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| A contractor opted to throw chunks of cut tarmack into the bog; thank you District of Muskoka. Rob Currie photo |
STHE SPECIAL SKIPPER CANDY TREATS - THAT TURNED INTO SWEET SUMMERTIME TRADITIONS
THE REGULARS AND WHAT TURNED THEM ON -
A PREAMBLE NOTE ABOUT ONE OF SON ROBERT'S PHOTOGRAPHS ABOVE. HE'D PREFER TAKING IMAGES OF NEW PLANT GROWTH, WILDFLOWERS AND FROGS, THAT THRIVE IN THE BOG, HERE ON SEGWUN BOULEVARD. THIS TIME HOWEVER, IT WASN'T A PRETTY PICTURE. IT'S FUNNY WHAT YOU FIND IN THE MUSKOKA WILDS WHEN THE SNOW MELTS. ACROSS FROM OUR HOME, BIRCH HOLLOW, AND DOWN IN THE ROADSIDE HOLLOW OF THE BOG, I FOUND THE CAST-OFF ASPHALT THAT HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SURROUNDS OF A SANITARY SEWER FORTY FEET AWAY. I REMEMBER THE WORK CREW CUTTING OUT THE OLD ASPHALT BUT I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT, ON THE TAXPAYER'S COIN, THEY WOULD HAVE DUMPED THE OLD TARMAC INTO THE BOG. IT'S NOT UNUSUAL THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN, JUST A LITTLE DISHEARTENING THAT A CREW WORKING ON A DISTRICT CONTRACT, PRESUMABLY, WOULD BE SO DISRESPECTFUL TO THE GREEN BELT WE CALL THE BOG. I ASSUME THAT OTHER AREAS MAY HAVE RECEIVED A SIMILAR BONUS DUMPING, AS I CAN'T IMAGINE OURS WAS THE ONLY SEWER SURROUND TO BE REPLACED, DURING THAT MUNICIPAL UPGRADING PROGRAM. WHEN THE POST OFFICE HAD A CONTRACTOR CHANGE THE CREOSOTE TIMBER SURROUNDS, FOR THE SUPER MAIL BOX IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THE BROKEN AND ROTTING TIMBERS WERE ALSO TOSSED INTO THE BOG, AS IT DOES SEEMS LIKE A CONVENIENT PLACE, FOR GETTING RID OF WHAT YOU NO LONGER WANT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL SOME OF THE TIMBERS OUT, AND PUT THEM AS GARDEN BACKDROPS IN OUR YARD. I'M NOT LIKELY TO PULL THE TARMAC OUT OF THE HOLLOW, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT MUCH GOOD FOR ANYTHING NOW. IT ALARMS ME, BECAUSE THE DISTRICT AND TOWN SHOULD HAVE FOLLOWED UP ON THE WORK, AND TAKEN A GLANCE INTO THE BORDER OPEN-SPACE, JUST IN CASE THE CONTRACTORS MADE IMPROPER DEPOSITS ON THE ENVIRONMENT. OF COURSE IT SUCKS.
SHORTLY AFTER WE MOVED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, OF THE CALYDOR SUBDIVISION, I REMEMBER SITTING OUT ON OUR BACK DECK, AND HEARING A TRUCK PULL UP IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. I TOOK A LOOK, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS A WORK CREW, ARRIVING FOR ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS. I SAT BACK DOWN, AND HEARD A LOT OF SMASHING ABOUT, AND WHAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO GET UP, TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. I DID DO THIS, EVENTUALLY, BUT BY THE TIME I GOT DOWN TO THE END OF OUR DRIVEWAY, THE CONTRACTOR'S TRUCK WAS ROUNDING THE CORNER, AND WAS QUICKLY OUT OF SIGHT. WHEN I SAW THE CAST-OFF OF CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS, TOSSED INTO THE RUN-OFF LAGOON, FROM THE STORM WATER DRAIN, I FELT NAUSEOUS. THERE WERE EMPTY BUT TOXIC PAILS OF CHEMICALS, USED FOR ASPHALT APPLICATION AND SEALING, AND GAS-SOAKED RAGS FLOATING IN THE WATER, WHERE THERE WERE TADPOLES AND ALL SORTS OF WATER CREATURES. THERE WERE BROKEN CEMENT BLOCKS TOSSED IN AS WELL, ALONG WITH OLD CUT BOARDS, AND PLYWOOD CHUNKS. IT TOOK ME A WEEK TO CLEAN IT ALL UP, AND HAUL THE GARBAGE TO THE LANDFILL SITE. AND YES, IT DID COST ME, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD TO BE DONE. I CHECKED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, TO SEE IF ANYONE HAD EMPLOYED A CONTRACTOR, FOR DRIVEWAY OR ROOF WORK, BUT IT BECAME APPARENT, THE CONTRACTOR HAD SIMPLY FOUND THIS SPOT, POSSIBLY BY ACCIDENT, AS A GOOD LOCATION FOR LIGHTENING HIS LOAD. IT SAVED HIM MONEY, BECAUSE I KNOW IT COST ME FIFTY DOLLARS AT THE DUMP.
