Will The Barge Be Ready For Summer Concerts?

LOOKING AT THE HOLES IN THE BARGE - HAS TOWN GOT A HANDLE ON THIS ONE?

A LOT OF WOODWORK YET TO GO BEFORE SEASON

     THE UNOFFICIAL "BARGE DEBATING SOCIETY," IS GETTING A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THE STATE OF OUR GULL LAKE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE. PERSONALLY, I'M A LOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF GULL LAKE PARK, AS I NOTED A FEW WEEKS AGO. FOR THE LIFE OF ME, AND AS A LONG TIME MUSKOKAN, I THOUGHT THE TRADITIONAL TOURIST SEASON BEGAN ON THE 24TH OF MAY HOLIDAY. IF THIS IS HOW WE ATTIRE OURSELVES, TO GREET VISITORS THESE DAYS, I'M MISSING SOMETHING. WE COMPLAIN ABOUT BEING A TOURIST ECONOMY RIGHT? THAT IT'S A BIG DISADVANTAGE FOR YEAR ROUND MONEY-MAKING. WE KNOW THAT IT IS THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY IN OUR REGION. RIGHT? THEN WHY WOULD WE EVER, EVER, SHORT-CHANGE VISITORS ATTENDING OUR MOST IMPORTANT URBAN PUBLIC PARK. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RAKED AND THE FALLEN BRANCHES CLEANED UP LONG BEFORE NOW. IF SOMEONE AT PARKS AND RECREATION SUGGESTS,"WE NEVER CLEAN OUR PARK THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON," THEN HERE'S A WAKE-UP-CALL……, ABOUT HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE, TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF OUR SHORT PEAK TOURIST SEASON. MAYBE THE FINE FOLKS WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CAN JUMP ON THIS…..OR AT LEAST OFFER AN OPINION ABOUT WHEN GRAVENHURST'S TOURIST SEASON DOES BEGIN, IF NOT ON MAY 24TH.  A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STOPPING TO HAVE PICNICS IN THE PARK AND PARTICIPATING IN OTHER EVENTS, AND IT IS NOT UP TO SNUFF. IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE BASIC HOUSE-KEEPING ISSUES. IT'S NOT A HUGE JOB, BUT IT'S WHAT MAKES US LOOK GOOD TO THE VISITING PUBLIC, WHO WE HOPE WILL SHOP LOCALLY. AS A LOCAL, I'M NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL. BUT HERE IS THE CONTRADICTION YOU SEE, AND COMES FROM COUNCIL. YOU CAN HAVE A GREAT REFERENCE GUIDEBOOK, THAT IS GOING TO HELP EVERYONE HELP THEMSELVES, AND WE CAN HAVE A FREAKING NEW WEB SITE, AND HAVE A NEW OPEN AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE, BUT WE CAN'T HAVE SOME MANPOWER ON-RAKES…..TO CLEAN UP THE PARK, AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BY THE VICTORIA DAY WEEKEND.

     THERE IS A SOCIAL DISCONNECT WE NEED TO FIX IN THIS TOWN, AND IT'S LIKE THIS. WHILE MANY CITIZENS WILL CONTINUE TO SIGN UP, TO SWIM AT THE YMCA OPERATED POOL, A LOT OF PEOPLE WON'T. AND THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS WHY. THE BEACH IS FREE, AND THE HOURS ARE OPEN, AND UNLESS THE LAKE FREEZES OVER, WATER ACCESS WON'T BE DENIED. UNLESS THERE ARE BOAT RACES, OF COURSE. THERE ARE A LOT OF TEENAGERS WHO WON'T GO TO THE POOL, AND CERTAINLY WON'T APPLY FOR FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION TO SWIM THERE. IT'S JUST A THING, AND WE KNEW THAT THIS WOULD BE THE CASE, WHEN THE BUILDING WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED. THE FREEDOM OF THE OPEN LAKE IS A LEGENDARY ALLURE, SO WE SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED, NOT EVERYONE IN OUR TOWN WANTS TO SWIM IN A CHLORINATED POOL. GULL LAKE PARK, IS ONE OF THOSE URBAN-CENTRE DELIGHTS, THAT WILL ALWAYS ATTRACT SWIMMERS, TENNIS FOLK, BALL PLAYERS, JOGGERS, DOG WALKERS, PICTURE TAKERS AND GENERAL LOUNGERS. IT'S AS IMPORTANT TO THESE PEOPLE, AS IT IS TO THE TRAVELING PUBLIC, WHO WISH TO STOP BY OUR BEAUTIFUL LAKE FOR A RESPITE. I'M GETTING CONCERNED ABOUT THE RANKING OF GULL LAKE PARK, AND IF IT IS SOMEHOW GETTING LESSER RECOGNITION THESE DAYS. THE PARK USE IS STILL CONSIDERABLE, AND BASED ON THAT, THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY REDUCTION IN SERVICES. RECENTLY, THERE WAS QUITE A HUB-BUB ABOUT THE POTENTIAL INSTALLATION OF AN AMPHITHEATER, TO BE CARVED INTO THE SHORE, ACROSS FROM THE BARGE. A GOOD RAKING IS BEST. FORGET THE  CONCRETE BUNKER. SWEEPING UP THE CIGARETTE BUTTS WOULD BE NICE AS WELL. AND THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE.

