The Fall Frolic Oaks

Every October, Kevin Brothers and the Forestry crew host the Provincial Forest Fall Frolic in the New Harmony Demonstration Woodlot, near Souris.

Every year, runners get a great gift just for registering to run. It was a Touque this year but past years have seen First Aid Kits, Tote Bags, Lunch Cooler Bags and, of course, the Fanny Pack, made famous by the late Walter Lea.

As well, every year, runners are given a tiny little tree. Prince Edward Island's Provincial Tree is the Red Oak. Look, we have them on our flag (Click on it to enlarge it, you'll see the acorns...):

Every year they have Oak saplings and sometimes they have other varieties.
Every fall, since 2004, Alex has brought home one or two of these little babies.
Less than a dozen leaves on them they would rarely be knee high:

But they grow.

And have grown.....

.... and this time of year, when most of the leaves are on the ground, they are especially beautiful.
Those bare Sugar Maples in the background of the photo above are close to 100 years old.
I wonder what the future holds for these lovely trees,
and the runner who brought them home and planted them....

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2008/05/05/islandgames-out.html?ref=rss

P.E.I. bid for International Island Games pulled

Citing a lack of co-operation from the provincial government, the Island Games Association of P.E.I. has pulled its bid to host the games in 2013.

The International Island Games Association has 25 members, mostly in Europe. The 2007 games in Rhodes attracted 2,000 competitors.

Alfred Groom, president of the Island Games Association of P.E.I., told CBC News Monday the province wants too much representation on the bid committee.

The IGA suggested having two government members and three association members on the committee, while the government wanted two IGA members and six of its own representatives.

"The Island Games Association of Prince Edward Island is a member of the IGA, not the province of Prince Edward Island," said Groom.

"The province acknowledged that, but still insisted that they would have to be in control, so therefore we had no choice but to withdraw our bid given the lack of support of the government of Prince Edward Island."

P.E.I. was in competition with Bermuda for the games, which would be the first held in North America. Carolyn Bertram, the minister responsible for sport, made one of her first trips as a minister to Rhodes for the Island Games last June.

Groom sent a letter to the head of the International Games Association Sunday night. Jorgan Petterson said he was disappointed to hear the decision. He said the Island has one big advantage over Bermuda.

"It's easier to get to P.E.I. than it is to get to Bermuda," said Petterson.

The committee said the games would have brought 4,000 athletes and visitors to the province, and revenues would have topped $10 million.

The province has told CBC News there will be no one available to comment on the issue Monday.

UPDATE: May 5:

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=132223&sc=118

Bid to host Island Games scrubbed

SUMMERSIDE
MIKE CARSON
Transcontinental Media

P.E.I.'s bid to host the 2013 NatWest International Island Games is dead and organizing committee members are pointing the finger at government as the reason.

Alfred Groom, president of the Island Games Association of Prince Edward Island Inc. announced Monday, the association has, after two years of effort and expense, withdrawn its bid.

He said the province wanted too much control over the bidding process. The association refused and the province withdrew its support.

"We are the only body that can submit the bid and win the bid," Groom said. "The Province, at this time, said they wanted our committee to step aside and they were going to replace them with their people."

Asked why, Deputy Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Tracey Cutcliffe, said "it's confidential," according to Groom.

Last fall, the association had sought a letter of commitment from the Province to allow work to begin on accessing funds for the games from The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The bid package was to be presented to the International Games Association by Dec. 28, 2007.

That letter of commitment came from Premier Robert Ghiz on Dec. 24, 2007. But despite the premier's letter, Cutcliffe ended all hopes for the games coming to P.E.I. when she wrote to Groom on Feb. 19, 2008.

The deputy minister made it clear that since the association would not go along with the memorandum of understanding from the province on the bid committee structure "the Province of Prince Edward Island no longer supports the P.E.I. Games Association bid ... financial or in any other regard."

Groom said the association had a high degree of confidence that P.E.I. would have won these games in 2013.

Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs and Labour Carolyn Bertram said it was important the province be a part of the bid process.

"We are trying to be respectful of the taxpayers' dollars for the future," the minister said.

Bertram said the province was willing to work with the association but it needed to be involved in the entire process to ensure Islanders' best interests were protected.

As for the loss of the games, the minister said, "It wasn't the government who pulled the bid, it was the association."

UPDATE: May 6:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2008/05/06/games-ghiz.html

Province needed more input on games: Ghiz

The issue of control caused a bid to bring the International Island Games to P.E.I., Premier Robert Ghiz confirmed on Monday.

The Island Games Association of P.E.I. was unwilling to give the province the control it needed on a bid to host the International Island Games, Ghiz told CBC News.

When the P.E.I. group pulled its bid to host the 2013 Island Games on Sunday, it said the province wanted too much control.

The province wanted six seats on the bid committee while the IGA would have two. The IGA suggested two government representatives and three from the association.

"When a bid is put together and the province is on the hook for it, if we're not involved in what the province is actually promising, how do we know what the dollar figures are?" Ghiz said.

"That's why the province has to be involved in an endeavour such as this. And unfortunately this situation didn't turn out."

Local IGA president Alfred Groom said the province was missing out on a potential $10 million economic impact. The International Island Games Association has 25 members, and the last games in Rhodes in June attracted 2,000 athletes.

There's still a chance the bid could be resurrected if a bid committee can be formed by next month.

UPDATE: May 7:

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=132532&sc=118

Island Games chair says didn’t ask for provincial money

MIKE CARSON
Transcontinental Media

SUMMERSIDE — Claims by the Province that they need to control the bid process for the NatWest International Island Games to protect Island taxpayers are groundless, says the P.E.I. games readiness chair.

