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The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 17, 2006 - 23 'He sets a wonderful example' Oakville who moved to For him, walking to Oakville Burlington last fall. from Toronto on St. Patrick's "In 2003 I completed the Day is more about keeping a 87th International Four-Day tradition alive than drinking Walk (30 kilometres a day for green beer. four days in a row) in Nijmegen, He'll arrive in Oakville carry Holland," said Platiel, an avid ing a stick he found walker. a few years ago on "I've hidden it She had planned Green Street in (my stick) in to walk with Burlington - but some bushes Williams in 1998, he'll leave Toronto "but I found a.lump somewhere without it. in my breast and "I've hidden it in along Lakeshore the surgery was some bushes some Road where I'll scheduled for March 17. I was so where along think I'll need it. mad that after I Lakeshore Road That stick makes where I'll think I'll healed I did the the difference need it. That stick walk on my own makes the differ between not that summer. I just ence between not making it and took a train to making it and marching into Toronto and walked marching into back. Oakville." "I had always Oakville." Williams left admired Williams Eddie Williams Toronto City Hali for having the guts at 9 a.m. this morning, after to do this walk. He sets a won-, taking the GO Train into the derful example," said Platiel. city, and should arrive in down She has hiked the Bruce town Oakville between 3:30 - 4 Trail end to end, and recently p.m. completed a 21-kilometre This year, Williams will have power walk in the Tim Hortons Chilly Half-Marathon in company. Agatha Platiel, 68, plans to Burlington. accompany Williams. "Both my parents had birth "I have been challenged by a days in March and doing this St. couple of friends to do this," Patrick's Day Walk is a great said Platiel, a 43-year resident of way to commemorate them." Continued from page 22 Her father died in 1998 and her mom in 2002. "When I'm walking slow I'll think of the nasty things and when I'm fast I'll be thinking of the happy things," she chuck led. Platiel vows to keep up with Williams who walks at a pace of about about six kilometres an hour. Platiel won't be drinking any green beer however. "I would much prefer a hearty bowl of soup." Platiel won't be the first woman to complete the walk with Williams. In previous years, two women walked with him on two separate occasions. Williams, who grew up in Oakville, ran marathons while attending school here. "I was a long-distance run ner. I would run 26-mile (42kilometre) marathons." 'He took over the Toronto to Oakville St. Patrick's Day Walk tradition in 1977 from Barney Heard who completed the walk for 20 years. Heard, who was close to 70 at-the time, had fall en and was unable to complete his final walk when Williams accompanied him. Previously, Charlie Priestman walked from Toronto to Oakville for many years: www.brettonskia.com · brettonskia.com brettonskia.com · brettonskia.com I e down to our great friendly store.. B r e t t o n 's K i a KIA MOTORS The Power to Surprise * B U R L IN G T O N . your KiaJFamily Store. For all your Kia-needs. 8tk*k1096. Based on 60/84 mth amortization. Final papent ?8,82Z Based on 60/84 mth amortization. Final payment $8065.08. Only in Burlington! Only at Bretton's Kia! 1239 Plains Rd. East 905.639.2306 www.brettonskia.com · brettonskia.com [· brettonskia.com · brettonskia.com | Limited Edition Watercolour Prints March 2 3 to March 26 Centre Court (while supplies Canadian Cancer Society Get a free print with a minimum $5 donation :c $2,500 Shopping Spree Draw April 1 to April 2 Centre Gourt One ballot free with every purchase of Canadian Cancer Society Daffodils. Proud su p p o rter j if K C a n a d ia n S o c itte C a nce r can a d ien n e ^o c ie tV d u cancer The Canadian Cancer Society is pleased to accept proceeds from thb community initiative.