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To Connect With Today's Bracebridge Blog, Part of the Christmas Series Click Here
THE FIRST MUSKOKA SONG / POEM SUNG TO THE TUNE -"AULD LANG SYNE"
THE 1860'S "BACKWOODSMAN'S SONG," TAKES US BACK TO OUR BEGINNINGS
AYE, IT'S GETTING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS. THE BIRCH HOLLOW LANE HAS ALREADY BEEN SHOVELLED-OUT MORE TIMES THIS WINTER, THAN UP TO THE END OF FEBRUARY LAST YEAR. TWO OUTDOOR SHEDS HAVE RECEIVED A DRIVEWAY PORTION OF MY NEIGHBOR'S BLOWN SNOW, SO WE'VE ALREADY HAD TO CLEAR THEM OFF THREE TIMES, TO AVOID HAVING THEM COLLAPSE UNDER THE WEIGHT. I'M ALREADY STUDYING THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE, AND IT'S THE SURE SIGN OF AN EXCEPTIONAL WINTER SEASON, WHEN THIS CATCHES MY ATTENTION BY LATE AUTUMN.....WHICH IT STILL IS! I'M NOT WORRIED YET BUT I AM PRAYING FOR A DRIFTING WIND TO BLOW IT OFF. NINE OUT OF TEN HEAVY-SNOW WINTERS THIS HAPPENS, AND SAVES AN OLDTIMER LIKE ME, GETTING UP ON THE ROOF....WHICH IS A SORT OF POETIC JUSTICE, BECAUSE I'M ABOUT AS AGILE AS A WALRUS ON A LADDER. MY NEIGHBORS WILL GET A LAUGH AT MY EXPENSE, BECAUSE WE HAVE A HUNDRED TIMES LESS PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ISSUES. WE MADE A WISE PURCHASE, WHEN WE BOUGHT BIRCH HOLLOW, BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT SMALL BUT WELL. THAT'S ALL I CARE ABOUT.
AS FAR AS THE ROOF GOES, I HATE HEIGHTS. I'M ALSO VERY PROTECTIVE OF MY SHINGLES, AND THE REASON THEY'VE LASTED ALMOST DOUBLE THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY, IS BECAUSE WE'VE TREATED THEM SO TENDERLY. SQUIRREL PAWS AND BIRD CLAWS, AND THAT'S THE EXTENT. I HAVE A REACHING DEVICE THAT ALLOWS ME TO STAY BELOW, AND WORK FROM A LADDER INSTEAD. I JUST TICKLE THE SHINGLES AND THAT'S AS INTIMATE AS I GET. A LOT OF ROOF DAMAGE OCCURS DURING SNOW REMOVAL. MORE SO FROM AMATEURS LIKE ME, WHO HACK AT THE ROOF TO RELEASE THE SNOW AND ICE. I'D RATHER NEVER TOUCH THE SURFACE OF THAT GLORIOUS ROOF THAT HAS KEPT US SAFE, SOUND AND DRY FOR ALL THESE YEARS. IT IS A GREAT SOURCE OF PRIDE, THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THESE SHADED SHINGLES, SO LONG AFTER THEIR EXPIRY DATE. THIS SPRING SEASON, WE'RE GETTING A NEW ROOF, EVEN THOUGH I BET WE COULD GET TWO MORE WINTERS, OUT OF THESE BATTLE-WEARY SHINGLES. SO I'M NOT QUITE AS CONCERNED ABOUT DAMAGING THEM THIS WINTER, AS I HAVE BEEN IN YEARS PAST. IT WOULD JUST BE AN INDIGNITY NOW, AN INSULT TO ITS YEARS OF UNBLEMISHED SERVICE, TO BE CLEARING THE ROOF, AND ACCIDENTALLY PULL DOWN FIVE OR SIX SHINGLES. SO I'M HOPING FOR A SUDDEN WINTRY GALE TO SCULPT AWAY THIS MANTLE-WHITE, AND POSSIBLY DEPOSIT IT ALL IN MY NEIGHBOR'S YARD.
