Wave your flag

Did you know a vexillologist is a flag scholar and an authority on flag protocol, and that the scholarly study of the history, symbolism, etiquette, design, manufacture and other aspects of flags is known as vexillology (from the Latin vexillum, meaning banner)?

And did you know ancient China and India were probably the inventors of flags and banners, as we know them today. Tradition tells of the founder of the Zhou dynasty in China (1122 BC) who had a white flag. Flags were of equal importance in ancient India and were the first object of attack in battle.

These are just a few of the facts I discovered while researching flags and thinking about the eight new flagpoles recently installed in C.B.S.

Conception Bay South Monument of Honour is under construction. It will serve as a tribute to those who have served, and presently serve, as members of the military, as peacekeepers, as police and as firefighters.

The Monument is intended to increase awareness of contributions to world peace, freedom and safety, while providing us with a meaningful place to hold ceremonies to mark sacrifices made, and as a tranquil space to reflect.

Eight flags will be flown at the Monument of Honour and will include those of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, the United Kingdom (the Union Jack, flown to symbolize Newfoundland’s membership in the British Empire), town of Conception Bay South, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, C.B.S. Fire Department and the United Nations.

The Monument of Honour committee is issuing a challenge to local service clubs, businesses and individuals to donate $2,500 to sponsor a flagpole. A bronze plaque will be placed at the base of each pole to publicly identify donors.

For more information about the C.B.S. Monument of Honour Flag Pole Challenge, contact project chairman Wayne Miller at 744-2657 or e-mail wayne.miller@nl.rogers.com.

Walk a Mile

This year marks the 11th anniversary of Walk a Mile in His Shoes. The event was initiated to bring people and communities together to join in the fight against prostate cancer, a disease that affects one in eight men in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Walk a Mile in His Shoes is a community walk with goals to raise money to support the fight against prostate cancer, and to raise public awareness around the prevention and early detection of the disease.

Conception Bay South Mayor Woodrow French is a prostate cancer survivor and says, “I would like to take this opportunity to put a challenge out to local businesses, community groups, schools and individuals in our town to join my grandchildren and I for the walk.  There will be prizes for the individual, community group, business and school who collect the highest amount in pledges.”

The town will hold its walk Sept. 18 from the Town Hall in Manuels to C.B.S. Recreation Complex in Long Pond.

For a pledge sheet, call the town’s Department of Recreation and Leisure Services at 834-6534. More information on the national Walk a Mile event may be found on the Canadian Cancer Society website at www.cancer.ca.

Blow your horn

Conception Bay South Music School is an established band program that nurtures the new musician and develops the skills of intermediate and advanced players. There are classes for every level of musician, with instruction in brass, woodwinds and percussion instruments — and instruments are available free of charge.

New members age eight to 80 are welcome at registration on Sept. 11 at Queen Elizabeth Regional High School in Foxtrap at 9:30 a.m.  Bring your instruments and sheet music.  The membership fee is $100 per year, with family rates available. For additional details, contact band director Margaret Rowe at 754-3183, or e-mail margaretrowe@esdnl.ca.

Karen Spencer welcomes your C.B.S. event information at 834-4151 or by e-mail at eyeoncbs@nl.rogers.com.