DID YOU KNOW? ~ Facts about "The Race Across America"

What is the ... Race Across America (RAAM)?

Until Alisdair and I read "Geronimo Stilton:  The Race Across America," we were unaware this grueling race even existed!  On Page 14 of the novel, this event is described as follows:

"The Race Across America is the longest and most strenuous bicycle race in the world.  It's an ultra-marathon race that's more than 3,000 miles long.  Cyclists pedal for nine to twelve consecutive days, some resting only one to three hours every day.  The race starts on the West Coast, near San Diego, California, and ends on the East Coast.  The exact finish line changes from year to year, but was most recently in Annapolis, Maryland."

"The race requires an incredible amount of physical energy, but mental concentration is also absolutely essential.  In fact, some people believe that mental concentration is the most important factor in the race."

"Cyclists climb more than 100,000 feet along the racecourse.  Participants must pedal across the California and Arizona deserts, enduring brutal temperatures that can reach as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit.  Then racers must face the Rocky Mountains, the plains of Kansas, and the Appalachian Mountains on their way to the East Coast.  It's easy to see why the Race Across America is considered one of the most difficult racing challenges in the world."  

In just a few days, the 2011 version of the "Race Across America" will play out along the highways designated as the official route.  Very detailed information for each leg, of the race, can be found at 2011 Race Across America .  This website also provides information on the racers who will be competing, the sponsors, interesting historical information and a listing of the records held by riders who have completed the Race Across America.

There are three different "starts" to the race!  The Solo Women start 12:00pm (PDT) Tuesday June 14, 2011;  The Solo Men start 12:00pm (PDT) Wednesday June 15, 2011; and the Teams start 2:00pm (PDT) Saturday June 18, 2011.

Now that we know about this race, it will be interesting to follow the event (via the website), and to keep track of the amazing athletes who are part of this difficult challenge.

After all, even Geronimo Stilton found the course difficult to complete! I have nothing but respect, and best wishes, for the racers planning to race next month.  Good luck to all!

BOOK REVIEWS ~ "Election Day" ~ By: Margaret McNamara

It's a thin (32-page) "Ready-to-Read" book, but I think every politican should take a moment or two to read this childrens' book!  It's called "Election Day" and was written by Margaret McNamara, as part of the "Robin Hill School" series.

There is a new student in Mrs. Connor's class at Robin Hill School.  Becky has arrived on the day voting was to take place for the position of class president.  Who will lead the students in the room?

"After lunch, the children gave speeches.  'I promise to get us a candy machine!' said Nick.  'Hooray!' said the class.

" 'I promise no homework!' said Emma.  'Hooray!  Hooray!' said the class.

" 'I promise summer vacation will last for six months!' said Nia.  'Hooray!  Hooray!  Hooray!' said the class."

At this point, Mrs. Connor asks if there are any other students who would like to give a speech.

"Becky thought she could be a good class president.  But she was new.  She did not have any friends.  She did not have a speech."

" 'Anyone?' asked Mrs. Connor.  She was looking right at Becky."

"Becky took a deep breath.  She got up from her chair.  'I cannot promise candy machines, or less homework, or more vacation,' she said.  'I can only promise to do my best.'  Becky sat down.  No one else said a word.  Especially not 'Hooray.' "

" 'Now,' said Mrs. Connor.  'It is time to vote.'  The children put their heads on their desks and their hands in the air.  Mrs. Connor counted all the votes.  'Becky is the winner!' she said.  The new class president was happy."

" 'You made a good promise,' Hannah said.  'It is a promise I will keep,' said Becky."

***

That message seems particularly appropriate as Monday, May 2 was "Election Day" in Canada. The results were somewhat surprising ~ with the Liberals losing most of their seats, the New Democratic Party becoming the official opposition, and Harper's Conservatives gaining a majority for the first time ever.

It's true ~ we DON'T need empty promises or charismatic, flamboyant individuals to represent us. But we DO need honest, dedicated, hard-working politicians at all levels of governance ~ local, provincial and federal. Are you willing to run for office and to serve your country in that way? Perhaps YOU could make a difference next time the call for nominations goes forth.

