Neighbours, Then and Now: A Riverbend Reminiscence by Barb Botten
What began as a casual visit with three delightful Riverbend ladies quickly turned into a couple of hours filled with nostalgia, laughter and shared memories of the area. I first connected with Sue Allan shortly after the inaugural issue of the Riverbend Villager was published. Sue mentioned she had lived in the area for many years and soon introduced me to Ruth Matos and Maureen Legue, who share similarly deep roots in the community. We agreed to meet at Sue’s apartment in the Helio building, and the stories began to flow. The Helio invites residents to gather on the third Friday of each month for coffee and conversation in the Citrine Lounge. It was during one of these coffee mornings that Sue, Maureen and Ruth found themselves chatting together in the elevator. Sue mentioned she had lived in the area for 40 years. Maureen proudly shared that she had been here for 52 years. Ruth, with a smile, topped them both, announcing she has lived in the area for an impressive 82 years and four months. In that moment, new friendships were formed, rooted in a shared history of fa- miliar faces, places and experiences. Sue arrived in Riverbend in 2011 after spending 25 years on her home farm at the corner of Elviage and Westdel Bourne. Mau- reen and Ruth, it turns out, lived just down the street from one another on Reynolds Road in Byron for many years. Maureen has been part of the community since 1973 and even recalls working at Cornell’s Fruit Farm as far back as 1958. Ruth has lived her entire life in the area, growing up here and later raising her family close to the same streets she has always known. Each of these women now has children who also reside in Riv- erbend, further strengthening their ties to the neighbourhood. Connections to the place you live are essential for creating a sense of security and strong roots within a community. “We are privileged to have reached this age,” Ruth shared, with Sue and Maureen nodding in agreement. Our time together was filled with wonderful stories and an in - credible number of shared connections to people throughout the area—connections that continue to be cherished. It’s no sur - prise that many people who downsize or move into retirement living choose to remain in the neighbourhoods they know well.
Familiar pharmacies, banks and grocery stores help make the transition easier and far less daunting. Forging new friendships with neighbours—some once only passing acquaintances and others entirely unknown—brings with it a powerful sense of nostalgia and belonging. We could have talked for hours more, but left with plans to seek out others in the building and nearby who share long histories in the area. Stay tuned for future gatherings where neighbours can recon- nect, meet new friends, and reminisce about the good old days. The Riverbend Villager will continue to connect residents to the place they live. Sifton Properties has played a quiet but important role in shap- ing connected communities like this one. By creating welcom- ing spaces where neighbours naturally come together, they help foster the sense of belonging that so many residents value.
PLUS
1325 Riverbend Road www.shoesbootsnbags.com 519-601-2668
To advertise here please contact Barb@villagerpublications.com
Riverbend Villager Jan/Feb 2026
Page 7
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs