The torch is on P.E.I.
The Guardian
Matthew Caseley of Kensington carries the 2010 Winter Olympics torch off the Northumberland Ferries Confederation Saturday afternoon as the torch began its Prince Edward Island leg of its journey across Canada. Caseley won gold in the hammer throw during the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Charlottetown and he said because of that he was asked to carry the torch beginning in Wood Islands. Several hundred people braved gusty winds and cool temperatures to wave and yell as the torch began its journey from Wood Islands up the Trans Canada Highway making several stops before a party in Stratford and then a huge celebration at Confederation Landing Park in Charlottetown later this evening. (Guardian photo by Brian McInnis)
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/torch/news/newsid=20366.html#relay+event+attracts+crowd+charlottetown
Relay event attracts big crowd in Charlottetown
The Canadian Press
Posted Saturday, November 21, 2009 10:03 PM ET
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Joy Gallant was pleasantly surprised by the waves of emotion that swept over her at the sudden appearance of a tall yellow flame cutting through the pounding hype of the Olympic torch relay event in Charlottetown on Saturday.
"I thought it was pretty amazing actually,'' said Gallant as she left the Confederation Landing site with her seven-year-old daughter, Shanese.
"I didn't realize it would be so emotional. It was pretty emotional to see Emma MacEachern running in with the torch.''
MacEachern, a 19-year-old university student, brought the flame to the outdoor stage and lit a symbolic cauldron. On a warm-for-November night with no precipitation, thousands of people were on hand to watch.
"It was crazy,'' said MacEachern.
"So many feelings at once, overwhelming. I had to just focus on what I was doing and try not to get too distracted but it was the coolest thing I have ever done ... I didn't expect this big a turnout.''
There was a huge video screen, towers of speakers, pounding music, banks of strobe lights and smoke machines.
British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell was there, handing out Olympic pins.
The run continues Sunday with the promotional entourage leaving Charlottetown for Cornwall, Hunter River, Rustico, Kensington, Lennox Island, Abram Village and Summerside.
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=305003&sc=98
Olympic flame ignites emotion
The Guardian
 |
| Emma MacEachearn, who carried the Olympic torch on the final stage in Charlottetown, lights the cauldron Saturday night. With her on stage are from left British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz and Charlottetown MP Shawn Murphy. The 2010 Winter Games torch was in the province Saturday and will travel to Prince County Sunday. MacEachern, who played hockey, survived an operation to remove a tumour from her spine. She can no longer play hockey competitively but is still active in sport, community service and working on her education and career goals. (Guardian photo by Brian McInnis) | |
Joy Gallant was pleasantly surprised by the waves of emotion that swept through her at the sudden appearance of a tall yellow flame cutting through the pounding hype of the Olympic Torch relay event in Charlottetown tonight.
“I thought it was pretty amazing actually,” said Gallant as she left the Confederation Landing site with 7-year-old daughter Shanese. “I didn’t realize it would be so emotional. It was pretty emotional to see Emma MacEachern running in with the torch.”
MacEachern is a 19-year-old UPEI student who brought the flame in the final leg up to the stage and lit a symbolic cauldron. On a warm-for-November night with no precipitation, thousands of people were on hand to watch her.
It all took place inside a full-on mid-size outdoor concert stage with a huge video screen, towers of speakers, banks of strobe and spot lights and smoke effects.
The traveling show touches down on over 100 select sites along the Olympic Torch relay route across Canada.
B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell was on hand in Charlottetown tonight, handing out Olympic pins to people pressed against the concert barrier fencing.
Master of Ceremonies Randy Ferguson marshaled the pounding music to introduce local P.E.I. entertainers that included a Cuban music group, Korean drum troupe, Paul Connolly and the Canada song from RCMP officer Kim Hendrickin.
MacEachern was selected on the basis of her drive and determination to overcome a finding of cancer in her spine. Up to that point she had been pursuing a hockey career with the goal of playing professionally.
“It was crazy,” said MacEachern after the event. “So many feelings at once, overwhelming. I had to just focus on what I was doing and try not to get too distracted but it was the coolest thing I have ever done.”
