Just prior to the whirlwind of activity at Provincial Court in Truro this week, several events were held which once again serve to remind us of the unlimited potential of youth.
Most took place at high schools and junior highs throughout Colchester County where academic and athletic excellence were celebrated, and hundreds of teenagers graduated.
Another occurred in the village of Bass River where the first monument in Canada to honour animals who lost their lives during military conflicts was unveiled at Veteran's Memorial Park.
The monument, called Forgotten Heroes, includes a statue of a dog called Gander who died protecting his human comrades during the Second World War and its existence is the direct result of a Bass River youth named Noah Tremblay, who raised thousands of dollars for the project by approaching businesses and community members, and successfully lobbying various levels of government.
It's a wonderful story of passion and persistence, made all the more uplifting by the fact that Noah is only 12 years old. He's a special kid as most young people are when given half a chance in life.
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Rhoddy ready for next move
We note with interest the political aspirations of Dereck Rhoddy, who, after eight years as mayor of Stewiacke, will not be re-offering in order to run as the Progressive Conservative candidate for the Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley riding in the next provincial election.
Rhoddy, 39, has actually been a member of the Stewiacke council for 14 years and has a lengthy resume of community service, having served on numerous boards (library, minor hockey, Emergency Measures Organization, CoRDA, police, Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex and others) over the years.
Better yet, he's offering in a riding with strong Tory roots. In fact, the voters of Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley elected P.C. representatives on six consecutive occasions after its formation in 1993.
But that was then. Three years ago, when an orange wave swept across the province, NDP candidate Gary Burrill thrashed the competition and, as far as we can determine, hasn't done much to hurt his chances of being re-elected either.
Still, Rhoddy's entry into the fray makes this riding one to watch closely come election time in a year or so.
