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Season’s Greetings<br />

Despite comments posted in our last <strong>newsletter</strong>,<br />

we’ve decided to publish at least one more edition of<br />

Pan<strong>the</strong>r Tracks Retraced to update you on news<br />

related to PDHS Reunion 2010 and inform you of<br />

some outstanding issues from our September 17 th ,<br />

18 th 19 th weekend get-toge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

First off, let me say a BIG THANK YOU to all who<br />

sent <strong>the</strong>ir kind remarks to <strong>the</strong> committee as a whole<br />

for our efforts in organizing PDHS Reunion 2010.<br />

We are truly grateful for <strong>the</strong> positive feedback.<br />

Speaking on behalf of our committee members, I’m<br />

sure <strong>the</strong>y all agree it was truly our pleasure to put<br />

<strong>the</strong> event toge<strong>the</strong>r. But it was really you -<strong>the</strong> former<br />

students and staff of <strong>the</strong> school- who made <strong>the</strong><br />

reunion so successful <strong>by</strong> supporting our efforts<br />

through your attendance and/or messages of<br />

support even from a few who weren’t able to attend.<br />

Hopefully, <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> time this <strong>newsletter</strong> reaches you,<br />

you will have already received <strong>the</strong> CD that we<br />

promised would be in your hands before <strong>the</strong> end of<br />

November. That date has been delayed due to a move<br />

in business locations <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> company assigned <strong>the</strong> task<br />

of producing <strong>the</strong>m. We hope to have <strong>the</strong> CDs produced<br />

and delivered to you shortly.<br />

The CD is filled with all <strong>the</strong> photos that appear on<br />

<strong>the</strong> website and many, many more. It will definitely<br />

be a keepsake in years to come thanks to <strong>the</strong><br />

tremendous efforts of Dave DeBruine who spend<br />

innumerable hours digitally enhancing some of <strong>the</strong><br />

images and <strong>the</strong>n burning <strong>the</strong>m into <strong>the</strong> master disc.<br />

We again thank Bob Howes, Michael Southam,<br />

Michelle (Apps) Baddoo and Dave DeBruine for<br />

capturing so many beautiful moments through <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

combined photographic talents.<br />

In this edition we’ve also posted several additional<br />

photos taken during <strong>the</strong> reunion weekend. These<br />

were supplied <strong>by</strong> Molly (Foulds) Cherry from her<br />

personal collection. And unlike <strong>the</strong> first multi-page<br />

<strong>newsletter</strong> produced after <strong>the</strong> reunion, we’ve tried to<br />

identify <strong>the</strong> people captured in <strong>the</strong>se <strong>can</strong>did<br />

moments to remember.<br />

On page 2, you will find Dave “Woody” Scott’s latest<br />

comments and some preliminary information<br />

regarding a proposed Booster Club for PDHS…a<br />

worthwhile project that may be of interest to many of<br />

our readers. Fur<strong>the</strong>r details will follow.<br />

Ken Spencer<br />

Shall we do it again?<br />

As we casually glanced upon <strong>the</strong> masses of people attending <strong>the</strong> Meet<br />

and Greet opening to <strong>the</strong> reunion weekend; <strong>the</strong> crowds that ga<strong>the</strong>red<br />

for School Daze in <strong>the</strong> hallowed halls and <strong>the</strong>n onto <strong>the</strong> field of PDHS<br />

on Saturday; <strong>the</strong>n re-ga<strong>the</strong>red for <strong>the</strong> Dinner and Dance at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Paris</strong><br />

Fairgrounds, <strong>the</strong>re is no doubt ano<strong>the</strong>r reunion is certainly desirable.<br />

But how far down <strong>the</strong> road?<br />

That’s up to you to decide, but let’s hope it doesn’t take ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

nineteen years to plan. The smiles, <strong>the</strong> hugs and yes even <strong>the</strong> tears of<br />

joy on so many faces that were evident at this year’s reunion certainly<br />

said “Let’s do it again”.<br />

IT’S HARD TO FORGET OUR YOUTHFUL DAYS AT SCHOOL<br />

It has been a few months since we ga<strong>the</strong>red to celebrate PDHS<br />

Reunion 2010, but for many of us, those precious moments of returning<br />

to <strong>the</strong> school and meeting up with old friends and classmates will<br />

remain in our memory bank for a long time to come.<br />

T<strong>here</strong> is little doubt <strong>the</strong> Town of <strong>Paris</strong>, as well as <strong>the</strong> school, is deeply<br />

woven into people who have long since left <strong>the</strong> area to pursue <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

careers or to establish new roots. This is evident from <strong>the</strong> numerous<br />

comments many have expressed in recalling <strong>the</strong>ir past as <strong>Paris</strong> and<br />

area youngsters and former students of PHS and PDHS.<br />

It is almost impossible to record <strong>the</strong> success of all former <strong>Paris</strong> and<br />

area students who attended PHS and PDHS during <strong>the</strong> period covered<br />

<strong>by</strong> our reunion. The numbers will astound you.<br />

In this edition of Pan<strong>the</strong>r Tracks Retraced we’ve highlighted three<br />

among those who attended <strong>the</strong> school reunion whose successes after<br />

leaving PDHS continue to provide thousands of us with enjoyable<br />

hours of entertainment though <strong>the</strong>ir special talents in <strong>the</strong> arts.<br />

Hopefully, we will be able to feature more articles on past graduates<br />

and former <strong>Paris</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>High</strong> School students in subsequent editions.


Board recognizes <strong>Paris</strong> <strong>High</strong> as first<br />

Eco-certified school<br />

By Casandra Bellefeuille – <strong>Paris</strong> Star<br />

December 2, 2010<br />

Representatives from <strong>the</strong> Grand Erie <strong>District</strong> School Board<br />

were at PDHS on Friday to present <strong>the</strong> high school with a<br />

special plaque for obtaining certification as an Eco-School, <strong>the</strong><br />

first accomplishment of its kind within <strong>the</strong> school board.<br />

Pictured from left to right are Mike Tancredi, manager of facility<br />

services for GEDSB; Matt Miller, a PDHS graduate and an<br />

originating member of <strong>the</strong> school s Eco-Club; Melissa<br />

Snodgrass, a Grade 10 student and Eco-Club member; Tara<br />

Topping, Eco-Club teacher advisor; John Forbeck, Director of<br />

Education for <strong>the</strong> GEDSB; Katie Hasimoto, environmental<br />

coordinator for <strong>the</strong> GEDSB; and Shayne Mann, PDHS principal.<br />

Photo <strong>by</strong> Casandra Bellefeuille<br />

Representatives of <strong>the</strong> Grand Erie <strong>District</strong> School Board were<br />

in <strong>Paris</strong> last week to applaud <strong>the</strong> eco-friendly efforts of <strong>the</strong><br />

students at PDHS.<br />

<strong>Paris</strong> high was presented with a congratulatory plaque for<br />

successfully completing <strong>the</strong> mandatory requirements of <strong>the</strong><br />

Ontario EcoSchools education program. <strong>Paris</strong> is <strong>the</strong> first<br />

school in <strong>the</strong> school board to become certified under <strong>the</strong><br />

environmental education program. As a result of <strong>the</strong>ir efforts,<br />

four o<strong>the</strong>r Grand Erie schools are currently working towards<br />

an EcoSchools status, said John Forbeck, director of<br />

education for <strong>the</strong> school board.<br />

Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education program<br />

for Grades 1-12 that helps students to develop ecological<br />

literacy while engaged in practices to become<br />

environmentally responsible citizens. Throughout <strong>the</strong><br />

certification process, <strong>Paris</strong> implemented a 100% recycling<br />

policy, which helped reduce <strong>the</strong>ir amount of garbage <strong>by</strong> 40%.<br />

The school revamped its courtyard to include more<br />

indigenous plants, while computer and appliance usage was<br />

cut drastically. The school also held an electronic waste event<br />

to recycle used electronics. The school's Eco Club spent an<br />

afternoon last spring <strong>can</strong>oeing down <strong>the</strong> Grand River and<br />

picking up discarded garbage.<br />

<strong>Paris</strong> is now recognized as a 'bronze certified' school, but<br />

Eco-Club Teacher/Advisor Tara Topping hopes <strong>the</strong> students<br />

will take <strong>the</strong> necessary steps to improve <strong>the</strong>ir certification to<br />

silver in <strong>the</strong> years to come. The school's next focus is on<br />

energy conservation and water consumption.<br />

Members of <strong>the</strong> board's facility services and environmental<br />

team were on hand last Friday to present <strong>the</strong> entire student<br />

body with <strong>the</strong> special award, accepted <strong>by</strong> Grade 10 student<br />

(and Eco Club member) Melissa Snodgrass<br />

Booster Club Meeting News<br />

Hi everyone, it's only been a couple of months since we last got<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r and still <strong>the</strong> interest, comments<br />

and memories continue. I will be sending<br />

out <strong>the</strong> CD'S very soon (<strong>the</strong>y are being<br />

burned as I write)<br />

AND I'd like for you to read <strong>the</strong> following<br />

email I have received from Shayne Mann<br />

regarding a booster club that sounds really<br />

interesting.<br />

Hope you are all well and enjoying<br />

yourselves,<br />

Dave (Woody) Scott<br />

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<br />

A great deal of excitement and energy was in <strong>the</strong> air in September<br />

when hundreds of PDHS alumni came back to <strong>the</strong> school and to<br />