SINCE THEN, I'VE HAD TO PURSUE, AT SOME PERSONAL RISK, THREE OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS, FOR DUMPING GARBAGE...AND I MEAN GARBAGE-GARBAGE INTO THE BOG. I CAUGHT ONE CHAP WHO WAS BRINGING IN LOAD AFTER LOAD, OF YARD WASTE AND SUNDRY OTHER PLASTIC GARBAGE, AND AFTER DESTROYING THE BEAUTIFUL SPRING FERNS, WITH HIS ATV AND TRAILER, WOULD DUMP HIS LOADED WAGON OVER THE HILLSIDE, ABOVE THE WETLAND. WHEN I CAUGHT HIM IN THE ACT OF DUMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, I FIRST ASKED HIM IF HE OWNED THIS PROPERTY. WHEN HE REPLIED THAT HE DIDN'T, I ASKED THE SECONDARY QUESTION, AS TO WHY HE THEN FELT ENTITLED, TO LEAVE HIS GARBAGE ON PROPERTY, OWNED BY THE TAXPAYERS OF GRAVENHURST. LET'S JUST SAY, HE BEAT A HASTY RETREAT, BUT NOT OFFERING TO CLEAN UP HIS CRAP. SO WE LOADED IT IN THE VAN AND HAULED IT TO THE DUMP OURSELVES. LIKE A CROOKED PICTURE, I CAN'T STAND LIVING WITH THIS DESECRATION OF A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. ANOTHER NEIGHBOR HAD HIS HANDYMAN, DUMP ALL THE YARD REFUSE, INCLUDING PLASTIC OIL BOTTLES, CANS, GLASS, METAL AND ANYTHING ELSE DEPOSITED IN HIS YARD INCLUDING TOYS, WITHOUT ANY CONCERN WHATSOEVER, IT MIGHT CONTAMINATE THE ENVIRONMENT. SO I APPROACHED THE HIRED HELP AND ASKED THE SAME QUESTION. HIS ANSWER, SIMPLY STATED, WAS THAT HIS CLIENT HAD TOLD HIM IT WAS OKAY. "DOES HE OWN THAT PROPERTY," I ASKED. "NO," WAS HIS ONLY RESPONSE. "SO THEN WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO USE IT AS A GARBAGE DUMP?" NO ANSWER WAS FORTHCOMING. "YOU LOOK AFTER A NUMBER OF LOCAL PROPERTIES, DON'T YOU," I ENQUIRED. AFTER HE ANSWERED AFFIRMATIVE, I THEN ASKED IF IT WAS COMMON FOR HIM, TO AVOID TIPPING FEES AT THE LANDFILL SITE, OPTING INSTEAD TO DUMP GARBAGE AT ROADSIDE HERE IN GRAVENHURST. HE ASSURED ME THIS WASN'T THE CASE, SO I PONDERED ALOUD, "THEN IT SEEMS ODD THAT YOU WOULD DO IT HERE, ACROSS FROM OUR HOMES." HE OFFERED AN APOLOGY, AND SAID HE WOULDN'T DO IT AGAIN, AND WOULD TELL THE PROPERTY OWNER ABOUT MY CONCERNS. FROM THAT POINT ON, I'VE OVERHEARD REFERENCES TO ME, BETWEEN PROPERTY LINES, AND IN PRIVATE CONVERSATION, AS BEING, "MY NEIGHBOR, THE ENVIRONMENTALIST." WELL SIR, IF CORRECTING SOMEONE FOR DUMPING HALF FULL OIL BOTTLES, AND HOUSEHOLD REMAINS, IN THE BOG, MAKES ME AN ENVIRONMENTALIST IN THE PROPERTY OWNER'S EYES, I'LL TAKE IT AS A COMPLIMENT. IT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE.
ANOTHER LADY, WELL KNOWN IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, BACKED HER PICK-UP TRUCK TO THE LIP OF THE EMBANKMENT, FURTHER EAST ON SEGWUN, AND STOOD UP IN THE BACK, WITH A SHOVEL, AND RAKE, DUMPING A LOAD OF CUT TREES AND A HUGE NUMBER OF BOUGHS, SIMILARLY INTO THE BOG. WHEN WE CONFRONTED HER, AS TO WHY SHE WOULD DO THIS (AND SHE WAS FROM ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD ENTIRELY), HER IMMEDIATE RESPONSE, WAS TO CLAIM "SOMEONE TOLD HER IT WAS OKAY." I ASKED HER BLUNTLY, IF THIS PERSON SHE WAS REFERRING TO, HAPPENED TO BE GOD. WHEN SHE LAUGHED AT ME, I SAID, " WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT GOD? OKAY, WELL WHAT ABOUT MOTHER NATURE THEN?" THIS WAS THE POINT WHEN I EARNED ONE OF THOSE LOOKS THAT KILL. "IT'S ALL NATURAL STUFF, AND WILL DECAY OVER TIME," SHE SHOT BACK. "BUT THERE IS A PLACE AT THE LANDFILL SITE, A FEW MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY, WHERE YOU CAN DEPOSIT YARD WASTE LIKE THIS, SO WHY WOULDN'T YOU TAKE IT THERE; IT'S STILL IN THE TRUCK. DO YOU NEED SOME MONEY FOR GAS?" I CAN GET PRETTY LIPPY ABOUT THESE MATTERS. ONE OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DUMPING NATURAL DEBRIS LIKE THIS, IS THAT IF CREATES A HUGE FIRE RISK. YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF CIGARETTE BUTTS THAT WIND-UP AT ROADSIDE, TOSSED BY THOSE IN CARS, DRIVING BY, FLICKING THEM OUT THE WINDOW. ONE WELL PLACED STILL-LIT CIGARETTE, IN A PILE OF THIS SLASH, WOULD SEND A FIRE THROUGH THE ENTIRE WOODLAND. NO ONE THINKS ABOUT THIS, AT THE TIME THEY'RE DUMPING, BUT BY GOLLY, THEY'D BE STANDING HERE, BESIDE THE FIRE TRUCKS, WITH THEIR CAMERA PHONES AIMED AT THE CARNAGE, IF AND WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT, DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO WHAT THEY HAD DISCARDED.
THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER CRAP THAT MAKES IT INTO THE BOG, ESPECIALLY WHEN KIDS FINISH BUILDING THEIR FORTS, BUT PARENTS NEGLECT TO ENFORCE A CORRESPONDING CLEAN UP. I GUESS THEY DON'T THINK THAT FOREST DWELLERS, LIKE MOOSE, DEER, BEAR AND RACCOONS CAN BE INJURED BY STEPPING ON NAILS, POKING UP FROM LEFTOVER LUMBER STREWN ABOUT. WE DO WHAT WE CAN TO CLEAN UP THE BOG, AND REMOVE DANGEROUS CAST OFFS, BUT I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE HOW MUCH GARBAGE IS DUMPED IN OUR BEAUTIFUL WOODS, AND LOWLANDS THROUGHOUT MUSKOKA. AND DAMN-IT, THE FEES AT THE LANDFILL SITE ARE AFFORDABLE. TURFING AN OLD MATTRESS INTO A LOWLAND IS JUST STUPID. IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE COST MORE THAN TWENTY BUCKS TO DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.
WHEN THE DISTRICT OF MUSKOKA TOYS WITH THE IDEA OF CHARGING FOR GARBAGE BAGS, BEYOND WHAT WE PAY IN TAXATION, I FEAR THE WOODS WILL BE THE PERFECT ALTERNATIVE TO VISITING THE LANDFILL SITE. SURELY A FEW DISTRICT COUNCILLORS, AT LEAST, WILL APPRECIATE WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE THIS WILL CAUSE, TO A REGION THAT DEPENDS ON ITS GOOD LOOKS, AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT; TO COMPETE IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY OF THIS COUNTRY. THE FACT THAT MUNICIPALITIES AND PROPERTY OWNERS WILL BE STUCK WITH THE CLEAN-UP BILL, IT SEEMS A REGRESSIVE PLAN, TO CHARGE FOR THE RIGHT TO DISPOSE YOUR REFUSE AT CURBSIDE. THERE IS A DISCONNECT WITH POLITICIANS IN THIS REGION, THAT IS FRIGHTENING. THIS IS ONE AREA OF CONCERN WE SHOULD ALL BE WATCHING CLOSELY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN ENVIRONMENTALIST TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT ANYTHING GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHES, TO MAKE IT MORE COSTLY TO HANDLE GARBAGE DISPOSAL. WE WILL PAY REGARDLESS.
SUZANNE AND I WERE IN A STRIP MALL PARKING LOT, ONE AFTERNOON, A FEW YEARS BACK, WHEN WE SAW A CAR LOADED WITH TEENAGERS, OPEN FOUR OF FOUR DOORS OF THEIR PARKED VEHICLE, IN ORDER TO DUMP OUT ALL THEIR FAST FOOD CONTAINERS, AND GARBAGE ONTO THE PAVEMENT. ON THAT OCCASION, I WAS CARRYING MY 35MM CAMERA WITH A ZOOM LENS, AND I DID WHAT A REPORTER GETS PAID FOR. I JUST STARTED TAKING PICTURES OF THE CAR, IT'S OCCUPANTS, AND THE LICENSE PLATE. I MADE SURE I WAS OBVIOUS ABOUT TAKING THE PICTURES, AND SOON THE DRIVER SWUNG THE CAR AROUND, AND DROVE BACK TO WHERE I WAS STANDING. WHEN HE PULLED UP BESIDE ME, I WAS STILL TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS, SUCH THAT I COULD HAVE IDENTIFIED EVERY OCCUPANT. AT THE TIME, SUZANNE WAS STILL TEACHING HIGH SCHOOL, AND SHE KNEW THOSE IN THE VEHICLE. "SIR, WHAT ARE YOU TAKING THE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR," THE DRIVER ASKED, FROM HIS ROLLED-DOWN WINDOW. "OH, I'M GIVING THESE TO THE POLICE, SO IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO CHARGE YOU," I ANSWERED WITH A SMILE, SHOWING MY DELIGHT. "IF WE PICK UP THE GARBAGE, RIGHT NOW, WOULD YOU LEAVE THE POLICE OUT OF IT?" "I WON'T MAKE A PROMISE, BUT I WILL GET ANOTHER PICTURE OF YOU PICKING IT ALL BACK UP, SO THE POLICE CAN SEE THAT YOU SAW THE ERROR OF YOUR WAYS." WELL, THEY SPED OVER TO THE SPOT THEY HAD DUMPED THE GARBAGE, AND ALL FOUR DOOR OPENED AGAIN, AND THIS TIME, ALL THE OCCUPANTS JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR, AND EVEN CAST-OFF FRENCH FRIES WERE PICKED UP. WHEN ALL WAS DONE, THEY LOOKED BACK AT US FOR APPROVAL, AND WHEN I GAVE THEM A "THUMB'S UP," THEY WAVED, SMILED, AND I'M ASSUMING, DROVE BACK TO SCHOOL FOR AFTERNOON CLASSES. MADE US FEEL PRETTY GOOD. I NEVER TURNED IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS, BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY FILM IN THE CAMERA.
THE SPRING IS THE WORSE TIME FOR ROADSIDE DUMPING. IF YOU SEE SOMEONE DOING THIS, PLEASE TAKE DOWN THEIR LICENSE PLATE INFORMATION, AND IF YOU HAVE A CAMERA! THE REST IS UP TO YOU. ACCOSTING THEM IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST PLAN. GETTING PHOTO EVIDENCE IS PARTICULARLY HELPFUL TO BYLAW OFFICERS AND THE POLICE. YOU KNOW, THERE IS NOTHING SO DISGUSTING TO ME, AS SEEING A BEAUTIFUL WOODLAND, ON OUR GAD-ABOUTS, BURDENED WITH AN OLD SOFA, TOSSED UPSIDE DOWN, AMONGST THE VENERABLE PINES. I WANT TO MEET THESE PEOPLE, BUT THEY KNOW HOW TO DO IT, AND BEAT A HASTY RETREAT. UNLESS OF COURSE, THEY LEAVE BAGS OF GARBAGE, WITH PERSONAL INFORMATION AND ADDRESSES SCRUNCHED UP INSIDE. YUP, THIS IS WHAT BYLAW OFFICERS ARE DOING NOW, TO BAG THE INDISCRIMINATE DUMPERS. IT MAY EVEN REQUIRE CHECKING UNDER THE CUSHIONS OF CAST OFF CHAIRS AND SOFAS, TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY IDENTIFYING BITS AND BOBBS, TO TRACK DOWN THE PERPETRATOR, OF WHAT I CONSIDER, A CRIME AGAINST THE MOTHER NATURE, THAT GIVES US LIFE.
