Art Etc: A welcoming space where art and a hot meal is the great equalizer
I have a lot of respect for those that do good things in the community under the radar, without recognition or reward. Art Etc. is one of those places.
A low key operation that takes place each Saturday afternoon, with people gathering for a hot lunch and a few hours of arts and crafts.
But it's not the food or the art that gets your attention if you hang out there for a couple of hours, it's the incredible sense of community and sharing among people that see this as one of the focal points of their social world.
Good people doing good things for just one reason: helping others.
Art Etc. at work on a Saturday afternoon in the basement of First Baptist Church. Tony Saxon/GuelphToday
Nate Schnarr yells as he hoists the championship trophy Sunday at the Sleeman Centre. Tony Saxon/GuelphTodayGuelph Legion says man accused of 'stolen valour' will never represent them again
Some people crave attention and will go to pathetic lengths to get it.
Tipped off that a Guelph man might be lying about his past military service and using a military uniform and insignia that he didn't deserve, the story ended up with the local legion doing its own investigation and then basically kicking the man, Gerry Conway, out of the legion.
Dishonoring veterans by pretending to be one is abhorrent. Telling school children you served in Viet Nam and that you were spit on by protesters when you returned home is an affront to common decency.
It felt good to play a role in heling right a wrong.
Two Year sentence in dangerous driving causing death case where convicted woman has fled to India
Calling it your job sure doesn't make it any easier.
The family of Kate Lindsay attended every court appearance of Harvey Panchal, the woman whose dangeous driving took the the life of their daughter, fiancee and friend.
The only satisfaction they could possibly have garnered at the end of the day would heave been to see the Panchal marched out of a courtroom to a waiting jail cell.
But even that was denied them. Panchal, her fate sealed with a guilty verdict, fled to India, likely never to return to Canada and face justice for her crime.
Watching the anger, frustration and sadness on the face of those poor people is something even an experienced journalist will neer, ever get used to.
Nor should they.
Katelyn Lindsay and her fiance Brandon Bailey. Facebook photoGuelph man looks for bystander who likely saved his life following motorcycle accident
Drew Haller almost died that Saturday on Grange Road.
Haller had been driving along on his motorcycle with his son on the back when he collided with a mini van. Haller suffered a severe gash on his leg and was bleeding. Badly.
Bystanders rushed into action, putting a tourniquet on the leg to slow down the bleeding until emergency personnel could take over.
Haller recovered, then set out to find the good samaritans who saved him, eventually being connected with them.
A great ending to a story that had a terrible beginning.
Photos show the accident seen on Grange Road. Submitted photo