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megram - Index

megram - 55JulGTA - Index

for the story of his house, he discovered
the layered and fascinating history of his
neighbourhood. That led to further
research into local history, the publication
of his first book and a burgeoning
reputation as a historian and storyteller.
Then the history walks began. Bill
now regularly conducts guided walks,
complete with commentary and true
stories about the people and places that
formed the heart of the city core. Bill
does the leading and talking, while Ann
does the “herding.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to get everyone
to keep up,”she explains.“They straggle.”
This past spring they led 30 people
on a tour of Hess Village and Locke
Street as a fundraiser for the Art Gallery
of Hamilton.
“It’s my way of celebrating this
amazing city that I live in. Hamilton
made me, really. I was born and educated
here, and spent my life in this city. I
think its location between the harbour
and the escarpment is unique and its
history is fascinating. I want to inspire
others to see the magic in this city too,”
Bill explains.
The walking tours keep him busy
but,“they don’t keep me off the streets.
Rather, they keep me out there!” he
jokes.
Bill is the vice-chair of the Hamilton
Historical Board, and a member of the
Hamilton Municipal Heritage committee.
He’s also a member of the board of
governors of the City of Hamilton
Future Fund and a member of the
Hamilton Arts Advisory Commission. In
between times, he and Ann volunteer as
docents at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
“Every time the exhibitions change,
we have to learn about the new artists
and the works. It’s a little like studying
for a final exam every few weeks.”
When he guides visitors around the
gallery, Bill loves to throw in the stories
that form the background of the works.
“It’s all very well to talk about the
shape and form and colour in a painting,
but people are really mesmerized by the
stories of the places represented, or the
painter’s life.”
It’s a way for him to use his drama
background too.
“I love it when someone from
Toronto is blown away by this beautiful
gallery, but it is even more rewarding to
introduce a local to it for the first time.
Often they are astounded at the quality
of the collection and the sophistication
of the gallery.”
Bill is also the vice-president of the
board of directors of Community
Information Hamilton, an information
providing group and social agency that
helps people find the information they
need to get assistance.
The payback for Bill from all his
community involvement is the people
he meets.
“I enjoy people, and I enjoy trying
to help the city as best I can to take
advantage of its arts and heritage. I also
need to be active — it keeps my brain
sharp.”
When he isn’t leading a walk, he’s
usually out walking anyway.
“I don’t like driving and that’s why
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July/August 2008 • 49 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
we live downtown.I can walk to get anywhere
I need to go.”
His books and volunteer work also
nudged him into self-learning.
“I was a complete computer illiterate
when I retired. I’ve taught myself
pretty much everything. I’ve just mastered
PowerPoint for a history presentation
I need to give.”
There are probably another few
books ahead in his future. Bill loves
research, but he hates the editing
process, perhaps a hangover from all
that marking as an English teacher. Ann
has become his live-in editor,and he concentrates
on the research and writing.
Will he ever slow down?
“Well, I’m still 16 in here,” Bill says,
pointing to his heart,“and I always think
young. Wouldn’t it have been great to
have the knowledge you have now
when you were 16? I believe that keeping
busy and fit is the key to enjoying
life. If any of my boards decide they
don’t need me anymore — well, then I’ll
start another book.”
Fun!
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