HAVE A NICE MAY 24TH HOLIDAY WEEKEND. LET'S KEEP IT CLEAN OUT THERE.
BACK TO THE WINDERMERE MARINA, AND THE SKIPPER
IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING THIS BLOG, AND THE SUBJECT OF THE SKIPPER, IN WINDERMERE, YOU CAN ARCHIVE BACK TO THE COLUMNS PUBLISHED THIS PAST WEEK, TO CATCH-UP ON THIS SUMMER STORY.
"A FEW PRODUCTS, ALL CANDY OF COURSE, REMAIN IN MY MIND, AS SKIPPER TRADEMARKS. IT'S WHAT THE KIDS ASKED FOR, RATHER DEMANDED, AND HEAVEN FORBID, WE SHOULD RUN LOW ON SUPPLIES. BUBBLEGUM! SUMMER AND BUBBLEGUM! ALL THE KIDS WERE BLOWING BUBBLES. THE SMELL OF A BUBBLEGUM RACK, LOADED TO OVERFLOWING, WAS, I BELIEVE, MORE POWERFUL AS AN INFLUENCE TO SPEND, THAN MOTHER'S (HARIET'S) FAMOUS PIES. WELL, AT LEAST FOR THE KIDS. THE AMALGAMATION OF FLAVORS WAFTING THROUGH THE PLACE WAS THE VERY SPIRIT OF YOUTHFULNESS. IT WAS HARD TO WALK PAST THAT STAND, AND NOT GRAB UP A PACK OF SPEARMINT, OR JUICY FRUIT GUMS, AND CHEW INTO A BALLPARK FRENZY. IT WAS GOOD STUFF AND WE SOLD A HUGE QUANTITY. EACH TIME I WALK BY A RACK OF GUN IN A CONVENIENCE STORE, I CAN'T HELP THINKING ABOUT THE KIDS HOVERING AROUND THE DISPLAY AT THE SKIPPER, LOOKING FOR A REALLY GOOD CHEW. SALES WERE INSPIRED BY THAT SWEET AROMA, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, SO HAVING A FULL RACK MADE A LOT OF BUSINESS SENSE. NOW IF YOU ADD INTO THE WAFTING COCKTAIL, COMING FROM THE OTHER SWEETS ON THE SHELF, THEN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY PARENTS, HAD SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME COAXING THE YOUNGSTERS BACK, INTO THE CAR OR BOAT, OR ALONG AGAIN UP THE ROAD, OR OVER TO THE BEACH. EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO SPEND, LOOKING AND SMELLING OF THE CANDY SHELF WAS FREE. SOME BUBBLEGUM, THE EXOTIC BIG BUBBLE KIND, WAS STORED IN A HUGE GLASS JAR. IT WAS COLORFUL AND THUS INTRIGUING. A LOT OF FINGERS MADE IT INTO THAT JAR IN TEN YEARS."
SUZANNE, WHO HELD THE FORT, FOR MANY YEARS BEHIND THE SKIPPER SNACKBAR, WRITES, "THEN THERE WAS WORLD FAMOUS CRACKER JACKS, AND LUCKY ELEPHANT POPCORN, AND OF COURSE LICORICE, OR KNOWN BY THE LESS VERBALLY TUTORED, 'LICK-LISH.' WE HAD SOME INNOVATIVE AND DOWN-RIGHT STRANGE FLAVOURS, INCLUDING GRAPE (PURPLE), GREEN, (SPEARMINT), AND TRADITIONAL RED AND BLACK. IT WAS A BARGAIN, I THINK, AT TWO CENTS A STICK, OR FORTY CENTS FOR A LARGE PACK. THE AROMA FROM STRAWBERRY LICORICE WAS IRRESISTIBLE. LICORICE HAD A PLACE OF HONOR BETWEEN THE BUBBLEGUM, THE WAGON WHEELS AND TIGER TAILS. POTATO CHIPS ALWAYS INTERESTED OUR CAT PRISCILLA, THE SNACKING FELINE, A LONG TIME MASCOT OF THE SKIPPER. SHE WOULD HEAR THE RUSTLE OF THE FOIL BAG, AND MYSTERIOUSLY APPEAR, IN AN ATTEMPT TO SECURE ANY ACCIDENTAL CHIP DROPS. ACTUALLY, THERE WERE A FEW PATRONS, WHO MADE SURE A FEW DROPPED HER WAY. HER FAVORITE BRAND, OF COURSE, WAS SALT AND VINEGAR. IT WAS QUITE SOMETHING TO SEE; PRISCILLA SITTING BESIDE A TABLE, LOOKING UP AT AN OBLIGING PATRON, AND BEGGING WITH HER EYES, MOVING A LITTLE CLOSER AS THE CHIP-FALL ARRIVED IN EARNEST; AS THE CUSTOMER GOT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG. I WISH I HAD A PHOTOGRAPH.
