September is often seen as the beginning of a new year, as the summer winds down and various activities begin for a new season. But August has kept us hopping!
Haying in the 30s is an annual highlight on the Lakeland’s summer calendar, of course; that was followed this past weekend by Open Farm Days, another favourite rural event (see coverage on pages 1, 2, and 20).
As soon as we finish getting this week’s paper delivered on Thursday, we’re heading to Leduc to cover the Alberta 55 Plus provincial games. More than a hundred local athletes will be participating over the weekend in a variety of sports and games.
Cold Lake hosted the 55 Plus Alberta Winter Games in 2019, just a few months after Respect launched. It was a revelation: I had no idea of the scope of these multi-sport meets, of their spirit of friendly competition, or of the joy and conviviality of the occasion.
We’ve been at every provincial seniors’ games since. Summer games in Medicine Hat, Peace River, and Brooks; winter games in Edmonton after the Covid restrictions were lifted. We arranged for coverage of national games in Kamloops and Quebec.
In fact, we are willing to boast that we consistently offer the best 55 Plus games coverage of any media outlet in the province.
Activities like the 55 Plus movement are not just fun, they are important. Sports, table games, and the arts component of the games offer opportunities for older adults to stay healthy and stay involved. It’s good for physical, mental, and social health.
(And did I mention it’s fun?)
The 55 Plus movement is organized and operated by volunteers. It’s a genuine grass roots effort: people take part in recreational activities in their own communities, and put themselves forward to qualify through their respective zones for a spot at the Alberta
Games.
“Qualifying playoffs” may sound intimidating, but the emphasis is on participation and fun (there’s that word again). Not everyone will advance, but the playoffs are held in a spirit of good sportsmanship. It’s a refreshing change from the win-at-all-costs attitude of elite sports.
And there are some sports where you don’t have to qualify—you can register to compete then just show up and give it your best.
I’m so excited to be going to Leduc and running like mad to cover all the sports at all the different venues. I can’t wait to see how well our local participants do.
And when I get back, it will be LRA Finals rodeo week in St. Paul!
Maybe things will calm down once regular activities resume in September.