Antiques , Anecdotes and LIARS' CLUB

ON THE JOB ANTIQUE TUTORIALS - AT THE BIRCH HOLLOW "LIAR'S CLUB"

COLLECTORS, DEALERS AND SIGNIFICANT OTHERS WERE GREAT STORY SPINNERS

ADOPTING THE NAME "LIARS' CLUB" OFFERED A PERFECT PARALLEL TO WHAT I EXPERIENCED ALMOST DAILY, AT OUR BRACEBRIDGE ANTIQUE SHOP. BORROWED FROM TORONTO SUN COLUMNIST, PAUL RIMSTEAD'S BOOK, "COCKTAILS AND JOCKSTRAPS," THE "LIARS' CLUB, WHICH ALSO MET DAILY, AT HIS FAVORITE BAR IN SAN MIGUEL, MEXICO, ACTUALLY MEANT THE "LITERARY, INTELLECTUAL, ARTISTIC, READING SOCIETY." THEY GOT TOGETHER AT "LA CUCARACHA" BAR, AND SHARED ALL THE NEWS OF THE DAY, FROM HOME AND ABROAD, AND THERE WAS ALCOHOL INVOLVED. RIMMER WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WRITING A BOOK, BUT GOT CAUGHT-UP IN THE WORK OF THE LIARS' CLUB, ATTEMPTING, ONE STORY AT A TIME, TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.

OUR MEETING PLACE WAS DIFFERENT, OF COURSE, IN THAT IT WASN'T A BAR, AND THERE WAS NO LIQUOR EXCEPT THE OCCASIONAL BRANDY-FILLED CHOCOLATES AT CHRISTMAS. THE SMALL, JAMMED-TO-THE-RAFTERS SHOP, DID HAVE SOME ANTIQUE PIECES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED TO DECORATE A BAR OR PUB, BUT THERE WAS NO BOOZE TO LUBRICATE CONVERSATION. THERE WERE NO BAR STOOLS, AND THOSE ATTENDING OUR HAPPENSTANCE MEETINGS, JUST STOOD IN FRONT OF MY COUNTER, AND HAD CONSIDERABLE ROOM TO WANDER THE SHOP, WHILE STILL BEING WITHIN EAR-SHOT, SO AS TO ALWAYS BE IN ON THE CONVERSATIONS. WE HAD SOME DANDIES. A FEW ARGUMENTS TOO. NOTHING THAT CAME TO BLOWS, OF COURSE, AS WE WERE QUITE CIVILIZED EVEN IN OUR DISAGREEMENTS.

THE IMPORTANT PREAMBLE HERE, IS THAT I HAD BEEN EDITOR OF THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER BEFORE OPENING THE ANTIQUE SHOP, ON UPPER MANITOBA STREET. I'D WRITTEN A LONG-RUNNING COLUMN ENTITLED "COLD COFFEE," AMONGST OTHERS IN SISTER PUBLICATIONS. IT WAS VERY MUCH A RIMSTEAD INSPIRED WEEKLY OPINION PIECE, ABOUT LOCAL CURRENT EVENTS, SPORTS, AND WELL, LIVING TOO HARD FOR MY OWN GOOD. I SHARED THIS OVER-IMBIBING THING WITH RIMSTEAD AND WHEN WE OPENED THE SHOP, I HAD ACTUALLY BEEN SOBER FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, AS A PROMISE TO SUZANNE. I WAS JUST AS CAUSTIC BUT NOT DRUNK AND CAUSTIC. BUT A LOT OF THE OLD COLUMN OPINIONS WERE STILL FLOURISHING, EXCEPT THIS TIME, I WAS IN A RATHER UNIQUE BUSINESS, WHERE THE CLIENTELE WAS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN THE READERSHIP I HAD WITH THE NEWSPAPER. THIS TOOK A LOT OF ADJUSTMENT. SOMETIMES THE LIARS'S CLUB TOPICS OF DISCUSSION WERE A LITTLE TOO HEAVY FOR THE ANTIQUE CROWD…..TRYING TO SHOP BETWEEN THE POLITICS AND THE PUNDITS, TRYING TO OUT-SMART EACH OTHER, WITH CLEVER ANECDOTES AND PRECEDENTS. IT'S TRUE, WE DID SCARE OFF THE PACIFISTS. A FEW OF THE HALE AND HARDY COLLECTORS JOINED IN, AND IT WAS QUITE REFRESHING TO GET A NEW OPINION NOW AND AGAIN. THE LIARS' CLUB POINT OF VIEW COULD GET A LITTLE STALE. WE DIDN'T HAVE TOO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT, SO WE RE-PLAYED A LOT OF STUFF, TO HEAR OURSELVES TALK.

AT THE TIME, THE MEMBERS OF THE CLUB WERE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO ME. I HAD GONE FROM AN EDITORSHIP, TO BEING A MR. MOM, FOR MY YOUNG SONS, TO A MAIN STREET ANTIQUE DEALER. NOT THAT I WAS NEW TO ANTIQUES, BECAUSE I'D BEEN TRAVELLING THIS ROAD FOR MANY YEARS…..AND IN THE LATE 1970'S WAS IN A PARTNERSHIP WITH MY PARENTS, IN A COMBINATION ANTIQUE AND GIFT SHOP JUST, A BLOCK DOWN MANITOBA STREET. BUT THIS TIME, I WAS THE MAIN MAN. I HAD VERY LITTLE SALES EXPERIENCE TO THAT POINT. I WAS AN ANTIQUE HUNTER. A FURNITURE RE-FINISHER. DEFINITELY NOT A SALES PERSON. SUZANNE HAD A HUGE AMOUNT OF RETAIL EXPERIENCE, BUT DURING THE WEEKDAYS SHE WORKED AT THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE SHE TAUGHT IN THE FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT. SO I HAD TO LEARN ON THE JOB. MISTAKES. NAME IT, AND I COMMITTED IT, AS AN ERROR. I USED TO DREAD WHEN SUZANNE WOULD WALK OVER FROM THE SCHOOL, TO HAVE LUNCH WITH ME……AND TO LOOK AT THE SALES BOOKS. I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT I WAS ALWAYS HAPPIER WHEN THERE WASN'T A SINGLE SALE IN THE BOOK, BECAUSE SHE'D JUST SAY "OH WELL, THINGS WILL GET BETTER." IT WAS WHEN I HAD SALES, AND SCREWED UP THE ACCOUNTING, THAT USED TO SET HER OFF ON A TIRADE…..WAVING THE CALCULATOR UNDER MY NOSE. "WHY CAN'T YOU USE THIS THING PROPERLY TED," SHE'D SCOLD……MILDLY AT FIRST BUT IT GOT WORSE. FOR THOSE FIRST FEW YEARS, BY GOLLY, MY SCREW-UP AVERAGE WAS JUST ABOUT FIFTY PERCENT OF ALL SALES. MOSTLY IT WAS THE SALES TAX THAT SCREWED ME UP. SIMPLE? OF COURSE IT WAS. NOT ROCKET SCIENCE….JUST A SIMPLE CALCULATION. SO I STARTED ROUNDING NUMBERS OFF WITH THE IDEA IT WOULD MAKE THE 8 PERCENT TAX EASIER TO FIGURE OUT. WELL THAT DIDN'T WORK, SO I STARTED TO INCLUDE TAX, WHICH NEARLY MADE SUZANNE IMPLODE. SHE ACTUALLY CAME TO APPROVE OF IT, BECAUSE AT LEAST, SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO UNDO A GAZILLION MISTAKES IN THE SALES BOOK. WE WERE SO BROKE AS DEALERS, WE COULDN'T AFFORD A CASH REGISTER. WE HAD THE TRUSTY METAL CASH BOX, A PEN, A NOTEPAD, AND THE RECEIPT BOOK. AND A FEW BUCKS FOR THE TILL. WE ALSO HAD ONE OF THE CUMBERSOME, SLIDING CREDIT CARD MACHINES I LOVED TO MESS UP. DID THESE MISADVENTURES EVER COST ME? OH BOY!

"How is it that you can sit down and write a breaking news story in fifteen minutes, in time for deadline….with a publisher breathing down your neck, but you can't write out, and calculate a sale in the receipt book," Suzanne asked of her writer husband. "It's the lack of the drink," I'd retort. "How so," she demanded. "When I was drinking heavily, I never would have agreed to open an antique shop in the first place," I responded, with a hint of whimper in my voice, so she wouldn't hurt me with the next line of inquiry." I was a giant of a man with the editor's privilege on The Herald-Gazette masthead, but a pathetic excuse for a sales clerk, in a business that really needed competence in retail protocol. So what I didn't do so well, I made up for in other ways. Like having the kind of shop worth hanging around in, because everyone was invited to participate in the conversation in progress. I can't calculate (now that shouldn't be any surprise) how many significant discussions we had in that shop……besides the discussion of world events, and politicians we would never, ever vote for, even on a dare. We had an opportunity to share stories about antiques, heritage matters, shop-keeping and prizes we kept in our personal collections.

The members of the LIARS' CLUB, were all congenial folks, and the membership was open to everyone who had the willingness to share a story or opinion. We had three women in the mix, and about five males, but this number could climb to about ten, depending on the weather. Quite a few were from out of town, and wouldn't drive in bad weather……even in the summer. What would happen, and possibly, as an antique dealer or collector, you've experienced the same on your travels….., that visitors to the shop would often participate in these sales counter forums. Especially if we happened to be talking about history….which was frequent, as I was often engaged, in those years, working on a plethora of research projects…….especially when business was slow. So thusly, I got a hell of a lot done in those thin economic years. What happened over time, was that these discussions became much like intimate university tutorials, with one of the most proficient in a respective field, actually teaching us about everything from archives organization, gun collecting, militaria collections, the inner-child joys of toy collecting, sports card investing, primitive furniture valuations, you name it……it was discussed and debated in the basement of Birch Hollow Antiques.

Being a long serving "generalist" antique dealer, and collector of art and books, I have never turned away from a good, nuts and bolts discussion of these areas of interest, as they are all important to the hunter-gatherer, who never knows what he's going to come back with, on the very next shopping adventure. Over the years we had experts join us from hundreds of antique collecting disciplines, and I've got to tell you, that while not to suggest reference books became secondary considerations, these "antique chats" were the kind of immersion a generalist dealer / collector needs. We had military and cultural historians joining us for our regular LIARS' CLUB meetings, even though we didn't know their specialties at first. There were many times when one or two of the regulars at Birch Hollow, found they had something personal in common with the guest conversationalist, and the discussion could take on a whole new significance. As well, we would have many dealers show up, and the discussions became hugely entertaining, because surprisingly enough, we, in this business, tend to stock-pile anecdotes about our business dealings…..just as I'm offering these reminiscences via this blog-site. We'd be in near hysterics, re-telling stories about auction sales and flea markets, annoying customers, and misadventure. Despite what you think, antique dealers aren't as stern and unmovable as you may believe. While a social-gathering of antique folks may not involve excessive prank-playing and alcohol consumption, it doesn't mean someone or other won't be swinging from the chandelier if the mood strikes. We're just a tad reserved about some things, like trade secrets. Being in a room of conversing antique dealers, would provide the kind of banter you'd expect amongst a group of practicing alchemists and or, magicians. Sharing too much can prove dangerous. I'm not going to tread on that thin ice. Suffice to say, there are times we drop our guard, and share in on a good laugh about the industry follies, of which there should be a compendium written for general entrainment.

One of our respected contributors, and a master of decorating with antiques, came into the shop one afternoon, and joined-in on the general discussion of the LIARS' CLUB hangers-on at counter-side. The conversation between two other dealers in the store at the time, had been discussing some of the more awkward, intrusive moments of shop-keeping. It was a pretty conservative back and forth at that point. So this elderly woman said, "Oh, that's nothing compared to some of the situations I've had to deal with at my shop." She started out by describing a customer she found a true and utter jerk, who always nickel and dimed her about price and discounts. Half the time, she said, he'd spend about a half hour beating her down in price, and then instead of nodding that he would take the subject piece, he'd stare into her eyes, and say, "I'm going to think about it for awhile, then I'll let you know." "He'd do it all the time, and never come back for that particular piece. It used to drive me nuts, because I invested so much time trying to compromise, and be otherwise accommodating to a regular customer." So on one occasion, that would become the watershed of new opinion, she had suffered through the exact same discussion, with the gentleman, about a cupboard he wanted. Once again, the same old-same old!!! "So I offered him a substantially lower price, and even suggested he could make regular payments if that suited him best. He just looked at me, put his hand to his chin, hummed and mumbled something or other, and said, as usual, 'let me think about it'." This wasn't the best part of the story, although we all knew customers like that. "I had to go to the bathroom real bad, so I ushered him out the door, locked it, and turned the sign to 'closed.' I was going to be awhile. I didn't want to be disturbed. So right in the middle of my sojourn on the toilet, I hear the banging on the front door. Whoever it is wants in real bad. I can't stand the banging any more, so I cut the bathroom visit short, run out to get the door. I can't believe it's the same guy." She said he looked perturbed about the delay getting to the door, and went right over to the furniture piece he'd been interested in. "Would you take…….." he asked, offering some low-ball figure. He must have known she was still in agony, because he got a much better price, as the dealer was obviously interested in unloading the customer by this point. "Ummmm," was his response, probably sensing he could have got it for even less if he had persisted with negotiations. "I'll think about it," he said. A usually calm individual, who always treated her customers fairly, she let loose on him something fierce…..giving him the old bum's rush to the front door. "Hey, you know that piece," she asked of the customer. "Yes," he yelled back with his back arched with her foot pushing him out the door. "Well, it's sold. See ya!"

Another shopkeeper from north Muskoka, told much the same story, except it didn't have a bathroom connection. In this story, almost the same situation occurred, regarding some major furniture piece, and a very similar situation as the woman above, spoke of, to the LIARS'S CLUB. After numerous weekend visits to the shop, the couple wanting the antique dining room set (I'm only guessing), had been given the dealer's rock bottom price. But the one-sided negotiation continued, as the dealer grabbed up the "closed" sign, and politely bid the customers farewell. "I was tired that day. Both my wife and I had been re-finishing pieces from early in the morning, and the shop was much busier that Saturday, than was usual for the fall season. My wife made us a nice dinner, and we were just sitting down at the table. Then came the knocks on the door. We couldn't see who it was, so I had to answer it. There they were. The two of them, looking to have another go at the table again. They were now trespassing between a closed shop and my hot dinner on the table. So I wasn't impressed to hear their final offer, which was way below what I had told them a half hour earlier was going to be my bottom line. So I did what anyone would do under similar circumstances. I said good evening for the second time, closed the door, and returned to have my dinner." He and his wife watched the couple walking back to the car, yelling at each other about the dining room set that "got away." He noted that it was one of the great disadvantages of working off your own property, making it so difficult to separate off-hours from business-as-usual. Customers don't see anything wrong with pursuing what they want at all cost, even if its a dealer's privacy.

