Ian Strachan is the neighbour we’d all hope to have. Although a senior himself, he mows his neighbour’s lawn, just because he’s a few years younger. Ian also offers his backyard each Friday night for a gathering around his firepit, year-round, and who cares what the weather is (well, maybe not if it’s raining).
These evenings started in October 2020 during COVID, six feet distancing and all, as a way to give people a chance to gather. It was also a way to use up dry firewood Ian collected while working in his backyard. There were five people that first night; there were 22 people in August, just before I spoke with Ian. The word spread among friends and neighbours, and the numbers grew. People and dogs are welcome. The only rules are no politics and no religion. People bring their own snacks, sometimes there’s a potluck, and sometimes Ian, who enjoys cooking, offers up his famous meatballs.
As well as meeting new people, Ian enjoys playing golf and collecting sports cards and original art. His other main volunteer activity is looking after his and Dawn’s grandchildren a few days each week.
Ian was a fireman for 30 years, mainly at the airport. He has lived in Mount Pleasant for 35 years, 30 of them on 29 Avenue. He enjoys our central location and easy access to everywhere in and outside Calgary. Ian likes that people are out and about in Mount Pleasant, able to walk to places, and are generally friendly. People will stop to chat when they walk by and he’s working in his front yard. His only beef is with the increasing density and the problems and changes he believes it will bring to our community: we won’t know our neighbours as well and our community resources will be stressed.
Ian is honoured to have been nominated but thinks he’s just a “typical” Mount Pleasant resident. We’re happy he’s chosen our community and honoured to have him. Thank you, Ian, for all you do for Mount Pleasant.
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