She has been writing all her life: from high school yearbooks to twenty-five years as a newspaper journalist. Among her credits are thousands of articles, often on health, social services, education and ethnic issues. Barbara’s writing has won many awards, including a citation of merit for the Michener Award. Her byline has appeared in The Winnipeg Free Press, The Brandon Sun (where she was Canada’s youngest city editor),and currently in The Record, Kitchener, Ontario.

"Kincardine is a special place for me," Barbara says. "My dad built us a cottage overlooking Lake Huron. One of my favourite activities as a child was marching behind the pipers every summer Saturday night. And now, my husband, Craig, our own children, Kevin and Tess, and I enjoy the same weekly trip behind the pipe band." Another of her family’s summer rituals is a tour of the lighthouses in Kincardine, Point Clark, and Southampton.