I searched a few listings and (more or less randomly) decided I would give The Hilltop Bed and Breakfast a try.

I explained I was with The Terry Fox Foundation and was looking for some interesting info about the town, or as a long shot, someone who might have been there the day Terry ran through. The proprietor, a very nice woman named Joan, said "I'm standing next to someone you should talk to"

That person turned out to be Eva, who 31 years ago, was a teacher at Port Elgin Regional Memorial Junior High. I was only expecting Eva to tell me a little about the town, but turns out not only was she there that day, but her whole class had gone out to watch Terry run directly in front of their school. Terry was the talk of the entire school for the next few days.

It also turns out that Eva has been involved in organizing The Murray Corner Terry Fox Run for, you guessed it, the last 30 years. She went on to tell me how Betty and Rolly Fox had in fact stayed at The Hilltop some years later, and that many of the kids from that day had a chance to meet them both.

The passion in Eva's voice was undeniable, she is a true Terry Foxer.  As I got off the phone, I couldn't help but think of how Terry seemed to have left a beautiful connection with every person and every community he encountered. And that 31 years later, a nation apart from where Terry grew up, Terry Fox's spirit is as alive in the town of Cape Tormentine, N.B. as it is anywhere.

Boy am I ever glad I randomly picked that number to call.

Thanks Eva, you made my day.