WILL THE BARGE BE READY?

     What the Barge Debating Society would like to know, is if the platform is going to be ready for the commencement of the summer entertainment season? By the looks of things, there's a huge amount of restoration work to be completed, now that the supporting posts have been installed. We of course wish to thank the Town of Gravenhurst for funding, and moving this work along, and of course we assume, the remaining repairs to the rotting and removed wood, is on schedule……although it would be good to find out just what the timing will be……as Manager Fred Schulz has a lot of organizational work to do, if the platform, for whatever reason, won't be done in time for the first performances. Last summer, the Muskoka Concert Band and the Bifocals Concerts had to be held in the Rotary Pavilion. The venue worked out okay for the groups. Not as spectacular as The Barge, but a nice intimate evening of music just the same. Bless the good-hearted members of the Gravenhurst Rotary Club for creating this important park shelter, which by the way, is used almost constantly for large family gatherings, reunions, banquets, birthday parties, and anniversaries. We could use a couple more of these wonderful park facilities. Not that we're begging. But if you monitor the use of the Pavilion, you'd see just how popular it is for park users.

     What Gravenhurst Councillors may be unaware, is that the big acts that follow, beginning on Sunday, July 8th, are too big for the Rotary Pavilion, and for adequate power supply, The Barge is essential. I haven't talked to Fred recently about the danger-time-frame, but we all know it's getting close……and when the nerves start fraying, on our end, as his helpers, the manager starts early-stage pacing. I've always felt the biggest problem The Barge has suffered for years, is that so few councillors know what it means to run these summer-time concerts, with big and demanding audiences……that don't like excuses, for why a show didn't look good, start in a timely fashion, sound perfect, and go off without a hitch. From beginning to end, it is a tough job, and there are a lot of things that can and do go wrong. They don't make it to print, or the evening news, but glitches happen, and Fred and his crew, know how to turn a near-disaster, into a near-miss. Additionally, working with performers, requires tactful navigation, and the patience of a saint. The group that shows up late, takes several more days off Fred's life expectancy. Equipment problems, and failures, take off several weeks. Maybe a month. Rain. A thunderstorm approaching, we all get prepared to re-start his heart if it was to suddenly stop. This year, it will be even more difficult for Fred, because there are no alternate venues, set up, in the event of inclement weather. If it's a rain-out on The Barge, it's a rain-out altogether. If it's a light shower, for a short period of time, Fred has a small shelter to keep equipment dry, until the rain ceases. This year, patrons are asked to bring a rain coat, or cape, and possibly an umbrella, to ride-out these rain events. It might look a little like Woodstock without the nudity.

     Fred is worried about this, rain-thing, because he's always had alternate locations arranged….such as taking groups over to the former Terry Fox auditorium, at the recreation centre, or the Gravenhurst Opera House, when the auditorium was unavailable. The new Terry Fox auditorium is not a suitable alternate location for these rain-out events, because of the small seating capacity, plus the fact that it is on the second floor, and there is often heavy and bulky sound equipment to move for the performers. The elevator is fine for the public but it is not best suited for carts with amps and speakers. The Opera House venue, was used for several summers, during re-construction of the recreation centre, but it had proven too small to accommodate the large crowds wishing to attend. Patrons were pretty hard on Fred and the crew, when they found out there were no seats left, even an hour before the show was to begin. I can't print what they called Fred, and my boys, but it wasn't pretty. The crowd turned-away from some events didn't take the news well, and Fred's answering machine would start smoking with some of the statements of displeasure. You know, if they called me, I'd get back to every one of them. And not kindly. Fred is such an ambassador for this town, that he couldn't retaliate, and every response adheres to his own strict protocol, to be respectful and accommodating, understanding that disappointments inspire people to shoot from the hip. As far as public relations go, this guy should be teaching a course about dealing with the public.