The story above contains as much fiction as fact, and the kind of embellishment you'd expect after all these years of being told and re-told, as a sort of antique dealer legend. It did happen and this kind of situation with customers, happens all the time…..and for some, almost daily. It was what convinced me I had no business being a front-liner in such a business. Even as editor I was well known for my foul demeanor on press day, and it carried over to the sales desk of Birch Hollow Antiques. So on more than just a few occasions, over my six years as a shop-keep, I removed a lot of problem customers, and it didn't matter a fig that I was losing money each time there was an ejection. I've got a lot of stories about these customers to share. So stay tuned.

Thanks for joining this blog. Hope you found it interesting….if not exciting.

WINTER CARNIVAL SONG GETS A PRETTY GOOD EARLY REVIEW

WHEN YOU'VE GOT MUSICIANS IN THE FAMILY, YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AVAILABLE RESOURCE. ANDREW AND ROBERT THINK NOTHING OF ASKING DAD TO WHIP THEM UP A PRESS RELEASE FOR THEIR UPCOMING BENEFIT CONCERTS, SO I DON'T FEEL INTRUSIVE WHATSOEVER, ASKING THEM TO WRITE A SONG OR TWO FOR A GOOD CAUSE. I ASKED THEM EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR, TO CONSIDER WRITING AND PERFORMING A THEME SONG FOR THE NEWLY REVITALIZED GRAVENHURST WINTER CARNIVAL, COMING UP AT THE END OF FEBRUARY. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I'D ASKED FOR A WHOLE SONG TO BE WRITTEN. NORMALLY I JUST ASK THEM TO MOVE SOME OF OUR ANTIQUE FURNITURE, OR GIVE ME A PUSH WHEN I'M STUCK ON ICE IN THE DRIVEWAY. ADMITTEDLY IT WAS A TALL ORDER. BUT THE BOYS HAVE ALWAYS LIKED A CHALLENGE, MORESO AS MUSICIANS.

I ASKED IF THEY WOULD CONSIDER CREATING A WINTER CARNIVAL THEME SONG, AS AN ACT OF VOLUNTEERISM, TO HELP OUT THE FOLKS WHO HAVE DEDICATED SO MUCH TIME OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, TO BRING BACK THE LOCAL COMPONENT OF THE ORIGINAL MUSKOKA WINTER CARNIVAL, WHICH DATED BACK TO THE WINTER OF 1971. I TOLD THEM THAT BY DOING THIS, THEY WOULD BE JOINING THE RANKS OF PERFORMERS LIKE HOWARD CABLE AND HIS ORCHESTRA, AND BRAD AND BONNIE VEITCH, WHO HAVE CREATED WINTER CARNIVAL THEME MUSIC IN THE PAST. THEY THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A NEAT IDEA, AND WENT TO WORK WITH THE GROUP "PRESSURE POINT," WITH LEAD SINGER DANI O'CONNOR AND GUITARIST AARON BINDER. SUZANNE, WELL, SHE OFFERED TO CREATE THE WINTER CARNIVAL "SKOKIE" SCARVES, FOR THE BAND MEMBERS TO WEAR IN THE VIDEO, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY ACCOMPANY THE NEW SONG ABOUT TO BE WRITTEN. SINCE EARLY JANUARY, SUZANNE, IN THE EVENINGS, HAS PRODUCED SIX FULL LENGTH SCARVES, MITTS, AND A HAT SO FAR, WITH TWO MORE SCARVES IN PRODUCTION. I'VE JUST BEEN THE MEDIA CONSULTANT AND OCCASIONAL EDITORIALIST. WELL FOLKS, I'D KNIT, BUT GOD HAD OTHER PLANS FOR THESE HANDS.

BY LATE SUNDAY NOW, WE EXPECT THE SONG AND VIDEO WILL MAKE IT TO "YOU-TUBE." SO FAR, ALL THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD THE ROUGH COPY, THINK IT WILL BE A FITTING TRIBUTE TO THE CARNIVAL AND THE WINTER OTTER. THERE'S STILL SOME POLISHING LEFT TO DO, AND A CHORUS TO BE ADDED, BUT BY GOLLY, THEY'VE MADE OLD DAY PROUD. I HOPE THE FOLKS HERE IN GRAVENHURST, WILL COME OUT AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS RE-INCARNATED EVENT, AND SHOW THE VOLUNTEERS HOW MUCH THEY APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORT TO RESTORE A WONDERFUL WINTER-TIME TRADITION…..FOR HOMETOWNERS AND GUESTS. MAYBE YOU'LL LIKE IT SO MUCH, YOU'LL JOIN THE VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT YEAR.

I'LL PROVIDE YOU WITH A LINK TO THE SONG, THE MOMENT THE BOYS POST-IT, BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND. LET US, LET THEM KNOW, WHAT YOU THINK OF THE SONG. FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO THEM.

POOL HOLDS WATER - NOW THAT'S GOOD NEWS

MORE THAN JUST A FEW PEOPLE AROUND GRAVENHURST AND VICINITY, HAVE BEEN WONDERING ALOUD, IF THE LEVEL OF GULL LAKE WAS GOING TO RISE, WHEN THE WATER WAS ADDED TO THE NEW POOL FACILITY, AT THE REFURBISHED RECREATION CENTRE ACROSS THE ROAD. WITH ALL THE RECENT TILE AND GROUT ISSUES, (FALLING OFF AND STUFF) ONE HAD TO WONDER IF THE WHOLE PROJECT WAS GOING TO HOLD WATER AT ALL. AFTER MYRIAD ALLEGATIONS AND DELAYS ENCOUNTERED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, EVEN THE HARSHEST CRITICS OF THE PROJECT, HAD THEIR FINGERS CROSSED THAT THE POOL WOULD HOLD ITS CONTENTS. SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF WORN-DOWN TAXPAYERS, WORRYING ABOUT THE OPERATIONAL COSTS WE'RE GOING TO INCUR, THIS MORNING'S NEWS THAT WATER HAD SUCCESSFULLY BEEN PUMPED INTO THE POOL, WITHOUT LEAKAGE, MADE US ALL A LITTLE MORE CHEERFUL TO START THE DAY. WE HOPE IT IS EVERYTHING IT HAS BEEN TOUTED TO BE. IT HAS BEEN A PROJECT HOUNDED, AND YES, POUNDED BY NEGATIVES TO THIS POINT. WE COULD DO WITH UPBEAT REPORTS THAT DON'T START WITH "RE-SCHEDULED OPENING," OR "A MINOR DELAY," OR EVEN "GLITCH EXPERIENCED."

WE HAVE ALL PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS FACILITY. THE TAXPAYERS OF CANADA, THIS PROVINCE…..INCLUDING THE STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS COMMUNITY, HAVE INVESTED A HUGE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL, TO IMPROVE RESOURCES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF COMMUNITY RECREATION. NOW LET'S ALL GET THE MOST FOR OUR TAX INVESTMENT. PLEASE SUPORT THIS EXCITING, DYNAMIC NEW FACILITY IN OUR TOWN.

Gravenhurst Red Piano, Antiques and Ghosts

THE OLD SPIRIT IN THE ANTIQUE SHOP, WINTER CARNIVAL SONG, THE RED PIANO AND A SNOWY AFTERNOON IN GRAVENHURST

TALK ABOUT A BUSY WINTER - AND THE REMINISCENCES ARE PRETTY NEAT AT WELL -

BREAKING NEWS. ON FEBRUARY 2, THE GRAVENHURST 'RED PIANO" WILL NOT……ABSOLUTELY NOT….. CAST A SHADOW. EVEN IF THE SUN BEATS DOWN ON THAT RESTING PLACE OF "BIG RED", AND EVEN IF A MUSKOKA GOPHER WAS TO SIT ON TOP, BREAK DANCING, THERE WILL BE NO SHADOW CAST. SO, SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER? AS OF THIS WRITING, THE "RED WRECK" WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE VACANT LOT ON THE MAIN STREET OF GRAVENHURST. THANKS TO SOME CONSCIENTIOUS FOLKS CONNECTED TO THE TOWN, THE POOR THING WILL BE PUT OUT OF ITS MISERY. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, IT WAS MISERY EXEMPLIFIED, ESPECIALLY BEING PAINTED BRIGHT RED AGAINST THE MUSKOKA SNOW. WHAT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO SOME……WITHOUT HAVING CONSULTED THE MUSICIANS FIRST, WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE USE OF IT, THE PIANO WAS BROUGHT OUT OF HUMBLE RETIREMENT, BROUGHT UP TO THE BIG LEAGUES OF BUSKERVILLE, PAINTED A CEREMONIAL RED (NOT SURE THAT WAS THE MOST APPROPRIATE COLOR), AND PUT IN PLACE AGAINST AN ART-ADORNED PLYWOOD BACKDROP. THE IDEA WAS FOR BUSKERS TO MAKE USE OF THE PIANO, AND I SUPPOSE, PROVIDE SOME CHEAP ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE TOURIST-KIND. IT MUST HAVE DRIVEN THOSE WHO CONCOCTED THE IDEA, NUTS, TO WATCH THE BUSKERS EACH DAY, LAST SUMMER, PLAYING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET INSTEAD……WHERE THERE WAS SHADE AND A NICE BENCH. SEEMS LOGICAL. WHEN ROAD RE-CONSTRUCTION BEGAN AGAIN LAST FALL, THE PLYWOOD FENCE WAS PULLED DOWN, AND THE PIANO SET BACK ON THE LOT, IN UTTER DESOLATION, FROM THE PROMISE OF SO MANY ROADSIDE CONCERTS TO COME. A PROJECT THAT JUST DIDN'T "CHOPSTICK" IT'S WAY TO NOTORIETY. INSTEAD, IT BECAME AN EYESORE. A MAIN STREET TARGET FOR VANDALS, WHO DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY IT……..SO THEY DID THE NEXT BEST THING……YOU KNOW….. BEATING THE CRAP OUT OF IT. IT BECAME THE "PIANO OF OUR DISCONTENT." THE BUSKERING FOLLY OF 2011.

THE OLDTIMER IN THE SHOP - THE CHEAP GHOST WHO NEVER BOUGHT A THING

AS I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT PREVIOUSLY, IN THE EARLY JANUARY BLOGS, ON THIS GRAVENHURST SITE, THE CURRIES ARE GHOST MAGNETS. NOT SOMETHING I WANT ETCHED ON MY TOMBSTONE. I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT, OTHER THAN TO SUGGEST THEY, THE DRIFTING AIMLESS, "SPIRIT-KIND," FIND US OPEN-MINDED ABOUT SUCH THINGS. INADVERTENTLY WE PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR PECULIAR MOODS, AND THEY APPARENTLY LIKE THIS ABOUT US. SO MUCH SO THAT THEY CAN GET KIND OF PUSHY FOR ATTENTION. SOUND CRAZY? YOU DON'T KNOW THE HALF OF IT, REALLY. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE WHO HAVE SORT-OF CROSSED OVER, ON MY MUSKOKA AND ALGONQUIN GHOSTS BLOG-SITE. ACTUALLY, BY THE END OF THE WEEK, THE FIRST OF TWELVE COLUMNS ON THE PARANORMAL WILL BE RELEASED IN A NEAT LITTLE PUBLICATION, KNOWN AS "THE GREAT NORTH ARROW." I UNDERSTAND IT WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE IN GRAVENHURST AND MUSKOKA GENERALLY BUT I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE. IT IS PUBLISHED OUT OF DUNCHURCH, ONTARIO, AND ITS TARGET AREA IS NORTH, NORTHWEST OF HUNTSVILLE, AS FAR AS NORTH BAY.

AS I'VE ALREADY PROFILED, THERE ARE WHAT WE CALL SPIRIT HITCH-HIKERS, WHO OCCASIONALLY ATTACH THEMSELVES TO ANTIQUE PIECES. THE WHOLE RANGE OF ANTIQUE FURNITURE, TRUNKS, CUPBOARDS, CRADLES, ROCKERS, SETEES, JAM CUPBOARDS, HOOSIER CUPBOARDS, AND EVEN DINING ROOM TABLES. I'VE ALWAYS FELT IT WAS SOME SPIRITUAL PRESENCE THAT PULLED ME TOWARD CERTAIN PIECES, WHILE OUT ON THE ANTIQUE HUNT. SUZANNE FORBIDS ME FROM SAYING THIS IN HER PRESENCE, BECAUSE SHE FOUND I WAS USING IT JUST AS AN EXCUSE TO BUY SOMETHING I LIKED. AND BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A FEW SPECIAL PIECES, WITH ALLEGED HITCH-HIKERS, AND BIRCH HOLLOW ALREADY HAS ENOUGH CATS…..WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE GHOSTS EITHER. THE GHOST OF DAVE BROWN, MY BOOK COLLECTOR FRIEND, IS STILL HERE MORE THAN A DECADE AFTER HIS DEMISE. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE HE KEEPS TAPPING ME ON THE BACK, WHEN I'M WORKING IN MY DOWNSTAIRS ARCHIVES. HE USED TO SLEEP ON THE SOFA BED I KEEP DOWN HERE FOR OCCASIONAL HOUSEGUESTS. SUZANNE ASKED IF WE COULD GET RID OF IT, ONE DAY LAST SUMMER, AND I WAS SPEECHLESS. "THAT'S DAVE'S BED FOR GOD'S SAKE. WHERE WOULD HE SLEEP THEN?" YOU COULD ALSO CHECK OUT A BLOG I WROTE ABOUT PUTTING MY WIFE ON HER "DEATH BED." THAT'S RIGHT, CALL ME A WING-NUT, BUT I BOUGHT MYSELF A BEAUTIFUL, CANADIAN MADE SPINDLE BED, FROM THE LATE 1800'S, THAT WAS USED BY A MINISTER, IN TORONTO, TO DISPLAY THE RECENTLY DECEASED FOR FAMILY, HOLDING MEMORIALS AT THE CHURCH MANSE. WHAT SPOUSE WOULDN'T BE IMPRESSED BY A HUSBAND DRAGGING HOME ONE OF THESE FOR VALENTINES DAY? AT LEAST PAUL RIMSTEAD DIDN'T PULL ONE OF THESE STUNTS ON HIS WIFE. WELL, IN DEFENSE OF THE BED, IT HASN'T LEVITATED OFF THE FLOOR YET, OR BEEN RESTED-UPON BY ANY STRANGE VAPOR, THAT I'M AWARE OF.

WE HAVE A HAUNTED PORTRAIT OF A VICTORIAN GIRL, WE CALLED KATHERINE, AFTER THE OUIJA BOARD SPELLED OUT THE LETTERS OF HER NAME. YOU CAN GO BACK TO EARLY JANUARY AND READ ABOUT OUR ADVENTURES WITH THIS UNHAPPY CHILD……WHO HAS BEEN RATHER CALM, FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, HANGING DOWN HERE ON MY OFFICE WALL. POINT IS, THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY ANTIQUE COLLECTORS AND DEALERS OUT THERE, WHO WILL (SHYLY) ATTEST TO HAVING BEEN IN THE PRESENCE, AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, WITH A PIECE HAVING A LITTLE EXTRA PROVENANCE……A LITTLE SOMETHING MORE IN THE PATINA THAN THE WEAR OF AGES. STORIES ABOUND ABOUT ROCKING CHAIRS THAT PROPEL THEMSELVES, CRADLES THAT ROCK ON THEIR OWN, ORGANS AND PIANOS THAT PLAY WITHOUT THEIR KEYS BEING TOUCHED, THE SETEE THAT SHOWS THE DEPRESSION OF SOMEONE'S BEHIND……WHEN NOBODY, AT LEAST IN THIS MORTAL COIL, IS SITTING UPON IT……REGAINING ITS SHAPE LATER ON, WHEN THE SPIRIT-KIND MOVES ON TO ANOTHER HAUNT. THERE IS EVEN A STORY ABOUT A PRINTING PRESS THAT RUNS IN THE WEE HOURS, BUT DOESN'T ACTUALLY PRINT ANYTHING. IT MIGHT BE NONSENSE TO SOME OTHERS BUT MORE THAN JUST A FEW OF US HAVE HAD VERY PROFOUND EXPERIENCES WITH PARANORMALLY CHARGED ANTIQUES, THAT, WHILE NOT FRIGHTENING, DOES MAKE US SUSPICIOUS ENOUGH TO LEAVE THE MATTER OPEN TO DISCUSSION……AND FURTHER EVIDENCE. SOME ANTIQUE SHOP-KEEPS JUST KEEP ROLLING ON, AND CONSIDER THE VARIOUS PARANORMAL ACTIVITIES AS PART OF THE PROFESSION……WHETHER THE PARANORMAL QUALITIES AND QUANTITIES ARE ATTACHED TO THE BUILDING, THE SHOP'S LOCATION, OR THE ANTIQUES MAKING UP THE INVENTORY.

In our Bracebridge shop, our portion of the building was attached to a Victorian era house at the back. We had quite a number of paranormal experiences over the years, partly due to the fact we brought our disenchanted, adopted Victorian girl, into the store just to kill some wall space. As she did at home, the energy compressed in that girl's attitude, would knock books off the shelf, cause dolls to fall over, and occasionally, her own frame to topple off the wall-hook onto the floor. Always landing face up, and never hitting a single thing situated on the pine washstand directly below where she had been hanging. Although we didn't see this happen, it would appear, from her distance from the wall, that she actually rolled a distance, on her four flat sides, before falling back first……so that we could see her melancholy expression, as soon as we walked through the front door. After I took her into the store, every day she'd greet me in the morning by hanging crooked on the wall. She must have known I can't abide crooked wall hangings. Even when I got to visit other homes, I have to, with stealth, straighten the homeowner's art work, if it is less than perfectly hung. So I would fix her portrait about five times a day. In the morning, it was crooked by about six inches. Then, every morning, I'd open the store to find all of Suzanne's doll collection knocked over like dominoes. I suppose she was looking for the one she had as a child. She would also pull out books from the shelf, and occasionally, if she was really pissed about my late opening, topple books right off the shelving units. She always got my attention, that's for sure.

But there was more in the old building complex than Katherine's spirited portrait. Suzanne was the first of our family to spot the little old gent, she called "The Captain," with a blue suit coat and cap, similar to a uniform that might have been worn by steamship personnel, or a passenger train conductor. He would appear suddenly, standing a few feet from the sales counter. On his first visitation, as she was looking up to see what he wanted assistance with, casually asking if she could help him… another customer, more or less, walked right through him. It must have been quite a sight, because when I came back to the shop an hour later, she was still white with fright. "He was standing there staring at me, just as clear as you are," she said, suggesting that I was, at that moment, standing on the precise spot where the specter of "the Captain" had stood. "Then when this other customer came around the corner, she walked right through him; the little man had just disappeared." Suzanne has had quite a few ghost sightings, as have I over the course of a lifetime, and while we're not usually set-off like this, there are occasions when you have to dwell a wee bit, re-play the occurrence a few times, just to wrap your head around the potential that you just spoke to a ghost. In fact, it happened numerous times in the store, over about five years, and each time, the visitation came in the same general area, and the appearance was always brief. "I didn't worry too much about it," she said. "It was better if there was someone else in the store to talk with, instead of when he appeared, and there was no way of quickly normalizing to what may have just happened." She noted that "It wasn't that I was scared, but each time, it seemed to delight itself, by sneaking up on me, so that when I looked up, assuming a customer was in front, this little old man, in his uniform would just stare back, and then slowly fade away. I guess he just wanted to let me know he was watching me. Maybe it was a former owner, or resident. He means no harm. He's just curious, I suppose, about all the changes to the building."

In all the many hours I spent in the store, often alone, especially through the winter months, I never saw the wee gentleman of the house. I did however, hear phantom footsteps down the stairs almost daily. As it would take a few minutes for a customer to look at the first room, and then make it over to my sales desk in the second room, I'd just keep my eye on the doorway to my right, ready to welcome a visitor. I can't tell you how many hundred times, I had to satisfy myself, by getting up and out from behind my desk, to look in the first room to see if the customer had died or something. There would be no one in the store. No one, other than the proprietor, in the business upstairs. Frequently I could even hear the front door open, before the sound of the footfall. It was that real sounding. And there was no way anyone who came down those stairs, could have left the building without making a highly audible footfall up the stairs. There were other times that I'd swear to seeing a shadow in the lamplight of the connecting hall, and then nothing would appear in mortal form. There were other times, and these were frequent as well, that I would feel there was someone standing in front of the counter, but when I'd raise my head, there wouldn't even be a visible dust particle. With what Suzanne claims however, I'm pretty sure the old chap must have been doing the same to me, as he did when she was working a shift. I felt the stare but never saw the outline of anyone standing in front. I frequently smelled pipe tobacco in the store, where none was present, so I wonder if the little man was a smoker as well as a dutiful wandering spirit, checking out his former abode.

Despite having many interesting encounters, there was no dread attached. It always seemed more of an adventure anyway, and it's the way we've come to accept all things paranormal…..with great curiosity for tangible discovery. We just haven't run into the kind of unsettling apparitions that might send us fleeing while screaming. I'm told they exist but we've never felt in any danger, or that the sightings were connected to anything malevolent. Other than feeling a little surprised, and full of questions after these experiences, we just right-it-off as an inherent reality of being historically minded, and antique dealers by trade. I haven't done a scientific survey of antique dealers and collectors, to find out if they've had occasional paranormal encounters themselves, or if they are familiar with hitch-hiking entities attached to assorted antiques. But I'm willing to bet twenty-five percent have had some incidents, that seemed more than just a little odd……maybe cleaning out an estate in an old homestead……gathering up items purchased from an old hall, church or lodge, feeling that someone, something was watching your every move? Hearing someone speak your name, when no other person is close by? Looking for something you distinctly remember leaving in one location, and finding on return, it had been moved to another area of the house? I've read and heard many similar stories to ours. Nothing particularly special about our little old man, who never bought a single thing from our store……because he was just browsing.

As a little sidebar story about our sons' music shop in Gravenhurst. One day, when Robert was working alone, a young lad came into the store, dressed in a retro style, that looked like fashion of the 1960's, and asked him what movie was playing tonight. Robert just stared at him, asked him to repeat the question, and the boy complied. 'What's playing tonight?" Assuming he must have been asking about the former Muskoka Theatre, that occupied the building previously, in the town's history, Robert answered politely, "The theatre isn't open any more…..it's a music shop now." The young fella looked puzzled, but thanked Robert, turned and ran out the door. He wondered at that precise moment if he'd been the latest Currie to see a ghost. When he went to look out the door, to see if he could spot the kid running up the street, there was nothing. Thee wasn't another pedestrian on the block, and he couldn't see if he'd jumped into a parked vehicle. The kid was either very quick to get around the corner, or he was most definitely a time traveller from another period in history. To this day, Robert simply can't be sure if the boy was a figment of the imagination, a ghost, or the real article. He hasn't seen him since.

Like I said before, we have never been run-of-the-mill antique collector / dealers. We're far richer in stories and anecdotes than in money earned. But what a fascinating adventure it has been for all these years.

Thanks for joining this blog. Back soon. If you see any ghosts in the meantime? Let us know about it! Or at least say hello for us!

Paul Rimstead, My Antique Buddy

ANTIQUE SHOP FOR SOME - JUST NOT ME

I WAS RUNNING THE CANADIAN VERSION OF PAUL RIMSTEAD'S MEXICAN LIAR'S CLUB

IN 1972 TORONTO SUN COLUMNIST PAUL RIMSTEAD TRAVELLED WITH HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER TO MEXICO. HE HAD BIG PLANS TO WRITE A BOOK, POSSIBLY, BUT MOST DEFINITELY A TRAVEL-TYPE, ADVENTURE STORY FOR THE READERS HE'D ALREADY WON-OVER AT THE NEWLY OPENED TORONTO SUN, FOLLOWING THE SUDDEN DEMISE OF THE TELEGRAM, WHERE HE'D WORKED PREVIOUSLY.

RIMSTEAD GREW UP IN BRACEBRIDGE ALONGSIDE FORMER NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE GOALTENDER, ROGER CROZIER…….AND I KNOW FOR FACT THEY USED TO SPEND SOME QUALITY TIME DOWN AT JOE'S BILLIARDS ON THE QUEEN STREET HILL, JUST UP FROM THE PATTERSON HOTEL. FROM WHEN THE PAPER WAS OPENED, IN 1971, RIMSTEAD BECAME A HUGE CELEBRITY…..WHICH IN THE NEWSPAPER BUSINESS DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THAT OFTEN. FOLKS IN TORONTO AND EVEN UP IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS, COULD RELATE TO RIMMER, AS HE WAS KNOWN FROM HIS REGULAR COLUMN. HE WAS JUST AN AVERAGE GUY, LIVING PAY CHEQUE TO PAY CHEQUE, SHARING ALL THE FOIBLES OF LIFE, PARENTING, BEING MARRIED, BEING IN DEBT, AND ALL THE ADVENTURES YOU COULD SIGN ON FOR, BEING A GAD-ABOUT, SEE EVERYTHING, DO EVERYTHING COLUMNIST……WHO ALSO PLAYED THE DRUMS IN A SMALL BAND, AND BY HIS OWN ADMISSION, DRANK A LITTLE TOO MUCH. AFTER COMING BACK FROM MEXICO, HE WAS GOADED INTO RUNNING FOR THE MAYOR OF TORONTO, AND HIS ENORMOUS POPULARITY FORCED HIM TO WITHDRAW. HE HAD DONE IT LARGELY AS A PUBLICITY STUNT, THAT COULD HAVE AFFORDED HIM THE KEY TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. WELL FOLKS, HE WOULDN'T HAVE MADE A VERY GOOD MAYOR. THIS WAS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE POPULAR VOTE. AND WHAT KIND OF TROUBLE YOU CAN GET INTO ON A DARE.

AS REPORTERS, WE LOVED THE GUY. WE SHARED A LOT IN COMMON. WE WERE BROKE, DRANK TOO MUCH, GOT INTO FREQUENT DISPUTES WITH OUR PUBLISHER, AND DESIRED THE BIG BREAK-AWAY RIMSTEAD USED TO WRITE ABOUT……SUCH AS HIS STORIES ABOUT THE "LIARS CLUB" IN MEXICO, WHICH STOOD FOR THE "LITERARY, INTELLECTUAL, ARTISTIC, READING SOCIETY," WHICH MET DAILY AT A LITTLE BAR-AWAY-FROM-HOME, KNOWN AS "LA CUCARACHA," WHICH MEANT, IN RIMSTEAD'S TRANSLATION, "COCKROACH." IN A SMALL WAY, AND EXCUSE MY PRESUMPTION OF THE MAN, BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS A GENUINE ESCAPE FOR HIM, WITH ENORMOUS FREEDOM TO WRITE WITHOUT A PUBLISHER'S ENCUMBRANCES. BUT THERE WERE OTHER FAMILY ENCUMBRANCES HE SHOULD HAVE PAID ATTENTION TO, AND THIS WAS BY HIS OWN ADMISSION, POOR JUDGEMENT. IT COST HIM HIS WIFE WHO RETURNED TO CANADA WITH THEIR DAUGHTER. SO WHAT DOES A WRITER DO THEN? WRITE ABOUT IT OF COURSE. WE WERE ALL HANGING OFF HIS WORDS, AND DEEPLY SADDENED TO READ ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THEIR MARRIAGE. HE DIDN'T INTEND IT TO BE A BOOST TO HIS READERSHIP. HE WAS HURTING, AND THOSE CLOSE TO HIM KNOW HOW HARD HE TOOK IT ALL. BUT IT WAS THE KIND OF PERSONAL STUFF THAT OTHER COLUMNISTS DIDN'T WRITE ABOUT, AND THAT IS WHAT ENDEARED HIM TO OUR HEARTS. HIS LIFE WASN'T SO MUCH DIFFERENT THAN OUR OWN, AND HE WAS WILLING TO SHARE THE FAILURES ALONGSIDE THE MILESTONE SUCCESSES. HE WAS HUMAN. HE NEVER PUT HIMSELF ON A PEDESTAL THAT'S FOR SURE. THERE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANY PLACE TO SET DOWN HIS BEVERAGE, OR HIS RACING FORM ANYWAY, SITTING UP THERE ON A PEDESTAL.

"CLUB MEMBERS WERE PEOPLE LIKE THE JUDGE, TONY THE PAINTER, DEATHMARCH HAL, THE MIDNIGHT COWBOY, TORPEDO SAM, NURSEY, RACETRACK SANDY - CHARACTERS WHO WERE KNOWN BY THE UPPITY AMERICANS AND CANADIANS ON THE HILL AS 'THOSE HORRID PEOPLE AT THE CUCARACHA.' BUT, THEY WERE THE BEST CONVERSATIONALISTS AND MOST INTRIGUING CIRCLE OF FRIENDS I EVER HAD. THE BAR WAS A TINY PLACE WITH JUST A FEW WOODEN TABLES AND CHAIRS IN THE FRONT ROOM, AND A STANDUP BAR IN THE BACK WHERE THE MEXICANS DRANK. DRINKS WERE CHEAP AND CHUCHO, THE PROPRIETOR, WAS THE GUARDIAN ANGEL OF THE GRINGOS, RUNNING BAR TABS UNTIL THE MONEY CAME FROM HOME.

"SAN MIGUEL WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ARTISTS' COLONY BUT, RATHER, IT WAS A HOME FOR LOST SOULS, WIDOWS, DIVORCEES, AND PEOPLE WHO WERE TRYING TO SURVIVE ON SMALL PENSIONS. THEY PRETENDED THEY WERE WRITING, PRETENDED THEY WERE PAINTING. THEY WERE DRINKING AND LAUGHING. DRINKING AND TALKING.THE BAR WAS FAMOUS ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT IN FEATURE STORIES IN MAJOR MAGAZINES, INCLUDING A LONG PIECE IN ESQUIRE. NORMAN MAILER DRANK THERE, SO DID THE GUY WHO WROTE 'THE HUSTLER.' NOBODY GOT TO KNOW IT BETTER THAN ME. I WAS A REGULAR, ARRIVING AT NOON EACH DAY, DRINKING UNTIL TWO OR THREE IN THE AFTERNOON, OR UNTIL THE MISSUS CAME IN, LEADING MISS WIGGLEBUM (DOG) ON A LEASH, AND FIRING ME ONE OF HER PATENTED LOOKS."

THIS ISN'T ABOUT PAUL RIMSTEAD. HE DIDN'T RUN MY ANTIQUE SHOP. I MADE THAT MISTAKE MYSELF. THERE WAS NO BOOZE INVOLVED, BUT IN JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER WAY, MY ANTIQUE BUSINESS WAS PRETTY MUCH THE CANADIAN PARALLEL OF "LA CUCARACHA," AND I HAD MY OWN LIAR'S CLUB THAT HELPED ME GET THROUGH THE DAYS. NOW I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO INSULT ANY ONE ELSE WHO HAS AN ANTIQUE SHOP. I WILL BE DELIGHTED TO VISIT AND SHOP THERE, AND I'LL PROBABLY FIND SOMETHING I LIKE. IT'S JUST THAT PERSONALLY, I HAVE THE KIND OF DISPOSITION YOU SEE, THAT SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED ME FROM GETTING INTO LEASES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND THE KIND OF EXIT-LESS BOX I'D CREATED FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY…….ON A LARK. AS RIMSTEAD HAD HIS LIFE AND FAMILY AFFECTED, IN MANY WAYS, BY HIS PATRONAGE OF LA CUCARACHA, MY UNDOING CAME WHILE RUNNING A SMALL ANTIQUE BUSINESS, I CALLED BIRCH HOLLOW, THAT WHILE BUILT ON A PASSION FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES, WAS FAULTILY HINGED ON A MAN WHO IS A WELL KNOWN CLAUSTROPHOBIC, AND ONE WHO IS VERY EASILY BORED. ASK MY WIFE. THIS IS NO LIE. AND AFTER A DECADE IN THE LOCAL NEWS BUSINESS, LEADING A LARGELY SLEEPLESS DECADE, WITH WAY TOO MUCH TO DRINK, AND WITH WAY TO MANY ADVENTURES WITH MY CRONIES, BEING THE PROPRIETOR OF AN ANTIQUE SHOP WAS A BIG AND UNHEALTHY STRETCH FROM THE CREDITS OF MY IMMEDIATE PAST.

IN THE SIX ODD YEARS…..AND THEY WERE INDEED ODD, I WROTE FOUR MANUSCRIPTS, TWO OF WHICH WERE LATER PUBLISHED. I HAD LOTS OF TIME BETWEEN CUSTOMERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE LONG HAUL FROM THANKSGIVING UNTIL EASTER. ADD TO THIS THE FACT WE MOVED TEN MILES SOUTH TO LIVE, AND I HAD TO BABYSIT TWO YOUNGSTERS, FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME, WHILE RUNNING THE SHOP. AS I WAS A MR. MOM ANYWAY, THIS BEING THE MOST DIFFICULT JOB I'D EVER KNOWN, AND AN ANTIQUE DEALER, IT SEEMED, IN A ETHEREAL MOMENT, NAVIGABLE TO DO BOTH…..MAKE MONEY AND LOOK AFTER THE WEE LADS. IT WAS INSANITY. I NEEDED PEOPLE TO TALK TO, IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH THE DAY. HENCE THE BIRCH HOLLOW "LIAR'S CLUB." I ALWAYS KEPT RIMMER'S 1980 AUTOGRAPHED BOOK, "COCKTAILS AND JOCKSTRAPS," IN A COUNTER DRAWER, THAT I COULD CALL ON FOR A QUICK DOSE OF INSPIRATION, AND BY GOLLY, HE GOT ME THROUGH SOME AWFULLY TOUGH TIMES BACK THEN…….AND HE NEVER KNEW HOW DEPENDENT I HAD BECOME. I HAVE THE SAME BOOK IN FRONT OF ME TODAY, AND IT IS THE ALEXIR FOR WHAT AILS ME. FUNNY THING THOUGH, PEOPLE ARE VERY SURPRISED THAT IN MY PERSONAL LIST OF AUTHORS I REFER TO MOST OFTEN, AS A WRITER, PAUL RIMSTEAD IS THIRD ONLY TO CHARLES DICKENS AND WASHINGTON IRVING. AS FOR SPIRITUALITY UPGRADES, GEEZ, HE'S NUMBER ONE.

SO A NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATE SUGGESTED, ONE DAY OVER A FEW COCKTAILS, THAT WE FORM A PARTNERSHIP TO RENT SOME RETAIL SPACE, ON BRACEBRIDGE'S MANITOBA STREET, TO RUN OUR FAMILY BUSINESSES WITH HIGHER PROFILE. WE BOTH HAD IN-HOME BUSINESSES AT THIS POINT, AND THE IDEA OF GETTING INTO THE MAIN BUSINESS CORRIDOR SEEMED A GRAND ADVENTURE. IT WAS FOR ABOUT A WEEK. AFTER ABOUT SIX MONTHS, NOT SO MUCH. THE PARTNERSHIP ENDED AFTER ABOUT A YEAR, WHEN I LEFT THE NEWSPAPER, TO JOIN A COMPETITOR, AND THIS SITUATION PROVED INTOLERABLE FOR OUR ASSOCIATE. SO WE GOT DUMPED WITH A STORE WE ONLY MARGINALLY WANTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THERE WAS A HONKING BIG VOID TO FILL, LET ME TELL YOU. IT WAS A SMALL SHOP BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE A HUGE COLLECTION OF INVENTORY, AND NOT A LOT OF MONEY TO INVEST……WITH A MORTGAGE AND A YOUNG FAMILY. DID I MENTION THE DAMN CAR, THAT SEEMED TO BREAK DOWN AT MY WEAKEST, MOST EXHAUSTED MOMENTS. IT WASN'T JUST BAD TIMING, AND A POORLY THOUGHT-OUT BUSINESS PLAN. IT WAS THE FACT I AM NOT A PERSON WHO LIKES TO BE CONFINED BY THIS KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY. I LIKE TO BE OUT HUSTLING ANTIQUES, TO SELL AT OTHER VENUES. I HAD MISTAKENLY JUDGED MYSELF SOMEONE WHO COULD BE A SHOP-KEEPER. I LOVED THE BUSINESS, JUST NOT THE COFFIN-LIKE QUALITIES IT SEEMED TO POSSESS…….UNTIL THAT IS, I WELCOMED MEMBERS OF THE LIARS CLUB TO JOIN ME FOR MY DAILY WALLOW IN SELF-PITY.

SUZANNE THOUGHT IT WAS BAD BUSINESS TO ENCOURAGE SPEND-NOTHING MATES TO HANG-AROUND THE SHOP…..AS THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN IMPEDIMENT TO BUSINESS. BELIEVE ME, THESE FINE FOLKS WERE ANYTHING BUT AN IMPEDIMENT. IT WAS QUITE THE OPPOSITE. AS I PUT IN SOME VERY DIFFICULT HOURS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE WEE LADS, THEIR KINDNESSES WERE JOYFULLY RECEIVED. ONE OF MY LADY FRIENDS USED TO SIT DOWN AND COLOR WITH ROBERT, TO GIVE ME A LITTLE BREAK FROM PARENTING. WHEN THE BOYS GOT INTO FULL-TIME SCHOOL, AT BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC, THE DAYS SLID OVER-TOP, LIKE THE ETCHING OF A GLACIER UPON MY SOUL. I WOULD'T HAVE LASTED IN THAT HOLE-IN-THE-WALL FOR AS LONG AS I DID, WITHOUT THE COMPANY OF THE DOZEN OR SO CUSTOMERS……WHO ALTHOUGH NEVER SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TO SUPPORT THE SHOP, ALWAYS GAVE IT THE APPEARANCE IT WAS A "HAPPENING" PLACE. I WAS RUNNING AN OLD TIME, SMALL TOWN BUSINESS, LIKE YOU'D EXPECT IN MAYBERRY OR HOOTERVILLE, AND SOME OF THOSE SAME CHARACTER-TYPES, PULLED UP STOOLS AND SAT BY MY COUNTER AND DEBATED WORLD ISSUES FOR MOST OF THE AFTERNOON. I HAD CUSTOMERS BRING ME COFFEE, AND SOUP, AND BUTTER TARTS, MUFFINS OF ALL KINDS, AND EVEN CANDY BARS, AS THEY KNEW I WAS TETHERED TO MY CASH REGISTER. PEOPLE I THOUGHT THE WORLD OF, FOR KEEPING ME FROM NODDING OFF INTO MY CASH DRAWER. IT WASN'T A MALE ONLY CLUB EITHER. I ENJOYED THE CONVERSATION WITH QUITE A FEW GALS OVER THE YEARS, AND OUR TOPIC RANGE WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE. POINT IS, WE ENJOYED THE ANTIQUE SURROUNDINGS, CHATTING ABOUT HISTORY, COLLECTIONS THEY HAD AND ENJOYED, AND WHERE THEY WERE PLANNING TO ANTIQUE HUNT THAT PARTICULAR WEEK. WE TALKED ABOUT AUCTIONS, AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE WEEKEND SALES. WE LAUGHED AT THE AUCTION ANECDOTES, AND ABOUT SOME OF THE KNOW-IT-ALLS, WHO OFTEN GOT STUCK WITH JUNK……THINKING THEY HAD WON THE HOLY GRAIL.

JACK KIERNAN, FROM UPTOWN BAYSVILLE, WAS THE MOST FAITHFUL OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF OUR VERY OWN LIAR'S CLUB. WE HAD ONLY JUST OPENED THE BUSINESS, WHEN WEE JACK AMBLED THROUGH THAT DOORWAY. A RETIREE FROM KODAK, IN TORONTO, I BELIEVE, JACK HAD COME TO LIVE IN BAYSVILLE, IN THE TOWNSHIP OF LAKE OF BAYS, A PLACE HE ABSOLUTELY ADORED. JACK WAS BIG INTO MILITARIA AND BOTH CORGI AND DINKEY TOYS, AND HE SPENT HOURS TUTORING ME FROM HIS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE IN THOSE AREAS. HE WAS A SMALL GUY IN STATURE, BUT HE WAS A GIANT OF A FRIEND. IF I HAD TO RUN OVER TO THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP THE BOYS, JACK WOULD SHOP-SIT FOR ME. IF I HAD SOMETHING TO MOVE, HE WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP OUT. I GOT TO KNOW JACK AND HIS WIFE VERY WELL OVER THE TIME AT THE SHOP, AND WE SOLD MANY ITEMS ON CONSIGNMENT HE KINDLY OFFERED US FROM HIS PRIZED COLLECTION. NOT SO LONG AFTER WE CLOSED THE SHOP, WHEN I BECAME PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR OF THE CROZIER FOUNDATION OF MUSKOKA, AND CURATOR OF THE BRACEBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME, I WAS ABSOLUTELY STUNNED TO FIND OUT MY LITTLE BUDDY HAD PASSED AWAY. I NEVER REALLY THANKED HIM FOR GETTING ME THROUGH THE STORE YEARS. I WAS ABLE TO GET HIM INTO A LIMITED SEATING CELEBRITY HOCKEY DINNER, COURTESY OF THE CROZIER FOUNDATION, AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE JACK, WITH HOCKEY CARDS IN HAND, STANDING WITH HOCKEY LEGENDS LIKE BILL WHITE, OF CHICAGO AND THE ORIGINAL TEAM CANADA OF THE EARLY 70'S. HE GOT AUTOGRAPHS FROM ALL THE CELEBRITIES IN ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING MY BOSS AT THE TIME, ROGER CROZIER AND L.A. KINGS GOALTENDER, WAYNE RUTLEDGE…..WHO HAD BEEN THE NUMBER ONE GOALIE FOR THE EXPANSION TEAM. JACK AND I, AND OUR BOYS, HAD BEGUN COLLECTING HOCKEY CARDS AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, IN THE EARLY 1990'S, AND WE HAD GREAT CARD-TRADING SESSIONS ON MY SALES DESK TO COUNTER THE WINTER BLUES.

