You may have heard the story of Warren McDonald, the double above-knee amputee who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2003, after losing both legs during a backpacking trek in Australia, six years earlier. McDonald’s story was featured on the television show, “I Shouldn’t Be Alive” and he was also interviewed on the Oprah show. McDonald’s accident occurred when he was climbing to the summit of a peak when he became trapped beneath a one-ton boulder in a freak rock fall. His companion, Geert van Keulen, a Dutch traveler he’d met the day before was his only hope for survival. As McDonald lay crushed, van Keulen raced down the mountain to get help. The “test of will” lasted two days before a helicopter arrived, and he was rescued.
McDonald will be speaking on November 27 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Rossland Secondary School in the auditorium. His lecture, “The Challenge of Change” will be an inspiring and eye-opening information session, designed to help motivate and encourage people to achieve their best despite obstacles or setbacks. Tickets are available for $15 at the recreation department at city hall. For more information about McDonald and his incredible story, log on to his website at; www.warren-macdonald.com.
If you’re interested in getting on the ice, Public Skating is on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45 p.m., Fridays from 5-6:30 p.m., Sundays from 2:30-4 p.m. and again on Sunday evening from 6-7:30 p.m. Rental skates are available for $2 if you don’t have your own. The Sunday, 2:30-4 p.m. public skating session sometimes cancels due to tournaments. Please check the city’s website, at; www.rossland.ca, city hall, arena – for weekly updates.
Lots of drop in recreation in Rossland if you’re busy but looking for an opportunity to get some exercise and have some fun! Basketball is played at RSS on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. in the gym; Indoor Soccer is played on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. in the RSS Gym; Pickleball is also on Wednesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. in the MacLean Elementary School gym; Adult Co-Ed Rec Hockey is on Tuesday nights from 9:45-11 p.m. and on Sunday nights from 9:15-10:30 p.m. in the Rossland arena; Volleyball is played at RSS in the gym on Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. and for those who prefer morning exercise, Zumba is on Monday and Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Miners’ Hall and Stretch & Strength is on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30 a.m., in the Miners’ Hall.
Hey teens and parents of teens! If you’re looking for a unique opportunity that focuses on experiences, skills, life experiences and fun, consider the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. The award is the world’s leading achievement award for young people – bringing together practical experiences and life skills to create committed global citizens and equipping young people for life.
The award is open to all young people ages 14-24 years, regardless of their background and circumstances. It’s about personal development and is a non-competitive, enjoyable, voluntary and balanced program, which requires sustained effort over time. The program enables young people to demonstrate self-development within an internationally recognized framework and is comprised of three levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold – each progressively more challenging. The award is comprised of four sections: Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey and includes a Residential Project at the Gold level. Best of all, the award is completely individualized and personal. Obtaining this award is a great addition to a resume or a College or University application. If you’re interested, please check out the Duke of Ed’s website, at www.dukeofed.org. Teck is sponsoring the program in our area and will cover the costs of registering. For more information, please contact the recreation department at 250-362-2327 or by email at recreation@rossland.ca.
If you’d like to get some exercise indoors, out of the rain and you want to have fun, consider heading to the Miners’ Hall on Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for Folk Dancing! The style is English country and contra dance and no experience is needed! Drop-in is $8 or register w/ Rossland Rec for a discounted rate.
The Friends of the Rossland Range, or FORR, are having their annual general meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Hall, in Rossland. For more information, log on to www.rosslandrange.org.
Senior’s Duffer Hockey has started and runs on Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. If you love to play hockey and you’re over 50, this is the game for you! Players with varying skills are encouraged to come out and play with other “older” players in the spirit of fellowship and sportsmanship. All abilities are encouraged and welcome!
If you have clean, returnable drinking containers, don’t forget the drop off available at the back of RSS, in the marked bin. RSS’s sports teams and extra-curricular clubs use the monies collected from the bin to offset the expense of tournaments, field trips, entrance fees and travel.