IT DOES LOOK PICTURESQUE OUT THERE, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BECOME A CONSIDERABLE HARDSHIP FOR A LOT OF OLDER PEOPLE (LIKE ME), AND THOSE WHO LIVE RURALLY. THE HIGHWAYS HAVE BEEN POORLY MAINTAINED, AND COMING HOME FROM ORILLIA, ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, MY KNUCKLES WERE WHITE, AS MY FINGERS CLENCHED SO TIGHTLY ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THAT IT LEFT IMPRESSIONS. ON OUR SUBDIVISION ROAD, THE TOWN SANDS ABOUT FORTY FEET ON THE SMALL HILLSIDE AT THE TOP OF THE LANE, AND THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE. SO IN OTHER WORDS, ICY CONDITIONS DOWN ITS LENGTH ARE NOT THE TOWN'S CONCERN. WELL, IF THERE'S AN ACCIDENT, WHERE THEY HAVEN'T SANDED, BECAUSE OF STINGY BUDGET POLICY, THEY'LL HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO IN COURT. I WOULD IMAGINE THERE WILL BE SOME LAWSUITS ABOUT THE HIGHWAY CONDITIONS AS WELL, THIS YEAR, AS ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING PRETTY REGULARLY IN ICY CONDITIONS. DRIVERS GET BLAMED FOR NINETY-FIVE PERCENT OF ALL ACCIDENTS, WHEN TRUTHFULLY, ROAD MAINTENANCE ISSUES ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ON A LOT OF THOSE OCCASIONS....ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR. ARE WE BROKE? DID WE SPEND ALL THE PROVINCIAL MONEY ON AIR AMBULANCE SALARIES, AND CANCELLING GAS FIRED HYDRO GENERATING PLANTS, TO AFFORD SAND AND SALT. MAYBE WE'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR RECREATION CENTRE OPERATIONS, IN GRAVENHURST, TO AFFORD A LITTLE BIT MORE SAND ON ICY ROADS. JUST MY OPINION.
IN THE EARLY 1870'S, THOMAS MCMURRAY INCLUDED A POEM / SONG IN HIS BOOK, "MUSKOKA AND PARRY SOUND," WHICH HE INDICATED "WAS THE FIRST PIECE OF POETRY PUBLISHED ON MUSKOKA, AND WAS WRITTEN BY ONE OF THE OLDEST SETTLERS, SUNG TO THE TUNE "AULT LANG SYNE." I'LL JUST PUT THE POEM INTO PARAGRAPHS FOR EASY READING. NOW THINK ABOUT THAT OLD LOG CABIN, WITH SNOW DRIFTING IN BETWEEN THE TIMBERS, AND THE CRACKLING OF THE HEARTH....THE SCENT OF A SOUP OR STEW STEAMING FROM THE KETTLE ABOVE THE FLAMES.
"COME TO THE LAND OF RIVERS, AND GROVES OF GOODLY PINE - A LAND TO LAST FOREVER, TO BE BOTH YOUNG AND MINE; OUR RULERS NOW, GOD BLESS THEM, IN WISDOM THEY DO DEPEND; FREE GRANTS OF LAND TO GIVE AWAY IN THIS MOST FAVORED CLIME.
"ONE HUNDRED ACRES EVERY MAN, SHALL HAVE ON TERMS GOOD, ONLY TO COME AND LEAD THE VAN, TO GRAND MUSKOKA'S WOOD; HERE ARE THE FALLS OF SPLENDOUR, MAGNIFICENT AND GRAND; AND HERE ARE NATURE'S WONDERS, ON THESE FREE TRACTS OF LAND.
"HERE MAY THE ANGLER'S WISHES, BE MORE THAT SATISFIED; A GOOD SHOT MAY MAKE RICHES, DOWN BY THE SEVERN SIDE. THE SEVERN IN HIS GRANDEUR, WHICH DASHES FROM ROCK TO ROCK, REMINDS US OF OUR NATIVE LAND, OUR FATHERS AND THEIR FLOCK.
"THEN COME ALONG, YOUNG MEN OF SENSE, BRING AXES AND BRING HOES; BEGIN YOUR FARMS NOW TO CLEAR - THE WOODS RESOUND WITH BLOWS. YOUR OLD FRIENDS AND YOUR COMRADES, MAY WISH TO LIVE AT EASE; TAKE COURAGE, BOYS, AND COME ALONG, IT WILL YOUR SWEETHEART PLEASE.
