Page 25 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 40

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Color Great Turnout for Family
Karate Komments

Day at the Summerstown
Mini Flashlight for Self-defence

you certainly do not want to be Trails – In Spite of the Cold
Jim Riddell
By Jim Riddell, carrying something around that
Seaway
Seaway Karate looks like a weapon. Shining a he morning temperatures – cups of hot chocolate and
Karate Club
Club light in assailants’ eyes can create Tit was -17 at 10 am – were marshmallows.
temporary disorientation, causing
not conducive to drawing people This was the 5th annual Family
everal months ago in this them to cover their eyes, close their outside, and the Family Day
Scolumn we discussed eyes, or turn their head, buying activities at the Summerstown Day at Summerstown Trails
event hosted by FOTST and
‘weapons of opportunity’; you an extra second or two. You Forest trails started out slowly. for many families, it is a great
common everyday items that may get by with 100 lumens in But the sun was out and by noon opportunity to experience XC
have a primary purpose, but complete darkness, but with any things had picked up. In the end,
can be used to defend oneself if kind of ambient lighting around, more than 200 participants – skiing or snowshoeing for the

necessary. I listed several items at least 200 may be required. including 50+ families – came first time, at no cost as all the
that could be quite effective for Choose a light with a single LED out to enjoy winter activities. equipment is available free of
self-defence purposes, and since bulb, which allows for a narrow, charge throughout the day. The

that time the one that seems to deep reflector providing a bright Most people came out between event was generously supported
have drawn the most attention is focused beam. It should have noon and 2 pm when the weather by Cardinal & Son, Wholesale
the mini flashlight. I have been a tactical tail (bottom) mounted was nicest and things got pretty Meats.

asked questions ranging from switch with a momentary (allows hectic. “We’re pretty much being The trails are situated on

what model to purchase, where to for flash) feature. It should be run off our feet,” said a smiling Summerstown Road, 1.6 km
buy it, what features to look for, waterproof and rugged enough Liam Carson, who was in charge north of exit 804 of the 401, and
what a good price is, and how to not to break if dropped or used as of distributing the XC ski and are open seven days a week.
use it. an impact weapon. Choose a light snowshoe equipment. But thanks There is no charge to access the
that is large enough to protrude at to the more than 25 volunteer

The flashlight has been a trails and donations are accepted
least one half inch on either side members of the Friends of the
popular and functional tool for to offset the cost of maintaining
of your hand, but small enough Summerstown Trails (FOTST),
more than one hundred years, the trails. Rental of equipment on
to be easily carried and readily who came out to help, things
having been patented by the weekends only. More information
accessible. Many people prefer a moved along smoothly, including
American Electrical Novelty and at www.summerstowntrails.com
light with a clip for quick access, the distribution of the nearly 20
Manufacturing Company in 1899. or on our Facebook page.
as your light will be of little use if dozen hot dogs, and countless
This company, later known as
buried deep in a pocket or purse.
Eveready and today as Energizer,
It is also very important to choose
continues to be a major provider
a light that is simple to operate –

of flashlights and batteries. The
some models come with a strobe
company was quite good in their and/ or several brightness levels,
marketing strategy – they donated depending on how many times

many flashlights to the NYPD, the tail cap is pressed – these
getting written reviews back from features will only make things
the officers, then using these more complicated in a stressful

testimonials in their advertising, situation. The battery that your
which soon had everyone wanting light requires is also important;
one of these ‘new contraptions’. choose one that takes AA as they
The flashlight had been used are cheap and can be purchased

as a protection device by law almost anywhere. A few of the
enforcement for decades but didn’t higher end brands are Surefire,

really gain popularity as such, Pelican, and Streamlight, but there
until the Mag-Light came along in are numerous good quality lights
the 1980’s. The real breakthrough available at our local stores. Once
however, came in 1999 with the you have chosen your preferred
use of LED’s which allowed the model, spend a bit of time and
lights to become smaller, lighter, become competent with it.
more durable, and brighter.
Remember, a criminal is looking
When shopping for a light make for an easy target, not a challenge.
sure to purchase one with a Proactive usage of a quality light
smooth bezel, avoiding those with can make you appear to be a more
the” cookie cutter’ type tops as diffi cult target. Cornwall’s Bancroft family back from a XC outing on the trails at
Summerstown Forest on Family Day. Photo Submitted