2014 "Sunshine" Waterloo Marathon for K-W St.John Ambulance

We had just been through one of the toughest Canadian winters in decades, so hats off to all the runners and walkers who persevered to be race fit for the 2014 Waterloo Marathon|Half Marathon on April 27th.  Spring fever was in the air as runners, volunteers, race sponsors and friends gathered under a brilliant blue sky and warming sun.

On hand to greet runners were our Ambassador of Inspiration Ed Whitlock  (above) and MP Peter Braid (below). Both welcomed the runners and volunteers, and cheered everyone on.
Emcee Bernie (below in colourful pants)  kept us on schedule and warmed up the crowd with his enthusiasm and great sense of humour.

Kitchener Waterloo MP Peter Braid

The 16th Waterloo Marathon begins!

Jeff Beech and Ed Cyr of Team Energi take off in the Half Marathon.

The Half Marathoners are off!

Ed  Whitlock was kept very busy, not only cheering runners and presenting awards,
 but also competing in the Waterloo Half.

Team Energi's  Ed Cyr (above) finished first in the half marathon in 1:21:46.  Erin Fox of Waterloo  finished first in the female category with  1:25:57.
In the women's half marathon category,  Christine Weech of Waterloo took second with a time of  1:31:47, and Abby Pawson of Waterloo placed third with a time of   1:33:19. 

 Thomas Hope of Waterloo took second in the men's category of the  half marathon with 1:23:41,                          and Luke Ehgoetz of New Hamburg took third place  with 1:23:48.

Winners of the marathon were Aaron Cooper (above) of Camlachie, finishing with a time of 2:41:39. Taylor Kraayenbrink of Sarnia took second place in 2:42:33, and Luka Senk of Collingwood placed third in 2:55:12.  

 Kait Toohey (above) of Brantford finished first in the marathon in 3:23:01.  Kelly Thomas of Cambridge took  second in 3:30:18 , and from Wellesley,  Lindsey Sutherland finished third in 3:33:30.    

Ed Whitlock and Waterloo Marathon race director Tony Lea of 
Kitchener-Waterloo St. John Ambulance.

Ed Whitlock is such a good sport! He kindly revealed his personalized bib number for a photo.
Yes, he is #1 but 83? That can't really be his age!

Ironman and triathlete coach Jeff Beech (right) with two of his "Team Energi" athletes.
 Team Energi had a stand-out performance at this year's Waterloo Marathon

Happy runners share a laugh with Ed Whitlock

The January/February 2015 edition of Canadian Running magazine includes a feature about Waterloo Region's races, from 4 km to 28 km. Sean Delanghe, a Waterloo chiropractor,  coach and avid runner says this about the Waterloo Marathon:

"The Waterloo Marathon will take you through the stunning Waterloo countryside and across the West Montrose Covered Bridge, the last bridge of this style in Ontario. The course is a certified Boston Marathon qualifier, and is the first marathon of the year in the region."

St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs at registration

Pipers at the race inspire us, especially when they are at the top of a tough hill 

The St. John Ambulance Sprinter is always ready to spring into service
 with highly trained St. John Ambulance volunteers.
The Sprinter was purchased thanks to the generous support of the Waterloo Marathon|Half Marathon runners, walkers, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters over 15 years.

Registration is open for the 2015 Waterloo Marathon|Half Marathon
Sunday, April 26, 2015, 8:00 a.m. at Bechtel Park in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
www.waterloomarathon.com

Dear Photograph,

When I was 13 years old, my parents took my three sisters, our dog, and me on a 6-month adventure traveling through Europe in an old VW minibus.

After arriving in England in February of 1972, we headed straight for southern Spain, and had the fortune to find a charming original farmhouse on the side of a mountain near Almunecar. We stayed in “Casa Francisca” for 3 months, learned Spanish, and even went to the local school.

 

In the evenings as the setting sun cast a warm purple glow on the mountains, we would play guitar and sing. And later we would watch the fishing boat lights bobbing on the dark and distant Mediterranean sea, the night sky filled with stars.