"ONE PARTICULAR SUMMER, THE CHALLENGE WAS TO FILL THE SKIPPER WITH LUCKY ELEPHANT PRIZES. WE WERE AMBITIOUS BUT THE COLLECTION NEVER GOT MUCH PAST THE LEDGE, RUNNING AROUND THE COKE MACHINE. WE ACCEPTED CRACKER JACK PRIZES AS WELL, AND YOU KNOW, BY THE END OF THE SEASON, IT WAS A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE SELECTION. TODAY, THAT COLLECTION WOULD BE WORTH QUITE A FEW DOLLARS TO A COLLECTOR. NOW THAT REALLY MAKES A PERSON LIKE ME FEEL OLD. ALL THAT SUMMER SEASON, THOSE PRIZE PIECES GOT A LOT OF CUSTOMER ATTENTION, AND ATTRACTED MORE DONATIONS. A WORLD RECORD FOR LUCKY ELEPHANT, AND CRACKER JACK ARTIFACTS? POSSIBLY, BUT WE WERE SATISFIED AN OBJECTIVE WAS FOLLOWED-THROUGH, AND MET, BY KIDS ON THE PROWL. CERTAIN SKIPPER RELICS WERE OF CONSIDERABLE INTEREST, TO SOME OF OUR LOYAL PATRONS. OUR GENUINE, REAL ARTICLE COKE GLASSES, WERE ALWAYS FASCINATING. THEN THERE WAS THE NAUTICAL NOOK, FOR THE DISCERNING GIFT-GIVER. WELL, LET'S SIMPLIFY BY SAYING, IT WAS A CONVENIENT LOCATION TO GET A GIFT AND A SODA. FROM THE SIGN UPWARDS, WE DEVELOPED OBVIOUSLY, THAT NAUTICAL THEME, WHICH PRETTY MUCH GOES WITH A MARINA, AND SNACKBAR, CALLED THE SKIPPER. WE HAD A BRASS PLAQUE THAT NOTED IT WAS 'THE BIG WHEEL HOUSE.' THE NAUTICAL THEME WAS CARRIED OUT BY USING FISH-NET, CORK AND GLASS FLOATS, STAR FISH, AND A PAINTING MOTHER DID OF THE SEA, HUNG IN THE CORNER BY THE ICE CREAM FREEZER. THE COCONUT-HEAD PIRATES, STRUNG ABOUT THE NOOK, KEPT THEIR UNBANDAGED EYES ON ALL, BUT IT IS SAID THEY NEVER JUDGED. THE GIFTWARE ALSO HAD A NAUTICAL FLAVOR BUT IT WASN'T THE RULE. ONCE AGAIN, I'M ASTONISHED AT HOW MUCH OF THE GIFTWARE WE SOLD, THE TYPES OF MATERIALS WE TOOK FOR GRANTED AS NICE AND INEXPENSIVE, THAT ARE SOUGHT AFTER TODAY, AS NOSTALGIA COLLECTABLES. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT MORE.
"NIGHT LIFE AT THE WINDERMERE WATERFRONT, WAS ALWAYS INTERESTING. PERHAPS NOT EXCITING BY TODAY'S STANDARDS, OR WHAT WOULD PASS FOR EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY, BUT CERTAINLY ENTERTAINING FOR THE LOVERS OF SUMMERLAND. FOR SEVERAL SUMMERS IN OUR EARLY YEARS, THE DOCK AREA WAS EVENING-TIME HOME, TO OUR OWN VILLAGE POLICE. THE CRIME RATE WAS NEVER VERY HIGH IN WINDERMERE, BUT THEIR PRESENCE WAS FELT AND APPRECIATED, BY OUR OWN VILLAGE FOLK AND VISITORS. A NICE FEELING OF SECURITY. MANY A LATE-NIGHT CHAT TOOK PLACE OVER HOT COFFEE IN THE OTHERWISE CLOSED-FOR-BUSINESS SKIPPER. WINDERMERE WAS BEING MONITORED, THE COFFEE ASIDE. THE PRANKSTERS, I GUESS, WERE THE BIGGEST VILLAINS OF THE DAY, OUTSIDE OF THE OCCASIONAL JOY RIDE IN A CAR OR BOAT; THE NUISANCE ASPECT OF THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT. THEY KEPT WINDERMERE A SAFE HAVEN FOR ALL OF US, AND WE APPRECIATED THEIR EFFORTS. AND THEY WERE, MOST CERTAINLY, OUR FRIENDS. BERNIE AND BOB WERE CONGENIAL, AND ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP SOMEONE OUT OF A JAM; WHETHER IT WAS A TRANSPORTATION DILEMMA OR LOST KINFOLK, AND A BATTERY OF OTHER CONSTABULARY SITUATIONS. THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE AS CONGENIAL AS WAS BERNIE BEAVEN.
"WE WOULD BE AWAKENED FREQUENTLY (WE LIVED ABOVE THE MARINA THOSE SUMMERS, MID 1960'S TO MID 1970'S) BY OTHER STRANGE NIGHT-TIME SOUNDS. OFTEN OUR DOOR WOULD BE FIRST TO SOUND THE ALARM, THAT SOMETHING OR OTHER WASN'T RIGHT. USUALLY IT WAS NOTHING MORE SERIOUS THAN PEOPLE GATHERING SOCIALLY ON THE MARINA DOCK, GETTING SOME FRESH AIR ON A HOT NIGHT. YOU COULD SEE THEM CLEARLY BENEATH THE GLOWING ESSO SIGN. THEY CAME ON OCCASION, TO SEE THE SCHOOL OF FISH, ATTRACTED TO THE LIGHT OVER THE WATER. I BELIEVE HOWEVER, THE BEST AFTER-HOURS EVENT, WAS THE BEWITCHING HOUR DIP, IN LAKE ROSSEAU. ON THOSE STEAMY, MUSKOKA-SCENTED NIGHTS, MOTHER AND I WOULD OPT FOR A SWIM OFF THE DOCK. THE WARM EMBRACE OF THE WATER SOOTHED SOOTHED AWAY THE STRESSES OF THE DAY. THE TRANQUILITY OF THE SUMMER NIGHT, THE SHADOWS LOOMING, YET THE GLIMMERING, FANCIFUL LIGHTS DANCING BRIGHTLY OFF THE BAY; GAVE US BACK, IN A VERY GENTLE WAY, THE ENJOYMENT WE MISSED WORKING THROUGH THE DAY. REFRESHED, WE WOULD HEAD BACK TO FINISH ANY CLEAN-UP REMAINING AT THE SKIPPER, AND THEN RETIRE, SOMEWHAT REFLECTIVELY I GUESS YOU COULD SAY, AND REJUVENATE OURSELVES FOR THE CHALLENGES OF THE NEXT DAY AT THE GRIND.
