany the chicken provided by Christ Church for a pot luck following the service.
Anyone who is interested may join in this outreach to Mazamitla. Those going from Lakeside will meet at Farmacia Guadalajara and depart at 9:15 a.m. with a dish to share at the chicken picnic.
Those wishing to go must let Kay Borkowski (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 766-2495) know by Thursday, June 27, so Christ Church can make certain there are enough rides available … and enough fried chicken to go around!