Let Me Live In A House By The Side Of The Road Wrote Sam Foss; The Gravenhurst Folk History We Won't Compromise

A TOWN JUST LIKE THIS - AND THE COMMONPLACE WE ONLY THINK ABOUT WHEN IT'S GONE!

GRAVENHURST BEYOND THE POLITICS, FAR BEYOND THE SOCIAL CLIMBING, MILES BEYOND THE GRANDSTANDING!

     ON THE SNOWY AND BITTER CUSP OF THE OCCASION OF A NEW COUNCIL BEING SWORN INTO OFFICE, I THOUGHT IT WORTHWHILE TO TOSS OUT A FEW NOTES ABOUT THE VALUE AND INTEGRITY OF LOCAL SOCIAL/ CULTURAL HERITAGE, JUST IN CASE THEY (COUNCILLORS ELECT) WERE SHORT OF BEDTIME READING MATERIAL. THERE IS MORE TO HISTORY AND HERITAGE, THAN VINTAGE ARCHITECTURE. IN THE MATTER OF BUILT-HERITAGE, WE'RE DOING A BANG-UP JOB. AS FAR AS COMMUNITY ARCHIVES, WE HAVE MANY STELLAR EXAMPLES OF CURATORIAL EXCELLENCE. I'M SURE OUR MARINE-THEMED HERITAGE INTERESTS ARE BEING EQUALLY WELL CONSERVED, AND SUITABLY SHOWCASED. AS FOR WHAT HAS NO REAL OBVIOUS ANCHOR, OR GUIDEPOST TO KEEP US ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW, THAT WOULD BE OUR POORLY DOCUMENTED, SOCIAL / FOLK HERITAGE, AND ALL ITS COMPANION TRADITIONS. THEY ARE BY THEIR WORD-OF-MOUTH, HEARSAY NATURE, VULNERABLE TO INTERPRETATION, EXCLUSION FROM FORMAL HISTORIES, AND POTENTIALLY, CAST ASIDE, BY THOSE WHO COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT WHAT ISN'T ETCHED ONTO STONE, OR PUBLISHED IN A NEATLY BOUND TEXT; OR FOR THAT MATTER, EXHIBITED UNDER SHOWCASE GLASS. THESE ARE STILL LARGELY VERBAL AND PASSED DOWN STORIES, THAT A FEW OF US, ARE WORRIED WILL SOON BE LOST ALTOGETHER. EVEN BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE MEETING, IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOUSE TODAY, I WAS THINKING ABOUT ARTIST / PRINT MAKER FRANK JOHNSTON, WHO MAY HAVE RANKED AS ONE OF GRAVENHURST'S MOST COLORFUL, NOT TO MENTION, ARTISTIC CHARACTERS, TO EVER CALL THIS TOWN "HOME." NO SOONER DO I PONDER THINGS LIKE THIS, THAN SERENDIPITY, IN ALL ITS WILD ABSTRACTIONS, HITS CLOSE TO HOME. REAL CLOSE. THE KIND OF CONNECTION THAT LEAVES YOU SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD, BUT PAYING ATTENTION TO ALL THE SPARKS FROM THE UNKNOWN. CALL IT COINCIDENCE IF YOU WISH, KARMA IF YOU ARE SO INCLINED, OR JUST A NEAT SHARING EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THE "LOCALS."
