Just For The Fun Of It

Jeff and Doreen Hoekstra have officially resigned as members of our league executive after more than ten years as volunteers in the league. They became involved when their sons were playing, and continued to be involved after. They have coached and refereed, and for the last few years have been mainstays at the Graduate Division, helping co-convene that group with Pat Adams. They have been great supporters at our events and always willing to get involved in doing the extras that have to be done. We will all miss their smiles and willingness to help, but most of all, their commitment to the children around the league. One of the phrases that finds a place on posters every year is “We grow friendships”. The friendships formed with Jeff, Doreen, Grant and Cameron will last beyond their “Official” membership in the organization, and that is something we will all be grateful for and cherish. All of us wish them well, and we hope they will not be strangers at the gyms or at events in the years to come.

Due to the ongoing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and out of a concern for our league supporters and their families, it has been decided to cancel the annual Pete Petersen Memorial Golf Tournament for this year. We will plan on a safe return to the tournament in 2021. If you are able, please support the Amherstview Golf and Country Club this summer, along with the many Kingston Businesses that have supported this tournament every year.

Queen’s University has cancelled their summer sports camps out of concern for camp attendees and staff. This, of course, affects the league players that had been selected to attend. Here is the text of the announcement from the Queen’s ARC web site:

“Given the current public health environment and challenges presented by physical distancing, Queen’s has made the difficult decision to cancel all in-person youth camps normally delivered throughout the summer.

“We understand that this is disappointing news for campers and their parents,” said Donna Janiec, Vice-Principal, Finance and Administration. “The impacts and restrictions imposed on our community as we respond to the Covid-19 situation continues to be hard on everyone, and it’s been especially tough on families with young children.”

The health and safety of campers and camp staff is the university’s top priority. Based on its most current public health guidance, and given the indefinite nature of the ongoing Covid-19 epidemic, the decision was made not to run any in-person camps this summer. Physical distancing requirements will likely remain in place through to the end of the summer.

The university notes any registration fees paid will be refunded; parents should consult their specific camp website or administrator for details. A few camps are exploring options for online summer camp programming, but these are still in development.

Students that are unemployed as a result of this decision may be eligible for one of several federal Covid-19 emergency benefits programs. Impacted students are welcome to contact the Student Awards Office if they have questions.

The university knows that the camp experience is an important one for children and counsellors. Queen’s camps have been a popular tradition in Kingston for years, and the university looks forward to maintaining that tradition once it is safe to do so. Information on the variety of Queen’s camps can be found online.

Q Campers who have registered for Summer Camps at the Queen’s Athletics and Recreation Centre will be e-mailed early this week with details on reimbursement options.”

On Tuesday we received a significant donation from the sister of Bill Sargent, Judy Boles. Bill passed away on March 4. In the letter that accompanied the donation, Judy said “My brother had known Pete for a number of years and we had discussed what he would like after his passing. He wanted some money to go to Pete’s basketball. Thank you for all you do to carry on Pete’s legacy”.

Our condolences to Judy and the Sargent family on their loss. Thank you for believing in what we do to carry on Don’s dream.

I have been reluctant to write posts during this crisis, but an email I received from a league family this morning asking if my wife and I were okay and if we needed anything, has prompted me to sit down on the keyboard and write a little. The email was a reminder that our league is very much a family and a community that care about each other, and also a reminder that these days are an opportunity for us to call, e mail, and check in on each other to see if people need any help. There are no doubt seniors in your life that could use someone to talk to because they may be either unable or afraid to go out. There are workers that can’t go to work because their businesses have been ordered to close down and may just like the chance to talk to someone. There are people in our community and league family that go to work in high risk positions that are worried about what the day will bring, and there are others that are working in the few businesses that remain open that look at each customer with a smile, but wonder if that last transaction was with someone that may be infected but didn’t know it. These are times that heighten anxiety and make many people turn inward. Reach out to those around you to talk, or in most cases just listen to what they have to say.

I have seen variations of this many times in the last few weeks and it can be easily adjusted to our organization.

When this is over, I will no longer take for granted :

The sound of basketballs bouncing
The sound of whistles blowing
The sound of children laughing
The availability of gummy worms at the canteen
Being able to spend time with my friends
The smell of the uniforms
The “good game” high fives
Rob and Chris asking “Guess what time it is?” at half time
Using the flip chart score board
The post game fan changes and the meeting of people
Parents and players helping set up and clean up.

What about you?

Stay well, stay safe and stay together. RB

The results from our Dine to Donate event at Five Guys Burgers and Fries are in and…

338 Burgers
37 Poutine
134 Milkshakes

were sold, giving us a total of $ 559 in funds raised, just $10 off the store record set by us last fall, but more than $100 more than what was raised at our post season event last March. Add in the $120 in individual donations and grand total for this event brings in $679 to the league. Our thanks to the staff and leadership group at Five Guys, and to all of you that came out or ordered in food Wednesday night. This is always a great event and we look forward to the next opportunity to further strengthen this local partnership. As Aubert Prevost from Five Guys wrote to us ” We really appreciate the partnership, and the crew is having a blast every time.” So are we Aubert.

This week Erin Finn, a former player and long time volunteer coach in the league was recognized for her community work by Remax Realty and has donated her $500 recognition cheque to the league. Along with being a volunteer with us, Erin is also a coach at Regiopolis and is involved with several local charities, co-ordinating fund raising events throughout the year. Congratulations Erin ! Thank you for believing in what we do!

Last month we received a call from Jacqueline and Patrick Severin, friends of Mike McAuley, a former player, coach, parent and life long supporter in the league that passed away two years ago. They had co-ordinated a fund raising event in memory of Mike and wanted to donate the funds raised back to the league. Mike, his wife Lynne and his children Zoe and Grady, along with his parents Greg and Trish, will forever be part of the league family. We thank them and their friends for continuing to believe in what we do, and for keeping Mike’s memory alive by making a difference in the lives of our players.

Our thanks to the management and staff at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Gardiners Road, and to our many league supporters that came out to enjoy the great food and service or opted for take out. It was a fun night, and a chance to visit with the league families. Enjoy the photos and we will post the total raised from th e event as soon as we hear. Our thanks to everyone for making a difference in our players lives!

The day has finally arrived for our Dine to Donate event at Five Guys Burgers and Fries at 770 Gardiners Road!!! From 5 until 8:30 tonight $1 from every burger, poutine, and milkshake sold will come back to the league and make a difference in the lives of our players. Help us spread the word by telling your friends , neighbours and co-workers about the great burgers, excellent poutine and the huge variety of milkshake flavour options available. You will not be disappointed, and the staff is eagerly awaiting our arrival tonight. See you there!