Rob Vanstone: The Maces were a class act at Kitchener Community School
12/17/2024 06:50 PM
Corey and Petra Mace were an open book on Monday.
While visiting Mrs. Mayer's kindergarten class at Kitchener Community School, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' head coach and his wife spread holiday cheer and read to students.
"They were so good with Coach and his wife," an appreciative teacher said. "I'm so proud of them."
The youngsters gathered around the Maces for the reading of three books as part of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation's Rider Reading literacy program.
The first selection was Roughriders-themed — The Always Team: Home Sweet Home, written by Holly Preston.
"Do you know who that is?" Corey Mace said, pointing to James Hearne's illustration of a giant gopher.
"That's right! It's Gainer!"
The Roughriders' 48th field boss proceeded to wade into the storyline, with humorous asides.
• "There's Mosaic Stadium. That's where I get to go to work every day. It's so cool. Next time you're over there, look me up."•
• "Does a watermelon go on your head or do you prefer to eat watermelon? Tell Mommy and Daddy that the watermelon goes on your head. Coach Mace says it's totally fine."
• "Those are the Grey Cup years. The first one was in 1966, when Rob graduated from high school."
Shortly thereafter, Corey referenced the home-field Grey Cup victory of Nov. 24, 2013 and pointed to an artist's portrayal of three triumphant Roughriders captains: Darian Durant, Weston Dressler and Mike McCullough.
During that championship season, Corey was a CFL defensive tackle with the Calgary Stampeders.
Over six seasons as a player and another five years as an assistant coach with the Stampeders, he immersed himself in community endeavours in Calgary and area. Corey and Petra, for example, spearheaded an annual Christmas-season turkey and ham drive.
The spirit of giving back is still evident now that the Maces, along with their daughter Maleena and son Micah, have settled in Saskatchewan.
Five-year-old Maleena joined her parents at Kitchener Community School on Monday and, in fact, sat with Mom and Dad as they read to the youngsters.
Petra accepted periodic hugs from Maleena while reading the text from a picture book — The Sour Grape (written by Jory John; illustrated by Pete Oswald).
"Remaining sour all the time is so draining," Petra said, quoting from The Sour Grape. "I wasted so much time holding grudges.
"It takes more effort to hold a grudge and be mad than it does to be happy."
The conclusion: "Be a sweet green grape, not a sour one."
Fittingly, Corey and Petra sat in a corner of Room 15 near a poster that was labelled Green Choices, the suggestions being:
• Calm down.
• Use walking feet.
• Sit criss cross.
• Share.
• Gentle hands.
• Follow directions.
• Use my words.
The appetite for words was such that the students applauded the notification that another book — The Boy and the Banyan Tree — would be read to them.
"You can probably see Mosaic Stadium from the top of the tree," Corey said with a laugh.
The picture book, written by Mahtab Narsimhan and illustrated by Dharmali Patel, nicely completed Monday's literary hat trick.
To conclude the session, each student was given a book — Scaredy Squirrel, by Melanie Watt — to take home and enjoy.
Maleena performed the handoffs as the other youngsters lined up to receive their books.
Once every backpack included a copy of Scaredy Squirrel, it was time for the students to enjoy lunch. But first, it was time to thank Monday's special guests.
"Everybody here say 'bye!' " Mrs. Mayer said.
"Have the best day ever," Corey Mace responded, "and don't forget to try your best with your colouring."
Especially while using the green crayons.