"AND IN OUR SLUMBER, OR HALF-SLUMBER, ONE MIGHT HEAR THE GENTLE TUNE OF 'MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB,' CHEERFULLY RESOUNDING FROM A NAVIGATOR, OPERATING A VESSEL, PROPELLED BY A GREEN OUTBOARD ENGINE. EVERYONE BACK THEN, KNEW WHO OWNED THAT PARTICULAR BOAT, AND IT WAS KIND OF A PLEASANT WAY TO BE AWOKEN, IF THAT'S EVEN POSSIBLE. WE KNEW A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING ACROSS THE LAKE, BY THE SOUND OF THEIR ENGINES. EACH HAD A PARTICULAR DIFFERENCE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE PICKED UP ON; AND OF COURSE FATHER KNEW, BY THE SOUND, WHETHER IT WAS FAILING, AND NEEDED REPAIR. INBOARDS AND OUTBOARDS, HE COULD DETECT A PROBLEM WITH AN ENGINE, EVEN WHEN IT WAS STILL WELL OUT ON THE LAKE. HE KNEW HIS ENGINES THAT'S FOR SURE.
"I USED TO LOOK FORWARD TO SEASON OPENING OF THE SKIPPER. THESE FRIDAY AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS WITH COTTAGERS AND VISITORS ARRIVING. FAMILIAR FACES, OLD FRIENDS. FAMILIES. WHILE THEIR CARS WERE BEING UNLOADED, AND THE LUGGAGE PLACED IN OUR DELIVERY BOAT AND CRUISE BOAT, THE 'SHIRL-EVON,' THE KIDS WOULD DESCEND UPON THE SKIPPER. I ESPECIALLY REMEMBER THE STOCK FAMILY AND THEIR EAGERNESS, AND ANTICIPATION, FOR THE BUDDING SUMMER VACATION. THE FIRST GAME OF PINBALL PLAYED, OR PACKAGE OF RED LICORICE CONSUMED. THE CATCHING-UP WITH FAMILY NEWS. WE HAD TO HEAR ALL THE DETAILS. THE GROWTH IN THE YOUNGSTERS OBSERVED AND ACKNOWLEDGED. THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW FAMILY MEMBERS WITH A MUSKOKA FUTURE AHEAD OF THEM. I SO LOOKED FORWARD TO PICKING UP ON OLD FRIENDSHIPS, AND BELIEVING THE SUMMER, THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, WOULD BE ENDLESS, LIKE THE SONG. CARS NO SOONER STOPPED BY THE MARINA, THAN THE KIDS CAME FLYING, AND OF COURSE, THUMPING UP THE STAIRS TO THE SKIPPER; AND THROUGH THAT DOOR; THEY TRIED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, TO CONSUME ALL THE CHANGES FROM THE SUMMER BEFORE. IF WE HAD A NEW PINBALL MACHINE, IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE THE FIRST COINS RATTLED WITHIN. IF A SUMMER TUNE FROM THE AUGUST BEFORE, WAS STILL ON THE JUKE BOX, IT WAS USUALLY PLAYED FIRST, THEN OF COURSE, ALL THE LATEST HITS. SOON AFTER THAT OPENING FIASCO, WELL, THE ROUTINE BEGAN, FROM NEWSPAPER PICK-UPS TO THE SCHEDULE FOR THE AFTERNOON ICE CREAM CONES. THE SAME FRIENDLY FACES DAY AFTER DAY. I MISS THOSE FACES RIGHT NOW, AND WISH I COULD MEET THEM ALL AGAIN, JUST TO SAY THANKS FOR HELPING THE STRIPP FAMILY, RUN A SUCCESSFUL MARINA AND THE SKIPPER. IT WAS ALL PIVOTAL; THIS GETTING ALONG PROTOCOL, AND I GUESS THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DID ALL THOSE YEARS.
"FROM THE DIN OF PINBALL BELLS AND THE REVELRY OF THE JUKE BOX, THE PINGING OF COKE GLASSES AND POP BOTTLES, SQUEAKING BOOK RACKS, AND STRANG ADORNMENTS AROUND THE PLACE, IT WAS A GENTLE ALCOVE ABOVE THE LAKE, TO HANG-OUT FROM EVENTS OF THE OUTER WORLD. IT WAS A SANCTUARY, EVEN FOR STAFF, ALTHOUGH DON'T EXPECT ME TO EXPLAIN THIS. THERE WAS NOTHING ARTIFICIAL ABOUT THE CHARACTER OF THE SKIPPER. IT WAS AS GENUINE AS MY MOTHER'S FRESH BAKED PIES. THERE WAS NO FACADE, AND EVERYONE WAS WELCOME TO COME AND SHARE THE GOOD TIMES. AS I HAVE DONE. AS I HAVE STATED PREVIOUSLY, IT'S A WONDER THAT AMIDST ALL THIS FRIVOLITY, ANY WORK GOT DONE. ON THE OTHER HAND, NOW THAT I THINK BACK, IT WAS THE FUN WE WERE ALL EXPOSED TO, THAT INSPIRED US TO GET OUR TASKS DONE PROPERLY, SO WE COULD GOOF OFF WHEN THINGS GOT A LITTLE SLOW. I ADMIT THERE WERE TIMES THAT I WASN'T THRILLED ABOUT WORKING; KNOWING THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE ENTHRALLING, TO TAKE A DAY OR TWO OFF, AND GO BOATING, OR SWIMMING WITH FRIENDS. BUT I DID GET TIME OFF, AND I DID ENJOY MIXING WITH FRIENDS. EVERY TEENAGER THE WORLD OVER, LIKES TO BREAK PROTOCOL NOW AND AGAIN. FUNNY THING THOUGH. ON SOME OF THOSE DAYS WHEN I REALLY WANTED TO BE FREE OF WORK, THEY OFTEN TURNED OUT TO BE THE MOST ENTERTAINING AT THE SKIPPER."
