CHEERS: To CBC Dragon and beer baroness Manjit Minhas who will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Biz2Biz Expo. Minhas is a Canadian entrepreneur and judge on CBC’s Dragons’ Den who runs the 10th largest brewery in the world. The Expo takes place Thursday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown.
CHEERS: To Anne Lund, the longtime box office co-ordinator for the UPEI men’s hockey team, who had retired at the end of last season. Anne’s much-appreciated efforts will be recognized with a celebration during pre-game ceremonies at the team’s home opener Wednesday, Sept. 26 against Moncton Blue Eagles. The organization certainly missed her efficient work with some missteps in not communicating the team’s exhibition schedule this month.
JEERS: To the federal government for dragging its heels on recommending a new senator to fill a year-long vacancy for P.E.I. Libbe Hubley of Kensington retired in September 2017 and applications for Senate vacancies closed earlier this spring. The Senate has been active dealing with marijuana and other key legislation, but without input from a 4th P.E.I. senator. Percy Downe, Diane Griffin and Mike Duffy – all from Queens County - are P.E.I.s current senators. It would seem that a senator from Kings County is long overdue.
CHEERS: To the legacy of Colman O’Hare, a former UPEI English professor who died suddenly earlier this month in Charlottetown. O’Hare, a longtime, faithful writer to the Letters section of The Guardian, never let an occasion pass without extoling the contributions of the Irish to Western civilization. The native of Ireland was fluent in Gaelic, served for a time with the U.S. army and was a severe critic of U.S. President Donald Trump in the latter years.
CHEERS: To Billy Bridges of Summerside, a Paralympic gold medalist and four-time world champion in the sport of sledge hockey. Hockey Canada recently named Bridges to Canada’s national team. “Absolutely honoured to be selected to represent Canada for my 21st season. We have a great group of young guys this year putting the jersey on for the first time, and I can tell you, 21 years later the feeling is still the same,” said Bridges.
CHEERS: To Sportsnet for its decision on regular season coverage of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. There are four QMJHL games set for Sportsnet this season as part of their CHL Saturday Showcase. Two of those games will feature the Charlottetown Islanders battling the Halifax Mooseheads. Halifax is hosting the Memorial Cup this year and the team will get lots of air-play leading up to the May 2019 tourney. The network obviously feels the Islanders will be a contender by showcasing them as well. If Saturday’s hard-fought 3-2 Halifax win in Charlottetown is any indication, those forecasts are bang-on.
CHEERS: To those volunteers who respond to the City of Charlottetown’s fire department firefighter recruitment campaign. The campaign runs from Sept. 20 until Oct. 26. The city’s two fire stations include a roster of 77 volunteers who perform an increasing number of duties including: rescues, fire response, vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance, and assisting with fire prevention and education programs.
CHEERS: To Dr. Greg Doran, who was named a top teacher by the Association of Atlantic Universities which announced the recipients of its region awards for excellence in teaching and education leadership. Doran, chair and association professor of English at UPEI and co-ordinator of UPEI’s theatre studies program, is among the honourees.
CHEERS: To the 2018 Make Our Hometown Beautiful Winners announced by the City of Charlottetown. The local contest is designed to reward those who maintain buildings and landscapes within City limits. The prestigious Mayor’s Award went to Keith and Charleen Wornell of 31 Seaview Blvd). Provincial palliative care was a double winner – taking first place in community engagement and third place in the edible gardens category.
