Georgetown Online     Members     Barbara Hagensen

I grew up in Georgetown and here’s what was and is.

My parents came to Canada in the 50’s from Germany, having survived the war.  I was born in Toronto and we moved to Georgetown in 1967, I was 7.  I grew up on the 8^th line south of the 10^th side road on an acreage, where my mom still lives.  My dad lives in Brampton.  We talk regularly and visit every few years.

I went to Pineview, Stewarttown and GDHS.  I have fond memories of Mr. Doyle, my grade four teacher, a man ahead of his time who facilitated a self-directed curriculum.  He helped foster my passion for reading.  Not so fond are my memories of being “snowed” regularly by 3 guys in Stewarttown’s schoolyard.  High school was fun especially physed, social and my extra curricular activities.  I met some great people.  I’m still in touch with Ellen Seeler (St. John) from Pineview and Charlene Ley (Cox) from GDHS.  And I’ve spoken with my high school steady, Mike Landry, a few times since.  I graduated in 1979 with Grade 13.Adventure 101.  During school and the summers I worked at MacDonald’s, Zeller’s and Terra Cotta.  Being a lifeguard at Terra Cotta was by far the best.  After high school I worked for Go-Transit and Standard Auto Glass in Toronto.  I moved to Calgary with Terry Crawford in 1981; a year later we moved to Edmonton and married.  I worked in reception, accounting and outside sales selling computer supplies to city businesses.  Terry and I split up in 1988.  I thought of moving to Georgetown then but for some reason decided to re-establish myself in Edmonton.

That same year I met Bob Hyndman, the love of my life.  We married in 1993 and chose not to have kids.  Bob taught high school and traveled during the holidays.  I adopted the same timetable and my world grew. We backpacked through Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore.  With our bicycles we toured the Rocky Mountains a few times.And we’ve done road trips and camped (die-hard tenters) in much of B.C., Alberta and the Yukon as well as parts of Saskatchewan through to Quebec.  We took a VIA train from Toronto to Edmonton once which was fun.  We’ve explored parts of Oregon and California on trips to visit my brother Doug and Stephanie.  I’ve enjoyed road trips by myself and with women friends.  Bob and I hope to someday explore Canada’s east coast.

My career motto: Follow your bliss.  I was a Postie in

the early 90’s and left that to go back to school for a Bachelor of Arts degree to become a teacher.  Part way through I realized that I wasn’t cut out for that.  After graduation I worked as a researcher in the fields of history and sociology my study majors.  But, as much as I enjoyed research I couldn’t make a living at it.  In 1996, I went to NAIT (a technical college) to learn a trade.  There I met Paul who holds tickets in cabinet-making (a.k.a. finish carpentry) and carpentry and he agreed to an apprenticeship. I’m a 4^th year cabinetmaker and hope to be journeyed by the spring of 2004.  My work has ranged from making fine furniture to framing; a small crew of us built two custom homes: start to finish.  In 2003, I started building sets for theatre stages and teaching power tool skills workshops for women.

Making personal altars for people, creative writing, photography and woodturning are my passions.  My dream is to make my living as a multi-media artist.  I am also passionate about and active in politics.

Change is constant.  Bob left his position with the school board in 2001 and he continues to teach in various other settings. Now we both do contract work and our life is more flexible.  We’re poorer yet life feels richer. In the summer of 2002, Bob and I each got our motorcycle license and we share a 1984 Suzuki GR650.  I’m having a blast!

We rent an apartment near the river valley and have an old holiday trailer on a bush quarter west of Edmonton, our retreat from city life.  A peaceful place in farm country just like the place I grew up in, in Georgetown.  Our 3-year old cat, Josey is a riot.  At the land she manages the mice and in the city she’s the neighbourhood greeter.

Georgetown holds many cherished memories for me.  Though, I hardly recognize it anymore, it’s grown so much in the last decade.   I stopped looking for familiar faces in the crowd long ago.   My roots are now in Edmonton and I like what’s growing here.

Barbara.

P.S.  Thanks GTOL “webmasters” and contributors for the hometown connection.