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THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • 9 COMMENT WATERLOO CHRONICLEWATERLOO CHRONICLE LETTERS TO THE CHRONICLE Father David Bauer made an indelible impact not just on hockey in Canada, but throughout the world. In 1962, Bauer brought together the best university players from coast to coast and transferred them to a single school to develop Canada's � rst truly national team. In the new book, Father Bauer and the Great Experiment: � e Genesis of Canadian Olympic Hockey, author Greg Oliver tells the fascinating story of Bauer as both a spiritual leader and trailblazer who grew up in Waterloo, the youngest boy in a fam- ily of 11 children. I have known Oliver for years, having written many articles for his professional wrestling website. I have also read his many books on wrestling and hockey. So I caught up with Oliver this past week to tell him how much I enjoyed reading his new book about Father Bauer, the art of the game, and the Olympic pioneer's belief in the impor- tance of mixing hockey and educa- tion. "To put things in today's perspec- tive, Father Bauer was the anti-Don Cherry," said Oliver. "He believed in fairness and the good of the game above all else. "While Cherry might tell kids not to showboat after a goal, Bauer taught how to live a better life through hock- ey. While I didn't live the hockey life myself, I saw it in my brother who played competitive in Kitchener, and what the pressure was like." Oliver told me his 10-year-old son Quinn, who co-authored the chil- dren's book Duck with the Puck with his dad, plays hockey in Toronto. "He plays in a very egalitarian out- door league and I know from talking to them that the parents relish the Swansea league and its e� orts to keep it a game and nothing more," he said. "In many ways, Father Bauer's words resonate more now than they did then. � e money in profes- sional hockey is so much greater now than in 1962 that parents see their kids as a lottery ticket and the game as a road to riches before they see it as a character building enterprise." Like me, Oliver grew up in Kitchener and followed the Kitch- ener Rangers. "Growing up within walking distance of the Aud, I went to a lot of games," he said. "I never gave a second thought to what the players in the '80s went through as far as school was con- cerned. As I grew older and followed the game, you'd hear of the outliers, the players that came from the U.S. college system or delayed their entry into the NHL for an education reason. Today, it's not a stigma to have an education and play pro hock- ey, and Father Bauer had a big part in getting the ball rolling in that regard." For those who love hockey history and the story of one of Canada's most in� uential � gures, Father Bauer and the Great Experiment is not only one of the best-researched biographies I've ever read, but one of the most inspiring as Bauer valued technique and skill over brute force while instilling con� dence and psychological well-being in his players. To learn more about Father Bauer and the Great Experiment and other books by Greg Oliver, visit OliverBooks.ca. ••• Marshall Ward is a freelance writer and artist. Email is welcome at marshall_ward@hotmail.com. MARSHALL WARD MARSHALL ARTS Research demonstrates adequate housing is the essential corner-stone of mental and physical health. Research also shows it is cheaper for governments to provide appropri- ate housing than to deal with the health and social services costs of those who are homeless or underhoused. Yet, time after time, it is left to Boards of Directors, and kind private benefac- tors, to raise the dollar shortfall to build and maintain, as well as provide the ade- quate social and mental health support staff needed for our vulnerable neigh- bours. One of the fastest growing needs in our community is to find affordable housing for the homeless and seniors; the waiting list for a� ordable housing is close to three years for seniors. Most hous- ing units currently being built are not an option for people subsisting on govern- ment income supports, because paying those rents leaves virtually no money for food and other necessities. Estimates show that one quarter of Waterloo's population will be over 65 by 2020, with close to half of that group having inadequate pension funds to cover shelter costs. � e crisis for a� ord- able housing for marginalized adults and seniors has begun. Unless addressed, these people will joint the ranks of the homeless. To date, provision of housing for our homeless population has proven to save the region millions of tax dollars, because of signi� cant reduction in utilization of emergency, inpatient and psychiatric ser- vices, and social, police and community supports. For example, federally home- lessness costs $7 billion, while provision of housing for the same people would cost $4.45 billion. Having an appropriate home is the � rst step in recovery for the homeless, or those unable to access decent housing. For some like, Clarence Cachagee, moving from homelessness to Support- ive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) pro- vided the stability he needed to regroup, go on the � nish high school and become gainfully employed in the very social ser- vices sector which had helped him! From homelessness, addiction, and isolation, he was able to move forward. He attributes his success to having a home, to supportive people around him, and to the caring for which our commu- nity is known. SHOW has provided supportive hous- ing for six years. At this time, SHOW is expanding to a second building, o� ering more indepen- dent housing for homeless and under- housed adults. All levels of government and our community need to get behind this initiative, because any one of us may be in need at any time. Our joint vision must be that no one will remain homeless and that no one should fear becoming homeless, because together we commit to building a com- munity where housing and supports are available as required. Together we must tell governments at all levels that a� ordable and supportive housing are a priority for our tax dollars! Barb Wahl Board member Supportive Housing of Waterloo Enjoy small moments with your kids Well, it's o� cial, my youngest child has graduated from university. Aside from carrying immense parental feelings of pride and relief, I am left with one burning question: What the heck happened to the past 22 years? I don't think I am alone, if I tell you that I remember exactly what each one of my children looked like, felt like, or smelled like as an infant. � ose memories are indelible. Well, thankfully, some of the "smelled like" memories have faded away with time. I am enjoying watching my young friends jump wholeheartedly into parenthood. Their social media feeds are transitioning from the fun and games of young adulthood, to proud baby bumps, squishy infants and amusing tots. I can't get enough. But I sure don't miss it. I remember how tired I was when my children were little. Men- tally, physically and emotionally. My generation of moms were fully immersed in the stay-at-home mom vs. working mom battle. It was repugnant, to be frank. All it accomplished was to pit friend against friend, woman against woman. My friends and I struggled through the various iterations of motherhood -- stay-at-home, part-time, job sharing, full- time, commuting, self-employed. � ere was no normal. But it was weirdly competitive. I remember a friend of mine keeping track of her child's expanding vocabulary. It was 100 "words" by the age of two. My daughter was not so verbose. Well, except for that time she learned to swear, by listening to her dad and her Nonno, as they installed our water softener. My shorter list was much more interesting. I was always grateful that I was a teacher -- I knew what the important developmental milestones were -- and could relax when my kid wasn't outperforming his/her peers. Guess what? Our adult children are all the same. � ey are all perfectly imperfect human beings. Most are downright quirky. And we couldn't be prouder of our expanded clutch of young people. Many have challenges -- mental health is a very real experience for this generation -- but we middle-aged moms are still in this child- rearing thing, together. You may be wondering where I am going with this? Back to my young friends, all aglow with their wee babes and emerging new lives. On Instagram. Be kind to yourself. Perfection is a danger- ous game -- and perfect moments are few and far between. � e best moments of parenting will surprise you. One of mine -- curled up with two toddlers with chicken- pox, in a fort of pillows and blankets and picture books. No photos. � e years have passed, but I will never forget. ••• Karen Scian is the co-founder of the Talent Business Solutions, an educator and a recovering city councillor. She is also chair of the Waterloo Public Library Board. You can email her at beinscian@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @karenscian. BEIN' SCIAN KAREN SCIAN Support housing for our neighbours in need Book looks at legacy of Father David Bauer Letter policy Letters may be submitted by email to editorial@water- loochronicle.ca, and include the author's full name, place of resi- dence and contact information.