Guelph's Syrian Experience: Raising young children in a new land
The Tbeish family sits outside of their home in Guelph. Anam Khan/GuelphTodayI had the privilege of meeting these people and narrating their unheard stories years after they moved to Canada. This five-part series of stories is important because it sheds light on several issues not only the refugees face, but even those that support them.
Veteran flies across Canada to return a war medal to a Guelph stranger (8 photos)
Susan Giebel hands the war medal to George Cook. Anam Khan/GuelphTodayWhen veteran Susan Giebel spoke to me on the phone from Alberta telling me about her quest to find the Guelph family related to the late veteran William .J. Cook (to whom the war medal she found belonged), I had no idea how this story would play out. I found it interesting that a Guelph medal ended up there and that a veteran is spending hours on end looking for clues about the family.
That was the first story. The very next day, a woman contacted me saying William .J. Cook was her grandfather. I spoke to Giebel again and she told me she is going to fly to Guelph to return the medal herself, and she did. I was able to meet Susan and the Cook family in person while witnessing the impromptu ceremony put together by the Guelph Legion. It was truly a beautiful moment.
Not only was it heartwarming to see the selfless act of a veteran honour the sacrifices a complete stranger made for his country, but it was also a powerful reminder of the influence of media.
A double-double and a morning smile: local Tim Hortons server a social media hit for his fun service
Always jolly Damien Smith working at the Tim Horton's drive-thru. Anam Khan/GuelphTodayI go to Tim Horton’s on Wellington Road and Gordon Street very regularly. And I would always notice this one employee catch my attention in the few seconds we interacted at the drive-through with his joyful attitude and incredible customer service.
One day I saw a tweet from a woman who praised this man’s service. After doing some more research, I saw dozens of comments on Facebook. I knew he struck a chord with hundreds and thousands of people. I had to speak to him for a story.
'A gift from God:' Anonymous donor helps local teen get her robotic arm
An excited Maddy Workman shows her $23,000 cheque on Oct. 5. Supplied photoThe best part of this story was meeting Maggie and watching life give her something she was consistently working towards.
It was a real feel-good story because Maggie initiated all the fundraising efforts, brought the community together, raised awareness in the process and the solution came to her when she least expected it.
The first time I met her, she was organizing an event with The Wooly Pub to help her raise $40,000. The second time I spoke with her, she was on her way to purchase the robotic arm.
How the village of Eden Mills is approaching complete carbon neutrality (7 photos)
Eden Mills. Anam Khan/GuelphTodayThe best part about this story was meeting the people of Eden Mills. They practice what they preach when it comes to the environment. They are incredibly creative.
Everyone does their little part to make the community just a little more environmentally friendly.
I learn a lot from the stories I write, And this story taught me that a community regardless of size can make a big difference in the world just by working together.
