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Laurier’s Brantford campus welcomes first-year students with Orientation Week events

BRANTFORD – Wilfrid Laurier University will welcome first-year students to its Brantford campus with a series of Orientation Week events taking place Sept. 4 to 10.

Orientation Week, organized by the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union, is an opportunity for students to learn their way around campus, meet new people and become involved in student life.

“We have been looking forward to welcoming our students to our campuses with an in-person, face-to-face greeting for a long time now,” said Ivan Joseph, vice-president of Student Affairs. “There is nothing like feeling the energy and enthusiasm that ripples across our community during Orientation Week. Thank you to all the student leaders, volunteers, faculty and staff who go out of their way to showcase the Laurier community spirit and demonstrate what is so Golden about the Laurier student experience.”

Events throughout the week include Shine Day, when students wash cars to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada (founded at Laurier in 1961), lunch with Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis, a carnival in Harmony Square, a headphone disco and a room-burn demonstration by firefighters to promote fire safety. Throughout the week, students will also learn about safety and support services at Laurier, resources to help them balance their physical and mental health, and tips and advice for academic success. A list of Orientation Week photo opportunities for media is below.

“My advice to students is don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take the opportunity to engage with your fellow Golden Hawks,” said Shane Symington, president and CEO of the Students’ Union. “I hope students lose themselves in the moments where they’re at Headphone Disco or other events and find themselves as they get their first taste of a community that will embrace them, and truly make them feel like they belong. We hope they make this experience their own.”

“We’re excited to have a full complement of students engaging in Orientation Week activities this year,” said Adam Lawrence, Laurier’s dean of students. “Many thanks to the O-Week organizers, and a warm welcome to Laurier’s newcomers.”

Sunday, Sept. 4 is Move-in Day; times will vary among the four Brantford residences depending on building and community.

On Monday, Sept. 5, students can attend a painting tutorial inspired by the late painter and TV host Bob Ross. The event takes place in the lobby of the Research and Academic Centre West building. A Welcome to Campus Dinner will also take place in the basement of 1 Market restaurant.

On Tuesday, Sept. 6, Brantford Fire Department firefighters will ignite and suppress a fire in a model bedroom to show how quickly a fire can spread and demonstrate the importance of smoke alarms and having an evacuation plan. The room burn demonstration takes place in the rear parking lot of 50 Wellington St.

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis and local councillors will serve lunch to first-year students in Harmony Square as an official welcome to Brantford.

Saturday, Sept. 10 is Shinerama Shine Day. Students will wash cars at the Student Centre parking lot and FreshCo. (50 Market St.) to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. O-Week icebreakers team and staff will participate in fun challenges tied to the amount of funds raised. Closing ceremonies start at 7 p.m. featuring amazing food and activities.

Other events throughout the week include a carnival, headphone disco dance party, glow-in-the-dark paint party, a hypnotist performance, drag hour, taste tour of downtown Brantford, lip-sync battle, movie night, games night and dodgeball competition. Visit the Students’ Union website for a full list of activities.

Laurier’s Waterloo campus will also be running Orientation Week activities.

In addition to O-week events international students can register for the Senior Executive Officer and Faculty Reception & Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Graduate Student Orientation will take place Wednesday, Sept. 7 highlighted by Ivan Joseph’s speech, “The Role Confidence Plays in Academic Success.”

For a full list of events, go to the Laurier Students’ Union O-Week web page.

Photo Opportunities for Brantford Orientation Week

Room-Burn Demonstration

Brantford Fire Department firefighters will educate students about fire safety by showing how quickly a room can become engulfed in flames. The room burn occurs on Tuesday, Sept. 6 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the rear parking lot of 50 Wellington St.

Mayor’s Lunch

Mayor Kevin Davis and local councillors will welcome first-year students to Brantford with lunch. The event takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Harmony Square.

Tastes of Downtown

Students sample foods from Brantford’s downtown restaurants. The event takes place on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Research and Academic Centre West lobby.

Carnival

The carnival features cotton candy, a dunk tank and many other carnival delights. The event takes place Friday, Sept. 9 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Harmony Square.

Shine Day

Students will wash cars and take part in fun activities in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Centre parking lot and FreshCo. (50 Market St.).

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SIU welcomes students to back to campus, announces upcoming events

SIU welcomes students to back to campus, announces upcoming events
students gathered around a fire, roasting marshmallows

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August 10, 2022

SIU welcomes students to back to campus, announces upcoming events

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale will roll out the maroon carpet to welcome new and returning students to campus in grand Saluki style with a host of special activities during Saluki Startup and Weeks of Welcome.