     I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF WRITING THIS OPENING PARAGRAPH, AS A MATTER OF COINCIDENCE, SITTING IN OUR VAN, PARKED AT HOME, WHEN I MET UP WITH CHARLIE PAINTER, A LONG TIME FRIEND OF FORMER GRAVENHURST ARTIST, FRANK JOHNSTON; AND BY GOLLY, HE AND I HAD THE MOST INTERESTING DRIVEWAY CONVERSATION, SINCE CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTOR, TOM BROOKS, SHOWED UP HERE ONE AFTERNOON, DISMOUNTING FROM HIS HORSE, "SPIDER," STANDING ON THE SAME TEN FEET OF BIRCH HOLLOW DRIVEWAY. TOM, THAT DAY, QUITE A FEW YEARS BACK, HAD COME TO THE HOUSE TO BUY A BOOK I'D WRITTEN ON WASHINGTON IRVING'S RELATIONSHIP TO BRACEBRIDGE, ONTARIO. WHILE HE WAS HERE, I GOT HIM TO SIGN OUR COPY OF THE MOVIE "GETTYSBURG," THAT HE HAD BEEN A PARTICIPANT, AS A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER. CHARLIE HAD ALSO KNOWN TOM, AS WELL AS MY OLD NEWSPAPER COLLEAGUE, HUGH CLAIRMONT. CHARLIE HAD A FILE FOLDER UNDER HIS ARM, AND OPENING IT FOR ME TO SEE, UNFOLDED A PRISTINE COPY OF THE 1981 APRIL FOOLS "MOCK" NEWSPAPER, ENTITLED "THE GRAVENBURST BANLEA", A SPOOF ON LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, THE GRAVENHURST BANNER, AND THE GRAVENHURST LEADER. THE FRONT PAGE DRAWING, WAS AN IMAGE PENNED BY FRANK JOHNSTON, SHOWING THE "SEGWUN SINKING." AT THE TIME IT WAS PUBLISHED, I WAS EDITOR OF THE HERALD-GAZATTE, IN BRACEBRIDGE, AND IF MEMORY SERVES, IT WAS HUGH CLAIRMONT, WHO BROUGHT IT DOWN TO OUR DOMINION STREET OFFICE, ONE FRIDAY, WHEN HE WAS ATTENDING A BRACEBRIDGE ROTARY CLUB MEETING. IF HE CAME DOWN FOR A ROTARY LUNCH, HE USUALLY DROPPED IN FOR A VISIT TO OUR NEWSROOM. THE APRIL FOOLS SPOOF TICKED OFF QUITE A FEW PEOPLE, WHO DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TAKE THE IMAGE AND TEXT, IN WHAT, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, LOOKED LIKE A REAL PUBLICATION. MOST LOCALS TOOK IT AS A JOKE, AND FRANK JOHNSTON WOULD HAVE GOT A KICK OUT OF CHARLIE AND I LAUGHING ABOUT IT ALL MORE THAN THREE DECADES LATER. CHARLIE, BY THE WAY, WAS ONE OF NUMEROUS CITIZENS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WHO HELPED LAUNCH THIS ONE DAY, ONE YEAR "BANLEA" RELEASE.
     CHARLIE KNEW THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A BIOGRAPHY OF FRANK JOHNSTON, AND WANTED TO SHARE THIS "FOR FUN" PUBLICATION, AND TO TRADE A FEW STORIES ABOUT THIS OUTSTANDING CANADIAN ARTIST, KNOWN BY THE WAY, AS ONE OF THE FINEST PRINT MAKERS IN CANADA. I HOPE TO GET TOGETHER WITH CHARLIE AGAIN, SOMETIME SOON, TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS ASPECT OF OUR HERITAGE, WHICH IN LARGE AMOUNT, IS AS MUCH FOLK HISTORY, THAT HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY DOCUMENTED. I DON'T WANT THESE STORIES TO BE LOST, BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF OUR HERITAGE, AND IDENTITY, AS HERITAGE BUILDINGS, MARINE HISTORY, OUR OLD PHOTOGRAPHS AND LEGACY DOCUMENTS. THANKS CHARLIE FOR A NICE VISIT.
