Jim Thomas
Columns
June 13, 2007 07:32 PM
Jim Thomas
Helen Lehman of Stouffville has two sons, Eric and Brian.
She’s justly proud of both.
Last week, Brian, 47, justified his mother’s pride. At the same time, he gained the affection of a second mother who, to this day, he doesn’t know.
It all happened within several minutes. A man, described as confused and disheveled, entered a Markham LCBO store where Brian works as an assistant manager.
The customer’s actions and appearance were such they attracted the attention of an employee, who immediately contacted Brian.They watched him closely.
When he approached the cash register, Brian interceded, saying: “We’re sorry sir, but we’re unable to serve you.”
Hearing this, the customer left. But, thanks to Brian’s resourcefulness, the story doesn’t end there.
Brian put in a call to York Regional Police and two officers responded. While one constable obtained pertinent information, the other began a search, locating the man a short distance away.
Paramedics were summoned and the man was admitted to Markham Stouffville Hospital, suffering from what was described as severe depression.
The next day, the phone rang. The caller asked for Brian. It was the young man’s mother.
She was crying, Brian said, and her story, he admitted, brought tears to his eyes.
She told Brian her son had been missing several days and probably hadn’t eaten during all this time.
“You saved his life,” she kept repeating.
Paramedics confirmed this, saying the severely ill patient might not have survived the night. His condition, at last report, was listed as improving.
While modest concerning his actions, Brian revealed he never hesitates to call police when emergencies arise.
“I never felt endangered,” he said, “but in a situation like this, one’s never sure what’s going on inside a person’s mind.”
He’s now satisfied he did the right thing. An anonymous mother knows he did.
A CLASS BY HIMSELF
On any steamy evening, Stouffville’s Tim Hortons is the place to be.
Why?
It’s girls night out, no shortage of fairer sex sipping Ice Capps and Cokes.
But that’s not main attraction. What then? Why the excitement?
Pickup trucks maybe? There are always lots around, all sporting showroom shines.
Or perhaps something classic like a ’55 Cadillac, a ’56 Chev or a ’57 T-Bird.
Guess again.
Admiring glances are reserved for, that’s right, motorcycles. Their riders occupy the exact same stalls on the lot’s south side; bikes of every size and description.
And all sparkling clean.
To owners and onlookers alike, each is special. But to most, one is extra-special. It’s a 2004 Gold Wing Honda, the pride and joy of Keith Lewis of Altona. Devotees are drawn to it like moths to a flame.
And so was Keith. It was love at first sight.
The 55-year-old Markham fire captain was bitten by the motorcycle bug while a teenager. Back then, whenever Fred Lewis of Altona Feed & Supplies held a Sports Day, he would let kids drive smaller Hondas on the lot. Keith was one.
In 1981, Keith bought his first, a Yamaha drag bike. He has owned three Gold Wings since, including an ’84, a ’96 and now a 2004. The latter came with a price tag of $27,000.
Aboard his 1,800cc machine, Keith has travelled across North America including twice to Canada’s west coast. On occasions, wife Edith accompanies him as a passenger, even though she has a bike of her own.
Most memorable trips? Yellowstone National Park is one.
Others include Nova Scotia, Vermont, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Kentucky.
“Climbing Mt. Washington was spectacular,” he says, “but looking 1,500 feet straight down was a bit scary.”
Next year’s travel plans include Alaska.
Keith is a member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, which has raised thousands of charity dollars. He’s a dedicated biker, one of the good ones.