Fond memories of WillowbankSeptember 30, 2011Dear Sir,My wife and I were faithful Christmas guests at Willowbank from 1987 to 2006 when we purchased RCI vacation points and began to holiday at St George’s Club. Further I stayed at Willowbank several times while researching and writing a (hitherto unpublished) biography of architect Wil Onions.I was delighted to learn that Wil had designed and built my favourite part of Willowbank, “Corktree Cottage”. Although we have vacationed for the last five years in St George’s, we retain fond memories of Willowbank as well as friendships with many of the staff.Our hearts go out to Terri and Jeff Allison, to Cindy, “our” chambermaid, and Barbara her mother who presided at Tea, to Margot and Gretchen who kept the front desk running so smoothly, and of course, the memory of Herbie Knight who entertained us with “groaners” at breakfast, and warnings to walk carefully “facing the oncoming traffic” and that the “tiles can be slippery” when it rained.Many of our closest friendships here in Canada were forged at Willowbank. Without Willowbank, Bermuda will be a little less sunny and warm this December when we return. To quote our favourite Willowbank Grace: “Bless the food upon our dishes as Thou blessed the loaves and fishes, Bless the sugar in my tea, And may we all be stirred by Thee. Amen”HOWARD AND VAL SMITHVictoria, British Columbia