"PRELUDE TO A GREAT BARGE EVENING" AND WANDA MILLER SAID IT ALL
"THE RAIN HAD THEM WORRIED"
SOMETIMES IT'S NOT UNTIL YOU BRUSH UP AGAINST AN OLD NEWS STORY, FROM SOME UNEXPECTED SOURCE, THAT YOU APPRECIATE JUST HOW MUCH YOU'VE FORGOTTEN. JUST HOW MUCH YOU NEVER KNEW. FOR SOME FOLKS, NEW TO OUR COMMUNITY, THEY CAN BE FORGIVEN FOR NOT KNOWING THIS STUFF. UNLESS, LIKE ME, YOU WERE JUST HANDED A FILE OF BARGE CLIPPINGS…..AND IT APPEARED SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT TO READ. I KNOW QUITE A BIT ABOUT THE BARGE, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS I SHOULD. I'M MAKING AMENDS AS FAST AS I CAN. I'M REALLY AMAZED AT ALL THE INTERESTING STORIES, AND EVENTS, THAT WERE SEEDED IN GULL LAKE PARK. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IGNORANCE OF THIS SEGMENT OF COMMUNITY HISTORY CAN BE DISASTROUS, AND IMPORTANT MILESTONES FORGOTTEN BY TIME AND DISINTEREST. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE TO ARGUE IN FAVOR OF SAVING A STRUCTURE, THAT MANY PEOPLE TODAY, KNOW ONLY FROM WHAT THEY'VE READ IN THE WEEKLY PRESS. IF THEY'VE BEEN TO THE CONCERTS, THEY KNOW THE CURRENT HISTORY. JUST NOT WHY IT WAS WORTH CONSERVING, FROM AN HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE. THERE ARE MANY NEW PEOPLE TO OUR COMMUNITY IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, WHO MAY WISH TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE BACK IN SAY……1977. WHAT DID WE FIND IMPORTANT IN THOSE DAYS? WHO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER, AND GAVE US THE CONCERTS ON THE BARGE? WELL, I HAVE A FEW ANSWERS, AND THEY COME COURTESY WANDA MILLER, AND THE GRAVENHURST NEWS.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH, 1977, GRAVENHURST NEWS.
"SUNDAY MORNING IN GULL LAKE PARK ALL WAS PEACEFUL AND QUIET. THE SUN SHONE, THE LAKE LOOKED LIKE A MIRROR, AND THE BARGE WAS READY FOR THE 'EVENING OF MUSIC,' AND THE 'QUEEN' CONTEST," WROTE WANDA MILLER.
"THIS WAS EARLY; 10:30 A.M." SHE REPORTED. "PAT BROWNLEE AND ELEVEN LOVELY YOUNG LADIES WERE IN THE PARK WHEN MARILYN AND I ARRIVED. PAT WAS GIVING THE GIRLS INSTRUCTIONS AND SHOWING THEM HOW AND WHERE TO WALK ON THE BARGE. EVERYONE WAS HAPPY AND ENJOYING THE QUIET MORNING IN THE PARK. PAT IS A GOOD INSTRUCTOR, AND THE GIRLS HAD FUN PRACTICING THE WALK ON THE BARGE."
"ALL PLANS FOR THE EVENING WERE COMPLETED. DR. SERGEANT AND THE MUSKOKA DISTRICT BAND WOULD BE ON THE BARGE AT 7:30 P.M. THE MORNING GAVE GREAT PROMISE TO THE EVENING," WROTE MILLER. "EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON I CALLED THE AIRPORT FOR THE WEATHER. THIS I DO EVERY SUNDAY, AND THE CHANCE OF RAIN HAS BEEN A WORRY. THE VOICE IN AUTHORITY SAID WE WOULD HAVE SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. THIS SEEMED UNBELIEVABLE, BUT I KNEW FROM EXPERIENCE THE SHOWERS WOULD COME."
AS WANDA MILLER'S COLLEAGUE, IN BARGE PRODUCTIONS FOR MANY YEARS, PRESENT BARGE MANAGER, FRED SCHULZ, HAS CARRIED ON MUCH THE SAME AS HIS PREDECESSOR. HE STILL CALLS THE AIRPORT FOR WEATHER UPDATES, (AND ALSO GETS IT FROM OTHER SOURCES), AND HE GETS ANTSY ABOUT THE WEATHER AT LEAST SIX DAYS IN ADVANCE. WITH ABOUT 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN FOR THIS SUNDAY'S MUSIC ON THE BARGE CONCERT, ALSO WITH THE MUSKOKA DISTRICT BAND, HIS WORRY IS LEGITIMATE, AND PRETTY MUCH THE SAME FOR ANYONE WHO RUNS A SIMILAR OUTDOOR VENUE. TRUTH IS, LIKE WANDA MILLER BEFORE HIM, HE JUST HATES TO DISAPPOINT CONCERT PATRONS, BY HAVING TO CANCEL AN EVENT. HE REALLY TAKES IT PERSONALLY. HE DOESN'T BLAME GOD. AND HE LIKES RAIN. JUST NOT UNTIL AFTER THE SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERTS.
