Discovering Local Treasures – 4 Part Series
This event is offered Livestream only
4 Tuesdays in February
The Third Age Barrie audience often tells us they want to hear speakers and stories from close to home. This February, from your own cozy home, you’ll get to hear four great local stories about the wonderful community we live in – building our community, endless opportunities on our waterways, the history of agriculture in the County, and more.
So, get the hot chocolate ready, and join us to uncover some great local treasures! Our own fantastic interviewer, Patricia Mansfield, is back for two interviews. Two Tuesdays will be presentations.
Interviewer Pat Mansfield
Pat exemplifies lifelong learning! For 35 years, Pat was a secondary school teacher, consultant, vice-principal and principal as well as an instructor of teacher in-service courses at several universities in Toronto and Simcoe County. After retirement, she became an educational consultant focusing on creating specialized programs for at risk youth and coordinated language programs for international students studying in Canada.
Retirement provides Pat more time to travel, spoil her grandchildren and continue to give back to the community. She was a founding member of Third Age Barrie and past Chair of the Board of Directors of Victoria Village.
February 7
An interview with Two Community Pillars, Donna Douglas and Marshall Green
There isn’t much these two don’t know about our community! Barrie residents for most of their lives, both Marshall and Donna have contributed to its growth in many fascinating ways.
Resources:
CBC story on Danish Seniors Care that Marshall Green referred to on February 7th
February 14
Adventures on the Water, Lake Simcoe and Beyond
Join Abby Roy from the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club to learn more about enjoying the wonderful waterways available to us in Simcoe County!
February 21
History of Farming in Simcoe County
Caleb Roberts-Dodd’s lecture will focus on the history of farming and agriculture in Simcoe County, particularly in the last 150 years. Caleb will discuss a number of important topics and themes through this timeframe, such as: the Wendat’s agricultural practices which largely predated European settlement; the early settlement in the second half of the 19th century; the impact of the First World War; and perhaps most prominently, the onset of Industrialized Agriculture and its effects in the 20th century. Above all, Caleb’s presentation will show just how important agriculture was to the development of Simcoe County over the years.
February 28
An Interview with Jack Lynch – Discovering Local Treasures
Pat’s interview with Jack Lynch will touch on his career in the NHL, and the 32 years he kept us apprised of community events for the Ministry of Tourism. Since his retirement, Jack and his wife continue to be active sporting and adventuring members of our community.
Speakers
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Donna DouglasDonna came to Barrie at 22 to become the editor of the Barrie Banner until she and Boris started their family of 3 (now Grandmother of 6). From there, she started her own home businesses, taught nights at Georgian College for 20 years, edited a magazine for teens, managed events, and trained many entrepreneurs to start local businesses through the Grow Vantage program. Along the way, she helped found, support or lead many local groups and projects including Christmas Cheer, Gryphon Theatre and a long list of others. Not surprisingly, she has received many awards as a community booster and advocate of women and students. When Donna ‘slowed down’, she started a charity called Hootables, in support of students.
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Marshall Green
Marshall and Susan moved to Barrie in 1973 so that Marshall could complete his year of legal articles with Wilson, Graham, Palmer and Bumstead. Barrie had 23,000 people, no theatre, little live music, few decent places to eat. Susan hated Barrie and was promised a move back to Toronto at the end of the articling year. Wilson Graham split at the end of that year and Marshall was offered a partnership in a new firm to be started by John Graham. Susan and Marshall have now been residents of Barrie for 50 years. They have 3 children, one of whom, Cesia is a lawyer in south Barrie. Each of their children has provided them 2 grandchildren – total 6.
Marshall has always felt that lawyers take a lot from their communities and should give back. For Marshall that has included the presidency of the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce, President of the Barrie Rotary Club and he is currently chair of the Barrie Community Foundation. He has served on many boards and committees, including the founding board of Theatre by the Bay – Barrie’s first professional theatre company. He has been honoured to be one of the first winners of the Spirit Catcher Award. -
Abby Roy
Abby is a high energy person who loves the outdoors, being active, travel and animals. She enjoys canoeing, backpacking, hiking, cross country skiing and horseback riding. For the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club, she has lead trips in both summer and winter since 2000 and has taught canoeing skills to beginners. Abby has also been involved on the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club Board of Directors and as a Coordinator.
Abby’s primary career was working for The Royal Bank of Canada for 16 years as a Project Manager. She has travelled and volunteered around the world.
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Caleb Roberts-Dodd
Caleb Roberts-Dodd is a Historical Interpreter that joined the Simcoe County Museum in early December 2022. He completed his undergraduate degree in 2021 in History & Business at the University of Waterloo, in addition to having just completed his Masters in History in December 2022 at the same institution. Caleb’s historical interests generally focus on Canadian, American, and European pre-modern and modern history.
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Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch moved to Barrie from Toronto in 1958. As a youngster his goal was to play in the National Hockey League. His dream was realized in 1972 when he was the first NHL draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He continued to play through the 70’s with Detroit and Washington. Upon retirement from hockey he gained employment with the Ontario Government’s Ministry of Tourism where he continued for 32 years working in media, public relations and marketing. After retiring in 2013, Jack and Susan moved to their beautiful home in Horseshoe Valley. Jack continues to be very active coaching minor hockey, skiing, golfing and enjoying adventures with his wife, a new puppy and loving being a grandfather.
