Thanks and thoughts

We’ve just arrived home from Toronto. I’m tired. LOML is tired and I’m just guessing our two youngest are tired, too. If I said it was just another relaxing weekend in The City, I’d be lying. We were together to ride in the 2012 Ride for Heart. With your generous help we managed to raise almost $4,000 for Heart and Stroke research and programs. We thank you from all of us for your contributions, your kindness and generosity. Again, nine out of 10 people have at least one risk factor for heart disease. This year 13,000 cyclists rode and raised over $5,000,000. We rode for you.

While I’m in the thanking mode, I’ve never done this before, but I’d like to thank the organizers and volunteers of the 2012 Kids of Steel. My kids are way too old for this event but, as we pulled into our driveway late on Sunday afternoon from our Ride for Heart adventure in Toronto, two of our young neighbours rushed out to show us their KOS medals.

Any child who takes part in this amazing event has worked hard, had fun, done their best, deserves that medal and a great big hug. It’s a fabulous event that truly fosters a sense of accomplishment, respect, fairness and self-esteem in all of those young participants. It is one competitive event where the parents are politely asked to let their kids do what kids do—run, swim, bike, fall down, get up, sweat a bit and compete. Adults were asked to let their children get out and do their best without any of their shouting from the sidelines and from what I can tell, the kids love it that way. Bravo to everyone who had a hand in this marvellous event and big cheers to all of the young people who got out there and shone.

And so, from “thank you” to pondering. I’m pondering how the County has a lot of organized events and activities for the “age of majority” grown ups and are missing the mark when it comes to affordable, healthy, fun activities for teens and children. It might be the right time to establish events for a younger audience, like Kids of Steel. KOS is a great example of what kid-centric events could look like. The County could hop on the arts, culture, food and beverage, and sporting events-for-kids bandwagon and come out shining. The County is bursting with boomers and beyond, but we’re loosing our youthful vibrancy. If we hope to cultivate an atmosphere that lures a younger audience to this neck of the woods—Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Next, Generation Net and Echo Boomers—we’d better put our thinking caps on right now.

My children we raised here, but bitterly complained of having “nothing to do.” And, seriously, they were right. Telling them to clean their rooms, do their homework or take out the garbage wasn’t always the right answer. Sometimes a kid just needs to know there’s fun for them. Outside of school-related activities, unless my kids were “into” hockey or baseball and boisterous trips to the beach, Guides or Scouts, there wasn’t much for them to do.

Today we’ve got an amazing soccer field for all of those budding David Beckhams and Mia Hamms. We have an excellent Skate Park. But if you don’t live in Picton, you might be out of luck.

So, now what? After all of the thanking I’m thinking “Everything From Cows to Comix Jam, A Youthful Celebration of Burgers, Ice Cream, Milkshakes, Storytelling and Art Making.” Maybe not.

theresa@wellingtontimes.ca