A Miracle on Grand River Street and a tree to Remember

Dear citizens of Paris, as we approach another joyful holiday season, it is important to reflect on the remarkable events of 2017 when our beloved town almost missed the opportunity to have decorations or even a Christmas tree adorning Cobblestone Common. However, through the incredible generosity of Salah Bachir and Jacob Yerex, Parisians can now cherish the memory of a Christmas miracle that brought light and hope to our community for years to come

Rachelle Rousseau, a member of the Paris Downtown Business Improvement Area and owner of Rachelle Rousseau Photography, played a pivotal role in this heartwarming tale She took it upon herself to investigate the distressing news that the Paris BIA lacked the necessary funds to continue the cherished tradition of erecting the town's Christmas tree.

Undeterred by the challenge, Rousseau reached out to local businesses, hoping to rally their support Alas, the collective effort fell short of bridging the financial gap. However, fate intervened when Brant Municipal Enterprises together with PowerServe Inc.

The Norfolk The Norfolk

Before the Santa Claus Parade on Saturday December 2nd , 2017 the Paris BIA decorated the downtown and had the Christmas Tree raised in the Cobblestone Common for the Annual Tree Lighting at 5pm followed by the parade at 6pm.

stepped forward, offering their assistance in repairing and installing the festive decorations free of charge.

"A Christmas miracle!" exclaimed Rousseau, filled with gratitude. Thanks to this unexpected act of kindness, the town would not be deprived of its cherished holiday adornments. Yet, time was of the essence, and it became clear that organizing the tree's installation through the BIA would be a logistical challenge.

Enter Salah Bachir, president of Cineplex Media and renowned philanthropist, and his partner, the talented artist Jacob Yerex. Recognizing the need to rally around a local cause, they graciously offered to cover the

Photos: County of Brant expenses of the Christmas tree, and offered to purchase brand new decorations for the town provided the BIA included a fundraising effort to coincide with the tree lighting with the proceeds benefiting the Nova Vita Women's Shelter.

With an outpouring of support, the plan was set in motion. The tree and the downtown decorations were secured, and Nova Vita was informed of the wonderful news. The spirit of giving had triumphed, and the entire community eagerly anticipated the lighting of the Paris Community Christmas Tree.

"What better time to give than Christmas?" Rousseau mused, overwhelmed with gratitude

Continued on page 13

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Thanks to the benevolence of Bachir and Yerex, Parisians were granted a unique opportunity to demonstrate their unwavering support for our charming town, its beloved tree, and the invaluable work of Nova Vita.

On that fateful Saturday evening, just before the Santa Claus parade, the Paris Community Christmas Tree stood tall, radiating warmth and joy. Parisians gathered around, their hearts brimming with the holiday spirit. As the tree illuminated the night sky, the collective power of compassion and unity was palpable.

It is vital, even as time passes, to remember the significance of this momentous occasion. The memory of the 2017 Christmas tree, made possible by the selflessness of Salah Bachir and Jacob Yerex, should serve as a reminder of the profound impact we can have when we come together in support of one another.

As we embark on another holiday season, let us not forget the importance of giving back Nova Vita Women's Shelter continues to provide vital support to those affected by domestic violence and abuse In the spirit of gratitude for the generosity bestowed upon our town, let us honour the legacy of the 2017 Christmas tree by making donations to Nova Vita. Together, we can ensure the safety,

Photos: County of Brant empowerment, and well-being of individuals, families, and our community as a whole.

May this heartwarming tale forever inspire us to embrace the true spirit of the holidays and extend a helping hand to those in need Donations can be made through Nova Vita's website at www.https://novavita.org

Yes, citizens of Paris, there is a Santa Claus, and he resides within the hearts of those who selflessly give to others Let us keep the flame of compassion alive, ensuring that every Christmas season brings joy and hope to all

Paris man Salah Bachir shares snippets of his fascinating life in his new book ‘First to Leave The Party’

Arts & Entertainment

Paris is a place full of fantastic people, residents and visitors alike, but did you know that Paris is home to one of Canada’s most fantastic individuals?

