Sing it, act it, spell it, teach it... get the picture?

For more than three decades, Brian Bailey has taught English, choir and drama in Neepawa, all the while indulging in his passion for photography.

He grew up in Carberry where he met his wife Jean in Grade 1, but never considering dating until they met up with each other again in university, although they continually challenged each other for the best marks in the class.

Bailey graduated from Carberry Collegiate in 1963 and then enrolled in Brandon College (now University). He continued his education at the University of Manitoba to become a teacher.

But those would become the last of his moves.

“After I graduated I went to teach in Neepawa, I have been here ever since,” Bailey said.
Bailey taught English and drama, however, drama was his passion.

“We put on major productions such as My Fair Lady and Carousel. It was my baby, I enjoyed it immensely and the kids always looked forward to it. There isn't even one specific show that stands out to me because they each had something special. It was amazing that when the students preformed, I sat up on the balcony and watched, they were student run productions,” Bailey said.

He continually runs into the students he taught even after retiring from teaching in 2000. Although he focussed on drama, high school choir was another large aspect of his teaching career.
He has been involved in the Westman Youth Choir since 1981.
“I served on the committee as co-coordinator, I'm still on the fundraising committee, it's probably one of the last things I will give up,” Bailey said.
But the Westman choir isn't the only one with which he is connected.
For the past three decades, Baily has conducted the Neepawa United Church's choir every Sunday.
“Its great. I do take the summer off from everything though. Everyone needs a break,” Bailey said.
During the summer months Bailey can be found on the golf course, gardening or out on a boat fishing.
“Each summer, my wife and I go away for two weeks outside of Kenora. We stay on the boat and enjoy each other's company and fish and relax. It's wonderful,” Bailey said.
Photography is another thing that takes up his time. To date, Bailey has photographed more than 200 weddings.
“It's a big passion of mine, always has been. I went to the Manitoba Holiday Festival of the Arts and learned about it for five years. I then taught it for five years. It's amazing how things come full circle. It was lots of fun,” Bailey said.

Travelling for the Baileys has taken them as far as China. Two out of three of their children worked in China. Their son, Ryan currently teaches in China and one of their daughters, Allison taught in China as well for a couple of years before moving to Kuwait.

“It was great being able to see our children. This fall we hope to go to Kuwait and the Middle East. That's the blueprint anyway, life changes, we both have aging parents and you never know what will happen in life. But if we are able to go we would love to be able to see Egypt and a few other countries as well,” Bailey said.
Bailey credits his love of gardening to his childhood on the family farm.

“We are so close to nature at our home here and I'm very proud of my yard. I always say you can take the boy away from the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy,” Bailey said.

That isn't the only rule he lives by. Bailey is very passionate about exceeding expectations.

“Never be content with acceptable when exceptional is within your grasp,” Bailey said.

Bailey has been volunteering for many years on his own and with his wife.

Bailey's projects have included the United Way, the Viscount Cultural Centre as president, Manitoba Holiday Festival of the Arts, as well as president of the board and is still currently serving on the Country Meadows Personal Care Home fundraising committee.

“I took it on as a three-year term and it has turned into 10... and continuing. I'm very proud of the new building, the fact that we raised close to $1 million and to see the project after it has been completed. It only makes sense to be proud of it,” Bailey said.

Although Bailey is not sure what the future may hold for him, all he asks for is the chance to continue volunteering with his wife, and to travel even more.
“What's better than spending 42 wonderful years together and continuing our lives on — nothing,” Bailey said.