CARLYLE - Laurie Day is the proud owner of Dayzi’s Donuts and Coffee Shop on Main Street Carlyle. She moved to town in 1999 and opened Dayz Dollar Deals in the old Sears and Savill Shoes building in 2003.
In 2008, her partner Steven Lothian purchased the office building owned by Macdonald, Dawson and Fabian. They renovated the building which is now part of Carlyle Bakery. She continued selling dollar store items until 2009.
Since 2018, she has operated her donut and coffee shop and is the retail sales outlet for the bakery. Over the years, she has developed a loyal clientele, and although the two-year pandemic was devastating, she survived the downturn. Dayzi’s Donuts remained open throughout.
Day has had many health issues in her life and, although reluctant at first, was more than willing to tell her story. On Good Friday in 1989, Day was involved in a serious car accident. Alone in her small car, she drove into a power pole. She was rushed by ambulance from Weyburn to Regina and for 10 days was in a coma at the Plains Hospital.
She fortunately came out of her coma to discover various injuries, the major one being a broken pelvis. She then transferred to the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre where she underwent strenuous physical therapy for over three months.
While it has been 33 years since her tragic automobile accident, Day still has several health issues. Unfortunately for her, in recent months she has been suffering from a constant roaring sound in her head. Headaches are constant and consistent, with Tylenol doing little to relieve the pain.
Tinnitus is the hearing of sound when no external sound is present. It is not a disease but a symptom that can result from a number of underlying causes. One of the most common causes is noise-induced hearing loss. Other causes include ear infections, disease of the heart or blood vessels, brain tumours, earwax, emotional stress, or a previous head injury. It is more common in those with depression or anxiety.
Day discussed her ailment in her very quiet living room on Second Street East.
“It has been so frustrating to live with the constant roaring in my head. Some days are better, some days are worse. For the life of me, I cannot imagine living in Ottawa back in February when they had that trucker’s convoy and all those honking horns. Even at work, there are times when I must cringe away from the counter to collect my thoughts.”
No one will ever know if the car accident was the major factor that contributed to her hearing issues. Day also confided that she had surgery to repair a hole in her ear many years ago. She is presently doctoring with specialists in Regina and hopefully a cure, or at least a welcoming relief, can be found.
Day is now 60 years old. Her daughter Chantal lives in Regina and is her pride and joy. Chantal is employed with United Flooring as an administrator and is also a wedding event planner and commissioner. Ironically, she is also in her second year of training to become a hearing aid technician. Steve and Laurie also own a four-year-old puppy, a female named Oreo.
Concluded Day: “With my ongoing health issues, I plan on taking a prolonged leave of absence from the store. Steve and I have another manager in place, and we do not plan on closing. I love my coffee shop and love visiting with all my loyal customers. I am really crossing my fingers that I can find a solution to my very painful problem.”