<strong>Paris</strong> to reconnect with <strong>the</strong>ir former classmates. Many of <strong>the</strong>se<br />

alumni expressed a desire to continue to contribute to <strong>the</strong> vitality<br />

of PDHS. To tap into this Pan<strong>the</strong>r pride we are gauging interest in<br />

starting up a Booster Club in support of PDHS. The club is open<br />

to anyone interested in supporting PDHS - alumni, current<br />

students’ parents, community members and any o<strong>the</strong>r interested<br />

people. If you are interested in attending an initial meeting to start<br />

up a Booster Club come out to PDHS; Tuesday, November 23rd<br />

7 p.m. in <strong>the</strong> school library<br />

At <strong>the</strong> meeting we will be discussing how such a club <strong>can</strong> support<br />

PDHS, and what activities <strong>the</strong> club might be involved in. If <strong>the</strong>re<br />

is interest expressed that evening, we will be striking a steering<br />

committee to get <strong>the</strong> ball rolling.<br />

Many thanks,<br />

Shayne Mann<br />

Principal, <strong>Paris</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>High</strong> School<br />

231 Grand River St. N<br />

<strong>Paris</strong>, ON N3L 2N6<br />

519-442-4477 x 275001 Fax 519-442-1997<br />

shayne.mann@granderie.ca<br />

Some brief comments from <strong>the</strong> Booster Club Meeting:<br />

Despite a small turnout to <strong>the</strong> initial meeting on November<br />

23 rd , <strong>the</strong>re was sufficient interest expressed <strong>by</strong> those in<br />

attendance to carry <strong>the</strong> project forward.<br />

T<strong>here</strong> was also positive feedback from alumni, current<br />

students, parents and private citizens who were unable to<br />

attend <strong>the</strong> initial meeting that lead to Principal Mann drafting<br />

three documents for re<strong>view</strong> <strong>by</strong> those in attendance and those<br />

who have contacted him through emails or personal phone calls.<br />

Those documents- A Booster club constitution; a Membership<br />

form; and a Wish list submission template - will be discussed<br />

along with o<strong>the</strong>r business at <strong>the</strong> next meeting scheduled for<br />

January 11 th .<br />

Those interested in <strong>the</strong> PDHS Booster Club should contact<br />

Shayne Mann at <strong>the</strong> school or through his email as noted<br />

above.<br />

Here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy<br />

New Year


October 24, 2010<br />

Hi Dave:<br />

I just wanted to thank you and your crew for <strong>the</strong> excellent job<br />

you did for putting toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> PDHS 2010 Reunion...I so<br />

enjoyed being <strong>the</strong>re and meeting up with so many friends<br />

and classmates. It was like turning back <strong>the</strong> clock to have<br />

<strong>the</strong> opportunity to 'meet and greet' those people I haven't<br />

seen for so many years...It gave me a memory I will never<br />

forget...Thank you, thank you so very much. Sorry it has<br />

taken me so long to send you this message..........<br />

Barb (Moore) Silverthorne<br />

=============================================<br />

October 22, 2010<br />

Dave: Thanks for this (<strong>newsletter</strong>). I thoroughly enjoyed<br />

trying to recognize former students that I had <strong>the</strong> pleasure to<br />

teach or who were on <strong>the</strong> basketball teams that I fondly<br />

remember.<br />

How <strong>the</strong> years have changed those teenagers I met on a<br />

daily basis. TEMPUS FUGIT!!!!<br />

Though I was unable to attend, allow me to add my<br />

congratulations to you & <strong>the</strong> committee for an obviously well<br />

attended & happy reunion. The smiles & laughter visible on<br />

<strong>the</strong> faces of those pictured shows that your efforts were<br />

much appreciated.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

Jerome Godin (P.D.H.S. teacher 1955-1963)<br />

==============================================<br />

November 10, 2010<br />

HI Dave,<br />

How nice to return from a brief holiday and find yet ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

<strong>newsletter</strong> full of pictures of our wonderful reunion! The<br />

weekend was a terrific success and Pete and I wish to thank<br />

you, Ken and Dave Kipp for putting it toge<strong>the</strong>r. Best wishes,<br />

Dallis and Peter Smith<br />

============================================<br />

October 27, 2010<br />

Ken,<br />

I am so pleased to now have a full set of <strong>the</strong> beautiful<br />

‘Pan<strong>the</strong>r Tracks Retraced’ <strong>newsletter</strong>s! <strong>You</strong>r countless<br />

hours of work rekindled <strong>the</strong> passion in all of us fortunate<br />

enough to have ties to high school days in <strong>Paris</strong> – well done!<br />

