CHRISTMAS CONCERT READY TO GO - FOR THE GRAVENHURST FOOD BANK

My father Ed wasn’t a wealthy man. Happy, contented, always consciencious and kindly toward others, he and his late wife Merle, were always giving money to charitable causes. My father had spent time in orphanages as a child, looking after his three brothers when his mother would disappear for weeks on end, his father having already abandoned them while living in Toronto’s well known Cabbagetown. He grew up knowing hardship and it was the root of his generosity to his family and others. Around this time of year he would have a jar of pennies ready to go for Suzanne, who co-ordinates the annual “penny-drive” at Gravenhurst High School, in support of the Salvation Army Food Bank. It wasn’t much, he would tell us, but there was always something to extend us, to help others.

Just over a year ago now, Ed suffered a small stroke at his Bracebridge apartment, but because he didn’t want to bother or inconvenience his concerned neighbors, turned away quite a number of folks who had come to his door after hearing him falling repeatedly. He offered them his sincere thanks for being concerned about him but he had called his son (that would be me) to come and help him. Well, Ed never called, and by time we arrived several days later, he was in pretty bad shape. He died in early January with a bad heart physically but a good heart in spirit.

It was Ed who looked after Andrew when he was taking a federally funded business course, in Bracebridge, five or so years ago, and then for several years after he graduated, he lived four days a week with him, to work on instrument repair. There were too many distractions here and Ed worked with him, and drove him to get supplies, and they talked about business and stuff. It was where Andrew’s Music and Collectibles began in earnest; what he had learned in the business course he applied to the opening of this own enterprise......something his brother Robert would follow, opening his own music business three years later. Both of course now operate from the former Muskoka Theatre building opposite the Gravenhurst Opera House.

Ed was always the voice of encouragement and as a former manager of numerous Muskoka and Parry Sound lumber companies, during his working life, including Building Trades Centre, his business experience was precious to Andrew, and he soaked it up like a sponge. And when we began our first fundraising activities, it was Ed who always backed the events, and offered what money he could to get it all started. That final day in Ed’s apartment, having to put those keys on the kitchen counter for the landlord, was as you can imagine, heartbreaking to both boys who had both kick-started their professional and business careers sitting in this now barren old room, with that strange echo of the past bumping one last time into the future. And we very much suspect he and Merle were watching out over our final moments in their cherished apartment, and in their own way, as kind spirits do, wishing them and us well on our continuing adventures.

We found five jars of pennies under the kitchen counter, Ed had been saving for us, to use for some other charitable project, and we shall indeed put it all to a good cause.

While Ed wouldn’t have wanted to be highlighted at our Saturday night fundraiser at the Opera House, it will be obvious in the twinkling eyes, and grin of contentment of both Andrew and Robert, that the production of “A Night Before Christmas,” was indeed dedicated to the memory of their grandfather and grandmother who loved them dearly.

We hope that you and friends will be able to attend “A Night Before Christmas,” beginning at 7 pm Saturday, Decemeber 18th, at the Opera House. There is no admission cost. If you can offer a non perishable food donation, or a cash offering at the door, in support of the Salvation Army Food Bank, it would be greatly appreciated. If you wish to attend the event but can’t afford to make a donation, please come as our guests. It’s our Christmas gift for the community.....an event, we are delighted to say, which has already become a seasonal tradition. We will be back next year, and for many years after that.....”God willing,” as Ed used to remark when we’d say “We’ll see you later!”

Thanks so much for helping us out on this event. We will provide you all with a fundraising amount shortly after the concert.

Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Years!