Barb is a long standing resident of Gold River, and you can certainly tell how much she loves our little Village. Thank you Barb for participating in the Resident Spotlight, and thank you to her friends for convincing her! 🙂

How long have you lived in Gold River? What brought you here?

I have lived in Gold River for 35 years.  I was on vacation in Seattle when my Grandma phoned me and asked if I would bring her and my Mom up to Gold River to visit my aunt and uncle ( Ted and Helen Grimes) I said sure…never been there and it would be fun. My aunt met us in Campbell River to make sure we got to Gold River alright. We followed her in and I thought that the road would never end. Funny how it doesn’t even bother me now. A couple of days into our stay I was set up for a date with Don. We absolutely hit it off – I took mom and Grandma home and came back for a few more days. I was here for Loggers Sports and Don proposed then and I moved up here shortly after that. We were married the following April. I had 25 wonderful years with Don and I am now on my own.

 

What do you do for (paid) work? 

I am now working part time for the RCMP as a Guard.

Please tell us about any volunteer work you do.

Nothing at the present time…..for approximately 20 years I worked ( mostly volunteered) for Mrs. Anderson (Anderson’s Flowers) doing what ever I could to help her – working with the plants, doing arrangements and bouquets for all occasions as well as the skating carnival.  Picked up her mail and groceries.  Was fun working over there with the flowers and plants.  I enjoyed helping and meeting all the people that came for plants and eggs.  I miss playing with the flowers.

Please tell us a bit about your family.

I have a brother ( Bob ) and sister in law (Lynne) and one nephew (David) and 2 nieces ( Robyn and Leah ) who are all in Langley and Surrey. I don’t get to visit as much as I like, but am always in touch by phone and Facebook. Don’s 4 children and spouses and kids/grand kids all live in Ontario. I am in contact with daughter ( Dawn Marie ) and her children…we talk on Facebook. I’m also in contact with my daughter in law ( Brenda ) and granddaughter ( Sara ) on Facebook too. I consider all my close friends in Gold River my family as well. I am happy that I could stay in this wonderful community where everyone looks out for each other and helps when it is needed.

Do you have any pets?

I have 2 crazy cats. Merlin (black) and Camelot – Cammie for short ( Tortie ) They are brother and sister but do not look or act anything alike. Merlin is too smart for his own good and always getting into trouble for stealing craft supplies and opening closets and kitchen cabinets but he is definitely entertaining. Cammie is a very fat girl and is very talkative…..never lets you forget when she can see the bottom of the food bowl. Diet food – naw – she just eats more. Merlin loves to help who ever comes over for craft days.

Cammie
Merlin
Merlin
Merlin Helping
Merlin Helping

What do you like to do for fun?

I love to swim….try to be at pool Mon – Fri to do laps. Walk, Paper Tole ( 3 D pictures ), scrap booking and card-making, drawing in charcoal or pen and ink, photography, Zentangle, Hardanger embroidery (cut work embroidery from Denmark) gardening, canning, used to do Stainglass. I love learning new crafts….want to learn how to Chinese Brush Paint and Iris Folding (for cards)  Oh, and I love to READ, READ, READ! I usually read at least one book a day…..lots of favorite authors, love Sci-fi, Mystery, Thrillers, Historical and Paranormal.

What do you wish Gold River had that it doesn’t? Is there anything missing for you?

I with that we still had a bowling alley. I used to bowl 3 times a week when I first got here. I also wish that the kids had a skate park/ BMX park….they have such a good time at the one in Campbell River.

And just for fun – if you had 1 million dollars to donate to the community in any way you wished – what would you do with the money?

I have thought of this a lot – and I am selfish…… I wanted to buy the old Odika Restaurant building and add on a bit….make it into an Art Gallery/Museum with the upstairs for all our creative people in town, free of charge they could be responsible for their own hydro. I would also build the skate park/BMX park.

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3 thoughts on “Resident Spotlight – Barb McKenney”

  1. Congratulations, Barb, on being chosen for the resident spotlight. You are very deserving of this honour and I enjoyed reading all your answers to the various questions.

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