On behalf of the CCB Summerside Socialites Chapter, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all CCB Atlantic Canada participants and their guides for attending the Atlantic Sports and Recreation Weekend. This year, the event was held in our beautiful city of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, from Friday, May 17th to Sunday, May 19th, 2024. It was our pleasure to host this memorable occasion, and our organizing committee and volunteers poured their hearts and dedication into making this weekend an overwhelming success.

The Atlantic Sports and Recreation Weekend is an annual event where members from across Atlantic Canada come together for a fun-filled weekend of sporting events and social activities. We all look forward to the weekend each year as it provides an opportunity to reconnect with friends, make new ones, and create lasting memories. This year, we were honored to have CCB National President Jim Tokos join us. It was a pleasure to see him socializing with our participants, adding an extra layer of significance to the weekend.

This year we had a total of 45 participants along with their guides whom enjoyed their stay at the Microtel Inn which is a lovely hotel conveniently attached to the Credit Union Place. Having the events centered around here enhanced the accessibility and accommodation of our weekend activities. The staff at these venues always were friendly and a delight to be around.

On Friday evening, we kicked off our event with an exciting round of chute bowling, which was a big hit with everyone. We also had an incredible display of crafts and hobbies, showcasing the amazing talents and creativity within our community. The highlight of the night was the talent show, where members shared their diverse skills and passions, making it a truly memorable experience. During the event, we celebrated the Canadian Council of the Blind’s 80th year of supporting individuals with sight loss, and we capped off the night with a delicious cake to mark this significant milestone.

On Saturday morning, we enjoyed our friendly bowling competition which is a favorite among our CCB participants. This was held at the Credit Union Place Bowling Lanes where Laughter echoed through the lanes as we cheered each other on while having enjoyable conversations. Following our bowling fun, we all headed over to the Three Oaks Senior High School to start our friendly competitions of washer toss, horse shoes, javelin, and shotput. It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. We all would like to express thanks to the Sydney Chapter for demonstrating some new games which might possibly be implemented into future Atlantic Sports and Recreation Weekends to come. That evening,

the ASRW committee held its Annual General Meeting which is a vital part of our weekends and we always encourage CCB members to come and observe and to stay up-to-date. Our Saturday evening wrapped up dancing the night away to a variety of great music provided by our incredibly talented DJ.

On Sunday morning, we organized table bowling and darts activities, which turned out to be a fantastic experience for everyone involved. These events took place at the Summerside Legion, where the staff provided exceptional service, and we enjoyed a delightful luncheon together. Following the luncheon, our cribbage event began. Meanwhile, our walking/running events were happening simultaneously at the Credit Union Place Walking Lanes, offering more opportunities for participation and fun.

The weekend concluded with a Sunday night banquet at Miscouche Legion. The staff prepared a wonderful meal, and their hospitality was exceptional. Heidi White, chair of the CCB Summerside Socialites Chapter, served as the master of ceremonies, recognizing and thanking everyone who helped made this weekend possible. Our guest speakers including CCB National President Jim Tokos, our MLA Honorable Barb Ramsay, and Deputy Mayor and also the General Manager of the Microtel Inn Cory Snow, who delivered heartfelt speeches. Lori Shea, Chair of the Atlantic Sports and Recreation Weekend committee, alongside statistician Joyce Dean who was newly appointed as secretary of the committee, presented medals to participants, making it a memorable occasion.

We are immensely proud of all the participants and congratulations to everyone who won awards and to those who tried new events. Personally, it was incredibly rewarding to witness the importance of these games to our members. All of our CCB members are amazing and beautiful individuals.

Once again, a huge thank you to our CCB participants, their guides, volunteers, our sponsors, the venues, and everyone else who has made the 2024 Atlantic Sports and Recreation Weekend a huge success.

See you all again in 2025!

– Heidi White 

Chair, CCB Summerside Socialites Chapter