Chris Baechler

My name is Chris Baechler and I have been the Assistant Supervisor at the Baden Branch Library since 2005. I have worked at various library branches for the Region of Waterloo Library system over the past 20+ years. My background is in Early Childhood Education.

I grew up in Baden, attended Baden Public School where the Academy Gardens houses are now built, and was a regular visitor to the Baden Library when it was located in a house on Foundry Street and only open one day a week. It was a very small building and I think I read every book in the children’ section. Oh, and my mom was also the librarian there! I have lived in New Hamburg for over 30 years now so working in Baden is like coming back home.

I have been writing for the Outlook for a long time! As the library has grown and changed, I also get assistance from other staff members at the branch and at library headquarters. We are happy to be able to share all our services and programs with the community each month. The current library building is almost 40 years old now but the thing we hear the most when new people come in is how “homey” it feels. I think that’s because it is such an important part of the community.

Fraser Gibson

Fraser Gibson is a retired elementary teacher and Environmental Science/Outdoor Education Curriculum Consultant. He has been active in the community from coaching to scouting and is a former president and Honorary Life Member of both the Friends of Killarney Park and Waterloo Region Nature. Fraser served as a director of Ontario Nature for six years and helped establish KNAP-Kitchener's Natural Areas Stewardship and Education Program. He has received several awards including Ontario Nature's 2011 Richards Education Award and a 2014 Grand River Conservation Authority Watershed Award. Fraser has been interested in all things nature since youth and has participated in numerous citizen science projects involving birds, butterflies, ladybugs, reptiles, and amphibians. He also leads nature walks on several topics such as ferns, trees, and spring wildflowers. Fraser, an avid hiker, is a Bruce Trail end to ender along with his hiking buddies Ken Quanz and Wayne Buck. While hiking, they continue to learn about and appreciate the many wonders of nature.

Cathy Parker

Cathy has lived in Wilmot Township with her family for almost 25 years. She is an adult educator and currently works with the Canadian Armed Forces creating eLearning! She holds a Master of Religious Education degree and has taught in churches, Colleges, with new immigrants, Engineers, and for three provincial governments. She's worked in BC, in Fort McMurray, but mostly in Ontario practicing urban and environmental planning, environmental marketing and training.

Cathy has been passionately interested in wildlife and outdoor living since being a Girl Guide. Serving as an Outdoor Living Director at a large camp in the Near North helped hone her skills in identifying trees, plants, insects, and birds. Now she can talk endlessly on the benefits of wild grapes, the winter identification of trees, glaciation geography, and the facts of dwindling bird populations due to sprays and deforestation. Being a contributing member of eBird.org since 2014 has helped drive her love of birding.

Mercedes Kay Gold

Mercedes Kay Gold is delighted to be sharing all things holistic, writing for Baden Outlook since August 2023.

She began her fitness journey as an amateur athlete, competing in various sports. Almost two decades ago, Mercedes graduated from Seneca College with Honors from their Fitness Leadership program. She continues her education, remaining certified in the industry. Mercedes works one-on-one with clients and as a group fitness coach in Kitchener and Guelph. Mercedes believes the body thrives when overall health is the goal, and returned to the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, graduating with First Class Honors. Mercedes lives her best live, sharing her love of all things healthy, appearing on television, radio and her writing has been featured in national magazines.

When she’s not helping clients in New Hamburg get fit and fabulous, Mercedes enjoys hiking a dirt road with kids and her grandson, Theodore.