 

This past May I returned to Almunecar with my two university-aged daughters and my Mom, who is now 77.  Imagine our delight when we discovered that by chance, the villa we rented this time was directly above Casa Francisca! We met the owners who gave us a tour and invited us to return one day for a holiday. But we won’t wait 41 years next time!
Cathy

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May 31st

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#dear photograph #vanlife #Europe #Spain #VW

The Tall Ships Arrived!

I did see the Tall Ships come in, as magnificent as ever. It was a perfect day, clear blue sky, winds and sunshine on Media Day, Wednesday, June 19.

 

 

Sorlandet, the largest of the fleet at 210 feet was built in Kristiansand, Norway, and launched in 1927.  A teaching vessel, and the floating home of a Canadian educational enterprise, Class Afloat, it was clear that not only could the crew sail but they could sing. They sang a rollicking welcoming song as they slipped smoothly into their berth at the Toronto Harbour. 

This is the oldest full-rigged ship in the world.

Imagine sailing on this ship as a guest! Well, several people did just that with tours starting in Brockville to Toronto, then Toronto to Hamilton and so on throughout  the summer sail to points all around the Great Lakes in Ontario.

The Iron Horse Trail

I love running, walking and cycling on the Iron Horse Trail as do many people in K-W.
It is a peaceful place to enjoy wild plants, tall trees, birds, and wildlife in all seasons.

We are so lucky to have this quiet little pathway that connects Waterloo and Kitchener.

During a break from my festival duties I snuck over to City Café for a coffee and bagel. There I started chatting with a lady who told me about a series of stories along the trail created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the trail in 2007.

You can find it here:

http://www.ironhorsetrailstories.ca/index.html


Created by Sarah Anderson, it is fascinating to listen to the people who truly enjoy the trail, and to learn a little about the history and the delicacies that grow there.

The first Animate the Trail event began in 2012. It is held on the same weekend as the Henry Sturm Festival, so we now have a trail-long event with several neighbourhood volunteer groups creating fun activities and entertainment  for children and people of all ages to enjoy.
It is a great way to bring people together and strengthen our community.

Flyboard A BIG SPLASH at Tall Ships in Toronto

I went to Toronto to see the Tall Ships and what did I see?

Flyboard.

It’s sort of a Cirque du Soleil on water crossed with moonwalking and surfing.

You have to see it to believe it. Really.

Check out their website for lots of cool videos. http://flyboardquebec.com/

Makes me want to try it… almost.

These guys are brave and daring.

When I asked co-founder Patrick Vallieres if you need special skill to do this, he assured me that no, anyone who can swim can do it. Ha!

                                   Alone but Happy




Swan Chase November 2012
There was a chill in the November air, so it was time for the Victoria Park Swan to go to his winter home. But he was not quite ready. After a few laps around the lake  he was caught and transported to Stratford where there are lots of swans, with the hope that he would find a new friend.

 



  He did come back this spring with another swan, but it did not last. Apparently the new swan was a bit of a ruffian to our gentle fellow,  so once again he is alone. But he seems to be happy and healthy.

• Terry Pender, Record staff
• Fri Nov 23 2012 07:15:00

Parasite killed Victoria Park swan, autopsy reveals

 

 