She ran from parking lot of Peake’s Quay around the Confederation Landing Park and up onto the stage.
“I didn’t expect this big a turnout or the stage either,” she said. “They (staff) were leading the way and everything was so organized so well. It was great.”
On stage she thanked all the people that supported her, during her time in hospital and in her nomination to run the final Charlottetown stage of the torch relay.
The run continues Sunday with the massive truck, bus and promotional vehicle entourage leaving Charlottetown to Cornwall, out Route 2 to Hunter River, up to Rustico, over to Kensington, and then to Lennox Island, over to Abram Village, ending in Summerside for another staged community celebration.
Flame in the land of Anne
BRIAN MCINNIS
The Guardian  |
| Olympic hockey great Cassie Campbell-Pascal lights the cauldron at the Anne of Green Gables house in Cavendish Sunday afternoon. (Guardian photo by Brian McInnis) | |
The Anne of Green Gables house in Cavendish is famous the world over and Sunday another honour was added when it played host to the 2010 Winter Olympics torch that was carried in by Olympic hockey great Cassie Campbell-Pascal.
And that was almost topped because Sunday is the 135th birthday of L.M. Montgomery, the author of the Anne books, and it was also Campbell-Pascal’s birthday. She is the winner of two Olympic gold medals and a silver medal.
Campbell-Pascal rode onto the grounds of the house carrying the burning torch in the back seat of a horse drawn buggy accompanied by driver Wayne Bernard and Anne Shirley, aka Laine Smith. After jumping off she jogged to the front of the Anne house where she lit the OIympic cauldron. She then signed autographs.
“Anytime you are part of something that is uniting the country, and the torch is a real strong symbol of what the Olympics are, makes you feel good. I know that the Olympics are going to be in Vancouver, but I think it is really important that the torch and the flame go around the country because not everyone is going to get to be in Vancouver for the games, but they are going to feel a part of it now because of this event and that is an important thing to do - make people feel a part of the games,” Campbell-Pascal said in an interview after the lighting.
She said the good part of the buggy ride was that she did not have to run with the torch.
“I didn’t have to run because I had Wayne Bernard on the wagon with me and Anne along with Wayne’s horse Farmer and it was perfect for me.”
Campbell-Pascal has a connection to the Island through her father who was born and raised in Park Corner and is related to L.M. Montgomery by way of her great-great grandfather who married the author’s mother’s sister and her father grew up in the house in Park Corner where she was married. She comes to Prince Edward Island every summer “and it is almost like a second home to me.”
The Anne of Green Gables house in Cavendish was the home of Montgomery’s elderly cousins and she based her stories on the house and its environs.
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=305156&sc=98
Torch makes run with Anne
BRIAN MCINNIS
The Guardian
 |
| Olympic hockey great Cassie Campbell-Pascal waves as she carries the Olympic torch into the grounds of the famous Green Gables house in a horse and buggy Sunday in Cavendish. The driver is Wayne Bernard and his horse Farmer and Anne is played by 12-year-old Laine Smith. The 2010 Winter Olympics torch was in the province on its cross-Canada journey and leaves for New Brunswick today. Guardian photo by Brian McInnis | |
CAVENDISH — The Green Gables house in Cavendish is famous the world over and Sunday another honour was added when it played host to the 2010 Winter Olympics torch that was carried in by Olympic hockey great Cassie Campbell-Pascal.
And that was almost topped because Sunday is the 135th birthday of L.M. Montgomery, the author of the Anne books, and it was also Campbell-Pascal’s birthday. She is the winner of two Olympic gold medals and a silver medal.
Campbell-Pascal rode onto the grounds of the house carrying the burning torch in the back seat of a horse-drawn buggy accompanied by driver Wayne Bernard and Anne Shirley, aka Laine Smith. After jumping off she jogged to the front of the Anne house where she lit the OIympic cauldron.
She then signed some autographs for the locals.
