Describe yourself with 3 words.

Creative, daring, witty.

What is a favourite day trip? 

 My favourite day trip is packing a small picnic and cycling to a nice spot on the river. Lakefield is always a nice place—lots of secluded river-side spots. 

What is something you’ve mastered? Or what new hobby have you tried in the last year?

Last year I tried cross-county skiing for the first time and now I own 4 pairs of skis and have tried a little of everything. I’m not an expert by any means, but I’m at a level where I can traverse just about anything on xc skis. 

What is something you’ve done despite being scared?

 Recently I decided to go back to school for massage therapy. It was a big change after getting really comfortable as a permanent fixture at Wild Rock. So far I have found it very rewarding and I look forward to what it can bring in the future. 

What is a new outdoor activity that you have pursued in the last year? Or would like to pursue this year? If not an outdoor activity, just something in general that you are interested in taking up.

I’m very interested in ice climbing and getting better at skate skiing. Thankfully there are other staff at Wild Rock that are willing to guide me in the right direction or (even better) teach me everything I need to know. 

What is a favourite local shop, cafe, or restaurant?

My favourite local shop (other that Wild Rock) is Black Honey. I’m addicted to their lavender shortbread cookies. 

Where do you like to go to recharge/destress? (for example, a local beach, a warm destination, camping, your backyard, or a provincial park). 

To recharge I like to cycle to somewhere peaceful (sometimes very far) and just sit with a hot chocolate or a coffee.

What advice or words of wisdom would you give to yourself 5 years ago?

learn to value your solitude. You’ll always have you, and when you learn to be happy alone everyone and everything that comes into your life will be compared to the peace you bring yourself. If something or someone disrupts that peace then it may be time to move forward to something else. 

Describe yourself with 3 words.

Laugh every day.

What is a favourite day trip? 

Ride my bike to Pastry Peddler for treats with hubby and friends. 

What is something you’ve mastered? Or what new hobby have you tried in the last year?

Learn to play the drums. Don’t tell anyone, my husband doesn’t know yet.

What is something you’ve done despite being scared?

Well, there’s scared:

Downhill skiing in complete whiteout fog. It kinda made me seasick too, so then I forgot about being scared.

And then there’s really scared:

Getting back on my road bike again after being attacked by a dog. Honestly, that was terrifying, and will haunt me for a while.

What is a new outdoor activity that you have pursued in the last year? Or would like to pursue this year?

Snowshoeing! Surprisingly it was one of my favourite days this winter. 

Also golfing again. I forgot how it gives you a crazy mix of 

anticipation/ addiction/ frustration/ satisfaction that makes you want to go out again!

What is a favourite local shop, cafe, or restaurant?

Obviously Pastry Peddler :)

Also there’s nothing better than sitting in the patio at Ashburnham Alehouse with friends.

Where do you like to go to recharge/destress? (for example, a local beach, a warm destination, camping, your backyard, or a provincial park). 

I love the lake at our cottage. Paddling a kayak or standup paddle board in the sunshine, taking in all the sights and sounds makes me happy.

What advice or words of wisdom would you give to yourself 5 years ago?

Enjoy today! No matter where you are or who you are with, smile and be happy with everything you have right now.

 Describe yourself with three words.

Athletic, hard worker and straight to the point.

 What is a favourite day trip? 

Going indoor rock climbing with my friends and family.

 What is something you’ve mastered? Or what new hobby have you tried in the last year? 

My new hobby this year is indoor rock climbing and ice climbing. I enjoy climbing because it is a workout and very social.

What is something you’ve done despite being scared?

Something I was scared about doing was learning how to drive, I just kept putting it off. Now I am confident at driving and enjoy driving. 

What new outdoor activity have you pursued in the last year? Or would you like to pursue this year?

Ice climbing is a new outdoor activity I have tried in the last year! I have gone a couple of times with my family.

What is your favourite local shop, cafe, or restaurant?

Cork and Bean!

Where do you like to go to recharge/destress? (for example, a local beach, a warm destination, camping, your backyard, or a provincial park). 

I like to go to the gym to recharge/destress. I also enjoy going for walks at night with my family.

What advice or words of wisdom would you give yourself five years ago?  

High school goes fast, so enjoy it while you are there! And try new things that might challenge you! 

Describe yourself with 3 words.

Good-natured; optimistic; organized.

What is a favourite day trip?

Going to Northumberland forest for a hike.

What is something you’ve mastered? Or what new hobby have you tried in the last year? 

 I have recently started doing yoga and really enjoy the mindfulness component as well as focus on flexibility and strength. 

What is something you’ve done despite being scared?  

I rode my bike down a mountain.

