Episode #40 - June Campbell is a resident at The Village of Riverside Glen in Guelph, shares with Erin Davis & Doug Robinson on the green bench.  She has lived a life that has not only witnessed history as it happened but in which she even rubbed elbows with Gordon Pinsent with whom she went to school.  June was born in St. John's, Newfoundland before it was even a part of Canada, learn more by listening to her story from the green bench.

June lived a proud moment in Canadian history and remembers when the premier, Joseph Smallwood, signed the documents on March 31st, 1949 when Newfoundlanders to become Canadians.

"Joseph Smallwood did not want any jokes about April fools, so he had the papers signed on the 31st. And then we all became naturalized citizens."

"We had our own currency, our own stamps, and paid duty from everything we ordered from Canada, even from the Sears catalogue." - June Campbell

In her first marriage of 22 years, she experienced a challenge with religious differences and her parents not accepting the mixed marriage between Catholic and Protestant.  "I got used to it after a while"

June went to a girls school which was very strict, having to walk in a crocodile line when walking past the boys school, and not allowed to look.

"The boys school was Bishop Field, the girls was Bishop Spencer, and never the train should meet." - June Campbell

Come From Away - the story of 911 when the air traffic had to find a place to land and ending up in Newfoundland.  Show details at https://comefromaway.com 

40 Years old, 3 children and love strikes again. "I hadn't heard his voice in 25 years, but I recognized it. And this is the man I married the following year." -June Campbell

Her second husband of 30 years, Gordon, was the youngest of 10 children. "Yes, we had 10, but they stopped when they attained perfection."

A Travel Conversation including: Australia, Barbados, Russia, Estonia, UK and more

"I married him for his Air Canada pass, and he married me for my underground parking." -June Campbell

Book: In a Sunburned Country, Bill Bryson 

"It's all about making the new connections where you are." - Erin Davis

A great idea to share who you are by posting a photo outside your door in the retirement and long-term care home of when you were younger.  We would love to see a photo of you when you were younger.

"So important to remind people that we are the same spirits, the same soul, the same people.  It's just that our suits have gotten a little wrinkled over the years." - Erin Davis

"You can't beat a nice cod steak.  It makes good fish & chips." - Doug Robinson

If you could travel somewhere tomorrow (no limits), where would you go?

Book: Mourning Has Broken by Erin Davis - https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443454636/mourning-has-broken/

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The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.

It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.

"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel

This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.

#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions