In Our Words

Well, it’s that time of year again, already, when everyone takes a look back at the year to date before plunging into the year to come. One of the biggest events in Canada in 2016 was the Fort Mcmurray wildfires. Amid all the reports of destruction and despair caused by “The Beast” came uplifting stories of everyday people helping one another in whatever way possible. In My Hometown on page 30, Eldora Baillie relates just such a story, highlighting a simple act of kindness from an unexpected source that made a tremendous difference in her life.

When Bruce Raby of Perth, Ont., looks back on 2016, he’s bound to have stars in his eyes, as many of his memorable moments involved shooting photos for a popular community theatre, something he enjoys immensely. He tells us all about it on page 8.

With Canada’s 150th anniversary coming up, we’re pleased to introduce a new department, Veteran Profile, which will pay tribute to a Canadian war veteran in every issue of Our Canada and More of Our Canada throughout 2017. Working with Veterans Voices of Canada, which has documented the stories of many veterans over the past decade, this is one small gesture of thanks to Canada’s servicemen and women, past and present.

In the summer of 2017, we intend to mark Canada’s 150th by celebrating our country’s diversity and multiculturalism with a specially themed “Coming to Canada” June-july issue. If you haven’t yet submitted your “Coming to Canada” story for consideration, you’d best hurry.

Meanwhile, we have Christmas to celebrate and we do that aplenty in this issue! Peace at Christmas, everyone! Gary George, gary_george@rd.com