The aspect of six degrees of separation that proves we are all connected comes out in support of A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp yet again.

Let me explain.

When I was a kid I grew up in Kitchener, Ontario and cousins of mine lived in Stratford, about a 40-minute drive down Highway 7. We spent family events either at the Dooley house or the Hansford house. As a result the cousins were very close, and remain so. We spent a lot of time in the Festival City. Still love the place, although as kids we always used to tease that we were from the 'big city' and Stratford was a hick town. Couldn't be farther from the truth.

When I started to coach at Olympia and was able to bring Joy and our two children we would need babysitters to help us out when we went into town or, of course, we ventured to the coach's lounge. Two key sitters were Kim and Krista Hurley, daughters of coach Dave Hurley and his wife Diane. What a family atmosphere. Understand that this was in the mid 90's.

Turns out that the Hansford and Hurley families knew each other in Stratford through softball with their kids and Dave Hurley and my cousin Mike Hansford even  coached their daughter's team  together. I didn't know this until this week. 

Fast forward more than 25 years and through the efforts of Olympian Rob Simmons and Mike we will be holding a book signing event at the Bowl Bar in Stratford. The owner of the establishment ? Kim Hurley! 


Kim and I have not spoken for all these years and talking to her this week felt like we were at a picnic table on coach's row! Listening to Kim and reading their restaurants'  websites, I'm impressed the her philosophy of food as a big part of the nourishment of the body and soul. A philosophy in keeping wth the hero's journey for sure. Let's make the world abetter place. 

There are many Olympians in the area and I hope many will be able to come out and support the book and have another mini-Olympia reunion. If are able to join us, make sure you save the date! And if you can, share this with people you know in the Stratford, London area. If not able to come, maybe we'll see each other on May 24 weekend on the shores of Oxbow Lake

There are other flames that we are attempting to light as Olympia prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary on the May long weekend, and the memories the book will play a huge part. Stay tuned!





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