"THE TOWNSHIPS ARE LAID OUT IN LOTS, THE ROAD ON EITHER SIDE, FROM SEVERN TO MUSKOKA FALLS, IN SIMPLE, GOOD AND WIDE. ON EITHER SIDE YOU MAY NOW HAVE, THOSE LANDS AS NOT LOCATED; BUT IF YOU DO NOT COME IN TIME, YOU'RE SURE TO BE DEFEATED.
"THEN HERE'S A CHEER FOR OUR GOOD QUEEN, FOR BRITONS WE ARE STILL; WE HAVE THE HEARTS TO FELL THE WOODS, AND WORK WITH A GOOD WILL. OUR HOMES SHALL BE IN THESE WILD WOODS, OUR DAUGHTERS, YOUNG AND FAIR, WILL SING AROUND OUR BRIGHT LOG FIRES, IN HEALTH AND FREE FROM CARE."
THE POEM'S AUTHOR IS LISTED AS "W. MERCIER," CIRCA THE EARLY 1860'S. OF COURSE, MR. MERCIER WAS OVERLY OPTIMISTIC, AS THERE WAS A LOT TO WORRY ABOUT, BEING ISOLATED IN THESE SAME "WILD WOODS."
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THOMAS MCMURRAY POEMS, SITUATED SEVERAL PAGES BEYOND THE "BACKWOODSMAN'S SONG," IS "THE SLEIGH RIDE," AND IS PART OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE HERE IN SOUTH MUSKOKA. WHAT A PERFECT TIME TO RE-VISIT THIS PIONEER PERIOD, AND THE LEGENDS BEING MADE BY THE HARDY HOMESTEADERS.....AND TO QUITE A FEW OF US STILL RESIDING IN THIS REGION OF ONTARIO....THESE WERE OUR KINFOLK. NOW THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE PROUD ABOUT.
HERE IS THE POEM / STORY OF THE PIONEER "SLEIGH RIDE," IN THE WORDS PENNED BY MUSKOKA'S FIRST HISTORIAN, THOMAS MCMURRAY:
"CALM IS THE NIGHT, AND CLEAR AND BRIGHT; THE SILVER MOON IS SHEDDING, A FLOOD OF LIGHT O'ER THE SNOW ON WHITE, AND AN ICY GLORY SPREADING. THE EARTH LOOKS FAIR AS A DREAM OF LOVE, IN MISTY LIGHT THE MOON DOES LEND HER, AND THE STARRY VAULT OF BLUE ABOVE, IS SPARKLING BRIGHT WITH A FROSTY SPLENDOUR.
"SWIFTLY WE BOUND O'ER THE FROZEN GROUND, GAILY, JOYOUSLY, CHEERILY; AND OUR THOUGHTS KEEP TIME TO THE MUSICAL CHIME, OF SLEIGH BELLS TINKLING MERRILY. FOR OUR HEARTS ARE ATTUNED TO THE PLEASING STRAINS, AND WE FEEL THE SIN HAS MADE DARK STAINS, YET HAPPINESS LINGERS STILL ON EARTH.
"IN WRAP AND RUG, RIGHT WARM AND SNUG, ALL CARE TO THE WINDS WE FLING; AND LAUGH AND SONG, AS WE SPEED ALONG, MAKE THE SILENT FOREST RING. THE DISTANT OWL OUR VOICES HEARS, AND SCREAMS FROM HIS DARK AND LONELY DELL, IN ANSWER TO OUR JOYOUS CHEERS, A DISCORDANT WILD, UNEARTHLY YELL.
FASTER WE GO - THE FROZEN SNOW, FROM OUR HORSE'S FEET IN FLYING; THE ECHOES LONG REPEAT OUR SONG. FAR IN THE DISTANCE DYING, OUR JOYOUS BREASTS EXULTING BOUND, AND UTTERANCE FIND IN GLEEFUL VOICES, TILL ROCKS, AND HILLS, AND DALES RESOUND, AND EVEN THE GLOOMY WOODS REJOICE.
