The Ridge
On Wednesday, July 1st a duplicate weather day was upon us. I was up and on my way in to the Mat by 7:20. First, I went to fill a water bottle and a quick chit chat with Mark. He was working today and closing on Friday.
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| Good morning and Happy Canada Day! |
Perfect for me, no one was in the building so it was quick and painless. Sandy had left my pay in the office for me so when I closed the door behind me at 8:30, I went to the bank and deposited my cash. What a difference in temperature from the a/c in the Mat - my glasses steamed up!
West-Grey Durham Lions Club
hosted a celebration
at the Arena ball diamond park.
Back home, Bill and Gibbs came out to greet me and Bill carried the 5 gal. water bottle over for me. We had decided last night that we would go back this morning at 9 to see what else we could help with. It was a big day for the Lion's.
Bill and I offered up our
services to help with tents,
food prep etc. in the morning
for a couple of hours.
Canopy tents went up for the food sales, barbecues and the band. Terry and I prepared the onions, I peeled 10 of the 20 lb. bag and she sliced them. She doesn't cry like I would. It went quickly enough and I helped set up, wash and cover tables. It was crazy hot already but a slight breeze made it bearable.
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| We sat up near the top of the hill in the shade looking down at the band, vendors and beer/food court |
We were home by 10:45 and retreated to the coolness inside the Suite with Gibbs. No way did we feel like being outside, in the Bunky or in the Hangar. My boys dozed and I made one greeting card and started another.
Kat and Deidter welcome guests
and just a few in the hillside shade
when we left at 4
I didn't sign up for any volunteer work beyond this morning as I had it in my head that I might have set up a craft table again. By noon, it was too late for that as we had planned to pop over to the Canada Day event and watch the Mudmen perform. A highly recommended band, playing from 2 to 4.
We sat on the hill in the shade and the band was certainly worth battling the heat for. I shouldn't say it like that, all we did was sit, where other Lions were working in those hot conditions. On the way home, I decided that I would go back with Bill at 7 to see if I could relieve someone.
The dark clouds came in within 10 minutes of leaving the park and the winds from the north came in really strong. Bill had hopped in the shower. I was freaked out for the few minutes they lasted and once the rain hit, the winds calmed down. There is still thunder now, at 5 pm, as I write this.
I was hoping the storm would miss
us.
30 km/h winds doesn't sound like much, I suppose, sounds less threatening as 18.3 mph but in an rv, on a hill, winds hitting broad side - it's freaky. I had my cup of tea and calmed down, then we just hung out, dozing in our chairs until 6 when we went back to the park to help.
I soon realized it wouldn't
Thankfully, things were getting back to normal after the storm but unfortunately, the Lions lost 3 of their tent canopies as did a couple of vendors. No one was hurt and by the time we arrived, people were returning to enjoy the late day/evening activities. Shane Cloutier's band 'Outta My Way' entertained the crowd until 9:30 ish.
I had no idea what I was getting
myself in to! 😂
We sat with other members for a while, had a burger and then at 7, I wandered over to the bouncy 'castles' to offer my help. Bill went to the barbecues where he cooked and served up fries from 7 to 10. It was hot but it's what he enjoys doing. Alex needed help at the Horse Derby Race so I stayed there until 9.
Bounce and push! Bounce and push!
Many ended up in the wet track but
none seemed to mind and they kept
coming back for more.
💕
What a hoot! Inflatable horses in small and large had little and kids up to about 13 yrs. bouncing and racing down the track. Because of the rain, it was wet, dirty and slippery. My partner and I laughed a lot but made sure the children had a good time. 😂
Paul was very good and 'advised' the bigger boys to
"let the ladies win", especially the wee ones. The boys obliged and contained their rowdiness. ðŸ¤I joined Bill when the inflatables (tents and horses) were deflated at 9 and mingled in the crowd to pass the time. The fireworks began around 9:45 and were excellent!
Bill and Keith manned
the fries, Roz and Brian at the sales
table and a couple of others
(I don't remember names)
did the burgers and dogs.
They were busy! More than 300 food
tickets sold in 3 hours.
At 10, everything eventually came to a close. The hundreds of people on the hill made their way to their vehicles or beer tent, some coming to the food tent for a last poutine or burger.
Look at the crowd on the hill
now!
Awesome turnout!
By the time we cleaned up the main things that winds, rain or vandals might damage it was 10:45. Those 9 of us left had ourselves an alcoholic drink and sat at the $1200 aluminum table that was won by a lucky contestant. Bill and I were home shortly after 11 to a happy Gibbs.
It was a great fireworks show.
We left the downstairs a/c on all night and fell into bed. It was a good day and I felt better after having offered my services to the club. Bill is going back in the morning to help pack tables and tents up but I'm staying home with Gibbs.
The rain didn't cool things off much but the evening wasn't stifling like the daytime temps were. Bottom line, although some places suffered storm damage, nothing was severe and our neighbourhood had a wonderful Canada Day. The Lions' Club deserves a huge thumbs up. The temperature today hit 32.22C/90F with 85% humidity.
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| Just before I went in, I took a picture of tonight's Moonflowers. Happy 159th Birthday, Canada! Good night! |
Thank you for joining me!