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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 13, 2009 · 4 FACTORY AUTHORIZED SOLID WOOD SALE Durham Furniture Unbeatable prices on Special Orders, In Stock Floor Models and Opportunity Buys! True Canadianmade quality at a price that will surprise you There's never been a better time to save! Torch run was moving experience Continued from page 1 Solid Maple King Panel Bed Reg. $1999 Opportunity Buy, Limited Quantity $ 799 4205 Fairview Street, Burlington · 905.634.5298 Heritage Furniture Don't miss out on this one time offer! E.J. James Public School where her mom attended as a child. McGrogan attended OTHS from 1982 to 1987, was named Athlete of the Year in 1982 and went on to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from Dalhousie University. McGrogan is now director of marketing transformation at RBC Royal Bank, a co-sponsor of the 2010 games (along with Coca-Cola Canada). She earned the right to participate as a torch bearer through an internal referral program. While she had hoped to carry the torch when it comes through Oakville on Dec. 19, she admitted the trip to Nanaimo was an experience for her entire family. The timing also worked out as she is only six months pregnant instead of eight months as she will be in December. McGrogan, who played basketball, volleyball and ran track in high school, has stayed active, but admitted she did some working out on the track of her nearby alma mater leading up to her big day. It was preparing arm strength to support the torch. "It weighs about three-and-a-half to four pounds, but it's long and lean and it's got some height to it," said McGrogan, laughing that when you're carrying it, you have to also watch that you don't burn your head. All these thoughts are in the mind of the torch bearer as their 300-400 metre run lasts about a minute -- as well as a whole host of thoughts about the meaning of the moment, pride in being Canadian and much, much more. McGrogan said torch bearers are forewarned to take a moment to absorb what's taking place before kissing the torch goodbye and handing off to the next participant -- so they don't miss their moment in time. "It was amazing," said McGrogan. She fought back tears when she spoke of a witnessing a 17-year-old boy with cerebral palsy carry the torch. The youth had been confined to a wheelchair since birth, but had taught himself to walk for his section of the torch run. McGrogan said on run day, as her bus passed the site where she was to carry the torch, she was disappointed that no one, but her own family, appeared to be waiting for the torch's arrival. But when her moment to pass the torch arrived, hundreds of people lined the streets to witness the event, she said. Since it was Halloween night -- Day 2 of the torch run -- children were lining the route, dressed in their trick-or-treating costumes. It was magical, according to McGrogan, who explained it was after 8 p.m. and the torch was on its way to the caldron where it would end its day. "It's over before you know it. It was such an amazing opportunity. I was honoured and privileged to be part of it, a piece of history," she said. The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games may seem far away now, but the torch is already on its 106-day, 28,000-mile-run across Canada. It will pass through 1,036 communities, touch three oceans (Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic) and is being carried by 12,000 torchbearers. The flame will be carried by people in planes, boats, and dogsleds, on bicycles, skateboards and surfboards. It will all culminate back in Vancouver at B.C. Place Stadium on Feb. 12, 2010 for the Olympics' Opening Ceremonies. McGrogan carried the flame on only its second day of travel. On that day, Halloween day, it left British Columbia's capital for a journey up the island. It travelled past a baby elephant at Fort Robb Hill, ghosts and goblins in Mill Bay, Dracula in Duncan and pirates in Nanaimo. The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is the longest inter-country relay ever to have happened in the history of the Olympics. The torch was designed by Bombardier and its white lines are meant to symbolize Canada's winter landscape. Most torchbearers have earned the right to carry the torch by participating in a contest, a lottery sponsored by Coca-Cola and RBC, in which applicants were chosen based on a short submission detailing how they contribute to a strong Canada. UNCOMMON GROUND landscape design & outdoor living ** PLAN NOW FOR 2010 INSTALLATIONS ** INSTALLATIONS N Plan & Budget with Professional Horticultural and Landscape Design ~ planting design & plans ~ outdoor kitchens & pool design ~ custom carpentry ~ curb appeal & seasonal decor 905.274.0005 · www.uncommonground.ca