Jack Elliott
This past Sunday was Bergland’s sixth-annual “Cancer Crusade.” It was an enjoyable day under sunny skies and gentle breezes when friends and neighbours gathered to celebrate their fight against this dreaded disease.
It was an afternoon of ice cream, music, hotdogs and good old-fashioned visiting. Local band, Hwy 621, was on hand to lead the music with a whole passel of others like Vaughn Murray and Bobby Olson showing up with their instruments and voices.
MP John Rafferty took the celebrity seat over the dunk tank, but Vaughn Murray showed he still has arm with a well-aimed pitch that dampened Rafferty top to bottom.
Then it was local politician Tony Seper’s turn on the wet seat, and Courtney Hanson quickly lowered the boom on him. Our future, the kids were racing around with some well-painted faces compliments of Erica Rencher
Over 50 were on hand over the afternoon, and in the evening, 150 gathered to demolish the supper with particular emphasis on the 15 pots of chili that had been entered in the hotly contested cook-off. Lily Anderson of Arbor Vitae took the Chili Champ Award and LuAnn Fisk of Bergland was runner up.
“There were no Tums left over and no complaints,” commented a jolly Ruth Brett who has been a driving force in this annual event.
“We raised about $1,700 dollars towards our fight against cancer,” she added pleased with the financial results, but even more pleased with the wonderful afternoon everyone enjoyed.
A cloud of balloons was released towards the end of in the evening, symbolizing the communities hope and determination to beat this disease and to remember loved ones who lost their personal battles.
Same time, same place next year? Get working on that chili recipe.