For a truly touching, inspiring and heartwarming story you don’t have to look any further than to the people who make up our great community. Doppler writer Laura MacLean, sat in kitchens, a Church hall, and even a ski chalet, to catch up with these people and help them tell their fabulous stories.
Here are some of our readers’ favourites from 2016.
In Old-time skiers hit the slopes to stay young, Laura caught up with Ken Raven, Peter Wood, Murray Ruby, Joe Spiers, Colin Oke, Ken Farnsworth, Bryan Young and Peter Jarvis as they sat down to coffee in the Muskoka Ski Club chalet at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area after hitting the slopes on their weekly Monday outing.
Ken Raven was just joking around when he put his head on Peter Wood’s shoulder. The two have enjoyed skiing together for years.
Laura writes: They are a lively bunch and all of them will agree that if you don’t use it, you lose it. Staying active keeps you healthy and happy. Each of them will attest that when it comes to skiing, sunny days are always the best. Even if it’s cold, as long as the sun is shining it’s a good day to be hitting the slopes.
“We’re actually writing each other’s eulogies,” jokes Ken Raven, who’s been a long-time member of the ski club and is the eldest of the bunch at 92. He was a pilot in WWII and he’s also the grandfather of Olympic downhill skiing champion Dara Howell.
He’s got a patch on his forehead and I’m not sure what happened to him. Maybe he bonked his head, I think to myself. But then one of his friends jokingly points out that Ken is wearing a Viagra patch. They all bust a gut. I determine that I’m dealing with a witty bunch of old guys who all have a great sense of humour.
Laura’s interview with Susan Gammage, a survivor of horrific abuse, is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. In the story, Lost and found: Susan Gammage conquered the impossible… and she’s smiling again, Susan speaks candidly about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her parents but also of working toward forgiveness and most importantly, happiness.
See that smile? People comment on it all the time. It took decades before she found it.
Laura writes: The circumstances surrounding her youth were tragic. She grew up in a small town in Alberta. Both of her parents were heavily involved in a cult. Susan was subjected to ritualistic abuse – physical, sexual and emotional. That was a daily aspect of her life. When her father raped her and she became pregnant with his child at around 13, a backwoods abortion was the solution. She told me about how she watched her father murder her brother and how she longed to run away but couldn’t out of fear that they would find her. She endured things no child should ever have to go through.
“The first 17 years of my life were absolute hell but from 18 to 55 it was worse. I was continuing to abuse myself with all these things I was putting in my hamster wheels. Flashbacks, anger, bitterness… It was eating away at me. I had to learn how to forgive. There’s been so much healing since then and forgiveness of my parents.” ~ Susan Gammage
Writing has helped Susan put things into perspective. It’s been a driving force in her achieving clarity and acceptance and brings her a deep sense of accomplishment. She doesn’t do it for the money. She’s fulfilling the end of a bargain she made to herself. She’s letting people know they’re not alone. Because at one point, a long time ago, she thought that she was.
In March Laura sat down with Ches and Betty Fulton as they were preparing to move to a new home in St. Catharines after 23 years in Huntsville. A sad farewell: the Fultons love Huntsville, and the felling is mutual.
Ches and Betty Fulton
The Fultons are well known in the community for their selfless generosity.
Laura writes: Betty and Ches came to Huntsville 23 years ago and over the course of those years they’ve done some pretty remarkable and selfless things. They’ve generously donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to various organizations, initiatives and individuals.
“Everything we’ve done has been given back to us in many ways. It’s just been a wonderful community to live in. It’s our payback.” ~ Betty Fulton
A comment received by Gail Orr describes how far-reaching the Fulton’s thoughtfulness extended: “Ches and Betty’s generosity enabled me to see my daughter play basketball in the national college playoffs in Alberta 10 years ago, a generous gift that will always bring tears to my eyes when I think of that opportunity. If you need an example of true Christianity look no further than this couple who have spread joy and happiness just by seeing their always smiling faces. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen each other but believe me they have not left my thoughts. I wish with all my heart for Ches’s speedy recovery and as many more years together as you both desire.”
Sadly, Ches passed away on October 28, 2016.
Don and Sheila Coker know a thing or two about making love last. Laura caught up with them as they prepared to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary by getting married again in That thing called love: how Don and Sheila Coker keep the flame burning bright.
The exchange of rings was one of the sweetest moments in the special ceremony.
Laura writes: Don and Sheila wanted to prove their undying affection for each other by renewing their wedding vows in a special ceremony. Sixty years! Wow, I thought. This is serious love. This is fantastic, extraordinary, hard-to-come-by love. I was already inspired.
It was Don’s idea to renew their vows. He tells me it was important to do it because reaching the 60th anniversary is a big deal. He wanted to reaffirm his love to Sheila. No one makes him feel as special as she does. They both agree they couldn’t live without one another.
Sheila tells me the secrets to a long-lasting relationship. It’s about compromise. And respect. It’s about spending quality time together. And most importantly, she tells me, it’s about connecting every single day with those three little words that mean so much: I love you.
Who was your favourite Extraordinary Person from 2016? Tell us in the comments!
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