The Editor,
Canada has always brought people together — from far and wide and nearby, too.
The residents of Riverlane Estates in Port Coquitlam discovered the joys of togetherness even during COVID when people would gather in the lane each evening to bang pots and sing.
The idea of throwing a neighbourhood block party for Canada Day seemed like a good one.
Michelle de Foiard-Brown with Beth Friesen, Dorothy Clarke and Diane Bowman began organizing.
The City of Port Coquitlam has a fund to help residents throw a block party, and Michelle successfully applied and so it began.
Some 40 neighbours brought finger food and red and white panache to the clubhouse and the party was a hit.
People met, and like old friends, they talked and talked and got to know each other better. What better way to spend Canada Day!
Bill Marshall and Kate Smith (The Other Will and Kate) and John Bowman, all resident musicians here, performed songs from across Canada and by Canadian composers.
And as the song popularized by Raffi says, “The more we get together, together, together, the more we get together, the happier we'll be.” (Irving King)
Block parties are great neighbourhood builders — we highly recommend them!
--Bill Marshall, Port Coquitlam