We are enjoying all of <strong>the</strong> photos on <strong>the</strong> web and <strong>can</strong><br />

imagine <strong>the</strong> fun of reminiscing with old friends from near and<br />

far with a glass in hand.<br />

I hope that you have scheduled some R&R time to shift<br />

gears after 12 months of intense dedication working towards<br />

<strong>the</strong> Reunion.<br />

Kindest regards,<br />

Laura Ritchie<br />

Hi Dave –<br />

I have been remiss in not thanking you for <strong>the</strong> awesome<br />

reunion - and all your hard work to make it happen. I will<br />

try to get to <strong>the</strong> Booster meeting - it sounds like a good<br />

idea - but my granddaughter is having surgery that day<br />

so don't know if I will be able to make it. Please keep me<br />

posted<br />

Annette (Gillies) MacLeod<br />

=========================================<br />

November 9, 2010<br />

Hi Woody!<br />

I have been so negligent in writing to you to thank you for<br />

all of <strong>the</strong> hundreds, no, probably thousands of hours, you<br />

put into organizing such a successful weekend! It was<br />

such fun and so wonderful to reconnect with so many old<br />

faces (pardon <strong>the</strong> expression!!). And it was a great<br />

occasion for we three Hamilton-Wright siblings to have<br />

our own little reunion and toast to our dearly departed<br />

parents at <strong>the</strong> bench dedicated to <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> little<br />

downtown plaza overlooking <strong>the</strong> river!!<br />

I hope that you are now enjoying a return to a sane life<br />

but with fond memories of a great time and <strong>the</strong><br />

satisfaction of knowing how many reconnections you<br />

have played a part in!!<br />

Thanks so much again<br />

Cheers<br />

Hea<strong>the</strong>r Hamilton-Wright<br />

==================================<br />

October 22, 2010<br />

Dear Dave:<br />

It has been a busy time for me since <strong>the</strong> reunion,<br />

however I wanted to make sure I extended my thanks to<br />

you for organizing that fabulous weekend. I wish I had<br />

been able to attend more of it. Diane (Cruickshank) Marr,<br />

Jennifer (Roberts) Ma<strong>the</strong>son and myself had not been<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r as a group for over 35 years. Last week<br />

Jennifer and I went up to New Hamburg and spent <strong>the</strong><br />

day with Diane.<br />

It was almost as if we had never been apart.<br />

We have made plans for regular follow-ups!! So thank<br />

you for enabling us to re-connect.<br />

The whole committee deserves thanks for having<br />

everything well planned and organized.<br />

Take care and thank you again,<br />

Dorothy (Keter) McComb<br />

==========================================<br />

October 28, 2010<br />

Dave<br />

Thank you to all on <strong>the</strong> committee. I am glad I came.<br />

Shirley Godfrey


Zann Charlton, Molly (Foulds) Cherry and Mildred Barrie<br />

(Miss McMillan)<br />

Stan Overbaugh, Judy (Locke) Overbaugh and Dave Scott<br />

Nick Bib<strong>by</strong>, Frank Weaver, Gerald Harmer, Phil Harmer<br />

and Malcolm Byard<br />

Elaine (Abbott) Homich and Muriel (Guthrie)<br />

Ireland<br />

Diane (Peterson) Sibbick, Molly (Foulds)<br />

Cherry and Gord Griffith<br />

Bob Fuller and Gerry Barnhill<br />

L to R Ann (Mogan) Vasilask, Mike Hogan,<br />

Kay (Mogan) Keenan<br />

Back Row- Marie (McHutcheon) Williamson,<br />

Dorothy (Stenson) Guest, Molly (Foulds) Cherry,<br />

Jackie (Moriarity) Prideaux, Norma (Moore)<br />

Lockey -Front row- JoAnn (Bradbury) Wilkin, Ev<br />

(Croome) Harold. Bev (Johnson) McComb<br />

Robin Creeden, Molly (Foulds) Cherry with Bob<br />

and Francis Lainson<br />

Paul Marr, Diane (Cruickshank) Marr, Molly (Foulds) Cherry and Dave Kipp


Schuyler presented with Academy Achievement Award<br />

Local News<br />

By SYLVIE BERRY, QMI AGENCY<br />

PARIS -A local celebrity and familiar face was honoured with a special award recognizing her<br />

exceptional and ongoing contributions within <strong>the</strong> Canadian television industry.<br />

Co-creator and executive producer of <strong>the</strong> award-winning Degrassi franchise, Linda Schuyler of<br />

<strong>Paris</strong>, was <strong>the</strong> recipient of this year's Academy Achievement Award at <strong>the</strong> 25th Annual Gemini<br />

Awards Industry Gala. She was one of five people from Canadian Television presented with a<br />

Gemini Award on Saturday, Nov. 13. The Academy Achievement Award is presented to an<br />

individual for an exceptional, outstanding, or ongoing contribution or service to <strong>the</strong> Canadian<br />

television industry.<br />

The Degrassi Series, which has touched <strong>the</strong> lives of many teen <strong>view</strong>ers, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.<br />

