Paul Havercroft, Past-Chair
My wife Diana and I moved to Hamilton in 2007 when I took up the role of Associate Pastor at James North Baptist Church (it was called Hughson Street Baptist Church in those days). A couple of years later I was invited to join the Board of the North End Breezes. Being a part of this Community Paper has been a good way to find out more about the neighbourhood I live in and also broaden my connections with the many people and organizations that are a part of it. Knowing that the paper has a dedicated readership in the North End keeps the Board on its toes to provide some good reading and information each month, and it has been good being a part of that process. While my time on the preparation side of the paper has come to a close, I will be looking forward to getting the paper in my mailbox in the days to come. In the meantime, I continue on at the church and the many ways we look to serve our North End neighbourhood.
Board of Directors
I’m an artist, traveller, avid birdwatcher and gardener. Over the years I’ve had wonderful opportunities to meet and work with people in and from many different countries. Their lives and problems have been my focus. My volunteer work has been the same, International and local. How lucky I have been. I moved to the North End seventeen years ago after twenty-five on the mountain because of the character of the neighbourhood and the proximity to the water and trails. The friendly people were a bonus. When I walk over the bridge on James North, I know I’m home. The North End has such a rich history and the Breezes is a part of that. I don’t know of any other truly local community newspaper that has lasted so long. The passion of the volunteers keeps it going strong. The Breezes is part of what makes the North End unique and I’m delighted to be on the board. I deliver your paper too so if you see me out there say Hi!
Collaboration and community involvement are two passions of mine! Since starting at Welcome Inn Community Centre four years ago as its Executive Director, I have been working to deepen our partnerships with other organizations in an effort to reduce some of the systemic injustices present in our community. I believe in the value of working together with our neighbours, and I love this north end community. In my version of an ideal world, we all work together to make our communities more welcoming and inclusive, and safe and inviting. I am a father of four and an outdoor enthusiast, passionate about canoe-tripping, whitewater thrills and running. (Yes, I am clearly a glutton for punishment). Over the years, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for local poetry and writings from within the indigenous community. Storytelling is one of the most human endeavours, and I believe all voices are important. This is part of the reason that I joined the board of The North End Breezes—I love the local stories that are included in each month’s edition!
I love living in the North End and I’m very excited to be on the North End Breezes Board. As a former Managing Editor of a small publication and a love for all things “in print”, small and local, I was immediately drawn to the Breezes. I’ve also been involved with a variety of Not-for-Profit organizations in the past, most recently at the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO). As their Executive Director, I’ve been working to modernize the organization with a strong focus on education and advocacy while also creating meaningful partnerships with like-minded organizations.
I particularly enjoy building community and creating safe and inclusive spaces for everyone to be a part of.
I have a love of old cookbooks, coffee, good food, and a genuine curiosity for people’s stories. I live in the North End with my husband and two small children and I’m looking forward to being a more active member of this community!
I live in the North End with my wonderful wife and our dog Ozzy. I like urbanism, walkable neighbourhoods, mixed-use developments, and Leeds United football club. I am fascinated by the way that communities are created and sustained by the built form of architecture, art, community events, and good land-use planning. I like to walk to Bayfront Park and meet new neighbours along the way. I’m a marketer by day and a wannabe amateur chef by night. I also play a mean trombone.
Chrissy moved to the North End 3 years ago after living overseas for years. An advocate for community, she became part of the North End Breezes – to promote the mission to foster connection, collaboration and friendship throughout the neighbourhood. In her day job, she has been a marketing consultant for brands and small business for 20+ years. She’s often found out and about in the area, delivering the Breezes or puttering outside in her garden. She also has a cat named Bowie, who has many fans in the North End.
I was born in Toronto and moved to Guelph at the age of 23, working as an Industrial Mechanic/Millwright. I came to Hamilton in 1997 and moved to The North End in 2006. I retired in 2010 when I was diagnosed with Auto Immune Muscle Disease. I started volunteering with North End Neighbours around 2011 and was President in 2012. From there, I have volunteered with Welcome Inn, Horizon Thrift Store, and joined the Board of the Breezes in 2013. You can see me most mornings at Our Corner Pub for breakfast. I enjoy walking around the North End and I love stopping to chat with anyone who will put up with me.
The Breezes is published on the first day of the month and delivered to 4,200 homes and businesses in print and on-line. Contact us at 289-933-4810, by email at office@northendbreezes.com, on our website: www.northendbreezes.com or social@northendbreezes.com.
Co-Ordinator: Brenda Duke
Editorial Assistant: Kit Darling
Layout + Design: Katie Fitzgerald
Social Media: Chrissy Chrzan
Web Site Development: Marie Mushing
Circulation & Distribution: The Board, Sheri Selway, Steve Osborne and Chrissy Chrzan along with a dedicated team of volunteers.
When submitting an article for the Breezes we also like to share the content on our social channels. Please include as many pictures as possible and a couple lines of copy we can use for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts. The articles written represent the opinions of the individual and must meet the Mission and Vision of The Breezes and the Board of Directors as set out. Articles may be edited for length, tone, clarity and are subject to publication based on available space. Deadline for submission is the 15th of the month prior to publication. We appreciate an early notice by the 10th of the month if you want to reserve ad space and early submission gives us time to edit your articles. Pictures and logos are accepted and will be included as space allows.
NORTH END BREEZES MISSION: The North End Breezes is a not-for-profit team of volunteers who produce a monthly newspaper and online publications to promote connectivity, share community news and encourage mutual support by engaging our North End neighbourhood community.
NORTH END BREEZES VISION: The North End Breezes is a vital resource in the North End that promotes harmony, pride and collective community action in a diverse and ever-changing neighbourhood. For 50 years now we’ve been a resource for the community and rely on our volunteers to keep the information flowing for years to come. Help us grow your Breezes. Please email your thoughts to office@northendbreezes.com or call 289- 933-4810.
Publication Guidelines
To be accepted for publication, your article must meet the following guidelines:
- No personal or confrontational attacks
- No aggressive language
- Must be factual and cannot contain inaccuracies, you can include sources
- Must meet our limitations for space
- Must include the authors name and a contact email or telephone for follow up
- Any images submitted should be a high resolution jpeg, must support the article and have the permission of the subject or copyright holder
- Articles must meet the Mission and Vision of the North End Breezes
- Deadlines are generally the 15th but might vary by 1 or 2 days due to holidays and printer deadlines.
- Contribute to community engagement and mutual respect and support; promote harmony, pride in our community and collective community action.
We welcome yours as long as it is expressed in a non-confrontational manner and is not a personal attack on another individual.
We reserve the right to edit articles for length, clarity and adherence to our guidelines. We cannot guarantee to submit edited articles to the author for approval
Brenda Duke
Editor/Coordinator
The North End Breezes
office@northendbreezes.com
