November 10, 2003 saw the celebration of 10 years since the Community Involvement Council publication of “Her Shoes are Brown”.  The event was held in the Community Centre in Mt. Elgin Ontario, the site of the original HSAB kickoff. 

    This event had received much support from OACL, Rodgers Cable, The Tillsonburg Gazette, OASIS and others who passed word thorough the community of Southwestern Ontario and beyond.  Registration reflected the wide geographic range reached. The Community Involvement Council website received inquiries from the Toronto area as well as Northern Ontario about the possibility of recreating such an event in their respective areas.

    Organizers of the event were concerned about holding the event the morning of November 10^th as a severe storm had knocked out power to much of the community as well as many surrounding areas.  The driving conditions in some areas were prohibitive and calls were received of cancellations of both speakers and registrants.  As it was too late to cancel at this point (some people were beginning to arrive) organizers decided to press on.

     The morning proved to be a powerful one.  Greetings were read from Peter Park (author of the forward to “Her Shoes are Brown” and People First co-founder) and the 12 speakers who were able to come, despite the storm, delivered their messages. 

    The speakers alternated from a living room set to one more resembling a kitchen.  Several in attendance noted that the sets provided dynamics as well as making for a folksy, more natural setting to listen to speakers’ stories.

    More tables and chairs were brought out to seat the 70 people who had arrived and during the morning break many noted the original “Her Shoes are Brown” decor including photographs, video clips, tee shirts, shoes on the tables, and displays of original marketing materials.  Some were garnering autographs from authors and I noted many stories and much well wishing from involved persons’ regarding “Her Shoes are Brown” inception, and funny antidotes, This was a wonderful reunion.

    Concerns rose about the storm outside and we noted that lunch was being prepared by candlelight as not the entire Centre was with power.

    Speakers continued to tell of how their lives had changed over the past 10 years and of how the telling of their respective stories had been a powerful influence in their lives. We all noted a very quiet and focused house while individuals spoke.

    Lunch was provided and an outpouring of energy noted as many people picked up from where they had been talking at the break.  The storm too was picking up, and most were eager to say their good-byes before braving the highways.

    Organizers braved interviews from local cable providers and were entertaining in their own right.

    The workshop portion of the day was not possible as weather was getting worse and organizers spoke of holding this in the spring.  Those who were unable to make because of the storm would have their registration returned.

    The day had been a powerful and successful one especially considering the weather.

    The Community Involvement Council would like to thank organizers Barb Leavitt, Dianne Peacock and Chris Hicks for their efforts in the making of this powerful and successful event.  We also thank Community Involvement Council members Marg McLean and Lorelei Beard for their help.

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Revised: 03/17/08 03:37 PM -0500.