THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017
THE PICTON
Gazette
7
Volume 187, Week 24
Canada’s oldest non-daily newspaper
24
lovers gather celebrate EXCELLING Panthers for annual BioBlitz great athletic year EXPLORING Nature
851 Squadron has been inspiring youth for 40 years Abrams leaves Dukes Royal Canadian Air after guiding team Cadets mark milestone to 16 winning years with reunion and parade exercises
Coach and general manager gets emotional while discussing his decision to move on
JASON PARKS STAFF WRITER
Like any reunion, the hairlines were receding and the waistlines were exceeding to varying degrees on Saturday at the 40th annual 851 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets parade and graduation ceremonies. As usual, the local contingent of cadets were well pressed, sharp, straight and shining as bright as the brass buckle on Sergeant Peter Globe's belt. But this wasn't the regular year-end run down and awards ceremony the local squad undertakes to celebrate another year of Air Cadet activities in Prince Edward County. The 851 Squadron has been a very special part of the lives of upwards of 1,000 local youth for 40 years and, as such, the local squad put on a special ceremony, inviting distinguished alumni and past volunteers to take the parade as well as enjoy a social occasion following the ceremony where old tales of bush exercises, gliding excursions and drill training sessions were pored over. Squadron commanding officer Mike Campbell was thrilled with the turnout on Saturday at the Prince Edward Community Centre of both the general public and those past long time members of 851 that felt the need to celebrate 40 consecutive years of Air Cadets in Prince Edward County. “When you see groups of
JASON PARKS STAFF WRITER
The familiar bark when things weren't going to plan. The knowing grin after a big win. His enthusiasm for the franchise, the community and the game of hockey. But also mercurial manner in which he operated Junior A hockey's version of the Green Bay Packers. The seemingly seamless transition from goodguy general manager to hard driving taskmaster coach. Those memories are still fresh. But when Wellington Dukes fans talk about a.m. and p.m. In
See COACH, page 9
A FINE LINE Captain (Retired) and former 851 commanding officer Malcom Campbell reviews members of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron at the group’s 40th annual parade ceremony Saturday.(Jason Parks/Gazette staff)
alumni from the beginning in the 1970s to just recently, you start to understand the impact the program has on people's lives,” Campbell said, adding that the alumni started to regain the feel for the marching manoeuvres after the com-
mencement of the ceremony and there was an idea of past cadets competing against the current squad members in an impromptu drill competition. “Many joked that they want the age limit raised so that they can rejoin,” Campbell said with a
laugh.. As has been the ongoing tradition of supporting the community that supports them, the local squad took part in several public events in 2016-2017.
See CADETS, page 12
BYE TO THE BENCH BOSS Wellington Dukes coach and general manager Marty Abrams tendered his resignation Tuesday, ending an 18-year relationship with the team and the community. (Jason Parks/Gazette staff)
Inside OP/ED 8 COLUMNS 9 ENTERTAINMENT 11 HOME FINDER 15 SPORTS 24 CLASSIFIEDS 27
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the coming days, it's unlikely they are talking about hours in the day and more likely they are referring eras in the franchise. As in “After Marty” and “Prior (to) Marty”. Because the organization is definitely in the early a.m. hours of its timeline. On Tuesday morning, the Dukes announced the face of the franchise was leaving as longtime coach and general manager Marty Abrams tendered his resignation effective immediately.
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