      
     WHO WAS SAM WALTER FOSS, AND WHY DID I CHOOSE TO OPEN TODAY'S BLOG, WITH A PASSAGE FROM THIS AUTHOR'S PEN? FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS, THE LITTLE POEM, I REMEMBER FROM AN OLD SCHOOL TEXTBOOK, I USED BACK IN PUBLIC SCHOOL, REMINDED ME A LITTLE OF GRAVENHURST. I FOUND THE SHORT VERSE, WITH A COMPANION GRAPHIC, NEATLY FRAMED UNDER GLASS, IN A BOX OF SIMILARLY PRESENTED MOTOS, SOMEONE HAD TURNED OVER TO A LOCAL CHARITY SHOP. I READ IT TWICE, WHILE STANDING IN A BUSY AISLE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, I COULD SEE THE ANIMATED FACE OF MY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER, YELLING AT US TO BE QUIET, ONE MOMENT, AND THEN SOFTLY RECITING THESE LINES FROM SAM FOSS. THE SECOND TIME I READ IT, IT REMINDED ME SOMEWHAT OF OUR OWN LITTLE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IN A GENERALLY SEDATE NEIGHBORHOOD, A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE MAIN STREET OF TOWN. THE VERSE, WHICH YOU MAY RECALL, (IF YOU'RE AS OLD AS ME) READS AS FOLLOWS:
     "LET ME LIVE IN A HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE RACE OF MEN GO BY. THE MEN WHO ARE GOOD - AND THE MEN WHO ARE BAD; AS GOOD AND AS BAD AS I. I WOULD NOT SIT IN THE SCORNER'S SEAT, OR HURL THE CYNIC'S BAN. LET ME LIVE IN A HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND BE A FRIEND TO MAN."
     THE DUSTING OF SNOW OVER THE SPENT CAT-TAILS IN-FILLING THE BOG, THIS MORNING, MADE WHAT IS ALWAYS PICTURESQUE, MORE REFINED AND SILVERY, AS IF A BRILLIANT LIGHT SHINING THROUGH A PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVE. GRADUALLY, WITH THE CASCADE OF MID-MORNING BRIGHTNESS, THE WHITE OF THE SNOW SPARKED IN THE DIAMOND CRUST, WEIGHING DOWN THE FIELD GRASSES INTO A HUMBLING ARCH. MY MONDAY MORNING GARBAGE ENEMIES, THE VENERABLE CROWS, SILHOUETTE AGAINST THE HORIZON LIGHT, AS THEY SIT ON DEAD PINE BOUGHS, STRETCHED OUT OVER THE HOLLOW OF THE LANDSCAPE. IT HAS BEEN QUIET FOR THESE FEW MOMENTS, WALKING ALONG THE LANEWAY. ONE STEP INSIDE THE WOODLAND, ALONG A PATH I AM ALL TOO FAMILIAR; THE ICED-OVER LEAVES, MAKE A CRACKING SOUND UNDER MY FEET. THE SCHOOL KIDS HAVE LONG SINCE MADE THEIR WAY UP THE STREET, TO CATCH THE BUS, AND MOST OF THE RESIDENTS, WHO GO TO WORK, HAVE ALREADY PASSED ME BY, ON MY VIGIL, STARING OUT OVER WHAT I CONSIDER A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN ON THIS EARTH. WALKING DEEPER INTO THE WOODS, TO GET A CLOSER GLIMPSE OF THE LOWLAND OF THE BOG, THERE IS SUCH A PLEASANT SOLITUDE, DESPITE THE FACT, THE OPEN SPACE IS TUCKED INTO AN URBAN ENVIRONS, WITH THE FAMILIAR NOISES OF A BUSTLING COMMUNITY.    LOOKING OUT OVER THE FROZEN WETLAND, I CAN SEE TWO SQUIRRELS DARTING THROUGH, AND OVER THE FALLEN BIRCHES, BROUGHT DOWN BY THE SUMMER STORMS THIS PAST SEASON, AND I'M PRETTY SURE, I COULD SEE THE MOVEMENT OF AT LEAST ONE DEER, QUITE A WAY BACK, WANDERING THROUGH THE THICKER TREES, ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE HOLLOW. I ALWAYS ENJOY, THE SOUNDS OF THE INVISIBLE CATARACTS, ON THE MYRIAD OF LITTLE WATER COURSES, THAT CRISS-CROSS THE MOUNDS OF OLD MARCH GRASSES, FOLDEF UPON THEMSELVES, SEASON AFTER SEASON. FROM THE KNOLL ABOVE, I CAN SEE A FEW OF THE BLACK RIBBONS OF RUN-OFF WATER, TRICKLING DOWN TOWARD THE LAKE, AND SEE SOME OF THE REFLECTIVE POOLS, NOW SILVER AGAINST THE WHITE AND BROWNS, OF THE MERGING OF ONCOMING WINTER, AND RETIRING AUTUMN. I CAN HEAR A DOG BARKING OFF IN THE DISTANCE, AND THERE IS THE DISTINCT RUMBLE OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT, AT SOME CONSTRUCTION SITE, JUST BEYOND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WAY OFF IN THE DISTANCE, IS THE SOUND OF A BOAT ENGINE, OF WHICH WE ARE EXPOSED-TO CONSTANTLY, THROUGH THE SUMMER SEASON. THERE IS A PLANE FLYING SOMEWHERE OVER THE TALL PINES, ALONG THE NORTH HORIZON, AND A NEIGHBOR DOWN THE STREET, HAS BEEN HAMMERING AND SAWING FOR THE PAST TEN MINUTES. IT'S ALL THE REMINDER NOW, THAT WE SHALL SOON BE FORCED TO HEARTH-SIDE, TO WARM BY THE CRACKLING FIRE, OR HEATER, HOT TEA IN HAND, COMFORTED IN OUR "LITTLE HOUSES BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD."

STRIPPING AWAY SOCIAL, POLITICAL FACADES, TO FIND THE HOME TOWN CONCEALED BY PROPAGANDA

