Niagara Falls – Wednesday, May 25

Harmony team ran along the Niagara River to the magical Falls. Visited a beautiful plaque dedicated to World Harmony and got soaking wet in the giant mist from the falls. Bob Sherwin of CHML Radio interviewed team member Anvita Winters about their planned visit to Stoney Creek tomorrow.

 

St. Catherines – Wednesday, May 25 

St Anthony Catholic School gave a spectacular 500 person welcome to the Harmony team.

 

Mr. Tisdelle, the inspiring Principal introduced Deputy Mayor Sue Erskine

who welcomed the runners and encouraged the children to take responsibility for world harmony.

Students gave presentations on the harmony theme and then signed the huge banner they had created.

Mrs. Maloney and Mr. Smith played the harmony run theme song while a choir of 31 sang – fantastic!

To end the celebration a giant circle was formed outside for the championship cross country team to relay the torch around the outer edge.

 

Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Halton; Thursday, May 26

At St. Clare of Assisi, 350 students and their teachers were delighted to have Mayor Larry Di Ianni join them in welcoming the run. and their teachers were delighted to have Mayor Larry Di Ianni join them in welcoming the run.

After recitations, music and signing of the banner that is traveling coast-to-coast, the team shared pizza with the running club.

After recitations, music and signing of the banner that is traveling coast-to-coast, the team shared pizza with the running club.

At 12:30 the whole school formed a circle outside.

Eric and 40 running club members ran inside the circle, exchanging the ever-popular high 5’s!

At 12:30 the whole school formed a circle outside. Eric and 40 running club members ran inside the circle, exchanging the ever-popular high 5’s!

The club then relayed the torch to the next school, Our Lady of Peace.

At Our Lady of Peace School 450 eager students awaited the young runners. Their 4x100 mixed relay team received the torch from St. Clare Students. Then 20 students ran the torch in relay to meet the awaiting Principal.

The school offered an inspiring program including the Hail Mary in 15 languages, a Benediction in Spanish by Grade 1, and 3 musical performances, country banners, colourful dresses, in all a fabulous and harmonious event with Our Lady of Peace School. The school offered an inspiring program including the Hail Mary in 15 languages, a Benediction in Spanish by Grade 1, and 3 musical performances, country banners, colourful dresses, in all a fabulous and harmonious event with Our Lady of Peace School.

Halton – Thursday, May 26

Wonderful running choreography at Camp Sidrabene where Waldorf School students were holding a 3 day Olympics; 110 students were waiting for us in a line that stretched several kilometres. 110 students were waiting for us in a line that stretched several kilometres.

As the relay progressed, the earlier runners would stay with the torch leader so that all 110 arrived together in the clearing to light their own Olympic torch.

A choir of students from 5 schools sang a song in 3-part harmony.

Everyone enjoyed a meal together, and we met some parents.

A choir of students from 5 schools sang a song in 3-part harmony. Everyone enjoyed a meal together, and we met some parents

A big thank-you goes to Katarina Liberte of the Halton Waldorf School.

Mississauga – Friday, May 27

St. Francis Xavier High School welcomed us to the sound of their Peace Bell tolling. Their Chaplain arranged a great program of guitar, violin, dance, school orchestra and vocals.

A definite highlight was the performance by a choir of about 20 young children visiting for 2 weeks from Jamaica; the song “one world, one heart” got the audience into the spirit.

Mayor Hazel McCallion gave joy by showing up in the nick of time. She had a very busy day.

As she held the torch she spoke with great conviction to the students about living harmoniously. She commented that at least 70 nationalities live right in Mississauga. We had a fabulous harmony run event with St Francis Xavier High School.

Richmond Hill – Friday, May 27

Running Room Manager Don Rudiak joined us for a 5 km run to meet Richmond Hill Mayor William Bell at City Hall, where the Mayor read a proclamation declaring May 27 World Harmony Day in Richmond Hill once we had all arrived at the Municipal Hall.

Both Running Room Manager Don Rudiak and Mayor William Bell expressed enthusiasm to arrange a bigger and better event next time the Harmony Run is on the horizon.

Toronto – Friday, May 27

The three days of World Harmony Run in Toronto had a distinctly multicultural flavour. That’s Toronto! Our first stop was the Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre for a lap around the stadium – complete with run photos on the jumbotron, lots of decibels on the p.a. system and a dozen runners. Enthusiastic Blue Jays fans and a photo with Ms. Canada made our night. Our sincere thanks to Sebatien Gatica.

 

 

Orangeville – Saturday, May 28

On Saturday several runners joined Father Gallagher of Scarboro Missions for an interfaith dialogue in Orangeville.

Toronto – Sunday, May 29

Sunday began at a beautiful mosque, the Malton Islamic Centre, where teachers and their young Sunday School students greeted us.

When Anvita told the students that the run’s mileage could circle the globe twice, a young boy asked if we had come around once yet. Anvita said yes!

Next we visited St Gregorious Orthodox Church where our ceremony was held outdoors under a wonderfully lively Canadian sky.

The children were eager to talk with us and many parents inquired as to how they could support the run. Their senior priest gave us a blessing most welcome.

We then had a quick lunch of parathas and curried Indian pudding before continuing on our way.

At the Kali Bali Bengali Temple our offerings included a team performance of the Bengali song “Dak Eseche”.

Great photos were taken on the steps of the temple and the congregation graciously treated us to a wonderful Indian meal.

The South Asian Heritage Festival at Dundas Square invited us on stage during their day of festivities.

The crowd of about 1,000 people were keen to hear our message and many sang along with the CD and the group on stage. It was quite an experience to have that much volume blasting out of the speakers. Many held the torch and were eager to hear how they could keep track of the run.

 

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