I wrote this story 5 years ago while visiting Northern Wisconsin. I was reminded of it recently as groups imagine what the impact of their work in community could be. “We received a grant and realized we had no clue how to do a mural,” said Susan Martinsen...

Some community connectors I know collect interesting questions. These are the questions that help tap into what we care about. I have a tin box where I keep ticket stubs from memorable events. In this container are stubs for all kinds of events. They are from ...

A few years ago I met two people who were looking for ideas on how to discover the skills, interests, gifts and connections of people on their street. They found and sometimes created opportunities to have conversations with almost everyone on their 4 block lo...

One of my favourite places to visit when I am back in Cincinnati is Sebastians. Sebastian’s Greek Restaurant is a tiny Greek diner on a busy corner that overflows with hospitality. The food is amazingly delicious and Alex the owner always treats you like...

The doughnuts were works of art in the display case. There were so many colours and creative names to go with the colourful masterpieces. You couldn’t just walk by without going in, right. After checking out all of them, I ordered a Strawberry Cheesecake...

If you were doing an asset map of my neighbourhood this “car tarp wheely board jungle gym” would have to be in it. It brings together so many amazing gifts in the community. What is a car tarp wheely board jungle gym? Well here you can find artists...

When I was a kid I loved to collect baseball cards. There was such excitement when I was able to get a new pack of cards. Inside of the waxy wrapper were  14 cards and a flat piece of hard, okay maybe stale bubble gum. It was always a surprise to see who woul...

For baseball fans Opening Day is kind of like our Christmas. Some of us count the days until spring training starts. Then all eyes are on Opening Day. It is a day of hope and community, each team and city looking forward to the new season and what it may bring...

What do Mookie (Do The Right Thing movie), Kilgore Trout (Kurt Vonnegut novels), Bluto Blutarsky (Animal House movie), Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain), Quenton Casssidy (Once A Runner novel) and Lt. John J. Dunbar (Dances With Wolves movie) all have in common? T...

A member of the Harbour Air crew was perched on the wing of the plane clearing the snow off with a broom. As I watched him prepare the plane for flight I thought of the people I have met in North Carolina over recent months. We have all just completed a series...