b'BBBSND(continued from page 25) drive-by birthday visit on April 29 in his van, blasting the birthday song really loud, to mark Pipers big day.HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR FAVOURITE MEMORIES: TheBFFsonlyliveathree-minutedriveapartin QQhideandseekintheschoolgymnasium,Prince Albert. Barb and Doug have tentative future plans Baking oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in the schoolsPlaying kitchen to share with Pipers class and the custodian hiding behind the curtains on the stage and in theto move to Huntsville area to be near family, but Barb QGoing to visit the animals at pet stores, especially thecubbyholes emphasized that she will always stay in contact with Q Piper.Barb helping a young Piper to get over her nervous- I have a lot of connections in Scugog, and if we ever kittens, including Mittens, and the little dog namedMarlo ness of the water, and learning to swim at Uxpool onmove, Ill be down to visit. Its only two hours away. Qattending the school Talent Show where PiperSunday afternoonsBarbBarb assured.(who has a beautiful voice and comes from a musicalQtaking a photo in her treed backyard of Piper BarbPiper brings joy to my life, said Barb.family), sang Carry on my Wayward Son, when shepetting squirrels that they named Molly and DollyIts amazing to be in the BBBS program, Piper com-was in grade four Ringtails mented. Its nice to have someone to open up to. Barb is PHOTOS BY MARYANN FLEMINGQPiper, age six, amazing Barb by singing the wholeQ Barb and Piper playing Zombie tag outside so sweet and easy to talk to.song Let it Go from the movie Frozen QDiscovering Jembe - drums be- The 45th anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters Northhind the bleachers at school, andDurham (BBBSND) this year coincides with the 7th an-learning to play songs together niversary for Big Sister Barb and Little Sister Piper.Qoutside under shade treesThe good news is that when in-class learning resumes Sittingin September, the In School Mentoring program will start and just chatting up again also. It runs for the duration of the school calen-Qand Barb bouncing on the Piperdar year. Big Sister and mom looking at how Pipers knee and scar are exercise balls in the gymnasiumPatrick BennettQa quick lunch togetherHistory has proven positive results. Youth who partici- coming along since a hiking mishap.Grabbingpate in BBBSND programs increase their self-confidence Real Estate Lawyer atMcDonalds,Tims,orDairyand commitment to learning. But most of all, as the storyBBBSND serves the townships of Scugog, UxbridgeQueen of Barb and Pipers relationship shows, its mostly justand Brock. For more information on programs(905) 620-4499 ext 222 Visiting Qthelocallibrary,whereabout friends hanging out and enjoying spending timeand events, please reach out to:a young Piper wanted to look attogether. margaret.ayres@bigbrothersbigsisters.capbennett@mbjlawyers.com books about tornadoes and otherBy Lynn Campbell, Focus on Scugog or call 905-985-3733.disastersQBarb providing a listening ear ifPiper had anything concerning on her mindWhentheyfirstmet,Piper,six, wasingradeoneatPrinceAlbert Public School. Now she is 13-years-old and going into grade eight. At age 71 now, Big Sister Barb is older than Pipers grandmother.Ageisonlyanumber!Barb reminded. I could keep up with a six-year-old.IvewatchedPipergrowup from a little girl to a confident young lady, Barb commented. It has been so rewarding, so fun. When she was little, when I arrived at the school, she would run up towards me, with a big smile on her face. It put a big smile on my face too.Aftergradeeight,wewillcon-tinue to be lifelong buddies, Piper BrooklinPort Perrychimed in.79 Baldwin St N229 Mary St.Getting together during the pan-Brooklin ON L1M 1A4Port Perry ON L9L 1B7demiclockdownshashaditschal-Tel (905) 620-4499 www.mbjlawyers.com Tel (905) 985-4141 lenges, Barb pointed out. But Piper wasnotforgottenonherbirthday. BarbandherhusbandDougdida 26 FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2021'