“Anytime you are part of something that is uniting the country, and the torch is a real strong symbol of what the Olympics are, makes you feel good. I know that the Olympics are going to be in Vancouver, but I think it is really important that the torch and the flame go around the country, because not everyone is going to get to be in Vancouver for the Games, but they are going to feel a part of it now because of this event and that is an important thing to do — make people feel a part of the Games,” Campbell-Pascal said in an interview after the lighting.
She said the good part of the buggy ride was that she did not have to run with the torch.
“I didn’t have to run because I had Wayne Bernard on the wagon with me and Anne along with Wayne’s horse, Farmer, and it was perfect for me.”
Campbell-Pascal has a connection to the Island through her father, who was born and raised in Park Corner and is related to L.M. Montgomery by way of her great-great grandfather, who married the author’s mother’s sister and her father grew up in the house in Park Corner where she was married. She comes to Prince Edward Island every summer “and it is almost like a second home to me.”
The Green Gables house in Cavendish was the home of Montgomery’s elderly cousins and she based her stories on the house and its environs.
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/torch/news/newsid=20415.html#annes+world
Kevin Van Paassen/The Globe and Mail
Anne's world
The Globe and Mail
By Roy MacGregor
Cavendish, P.E.I. - Lucy Maud Montgomery herself couldn't imagine a scene more Island, more Canadian.
The people of Cavendish are gathered on the old Macneill farm - site of her fictional Green Gables, now a National Heritage Place - and the women of the day (pretend it's turn of the previous century) are serving hot chocolate and homemade cookies.
It is cold, so cold that even dog breath puffs, so cold that Reggie, a Labrador-husky cross, has curled in a ball and lies by the bonfire that crackles back of the barn.
A small cadet band stands in formation, lips already at tremolo as the tiny, shivering groups works its way through Anchors Away and practices the O Canada the band will play when the big moment arrives.
A flock of Canada geese, also in perfect formation, slides over the barn, singing its own incomprehensible song.
And along comes a horse and buggy....Wayne Bernard in denim coveralls and winter beard working "Farmer," his eight-year-old with deft flicks of the reign and tiny clicks from the side of his mouth, Cassie Campbell standing tall behind him with an Olympic Torch in one hand and a secret in the other.
"I had a hold of his suspenders," she later confessed.
There was a momentary flash - perhaps only Wayne Bernard and Farmer were completely aware of it - when this thing might have gone the wrong way.
The horse and buggy carrying the celebrity torch bearer came up the red dirt path, fine, and then turned back of the barn where, in an instant, a crowd of several hundred flag-carrying camera-snapping Islanders surged slightly, causing Farmer to come an abrupt halt - no "whoa" required - and very nearly turn skittish. But for Wayne Bernard's calming clicks and a very gentle, reassuring skip of the reins over the horse's haunches, Farmer might have reared, or worse.
"You have to have faith in your animal," Bernard said later, "'course the animal's got to have faith in you, too."
Horse and owner had to have faith, but everyone else gathered here this late November Sunday had to have imagination - and where better to find it than Green Gables?
Over there, for example, is Marilla herself - or at least a local woman in period costume shouting like Marilla at virtually everyone who moves. Didn't she once say, "Did ever anyone hear the like! Anne Shirley, do you mean to tell me you believe all that wicked nonsense of your own imagination?"
Well, you could call this "nonsense" if you liked, but it's far more harmless than "wicked." A bunch of people in period costume and hundreds of people carrying the latest digital cameras.
A horse and buggy carrying a woman who was once a hockey star and who is herself carrying a super-modern $400 gizmo that, for a moment, has a piece of the flame that will ignite the real Olympic Torch at Vancouver in less than three months.
The connection is actually fair enough. This week marks the 135th birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery, creator of the world's favourite Canadian fictional character, Anne ("with an ‘e'") of Green Gables. This Sunday was also the 36th birthday of Cassie Campbell, who is related to the famous author who lies buried in nearby Cavendish.
In fact, the quiet ride in along the red dirt path probably meant as much to Campbell as the crowds and cheers that greeted the two gold medals she won as captain of the Canadian women's hockey team.
Wayne Bernard had gone to school with her father, Donald Campbell, and knew the family line better than Cassie herself.
"He was telling me stories about my grandfather when we were coming in," Campbell said, "and I had never met my grandfather - so it was more than just the torch."