Students move onto campus Aug. 18 and 19, with classes starting Aug. 22. Preparations have been underway for months to ensure a smooth transition for students to their new campus home away from home. View the online schedule, which is constantly being updated as activities are added. Students can also stay abreast of what’s happening by downloading the Saluki Superfan app, their portal to keep tabs on student life throughout the year.

Dawg Days helps create a successful transition

SIU’s Dawg Days New Student Retreat, set for Aug. 15-18 at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, is an action-packed week. Organized and led by students, it is designed to help their new student peers successfully transition to college life. 

move-in-21-v2-sm.jpgParticipants learn about Saluki traditions, services and the support system as they network and engage in fun activities, including battleship games in canoes, duct-tape dodgeball, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, themed evening socials, a costume party and much more. They will also connect with campus administrators, faculty and staff, as well as with one another.

Forging connections through Saluki Startup

Creating a Saluki family connection is what Saluki Startup, set for the early days of the semester, is all about. During special activities on Aug. 18-21, the university will help returning and new students get acquainted with one another and the campus.

A recent popular addition to Saluki Startup is Light up the Lake, set for 7-9 p.m. Aug. 18 as the boat dock will be glowing all evening. Campus Lake/Becker Pavilion will come alive with glow-in-the-dark games and activities, slacklining, a climbing wall, a DJ, freebies, snacks, a pottery throwing wheel and other fun Saluki experiences.

A Resource Fair provides information about what’s available and how to connect with the campus departments or units as well as community organizations 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 19, in Ballroom D of the Student Center. The Saluki Startup Kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Saluki Stadium is a giant pep rally, complete with a class picture for new students. Afterward, the action moves to the Student Recreation Center for Late Nite at the Rec, with volleyball, swimming, basketball and a host of other activities from 9 to 11 p.m.

2018-DawgDays-sm.jpgThe Student Center is the place to be at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 for the popular Dawg’s Night Out student fest as participants enjoy arts and crafts, inflatables, games, food and assorted revelry.

A favorite tradition, the Chancellor’s Welcome Fest, will be 1-3 p.m. Aug. 21, complete with a cookout, DJ, climbing wall, yard and watermelon games, giveaways and the chance to get acquainted with campus leaders, faculty and staff.

There are also meet-and-greet events sponsored by numerous colleges and groups and various other activities throughout the early days of classes. Find the complete Saluki Startup schedule of events at wow.siu.edu/saluki-startup. For more information about any of the events, email orientation@siu.edu or call 618-453-1000.

Welcoming one and all with events galore

At SIU, the “welcome back” vibe continues with a variety of diverse activities during five Weeks of Welcome, or WOW, as it is called it on campus. Highlights of the fall schedule include some very special guests you’ll want to see.

SIU will celebrate Diversity Week during this time. Juan Manual “John” Quiñones, ABC News correspondent/journalist and longtime host of “What Would You Do?,” will speak during the kickoff on Aug. 29. The diversity commemoration from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 will also feature a discussion of military culture, a disability support and accessibility presentation, jazz ensemble, a Women’s Equality Day celebration and a jazz and hip-hop seminar, mural painting, SAFE Zone and DACA training and more. The full schedule will be available online when finalized.

You can also “Meet Kevin and Oscar from ‘The Office’” in the Student Center Ballrooms at 6 p.m. Sept. 22.  Oscar Martinez and Kevin Malone, portrayed by Oscar Nuñez and Brian Baumgartner, will share about their time on the NBC Emmy-winning series “The Office.” Students and the general public are welcome to attend the free presentation; no tickets are required and admission is on a first-come basis. A book signing will follow, and some fortunate guests will have the opportunity to meet the pair at a reception following the moderated event.

Other Week of Welcome activities include open houses, an involvement fair, movies, a job fair, a bonfire, barbecue, workshops, student organization events, and a free Family Carnival at the Student Recreation Center’s west gym from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 27 featuring a bounce house, games, snacks and more. Geared toward non-traditional families, the event is designed to help them learn about campus and the community and connect with resources and other people.

Weeks of Welcome will wrap up with Saluki Family Weekend, Sept. 23-25, featuring a craft sale, Greek Sing, and other activities, including the the football Salukis hosting North Dakota in gridiron action.

Visit wow.siu.edu for the complete schedule of events, which is subject to change, depending on weather and other factors.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover many of SIU’s Dawg Days New Student Retreat, Saluki Startup and Weeks of Welcome activities.

