Chris Clegg
In the interest of disclosure, it should be noted this writer chairs the High Prairie Community Beautification Association.
Let it further be noted this is my opinion only and may not reflect the views of other members of Beautification. There! Beautification members are off the hook!
It is beyond disgust I report the children’s games at High Prairie Light-Up Nov. 28 may not occur this year. For those who may not know, Beautification holds Light-Up with the Town of High Prairie and several other partners.
At the Nov. 29, 2024 Light-Up, some employees from Alberta Health Services and volunteers stepped forward to hold a few children’s games where Santa visits children. It was awesome! Hats off to this group of people for a job well done!
Last week, I was informed they would not be holding the games this year and I do not blame them one bit. Why?
A few weeks before last year’s Light-Up, it became known the games were going to happen. It was a great idea. The younger children could visit Santa while the older ones could play some games. Perhaps win a few prizes, too! The only condition was AHS would be allowed to set up a display/booth to the side promoting vaccination programs. No big deal, right?
Well, you would have thought the sky was falling, the Earth was shaking and the town on fire! A few of the anti-vaccination people caught wind of this “dastardly” deed and became alive in full throat. I even received an email from Lloydminster from someone sticking their nose into our business. To make a long story short, AHS staff did not need this grief from the keyboard warriors on social media. Because they made a commitment, however, they moved forward and provided entertainment and fun for dozens of children.
This year, they decided they didn’t need the B.S. I do not blame them!
Last year, no one put a gun to anyone’s head demanding anyone attending Light-Up be vaccinated. No one stepped out from behind a curtain and jabbed anyone against their permission. The display was to be visited by anyone wanting information. If you did not want to visit the booth, it was OK. No one was forced.
So, the anti-vaccination people have got their way! There will be no AHS employees attending Light-Up and providing children with games.
Anti-vaccination people must be so proud! They have taken some of the fun out of Light-Up. Good for them! What an accomplishment! I doubt the whiner from Lloydminster cares, however. She probably puts hot peppers or Ex-Lax in children’s candy at Halloween for laughs!
I doubt any of these people will step forward and provide the games AHS used to. They are all too busy searching social media and the internet for their next unwilling victims. Be careful what you post, people! Someone is watching you!
Beautification still has time to explore other avenues and possibly provide children’s games. We are a small group, however, and do need help. We do not have the manpower amongst ourselves to provide this service.
Over the last few years, Beautification has attempted to grow Light-Up by adding a few other events. Last year’s event has left a sour taste in this writer’s mouth and it is not from his own cooking or from sucking on a lemon. The fact a few well-meaning people were criticized so much after stepping forward with an act of kindness and true community spirit is beyond disheartening.
But move forward we will! Beautification will try to continue to grow the event as the years progress for everyone’s enjoyment – even the anti-vaccinators – now known as the Scrooge’s of Christmas!