"OUR SLEIGH NOW GLIDES WHERE THE RIVER HIDES, UNDER THE ICEBRIDGE STRONG, WHERE DEEP AND LOW THE WATERS FLOW, SO SILENTLY ALONG. AND NOW IT IS PAST AND ON WE ROAM, BY THE FROZEN LAKE - A SNOWY PLAIN - PAST THE GLEAMING LIGHTS OF THE SETTLER'S HOME, AND AWAY THROUGH THE LONELY WOOD AGAIN.
"THE FALLS! IT IS THEY, WE CAN SEE THE SPRAY, THAT THE SEETHING WATERS TOSS, LIKE A GLISTENING CLOUD, O'ER THAT FOAMING FLOOD; AND NOW, AS THE BRIDGE WE CROSS, ITS ETCHING THUNDERS LOUDER GROW. CHECK'D IS OUR NOISY MIRTH AND SONG, AND WE STOP AND GAZE WHERE FAR BELOW THE ROLLING TORRENT ROARS ALONG.
"THE TREES THAT STAND ON EITHER HAND, ARE HUNG WITH ICEDROPS FAIR - WITH GEMS OF LIGHT AND JEWELS BRIGHT, AND DAZZLING CRYSTALS RARE; REFLECTING BACK EACH TWINKLING STAR, WITH A SPARKLING BEAUTY RICH AND GRAND, A GLITTERING SCENE, SURPASSING FAR, OUR WILDEST DREAMS OF FAIRY LAND.
"WHEN SWIFTLY PAST, IN THE ROARING BLAST, THE FROST KING SWEEPS IN HIS PRIDE, HIS ICY FORM THE RAGING STORM, AND THE MANTLING SNOW WREATH HID. AND UNSEEN SPIRITS THE WAY PREPARE, WHEREVER HIS ROYAL FEET WOULD GO, WITH DAZZLING CARPETS, WHITE AND FAIR, AND THE CRYSTAL BRIDGE WHERE WATERS FLOW.
I LOVE THE CLINK ON THE FROZEN RINK, OF THE SKATER'S IRON HEEL; THE MERRY HUZZA OF THE BOYS AT PLAY, WITH THEIR SLEDS, ON THE SLIPPERY HILL; THE LONG, LONG NIGHTS, BY THE BRIGHT FIRE SIDE. IN THE JOYOUS HOME WHERE HAPPINESS DWELLS; AND BEST OF ALL, THE MERRY SLEIGH-RIDE, AND THE MUSICAL CHIME OF THE TINKLING BELLS."
AS FOR WINTER ENTERTAINMENT VIA THE "WOOL PICKING BEE," MR. MCMURRAY WROTE THE SHORT VERSE; "HERE IN THE BUSH LIFE IS FOUND, WORK AND PLAY BOTH ABOUND, AND YET STRANGELY AGREE; HERE EXTREMES WE'D UNITE, HERE THE SOMBRE AND BRIGHT, MIXED TOGETHER YOU SEE; UNRESTRAINED SEEM TO RUN, BOTH THE SERIOUS AND FUN, IN THE WOOL-PICKING BEE."
MCMURRAY, EVER THE OPTIMIST, GOES ON TO WRITE ABOUT "WINTER EMPLOYMENT," IN HIS SETTLERS' GUIDE BOOK. "MANY OF MY READERS MAY BE ANXIOUS TO KNOW WHAT THE SETTLERS DO DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, WHEN THE SNOW IS DEEP. FOR THE INFORMATION OF SUCH, I MAY STATE THAT THE PRINCIPAL PART OF THE CHOPPING IS DONE THEN, AND FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED, WHILE SOME HIRE OUT AT THE LUMBERING SHANTIES AND EARN GOOD WAGES, TO ENABLE THEM TO STAY AT HOME AND WORK THEIR FARMS DURING THE SUMMER." KEEP IN MIND, IT WAS THE LOGGING INDUSTRY THAT KILLED AND INJURED THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF WORKERS IN THIS COUNTRY AND NORTH AMERICA GENERALLY, SO WHILE MCMURRAY ATTACHES A ROMANTICISM TO THE ENTERPRISE, IT WAS ALSO A MOST DIFFICULT AND INJURIOUS NECESSITY, TO HELP MAINTAIN THE MUSKOKA HOMESTEAD. OUR OWN FAMILY WAS EQUALLY PART OF THIS INDUSTRY BACK IN THE YEARS MCMURRAY WRITES ABOUT. IN FACT, I HAVE JUST NOW BEEN TALKING TO SON ROBERT, SITTING IN THE STUDIO, STRUMMING AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR, REMINDING HIM THAT, AS A DESCENDANT OF THE LOGGERS OF MUSKOKA, HE IS LUCKY TO EXIST.....CONSIDERING HOW THE SHEA CLAN, OF THE THREE MILE LAKE AREA OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MUSKOKA LAKES, COULD HAVE BEEN DIMINISHED BY INJURY AND DEATH IN THE LUMBER CAMPS....CHANGING THE COURSE OF HISTORY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.....LIKE THE ONE SITTING IN FRONT OF MY ENJOYING THE ART OF MAKING MUSIC. HARD TO IMAGINE THE LANKY LAD WORKING AS A LOGGER, TO MAKE ENDS MEET. BUT IT WAS A FAMILY REALITY, AS IT WAS FOR MANY OTHER HOMESTEAD FAMILIES, WHO COULDN'T HAVE SURVIVED BY AGRICULTURE ALONE.
