By Wilma Blokhuis BEAVER FOCUS EDITOR “I love her. I tell her ‘I love you’ every day of my life.†Holding both of her hands. Bill Hill talked about his endearing love for his wife Donna on Monday, the 60th anniversary of their wedding. The Hills are the proprietors of Lakeside Marketeria, also known as Bill Hill’s, a Bronte landmark. The couple celebrated their 50th year in business three years ago. A section of Oakville’s Waterfront Trail, running east from Bronte Harbour, was named the BilLHill Promenade. At 81, he’s still a familiar face at the store he opened on June 5, 1947. And Donna, 82, is never far away. ‘‘We got married on July 24, 1940, in Toronto,†he says. “I was working for A&P in Owen Sound, and I had a half-day off so we got married irt Toronto. I was back at work in Owen Sound by 7 o’clock the next day.†Originally from Port Credit, Hill was transferred by his employer to Owen Sound, where he remained for about half a year before he was sent to the Oakville • store. “1 (fii;st) came here in 1933,†says Hill. “I met her in Bronte when I moved here. I came by bicycle.†It was love at first sight for his Bronte-bom wife. Hill commuted from Bronte to his job at A&P for five years before deciding to go into business for himself. Today, Lakeside Marketeria remains Bronte’s longest running business owned by one family. He opened Lakeside Marketeria after Photo by Suzy Pallo Bill and Donna Hill of Bronte pose, with new aprons, in front of Lakeside Marketeria, also known as Bill Hill’s. Donna’s father, John Joyce, a local barber, retired. Hill took over the building, built in 1910 “with different pieces added on over the years.†In the early years, the couple lived in the back of the store before moving into their Bronte home overlooking Lake Ontario. The business has also seen a few changes over the years, with the addition of Bill Hill’s Ice Cream Shoppe and a novelty shop run by the Hills’ granddaughter Suzy Pallo, and the opening of an antique business in the back, leaving a small grocery convenience store running down the north side of the building. Inside is a gallery of photographs of Old Bronte. The Hills have worked to help preserve Bronte’s heritage. At the 50th anniversary of Lakeside Marketeria, Hill’s own movies of Bronte’s yesteryear were shown on the outside wall of the store as part of a weekend celebration. The front of the store, with its red and white striped awning, colourful deck chairs, and large cow above the windows, resembles a painting of the type found on the front of folk art calendars. Many local artists have sketched and painted Bill Hill’s. A self-described ‘people person’ who enjoys chatting with customers and passers-by. Hill lives by a simple motto. “Helping other people has made life interesting.†He continues to deliver groceries to customers who can’t make their way to a grocery store. “I’ve met a lot of nice people. If you go out of your way to help people, you can live a nice life, a good life.†The Hills have four daughters, two of their own and two adopted, “and we have lots of grandchildren and lots of great grandchildren. And, we love them all.†Hill was named Oakville’s Senior of the Year in 1986, and has become known locally for his generosity. Over the years he had given many local youth their first job, giving them the valuable work experience they needed for the resumes. Many of these people, now living across the country, have remembered the Hills on their 60th wedding anniversary with cards and letters. Overnight counselor clowns as Dimples By Wilma Blokhuis BEAVER FOCUS EDITOR She has yellow hair, and wears baggy overalls, green on one side, and all of the colours of the rainbow on the other. iltiln â- Silli July 29 & 30 Heritage Park 4ns fVS* Featuring Competitors from the Big "L" Rodeo! ssion $12 adults / $6 Children **Includes admission to all areas of the Park, including the largest Agricultural Equipment Collection in Canada! STAY FOR THE DAY! FREE PARKING! Park Open Daily at lOam Junior Rodeo Daily 1pm to 2pm Full Rodeo Daily 2pm to 4pm fonsored by: Mohawk or ticket information In real life, Ann Marie Bovair doesn't look anything like her alias. Dimples the Clown - except for her dimples. Bovair has been clowning for two to three years, as a hobby, for Evangel ,_v, Pentecostal Church, Halton Children’s Aid Society, and the Caring Network for Challenged Kids. Last year, she attended Clown K Camp 1999 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Her instructors came from Bamum & Bailey Circus, and Ringling Brothers. The 120 students came from Canada, United States and Japan. “One day they took us on a tour of the town, all of us dressed as clowns, on a bus tour through town,†said Bovair, who clowns during her spare time. She works nights. Bovair is a full time overnight counselor at Christian Horizons, and also works part time, overnights, for Community Living Oakville. Her specialty is working with special needs adults. She is a development service worker program graduate of Humber College, and completed field placements at Community Living Oakville, Sedgewick Crescent Day Care, and worked with special needs students at St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School, She has" also volunteered at Oaklands Regional Centre. Bovair decided to take up clowning after the Halton CAS asked her to dress up and do face painting in 1997. From there, she became Dimples the Clown. Call 469-8191. Looking lor an enjoyable & fulfilling volunteer opportunity? OA KV ILLE SisteR ASSOCIATION Requires Volunteers POSITIONS OPEN: • Fundraisers • Special Events Committee • Fundraising Chair • Committee Members • & other positions For information call 3380238 Bronte couple mark 60 years of happiness B2 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Â¥ Bill and Donna Hill Wednesday July 26, 2000