"MICHAEL COLE, MANAGER OF THE OPERA HOUSE, SAID HE WOULD BE AVAILABLE, AND HAVE EVERYTHING READY IF WE NEEDED TO COME TO THE THEATRE," THE ARTICLE NOTES, OF ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS, IN CASE IT WAS TO GET WET BY 7:30 P.M. "HE WOULD BE OUT FOR DINNER BUT GAVE ME A NUMBER TO CALL. MICHAEL SAID 'I WILL ONLY BE TWELVE MINUTES FROM THE OPERA HOUSE; YOU CAN CALL AND I"LL BE THERE.' THAT WAS REASSURING BUT MAYBE THE SHOWERS WON'T COME UNTIL LATER. AT 7 P.M. THE GIRLS WENT TO SLOANS (RESTAURANT) UPSTAIRS," SHE WROTE. "THE JUDGES ARRIVED, AND GORDON COON OF MUSKOKA FLORIST, CAME WITH CORSAGES FOR THE GIRLS WHICH WERE GIVEN BY THEIR SPONSORS. HE BROUGHT, ALSO, A PRESENTATION BOQUET OF AMERICAN BEAUTY RED ROSES, FOR THE CHOSEN QUEEN FROM THE FLORIST SHOP. THIS THE COONS HAVE DONE FOR YEARS. THE QUEEN'S RIBBON WAS MADE FOR THE BOARD OF TRADE AT MUSKOKA FLORIST ALSO."
WANDA GOES ON TO WRITE, "THE JUDGES, PHYLLIS (MRS. ALVIN) MCMULLEN, DR. CARL KAYE, AND HAROLD MCCANN, JUDGED THE GIRLS SEPARATELY AT SLOANS. MRS. MCMULLEN TEACHES CERAMICS AND HAS A BUSINESS IN BARRIE. DR. KAYE IS A DENTIST IN BARRIE AND HAROLD MCCANN, IS A PARTNER IN SECURITY SERVICES IN TORONTO. IN LATE THE AFTERNOON, RAIN SHOWERS BEGAN TO FALL GENTLY ON THE BARGE. THEY WERE LIGHT AND CAME AND WENT. NO WORRY YET!" AS FRED READS THIS BLOG, THERE ARE BEADS OF SWEAT ON HIS BROW, BECAUSE HE'S THINKING AHEAD TO SUNDAY'S PROGRAM. HE WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY REMEMBER THIS PARTICULAR NIGHT.
"I LEFT SLOANS WITH MARILYN FOR THE BARGE AND THE CONCERT BAND WAS THERE AND READY. A LITTLE RAIN WAS FALLING. NOW WHAT SHOULD WE DO? DR. SERGEANT SAID, 'WE'LL PLAY; A LITTLE RAIN WON'T MATTER.' THEIR FIRST NUMBER WAS 'SINGING IN THE RAIN.' TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT," WRITES MILLER, "A DECISION HAD TO MADE WHILE THE BAND PLAYED ON. MAYOR SANDER SAID, 'THERE'S A GOOD CROWD IN THE PARK, AND THEY SEEM TO BE COMFORTABLE IN GROUPS UNDER THE TREES. THIS SHOWER WON'T LAST.' PAT BURNS SAID, 'THE CROWD WON'T MOVE TO THE OPERA HOUSE PROBABLY. MANY WILL GO HOME. TAKE A CHANCE.' THE BAND PLAYED ON AND KEITH BRADLEY COVERED HIS ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. WE SENT FOR THE GIRLS. BOARD OF TRADE PRESIDENT DON DWYER ARRIVED WITH THEM AND THE JUDGES. THE GIRLS HAD BEEN PARTLY JUDGED, AND THE REST WOULD BE DONE AS THEY WALKED ONE AT A TIME ON THE BARGE. ELEVEN LOVELY GIRLS ENTERED THE CONTEST TO HELP THE BOARD OF TRADE SHOW."