"I think this one [award] was particularly special. To now be able to take this pause and sit back and look at what I've been<br />

able to accomplish over <strong>the</strong> 30 years, along with such a team of great people, it was really wonderful," says Schuyler.<br />

Schuyler recalls that 30 years ago she debated <strong>the</strong> idea of quitting her <strong>the</strong>n full-time job as a teacher. She had dreams of<br />

pursuing <strong>the</strong> life of an independent producer and starting a show that would focus on issues geared to teenagers. It<br />

seems her gamble paid off in spades.<br />

It has won 20 Gemini Awards, two International Emmys, two Prix Jeunesses, two Teen Choice Awards, <strong>the</strong> Critics' Choice<br />

Award and countless o<strong>the</strong>r international honours.<br />

Growing up in <strong>Paris</strong> and<br />

having attended PDHS, she<br />

remembers having <strong>the</strong><br />

opportunity to enjoy many<br />

different disciplines at her<br />

school such as playing on <strong>the</strong><br />

athletic teams, participating in<br />

drama and debate clubs and<br />

being an active member on<br />

school parliament<br />

Degrassi targets teenagers and young adults in a high school setting, based and<br />

filmed in Toronto. The show does not shy away from touching on controversial<br />

topics like abortion, drug use, and even death.<br />

A t this year's Geminis, Schuyler was grateful, as at any o<strong>the</strong>r award ceremony, for<br />

<strong>the</strong> presence of her Degrassi team that accompanied her. In this year's program, a<br />

double page spread full of nearly 2,000 names were listed and paid tribute for <strong>the</strong><br />

work <strong>the</strong>y had committed to Degrassi over <strong>the</strong> 30 years.<br />

"It was really quite lovely when you look and see how many people have been<br />

involved in <strong>the</strong> show and how many people in <strong>the</strong> industry now who at one point in<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir lives have worked on Degrassi," says Schuyler.<br />

Growing up in <strong>Paris</strong> and having attended PDHS, she remembers having <strong>the</strong><br />

opportunity to enjoy many different disciplines at her school such as playing on <strong>the</strong><br />

athletic teams, participating in drama and debate clubs and being an active member on school parliament. Thanks to<br />

those opportunities, Schuyler said she believes <strong>the</strong>y helped with her career as a producer.<br />

"In my job, I find I'm not expert in any one area but I know about all <strong>the</strong> areas of television production and my job is to<br />

encourage people to do <strong>the</strong>ir best work. So I think <strong>the</strong> fact that I could dabble in so many different things was really<br />

producer- in-training stuff," Schuyler commented.<br />

Working on a high school show, Schuyler has built <strong>the</strong> episodes from bits and pieces of her<br />

own experiences and those from <strong>the</strong> team of people surrounding her. But one specific element<br />

from <strong>the</strong> show ties back to her native <strong>Paris</strong> roots: <strong>the</strong> pan<strong>the</strong>r mascot. In Degrassi: The Next<br />

Generation, <strong>the</strong> school mascot is a pan<strong>the</strong>r as it was at PDHS when Schuyler was a student.<br />

"When I needed a mascot in Degrassi, I made sure we had <strong>the</strong> pan<strong>the</strong>r," laughs Schuyler.<br />

Today, she revisits <strong>Paris</strong> as often as possible to visit family and <strong>the</strong> growing community she<br />

once grew up in.<br />

"It's such a beautiful town. I love coming home."<br />

Schuyler and her team are in <strong>the</strong> process of wrapping up season 10 of Degrassi: The Next<br />

Generation and are starting to write <strong>the</strong> script for season 11.<br />

Schuyler also keeps busy with o<strong>the</strong>r projects, such as her support for <strong>the</strong> children's advocacy organization called 'Free<br />

The Children,' and <strong>the</strong>ir worldwide initiatives. In 2008, she joined <strong>the</strong> cast and travelled to Kenya to participate in a schoolbuilding<br />

project.<br />

Schuyler is co-founder of Epitome Pictures, which also produced Instant Star and <strong>the</strong> primetime soap Riverdale. She is a<br />

member of <strong>the</strong> Order of Canada.


‘<strong>Paris</strong> has been <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>rload of my<br />

creative life’<br />

Canadian author and playwright Jim Nichol returned to his<br />

hometown for book reading this October<br />

By Casandra Bellefeuille – <strong>Paris</strong> Star<br />

Jim Nichol's hometown of <strong>Paris</strong>, Ontario has had a profound impact on<br />

his writing. Even though <strong>the</strong> award-winning author has lived outside of<br />