The Island Games Association withdrew its bid to host the 2013 NatWest International Games, an event that would have drawn over 4,000 athletes and visitors, generated an estimated $10 million in revenue and cost $2.1 million.

The association decided to pull out after the Province gave them an ultimatum — give the Province control over the bid process or get no government support of any kind.

Premier Robert Ghiz and Community Development and Labour Minister Carolyn Bertram claimed government needs the control to protect taxpayers’ dollars.

P.E.I. games readiness chair, Lorraine Robinson, said the bid process does not involve provincial taxpayers’ dollars. “We did not ask the Province for any money for this bid,” she said.

The association was going to ACOA for assistance.

“Based on the structure they (provincial government) were proposing, we would have had no control over where those funds went,” she said.

“We were looking at $100,000 for the types of things we would have needed to do. So they wanted us to go to ACOA, get the money and turn it over to them.”

Robinson said Bertram and all the key Island ministers were given detailed financial reports and a feasibility study.

“There were no questions on the financials that we gave them,” Robinson said.

“They reviewed them twice, and if there were any questions they should have been asked then (in September or November 2007) and not taken us down this road this far and pull out at the end when they didn’t get bid control.”

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=132528&sc=98

Opposition demands answers on failed bid to host Island Games

WAYNE THIBODEAU
The Guardian

A competition on who’s to blame for P.E.I.’s failed bid to host the 2013 Island Games had the province running up 35 pages of documents supporting its case while the Opposition fought back with 40 pages to make its case.
Islanders were told Monday that the Island Games Association had to withdraw its bid to host the 2013 NatWest International Island Games. The association says the provincial government told the volunteer board it would not continue to offer its support for the bid.
Opposition MLA Jim Bagnall used most of question period Tuesday searching for answers on why the provincial government pulled its support.
Reading from a registered letter sent to the association by Tracey Cutcliffe, deputy minister of Cultural Affairs, Bagnall said it was the provincial government, not the association, that pulled the Island’s bid.
“This is a letter that you wrote, you sent to the volunteer committee on Feb. 19 telling them that you were pulling their support,” Bagnall said during question period.
“Why did your deputy minister undermine the volunteer group for her own personal power struggle?”
Cultural Affairs Minister Carolyn Bertram maintains it was the association, not the provincial government, that pulled the bid.
But Bertram admits the government did pull its support for the bid because the association would not meet the conditions set out by the province. Those conditions were outlined in a memorandum of understanding.
Bertram said the province raised red flags as did other funding partners, including ACOA, about how much these games were going to cost taxpayers to host. She said the original bid was supposed to cost $40,000. Those costs, she added, came in at $200,000.
“Our department tried our very best to work with the Island Games Association of Prince Edward Island,” Bertram said, as she presented 35 pages of documents, including cancelled cheques, to support her side of the fight.
“We wanted this to work for Prince Edward Island.”
Island Games is more than child’s play. It was estimated the games would have generated more than $10 million in revenues.
In an interview with The Guardian, Premier Robert Ghiz said the province had a role to play in protecting taxpayers’ dollars.
Ghiz came under personal attack in a letter from Alfred Groom, president of the Island Games Association. The letter was contained in a package of 40 pages of supporting documents made public by the opposition.
In the letter, dated May 1, Groom writes: “Even though you, as premier on April 21, 2008, stated that you did not think we could win this bid, the Island Games Association of Prince Edward Island had a high degree of confidence.”
Groom went on to say it was “truly unfortunate that as premier of this province, you have allowed this to completely fall apart.”
Ghiz said the province simply wasn’t comfortable with how the association was working.
“This is an unfortunate situation but better now than perhaps later on, who knows, in five years time when it ends up that we promised more than we can deliver,” the premier said. “You’d rather exercise due diligence now than get yourself into trouble later on.”
The association has said it did not want to sign a memorandum of understanding “dictated” by the deputy minister, Tracey Cutcliffe, adding it did not agree to her “threat” that if it did not agree to the terms presented the province would pull its support of the bid.
Bagnall said the association made several attempts to meet with the province, in an attempt to get the matter settled, but they failed to even get a meeting with Bertram.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2008/05/07/bagnall-islandgames.html

P.E.I. government accused of

betraying athletes

The Opposition wants to know why the Ghiz government pulled its support for a bid to host the International Island Games in 2013.

The Island Games Association of P.E.I. had been working for more than a year putting together a formal bid, but dropped its bid on Sunday saying the government was trying to take over the process. The province wanted to fill six seats of a proposed eight-member bid committee. The association offered two seats on a five-member committee.

The issue dominated question period Tuesday.

"Why did you betray every Island athlete on Prince Edward Island by withdrawing your support for the bid?" asked Progressive Conservative MLA Jim Bagnall.

Carolyn Bertram, the minister responsible for sport, said the government had tried to work with the volunteer committee. She noted she travelled to the last Island Games, held in Rhodes last June, to announce that P.E.I. would be bidding on the games. She said the issue came down to ensuring taxpayer's money was spent wisely.

"We had serious concerns. Yes we wanted this to work, but Madame Speaker, we wanted to make sure that the province of Prince Edward Island and taxpayers' dollars were well protected and we wanted to be involved in the bid process," said Bertram.

The Rhodes event attracted 2,000 athletes from the association's 25 member Islands, and the opposition said the province had killed the opportunity to host it on P.E.I. to host the 2013 games on Prince Edward Island.

There's still a chance the bid could be resurrected, if another committee can be formed to put a bid together by the end of next month.

Athletes disappointed

Athletes looking ahead to the Games are disappointed they've lost a chance to perform before a hometown crowd.

Stan Chaisson is an Island runner who won medals in Rhodes.

"It was a great event for not only the athletes but I think the Island in general," said Chaisson.