Salah Bachir is a national treasure, a beloved philanthropist, an iconic art collector, a generous benefactor of Brant and a long time Paris resident and fan

If this is the first time you’re hearing of Salah, or you’ve always wanted to know more about the person in the fabulous house on the hill with the beautifully decorated Christmas lights, then you’re in luck! Get to know your Parisian neighbour through a copy of Bachir’s first book ‘First To Leave The Party’ which is now available in print and will soon be available on audiobook.

Narrated by Ann-Marie MacDonald, acclaimed Canadian playwright and author, I listened to a chapter of the book one evening at Salah’s house (yes, it is as fabulous as you imagine and,

Salah sat down with Rubyyy Jones to share stories behind his new book, but he also shared his love for Paris. Much like the lush landscape around his Paris home, Salah loves the beauty within this charming community. All photos shared by Salah Bachir actually, it’s probably even more fabulous) Anne-Marie’s steady and rich voice is the persona embodiment of the tender and terrific escapades laid out in Bachir’s book. There are fifty-four charming chapters, each one covering a different individual in Bachir’s life, inspiring the book’s tagline: My life with ordinary people…who happen to be famous The bite sized chapters are marvellous morsels that feature the likes of Aretha Franklin, Margaret Atwood, Muhammad Ali,

Liza Minnelli and more. When I asked Salah who would be in the fifty-fifth chapter he laughed and said, “Me! It’s all about me darling! No, it’s hard to say - Tony Bennett, Janet Leigh, maybe Christoper Plummer… ”

Each chapter title makes you want to dive deeper into the book. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by snazzy chapter titles like Eggs Benedict with Tennessee Williams or Celine Dion doesn’t make the cut and K.D. Lang sings at our wedding. Continued on page 15

To give you a little taste of what to expect, here’s a short excerpt about Douglas Fairbanks Jr visiting Paris a few decades ago:

A few years after I bought my weekend country house in Paris, Ontario, Fairbanks finally took me up on my standing offer for him to visit. It could easily have been the other Paris, because Fairbanks was fluent in French and had starred in some French films.

He asked what I had going on, what I was working on, and I told him I was doing a few things for my small town on the fiftieth anniversary of the end of WWII.

“I can come that weekend and say a few words,” he suggested.

Who better than Douglas Fairbanks Jr.? He was a decorated war hero who had been a reserve officer in the United States Navy and assigned to the United Kingdom’s commando unit under Lord Mountbatten, the uncle of Prince Philip and like a father to Prince Charles A line he used to drop that cracks me up to this day is: “I was only saying to the queen the other day how I hate name dropping ”

Except, in his case, he really was friends with the Royal Family. Fairbanks wrote about all that and more in a memoir, Hell of a War He was decorated at the highest levels in both the United Kingdom and the United States. This was way beyond movie stardom The more stories Douglas shared, the more I wondered . . . is this just one person?

Douglas Fairbanks Jr visited Paris a few decades ago, taking Salah up on his offer to visit. It was a memorable occasion for many in town. Pictured surrounding Douglas are Salah’s friends in his Paris home, including some long time Paris residents Don and Heather Berry and Holly and George Ounapuu.

When he and Vera arrived at the house, they got out of the limo and Fairbanks asked whether this was the town’s city hall.

“No, this is my actual house,” I said. “It was built in 1842 ”

“Look, Vera, they have houses older than me on this side of the Atlantic!”

I couldn’t imagine why he would want to spend an important military anniversary making remarks at the war memorial cenotaph in the heart of a town with a few hundred residents, but that is exactly what he did, with verve and grace

The Paris Star newspaper had mentioned Fairbanks would be attending, and the center of town was packed. After he told the crowd a few stories about the war, someone approached and told me that his mother wanted to meet Fairbanks. Just as I was about to tell him that we had time pressures, that we had to go, the man explained that his mother hadn’t been out of her nursing home in more than a year but had insisted on coming when she heard her idol would be there.

Fairbanks went right over to the woman and before I knew it, he was kneeling by her wheelchair for a fiveminute conversation. I gave the son my business card so he could contact me, and Fairbanks later sent a framed, autographed photo, and a lovely handwritten letter He told her she had made his day. He also sent me a long letter and photos, all of which we framed and gave to the local veterans’ hall When we got back to the house, I thought he might plop on the couch in utter exhaustion. Instead, he turned to me and smiled.

“This has been one of the loveliest days I can remember,” he said.

For me as well.