CHRISTMAS IN GRAVENHURST -

I have just returned from an invigorating morning walk down into The Bog. It is a dull, misty opening to the day, but quite warm and enticing for the woodland wanderers amongst us. I reluctantly arrive inside to do some work on my Christmas blog, and find the cup of hot tea most helpful, settling to the tasks at hand. But as I enjoy penning this particular seasonal tome, well, it will seem much more a pleasure this morning, than any parallel of hard work. Take the "Wool Picking Bee," for example:

Returning to the blog regarding our collection of handwritten recipes, mostly gathered here in the District of Muskoka, many from Gravenhurst estates, I wanted to include a little heirloom piece, from an 1871 book written by Thomas McMurray, as a "settler's guidebook." There is a paragraph or two regarding the "Wool Picking Bee," prior to 1870, in one of our hamlet communities in Muskoka. The description of the circumstance of the social, and the fact it anecdotally details a small feast the group had, during the gathering, was one of the early sources of inspiration, for us to begin gathering these old handwritten recipes I described in a previous blog. I have used the McMurray book hundreds of times, as a source for historical essays, regarding Muskoka history, and this section always caught my attention. I could so clearly imagine the setting, and the aroma of roast beaver. This is an important social /cultural reminder of our past. It isn't fiction. It is a social history we own, but seldom, if ever, find any use reminiscing about. This is as much history for Gravenhurst as it is for Muskoka Lakes, and Bracebridge, in those early settlement years in South Muskoka. Now in the words of Mr. McMurray:

"About noon of night (midnight), perhaps, we noticed a shade of falling off in the spirit of wool-picking, when a sound is heard indicating a change of scene and a variety in the exercises to be introduced, of which one might have, for an hour or two previously smelled the approach. Preparations are ordered, the wool is speedily removed, and picking of another kind introduced. It might do in the city to say 'the delicacies of the season,' but here the dishes, or what was on them, would require somewhat varied terms to describe. It was in fact a great meal, of which the items would be more tedious to describe than they were to discuss practically. A roast beaver might, perhaps, be the most notable deviation from ordinary fare, but breakfast, dinner, and supper were so amply represented, that a good old-style brother declared the big table to be wickedly piled luxuries, when a younger replied, 'If this be wickedness, I hope to be always a sinner.' It is not too much to say that full justice was done in relieving the rude table from its cause of groaning; so, having picked the wool, the bones of the beaver, and chickens, and singing the doxology, each seemed disposed to pick a partner, and the 'bee' stood adjourned.

"This I must say in conclusion, for the relief of some of your uninitiated readers, who may feel a kind of commiseration for the sadness of poor bush life, and would start with alarm to hear of a wool picking bee; had they only the chance of taking part in the affair, they might be more disposed to envy than pity; and I seriously advise them, if ever they get an invitation to a wool-picking bee, go."

The historical importance of this small segment of Mr. McMurray's book, is that it demonstrates how a community came in partnership, in work, as a social get-together, and shared the frontier cultural experience of a grand dinner……in a most humble surroundings. Our distancing from these stories and actualities, and the fact that most citizens here have no knowledge of Mr. McMurray, let alone the nature of social events during the period of our founding, is a disadvantage to us today. What we have is our "history in a book," and that's most often where it remains, when the text is read, admired, and then shelved for future posterity. The problem is that we are not aware that history means so much more, than what can be learned from a collection of old photographs, and the routine of telling, and re-telling of important dates and occasions……with little attention to what it all meant……not just what it produced in buildings, roads, railways, steam boats and hotels. What was it like for the population to grow up through these difficult, community forging years. The social/ cultural history fascinates me, and I'm always trying to learn more about the way we coped, through the decades, with hardship, economic difficulties, hunger, and resolve to better ourselves. We'd be a lot better off, I think, if we understood what has been endured by the citizens of Gravenhurst since its founding in the late 1850's; and the photographs and generalizations are only a part of the awareness required. If there was a full social history, as companion to existing histories, we'd know for sure, as modern day stewards of this hometown, just how demanding our formative years were on mind and body…..and how social / cultural / religious neighborliness, dealt with tragic realities. Today we look about frantically, for someone to save us from our misadventures, and don't seem to have any answers to what ails us…..except demanding that someone bail us out…..rescue us from misfortune. When history clearly indicates the complete opposite, that we pulled together in crisis…..genuine crisis, not just a business down-turn, to help restore and renew to the best of human capability. I hate to say we've lost this capability, because it is an heirloom resource……the knowledge passed down through the centuries, that should make us evermore resilient, and resolved to band together, to confront misfortune. But then again, this is a new century. Instead of the community and church groups, that for decades, helped the less fortunate with groceries, there is today a food bank, operated by the Salvation Army. While this isn't to suggest these groups don't try their best, to help where they can, it doesn't take a history degree, or years of study in this social / economic history, to realize we have lost a goodly portion of the benevolence of once.

As more of a social historian, being acutely interested in the human history of our community, moreso than dwelling on the old standards of heritage recording, I realize there are hundreds of influences, and societal changes that have watered down the neighborhoods of once. Many who lived the history of genuinely difficult times, have passed on, and there are few left to share these important past realities. There is a general apathy growing, and many more new residents to our community, who have never once felt the need to learn more about the local heritage they have bought into, because of their residency. This general indifference is growing by leaps and bounds, and it's simply not enough to write a book……when many haven't shown the slightest interest in the many excellent publications currently available, promoting the heritage of our region. Yet what is being missed, in my mind, is precisely why we are having identity issues now. And in some cases, it's the reason for low turn-outs for important community events. And in some ways, it's caused part of the economic woes of our historic mainstreat, when those who don't care about hometown businesses, prefer to shop in other locales……..and not simply because there are more options elsewhere. Some of the unfortunate events recently, and the history of infighting in the business community, over much of the past decade, has in itself, inspired a less than welcoming goodwill, to shop local. Old hometown values have been diminished steadily,….. and it's the one entitlement of history, we have every right to claim ownership, to use as a tool for self-improvement today. The community can do a lot to improve itself, by refurbishing hometown pride. And that demands a hometown approach by local council, to help inspire a re-awakening of core values, about good neighborliness, whether in the residential component, or in the business / industrial sector. Folks helping folks. Everyone being proud of Gravenhurst, and willing to chip in to assist the restoration of faith…..that in good and caring company we can rebuild and restore. It was the essence of hometown pride that we did band together to help each other.

This is in the pages of our town history. Not just in the ramblings of a critical writer.

Possibly this Christmas season, is a good time to re-visit some old time values, and shake the hand of a neighbor…..admittedly, and sadly, one you don't even know, and share a bit of old fashioned goodwill…….that believe it or not……can spread to other neighbors. As a sort of community News Year's Resolution, just possibly we can all share a little more compassion and humanity with folks who need it most. A good start? How about making a cash or food donation to the local Food Bank, that is desperately trying to fill the great need we have in Gravenhurst…….as it is an unfortunate reality, that while some businesses believe they have it tough……there are many citizens looking ahead to a bleak future……not just a bleak shoulder season in Muskoka commerce.