"These are elite athletes, and to have had them here on P.E.I. from all across the world is just amazing. As an athlete there's no better way to compete than at home and to have hopefully fans that are there to cheer you on. It would be great, and I'm going to miss out on this."

Chaisson won two of the 16 medals Prince Edward Islanders brought home from the Island Games.

UPDATE: May 8:

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=132938&sc=103

In this case, let the games cease
P.E.I. appears to be passing up a golden opportunity by not bidding
for the NatWest International Island Games

EDITORIAL STAFF
The Guardian

An apparent misunderstanding between the provincial government and the committee that was formed to bid for the 2013 NatWest International Island Games can only be described as unfortunate and disappointing. It’s not clear who did what to whom, but because the parties don’t see eye to eye, Prince Edward Island stands to lose the opportunity to bid for this event and the multi-million economic spinoffs it potentially could create for the provincial economy.
The Island Games Association of Prince Edward Island stunned Islanders early this week when it announced it has withdrawn its bid to host the Games. Despite the many months of volunteer work and a commitment from the premier secured earlier, the committee said the province apparently wanted too much control over the bidding process. The province, of course, has its side of the story. Carolyn Bertram, minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, said the province was willing to work with the committee, but that it wanted to be involved in the entire process to ensure Islanders’ interests were protected.
This story was confusing when it broke early this week, but it’s become even murkier as each day passes. In the legislature this week, for instance, questions from the Opposition and the responses from government did nothing to enlighten Islanders about the disagreement between the province and the bid committee. Some things should be a matter of fact, not spin. Is the province expected to cough up cash for the bid process or not? What specific control does the province want before it would support the bid, and which is so objectionable to the committee? What control is the bid committee insisting on that is unacceptable to the province?
We say: let the games, specifically the ones being played by the disputing parties, cease. Both sides of this dispute — that is, the bid committee and the province — need a time-out here so they can regain perspective.
The 2013 NatWest International Island Games, if awarded to P.E.I., were expected to bring 4,000 international athletes and visitors to the province and generate $10 million in revenue. That would have translated into a significant injection into the local economy.
Are the disagreements between the committee and government really that irreconcilable? Could not some compromise have been worked out to satisfy both sides?
It’s unclear whether it’s too late to resolve the dispute, but if it’s not, both parties should try again to put their differences to rest. If it is too late, then Islanders have no choice but to learn from the experience and move on. The specific lesson would be that sometimes in trying to win the turf battle, you lose the war. P.E.I. appears to be passing up a golden opportunity here to compete for an international games, which, if won by the province, would have attracted thousands of visitors from across the globe to our shores. For a province whose second major industry is tourism and which needs all the exposure it can get, winning the Games would have been a big coup. The news that the province now won’t even be trying to get them amounts to a big loss.

Running FOR Autism, not AGAINST it. Why we don't support Run The Dream

So, there's this guy..... who wants to run across Canada... (Okay, as the mother of a guy who wanted to run across his Province, I can relate...) So, he goes looking for a "cause" to raise awareness about and funds for, while he runs. His research brings him to Autism (or, more precisely, ASD - "Autism Spectrum Disorders"). Again, I can relate. Our Autism Celebration Run was about fulfilling Alex's dream to run across Prince Edward Island, to raise awareness about Autism (ASD) and to raise funds to benefit our Island's autistics .

The similarities between Alex's "Autistic Celebration Run" and Jonathon Howard's "Run The Dream" Run appear to end there. Alex ran FOR Autism, Mr. Howard is running AGAINST Autism.

Mr. Howard, while admitting his life is untouched by autism, is out to inform "Canadians who have been spared the burden of dealing with Autism" that autistics are a "burden for the rest of their lives" to our parents, family members, teachers and social support groups. He wants to "promote a unified and effective approach in Canada to dealing with Autism, and ultimately preventing it or finding a cure."

It appears obvious from those sentiments that when he decided to pick autism as his cause he decided not to talk to autistics about it. In fact, my email to him, CC'd to every one of his Team members, has gone unanswered. Meanwhile, two different Provincial Autism Societies have cooperated to get a message to Alex asking if he's like to join Mr. Howard on his run when he's on PEI.

"Why would Alex support anyone who considers him to be a "burden" and have a wish to prevent people like him, his brother and his mother from existing?" I asked. Again, no reply.

Despite its claim that "We promote public understanding and acceptance of people with Autism", my Provincial Autism Society is supporting Mr. Howard and is planning a "Meet & Greet" for him. Yes, the PEI Autism Society donated $500. to The Autistic Celebration Run. We've thanked them before and I thank them again. As well as directly benefiting from Dennis Debbaudt's Autism Safety Training Seminar , the parents who make up the PEI Autism Society can take comfort in the fact that PEI's Law Enforcement Agencies, First Responders, Medical & School personnel and Early Childhood Educators were also trained in Autism Safety, Recognition & Response . This education remains ongoing in Police Departments, at the Police Academy, The Firefighter Training Academy and Holland College Paramedic courses etc, etc. The only meeting & greeting that happened with PEI Autism Society Executive was not during Alex's 14 day run, despite numerous invitations, but occurred, informally, when members of the Executive Board and others attended the free Autism Safety Training Seminar we presented with Dennis Debbaudt. We did meet a couple of people from the autism community who had read about us during the Run but contrast that to the outstanding support we got, monetarily & morally, from the Running community.

As well as the three free Safety Training Seminars, resources, in the form of training videos, picture communication cards and autism wallet cards were put in the hands, vehicles, detachments and trainers of PEI's Law Enforcement & First Responders. Every school age autistic child on PEI was given a wallet card as well.

Thanks to PEI's media - CBC Radio & TV, The Western Graphic , The Journal Pioneer, The Guardian and The Eastern Graphic (a number of times), good, positive, awareness about autism was spread across PEI.

