East Ottawa Star
Published: Friday, June 5, 2009 

A miracle in lane two

This Saturday, our community is rocking.

The fourth-annual Orléans Soap Box Derby will run from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. just south and up the hill from St. Joseph Boulevard on Orléans Boulevard with registration open at 7 a.m.

If you are wondering what inspired this event, track down a copy of the 2000 family film entitled Miracle in Lane Two.

Based on a true story, Miracle in Lane Two is about a 13-year-old boy in a wheelchair who is determined to win a trophy like his athletic older brother. And the soap box is the vehicle for him to compete as an equal with other kids.

According to organizer Carlos Conde, this film along with the desire to create a signature family event in our community is the genesis behind this event which is now a staple each June. It’s a great idea especially for kids who don’t excel or don’t really care for team sports.

Building these machines is a love affair for many kids, their siblings, parents and grandparents. In fact, the derby organizers report that several kids have reached across generations to their parents’ parents for construction and engineering know-how.

Two years ago Innes Coun. Rainer Bloess even challenged his colleague Orléans Coun. Bob Monette to a race down the hill and rumour has it that Monette has revenge and redemption on his mind.

This event also brings out the best in local sponsors who donate time, money and equipment to make things hum along. If you drop by on Saturday, take a note of their company signage and names and if you can, please give them your business, they deserve it.

But if there is one reason more than any other to support the derby it comes from the story of a young boy from a few years back. Due to limited financial means he participated in a borrowed soap box and raced a few times throughout the day to advance into the afternoon heats.

When it was all said and done he turned to his mother and said, “Mom, this was the best day of my life.”

Now, if the derby is not your thing, you might want to drop around the second-annual Cardinal Creek Community garage sale (off of Trim between Watters and Innes). Someone’s junk could be your new treasure.

Or you can head up to the Navan Fair with a variety of events and activities benefitting local military charities.

Finally, if high school hoops is your thing, come check out some aspiring high school Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Steve Nash wannabes as they strut their stuff from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. playing against current university and pro players at Sir Wilfrid Laurier H.S. on Tenth Line in the third-annual Merrick Palmer Basketball High School showcase.

Or just fill up the tank with gas and hit all of these events, you’ll be glad you did.