This year, for the first time in many, I could not participate in our Harrison Hot Springs Canada Day celebrations. Usually, I would have gotten up early, had breakfast, got dressed and off I would have gone to take part in our HHS or Agassiz celebrations, often in both.
Well, this year this did not happen due to an allergy reaction to a cocktail containing clam juice. At least, that is what Ruthy, my fun loving alter ego, blames it on. I don't know if she is right but I stayed at home and watched the celebration in Ottawa instead. And this is when I had a true inspiration which I will now pass on to future local Canada Day organizers:
Rent one of those gigantic screens, put it up on our plaza and show the entire celebration in Ottawa before starting our own. I bet this would be a real hit with the people in both our communities because we would feel free to go back and forth as we please between Agassiz and Harrison.
Of course, we could also combine the two local celebrations, perhaps alternating between our two communities and we could watch Ottawa at the same time. It would solve all our problems! Ruthy liked the idea, she thinks "the more, the merrier".
What I liked best, for instance, was the arrival of our Lieutenant Governor and his wife, a real charming couple, representing Canada so well! And when, tell me, did the son of our Prime Minister grow almost as tall as his father? And our national hero, astronaut Chris Hatfield, singing with a school choir? It was beautiful!
Ruthy, However, more "with it" when it comes to young performers, was totally "gone" for Carly Ray Jepsen and could not stop talking about her.
"This girl", she said, "represents everything we hope for in our young generation: good-looking in a healthy way, full of pep and vigor, outgoing, talented - an all Canadian girl!"
I think Ruthy is right and not just "maybe"!
I, myself, was also inspired by a young, black man from Uganda who had just become a Canadian citizen and was invited to celebrate his first Canada Day on the hill! And I liked the Mayor of Calgary telling us that, so they have a long way to go before things will be normal again, after the flooding, they "took time out to join into the Canada Day Celebration and be thankful for what we have"!
What an example!