<strong>Paris</strong> for quite some time now, he admits he's never really left <strong>the</strong> town<br />

that he grew up in.<br />

"<strong>Paris</strong> has been <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>rload of my creative life. This town is also<br />

important to my sense of self, not just my writing," said Nichol who is<br />

promoting his third novel, Death Spiral, which was released in 2009.<br />

So, when <strong>the</strong> County of Brant Library approached Nichol to perform a<br />

book reading at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Paris</strong> branch in October, he was more than willing<br />

to jump at <strong>the</strong> opportunity.<br />

Nichol will appear at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Paris</strong> library branch on October 17 at 1:30 p.m.<br />

to read from his latest hit-selling novel, Death Spiral. The multi-layered thriller opens with a hero's welcome for a<br />

celebrated Canadian Spitfire fighter pilot during WWII, who miraculously survived terrible injuries in <strong>the</strong> war only to<br />

encounter more violence in his hometown. And you guessed it; <strong>the</strong> setting for this novel takes place in none o<strong>the</strong>r than<br />

<strong>Paris</strong>. Nichol references specific areas and landmarks in town without actually mentioning names, he pre<strong>view</strong>ed.<br />

"I talk about an old linen store downtown and going across <strong>the</strong> bridge to <strong>the</strong> flats. I do mention <strong>the</strong> Arlington Hotel," said<br />

Nichol in an inter<strong>view</strong> with The <strong>Paris</strong> Star.<br />

"<strong>Paris</strong> has been <strong>the</strong><br />

mo<strong>the</strong>rload of my<br />

creative life. This<br />

town is also<br />

important to my<br />

sense of self, not<br />

just my writing,"<br />

"I used images of <strong>Paris</strong> popping into my head as I remember <strong>the</strong>m as a boy," added Nichols.<br />

Growing up in <strong>Paris</strong>, Nichol's grandfa<strong>the</strong>r was a blacksmith at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Paris</strong> Junction and his fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />

was <strong>the</strong> art director at Walker Press. Nichol attended PDHS and fondly remembers when a<br />

majority of <strong>the</strong> student body rode <strong>the</strong>ir bicycles to school. Nichol married fellow PDHS<br />

classmate Judy Sibbick and after moving to Toronto for a few years, <strong>the</strong> two returned to <strong>Paris</strong><br />

to raise <strong>the</strong>ir three sons. They left town again as <strong>the</strong>ir eldest boy began high school.<br />

Nichol was one of over 500 alumni that returned for a high school reunion this past month.<br />

"While I was at <strong>the</strong> PDHS reunion it occurred to me that everybody has at least one version of<br />

<strong>Paris</strong> in <strong>the</strong>ir minds. This town is very influential in everyone's lives."<br />

Death Spiral was a finalist for <strong>the</strong> 2010 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel. He was awarded <strong>the</strong> Arthur Ellis Award<br />

for Best Novel in 2002 following <strong>the</strong> release of his first novel, Midnight Cab. It was also short-listed for <strong>the</strong> CWA Gold<br />

Dagger.<br />

Midnight Cab was based on his popular CBC radio drama that aired for three seasons. The mystery show followed <strong>the</strong> life<br />

of 19-year-old Toronto cab driver Walker Devereaux.<br />

Nichol is also <strong>the</strong> author of Transgression.<br />

Nichol will have autographed books for sale at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Paris</strong> library branch on October 17. In addition to a short reading, he<br />

said he plans to have a little trivia fun with <strong>the</strong> audience.<br />

"During my talk I am going to read a bit<br />

from my first and second novels (also<br />

set in and around <strong>Paris</strong>) to see if<br />

anyone knows what part of <strong>Paris</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

passage refers to," said Nichol.<br />

He also plans to take some time to tour<br />

his hometown, and who knows, maybe<br />

<strong>Paris</strong> as it stands today might be <strong>the</strong><br />

backdrop of future novels. Although<br />

Nichol did admit he has no immediate<br />

plans to write ano<strong>the</strong>r novel anytime<br />

soon.<br />

NOTE: Excerpts in this article from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Paris</strong> Star have been altered to reflect <strong>the</strong><br />

timing of Mr. Nichol’s return visit to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Paris</strong> Library this past October


The Landscape of Childhood<br />

By John Bemrose<br />

John Bemrose is a Canadian arts journalist, novelist, poet and playwright. His arts re<strong>view</strong>s have<br />

appeared in Maclean's, <strong>the</strong> Globe and Mail, <strong>the</strong> National Post and on CBC Radio.<br />

John was born and raised in <strong>Paris</strong>, Ontario w<strong>here</strong> his fa<strong>the</strong>r, Fred Bemrose, a 2009 recipient of <strong>the</strong><br />

Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement, recently retired as <strong>the</strong> town historian. He<br />

graduated from <strong>the</strong> Victoria University in <strong>the</strong> University of Toronto in 1970. His debut novel, The<br />

Island Walkers, was published in 2003. It was a nominee for<br />

More than anything I’ve<br />

written, I think, The Island<br />

Walkers was inspired <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

place w<strong>here</strong> I grew up during<br />

<strong>the</strong> fifties and sixties. This<br />

was <strong>Paris</strong>, in Southwestern<br />

Ontario, my family’s home for<br />

almost a hundred years now.<br />

that year's Giller Prize. He has also published a play, Mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />

Moon, and two volumes of poetry. His second novel, "The<br />

Last Woman," was published Sept. 29, 2009 <strong>by</strong> McClelland & Stewart, a Random House<br />

affiliate in Canada. It is set in Ontario's cottage country and is being touted <strong>by</strong> its<br />

publisher as a vehicle for <strong>the</strong> vivid characterizations for which he's become known.<br />

More than anything I’ve written, I think, The Island Walkers was inspired <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

place w<strong>here</strong> I grew up during <strong>the</strong> fifties and sixties. This was <strong>Paris</strong>, in<br />

Southwestern Ontario, my family’s home for almost a hundred years now. <strong>Paris</strong><br />

was — and is — an exceptionally pretty town, with its two forking rivers, its steep<br />

hills, its bridges and fine old houses, but for me it has always meant something<br />

more. It’s a place saturated with narrative. And this came about because of <strong>the</strong><br />

many stories my parents and grandparents told me I couldn’t look at a street and see only a street: It was also <strong>the</strong> spot<br />

w<strong>here</strong> my twelve-year-old fa<strong>the</strong>r had chased a herd of escaped cows. And over <strong>the</strong>re was w<strong>here</strong> my grandfa<strong>the</strong>r had<br />

fought and defeated <strong>the</strong> Indian who had spit in his toolbox. These events were so real to me, that I lived in a kind of<br />

mythic landscape, and consequently was held <strong>by</strong> a sense of belonging — sometimes comforting, at o<strong>the</strong>rs suffocating —<br />

that I haven’t found anyw<strong>here</strong> since.<br />

The beauty of <strong>Paris</strong> was part of this. The light striking under bridges, even <strong>the</strong> strangely haunting cry of <strong>the</strong> steam whistle<br />

calling <strong>the</strong> workers to Penman’s knitting mills — <strong>the</strong>se things marked me, and in some way, oppressed me, because as I<br />

grew older I began to feel that it was incumbent on me to do something with it all. I had to let people know. In some very<br />

real way, <strong>the</strong> town made me a writer. I was in my early twenties when I started trying to put <strong>Paris</strong> into a novel — but those<br />

early attempts were failures. I just hadn’t lived or written enough. In any case, I went on with o<strong>the</strong>r things. When I<br />

graduated from university in 1970, I went to work as a sales rep for New Press, an upstart publishing company in Toronto.<br />

I was <strong>the</strong> company’s only salesman, and my territory — which I covered in a green Volkswagen “bug” — was <strong>the</strong> entire<br />

country of Canada. Later I went to England, wrote a novel, which I wisely decided not to publish, and met <strong>the</strong> lovely<br />

woman from West Virginia whom I would marry. Back in Toronto, I became a fa<strong>the</strong>r, published a couple of books of<br />

poems, staged a play, and earned my living as a freelance arts journalist, mostly doing re<strong>view</strong>s and profiles for Maclean’s<br />

magazine, w<strong>here</strong> I’m still a contributing editor.<br />

I was also filling drawers with half-finished novels, increasingly aware that I hadn’t accomplished <strong>the</strong> central task of my<br />

writing life. I hadn’t written <strong>the</strong> “<strong>Paris</strong>” novel and with age fifty looming I knew I had to start soon or miss my chance. So in<br />

<strong>the</strong> winter of 1996 — spurred on <strong>by</strong> jealousy of a friend who’d won a big literary prize — I began The Island Walkers.<br />

I figured <strong>the</strong> project would take two or three years. It took six, as <strong>the</strong> story expanded to accommodate <strong>the</strong> tidal wave of<br />

ideas and feelings that had built up over <strong>the</strong> decades. And <strong>the</strong> curious thing was this: each time I sat down to write about<br />

<strong>the</strong> fictional town of Attawan — about Alf Walker’s hard choices and his son Joe’s first love — I seemed to re-enter <strong>the</strong><br />

vivid atmosp<strong>here</strong> of <strong>Paris</strong> as I had known it. Most of <strong>the</strong> stories in <strong>the</strong> novel are invented, as are all of its characters. But<br />

Attawan is <strong>Paris</strong> clear through, and if <strong>the</strong>re is any poetry in <strong>the</strong> novel, any joy in <strong>the</strong> telling, this has flowed, I think, from<br />

some never-broken connection with my childhood. Even while writing <strong>the</strong> novel’s darkest scenes, I felt myself in some<br />

queer way to be eight years old again, trailing happily over <strong>the</strong> Lions Park footbridge, stopping to look up <strong>the</strong> river w<strong>here</strong> it<br />

gleamed in its distant reaches like <strong>the</strong> future I was sure held something marvellous.<br />

