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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 19, 2008 - 3 St. Patrick's Day walker takes 32nd trek in stride By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It's 4:30 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day and still no Eddie. Seven and a half hours have passed since Oakville native Eddie Williams began his 32nd traditional walk from Toronto City Hall to the finishing point at Oakville's Prime Time Sports Bar and questions begin to form as to whether the 56-year-old green champion will complete the 40-kilometre journey this year. The proprietors of the Lakeshore Road sports bar, where Williams has chosen to finish the walk for the last few years, have a better understanding of Williams' schedule and call for patience. "Eddie usually gets here between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.," said one. "He'll be here." Finally a bright green spot appears on the eastern horizon of Lakeshore Road and, as it approaches, it becomes clear that Williams, decked out in his green Toronto St. Pats hockey jersey and pants, with walking stick in hand, is about to finish the most recent leg of a traditional walk that dates back to 1922. Back then, members of Toronto's Irish community would make the great trek to Oakville in search of bootlegged beer during Ontario's brief flirtation with prohibition. DEREK WOOLLAM / OAKVILLE BEAVER STILL GOING STRONG: Eddie Williams crosses the OakvilleMississauga border en route to completing his 32nd annual St. Patrick's Day walk from downtown Toronto to downtown Oakville. This year it was not beer Williams was seeking at the end of the walk, but orange juice to replenish his lost energy. "I just kept walking," he said. "I had to keep going or I'd never start up again." Williams' arrival at the bar provoked a great reaction with many of the patrons calling his name and congratulating him on making it once again. The bartender even jokingly offered to get Williams a pair of inline skates for next year. With stiffness setting in, Williams remained standing as he drank his orange juice and discussed how walk number 32 had been. "It was good, the weather was good and I felt pretty good, except when I was coming down around Lakeshore," he said. "My thighs got pretty stiff and it was really just a tiring walk." As far as the weather was concerned, Williams said it was a little hotter than he would have preferred, but also pointed out that he was not complaining as the forecast for the next day (Tuesday) called for rain (which it did). "I had rain for four hours one year and when it rains, it's awful," he said. "You're going to be getting splashed, you're going to get soaking wet and it's really the most miserable weather you could possibly walk in. Not that I wouldn't walk in it, but if I knew it was going to rain, I'd have to compensate by putting plastic bags in my boots because you have to protect your feet." Williams is also happy he missed the snowstorm, which took place earlier this month. A similar storm in 1976 caused Williams' predecessor, Barney Heard, who had walked the route for 20 years, to collapse and break his glasses. The task of keeping the tradition alive then passed to Williams, who completed the walk the following year and every year since. Over this period, Williams has experienced great support from the community, noting that one year during his walk he was intercepted by a young girl, who brought him a cupcake straight from the oven, while another year a group of children walked behind him for a short distance with a sign commemorating his 25 years of walking. This year, the appreciation shown by the GTA community for what Williams is doing was just as strong. "There were a lot of people who came out and honked their horns," he said. This year's event was also special, as an unprecedented number of people accompanied Williams on the walk. "We had six people this time. Four ladies and two guys," said Williams. "They're quite the troopers." About 10 minutes after Williams arrived at the bar, the See Six page 5 BUNNY Since 1968 SLIPPERS Auto and Home Insurance We find the right price, coverage and service for you. We deliver outstanding personal service: · When you call our office we ask for your name, not your account number. · You speak to the same person every time you call so we know who you are. · Proudly serving Oakville for 40 years. From Easter candies to taking it easy, hop into Hopedale for a Happy Easter! Thursday, March 20 - 4:00pm to 8:00pm Visit with the Easter Bunny and get free bunny treats! Saturday, March 22 - 11:00am to 3:00pm Plant your very own carrot patch with the Easter Bunny and enjoy special bunny treats. Don't forget to bring your camera. Mall Closed: Good Friday, March 21 and Easter Sunday, March 23 Please call us today for a Home & Auto Quote www.dobson-toncic.com 101-2020 Winston Park Drive, Oakville ON, L6H 6X7 HOPEDALE MALL MY COMMUNITY, MY MALL N.E. CORNER OF REBECCA STREET + THIRD LINE P : 9 0 5 . 8 2 7 . 7 1 4 6 W: H O P E D A L E M A L L . O N . C A 905-829-2907