     If any councillor would like to take a walk in Fred's shoes, right now, as it nears a month to "show-time," he might like the hiatus, to relax for a moment. Looking at the destroyed platform, dressing room damage, and back-stage repairs, and of course the decorative facing that has to be re-installed, it's a nervous pair of shoes…..that actually pace by themselves, they've done it so many times. Such is the life of a main stage manager. It's a pressure-cooker of a job, especially Fred's balancing act, dealing with the constant risk of inclement weather this year, knowing he has to face bad news like this every week potentially……being forced to say, "Sorry folks, the show has had to be cancelled due to bad weather." When Fred Schulz says he's sorry, he means it. He feels like he's letting us all down, even if it's God's will that it rain for awhile. So when it comes to his feelings about holes in the decking, with a month to go before the first concert, well sir, you wouldn't want to put a blood pressure cuff on the man. The bulb might blow right off.

     I hope that Councillors will make it a point, to drop down to their waterfront park, and have a look at the present condition of The Barge. If they are aware of delays, and can honestly admit, the project won't be completed by the end of June, it would be a tremendous weight off the good manager's shoulders….let me tell you. There seems to be a freeze of information from the proper sources, and the Barge Debating Society, always at Fred's beck and call, is also getting a little concerned, about the complete void of information, even in the local press, about restoration updates.  Like I wrote earlier, if it was you, having to face a large crowd, and disenchanted performers, because The Barge isn't going to be ready in time, we think you'd soon realize, being manager isn't always the sweet deal it looks like from up on the shore. So the request is this. Can someone on Town Council offer some insight, about the upcoming work schedule, to replace wood that has been removed for the installation of the iron pillars. We're grateful that it's shored-up, but deeply concerned about whether or not the big acts are going to be able to play aboard.

Gravenhurst Small Business, The Farmer Golfer

A LITTLE GOLF ANECDOTE - AND THE UNASSUMING, CHUGGING-ALONG, OF SMALL BUSINESS

SOMETIMES WHAT IS GENTLE AND QUIET, CAN COME TO LIFE WITH A ROAR

     I'VE BEEN THINKING A LOT RECENTLY, ABOUT SOME OF THE EDITORIAL COMMENTS BEING MADE LOCALLY, PREDICTING THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF OUR MAIN STREET BUSINESSES. I'M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN READING THESE PAID-FOR PIECES, TO SEE WHAT PROFESSIONAL WRITERS CAN COME UP WITH. I DON'T ACCEPT MONEY FOR MY WORK, ANY MORE, EVEN WHEN PUBLISHED IN A MAGAZINE, SO I'M JUST A FELLA WHO LIKES TO WRITE. I'M NOT SURE IF A CARROT WAS DANGLED, WHETHER I MIGHT BE SWAYED OR NOT. I DON'T KNOW. GETTING PAID TO WRITE MIGHT MAKE ME CRAZY, AND I'D HAVE GRANDIOSE IDEAS ABOUT SPENDING TIME, SLURPING COFFEE IN PARIS CAFES, AND STROLLING ABOUT IN GLASGOW, OR SHUFFLING ALONG A COUNTRY LANE, IN ENGLAND'S MIDSUMMER REGION, WAXING POETIC ABOUT LIFE AND PHILOSOPHY, AND WELL YOU GET THE PICTURE. THE THOUGHT OF BEING A PROFESSIONAL WRITER AGAIN, MAKES ME NAUSEOUS TO BE HONEST. I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE UP TO HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, WHO WOULD WANT TO GET HIS MONEY'S WORTH. I REALLY DO THINK THAT I MIGHT GET MEAN, AND FEEL IT NECESSARY TO WRITE PIECES THAT SHOULD MAKE A POINT, BUT MOST LIKELY WOULD FALL A LITTLE SHORT. I'D PROBABLY GET ALL FULL-OF-MYSELF, AND COMMENCE KICKING KITTENS, OR CHIPMUNKS. AS A WRITING PRO, I MIGHT FEEL ELEVATED FROM OLD PLEASURES……THE SAME OLD-SAME OLD. COMING TO HATE THE SIMPLE, COUNTRY WAY OF LIFE, BECAUSE READERS LIKE THAT KIND OF THING. THEY DO AROUND MUSKOKA. ESPECIALLY GRAVENHURST. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DESIRE AMONGST SOME PROFESSIONAL COLUMNISTS, TO PROGNOSTICATE HOW THE END WILL FINALLY COME, WHEN OUR DOWNTOWN IS PACKED-UP, CRATED, AND HAULED AWAY. DISPOSED OF, BEFORE ANY MORE BAD BUSINESS CAN OCCUR. OR SOME OTHER KIND OF DEBACLE THAT MIGHT BE SEEN, EDITORIALLY AT LEAST, AS CATACLYSMIC IN NATURE.