Opportune times to capture good stories, photographs and video at Dawg Days, set for Aug. 17-18 at the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, include:

  • The Saluki Welcome Fest, 4:30 p.m. Aug. 15, featuring the SIU spirit Squad and other fun along with various guest speakers, including Tena Bennett, assistant vice chancellor for auxiliary enterprise; Jennifer Jones-Hall, dean of students; and Jeffery T. Burgin Jr., vice chancellor for student affairs.
  • Participants will rotate among various active games, 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 16.
  • New students will be enjoying a costume party at 9 p.m. Aug. 17.

All activities take place at Camp 2. For more information or to arrange a visit to Touch of Nature at another time, contact Brian Croft at 618-453-1121 or bcroft@siu.edu.

You can also find great opportunities for stories, photographs and video on the SIU campus during numerous Saluki Startup and WOW, including:

  • Move-in, which begins 18 for new students and continues Aug. 19 for returning students. For more information, visit housing.siu.edu/move-in/. For details, contact Jim Hunsaker, senior associate director of operations for University Housing, at 618-453-1067, 618-201-2211 (cell) or jhuns@siu.edu.
  • Light up the Lake, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 18, Becker Pavilion, Campus Lake.
  • Saluki Kickoff Event, 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 19, Saluki Stadium.
  • Late Night at the Rec, 9-11 p.m., Student Recreation Center.
  • Dawg’s Night Out, 7-11 p.m. Aug. 20, Student Center. Arts and crafts, games, inflatables.
  • Chancellor’s Welcome Fest, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 21, Shryock Lawn, climbing wall, yard and watermelon games, and more.
  • Involvement Fair, 5-7 p.m. Aug. 25, Faner Plaza. Students can find out what’s happening on campus, learning about campus resources and registered student organizations as well as community organizations as they meet fellow Salukis. Contact rsohelp@siu.edu or 618-453-5714.
  • Family Carnival, 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 27, Student Recreation Center.
  • Diversity Week, 29-Sept.1. The full schedule will be posted online when finalized.
  • “Meet Kevin and Oscar from ‘The Office’” 6 p.m. Sept. 22, Student Center Ballrooms.

The complete schedule of events for Weeks of Welcome is at wow.siu.edu. For more information, contact Jennifer Jones-Hall, dean of students, at jennifer.jones-hall@siu.edu or 618-453-4846.

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Calgary Marathon welcomes thousands for largest event since 2019

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Organizers thankful for ‘medal miracle’ that saw awards arrive in Calgary just hours before runners set off

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Thousands of runners from across Canada took part in the return of the Calgary Marathon this weekend, setting off from Stampede Park early Sunday morning for the first full-scale event in almost three years.

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“It’s just so awesome to be back,” said Kirsten Fleming, the marathon’s executive director. “Seeing the faces and the smiles and the expressions of people joyfully finishing a race and hugging and high-fiving after 2½ years of social distancing.”

The group organized a scaled-down race in September 2021 but had to nix a few of the usual on-route sights like live music and host a smaller roster of runners due to health restrictions at the time. In 2020, the event was cancelled entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, while not quite back in full swing compared to pre-pandemic events, more than 6,000 runners competed in races ranging from five to 50 kilometres.

“I did a couple of virtual ones during COVID, but I hadn’t been in a race since prior to COVID. It was nice to race in 3D again with all these people,” said John Deausy, who ran the 5K race with his wife.

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“The energy is way different, probably a way faster time than in a virtual race just because you get into it. It’s nice to interact with people again.”

Runners in the Asics Runnerkeeper 10 KM race off the start line on Sunday, May 29, 2022.
Runners in the Asics Runnerkeeper 10 KM race off the start line on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Gavin Young/Postmedia

Father-and-son duo Scott and Dane Logan also ran the 5K together, for the most part. After running in separate races during last year’s event, the father said he wanted to give his son “a bit of a challenge.”

“He dusted me,” said Scott of his son’s 18:27 — a full 50 seconds faster than his old man. Dane took first place in the 10 to 14 age group and placed fourth out of the more than 900 participants in the 5K. Scott followed shortly behind his son at eighth overall, also notching first in his age group, 45 to 49.

Medal-adorned runners poured out of the Calgary Stampede Grandstand throughout the afternoon, limping with sore limbs healing from a lengthy contest. Most were happy with their feat, notching new personal bests and some first-time completions.

