Celebrating 50 years of hockey friendship in Kensington

Posted on January 28, 2018 by waterboy

Organizers couldn’t ask for a better day in January for a parade to the Community Arena. The parade was a highlight of the 50th Annual Kensington, PEI-Bedford, Que., Peewee Friendship Hockey Exchange.

Hundreds of people, including players past and present, proud parents, other family members and friends and supporters, unfurled banners celebrating the world’s longest running hockey friendship exchange in mild, bracing weather. They began their march on noon, Sunday, Jan 28. Along the way many stopped to snap photos of the procession.

Participants had a friendly escort from the Kensington Police to get them to their destination safely.

Kensington players will travel to Bedford next month to complete the exchange and likely earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

So, obviously, a lot of fingers are crossed that the return trip wouldn’t be cancelled by weather or mechanical issues.

It was a weekend of fun, friendship and shinny. Throughout the ranks of marchers, walking behind Bedford, PEI, Quebec and Kensington flags, were former players wearing original jerseys from the first year. The are now 60 years and older and the fathers and grandfathers of new generations of hockey players.

Shortly before 2 pm Kensington players and their Quebec counterparts concluded three days of fun activities and events with a friendship game. And then, after the final whistle, hundreds of people from two provinces mingled for photos and hugs. It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend.

Photos and story by Jim Brown
Jim Brown can be reached at peijim@hotmail.com

Welcome dinner celebrating 50th anniversary of hockey exchange draws sell out crowd

Posted on January 26, 2018 by waterboy

Tickets were sold out weeks before the doors opened at the New London Community Complex to alumni, current players, parents, friends and others involved in the longest running friendly hockey exchange in the world.

More than 280 tickets were sold to the Jan 26 Kensington, PEI-Bedford, Que., Peewee Friendship Hockey Exchange welcome banquet. Included in their number were members of the very first exchange, some wearing their jerseys. Events later in the weekend included alumni breakfasts, official photos and ceremonies, hockey games, entertainment and a social at the Kensington Legion and a march on Sunday from the Kensington Town Hall to the Community Gardens for the closing friendship game.
Story and photos by Jim Brown
Jim Brown can be reached at peijim@hotmail.com

Some of the items on display at the New London Community Complex, where a sold-out banquet was held celebrating the Bedford-Kensington hockey exchange’s 50th anniversary.

Every ticket was sold weeks in advance to a special Bedford-Kensington hockey exchange benefit, held at the New London Community Complex. Close to 300 people attended.

Bedford-Kensington hockey jerseys were on display at the New London Community Complex banquet in honor of the world’s longest running friendship tournament.

The bonds of friendship spanned 50 years for two former members of the Bedford-Kensington hockey change, now 60. From left Dean Dennis, who played with the Kensington team in the friendly tournament’s first year, and Bedford pal Richard Callaghan, were on hand to help cut first slice of the 50th anniversary cake at the New London Community Complex.

Anne Clark, with her son Alex, at the New London Community Complex banquet honoring participants in the 50-year-old Bedford-Kensington hockey exchange. Alex is a player on the Kensington team.

From left, Genevieve Raymond, from Bedford, the mother of tournament player Justin, and Kensington residents Trevor and Trudy Moase, whose son Brandan plays for the home team. Trevor is the assistant coach of the Kensington team.

Kensington and Bedford players, young and old, lined up to slice the 50th anniversary cake at a banquet celebrating the world’s longest-running hockey exchange.

Collapsing tree narrowly misses home

Posted on January 5, 2018 by waterboy

Rattenbury Road resident Eleanor Hora got the shock of her life when a 30-foot-plus tree collapsed on her property during a fierce winter storm on Jan 4-5. The downed tree missed the house by mere inches. The storm was still lashing the Island when these photos were taken and schools were closed Friday (Jan 5). Many Islanders were without power for stretches of the storm. The “bomb cyclone” which hammered PEI had caused record-breaking rain, flooding, snow and cold through much of the American eastern seaboard. More than half of all Americans were affected by the devastating storm.