KITCHENER — A swan that died in the Victoria Park pond in September was suffering from inflammation of the brain caused by a parasite and there was no preventing the mishap, says a Guelph-based animal pathologist.
Dr. Doug Campbell, of the Canadian Co-operative Wildlife Health Centre — part of the University of Guelph’s veterinary college — did an autopsy on the bird after it was pulled from the water on Sept. 14.
“This was an unfortunate accident that occurs just as a consequence of living in a natural or semi-natural environment,” Campbell said.
Campbell said the dead swan ingested a parasite called a schistosome, likely when it swallowed a snail.
“I have seen similar conditions in swans previously but never this severe,” Campbell said, “just in terms of the numbers of parasites and the number of areas in which there was inflammation.”
That parasite is common among gulls, ducks and geese and is harmless in those birds. Snails carry it as well and act as an intermediate host. Swans inadvertently eat snails sometimes when scooping material from the bottom of a pond.
After a swan swallows a snail with the parasite, the tiny organism emerges and burrows into surrounding tissue, typically ending up in blood vessels.
Circulating blood carries the parasites’ eggs to different parts of the swan’s body, typically the kidneys, spleen and liver, but also the brain.
“Once lodged in the brain the body responds with inflammation,” Campbell said. “What I saw with this bird, there was quite extensive inflammation of the brain in different parts of the brain.”
The autopsy report should counter two stories that circulated among park regulars following the bird’s death.
Days before the bird died, onlookers watched in horror as a homeless woman grabbed a swan by the neck with both hands and hauled the big bird from the water. Some thought she fatally injured the animal at the time.
The second story relates to water quality. After spending about $10 million on the dredging and shoreline restoration of the pond, some residents feared the bird’s death was related to poor water quality.
Campbell said nothing could be done to prevent death because the parasite is found wherever gulls, ducks and geese are found.
“So I don’t think that having schistosomes per se is indicative of water-quality problems,” Campbell said. “I guess it is a fact of life with different species of birds inhabiting the area.”
Campbell said the dead swan had likely been infected for some time because it was underweight and waterfowl are typically in peak physical shape in September.
“This bird was really quite thin and presumably had not been functionally normally for some time,” Campbell said.
People who saw the swan struggling and dying in the park were upset and complained that nobody at the city or humane society responded quickly to their repeated calls for help. But the autopsy shows nobody could have helped anyway.
“In the wild, death is rarely nice and quiet,” Campbell said. “Probably as quiet as it gets, and it’s not every nice, is when birds starve out in the winter time.
“Most wild birds, most wild life, they don’t get cared for and disease just runs its course in them,” Campbell said, “and quite honestly this was not a disease that was treatable.”
The same parasite causes “swimmer’s itch” in people. That is a minor-skin condition that almost always clears up on its own.
A city staff report based on the autopsy results is going to city councillors on Monday.
tpender@therecord.com

Swan Song

City admits mistakes in swan death

·                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Jeff Outhit, Record staff

·                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Tue Sep 25 2012 08:10:00

·                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

                                           Cathy Lumb, who lives near Victoria Park, checks on the lone swan left after another swan died reently.

 Photo Philip Walker/Record Staff

KITCHENER — City hall admits it messed up when a swan died at Victoria Park in Kitchener.The city’s mistake was failing to respond quickly to an after-hours telephone call from a distressed bystander who watched the bird fade on Sept. 14. City staff misunderstood the call and did not grasp that the city-owned swan was near death, councillors were told Monday.

City staff also thought the humane society would respond. The humane society thought city hall would respond. “It was a terrible thing to happen,” said Greg Hummel, manager of park operations. In response:

• City hall has clarified protocols with the humane society so both will respond in the future.

• City staff will get more training on handling swans and swans will be examined more frequently to assess their health.

• Council will donate $500 to a wildlife rescue service that assisted with the dying swan after being contacted by a citizen.

“I am very pleased,” Carol Esposti said. She telephoned the city when the swan was dying and was dismayed when help did not come in time. “It can only help make things better in the future.”

Taxpayers will pay for a swan autopsy costing up to $1,500. The male bird was underweight but the cause of death is not yet known. The remaining male swan has been examined and is healthy and “quite feisty,” Hummel said.

The city is looking to replace the swan but it won’t happen until next spring, assuming the birds get along.

jouthit@therecord.com

Source: This article appeared in the September 25th, 2012 edition of the Waterloo Region Record

Swans Love their New Improved Victoria Park Lake

Kitchener's Victoria Park swans have returned after their winter vacation to find a vastly improved habitat. They appeared to be both curious and happy about their deeper, cleaner water, attractive rocky shoreline, and the absence of gigantic, gasping carp. Their winter vacation away from the park coincided with the major lake restoration project.

