Good turn-out despite weather

Mayors pleased with levee crowds as municipalities kick-off new year

The levee tradition is strong in P.E.I.

Although the province was under weather warnings Tuesday for wind and snow, Islanders were not about to miss a chance to meet their neighbours. Carol Myers-Dawson and Orville Dawson visited the Kensington levee. They went through the receiving-line with melted snowflakes glistening on the shoulders of their coats. Dawson said they were just out in the snow “to play around for a while.”

“It’s the first levee I’ve ever been to,” said Myers-Dawson. New Year’s Day levees seem to belong to an old tradition.

The first recorded levee in Canada was held on Jan. 1, 1646, at the Château St. Louis by the Governor of New France (his name was Charles Huault de Montmagny, for anyone itching to know). It was a chance for his subjects to renew their allegiances to him attendance was mandatory.

Levees are still a tradition in the military and at Lt. Governor’s houses, but on P.E.I. the purpose is no longer political. Levees are a chance to get together with your community and levees are hosted by just about every sort of community on the Island – The Wing on North Market Street in Summerside and the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht club on Water Street host levees for the musically inclined.

For those looking for a more sedate event, municipalities across Prince County invite folks to gather as well.

Levees in Summerside and Kensington included a receiving line with councillors, staff and police chiefs. Light refreshments were served.

In Kensington, Mayor Rowan Caseley took the opportunity to hand out community awards, including the Good Neighbour Award.

This year it went to the Kensington Meals on Wheels program. In operation since 1985, the program allows seniors to stay at home longer and for families to take comfort in the nutritious meals the service delivers, said Caseley.

Snowy roads and reduced visibility put a stop to the Premier’s levee in Charlottetown, but there were no signs of stopping Prince County’s levee-ing. Summerside City Hall was abuzz as chowder, hot hors d’oeuvres, sandwiches and crudités were served up once folks made it through the receiving line.

“If you cancel it, the same thing could happen next week,” said Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart. “People are in the mood today.”

ALISON JENKINS/ JOURNAL PIONEER Irene Davison, left, Kensington Mayor Rowan Caseley, Meals on Wheels coordinator Brenda Peters and Meals on Wheels volunteer Sydney Frost accept the Town of Kensington Good Neighbour award on Jan 1 at the Mayor’s Levee. The Town of Kensington’s Good Neighbour Award went to the Kensington Meals on Wheels. “They’re a shining example of what it takes to be a good neighbour,” said Caseley.