JACK ALWAYS CAME AROUND THE CORNER AT PRECISELY THE TIME I NEEDED TO TALK TO SOMEONE…..OTHER THAN MYSELF. GEEZ, WE USED THAT BASEMENT ANTIQUE SHOP AS A FORUM FOR GREAT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEBATES, AND BEFORE THE END OF OUR CONVERSATION, WE MAY HAVE BEEN JOINED BY ANOTHER TWO OR THREE OF MY SHOP REGULARS. I REMEMBER ONE CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER MILITARY COLLECTOR, FROM ORILLIA, WITH JACK AS THE COUNTERPOINT MAN, WHEN THE DISCUSSION CAME UP ABOUT DENMARK AND THEIR ROLE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. I HAD THIS SUSPICION, ANOTHER FRIEND OF MINE, WHO SUFFERED THROUGH THE WAR IN DENMARK, AS A YOUNGSTER, WORKING AS A BAKER'S ASSISTANT, COULD WALK THROUGH THAT DOOR ANY MOMENT, AS HE USUALLY DID ABOUT MID-DAY. SO I TRIED TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT BECAUSE I KNEW HOW SENSITIVE HE WAS ABOUT LIFE WITH THE NAZIS. WELL SIR, HE HAD BEEN STANDING IN ANOTHER ROOM IN THE SHOP, AND HAD HEARD MOST OF WHAT WAS BEING SAID ABOUT THE MOTHERLAND. TRUE, HE WAS RED IN THE FACE LIKE A PICKLED BEET, AND HIS HAIR SEEMED TO BE BLOWING IN THE BREEZE OF NEGATIVE ENERGY, BUT YOU KNOW, HE SADDLED UP TO THAT COUNTER, WITHOUT ANY ANGER IN HIS VOICE, AND GAVE ALL OF US A HISTORY OF WHAT IT WAS ALL LIKE TO HAVE A GERMAN GUN POINTED IN YOUR FACE……..AND BE TOLD, IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS…..EVEN WITH THE LANGUAGE BARRIER, TO "EXTINGUISH THE LAMP ON THE BIKE, OR DIE." HE EXPLAINED HOW HE ONLY HAD TO HEAR THIS ONCE, TO KNOW THE RUMORS WERE TRUE. NAZIS DID KILL PEOPLE FOR LITTLE OR NO REASON. WHAT WAS AMAZING TO ME, WAS THE WAY IN WHICH HE TOOK BOTH THESE MILITARY COLLECTORS, AND GAVE THEM A BLOW BY BLOW ACCOUNT OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE LIVING IN THIS OPPRESSED CONDITION, WONDERING IF YOU WOULD STARVE TO DEATH, OR BE SHOT THAT DAY…..FOR ALL THE DAYS OF THE OCCUPATION. THESE GUYS WERE SPELLBOUND. AS AN HISTORIAN MYSELF, THIS WAS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF INFORMATION SHARING WE HAD, ACROSS THAT COUNTER, NOT FOUND IN THIS DETAIL IN ANY BOOK I OWNED….AND THAT REPRESENTED A LOT OF BOOKS. IT WAS RAW, UNCENSORED, IMPORTANT HISTORICAL DETAIL, THAT WAS BEING OPENLY SHARED, THAT WAS IMMENSELY PERSONAL AND AS INTIMATE AS THE DECISION TO EXTINGUISH THE BIKE LAMP, BECAUSE LIFE SEEMED SO MUCH MORE RELEVANT.

AS I CONTINUE THIS COLLECTION OF BLOGS, ABOUT ANTIQUE HUNTING, COLLECTING AND EVENTUALLY SELLING, I WILL MAKE MANY REFERENCES TO THE BIRCH HOLLOW "LIARS CLUB," WHICH, AS IT DID FOR RIMSTEAD, IN MEXICO, CAME TO MEAN THE "LITERARY, INTELLECTUAL, ARTISTIC, READING SOCIETY." TO ALL THOSE WHO MADE MY DAYS FULFILLING REGARDLESS WHETHER THE TILL RANG AT ALL, I EXTEND SINCERE THANKS, AND REGRET THIS TRIBUTE TO THEM, HADN'T COME SOONER OR MORE SINCERELY…..ESPECIALLY FOR MY BUDDY, JACK KIERNAN WHO WAS PRETTY MUCH FAMILY FOR THOSE YEARS OF STORE LIFE.

FUNNY THING ABOUT THIS. FIVE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, I WORKED WITH OUR BOYS, ANDREW AND ROBERT, TO OPEN THEIR OWN RETAIL SHOP IN UPTOWN GRAVENHURST, VERY MUCH IN THE MODEL OF BIRCH HOLLOW ANTIQUES, FROM THE LATE 1980'S, TO THE MID 1990'S. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT INTO ANTIQUES THE WAY SUZANNE AND I ARE, TO THIS DAY, THEY HAVE MADE ENORMOUS INROADS WITH VINTAGE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, PARTICULARLY GUITARS, MANDOLINS, ELECTRICS AND DRUMS. THEY ARE CURRENTLY APPROACHING THEIR SIXTH ANNIVERSARY. BUT TELL YOU WHAT. WE SCULPTED AN EVEN MORE DYNAMIC SHOP, FOR THEM, THAT STILL ENCOURAGES THE "LIAR'S CLUB" AMBIENCE, WHERE KINDLY FOLKS, MUSICIANS, COUNTRY PHILOSOPHERS, ADVENTURERS, PACIFISTS, POLITICAL ANIMALS, AND ARTISTS CAN HANG-OUT, AND ENJOY CASUAL CONVERSATION ABOUT ALL THINGS RELEVANT AT THE MOMENT. SOME DAY'S IT'S LIKE SAM DRUCKER'S STORE, FROM TELEVISION'S "GREEN ACRES," AND AT OTHER TIMES, IT HAS THE SAME CAST OF CHARACTERS AS FLOYD'S BARBER SHOP ON ANDY OF MAYBERRY, OR BETTER STILL, SOME JUG-BAND "HILLS" MUSIC LIKE THE DARLING'S USED TO PLAY, FOR SHERIFF TAYLOR, WHILE INCARCERATED AT THE JAILHOUSE. BUT THE BOYS LOVE IT. THEY WON'T GET RICH FROM THE RIGORS OF CASUAL CONVERSATION, BUT THEY'LL BE ENRICHED NONE THE LESS. SO HERE THEY'VE CARRIED ON WHAT I DECIDED NOT TO…….WITH MUSIC ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, NOSTALGIA, OLD VINYL……AND OH YES……LOTS OF FRIENDS TO HELP THEM PASS THE TIME.

THANKS FOR JOINING THIS BLOG.

SEE YOU AGAIN SOON.

Gravenhurst, Winter Carnival and Muskoka

MUSKOKA IDENTITY? THE LONGER WE LIVE HERE, THE LESS REMARKABLE IT SEEMS TO BE!

WITH RE-BRANDING CAMPAIGNS - I'M TOTALLY CONFUSED

JUST A COUPLE OF PIECES OF INTERESTING NOSTALGIA WE PICKED UP YESTERDAY OUT ON THE ANTIQUE HUNT. NO, THEY DON'T HAVE CANADIAN SYMBOLS TO ADD TO OUR COLLECTION, BUT THEY WILL FIND BUYERS THAT'S FOR SURE. FIRST ILLUSTRATED ARE INTERESTING "TERRIER" BOOKENDS, NICELY DONE, FROM THE LATE 1950'S, A MEDICAL MEASURING CUP FROM THE FORMER BUSH IDA IN GRAVENHURST, FROM A SIMILAR TIME FRAME, STILL IN ITS ORIGINAL BOX. THE THIRD IMAGE IS OF A FULL PACKAGE, OF 100 POKER CHIPS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, IN THE ORIGINAL BOX, MANUFACTURED BY THE URSINI PLASTICS CO., OF UXBRIDGE, ONTARIO, CANADA, UNDATED, BUT LIKELY FROM THE 1960'S. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ORIGINAL BOXES, SO IN ONE OUTING, WE GOT TWO IN RELATIVELY GOOD CONDITION, WHICH ALWAYS ADDS SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE VALUATION OF THE ITEMS. TOTAL COST FOR THREE SALABLE ITEMS. FIVE DOLLARS. EXPECTED RETAIL PRICE, IF THEY WERE ALL SOLD, APPROX $25.00.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL WINTER DAY IN MUSKOKA AND THE ROAD WAS BECKONING. WE TOOK A SHORT MOTOR TRIP, SAW MORE WILD TURKEYS ON MUSKOKA BEACH ROAD, AND A LOT OF SNOWMOBILERS. GOOD TO SEE THEM OUT AND ABOUT. THIS IS A GOOD CHUNK OF OUR ECONOMY, AND IT'S BEEN KIND OF A DIFFICULT WINTER FOR THESE FUN-SEEKERS. I HAVE MISSED THEM OUT ON MUSKOKA BAY. TYPICALLY WE CAN HEAR THE MACHINES AS IF THEY WERE COMING RIGHT BY OUR HOUSE. THE NOISE OF SOME OF THE HIGH POWERED MACHINES CAN CERTAINLY RIP THROUGH THE SERENITY, THAT'S FOR SURE. MOST OF THE DIN IS QUITE ACCEPTABLE AND WELCOME. I CAN STAND IN THE DRIVEWAY, ON ALMOST ANY NIGHT, FROM DECEMBER TO THE END OF MARCH, EVEN WELL INTO THE WEE HOURS, AND HEAR THEM PASSING BY ON THE FROZEN BAY. SORRY THEN TO REPORT (FREEZING) RAIN FOR TOMORROW. I'M AFRAID IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A GREAT WINTER FOR WINTER SPORTS, UNLESS CURLING AND HOCKEY ON ARTIFICIAL ICE. BUT IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR, WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THE SNOWMOBILE INDUSTRY IS TO OUR ECONOMIC WELL-BEING. SO THEIR CHAGRIN WITH THE WEATHER, IS OURS AS WELL. WE HOPE FOR AN ACCEPTABLE SNOW COVER WELL INTO MARCH.

DIDN'T DO ANY ANTIQUE SHOPPING TODAY, ON OUR BRIEF ROAD TRIP. HAD TO GET SOME MORE ORANGE WOOL FOR SUZANNE, AS SHE IS RUNNING LOW, MAKING WINTER CARNIVAL-THEMED SCARVES, FOR THE BAND, "PRESSURE POINT" AND FRIENDS, PREPARING FOR A VIDEO TO ACCOMPANY THEIR NEW SONG, WRITTEN IN SUPPORT OF THE EFFORTS OF THE GRAVENHURST WINTER CARNIVAL COMMITTEE…..TO BRING BACK THIS TIME-HONORED FEBRUARY FESTIVAL……WITH SKOKIE, THAT WHACKY WINTER OTTER. SUZANNE HAS KNIT FOUR SCARVES AND MITTS, A HAT, AND THEY WERE FOR THE FOUR MEMBERS OF THE BAND. NOW THEY'RE ADDING SOME ADDITIONAL VOCALS, AND THAT MEANS EXTRA SCARVES HAVE TO BE MADE. IT'S NOT SO EASY FINDING THAT SHADE OF ORANGE. TODAY THE GROUP IS RE-WORKING SOME MATERIAL ON THE CD, AND GETTING SOME FILM FOOTAGE TO GO WITH THE WINTER CARNIVAL SONG. IT WILL BE POSTED ONLINE BY EARLY NEXT WEEK…..FEBRUARY 1ST BEING THE EARLIEST DAY….OR SO WE BELIEVE AT THIS POINT. HOPE EVERY ONE WILL LIKE IT. I GOT THE IDEA, FROM AN ORIGINAL WINTER CARNIVAL SONG, PRESSED ON 45 RPM DISC, DONE IN THE 1970'S BY BRAD AND BONNIE VEITCH, OF BRACEBRIDGE. IN FACT, AND THEY MIGHT NOT EVEN REMEMBER IT, BUT THEY PERFORMED THE SONG ONE WINTER EVENING IN OUR APARTMENT, AT 129 ALICE STREET, WHILE VISITING WITH OTHER FRIENDS IN THE BUILDING. STRANGE BUT TRUE, IS THE REALITY I MARRIED BRAD'S COUSIN SUZANNE, AND THE BOYS, WHILE DISTANT, ARE INDEED RELATED TO THIS FORMER WINTER CARNIVAL DUO. THEY WERE INSPIRED BY BONNIE AND BRAD'S SONG, AND DECIDED, IN THE SPIRIT OF WINTER CELEBRATION, TO TAKE A CRACK AT IT AS WELL…….AND EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT THE BEST PERSON TO JUDGE WHETHER A SONG IS GOOD OR AVERAGE, I LIKE WHAT THEY'VE DONE SO FAR. HOPE IT HELPS BRING SOME ATTENTION TO WHAT THE CARNIVAL COMMITTEE IS TRYING TO DO FOR GRAVENHURST. I WROTE QUITE A FEW BLOGS EARLY IN JANUARY 2012 ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE OLD MUSKOKA WINTER CARNIVAL OF THE 1970'S, INCLUDING SOME REPRINTS OF THE FIRST EDITION BROCHURE. YOU CAN CHECK THOSE OUT IF YOU MISSED THEM PREVIOUSLY.

In yesterday's blog, I wrote about acquiring the book, "Gillmor of Algoma, Archdeacon and Tramp," by E. Newton White, and published by the Anglican Church of Canada, in 1967, as a first edition. The biography of Gowan Gillmor, and the stories of his amazing travels by foot through the Ontario northland, in the late 1800's, is a truly compelling story of faith and perseverance. It's the kind of book I buy as a book collector / dealer, because it holds its value. The book wasn't printed in the millions, and it is a story that is important to a lot of regions in this province, that were somehow connected to the intrepid Archdeacon / Tramp. As an historian, I have always sought out old and out of print books, some in very limited supply, that deal with the history of our region of Ontario. Over the past thirty-five years I've owned hundreds of regional books, to help me with research on an equal number of media projects, destined for eventual publication in the Muskoka press. There have been times when the historian "me" has agreed with the book seller "also me," to cull the collection to, for example, buy the kids news shoes, the kitchen a new fridge, the driveway a new automobile. I always hate doing it but I make copious notes from the books first, so I won't feel naked when the very next research project comes along……that required that very book for information. It happens a lot. This is the first time I've actually owned this particular book, but I've known about Gowan Gillmor's exploits from many other sources. I was willing to pay the $25 asking price, because it contains information I need for several upcoming research jags. There will be a time down the road that "the historian" won't need it sitting on the shelf any longer, and I'll offer it to the "over-zealous book dealer" (me) looking for things to sell. Strange how my personalities get along in commerce but not in the way our shared time is invested. The bookseller feels shortchanged by the amount of time the historian /writer spends at the keyboard……and not on the open road, hunting elusive antiquities. The dealer sips wine. The writer guzzles beer.

Now today, I wanted to share a couple of passages from this incredible biography, about what is most important to me…….references to Muskoka. I am appalled these days, whenever I read news articles about local communities looking to "re-brand" themselves…….such as what the Town of Bracebridge is currently doing to re-invent / re-design their image for the future. Geez, I thought that began in the 1860's, and gads do I feel stupid, not knowing there was a raging identity crisis in my old home town. I even filled out one of their electronic surveys online, to give the coordinators a hand, trying to help this allegedly image-diminished community, to be able to look in the mirror again, and see a good and decent town. I've always assumed the reflection was okay for all these years, but apparently the mirror image wasn't good enough for future social /economic revamping. Makes me bonkers.

