It’s a pattern, I guess. I’m thinking back to when we were loading up a half ton pickup truck with all of our possessions (yes, they all fit, one trip) to make the drive from Kingston to Barrie. It was Dec 27, 1970. My first husband had found employment with Val and Ralph Snelgrove’s TV…
Robert Thompson is an important link between you and I, thrift stores and the developing world, countries with so much poverty that daily necessities like clothes are financially out of reach. Nice place to be, especially if you can make your living at it. Let me back up a minute before introducing Robert and his…
In his mid-30’s, Bob McCreary stood on a bleak March day inside a damp gathering room at Toronto’s Riverdale Crematorium. His childhood best friend, David, from Deep River, ON, was in a simple coffin at the room’s centre. His friend’s young children, about 6 and 7 were sitting with their mother. A few family and…
Most of you won’t be able to imagine this… 1946: Barrie’s population 10,153. Water laps the train tracks which hug the buildings in downtown Barrie. No Lakeshore Dr or any parks. Carley’s and Delaney’s marinas rent rowboats for a season for $8. A 14 foot wooden boat, finished with several coats of marine varnish cost…
For several years now I’ve been developing a bucket list… those important things I want to do between work-life and final address change. Joining a book club was up near the top. So is catching up the kids photo albums… honestly, they’ve spent the last half of their lives as jpegs, but that’s another column….
I asked Craig Busch how old he was when he started his business. It actually began in 1985 and today embraces seven companies in two countries, exporting internationally. “I was 15,” he said. “But not when I started Busch Systems. First I designed and made jewellery; then I had an extensive paperroute. Then I was…
If Lynn Price were developing an organization chart, her position of CAO would be at the bottom. Just above it would be all the second-in-commands, those overseeing specialty areas. Above them would be the employees, the administrative, finance, policy, and front line people. At the top of Lynn’s org chart would be the clients. Lynn…
I’m writing this sitting at a makeshift table in a back office at Christmas Cheer. We have cavernous space this year, and it’s quickly filled up with toys and food and donated goodness. A virtual army of volunteers has found us on Tiffin St and filled out the volunteer forms, donned a name tag and…
There they go… aren’t they cute? Look at the mismatched plaid; and do you think she knows she’s wearing those colours together? They are SO cute! Yup, that’s where we’re headed, my first husband and I. It occurred to me this week when I hauled my navy blue dress slacks out of the closet. Turned…
There are over 90 donor boxes for food and toys all over Barrie. There are coin boxes in coffee shops and TD banks. The website accepts online donations. The postal box, #161, Barrie, L4M 4T2 is waiting for envelopes full of cheques. Book clubs are buying children’s books to donate. Company Christmas parties are focussing…