Fifty years later Michael writes Chapleau Moments in the Chapleau Express

The wheel, as they say, always comes full circle, and in my life, about 50 years after I started my career in journalism writing a Chapleau High School column for Mid-North News with Joy (Evans) Heft, this Saturday, July 18, marks the launch of a new assignment -- writing Chapleau Moments for a successor to the News, The Chapleau Express. I also had a weekly television program way back then on CHAP-TV, Chapleau on the community channel founded by A.J. Grout, president of Smith and Chapple Ltd. Regular guests were Bill McLeod, Phyllis Chrusoskie and many others whose names escape me now.

When Mario Lafreniere the publisher of The Chapleau Express emailed me with an invitation to write articles on the events and people who have shaped the life and history of Chapleau, I only hesitated for a moment before agreeing to give it a try. Although I have lived away from Chapleau for 20 years now, like so many of those who have moved away readily admit, it remains our home town.

In the past six months or so I have been reconnecting with so many of you on Facebook -- mostly former students from my years at Chapleau High School, although a few more of us 'oldtimers' are now joining the social networking site. It's been great to catch up on all your lives and Chapleau Moments will provide another way to share the stories that have shaped life in Chapleau throughout its history.

I extend my sincere thanks to Mario for providing me with this opportunity.

So, I hope that all of you in Chapleau will take time to read Chapleau Moments in the Chapleau Express, starting this Saturday, July 18.

Please feel free to send me story ideas, suggestions and comments to mj.morris@live.ca or on Facebook.