IN HIS WORDS, ANOTHER VERSE ABOUT WINTER EMPLOYMENT:
"NOW IN THE PRIMAL WOODS THE AXE RESOUNDS, AND THE TALL PINE RECEIVES ITS MORTAL WOUNDS, AS STROKE ON STROKE DISTURBS THE SILENT SNOW. THE WOUND ENLARGES BY EACH WELL AIMED BLOW. THE FOREST GIANT SHAKES IN ALL HIS MIGHT, AND CRASHING FALLS BENEATH HIS DISPOSED WEIGHT, AND QUICKLY CARRIES TO THE BRANCHES BENT, THAT STRIVE IN VAIN TO STOP HIS SURE DESCENT, A SWIFT AND CERTAIN RUIN WITH REBOUND, AND ECHOING WOODS REPEAT THE THUNDERING SOUND. STRIPT OF HIS LIMBS, AND SQUARED, AND HEWN HE LIES, TO HUMAN KIND A GOOD BUT HARD WON PRIZE. IT SOON IS MADE TO RAISE THE SHELTERING HOUSE, OR O'ER THE SEAS AFAR IS DOOMED TO ROAM, TO BUILD THE BARK, OR TO ADORN THE HALL, RAISED FROM THE RUINS OF A FOREST FALL. HIS ROADS REMAIN TO MEET A SLOW DECAY, AND MEND THE SOIL WHEN SOWN SOME FUTURE DAY."
NOW I'M GOING OUT IN THE NIGHT, TO SHOVEL ONE MORE TIME, AND POSSIBLY I WILL STOP BY THESE SNOWY WOODS, TO REFLECT, LIKE POET ROBERT FROST, ON THE INNER BEAUTY OF A SILENT WINTER NIGHT.
HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON SO FAR. AND IF YOUR CAR HAS BEEN STUCK LIKE OURS.....WELL, KEEP THE SHOVEL HANDY.
FROM THE ARCHIVES-The Gravenhurst Experience
FROM THE ARCHIVES-The Gravenhurst Experience
MODERN DAY SURVIVALISTS, WHO LIKE TO SHOP AT HOME
There was a time, and I make no apology, when Suzanne and I would load the boys in the upgraded "somewhat newer" vehicle, and take a once-monthly drive to Robinson's Store in Dorset. We have been traveling to Robinsons for years and years…..even when I was kid, and it's a place, because of its rustic interior, that reminds us of simpler country times. We have always been rabid about canoeing and camping in Algonquin, and Robinsons was always a required stop to get our food supplies. We did buy as much as we could at home, here in Gravenhurst, but honestly, we just adored the ambiance of the old general store. It's what I was writing about in yesterday's blog, regarding the old Muskoka Trading, in Bracebridge, that I knew as a youngster, and the Kilworthy General Store, Fred Schulz and family operated during his youth. Robinsons was always a trip back to yesteryear, and Dorset was the kind of village we always thought would make a good home for a rural-loving family. But you know something? I always felt the same coming back. Immensely glad to arrive home to Birch Hollow. We liked to wander, but always felt comforted, seeing our tiny bungalow, waiting for us, amongst the trees, on the bank just above The Bog. I think it came down to all these regional trips, exhausting us, and coming home desiring the familiar comforts of the same old-same old. Gradually, we just stopped motoring past Bracebridge to the north and Orillia to the south. What it means, is that we just like the experience of living, working and shopping here instead. Our boys spend so much time in their main street shop, that taking canoe excursions just isn't possible any more. This makes me a little sad, but Suzanne and I are so happy, that every one of us, has found our own slice of paradise, right here, where it was all along. The place that held us close, and looked after us, when times were tough…….the little Muskoka town that made our Christmases so charming and homespun, when we were feeling defeated and unhappy about the potential of the future. It asked nothing of us…..but gave us inspiration day after day; sometimes for me, by just looking out the front window, and seeing deer wandering through The Bog, or chickadees and bluejays at the verandah feeder……with the squirrel we called Seymour waiting his turn to eat.
