A jam-packed weekend ahead 🎶

IN THIS ISSUE

➡️ Growing population affecting cellular service

➡️ Friends build disc golf course in city park

➡️ Fringe After Dark schedule

QUICK HITS

😤 Can you hear me now? The number of complaints from Islanders encountering issues with placing calls or using cellular data is increasing, and the Island's growing population is believed to be the root cause. Bell Aliant told me additional equipment will be needed to see significant improvements to support the growing population, but the company offered no specific timeline for when this work will take place. In the meantime, Bell says it has identified a short-term solution by making adjustments to its current equipment and by redirecting some network traffic. The issue has made its way to Charlottetown’s strategic priorities committee twice this summer after councillors started receiving complaints. Although the city has no role in regulating wireless service, chairperson Norman Beck hopes the city can at least take on an advocacy role to apply some pressure on the provincial and federal governments to find a solution.

🏘️ Kensington Housing: The provincial government has posted a tender for a 10-unit mixed seniors and family housing complex in Kensington. Situated on a new road off Victoria Street, near the town's lagoon, the building will feature one, two, and three-bedroom units, with more than half of them being barrier-free. Construction is slated to commence in September, targeting completion by mid-January 2025. The project was initially announced in February, alongside ten units in Alberton and six units in Mount Stewart.

🎭 FRINGE AFTER DARK

The Island Fringe Festival kicks off this evening with an official launch party event at Beaconsfield Carriage House. In addition to the seven ticketed performances that will take place daily between Thursday and Sunday, The Island Fringe Festival invites you to take part in their Fringe After Dark events.

After Dark Lineup:

After Dark events are free to attend, but a donation to The Island Fringe Festival is encouraged.

🚀 Launch Party: August 2, 8PM @ Beaconsfield Carriage House

If you’re still unsure what The Island Fringe Festival is all about, then you should attend the festival’s launch party this evening. Performers in this year’s festival will give a five-minute pitch of their shows.

🤹 After Dark Good Ol' Variety Show: August 3, 10PM @ HopYard

Experience a sensational variety show with dancing, singing, fiddle playing, and a few surprises. Showcase your talent for laughs and prizes! 19+ event with a cash bar.

🤔 After Dark Trivia: August 4, 10PM @ HopYard

Team up for a thrilling trivia event, hosted by PEI's Katie Perry, challenging your random knowledge to win fantastic prizes. Prepare for a fun-filled evening of stumping and making new friends! 19+ event with cash bar.

🍏 Cider Tasting with Red Island Cider: August 5, 10PM @ HopYard

Red Island Cider takes over hosting to guide us through the flavors and history behind their ciders. Enjoy sipping, snacks, and stories. Join in on some fun party games for a chance to win prizes! 19+ event.

🏆 Awards & Closing Party: August 6, 9PM @ HopYard

Celebrate the dedication of the 2023 Island Fringe Festival performers, volunteers, and staff after four busy days. Stick around for post-event fun!

For a complete schedule, venue locations, and to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.islandfringe.com.

This is a sponsored post by The Island Fringe Festival.

RECREATION

Friends build 18-hole disc golf course in city park

If you build it, they will come. Two Charlottetown residents have taken their love for disc golf to new heights by creating a homegrown 18-hole course in a city park. What started as a pastime activity has exposed a need in the community for a permanent course, and their efforts have caught the attention of the city’s parks and recreation committee.

Jeff Lockert and Jamie Wallace started the course in Sherwood’s Mulberry Park with two homemade baskets made from scrap materials kicking around their skateboard shop. As time passed, more baskets were added. This dedication has paid off, as they have witnessed 85 different players enjoying the course, with five devoted players showing up almost every morning.  

In their pursuit of making this disc golf course a permanent fixture, the organizers will make a presentation at next week’s parks and recreation committee meeting. One challenge they face is addressing the only complaint received: that the course looks homemade and lacks aesthetics. Their hope is for the city to provide permanent signage and consider installing gravel or turf tee pads.

A map of the course and pictures of the tee signs are available on their Instagram page.

Copy to share the story:

https://islandedition.ca/read/friends-build-18-hole-disc-golf-course-in-city-park

EDUCATION

Back to School

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but the 2023-2024 school calendar is now available. Students return to class on Thursday, Sept. 7 for their first of 181 scheduled instructional days. 📚

The province has made this handy website available with information on how to prepare your child for the new school year, such as easing into a new routine.

🧑‍🔧 Holland College:First-year students will kick-off their post-secondary education on Tuesday, Sept. 5; most second-year students return on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

🔬 UPEI: The university's fall semester begins on Wednesday, Sept. 6 for all programs except Veterinary Medicine.

#PEIslandEdition

Brighton Range 💡

Guiding us into August with its timeless charm, here's a beautiful shot of one of the Brighton Beach Range Lights near Victoria Park. This lighthouse, over 130 years old, stands as a beacon of history and beauty. Follow @with.abbey on Instagram for more excellent PEI pictures.

Tag @PEIslandEdition or use #PEIslandEdition to get your post featured in Island Edition!

COMMUNITY CORNER

🎂 Celebrate Charlottetown’s 168th birthday this weekend! The city has released a schedule of Natal Day activities, including a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, an older adults social on Saturday evening, Sunday morning outdoor fitness classes, and a Sunday afternoon of fun and games for the kids. Check the schedule for full details.

🥳 Organizers behind the PEI Community Fridge will celebrate the fridge’s second anniversary this weekend by hosting a free community event. Stop by the fridge, located in the Parkdale Sherwood Lions Club parking lot (Queen and Connolly streets) this Sunday, Aug. 6, between 2PM to 4PM for a BBQ, music, cake, face painting and even a dunk tank. All are welcome.

😁 Bring the kids to Ellerslie Elementary School this Friday for Kids Day, a free event filled with inflatables, BBQ, and much more. Organizers recommend bringing sunscreen and a towel. The event runs from 10AM to 2PM.

Send a quick message if your organization would like to publish a PSA. There's no charge for these. Max three per-issue.

WEATHER

Wednesday

☀️ H 23°C 🌡️ L 14°C 
💨 W 11 km/h, gusting 17

Thursday

🌤️ H 24°C 🌡️ L 16°C
💨 S 17 km/h, gusting 26

Looking Ahead

👀 Nice little stretch of pleasant weather. Showers and cloudy this weekend, with a risk of a thunderstorm - tis the season, eh?

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