But it was also about the torch.
She herself hadn't quite expected what it would feel like to do something so remarkably simple as stand in the back of a buggy - albeit hanging on for life to Wayne Bernard's suspenders - and carry a flame that should, really, be no different that one anyone can have for the mere striking of a match.
Unless, of course, you use your imagination.
"Rushing here I really didn't have time to think about it," Campbell said. "And then, all of a sudden, you have this suit on and you see the runner coming toward you and you realize the ‘bigness' of the moment.
"It's right up there with when I walked into my first Opening Ceremonies."
It's easy to be cynical, she conceded - though cynicism is something Anne Shirley would never embrace - but equally simple to accept that, to those who come out to these events, something fascinating is happening.
"The Olympics is the closest thing to bringing the world together," said Campbell. "And even though the Games are happening in Vancouver, the importance of having this torch going around the country is that the people who won't get a chance to be in Vancouver are going to feel a part of it.
"It's important to get out in the communities - especially the smaller places."
Like little Cavendish where, when the torch arrived, so, too, did the sun.
As someone who once lived around here might have written it.
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/torch/news/newsid=20398.html#olympic+torch+stops+green+gables+historic+siteOlympic torch stops Green Gables historic site
The Canadian Press
Posted Sunday, November 22, 2009
CAVENDISH, P.E.I. - There were two additional reasons to celebrate Sunday when the Olympic torch relay arrived at the former P.E.I. farm that inspired the fictional adventures of Anne of Green Gables.
Sunday marked the 135th birthday of the book's beloved author, Lucy Maude Montgomery, and the birthday of torch bearer Cassie Campbell-Pascal, an Olympic hockey hero.
Campbell-Pascal arrived at the historic house, now part of Prince Edward Island National Park, carrying the burning torch in the back seat of a horse-drawn buggy.
She then jogged to the front of the house, where she lit the Olympic cauldron.
"Any time you are part of something that is uniting the country, and the torch is a real strong symbol of what the Olympics are, makes you feel good,'' she said afterwards.
"I know that the Olympics are going to be in Vancouver, but I think it is really important that the torch and the flame go around the country because not everyone is going to get to be in Vancouver ... But they are going to feel a part of it now because of this event.''
Campbell-Pascal led Canada's women's hockey team to six world championships and two Olympic gold medals.
She said her father was born and raised in P.E.I. and is related Montgomery.
Campbell-Pascal said she comes to Prince Edward Island every summer.
The setting of Montgomery's classic novel is based on the small farming community of Cavendish, where she grew up.
The fictional Green Gables was inspired by the farm, once owned by cousins of Montgomery's grandfather.
http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=305029&sc=118Torch relay in Lennox Island
LENNOX ISLAND
The Journal Pioneer  |
| Stephen Brun/Journal Pioneer | |
A torch bearer begins her leg of the Olympic torch relay across Lennox Island on Sunday afternoon.
Following the visit to the Prince County Aboriginal community, the torch visited the Evangeline region and ends the day at Credit Union Place in Summerside at 7 p.m.
The flame arrived on the Island Saturday afternoon as part of the 160-day journey to the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=305157&sc=98
Lighting leaves Olympian speechless STEPHEN BRUN
Transcontinental Media
 |
| Olympian Heather Moyse of Summerside lights the cauldron after the Olympic flame arrived at Credit Union Place Sunday. Transcontinental Media photo by Stephen Brun | |
SUMMERSIDE — Heather Moyse had two rare experiences Sunday night.
The 31-year-old Summerside native carried the Olympic torch onto a stage outside Credit Union Place to complete the 24th day of the cross-country relay.
Shortly after, the Olympic bobsledder found herself at a loss for words when she tried to address the hundreds of people gathered to watch.
“For anyone who knows me, speechless is not a way I get very often,” Moyse laughed after lighting the cauldron.
“It was more incredible than I thought it was going to be. These are my people, and they’re the ones I’m running the torch for. When I think about it, it makes me choked up.”
Many residents gathered at the celebration site beginning at 5:30 p.m. in anticipation of the torch’s arrival in the western capital at 7 p.m.