*** 

 

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
                                                                                                                          ~  John Quincy Adams

CURRENT EVENTS ~ The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton ~ Friday, April 29, 2011

The balcony kiss

Although we were far from London and the pagentry of the Royal Wedding, Alisdair wanted to watch "history in the making."  He went to bed early, and after sleeping for a couple of hours, got up again around midnight.  We watched the entire CBC broadcast with Peter Mansbridge.  These are some of Alisdair's impressions of the event:

"Union Jacks were flying everywhere across the screen.  Before the Royal Wedding began, CBC did a short segment on the history of Westminster Abbey.  Prince William and Catherine Middleton are the 16th Royal couple to be wed at the Abbey.  Kate's dress, in my opinion, was very lacy and the design was brilliant.  All the ladies, in attendance, wore hats or fascinators.  Some of the hats were kind of crazy and I am glad I didn't have to wear them!  There were 5,000 security officers on duty and approximately one million people were predicted to line the streets of London for the occasion. My Mother fell asleep before the balcony scene.  I had to poke her, to get her awake, in time for the little peck that was going to happen! ... (That's the second time I've had to wake her up for an important event.  See our blog post, "The Peace of Christ Be With You," dated December 28, 2010). A lot of people were happy the wedding was made an official Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom, so they got extra time off work!"

"I had the day off work, too!  I was so tired, after staying up all night watching TV, that my stepdad said I should go have a nap.  While I was sleeping, Mum and Isobel did my newspaper route.  I also got the day off from regular school work, because I had been learning about history all night!  I hope that the Royal Couple are very happy and will have some good times together."

VIDEOS ~ Could This Be the Royal Wedding Entrance Dance???

Alisdair and I enjoyed this video from T-Mobile.  Some of the Royal impersonators are so lifelike that you can almost mistake them for the real thing!  We hope to get up in the middle of the night to watch the Royal Wedding . . . of course there will be reruns, throughout the day, but it's always fun to see the action as it takes place.

SPEECH ARTS ~ Alisdair is "In The News..."

We discovered that the Wednesday, April 20th edition of the Battleford Daily News/Power Flyers has a complete listing of the award winners at the Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival. Alisdair's name is among them.

It was surprising, and exciting, to find his name online for his recent achievement at the Festival.  It will be interesting to see if the local newspaper also publishes the list.  If so, we will post a link to the article.

CURRENT EVENTS ~ Manitou Creative Quilters Host Show

The Manitou Creative Creative Quilters meet during the winter at the Neilburg Seniors' Centre.  These ladies, who travel from a wide radius to attend club meetings, turn out beautiful handiwork.  Every two years, they host a quilt show and Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17, were the dates for the 2011 extravaganza.

The theme this year was "Spring Into Christmas and More..."  There were demonstrations of the "Quilt as You Go" method, using self-made bias tape; "Fun with Circles" (using the cut around ruler); the "Gizmo Bag" and Reversible Binding; as well as a session on Half Square and Half Quarter Triangles (using the Wonder Cut Ruler).

Everyone who came through the show on Saturday and up to 1 p.m. on Sunday could vote for their favourite quilt, which would be awarded the coveted "Best in Show" award.  Votes were also taken for a selection of "Challenge Quilts" that were on display at the library.

 

Best In Show
"Quilters Courtyard Mystery"
By:  Kathy Peterson-Neufeld

The winner of the voting for the "Best in Show" was a work titled "Quilters Courtyard Mystery," which was created by Kathy Peterson-Neufeld of Swift Current.  She originated from around the local area and her parents, Lil and Tony Peterson, still live in the district.  Kathy's quilt was a mystery project from "Border Creek Mystery Station" and a quilt shop at Gull Lake.  Initially she was sent a list of required yardage which specified how much dark and how much light fabric was required.  Then, each month, she received additional instructions in the mail.  "The challenge of this quilt was picking out the fabric, but that is part of the mystery," Peterson-Neufeld explained.

The "Challenge Quilts" were on display in the Neilburg Library.  The tablerunners had to contain "at least one star, one circular design, and one piece each of red and white rickrack."  They also needed to be related to the "Spring into Christmas and More" theme.

