While we retain our Canadiana, things are very different here in Parksville Qualicum Beach.
And it’s difficult to point to any of these things as even remotely negative.
Days of rain may get you down, have you yearning for vitamin D, but consider the plight of the rest of the country this week — numbing cold.
On Jan. 1, people across the country have to break ice to participate in their annual Polar Bear Swim. We, or at least the committed ones among us (brave? crazy?), get to stroll into the Pacific off a nice beach in temperatures around zero.
The Terry Fox Run in September is a special event across this country, for good reason. Here, we raise money for cancer research and honour one of Canada’s great citizens with a run through a marvelous rain forest and along one of the most impressive beaches in North America at Rathtrevor.
Like most of the communities in this country, we have an outstanding volunteer base. From service clubs to coaches to those who greet and help you at the Oceanside Health Centre, residents of Parksville Qualicum Beach step to the plate and fill the void.
Which brings us to another thing we share with the rest of the country, something we do better than most communities — Canada Day.
It’s a major endeavour, one that could not happen without the efforts of some key people and organizations. Every year, more than 10,000 people enjoy the parade, the happenings in Parksville’s Community Park and the fireworks. This takes a lot of planning and a lot of work. And it comes with a risk, although we haven’t heard of the event losing money in any year.
The Rotary Club of Parksville PM has decided it will not take charge of the Community Park events this year. Fair enough, and we thank them for their past service. Thankfully, some key Canada Day organizers from that service club have agreed to continue their leadership roles, but the event needs an umbrella organization to, well, drive the bus. We understand community-minded businesses are still willing to be sponsors, which is fortunate.
We are hopeful, but confident, an organization will step forward in the coming days to take charge of Canada Day festivities. Of the all the things this community does well, and a little different than the rest of the country, this is one of the better ones.
— Editorial by John Harding
