Barrie

Since this will be my first time blogging, I just would like to say, off the top, that if I forget anyone or get incorrect names, I apologize.  But know that I will never forget any of you folks that I’ve met along the way!!

 

Well here we go … on our way to the Orillia OPP headquarters to pickup Terry’s van. Since we have a few minutes to spare, Glemena Bettencourt (my right hand man, er lady volunteer) and I visit the OPP museum and chat with some of the people there. As I go out back to get the van I meet Brad, who is our new OPP officer and we head off to  Barrie for our first venue.

We arrive at a kid’s summer camp and set up the vehicles as we always do. Glemena, our head salesperson, takes care of selling the t-shirts. Wal-Mart look out!  I meet Graydon Oldfield from Scotia McLeod, whom Glemena and I agree looks like superman’s twin. As we do the event Graydon and I thoroughly enjoy the kids as they are our future to carry on the legacy which is Terry Fox!  We are also pleased to have on hand with Brad, OPP officer John Lennox who is retired from the force.  As we leave this event I can’t help but think how much the school runs play a part in the immense knowledge the kids have about Terry Fox.

 

The next venue is a retirement home which could be right up my alley soon (!) but as I put these thoughts out of my mind, Graydon and I have a great time speaking with these wonderful people. So many memories!  As I am ahead of time, and actually we did this before the retirement venue, we went downtown for some pictures in front of the Scotia McLeod offices and talk to some interesting people. One gentleman who I will never forget was beside himself with grief as he had lost his wife, mom and dad in the last few years and I hope I brought him some peace of mind as we had a nice little chat.

 

Well, now we are off to Centennial Park as our last venue of the day and what a great finish we have.  Darrell arrives and right off the bat the people line up to talk with him and look at the van.  As we later discuss this has to be the longest and continuous line-up we have ever had. It was also kinda cool because my sister Ann showed up as she works in Barrie and also my neighbour’s sister, husband and dog was there.

So as we start to wrap things up with great speeches from Darrell, ScotiaMcLeod and assorted dignitaries, I say goodbye to Glemena and her wonderful pictures as she has to get back to work.  I head back to the OPP station with Darrell where we hook up the caravan and head out for Collingwood.

 

Don Clayton, Tour of Hope volunteer