The following is released by the province of Prince Edward Island's Department of Justice and Public Safety.

Halloween can be fun for everyone if safety is top of mind.

While Prince Edward Island law enforcement will be on patrol on Halloween next Tuesday (October 31) to keep Islanders safe, they are also reminding everyone about steps they can take. These include watching out for trick or treaters, driving sober, and reporting malicious fires by calling 9-1-1.

“We can all play a part in keeping our communities safe. Drivers need to slow down and be aware of the increased number of young pedestrians on Island streets over the weekend and on Halloween,” said Charlottetown Police Deputy Chief Gary McGuigan. “There are so many young people out after dark that drivers must take extra precautions, especially in neighbourhoods. Drivers should eliminate distractions like cell phones so they can react quickly if needed.”

Trick-or-treaters should always venture out with an adult and:

• make sure that masks have large-enough eye holes to ensure good peripheral vision so kids can look both ways before crossing the street;
• have a flashlight or glow stick to be more visible to traffic; and
• avoid costumes with long, trailing fabric that can cause kids to trip and are a fire hazard.

Although Halloween is on a Tuesday this year, many Islanders will start their celebrations the weekend before. UPEI Security Services manager Mark Pharand tells Islanders to party responsibly.

"We encourage all adults, and especially UPEI students, to follow responsible drinking tips like drinking slowly, having a non-alcoholic drink for each alcoholic drink, and having a plan for getting home safely,” said Pharand. “The risk of car accidents and accidental overdose increases when alcohol is combined with other drugs. If you have drugs and/or alcohol in your system, you should not be driving.”

Malicious and nuisance fires during the Halloween season endanger people and property and these unnecessary and dangerous fires put first responders at risk. If Islanders see any suspicious activity, they should call 911.

“Arson puts real people in real danger and it ties up valuable lifesaving resources that could be needed elsewhere,” said RCMP S/Sgt. Kevin Baillie. “Start a conversation in your community and households about these dangers, so everyone knows that arson is not a prank. A strong adult presence in communities can deter mischief; it could be as simple as walking with your kids while they are trick-or-treating or keeping an eye out from your front porch.”

More than 200 police officers serve Prince Edward Island with the RCMP and three municipal police departments – Charlottetown, Summerside, and Kensington -- in addition to specialized policing services provided by security police officers at UPEI and Prince Edward Island’s conservation officers.

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Rachel Colle and Mohammad Jaber, the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for October 23–29!

Rachel Colle is a third-year forward on the UPEI Women’s Hockey team and a Bachelor of Business Administration student from Toronto, Ontario. Colle scored a pair of goals in the Panthers 7–2 victory over the weekend against Mount Allison. “It was great to see Rachel break out with two goals on Saturday,” said coach Bruce Donaldson. “She’s a key offensive contributor for the team.”

Mohammad Jaber is a second-year striker on the UPEI Men’s Soccer team and a Bachelor of Science student from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Jaber scored a goal over the weekend in the Panthers victory over Dalhousie University, and notched an assist in the tie game with Acadia. “Mohammad played two great games against Acadia and Dalhousie, setting up a goal and scoring one,” said coach Lewis Page. “After struggling with injury all season, he is out in full force now.”

Don’t forget to pick up your Panther Package! For just $75, the package includes admission to every home game for UPEI Women’s and Men’s Basketball, and UPEI Women’s Hockey. Head to gopanthersgo.ca and click on ‘tickets’!

And don’t forget, UPEI students get into all Panther home games for free. Let’s fill the stands and make 2017–18 the best season ever!

While UPEI Men’s Soccer and Rugby seek fame and glory in the playoffs this weekend, it’s up to the men and women of UPEI Hockey to hold down the fort at home.

UPEI Women’s Hockey hosts Dalhousie University Friday evening at 7:00 pm in MacLauchlan Arena.