     I will not allow a local politician, to go unchallenged, if and when they should awkwardly attempt, to overview our community character, and traditional values, on the shaky premise they actually know what they're talking about. Whenever one of them suddenly gets the urge to cast down their self righteous opinion, as a generalization, to analyze us, and how we have grown as a community, over the centuries, I find it ludicrous, and insulting, considering very few of them know much about local history at all. They might have been elected to office, by a small fraction of those eligible to vote, but it sure as hell doesn't qualify them to pontificate about the intricacies of town heritage, to create poorly crafted summaries, in order to fit the purpose of some unnecessary explanation; which may or may not make the pages of the regional press. It happens more than you would think, that a local politician assumes the unexpected, uninvited role of historian, and biographer, in making happenstance remarks, about the community they are supposed to know intimately; even, in some cases, as a relative newcomers. I can not support any council representative who is not prepared to ask for tutoring, in order to understand the true character of this historic community, the gateway to Muskoka.
    I have serious concern, that Gravenhurst has become the open canvas for political dabbling, and social grandstanding, and there is considerable evidence, that Family Compact-like intrusiveness, and the propaganda to suit agendas, is creating an image of hometown life, times and heritage, that is not in keeping with what is real, and frankly, as genuine as the frosted-over bogland, attired in the honest, natural progression of the rolling year. There are facade builders, busily crafting the town into what they see as best suiting their needs. Instead of being proud of what has been achieved by many thousands of community builders, and good neighbors, they negate the value of commonplace attributes, naively believing, they can change what can never be changed; building over what can never be obstructed. They will surely try, and thrust out their chests, full of pomposity, and claim to be saving us from our resident dullness, and lack of inspiration. They will always fail, and look foolish in the process, but in the meantime, their meddling inspires a fog of misunderstanding; where at times, hometowners start to wonder, what has become of the place they planted their roots. Why would anyone wish to change the character of what has always been a good and nurturing home town, in one of the most beautiful places on earth? I call them, the "Company of Revisionists," who seek to change what doesn't fit their model of social, political, economic romanticism, a presumed correctness that affords them the privileges of a fiefdom, they feel rightfully entitled. Of course they would be wrong to assume this, but they don't think of it in this way, of in any instance, being in error, in haste to feed on social intercourse, as the self proclaimed, supreme commanders. Most of us realists, and contented townsfolk, have come to expect this kingdom building nonsense, and go about business in general disregard. In the double image, however, grows a strong shadow of doubt, amongst some citizens, about the future of what we have known as our hometown, contrary to the opinions and mission statement of those who wish to mold us in their own collective image. I for one, will not conform to their plan. Their ideals about what would make us, as a community, so much better, and more progressive. I would answer these assertions, to adopt change, and development they deem progressive, by suggesting, any one of the political and social elite, who genuinely cares about the community they wish to represent, and re-align, in a "moving forward" political-speak, should as a first step, subject themselves to some beefy history lessons. It is unconscionable to make changes without appreciation for what we have built upon; and what might topple as a result. Misunderstanding the security, of what was assumed, worthy of the added burden. I may come off as a radical in this regard, and this would be a truthful assessment.