How about just being a part of the Muskoka experience. Some folks from afar, would think it wonderful, to have an address in this world-renowned paradise. Since early in our history, in this region, we have been a sportsman's paradise. We have been a "healing place" of clean air and water, with tranquilizing scenes of natural beauty…..forests, flowers, birds, and bees. Since the 1870's, we've been branding ourselves accordingly, and creating a tourism economy, that is still thriving today, as get this……."THE NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IN MUSKOKA." Ten years from now, tourism will still be "THE NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IN MUSKOKA." If global warming doesn't kill us, in fifty years, "THE NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY?" Well, you know what I'm getting at. And I'm not clairvoyant. I'm a realist, and an historian. But instead of being proud of our region, and working as hard as possible to keep it in the limelight it deserves, politicians like to fiddle with what they believe to be a damnation of status quo. Muskoka is okay with its status quo. It has weathered a lot of economic and political storms, and it is very unlikely you will see huge, smoke belching industries here in the future……should that be of interest to those looking to rebrand their hometowns free of the dullness, Muskoka apparently bestows the present and future…..if left unchanged.

There is so much time and money wasted on these junkets, when all that's needed, is to embrace more emphatically, the qualities of Muskoka our visitors enjoy the most…..and make sure the natural resources, of which we are stewards, is conserved, protected, and nurtured along, which is in all our best interests.

I have nearly pounded this poor keyboard into oblivion, in these little outbursts, frustrated that so many folks in positions of authority, seem so bloody confused and out of place in their own towns, and district, that they have to openly question "what's our town about, anyway?" Historians go nuts with this kind of stuff. Most of the folks kicking this can, have read less than 1 percent of the Muskoka histories that have been written, and if you asked any of them what the Muskoka Assembly was all about, on Tobin's Island, in the 1930's, one might expect to draw looks of awkward ignorance. To then suggest to them, that Muskoka was considered such an important spiritual location on earth, that poets, writers, artists, religious scholars and philosophers came to this lakeland to discuss earthly, universal and heavenly concerns…..and take full advantage of a region of such abundant free-flow of inspiration. The same groups still seek out our region just as they did in the 1920's and 30's, because of this natural source of inspiration. Consider the hundreds of artists, craftspeople and writers who continue to make this region "home" because it motivates their work. Yet we still have numb nuts out there, trying to convince us we need to react immediately to save ourselves from the cold hand of irrelevance.

In Gravenhurst we continue to predict the end of the main street, if the political folks can't sort us out of our apparent failing-business quagmire…..that they helped dig for us, in the de-centralizing frenzy of urban satellite / pod building. Frankly, it might be best if politicians and their hired hands, would just stay out of this manipulation of Muskoka's social /cultural heritage…..which by the way, is still more dynamic and adaptable to the future, than any of the protocols the hands-on experts, can whip up as immediate crowd pleasers. Trying to upgrade what God gave us as a region. Muskoka and its towns don't need to be re-branded….they need to be celebrated, and have residents who are proud to call themselves Muskokans…….like our family and yours. Our visitors like Muskoka. They may not care for the strip malls and urban sprawl we've built for their convenience, but as far as being return customers to our commercial community…….we've had since the 1870's to get it right. So for those who like the idea of re-branding, and making us in the image of something more marketable…….yea right? We've got it good the way it is. We just have to make improvements, and every decade has seen its share of transitions, and adjustments to meet demand.

I wanted to share a few choice passages, written by a man, who walked many, many miles, over thousands of days, residing in the Rosseau area…..just outside the border of Muskoka. He frequently walked to Georgian Bay, Muskoka Lakes Township, Ullswater, Ufford, Windermere, Raymond, Port Carling and even to Bracebridge and Gravenhurst, often in bitter weather and snowstorms with nary a grumble….except possibly running into wolves or a bear along the trail. From his period of the late 1880's, when tourism was becoming a major economic reality, in the region, here is what this lovely man wrote, about the landscape he knew so well…….and walked so thoroughly during his stay in Muskoka.

"It must resemble the Lake District of England…..Cumberland and Westmoreland, especially when centuries ago, they were covered with forests, and wolves hunted the deer. We even have places near Rosseau, called Ullswater, and Windermere, so others have thought the same.

For miles and miles our roads lead through thick bush; the trees in all their variety and beauty of foliage, slowing in on either side and often meeting overhead. At every turn - a new scene to delight the artistic eye, with glades opening out and stretching away in exquisite vistas; the sombre coloring relieved by lighter tints and rich hues of wild flowers and the sheen of blue water from lake and river. We are to be envied, we who are able to realize how old England looked when Chaucer's words were everyday speech; when they wore buskins of fine soft leather with long pointed toes; like our own moccasins. It has occurred to me when traveling on our roads through the dense woods, that they are like the back avenues for local uses through some great demesne in Ireland; but I never come across the gamekeeper or catch a glimpse of running pheasants. But there, however grand it might seem, it would be so closely bounded by high walls covered by ivy, and separating it from the human life of the surrounding country." Not so in Muskoka. We are all so pleasantly immersed in the hinterland, to be afforded such intimate contact with nature.

There are thousands of similar descriptions of Muskoka that parallel the observations made by Gowan Gillmor……but few as profound, as to demonstrate the inherent freedom we should celebrate in this region……having it all so accessible for those who wish to be nurtured at its hand. If you were to research back in my 2011 blogs, on this Gravenhurst site, beginning in January last year, you could read a similar biographical profile I composed, about artist / missionary, Ada Florence Kinton, who also penned, in her published journal from the 1880's, how inspired she was, residing in the bosom of this grand nature of the district, known as Muskoka. As an early painter to the region, and a writer of considerable accomplishment, she found Muskoka a perfect place to create……a remarkably dynamic, healing place in which to reside. I concur with both journalists.

I have sent a suggestion back to the Bracebridge committee, looking at branding-issues, suggesting that they steady their balance, first of all, on a very real, and well established history of appreciation, for the region in which we are contently situated……before adopting a program of revitalization, that puts fashion, flare and facade above what is historic and common sense……given that we live in one of the best known vacationlands in the world.

I'm still seething about the comment made last year, from a citizen at a public meeting, that we should change our name in Gravenhurst……..because "Grave" doesn't inspire the best-served first-impression, to draw a crowd. That's why I don't go to public meetings. I'm always afraid of spontaneous combustion, and turning into a smoldering dust in my shoes, when such ridiculous statements are made……that frankly, I can't respond for fear of self destruction.

I'm a proud hometowner, and certainly a huge Muskoka booster. We need to tweak, and improve our dynamic in the tourism sector. We need to continue upgrading our tourism facilities and increase accommodations, especially for those of lesser income; those who would gladly spend a week or more, if the price was affordable. For a long time in this district, we stopped building affordable accommodations, and it put us in a real deficit situation…..that we are now slowly regaining after years of stalemate.

I hope the people of Bracebridge let the re-branders know they're happy with the heritage of their town, and proud to show it off to all comers…….and Muskoka isn't a bad place for a good town to grow either.

As for my present hometown, well, I wish the doomsayers would leave us, so we could get on with the future. Nothing else to say on the matter.

Except, thanks for joining me. Watch for updates on the Muskoka Winter Carnival song release……that I hope you'll check out.

And for fun, come on out to the Carnival. I'll give you details in upcoming blogs.

Gravenhurst, Winter Carnival and Canadiana

IF YOU'RE FROM GRAVENHURST - WELL, WE'VE GOT A WINTER CARNIVAL SONG FOR YOU

PRESSURE POINT CAME THROUGH

AFTER CHRISTMAS, I GOT SENTIMENTAL ABOUT WINTER. CONSIDERING THERE REALLY HADN'T BEEN ANY WINTER TO THAT POINT, I GUESS IT WAS A SORT OF PROTRACTED WINTER PHENOMENON THAT GOT ME THINKING ABOUT WINTER CARNIVALS IN THE PAST. AS A REPORTER FOR THE LOCAL MEDIA BACK IN THE 1970'S AND 80'S, I SPENT A LOT OF TIME OUT ON THE CARNIVAL HUSTINGS WITH SKOKIE, THE EVENT MASCOT. SO AFTER A LONG HIATUS, OF HAVING MUCH AT ALL TO DO WITH THE WINTER-TIME PARTY, I ASKED SONS ROBERT AND ANDREW, IF THEY COULD CONVINCE THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BAND "PRESSURE POINT," DANI O'CONNOR AND AARON IF THEY COULD COME UP WITH A LITTLE THEME MUSIC, AS AN ACT OF VOLUNTEERISM FOR THE UP COMING GRAVENHURST WINTER CARNIVAL, SCHEDULED LATER IN FEBRUARY. WELL, THEY WERE ABLE TO GET SOMETHING RECORDED THIS WEEK, AND ALTHOUGH I HAVEN'T HEARD IT YET, IF PAST WORK IS AN INDICATOR, IT SHOULD BE A CATCHY LITTLE TUNE TO GET SKOKIE DANCING. I'LL LET YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT IT IN THE DAYS TO COME, AND WHERE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR IT PLAYED ON-LINE.

QUEST FOR CANADIAN SYMBOLS WILL BE A BIG DEAL THIS YEAR

COLLECTORS TRYING TO OUTDO THEMSELVES - THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PAIN WITH THIS GAIN

I LAUNCHED A LITTLE PERSONAL CHALLENGE, IN YESTERDAY'S BLOG, WITH MY WIFE, PRIMARILY, WITH YOU GENERALLY, TO FIND SYMBOLS OF CANADA'S PAST, WHICH FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES WILL BE THE MAPLE LEAF, THE BEAVER AND THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE. WHILE THERE ARE OTHERS OF COURSE, THESE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE SELECTED TO SEEK-OUT, ACQUIRE AND SHOW-OFF…..WITH A BIG EXHIBITION ON THIS BLOG-SITE ON CANADA DAY, THIS COMING JULY, AND THEN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY 2013. WE AGREED TO SHOW-OFF A FEW FINDS MADE ALONG THE WAY, JUST TO DEMONSTRATE HOW WE'RE PROGRESSING.

WE MADE IT CLEAR, AS WELL, THAT TODAY WE WOULD BE STARTING FROM SCRATCH. NOT HAVING ANY FOUNDATION TO BUILD UPON…..SO TO SPEAK. OUR COLLECTIONS WOULD NOT INCLUDE ANY PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED MATERIALS……UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR LONG COMPETITION. AND THEN IT WILL BE DECLARED AS BEING PART OF OUR PERSONAL COLLECTION BEFORE THE COMPETITION BEGAN. VERY FEW DEALERS WITH OUR TENURE IN THE INDUSTRY, WOULD BE VOID OF THESE SYMBOLS SOMEWHERE IN OUR PRIVATE OR FOR-SALE INVENTORIES. I HAVE REPRODUCED AN EXAMPLE FOR YOU, FROM OUR OWN COLLECTION……."WE LOVE OUR CANADA," WITH WORDS AND MUSIC BY EDDIE FOLEY "CANADA'S LEADING SONG WRITER" - FAMED COMPOSER OF "WHEN THE BOYS COME MARCHING HOME." IT WAS PUBLISHED ORIGINALLY IN 1945, AND IS NOTED AS "THE SWEETEST MUSIC EVER HEARD, AND LYRICS THAT WILL MAKE US PROUD OF OUR CANADIAN WAY OF LIFE." IT WAS PUBLISHED BY FOLEY IN TORONTO. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE MUSIC IS SIGNED BY EDDIE FOLEY.

WE THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD PLACE TO START. NOT ONLY IS THE SHEET MUSIC SIGNED, IT IS ADORNED BY A GRAPHIC OF A BEAVER AND THREE MAPLE LEAVES. TOO BAD THERE WASN'T A MOUNTIE TO FULFILL THE COMPLETE TRIO OF CANADIAN SYMBOLS.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SYMBOL-ADORNED PIECES, SOME STASHED AWAY FOR SAFE KEEPING THAT WE WILL DIG-OUT IN THE NEXT WHILE. BUT WE WON'T COUNT ANY OF THIS AS PART OF THE COMPETITION…..PRIMARILY BETWEEN MY WIFE AND I, BUT FEEL FREE TO JOIN IN AND SHARE YOUR STORIES AND IMAGES OF FOUND ITEMS. TODAY WE TOOK A MOTOR TRIP TO BRACEBRIDGE, AND VISITED A TOTAL OF FOUR SHOPS, INCLUDING A RETURN TRIP TO GRAVENHURST, AND OUR FINDS WERE JUST SHORT OF PATHETIC. WE COULD HAVE PICKED UP SOME CHEESY SOUVENIR ITEMS, MADE ANYWHERE BUT CANADA, FROM ASH TRAYS WITH MAPLE LEAVES, TO CENTENNIAL ITEMS THAT, TO US, JUST DIDN'T MEASURE UP TO THE HIGHER STANDARD OF ITEMS WE WANT TO BUILD.

SUZANNE DID BEAT ME TODAY, BY GETTING THREE VERY NICE COLLECTIBLE SPOONS, ALL WITH MAPLE LEAF INSIGNIAS, AND ALL IN GOOD CONDITION WHICH ISN'T THE END-ALL BUT IS STILL IMPORTANT FOR VALUATIONS BY THE END OF THE FRIENDLY BUT AGGRESSIVE COMPETITION. SHE HOPES TO FIND A REALLY NICE MAPLE LEAF SHAPED SPOON DISPLAY RACK…..BUT ONE THAT IS MADE IN CANADA, FROM AN ACTUAL NATIVE TREE……AND NOT PRESSED WOOD. WE FOUND A COUPLE TODAY THAT MIGHT HAVE PASSED, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THEY WERE MADE MANY THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY. SO SUZANNE "ONE-UPPED-ME" ON TODAY'S OUTING BUT I'M LIKE THE TORTOISE IN THIS KIND OF CHALLENGE, SO I'LL FINISH SLOW AND STEADY WITH A BOXCAR FULL OF CANADIAN HEIRLOOMS. OF COURSE SUZANNE ISN'T JUST ANY OLD HARE EITHER…….SHE'S DEVIOUS AND RIGOROUS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR REGULAR PERSONAL CHALLENGES. WE DO THIS ALL THE TIME, AND IT'S USUALLY A FIFTY FIFTY SPLIT……HER KICKING MY ARSE 50 OUT OF 100 TIMES, AND ME, SUBTLY PLEASED WITH MY VICTORY. I DON'T LIKE TO IRRITATE THE DRAGON. SHE CAN MAKE MY LIFE PRETTY ROUGH HERE AT BIRCH HOLLOW, SO DON'T EXPECT ME TO TAKE OUT A FULL PAGE AD, IF I WIN THIS CANADIAN SYMBOL CHALLENGE. I'LL JUST MAKE A BIG SPLASH HERE, BECAUSE I KNOW SHE WON'T READ IT. OF COURSE, I HAVE RUN INTO A WEE PROBLEM IN THE PAST, WHEN HER FRIENDS HAVE READ MY OFF-HAND, SNIDE COMMENTS, AND PASSED THEM ON AT WORK. OH WELL. WE'VE BEEN MARRIED TOO LONG TO LET A LITTLE FRIENDLY COMPETITION GET IN THE WAY OF A GOOD RELATIONSHIP. WHAT B.S. EH?