The winner was Janice Graham with her whimsical Santas:

First Place
Challenge Quilt
Janice Graham

The Second Place winner was a circular swirl crafted by Gail Bertoia:

Second Place
Challenge Quilt
Gail Bertoia

The voters had a hard time deciding which project should receive the Third Place ribbon, and so, in the end, there was a three-way tie.  Frances Wright, Edna Jeffrey and Kathy Peterson-Neufeld shared this honour!

1 - Third Place
Challenge Quilt
Frances Wright



2 - Third Place
Challenge Quilt
Edna Jeffrey

3 - Third Place
Challenge Quilt
Kathy Peterson-Neufeld

There was also a "Quilt Raffle" held at a fundraiser for the Manitou Creative Quilters.  The very lucky winner was Joan Makaroff.  This is the quilt she won:

Raffle Quilt
Winner ~ Joan Makaroff

There were two "Scavenger Hunts" with all ballots with the hidden word correctly identified, placed in a draw for a prize.  In addition, many door prizes were awarded.

As I said to someone, while trying to explain what the show was, and why it was worth attending, "Every time I go there, I feel like going home and dusting off my sewing machine!" 

VIDEOS ~ Prime Minister Stephen Harper Sings "IMAGINE" & Causes Controversy

While Alisdair was delivering the Saskatoon Star Phoenix this morning, an article by their columnist, Les Macpherson caught my eye. He writes:

"If nothing else, this lacklustre federal election campaign has convinced me who I absolutely do not want as our prime minister:

Yoko Ono.  Yoko Ono."

"The malicious old harpy set a new standard for campaign meanness by forcing YouTube to pull a video of Conservative Leader Stephen Harper singing Imagine. This she had every legal right to do, having inherited the song's publishing rights from her late husband, John Lennon. That doesn't make it any less mean."

"Harper was touring a Winnipeg school when he performed Imagine, obviously unrehearsed, with fifth-grade student Maria Aragon. It is fine for Ono to stick it in Harper's ear by yanking the video from YouTube, but what about the little girl? How must she have felt when she learned her once-in-a-lifetime experience of performing with Canada's prime minister was expunged from the most popular video-sharing site."

"Yoko Ono doesn't care. If she has to step on a 10-year-old schoolgirl to take a cheap shot at a foreign politician, so be it."

"Protecting copyright was the means here, not the end. This was a deliberate shot from Ono at Harper. Numerous other renditions of Imagine, amateur and professional, are up on YouTube, including one by Bill Clinton, but only this one was removed for copyright reasons. It figures that Ono, a well-known lefty boohoo, would adore Clinton and despise Harper, although their differences are not as great as she might like to, uh, imagine. Clinton is more charming, certainly, but Harper is more respectful of women. You would think a self-proclaimed champion of feminism would appreciate the distinction."

"Ono's selective churlishness over copyright violates the very spirit of Imagine. The song invites us to imagine, among other things, a world of no possessions. Copyright is a kind of possession. By forbidding others from performing the song, Ono not only endorses the notion of personal property, she uses it as a stick to beat on Canada's prime minister."

"And if a 10-year-old girl from Winnipeg gets clipped by the follow through, too bad.
Too bad, as well, that Harper performed Imagine in the first place. It's a terrible song. The melody is fine and the piano riff catchy enough, but these are overwhelmed by the most nauseating lyrics in any pop song ever."

"The aforementioned line about imagining no possessions is especially hard to swallow without provoking the gag reflex. We don't have to imagine no possessions. We've seen it tried in the old Soviet Union. The record shows that it didn't work out very well. But you have to admire Lennon's chutzpah in charging $12 for a record album that urged us to reject capitalism."

"What I don't understand is how Harper, a Conservative prime minister and a tireless proponent of free markets, can bring himself to sing "imagine no possessions." It's as if he's campaigning for the NDP."

"The song also urges us to imagine nothing to kill or die for. But what about freedom?"

"This is something for which many have killed and died, to our great and enduring benefit. Lennon's very freedom to dump on the status quo that treated him so generously was paid for in blood. Imagination manifestly did not get it done."

"Lennon sounds here like one of those silly juvenile idealists who likes to pronounce that violence never solves anything. This is not only wrong, it's stupid. Violence solved Hitler and the Holocaust. Violence solved the institutionalized cruelty of Imperial Japan."