Our message and purpose was discussed, throughout the entire planning stage, with a good number of autistic individuals. We also talked to parents and family members. Our message of highlighting ability, while recognizing disability, of demonstrating potential, and discussing appropriate supports, services & education, was supported by the autistic population.

Mr. Howard's message, that we are a lifelong burden and should ultimately be cured and prevented from being, while it may be shared by some big parent & professional run Autism Organizations, is not supported by Alex & I nor by any autistic individuals we know. This kind of social stigmatizing will do none of us any good. As well, his contention that autistics are a burden is simply not true.

If there is a single member of The PEI RoadRunners Club who believes Alex is a burden, please seek me out at the next run you're at and tell me that. I genuinely want to try to understand your reasoning. And, if you believe we are all such a burden, explain why your Club's executive saw fit to honour Alex with an award for Inspiring fellow members and me with an award, acknowledging my helpful, voluntary, contributions. If you honestly believe that people like Alex & I should be prevented from being, please inform and enlighten me. That is absolutely not the impression the PEI RoadRunner's membership has given me these past 4 years.

If you feel a need to support someone running for autism, and you want to keep the funds on PEI and benefits autistics, The Runman Fund is still open. (If you want to fund an autistic-friendly National or International organization, ask me, I can recommend a few). Write a cheque to "The Runman Fund" and take or send it to The PEI Council of the Disabled. I promise you it will be put to good use. Although every Police vehicle and Ambulance has a picture communication card, our extra funds ran out after supplying only one of every three Fire Department vehicles. We would very much like to supply the other 2/3 as well as the schools and medical personnel who have requested them. Still, what we accomplished was well beyond what we had hoped to. Alex fulfilled his dream of running across PEI, we raised awareness, our message was heard far beyond just PEI and inspired others, we brought Dennis Debbaudt to PEI and presented 3 free Autism Safety, Recognition & Response Training Seminars and had money left over to put resources in the hands of the people who should have them.

We do not support Mr. Howard's "Run The Dream". Why would Alex support anyone who considers him to be a "burden" and have a wish to prevent people like him, his brother and his mother from existing? Would you support someone who felt that way about you? As much as I wanted to like and support this guy who wants to run across Canada in the name of autism, I cannot support his harmful message.

If you ever ran behind Alex prior to August 2006, you might have read the message on the back of his T-Shirt, it's the same message that's on the bottom of every race post he blogs -

If you didn't understand his meaning before, I hope you do now.

I also hope you care enough to listen to autistics speak about autism.

As a postscript, yesterday Karen McCarron was sentenced to serve 36 years in prison for murdering her autistic daughter Katie. What was the message Karen McCarron got that caused her to so want a life without autism that three year old Katie paid the ultimate price? Mike McCarron, Katie McCarron's grandfather, felt abandoned, offended and betrayed by "advocates" parading their "horror stories" about autism. Paul McCarron, Katie's father had a message of his own upon hearing the guilty verdict -

"I ask all parents especially those of children with disabilities to ALWAYS
love your children and be proud of them.
Cherish every moment you have with them.
Love, patience and tender efforts are the best therapies."

That is a message worth sharing.

~*~

Today is the United Nations declared World Autism Day.
Some things done in the name of Autism Awareness can, in fact, be quite harmful to autistics. Listen to the message. Do you actually believe it? Does it help autistic people? Would you repeat that message to our face?
Would you want it said about yourself and/or your loved ones?
Be aware.

Some comments from the Autistic/Autism Community:

• Autism Awareness Month Link of the Day: Tokenism
• Runman: Running FOR Autism, not AGAINST it
• "Why we don't support Run the Dream"
• Running FOR Autism, not AGAINST it.

Letter from PEI's Premier, Robert Ghiz

This letter arrived in the mail yesterday....

(Click to Enlarge & Read)

Thank You PEI RoadRunners - Volunteer of the Year

Without volunteers, there would be no runs & races
My hat is off to all the volunteers

Premier Robert Ghiz at the 2007 Terry Fox Run in Charlottetown

Premier Robert Ghiz running the Half-Marathon at the 2007 PEI Marathon

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2008/03/11/guernsey-games.html

P.E.I. too big for Island Games, says Guernsey

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Prince Edward Island has lost the support of Guernsey, an island in the English Channel, in its bid to host the 2013 Island Games, because it is too big.

Jon Marley, the Island Games liaison for Guernsey, said there were problems with last year's games in Rhodes because of the size of the Island, and the time it took to travel between venues. For that reason, Guernsey has decided to support Bermuda's bid to host the games.

"Compared to Guernsey, you're a very, very large place," said Marley.

"There is no strict, 'The island is too big, too small.' It's purely because Rhodes is in everybody's minds and there was issues with that. Unfortunately it just came around at the wrong time for us."

P.E.I. is about 100 times the size of Bermuda.

The Island Games were established in 1985 and are held every two years. The Rhodes event attracted 2,000 competitors from 25 islands.

Come play on our Island - PEI in the running to host 2013 NatWest Island Games

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=106722&sc=118
PEI in the running to host 2013 NatWest Island Games

08/02/08
CHARLOTTETOWN
The Journal Pioneer

Prince Edward Island's bid has been submitted to the International Island Games Association to host the NatWest Island Games, June 29 to July 6 in 2013. Now that the Island Games Association of PEI has the support of the Government of Prince Edward Island, the association will continue to promote our Island's attributes to the member islands before the final vote takes place June 28.

Prince Edward Island would host 14 sports; over 3,000 athletes, more than the Olympic Winter Games; roughly 2,000 spectators and at least 30 international media organizations.

