Byron Villager in 2015, I was inspired to follow it with the Lambeth Villager and Hyde Park/Oakridge Villager in 2016, the Wortley Villager in 2016, and the Komoka/Kilworth/Delaware Villager in 2018. Since then, my little company from Byron, Ontario, has grown to publish twelve community magazines each month. In business, we often don’t discuss pride, yet I start each day with pride in the company I built. Supporting one another and continuing to champion our local businesses is essential to keeping our community strong. I want to credit my amazing team for their unwavering passion, dedication, and hard work. Creating the Villager magazines each month is truly a team effort—it takes a village to bring the Villager to life! It’s a privilege to work alongside such a passionate and talented group of people and I’m continually inspired by what we create together. I am incredibly grateful for the support, enthusiasm, and kind words I have received over the past ten years. It is through the incredible support of the community and my wonderful advertisers that I can publish the Villager each month and deliver it free to your mailboxes. It is my hope to continue informing and entertaining you through the Villager magazines for many years to come. With immense gratitude, Barb
The Byron Villager, 100 Issues and Going Strong!
After a career in corporate marketing, I wanted to pursue something truly meaningful to me. When I reflected on what mattered most, family, close friends and the enchanted little village of Byron, where I grew up, stood out. I raised my boys in Byron, and while they grew up in a different time, they share the same fond memories of this special place.
I have always had a deep appreciation for history— understanding where we come from provides a strong sense of direction for where we are going. My publishing journey began with a desire to make a positive impact and celebrate the magic of this community and its long history. I wanted to create something that elevates lives and makes a difference, and I remain dedicated to making a lasting impact. Byron is a truly magical community and I know many who grew up here would agree. There is strength in numbers and the power of this community lies in its ability to bring people together from all walks of life. Local publications like the Villager magazines serve as a vital thread that helps weave the community together. These magazines not only provide a platform to share stories about neighbours, but they also foster deeper connections and understanding. While national news covers broad issues, hometown coverage holds a unique significance—it drives conversations, serves as a public record and highlights the stories happening in our own backyards. There is an urgency to document and share the experiences of longtime Byron residents. Their stories—whether emotional, fascinating, heroic, humorous, or even tragic—deserve to be told. Most of these accounts have never been published in books or on the internet, yet they hold immense value. They may not make national headlines, but they are no less impactful or important. As our city grows and new residents call Byron home, a local publication that shares stories of both past and present offers comfort and grounding. While Byron holds a special place in my heart, I soon realized that many other communities share this same deep connection to their own histories. After launching the
100 Women Who Care – London & Area 100 Women Who Care - London & Area is a group of women who each commit to a $100 donation at four meetings per year - donating the entire amount to a worthy local charity. No work. No fundraisers. Just the fun of giving and immediate impact! 100 Women x $100 = $10,000 donated locally. The next meeting is May 27th.
Please visit the website at www.100womenwhocarelondon.com or visit Facebook @ 100+ Women Who Care – London & Area for more details.
Proudly Canadian Villager Publications is a proudly Canadian-owned and operated company, deeply committed to supporting our local communities. We’re ALL and ONLY about your LOCAL artisans, entrepreneurs, events, service organiza - tions, businesses, people and places. Creating jobs for fellow Canadians, we use all homegrown resources to write, design, publish, print and deliver your Villager magazines each month. With every issue, we celebrate the spirit of Canada.
To advertise here please contact Barb@villagerpublications.com
Page 3 Byron Villager May 2025
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