      I WOULDN'T WANT TO FEEL OBLIGATED, YOU SEE, TO STRIKE OUT AT GOOD FOLKS, EVERYDAY CITIZENS, OLD AND YOUNG, AND OH YES, SINGLE MOTHERS. NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY, I COULD NEVER USE THE ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGES OF OUR CITIZENS, WHOEVER THEY ARE, TO SACRIFICE FOR A READERSHIP. SOMEHOW, NOT HAVING A PAY CHEQUE TO WORRY ABOUT, MAKES WRITING SO MUCH LESS DAUNTING, AND ANYWAY, I DON'T HAVE A HUGE AUDIENCE TO CULTIVATE WITH NEW VIGOROUS ATTACKS, OR ANY REAL DESIRE TO STAND ON SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOULDERS, JUST TO GET A BETTER VIEW. THE WHOLE EXERCISE OF BEING A BLOGGER, WITH NO MASTHEAD, SEEMS MUCH MORE RELAXING AND HAPPILY COMMONPLACE.

    WHEN I READ WHAT THE PROFESSIONAL WRITERS ARE FORECASTING, FOR OUR TOWN, I SUPPOSE IT WOULD BE WISE, TO TELL MY SONS TO CLOSE-UP SHOP, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T POSSIBLY SUCCEED IN THIS UNFORTUNATE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT. I MIGHT SUGGEST THEY TELL ALL THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND BUSINESS CONNECTIONS, NOW STRETCHING ACROSS CANADA, THAT IT IS ALL SO POINTLESS, TO LIVE-UP TO THE CRITICS' OVERVIEWS THESE DAYS. DESPITE THE PROFIT, DESPITE THE FACT WE HAVE TO KEEP RACING AROUND FOR MORE INVENTORY, AND THE RECENT NEWS WE HAVE LAUNCHED THE SECOND EXPANSION FOR THIS YEAR……MAY ALL BE A WASTE OF TIME. IF OF COURSE, YOU HAPPEN TO SUBSCRIBE TO THOSE OF LITTLE FAITH, AND THAT CRUEL PENCHANT TO PEN DOOM AND GLOOM COLUMNS, THAT APPARENTLY SELLS NEWSPAPERS. WHAT SHOULD WE DO? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? IS OUR SUCCESS A MIRAGE? ARE THE LARGE BANK DEPOSITS ALL JUST A DREAM, OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN? ACCORDING TO THE SELF-APPOINTED EXPERTS, WE ARE SUFFERING. WALLOWING IN OUR OWN CRAPULENCE. IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH TELLING OUR LADS, TO STOP MAKING MONEY, STOP BEING SUCCESSFUL, STOP GETTING MORE WORK, SELLING MORE STUFF, AND HELPING THE REST OF THE ECONOMY, BY BUYING OTHER PEOPLES' STUFF.

     NO, BEING A PAID WRITER CAN MAKE YOU MEAN. IT SEEMS TO IMPEDE OBJECTIVITY. APPARENTLY, ONE CAN BE SWALLOWED WHOLE BY STATISTICS, WHICH INSPIRES RAGING SPECULATIVE TIRADES ABOUT HOW LIFE AND COMMERCE MUST PROCEED, TO BE MEANINGFUL IN ANY WAY. I THINK GETTING PAID TO BE A COLUMNIST INCREASES THE RISK OF BECOMING ABSURD. WHEN I WAS A COLUMNIST QUITE A FEW YEARS BACK, I SUPPOSE I WAS ABSURD AT TIMES. AT LEAST THE READERS WHO FILLED THE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PAGE, THOUGHT SO. OCCASIONALLY, I'D HAVE A READER PUSH ME OUT OF THE WAY, AT THE DAIRY COOLERS, AT THE GROCERY STORE, BECAUSE OF SOMETHING I WROTE. I HAD A BEER TOSSED ON ME ONE NIGHT, BY A STRIPPER, WHO DIDN'T LIKE MY EDITORIAL SLANT. ONE FELLOW, AT A LOCAL PUB, ASKED WHETHER OR NOT, I'D LIKE TO CARRY MY HEAD HOME, UNDER MY ARM. ONCE AGAIN, IT WAS A READER SEEKING REVENGE. IT MUST BE THAT PRO WRITER THING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF AN UPBEAT STORY.

