Can you come in and visit with us for a while? Com'on in... We Just had to invite you. We know you're busy, and so are we... But stay just long enough to let us tell you what's been happening with this past year... Don't mind your boots! Here... sit down......
Here's a cookie, and some hot tea!............. Well-l-l-l.....
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from Lark, Connie, Laura, and Allan ( The Ritchie's ! )
2002 was a Very Different Year. The Highlights? Well, here's a few... My son, Allan, received his B.A. Degree from Queens University, and began studying at University of Toronto's Law School, and my daughter, Laura, is finishing up her degree in Engineering Chemistry at Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario. She graduates in May 2003, and is considering either continuing towards a Master's, or going to Medical school. Laurie and Scott buy a house, in Huntsville, and marry. I worked with Allan on a garden pond, got in Allan and Connie's way, then I did some time in the hospital, got in Connie's way, ran my hunt with many people's help, got in Connie's and Laura's way, met some great people, got in Laura's and Connie's and everyone's way some more, and overall we, individually, and together proceeded through this wonderful world that life provides. To find out what happened with us prior to January 2002, click
here... January 2002
Allan gets involved in a Queens U. AMS (Alma Mater Society) election campaign. As always, these adventures lead to some valuable experiences. I did some work with the Chapleau Cree First Nation, developing a
conflict of interest policy. February 2002 If you looked in the Toronto Sun, the first week of this month, you
would have seen a 'man-in-the-street-interview' article regarding the Olympic
Winter Games... In it you would have read comments from Allan, and his friend,
Fraser, and as well, a comment from a 'Hellen Greczko'. The interviews were
done in Union Station, Toronto. Helen happens to be married to Walter Greczko,
who is my cousin. Unbeknownst to Allan and Helen, two people with roots in
Chapleau, were connected in the paper in the same article...
whooda thunk such Twilight-Zone-Chapleau-links could happen??? A co-inky-dink?
I Think Not! Eee-oh... ee-oooh.. ee-oohh.. (Theme from Twilight...)
March 2002
April 2002 May 2002 I spent some time organizing a strategic planning session and another session on economic development at Fox Lake for the Chapleau Cree First Nation. My brother, Brian did the Strategic Planning session, and Christie Marinig, from the Timmins Ec-Dev-Corp did the other in early June.
June 2002 July 2002
On Thursday, July 4th, I entered the emergency room of the hospital with chest pain, which later was diagnosed as 'unstable angina.' Five days later, I was flown to Sudbury for angiogram. Connie followed me down by car, and spent time at Brother Allan's place in Lively. Of heart-warming note... While I was in Sudbury, My son, Allan's boss caught wind of my predicament and, realizing Allan's concern, 'just happened' to need a portfolio urgently delivered to Sudbury. It became Allan's responsibility to deliver said parcel, using the boss's classy SUV. Additionally, there was a definitie need to have the vehicle serviced in Sudbury, requiring that Allan stay in Sudbury for a couple of days. It's funny how fortune shines on us... Again, life seems to hold some magic... and if not magic, some very special compassionate people. Somehow this family seems to meet quite a few of these special people. Connie and Laura meet with roommates Jill and Sasha to paint and renovate their apartment in Kingston. They do a take-off on "Trading Places" decorating show. They make up 'Mom & Daughter' Teams, each doing one of the girl's rooms.
My Mom, Hilda comes to visit and care for me. She is scheduled
for a triple-bypass later in August.
July 23, 2002. While mom is here with us, her sister, my aunt Gina passes away. We travel back to Chapleau for the funeral. There we meet Brothers Darryl, Allan, and Brian, along with cousins Bonnie, Glen, Tina and Debra, who have lost a mother. On my return to Porcupine, the next weeks were a confusion, while
I deliberated on how to run a hunt while I had blocked arteries. After several
discussions with my clients and friends, we agreed to run the hunt with
help from some good people, Rob Barkwell, Bob Cumming and Jon Russell. I
was confident that if anyone could run a good hunt, it was Jon. We ran our
budget, and made our plans... August 2002 August long weekend... An impromtu Ritchie Reunion. I had planned
to host one here in Timmins. Due to my health, it was held in Chapleau, compliments
of everybody else. Maybe I can get a few pictures up here later.. We spend
time at Granma Ritchie's, and Unca Darryl's cottage on Mulligan's Bay. Mike, Allan's roomate-to-be, announces that 'The Apartment' has been found. Five minutes from the University, At Bay, just south of Bloor. An Ideal location, a two-bedroom, 15th floor, with a view to the Northeast. 
For me, August was spent in preparations for the hunt, and adjusting to an acceptance of my new 'condition'. Luckily, having the obligation to my clients, and committment of Rob, Bob, and Jon, I had many issues to concern myself , rather than wallowing in self pity... The logistics of a hunt require a lot of coordination. I work with Bob Cumming and Rob Bartlett on the stands and campsite. I point out locations, they bust there bums. Sometimes you meet the nicest people. Laura and Connie begin the shopping for groceries, and Laura, with Connie's guidance, begins preparation of the hunt kitchen gear and supplies. Mid-August, Connie and Laura go Christmas Shopping for childrens' toys. Later in December, Connie will take them to to a Christmas Collection Depot at Timmins and District Hospital, where they will be distributed to one or more community service agencies spreading Christmas cheer. This is a tradition they have been exercising for several years, and one that we value as a family. I can remember my father, when I was a boy, gathering up toys, and with my brother Darryl and myself, dropping these off at certain peoples homes, in return for a chat, and a cup of tea. The tradition continues, hopefully forever. August 15th. Angioplasty done... (I watched my heart's blood flow
improve via TV Monitor. The wonders of technology. I felt good, I tired less.
