Rich Helms ca

Printer Friendly

On Saturday, June 13, 2009, I was awarded Member of the Year for The Writers’ Circle of Durham Region. This was an honour for several reasons. What meant the most were all of the logistics it took to make this a surprise for me. I am on the board of directors, which chooses the winner. The group had gotten together beforehand and decided on me. Then at the board meeting, they convinced me that there would not be a Member of the Year this year.

The award was presented at the Annual General Meeting. The Annual Report was given out to each member as he/she entered. In the report was the announcement of the award. Diana created a special copy of the report, without the announcement, for me. In order that no member would say anything to me, each person was told on the way in of the award. When it came time to present it to me, I was the only person in the room who didn’t know I was getting it.

Sue gave out several other awards, then announced that the next would be Member of the Year. I squinted my face thinking “Who is getting that? We decided to not give one this year.”

Imagine my shock as she read my name. The greatest thanks to me was how many people went out of their way to do this.

Thanks all. It was and continues to be my pleasure to help the group.

www.wcdr.org

Printer Friendly

Today I fulfilled one of my lifelong dreams – I bought a post hole digger for my tractor.

With all of the decks on our house, I dug all of those holes with a manual digger. After putting the new unit together, I tried drilling a hole. I drilled a 9″ hole four feet deep in under one minute.

Now that is a MAN’s tool. I love it.

Printer Friendly

We are not amused

Happy Victoria Day

Printer Friendly

SUNDERLAND, ONTARIO, APRIL 5, 2009 – On Sunday, April 5, 2009, Margaret Helms, a one-year-old English Bulldog, won first place in the Large Dog Category in the Doggie Fashion Show held at the 14th Annual Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival. It was a sweet victory for the lovable 60-pound canine, who is a Sunderland resident and has many fans across North America. Competition was fierce in this fashion parade, which drew a number of breeds, from Chihuahuas to a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The paparazzi hounded Margaret, who is named for the late British actress Margaret Rutherford, and who looks remarkably like that film icon. In her acceptance speech, this canine “fairy” thanked her mom and dad, Dorothea and Richard Helms, for entering her into the Fashion Show, even though the tiara was a pain in the neck to wear. She also thanked Ruff Cuts, the Sunderland-based pet food and accessories store that sponsored the contest, as well as her breeder, Rose Brown, of Blackstock, Ontario.

Margaret with her BFF Neil Crone

“We’re so proud,” said local freelance writer Dorothea, a.k.a. The Writing Fairy. “Margaret is the first dog that Rich and I have ever owned, and we think she’s beautiful. It’s great to know so many other people agree with us. She did a fine job today juggling the intricacies of her fairy outfit and the attention from the adoring crowds.” These included many human celebrities who attended the event such as Neil Crone, one of the wacky cast members from “Little Mosque on the Prairie.”

Margaret appears regularly on humorous greeting cards, which are in demand across North America. “I’m proud and privileged to display the Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival trophy on my mantel,” she says. “Do I get to eat my treats now?”

-30-
Media Contact: Dorothea Helms, The Writing Fairy
905-852-9294
fairy@thewritingfairy.com

Printer Friendly

OK, I’m an English Bulldog – but on
St. Patrick’s Day, EVERYBODY’S Irish…

Printer Friendly

Our excuse is we have no grandkids to fawn over. We were in Toys-R-Us looking for some props for a shot when we say a display of Little Tikes plastic cottages. Dorothea jokingly suggested Margaret would love one. The basic model was on sale. So – we bought one. On the drive home, we laughed like we haven’t laughed for a long time. It was worth it just for the comic relief.

I swear putting together a new real house is easier than this thing. Once it was done, we had to bribe Margaret with her supper to lure her in.

I can’t wait for someone to ask what we did on the weekend.

The ‘cottage’ in place now complete with welcome mat, flower planter, bulldog statue and swimming pool.

Printer Friendly

Margaret as a Cherub…
Doesn’t she look fine?
You would make her happy
If you’d be her Valentine!

Posing for this photo
Was really kind of fun
But Margaret soon found out
A Cherub’s work is never done

Printer Friendly

Margaret the Red-nosed Reindeer
Liked her little Antlers – NOT
She drove her parents crazy
Till they finally got THE shot!

Wishing You
A Doggone Great Holiday Season
And A New Year Filled with Treats!

Greetings from The Writing Fairy

Printer Friendly

Maggie is Margaret’s mother.

Photo courtesy of  Rose Brown
bulldog@netscape.ca