Cheers & Jeers
CHEERS: To all who helped make the Cavendish Beach Music Festival a huge success — again. Despite a somewhat ominous forecast, the weatherman co-operated nicely and big, appreciative crowds were on hand for the three days of country music, highlighted by three-time Grammy-winners Zac Brown Band on Sunday night. RCMP were out in force and laid a small number of drinking and driving and liquor-related charges. Police were happy to report that traffic moved seamlessly in and out of the venue parking lots without any issue going into Sunday’s final day.
JEERS: To Transportation Minister Paula Biggar and her crew for the mess they left on the road leading to Blooming Point Beach. Highway crews replaced an old bridge along the unpaved road and the bridge work has long been completed. But the road on either side of the new bridge has been left as a rut-filled, hilly, dangerous disaster. Not the best way to show off our beautiful beaches for the hundreds of Islanders and visitors alike who use the popular beach.
CHEERS: To 13-year-old Patrick Murphy, a P.E.I. Children’s Wish Child who got to experience the opportunity of a lifetime as he was made “Commanding Officer for a Day” aboard the HMCS Charlottetown. Following the conclusion of the 15th annual “HMCS Run for Wishes” campaign, HMCS Charlottetown was docked at the Charlottetown waterfront until July 3 as part of Canada 150 celebrations. The ship departed for Halifax with Patrick at the helm — accompanied by his family. Commander Jeff Hutt heard about Patrick’s wish to receive a catamaran from Children’s Wish, the choice that came out of his love for sailing and being on the water. Hutt offered to organize this opportunity for the active Sea Cadet.
CHEERS: To Krista Shaw who is stepping down after almost 10 years as executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Charlottetown and Montague. Callen Cudmore, the club’s director of programming will be stepping into the acting executive director role. One of the club’s biggest fundraisers is coming up July 21 with the 23rd annual Celebrity Golf and Entertainment Classic where 36 celebrity guests from throughout the world of sports and entertainment will help form 36 foursomes for the event at Fox Meadow.
CHEERS: To Mary O’Donnell, nominated by students, parents and school staff from Vernon River Consolidated School, who received one of two 2017 School Bus Driver of the Year Awards. The Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation presents the annual awards to recognize the important role bus drivers play in the lives of children each day. O’Donnell is known for her kindness, care and respect for the students who ride on her bus.