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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 | 8 Oakville resident right at home in Germany His friends were Spaniards and Americans, but they were there to cheer on the red and white with Aaron. We were in the lead by two at this point, so we had a little bit of slack to take our eyes off the screen, shortly, to get to know each other. When I pointed out his absent Newfoundland accent, he told me he had been living overseas for almost a decade studying and working in both Germany and Switzerland. He had made the drive up from Switzerland to watch the game with his friends in Heidelberg. Kunitz just scored and we were up 3-0 with 10:56 left in the third. We ordered another round of beers. On the other side of the bar was Everett from Vancouver, B.C. There we were, united. The three of us had found each other in a pub that was tucked away in a corner of the little town of Heidelberg, to represent Canada from coast to coast. There was a Swede sitting alone at another table. We tried to befriend him without too much luck, understandably. In the last moments of the game, one more Canadian walked in -- Emily from St. Catharines, Ont. She sat down beside the Swede, trying to cheer him up as the clock emptied. Canada won gold. When the anthem played, the four of us stood proudly in the centre of the bar, singing O Canada, with glowing hearts. Our patriotism filled the room. continued from p.5 Today, I realized that what being at home really means to me, is being with... Canadians. There was nothing more powerful. There I was, thousands of miles from Canadian turf, but feeling right at home. Rukshan de Silva, Oakville resident Four Canadians, from left, Emily, Aaron, Oakville's Rukshan de Silva, and Everett, who met in a tavern in Germany where they watched Team Canada's men's hockey gold-medal game Sunday. | photo courtesy Rukshan de Silva I had been a little disappointed that the nature and timing of my travels during the month of February had meant that I would be missing most of the Olympic Games. There's just something so special about cheering on your country from home soil. What I learned today was that it can be, perhaps, more special to cheer on your country from foreign soil. In that moment, as we sang out O Canada, I felt right at home. For it wasn't the bar or the beer. It wasn't Heidelberg. It wasn't even the cold weather that reminded me of the true north strong and free. It was something much more special -- it was the company. Throughout my travels, I had always felt that being at home meant being in Canada. Today, I realized that what being at home really means to me, is being with... Canadians. There was nothing more powerful. There I was, thousands of miles from Canadian turf, but feeling right at home. My heart was warm. We had a few more beers. Just as the sun was starting to fall in the sky, we parted our ways, hearts content. I was aware that I had possibly sacrificed a few things I wanted to see in Heidelberg, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Those few hours in that little pub were everything that money can't buy. I thought I'd try my luck anyway and stopped by Heiliggeistkirche. The door was open, but no one else inside. The kind lady was just locking up, but after pleading, allowed me to run up the tower quickly. From the top of Heiliggeistkirche, I watched the sunset over the red roofs of Heidelberg. The blood orange sun descending below the horizon made the landscape glow from hill to hill. The Sunday evening air was crisp and quiet. I was at peace. The light was slowly disappearing from the sky, but there was one thing left I had wanted to do in Heidelberg -- make my way up the northern hill. After many thanks and a welldeserved hug to the lady at the church, I hurried back across the Alte Brücke bridge and made my way up the north hill that was just as steep as the climb up to Schloss. About 20 minutes up, I hopped off the trail, and perched myself upon a little stone ledge. Looking down, I was gifted with a view of Heidelberg in the valley, and Schloss on the hill above, guarding this precious town. The lights slowly flickered on. Lyrics of Canada's Olympic anthem (Vancouver 2010) crossed my mind: "I believe in the power that comes, from a world brought together as one. I believe together we'll fly, I believe in the power of you and I." I sat quietly for hours as darkness fell, thankful for the day I'd had. Thankful for this beautiful town and the familiar weather. For the hockey game and the gold medal. For the Canadians. Thankful for the feeling of home. www.oakville.ca Public Information Meeting Please join us at the Kinsmen Pine Room, Oakville Arena on: Thursday, March 6, 2014 3 to 5 p.m. Presentation at 3:30 p.m. OR Redevelopment Options for Oakville Arena\Trafalgar Park Kinsmen Pine Room, Oakville Arena 133 Rebecca Street, Oakville You are invited to attend a public meeting on the redevelopment design options for Oakville Arena and Trafalgar Park. Design options for a single-pad arena in a facility that includes a new seniors' facility and maintains the existing recreation amenities at Trafalgar Park were developed after receiving your input and feedback through extensive public consultation. The design options are now available for your review and comment. Presentation materials are available online at oakville.ca. If you are unable to attend the meeting, but would like to provide comments, please email oakvillearena@oakville.ca. For more information, visit oakville.ca or contact Michael Brennan, Senior Manager, Recreation Operations, Recreation and Culture at 905-845-6601, ext. 3039 or mbrennan@oakville.ca. Thursday, March 6, 2014 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Presentation at 7 p.m. Open House #2 Sediment Management Strategy Study Thursday, March 6, 2014 - 7 to 9 p.m. Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road - Oakville Room You are invited to the second Sediment Management Strategy Study Open House. This study takes a comprehensive approach to investigating the main sources of sediment, both natural and non-natural within the watersheds of both Oakville and Bronte harbours which the town manages. Sediment accumulation within these harbours impacts operations and use of these harbours. Sediment dredging operations are routinely done in both harbours to allow for continued and convenient recreational boating. The study also examined the impacts ad cost-effectiveness of these operations. The study also examined the impacts and costeffectiveness of these operations. Please join us at this second public open house where you will have the opportunity to learn about the study and the draft recommendations being made. For more information visit oakville.ca or contact Chris Mark, Director, Parks and Open Space, Town of Oakville, 905-845-6601, ext. 3111 or cmark@oakville.ca or Philip Kelly, Manager Development and Environment, Town of Oakville, 905-845-6601, ext. 3298 or pkelly@oakville.ca. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.