Cornwall Connections – Column by Kris Ward

I am back after another weekend spent in Cornwall. It was a working weekend where we greeted close to a hundred former . The multi-generational gathering included former players of the Roadrunners as well as a mix of male and female Sharks hockey players. The players enjoyed the meet and greet on Friday night at the College and then hit the ice for back to back games at the Benson Centre where the players and their families could watch the games from the spectacular Pommier Room. We ended on a high note at the Sharks Tank Pub on Saturday night. The Shiners entertained the players and a late night poutine bar capped off a fun-filled memorable weekend for the players.

After spending the last few weekends in Cornwall, I was back in my office in Kingston where I am starting to get to know more people. I still remember those first weeks where I felt a little lost and homesick, but one of the first friendly faces that greeted me and really made me feel welcome when I transferred was Donna Silver-Smith. Donna is the Program Manager of the Centre for Corporate Learning and Performance Improvement at St. Lawrence College, and she spends a substantial amount of time in Cornwall.

She has a special place in her heart for Cornwall and area. Her program delivery in Cornwall means that she spends weeks at a time in my hometown and has made many friends here, she’s explored our city and she even shops here. We got together for a break where she shared some of her delicious home baked goodies and we talked about my hometown.

She knows that moving away was not an easy thing for me to do, and after spending a considerable amount of time in town, she knows why I miss it so much. A few weeks back I mentioned my weekly column in the Seeker and Donna went online and read my past columns and will pick up a copy next time she is in town. She wears a beautiful Pandora bracelet and after meeting Andre Pommier a great ambassador for Cornwall, she purchased her latest charm at Pommier Jewellers.

Donna has a passion for business, and her delivery of the Leadership and professional development courses in Cornwall and Kingston should not be missed http://www.slccorporatelearning.com I would love to sit in at one of her classes, as I will always have a soft spot for business, and it is an area where no matter if you are a newbie or a veteran business person, it is always a good idea to receive training and hone your skills.

As I write this I am preparing for another visit to Cornwall in regards to the Supply Chair programs and plans at the Cornwall campus. The Supply Chain sector is growing in Cornwall and area and St. Lawrence College is launching the Logistics and Supply Chain Management one year post graduate program in September 2013 and recently introduced the Supply Chain & Logistics Techniques and the Warehouse Worker Program.

Although I do not live in Cornwall anymore, it still feels like home to me, and when I am missing it, I know who I can go and see in Kingston; and she makes treats too.

Follow Kris Ward’s Blog at: www.kriscrossroads.wordpress.com