MARCH MADNESS: Notes from a Snowy Home Front   23rd March 2008
by Hemingway
 

Reports from abroad (no that doesn't mean from Florence), have helped erase midwinter blues here. Most recently news came from Phil David. But, for those with the right outlook, the wealth of snow has been a real bonus.

Here we present some shots of just how high the snow banks are, for our exiles to enjoy. But, it is also to encourage readers to get out and enjoy these last days of a fine winter.

This weekend, we discovered a new ski trail, one of the most beautiful trails ever, and well set with a double track. And as a bonus, it's absolutely free and can be found in Rigaud. There are various places to park on the same road as the Sucrerie de la Montagne. We will try to get out there a couple more times before the snow melts. The trail is maintained by the town of Rigaud and has loops of 15 and 25 kms.

Another winter tradition is the annual trip to shovel snow off the museum roof. This year the snow was so deep, and it was so hard to get a large crew. (We think people were just tired of shoveling). The process took two weekends of work. The labour was provided by two new Club members Adam Martin and Peter K. Both helped raise valuable Club funds and earned money toward their dues. Most important they kept a 25-year tradition alive and had a great time. Peter also saw something he couldn't believe: Old Stone doing a back flip off a roof into the snow.

There are other perks to March. After the terrific visit of baby Holly, her cousins Bean and Piper dropped by 23 St Pierre. Can it get any more exciting?

Kitten loves visitors and was very excited by the news that Jen Gushue may return to the Rugby pitch. Her son Michael will be very excited by the news that Moe has been planning a huge kids day for the home opener on May 10.

Johnny Fixtures has confirmed a pre-season match against Ontario Marshall Premier Division side Brampton on the Colisee pitch. Recent word also came in that there will be a Caribou Under 21 match on this same day.

Macintosh and Coach Leroux have been hard at work on 16 Perrault getting it ready for next year's banquet. The Habs having been helping the club out by winning, thus attracting more people to hockey nights at 23 St Pierre which again helps raise funds.

Speaking of funds, try to make it out to the longest running poker game in North America and perhaps the world. The game continues on Wednesday night with poker at HQ. It's the best way to chase way the Winter Blues!