THOSE WERE THE DAYS: Russ Sanders Leaves a Legacy
I attended Sandwich Collegiate high school, our main rival was Patterson Collegiate. We had an ongoing debate which school had the better team spirit, proving our school was the best, I wrote an article outlining why our school gave the most support to our Spartan teams. To my surprise the Windsor Daily Star printed my comments. Wow, I was a twelve year old kid in awe looking at my own words printed, published in the daily newspaper.
Over the years I wrote song lyrics, radio and television commercials, published short stories and poems and in 1984 was hired to write for the Lakefield Herald. Continuing through the years I wrote for Todays Seniors/Forever Young magazine, the Connection, Windsor Star, Cottage Country Lifestyle magazine, have a published book that was adopted into the War Amps of Canada Library, Ottawa. I was invited five different years as guest speaker to the prestigious Learning In Leisure Club, plus dozens of times for various senior groups. I own Let Me Write It, a small but successful business specializing in mini biographies for senior women, men and couples. My poem Remembrance Day has been read, published dozens of times and I have been honoured three times to read my poem in person on November eleventh at local cenotaphs.
I could go on tooting my own horn but what I am pointing out is, from September 1984 to September 2024, I have been writing continuously for forty years, forty wonderful, enjoyable years.
Now here is the tough part. This is my last column, yes, I am retiring from what I want to call a successful career loving every minute, every column, every good comment and even a few bad ones. I have written over a dozen mini bios, maybe one or two more, I am not sure yet.
I remember vividly in grade four Miss Haberlin giving us assignments such as how we spent our vacation or Christmas holidays. She would always ask me to read what I had written even though I pleaded that I was not finished and at the end of the class ask me to read aloud how I ended my story. I used to get aggravated being centered out like that but as I got older I realized she saw something in me I had not yet seen in myself.
For the past forty years I have had short stories and poems published in the Examiner, Peterborough This Week, Walkerville Times and countless publications too numerous to list but still fresh and appreciative in my memories, columns I have truly poured my heart and soul into.
I have been asked to put together another book but no, I am ninety years old, my health is not the greatest and although I remember the Great Depression, World War II and so many subjects worthy of a column, I believe after forty years, it is time.
I want to thank first of all, the many readers who wrote emails and letters to me, those who stopped me on the street almost weekly telling me they have been reading my columns for years. Thank you to the editors and publishers who allowed me the privilege to write. Thank you to all who had enough faith in me and my work allowing me to grace the pages of their publications.
Finally, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year and a warm, sincere, heartfelt hug to one and all, I will miss you.
Russ Sanders
epigram@nexicom.net
Russ Sanders has been with this publication since its beginnings as the Causeway Connection in 1994 – what a run!
Russ has been one of the most wonderful people to work with over the years, and despite mostly connecting via email,
I have had the pleasure of not only getting to know Russ, but to befriend him – and what a bright light he brings with him.
Our penpal style emails have been the highlight of my workday for the past 10 years.
We cant thank Russ enough for his years of dedication and wisdom, and this comes with a thanks to his
loyal readers as well; he definitely leaves a legacy here at Cottage Country Lifestyle Magazine.
Thank you Russ, for sharing with us your accomplishments, musings, memories and lessons over the years.
We wish you all the best in your new adventure of retirement at 90!
