My History in Scugog

I thought I would dive a little deeper into my history in Scugog, as I feel strongly that having history in our community is incredibly important as a member of Council. 

* Born in Port Perry hospital to my wonderful parents, Rick and Sharalyn Campbell (Cole is my married name – no relation to any other candidates).

* Raised in Nestleton in a home built on a piece of land my parents severed from my grandfather’s farm.

* Attended Cartwright Central Public School, Prince Albert Public School (when we lived in Port Perry briefly), Cartwright High School, and Durham College.

* Played baseball as a kid for Port Perry Minor Ball and Cartwright Minor Ball, as well as rep fastpitch for the Port Perry Stars (pre-Port Perry Angels), and competitively figure skated for the Port Perry Figure Skating Club.

* My husband and I raised our son in Blackstock (a third-generation CCPS attendee), and now live in Ward 2, Port Perry. Our son opened his own business, GamesHQ, in October 2024 at the age of 19.

* My Dad, Rick, grew up on the family farm in Nestleton owned by five generations of Campbells. He also attended Cartwright Central Public School, and then Port Perry High School. He has coached many softball and hockey teams in Scugog throughout his life and has also been an active player in both. He was on the original Port Perry Junior C hockey team – the Port Perry Flamingos. He began his career as an apprentice electrician in the 70’s working for Ken P. Murray Electric, before landing a job at General Motors. In the 80’s, he and his good friend, Paul Bent, started B & R Electric (which still operates in Port Perry today), and eventually went on to start Campbell Electric on his own. After retiring from GM, he helped his friend Jack Monsma by working occasional jobs for Monsma Electric (also still operating in Port Perry).

* My Mom, Sharalyn (nee Reader), grew up in Port Perry where she attended R.H. Cornish Public School and Port Perry High School. She was an accomplished competitive figure skater who eventually turned pro, teaching in Belleville (on the same ice as Elizebeth Manley was taking lessons), then at Manvers arena, and finally for the Port Perry Figure Skating Club (PPFSC). She ended her coaching career in 1988. In 1989, she served as Vice-President of the PPFSC.

* On my Dad’s side, my Grandfather (Grant Campbell) was a full-time teacher for 37 years at Cartwright Central Public School (starting at one-room schoolhouses), and had a large part in starting minor baseball and hockey for kids in Cartwright Township.  He also founded Junior C hockey in Port Perry when he started the Port Perry Flamingos where he served as team manager. My Grandmother, Helen Campbell, was a nurse at Port Perry Hospital who helped set up the new (current) hospital when it was built in 1969 by transporting OR equipment in the back of her car.  Upon her retirement, she became a very active volunteer with the Port Perry Hospital Auxiliary and the Canadian Cancer Society.

* On my Mom’s side, my Grandfather (Owen Reader) operated a small TV repair shop out of their house until he obtained a job working at General Motors. My Grandmother, Ora, comes from a multi-generational, very musically talented, Port Perry family – the Dowson’s. When my Grandfather retired, they moved from Port Perry to Caesarea, and then ultimately to Westshore Village.

As you can see, my entire family history is tied up in our wonderful community. I remember the days of swimming at the beach in Palmer Park, grabbing ice cream at the Dairy Bar, a snack at the Bayshore, or a sub from Subby’s Submarine.  We had family dinners at The Causeway Restaurant, David Chow’s Chinese Restaurant, and (dare I say it) Pizza Delight. There were car shows every Wednesday at Haugens, Festival Days, Western Weekends, monster trucks in Palmer Park, and actual amusement rides at the Blackstock Fair.

I hope I have the opportunity to serve as your Ward 2 Councillor. It would be an honour to serve the community that has given me, and my family, so much.