Westmounter Richard Pound emceed the evening that featured short presentations about the honourees, a presentation of honour roll certificates to a family member or friend of the honouree and displays of their lives and times.

McGill professor Nicholas Kasirer gave a brief bio of honouree Arnold Danford Patrick Heeney (1902-1970), a distinguished lawyer, civil servant and a man Kasirer said among many other accomplishments, reformed and modernized Canada’s public service.

The award was accepted by Heeney's granddaughter, Katherine Kasirer.

The life and accomplishments of Group of Seven founding member Alexander Young Jackson (1882-1974) was presented by author Wayne Larsen, who has written two books on the life and work of the acclaimed artist. Describing Jackson as "bulldog tough," Larsen briefly detailed Jackson's life as a landscape painter and war artist during the years he was based on Hallowell Street, from 1904 to 1919.

Jackson's honour roll certificate was accepted by his great-nephew, Alex Hamilton.

The life and times of honouree Mordecai Richler (1931-2001) was remembered fondly by family friend and former city councillor Peter Duffield, who shared several humorous anecdotes about the novelist, essayist and satirist’s life and writing. He specifically mentioned that Richler did not enjoy small talk.

Richler’s widow, Florence, accepted his honour roll certificate.

Dr. Charles Scriver recounted the life and accomplishments of his mother, pediatrician and academic Dr. Jessie Boyd Scriver (1894-2000), whom he said lived through the automobile century. A woman in a male-dominated profession, Scriver graduated in 1922 from the first McGill University Faculty of Medicine class opened to women. She then began a career and life of ceaseless giving until her death at age 106 in 2000. One of the most notable contributions to generations throughout the world was her pioneering research and findings in the treatment of sickle cell anemia.

Following his presentation, Dr. Scriver himself accepted the honour on his mother's behalf.

Vin d’honneur ceremonies have been celebrated every two years in Westmount since they were first inaugurated by former mayor May Cutler in 1990. Honourees are selected by a nominating committee that was chaired this year by lifelong Westmount resident Alan Aiken.

At the end of the presentations, Pound invited the guests and the community at large to start thinking about nominees for the next Vin d’honneur that will be celebrated in spring 2011.