     I suppose this is a personal notice, to those of our political and social elite, to tread carefully, on the mission to change us into something we are not, or have ever been. The coming four years of political office, will challenge our leadership, and all those who hang off each decision, each project, as if a charity of the divine. The plan to propagate positivism, and advance our economy, at all cost, can mean compromises of our heritage values, traditions, and our hometown sensibilities; about what is proportional, and truly in our best interests overall. More than just a few of us, in this town, are unwilling to allow our elected local governance, to step one toe's length beyond their jurisdiction, when it comes to re-shaping what we see already, as a capable, diversified and successful community; despite what they may offer-up as a doom and gloom scenarios, with the help of their enablers who preach the same.
     It's time for the defenders of Gravenhurst, and South Muskoka, to wake up, and embrace what may or may not come thundering down the pike, from those who mistakenly believe, they have the sole right, to define us, and lead us, where we may not wish to go! There is a limit to our patience you see, and while it would be hard to find anyone in this town, who doesn't believe improvements and progress are needed, in virtually all areas, we also want our interests to be respected, when it comes to impositions decided by the few, for the majority. There are many potentials in the immediate future, for our elected officials to imbed dramatic changes, on the town, that may divide loyalties. It has happened before, so it is to be expected, it will occur again, that we are thrust into a situation of development, we don't necessarily agree is in our best interests. This is not to suggest, we form a line of defense, as an action group, on the thin evidence, our council may opt to approve a development the public generally disapproves. Yet we must look at the odds, for example, of the former Muskoka Centre property, being put up for sale by the province, and then finding our interests are being circumvented, because of a sudden worry a big fish might get away; you know, when we are informed, time is of the essence, and we need to embrace change or else. In Muskoka, there have been many examples of this, and it is the ploy of politicians, to make us believe we will be big losers, if we don't agree with their collective decisions in a hurry-up offense. I am particularly sensitive, when, in this same vein, they feel no compunction, in their opining, about the history and character of the community they profess knowing intimately well. I challenge them on what they think they know, and generally, it is sorely lacking when it comes to a proper historical overview, that is firm under-foot; and even more durable in the abstract of perception. A community, as much as it might be manipulated by those with a vested interest, is etched by the resilience, determination, and goodwill of its citizenry. The citizens of Gravenhurst imprint their individual values every hour, of every day, of every week, month and year, by networking in their neighborhoods, and within the larger community; supporting everything from minor athletics, to the operation of the supper club, including the generosity of churches, fraternal organizations, community outreach activities, and generosity of local industry and businesses, to facilitate what needs network support, volunteer and financial assistance. There is negative etching as well, and we can certainly not boast of being a crime free community. There are citizens who couldn't care less about the welfare of their community, as it is only a place to claim permanent residency. A place to hang a hat. There are those who live here, but never want to get involved in anything, other than day to day living. Which is perfectly fine. There are others who enjoy setting out obstacles, and who complain about what the town doesn't have, but offer nothing in the way of assistance, to resolve what they perceive to be wrong. There are people who hate, and citizens who wish they lived some place else; and those who get into frequent spats with neighbors, forging feuds that can last a lifetime. Yet in the simple framing of commonplace, it is all part of the unique mosaic, that is our town, worts and all. It can generally be said, I think, in historical terms, it has evolved together, the positive outweighing the negatives, if in fact, you had been keeping score.
