Positive Port Alberni

Ask not for whom the bells toll, it tolls for thee. Donne’s poem came to me as I learned about the death of one of our youngest citizens. Charlotte Martell. She died suddenly at 4! I could see many of us challenging the referee asking why she has been struck out so early in the game. However, my wife and I visited the family and Julie told us that she was utterly amazed at the response of so many people in this community. People that I did not know came up to me expressing their sorrow and offering to help in any way that they could.
This is terrible to both mother and father, but with the help of the family and community, they will be able to cope. Again, we went to the church service at Notre Dame and the pews were all filled. People were standing all around the church. Fr. Stephen Paine said that he was sure that there were not all Catholics attending this funeral, and then he explain the procedure of the Catholic Mass. I was pleased to see the type of welcome he gave to all our bothers and sisters.
I look at funerals as a time for meditating not only of the death of Charlotte, but it was mainly about me. I, too, will be on this journey, and end in the same manner. In this society, we are so busy that we do not take time to meditate on our end. Charlotte has done with the journey, and she is now with the Master. The message of Fr. Paine was for us, the living. Fr. Spoke to us about Charlotte. She loved school. She loved people. She loved to dance. In her short life, she has fulfilled her mission on earth. Young Charlotte was speaking to me and to you. What legacy are we going to leave when our lives are finished on this earth?
Why did she die so young? This is not the way things happen. The parents should die before the child. And then, my mind went on this poem by Ben Jonson:
It is not growing like a tree
In bulk doth man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, bald and sere;
A lily of a day,
Is fairer far in May.
Although it fall and die that night—
It was the plant and flower of light.
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures life may perfect be.
Julie told me that Charlotte’s favourite colour was red! To me red is the colour of love and this community is the community of love. The funeral is over, but Charlotte Martell is and will remain a part of this community. I have been asking this community to wear red on Wednesdays, Now we could make Red Wednesday a perpetual memory of our own angel, Charlotte Rose Martell!..MY LOVE IS LIKE A RED, RED ROSE!
]SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. COMMUNITY..PORT ALBERNI!
So we all are going to wear red on Wednesdays. This is the first part in establishing my goal. I told you of the Goal I have for daring to making this community..Love City. Let others scoff at this idea. You and I know that we can and will transform this community. Now, my second goal is to approach the schools to buy into this Port Alberni Pledge. At the reception for the funeral for Charlotte, I spoke to the principal of John Paul 2, Kathy Korman. I did not have lots of convincing to do. She told me that she will buy into this idea. Every child in the school will sign the following pledge: In order to make Port Alberni the best place on earth, I promise to do these four things:
They will be mindful of the following statement: Ask not what Port Alberni can do for you. But what you CAN and WILL do for Port Alberni.
It would be a great idea for parents of John Paul 2 to join with their children, and have their own pledges!
THANKS TO THE LIONS! The 38th annual T.V.Auction is finished, and it was a success. I thank all those connected with this giant project: Lions, wives, partners, friends and you, this generous community who have been supporting them throughout these years. They did have competition on that evening, but in spite of that, this was another successful project. Thanks to all, and we would be happy to hear how we could improve for next year.
COME TO OUR CONCERT AT ARROWSHMITH BAPTIST CHURCH!
We have a most joyous afternoon in store for you on Sunday, December 5th at 2:10 p.m. We have all been working on this concert from September, and we are all looking forward to entertain you. You will be entertained by both The Barkley Sounds Community Choir, and Phil’s Harmonics String Orchestra. Come. HEAR THE MUSIC. SEE THE LIGHT!! FEEL THE WONDER OF THAT GLORIOUS NIGHT.
FOOD AND FILOSOPHY. DOLCE VITA ON DECEMBER 6TH. COME AND FIND OUT WHY PORT ALBERNI IS ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS COMMUNITIES ON THIS EARTH!!! Food from 5:30. FILOSOPHY FOLLOWS!