Every year, librarians across the province read like crazy (I expect they always read like crazy) and nominate their favourite 100 books by Canadian authors for that year. Those 100 books are celebrated and then by committee they’re whittled down to the best. It’s called the Evergreen Nominees. I’ve just read one of the 10…
You know those reality shows about hoarders? I tell you, when they come on television, my first husband grabs the remote and clicks away with the plaintive cry, “I can’t stand to see this. It makes me really anxious.” I always thought his anxiety came from sympathy for those with this affliction. Maybe not. Maybe…
Well, I tell you, I was ‘ticked off’ when the Longterm Care place that is now mom’s home called with a recent problem. Mom had received a ‘bill’ from the Police Association of Ontario and she was quite agitated, trying to find a chequebook, envelope and stamps. She has none of these things anymore as…
When Rob Warman called to tell me that the Veterans Club of Barrie was initiating its first female president in its 74 year history, I didn’t know whether to applaud or cry. 74 years??? Women have long participated in the armed forces and in both war and peacekeeping efforts, so you can appreciate my reaction. …
When I was a little girl, say four or five, I got to see my Grandpa Douglas three or four times a year. And when we had alone time, I remember so clearly sitting beside him, his hand on his knee. I would reach over and take his knuckle between my two fingers and squeeze…
The believers behind the building of Hospice Simcoe knew how important the facility would be. They knew that people can’t always die at home; and that most of the time the wrong place to die is in a hospital. The staff, volunteers, fundraising coordinators, and ultimate believers like Dr Rick Irvin… they knew how important…
Nena Kaczanowski (now LaMarre) was 14 when she achieved her Grade 10 piano. And she was 14 when she started teaching piano, carrying 10-12 students all through high school. She was in the first violin class in elementary school in the region. She was the first person to perform a concert on the newly built…
When Patricia Phillips cuddled her first baby, Ryan, to her breast, she knew something wasn’t right. A year later, her daughter Kara had similar behaviours. Both were subsequently diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Called the children’s disease, Patricia was told not to expect either of her children to live past age 10. In 1982 and 83…
Very shortly, the wrecking ball will begin the process of taking down the old IGA, now the 24-hour Foodland on Mulcaster St near Collier. The store is coming down to make way for a substantial condo/commercial/residential development. Ultimately there will be a bigger Food Store incorporated into the development. But, that will take some time….
Next to Downtown and Allandale, the East End was the first part of Barrie to be developed. Kempenfelt Drive was a horse path in early years and the first stately homes were built along Blake St. Farms dotted the field of what is now Codrington St, and the road to Shanty Bay was an unpaved,…