For nine years now, our own NHL legend Bobby Orr has returned home for the annual Bobby Orr Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
If only other communities that have produced famous personalities were as lucky as Parry Sounders.
Orr has friends here, and family, but it’s easy for celebrities to eschew their hometown roots as they move on, create new networks, and settle down somewhere a little bit warmer.
Not Bobby Orr. He returns every year, for golf tournaments, and the local hall of fame induction ceremony.
He hasn’t forgotten his roots. He said as much during his heartfelt speech during Saturday’s ceremony. When he’s here, we probably border on demanding too much of his attention, making a trip home a little more complicated than it has to be.
But every year he returns, and every time he honours Special Olympians like Sandra Hunt, young athletes like Ryan Bell, and a long list of local, historical figures who have contributed to local sports, he makes a difference.
He brings our community together. He provides hope and goals for our youth. He lets everyone know what a small town in Ontario – our small town – has done, and continues to do, for him. He allows us to contemplate the fact we can all find our various paths towards success right here in Parry Sound.
Orr always thanks the community for his success, but we owe him thanks, too, for the time he sets aside to remind us that where we live can make all the difference.
And where we live is a pretty great place held together by some pretty great people.