At first, Gravenhurst was, to us, a bedroom community. We worked in Bracebridge, and the boys went to Bracebridge Public School. We came home, and curled up to recover from the days misadventures, and tried to figure out the way to navigate the next few days. We had the usual bill lottery, and found enough cash to keep us from losing anything we really needed, like hydro and water. We couldn't long range plan. Everything back then was short term. What happened was immersion by necessity, I suppose, and eventually we would have the opportunity to move the boys to Gravenhurst Public School, transfer Suzanne to Gravenhurst High School, close the antique shop, and sell our rare books and published histories online instead. It was very gradual, and so was our shopping experiences. More and more we began shopping locally, and I'm telling you honestly, that today, as a result, we do ninety-five percent of our monthly provision buying in Gravenhurst. So far this Christmas season, one hundred percent of our purchase have been made here, at local, hard working, high quality businesses. Not just uptown, or in the plaza area, but all over the place. We do the same with dining out, and getting our treats. This morning we visited "The Bakery," on Bay Street, to pick up fresh chelsea, meat pies, dinner rolls, sausage rolls, butter and pecan tarts, plus a date cookie and raspberry turnover, we ate in the car, while overlooking a picturesque, frozen Gull Lake. What a beautiful scene and what delightful treats. We have one of the finest bakeries in Canada. Chelsea buns to die for. The baked treats are for the ceremonial raising of the Christmas tree, tonight at Birch Hollow. We always have food and beverage, fitting to the season, when the tree is raised to the rafters. It's a tradition. We're kind of set in our ways about this stuff.
The point I'm trying to make here, and I apologize for using so much verbiage, is that we found a Gravenhurst business community that provided everything we needed to run a contented household. We had been neglecting home opportunities, believing we could do better, shopping elsewhere. When we were forced by circumstance, to drive less and bargain-hunt to survive, much to our amazement, a whole thriving commercial opportunity opened to the wide-eyed voyeurs. We began driving less, walking more, and enjoying what we found in our own neighborhood. Even with a short drive around town, for some shopping locations, we found out just how mistaken we had been……shopping out of the area for so long, assuming these opportunities, value, and quality wares, weren't available here. Our mistaken impression, was quickly wiped-clean, and each year, from the mid 1990's, we invested our money right at home. We're not unique in this, because many homeowners re-invest in our commercial sector. Yet there are still many who refuse to buy anything more here than groceries and fuel for their vehicles, because of the same assumption we had, as new residents…….that Gravenhurst just wasn't up to snuff when it came to variety and cost efficiency for large scale shopping. It was nonsense then, and it's nonsense today. We have bought our cars here, major and minor appliances here, and have used service technicians to fix what needs to be fixed, without feeling the necessity to shop anywhere else.