What is a new outdoor activity that you have pursued in the last year? Or would like to pursue this year? If not an outdoor activity, just something in general that you are interested in taking up. 

 I have started riding a gravel bike.  

What is a favourite local shop, cafe, or restaurant?  

One of my favourite local shops is The Main Ingredient.  

Where do you like to go to recharge/destress? (for example, a local beach, a warm destination, camping, your backyard, or a provincial park). 

I love going to Prince Edward Island in the summer. 

What advice or words of wisdom would you give to yourself 5 years ago? 

Don’t worry about things so much, they generally work out for the best. 

Describe yourself with 3 words. 

Grateful, excited, proud.

What is a favourite day trip? 

Packing a picnic and going canoeing / kayaking with my husband John.

What is something you’ve mastered? Or what new hobby have you tried in the last year? 

Canoeing with my husband John and camping with the family is my favourite activity and way to spend a summer day or weekend.

What is a new outdoor activity that you have pursued in the last year? Or would like to pursue this year?

More biking.

What is a favourite local shop, cafe, or restaurant? 

Favourite place is McThirsty’s Pint on the patio for post work get togethers with the WR team.

Where do you like to go to recharge/destress? (for example, a local beach, a warm destination, camping, your backyard, or a provincial park). 

Being out on the water and enjoying the peacefulness of nature. This is the place that I feel grounds me and forces me to remember what is truly most important in life which is health happiness and family.

What advice or words of wisdom would you give to yourself 5 years ago? 

When life presents challenges… break it down and don’t get ahead of yourself.

Describe yourself with 3 words.

Caring, fun & outgoing.

What is a favourite day trip? 

A good hike/snowshoe with husband and my dog Hoover followed by a great meal. 

What is something you’ve done despite being scared?

I’m not a fan of water I can’t see the bottom of but I continue to swim in & across lakes, even if my imagination gets the better of me!

What is a new outdoor activity that you have pursued in the last year? Or would like to pursue this year?

I had tried stand-up paddleboarding before but this last summer I really got into it and love it. 

What is a favourite local shop, cafe, or restaurant?

McThirsty’s after work with my friends—they have the best beers (sour beers) on tap and I always have a good laugh.

Where do you like to go to recharge/destress? (for example, a local beach, a warm destination, camping, your backyard, or a provincial park). 

A trip to my off-grid cottage on Sharbot Lake as it is the definition of peaceful.

What advice or words of wisdom would you give to yourself 5 years ago?

Be kind to yourself, savour the moments big and small, keep trying new things and new adventures. 

Describe yourself with 3 words.

 Creative, nature lover, foodie.

What is a favourite day trip? 

 Warsaw Caves.

What is something you’ve mastered? Or what new hobby have you tried in the last year?

 Trail running.

What is something you’ve done despite being scared?

 Tobogganing down Armour Hill.

What is a new outdoor activity that you have pursued in the last year? Or would like to pursue this year?

Nordic skiing with my family .

What is a favourite local shop, cafe, or restaurant?

The GreenUP Store 

Where do you like to go to recharge/destress? (for example, a local beach, a warm destination, camping, your backyard, or a provincial park). 

Watering my plants and gathering garden edibles.

What advice or words of wisdom would you give to yourself 5 years ago?

Get out of the big city and live closer to nature.

Describe yourself with 3 words.

Curious, determined, and creative.

What is a favourite day trip? 

From Peterborough, I love driving up to High Falls (Eels Creek) and hiking in.

What is something you’ve mastered? Or what new hobby have you tried in the last year?

I tried out some backcountry low-key mountaineering this winter! It was really hard and extremely fun. 

What is something you’ve done despite being scared?

Purchased a house and a business in one year! 

What is a new outdoor activity that you would like to pursue this year? 

I’ve already done some big backcountry climbing days, but I want to learn more and get in shape to do some harder/bigger ones in more remote places.

What is a favourite local shop, cafe, or restaurant?

Can I pick three? Milk + Tea (I’m obsessed with bubble tea!), Sweet Beast Butcher Shop, and Hard Winter Bakery. 

Where do you like to go to recharge/destress? (for example, a local beach, a warm destination, camping, your backyard, or a provincial park). 

I de-stress best either on a rock wall or in the pottery studio. 

What advice or words of wisdom would you give to yourself 5 years ago?

Pursue optional discomforts and suffering so that you’re strong when the unexpected ones hit you. Plus, you’ll have some great stories to tell. 

AND

Get clear on the kind of person you want to become. When you’re unsure of how to proceed, ask, “what would that person do?” I also use people I admire. At work, Brené Brown; in sport, Nina Williams; in problem-solving, Dad; in social settings, Jackie; in relationships, Kieran; and in business, Scott.