     I'M JUST SO DARN HAPPY AS AN UNPAID WRITER. I CAN GO ALONG THE STREET KICKING A CAN, SINGING TO MYSELF, CHATTING AWAY TO NO ONE IN PARTICULAR, IF THE URGE ARISES, AND I CAN LOOK UPON THIS TOWN, AND SEE SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS, AND  OTHER CHEERFUL PEOPLE, TENDING THEIR GARDENS, THEIR YARD SALES, BUILDING SIDEWALKS, AND PAINTING LAWNCHAIRS. I WILL STROLL UPTOWN, AND SEE PLEASANT WINDOW DISPLAYS IN OUR MAINSTREET SHOPS, AND WATCH SATISFIED CUSTOMERS, WITH PARCELS IN TOW, TELLING PARTNERS ABOUT THE GREAT DEALS THEY JUST GOT. I WILL CATCH THE SCENT OF GOOD FOOD BEING PREPARED, AND GET THE URGE FOR FRENCH FRIES AND GRAVY. MAYBE A HOT DOG, OR PIECE OF PIZZA. I WONDER WHY WE SEEM SO HAPPY HERE? WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE STARVING TO DEATH! LIVING OUT THE LAST OF OUR DREAMS. YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT'S MY UNPAID FREEDOM TO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY, BUT IT'S NOT AT ALL LIKE I READ ABOUT, THESE DAYS. AND NOT ONCE, SINCE I BEGAN WALKING HERE, HAVE I BEEN HIT BY A ROGUE PIECE OF SKY, FALLING TO EARTH.

    TODAY I WRITE WITH GREAT SATISFACTION, ABOUT WHAT I SEE, AS A COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY, WITHOUT EVER FEELING I HAVE TO BATTER SOMETHING, JUST TO EARN MY WAGE. I HAVE NO WAGE. NO PRESSURE ON MY SHOULDERS, TO GRANDSTAND, OR BECOME AN EXPERT THAT I'M NOT, JUST TO PLEASE A READERSHIP, OR WOW A PUBLISHER. I'M NOT WILLING TO HURT THE FEELINGS OF PROUD BUSINESS OWNERS, AND COURAGEOUS ENTREPRENEURS, JUST BECAUSE BEING CRITICAL IS IN VOGUE, AMONGST THOSE LOCAL WRITERS WHO MAKE MONEY FROM THEIR CRAFT

     I LIKE THIS TOWN TOO MUCH, TO EVER GET PAID TO WRITE ABOUT IT!  I AM A WRITER WITHOUT FETTERS. THE CHAIN I MAY HAVE FORGED, LINK BY LINK, AS A PROFESSIONAL WRITER, TRYING TO WIN READERS, WAS CUT-OFF A LONG TIME AGO. I FEEL SO MUCH LIGHTER, AND LIBERATED BEING POOR.

THE ANECDOTE I PROMISED - SMALL BUSINESS - THE GOLFING FARMER

     I have a million anecdotes. I guess you're not surprised. I was in the media business a long time, and I was in some pretty strange yet interesting situations, on the news beat. The story I'm going to relate, is true. Strange, odd, and even remarkable. It happened to me. I was influenced by the unsuspecting golfing farmer, of Bracebridge's Bangor Lodge Golf Course. The story seems appropriate, at least to my way of thinking, when I look at many of the unassuming, but stalwart, small businesses in Gravenhurst. Businesses that seem to chug-along without any extravagances, outrageous claims, that they are the best small business in town, or the world, and are operated by folks who like what they do…..and how they do it. They invite patrons into their shops, and instead of being greeted by glitz and glamor alone, they witness enterprises that are curious, and alluring; entertaining, honest, and neat……they treat visitors with respect, and seem genuinely pleased, these guests came to sample the fare in South Muskoka. They put in long, hard days, and when they lock-up at nights, they bid adieu to neighbor business owners and staff, doing the same…..and the goodbye, is always accented, so charmingly, "See you tomorrow," as if it really matters, that friends should meet up again, when once more, "it's business as usual." Some writers would complain that "business as usual," is wrong-minded, and a sign of imminent failure. There are people these days, who mistakenly weigh success, as meaning a million dollars. There are real people, in this town, who have a million dollar's worth of fun, just being small business owners, with aspirations of another day, another dollar, and feeling good about the town in which they work. So when I relate this story, of modesty and happiness, possibly you will find the parallel, to what it means to love your job, and business, a million bucks or not.