"The violence of the American civil war solved slavery. The threat of violence solved Soviet repression of Eastern Europe. It was not imagined away. To acknowledge this is perhaps too much to expect from a guy who, in the name of peace, stayed in bed for weeks."

"Somewhat easier to imagine is a world with no religion. I'm not very religious myself, so, for me, this is no problem."

"The problem would come about five minutes after religion was eliminated, when someone started a new religion. He'd have a monopoly, too, until someone else launched a competing religion. Then they'd be at it again, hammer and tongs, just as before."

"Lennon wrote and performed so many great songs, it pains me that Imagine, one of his worst efforts, is the one that endures. What I like to imagine is never hearing it again."

lmacpherson@thestarphoenix.com
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

***

When our deliveries were finished, we came home and checked online and found the video, was actually still available. (It's posted above.)

In the words of Lennon's "Imagine" ... "You may say that I'm a dreamer ... but I'm not the only one..." as Alisdair wants to become the Prime Minister of Canada someday. He's already started learning how to make speeches, but obviously we should be finding a music teacher so that he can also learn how to play piano for impromptu photo opportunities while out on the hustings prior to elections!

Just imagine... my son as Prime Minister Ramsay-Mackenzie! Now that WOULD be something to sing about!!

CURRENT EVENTS ~ Saskatchewan Premier Visits Buckingham Palace

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall meets with Queen Elizabeth on
 February 25, 2011, in Buckingham Palace during a visit to London.
Photograph Courtesy Government of Saskatchewan, handout

It was Alisdair's turn to go to Grandpa and Grandma's house yesterday, so I took him to Cut Knife where we met Mum and Dad.  Isobel had been staying there since Sunday, so we swapped kids and came back home.

We had only delivered a couple newspapers before we left, so Isobel was sitting in the front of the car as I drove from house to house.  I held up the Star-Phoenix and showed her the picture that was plastered across the front page.  (See top of post).

"Do you recognize anyone in this picture?"  I asked her.

She thought for a moment and then asked, "Is it Grandma?"

I laughed and said, "No, it's the Queen!!"

"Oh," she said.  "It's hard to tell because they both have grey hair and almost the same hairstyle!

... So take a brief moment, to pay homage to Her Royal Highness, Queen Trudy the First .... or Grandma for short!!

***

The article that accompanied the photograph was as follows:

"REGINA - From the Royal family to foreign investors - they're all getting invitations to Saskatchewan.  In a telephone news conference from London, where he's on a trade promotion visit, Premier Brad Wall said Friday he used a brief meeting with Queen Elizabeth II to invite members of the Royal family to Saskatchewan next year for the 100th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building - opened 99 years ago by the great-uncle of the Queen, the Duke of Connaught.


But the bulk of Wall's remarks dealt with meetings with senior executives and potential investors ranging from hedge funds to major Canadian and 'offshore' banks to an association of venture capitalists.


'This is a market we need to be engaged in because of the amount of capital that's here,' he said.


Wall said his meeting with Andrew Mackenzie, BHP Billiton's chief executive for nonferrous minerals - their first face-to-face-meeting since provincial resistance stopped the giant mining firm's offer to take over Saskatoon-based PotashCorp - was 'very, very good.'

'There's no hard feelings at all as a result of it,' said Wall, adding that BHP's continued work on a proposed potash mine at Jansen Lake in central Saskatchewan is proof of this.

'I'd characterize the relationship as very, very strong, notwithstanding what happened this fall.'  Wall said the takeover controversy paid an unexpected dividend by 'opening the door for us' to get Saskatchewan's story out to investors either unfamiliar with the province or puzzled at its decision to oppose the PotashCorp takeover.

Asked if Saskatchewan's image had been damaged by the controversy, Wall said, 'it really hasn't', adding some London investment exectives told him 'they weren't surprised' by the federal government's decision to turn down the BHP Billiton proposal.


The premier, for his part, said he was trying to get across the message that it is 'important for people to understand this is a very unique deal because of the size of the resource.'

'I think that message was received.'

Wall said no firm investment proposals came forward Friday, but added that, 'we didn't expect any'.  'Most of them were 'first contacts' that we made.  There was a lot of surprise when I mentioned all of the products that we make in a unique way.'