Hmmmm, where did those nice big rocks come from? Our grass is a little out of reach now.

The Victoria Park Lake restoration project is almost complete and has improved the look and smell of the park for human and animal visitors alike.

After a peaceful paddle they suddenly became very rambunctious, causing a great uproar from the Canada Geese and ducks. Lots of wild splashing and thrashing in the water - what fun it is to be free again in the beauty of Victoria Park Lake!

Excuse us please, just passing through.

Congratulations and thank you to all who fought for, planned, and worked on the Victoria Lake Restoration Project for a job well done!

The Fence Came Down at Victoria Park Lake Project

After months of noise and dust, the fences protecting us from heavy equipment, excavation and gigantic bolders came down to reveal a stunningly different Victoria Park Lakescape.

I Almost Missed Earth Hour 2012

I found out tonight that I need a lot more practice on the piano and guitar.

And that next time we have Earth Hour I should be better prepared, as in I should make a note of it.

I only turned off my lights tonight at 8:30 p.m. because my neighbour Peter yelled at me from across the street that I had 5 minutes to do so. He warned me that he had a houseful of teenagers who would be over to raid me if I didn’t get with the program. 

What did I learn tonight? 

That I need time to truly relax

I need to spend more time away from my laptop and cell phone.

I am more productive and was able to write a marketing plan concept that had been eluding me all week, in my own handwriting by candlelight. There’s something romantic about that! 

Okay, I stepped on my dog in the dark and tripped over the chair, but I do see the point of Earth Hour. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FovYv8vf5_E&feature=player_embedded 

Thank you World.

Winter is Here in Kitchener - for Now!

Skating at Kitchener City Hall

I took the dog out tonight for five minutes and nearly froze to death. Determined to get my exercise I went back in and donned some extra socks and leggings, and another sweater. What’s happened to my body that I can’t handle this cold? I grew up here in the land of the frigid air, and thought nothing of spending entire days outside cross-country skiing, skating, and tobogganing. This winter has spoiled me; hardly any snow and some days that were bordering on downright balmy! 

My shivering little dog in her cute pink sweater opted to let me go back out alone as she curled up on the couch. I stepped out into the cold sharp air, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge that I could hardly breathe. Winter slapped me in the face as a gust of icy wind blew down my naked street. Hardened mounds resembling Baked Alaskas plopped on the rock-hard boulevards and lawns, glistening under the street lights - scant evidence of our recent fluky one-day blizzard, almost immediately diminished by dismal rain the next day.


 This roller coaster winter has been confusing, not only to me and everyone I know, but to the birds, the squirrels, raccoons, skunks, possums, and my daffodil bulbs! What to do? Hibernate or embrace this fickle winter weather. 

“Keep going,” I tell myself. I will walk and get my fresh (very fresh!) air and exercise. Trying to ward off the cold by marching quickly down Queen Street, I felt very alone. But the sky was clear and a deep velvety navy blue.

Along the way I see a lone man, banished from the warmth, hunched over and clutching his cigarette close to help him stay warm.

As I round the corner on King Street, beside the Walper Terrace, I hear children’s laughter and music in the distance. Civilization! My step quickens. 

Yes! There are children and bigger people skating on the ice at City Hall!  My faith in the joy of the Canadian winter has been completely restored as I pause to watch these happy little bundles of energy gliding around the rink, being chased by their parents. Some have already mastered the finer points of skating and others are just learning, but they are all smiling despite the cold. Rosy cheeked, they slide, twirl, tumble and get back up.  

The Zamboni honks, scattering everyone to the sides. Suddenly I feel very warm and turn to go back, with the realization that winter is indeed alive and well, at least for a day or two! The forecast calls for double digits two days from now!

15th Annual Kitchener Christkindl Market

There’s something special in the air when the Christkindl Market comes to town. For four days at the beginning of December, Kitchener City Hall is transformed into an authentic German Christmas Market, attracting over 40,000 visitors. The scents of cinnamon and grilled sausages, the sights of glittering lights, handcrafted gifts, and baked specialties combine with the sounds of Christmas carols and brass bands to create a magical time for families and friends.