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But for the medals themselves, it was a nail-biting finish — one aided by the efforts of several international organizations.

Marathon organizers alerted participants Tuesday that medals likely wouldn’t arrive in time for the Sunday race. They’d ordered their medals weeks earlier than usual, but port backlogs saw them stuck on a ship on the shores off Vancouver for more than a month.

Shipping terminal officials initially told organizers there was a less than one per cent chance the medals would make it off the vessel, through customs and to Calgary by the weekend.

But then came what Fleming called a “medal miracle” and a race in and of itself.

Calgary Centaur Subaru Half Marathon finishers receive medals on Sunday, May 29, 2022. The 6500 finisher medals for the various Calgary Marathon events arrived at the last minute at about 1 a.m. Sunday after been stranded on a container ship waiting in Vancouver harbour.
Calgary Centaur Subaru Half Marathon finishers receive medals on Sunday, May 29, 2022. The 6500 finisher medals for the various Calgary Marathon events arrived at the last minute at about 1 a.m. Sunday after been stranded on a container ship waiting in Vancouver harbour. Gavin Young/Postmedia

“It’s a complex system of partners that keep supply chains moving and we’re only one piece,” says Chris Ng, Global Container Terminals Canada’s vice-president of marketing and sales.

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“But once we knew what was happening and where the container was, we did everything in our control to make it happen. The vessel ops group strategically planned the unloading of this ship in a way to ensure it was prioritized and everyone from the terminal VP to the team worked to get the container off early Saturday morning.”

Oregon-based medal broker Leslie Jordan and Vancouver truck company CTC worked together to push the medals through customs and a sorting facility that’s typically closed on Saturdays. With less than 12 hours before the starter pistol fired, they tapped WestJet, putting the medals on the last Saturday night flight to Calgary from Vancouver.

“When the opportunity presented itself to help expedite the arrival of the Calgary Marathon medals, we wanted to do anything possible to ensure participants had medals to celebrate with at the finish line,” said WestJet spokesperson Morgan Bell.

Just six hours before the race started, at 1 a.m. Sunday, Fleming and other marathon volunteers picked up the medals at Calgary International Airport and delivered them to the finish line at Stampede Park — just six hours before runners were scheduled to set off.

“We had two hours of sleep and came back to get the race going this morning,” Fleming said.

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The Calgary Marathon helped raise more than $300,000 for its 73 charity partners through the 2022 event — and donations are still rolling in. Throughout the history of the event, organizers say they’ve raised over $9 million for local charities.

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Garden Club welcomes back in-person meetings

Garden Club welcomes back in-person meetings

The South Delta Garden Club (SDGC) is pleased to announce that Canadian horticulturalist Janis Matson will be the featured speaker on Tuesday, May 17 as the club resumes its in-person meetings.

As a 30-year industry veteran, Matson is known for her depth of knowledge about plants and garden design and has led her company, Shoreline Landscape Design Ltd, for the past 25 years. She is also a faculty member and instructor at both Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Langley with the Horticultural Diploma and Apprenticeship programs and at Burnaby Community Education with the Horticultural Hardscape, Plant ID Certificate and Apprenticeship programs. In addition, Matson teaches in the Adult Education program at VanDusen Botanical Garden and is a popular guest speaker at various garden clubs throughout the Lower Mainland.  

“People need to understand their space, do a site analysis that includes soil type, depth and structure, drainage, any supplemented water,” she said. “Do they want turf? Is the garden on a slope? Are there mature trees? What is the light exposure? Is there wind? Root competition? Drought tolerance? What is the purpose of the garden? Do they want entertainment space? A soccer field for the kids?”

On Tuesday, Matson will present on the topic of: Out of the Ordinary Annuals and Perennials. She hints that her favourite summer perennial is the unusual Himalayan Blue Poppy.

The meeting will be held at Ladner Christian Reformed Church at 4594 54A St., in Delta. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the presentation at 7:30 p.m. Entrance and parking are around the back. All are welcome. Cost to members is free. Guests: $10 at the door. Guest fee for this event may be credited towards the purchase of an annual membership.

The South Delta Garden Club is comprised of 135 local gardening enthusiasts who gather to share information in a positive social environment. Club activities include day tours, visits to garden club members’ gardens, workshops, work parties and fundraising events to support community projects. Featured speaker events are open to both members and the public.

For more information about the Club and its activities, including monthly speakers, visit www.southdeltagardenclub.ca or contact club vice-president Susan Lilholt at: susan.lilholt@gmail.com or call 604-306-1079.