Column 119 When Barry Peacock announced the merger of Kempenfelt Graphics with Cober Evolving Solutions out of Kitchener recently, it was exciting news for the printing industry. For Barry and son Chris, who is president of Kempenfelt Graphics, the move blends two families with similar community feelings and beliefs into one very high tech…
Column 118 “We bask in his energy, get annoyed with his exuberance, shake our heads at his boundlessness and treasure his genuineness” Those are the words on an award to Dr Rick Irvin from Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. As I spoke with Rick Irvin about his commitment to life and living and dying…
Column 117 It was a really good idea. That should have worked. Last fall, my first husband and I decided to spend a winter week at our very simple, very remote cottage on Georgian Bay. When I say ‘simple’ I mean winter living means hauling buckets of water from a hole in the ice,…
Column 116 Licking. You know. You stick out your tongue, open the flap of an envelope, run your tongue along the gummy edge, hoping not to get a paper cut, and then stick down the flap. Licking. When Canada Post created its reactive hullabaloo before Christmas, saying some of us are losing our door…
Column 115 In this past year, 2013, Barrie has lost from its ‘old’ self a number of the people who were part of its big town/small city glory days. Bob Tuck was one of them. To try to capture Bob’s personality, his essential-ness is a great challenge. Too young to fight in World War…
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Column 114 Helen Brown, 5 words: kind, compassionate, humble, generous, humorous. If you were lucky enough to know Helen, you’ll have your own words to add to these. Helen took her leave of this earth last Wednesday afternoon, after several years of physical challenges that left her body struggling and her mind intact. Her…
Column 113 Patti Smith, in the 80’s, was Human Resources Assistant Director for a privately owned hospital run by immigrant doctors for refugees and immigrants. This Toronto facility was established so new Canadians, already struggling with language, could be medically treated in their own language while they became accustomed to life in Canada. Patti…
Column 112 Mike Rudkins’ business likely took root when he was a kid, living at then Camp Borden with his military dad. A military family, Mike and his mom Elaine and all the little Rudkins moved into Barrie in the late 60’s when his dad retired from military service. So Mike feels like he’s…
Column 111 The birds are just starting their spring tweets. The air is warm off the waters of Lake Ontario. Jean Cadue opens her eyes to greet another morning. She is 40 years old. She lives in Gananoque with her eight year old son. She’s lived in “Gan” her whole life. Jean’s business, a…