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The Beacon has been flooded with letters of thanks from all over the United States and Canada following NBC’s showing of its documentary during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olym...  (more)  04/03/10 11:20 AM  

After successfully releasing a CD of music to help raise money for cerebral palsy, Cyril Chaulk of Aspen Cove knew he had another worthwhile project in him.

Mr. Chaulk, whose eight-year-old grandson, Nathan Chaulk, has cerebral palsy, recently came out with the book Snippets of Time.

	PASS IT ON – Troy Freeborn, the newest president of the Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce, receive... »

The Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce marked the end of another year last week at it's annual general meeting.

The 50th year for the local business organization concluded last Wednesday - though an official celebration of the anniversary is still to come this spring.

	SHORTAGE STAREDOWN - Wayne St. Onge, director of diagnostic imaging for Central Health, is facing a ... »

Central Health expects to be dealing with a shortage of medical isotopes, used for imaging tests, in the weeks to come.

The Petten reactor in The Netherlands was shutdown on Feb. 19 in order to deal with repairs. It is expected to return to operation in the summer.

A recent land survey indicates Sobeys has interest in the site of the former Canadian Tire store on Bennett Drive in Gander.

Wayne Hodder Surveys completed a survey last month of a 76,660-square-foot u-shaped parcel of land surrounding 141 Bennett Drive.

	CRAZY ADVENTURE — Brandon Smith and Jade Rodriguez of Glovertown Academy No. 1 head down the trail f... »

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The annual Eastport Peninsula Wilderness Adventure Race continues to grow, and attract schools in rural areas that rarely, if ever, get to compete in sports.

Cotrell's Cove Academy is one of those schools.

Located about 50 kilometres outside of Botwood on Route 352, Cotrell's Cove Academy has six high school students and seven junior high students. Despite the lack of numbers, the team captured first place in the second annual adventure race, held Feb. 23 at Terra Nova National Park, with time of 1:56.

	BALLIN’ — Hannah Lane, left, and Sarah Kattenbusch, members of the St. Paul’s Intermediate Girls’ Wi... »

To say Hannah Lane and Sarah Kattenbusch are excited about this month's 2010 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games is a huge understatement.

Following an exhibition game last week at St. Paul's Intermediate in Gander, Lane and Kattenbusch talked about the upcoming event, and both girls were already giddy with excitement.

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Every once in a while something happens that triggers memories of times past and the feelings of nostalgia are overwhelming. A recent visit with Myra and Newman Head in Gander transported me back to the days when, disregarding the ever-present dark side, life seemed simple and good.

Myra and Newman have the best of both worlds. They have an apartment in the Golden Legion Manor for the winter and a house in Ragged Harbour for the summer. Thanks to the Royal Canadian Legion for having the foresight to construct the Manor.

I didn't know much about this Eastport Peninsula Wilderness Adventure Race, except it was held outdoors, and that it involved snowshoeing and skiing.

So, I woke up bright and early on the morning of Feb. 23 and prepared the only way I knew how for a day in the woods - dress warm and do what you can to avoid getting wet.

Some time ago, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation initiated and introduced a program designed to promote physical activity and grass roots sport development throughout communities in the province Newfoundland and Labrador. Communities applying can receive up to a maximum of $10,000 to assist in the operation and hosting of a Regional Games. I applaud this initiative.

The main criteria to receive funding and to host a Regional Games include:

ïThere should be at least seven to 10 communities participating

ïThe Games should include a minimum of 150 youth between the ages of 11 and 18 ïInclude a minimum of 5 sports.

A public question issued by another media outlet on Monday really brought to light how caught up people must be in Canada's national gam, when it asked if you are prouder to be a Canadian today because Canada won hockey gold on Sunday?

Proud, yes. Prouder, no.

That's what any red and white blooded, maple leaf touting Canadian should have responded.

There's no doubt there's a lot of pride that goes with winning gold in the sport identified as the country's own, especially when it's on home soil. But any clear thinking Canadian should not be any prouder of any of the results at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics than any other.

To the people of Gander,

I have just finished watching the television special, hosted by journalist Tom Brokaw, about the extreme kindnesses you bestowed on the passengers who arrived on your doorstep on Sept. 11, 2001.

I had never been aware, until today, of what had happened in your town on that day, and in the days that followed. I was so very touched by all that you did, and by the quiet and strong support you gave so unselfishly.

To the citizens of Gander, Newfoundland, Saturday afternoon I was watching the Olympics, sort of over-my-shoulder if you will, as I was involved in a project. As I was working, I noticed the tenor of program had changed. Enough so, that it caused me to stop what I was doing and pay attention to what was being shown.

NBC was dedicating an hour to tell the story of Gander and its citizens, and their generous display of hospitality when 6,500+ unexpected guests showed up for dinner as a result of all air traffic being shut down due to the events of 9/11.

Dear editor,

What a beautiful story I saw today about what the people of Gander did for U.S. and other citizens of the world on and after 9/11, providing a beacon of light, love and kindness on such a tragic day. Thank you, and may God bless you all in every way.

Sandra Kaufman

Santa Cruz, California