Contained in the CFL: Laval girl ensures Alouettes gamers take pleasure in a style of house

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It started innocently sufficient, as do most traditions, at the least a decade in the past.

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Heather Lowengren, a Laval resident and diehard Alouettes fan courting to the late Nineteen Sixties, knew it was placekicker Sean Whyte’s birthday and realized that together with his household in British Columbia, he’d most likely be spending it alone. She thought baking a cake could be a bit extravagant, however a muffin, brownie or cupcake appeared like a extra affordable gesture.

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“They had been on a dropping streak,” the bubbling 71-year-old stated this week. “As soon as I began giving them brownies they began profitable, so that they instructed me I couldn’t cease. So I didn’t. What number of years in the past was that? It’s a very long time in the past.

“I simply spoil the boys with a bit deal with.”

What started as a lark — no pun meant — has blossomed right into a weekly custom for Lowengren, whatever the climate. This week, regardless of a morning downpour and overcast situations, she got here to apply lugging two containers full of 4 cut-up watermelons, 200 frozen ice pops, oatmeal cookies and a few blueberry muffins.

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“It’s heavy to elevate, however I’m sturdy,” the mom of two and grandmother of three stated, laughing, whereas noting she makes use of a trolley to assist transport the meals.

With the latest warmth wave in Montreal, Lowengren was loath to spend an excessive amount of time baking. However with temperatures anticipated to chill subsequent week, she vowed to spend a day within the kitchen concocting the gamers’ favorite treats.

Lowengren gained’t reveal her weekly expenditure and stated she by no means spends greater than a full day within the kitchen baking, which sends scrumptious scents wafting via her house. The Alouettes group takes excellent care of the retired nurse’s aide, giving her two season tickets and post-game subject entry.

“This can be a break for me and I like to be right here,” she stated. “I want I may very well be right here extra, however I can’t. The sport is the whole lot to me. I’m in a position to get on the sector after the sport, see the gamers and congratulate them … inform them it was an ideal sport or (when the Als lose) inform them: ‘OK, you continue to performed 100 per cent, win or lose.’

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“There’s nothing I can take away from them or what I say. These are my boys. They’re my household. In relation to the Alouettes, name me something however don’t name me late to the sport as a result of I don’t need to miss it.”

When the Als performed towards Toronto virtually two weeks in the past, Lowengren discovered former Montreal receiver Brandon London within the Molson Stadium stands. She met Argonauts common supervisor Mike Clemons for the primary time and, after the sport, had a short go to with linebacker Adarius Pickett, who left the Als as a free agent final winter, signing with Toronto. Sunday evening, when the Als host Calgary, she hopes to mingle post-game with Stampeders assistant coach Nik Lewis, who accomplished his profession with Montreal.

As a lot as Lowengren relishes these weekly forays, her efforts haven’t been misplaced on the gamers, a few of whom merely say hiya or give her a hug with out dipping into the treats. Tailback William Stanback, with the Als since 2018, stated Lowengren has change into an necessary a part of his household’s life, the 2 typically speaking on social media.

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“Not solely is she my fan, she has change into my pal and a mom determine in my life,” Stanback stated whereas nibbling on a grape frozen deal with. “She means so much to me. Each time I see her face throughout the week of the sport or on sport day, it brings a smile to my face and warms my coronary heart.”

These weekly excursions have change into therapeutic to Lowengren, who has skilled her share of tragedy. Gerry, her husband of 51 years, suffers from dementia, whereas Lowengren’s son-in-law died by suicide 5 years in the past.

“It’s powerful,” she admitted. “That is my day, my escape and it’s my soccer household. They’re all my household. I like all of the boys. I like their youngsters and their households.”

A newlywed on the time, Lowengren and her husband survived the September 1972 hearth that claimed 37 victims on the Blue Fowl Café and Wagon Wheel Membership. They’d gone there, accompanied by her sister and brother-in-law, to have a good time Lowengren’s twenty first birthday and had been strolling up the steps to the bar when she smelled gasoline. Lowengren grabbed her husband of three months and escaped via the kitchen along with her different members of the family.

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It took Lowengren months to get well, uncomfortable in social settings. Greater than a half-century later, she nonetheless should sit near the door at a restaurant or espresso store. She attends the memorial each Sept. 1, laying one flower for every of the 37 who died.

Lowengren has been near many gamers who’ve been traded, launched or left as free brokers. Amongst her favourites, she admitted, had been receiver Eugene Lewis, who signed with Edmonton, and quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who misplaced his job to Trevor Harris final season and finally was traded to B.C.

“I’m nonetheless right here and I’m going to be right here for so long as I’m in a position to do it,” Lowengren stated.

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