Picture this. You’re in an aeroplane, ready for takeoff. The pilot comes on and announces this is his first flight. In the back of your mind, you hope this pilot is pretty terrific. Imagine if you discovered that the airline’s hiring practices included two interviews and a reference check? It’s comforting to know that a…
It’s been said that you’re never famous in your home town. That may be true. But here, in our home town, nestled into her comfortable home at Minet’s Point, is a visionary, courageous, insightful, energetic woman whose impact in this community is rooted deeply. Recently celebrating her 77th birthday, one can look back to 1971…
Stand for a moment and listen to the voices. The voices of negativity, of blame, of complacency, of hopelessness. Watch wanton vandalism. Look at 42 years of communism which seem so deepseated in your country’s veins that freedom doesn’t seem to take hold. Stand a moment and look at your toddler children. Wonder what is…
When Jean Cowper stands up on Tuesday, May 11 to receive the W.H. Little Award as Barrie Citizen of the Year, her friends will no doubt cheer. The folks she volunteers with at the Legion will be busy serving the sandwiches that Jean so often helps them make. Her kids and grandkids will smile. After…
It’s always a shock when something that seems like forever just stops. That’s the case with Justin Motors. Run by Herb Justin since he assumed the reins from his father, this modest structure that anchors the V connecting High St with Bradford St has more history than many books. To see a large Auction sign…
My journalism career started officially 35 years ago (eee-gad!) at the Kingston Whig Standard. Owned by the Davies family (Robertson and Arthur) it was a respected daily newspaper and a pillar in the political, cultural, medical, and university communities. After awhile in general news, I was assigned as the Arts, Culture, Entertainment writer. A beat….
Why should people living in the south end care about what happens on Dunlop St.? If your centre of commerce is Bryne Dr., what does it matter whether or not there’s a drug store in the downtown core? In fact, why would any of it matter unless you live downtown? It matters a lot. Take…
For more than half her life, 27 year old Jennifer Robinson has pursued a single goal. She has lived in Barrie, moving here from her native Windsor, to dedicate her every waking moment to becoming a world class figure skater. While other young women were giggling at the cosmetic counter, or trying on wobbly high…
Some time back in one of these columns (in the year 2000, I believe) I was reminiscing about homes in the Barrie area, and what their former lives had included. For instance, before the Bayclub was built in the 70’s, there was a Supertest Station on the corner, and two stately homes towards Albert St….
A few months ago I found myself in a volunteer position, enthused, excited, eager to put my skills and energies into something concrete. Part of a terrific team of people, this effort looked like it would be as much fun as it was work. Except for one stumbling block. A bully. You’d think that bullies…