I’ve told <strong>the</strong> story from several points of <strong>view</strong>, using <strong>the</strong> Walker family as a microcosm for <strong>the</strong> stresses and conflicts of<br />

society — for <strong>the</strong> fullness of society in all its variety of age, class, sex, and experience. But just as any family is a mystery<br />

to <strong>the</strong> society around it, so <strong>the</strong> members of <strong>the</strong> Walker family are mysterious to one ano<strong>the</strong>r: each locked in a solitude that<br />

envisions <strong>the</strong> world in what I hope are unique and surprising ways. And yet<br />

everyone in <strong>the</strong> book is also bound to everyone else <strong>by</strong> a matrix of humanity and<br />

place <strong>the</strong>y are often unaware of. We belong to each o<strong>the</strong>r, I think, and to a common<br />

fate, even in <strong>the</strong> hell and solace of our aloneness.<br />

I think that literature, if it’s to have any value at all, must have <strong>the</strong> courage for<br />

unhappiness. I’ve tried to be honest in following <strong>the</strong> Walkers to <strong>the</strong> bottom of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

night. But at <strong>the</strong> same time, every good story dances its way through <strong>the</strong> shades,<br />

with all <strong>the</strong> sprightliness, poetry, and music it <strong>can</strong> muster. The real hope is <strong>the</strong>re, in<br />

<strong>the</strong> flame we make as we go out. I believe The Island Walkers is a happy book.


AH, THE GOLDEN YEARS!<br />

Special Poem For Older Folks<br />

A row of bottles on my shelf<br />

Caused me to analyze myself.<br />

One yellow pill I have to pop<br />

Goes to my heart so it won't stop.<br />

A little white one that I take<br />

Goes to my hands so <strong>the</strong>y won't shake.<br />

The blue ones that I use a lot<br />

Tell me I'm happy when I'm not.<br />

The purple pill goes to my brain<br />

And tells me that I have no pain.<br />

The capsules tell me not to wheeze<br />

Or cough or choke or even sneeze.<br />

The red ones, smallest of <strong>the</strong>m all<br />

Go to my blood so I won't fall.<br />

The orange ones, very big and bright<br />

Prevent my leg cramps in <strong>the</strong> night.<br />

Such an array of brilliant pills<br />

Helping to cure all kinds of ills.<br />

But what I'd really like to know............<br />

Is what tells each one w<strong>here</strong> to go!<br />

FOR ALL YOU GOLFERS OUT THERE<br />

10 best Caddy Replies:<br />

# 10 -- Golfer: "Think I'm going to drown myself in <strong>the</strong> lake."<br />

Caddy: "Think you <strong>can</strong> keep your head down that long?"<br />

# 9 -- Golfer: "I'd move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course."<br />

Caddy: "Try heaven, you've already moved most of <strong>the</strong> earth."<br />

# 8 -- Golfer: "Do you think my game is improving?"<br />

Caddy: "Yes sir, you miss <strong>the</strong> ball much closer now."<br />

# 7 -- Golfer: "Do you think I <strong>can</strong> get <strong>the</strong>re with a 5 iron?"<br />

Caddy: "Eventually."<br />

# 6 -- Golfer: "<strong>You</strong>'ve got to be <strong>the</strong> worst caddy in <strong>the</strong> world."<br />

Caddy: "I don't think so sir. That would be too much of a coincidence."<br />

# 5 -- Golfer: "Please stop checking your watch all <strong>the</strong> time. It's too much<br />

of a distraction."<br />

Caddy: "It's not a watch - it's a compass."<br />

# 4 -- Golfer: "How do you like my game?"<br />

Caddy: "Very good sir, but personally, I prefer golf."<br />

# 3 -- Golfer: "Do you think it's a sin to play on Sunday?"<br />

Caddy: "The way you play, sir, it's a sin on any day."<br />

# 2 -- Golfer: "This is <strong>the</strong> worst course I've ever played on."<br />

Caddy: "This isn't <strong>the</strong> golf course. We left that an hour ago."<br />

# 1 – AND Best Caddy Comment ...Golfer: "That <strong>can</strong>'t be my ball, it's too old."<br />

Caddy: "It's been a long time since we teed off, sir."<br />

PDHS REUNION 2010 CONTACTS<br />

Dave “Woody” Scott<br />

30 Burton Road<br />

Guelph, ON N1H 8A8<br />

Res. (519) 265-5589 dwscott1315@yahoo.com<br />

Dave Kipp<br />

3 Ronald Street<br />

Brantford. ON<br />

Res. (519) 759-6079<br />

dave.kipp@yahoo.com<br />

Ken Spencer<br />

1151 Ballantry Road<br />

Oakville, ON L6H 5N1<br />

Res. (905) 844-7902 Cel. (905) 301-5289<br />

kenneth.spencer@sympatico.ca

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