by Alex MacWilliam
By the time this issue of Bridges is published, Groundhog Day (February 2) will have come and gone. Groundhog Day is derived from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; but if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early. While this is a quaint custom, Calgarians know that winter always lasts at least until mid-March, so whether the sun shines on Punxsutawney Phil or Wiarton Willie on February 2 is largely irrelevant to when we can put away our snow shovels and put the summer tires back on.
Thanks to the movie of the same name, Groundhog Day has also become a description for a situation in which a series of unwelcome or tedious events appear to be recurring in exactly the same way. Given the restrictions and limitations resulting from the pandemic, the past 11 months have certainly provided many reasons to believe that one day is no different from the next. Weekends that would normally be filled with sports, arts, and cultural events are frequently no different than the work week. As days of lockdown merge into weeks and potentially months, it is tough not to think that we are all like Bill Murray’s character, Phil Connors, trapped in the same day over and over.
Despite programs such as soccer and the rooftop garden being shut down, and the hall not being available for most events, the Bridgeland Riverside Community Association has been doing its best to alert community residents to activities that can occur in a safe and compliant manner, given the ever-changing pandemic public health orders and restrictions. This issue of Bridges highlights a number of opportunities to explore the neighbourhood and enjoy the things that make Bridgeland-Riverside a great place to live. Enjoying the historic beauty of our numerous heritage homes and the views from the pathways on McDougall Slope are great ways to change up the routine on any day of the week. Check out the new art bringing even greater character to the neighbourhood (see cover photo). We have also included a “teaser” regarding an upcoming event that will start on Family Day weekend and carry on into March. Further details will be provided on the BRCA website www.brcacalgary.org and on social media.