WE STILL POSSESS QUITE A FEW SOUVENIRS FROM THAT PERIOD OF OUR FAMILY HISTORY; SOME OF THOSE ORIGINAL COKE GLASSES, MILK SHAKE AND SUNDAE DISHES, A FEW LEFTOVER CHINA JUGS WITH NAUTICAL THEMES, FROM THE NAUTICAL NOOK CORNER, OF THE SKIPPER, AND A LARGE COKE SIGN THAT AT ONE TIME WAS NAILED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE MARINA. BUT BEST OF ALL, ARE THE MEMORIES SUZANNE SHARES, USUALLY AROUND THIS TIME OF YEAR, OF A TIME WHEN SHE, WITH NORMAN AND HARRIET, RAN TWO VILLAGE BUSINESSES, THAT BECAME ICONIC TO COTTAGERS, TOURISTS, HOTEL GUESTS, AND LOCAL RESIDENTS, IN ONLY A FEW SUMMERS. IT'S KIND OF SAD, AT TIMES, AND I WATCH HER EYES FILL WITH TEARS, WHEN SHE SUDDENLY GOES SILENT, AND I KNOW SHE'S RECALLING ALL THE SENSORY STIMULATIONS OF THAT PERIOD; THE SCENTS OF GAS AND OIL, WATER AND OLD WOOD, LICORICE, BUBBLEGUM, ONIONS FOR THE WHAMBURGER, AND THE SOUNDS. OH THE SOUNDS. PINBALL BELLS AND VOICES. SO MANY VOICES.
ANDREW AND ROBERT HAVE HEARD THESE FOLK TALES OF THE SKIPPER OVER AND OVER. BUT WITHOUT ACTUALLY HAVING STOOD AT THAT SNACKBAR, AND EXPERIENCED ALL THAT WAS GOING ON, INSIDE AND OUT, ONE WILL ONLY EVER GET PART OF THE STORY. THIS THEN, WAS WRITTEN FOR THEM; AND OF COURSE TO SHARE WITH YOU.
QUEEN VICTORIA GOT A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN HER HONOR
IT WAS, OF COURSE, GREAT TO SEE OUR TOWN BUSTLING THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THE WEATHER WAS OUTSTANDING, AND BY THE LOOKS OF THE MAIN STREET TRAFFIC, HERE IN GRAVENHURST, SOUTH MUSKOKA WAS THE PLACE TO BE, TO CELEBRATE THE MEMORY OF QUEEN VICTORIA; WHICH TO A FAMILY OF UNITED EMPIRE LOYALIST ANCESTRY, LIKE OURS, IS ALWAYS A NEAT SEASONAL CELEBRATION; TO REKINDLE OUR MANY SUMMER SEASONS SPENT SO ENJOYABLY, IN THIS VAST LAKELAND. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH IT, LIKE SO MANY OTHER MUSKOKANS, TIED TO THE RETAIL COMMUNITY, AND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, JUST HAVING OUR FRIENDS COME BACK FOR A VISIT, MAKES IT SEEM SO MUCH LESS WORK THAN FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. NOT THAT WE DON'T APPRECIATE OUR LOCAL CUSTOMERS AND NEIGHBORS, BUT IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A LONG HAUL WITH SNOW AND ALL. THE STORY OF THE SKIPPER, AS TOLD BY SUZANNE, EXPLAINS SOMEWHAT, HOW WE MUSKOKANS, HAVE FIGURED OUT, HOW TO HAVE A VACATION, AND WORK AT THE SAME TIME. MANY AREAS WITH SEASONAL ECONOMIES, WILL SHARE THE SAME STORIES AND FEELINGS. AS OUR SUMMER SEASON PATRONS ARE HAPPY AND CELEBRATORY, IT GIVES US A LIFT AS WELL. CONSIDERING WE'VE BEEN MEETING THESE PEOPLE FOR MANY YEARS NOW, SOME GOING AS FAR BACK AS INTRODUCTIONS, FROM THE DAYS OF THE SKIPPER, AND THE WINDERMERE MARINA, SUZANNE, THE BOYS AND I, DO GET A KICK OUT OF SEEING THOSE FAMILIAR FACES, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTER. WE START OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH A HALE AND HARDY GREETING, AND THEN CATCH-UP ON EVENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THE LAST TIME WE SAW EACH OTHER. SOMETIMES, BY GOLLY, WE FORGET ABOUT COMMERCE ALTOGETHER.
HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN MUSKOKA. WE HOPE YOU HAVE A NICE VISIT, BECAUSE YOU DON'T GET MUCH BETTER WEATHER THAN THIS. SURE, A LITTLE WARMER. BUT STILL, IT'S SPARKLING OUT THERE, AND I'D LOVE TO BE PADDLING A CANOE MYSELF, RIGHT NOW; BUT SUZANNE HAS A LINE-UP OF CUSTOMERS, AND I'VE BEEN CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY. SEE YOU SOON.