So what is a German Christmas Market? Originally, around 1310 in Munich, it was a meeting place in front of a church where people came together to buy produce and wares from farmers. Traditionally held at the beginning of Advent, the Christkindl (Christ Child) was welcomed by the townspeople. Over the centuries the popularity of Christmas Markets has grown all over the world.

Kitchener’s Christkindl Market was founded the same year I moved here with my family 15 years ago from Germany. I was overjoyed as it brought back fond memories of the Christmas Markets we visited in Heilbronn and Brackenheim. Kitchener’s Christkindl Market gives people a chance to experience another culture without having to go through jet lag! A few years ago a good friend of mine from Montreal came to visit while the Christkindl Market was on. Within about an hour of meeting her at the airport in Toronto, we were at Kitchener City Hall under the huge Christmas tree eating Bratwurst (sausage) with sauerkraut on a bun and sipping hot Glühwein (mulled wine). She really felt as though she had landed in Germany!

At the heart of the Kitchener Christkindl Market is a dedicated group of volunteers led by Astrid Braun, an excellent role model for every event planner. Her calm voice, quick thinking, and ability to roll with whatever comes her way have helped the Christkindl Market to become one of the best community events ever! With 40,000 visitors and several hundred volunteers including organizers, entertainers, and helpers in various areas of the event, as well as many supportive sponsors, the details and logistics are endless.

A Few of my Favourite Christkindl Moments:

• Singing with the Grand Philharmonic at the Clock Tower in Victoria Park before the Candlelight Procession and Opening Ceremonies at City Hall.

• Seeing Tony Bergmeier receive thanks and recognition from Mayor Carl Zehr in front of a huge audience on opening night for having the vision and tenacity to follow through with his dream to create the Kitchener Christkindl Market 15 years ago.
• Meeting so many friends and acquaintances I may see only once a year, all brought together by this wonderful community event.
• Eating German sausage on a bun with sauerkraut, German potato pancakes, apple fritters and drinking Glühwein!
• Hearing the German Language School Concordia Choir, directed by Angelika Werner, who has been bringing her German School choir to the Market for 14 years!

 

• Seeing children, their parents and grandparents smiling and enjoying performances by the Transylvania Hofbrau Band, the KW Shuhplattlers and Folk dancers, and the Schwaben Jugend Gruppen.
• Learning about the centuries-old traditions of blacksmithing, and delicate woodworking.

• Above all, taking time out from a busy life to spend an hour or two in a gentle and peaceful place to celebrate the season and appreciate the simple things that bring family and friends together.

Photo Source: Kitchener Christkindl Market

What's Brewing at the Hacienda Sarria?

Coffee in the Hacienda Roasting Company Cafe!

Fantastico! Every time I visit Kitchener-Waterloo's best-kept secret, I am overwhelmed by the creativity that just keeps happening! Last week I attended an Open House at the Hacienda Sarria,   http://www.haciendasarria.com/ ,  a Spanish-style castle  tucked away in an out-of-the-way industrial corner of Kitchener, where Union Street meets the expressway. Some very lucky brides and grooms, their families and friends, and other fortunate groups in our community are already aware of this exquisite venue for weddings, concerts, corporate events, and photo shoots. And though I have been there a few times now, I am always awestruck when I return!

Brand new is the "ballroom" with intricately-patterned hardwood floors and a high exposed beam ceiling in what was just a dusty old factory storage barn on my last visit. The focal points of the room are the imposing fireplace on one side and the rustic arched Spanish doors lining the opposite wall.

Also new is the Hacienda Roasting Company Cafe, open to the public Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Great for a visit and a chance to see the Hacienda, and available to rent for private gatherings, corporate or social. Beautifully designed with warm hues and Spanish tiles, a long solid- wood bar, vintage style brass and copper coffee machines, and the enticing aroma of fresh-brewed coffee.