PEI had its largest ever group of 60 athletes compete in the 2007 NatWest Island Games in Rhodes, Greece, and came home with four gold, five silver and seven bronze medals. The Island placed 13th in a group of 25 participating islands.

Ashley Caulier of Brooklyn participated on the soccer team in Rhodes last year and can't say enough about the experience.

"The cultural experience is one that I will always remember. I am still in communications with many of the new friends that I met.

"It would be an honour to host the Games in 2013 and have these athletes from the other 24 islands see Prince Edward Island. I would be so proud to show them our beautiful Island."

Prince Edward Island is competing against Bermuda for the 2013 NatWest Island Games. Even though Bermuda is very well known, Prince Edward Island will have all the state-of-the-art athletic facilities that are required in place subsequent to the 2009 Canada Games and will offer more direct and cheaper air connections than Bermuda. Also, proposed dates are at the end of the school year, whereas Bermuda is proposing April, which would be more challenging for member-island organizers.

Prince Edward Island was the first North American island to join the International Island Games Association.

Between now and June, the Island Games Association of PEI plans to launch a sustained marketing campaign to educate the voting islands more about Prince Edward Island, highlighting our organizational capabilities, our facilities, scenery, food and culture. The slogan for the campaign is "An Island of memories awaits your arrival."

~*~

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=106728&sc=120
Come play on our Island

EDITORIALS
08/02/08
The Journal Pioneer

Islanders tend to have many similar traits, no matter what hemisphere those islanders might hail from. So having over 2,000 of them from all over the world converge on our Island would surely mean plenty of fun and games, plus a lot of camaraderie.

The Island Games Association of P.E.I. is working to make this happen.

The group responsible for putting in a bid for the 2013 International Island Games met in Summerside earlier this week to review their progress thus far and plan their next course of action. The P.E.I. contingent is competing against Bermuda for the chance to host the games five years from now.

The Island Games take place every two years on one of 25 member islands worldwide. Since the first games in 1985, the event has grown significantly in stature and popularity, especially on our Island.

Last year, the P.E.I. team sent 64 participants. They brought home 16 medals, ranking them 11th in medal totals. Josh Ballem even set an International Island Games record in swimming.

The games offer an opportunity for young sportsmen from small island communities to get a taste of international competition against other athletes of similar calibre. Being from a small province, like other small islands globally, it is difficult for P.E.I. athletes to compete with other provinces with larger populations and larger pools of funding from which to draw.

Besides giving these non-elite athletes a chance to compete internationally, the Island Games also involve a festival aspect. The Games are a venue for cultural exchange and social interaction between young people as well as the maybe not-so-young organizers. Friendships are formed between the fellow islanders.

The participants also have the opportunity to travel the globe, with last year's participants getting to spend a week or so on the Greek island of Rhodes.

Guernsey and the Isle of Man have both hosted the games twice. In order to ensure the Island Games remain truly international, they've got to go around the globe. P.E.I. would bring the games to North America for the first time. Bringing over 2,000 people would certianly be a boost to tourism, too.

With new facilities and improvements being made to prepare P.E.I. for hosting the Canada Games in 2009, these Island Games would put these facilities to good use. If the local committee is successful in their bid, it would enhance Summerside's reputation for being "the sports hosting capital of the world".

PEI's Ice Storm

The freezing rain started Monday night.
Our power flickered off and on throughout the night, finally going off for good at 5:30am Tuesday morning. Today, Thursday, at 12:05 pm the power came back on.
The pictures below were taken at and around our house Wednesday morning, January 30th.

More of our Photos

Photos from Islanders from across the Island - The Guardian
Photos from The Guardian Staff
Photos from Islanders from across the Island - CBC
Photos from the PEI Talk Forum Folks

CBC News Stories:

• Icy branches take out power (Monday)
• Storm closes schools for 2nd day (Tuesday)
• Icy roads causing difficulties for P.E.I. power crews (Tuesday)
• 22,000 homes on P.E.I. remain without power (Wednesday)
• Troops ready to help powerless P.E.I. (Wednesday)
• Emergency assistance available following storm (Thursday)
• Power grid survives threat from high winds (Thursday)
• Helicopter tour reveals new damage (Thursday)
• Red Cross stocking up P.E.I. shelters (Thursday)
• More power restored on P.E.I. (Thursday)
  

Update - Saturday Feb. 3rd:

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=104734&sc=118

More than 1,000 Islanders still in the dark
Thirty-eight crews working to restore power

NANCY MACPHEE
The Journal Pioneer

SUMMERSIDE – Thirty-eight crews from P.E.I. and New Brunswick continued to work throughout the day Sunday to restore power to the more than 1,000 Islanders still in the dark.

Areas still affected by outages resulting from last week’s ice storm are: Dickson Road, Elmswood, Hartsville, Hunter River, Wheatley River, Toronto, Mayfield, St. Patrick, St. Lawrence, Huntley, Bedeque, Chelton Beach, Borden-Carleton, Darnley, Rattenbury, Alberton and O’Leary and some surrounding areas.

“We are still hoping to have the majority our customers on by Sunday night but we are advising our customers to continue to prepare,” said Maritime Electric spokesperson Kim Griffin.

Update - Sunday Feb. 3rd -


For Immediate Release
February 3, 2008

Public Safety Office Provides Update on Storm Relief

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI -- The Emergency Measures Organization, part of the Prince Edward Island Office of Public Safety, says things are gradually returning to normal following the ice storm last week and freezing rain on the weekend.

As of late Sunday, Maritime Electric said power had been restored to all but about 500 Island households. The PEI Division of the Canadian Red Cross in partnership with Island communities scaled down operation of relief centers throughout the weekend, and by Sunday evening all relief centers had been closed. Public Safety, Red Cross, community and Fire Department personnel continued to monitor community needs during the weekend.

