message in a bottle newspaper article

1
THE BRANDON SUN THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015 A2 LIFESTYLES PROUDLY SERVING WESTMAN SINCE 1882 501 ROSSER AVENUE BRANDON, MANITOBA R7A 0K4 MAIN LINE: 204-727-2451 TOLL FREE: 1-866-438-8186 NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME ERIC LAWSON Publisher 204-571-7401 [email protected] GLEN PARKER Sales & Marketing Director 204-571-7424 [email protected] MATT GOERZEN Editor 204-571-7445 [email protected] JIM LEWTHWAITE Night Editor/Community News 204-571-7430 [email protected] ROB HENDERSON Sports Editor 204-571-7443 [email protected] SPORTS DEPARTMENT Sports Scores 204-571-7442 OR 1-877-786-5786 [email protected] PHOTO REPRINTS 204-571-7451 [email protected] HOME DELIVERY 204-727-0527 [email protected] DISPLAY ADVERTISING 204-571-7373 [email protected] CLASSIFIED ADS 204-571-7400 [email protected] ACCOUNTING 204-571-7410 [email protected] BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO DORIS PRATT I am a member of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and I would like to congratulate Doris Pratt on her Woman of Distinction award. I am a former student of hers and would like to thank her for the knowledge and wisdom that she shared and continues to share with our people. I truly appreciate who she really is and I would like to give her a really big hug and a thank you for all she has done for our community. THANKS FOR THE HELPING HANDS As a resident of Hillcrest Place I would like to thank the staff member and two gentlemen who helped me out when my scooter was stuck on the railroad tracks at 26th Street last Friday. It’s great to know there are still citizens willing to give others a helping hand. THANKS FOR SUCH GREAT CARE I entered the Brandon Regional Health Centre March 11 for surgery as an outpatient. I would like to thank all the staff of the BRHC for their wonderful treatment and care. The doctors and staff informed me and my family of every procedure, both before and after surgery, which made me feel much more comfortable, in an already scary situation. Thank you very much. Now it’s your turn to SOUND OFF! GOT SOMETHING YOU REALLY WANT TO SAY THAT YOU CAN’T OR DON’T WANT TO PUT YOUR NAME WITH IN A LETTER TO THE EDITOR? THEN JUST CALL THE BRANDON SUN SOUND OFF LINE: » 204-571-7435, OR EMAIL: » [email protected] YOUR ANONYMITY WILL BE RESPECTED. JUST KEEP IT CLEAN AND SHORT. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS. NOT ALL SUBMISSIONS CAN OR WILL BE PUBLISHED, AND WE MAY MAKE SLIGHT EDITS. SOME COMMENTS WILL BE GROUPED. Brought to you by: THURSDAY Partly cloudy. High 7 C. Low -8 C. FRIDAY Mix of sun and cloud. High -2 C. Low -19 C. SATURDAY Sunny. High -7 C. Low -13 C. ENVIRONMENT CANADA WEATHER • ERNST, Len • RITCHIE, Kenneth Roy • ROSS, Cortland LUCKY NUMBERS PASSINGS TOMORROW IS: NO SCHOOL 320 Park Avenue East Brandon, MB 204-727-0019 04-727-0019 SEE US! CERTIFIED DEALER “TIRE SERVICE BY PEOPLE WHO CARE” FARM TIRES THE LEADER IN THE FIELD Message in a bottle for Brandon When I was young, many moons ago, I remember thinking how much fun it would be to put a message in a bottle and send it into Clear Lake, hoping someone in a far- off land would find it and respond, and we would be friends forever. Well, later in life I realized Clear Lake was, in fact, A LAKE and not an ocean — and such an act of littering could fetch me a rather large fine. So it was something I would not think of again, until my first trip to the ocean back in 2003. But once again, my plans were dashed when I realized that unless I launched my message in a bottle a mile or so off the beach, the waves and tide would simply bring it back to shore. Fast forward to this year’s STARJET in the Bahamas. We just finished a week of broadcasting from the beach when Cathy Peters showed me a bottle she found on the beach. In fact, she had spent the last two days of our trip speculating about what was inside, and who could have sent the message in the bottle. She was somewhat emotional when talking about it, since she was simply spending some time on her own at the end of another spectacular day, simply walking along the sand and soaking up the majesty of the islands. Then, in front of her, drifted the small wine bottle. Inside was a letter written on foolscap, and rolled to fit into the mouth of the bottle. When Cathy opened the bottle, I thought she may have to break it — the letter did not come out easily. But, with the help of some chopsticks, out it came. And while I thought at first someone may have tossed it from another part of the island and it simply came bouncing back, it was, in fact, from a little girl reaching out. That little girl was 