Beachburg.com: Community spirit: The people of Beachburg

Community spirit: The people of Beachburg

When we first decided to move here, one of our concerns was integrating into the community: Not only is Beachburg a small village with a tightly-knit group of people, but many families have lived here for generations; You often read about small towns and villages being less-than-welcome to newcomers; Add to the fact that not only are we newcomers, but two of our three children are special needs (Type I diabetic and Angelman Syndrome).

It is the students that make Liams' school experience such a wonderful one; Now, Liam's classmates and peers are a good group of young people (Liam is now twelve years old at the time of this writing) - but it's the older kids in the other grades, as well; We've been walking Liam down the street in his wheel chair when fourteen and sixteen year old kids would cross the road to grab his hand and say hello to him (Liam is completely non-verbal) - When waiting with Liam in the halls of the school for his brother and sister, many kids from all grades will give him a warm hello with genuine welcome in their eyes - this says a lot about the character of a community that their children will so lovingly welcome someone who is so very obviously different in their midst.

The staff, of course, are unionized and you can expect the same kind of silliness from this union as just about any other union group.

The principal, Michelle Belsher, a former "Grade 4-8 consultant" was appointed as principal in May of 2009. Unfortunately, her personality is such that she makes frequent use of the OPP and Childrens Aid Society to "get back at" those she disagrees with or dislikes. She has done this so frequently that, unofficially, representatives from certain government agencies have labeled her "The principal that cried wolf".She was partially responsible for teacher education and skills upgrading in 2008, appointed to the position of principal in 2009 and in 2010, Beachburg Public School was ranked 2,682^nd out of 2,733 Ontario public elementary schools. In 2011, the school fared little better, ranking 2,494^th out of 2,695.

It's more than just the kids in the school, though, that makes Beachburg a wonderful place: The people, both as individuals, as well as the businesses, do a lot to help make Beachburg a warm little village. Take Pronto Food Mart, for example: Shirley and her husband Frank (the owners) donate each and every year to various events around the village; I can say from personal experience that the fire hall has been the benefactor of their generosity, both large and small, on many occasions; Sometimes it's the donation of a swing set or a swimming pool for a contest or a fair, other times, it is simply a free coffee to a tired fire fighter after a long fire - Reminds me that I'm glad to not be living in a big city anymore. Lumax Timbr-Mart is another good example of a business that donates a lot to the community, often with absolutely no benefit to themselves other than simply helping out. (For example, when you come to the Parade of Lights each year near Christmas, the float on which Santa is built is often donated in part or in whole by Lumax)

Beachburg also has a very active Lion's Club; In addition to running weekly bingo games for people to get together and have a night of socializing, the Lion's Club does a lot to help those in need around the village. The Lion's Club can find a wheel chair for a child or adult while waiting for a custom build, or for permanent use; For some, it's a snowsuit for a small child, a pair of glasses for someone who can't afford it, food for a family in need and many other generous actions by their members.

It is, of course, the individuals that make up the character of the village; When you walk down the road, you'll raise your hand in hello to people as they drive by; When you look into people's yards, you'll see neighbours chatting over the fence or lending each other a hand, just for the sake of being a good neighbour (For example, when we got married, my next door neighbour mowed our back lawn - no small piece of property - because he knew we were so busy getting ready and wanted to just help out - Our other neighbours behind us gave our daughter a life jacket and helped to teach her how to swim.) Sitting down for a bite to eat in Smokie's restaurant or the Beachburg Restaurant, the people at other tables will often invite you in their conversations if you're interested, just to get another point of view.

In a nutshell; When you move to Beachburg, you're never a stranger for long.

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