Throughout the storm and the resulting power loss, staff at the EMO office responded to calls from individuals and municipalities, arranged for generators to be delivered to communities in need, coordinated local response with Red Cross, communities and Fire Departments, provided fuel to keep generators operating at relief centers, and liaised with their federal counterparts at Public Safety Canada. Throughout it all, Carolyn Bertram, Minister Responsible for Public Safety, said Islanders displayed a true sense of community.

Update Monday Feb. 4th -

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=104847&sc=98

04/02/08

Power outages down to 100 from storm

STACEY MURRAY
The Guardian

Just over 100 people were still without power in the province late Sunday night, following an ice storm last week.

Kim Griffin, spokesperson with Maritime Electric, said 38 crews have been working to restore power over the weekend, and while stormy weather Friday night and Saturday caused only a few scattered outages, it did set their schedule back.

“We were slowed down several hours by the weather (on Saturday).’’

While they hoped to have power restored tonight, Griffin said there may still be pockets of customers without power this morning, due to minor problems that occur when lines are recharged. Any customers still without power by mid-morning are asked to contact 1-800-670-1012 to report it.

She said while the cost of the storm is still unknown, early estimates are in the range of $2 million. Roughly 300 poles were damaged in the storm.

Meanwhile, the P.E.I. division of the Canadian Red Cross scaled down operation of relief centres over the weekend as conditions improved.

By Sunday night, all centres had been closed, but the Department of Public Safety, Red Cross and local fire departments continued to monitor community needs.

Public Safety Minister Carolyn Bertram said she was proud of all those who have helped out throughout the week.

“Once again the people of our province have proven their remarkable ability to give of themselves, their time and their resources.’’

The areas still affected by outages are Middleton, Freetown, Darnley, Rattenbury, Park Corner and Corner Hill.

A UPEI home for an athletic facility?

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=102444&sc=103
A UPEI home for an athletic facility?

There are arguments in favour of building this Canada Games structure at UPEI,
but there are also some concerns.

EDITORIALS
28/01/08

Barring any more concerns about rock concerts, it's a sure bet the 2009 Canada Summer Games athletics facility will be constructed at the University of Prince Edward Island.

There are a number of obvious arguments in favour of UPEI as the location for the last major piece in the facilities puzzle for the national event Aug. 15-29 of next year. But there are concerns as well. The value of the green buffer space between CARI and the commercial development approaching the Charlottetown Mall cannot be underestimated. The visual impact of the parkland setting of trees, creek and little walking bridge is a welcome respite. Now a large section of that will be gone. Additional road access will be needed so we can expect even more land to be used for pavement, lights and parking.

One wonders why a multi-purpose facility wasn't built some two years ago when the artificial turf soccer field was constructed. Why wasn't there more foresight to building a track around the soccer field, along with sufficient bleachers, instead of trying to correct that problem today?

UPEI has no legacy of track and field, so why this urgency of having this facility on campus? Perhaps the track will jump-start an athletics program that already thrives in other Atlantic universities like Dalhousie.

The proposed new field has already drawn interest from football supporters who see this as an opening to getting football back as a varsity sport. Football was effectively boxed out of the turf field and the sport now sees a chance to find a new home on campus after all.

The concept plan presented Wednesday night also raises the issue of MacAdam Field, already bumped from its former location by parking and mobile classrooms and then relegated to the rugby pitch and practice facility. Now it looks like MacAdam Field will become an orphan again.

The plan has the new track and field facility on an east-west axis built right over MacAdam Field. Granted, this is a concept, but it indicates a lack of any long-range planning, at least for this facility, if they are going to start tearing up a field two years after it was built.

The plan is to excavate down four metres and build a berm around the track to transform the athletics facility into a bowl setting. The plan also calls for 10 acres to be developed, along with a practice facility in the northeast end of the development.

Leaving a legacy is always a key component of the Canada Games. Since P.E.I. schools are the largest supporters of track and field today, there should be guarantees of their access to this facility. The venue should be seen as a provincial facility and not solely a UPEI venue.

The UPEI location will also result in considerable extra cost in building this facility, first targeted at approximately $2 million and now heading towards $5 million. Stonepark was considered to be a strong contender for the athletics facility because it has a natural bowl and a track already there.

The concept plan calls for a 400-metre synthetic competition track, natural grass infield, grandstand with permanent seating for 1,400, temporary seating for 5,000, timing tower, results room and equipment storage.

Summerside will host the Games opening ceremonies at the new Wellness Centre as week one will be based in the western part of the province with the athletes village at Slemon Park. Week two shifts to the eastern end of the province with the athletes village moving to UPEI and the closing ceremonies now scheduled for the athletics facility.

Time ran out on making a decision for the athletics facility and UPEI was picked as the only site suitable given the limited time frame left. The decision is probably the right one but let's make sure the proper facility is built this time.

Getting down to business, then fun and games

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=102049&sc=118

26/01/08

Getting down to business, then fun and games

2009 canada summer games

KENSINGTON
LORI A. MAYNE
Journal Pioneer

Just call him the seven-million-dollar man.

Wayne Carew heads the group fundraising for the 2009 Canada Games in P.E.I.

Lately, the vice-president with the Friends of the Games has been dashing across the Island with other Canada Games officials to capture local business interest.

"We don't just need money," Carew explained at a Kensington and Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Friday.

The Summer Games have a $33-million budget, with $7 million needed from the efforts of the Friends. But Carew told the Kensington business audience the Games could also use value in kind; to run the event they need everything from computers to cars, and massive amounts of food. (Think 1,600 loaves of bread, 35,000 potatoes and 11,000 litres of milk to start).

Carew explained the Friends have been encouraging business participation, support and help in getting national corporate contacts.

