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Bill McKee has almost too many trophies to count, as can be seen on this table at his home in Port Perry. Since he started co} as a Town Crier more the Continued from page 3 in Toronto that he got the urge to become a town crier. This was precipitated from watching his brother David who had become a town crier a few years earlier. He thought he’d like to give that a try so he approached Uxbridge council with the idea and they agreed, pass- ing the necessary bylaw in 1999. Three years later he became the “official town crier” Bill McKee is currently the Ontario Provincial Champion, holds the North American title and placed 6th in the World Town Crier competition. an 15 years ago, he has won dozens of trophies at Town Crier competitions across Canada, the United St and other parts of the world. Bill added another award to his collection at a competition in Newton, New Jersey, USA on June 15. mnpeting fate: Photo by J. Peter Hvidsten for Scugog and in 2004 won a competition to become Oshawa’s town crier. Sitting in a comfortable chair in his living room Bill ponders a moment before realizing he’s been a town cri- er for 15 years. And during that time he’s accomplished the three goals he set out to accomplish. The first of these was to win the Provincial Town Crier competition within his first five years. Accomplished! The second — to finish in the World’s Top Ten. Accomplished! And the third — to hold the North American and Provincials at the same time. Accomplished! Although Bill has accomplished his original goals he is quick to point out he has no intention of retiring. Please turn to page 6 FOCUS - JULY 2014 5