Wall said he was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Britain's Financial Times and Bloomberg financial news service, which reported Friday that Wall indicated a BHP Billiton offer for potash miner Mosaic would be unlikely to trigger a review like the PotashCorp one.

Wall said protocol forbids him from giving many details of his conversation with the Queen, but mentioned he presented a fused-glass work of art depicting the Saskatchewan Legislative Building from Sisters Stepping Stones and Glass Studio, a Regina studio run by sisters Janice Stefan and Debbie Wells, plus three children's books by Regina-raised singer-writer Connie Kaldor.

The premier, who is to return home Sunday, said he plans to accompany Saskatchewan business leaders on a trade promotion trip in March to India - 44 per cent of whose imports from Canada come from Saskatchewan.

'We need to be engaged in these places because it means jobs and investment back home in Saskatchewan.'

Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post"

***

Incidentally, Alisdair has toured the Legislative Building twice - once in the Summer of 2005 and again during the Summer of 2010, when his Scottish grandparents took him to Regina for a few days.  If you haven't been there yet, it is well worth the trip!  Don't forget to take along some bread to feed the Canada Geese in Wascana Park!

It is also an interesting coincidence that 'Andrew Mackenzie' was the name of Alisdair's Great-Grandfather on the Mackenzie side.  Of course Grandpa was 'promoted to glory' several years ago, and wasn't the gentlemen in the meeting with the Premier!

The Legislative Building, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo:  panoramio.com

CHARITY ~ Manitou Ambulance Board ~ Power Stretcher

Receipt for Donation (above)
 and Newsletter (below) 

Many of the residents of Neilburg/Marsden and the surrounding areas have been guilty of taking our ambulance services for granted.

My neighbour, who used to work at the Neilburg Hospital, (which is now non-existent), has told me stories about "days gone-by," when there wasn't an ambulance to call.  She recounted to me how, after a severe farm accident, one man was transported to Edmonton in the back of a station wagon.  The doctor, himself, was driving and his wife, was tending to the patient in the back of the vehicle.  Luckily the man lived to tell the tale, although he lost his arm as a result of his injuries.  She felt that particular incident had been  instrumental in obtaining ambulance services for our Village and the entire surrounding district.

For many years a volunteer squad has staffed an ambulance that has been kept at the Manitou Health Centre.  However, this past summer, due to budgeting decisions taken by the Board of the Prairie North Regional Health Authority (PNRHA), there was a very real possibility that the service would no longer be locally based.  Plans had already been made to have ambulance coverage, from other areas, service this district ~ and then word leaked out of the PNRHA's intentions!



A few weeks later, a controversial public meeting was held.  The majority in attendance felt it was dangerous to rely on the ambulance service from Cut Knife, and other surrounding communities, to come to our aid, in the case of an emergency.  The distance was too great and it would take too long for help to arrive.

Eventually, negotiations were conducted with representatives from the Villages of Neilburg and Marsden and the Rural Municipalities of Hillsdale No. 440 and Manitou Lake No. 442, meeting with members of the PNRHA Board.

Due to this negotiation process, the Manitou Ambulance Board was created with representation from all of the above groups.  The Ambulance Board is working with the PNRHA to keep the service based out of Neilburg.  This has come at a cost to the local citizens, as stand by wages, licensing of EMT's and purchasing of any Capital Medical Equipment for inside the ambulance (such as a heart monitor) will have to be covered.    Some of these expenses will be covered by a 0.50 mill rate increase on the 2010 confirmed tax assessment.

However, the Manitou Ambulance Board is currently in need of a Power Stretcher.  They plan to purchase one at a cost of $13,500.00, plus taxes.  Donations towards this much needed piece of equipment can be made at the Neilburg Village Office, during business hours.  The Village will, in turn, transfer the monies to the Ambulance Board, and provide donors with a charitable receipt.

Alisdair attended the public meeting, at the Community Hall, last summer.  Even before the meeting, he was concerned enough to write a Letter to David Fan, the CEO of the PNRHA and to forward the same letter on to several newspapers for publication.  And so, it probably should have come as no surprise to me, when he suggested making this month's charitable donation (from his paper route earnings) to the Manitou Ambulance Board's stretcher fund.  In explaining his decision, Alisdair said, "Charity begins at home, Mum!"