"THE GIRLS WERE SPONSORED BY BOARD OF TRADE MEMBERS WHO GAVE THEM THEIR CORSAGES. LESLIE CORNFOOT WAS SPONSORED BY MUSKOKA CHRYSLER / DODGE, KERRY MCCASKIE BY GRAVENHURST BAKERY, ALLISON MAXWELL BY CLIPSHAM'S DOMINION HARDWARE, LINDA MANLEY BY THE MUSKOKAN MOTEL, MAUREEN GROH, BY CAROL ANNE CHILDREN'S WEAR, LINDA MALTBY, CENTRAL PLUMBING, PEGGY MCPEAKE, BARR'S LADIES WEAR, MARY WHITEHEAD, MARIEN'S, PEGGY PRIDENVILLE, SLOANS, NANCY PICKARD, GRAVENHURST PLUMBING, KRISTIE DONALDSON, LES JOHNSTON AND SON INSURANCE."
"PRESIDENT DON DWYER OF THE GRAVENHURST BOARD OF TRADE WELCOMED THE AUDIENCE TO THE PARK, AND EXPLAINED THE 'QUEEN' CONTEST. HE WELOMED MAYOR ALLEN SANDER. THE MAYOR GAVE HIS WELCOME ON BEHALF OF THE MUNICIPALITY," WRITES MILLER. "THE JUDGES ANNOUNCED THE CHOSEN QUEEN, ALLISON MAXWELL; AFTER THE CHOSEN PRINCESSES, LESLIE CORNFOOT, AND KRISTIE DONALDSON. IT WAS A TIME FOR CONGRATULATIONS AND PICTURES. LAST YEAR'S QUEEN, JACKIE URE PLACED THE CROWN ON THE HEAD OF ALLISON. MAYOR SANDER PLACED THE MISS GRAVENHURST RIBBON ON THE QUEEN AND PRESIDENT DON PRESENTED HER WITH THE AMERICAN BEAUTY ROSES. WALLY GURD ON THE PIANO PLAYED APPROPRIATE MUSIC DURING THE JUDGING. LINDA FERGUSON PRESENTED ALLISON WITH A CHARM BRACELET FROM THE KINETTE CLUB. MADELINE GROH DISPLAYED THE GIFTS IN BARR'S WINDOW BEFORE SUNDAY. SHE FASHIONED THE ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS GIVEN TO THE QUEEN BY THE BOARD OF TRADE IN FOUR FOLDS, 25 IN EACH, TO RESEMBLE AN ACCORDION. IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL AND DEPICTED THE CENTENNIAL YEAR WITH 100 NEW BILLS. MADELINE AND JIM BROUGHT THE GIFTS IN A VERY LARGE BOX COVERED WITH SILVER PAPER AND OPENED FOR VIEWING."
"PRESIDENT DON SAID "THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE THE QUEEN CONTEST A SUCCESS. TO PAT BROWNLEE, MADELINE GROH, ZETTA HURST, THE GIRLS WHO ENTERED THE CONTEST TO HELP THE BOARD OF TRADE AND LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL. TO MIKE LIPISKI MANAGER OF THE BOARD OF TRADE, THE JUDGES AND THE DISTRICT CONCERT BAND WHO PLAYED SELECTIONS EVERYONE ENJOYED EVEN IF THE RAIN CAME DOWN," CONCLUDES WANDA MILLER.
WHAT A GREAT STORY ABOUT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN WRITING ABOUT. THE SOCIAL / CULTURAL HISTORY OF OUR TOWN, AND A LOT OF IT PLAYED-OUT, ON THAT SIMPLE, MODESTLY APPOINTED STAGE, SET ON METAL POSTS OUT IN THE LAKE. THERE WERE NO INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITIES THAT EVENING, IN SEPTEMEBER 1977. JUST TOWNFOLKS AND FRIENDS OF THE COMMUNITY. A NICE EVENING FOR ONE AND ALL, DESPITE A WEE BIT OF RAIN. HOW ARE YOU FEELING FRED? REMEMBER WHAT MAYOR SANDER SAID, THAT EVENING? "THIS SHOWER WON'T LAST."
A Sidebar about Keith Bradley and the Barge electronics
Printed as a sidebar to the "Queen" pageant, is a small article below, regarding the dedication of Keith Bradley, that I wanted to included in this blog. Wanda writes the following about his years of service to The Barge. "Keith Bradley has taken care of the sound on The barge for about 29 years. Until recently he operated the power services from the bunker in the park. (Side of the hill) Keith installed a cable underwater about 20 years ago. When the stones were put in the water around The Barge, the cables were separated below the water line. This year Keith has operated the sound equipment from the walk close to The Barge. Years ago the late Dr. Stanley White was involved with 'Music on the Barge.' He was down each Sunday to put up lights and get ready for the program of music. Keith Bradley used to help him. 'Sometimes the bands would want to get on stage before everything was ready,' said Keith. Dr. White would say, 'Just hold on now, and we'll get the show on the road for you.' The doctor was unflappable, very efficient and interested in the Sunday night music. His son Stanley, designed the present Barge. Tiny Firth, Cyril Fry, Mel Flynn and the late Mayor George Panter and others were actively involved with Concerts on the Barge. At present Keith Bradley owns the microphones and amplifiers which he takes home every Sunday night and brings back the next. Dr. White, at the end of the season, years ago, took the microphones home to store for the winter."
