Contributor Spotlight

Russ Sanders

Russ Sanders has been writing for this publication since it was the Causeway Connection in 1994. As our longest running contributor, Russ provides our readers with his interesting looks back on historical moments in time, while he shares his thoughts on the world today with his column ‘Those Were The Days’.

Russ Sanders was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1934, he will be eighty-nine years old in December, 2023.  He met his lovely wife Catherine in Windsor where they were married seventy years ago. Together they have two sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren and four great grand daughters.

Russ wrote his first article when he was twelve years old in grade nine bragging about our high school spirit and The Windsor Daily Star printed it. “Seeing something I had written and published for all to see was a life changing experience.” says Russ.

“Through the years I have written lyrics for country western songs, radio and television commercials, a published book ‘We Just Want To Sing The Songs’ that has been adopted by the War Amps Of Canada and placed in their Ottawa Library archives.

I began my twenty-three-year career in the Standardbred Racing industry in 1965 working part time with Windsor Raceway as Supervisor and after ten enjoyable years I accepted a position with Flamboro Downs, Dundas, Ontario as Operations Manager and Director of Mutuals for eleven years. Kawartha Downs was in financial trouble so I took on the General Manager position to get the track back on steadier grounds then, retired in 1985.”

Over a span of fifty odd years Russ has written for Windsor Daily Star, both Peterborough Examiner and Peterborough This week, Forever Young/Todays Seniors magazines, The Lakefield Herald, The Connection and presently the Cottage Country Lifestyle and What’s Happening magazines.

Russ says, “I have been honoured to have been invited as guest speaker for dozens of organizations, clubs and meetings and to read my poem Remembrance Day at cenotaphs on November elevens.”

He also has a successful small business called “Let Me Write It” specializing in low-cost mini biographies for senior men and women, or elderly couples.

“Life is an adventure, I have had my successes and failures but as long as my right foot follows my left, I will continue on.” – Russ Sanders