For once, Barrie is considered south! Torontonians speak of Barrie as if we’re at the north pole. But CreeWest is centred in Moose Factory and for its CEO Ron Basaraba, Barrie is very, very south. Ron Basaraba and CreeWest GP and CreeWest Air are open to doing business in the north with businesses from the…
Lots of grumbling about teachers these days, but if we set aside the political agenda, we can look at some pretty fabulous occurrences… and they’re all starting in the classroom! Sandi and John Porter coordinate teachers and schools’ giving for Christmas Cheer. They work thoroughly and pleasantly, ensuring the fabulous Sinton’s Bus Line and First…
It’s that time. It’s because they believe that Everyone deserves to have a Christmas that the two dozen people who direct Barrie’s Christmas Cheer organization are in heavy planning stages. Daily reports of cheques coming in; calls from businesses for drop boxes for toys and food; events being held as Christmas Cheer fundraisers; school kids…
It’s that time. Christmas and giving are certainly tied together in our culture. The demographic of young families and heart-stopping lists is busy right now, combing store flyers, making clandestine stops to get it right. And then there’s the group of Christmas buyers no longer tied to that kind of magic. They’re looking for gifts…
26 years ago. 1986. Many Barrie houses still had TV antennae towers. The ‘early adopters’ had laid out big bucks for a new VCR in the entertainment area. The Molson Centre hadn’t been built. There were a couple of bars downtown and the movie theatres were downtown. No Sunday shopping. Nothing was in the southend……
As a special needs withdrawal teacher in the public school system, Janette Boyter’s job was to help kids learn in the most effective possible way. Each of her students was diagnosed with a specific special need, making learning just that much harder. Usually, it would mean taking them into her quiet classroom so she and…
Last Sunday, thousands of Barrie residents crowded the downtown cenotaph. They applauded veterans, old and young. They applauded the cadets who will come after us. They applauded the Silver Cross Mother. They applauded Al Zaba who took the salute as the memorial services came to a close. Thirty six hours later, Al Zaba was gone,…
Did you rake leaves last weekend? Clean gutters? Pick up branches felled by Hurricane Sandy? Sweep out the garage? Realize you need 25 more bags? Yup. I’m sore. But the yard looks wonderful and the roof is swept clean for winter (I hope). It was Sunday afternoon and if I could just push through a…
It was one of those weekends longed for by grandparents… a whole two nights and two days with a two year old. (yes, I’m serious) Preparation includes totally clearing your calendar. And that was the thrill for me last weekend when 32 month Harper came to stay. An anniversary weekend away for kid three; and…
When Julia Whiteguard left her high-pressured job in logistics, it was to give birth to her son. Like all expectant parents, Julia expected a healthy, happy child to arrive in her life. She got the happy little boy that is enriching her days and his food sensitivity and allergy challenges have changed Julia’s life and…