SCUGOG: Joyce was a pillar of the Blackstock community as well as Durham and the Kawarthas and will be sadly missed. Joyce was a valued part of The Standard Shoreline writers. She diligently reported the Blackstock news for 50 years, only retiring in 2018 for health reasons.
“I enjoyed reporting the everyday life of Blackstock and community. I’m going to miss it terribly, but poor health has made me give it up,” Mrs. Kelly told The Standard, adding that a lot of “wild and wonderful things happen[ed] in Blackstock over the years.” Mrs. Kelly also stressed the importance of the community centric news style The Standard has.
“One of the first things I hear from people when they get the paper is they want to know what is going on in the small community. That’s what makes the paper the paper, what makes The Standard different from other papers,” she said.
Mrs. Kelly said she originally took the job as writer for the Blackstock area because she needed the money, but quickly grew to enjoy covering the beat.
“I had one small child and was expecting another one, and I didn’t think there was any room for writing news, but I made time and enjoyed it ever since,” she said. “It was strictly a case of money when I first started. I didn’t have many ways of making money and that was one way I could. Back in those days, you got paid to [write the Blackstock news]. Now it’s a public service.”
The Standard will greatly miss having Joyce as a part of our team. Aside from writing her Blackstock column she was also a wealth of knowledge when it came to agriculture in the area. Our editorial staff where always able to reach out to her as a source of information.
I had the privilege of serving on the Port Perry Agricultural Society board with Joyce for several years and enjoyed working with her. I will always remember her as the voice of the Port Perry Fair as she MC’d many of the fair’s events.
Thank you Joyce for all your years of serving our community, your friendship and support over the years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family, friends and community.