Our delightful hockey weekend

For years, I have heard from our recreation staff about our teams’ results in the tournament and have casually thought it would be fun to attend. This year I decided that my husband and I would drive down and join the parents and staff watching the 95 kids from ages six to 15 play in the Gloucester arena.

As the Mayor of Gloucester and I dropped the ceremonial pucks on the ice and stood for our respective national anthems, I wondered why I had never gone to this event before. I have never been much of a participant in organized sports although I recognize its value to our general health and welfare. Being on the ice with all of the kids, I felt the excitement they were feeling and recognized the wonderful opportunity this gave them to make new friends and have new experiences.

We all received a remarkably warm welcome, not to mention a sumptuous pot luck buffet in this small city of 30,000. While Gloucester is a coastal town where the largest industry is fishing and the environment is very different from our community, the enthusiasm and support for the young hockey players created a strong and common bond. About 16 of our Westmount kids were billeted with other local hockey players and their families in the many charming clapboard houses which characterize the local community.

As for me, I spent the weekend feeling proud — of our kids who played with heart but with consideration of their opponents; of our roughly 80 parents who drove the six hours to make sure their children had a vocal and supportive audience for their efforts, and most of all for our incredibly committed staff (and some spouses) who organized, coached, served food, played, and rooted loudly for our kids. They did us proud and I heard nothing but compliments from the many parents from Cape Ann who had been working with them to make this all happen.

Next year they will come to visit us, and I know the same kind of spirit will prevail but I am hopeful we can extend the connection with Gloucester to other sports recreation and cultural events and allow many more of our residents of all ages to enjoy this wonderful experience.

Ideas, anyone?