\nReport by Janet D\u2019souza
\nPhotographs by Ivan Lobo\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don’t ask\nfor the meaning of the song of a bird or the rising of the sun on a misty\nmorning. There they are, and they are beautiful.\u201d Pete Hamill<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nary a cloud in\nthe sky nor a hint of precipitation but just a whisper of a delightful breeze\nand bright warm sunshine! It was as if\nGod himself had painted the sky a scintillating blue and blessed the\nMangalorean Association of Canada (MAC) with a flawless day to bring the\ncommunity together. MAC hosted yet\nanother successful event, the Annual Family Picnic on June 22, 2019 at the\nMeadowvale Conservation Area, Mississauga. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The festivities\nbegan with a prayer and an opening address from Vidya Alvares, the emcee for\nthe day. Little kids enthusiastically\nplayed Passing the Parcel and won treats and gifts for their\nparticipation. Animated and excited\nchildren ran all over the park to capture the scattered multi colored leis in\nthe Caterpillar Hunt game. The creative\nStep Folder game tested the agility and balance of teenagers who hopped, tethered\nprecariously on one foot yet buoyed by shouts of encouragement raced towards\nthe finish line. Our seniors came in large numbers to test\ntheir aim and strength and displayed their awesome prowess as they knocked the\ntrolls in the Wooden Trip a Troll game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is a\npicnic without the quintessential group games such as volleyball, throw ball\nand tug-of-war? Women rolled up\ntheir sleeves and prepared to play a vigorous and aggressive yet enjoyable game\nof throw ball. Men flexed their muscles\nand demonstrated killer instincts and a winning edge during the volley ball\nmatch. The perfect summer day deserves\nthe ideal water game, the Water Balloon Toss. \nPartners formed a line up and faced their partners. Each coached their partners on the throw and\ncatch technique. It was gratifying and\nfun to watch the intent expressions on the competitors faces as they focused on\ngetting the water balloon across to their partners without dropping it. Tug O War \u2013 that Olympian heavy rope\nsymbolizing sheer brute strength, technique and collaboration mobilized men,\nwomen and teens to put on their best performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All this\nexercise and sport made the participants and their families very hungry. While the tables were being prepared, Manohar\nPais, President of the Mangalorean Association of Canada thanked the people for\ntheir involvement and patience and also shared details of the 12th<\/sup>\nAnnual MFSI Cricket Tournament. Proceeds\nfrom this tournament will go towards fighting hunger. Lunch was then served after a short prayer\nand was a delicious buffet of Mangalorean dishes such as Baffat, Italian dishes\nsuch as pasta, salads, beans and vegetables. \nTo quench the thirst and cool the palates, MAC generously served scoops\nof ice cream, a treat much enjoyed by everyone. \nMAC members and volunteers sold Bingo tickets while Paul Mathias, a\nmagician when it comes to delectable watermelons, cut and served slices of the\nmouthwatering fruit to all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the\nvolley ball and throw ball final matches ensued, the MAC ladies prepared a\ndelightful blend of tea and served it with biscuits. Satiated and replete with\na hot cuppa, it was time to play Bingo. \nWinners were thrilled to make some money while resting under the shade\nof the gazebo. As the sun descended into\nthe distant horizon, people folded their umbrellas, packed their belongings,\nwaved goodbyes and left tired but content, smiling and happy to share in the\ncamaraderie and joy of being outdoors with family and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A huge shout out and sincere appreciation to Vidya Alvares, Vice President, for her inimitable emceeing of the event, Ivan Lobo for capturing animated and priceless moments with his camera, and Charles D\u2019Souza, Sports Coordinator for organizing and coordinating the program and games.\u00a0 MAC was tremendously successful in bringing the community together, providing a venue and a platform for new immigrants and members to mingle, get to know each other and have a fun day as well.\u00a0 Our many thanks to the members and volunteers who devoted their time, energy and skills to help accomplish a sensational and fun event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n