Retired broadcaster gets street sign

Patty Handysides, a former AM800 talk show host, has received a personal street sign and commemorative plaque from Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. The recognition marks her 45 years of broadcasting in the Windsor-Essex region. Handysides retired this past summer after decades of covering local news.

The timeline of Handysides' career spans four decades and five years of on-air work. She began her radio career in the early 1980s and continued until her departure in the summer of 2026. Dilkens noted he started working at the station as a young man, observing Handysides' work over a long period.

The mayor presented the items to Handysides recently. The street sign reads Handysides Way. Dilkens said he has relied on Handysides' reporting while serving as mayor. He described her work as honest, open, and transparent. He stated that no one compares to her in sharing the news.

Handysides has remained active in the community since her retirement. She lends her voice to charity fundraisers and local events. She told CTV News that the honor is touching. She said she did not always realize how her work affected the community.

The retired broadcaster plans to install the sign in her yard. She joked that the gesture might make her neighbors a little jealous. The plaque and sign serve as a physical marker of her contribution to Windsor-Essex media.

Dilkens, the outgoing mayor, delivered the tribute before leaving office. The ceremony acknowledged Handysides' role in telling the stories of the region. The street sign will now mark a specific location in the community.