Torch Relay draws big crowds

For the second time in a week residents of Cramahe Township came into direct contact with the world of the corporate high flyers.

On December 11 Tim Horton's held its grand opening.

Four days later the Olympic Torch literally rolled into Colborne. Churches and service clubs jumped in for the celebration, providing food and drinks for the crowds. Businesses even got involved with decorations and offers. For the hundreds who lined King St. and up Victoria Square it was a memorable moment, one that will be talked about for years. The arrival of the Olympic torch revived memories for those who witnessed the last one in 1988. It was truly a significant event in a small community.

Behind the scenes the event brought out some of the more unpleasant sides of the corporate world.

Even after the event, does anyone know who carried the torch through Colborne? In a chance encounter, Nathan Card's father told us his son was runner number 114. None of the on the ground torch relay workers, and none of the corporate websites supporting the run could provide names or details about any of the participants. Even township officials were kept in the dark. Why the secrecy? And why such control over every aspect of the event?

Anyone who ventured out onto the road at the wrong time found out the accompanying runners and biker were there for more than appearances. And it was hard not to know who was sponsoring this event. The corporate sponsors ensured that we were left with souvenirs sporting their logos.

But we were the fortunate ones. The relay ran through our community. Others were not as lucky. After packing up the runners in Colborne the vehicles hopped onto the 401, headed  for Cobourg. Grafton was just a road sign on the relay.
The image of the runners led by the glitzy trailers and gladhanders of the corporate sponsors was even more striking, juxtapositioned over another traveller through our community. Going the opposite direction almost without notice just 45 minutes before the torch relay was Kerry Pakarinen, a homeless 45-year-old B.C. man raising public awareness of homelessness. Kerry's story will be posted in Cramahe Now in the next few days.

Yes, it was a grand few moments, and a time we will all savour; after all, it is the Olympics -  let's view it in the broader context.



Thanks to the generosity of two local photographers we have a plethora of pictures for you to view. Professional photographer, John Brunke, sent us a bunch which we have posted in a separate album. Dr. Doug Galt fired one off which we have included with the ones from Cramahe Now.

John Brunke Torch Relay

Cramahe Now Torch Relay