     I knew Bill Pearcey because he was my girlfriend Gail Smith's uncle. When Gail and I were dating, back in the late 1970's, I used to golf regularly with her other uncle Fred Pearcey, and Gail's sister's boyfriend, Danny Seto. We'd go over to the Bangor Lodge course, on Golden Beach Road, in Bracebridge. It was a fairly nice nine hole course, and the great part, was that it was on the honor system, and cheap. It would cost us a couple of bucks each, at that time, and there was hardly ever a crowd on the course. It was a little different, of course, in the summer months, when the lodge was full with summer guests. We liked to play in the fall of the year. Danny was a young lad, who used to make Fred and I look real bad on the course. He had a Tiger Wood's swing, and could make it all look so easy. Fred and I hacked around, making fools of ourselves, and sneaking a few cold beer out of the old canvas golf bags. Danny looked the part of a professional golfer, and if you had seen us together, you would have said something like, "What the hell are you doing with these guys." Wouldn't have blamed anybody for thinking this, and honestly, we felt bad about destroying the kid's game. "Awful" in golf, does rub off.

     I began golfing as a teenager, and from my earliest days on the links, I heard the story of the "Farmer Golfer." He was a country legend. I heard dozens of stories, about this old geezer, in black rubber boots, who could drive a golf ball two hundred and fifty yards, as straight as an arrow, and seldom if ever needed to two-putt a green. I'd hear these stories, when I worked at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, as a student painter. Hospital Administrator Frank Henry and my maintenance partner Doug Fitzmaurice, would talk about this old fella, he figured I'd run into one day, and be taught a lesson about thinking oneself, a better player, than was true. "Yea right," I'd toss back at them. Doug always had a twinkle in his eye, so I knew the farmer had a name. For years I thought it was him. Maybe he was the golfing farmer, who was beating all the young golfers, and those who were under the delusion they were ready for the pro tour. Doug didn't wear black rubber boots to golf. He was however, a great golfer, in casual attire.

    Even amongst the young golfing crew, there was talk of this old dude, and the couple of clubs he walked the course with. No golf bag. No golf shoes. No golf glove, and he didn't even keep score. Now you see, for a lot of golfers, who have paid a fortune for the proper golfing regalia, and have taken expensive lessons, to look at least partially competent on the course, hearing about a guy in black rubber boots, who could finish nine holes in 36 strokes, or maybe better, presented some bad karma. We'd arrive at the golf course and start looking over our shoulders, in case the strange duck, showed up on the tee. Apparently, he'd ask other golfers if he could join them. Then all hell broke loose. He'd make them all look like schmucks, and then disappear at the end of the match, like a vapor in the wind. He had an almost werewolf-like aura, at least to those who had never seen him. One minute he was a farmer-kind and the next, he was Arnold Palmer.

     So on this particular outing with Danny Seto, a good and solid golfer, Fred and I got so pissed-off by the about the fifth hole, of him drubbing-us with pars, to our triple bogeys, we became the ilk of "the horribly deceitful." It was Dan's first time on this course, and when he asked us, at the tee, "Is that the hole down there," we didn't really lie to the kid, but like they say, we came as "as close as spitting." "That's a green all right," Fred mumbled, and I concurred, that it was indeed one of the golf holes to play. The kid whacked the ball to within about three inches of the hole. He looked at us, as if to say, "why am I out here with you losers?" "Nice shot Danny," Fred said, winking to me. So when I was next on the tee, (which didn't have the markers by the way) I took my shot in the opposite direction, and hit my ball about a hundred and fifty yards, right down the centre of the fairway. That was funny on its own, considering it was the first time that round, I kept a drive on the fairway. 'What they heck did you do that for, " asked Danny. "The green's over there." As Fred moved to the tee-off as well, he whispered to Danny, "The green for this fairway, is over there," pointing to a lovely little hollow, about two hundred yards, from where our friend had sat his ball. "What are you talking about? You told me that was the green down there," he asked in a wee panic, as he tipped the brow of his hat, to see Fred's lips describe what had obviously been misrepresented. "No, Danny, we said that it was 'a green.' We didn't say it was the green for our next hole," answered Fred, as I started to choke on my beer. Well sir, Dan was one mad dude. We let him take the shot over, but he still wanted us banned from golf forever. "We're not golfers Danny, we're garden variety hackers, and we have no governing body," I told him, doubled-up with laughter at this point. The kid teed-off, hit the right green in two. Not bad. Fred and I managed double-bogeys that time.

