It’s the weekend we’ve all been waiting for.
No, it has nothing to do with the NHL being back in action. It’s far more important than that.
It’s fun hockey.
It’s real Canadian hockey played outdoors and played for fun and not for money.
Well, money is involved, but it’s money for a great charitable cause, not for rich owners or players who can’t speak English.
It’s the fifth annual Kimmett Cup pond hockey at Mitford Ponds Saturday and it’s always great fun and also some great hockey.
In the real fun classification, the only question is who will finish second, because first is already wrapped up by the mighty Cochrane Eagle.
Now one doesn’t get old by being dumb, so the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane is our team.
Yep, they’ll be wearing the Eagle colours and no doubt will wear them well.
And this year there’s an added bit of fun trying for a Guinness world record for the most people to participate in an exhibition hockey game. And of course, if there’s any chance of a world record, Cochrane’s Martin Parnell will be there.
Martin ran 250 marathons in 2010 and has continued to support and run for great causes. Which is why the Right to Play foundation, which provides sports opportunities to kids in developing countries, is involved.
The goal is to raise $100,000 with it being matched three times over by Quests for Kids, which means more than 8,000 kids could benefit.
This event also happens Saturday, Jan.19 and will be at Spray Lake rec centre as well as Mitford Ponds.
The whole event will be great fun, but try to be at Mitford Ponds at 4:45 p.m. Saturday and your eyes will see a sight that will be etched in your mind forever.
Unfortunately.
At 4:50 p.m. that date, Kelly Kimmett, Martin Parnell, Joe MacLellan and MP Blake Richards are scheduled to skate.
In tutus.
If Justin Trudeau can box then Blake Richards can certainly skate in a tutu.
Well, maybe.
If you don’t have your 2013 calendar yet, get to Western Financial Group and get one of theirs.
Even if you have a 2013 calendar, go and get one of these for some great western Canadian photos.
And these aren’t just any photos.
Every single one is taken by Darwin Wiggett and Samantha Chrysanthou and they’re not just any two photographers — they are Cochrane residents.
And they are also columnists with the mighty Cochrane Eagle.
So it’s nice to see them and their work get the recognition they deserve, and it’s nice to see Western Financial stick to its roots and use western Canadian talent and scenery for a great calendar.
The saga of the Texas Gate continues.
As we know, the Texas Gate is closed, but apparently Mark Horton still has the name and plans are in the works that it will resurface once again somewhere in Cochrane.
In the meantime, crews are gutting the old location on Railway Street and apparently — there’s that word again — the PowderHorn Saloon from Bragg Creek will be moving into those premises.
I loved the Calgary Flames’ full-page ads in Calgary newspapers welcoming fans back after the NHL lockout was settled.
Fans? Back?
Fans didn’t go anywhere. Welcome back indeed.