At the other end of the dance hall/banquet room is a brand new commercial grade kitchen. Appliances were being installed as we toured, in preparation for the many future events which can now be catered in-house by the Hacienda's exclusive list of professional caterers.

Photo: Taylor Jackson

Our gracious host, Nadine Day, guided us through the Moorish style courtyard to the "house" part of the Hacienda, where renovations were underway in the existing kitchen to convert it to a bar area. We climbed the stairway, itself a work of art, with its undulating,  smooth white plaster walls. Once upstairs , we stepped through a large doorway from the master bedroom onto a "romantico" balcony to view the classic Mediterranean courtyard gardens and pathways below. After touring the other magnificent bedrooms and looking down onto the interior courtyard from the second floor balcony, we descended the stairway to the magnificent foyer. While wandering in the gardens, we saw an innovative use of transport containers repurposed as luxury restrooms for guests at outdoor events on the Hacienda grounds. And the rooftops are green!  What ingenuity!

On the other side of the Hacienda, we came to the inspiration for this ambitious project, the  "Camino de Santiago" trail, artistically recreated on the terrace, circling the reflecting pool. As I slowly stepped along the path, reading the names of each town and village, I was once again struck by the way the Hacienda has captured the wonder of Spain. The detail, care, thought and master workmanship by the artisans and owners of the Hacienda are truly inspiring.

And in just a short drive, I can get my fix of Spain!

Update: Iron Chef Finale

Chefs from Langdon Hall and Bijou of Stratford will compete Wednesday, June 1st in the Waterloo Iron Chef Finale! $5 at the door, advance tickets are sold out. At Nick and Nat's 21 King Street North, Waterloo. Start time is 9:30 p.m. Proceeds to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region! Good luck to all competitors!

Waterloo Iron Chef Competition Creates more than Great Food!

What could be more inspiring than food? And good healthy local food prepared by local chefs to raise funds for the local food bank?

Hats off to Nick and Nat for setting the stage to let us learn more about Foodlink Waterloo Region and the abundance of great locally grown food. And for giving local novice and experienced chefs the chance to show us what they're made of!

Last Wednesday I saw chefs from Langdon Hall and Woodstock's Six Thirty-Nine in action at Nick and Nat’s Uptown 21 in Uptown Waterloo. Only 15 minutes for menu and recipe planning, and then speedy preparation and cooking based on the local secret ingredient of the night, added up to an entertaining evening. And the secret ingredient? Goat! From local goat farmers. Now, think about it - how would you incorporate goat into dessert? Somehow the chefs pulled it off!  And all artistically presented! Four courses were prepared by each team under extreme pressure and heat in a narrow and chaotic kitchen space they had never seen before let alone cooked in!

The judging panel was highly complimentary, even though one judge claimed she did not ever eat goat! And the goat farmers who supplied the goat were impressed with the originality of the recipes, giving the chefs many thumbs up! 

Supporters sporting cowboy hats showed their pleasure and pride with loud cheers and applause over the adrenaline-pumping music, which created an atmosphere of complete pandemonium.

All in all it was a superb evening, with close to $2000 raised to date for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

The series has been running since April 13th. The week before last I had the pleasure of seeing students from Conestoga College (where I taught Event Marketing), compete against the Stratford Chef School. There was a lot of cheering from supporters in the standing room only crowd, and I saw a few profs from the Hospitality department at Conestoga College who had come out in support of their students. I was proud to see the students give it their all! The secret ingredient: apples form Martins Apple Farm. 

The Iron Chef events have been incredibly inspiring and entertaining. They show how a community working together can make a big difference. Also impressive were the students from Eastwood Collegiate Institute who provided technical and filming services for closed-circuit viewing of the kitchen activities. The Iron Chef events are being livestreamed on Ustream. Search Uptown Waterloo Iron Chef.
And it's not over yet!  Be there tonight, May 25th for a culinary competition between Bhimas Warung of Waterloo and Chef Shawn Hartwell of Simple Fish & Chips, Stratford.

And don't miss the finale on June 1st!

 http://www.uptown21.ca/PDA/index.html