Keeping the ‘win’ in winter
Winter. Whether you like it, detest it or are indifferent about it, the reality is the current winter weather on P.E.I. started somewhere around Oct. 25.
That’s like, almost four months, already, and it’s far from over.
Luckily, even for those who would be happy in winter all year-round there are people and organizations who help make the season enjoyable. Such as the organizers of the Jack Frost Children’s Winter Fest happening in Charlottetown this long weekend. Or the organizers of the O’Leary Winter Carnival which concludes this Sunday, and the Tignish Winter Carnival that gets going on Sunday. Winterfest and winter carnivals provide a departure from shoveling because, let’s face it, there’s nothing fun about shoveling. That’s hard, monotonous work.
Here’s to all the communities and the individuals behind the hoses who freeze their hands and faces just to make sure the rest of us have outdoor rinks and skating ovals to enjoy. Here’s to all who organize winter bonfires and skating parties, who break trails for skiing and snowshoeing, and all who lead creative classes at community schools. Here’s to all who are hosting Islander Day celebrations. And to those who dream up creative indoor and outdoor activities that help to add some warmth to winter. Winter would not be half the fun without you. And, to think, half the world misses out entirely on what we get to enjoy, because of you, for almost half the year.
THUMBS UP TO CANADA GAMES ATHLETES AND OFFICIALS
And, speaking of winter, here’s to all the athletes who will compete in the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta this week and next. All your hard work, dedication and skill, along with help from parents, coaches and officials, got you there. Good luck and have fun.
THUMBS UP TO MADE-IN-P.E.I. SOLUTIONS
A West Prince community partnership committee is organizing a community engagement day to look at what the region can do to not only attract health care professionals, but to make them what to stay. As Saltwire Network journalists have been documenting lately, the current shortage of medical professionals is not unique to P.E.I. or even to Atlantic Canada. Here’s to community members who will gather at Mill River Resort on March 5 to see how they can work together to make a difference, to show health care professionals who are interested in making a move that West Prince is the place they want to be.
Creative solutions are needed for a problem as complex as the current health care worker shortage. Those solutions do not need to be complex though; they can be as simple as showing those professionals how welcoming and inclusive the community is, that it is willing to go that extra mile to organize winter carnivals and special events for newcomers and lifelong residents to enjoy. It’s a lot like what already occurs in the region.