Time to get busy... September 2002 Russell, Laura, and Jon with Rusty's Bear Resting after the Noon Meal. Meanwhile, Allan and Connie travel to Toronto to set up 'The Apartment.' While we hunt, Allan begins first year of Law School at University of Toronto. 
After the hunt, I began serious discussions with Roxann and Doug Lynn to take over my hunting territory. Allan and Laura continue with their third and fourth years of scholarship support from Falconbridge. Allan receives a Millenium Scholarship and a U of T bursary, Laura receives another from FAAY's GE Fund U.S. (General Electric) and a bursary at Queens. Thanks to their effort and whover looks out for us, they do well. October 2002 We stayed at the Mirage, on the 'Strip.' 
We spent three days there, ate and spent and won and spent some money at the slots and wheels, rented a car and travelled into the Mojave ('Moe-Jayv to me, 'Mohav-ay' to others) Desert, picked up a few stones to bring back home, and discovered a little town called Nipton. On my return, I spend a day with Allan in Toronto, and visit with my Aunt Mabel, in Whitby Connie and I finish of the Pond
Laura Plays Extra Curricular Hockey - (Click Here for Picture)
In late October, I make arrangements to transferred my hunting territory
to Moosehorn Lodge. Come January 2, 2003, I will have officially turned over my hunting territories to Roxann and Doug Lynn of Moosehorn Lodge, near Chapleau, Ontario, who will operate my territory beyond 2003. In following years, I will ‘fade out’ of the picture allowing Roxann and Doug to implement their own style of hunt. They are from the Chapleau District, where I grew up, hunted and guided. Roxann’s family entered the hunting business at about the same time as my family did in the late 1950’s. I believe they have the experience to manage my former Bear Management Area with responsibility and because they foster a similar attitude towards hunting and customer service. You can visit their website to get a feel for their operation at: http://www.moosehorn.net and 
November 2002 Allan invites his cousin William, from Lively Ontario, to Toronto
the weekend of the 23rd, to see an NHL game between Toronto and Philadelphia.
William takes his first-ever bus trip alone, and stays at Allan and Mike's
apartment. Allan and William spend Saturday touring downtown Toronto,the
Hockey Hall of Fame, and have a before-game dinner at Wayne Gretzky's.
William with the 'Cup at Hockey Hall of Fame William Outside Gretzky's (Click Picture for the larger version.)
A Meal at Wayne's Place - WOW! They meet Walter Gretzky, who graciously poses for a picture. 
During this month, and into December, Connie starts her shopping and Christmas Baking for the family. Several varieties of fancy cookies pass across out table, with me quality-control sampling a few from each batch. Before Christmas, these delights will be couried to Gramma's, Aunts and Uncle's, and even one batch to Ben, with special instructions "Not to be eaten all at once." December 2002 The Christmas cookies get sent out, Laura's and Connie's special toys are brought to the hospital, the Christmas shopping begins in earnest, special groceries are bought, foods are prepared, presents are sent to Connie's family who will not be with us this Christmas... We continue to prepare for the homecomers. A Christmas letter from a long-time friends Paul and Janet, fills Connie and me with sadness; we learn that their daughter Kim had passed away. We once again realize that life and family are the most precious connections we can ever have. We greive, and simultaneoulsy with humility and awe, thank the heavens for what we have. December 22, 9:00 a.m. The Porcupine Fire department, horns and sirens wailing, makes its "Santa Claus Food drive through the streets of Porcupine. 
Ben, Laura, and Allan turing over donations to the Porcupine Firemen's
Food Bank Drive. The activity is now winding down, on the 23rd, Ben will return to his own family for Christmas Eve, Erin, Al's girlfriend Erin will arrive from Carlton, have dinner and with us. Allan & Erin in Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto. December 2002.
After dinner, we will travel to Gramma Ritchie's, where we will meet Darryl, his wife Jane, and daughter, Megan. Christmas Eve will come soon. For me it is always bitter-sweet. I remember my earlier Christmases, my own encounters with Santa, and His spirit. I remember walking in snow after visiting with relatives, laughing and teasing each other, and some seasons, carolling in Chapleau. I remember my Grandfather, my Father, and so many others. Special people, special toys, special gifts, special moments. These memories merge with those of another Christmas Eve, when a snowstorm caused Timmins City employees to work late plowing the streets. That night, Laura, then about 15, asked us if she could bring the grader operator working outside our home a gift. Off she went, pyjamas covered by her coat, to bring some cheer and recognition to that man who worked in the storm while all of us were cosy in our home. And this year's Christmas will become a part of that set of special memories, and we will take them with us... wherever we go... and for as long as we can, because these are the tiny jewels that make life so beautiful. With all the love we can muster, Merry Christmas to you, and to your family Lark, Connie, Laura, and Allan
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