Olympics with a hometown twist

NEW GLASGOW - As the world turned their eyes to Vancouver Saturday to watch the Olympic games, a group of kids congregated at New Glasgow's Westside Community Centre for their own version of Olympic merriment.
Donna Belinger, a Jump up and Go employee with New Glasgow recreation, was at the centre to show children how to play some Olympic games of their own, including: snow volleyball, snow dodgeball, Krazy carpet races and even some fun with a parachute.
"Of course it's tied into the fact that the Olympics just started, so we're doing games in the schools next weeks as well," Belinger said.
While the turnout wasn't as high as the organizers would have hoped, the children seemed to be enjoying themselves.
It's also good to see kids get active, Belinger said, which is what Jump up and Go is all about.
"It's a program I believe in because it's keeping kids active during lunchtime and after school, so rather than sitting around doing nothing or going home and watching TV, they are actively involved in programs. They do all sorts of sports and games."
It's good to get kids in the Olympic spirit too, she said. "That's what everybody is talking about right now and they're seeing it on TV. They're hearing about it," she said. "We have some flags to give out after so they can cheer on team Canada."