CHEERS: To Nick Shumlanski, a 21-year-old rookie forward with the UPEI men’s hockey team, who dedicated his first goal as a Panther to his fallen teammates from the Humboldt Broncos. Shumlanski, who played last season in Humboldt, was a survivor of the horrific bus crash which claimed 15 of his Broncos teammates and club officials last April. He scored a one-timer, beauty goal against Moncton, with assists to Filip Rydstrom and Riley Whittingham. After the game, Shumlanski tweeted his desire to dedicate the goal to his Bronco teammates – gone but never forgotten.
JEERS: To the busybody(ies) who had apparently nothing else to do during last Saturday’s huge roadside yard sale in eastern P.E.I., except to bother the RCMP with time-wasting complaint calls. When vehicles are parked along both sides of the Trans-Canada Highway and people are darting in and out, and across the main road, to check out roadside stands, would it not seem logical that regular motorists would slow down to 20 to 30 km/h or so, and pull over to the centre of the highway to avoid pedestrians? Yet, those careful motorists are then reported to the RCMP as possible impaired drivers, forcing police to leave more important duties and track down law-abiding citizens minding their own business. Police said they had a number of such baseless calls last weekend. Perhaps those “concerned citizens” could do the same – use your brains and mind your own business.
CHEERS: To the man at the corner of Kent and Prince Streets (who prefers to go nameless) for daily cleaning and gardening. His work on the Canadian Mental Health Association property has been rewarded. It won first place in the 2018 Make Our Hometown Beautiful. Every morning he scours the streets in the bar zone that have become filled with cigarette butts, garbage and other unsightly items. His hard work is noted. Thank you for making a difference.
CHEERS: To the North of Euston Group for bringing the issue of the propane tank storage facility on Allen Street in Charlottetown to the forefront once again. Their fight to have the tank farm moved out of the residential area dates back years but that doesn’t mean the conversation should stop. Irving says they work to ensure the safest facility possible but the recent explosions in Boston prove that anything can happen. Irving may not have any current plans to move from its location on Allen Street but that doesn’t mean residents should stop pushing for it.
CHEERS: To Catherine Callbeck, installed Saturday as UPEI’s 9th chancellor. Callbeck is a retired business leader and senator, and former P.E.I. premier. The native of Central Bedeque was unanimously elected to the volunteer position earlier this year by UPEI’s Board of Governors. As chancellor, Callbeck will preside over the university’s convocation ceremonies each spring, conferring degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
CHEERS: To Dr. Margaret MacMillan, acclaimed historian and author, who will deliver the 2018 Symons Lecture at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. MacMillan will receive the Symons medal and deliver the annual lecture on Friday, Nov. 23. The Oxford University professor, a native of Toronto, is a leading expert on history and international relations, and is a frequent commentator in the media.
CHEERS: To Jill Barber, a two-time Juno Award-nominee, who brings her national tour to Charlottetown this month, helping to launch the 10th anniversary season of Sobeys LIVE @ the Centre, Confederation Centre’s fall and winter concert series. The B.C.-based artist has just launched a contemporary pop album, Metaphora. Barber performs in Charlottetown, Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
CHEERS: To Daryl Guignion and Ian MacQuarrie, who were recognized during UPEI’s 19th annual Recognition of Founders ceremony. Each year, UPEI honours people who have contributed to the university in an exceptional way as founders, instilling a sense of heritage and community. In addition, Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust was awarded the 2018 Eugene F. Whalen Green Hat Award winner for his contributions to the Atlantic Veterinary College. The events took place Friday, Sept. 28 at UPEI.
CHEERS: To the hilarious return of the TV sitcom “Murphy Brown’’ on Thursday night which featured a surprise guest star in Hilary Clinton (one L) who applied for the job of Brown’s secretary. We feel it’s safe to assume the former First Lady won’t get the gig but that didn’t take away from her terrific cameo in which Clinton was able to laugh at herself (emails). The episode ended with Brown and President Donald Trump in a war of words on Twitter. We can only imagine what the real president will tweet in the future as this show is certain to poke fun at his presidency going forward.