Susan Hay (left) and her mother, Theresa Schiavo, stand together on North Bay's Kiwanis Walk of Fame back in 2012. That year, the city recognized six North Bay natives for their achievements. Photos supplied by Adriana Di Benedetto
When she was a little girl, Susan Hay's father owned a shop on Main Street called Al's Tires. On Friday nights, Susan's mother would take her and her sisters downtown to go shopping. They would all walk on the sidewalk, enjoying the evening, busying themselves with their errands.
Many years later, on that same path, a star has been set in the concrete, a symbol of Susan's career and the pride North Bay has in her accomplishments.
In 2012, Susan's star was placed on the North Bay Walk of Fame. She and five others were the first to have their stars on the Walk, just down the street from where her father once owned a shop.
"He would have been so proud that his daughter has a star a few blocks down from his store," Susan mused, her tone softening as she thought back on those Friday nights.
Susan's career in media started when she got a summer job at MCTV in Sudbury. In 1989, she was hired at Global Television and has worked with them for over 25 years as an anchor and producer.
The beauty of her personality, the caring and warmth that make her remarkable, stretched beyond Toronto. Susan's generosity of spirit has been recognized internationally.
And it all started in North Bay, her hometown.
"I think that North Bay gave me a great, solid foundation. My family started that foundation but growing up in North Bay added onto it," Susan stated during an interview.
Every summer and during the holidays, Susan returns to North Bay to spend time with her family. Her sisters are still in the area and she's still very close with them.
"North Bay is where I grew up. It's home. People always welcome me back, they say they're proud that I grew up there. The people are lovely and it's always been a great experience for me. I will never forget my roots," Susan said.
"Growing up with all these great families and schools and solid people from the north shapes you as a person. So when people say, 'You're so different. You're so approachable, so down-to-earth,' well that's where it all started."
Susan's childhood friend, Adriana Di Benedetto, is the executive assistant at the mayor's office in North Bay. When she learned about Susan's nomination for the Walk of Fame, she was overjoyed.
"I was really happy for Susan because I know how much she loves what she does," Adriana recalled. "This was not only an honour for her, but it was also an honour for the city of North Bay and the North Bay community to be able to acknowledge and celebrate her achievements in television in her hometown.
Whenever Susan returns to North Bay for some down time, she and Adriana reconnect like they'd only seen each other yesterday.
"Susan and I have been best friends since elementary school. When we get together, it's like we were never apart. That close friendship you had as children never disappears," Adriana stated.
"She always represents North Bay well and I always tease her that she put North Bay on the map. She never forgets her roots and is definitely proud of her family and where she came from."
Susan hosts Making A Difference, a segment on Global News Toronto devoted to members of the community who help improve the lives of other people at home or abroad.
For the residents of North Bay, Susan has made a difference to even the smallest members of the community.
"I was telling a little girl I got this star and she said 'And now it's there for all the little kids to see.' You don't think you're going to get emotional but it was," Susan shared during her interview.
"It's an honor. You're very humbled, because you're just this kid that grew up in the north, and you don't expect all this to happen."
Susan's star is proof that it can happen. It serves as a guide, giving people hope that someone from a small city in the north can make a big difference.
