Times-Advocate, 1987-12-02, Page 6Page '6 Times -Advocate, December 2, 1987
Shelley
by Yvonne Reynolds
From the, outside looking in,
Shelley Peterson seems to live the
life of a fairytale princess in a twen-
tieth-century fantasy.. She has most
of the things we all treasure -. good
looks, youth, talent, an adoring
husband, three wonderful children,
roots in one loving, supportive and
financially secure family, and graft-
ed by marriage into another.
In an exclusive telephone inter-
view with the Times -Advocate, the
wife of Ontario's premier permitted
a glimpse at what it's like to be on
the inside looking out.
The view is rosy, but Shelley is
no fairytale princess. She is a flesh
and blood mortal, successfully bal-
ancing the triple roles of wife,
mother and actress.
Shelley maintains her lifestyle
has changed little since she was last
interviewed by the T -A three years
ago. At that time her husband, then
leader of the opposition, was caring
for the Peterson children at the fam-
Exclusive interview
Peterson successfully balances three roles
ily cottage near Grand Bend while
she performed in the comedy
"Bedroom Farce", part of the 1984
playbill at the Huron Country Play-
house.
(After playing summer stock at
Grand Bend that year, Shelley made
a decision to return to acting full
time, and hired an agent.)
• Although David Peterson became
premier on September 10, Shelley
noted,that "you are still a mother no
matter what position your husband
holds". The needs of Ben, 10,
Chloe, 8 and Adam, 6, have first
priority right now in their mother's
life.
"You read to them, tuck them in
at night, make sure they get to
school on time, and take them to
the doctor when they're sick", Shcl-
lcy said, adding proudly, "They are
very exciting little people."
Shelley's acting career is another
priority. "I'm still working as an
actress, and that hasn't changed",
she said.
SHELLY PETERSON
1,11,04.44.00214
Shelley draws a distinct line be- ing career. The twelfth episode of
twecn her husband's career and her the CBC series "Not My Depart -
own. rnent" had just been completed,
"David's career is his career. I fit with four more shows scheduled,
in as best I can When I can, and I when the cast and crew were sudden -
enjoy it when I'm there, but I don't ly informed the show had been can -
sec it as a career for me", Shelley celled.
revealed. "He docs his job so well "We just sat there thunderstruck.
he doesn't need me. He is a very 1t happened without warning. We
special and kind and loving man already had our scripts and tirneta-
who is secure in himself, and has blcs for the next show."
always encouraged me to be an indi- However, her naturally optimistic
vidual." nature soon reasserted itself. Sh,
Shelley noted that a politician's was able to see the positive side.
wife no longer has to relinquish her "I loved every minute on the set.
own identity. Now spouses have I teamed a tremendous amount, and
the option of either sharing their worked with some wonderful peo-
husband's or wife's career or launch- plc. I have no complaints", she re-
ing one of their own. Shelley cred- fleeted. "I will plug on, and look
its trail -blazers like Maureen for work. In the meantime, I'm
Mercer with being on the front having a great time. There's lots to
lines - and "taking a lot of flak" do to keep me busy."
while establishing the right to a Shelley was very honest when
separate identity for political spous- asked if being the wife of the pre -
es. micr of Ontario was an asset or a
"The public cyc can be cold and handicap when Shelley Peterson the
• scrutinizing...A lot of women along actress is job -hunting.
the way took a lot of abuse to make "Sometimes it opens doors, and
this happen. Even -12 years ago other trines it makes people uneasy.
when David began, there was a lot I know how I would feel if I audi-
of resistance to a wife having a sep- tioned and the wife of an important
aratc career. But expectations arc person walked in and got the job. If
changing. Wives are no longer ex- you get work, some people say it's
pected to drop everything to become because of that, and if you don't
their husband's shadow, a little card- they say other things. There's al -
board cutout following him ways something to talk about!", she
around", Shcllcy asserted, adding replied.
