Here's my Challenge entry -- The Lonely Canadian Writer

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Date Posted: 08:34:16 07/30/05 Sat GMT-5
Author: DianeG
Author Host/IP: tor58-23b-95-125.dialup.sprint-canada.net / 149.99.95.125
Subject: Here's my Challenge entry

Canada Day in East York

When I lived in Toronto, summer holiday weekends were always peaceful times for me. It seemed that almost everyone else left town and I liked that. But when I moved into my tiny semi in Toronto�s East York neigbourhood, I found that �Canada�s Only Borough� as it was known, had a small-town tradition.

There was an all-day all-evening celebration in the big park on the Don River valley three blocks from my house and everyone, and I do mean everyone, from the area took part. Whole families came with chairs and blankets and food and skillions of kids. Local service organizations had booths with free information and other give-aways. Venders sold cotton candy, nuts, hot corn, hamburgers and hot dogs, ice cream and pop and light-brites There were a couple of small- scale amusement rides too. Local dignitaries made speeches in the early afternoon and the people who weren�t snoozing in the shade gave them just enough polite Canadian applause to satisfy them. Some folk wandered around and visited with their neighbours catching up on news and gossip. Other people who were new to the area and new to Canada too smiled and watched the goings on. One person collected money for a plaque to honour Mr. F., a long time resident who�d been hit by a car while riding his bicycle on the sidewalk across the street from my house. Everyone responded; they scrunched through their pockets, backpacks and purses and gave what they could.

And then local bands performed; a pipe band and an oldies band in the afternoon and rock groups later on. At some point, Oh Canada was played; people didn�t sing but we did stand and applaud and whistle at the end. The loudest rock groups performed last, it made small children cranky but they couldn�t really be heard above the amplified noise.

Just after dark, there was an excellent fireworks show that lasted half an hour. We all ooohed and aaahed together and applauded when it was over.

It was the best Canada Day ever.

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Replies:

Re: Here's my Challenge entry -- Roger, 12:43:35 08/02/05 Tue GMT-5