I see very little in the Rendezvous 2011 committee's calendar that reflects St. Albert's history. I see Moostoos, karate, golf, a rock show and a disappointing attempt to stage the world's biggest picnic and get into the Guinness Book! What I do not see i
Having a record-breaking picnic stretching kilometres along a rather sad Sturgeon River is inappropriate. Such a picnic should be held at and around the historic St. Albert Catholic Parish/Youville Home areas and continue down the hill around where the old red brick schoolhouse was, and roll out to the Little White School and Father Lacombe Chapel. That would be a picnic and a picture for posterity!
The committee's recent quiz of 150 questions about St. Albert had some serious omissions. How about adding the names Benoit, Joyal and Gervais? And what about covering early and not-so-early NHL and world championship curling? How about putting a very large plaque on the parking lot where at least two of these athletes started their careers on natural ice? How about having their families and descendents invited?
There was a St. Albert before Vatican II. There was a St. Albert with a population of 1,000. Many are around who still remember it. The 150th organizers need to stretch their imaginations. It is not hard. Read the history. The 150th should not mirror the old Royal American Shows, Conklin or now the Capital Ex. This is not a carnival. Think about the past and think ahead.
Bradley Sumner, Inverary, Ont.
