A number of enthusiastic West Ferris residents are hoping to throw some sunlight into the gloom of the coronavirus.
The group is called Premier Rd Cares and is organized by Lisa McDonald and her husband Butch. The couple has set up a Facebook page hoping that during this time of social distancing, neighbours can help neighbours.
It kicked off this afternoon with Lloyd Stamp standing at the end of his driveway playing the bagpipes while a couple of dozen neighbours watched, while social distancing, in appreciation. It brought to mind the image of Italians standing on their balconies singing to one another to raise spirits.
The timing was perfect.
A pipe band in Holland has designated today as International Bag Pipe Day to show solidarity in these troubled times. Pipers around the world were asked to play three tunes at a set time and so Stamp drew a deep breath and played Scotland the Brave, Auld Lang Syne and Amazing Grace, then tossed in a couple of extras for good measure.
"It was kind of neat to think this was happening all over the world at exactly the same time," Stamp told BayToday.
And playing for his neighbours felt special. "It always does, rather than before a crowd and you don't know who they are. But to be right in your own neighbourhood with people you see every day is kind of neat and adds another dimension to their day, seeing as how they were all outside waiting for me to show up," he chuckled.
Stamp has been playing the pipes for 45 years, his interest sparked by watching the North Bay Legion Pipe Band march down the street while in his early twenties.
"The first time that I saw them I stood there listening and thinking 'Gee I wouldn't mind doing that."
Stamp played in the bugle band in high school so marching and playing at the same time came naturally.
"But there was a big difference between pipes and bugle, but that's what got me started."
Stamp went on to play for both the North Bay and Callander Legion Pipe Bands.
Residents of Premier will get to enjoy the sound of bagpipes throughout the summer.
"Premier Road is sort of like a community or neighbourhood unto itself, and now that the weather is getting nice people will be outside and there's a good chance I'll be out in the near future playing a few tunes."
The Premier Rd group plans to get its neighbourhood involved in a number of COVID-friendly activities including window teddy bear hunts, Christmas lights, talking and enjoying drinks at the end of the driveways, and placing red hearts in windows to thank health care workers for their dedication.
Neighbours are also using the group to help one another by buying groceries and other supplies for those quarantined or otherwise shut-in and unable to get out themselves.
"If you are in need of something, post it here," says the Facebook page."Hopefully someone on our street will be able to assist you. The next couple of months will prove to be trying for all of us, our hope is that with love we can make it a little less so."
