Monday Morning Musings

Posted on February 5, 2018 under Monday Morning Musings with no comments yet

Will ye no come back again?

 

“There’s a time for joy, a time for tears,

A time we’ll treasure through the years,

We’ll remember always,

Graduation day.

Graduation Day. The Beach Boys.

Do you remember your high school graduation? Did you write Provincial exams? Did you go to the prom?

In two years’ time, it will be 50 years since I graduated from high school. How in the hell did that happen? Wasn’t it just yesterday that we sat on the railing outside “The Alleys”, watching the world going by, wondering where the journey of life would take us? I suspect every one of us reels just a bit when we consider the passage of time.

Fifty years.

The present day Annex, on the campus of St.F.X. University, was once Antigonish High School, my alma mater. And yes, I was a member of that class, the very last graduating class before the school became the property of the university.

Fifty years. I’m still in disbelief.

A few of my classmates from that era got together last week and have put the wheels in motion for a reunion. I used to pooh pooh reunions but now I treasure them. And it won’t be just the “class of 70” who are being invited. Back in those days, you could go directly from grade XI to university. So anyone who was a grade XI student in 68-69 will be receiving an invitation as well. Keep your eyes open for a new “AHS Reunion” Facebook page. Apparently the PINS Bowling Center has the original wood from the Braeside lanes. Maybe we’ll bowl a few strings… if we can bend over to toss the bowling ball!

Somewhere in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln is weeping. I’m currently reading Ronald C. White’s excellent biography called “A. Lincoln.” Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican President. He would not recognize his party these days. He was humble, self-effacing and had a wonderful, self-deprecating sense of humour. He was also a voracious reader and had a keen intellect. He championed the anti-slavery movement. And he preached equality. When he became President, his country was deeply divided.

That paragraph will likely get me in trouble but it is so interesting to read history to help understand the present.

Calling all volunteers.

The National Special Olympics are coming to Antigonish this summer from July 31rd to August 4^th. It is quite an honor for an Antigonish and a chance for us to strut our stuff. In order to deliver a high quality event the organizers needs lots of help, of every imaginable kind. I have agreed to do some media stuff. What about you? No experience necessary… just a big heart. Please check out this site and put your name in if you can spare a few hours of your time. http://www.specialolympics.ca/2018-national-games/volunteer/volunteer

Have a great week.