R Mark introduced our newest Rotarian Joyce Cassin. Joyce was born and raised in Montreal and has been in Brighton area about 30 years, mostly working in media and journalism.
R Joyce gave us an overview of her life. Sounds like she was a terror to her parents growing up.
She was born in 1961, likely as a result of an otherwise dreary Valentine's Day in February 1961 she believes. She was born at 8lbs and nearly killed her mom. Appears she got into a lot as a child, including electrical sockets and down stairs the hard way (resulting in broken bones). She wanted to learn to read and was disappointed she could not go to school when her youngest brother started. In school she was the only one allowed to borrow 5 books from library over weekend because she would read them, often above her age level.
He father got her a pony at an auction when she was young and this got her out of the house.
At school she was straight 'A's' with short period when boys in her life interfered until she was told to smarted up which she did. She graduated as valedictorian and was planning to go off to University in the US when her father died suddenly. She was 18 at the time and changed her plans, going to work instead. She moved to Toronto in 1982, married in 1983 and had her son Ryan in 1985 who she is very close with.
She moved to Warkworth in 1991, but a fire occurred and they lost everything. A divorce and she and Ryan moved into Brighton in 1997. Ryan was good in school, graduated and now works with computer systems. She has two grandchildren who are awesome.
In 2007 she started working at Northumberland Today in Cobourg.
Along the way she re-acquainted with Shane whom she went to elementary school with. He used to carry her books. When they married, old friends commented that they thought they would marry in grade 6. Shane recently retired and they moved back to Brighton. Joyce after 3 years out of the work force has decided to get her Real Estate license. She has completed 4th level.
Joyce was a member of the Brighton Rotary Club a decade ago and is good to have her back.
R Mark thanked Joyce for he presentation.