Canada: Overhanging dark clouds! Torrential relentless rain! Cold temperatures with nary a streak of sunshine! This should have been a recipe for disaster. Instead, MAC and the community used this opportunity to have a collaborative and fun camaraderie and solidarity session at the Annual Family Picnic.
MAC organized yet another successful event, the Annual Family Picnic on June 27, 2015 at the Meadowvale Conservation area. Organizers were pumped as the MAC banner was unfolded, Volleyball net was set up and the ground marked for the team events. The participants started to arrive filled with enthusiasm determined to enjoy the day with carefree abandon. With a welcome address from Maxim D’Mello (President of MAC) and a prayer from Lancy Rodrigues, the MAC picnic was officially on. Children, youngsters and young adults enjoyed Passing the Chocolate game, the Sack race and Lemon and Spoon race. Adults braved the pouring rain to play Lemon and Spoon race. And when it rained even heavier, people gathered under the gazebo, brought out the guitar and sang Konkani and English melodies from the 60’s and 70’s. Spirits did not lag, laughter did not cease and the community connected, socialized, relaxed and enjoyed an outing devoid of stress and the day to day rat race.
After a rousing game of Bingo, lunch was next on the program. Delicious, mouthwatering delicacies such as Pork, Vorn and Sannas were laid out. Paul Mathias, a magician when it comes to delectable watermelons, cut and served the refreshing fruit at the end of lunch. A ginger and cardamom tea was served by MAC to warm up the cold rainy day. And aptly as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings.” Such was the community that gathered on June 27th: they found something to sing about.
MAC appreciates the generosity of the sponsors.
MAC thanks Leon Lobo for conducting the games and rallying the troops; Reynold Sequeira for conducting the Bingo games with his usual pizazz, all the members and the volunteers for their tireless efforts to coordinate and execute all the events of the day.