Spotted: Your heartfelt remarks about CBC's upcoming anniversary

A still from CBC's popular TV show The Beachcombers. (CBC Still Photo Collection)

CBC is marking its 75th anniversary this fall, and in anticipation of the festive occasion, we've asked you to tell us what the public broadcaster means to you by completing the sentence "My CBC is..."

Your response has been overwhelming so far, with several of you taking time to write genuinely thoughtful emails and posts about CBC, complete with praise for some of your favourite shows past and present. Here's a sampling of what you've been saying so far:

Facebook member Christopher David LeBlanc kicked off the discussion with this warm greeting:

"The CBC, well how Canadian is that eh. Cheers to the years."

The story also prompted several warm email comments from avid CBC Radio listeners:

• "My CBC is a life line and the only radio station worth listening to. Keep up the good work e.g. Ideas, As It Happens, CBC News, Randy Bachmann, Definitly Not the Opera, Q, Dispatches, etc," wrote Jim Lutzuk.

• "I moved to Canada in 1968 from the UK and have listened to the CBC ever since. I listened in Vancouver when I lived there, in Victoria likewise then when moving to the Maritimes listened to CBC Halifax and now live in Morden. My CBC is my network to what is going on locally, across the country, and around the world. People like Peter Gzowski, Shelagh Rogers, Bill Richardson, Vicki Gabereau, Anna Maria Tremonte, Elizabeth Logan (locally) and others have contributed to my world view and have given me a sense of connection across the country. I only listen to the CBC and have not always agreed with the changes made, but overall am delighted to live in a country with such excellent radio coverage," added Jeanette A. Auger.

• "My CBC is As It Happens. It brought the world's culture and politics to Canadians," said Facebook member Jean Eng, who added, "I still miss Barbara Frum."

• Fellow Facebook user John Kearns echoed Jean's praise, noting: "Q and other great shows that make Canada a smaller place ...."

When asked to talk about their CBC memories, several audience members on Facebook recalled favourite programs they watched in childhood:

• "My CBC is what I grew up with: Mr. Dressup and The Friendly Giant, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights, Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea and Wind at my Back...Now it is where we view shows as a family together especially on Sunday evenings: Battle of the Blades and Heartland to name a couple, and festive movies during the month of December that we can view together as well...Just love the CBC, tv or radio (90.3 in Sarnia Ontario)," observed Beverly Edmondson Woods.

• Christianne Ranger-Smith agreed, remarking: "The CBC is 'home' to me - the very root of the cherished memories of youth; Mr. Dressup, The Jolly Green Giant, The Beachcombers, Reach For The Top, The Nature of Things, just to name a few."

• "Sesame Street, Beachcombers, the Waltons, Sunday night wonderful world of Disney movie and Saturday Hockey Night in Canada.... classic CBC I grew up with," added Michelle Beaulne.

• Laurence Wilkins quipped: "Chez Helene, baby! And my first ever set of Breasts, I think I was 8. Thank You CBC!"

Some commenters had very specific memories to share:

• "My CBC is a boon to the long days spent driving up and down Highway 1 while Earning a living as a truck driver," said Ronnie C Graham.

• "A ferry ride from Nanaimo to Vancouver en route to a Simon and Garfunkel reunion concert. Sailing with strangers from across the country, the common thread woven through our conversation was the CBC. We quoted stories we had heard and talked about our favourite on-air talent. The CBC shaped our thinking, our memories and our sense of pride in our nation," recalled Prisca Campbell.

Most touching of all were the emails that praised the CBC for being an important part of Canada:

• "My CBC is my connection to my fellow Canadians, north to south, west to east," wrote Myra Ross.

• James Spears added: "It was a gateway and an invitation to Canada-- broadcast from Windsor with a nighttime skip signal to Baltimore, Maryland in the late 50s and early 60s when I was in high school.  Canada was not taught in American high schools but I had an image of the land of commercial-free jazz and intelligent conversation.  After university and travels in Europe and Latin America, Canada called again and I answered in 1966.  CBC radio has been part of my life in Vancouver since then, both in English and in French."   

• "My CBC is quality Canadian programming. Living in a border city (Windsor, ON), we are bombarded by American programmes and news either on TV or radio. Please continue to provide Canadian content. It is much appreciated," said Tamye Machine.

• "My CBC is everything to me," began Ray and Fay Slaunwhite's email.

"It has wonderful (radio) morning wake up shows, provocative, thought-provoking afternoon shows, a TV line up that proudly says ..."We are Canadian", as evidenced by sane political broadcasts, HNIC  and great investigative journalism. However, my favourite aspect of CBC is the website. It is my homepage and the first place I look for news and sports. As snowbirds and retired, we love the fact that CBC keeps my wife and I firmly rooted in Canada as we travel the southern US for five months in the winter. Do not change a thing.......CBC is Canada....eh?"
 
We can't thank you enough for sharing your comments on this particular story. Your feedback has been tremendous, and look forward to reading more of your comments in the coming days!