O.H. What A Lovely Dinner
By Richard Vizor

'Fine grey haired' Bill Cook (right) chats with another dinner regular
I have just been looking through last year's dinner video, (see details of video sales at the end of this article); it struck me that sometimes I find myself forgetting the reason why we get together for a jolly once a year. So before I recap on the events of the 2003 Oscar Heidenstam Foundation Memorial Dinner, I would like to take sometime to remember why we get together in the first place. Here is a brief summary with help from the video itself.

The Oscar Heidenstam Memorial Foundation was launched to perpetuate the memory of Oscar in appreciation and recognition of his remarkable legacy.

Oscar's life was dedicated to serving others and extending the hand of friendship no matter what a person's background was. So we should follow this example, and through his vision motivate ourselves, and others to do good works.

'Do good by stealth and blush to find it known,' was Oscar's hallmark, and so it should be ours also.

The ethos and work of the OHF is to befriend, serve, encourage and honour, both able-bodied and disabled sports persons; whom by their example serve to educate and inspire others.

So remembering that, let us this year dig a little deeper and generously support the OHF through its works, so that they can continue serving others in the fellowship of Physical Culture. And that we too can be inspired to good works in our own way.

We all knew Oscar in different ways, whether it was personally; or through the stories told about his remarkable life. Let the text of the video leave you with a final remark about Oscar, because it say's it better than I can.

'When the curtains open and when they close, we will remember Him.'

OHF Dinner 03'.
Although the main event of the weekend centres around the proceedings of Saturday night, there is so much more going on that will interest anyone with a passion for Physical Culture. I do urge you, if you are coming to make a weekend of it. And if you're not, why not? There's too much to miss out on.

It was the first time for me to stay the full three days, Friday - Sunday, and I'm glad that I decided to; because it gave me so much more time and opportunity to spend with people. Most importantly, I was able to catch up with and meet new mobsters without feeling rushed.

I arrived at the Marriott; on Friday evening after jetting in from some far flung film location, to be greeted by the every eager, Malcolm and Cliff. After checking in, catching up with my wife on the phone, wishing my 8-month-old son good night, and getting out of a suit I had been wearing since the previous evening and into a shower. That's what I love about the Marriott hotels and other chains; they are so reliable and have such high quality and great standards. At about eight o'clock I was changed and ready for dinner. I entered the restaurant and sat at a table across from the OHF board members, (I must say they looked far from bored), and next to a fine grey haired gentleman who had ordered a pizza and was reading a 'How to improve your Golf' book.

We both seemed to be waiting ages for dinner to come, I had already got through half a bottle of red wine, felling a little bored I asked the gentleman whether it was a good book, we shared the rest of my wine, and the dinners came. By this point I began to mention bodybuilding to counter talks on golf tactics, and low and behold I was talking to Mr. Ireland, Bill Cook, and a Mobster to boot.

Hey Steve! Why can't you make us up some mobster badges, like the health & strength league, then we can greet each other with hails of 'Hello Fellow Mobster.' SG: That'd be one of the Mobster badges you already have Richard :P

The evening passed, and soon my eyelids were heading south for the foreseeable future. Morning crept upon me with a flash and a phone call from my dearest, to tell me all about my son waking at 4am, but why did I need to know that at 7am? However I like to rise earlier when I'm at a decent hotel, I can get in an early swim and a light breakfast, before planning my day ahead.

After breakfast, and seeing a few weary smiles from board members, I made my way up to the Buckingham suite to see if I could lend a hand, but to my surprise, I found Malcolm hard at work, with the room looking pretty organised. I did however manage to, have a quick chat with him over a coffee, before he was back head long into his work. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to put together the memorial dinner, from setting out the memorabilia, to arrange table places and all those countless auction and draw prizes need sorting out. Those auction

Two sets of broad shoulders: Mike Thompson and Alan Radley

pieces don't arrive in those bags with the bidding sheets attached, it all takes a lot of time and dedication. And for me Malcolm is such a fine example of 'Do good by stealth and blush to find it known.'

I sat in reception with a coffee, and soon face after familiar face arrived and the mobsters + my newfound friend Bill Cook began to accumulate ready for a pub lunch. When we got to the pub it was like the start of a marathon, everyone was jostling for position and under starters orders. As soon as we were seated the Muscle Talk began, Steve was out in front with Bill biting at his heels, and Alan in close third. If it hadn't been for my watch they may still have been there now. But as the tea party time loomed upon us, we herded the group back to the hotel, and about two minutes peace before the tea party muscle talk began. Its no wonder there are so many gym widow's out there listening to us lot talk.

