CHRISTMAS IN MUSKOKA -

ON BEING HISTORICALLY MINDED, AND NEVER BEING ASKED A QUESTION - AND SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCE OF RESPECTFUL SILENCE

The inherent, long-term problem of being an historian, is the near-guilt we all suffer, on occasion, when we don't get an opportunity to share what we have learned through our research. Most of the time, we have to foist it on pundits and assorted other critics, who make claims without a smidgeon of historical background……, and we feel compelled to correct the inaccuracies….or offer a contrary opinion at the very least. It's an unwritten but none the less necessary obligation, to know as much about the issue(s), as possible, by asking those who know, for a learned opinion. Attempting to research and understand what many of us have spent near-lifetimes trying to uphold, and represent to the present audience, and audiences long after this, is a foundation matter of logic and respect between those who know…..and those who want to know more.

Time and again, we just grumble in silence, pull the last few hairs from our heads, and occasionally write letters to the editor of the local press, offering clarification on, what we believe, are important historical inaccuracies. The clarifications and corrections are never as poignant or remembered as the original articles or columns, and it has become almost redundant to even try to offer these insights to those who don't seem to care. Here comes the Blog!

Regardless what you may read, or hear, or come to think about Muskoka's economy, and our own situation here in the southern climes of the region, one of the single most oft- repeated assumptions, is that we are mired down in a seasonal economic way of thinking…..and doing business in the jet stream of another era. That somehow, we are in error, and imminent danger of damning ourselves into economic oblivion, because of our general maintenance and pre-occupation with tourism as an industrial, ever-flowing fountain. The problem with this approach, and it has history itself, is that we can actually start believing that we can develop an industry in Muskoka that is better than the behemoth tourism sector we have enjoyed, in some form or another, since the founding of our home town, and the region itself. The "we need to diversify" argument has been around for decades, and while there is certainly nothing wrong with developing new sources of revenue, and attempting to adapt to the world's changing economy, as an outrigger for balance, at times, in the past 30 years, it has taken on an arrogance and determination that has actually served to undermine what our tourist, second home-owner, recreational, accommodation and service industries have worked so hard to maintain and improve upon. We like the idea of strong diversification but neglecting the number one industry in the region, to do so, is just reckless endangerment of an historic, resilient economic reality.

For decades we have, in many ways, neglected important improvements in our region, that would facilitate our number one industry. Instead of encouraging hotel and resort development, marinas, and theme park developments, we have opted for strip malls and box store developments. The Wharf, whether we like it or not, is an example of positive and sensible reaction to the tourism business. And while the photographer, monitoring the site in the off-season, would show ample evidence of empty parking spots and few patrons of their business corridor, it must be balanced with the same study of the peak season, when it is jam packed, many neighbor businesses, chugging right along, including our precious steam ships. The fact that the downtown / uptown is suffering a downturn of attendance, in the summer season as well, speaks more of a cyclical business transition, faced by most historic downtowns in North America, particularly when the decentralizing commercial malls began springing up in the regional hinterlands. It took Gravenhurst a little longer to engage the transition, that Bracebridge and Huntsville had initiated many years earlier, so it's to be expected an evolution of businesses and diversification of fare is taking place at present. Competing with the box stores is a challenge, and particularly hard on businesses selling similar if not parallel items. It will only get worse, if in fact, the European and American recessionary woes seep into Canada. You can't blame a preoccupation on peak season economics, for what ails the main street. When each of these businesses located on the main street, they knew what the number one industry was in Muskoka. As for retail, most of them would agree, summer season income is weighty, and pretty much the barometer of staying in business or abandoning it for another career move. But the seed of dissent, makes them feel somehow shortchanged and beaten out of a fair return for their investment, because the tourism business doesn't boom twelve months a year. Here's an idea. Embrace tourism, and make every attempt to serve it well….better than well!

