This is one of my own sketches, to accompany one of my favourite local Good News stories.

Once in a rare while, we get to see someone pursue their dreams and this one is exceptional. April Lee had a lifelong dream to operate a bakery and last year she started small, in a basement under a sporting goods store in downtown Paris. When Covid hit, and jobs were impacted for people in our community, April put free loaves of bread outside her store for anyone who needed them.

Six months later, in the middle of a pandemic, April had the courage to launch into a bigger, better, new location in a beautifully renovated heritage building and the community responded with great demand for her products. Then, when her commercial oven conked out after a busy Thanksgiving weekend, nearby businesses and anonymous helpers stepped up to offer alternative ovens and necessary parts to keep her business running with minimal interruption.

What a tremendous story! #LoveLocalBrant at its best!

Congratulations April, it is a joy to watch your business grow!

Note: The original article was posted to Steve’s Facebook page on October 23, 2020.