The onlookers at Credit Union Place erupted as Moyse ran through the middle of the crowd and lit the cauldron.
The relay, which is to culminate in February 2010 at the Vancouver Games, is the longest domestic torch run in Olympic history.
Jeff Zidichouski of Charlottetown ran a leg of the relay near Flamingo Drive in Summerside.
Afterward, he had a chance to reflect on the torch relay’s ability to unify a community.
“There was a lot of camaraderie on the (torchbearer) bus and everybody told stories about their experience and what brought them here so we had a little community there,” he said. “I tried to go as slow as I possibly could on the run because they told us to savour the moment and my family was taking pictures.”
Throughout the day, hundreds of runners helped carry the symbol of the Games from Charlottetown to Summerside, with stops in the aboriginal community of Lennox Island as well as the Evangeline region.
“It was amazing, I was very excited for this moment to get here but I wasn’t prepared for it to be as emotional as it was,” said Shelley Lilly, who ran in the Acadian community of Abrams-Village.
“I had lots of friends and family and some co-workers came out, so it was great.”
Sean MacDonald of Summerside, who ran with the torch along the city’s MacEwen Road, was in awe of the experience.
“I haven’t had many moments like that in my life,” he said. “The torch relay just blew me away. It’s a moment I’ll always remember for the rest of my life.”
Zidichouski also ranked the experience highly.
“It’s one of the highlights of my life.’’
http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=305166&sc=118
Olympic torch arrives in Summerside
Related video-on-demand 
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| Olympic bobsledder and Summerside native Heather Moyse lights the cauldron after carrying the Olympic torch onto the grounds of Credit Union Place, the final leg of day 24 of the flame's 106-day, cross-country relay. Hundreds gathered for the community celebration at the site. The torch leaves the Island today via the Confederation Bridge. Stephen Brun/Journal Pioneer |
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STEPHEN BRUN The Journal Pioneer SUMMERSIDE – Heather Moyse had two rare experiences last night.
The 31-year-old Summerside native carried the Olympic torch onto a stage outside Credit Union Place to complete the 24th day of the cross-country relay.
Shortly after, the Olympic bobsledder found herself at a loss for words when she tried to address the hundreds of people gathered to watch.
“For anyone who knows me, speechless is not a way I get very often,” Moyse laughed after lighting the cauldron. “It was more incredible than I thought it was going to be. These are my people, and they're the ones I’m running the torch for. When I think about it, it makes me choked up.”
Many residents gathered at the celebration site beginning at 5:30 p.m. in anticipation of the torch's arrival in the western capital at 7 p.m.
The onlookers at Credit Union Place erupted as Moyse ran through the middle of the crowd and lit the cauldron.
The relay, which will culminate in February 2010 at the Vancouver Games, is the longest domestic torch run in Olympic history.
Jeff Zidichouski of Charlottetown ran a leg of the relay near Flamingo Drive in Summerside. Afterward, he had a chance to reflect on the torch relay’s ability to unify a community.
“There was a lot of camaraderie on the (torchbearer) bus and everybody told stories about their experience and what brought them here so we had a little community there,” he said. “I tried to go as slow as I possibly could on the run because they told us to savour the moment and my family was taking pictures.”
Throughout the day, hundreds of runners helped carry the symbol of the Games from Charlottetown to Summerside, with stops in the aboriginal community of Lennox Island as well as the Evangeline Region.
“It was amazing, I was very excited for this moment to get here but I wasn’t prepared for it to be as emotional as it was," said Shelley Lilly, who ran in the Acadian community of Abram-Village. “I had lots of friends and family and some co-workers came out, so it was great.”
Sean MacDonald of Summerside, who ran with the torch along the city’s MacEwen Road, was in awe of the experience.
“I haven’t had many moments like that in my life,” he said. “The torch relay just blew me away. It's a moment I'll always remember for the rest of my life.”
Zidichouski also ranked the experience highly.
“It’s one of the highlights of my life. After the birth of my kids, it's right up there, believe me.”
The Torch departs PEI...
