WHEN CHANGE IS PROFOUND, PROGRESS IS FRIGHTENING, AND THE FUTURE LOOKS BLEAK, THE OPTIMISTIC LEAD THE CHARGE

I was reading the local press this morning, as I do every Wednesday (the result of my own history in the local press, and respect for weekly press days), and found an article that my eldest son, Andrew, was quoted-in, regarding the removal of the old theatre marquis, that had adorned the front of his uptown Gravenhurst storefront for decades. He and his brother Robert, operate a vintage music shop in the old Muskoka Theatre building, and the marquis dates back many years. Andrew was quite upset it had to be removed, due to structural integrity issues, and he's been fielding many questions ever since its removal, some folks worrying that another devastating fire had occurred. We have suffered quite a few serious fires in our region in the past few years, so anything that looks like a fire's destructive path (as the wall section appeared, when the marquis was removed), gets folks talking and well, spreading mistruths. So Andrew and Robert have been setting the record straight as much as possible, and this week's Banner article explains the situation in more detail.

Andrew and Robert are traditionalists. They were brought up in a house that resembles a museum, and they spent much of their childhood, trailing behind dad, as I tended my responsibilities as manager of Bracebridge's Woodchester Villa (the Bird House). When not at a museum, or living in one, we visited many others. As well, they've been in the antique business, by association with us, for their entire lives. It's in essence why they pursue vintage music today. But they know change is inevitable, and they certainly know the importance of adapting to the "new normals" they're faced with constantly, running a business and working in the tech departments of local theatre / music venues. They know that they have no choice but to respect the improvements and changes of attitude in their industry. To miss this, would be the death knell of their business, that's for sure. It's one thing to surround oneself with items of the past, and to respect tradition, in their personal lives, and within the hometown they dwell, but there are changes that are and will occur, like the removal of the marquis, that are positive and necessary none the less. And while it appears to be a hardship to live with dramatic change, it is necessary to move-on regardless.

Since they were young lads, they've experienced a lot of changes in their hometown. Places we used to take them for treats are gone now. Some because the businesses failed and at least one, because it was consumed by an unfortunate fire. As they watch as the downtown / uptown, that they are so much a part, today, suffer from business changes, they still maintain an upbeat feeling about the improvements that will arrive in the future.

They have changed in many ways, these young traditionalists, and they don't see things quite as they did even a few years ago. They are no longer students of business and professional life. They've earned their stripes, and are not afraid of asserting their experience garnered. It makes a few of their mentors uncomfortable, when underlings start getting restless for change and improvement. Well, there's no going back. While they were both sorry to see the old marquis dismantled this past week, they know the improvements coming will herald a new look for the coming decade. Change doesn't have to be a feared reality. But those who can not accept change, or believe that every tradition must remain free of tampering, will suffer the consequences of stalemate. Our hometown is changing. Hopefully it will be the case that two young lads, who are reverent to the past, will take it upon themselves to be the architects of this evolution of home town.