Canada Games torch arrives on P.E.I.
BY STEVE SHARRATT
The Guardian  |
| Canada Games chairman Joe Spriet (back to camera) watches as Premier Robert Ghiz runs down the ferry platform in Wood Islands Monday morning with the Canada Games torch in hand. The torch was greeted by applauding well wishers who turned out to celebrate its arrival via the Northumberland Ferry service. (Guardian photo) | |
WOOD ISLANDS — They're a long way from home, but Sue and Dale MacTavish welcomed the Island hospitality Monday morning when they were feted with pancakes and coffee and sat bewildered in the ferry terminal cafeteria here in the midst of a press conference.
"Sounds like a great time you'll be having,'' said the pair of Aussies as they poured on the maple syrup and listened as officials with the 2009 Canada Games announced the arrival of the torch.
The mighty flame to inspire challenge and build athletes was onboard the Holiday Island ferry that steamed into port here with mascots Abbie and Eddie overseeing its arrival. But speeches and a free breakfast was offered inside the terminal for those involved in the Games along with unsuspecting passengers just waiting to take the boat.
"This is a great event to spread the spirit of the Games from tip to tip across our Island,' said Games chair Joe Spriet. "It's been a long haul, but the greatest sporting event we'll ever see is ready to begin."
Spriet boarded the ferry and accepted the flame from Abbie and Eddie before turning it over to Premier Robert Ghiz, who ran the first lap down the gangplank and up to the Plough the Waves tourism information centre. MLA Cynthia Dunsford took the second lap and so will other Islanders who will carry the torch into Montague for an afternoon barbeque before proceeding right across the province in the days ahead.
"We're just delighted to bring the torch to the Island,' said Mark MacDonald, chief executive officer for NFL. "But that's what we do at Northumberland ferries, we bring people to our province."
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