FAMILY RELICS AND THE REASON WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM TOGETHER
THERE'S HISTORY HERE WE NEED TO SEE ON PUBLIC DISPLAY
IT IS ALWAYS A DIFFICULT TASK FOR THE ANTIQUE DEALER, TO FACE UP TO THE DIVISION OF PROPERTY, WHEN CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BREAKING DOWN, AND DISPERSING CONTENTS OF AN ESTATE. SOMETIMES, IT'S THE CASE, WE HAVE THE SAME RESPONSIBILITY, OF HANDLING HEIRLOOM AND ANCESTRAL POSSESSION FOR FAMILIES, WHILE THE FAMILY IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE AND ACTIVE IN THE DISPERSAL. IT'S NOT TOO FREQUENT, THAT WE, IN THIS PROFESSION, FALL PREY TO EMOTIONS. SOMETIMES, BUT IT'S RARE. LIKE ANY PROFESSIONAL, WE LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH THE EMOTIONAL SIDES OF OUR LINE OF WORK. IT'S ALSO NOT OFTEN THAT WE TAKE ON THE ROLE OF STEWARDS, TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE FAMILY RELICS. WE LOOK AFTER OUR OWN FAMILY KEEPSAKES, BUT ABOUT ONCE EVERY YEAR, WE FIND OURSELVES FACE TO FACE WITH A SMALL COLLECTION OF ITEMS, THAT CARRY WITH THEM AN IMPORTANT PROVENANCE. IN OTHER WORDS, WE FIND IT HARD, IN THESE CASES, TO BREAK UP THE PIECES, AND IF WE OPT TO SELL THEM, IT MUST BE, FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CONSCIENCE, OFFERED AS A COLLECTION OF ITEMS, VERSUS ITEM BY ITEM. WHILE WE EVENTUALLY COME TO SELL NINETY-NINE PERCENT OF THESE "CONNECTED" INVENTORIES, IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR US TO HOLD BACK FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT OUR DESIRES; EITHER TO MAKE MONEY OR RUN A MUSEUM. SO WE DO WIND-UP EVENTUALLY, AGREEING TO SELL THE SMALL COLLECTIONS TO BUYERS WE KNOW, WILL ALSO APPRECIATE THE PROVENANCE ATTACHED; WHICH CAN BE INCREDIBLY INTERESTING. EVEN IN OUR GRAVENHURST SHOP NOW, WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PIECES ON "DISPLAY ONLY," THAT ARE FROM SOME OF THESE ACQUIRED COLLECTIONS, WHICH HAVE, FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS, BECOME CLOSE TO OUR FAMILY. WE WANT TO SHARE THEM WITH OUR VISITORS AND ESPECIALLY PROMOTE THE HERITAGE EACH REPRESENTS. IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN BUT IF YOU APPRECIATE THE SPIRITED SIDE, OF SOME PERSONAL RELICS, AND THE VIBES ASSOCIATED, CROSSING OVER INTO THE PARANORMAL, YOU WILL THEN KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT; WHEN FOR EXAMPLE, I SUGGEST SOME PIECES WILL REMAIN WITH US FOREVER; HOWEVER LONG THAT WILL BE......BECAUSE "IT WAS MEANT TO BE!" THERE'S NO TRANSLATION FOR THIS THAT WILL MAKE ANY MORE SENSE. BUT I BET YOU HAVE HELD A PIECE IN YOUR HAND, SUCH AS IN THE CASE OF AN INHERITANCE, FROM A FAMILY MEMBER, AND FELT THAT LITTLE BIT EXTRA ENERGY. FOR US, WE HAVE HAD THOUSANDS OF PIECES AFFECT US IN THIS FASHION.
WE ABSOLUTELY HATE HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS LIKE THIS, WHEN THE RELICS INVOLVE FAMILY PHOTO ALBUMS, AND HONESTLY, WE WILL DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING TO KEEP THEM INTACT. VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHS, UNLESS THE IMAGES ARE OF TRAINS, PLANES OR AUTOMOBILES, OR DATED AND LOCATED TO A REGION OF THE WORLD, FAMILY PORTRAITS WON'T SELL. ALBUMS MAY SELL BUT NOT FOR MUCH MONEY. AND WE JUST HATE BREAKING UP THE FAMILY TREE. WHICH EXPLAINS WHY WE HAVE A LOT OF PHOTO ALBUMS KICKING AROUND.
MOST RECENTLY, WE HAVE ACQUIRED SUCH A SMALL, DYNAMIC, ENERGY-FILLED COLLECTION, OF MILITARY AND PERSONAL ITEMS, DATING FROM THE EARLY 1700'S, THROUGH TO THE SECOND WORLD WAR, ORIGINATING IN ENGLAND, THAT WOUND UP HERE IN SOUTH MUSKOKA. WE WERE FACED WITH THE BUSINESS MODEL, (PRETTY IMPORTANT STUFF) OF BUYING AND SELLING, WHICH IS, AFTERALL, OUR WAY OF SURVIVING AND PROSPERING IN THE MARKETPLACE. DO WE BREAK UP THIS FAMILY CHRONICLE, OF ARTIFACTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, TO GET OUR MONEY BACK, WITH A LITTLE EXTRA, OR KEEP IT TOGETHER, BOXED AND STORED-AWAY FOR SOME FUTURE POSTERITY. SUZANNE AND I SELDOM AGREE ON MATTERS LIKE THIS, BECAUSE SHE IS FAR MORE PRAGMATIC, AND ACCOUNTING-SAVVY, AND CAN USUALLY GIVE ME A HUNDRED ARGUMENTS WHY INVENTORY HAS TO BE TREATED AS SUCH. THIS TIME, WE AGREED INSTANTLY, THAT BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THIS COLLECTION, AND THE PROVENANCE ASSOCIATED, WE WOULD CREATE A DISPLAY CABINET TO HOUSE IT ALL, AND PROUDLY DISPLAY IT AT OUR SHOP. AND, I WOULD PUT TOGETHER A SMALL OVERVIEW FOR THIS BLOG, TO DESCRIBE WHAT IT INCLUDES, AND WHY IT'S PART OF THE EXHIBIT. SOME THINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO HANG ONTO, AND THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE.
FIRST COLUMN REGARDING THIS COLLECTION BEGINS MONDAY.
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