What a day!
 It seems everyone in Mount Forest, as well as those from miles around, came to town on Monday to watch as the Olympic flame made its way down Main Street. Nearly as many went to the sports complex for an afternoon of fun and games, free skating, sports competitions and displays organized by Donna Jack and the Township of Wellington North.
The Olympic Torch Relay came through on Dec. 28, for many a statutory holiday, so many families were able to attend the festivities together and many people also had out-of-town Christmas visitors stick around to be part of the historic event.
Those lining the street for the actual relay were given flags – Canadian and Olympic – by volunteers, including Township of Wellington North staff and councillors and Canadian patriotism was at an all time high. Mayor Mike Broomhead, who emceed the passing of the torch on the steps of the Mount Forest Archives building, didn’t have to ask twice to have people wave their flags and cheer. The spontaneous singing of O Canada by the large crowd was the icing on the cake of what was a very emotional experience for many.
In this week’s Confederate in addition to the front-page picture, you will find a page of photographs taken by Reporter Chris Clark. He spent most of the day covering the event, even though it meant working until the wee hours on Monday night to meet this week’s press deadline. We’re sure you’ll agree that he captured the essence of the event through the lens of his camera.
After the relay from Tim Hortons at the south end of town to the OPP detachment at the north, including the passing of the torch ceremony in the centre of town, it was on to West Grey and festivities in Durham. We had a reporter covering the event there as well but, because of tight deadlines, you will have to pick up a copy of next week’s Confederate to see that coverage.
It is oh so nice that both Wellington North and West Grey were chosen as stops for the torch as it makes its way to Vancouver in time for the Winter Olympics in February – making Dec. 28, 2009 truly a historic day for both communities.