“Dal is the only team we have not played against this year, and they are averaging a goal a game better then we are,” said coach Bruce Donaldson. “They’ve a great leader in their captain Lisa MacLean. If we are going to be successful, we need to limit her and her teammates’ scoring opportunities. We need to compete for a full 60 minutes, do a much better job in defending in our zone, and be a lot more willing to block shots, especially on the penalty kill.”

UPEI Men’s Hockey hosts the University of New Brunswick Saturday evening. The Panthers have met the Varsity Reds twice already in the regular season, and have come up on the losing end of both games. The puck drops at 7:00 pm.

The Panther Package is still the best sports deal on the Island! For just $75, the Panther Package gives you admission to every home game for UPEI Women’s and Men’s Basketball, and UPEI Women’s Hockey. Head to gopanthersgo.ca and click on ‘tickets’!

And don’t forget season tickets for UPEI Men’s Hockey! Your $190 dollars gives you a reserved seat, 15 individual tickets, 2-for-1 golf at Fox Meadows Golf and Country Club (until May 31, 2018), a 10% discount card at Source for Sports, 2-for-1 large pizza for the year at Domino’s, and a $50 discount towards your Panther Package!

Remember, UPEI students get into all Panther home games for free. Let’s fill the stands and make 2017–18 the best season ever!

The coaches of UPEI Men’s Rugby are feeling good about the team’s chances heading into this weekend’s NB/PEI Men’s Rugby League championship. Charles Waddell and Kyle Robertson say the Panthers will hit the road for Fredericton first thing Saturday morning to play University of New Brunswick in Fredericton at 2:30 pm.

“We’ve spent the last two weeks working hard on our defensive structure and organization,” said Waddell. “If we can identify when to press, when to shift, and stop UNB's first-phase attack, I’m very optimistic of our chances.”

If the Panthers win Saturday, they’ll host the Nova Scotia champions the following weekend for the Maritime Championship. The winner of that game is invited to the Canadian University Championship in Guelph, Ontario.

The Panthers finished the regular season with a record of 4-2-0, scoring 245 points and only conceding 119. Mark Lloyd led the charge on offence with 59 points; James Coyle led the team in tries, averaging an impressive one try per game.

Waddell also highlights the regular-season efforts ofBen Whalen, Ben Fradsham, Aidan Smith, and Ryan Cheverie, who all finished the season with three tries a piece. Alex “Meatball” Hall chipped in a further 21 points.

Best of luck in Fredericton! Go Panthers Go!

A favourite event among Island writers and literature lovers, the annual public reading by UPEI’s Creative Writing Master Class, will take place on Monday, November 20 at 7:00 pm in the Faculty Lounge of UPEI’s SDU Main Building.

The reading will showcase emerging and seasoned writers: Colleen MacQuarrie, Louise Burley, Kandace Hagen, Lorraine Clements, Michelle Barton, Hailey Hennessey, Allysha Leuschen, Rose Henbest, Morgan Sewell, Lorraine Rumson, Elaine Graham, and Victoria Jewells.

Several writers will read from their memoirs—about growing up in a boarding house in downtown Charlottetown, of witnessing decades of transformations in an eastern PEI rural community, of coming of age on a Saskatchewan farm amidst the richness of the Prairie landscape, of being the parent of a transgendered child, and of dealing with physical disabilities and corrective surgery.

Fiction writers and poets will give us glimpses of a passionate affair between a puritanical man and a sensual woman; a friendship between a young prince and a stable boy in a medieval kingdom; the challenges of gender identity, sexuality, and amorous relationships in the 21^st century; the blessings and tribulations of childhood and parenting; the vortex of substance abuse and rehabilitation; the spectrum of longings, sorrows, revelations, and joys that rainbows our lives.   

The reading is sponsored by the UPEI English Department. Admission is free. All are welcome.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island. 

Researchers from Health PEI and UPEI’s Kinesiology program are seeking participants to take part in a twelve-week exercise-training program. Participants will perform a medically supervised exercise-training program, based on their fitness, skill level, and personal interests.

