Blog 6 – Vaudry

Peter Vaudry has just published his book, ‘Kindness is Sault Ste. Marie’. Peter found that he often thought about the many kindnesses he has experienced over his lifetime. He realized and appreciated the huge role those Acts of Kindness played in his life. He chose the title, “Kindness is Sault Ste. Marie” to capture all of that in its totality.

Peter grew up in the west end area of Sault Ste. Marie known as Bayview. In February of 1954, when Peter was nine years of age, his father died from cancer leaving his mother (Irene) alone to raise eleven children. The blow to the family caused many hardships. The family was fortunate to have people try to “make our lives a little bit better” through acts of kindness from a wide range of sources including family, friends and neighbours, teachers, faith and church groups, business owners, Social Services, the ASC Police, the City Police and the City. They did what they could, and, doing what they could, made a great deal of difference in Peter’s life and the way he lived it as he matured. However, the most influential of all was my mother.

Peter married the love of his life Patricia fifty-seven years ago. They have two children, Kevin and Kimberly and two grandchildren, Natalie and Nate. Peter worked at Algoma Steel Corporation for thirty-seven years and served for two terms as a city councillor. He has been one of the most active if not the most active volunteer dedicating much of his free time to worthy causes. Peter credits Patricia with giving him the confidence to put himself out in the community to endeavour to be of service and make a positive contribution. Patricia has always been at his side, organizing and assisting wherever she could. Because his father died of cancer, he has been heavily involved in supporting the work of the Canadian Cancer Society in their efforts to fund cancer research and assist cancer patients. Now eighty years of age, Peter continues to volunteer.

When asked about his reasons for writing ‘Kindness is Sault Ste. Marie, Peter advised that he was concerned about the growing frequency of public and online displays of angry and resentment-laden behaviour. The book encourages people to be proactive about protecting the community from the corrosive potential of such behaviour. Peter believes that we should all be able to express our opinions but we can do so in a kind and respectful way.

“Kindness is Sault Ste. Marie” is an important read for today’s world.

In the first half of the book, Peter recounts his own lived experiences of Kindness and describes the many acts of kindness he witnessed from people who didn’t put themselves first. In addition, he presents the perspectives of others who call Sault Ste. Marie home and their views on kindness both generally and as a special feature of Sault Ste. Marie. It includes a number of community events  and stories, which show how kindness is a prominent feature of Sault Ste. Marie.

The second half of the book focuses on ways of practicing and cultivating Kindness. Peter makes a ‘Call to Action’ to prevent the kinds of bad behaviour we’re witnessing in public and on-line and the discrimination of newcomers who are setting down roots in our community. It reinforces kindness as a shared value in Sault Ste. Marie. There are suggestions about how Faith Groups, Community Groups, Municipal Council and Volunteers can act to reinforce kindness as a cherished value. 

The book also contains contributions from leaders of faith groups who wrote and talked about how their faith addressed kindness. (Batchewana First
Nation’s Senior Council through elders, who shared their stories about kindness.).

‘Kindness is Sault Ste. Marie’ ends by igniting a spark for kindness and setting down Peter’s hopes and prayers that kindness endures. The book encourages the people of Sault Ste. Marie and all of Canada to continue to be a leading model of kindness and maintain the generosity of spirit that has always been a part of our lives. 

The cover of ‘Kindness is Sault Ste. Marie’ has special meaning for Peter since it incorporates elements that support and reflect the title of the book. The Blue Background represents Lake Superior and St. Mary’s River, the only river that flows out of Lake Superior, and refers to the ‘flowing out of kindness’. The flowing out energy of our highly respected achievers, the “Spirits Rising” pyramid, the City’s “Icon” and the “Gallery of Flags” are all important reflections of community values; reminders to everyone that ‘Kindness is Sault Ste. Marie’.  

‘Kindness is Sault Ste. Marie’ can be ordered on line at tagonapress.com.  They offer free delivery.

The next blog will introduce Jennifer Barone, author of children’s books including ‘Odin the Owl Encourages Kindness in his Community’, a children’s book written to celebrate Kindness Week.