Friday, July 21, 2017 3 Brooklin Town Crier (continued on page 5) BTC Essay Contest Second Prize Winner Canada Is...Small Town Charm and Community By Rochelle Boivin Rochelle Boivin caught the writing bug at the tender age of seven. As a lifelong Brooklin resident, she has lived and loved in the community for 40 years. She writes human interest stories for her blog, The Passion Chronicles, but also has six published romance novels. Rochelle likes to burn the midnight oil, writing stories of hope, renewal and the healing power of love. Her other loves include her daughter, the Toronto Blue Jays, karaoke, travel, cycling and the California sun. What does it mean to be Canadian? Better yet, how does it feel to be the citizen of a small community? While the obvious perks to being Canadian exist in the slogan "peace, order and good government," I can answer with my own account and a beaming smile. As a longtime "Brooklinite," I'll gladly share fond memories of my national pride in this community. Firstly, I can recall the annual Old Tyme Christmas, huddled warmly together, snowflakes falling, with a hot Tim Hortons brew in hand. Suddenly, the wagon ride resulted in a shocking end. The horses galloped down Cassels Road, past the Old Mill, and broke free, sending the wagon with its driver tumbling to the ground, and the rest of us barrelling down the road. The experience was scary, yet thrilling all at once. Those Belgians were fine, thankfully. One ended up near Bagot Street, stand- ing by a telephone pole, and the other beside the old community centre. We all shared a round of laughter, thinking about the escapade. Peppered with wonderful memories of Brooklin, my heart swells with fondness for this small town boasting Victorian homes with wrap-around porches, towering oaks and quaint little shops. The scenery is something out of a Hallmark movie, complete with colorful people and warm connection. A throwback What do I love most about life in a small Canadian town? Well, it is something of a throwback to that TV Show Cheers, "where everybody knows your name." Wok-In Express on Baldwin treats me like an old, dear friend each time I enter the establishment. There's a lovely teenage girl with long dark hair and big brown eyes who has surprised me. "Hello, Rochelle," she greets cheerily. It is nice to be recognized and catered to when I drop in for some hot, fresh Cantonese Chow Mein. While some establishments have not perfected the art of customer service, those in Brooklin have certainly raised the bar. Since 1995, family-owned and operated Michael Kelly's Eatery has been serving up home-style meals and warm smiles. They're a welcome place in the hearts of Brooklinites and have lasted far longer than most. Many of us in the Brooklin community are proud to wear our Canadian pride, whether waving that red and white flag from the porch or cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs over a cold brew and good company at Brooklin Pub on Baldwin. One place that has always welcomed me with open arms is the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 152. Whether it be a last-minute decision to waltz into the room dressed in a 1950s poodle skirt for their annual Halloween bash, Rochelle Boivin (right), second prize winner in the BTC Essay Contest, receives a $50 cheque from Marissa Campbell, vice-president of Writers' Community of Durham Region which donated the prize along with a free WCDR breakfast. Rochelle also won $25 gift certificates from Coffee Culture and the Brooklin Pub and a free lesson from Patrick Pidek of patricksguitarstudio.com.