As we got cocky about diversification, in the misguided attempt to put tourism in a humbling place behind manufacturing etc., because we dream of being self sustaining here, our local governments……benefitting greatly from lakeshore taxation gouging, turned onto this idea of making Muskoka a manufacturing leader of leaders. While I have always believed in diversification, and know the value of industry as an economic stimulus, with jobs, jobs, jobs, it created a long period of neglect here, that has cost us greatly today. We needed tourism accommodation like we had at the turn of the 1900's (even earlier), and we most certainly required community leaders to encourage tourism investment in all quarters. Instead, we got mired down in fights against resort / commercial development, such as the failed Roseneath project, in Muskoka Lakes, and there was a clear turn of favor away from seeking-out industry improvements. Instead, we seemed to relish the idea of strip malls and over-retailing, as if the movers and shakers of our towns believed, it was good for the economy. Well, seeing as our summer visitors and second home owners (cottagers) have many retail opportunities where they come from, it was eventually reasoned by investors, that just possibly…..the visitors to our region were not overly impressed…..or even mildly excited by having more of the same old, same old, sprawling out from the historic main streets that they'd far rather see, reminding them……with affection…..of the internationally positive overviews of a naturally alluring MUSKOKA. In my young days, growing up in Bracebridge, circa the mid 1960's, we welcomed back the tourists as if they were old and dear friends. The merchants reacted with gusto to make the most of the admittedly short season. But as the main street then, was not over-retailed, the shoulder seasons were a little easier to survive over the winter months. Now there are a lot more mouths to feed. So we add more retail instead of improving the dynamic of what we can profitably operate.

The tourism industry is long past the traditional two month peak season. In our small main street shop, we have tourists and cottagers visiting us throughout the year, and we are pleased to see them. With a lot of recreational pursuits offered in Muskoka, and many, many more insulated and accessible cottages, and of year-round accommodation, the situation is better than it has been for decades. There is a new awareness about "build it and they will come," but not just retail outlets…..no matter how big." Call me an arse, and I'm used to it, but the best effort is to self-improve with entrepreneurial savvy. And while not ignoring the needs of the community at large, and the services they need in order to live here comfortably, they all need to recognize the historical reality……tourism is our number one industry. In twenty-five years from now, God willing, tourism will be our number one industry……unless we screw it up……and we've come close on a number of occasions. This is a fact of history folks. I didn't make this up. So in any argument, that suggests we can diversify away from it, and contently survive even in part, is plain and simply faulty logic. At this time of economic uncertainty, the best advice, is to nurture an industry with global potential.

Now explain to me, why our community, time and again, finds so little ambition, to provide more generous hospitality to our Asian friends, when they trek in great numbers to our region during most of the autumn season? In my mind, this is a wonderful manifestation, and respect for our region, that goes beyond what most of us think as 'tourist season." Would it be too much to ask, that we set up a hospitality area at the Opera House, as an act of Gravenhurst kindness, when they arrive to see the statue of Dr. Norman Bethune…..how about an indoor hall so that they can have a cold drink, or enjoy their own picnic in another historic place we'd like to share? What would it cost to play a good host? Somehow it's just easier to complain than to look at the reality at hand…….just because it's not the reality we wanted most. Here's an idea. Show tourism the respect it deserves, in the community that was built primarily on tourism capital…..that generated a steamship industry (still getting recognized internationally, I see) that is still booming, all thanks to the industry we love to dismiss casually.

We are excited about the Christmas season in our community. Our boys are looking forward to their annual Christmas Show at the Opera House, on Saturday, December 10th, and have already decorated their main street music shop…..to start the celebration in earnest. And of course, there's the Santa Claus Parade this Saturday morning at 11 a.m. We're pleased as punch about this as well. Amongst our patrons this Christmas season, we will have that pleasant and encouraging coming-together, of visitors, cottage and condo owners, local shoppers and just casual daytrippers enjoying the ambience of an historic Muskoka town. Hopefully, they'll find that we offer something different, and the kind of atmosphere you want to visit…..if not to buy something, then maybe to enjoy a chat, a sit on the couch, or to share some information, friend to friend. But don't ever tell us about the importance of respect for all our patrons…..regardless where they have come from…..down the street, from the wider region, the Big Smoke or across the pond. Merry Christmas to one and all.

I'm going for a walk in our beautiful Muskoka woods. It's why we moved to Gravenhurst. It's still the inspiration we get every day, before we go to work, and the gentle embrace, we get, when alas, we come home at night……and look out at this same moonlit forest…..and think…..what a nice place this Gravenhurst.