Opinion

A real highlight for me over this past year was attending a special fundraising dinner in Red Deer for Special Olympics, with the featured guest speakers including world class women’s aerialist Deadra Dion and Hanna, Alberta’s favourite son and hockey super star, Lanny McDonald.

Four days after the closing of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, China lit the 2008 Paralympic torch at Beijing’s ancient Temple of Heaven, marking the start of the Sept. 6 Games.

Of course, as always, there will be many mixed emotions as we take this seasonal change from a pretty nice summer into fall?

Sometimes in our topsy-turvy world of hard work, good times, raising a family and striving to achieve our wants and needs and dreams we sometimes have a tendency to ignore those among us who are facing hardships along the hectic path of everyday life.

There is no question that Hobbema has been getting a lot of national attention recently thanks to some fatal shootings featured in many newspapers and television news channels.

If you are a sports fanatic like yours truly we are quite likely spending every possible moment watching all the super action from the 2008 Summer Olympics from smoggy Beijing. That first week was a little tough for our Canadian team, but we can be assured that they are giving their very best effort against the world’s best, and will get their share of the medals when all is said and done.

Each year, without fail, the start of school marks the unofficial end to the summer. The new school year takes many youth off of the skateboard parks, backyards and beaches and puts them in a classroom for five days a week.

I am really beginning to realize just how much of a challenge it is for the average citizen and family to make ends meet these days. Every time we turn around the prices are going up on most of the basics of life, including accommodations, gas, groceries, insurance, health care and on and on; and sadly many are falling behind this cost explosion.