We aren't sure what the new stretcher will look like, but apparently they are able to easily lift up to 700 pounds at the press of a button.  I am sure this will be much easier to use than the current, outdated stretcher that has served its purpose for many, many years. 

A "Power Stretcher" in use

Unfortunately, Alisdair was only able to make a small donation to this worthy cause.  However, we trust others will also contribute monies to purchase this valuable piece of ambulance equipment.  If you are considering helping the Manitou Ambulance Board with this major expediture,  remember ~ as a friend once told me (when trying to convince me to donate blood), "the life you save might be your own!"

CURRENT EVENTS: Helping Pearl Lutzko Celebrate Her 112th Birthday!

Pearl  Lutzko (Taken at age 105)

As Alisdair and I were delivering The Saskatoon Star Phoenix, one recent January morning, the front page feature photo caught our attention. The story accompanying the photograph (see above) introduced us to an interesting Canadian. Pearl Lutzko will, God willing, celebrate her 112th birthday on Tuesday, February 15th. She is a typical Canadian ~ a hardworking immigrant who came to this country in search of a better life for herself and her children.

Allow me to introduce you to this special lady.  I have copied the story, that was published in the paper, below:

REGINA - Verna Adamiak isn't sure if there's any secret to her grandmother's long life.


But now that Ituna's Pearl Lutzko is touted to be the oldest living Canadian, there must be something that has led to her nearly 112 years.


"It had to be set in the works somewhere," said Adamiak, who also lives in Ituna, located 160 kilometres northeast of Regina. "She just lived a normal life. There was nothing special that she did that other people don't do. I can't tell you what her recipe is."


Lutzko was born on February 15, 1899 in Chortikiw, Ukraine and is believed to be the oldest person in Canada at 111 years and 11 1/2 months.


The title had belonged to Elizabeth Buhler of Winkler, Manitoba, who passed away on Sunday. Buhler was to have turned 112 on February 8.


While Lutzko has lived a mostly quiet life - coming to Canada in 1907, marrying John Lutzko in 1915, farming near Goodeve until 1959 and living on her own for 28 years after John died in 1975 - she was drawing plenty of attention on Tuesday.

"It hits you and you go, 'This is something pretty exciting,' " said Adamiak. "Not too many people ever get to this point in life."


Still, the day's excitement didn't keep her from her normal daily activities — even when a CBC camera crew was visiting her room at the Ituna Pioneer Health Care Centre lodge, where Lutzko has lived since 2003.


"One of the (lodge) workers came in and said, 'Grandma, it's bingo. Are you going to go to bingo?' " Adamiak said. "(She said,) 'I'm finished here, let's go to bingo.' So she went to bingo so that tells you she still has some interests in life."


"She makes it known to the staff what she would like to wear and what she's willing to eat and what she wants to eat," said Chris Klimczak, the health centre's recreation co-ordinator. "She's very strong-willed that way."


Lutzko, who is six years older than the province of Saskatchewan, attends the lodge's Roman Catholic church service every Wednesday and according to her 94-year-old son, Nick, "she will talk to you loads."


"Her legs are giving out, but other than that, she's OK," continued Nick, who also lives in Ituna.


"I don't know what the secret is but I suppose she could tell you a big story from her life."


Pearl Lutzko gave birth to seven children and has 29 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great-grandchildren (although that last number could be off by one, said Adamiak).


The family is spread mostly through Alberta and Saskatchewan but some will likely be back for Lutzko's birthday party next month.


"Since she was 85 years old, we have always had a birthday party for her and the last 10 or so have been getting bigger and bigger and bigger," said Adamiak.


"We were just making it a regular birthday party until (Tuesday), but now I think we're going to have to open it up a little bit."                                                                      © Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

Pearl is 100 years (and a few months) older than Alisdair as he was born in the fall of 1999. "Hey, you should make her a birthday card," I said, half-jokingly, as we talked about what it would be like to have lived that long.

Yesterday Alisdair took me up on my suggestion!

Front of Card

He printed out a picture and a greeting from a childrens' website and then coloured it in and then we cut and pasted it together.

Inside of Card

So, Happy Birthday, Pearl ~ from Porter's Primary! We'll pop your special card in the post on Monday morning.  Who knows?  It might even make it to Ituna in time for the party of the Century!