Celebrating Canada

There are lots of amazing things to say about Canada. Its size, its rich natural resources, its multiculturalism and, of course, its people, recognized as being among the friendliest and most welcoming on the planet.

Students from Ellerslie Elementary School shared their knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, their country during a special In Praise of a Nation concert Thursday.

It was music, theatre and education all skillfully rolled into an hour-and-40-minute display of Canadian pride.

To prepare for the production was clearly a lot of work. Colourful posters, highlighting unique and amazing details about every province and territory, were displayed throughout the school.

The concert was in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary. For sure, students and staff of Ellerslie Elementary School are now very much aware of their country’s anniversary milestone and their national pride has been stirred.

The whole process was fun and entertaining, but it was also a very effective educational piece for all, including the members of the appreciative audience. It should make upcoming Canada Day celebrations ore meaningful for everyone from the school. O Canada, you have a fine bunch of young ambassadors at Ellerslie Elementary School.

Big ride for a special cause

Raise your hand if you ever even thought about tackling Prince Edward Island’s portion of the Confederation Trail.

The main trail, from Tignish to Elmira, is 273 kilometers long. It has been covered on foot and on bicycle, often in stages. A few really adventurous people have covered it by bike in less than a day.

As trails go, the Confederation Trail is pretty tame. Because trains once covered the route, the inclines were kept gradual so that the engines could pull their long lines of cars. So, the hard-packed trail is pretty manageable. Its greatest challenges are its length and, of course, the time commitment. Next week, five people with Parkinson’s Disease will tackle the trail, two of them committed to covering its full length in just five days. Full credit to them for taking on the challenge on top of the daily challenges the disease lays on them.

While the ride will surely bring a sense of personal satisfaction, as it does for anyone who tackles the trail, this one also serves as a fundraising and awareness event for Parkinson’s Disease. A challenge and a cause, all rolled into a bike ride.

Summer caution

Despite the string of cool, damp days, summer is surely coming. Time again for a reminder – a plea actually – to approach the care-free days of summer with care. Summer is short, so the temptation is there to enjoy it to the fullest. But the consequences of a care-free summer can last much longer. The risks in drinking and driving, or in driving with someone who has been drinking, are too high and too unnecessary.

There’s fun and freedom to be had in summer, but there is very little wiggle room for irresponsible behavior.