She includes that, "Dr. Sergeant and his Concert Band entertained for the Civic Music on the Barge. Everyone enjoyed the music. The good doctor and this group are a pleasure to have any time. Mike Miller, Derek Shakespeare, Hugo Tapp and Stan Pederson of Gravenhurst were in the band. Let's hope they come to The Barge next season!"
Guess what. All these years later, well, they're back again, this Sunday? What could be more home-coming than this?
In conclusion, Miller writes, sentimentally, that, "To me there is always a sad feeling when 'Music on the Barge,' ends. Hugh Clairmont, Mike Miller, Bill Brock, Kay Reeves and I, with the late Gordon Sloan, have worked together for years as the Civic Music Association to bring good music to Gravenhurst, Sunday nights. Keith Bradley and Mark Clairmont have been with us for years on The Barge. Mark gets the stage set up; for the program, and sees that everything is ready. Working together has been a happy time for all of us. Dorothy (Mrs. Jim) White has brought helpers to take collection each Sunday in the park. There is no admission; concerts are free. The season's collection was $825.35. I am always proud of our park. Roy Mathias and his men have it clean and neat for us. Stuart English parks the cars in the parking lot each Sunday night. Danny Maguire helps his father-in-law Keith with the equipment. We'll miss the Sunday nights. May we all get together again next year."
All these years later - and a new crew of supporters takes the helm
Admittedly there are fewer volunteers these days. Lots of supporters and loyal patrons. Just not so many on deck, helping present manager Fred Schulz, as would have been a part of the big show back in the 1970's, and earlier. There are fewer jobs, of course, as a parking attendant isn't required. Fred and the members of The Barge Debating Society, are pretty much it, these days, except for all the kind folks who offer to take the collection pails through the audience. There is no formal committee to select the summer concert line-up, but Fred does make a point of asking the Debating Society to weigh-in on some of the new prospects for the season. Fred apprenticed with most of the Barge's former operators, and carries on in roughly the same fashion, with a smaller network, as Wanda Miller wrote of her volunteer brigade in the seventies. When I have written about the tough decision that had to be made, by Town Council, this year, to fund restoration of The Barge, it was a precarious situation based on the reality of an austerity budget. The taxpayers have grown weary of hefty annual increases. Was their public appetite for such a major expenditure, to bring back this Gull Lake venue, for the future? Is there enough support for the Concert Series to have warranted such an investment, when other projects were being cut from the budget, due to a shortage of funds? For those close to The Barge, and the manager, we all knew its worth. We've counted the patrons in attendance, at many of the concerts over the past five years. The numbers and the money brought to town, by concert patrons, in our collective opinion, was worth the expense. But you know, if Fred thought the pressure was epic before this, during the renovation period, the real stress is upon us now. This is where Fred has to prove the worth of the entertainment venue, by bringing in the large crowds that will show the town they got good value for the money they spent. Funny thing. Fred isn't worried about this. Just the rain.
Please come out to the Concert on Sunday evening, once again featuring the District of Muskoka Band, now conducted by Neil Barlow. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. If that forty percent chance of rain prevails, please bring along an umbrella and rain hat, to go with your lawnchair. There will be no alternate sites this year, for rain-outs. Concerts will be cancelled in the event of thunderstorms, heavy rain and wind. Hope to see you all there. It'll be great to see The Barge all dressed-up for the future. Thanks again to the Town of Gravenhurst and the inmates of Beaver Creek Correctional Institute for bringing this restoration to a successful completion.
Thanks so much for visiting this blog. Please join me again soon.
ANTIQUE CRAZINESS
I've been writing on the fly this week. We are one week away from opening the extension of our sons' music and collectible business, slated by wishful thinking, for July Ist, and it has been a wild time getting everything sorted for them. Suzanne and I are the antique duo, but the boys are going to do most of the selling work for us, as the business carries on past the summer season. We've been in the antique trade in one form or another since the late 1970's, and what we have accumulated is pretty crazy. Hopefully it will be a worthwhile expansion and give customers a lit bit more variety to go with their music. Drop in and say hello. I plan to do a lot of writing from the shop, in the old Muskoka Theatre building, when not out at sales and auctions.
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