Warm Hearts on the Coldest Night of the Year The family attended St. George’s church in Byron every Sunday. “We may have been late often, but we always got to church one way or another,” says Wayne. In December 1963, a fire broke out at the Reed home, temporarily relocating them to a vacant house on Byron Baseline. The Reeds still remember the community’s love and donations. “We received so many donations that we eventually had to ask the community to stop and redirect some of those donations to the local churches,” says Robert. TD Wortley Branch Manager Frances Distefano, and Manager Customer Experience Andressa Barros braved the cold Feb- ruary 24 and participated in Mission Service of London’s Coldest Night of the Year walk in support of local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. “As leaders of the TD Wortley Branch, it is a mission of ours to lead by example when it involves supporting our community. We have a lot to be thankful for, therefore, being visible and taking action to support fundraising initiatives that help those less fortunate is priority more than ever,” said Andressa.
Grand Theatre announces 2024 High School Project Growing Up Reed in Byron During the 60s and 70s, everyone in Byron likely knew a Reed. The Reed family, consisting of seven boys, three girls, and their parents, lived on the quiet, tree- lined Byron Blvd. The street, originally called Byron Ave, was renamed due to a naming conflict with London after annexation. The Grand Theatre’s renowned youth mentorship program, the High School Project (HSP) will celebrate its 26th anniversary with the Tony and Olivier award-winning Roald Dahl’s MATILDA the Musical (book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin). It will feature students on-stage and behind-the-scenes to take on roles such as stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, orchestra, sound, and entertainment marketing. The High School Project is open to any high school student from London and area who will be enrolled in high school in the fall of 2023, or participating in homeschooling. Ages generally range from 14 to 18. Visit www.grandtheatre.com/participate-high-school-project to learn more.www.grandtheatre.com/high-school-project Olive and Bruce when they met
In the early 1940s, Bruce, who was from Kitchener, met Olive while he was in the Navy and stationed in St. John’s, Newfoundland. They were married in St. John’s, where they had their first child, Jeanette. They then moved to Kitchener, where the rest of the children were born. Over the next 16 years, they had ten children. In 1962, with their children, Jeanette (17), Cheryl (15), Wayne (13), Robert (11), John (10), Don (8), Gary (6), Roger (4), Kelly (3), and baby Joanne, the Reeds moved to Byron. Their new home was a quaint brick house with a big backyard,
Reed Family 1977
Frances Distefano and Andressa Barros As was typical for Byron youth at the time, the Reed children often found part-time work at the Hunt Club, Little Beaver, and the ski hill. John recalls working as a tow operator at the ski hill when there were just four hills. At the time, the tow was powered by a V8 engine that skiers had to hang onto to get up the hill. A strong sense of family was instilled in the Reed kids and family dinners were always filled with laughter and love. For anyone growing up in a large family, you know you have to learn to eat fast if you wanted to have a chance at seconds. The siblings all fondly remember a staple meal; stewed tomatoes and macaroni. For mom, Olive, the work to keep the household going was never- ending. Wayne declares, “My mother worked twice as hard as my Dad. I recall her doing laundry first thing in the morning and last thing at night.” Laundry was a never-ending task with ten kids. Roger fondly remembers his siblings chipping in for a new pair of goalie skates for his 10th birthday, a gesture that warmed
Olive and Bruce 1998
South Collegiate’s Emma Bishop, 2023 High School Project
where the children learned the importance of sharing, sometimes with up to seven sharing a bedroom. The younger children at - tended St. George’s ele- mentary school, while the older ones attended CCH or Westminster high school. Due to overcrowding at Westminster in the late 1960s, Saunders Secondary School was opened in 1972 and Don, Gary, Roger, Kelly, and Joanne graduated.
350 Ridout S • (519) 601-3900 www.boldbeauty.ca Face | Skin | Body Treatments Feel Great, Look Amazing Leading Skin Rejuvenation Clinic Enhance your natural beauty
^LJŶĞƌŐŝĐdƌŝ WƌŝŶĐŝƉĂů/ŶǀĞƐƚŝŐĂƚŽƌ͗ ƌ 'ĞƌŝĂƚƌŝĐDĞ
Botox, Lip Filler, Dermal Filler, Laser Hair Removal, facials, hydrofacial, Indian head massage, microblading, permanent makeup, PRP, microneedling, Dermaplaning & more.
Have you had changes in memory? Are you feeling forgetful?
4 A re you between 60 and 85 years old? 4 Are you feeling forgetful? D r. Montero-Odasso invites you to take part in a study from the comfort of your home that may help to improve your memory and thinking. For more information, contact (519) 685 4292 ext. 45629 or info@gaitandbrain.com We will provide you with information about the study and ask you questions about your memory and health. 45629
Principal Investigator: Dr. Montero-Odasso, Geriatric Medicine SynergicTrial.com
To advertise here please contact Barb@villagerpublications.com To advertise here, please contact Cathy@villagerpublications.com
Page 12 Byron Villager Page 10 Wortley Villager • April 2024
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs