New ground for the community Y

Wow. What a wonderful weekend we just experienced. I attended, with my Bed and Breakfast guests, the  opening ceremony for the 22nd Annual Festival of Northern Lights and then the 64th Annual Kiwanis Santa Claus parade. The guests were delighted with both and I am reminded how proud we all are of  Owen Sound and especially how festive it looks at this time of year.

Also this weekend, another big event was the initial sod turning for the start of the new $33 million accessible recreational centre to be built on the Victoria Park site. This is a huge financial commitment for the citizens and we have all levels of government involved along with City and the local Y. And I will be proud to do my part.

Way back growing up in Owen Sound my membership in the Y was sponsored and I started volunteering, teaching swimming lessons in the "Old" Y  basement pool on the corner of tenth and third Ave East. I attended teen town dances there every Friday night and then attended a Leadership camp sponsored by the Y's Men Club. I continued  volunteering in many leadership capacities  and then helped  Dr Paul Hauch with his swim team in London while I was attending Teacher's College there. I had dreamed of becoming a Y General Manager and learned I would need to go to Sir George Williams College in Montreal. But my path lead me to getting my PHT (Putting Hubby Through) while George attended Western Medical School.

When George came into general practice in Owen Sound in 1966, I again started volunteering at the then" New"Y  on 2nd Ave E. and I have been an ongoing member all these past 43 years.  So I have watched the pool age and get patched up and keep going for all this time. And I got my dreams of leading in the Y well realized by having a stint as the Y President, doing fundraising to burn the mortgage in 1977 and continuing to teach aquafit for years and years. Now I attend as a happy participant two to three  times a week.  And I often think "What would I ever do if we didn't have this pool?"

So, yes I will help support the new rec  centre. And at this time of year, I give thanks for the amazing gardens George helped create here at Memory Garden Retreats. Keeling printers have helped me print another gift calendar. This year's quotes and photos will now be part of this web site but if you would like me to mail you a calendar gift just contact me through this site.

And have a Happy Holiday Season.