MEETING PLACE

SHIRLEY O’CONNELL

Shirley is the mother of three children and grandmother of nine. Living in Perth, Ont., she is a long-time volunteer with the Great War Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Shirley is a member of United Church Women at St. Paul’s United Church and a 48-year lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was recognized for her humanitarian work with the awarding of the 2010 Humanitarian Award of ICROSS Canada and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch Commendation in 2016. Shirley’s inspiring Cause for Applause story, about how one Canadian soldier’s simple act of kindness affected so many people around the globe, begins on page 21.

ROBERT WILLIAMSON

Robert is a graduate of Mcmaster University, a retired Hamilton secondary-school administrator and a former commanding officer of Hamilton’s Naval Reserve. He was appointed to the Hamilton Historical Board in 1999, and to the Plaquing subcommittee in 2000. Some of Robert’s work in the field of historical plaque writing is featured in this issue’s department on page 28. Having written several books about ground-breaking heritage subjects, he has received several awards, including the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, and has been inducted into the Mcmaster University Alumni Gallery.

ADRIENNE ASSINEWAI

Hailing from Manitoulin Island, Adrienne now resides in Sudbury with her husband Tod and their feline overlord, Stryder. She enjoys camping, reading and travelling to New Brunswick every summer with her family. Adrienne creates her various works from home, which include everything from wildlife and pet portraits to fantasy illustrations. Ravenstar Studio originated from her desire to unify her various creative works under one name, which you can find online at www.ourcrater.com, in local shops and at various markets and festivals throughout the year. Turn to page 54 to see her beautiful needle felting work in this issue’s Crafty Canadians.

DONNA MARRIN

Donna and her husband of 37 years Paul make their home in Markham, Ont., and have a wonderful daughter, Jennifer. An advertising copy and corporate communications writer, Donna has also authored short fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction in a variety of publications. Turn to page 66 to read her charming

Storytime submission. Her favourite activities include reading, crafting and, in summer, floating around Lake Scugog on her big old pontoon boat. Check out her blog at donnamarrin.wordpress.com.