Special presentations were held at the Brilliant cultural Center and Grand Forks USCC Center on March 4th and 5th to celebrate the successful completion of the Bakery/Cafe & Communication Center at Yasnaya Polyana - a project that was initiated over 8 years ago to acknowledge the Doukhobor's gratitude to Lev Nikolaevitch Tolstoy for his enormous moral and financial contribution to the Doukhobors in their time of need.

The presentations were also a time to celebrate the first public screening of the DVD "Tolstoy and the Doukhobors" which tells of the historic relationship between Lev Nikolaevitch Tolstoy and the Doukhobors.

The Events also gave the opportunity for The Friends of Tolstoy Committee to provide an accounting – ОТЧЕТ - of the Tolstoy Fund and the achieved results; As well, an opportunity to "Thank all the Friends of Tolstoy" - ALL those who have provided financial support, dedicated their time and their efforts to make the project become a reality.

The presentations commenced with the Delegation and Friends of Tolstoy committee members who were present at the Official Opening of the Bakery/Cafe & Communication Center held on September 21, 2005 stepping out and giving the regards from the Tolstoy Family and those in those in attendance at the Official Opening in Yasnaya Polyana. Following the "Poklon" video footage of the Opening Ceremonies was viewed.

The Master of Ceremonies, Lorraine Chutskoff, who very ably handled the MC duties, then asked the Friends of Tolstoy Committee members onto the stage to provide their committee reports. Steering Committee Vice-Chair, Peter P Rezansoff, in introducing the committee members, expressed the following sentiment:

"We believe that you will agree with us that it is important to introduce, acknowledge and thank the Friends of Tolstoy Committee who have worked on behalf of all of us, for we are all Friends of Tolstoy. We were blessed to have had on our committee dedicated people who persevered in various roles, each in his or her own way, beneficially contributing towards the successful completion of the Bakery/Cafe & Communications Center Project. For this we thank them."

Peter commenced the introduction by introducing the two Honorary Chairs: Mr. John J. Verigin, Sr. and Mr. Vladimir Ilyich Tolstoy, who served as Committee Honorary Members providing valuable advice and support throughout the project. This was followed by the introduction of the remaining Committee Members: Steering Committee, Public Relations, Contact information / Fund Raising and Advisory.

Alex Jmaeff, Chairman, presented the Financial Report. "Otchet" as follows:

Before presenting this summary, please allow me to express my deep and sincere gratitude to our Committee and to all those who supported us in this historic undertaking. This unique International Centennial project highlighted my career in the baking and food service industry. It will always remain dear to my heart and soul.

I am proud to report that financially we stayed within our budget without compromising quality, in the successful completion of a world class Bakery/Cafe and Communication and Information Center in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia.

A total of 544 individuals and groups contributed to the fund for a total sum of $131,139.01 Canadian. This includes the interest paid by the Grand Forks and Castlegar Credit Union. Bakery Equipment and supplies were purchased in the amount of $74,234.00 Canadian dollars. Equipment and software for the Communication and Information Center was $9500.00. Leaving us with the amount of $47,405.00 in Canadian dollars, which should be sufficient for the purchase of the balance of equipment for the Cafe.

We were fortunate; through a stroke of good luck, there was a bakery exposition in Moscow at the time we were looking to purchase the equipment. As a result we managed to purchase most of the equipment at excellent prices. To equip a Bakery in Canada with similar equipment would cost us in excess of $100,000 dollars. For example, we bought a commercial 60 quart dough mixer for $7500.00. The same piece of equipment in Canada would cost us over $16,000.00 plus shipping, taxes, duties etc...

The Italian oven, although pricey is fast and very energy efficient. The proofer joined to the oven fits in with the production flow. The retarder came from Portugal. The freezer, because of a factory shut down during summer, did not arrive until late September. The dough rounder, weighing a ton came from Taiwan. Work tables were manufactured in Tula, and bread, cake and flat pans, bread and bun racks, rolling pins, decorating supplies etc. were purchased in Moscow.

As a note of interest, the cost to coordinate this project was funded separately. No money was used from the contributions made to the Friends of Tolstoy or to the USCC. The Canadian Executive Service Organization funded most of our flights and hotel expenses through special assignments that we had to fulfill. This included in part, by CESO and the Steering Committee members, Vladimir Ilich's visit to British Columbia in 1998.

Columbia Power Corporation provided funds for brochures, the website and other promotions necessary to get the project off the ground. Vladimir's visit to our Centennial celebrations in 1999 was financed privately by some of the Steering Committee. Without CESO and other private support our costs would have more than doubled.

Detailed analysis of the contributions and expenditures are available for viewing for anyone interested.

Regarding the Communication and Information Center the following information is very important. A generous contribution of $9,500.00 by Peter and Elsie Rezansoff, and Peter's firm Intertech Construction Group, made the completion of this very important Center possible. We, at times, call it our "Posolstvo" or Embassy. Under Peter's direction we purchased two powerful computers with two flat screen modern monitors, software, a projector with a large wall-sized screen, a book case and shelves, and a large conference table and chairs. The room is quite big, with two large picture windows facing the beautiful natural forests of Yasnaya Polyana. I believe this Centre will serve our needs as well as other visitor's needs for a long time to come.

In closing I would publicly like to commend our son Yuri who dropped his work in Creston and, with a hockey bag fully loaded with baking paraphernalia, came to help with the opening - thanks Yuri.

Alex concluded his report by thanking the congregation for their attention.

Lovette Nichvolodoff read the following on behalf of the Public Relations Committee: Our intent has been, and will continue to be - to provide opportunities for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to have a connection to their roots. This completed project opens enormous doors for all our people to understand and appreciate the risks our ancestors took to give us a peaceful life of freedom. Our Doukhobor connection with Yasnaya Polyana is just another example to the world, that Peace is the only solution to global conflict. Give your children a gift of remembrance through this Tolstoy & the Doukhobors DVD.

Joe Nazaroff spoke on behalf of the fundraising committee. He thanked all the contributors for their donations whether large or small for they all were valuable. Joe, in good humour, told the audience that "now when you see Bill (Nichvolodoff) and myself coming you will not have to cross to the other side of the street for fear we will catch you for more donations; we have accomplished our goal.

J.J. Verigin, Jr. expressed words of gratitude to all those that have supported and believed in this project. He stated that upon his return from attending the Official Opening he brought home the ceremonial ribbon and handed it to his father, John J Verigin, Sr., the Honorary Chair, with the following words "mission accomplished."