I DID FIND A WONDERFUL LITTLE BIOGRAPHY TODAY, IN A GRAVENHURST BOOK SHOP, CIRCA 1967, ENTITLED "GILLMOR OF ALGOMA - ARCHDEACON AND TRAMP," BY E. NEWTON-WHITE, PUBLISHED BY THE DIOCESE OF ALGOMA, THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA, AND HAVE BEEN READING IN MY OFFICE ALL AFTERNOON. WHAT A FABULOUS STORY ABOUT THE HARDSHIPS OF THE MISSIONARIES, WHO TRAVELLED THE BACKWOODS OF CANADA, (CIRCA LATE 1800'S, EARLY 1900'S) IN THE MOST INCLEMENT WEATHER IMAGINABLE, TO TEND THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF THE PIONEERS, ISOLATED DEEP IN THE BUSH. I'M ONLY A QUARTER WAY THROUGH THE BOOK, AND I WILL SHARE INFORMATION ON THE BIOGRAPHY IN THE NEXT BLOG SUBMISSION. I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING, I'M EXHAUSTED JUST READING OF THIS AMAZING MAN'S ABILITY TO WALK 200 MILES, THROUGH ALMOST IMPASSABLE FORESTS AND BOGS, TO ADMINISTER TO THE SICK AND DIEING, AND TO ASSIST THOSE FAMILIES HAVING TO BURY LOVED ONES IN THAT SAME ISOLATION. HE WAS AN IRISHMAN OF GREAT COMMITMENT TO HIS FAITH, AND ITS ADMINISTRATION TO THOSE WHO GREATLY BENEFITTED HIS BENEVOLENCE……WHICH SEEMED UNENDING, AND UNYIELDING. YOU CAN FIND A COPY OF THIS BOOK BY SEARCHING ONLINE OUT-OF-PRINT BOOK COLLECTIVES, LIKE THE ADVANCE BOOK EXCHANGE (ABE), WHERE YOU CAN ORDER ADDITIONAL COPIES.

WE ALSO HAULED HOME A 1940'S WICKER CHAIR WITH SOME DAMAGE TO THE BACK……THAT CAN BE REPAIRED WITH A LOT OF PATIENCE AND A FEW SCAVENGED WICKER PIECES, FROM OTHER BROKEN CHAIRS WE KEEP FOR THIS PURPOSE.

SEE YOU SOON.

In Search of Canadian Symbols

A PROJECT TO COLLECT ANTIQUE, VINTAGE AND NOSTALGIC ITEMS WITH CANADIAN SYMBOLS

THE BEAVER, THE MAPLE LEAF AND THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE

I HAVE TO CONFESS SOMETHING. I HAVE HAD THE BOOK, "THE MAPLE LEAF FOREVER - A CELEBRATION OF CANADIAN SYMBOLS," 2006 BOSTON MILLS PRESS, BY DONNA AND NIGEL HUTCHINS, ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND SOLD ALL BUT THE ONE I JUST PURCHASED TODAY. I MADE A VOW NOT TO SELL THIS ONE. IT'S A PRETTY POPULAR BOOK, AND I'VE SOLD TWO OF THREE TO MY AMERICAN BOOK CUSTOMERS. THE OTHER ONE STAYED IN ONTARIO. THE FOURTH, WILL REMAIN HERE AT BIRCH HOLLOW. THIS IS A WONDERFULLY DESIGNED AND WELCOME RESOURCE BOOK FOR COLLECTORS OF A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF CANADIAN SYMBOLS ON AN EVEN WIDER ARRAY OF VINTAGE ITEMS…..FROM SOUVENIRS TO HISTORIC MEDALS, BUTTONS AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS…..BOTTLES AND JARS, TO TOBACCO CUTTERS……TIN HOCKEY PLAYERS FROM THE FORMER EAGLE TABLE-TOP GAMES, TO CANADIAN AUTOMOBILE CLUB TIN ORNAMENTS…..THE LIST IS A LONG ONE. LOOKING THROUGH THE FULL COLOR GRAPHICS OF THE BOOK, I FOUND MANY ITEMS THAT I'VE OWNED AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER…..AS A KID, AS A COLLECTOR, AND AS ONE WHO BUYS AND SELLS, AND THEN REGRETS HAVING A DEPLETED COLLECTION. I'VE OWNED PLENTY OF ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE SOUVENIR DOLLS, FROM WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER…..WITH TRAVELLING PARENTS WHO VISITED ALL KINDS OF HISTORIC SITES IN THE PROVINCE…..WITH THEIR OWN ATTACHED GIFT SHOPS. MY SECOND TABLE TOP HOCKEY GAME WAS A 1965 VERSION OF THE EAGLE BRAND TABLE-TOP HOCKEY GAME THAT I ABSOLUTELY ADORED. UNTIL THE FATEFUL DAY A FIGHT BROKE OUT IN MY ROOM, AFTER A STANLEY CUP WINNING GOAL, AND I PUSHED MY MATE DOWN……AND RIGHT ONTO MY RIGHT WINGER. CUT HIS BEHIND. BROKE MY GAME. IT WAS NEVER THE SAME AFTER THAT, BUT I PLAYED WITH IT ANY WAY. I'VE HAD A SELECTION OF BEAVER JARS, AND ALL KINDS OF BUTTONS WITH BOTH BEAVERS AND MAPLE LEAFS, BUT I NEVER REALLY APPRECIATED THEM AS COMPONENTS OF ANY KIND OF COLLECTION…….UNTIL I READ THIS EXCELLENT BOOK.

SO ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER PROJECTS THIS SPRING, AND OVER THE YEAR, I'VE DECIDED TO MAKE A SPORTING ATTEMPT TO COME UP WITH A REPRESENTATIVE COLLECTION, OF THESE CANADIAN SYMBOLS, ON VINTAGE PIECES MYSELF…..AS A TEST, TO SEE JUST HOW CAPABLE I AM, AS A SENIOR COLLECTOR / DEALER, TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM MY NORMAL RANGE…..THAT WHILE NOT PARTICULARLY RESTRICTIVE, IS GETTING A LITTLE STALE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. SO MAYBE IT'S TIME TO GET CRAZY, AND DROP PARAMETERS, TO SEEK OUT THESE ICONIC CANADIAN COLLECTIBLES. SUZANNE HAS AGREED THAT WE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER, BUT SHE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR THOSE SAME NATIONAL, HISTORIC SYMBOLS INSTEAD, BY SEARCHING THROUGH VINTAGE FABRIC, CLOTHING, QUILTS, BLANKETS, BUTTONS, AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT SHE CAN FIND WHILE WORKING IN THE FIELD SHE IS MOST COMFORTABLE. I HAVE A SCATTER-GUN APPROACH TO EVERYTHING, SO I'LL JUST LOOK FOR EVERYTHING ELSE. SHE'S GOT AN EAGLE EYE FOR VINTAGE CRAFTS AND QUILTS, SO IT WILL BE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE EVEN ON A PARTNERSHIP SCALE. SHE LOVES BEATING ME AT THE ANTIQUE HUNT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO COPY-CAT-COLLECT WHAT VISUAL ITEMS ARE IN THE BOOK….UNLESS THEY'RE ALL WE CAN FIND. WE'RE NOT SETTING OUT TO BUY LOTS OF MOUNTIES OR EVERY ITEM TO EVER WEAR A MAPLE LEAF OR BEAVER. WE'D LIKE TO COME UP WITH UNIQUE ITEMS……NOT IN THE BOOK, IF THIS IS POSSIBLE. THIS WILL BE A HECK OF A CHALLENGE ON ITS OWN. AND WE DON'T INTEND ON SETTLING FOR ANTIQUE SHOPS ONLY, AS PLACES TO SHOP FOR THESE SYMBOLIC PIECES. THAT'S NOT IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HUNT AT ALL. WE WANT TO FIND THEM ON THE CHEAP, BY LOOKING IN THE RIGHT PLACES, AND WHILE THAT DOESN'T PROHIBIT ANTIQUE SHOPS, IT WILL DEMAND OF US THAT A MAJORITY OF PIECES, BE PURCHASED FROM SOURCES THAT DON'T REALLY APPRECIATE THE FULL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ITEMS. AT FLEA MARKETS, YARD SALES, GARAGE SALES, ESTATE SALES, CHURCH FUNDRAISERS AND AT SECOND HAND SHOPS. YOU NEVER KNOW BUT IT'S ALWAYS WORTH A TRY.

WHAT WE'LL DO, ON A REGULAR BASIS, IS GIVE YOU SOME VISUALS ON THIS BLOG-SITE, OF INTERESTING FINDS WE MAKE, HERE IN THE REGION OF MUSKOKA. WE'LL CONFINE OURSELVES TO A MUSKOKA SEARCH ONLY, AND WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHERE WE FOUND THE ITEMS…..AS WE ARE PROUD OF THE ANTIQUE AND SECOND HAND SHOPS WE HAVE HERE IN THE DISTRICT. I'LL DO A BIG SPREAD ON THIS BY THE CANADA DAY HOLIDAY, IN JULY, WITH PHOTOS, AND THEN AGAIN, AT NEW YEARS, 2013, TO SEE WHAT A HALF YEAR, AND A FULL YEAR CHALLENGE, CAN ACCOMPLISH WHEN IT'S DEEMED IMPORTANT. I THINK THIS IS WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT OF TIME AND MONEY. POSSIBLY YOU'LL FIND THIS AN INTERESTING PURSUIT YOURSELF, OR MAYBE YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS BEFORE US. I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US ANYWAY, BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU IT WILL BE AN ADVENTURE. I CAN JUST TELL.

YOU CAN FIND THIS BOOK ONLINE. EVERY CANADIAN COLLECTOR…..GEEZ, EVERY CANADIAN SHOULD HAVE THIS BOOK. IT'S A GEM. I'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED.

THE AUCTION THAT WAS NO FUN AT ALL -

SOMETIMES CIRCUMSTANCES GET IN THE WAY OF FAIR PLAY AND FAMILY HISTORY -

AS I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT PREVIOUSLY, AUCTIONS FOR ME HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SOCIAL / CULTURAL EVENTS, THAT CAN PROVIDE A LITTLE RECREATION ON THE SIDE. THERE'S THAT ECONOMIC SIDE AS WELL, AND CONSIDERING I'M AN ANTIQUE COLLECTOR / DEALER, IT'S CERTAINLY THE PRIMARY MOTIVATION FOR SPENDING MOST OF A DAY IN A BARN OR STANDING IN A WINDSWEPT FIELD SOMEWHERE IN MUSKOKA.

WHEN I WAS THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD-GAZETTE, IN BRACEBRIDGE, I LOOKED FORWARD TO AUCTIONS AS AN ESCAPE FROM COVERING LOCAL POLITICS AND WRITING-UP BUSINESS SUCCESS STORIES…….I DREADED THESE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE AS A NEWSPAPER STAFFER. I'D HAVE WRITTEN OBITS OVER BUSINESS PROFILES FOR SPECIAL ADVERTISING PROMOTIONS. HALF THE PLACES I HAD TO WRITE-UP WERE ON THEIR LAST LEGS ANYWAY, SO IT ALWAYS SEEMED ODD THAT THEY SENT ME IN, TO SAVE THE DAY. I DIDN'T REVITALIZE EVEN ONE OF THOSE DIRE-STRAITS ENTERPRISES. BUT BY TIME I GOT TO FRIDAY, I WAS ALL EXCITED ABOUT THE WEEKEND AUCTION LINE-UP. BACK IN THE LATE 1970'S,1980'S, AND THROUGH MOST OF THE 90'S, THERE WERE FREQUENT AUCTIONS, UNLIKE TODAY. I USED TO ATTEND TO BUY, AND WRITE ABOUT THE SALES FOR MY COLUMN (THE AUCTION ROLL), AND TO FORGET ABOUT THE ARSES WHO USED TO SEND ME TO DO THOSE BUSINESS FEATURES I HATED. I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU, THAT AFTER YOU'VE SPENT FOUR HOURS COVERING A LOCAL COUNCIL, YOU NEED SOMETHING TO GLOM ONTO……NOT JUST THE JUG OF BEER I USED TO ENJOY AT THE OLD BRACEBRIDGE ALBION HOTEL. SO I WENT TO AUCTIONS, AND THEY WERE A GREAT DEAL OF FUN. IT DIDN'T MATTER HOW MUCH OR HOW LITTLE MONEY I HAD IN POCKET, I ENJOYED THE SOCIAL SIDE OF THE DAY, THE OFTEN PICTURESQUE PASTURES AND BARNYARDS, WHERE MANY OF THESE OPEN-AIR EVENTS WERE BEING HELD. AS I'M CLAUSTROPHOBIC, AND THRIVE IN WIDE OPEN SPACES, I REALLY DID SAVE MY JOB IN THE NEWS INDUSTRY, BY SPENDING SO MUCH QUALITY TIME ATTENDING COUNTRY AUCTIONS.

IT DIDN'T REALLY MATTER WHERE THE SALE WAS BEING HELD, EVEN INDOORS, IF IT AFFORDED ENOUGH ROOM TO MOVE ABOUT EASILY, AS I'M CONSTANTLY "WANDERING AIMLESSLY," AS SUZANNE NOTES OF MY HABITS AND HOME AND ABROAD. IN-TOWN SALES ARE OKAY AS WELL, ESPECIALLY ANY THAT ARE OF AN HISTORIC CHARACTER, THAT CAN OFFER UNIQUE ANTIQUE PIECES, FROM OLD BOOKS AND ART, TO FURNITURE AND OLD STEAMER TRUNKS (WHICH I LIKE TO RESTORE). ON ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON, WHEN BOTH ANDREW AND ROBERT WERE STILL QUITE YOUNG, WE ATTENDED A SALE IN BRACEBRIDGE THAT SEEMED SPECTACULAR AT THE TIME, BUT BECAME A LIVING NIGHTMARE BEFORE IT WAS ALL OVER. BUT THAT EVENT CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT AUCTION-GOERS AND THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN.