The tea party was again fantastic, lots of chat with tea, coffee, and cake courtesy of Rosemary Gentle. Some highlights of the tea party where, Alan Radley, getting stuck in the door way, (well have you seen his shoulders), meeting Stan Pike for the first time, all of us getting banned from competing professionally for taking Growth Hormones, (what was in that cake Mrs. G, was it David's special protein), and most of all hearing a man I or at least so they told us. We all waited in the car park for the all clear, we began to wonder what had happened, was there too much friction between the mobsters. Then suddenly the culprit was found as the fire brigade arrived and a big smile grew across John's face. (He He).

Soon it was time to get suited and booted ready for the evening, but what's up the OHF have saved a surprise for us, as the fire alarm sounds and we all evacuate the building, some people coming directly from the shower, or at least so they told us. We all waited in the car park for the all clear, we began to wonder what had happened, was there too much friction between the mobsters. Then suddenly the culprit was found as the fire brigade arrived and a big smile grew across John's face. (He He).

Soon it was time for the main event, after bidding on silent auction items, getting draw tickets, and catching up with old friends, we sat down and the meal began, followed by the speeches. Which I am not going to tell you about, if you want to hear them then you will HAVE TO BUY THE VIDEO. I will say however, Joan Rhoades and Robert Kennedy's were among the all time funniest, and Mickey Hagarty's was probably the most heart felt. BUY THE VIDEO, SEE WHAT YOU MISSED, IT'S A MUST HAVE. (And a brilliant way to support the foundation).

Soon it was all over for another year, just time to collect our, auction wins and our grand draw prizes. Oh by the way don't let me forget to say, one of the best after show strongmen events you will see on VIDEO this year.

After dinner it was time to relax in the bar, time to catch up with friends and meet the stars. I was sad however because one friendly face was missing from the crowd, that of Leo Rosa, who was unable to attend.

A few Mobsters went on to Steve's room and chatted until 3am when they were promptly told off by the Hotel staff for making too much noise. Hey guy's lets not get out of hand this year, if you want to talk fine, but follow these few rules (SG: he's such a spoilsport boo hoo).

1. Keep the revelling to a dull whisper.
2. Do not disturb your neighbours.
3. Set us a good example, to follow.

Sunday morning came and all too soon it was time to say good-bye and head home. I will remember a couple of things from this visit, the meal with Bill, seeing the hard work that Malcolm and the board put into behind the scenes preparation, sitting on the largest mobster table ever, but most of all hearing Lou's poem.

OHF Dinner 04
This year will be even better. If you are coming, here is an idea of what the mobsters will be getting up to over the weekend.

Friday
I will be collecting Steve and the Millennium dumbbell and we will both be travelling to the hotel. At some point after checking in, myself, Steve, Alan Radley, John Fearnley + friend will be meeting up for dinner and chats. You are more than welcome to join us, more the merrier.

Right: an award shield like the one which will be presented to our writer of the year at the Muscle Mob tea.

Saturday
Any Mobster available + friends, will meet in the foyer at about midday, then travel across the road for a pub lunch and more chin wag. At about 3pm we will all meet up in a mobster's room (to be announced), for the annual Mobster tea party, and especially for this year the inaugural Muscle Mob Writer of the Year Award. Then as you are all aware the main event starts at around 5:30pm followed by Big Hairy Men (I'm sure this could be a hit T.V. show), will start man handling large weights. This year in particular, will see our Honouree David Horne World Class Grip Strength Athlete, and without a doubt either He or Liz will show us all how it's done. This is then followed by chatting in the bar, then retiring to Steve's room (probably), for more muscle talk into the early hours, (however it must be said that if you want to join in this late night chat whispering is protocol).

Sunday
You can join us for breakfast, then it will be a final chinwag, before we deflate Steve's head, pack up and ship out.

Does this whet your appetite, it should do unless you've been taking too much of David's special Protein (he, he).

If you want a copy of last years video then send £14.75 which includes p&p, (exception overseas), stating video number nine to: Malcolm Whyatt Dept OHFV 12 Nimrod Drive, Hereford, HR1 1UG England. (For overseas sales first call Malcolm on 01432 358339 or email: w.whyatt@euphony.net) Please make cheques payable to: OH Foundation.