that she believes having a separate This statement was followed by
identity makes a woman a happier the lilting, infectious laugh of a
as well as more interesting wife for woman whose shield against such
her husband. barbs is a sense of humour and the
On the other hand, some women self-esteem provided by a close-knit,
blossom as their husband's political caring family.
partner. Shcllcy singled out Mita Shcllcy insists she has no magic
Mulroney, who "embraces whole- formula for living. She summed up
hcartedly the role of Prime Mini.- her philosophy as "Everyone has
stcr's wifc, and loves it." hurdles to overcome, and obstacles
"Do what is right for you", is to get around. I deal with troubles
Shelley's advice. as they come along, but I don't go
Though Shelley is not supersti- looking for them. Some people
tious, Friday the thirteenth last ' walk right past pleasant things and
month marked a bad day in her act- don't sce them." -
Hurondale WI enjoy
Y
Christmas program
Hurondale W.I. voted to donate complishcd craft>x rson from Dash -
one hundred dollars to the Family wood, displayed may Christmas ar-
and Childrens' Services at their No- ticles. She was introduced by Lois
vembcr meeting held in Usborne McFalls and thanked by Hazel
Central School. Members were Snell.
urged to contribute toys, clothes, Lois read a poem, 'My Christmas
etc. Wish'.
In memory of Edith Love, a
long-time, talented member, a
candle was lit, tribute written by
Marian Dougall was read by Marga-
ret Strang followed by one minute
silence.
The motto, 'Friendliness is the
best cure for loneliness,' written by
Elsie Wescott and read by Fern
• Dougall cited the friendliness of
Rick Ilanscn during his long, lone-
• ly journey across Canada as an ex-
ample.
Plans were made to entertain at
the Blucwatcr Rest Home on De-
. cembcr 8.
Lorraine Alexander and her com-
mittee arranged a Christmas pro-
gram beginning with a poem,
Blessednes of Christmas" followed
• by a sing song. Jean Hen, an ac -
Ames - -
Advocate
the st
attO
ohardh pS ose
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The next meeting will be held the
last Wednesday afternoon in January
at 1:15 p.m. The place will be an-
nounced later.
Shelley has fond memories of her
past association with the 'Huron.
Country Playhouse, and confided
she would be delighted to find her-
self back on the' Playhouse stage at
some future time.
For the immediate future, Shelley
will continue in the triple role of
wife, mother and actress. Her zest
for living guarantees that she will
emulate the life of a fairytale prin-
cess in at least one respect: she
will do her part to "live happily
ever after".
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MR. AND MRS. RANDALL
HICKS
Robin Elizabeth Wade and Randall
Douglas Hicks were married at
Ryerson United Church, Ancaster,
on Saturday, September 19, 1987
by Rev. Dr. D. Graham Tipple. The
bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert E. Wade, Ancaster, and the
groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Douglas R. Hicks, Aurora. Heather
Henke was her sister's matron of
honour and Jeff Hicks was his
brother's best man. Bridesmaids
,were the bride's sister, Lisa Wade,
her cousin, Karen Blanchard, and
friends Heather McMurray and
Dianne Uhrynuk. The flower girl was
Ashley Froats and the ring bearer
was Jeremy Blanchard, both cous-
ins of the bride. Guests were
ushered by the groom's brothers,
Terry and Craig Hicks, the bride's
brother-in-law, Dieter Henke, and
her cousin, Tim Wade. The scripture
was read by Sean VanDoorselaer,
the bride's cousin. Wedding music
was provided by organist Kenneth
Hutton, cellist Mark Russom, and
soloist Cynthia Rees. The reception
was held at the Scottish Rite Club,
Hamilton, where the bride's uncle
and cousin, Gary and Brad Blan-
chard, were masters of ceremonies.
Following a honeymoon in the Grand
Bahama Islands, Robin and Randall
are residing in London where they
are on staff at University Hospital.
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