11-year-old Abigail Pickard, one of three members of her family on a Disney Cruise of the Caribbean. One night — ironically, the night of our arrival in the Bahamas, Feb. 28 — the family thought it would be neat to put three notes in three bottles and see where they ended up. And just like the movies, it landed on a beach all right — and ended up in a far-off land, too. The bottle and the letter would come to Canada. Because as Cathy read the note to the Star Jetters in the Bahamas, many gasped and others “awwwwed” as the little girl introduced herself and told us “she liked cats and acting in plays.” There was an email address and a phone number, and Cathy immediately called. Abigail was in school, but her mother Chari, while initially curious as to why a stranger may be calling, was quickly overjoyed with the news her bottle was found. Abigail was over the moon excited. Cathy and Abigail spent almost half an hour talking on the phone, and the following week, I caught up with the family and we talked about the experience on StarFM. Abigail: “I probably figured it would just drift around in the ocean and nobody would ever find it, or for some reason it would sink or something. But my Dad said it was impossible.” Tyler: “I thought Cathy was playing a joke on us, but your note turned out to be real! We couldn’t wait to find out more about this girl and her family. You’re from Indiana, right?” Abigail: “Yup, I live in Granger, Indiana (near the famed University of Notre Dame). It’s really cold here in the winter, I can tell you that. It dips below zero (Fahrenheit).” Tyler: “You had GPS on the ship and kept track of where you were when you tossed the bottle in the ocean, right?” Abigail: “We had just left Castaway Cay, and were sailing back to Florida.” Rodney (Abigail’s Dad): “We were south of Grand Bahama Island so the current carried it north.” Tyler: “Tell us more about yourself, Abigail.” Abigail: “I’m in fifth grade. I like swimming, cats and acting. I’ve been in two professional productions, one was ‘Beauty and The Beast’ and the other was ‘Willy Wonka’.” Tyler: “What did you wish would happen when you sent that bottle into the ocean that night?” Abigail: “I guess I was really, really wanting for someone to find it and stuff, but I kinda just figured probably nobody would ever find it. I totally thought, you know, it would drift around for years and nobody would find it until maybe I moved out of the house, and when they called the house, I’m not even living here anymore.” Tyler: “Can you keep us updated on the other bottles you tossed? If someone else calls you to tell you they found them?” Abigail: “All right. I will.” Tyler: “And since Dad took you on a Disney Cruise, I’m sure he could take you on a road trip to Canada. I’m going to share this experience and info with Lois MacDonald and she’s our tourism guru, so if you ever come to Canada, be sure to let us all know and we will make sure you’re treated royally.” (The family has never been to Canada) Abigail: “Awesome! YAY!” One piece of paper. One wine bottle. One night on the ocean. And one little girl, who introduced herself to a new friend ... and instead got so much more. BIRTHDAYS Laurie Bachewich • Brian Hart • Carmen Ingram • Cherise Johnston • Dustin Shoemaker • Rhonda McKinnon • Stephanie Hunter • Anita Houle • Tanya Addison • Raelynne Johnston • Julie Champagne • Derek Jago • James O’Connor • Allison Collins JOKE THIS WEEK Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside with only a pet dog for company. One day the dog died, and Muldoon went to the parish priest and asked: “Father, my dog is dead. Could ya’ be sayin’ a mass for the poor creature?” Father Patrick replied, “I’m afraid not. We cannot have services for an animal in the church. But there are some Baptists down the lane, and there’s no tellin’ what they believe. Maybe they’ll do something for the creature.” Muldoon said, “I’ll go right away, Father. Do ya’ think 5,000 pounds is enough to donate to them for the service?” Father Patrick exclaimed, “Sweet Mary, mother of God, Muldoon, Why didn’t ya’ tell me the dog was Catholic?” Tyler Glen is a radio DJ on Star-FM. He writes a weekly column for the Brandon Sun. » Twitter: @Tyler_Glen Tyler Glen MORNING MESS SUBSCRIBING TO THE SUN IS EASY CALL 204-727-0527 Six-day home delivered (in Brandon and where available): • Three months ........$53.79 • Six months ..........$103.79 • Twelve months ......$205.56 Six-day motor route (in rural areas along major routes): • Three months ........$62.47 • Six months ..........$122.39 • Twelve months ......$239.65 All prices are for daily delivery, including taxes A subscription also provides full access to brandonsun.com

