Page 39 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 98

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #98 March 2021 39

Look Out: A Leprechaun Has Invaded Cornwall!

By Molly Kett across a stranger who presents to it, with a few gold coins,” said he was here to
you some odd requests, it’s likely Piquette. “That’s when I knew we spread good
ith the first few days of March the leprechaun in question. had a leprechaun in town. It also luck and not bad.
Wupon us, we’ve seen an influx Symbols such as four-leaf clovers, explains why my nearby grocery As the legend
of mischievous behaviour across shamrocks, rainbows, and pots of store was sold out of Lucky goes, if you find a
the city. From rhymes and riddles gold have long been associated Charms.” leprechaun
written in the snow atop cars on with these Irish fairy creatures, and We asked Piquette to put a sign and his
the street, to shoelaces tied together we’ve been seeing some of these on his lawn in hopes the leprechaun pot of
while those enjoying an afternoon throughout Cornwall as of late. would answer a few questions for gold, it will give
lunch aren’t paying attention, this Sports Energy News. The sign read: you three wishes.
mischief can only mean one thing: Mike Piquette, Sports Energy’s “Why are you here?”, to which the So, if you
leprechauns. Publisher, was the first to see the Leprechaun replied back the next see any mischief
signs of a leprechaun.
Leprechauns are known to be a day with messy writing, “To spread nearby, keep an eye out.
mischievous type of fairy that will “I walked out to my car on March luck through the town.” Maybe you’ll be the lucky Photo Submitted
trick you during your travels. While 1st, and my front car window had one to get three wishes
in town, if you happen to come four-leaf clovers scattered all over We were relieved to hear that this year!

On the Road Again:
The RUFFO Report

with Perry Ruffo A Hockey Bus Driver’s
Insights

t’s now a COVID anniversary…
By Casey Leger
IREALLY! Friday, March 13,
2020, my last day of work before
s a bus driver, Tom McNish
March break and a week away to
Ahas had a unique window
enjoy the sand, sun, and Coronas at
on Cornwall’s top hockey
a southern destination. Rather than
coming home from work to pack our organizations. For almost forty
years, he’s been behind the wheel,
bags, we found ourselves gathering
as much information as possible so having driven for the Cornwall
that we could make the best decision. Royals (for those of us old enough Photo Submitted
Do we go ahead with our trip or do to remember them), the Aces,
we cancel? It really was a difficult the River Kings, and presently When pressed to pick a
decision at the time, but we know the Colts. And he’s loved every ‘favourite’ among the team’s he’s
now that we made the right decision minute of it. worked with, Tom insists that he
– we stayed home and stayed safe. Like so many people, Tom came enjoyed and appreciated all of
It ended up being a week of puzzles into a career that he’d pursue for 38 them. “I had a really interesting
and Coronas at home. Happy years quite surreptitiously: he was three years with the Aces,” Tom
Anniversary! between jobs when some of his says. “Jacques Martin, who was
- • - buddies, who were driving busses, the coach at the time, always sat

Brittney completed the Rideau convinced him to start driving for in the first seat on the right-hand
Canal Skateway Challenge on the Desjardins Bus Lines. Eventually, side. These guys were pro hockey
world’s largest skating rink. To he worked as a coach driver for players. They were a great bunch
of guys, and they were generous
complete the challenge, participants Delaney’s, and it was there that he
were required to record 15.6 km started filling in as a driver for a tippers.”
of skating or running. This is the succession of Cornwall’s hockey Some of Tom’s best trips were
equivalent of the 7.8 km Rideau greats and their teams. 4 to 6-day sweeps that included
Canal Skateway distance back and Photos Submitted stops in Portland, Providence, and
forth. This is a personal challenge and “I’ve done about two-and-a-half Baltimore. It was in Baltimore
million kilometers of driving,”
not a timed race; you get to complete where Tom met the legendary
it at your own pace. Brittney, her ~ Tom says of his time behind the Dale Hunter, who was scouting
boyfriend Nathan, and their friend A great night of distanced and wheel. Some of his passengers for the Washington Capitals.
Stephanie completed the challenge in sanitized poker in Steve’s garage have included athletes and coaches
one shot, skating the route in a time with the boys! It was nice to have anyone who’s into hockey would Now in his 70’s, Tom is still
of 1 hour and 10 minutes. The only an evening that felt a “little normal”. recognize, like Jacques Martin, officially a driver for 417 Bus
thing missing on the Canal this year The one thing that wasn’t normal is Dale Hawerchuk, Scott Arniel, Lines, but COVID has put a stop
were the Beaver Tails. that I didn’t lose my money. Doug Gilmour, and Dave Ezard. to his work for the time being.