Came for a reunion and a book signing broke out.
This Sunday took Joy and I to Sociable's in Brantford ( great food BTW) for a book event organized by Andrea " Gump" Hawkins. At least I thought it was a book event. Yes, books were sold, but the cool part of the afternoon was that it was like a Week 5 Olympia reunion. The people of Brantford came out, but Olympians made the trek to the Telephone City from Dundas, Woodstock, Newmarket, London, Georgetown, and Hamilton. Yes these people were there to support the book, but more poignantly the event became a reason for these members of the family, the Olympia family, to get together.
We also welcomed Mohawk of the Grand River's Greg Henhawk, who has been a stalwart teacher, coach, and promoter of basketball in Ontario for a long time, and now one of the best leaders of indigenous sport anywhere. Greg brought a message of respect for the land and for each other that dovetails perfectly with the message of Olympia and the heroic stories contained in A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp.
The setting felt like an evening in the coach's lounge. All that was missing was a deck of cards and a euchre tournament! ( and four bears on your cabin deck!) Hard to describe how humbling it is to have these people come from all corners just to be able to see each other. That's what Olympia does....I hope that reading the book takes them down memory lane.
Sarnia Here We Come!!
Next up for the Tour Of Olympia is next Saturday, Nov 26 at Lambton College in Sarnia at 2pm. put together by Olympia coach Al Shaw. Sarnia and Chatham are both basketball hotbeds that has many many Olympia campers, counsellors and coaches. Come to Lambton and pick up a piece of Olympia's legacy and a great Christmas present for you or your favourite Olympian. The family of 1964 Olympia Team member Barry Howson alone should fill the place!
Here are the upcoming events. Looking to fill dates before Christmas and will announce when they are confirmed. A new addition is the Jacob Ranton Memorial Basketball Tournament in Waterloo. I'm honoured to be able to connect with great friends Doug and Sandra Ranton in their journey and to help the WRSPC ( Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council) again this year by donating a portion of the book sales to this much-needed community awareness program. While you're at it, check out their online auction at Jacob Ranton Memorial Online Auction. Hope to see many along the journey.
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