Des Anthony

Creative Learning

Des Anthony is a graduate of Laurentian University (Hons. B.A.) and the University of Waterloo (M.A.).  He is a married father of two and grand-father of two.  Along with his wife Gale, they have successfully owned and operated Creative Learning, a specialty toy, book, teacher-resource retail store in downtown North Bay for the past 20 years.  Creative Learning was the recipient of the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.  The store was subsequently named Toy Retailer of the Year by Toys & Games magazine, Canada’s specialty toy industry monthly publication.

Des’ community involvement include serving two terms as a director on the Downtown board of Management and as an Ontario Government appointed Steering Committee member in the planning and start up of the Ontario Early Years Centres in the Nipissing and Parry Sound catchment areas.  He is also a past vice president of the Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada, the umbrella group of independent toy stores.

In addition to being a strong advocate of personal and business mentorship, Des is also an avid participant in other self development projects, as is evident by his efforts in the revitalization of the then dormant local Toastmaster’s Club upon his return to North Bay after residing and working in Toronto for 10 years.

Recently, Des has ventured into other areas of interest and is now a part-time personal fitness trainer.  He has also entered into the world of live community theatre and performed 3 roles in the November 2008 local production of Talking to Terrorists.