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Abigail's message in a bottle newspaper article

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  • THE BRANDON SUN THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015A2 LIFESTYLES

    PROUDLY SERVING WESTMAN SINCE 1882

    501 ROSSER AVENUEBRANDON, MANITOBA R7A 0K4

    MAIN LINE: 204-727-2451TOLL FREE: 1-866-438-8186

    NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME

    ERIC LAWSON Publisher

    [email protected]

    GLEN PARKERSales & Marketing Director

    [email protected]

    MATT GOERZENEditor

    [email protected]

    JIM LEWTHWAITENight Editor/Community News

    [email protected]

    ROB HENDERSONSports Editor

    [email protected]

    SPORTS DEPARTMENTSports Scores

    204-571-7442 OR [email protected]

    PHOTO REPRINTS204-571-7451

    [email protected]

    HOME DELIVERY204-727-0527

    [email protected]

    DISPLAY ADVERTISING204-571-7373

    [email protected]

    CLASSIFIED ADS 204-571-7400

    [email protected]

    ACCOUNTING204-571-7410

    [email protected]

    BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO DORIS PRATTI am a member of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and I would like to congratulate Doris Pratt on her

    Woman of Distinction award. I am a former student of hers and would like to thank her for the knowledge andwisdom that she shared and continues to share with our people. I truly appreciate who she really is and I wouldlike to give her a really big hug and a thank you for all she has done for our community.

    THANKS FOR THE HELPING HANDSAs a resident of Hillcrest Place I would like to thank the staff member and two gentlemen who helped me out

    when my scooter was stuck on the railroad tracks at 26th Street last Friday. Its great to know there are stillcitizens willing to give others a helping hand.

    THANKS FOR SUCH GREAT CAREI entered the Brandon Regional Health Centre March 11 for surgery as an outpatient. I would like to thank all

    the staff of the BRHC for their wonderful treatment and care. The doctors and staff informed me and my familyof every procedure, both before and after surgery, which made me feel much more comfortable, in an alreadyscary situation. Thank you very much.

    Now its your turn to

    SOUND OFF!

    GOT SOMETHING YOU REALLY WANT TOSAY THAT YOU CANT OR DONT WANT TOPUT YOUR NAME WITH IN A LETTER TOTHE EDITOR?

    THEN JUST CALL THE BRANDON SUNSOUND OFF LINE: 204-571-7435, OR EMAIL: [email protected]

    YOUR ANONYMITY WILL BE RESPECTED.JUST KEEP IT CLEAN AND SHORT. NOPERSONAL ATTACKS.

    NOT ALL SUBMISSIONS CAN OR WILL BEPUBLISHED, AND WE MAY MAKE SLIGHTEDITS.

    SOME COMMENTS WILL BE GROUPED.

    Brought to you by:

    THURSDAYPartly cloudy. High 7 C. Low -8 C.

    FRIDAYMix of sun and cloud. High -2 C. Low -19 C.

    SATURDAYSunny. High -7 C. Low -13 C.

    ENVIRONMENT CANADA WEATHER

    ERNST, Len RITCHIE, Kenneth Roy ROSS, Cortland

    LUCKY NUMBERS

    PASSINGS

    TOMORROW IS: NO SCHOOL

    320 Park Avenue East Brandon, MB 204-727-0019 04-727-0019

    SEEUS! CERTIFIEDDEALER

    TIRE SERVICE BY PEOPLE WHO CARE

    FA R M T I R E STHE LEADER IN THE FIELD

    Message in a bottle for Brandon

    When I was young, many moons ago, Iremember thinking how much fun it wouldbe to put a message in a bottle and send itinto Clear Lake, hoping someone in a far-off land would find it and respond, and wewould be friends forever.

    Well, later in life I realized Clear Lakewas, in fact, A LAKE and not an ocean and such an act of littering could fetch mea rather large fine.

    So it was something I would not thinkof again, until my first trip to the oceanback in 2003. But once again, my planswere dashed when I realized that unless Ilaunched my message in a bottle a mile orso off the beach, the waves and tide wouldsimply bring it back to shore.

    Fast forward to this years STARJET inthe Bahamas.

    We just finished a week of broadcastingfrom the beach when Cathy Peters showedme a bottle she found on the beach.

    In fact, she had spent the last two daysof our trip speculating about what wasinside, and who could have sent themessage in the bottle.

    She was somewhat emotional whentalking about it, since she was simplyspending some time on her own at the endof another spectacular day, simply walkingalong the sand and soaking up the majestyof the islands.

    Then, in front of her, drifted the smallwine bottle.

    Inside was a letter written on foolscap,and rolled to fit into the mouth of the bottle.When Cathy opened the bottle, I thoughtshe may have to break it the letter didnot come out easily. But, with the help ofsome chopsticks, out it came.