     As much as local politicians might believe, I am the bane of all existence, with my historical impositions, and general obstinence, I can at the very least, argue in response, that I have never once, in my relationship with Gravenhurst, felt it was incumbent, or in any way proper, even as as a quarter-century local, to attempt a deep furrow into its traditions; as I might, for example, in Bracebridge, or Windermere, in Watt Township, where our family roots do run deep. Gravenhurst history has its stewards and a well stocked archives to prove the way it was! I would like to know, how many of the present Gravenhurt Council, has visited, and been informed, about the resources, stewarded by the Archives Committee? Can we expect a similar attendance, and interest from the incoming council? I heartily recommend, that these councillors, who have never attended the archives room, at the Gravenhurst Public Library, make an appointment to chat with one of these informed, insightful curators, who protect the details of our past. It's a pretty interesting history. All the precedents are there to learn and benefit from. If I was mayor? Archives immersion would be mandatory for all elected officials.

Everyone, Everything Goes Through Changes - Much We Miss, Looking The Other Way

     I returned to The Bog this afternoon, to tend a household chore. As the temperature was still below freezing, the only real change was the sculpting of snow on the bullrushes, from the light wind crossing over the north ridge, and the illumination, which was overhead, with occasional sun breaks. For quite a few years, this little patch of hinterland, in a pocket of the urban landscape, has been symbolic, in my mind, about the way Gravenhurst has grown respectively, within the sensible proportion of its own natural resources; such that it may be defined by standard urban measure, but not conflicted in appearance, or functioning, as only urban
in characterisitic. If I was to suggest it is an urban neighborhood, "nestled" into the forest and lakeland of South Muskoka, there are those who would claim I was being overly sentimental and waxing poetic. Yet, on close inspection, while "nestled" reads like a tourism promotion, it is pretty truthful, should the artist decide to paint a broad landscape. Despite what the general opinion might be, it doesn't take much investigation, before the voyeur simply has to admit, our hometown wear's its natural qualities and quantities, as if custom tailored by the hand of particularly insightful founders. The main street, in particular, is unmistakably historic, but unquestionably influenced by the venerable trees native of South Muskoka. Some would stretch it, to suggest, Gravenhurst wears natural heritage very, very well.
     There are intricacies of nature and history, that become invisible the result of indifference. This is the greatest threat we have, as a community, because what is missed, and considered insignificant, can be very much the opposite; and this has proven so in the past. As citizens we have a duty, to speak up, and protest if necessary, to impositions we feel are negative, to the integrity of our community. It isn't to suggest that every council move should be challenged, or every proposed development opposed. I would never lead a protest for the sake of blocking progress, just because I felt it was worth a show of opposition. My grievance, as it has been with other councils in the past, is that they thoroughly recognize and admit their shortfalls of knowledge, even about the history of their own town, and that instead of being resistant to public input, welcome counter-point with the same enthusiasm, they embrace supporters. As I readily admit how little I know, in the field of regional history, because it's true, I make up for my shortfalls, with a willingness to be schooled, for however long it takes; in order to upgrade my knowledge, and then, and only then, having the right to overview and generalize, where others should never tread.
     As I have, for the past three years, I will be dedicating an entire Christmas-season compliment of blogs, to highlight the festive season in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, and Muskoka generally. It's not a paid-for promotion, but I hope it will, as it has been in the past, viewed as a hale and hearty endorsement of life and times, in our beautiful part of the province; especially during the Christmas season. The festive season series, which I love to write, especially at Birch Hollow, will commence on the 12th of November, and continue until the final column, on New Year's Eve, heralding the joyous arrival of 2015.
     Thanks so much for visiting with me today, and I hope you will join me for a great Muskoka Christmas celebration; unapologetically nostalgic.