Interested in pedalling a Sourdough Race raft?
Volunteers needed for a relay team ride from Terwillegar Park to Rafter’s Landing
The inspired, unusual genius of Roger Kehoe has forced me to send an SOS message to my friends who ride for CASA, providers of mental-health services for youngsters and their parents with mental-health issues.
“Riders, please email me immediately if you are available to power a raft by cycling down the North Saskatchewan River Sunday, July 23.”
After “helping” Kehoe and his buddy Gord Laird build a raft for the Sourdough Raft Race committee last week, Kehoe thought I should have a raft.
“You are the only person who has been the admiral of the race twice (2007 and 2011) and as keen as I am to see the race survive,” said Kehoe, a master-of-all trades.
We had my raft built Friday in four hours and a river trial planned for Saturday. But Kehoe’s genius has caused him to lie awake at night for 20 years dreaming of a raft powered by a paddle wheel driven by two bikes. With the help of electrician neighbour Robert Sieswerda and with little use of a measuring tape, a sheet of plywood was cut Saturday into two paddle wheels and one, as a trial, was attached to a mountain bike nailed to the deck.
Sieswerda coupled the paddle to the bike with a piece of elongated bike chain while Kehoe sculptured a rudder freehand from plywood.
It was 8 p.m. when we launched the boat at the 50 Street boat launch Saturday and watched the current carry it downstream to maroon it on a mud bank.
Modifications to the power chain and rudder were being discussed when Kehoe said to me: “How many of your strong CASA riders will be coming?”
I am seeking volunteers interested in a 31/2-hour relay-team ride from Terwillegar Park to Rafter’s Landing.
Edmonton Oilers’ legend Joey Moss, a member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, is this year’s Sourdough admiral. I’d like him to think we are part of the space age and not from a Mickey Mouse comic book.
LASER SURGERY PIONEER
Dr. Donald Groot, a leading Edmonton dermatologist and a pioneer in laser surgery, would have enjoyed the message on the card.
It read, “Now the trees are in bud, the flowers in bloom and the brown trout are biting,” it was the time to celebrate his life.
Groot passed away in December, but his family decided the summer was the best time to remember a man who loved fishing, flying, sailing, scuba diving, mountain climbing, hiking, hockey, skiing, astronomy and travelling.
A legion of Edmonton friends sped to Canmore last week, where the Groots have been living, to join Groot’s wife Patricia, sons Tim and Erik, and Erik’s wife Cath, at the celebration of Don’s life.
Oilers’ executive Craig MacTavish and the team’s senior medical co-ordinator Ken Lowe were among those at the Canmore Golf and Curling Club for the service.
MacTavish said Groot had helped the hockey club for 27 years, was one of the club’s “family” and the Oilers were placing a city bench in his honour.
Dr. Thomas Nakatsui, Groot’s partner in the Groot Derma-Surgery Centre in Crestwood, said Groot graduated at the top of his class from the University of Alberta with a medical degree and had won four gold medals for academic achievement.
He went on to become a clinical professor at the U of A, taught throughout the world and had taken an early interest in lasers.
“If it wasn’t for innovators like him, we may not have the laser technology we have today,” said Nakatsui.
With new advances, new ground had to be broken and in his pursuit of the most effective and advanced treatments for dermatological disorders, Groot was instrumental in creating a billing code under Alberta Health Services for the physician’s fee and a formula for covering the cost of the laser under special contract with the Alberta government.
Nakatsui added Groot regularly waived fees for some needy patients, especially victims of domestic violence.
“Don’s colleagues, like me, and his staff, were known as The Laser Blazers,” said Nakatsui.
“His patients will remember him for his diagnostic acumen, his ongoing desire to provide exceptional and advanced care, his compassion, caring, kindness, his engaging personality, his sense of fun and his smile.”
SCARY ENCOUNTER
Cops for Cancer Ironteam founder Kerry Nisbet was whistling through the woods on a mountain bike training ride near Penticton last week when he spotted a black bear on the trail ahead. “He was about 30 metres away and I started ringing my bike bell and shouting,” says Nisbet. “He must have thought it was the dinner bell. He turned and started coming down the path toward me.”
When the bear was about six metres away, Nisbet let loose a blast of bear spray.
“I think the sound of it startled him,” he said. “The bear turned, walked away for a few feet and then ran off. It was all very scary.”
Nisbet, who works for the Legislative Assembly Security Services, was training with his Ironteam members who have qualified for the Aug. 18-28 ITU Multisport World Championships.
Since 2000, team members have raised more than $8 million for charities supporting the fight against cancer.