He said in an interview about half a dozen national Games sponsors have been lined up with announcements expected to start within a month; another half dozen he described as 90 per cent complete.

Carew said they've been presenting the Games as a marketing opportunity. "It's too easy to say no to a donation."

A presentation video depicts young athletes in celebration and comments from the likes of Olympians Cindy Klassen and Dave "Eli" MacEachern. Games officials also come armed with statistics - like the expected 150 hours of Games broadcast time.

Kensington itself will see action in soccer and softball (with upgrades planned to facilities at Kensington Intermediate Senior High and Community Gardens, respectively) as well as water sports in the Southwest River in nearby Clinton. Carew stressed it's a great chance to promote the community.

A number of such presentations have been delivered locally, particularly at chamber of commerce functions, with more planned.

He's been pleased with the response. One at a chamber event in Summerside led to contact with the president of a national company.

Carew himself volunteered because of the legacy the Games leave for sport but also the chance they provide to promote tourism and economic development here.

"It is really a once in a lifetime opportunity."

2009canadagames.ca

P.E.I. submits bid to host Island Games

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=100386&sc=99

22/01/08

P.E.I. submits bid to host Island Games

EDITORIAL STAFF
The Guardian
Prince Edward Island’s bid has been submitted to the International Island Games Association to host the NatWest Island Games in 2013.
Now that the Island Games Association of P.E.I. has the support of the Prince Edward Island government, the association will continue to promote the Island’s attributes to the member islands before the final vote takes place June 28.
Prince Edward Island would host 14 sports, over 3,000 athletes, more than the Olympic Winter Games, roughly 2,000 spectators and at least 30 international media organizations.
P.E.I. had its largest ever group of 60 athletes compete in the 2007 NatWest Island Games in Rhodes, Greece, and came home with four gold, five silver and seven bronze medals. The Island placed 13th in a group of 25 participating islands.
“Hosting these Games would be a tremendous boost to the athletic community on Prince Edward Island,” said Jeff Wilbert, judo coach and NatWest Games 2007 medal winner. “Having the Games on P.E.I. would mean many more Island athletes could participate with even greater results.”
Wilbert said the Island has a strong organizing committee that is “very committed to P.E.I. becoming a host, so I know we will have an excellent chance of winning and showing these islands our beautiful island.”
Alicia Wilbert, a gold- medal winner in 2007, was thrilled to have such an opportunity.
“I have won national competitions but the NatWest Games was special,” she said.
“I loved the cultural experience of meeting athletes from different parts of the world, the level of competition was more closely matched among the islands, everyone was so friendly and the Greek food was the best.”
Prince Edward Island is competing against Bermuda for the 2013 Games.
Even though Bermuda is well known, Prince Edward Island will have all the state-of-the-art athletic facilities that are required in place subsequent to the 2009 Canada Games.
P.E.I.’s proposed dates of June 29 to July 6, are at the end of the school year.
Bermuda is proposing April, which would be more challenging for member-island organizers.
Prince Edward Island was the first North American island to join the International Island Games Association.
Between now and June, the Island Games Association of P.E.I. plans to launch a sustained marketing campaign to educate the voting islands more about P.E.I.
www.islandgames.net

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=100904&sc=119

23/01/08

P.E.I. in the running to host 2013 NatWest Island Games

CHARLOTTETOWN
The Journal Pioneer

Prince Edward Island's bid has been submitted to the International Island Games Association to host the NatWest Island Games from June 29 to July 6 in 2013.

Now that the Island Games Association of P.E.I. has the support of the P.E.I. government, the association will continue to promote the Island's attributes to the member islands before the final vote takes place June 28.

P.E.I. had its largest ever group of 60 athletes compete in the 2007 NatWest Island Games in Rhodes, Greece, and came home with four gold medals, five silver and seven bronze medals.

The Island placed 13th in a group of 25 participating islands.

"The cultural experience is one that I will always remember," said Ashley Caulier of Brooklyn, who participated on the soccer team at the NatWest Island Games in Rhodes. "I am still in communication with many of the new friends that I met.

"The people that you meet are culturally different, but, in many ways, we share a common experience having grown up on an island. The competition was friendly and fun."

P.E.I. would host 14 sports, over 3,000 athletes, more than the Olympic Winter Games, roughly 2,000 spectators, and at least 30 international media organizations.

Caulier said it would be an honour to host the 2013 Games.

"I would be so proud to show them our beautiful Island," she said. "We have brand new turf fields and, after the 2009 Canada Games, everything will be in place to host this kind of competition.

"To hold an international event of this size would be a stepping stone for more international events."
P.E.I. is competing against Bermuda for the 2013 NatWest Island Games.

Even though Bermuda is very well known, P.E.I. will have all the state-of-the-art athletic facilities that are required in place subsequent to the '09 Canada Games and will offer more direct and cheaper air connections than Bermuda.

P.E.I.'s proposed dates are at the end of the school year.

Bermuda is proposing April, which would be more challenging for member-island organizers.

Between now and June, the Island Games Association of P.E.I. plans to launch a sustained marketing campaign to educate the voting islands more about P.E.I., highlighting organizational capabilities, facilities, scenery, food and culture.

The slogan for the campaign is 'An Island Of Memories Awaits Your Arrival.'

---

A look at the Island Games
The 2013 NatWest Games will be significant, as it will be the first time the NatWest Island Games is hosted outside Europe.

• - Currently there are 25 member islands in International Island Games Association and most of the islands are European.
• - Member islands must not exceed 150,000 in population, so Prince Edward Island is one of the larger Islands.
• - There is no age limit on athletic participation so other athletes like judo player Jeff Wilbert who is over 40 years of age can participate and win medals competing against younger athletes.
• - Prince Edward Island was the first North American island to become a member of the International Island Games Association.
• - The sports that P.E.I. would offer are: athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, football (soccer), golf, gymnastics, judo, lawn bowling, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, volleyball.
• - On the web: www.islandgames.net.

