An eager group of 12 walkers came out for the Paris Museum’s final regular walking tour of the year on Sept. 29. The brisk autumn air seemed to increase their enthusiasm.
This resurgence of interest was welcomed by tour leader Wayne Wilkinson and assistant Marie Williamson after a disappointing summer. Low turnout forced the cancellation of Wayne’s August walking tour. A June nature hike, led by Garth Pottruff, was cancelled because of inclement weather.
This time, the participants — from Toronto, Brantford and Paris — had lots of questions and a few contributions of their own. When Wayne reached 16 Broadway Street West, the site of one of the town’s finest cobblestone homes, he admitted he’d always been stumped by the symbols above the door. A young woman on the tour was able to unlock the mystery. Recognizing the insignia, she suggested they represented “health” and “prosperity”.
For Wayne and Marie personally, the tour was a tribute to the late Doug Hazlewood; Wayne’s frequent tour assistant. They considered cancelling the Saturday tour out of respect for their friend and fellow volunteer, but decided to go ahead, convinced that is what Doug would have would have wanted.
As mourners paid their respects to Doug at the William Kipp Funeral Home, Wayne remembered his walking tour buddy in a happier place.
by Carol Goar