As many readers are aware, I began a Christmas tradition when I first arrived in 2014, of composing my final column for the year in prose - a Christmas poem, recapping some of the events within the Comox Valley, and beyond.
Keeping that tradition alive, in the cheesiest of ways, here is my submission for 2022.
***
鈥楾was four nights before Christmas in the greatest of Valleys
The EDAS team has done its tour of shelters and alleys.
鈥淓verybody Deserves a Smile鈥� Mme. Chantal asserting
As bags of hope are delivered to those who are hurting.
Her team of 鈥榮hepherds鈥� from 脡cole Puntledge Park
Bring beacons of light to where it is most dark.
A lesson in empathy goes so very far
In teaching our youth how blessed they are.
Hampers have been dropped off by a heroic team
Sharing the Christmas Spirit, the recurring theme.
Valley residents amassed all the food they could find
To help out others; it鈥檚 so easy to be kind.
A Christmas tradition still to come our way,
The Earl Naswell Community Dinner is four days away.
Volunteers have been working hard to make everything OK
7oo+ dinners will be shipped out Christmas Day.
They will be delivered to homes, to shelters and more.
Drivers bringing hot turkey dinners straight to your door.
None of these programs could ever happen, truthfully,
Without the support of the whole community.
So thank you to everyone for thinking of others.
All you dads and moms, sisters and brothers.
You all understand the meaning of charity,
But that鈥檚 nothing new here - it鈥檚 the norm, not a rarity.
February was fun as the Olympics played out.
All Valley eyes were on the ski events, without a doubt.
The Sharpe siblings, Darcy and Cassie were there,
Cassie in the halfpipe, Darcy in Big Air.
Cassie returned to the podium she reached in 鈥�18
This time with silver; she won gold in Beijing!
Darcy had quite an experience too,
Despite being shut out in 鈥�22.
We lost our most well-known war hero in May
When James Francis 鈥淪tocky鈥� Edwards passed away.
The Second World War fighter pilot was the best at his trade.
Records show 17 aircraft takedowns he made.
In the Comox Valley, he made such a bond.
He鈥檒l be fondly remembered, here and beyond.
The tales of his bravado will never cease.
Thank you for your service Stocky, may you rest in peace.
The live music scene made a comeback in 2022
With MusicFest, Filberg, and the summer concert series at Simms Park.
This stanza doesn鈥檛 rhyme, and lacks rhythm.
I don鈥檛 care.
The municipal elections were held this year
In Courtenay, the voters鈥� message was clear.
They like what they have, the results plainly show
Save for one change on council, all else: status quo.
Support for Mayor Wells was clearly defined
He received more votes than the other two, combined.
Evan Jolicoeur is the only new face.
He replaced Manno Theos in the councillor race.
The other five incumbents return to the table
The rumoured changes were no more than a fable.
So what will the next four years for us bring?
Unfortunately, likely no third river crossing.
Cumberland voters opted for something new
Starting at the top, the winds of change blew.
After 11 years Leslie Baird is no longer mayor;
Former councillor Vickey Brown now sits in that chair.
Incumbent councillors Jesse Ketler as well as Sean Sullivan,
Are joined in that role by Neil Borecky and Troy Therrien.
In Comox, tragedy forced change on the card,
Mayor Arnott鈥檚 announcement hit the whole town hard.
After one term, his health declined.
He withdrew his name, left politics behind.
The beloved Russ Arnott passed shortly thereafter
Many tears were shed for the town鈥檚 great ambassador.
Seeing the need, Nicole Minions would declare
The councillor switched hats, she is now mayor.
With incumbents McGowan and Bissinger also not running
Three new councillors would be forthcoming.
Steve Blacklock, Chris Haslett and Jenn Meilleur
Join Ken Grant, Maureen Swift and Dr. Jonathan Kerr.
Not a lot changed at the CVRD,
Successful re-elections for two of the three.
Daniel Arbor and Edwin Grieve still in Areas A and C
Joined by Richard Hardy, new to Area B.
Looking back on the year there was plenty of news
Too much for one column to possibly use.
I apologize in advance if I missed you this time,
But as space is short, that鈥檚 the end of my rhymes.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Terry Farrell is the editor - and a rather awful poet - at the Comox Valley Record
terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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