As I explained in a previous blog, our family does have to move-about in the region, because of our professions. We are antique hunters. But even then, we range between Orillia and Bracebridge, and can get everything we need, to operate our own mainstream business venture…..driving much less than we did in the old days. Now look, we do have a huge conflict of interest, considering we operate several Gravenhurst businesses. So telling you to shop locally seems a pretty big issue of self serving economics. This is true. I'd love you to shop with us. But it's a free country. You can do what you want. Shop where you feel most comfortable. Take advantage of sale prices elsewhere, to your heart's content. But remember, the health and welfare of your home community should be a concern. Are you proud of our town? Do you enjoy coming home, after a day of traveling? Do you feel bad when you hear, or see that another local business has had to close its door, due to a lack of business? Can you justify every closure, with the blanket statement, "They didn't know what they were doing anyway," and close the issue, by saying "Oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles." There are shopkeepers in our town, who are highly capable of running successful businesses, but are often denied the opportunity, of fulfilling their potential, by customers unwilling to take a chance on a local upstart. There are businesses in this town, on the verge of closing shop, simply because customers refuse to give them a chance. Not because they don't have quality products or provide wonderful service to their customer base. It's because of some ridiculous human patterning, that honestly, reminds me of our own family shopping, back when we had all kinds of mobility, and a crappy attitude, about shopping locally. We couldn't have cared less, if local businesses failed. It wasn't our fault. We had every right to shop where we wanted to…..and no bylaw stopped us from spending all over God's half acre. There may be readers disenchanted by these observations and opinions, and I wish I was wrong. I really do. I have talked to many townsfolk, who have issues about shopping locally, that resounds of a strange and awkward prejudice, as if their boycott of certain local businesses, is designed to teach a lesson…..as part of a feud that only they know about. The collateral damage, is that all local merchants have to fight twice as hard, to regain the trust, from the backlash of those who continue, to bash the qualifications of the business sector…..while at the same time, having little idea what the business community has to offer. Their boycott stops them from finding out.
I love shopping. Suzanne, ah, not so much. The boys are maniacs around town, and they have many great places to buy their coffee and treats daily, and where they like to have meals out, which is different each week. As far as spreading their money around, you bet they do. We believe it helps. But we're only one family, and the support needed, requires many more citizens here, to turn on to the reality, that if they continue to ignore the needs of the local economy, they will inspire profound change in the future……that will cause serious damage to the well being, of the special place they like to call home. Spending more money in Gravenhurst, helps us all. It helps young and old, keep jobs and businesses here. It makes business expansions possible, and there's nothing like seeing a thriving business community, to inspire more commercial investment from outside the area. Goodwill on all sides, is the key to this. The business community has to win folks over……..and the work doesn't get easier even over time. Staying competitive is a relentless pursuit, but the benefits are huge. What we want to hear, when customers leave our shop, is the simple affirmation, spoken loud or soft, "We'll be back!"
Suzanne and I arrived home exhausted this afternoon, with a van full of Christmas presents and bakery treats for this evening's hearthside tree-raising. We had an enjoyable time visiting local shops and got everything we had on our list, and a few extras. No, I'm not working for the Chamber of Commerce, the BIA or the Town of Gravenhurst. It's not a job, to promote this town. We love living in Gravenhurst, and Muskoka generally, and as such, we love shopping here as well. I don't need to get paid, to write the obvious. If you have seen us on our local gadabouts, with parcels under arm, a smile on our faces, well sir, then you know I'm not fibbing. Please help out local businesses, who employ our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, cousins and significant others. It's the right thing to do at Christmas, and throughout the year. There's nothing as uplifting, in the business sense, to see the kind of facility expansions and upgrades, that are going on at present in this town……which tells us, pretty clearly, we've got lots to look forward to in the coming years.
As historically inclined people, buried at times in old books, and the stories they contain about pioneer times,…. and being enthralled students of regional history, Suzanne and I have talked often, about the days when shopping locally was a fact of life in this hamlet, village and town; and not so long ago. Remember the good old days? You had to count on local merchants. You couldn't drive off to the Big Smoke like many do today, on a whim, for a fun night out. The shopping trip radius was a lot smaller back then…..and our grand parents and parents survived, even with the limited shopping opportunities. Many owned their own local businesses, as well, and passed on their ventures to sons and daughters. One day soon, we may again, have to rely much more heavily on goods and services provided locally. The economy and world circumstances may force this upon us. I think we should get a head start, and begin a serious investigation, just how good we are at customer service, and provision in this town of ours.
Thanks so much for joining me at hearthside today, for this wee recollection of Christmas past…..and the hopefulness for Christmases in the future. Please visit again soon.
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