Picture this. You’ve set up an appointment to meet someone you don¹t know. You’ve settled on the date, the place, the time, and the topic. And now you’ve got to figure our what you¹re looking for. That is, unless you want to go from person to person saying “are you Sonia?” “Oh. Sorry.” again and…
Seven campaigns. Seven years. Seven goals met. And now it’s time to move along. David Jeffrey, Executive Director of United Way for Simcoe County since 1997, arrived here to develop the United Way’s Leadership Development Program. He¹s ended up building tremendous teams to lead the campaign and the organization’s main activities. He took on the…
For just a minute… close your eyes and picture utopia. Developmentally handicapped children and adults living, experiencing, learning, socializing, laughing, singing, working alongside a similar number of companions. Keep your eyes closed and let them graze over 300 acres of strem, valleys, maple woods, trails, fields, grassy laneways. See cows, chickens, a thriving egg operation,…
When dogs see Randy Thompson coming, their tails wag, their ears rise, and tongues pant! When dog owners see Randy with his treat cart in hand, they are eager to select a treat bag for their pooch at home. What is it about dogs? That unconditional love, no matter what? That spirit? That energy? Whatever…
Justice is 20 years old. He lives in the province of the Zulu people, near a city called Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. This main city is home to a quarter-million people, maybe twice the size of the City of Barrie. Justice was one of six children born to his family: mom, dad, brother, four sisters. In…
My friend, John, has a fabulous collection of decoys. Some are primitive, hand hacked wooden pieces which saw early use. Others are more elaborately carved, perfect copies of specific species. Hundreds in all… John’s enthused. So, when Joe Fossey asked me if I knew much about decoys, I said I knew there were lots and…
They’ve taken down the hardhat hanging on the door to room 3018. That’s where Constance hang her hat. Room 3018 at Grove Park Home. And ‘Constance’ was the nickname given to the woman who became the poster girl for Grove Park’s million dollar capital campaign. When Barrie’s oldest restirement and longterm care residence launched its…
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day. And, regardless of our ages, and of our genders, there is cause for celebration. Truly. For my daughters, there is the solid knowledge that they can choose to do anything they want and they can be successful for it. Their gender won’t stop them from holding down a full time…
It’s a good thing Bruce came back to Barrie. Born and educated here, he grew up on the Peacock homestead in Midhurst. The Peacock homestead was right beside the train station where Bruce’s parents ran one of two corner stores in the Midhurst area. Bruce went through school, did his fair share of antics and…
It all started with a trip to Aunt Margaret’s. It was 1958. Irene and Alex Simms moved from Russell, Manitoba to the huge metropolis of Toronto. One of the first things they did was connect with a relative in Frankford… Aunt Margaret Loney. That visit proved to be life-changing for Irene Simms and it culminated…