Bermuda, P.E.I. bid to host 2013 Games

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=67027&sc=98

Bermuda, P.E.I. bid to host 2013 Games

Chair of international association pleased with competition

EDITORIAL STAFF
The Guardian

Two member islands — Bermuda and Prince Edward Island — have formally presented their intentions to bid for the hosting rights of the XV Island Games in 2013.

Jörgen Pettersson, chairman of the International Island Games Association, said he is pleased with the competition between the two islands.

“We are delighted to have two alternatives for our members to choose between. Both Bermuda and Prince Edward Island have, by submitting their intentions to bid, shown the other member islands that they are prepared to take on the huge responsibility and the challenge to host the XV Island Games.”

Pettersson says the Games in 2013 will be the first Island Games ever held on the other side of the Atlantic.
The bidding islands now have until Dec. 28 to present their bid documents.

Following a spring meeting in 2008, IGA will make a recommendation to the membership regarding the choice of host for 2013.

The final decision will be taken by the membership at the IGA annual general meeting in Aland on June 28, 2008.

Aland is the host for the NatWest Island Games XIII in 2009, while the Isle of Wight will take on the task in 2011.

Jon Beard, chairman of the Bermuda Island Games Association, says they are presently meeting with their government’s Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation, as well as the Ministry of Tourism in preparation for a strong bid to the IGA executive and the IGA’s member islands.

Alfred Groom, president of the Island Games Association of Prince Edward Island, says they have the support of the government of Prince Edward Island for their intent to bid and the provincial sports organizations to host the 2013 Games.

A Personal Best 5K and a 16K run to Ryan's for a BBQ with Stan's Running Group

UPEI Homecoming Weekend 5K Fun Run
" UPEI Campus & Confederation Trail (will start and finish at the student centre)"
Saturday, September 29, 2007

It was cloudy and 11 degrees.

The UPEI Homecoming Weekend 5k Fun Run is a new race, part of UPEI Homecoming Weekend.

Out and back on the campus and trail.

He came in 19:37 and PB of 5km time by 6 seconds better than Gold Cup Trot 2004.

He was first time Sub 20 minutes in 3 years.

Placed in 13th out of 79 runners.

Kendall MacDonald won top male and Rachael McCarvill won top female.

Official Result: 13th out of 79
5K in 19 minutes, 37 seconds


After the race Dianne took Bev and me to Brackley Beach at PEI National Park to run to Ryan on the PEI Marathon route for BBQ.

More Photos Here

Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance not cure

PEI In Motion/Run UPEI
Marathon/Half-Marathon Running Group Run to Ryan's BBQ

We ran 16km to Ryan's Paristan style BBQ.

He cooked meat on big stakes and fire, salads, cookies, scones.

It was good time a good food with the runners from Stan's marathon and half marathon group.

Thank You Ryan and Jenn for a great afternoon

Ryan, Jenn & Stan & all...

I'd also like to thank you so much for your hospitality. The idea was great and the food & fun was even better! (Of course I didn't run the 16K to get to the food & fun!). Alan, the scones were good too!

I hope you all have a fabulous time in a couple of weeks at the PEI Marathon. Whether you're running the full Marathon or joining Alex in the Half, I'll be watching for you all and cheering you on. Stan has done his best to get you to the finish line in good form, your results will likely reflect the hard work you've all put in.

All the best to you all!

More Photos Here

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=66903&sc=98

UPEI Homecoming Weekend attracts 3,000 visitors

01/10/07
The Guardian

The University of Prince Edward Island held its first ever Homecoming celebration over the weekend, and organizers say it was a glowing success with more than 3,000 visitors on hand.
Events were held from Thursday until late Sunday evening, with receptions, open houses, BBQs, concerts and sporting events attended by thousands.
Final numbers are not yet in, but Al Blanchard, who co-chaired the Homecoming organizing committee, said he believes over 3,000 people visited the campus over the weekend.
“People liked the idea. It’s a great opportunity to get together and get on the campus and see what it’s like now.”
A strong focus was placed on activities for alumni and the gathering together of past graduates and staff of the university.
The weekend opened with a distinguished alumni luncheon, and on Friday there was a Walk Down Memory Lane organized for past students.
Blanchard said the idea was to spark memories for alumni, but also show them and the community how UPEI has progressed over time.
“We were trying to build a spirit around people’s university days, and it’s a good chance for people to come out and see some of the facilities.”
He said he knows Homecoming was a success from observing the way people reacted.
“There was a lot of laughter and chuckling. That’s a good indicator of when you’re having a celebration. A lot of people were enjoying themselves, and reminiscing and meeting new people.”
The most popular event was the Atlantic Veterinarian College’s open house, which has been held annually for the last several years.
This year over 2,000 people attended AVC’s open house.
But events like Glass Tiger’s performance at The Wave and varsity hockey, rugby and soccer games drew hundreds as well, Blanchard said.
Visitors and alumni came from Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa and even the U.S.
“We even had some people from Alberta who happened to be home and they went in the 5 kilometre run.”
Blanchard said the most gratifying thing for him over the weekend was watching friendships rekindling to see the smiles on people’s faces.
“We’re exhausted – all the organizers and volunteers – but at the same time we’re excited because we were able to pull it off and I think we have something that’s going to become a pretty special tradition for UPEI.”
After all the final numbers are in, the university will review the outcome of the event.
But Blanchard is confidant there will be another Homecoming held next year.
“The plan will be to have Homecoming 2008 sometime in the latter part of September,” he said.