Monday 6 July 2015

Moment with the Mayor: Canada Day Celebration



Hi Neighbours:

On July 1st, Canada celebrated its 148th anniversary as a country. Thanks to all the community volunteers and Town staff who worked hard to make our Canada Day celebrations in Baker Park an enjoyable time for everyone. I also want to celebrate the contributions our volunteers continue to make in the community doing everything from packing boxes to coaching, and to providing leadership in Kindersley.

When compared to many other countries around the world, Canada is a young nation and still maturing. But our identity has already been established in a lot of positive ways. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of being Canadian is how we are defined around the world primarily by virtues rather than political stance or historical events. When people refer to Canada, they say words like polite, friendly, diplomatic, open, and beautiful. These words describe the better angels of our nature, and I hope the same can be said when people see Kindersley.

Our identity has been shaped by our parents, grandparents, neighbours, friends, and all those who have come before us, from those who originated here and those who emigrated from other countries.

I often speak of the four pillars of community – beauty, justice, fulfillment and relationships. I believe we live in a country that makes all of these possible, to bring out the best in us for others, regardless of race or religion. As we continue to grow as a nation and a community, I hope we continue to embody and embrace these virtues. And in order to do that, we must start in our own families and our own community. So as you go about your days in the coming weeks, I encourage you to meet someone new and to celebrate being Canadian, a people who demonstrate the better angels of our nature. We have much to be thankful for!

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.

Friday 3 July 2015

Holidays

Hi, my family and I are away for almost all of July.

We are treating this holiday different: I will not be responding to phone calls, texts, and emails.

If you need to contact me please get in touch with Deputy Mayor Lorne Janzen. Councillor Janzen is more than happy to help you out. When I return I will not be checking emails; if it is important please contact me after July 30.

One of the activities my sons and I will be doing is playing this golf course while we are vacationing.
Newcastle Golf Course, the 11th Hole
I grew up golfing on this course. This hole has significant elevation changes, forest to the right, water hazard to the left parallel to the fairway and then crossing through the fairway, elevated green and is a par 5.
Niagara Falls.
We'll also be in Niagara Falls visiting family.

I hope you have a good month and I'll see you when I return.

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Canada Day Photos

The weather was most definitely mixed today at our annual Canada Day celebrations. We started in the rain and persisted until the sun came out.

Thank you to everybody for coming out and the volunteers for working through the bad weather. Some of the civic groups helping out included Creative Kids who provided hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks; the Masons and their ice cream; the Elks and their pop and music - based on Gary's music selection I think polka music is the perfect rain music; Town Staff for serving cake and hosting crafts; Youth Council for their activities; the Legion, RCMP, and Air Cadets for the Colour Guard; and the wagon crew. Thank you again to the volunteers, without you not much happens in Kindersley.

Here are some photos of the day.

Creative Kids Food Tent, the calm before the business. July 1, 2015.
 Creative Kids did a great job and I enjoyed another good burger. Thank you to the many volunteers who barbecued in the rain and worked in tight damp conditions!
Waiting for the wagon ride. July 1, 2015
 The horse drawn wagon picked people up at Main St and Baker Park and took them along Main to 5th turning left and then onto 2nd St turning right to 10th Ave and then back to Main St finishing up at Baker Park.
Finding a spot to eat at Baker Park. July 1 2015.

Busy crowds behind the bushes near the Fat Cat Splash Pad. July 1, 2015.
 The Fat Cat Splash Pad was popular with the kids and a congregating point. Some people mentioned how lovely the park is and that it should be used more. Also mentioned was that the Town Square was a good idea.
BBQing burgers and hot dogs. July 1, 2015.

Lots of stuff and people at Baker Park. July 1, 2015.

Canada Day!



·         Happy Canada Day everyone!

·         I’m glad to see so many people here at Baker Park to enjoy our celebrations 
 
·        I hope you all have an enjoyable day

·         I want to thank to all the volunteers and Town staff who have worked hard to make these celebrations happen, without you this isn’t possible

·         And I also want to take a moment to celebrate all of our community volunteers who do everything from packing boxes, to coaching, to providing leadership in Kindersley

·         It is because of you that we are the country and community that we are
·         You make us hometown proud! Thank you!

·         2015 marks Canada’s 148th anniversary as a country

·         When compared to many other countries around the world, we are a young nation and still maturing

·         But our identity has already been established in a lot of positive ways

·         Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of being Canadian is how we are defined around the world primarily by virtues – being polite, friendly, diplomatic, open, beautiful – more than by political stance or historical events

·         When people see Canada and Kindersley, I hope that they see the better angel of our natures

·         This is an identity that has been shaped by Canadians of the past century – our parents, grandparents, neighbours, friends, and all those who have come before us

·         I often speak of the four pillars of community – beauty, justice, fulfillment and relationships

·         I believe we live in a country that makes all of these possible, to bring out the best in us for others

·         As we continue to grow as a nation and a community, I hope we continue to embody and embrace these virtues.

·         And in order to do that, we must start in our own families and our own community

·         So as we spend some time together today, I want to encourage you to strike up a conversation with someone you haven’t met before and let’s truly celebrate being Canadian, a people who demonstrate the better angel of our nature

·         We have much to be thankful for!

Happy Canada Day!

Here is Main St the morning of Canada Day. Have a safe holiday!

Kindersley Main St. July 1, 2015

Kindersley Main St. July 1, 2015

Kindersley Main St. July 1, 2015