IT WAS THE KIND OF SALE I ADORE, BECAUSE IT WAS A HODGE-PODGE OF SO MANY DIFFERENT VINTAGE ITEMS, MOST OF THEM IN QUITE ACCEPTABLE CONDITION. VARIETY AND CONDITION ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE DEALER / COLLECTORS. FOR THOSE JUST INTERESTED IN PICKING UP DECORATOR PIECES, NOSTALGIA, OLD TOYS, BOOKS ETC., THIS WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD DAY BUT LIKELY TO ATTRACT SUBSTANTIAL PRICES. I WAS PREPARED. MY INTEREST, AS IT HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS, WAS TO FIND LOCAL, OUT-OF-PRINT MUSKOKA HISTORIES, MUSKOKA MEMORABILIA, FROM POSTCARDS TO MAPS, INVOICES FROM OLD BUSINESSES, STEAMSHIP COLLECTIBLES AND FOLK ART CREATIONS, PAINTINGS TO WOOD CARVINGS. THE SALE WOULD TAKE UP A LARGE PORTION OF THIS SUNDAY, AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A SNACK-BAR SET UP TO PURCHASE THE BOYS A FEW TREATS THROUGH THE AUCTION. THE YARD OF THE OLD TURN OF THE CENTURY HOME, WAS FULL OF EAGER BIDDERS AND NEIGHBORS OF THE FAMILY. I RECOGNIZED THEM, AS IT WAS MY OLD NEIGHBORHOOD, FROM THE 1960'S AND EARLY 70'S. I KNEW THE FAMILY HOSTING THE AUCTION, AND I HAD SEEN A DAUGHTER TALKING WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE BEFORE THE AUCTION, THAT CAUSED ME TO WONDER IF THERE WAS SOME SORT OF PROBLEM. SHE WAS TRYING TO SORT SOMETHING OUT, THAT'S FOR SURE, BEFORE THE AUCTIONEER GOT THE SALE GOING. SUZANNE AND I BOTH AGREED SHE LOOKED QUITE AGITATED, AND THAT SET OFF AN ALARM FOR ME, BECAUSE THE MORE I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, THE MATERIALS ON THE LAWN LOOKED "DUMPED THERE" AND NOT ORGANIZED, AND PLACED WITH SIMILAR ITEMS…..SUCH THAT CHINA WAS WITH CHINA, BOOKS WITH BOOKS, FURNITURE WITH, YOU GUESSED IT……OTHER FURNISHINGS. THIS WAS A HELTER-SKELTER ARRANGEMENT, THAT LOOKED AS IF THE HOUSE HAD TO BE EMPTIED ON A BUDGET OF TIME, AND THAT THIS WASN'T PLANNED WEEKS EARLIER……AND IT SHOWED. MY AUCTIONEER FRIEND WAS FASTIDIOUS ABOUT HIS PRE-AUCTION SET UP, AND EVERY TABLE WOULD HAVE HAD A CLOTH COVERING THE SURFACE, AND THE BEST ITEMS PULLED FROM BOXES, AND POSITIONED TOGETHER…..SUCH AS CUPS AND SAUCERS, PLATTERS, CHINA SERVING DISHES, AND GLASSWARE.

WE GOT CLOSE TO THE FAMILY MEMBER, AS SHE WAS TALKING TO A HALF-CIRCLE OF FRIENDS NEARBY, AND LISTENED FROM A COMFORTABLE DISTANCE, TO A SAD, UNFORTUNATE STORY, THAT COULD NOT BE STOPPED FROM UNFOLDING. DUE TO THE FACT THERE WAS NO WILL, OR POWER OF ATTORNEY, AND THE WOMAN'S MOTHER HAD RUN UP A HUGE BILL, RESIDING AT A LOCAL NURSING HOME, THE PROVINCE HAD THE PROPERTY, HOUSE AND CONTENTS SEIZED, ON ORDER TO LIQUIDATE ALL ASSETS, ON THE INSTITUTIONALIZED MOTHER'S BEHALF. THE DAUGHTER WAS FORCED OUT OF THE HOUSE, FOR STARTERS, AND OUTSIDE OF A FEW KEEPSAKES SCOOPED UP ON THE WAY OUT, COULDN'T PREVENT THE INEVITABLE FROM HAPPENING. I FELT AWFULLY SORRY FOR THE AUCTIONEER, A FRIEND OF MINE, FOR HAVING TO WORK AGAINST THE DAUGHTER, IN THIS PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY. SO IT BECAME QUITE AN EMOTIONAL SITUATION FOR MANY OF US THAT DAY, BECAUSE WE COULDN'T REALLY LEAVE, ALTHOUGH IT WAS THE FIRST INSTINCT UPON HEARING OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. BUT WHAT HAPPENED WAS QUITE NEAT.

MANY OF THOSE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO SHE HAD BEEN TALKING TO, PRIOR TO THE SALE, SUZANNE AND I INCLUDED, BEGAN SETTING UP AN INTERESTING DEFENSE. THEY ASKED HER WHAT SHE DESIRED TO GET BACK…..WANTED TO HAVE AS PERSONAL PROPERTY RETURNED…..AND NEEDED TO HAVE BACK FOR THE INTEGRITY OF PERSONAL ACCOUNTING AND FAMILY RECORDS. EVEN HER OWN POSSESSIONS WERE BEING SOLD AT THE SAME TIME AS HER MOTHER'S COLLECTION OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. WORD WENT AROUND THE SALE, LIKE A GIANT TELEPHONE PARTY-LINE, NOT TO BID-UP ON CERTAIN BOXES AND HEIRLOOM PIECES SHE HAD EXPRESSED INTEREST. ONE BIDDER WOULD TRY TO WIN THE LOTS AS CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE. AT THE TIME, SHE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH MONEY TO BUY THESE PIECES BACK HERSELF, WHICH WAS MORE THAN A LITTLE UNFORTUNATE, AS A LOT OF STUFFED BOXES WENT FOR UNDER TEN DOLLARS. SCRAPBOOKS, PHOTO ALBUMS, HANDWRITTEN LETTERS, OLD GREETING CARDS, VALENTINES, EVEN HER SCHOOL REPORT CARDS AND CERTIFICATES WERE BEING SOLD-OFF IN FRONT OF HER…..AND NO ONE COULD BLAME HER FOR CRYING ABOUT THE LOSS OF FAMILY HISTORY. LIKE WATCHING SAND DRAINING THROUGH AN HOUR GLASS, SHE STOOD THERE AND STUDIED THE UNFOLDING EVENTS, NOT SAYING A WORD, LOOKING AS IF EVERYTHING SHE VALUED IN THE WORLD, WAS SUDDENLY THERE BEFORE HER……AND THEN GONE JUST AS QUICKLY.

WHAT SHE DIDN'T REALIZE, AT THAT POINT, WAS THAT FOLKS WERE BUYING BOXES ON HER BEHALF, AND TRYING TO GET BACK IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND FAMILY ALBUMS. POSSIBLY SHE DIDN'T SEE THE PILE OF MATERIALS BEHIND HER, PURCHASED BY KINDLY AUCTION PATRONS, WHO HAD HEARD OF THE INJUSTICE, AND WERE HELPING HER FINANCE AT LEAST PART OF THE RECOVER. SUZANNE AND I PURCHASED SEVERAL BOXES OF SCRAPBOOKS AND OTHER PERSONAL FAMILY ITEMS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND LETTERS, THAT WE PAID FOR, AND PRESENTED BACK TO HER, AS A SMALL ACT OF KINDNESS. THERE WERE QUITE A FEW ACTS OF KINDNESS THAT DAY. IT COULDN'T MAKE UP FOR THE UNHAPPINESS SHE SUFFERED, I'M SURE, BUT I ALWAYS HOPED IT SHOWED HER ABOUT COMMUNITY GOODWILL AND NEIGHBORLINESS….AND THAT WE ALL FELT BAD ABOUT EVEN BEING THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE PURPOSE AFTER THAT, WAS TO WORK TOGETHER TO BLOCK BIDS FROM OUT OF TOWN DEALERS, ETC., AND CROWD OUT OTHER BUYERS WHO COULDN'T HAVE CARED LESS ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SALE…..REFUSING TO LET EMOTION AND SENTIMENT GET IN THE WAY OF ANTIQUE SPECULATION. WE DID SPEAK WITH OTHER FOLKS WHO HAD PURCHASED JOB LOTS OF PAPER MATERIALS, ASKING POLITELY IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO SORT THROUGH THEM, AND RETURN ANY ITEMS OF PERSONAL FAMILY RECORD, PHOTOGRAPHS OR LETTERS THAT GOT JAMMED INTO THE MIX. SUZANNE AND I WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO SEE THE CO-OPERATION. YES, A LOT OF HEIRLOOM AND IMPORTANT PIECES WERE LOST THAT DAY, REGARDLESS OF THE EFFORT MANY OF US PUT-IN, TO SAVE CRITICAL ITEMS…..FROM HER OWN TOYS FROM CHILDHOOD, TEDDY BEARS AND DOLLS, TO MILITARY PHOTOGRAPHS OF HER GRANDFATHER AND FATHER. BUT WE TRIED.

I FOUND MYSELF ANGRY FOR WEEKS AFTER THIS. I TALKED TO MY AUCTIONEER FRIEND, AND HE CONFESSED THAT THE DAY HAD BEEN PRETTY MUCH AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER-COASTER FROM BEGINNING TO END. BUT HE WAS WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE PROPERTY OWNER, UNDER SUPERVISION OF THE PROVINCE, AND THE MONEY RAISED WAS TO COVER NURSING HOME COSTS IN ARREARS, AND TO ACCOMMODATE EXPENSES IN THE FUTURE. HE ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A HEARTLESS ASPECT TO IT ALL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DAUGHTER WAS DENIED ACCESS TO HER OWN PROPERTY, THAT HAD BEEN STORED IN HER MOTHER'S HOUSE AT THE TIME OF THE SEIZURE. LET ME TELL YOU FOLKS, THIS SALE PROMOTED A LOT OF AUCTION-GOERS THAT DAY, TO CONSULT THEIR OWN LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, AND POWER OF ATTORNEY ARRANGEMENTS…….AND MORE THAN A FEW I TALKED WITH THAT DAY, DIDN'T HAVE A LEGAL WILL OR POWER OF ATTORNEY…..BUT WERE PLANNING TO MAKE THAT CORRECTION PROMPTLY, AFTER SEEING JUST HOW UNFORTUNATE IT CAN BECOME WITHOUT SAFEGUARDS.

WHEN I WROTE IN YESTERDAY'S BLOG ABOUT PRACTICING SENSITIVITY WHEN ATTENDING YARD, FUNDRAISING AND ESTATE SALES, THIS STORY WAS BANGING ABOUT IN MY MEMORY BANK. I WATCHED AS MUCH CRUEL BEHAVIOR THAT DAY, AS BENEVOLENCE, AS BUYERS LAUGHED ABOUT THE "CRAP" THEY GOT IN JOB-LOT BOXES, WELL WITHIN EAR-SHOT OF THIS PARTICULAR FAMILY MEMBER. SHE EVEN WENT TO CHECK GARBAGE BINS, TO SEE WHAT HAD BEEN CAST OFF, AS PEOPLE LEFT THE SALE WITH THEIR PURCHASES. WE WATCHED PEOPLE SORT THEIR BOXES, AND I GRABBED UP WHATEVER WAS DISCARDED ON THE GRASS, AND IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE MATERIALS WE RETURNED AT THE END OF THE DAY. LET'S JUST SAY A LOT OF US HAD OUR FAITH RENEWED THAT AFTERNOON, BECAUSE THERE WERE MANY ACTS OF PERSONAL KINDNESS SHOWN TO THIS WOMAN. WE WISH THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE.

THIS WAS BY NO MEANS AN ISOLATED CASE. WE HAVE ATTENDED OTHERS THAT BECAME VERY NASTY BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF BLOWS……AND MANY THREATS OF LEGAL ACTION BANDIED ABOUT, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AUCTION. THE HOST WOULD ASSURE US EVERYTHING WAS FINE, BUT KIN-FOLK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BARN-YARD WEREN'T SO COMPLIMENTARY. WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE COUNTRY, TURNED OUT TO BE A TEMPEST IN A PASTURE FOR ALL CONCERNED. WE WERE VERY CAREFUL WHAT WE PURCHASED THAT DAY, AND AS WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, FAMILY WAS OFFERED ITEMS WE HAD PURCHASED……WHEN WE LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE SERIOUS OWNERSHIP CONFLICT BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS, MUCH WE HADN'T BEEN AWARE OF DURING THE SALE ITSELF. IT ALL WORKED OUT IN THE END, AND THE MAJOR PIECES, WE HAD ACQUIRED, EVENTUALLY FOUND THEIR WAY BACK TO THE DISSENTING RELATIVES. IT WASN'T THAT ANYTHING ILLEGAL HAD OCCURRED, JUST A MORAL INTERPRETATION OF WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO FAMILY FIRST……BEFORE IT MADE IT TO AUCTION-DAY INVENTORY. IT'S A REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING, WHEN YOU'RE BIDDING ON AN ANTIQUE PIECE, A PAINTING, OR A QUILT, AND REALIZE YOU'RE BEING CHASED IN INCREMENTS BY A FAMILY MEMBER GIVING YOU THE EVIL EYE. AS I ALSO POINTED OUT, IN A PREVIOUS AUCTION, WE HAVE BEEN AMONGST THOSE "GIVING THE EVIL EYE," AS OUR OWN FAMILY HAD TO BUY BACK HEIRLOOM PIECES, WHEN SUZANNE'S FATHER PASSED AWAY SOME YEARS AGO NOW. YOU START OUT IN A CHIPPER MOOD, AND THEN, WELL, IT JUST SUCKS AFTER THAT. SO MUCH FOR GOING TO AUCTIONS FOR SOCIAL / CULTURAL / RECREATION ENJOYMENT. GOOD THING THAT THESE EVENTS ARE THE RARITY, AND NOT THE NORMAL FARE.