An Afternoon with Gillian Deacon:
A Love Affair with the Unknown ~ Leaning Into the Uncertainty of Modern Life
Hosted by Lucy van Oldenbarneveld
Sunday, February 1, 2026 — 1:30 pm
“Saying yes to uncertainty. Finding humour, courage and community as we navigate the wild ride of modern life. This could be a love affair.”
Gillian Deacon
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of inspiration, connection, and discovery as acclaimed journalist, broadcaster, and bestselling author Gillian Deacon shares her uplifting new book, A Love Affair with the Unknown: Leaning Into the Uncertainty of Modern Life.
Tickets: $18 Per Person
Come celebrate resilience, courage, and the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when we embrace life's adventures. Deacon's sharp insight, warmth, and candour promise a literary afternoon that is both moving and illuminating.
You'll be treated to a captivating conversation led by the wonderful Lucy van Oldenbarneveld—award-winning journalist, television host, and storyteller extraordinaire. Lucy's gift for bringing out the heart of every story, combined with her humor and empathy, promises an afternoon filled with laughter, wisdom, and genuine connection.
Together, these two exceptional women will explore the themes behind Deacon’s new book, her creative path, and the search for meaning in the face of uncertainty. Expect an intimate, inspiring exchange that lingers long after the event ends.
Tickets: $18 Per Person
GILL DEACON is a veteran journalist and broadcaster based in Toronto. Her voice is familiar to listeners of CBC radio, NPR, Public Radio International and Sirius XM. Gill has hosted television shows for CBC, Discovery Channel Canada, and Discovery Science Channel U.S. She has interviewed heads of state, Oscar winners, Olympians, rock stars, titans of industry, Pulitzer Prize winning authors, and everyone in between.
Gill’s first book, Green For Life, was a national bestseller and spawned a column in Chatelaine magazine. Her follow-up book There’s Lead In Your Lipstick: Toxins in Our Everyday Bodycare and How To Avoid Them was an instant national bestseller and translated into several languages. Her memoir Naked Imperfection earned praise for its candour and humour chronicling Gill’s first experience with breast cancer. Gill’s writing has appeared in many national publications including the Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Elle, Today’s Parent, The Montreal Gazette and CBC.ca.
Gill is a past director of Writers Trust, Eco-Justice, WWF, and Evergreen Foundation.
Communications advisor, actor, writer and media veteran, LUCY VAN OLDENBARNEVELD’s early career including reporting for Deutsche Welle in Germany and CBC Whitehorse. For the past 20 years Lucy’s main pursuit has been journalism. First as a CBC radio host and then as the evening news anchor on CBC TV in Ottawa. Her work was recognized with a Canadian Screen Award win in 2020, numerous Gemini nominations and the Gold World Medal for Best Talk/Interview program at the New York festival.
Lucy has been recognized many times for anchoring breaking news and crises, including during 9/11, an active shooter on Parliament Hill, and weeks of live coverage during COVID-19. She helped CBC navigate the controversial decision to suspend local TV coverage during the early days of the pandemic.
In her new role with Lucy van Oldenbarneveld Communications, she advises on the media landscape, helping others deliver clear, concise messages as a media trainer. She lives in Ottawa.
Tickets: $18 Per Person
Location
Motel Chelsea, 1418 Route 105, Chelsea, QC
(A short drive from Gatineau and Ottawa)
Taking Place in Beautiful, Chelsea, QC
Sunday, February 1, 2026 — 1:30 pm
Historic Covered Bridge
Motel Chelsea
Oiseau Bleu Marché Café
Nordik Spa, Chelsea
Chelsea Pub