Well done Vanoc Staff and all participants
MILITARY BLOG SITE - WITH ROBBY MCROBB
The Guardian
One Proud Happy Canadian Peacekeeping Veteran keeping the Flame alive as it departs PEI to NB.
This 45,000 Km journey the longest Torch run in history, is literally larger than the circumfrence of the earth at approx 42,000 Kilometere. The Organisers and participants all did and are doing wonders for Canadian morale. Honouring the worlds athletes and indeed Canadian Athletes for the 2010 Winter Olympics in British Columbia.
School children rushed outdoors with their paper maches torches and flags to be part of this event, in Canadian History.
Families turned out in droves all along the routes. I was blessed by my Son" Mookie" and Baby Brothers Georgie and Joey Flying in from Ontario to witness the Torch Run. Many thanks for your support.
In speaking with some of the staff who are accompanying the flame to all parts of our great nation. I was absolutely surprised to find out that at one Northern stop for the torch carrying, a town with the population of 56 actually had over 200 people come in by Snowmobile, truck or walked to see the flame. I could not help but think of our moaning MLA who could not drive from Kings county on a paved road to view the torch as it passed through parts of the province not quite in his county. Not exactly a proud Canadian if you ask me.
In my group of 9 there were teens, a teacher, a hockey mom, a local DJ all representing Canada. I was fortunate to be selected as a Canadian Peace Keeping Veteran on PEI. I held the flame high and thought of all our men and women far from home in dangerous places, keeping our peackeeping reputation alive and well, literaly, RCMP and local police officers serving Canada and the world.
In Honour of our Canadian Peacekeepers past and present. Thank you VANOC for this opportunity.
As with most major events in the world there were a few glitches, not with the organisers but with the toll booth people. They charged one of the Globe and mail reporters accompanying the teams. He was charged the full $42.50 to go approx 200 metres to photograph the flame departing PEI. He then returned to his hotel. I feel that our Provincial Government should have made sure all toll charges were waived for officials whether press or people who were to carry a torch for Canada. A small gesture but a wonderful one. For this once in a lifetime event. But as the saying goes only in PEI.
Remember Everyone Deployed
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=305527&sc=120
Torch relay complaints snuff out Olympic spirit The Journal Pioneer
Instead of the uniting force it’s meant to be, the Olympic torch relay has become a divisive issue for some of the country’s politicians.
While federal MPs have been crying foul over the flame’s route in the midst of its 106-day trek across Canada, one P.E.I. MLA chose to raise concerns at Province House as well.
Last week, just days before the torch hit Island soil, Opposition member Mike Currie demanded Robert Ghiz’s government alter the relay route to cover more of Kings County, Currie’s home turf. He argued the flame didn’t cross the county line by technical standards and that it should have visited larger communities in eastern P.E.I. like Montague.
Only problem is, the premier had no more say than Currie when it came to the torch route which was set out by the Olympic Committee months in advance.
Even if the route could be changed, the proper time to raise concerns isn't three days before the torch arrives.
The Opposition has often said the current government isn’t doing enough for rural P.E.I., but raising this as an issue with the wrong people at the wrong time didn’t do any favours for Currie or his constituents in Kings County.
Earlier this month, some media outlets obtained documentation showing the torch relay would travel through many more Conservative ridings than it would Liberal, NDP or Bloc Quebecois.
Of course, members of those opposition parties across the country cried foul.
The complaint would be laughable if it weren’t such a sad display of political posturing.
The Conservatives are the governing party, meaning they have more seats than any other party in Canada. Would the government members complain that the torch relay went through too many Bloc ridings in Quebec, or too many Liberal ones in southern Ontario?
The Olympic Committee’s route is an extensive one that is said to come within driving distance of 90 per cent of the country’s population. Because of the nature of Parliament, the dynamics of the relay will be different in every province in the country.
But that’s only if the politicians choose to see political patronage burning in the Olympic flame.
Maybe it’s best to simply tune in to the spectacle of the Olympics and tune out the politicians.
Matt Caseley was the first torch bearer for the P.E.I. portion of the Olympic torch relay. (Steve Bruce/CBC)
