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The return of geese to the lakes of Whyte Ridge will be a sure sign of spring’s return. (PHOTO BY JOHN WOODS/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

Spring is coming to Whyte Ridge. Bicycles will soon replace toboggans, soccer balls will take precedence over hockey pucks and Mount Kenaston’,the annual city snow-disposal pile, will start its melt back to flat land.  We’ll even be able to collect mail from our curb side superboxes without the need for ice climbing equipment. There truly may be an end to this, the coldest and snowiest of winters experienced for quite some time.  Oh happy days!

At the Whyte Ridge Community Centre, spring/summer sports registration is under way. You can find specific dates and times at the community website — www.whyteridge.ca.  The club’s annual general meeting is being held on April 9 at 7:30 p.m., and it’s your chance to hear what’s planned for our community and to become involved.  Please plan to attend.

For local pre-teens (9-12 years of age), the Whyte Ridge C.C. spring dance will be held April 19, 2013, from 7 to 10 p.m.  Adult volunteer chaperones are needed for that night, so if you can help out, please contact Robyn at specialevents@whyteridge.com or call 204-979-0604.

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Although the annual Run at the Ridge isn’t scheduled until early May, it’s never too early to have the running shoes at the door, ready for when we can trade them out for the snow boots.

This 2 km and 5 km family fun-run starts and finishes at the Whyte Ridge Elementary School. A pancake breakfast following the run is the well-deserved reward for participants and supporters. More information will become available as the date approaches.

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There’s another sign of spring in Whyte Ridge that is uniquely ours. The proximity to FortWhyte Alive allows us first glimpses of the returning birds, geese and ducks.  Migrating north from their winter homes, these feathered friends land on our melting lakes and fly over our heads, en route to the ponds and forests of FortWhyte. That first honk heard from a returning Canada goose in mid-March or the initial sighting of a robin in our backyard tree lifts the spirits and gives us hope. It’s like a trailer for what is to come — warm days, green grass and barbecues on the back deck.  

So hang in there, Whyte Ridge. The slush and gravel is only a means to an end. We’re on our way to better, and warmer, times.

Pat Kelly is a community correspondent for Whyte Ridge. Contact her at leeandpat2@shaw.ca.