    And while I thought at first someone mayhave tossed it from another part of theisland and it simply came bouncing back,it was, in fact, from a little girl reaching out.That little girl was 11-year-old AbigailPickard, one of three members of herfamily on a Disney Cruise of theCaribbean.

    One night ironically, the night of ourarrival in the Bahamas, Feb. 28 thefamily thought it would be neat to put threenotes in three bottles and see where theyended up.

    And just like the movies, it landed on a

    beach all right and ended up in a far-offland, too. The bottle and the letter wouldcome to Canada.

    Because as Cathy read the note to the StarJetters in the Bahamas, many gasped andothers awwwwed as the little girlintroduced herself and told us she likedcats and acting in plays.

    There was an email address and a phonenumber, and Cathy immediately called.Abigail was in school, but her mother Chari,while initially curious as to why a strangermay be calling, was quickly overjoyed withthe news her bottle was found.

    Abigail was over the moon excited. Cathyand Abigail spent almost half an hourtalking on the phone, and the followingweek, I caught up with the family and wetalked about the experience on StarFM.

    Abigail: I probably figured it would justdrift around in the ocean and nobody wouldever find it, or for some reason it would sinkor something. But my Dad said it wasimpossible.

    Tyler: I thought Cathy was playing a jokeon us, but your note turned out to be real! Wecouldnt wait to find out more about this girl andher family. Youre from Indiana, right?

    Abigail: Yup, I live in Granger, Indiana(near the famed University of Notre Dame).Its really cold here in the winter, I can tellyou that. It dips below zero (Fahrenheit).

    Tyler: You had GPS on the ship and kepttrack of where you were when you tossed the bottle

    in the ocean, right?Abigail: We had just left Castaway Cay,

    and were sailing back to Florida.Rodney (Abigails Dad): We were south

    of Grand Bahama Island so the currentcarried it north.

    Tyler: Tell us more about yourself, Abigail.Abigail: Im in fifth grade. I like

    swimming, cats and acting. Ive been in twoprofessional productions, one was Beautyand The Beast and the other was WillyWonka.

    Tyler: What did you wish would happenwhen you sent that bottle into the ocean thatnight?

    Abigail: I guess I was really, reallywanting for someone to find it and stuff, butI kinda just figured probably nobody wouldever find it. I totally thought, you know, itwould drift around for years and nobodywould find it until maybe I moved out ofthe house, and when they called the house,Im not even living here anymore.

    Tyler: Can you keep us updated on the otherbottles you tossed? If someone else calls you to tellyou they found them?

    Abigail: All right. I will.Tyler: And since Dad took you on a Disney

    Cruise, Im sure he could take you on a road tripto Canada. Im going to share this experience andinfo with Lois MacDonald and shes our tourismguru, so if you ever come to Canada, be sure tolet us all know and we will make sure youretreated royally. (The family has never been toCanada)

    Abigail: Awesome! YAY!

    One piece of paper. One wine bottle. Onenight on the ocean. And one little girl, whointroduced herself to a new friend ... andinstead got so much more.

    BIRTHDAYS Laurie Bachewich Brian Hart

    Carmen Ingram Cherise Johnston Dustin Shoemaker Rhonda McKinnon Stephanie Hunter Anita Houle TanyaAddison Raelynne Johnston JulieChampagne Derek Jago JamesOConnor Allison Collins

    JOKE THIS WEEKMuldoon lived alone in the Irish

    countryside with only a pet dog forcompany. One day the dog died, andMuldoon went to the parish priest andasked: Father, my dog is dead. Could yabe sayin a mass for the poor creature?

    Father Patrick replied, Im afraid not.We cannot have services for an animal inthe church. But there are some Baptistsdown the lane, and theres no tellin whatthey believe. Maybe theyll do somethingfor the creature.

    Muldoon said, Ill go right away,Father. Do ya think 5,000 pounds isenough to donate to them for the service?

    Father Patrick exclaimed, Sweet Mary,mother of God, Muldoon, Why didnt yatell me the dog was Catholic?

    Tyler Glen is a radio DJ on Star-FM. He writesa weekly column for the Brandon Sun. Twitter: @Tyler_Glen

    Tyler Glen

    MORNING MESS

    SUBSCRIBING TO THE SUN IS EASYCALL 204-727-0527

    Six-day home delivered (in Brandon and where available):

    Three months ........$53.79 Six months ..........$103.79 Twelve months ......$205.56

    Six-day motor route (in rural areas along major routes):

    Three months ........$62.47 Six months ..........$122.39 Twelve months ......$239.65

    All prices are fordaily delivery,including taxes A subscriptionalso providesfull access tobrandonsun.com

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