Well, that certainly went fast.
I was thrilled at the beginning of 2024 when Village Media announced they would be launching FlamboroughToday in February - and reporter Cara and I have been running ever since. We have, literally, been from one end of Flamborough to the other, covering all the big – and small – moments that are important to our community.
But the holidays give us time to take a breather and reflect on some of the stories and moments that made 2024 special to us. For me, it was a year of homecoming of sorts, picking up some of the stories that I know so well, along with some new ones along the way.
So, without further ado, I’ll brush the shortbread crumbs off my keyboard and revisit some of the interviews that stood out (note, this is not a definitive list, and there were many, many more that could just as easily have been included).
Waterdown’s House of Hair Images marks 30 years in business
It’s one thing to run a successful business; it’s quite another to be a part of the fabric of the community for 30 years.
That’s exactly what Lisa Neddow has pulled off with her House of Hair Images salon on Mill Street South in Waterdown. And yet she didn’t really want to toot her own horn over the milestone; in fact, it was a long-time client who tipped me off for the story.
When I interviewed Lisa at her sunny shop in early spring, we talked for a looong time. We covered things like her time on the Allan A Greenleaf school council, her involvement in the BIA and the heyday of the local Victorian Festival, and many other topics that took us back. We also talked about tough times, such as a sudden staff turnover, and keeping the business afloat during COVID lockdowns.
And what struck me was the true sense of care she has for her customers, staff and the community. And that, to me, is a true hallmark of success.
Meet the Waterdown financial expert who helped shape Ontario’s new math curriculum
It never ceases to amaze me, the number of truly talented and passionate people who call Flamborough home. One of those people is Saijal Patel.
Saijal moved to Waterdown to be close to her parents, following an international career as a financial analyst and media personality; she now hosts her own Strictly Money podcast, and is a financial wellness educator. Her company, Saij Elle, focuses on empowering women by teaching them how to handle money.
The story I wrote was about a chance meeting with Doug Ford in a furniture store that turned into an opportunity to shape public policy: Saijal had direct input on the new financial literacy component required for high school graduation.
But it became clear as we were chatting that Saijal is a woman on a mission: financial literacy is a necessity for everyone - teens, women, families, policy-makers. As she affirmed to Village Media editor-in-chief Michael Friscolanti during an episode of Inside the Village, it turns out money - and learning how to manage it - can buy happiness.
Dr. Cross bids goodbye after 40 years of caring for local families
When Dr. Randy Cross landed in Waterdown back in 1983, the town was about one-tenth the size it is now - and family medicine was much different. So when I got a notice that he was set to retire and turn over the reins of the Waterdown Medical Clinic to Dr. Shaun Neeb, I knew there would be some great stories to share.
And indeed, there were: from the twist of fate that led him to take over the late Dr. Robertson’s patients, to the serendipitous turn that brought Dr. Neeb to the clinic, he talked about a career that included caring for a couple of generations of local residents, delivering thousands of babies, serving as chief of staff at Joseph Brant Hospital, and building a team in his office that is more like family.
I learned much about Dr. Cross that day, but what shone through it all was his true love of people, and how he used his considerable skills to care for them.
Snookie and Ken: a friendship that was meant to be
One of the best parts of community journalism is telling stories that might otherwise be told. They may not change the world, but they can certainly help change the way you look at it.
When Mary Lamb of Animal Adoptions of Flamborough sent a note that she had a “feel good” story for me, I was all in - we don’t get enough of those, frankly. So I went to meet Ken Ritchie and his new friend, Snookie.
Our interview took place in Ken’s neat-as-a-pin apartment, with Snookie, a tiny Shih-Tzu cross, curled up on the couch. The pair, both in their senior years, were matched up after the 11-year-old dog ended up in Lamb’s care. Ritchie had said goodbye to his former canine pal Rusty earlier in the year.
During our interview, Ken talked about growing older, loneliness and second chances. And it was clear that more than one life had been rescued when they were matched up.
Hard work, motivation to help drive Waterdown teen
Each month, we do an “Inspire” story about a local young person that shines a light on a youth in our community who is doing something remarkable. And while each of the kids I’ve interviewed for these features has been memorable in its own way, my chat with Fayez Hasbini will stay with me for a long time.
In many ways, Fayez is like most 16 year-olds: he likes video games, and worries about his grades; he enjoys snacks and spends a lot of time thinking about his future career. But he maneuvers those adolescent challenges with a few extra thrown in: he is autistic and lives with cerebral palsy, ADHD and severe anxiety.
As we chatted at Tim Hortons, Fayez shared his journey from a very low place back in Grade 9, to where he is today: a thriving member of the school community, where he gets excellent grades and volunteers for many activities.
He also talked about his dreams for the future, which include helping others wherever he can, be it inventing a device to help non-verbal people communicate, or donating his money to feed and house those who need it.
The most valuable takeaway from our conversation: “You’re not alone and we all have problems which we can overcome.”
