CHRISTMAS IN GRAVENHURST -

RE-INVESTING IN TRADITION AND THE CELEBRATION OF HOMETOWN

It has been a long haul getting the main street road work completed here in Gravenhurst. It has brought with it a considerable amount of hardship and some devastating situations that have, without doubt, made it seem an almost insurmountable task to climb out of……to wind up facing, without much strength and resolve left, another damning recessionary period in the local and national economy. But in the hometown tradition, like thousands of towns like ours in the world, it's a case of re-inspiring confidence, and investment for the future. Having made it to the other side of multiyear main street re-construction, means the business community can look forward to many interesting new projects…..whose investors see the value in the main street revitalization efforts. It will make a difference, if history serves, and while there's not much we can do to thwart a global recession, Gravenhurst has weathered many recessions in the past, and pulled through…..as it will this time.

It's understandable that we can mire down in the unfortunate facts of the day. No one would deny that we've been harder hit, than most town and cities that have had to deal with this type of major surgery. Just as many local citizens, who have been in this region for more than several decades, or who have family roots dating back a century or more, realize that the attraction of Muskoka, as an international destination for vacationers, and a welcoming place for second home owners (cottagers), is a husky guarantee we've got some bounce-back because of where we reside. We know there are business folks who appreciate that new and more investment in Gravenhurst makes sense. As our region has benefitted from tourism since the 1870's, in one form or another, it is Muskoka's number one industry, and it will be the same 20 years from now……as I said, "if history serves correct." While it will take time to re-develop, and re-deploy to meet the challenges of this new era of expansion, undoubtedly we will encounter some ongoing change we may feel is part of the collapse of the local economy. Some imminent changes will be viewed as debilitating, and situations of hardship almost impossible to accommodate under present circumstances. Others will be the preamble to greater and more profound change, where there is an immediate silver lining. Change has its ingrained hardship, and we must be prepared. But we should never pre-occupy ourselves, that the future must then be bleak…..just because we've experienced, or are about to be hit with the jagged-edge reality of an evolving economy.

This should be a wonderful, healing, restorative Christmas season in our town. There's much to be contented about. Much to be inspired with, and new and exciting ideas to express and implement. It's a time for folks to be homeowners first…..and this is a major step in healing some of the wounds we've experienced in the past three years of ongoing chagrin on our mainstream, due in part to re-construction, and part to misunderstanding and miscommunication. Time to start removing obstacles and re-deploying the pride of community, that has pulled this town through many parallel crisis periods…….from the fears of World War to the ravages of the Great Depression, this old main street has survived proudly into this new century. We've come too far to give up now.

The Merry Christmas here, is up to us.

For a start, how about donating some badly needed food to the Gravenhurst Food bank, operated by the kindness of the local Salvation Army.