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A local entrepreneur is hoping like-minded residents will come in for a sip and help tackle global climate change issues at an event at the Sidelaunch Brewery this month.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood, we spoke with Julie Kaden, 40, content creator and climate change activist.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born in Toronto and grew up in Mississauga.
I lived in Toronto again when I went to film and broadcasting school.
I moved to Collingwood in 2004, right after graduating.
Q: What brought you to Collingwood?
A: My mom moved here when I moved for school.
My boyfriend also got his first job out of school here in Collingwood.
I followed them. The boyfriend became my husband, and now we have two children. We love to live here.
For a few years, I worked at Rogers Television where I held various production and animation positions. I met a bunch of cool people in Simcoe County which made me feel like this was a place I could call home.
I have always been passionate about the outdoors and nature.
While there are some amenities in town that I miss, it’s not that far that I can’t get off for a visit.
I also worked at Blue Mountain Resort for about 12 years in their marketing department. I made a career there.
I am now freelance, since 2019. My company is called J Stroke where I write content, I do hosting with some videos and script work here and there. It keeps my plate full.
Q: What made you want to get involved with Protect our Winters?
A: Protect our winters was originally an American organization, but it came to Canada several years ago. It is a national non-profit organization. Its mission is to turn people’s passion for the outdoors into a goal against climate change.
I am the head of the Collingwood chapter.
With my work in the ski industry at Blue Mountain and some of my clients who work in the ski industry, I was able to stay in touch with her and saw the weather trends and the shortening of the seasons.
There isn’t as much snow on the mountain. It’s worrying. I have two children and I am worried about their future.
It’s not just about winter and it’s not just about playing. These are the far-reaching ramifications of climate change that we see today in the form of natural disasters and extreme weather conditions. They will only increase in frequency if we do not act now.
Q: You have an event coming up on October 20th. Can you tell me a bit about your event?
A: We have a meeting on October 20 at 7 p.m. at the Sidelaunch Brewery.
This is our first in-person chapter meeting. Our section was officially launched in early 2020. We had scheduled an in-person meeting until COVID-19 occurred. We have had a few virtual events and meetings with moderate success. We hope people will come out. Everyone is welcome to come and learn more about the organization and how they can get involved locally.
It’s informal and fun, part social and part informative.
Q: Do you have other hobbies?
A: I like to run. I am on the Collingwood trails. I am not very fast. (laughs) I’m competing in my first 10 kilometer event in October in Toronto.
I am also a volunteer co-host of the Collingwood Girly Book Club. It is a monthly book club with regional sections. I love reading.
I like live music. It fills my soul.
I’m also always on the hunt for a great cup of coffee. (Laughs)
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: I just finished a book and it is at the top of my list of the most impactful and powerful reads.
It’s called Ashes by Jesse Thistle. It was a Canada Reads book. It’s a brief, and I think everyone should read it.
I also like a lot A house in the sky by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett. It’s another brief. I read a lot of memoirs, but I read all the different genres; historical fiction being one of my favorites.
Q: Is there anything else you would like the people of Collingwood to know about you?
A: I love to meet people and connect with people in our community. I hope I can continue to do so through my volunteer efforts.
For our feature film People of Collingwood, we’ll be speaking with interesting people who are either from the community of Collingwood or contribute in some way or another, allowing them to tell their own stories in their own words. This feature will be running on CollingwoodToday every weekend. If you would like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
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