The Paris Independent
16
December 9, 2023
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT The book makes Salah’s love for Cobblestone Common.” would be for Paris, a hundred years Paris, Ontario clear and I asked Perhaps you don’t know the from now and he paused, took a him, what first made him fall in beautiful fountain/water sculpture breath, and said steadily, “Maybe love with Paris? in Cobblestone Common is changing the name to Bachirville “My house,” he exclaimed. To be dedicated to Salah’s father and is with a forty-foot monument?” We fair, it’s one of Paris’ gems so one of the many community both laughed loudly, and he waved there’s no surprise there but much projects Salah Bachir has supported in the air, “No, no, but really, more like his own gardens and landscape in Paris. acknowledgment and inclusion of around his treasured home, he also When I asked Salah about the Indigenous peoples and culture in loves the wonderful greenery and future of Paris, what changes he’s Paris, plus my mortgage finally flowering beds throughout the witnessed in his 30+ years living paid off…” We laughed town. here and what he would like to see boisterously again. “My favourite spots are my front for Paris in the future, he replied, He may be a legendary Canadian garden, back garden and side “More diversity! In the people, the business executive, guardian of one garden,” - we laughed gleefully – restaurants and the attractions,” of the most stunning art collections “Oh and anywhere on the river.” noting he’s seen an improvement, in the world, a member of the Order Plus, not to mention, all the but he’d like to see even more, and of Ontario, possessor of enough wonderful small businesses and I agree on both counts. stories and memories for many programs Salah and his husband It’s amazing that Bachir is thinking memoirs and living in a dream Jacob support. about the future of Paris while house but at the end of the day, he’s “We love to visit our friends at simultaneously honouring and an ordinary - absolutely lovely and Elberta Farms, Jiggs & Reel for the preserving the history of the town generous person who just happens best fresh seafood and the too. I asked him what his dream to be famous.
To the left, an exclusive art of Salah created by his husband Jacob. To the right, Salah in his rose backdrop promo photos for his newly released book ‘First to Leave The Party’ is available now. Click here to purchase!
