There were a number of bewildered ladies around Snow Lake Mother's Day weekend. Their state of confusion arose from witnessing a member of the RCMP, attired in full dress uniform red serge, marching up their sidewalk, flowers in hand!
Was it some newfangled community policing effort that the local detachment was involved in maybe a unique way of serving a summons or perhaps even an invitation to the Policemen's Ball from an up-till-now unknown secret admirer? Actually, none of the above; it was one constable's idea on how to make a special day even more memorable in honouring the one we all love best - mom!
Not long before Mother's Day, Sweet Nothings owner, Margaret Yoder received a message via Facebook from Const. Jason St. Pierre, asking if she was interested in having him - dressed in red serge - deliver her Mother's Day flowers. Yoder, of course, jumped at the offer. He showed up at her business on the afternoon of May 10, loaded close to 20 deliveries into his own personal vehicle and delivered each by hand to the deserving mother for whom they were purchased.
Asked how everything worked out during his flowery foray, St. Pierre said it went very well. "I think most people were surprised and happy to have flowers delivered that way," said the constable, noting that one startled recipient even commented that she didn't know officers doubled as delivery men. Feeling the idea was a success, St. Pierre says that he can't wait to do it again next year.
Yoder agreed with the constable's impression of the service. "People seemed to really like it," she said. "A few made comments on how awesome it was to have their flowers delivered by a local RCMP in full serge. I think it was great! And all his idea... he approached me to do it!"
In other news, Taiko drum performer and instructor, Phoebe Man visited J.H. Kerr School during the week of May 5-9 , as part of the Artists in the Schools Program. While at J.H. Kerr, she worked with nursery to Grade 8 classes, teaching them the background and art of Taiko. For those unfamiliar with it, Taiko is a traditional Japanese art form of drumming, which combines sheer physicality, exuberant movement, and innovative sounds. Students learned the history of Taiko, as well as its basic playing techniques.
By Friday afternoon, students had finished up their week of lessons and it was deemed time to show off some newfound skills. Prior to beginning the program, teacher Esther Ward gathered the attention of the large crowd of parents and community members, explaining that May 9 had also been designated as the National Day of Honour. Giving an overview of the day, Ward said that the Government of Canada has set aside this day to mark the end of our country's military mission in Afghanistan. All Canadians were being invited to honour the legacy of these heroes with a national moment of silence. Those in attendance bowed their heads to observe it.
School librarian Tammy Sass then introduced Man and she in turn explained Taiko drumming, noting that it takes most people an entire year to learn to do it properly. Inside of a week J.H. Kerr students had become accomplished drummers, she said.
Performances followed by groups of students from nursery to Grade 8; all were as Man stated - quite accomplished. Scanning the faces of student participants while they were immersed in their performances, one could easily see the enthusiasm and concentration. As well, a certain discipline was noted in the students while behind their drums, as was the obvious aura of respect that they displayed for their teacher, Man.
Hailing from Hong Kong, Man has practiced the traditional Japanese art form of taiko drumming since 1989. Along with being a founding member of the Winnipeg Taiko group Fubuki Daiko, she has collaborated across diverse cultural lines with world music ensembles SAND and Just Drummin', which have brought the art of Taiko into a greater artistic realm.
Following the student performances, Sass addressed the crowd once more and asked the instructor if she would do a solo performance and also sing. She obliged, performing a song she wrote called 'Ocean of Pearl'. Her drumming on both the main surface and rims of her kit was quite melodic and the reverberations could actually be felt in one's chest. Additionally, Man's voice seemed to cover two octaves and almost fluttered as she sang a song in Mandarin dialect. The crowd answered with a loud round of applause and Sass thanked the artist after calling forward two students who presented her with a gift in appreciation of her week of instruction.
