Mayor Ruth Lovell was waiting for us when we arrived. We were delighted to see her there as she was a very enthusiastic participant in the run last year. The 2007 WHR team met her by chance and started telling her about the run. Totally oblivious to who she was, one team member began to boast about how the mayor of Wiarton (a nearby town) came out and ran 3 kilometers with the team. She piped up with, “Well, I’m the Mayor of Owen Sound!” - a light hint of rivalry in her tone. [see here for this encounter]

The students took off with lightning speed when we invited them to run.

The patriotic spirit of the students was quite striking. In fact, during the ceremony one boy very spontaneously declared, “There’s one thing I know. I’d like to support these runners in supporting the ruler of Owen Sound, Canada, our great mayor!”, which was followed by thunderous applause. Later, when I asked him if he enjoyed the ceremony he shouted, “Bless these runners and our great country!”

The teams each went their separate ways out of Owen Sound to attend the rest of their events.

At Primrose Elementary School in Shelburne we received a “red carpet” welcome! They were all lined up on the sides of the streets to cheer us on as we ran into the school. When we entered the gymnasium, the excited screams were close to deafening!

Everyone’s favourite part of the ceremony was when they got to hold the torch!

Our last school event of the day was at Rose Avenue Public School in Toronto.

The students pointed out a beautiful piece of art that they had made especially for us.

We played a game with them in which they are divided into 3 groups, and each group learns a different rhythm. We then combine the rhythms to make a harmonious percussive symphony.

They sang ‘Peace in the World’ for us and to thank them, we sang the World Harmony Run Song for them. Amy surprised us with her hidden talent when she accompanied us on the piano.

We ran with the cross-country team twice around the track.

Finally, everyone held the torch.

After the ceremony, Amy, Adarini and Caitlin had fun shooting hoops with some of the students.

Something that really stood out for me today was how powerfully many of the students wished for harmony in the world.

Some of the wishes are so intense…

and genuine…

and heartfelt…

and moving.

It made me realize how important the message of the World Harmony Run is to these children. I feel so fortunate to be able to help bring this message to them.

They are our future.

Team B

After Owen Sound, we ran into Orangeville . . .

and gave a Harmony Run presentation to the entire school.

We watched the Harmony Run video . . .

and then went outside to run around the schoolyard.

We challeged principal Tim Murray and Orangeville Deputy Mayor Warren Maycock to a lap of the gym with the torch.

On to Toronto . . .

where we met with students at the Allan Howard Waldorf Montessori school.

We formed a circle which we feel represents the entire world, and passed the torch around to everyone.

Harmonemail:
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