by Alex MacWilliam
The first snowflakes of the season are falling just after Thanksgiving as this issue of the newsletter goes to the printer, and I can’t help but wonder what the Winter of 2020 has in store for us. We know there will be the usual bitter cold snaps, punctuated by the wonderful Chinooks that bring respites from frigid temperature and are welcomed by almost all of us (my sympathies to migraine sufferers). While there is much that is predictable about our southern Alberta winters, the coming months are going to be unlike any we have experienced in the past. Worry over a second wave of COVID-19 and hopefulness that medical research will lead to a vaccine mean there is much uncertainty ahead. More than ever, we need to rely on our families, friends, and neighbours to help us through the difficult days that lie ahead.
We are blessed to live in a neighbourhood where the residents care about the community and the people who live and work here. Unfortunately, we are also impacted by many of the problems and pressures found throughout the city. Property crime seems to be on the rise in Bridgeland and we have all had to become more vigilant. These events hit even harder when they affect acts of kindness and generosity shown by our neighbours. This issue of the newsletter highlights some of the great things that volunteers are doing in our community. Allan and Lucia McIntyre, Ali McMillan, Susan Mulholland, Deb Lee, the crew that runs the Farmers’ Market, Ahmed Abdulghan of Roma Pizza, and many other volunteers and businesses all make Bridgeland a better place to live. When the foosball table kindly donated by Ahmed that provided entertainment for young and old alike over the summer was recently stolen, it was soon replaced by an anonymous donor. While that story is another example of our property crime problems, I prefer to focus on the fact that it demonstrates two great instances of the generosity of spirit that prevails in this community.
I urge you to take time to think about how you could be contributing to this community. Joining the BRCA Board or one of its committees, tidying up one of our many public spaces, keeping your eyes on the street, removing snow from your neighbour’s sidewalk, and other random acts of kindness mean even more now than in the past. While the phrase seems to be getting overused these days, it still rings true – “We’re all in this together”. Take care and stay safe.
