This has been a pretty horrible winter temperature-wise and Sunday, February 8, 2015 was no different. The thermometer read minus 17 degrees celsius and we had some blowing snow to boot. It was not pleasant to be outdoors. None of this stopped the 2015 Winter Carnival in Côte Saint-Luc from taking off nicely.
Will the Clydesdale and myself in the bitter cold.
Activities at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park included dog sled rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice sculptures, a snow mural, curling on ice, face painting, a figure-skating show and more. There was a free pancake breakfast and the first 1,000 people also free taffy in the snow
Free taffy in the snow.
In addition to the main Sunday events, Winter Carnival Week also included the Peewee ‘A’ Outdoor Hockey Tournament, which actually began on February 8 at the open-air Confederation Annex building at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park. This year, Côte Saint-Luc welcomed 14 teams from Quebec and Ontario, playing a record 26 games.
Côte Saint-Luc also hosted an adult hockey tournament on February 6 at the Samuel Moskovitch Arena. There was public skating at the arena on February 7.
On Saturday, February 14, the annual Winter Carnival Valentine Dance will take place at the Côte Saint-Luc Gymnasium from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm. Tickets for the dance are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. The dance highlights include popular tunes spun by DJ George Thomas, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres served at your table, a hot buffet midway through the evening, and a sweet table to end off the night. It is also bring your own wine! Councillors Steven Erdelyi and Allan J. Levine serve as co-chairs.
Presenting the cheque to Ronald McDonald House.
Proceeds from the public skating event and any donations we receive go to Ronald McDonald House. At a ceremony on February 8, Mayor Anthony Housefather and some members of council were joined by D'Arcy McGee Liberal MNA David Birnbaum, Ronald McDonald House executive director Jacqueline Mallet, McDonald's franchisee Pierre Brunet (accompanied by Senior Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer for McDonald's Restaurants of Canada and treasurer for Ronald McDonald House Charities David J. Hederson and of course Ronald McDonald himself. We handed over a cheque of $5,000 to our local Ronald McDonald House on Hudson Avenue near Ste. Justine's Hospital. The Montreal Ronald McDonald House is a temporary home away from home for out-of-town (more than 70 km) families of children with critical illnesses who must travel to Montreal for medical treatments.
Folks enjoying the pancakes.
Sponsors of the event include McDonald’s (Pierre Brunet Franchise), Domino’s Pizza, the Montreal police (SPVM), CPA Côte Saint-Luc, Rapid Hockey, Côte Saint-Luc Minor Hockey Association, École culinaire Loblaws (Cavendish), The Suburban, Canteen Samuel Moskovitch, Harrow, Holiday Inn, Groupe Atwill Morin, Métro, Jumbologo, and Trophées Pointe Claire. Photography by Randi Weitzner and Bianca Roberti-Even.
Bev and Lacey Cammy, with dad Harold peeking out at the left.
A huge hats off to Director of Parks and Recreation David Taveroff and his staff, notably event coordinator Cornelia Ziga. Harold "The Kid" Cammy of Parks and Recreation manned the pancake station, with his with Bev and daughter Lacey giving a helping hand.
Councillor Ruth Kovac with Pierre Brunet (left) and David J. Hederson.