Participants must be between 40 and 60 years of age, and have a blood pressure above 120/80, or be taking medication to control their blood pressure. The program runs 12 weeks starting the week of January 8. Volunteers will receive a fitness test the first and last week of the program, separated by twelve weeks of supervised aerobic and strength training.

All exercise will take place in the Patient Centred Research Clinic in UPEI’s Steel Building. Parking is free. No previous experience is necessary.

For more information, or to sign up, contact Katie Beck at ExerciseRx@upei.ca.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island. 

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Kiera Rigby and Mark Lloyd, the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for October 30–November 5!

Kiera Rigby is a fifth-year forward on the UPEI Women’s Basketball team, and an honours science student from Charlottetown. Rigby averaged 18 points per game over two games this past weekend, and shot an impressive 41% from the field and 74% from the foul line. She also averaged four rebounds and three steals per game. “Kiera had two outstanding offensive games against Saint Mary’s, picking up where she left off last year,” said coach Greg Gould. “She also played one of her best defensive games.”

Mark Lloyd is a third-year stand-off on the UPEI Men’s Rugby team, and a Bachelor of Business Administration student from Stratford, PEI. The Panthers defeated the University of New Brunswick over the weekend to win the NB/PEI University Men’s Rugby Championship and will host St. Francis Xavier University this Saturday for the Maritimes championship. “One player who really stood out Saturday night was Mark Lloyd,” said coach Charles Waddell. “He kicked three of four conversions, two of two penalty attempts, and scored the game-winning try. Mark controlled the game very well and made sure we played in the right areas from the fly-half position.”

Don’t forget to pick up your Panther Package! For just $75, the package includes admission to every home game for UPEI Women’s and Men’s Basketball, and UPEI Women’s Hockey. Head to gopanthersgo.ca and click on ‘tickets’!

And don’t forget, UPEI students get into all Panther home games for free. Let’s fill the stands and make 2017–18 the best season ever!

There are still tickets available to help honour three important members of the UPEI athletics community at the UPEI Sports Legacy Celebration. George Morrison, Barb Mullaly (posthumously), and Alanna Taylor will be inducted into the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame at its UPEI Sports Legacy Celebration on Thursday, November 9, 2017.

The UPEI Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 2001 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletic programs at the University of Prince Edward Island, Saint Dunstan's University, or Prince of Wales College. Each year, individual athletes, teams, and builders are inducted to honour their contributions towards the University's athletic success or community leadership.

The three inductees will formally take their place in Panther history at the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame Gala Reception and Dinner, which will be held November 9 in the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. The reception begins at 6:15 pm with dinner at 7:00 pm.

Tickets for the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame Gala are $50 each and can be purchased by dropping by or calling the Panther Central desk at 902-566-0368.

UPEI’s Faculty of Business will hold an information session for those interested in its Executive MBA program. The event will be Wednesday, November 22 at 5:00 pm at The Gallery in The Guild in Charlottetown.

UPEI’s EMBA program offers a high-quality learning experience for working business professionals. The program is designed for those working in, or aspiring to work, in a management or leadership position. Classes are offered bi-weekly on Fridays and Saturdays with the option to complete the program in 20 months.

Learn more about the program and application process, have your questions answered, and meet with staff from the Faculty of Business. To reserve a seat, contact 902-566-6474 or mba@upei.ca.

For more information about UPEI’s Executive MBA program, please visit upei.ca/business/emba or contact the MBA Coordinator at 902-566-6474.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

The UPEI Faculty of Nursing is hosting a Master of Nursing Open House on Wednesday, November 22 from 6:00–8:00 pm in the Health Sciences Building, room 105. Speak with current Master of Nursing students to hear about their journey in the program, tour the facilities, and have your questions answered. Refreshments will be served.

All nurses in PEI are invited to attend!

Questions? Contact Dr. Janet Bryanton, jbryanton@upei.ca, or 902-628-4344.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.