In February this year, I replied to an email from Marji Basso, inquiring if she could direct me to a new Canadian flag for our Woodlie Park flagpole in Hedley.
This was in response to a request for a new flag during an all-candidate’s meeting in Hedley, before the election for Area “G” Director on November 19, 2011.
Happily, Marji responded by obtaining a flag for Hedley, and sending it through inter-school mail to the Keremeos High school. There, a fellow named Marcus held onto it until Hedley resident Don Molson was able to pick it up after one of his volunteer shifts as a “meals on wheels” driver.
Then Don left the flag for me at the Hitching Post restaurant, where the restaurant owner Brenda Gould saw it. Seeing no instruction but having been present at the meeting where the request was made, she took the initiative to hang the flag in the park, getting help from her staff member Levi Bell.
Upon completion of this project, she spoke with Doug Bratt, proprietor of the Hedley Country Market, which is next door to Woodlie Park. When he had time, he took out a ladder and secured the flagpole and pulley system so that it could not be tampered with.
This kind of cooperation and “just doing it” is what makes our valley so special. When I got home I received reports from three different people about what had happened, which is a great example of people taking care of one another, simply because they can.
On a windy days our new Canadian flag flies rather proudly, welcoming visitors to our small park. Thank you all for your contributions.
Best wishes, Angelique Wood