     Late in the game, we met Uncle Bill Pearcey, just finishing up his chores at the course. He looked after the grounds at Bangor. He was a great guy. Neighbors of his, on Ontario Street, in Bracebridge, used to get a kick-out of seeing Bill putting on his lawn. He'd actually made a putting green where most of us would have boring, ordinary grass. It was a pretty flat green, but Bill liked to "putter" around the house, let's just say. So when he came up behind us, at about the seventh green, carrying two irons and a putter, and asked if we'd mind if he played the last three holes with us…..well, we were delighted. Bill had an infectious laugh, and when he and Fred got going, it was hilarious. I'd start laughing at them just because they laughed so hardily, I couldn't help it. Talk about good attitude. They both loved life and a tad of golf when the mood struck.

     Bill said he'd tee-off last. Danny was first. The shot was brilliant as usual. And it even landed on the right green. Fred was next, and he smacked a decent shot a little to the left. I sliced that son-of-a-bitch so deep in the woods, I needed a compass to get back out. Fred made some anecdote or other, about the woodsman I had become, and Bill started laughing again. Dan didn't know what to make of us old farts. So here's Bill, killing himself laughing, teeing off, and hitting the bloody ball like a Babe Ruth homerun. Well sir, Danny and I stood there, watching this ball climb like it was on a ladder, and it actually seemed to go in spurts of speed, as it hit pockets of turbulence, and the ball landed within a whisker of the green. We looked at each other, as if to say, "My God, what the hell was that."

     Bill shrugged it off, as an okay shot, and we headed off down the fairway. I got out of the woods in four, Fred flubbed the next two shots, Danny, I think hit the flag-pole, and it nearly dropped, and Bill sunk his chip shot for an Eagle. Maybe you see where I'm heading on this one. I was sitting down, watching everybody else drive off the ninth hole, thinking to myself….."there's something strange in the neighborhood." Once again, Bill got up, chortling about something Fred had said to him, and by golly, he almost knocked the cover off the ball. In only three of nine holes, he kicked our asses good. After we finished, I sat down on the bench at the clubhouse, and worked on our scorecard. "Do you keep score Ted," asked Bill. He could see I was, so I just nodded. "You know, I used to keep count, but then I just figured it was a waste of time. It's not like I'm going to turn pro or anything." I looked up, as he was replacing someone else's divot on the first tee, as was his day job. I looked at him, dressed casually, (some would say, farm casual), and I couldn't help notice he was wearing black rubber boots. "I don't believe this. Fred," I said, "Bill's the golfing farmer I've been hearing about for five years." Fred looked at me, with a big smile, winked again at Bill, and said, 'Well Ted, that's not possible. Bill isn't a farmer. Our brother Peter is, though." Of course, Bill was the local legend, I'd been looking over my shoulder for….because that's how he usually turned up to join a golf group. He'd just happen to be on a countryside amble, dressed like a farmer, on the course he looked after, with a couple of clubs and a cut-up, grass-stained ball. Just as he had snuck up on us. He didn't see it that way. He just wanted a bit of company.

     Bill worked on a golf course, you see, and for coffee breaks and lunch, rather than go home, he brought out several of his favorite clubs, and played two or three holes at a time. He played gently, quietly (when not laughing), and never took himself too seriously. He never had a lesson in his life, and never felt the need. That would have made the game too formal and cumbersome. He enjoyed the game on his rules, which were pretty basic, and always ended with a low score, and a contented feeling. Bill Pearcey didn't teach me too much about golf. I was too far gone by that point for redemption. What he did teach me about, was having a sunny disposition, and the life benefits of good cheer for a weary soul. Bill didn't need a fancy golf bag, or monogramed balls, custom made clubs, or a golf glove. He didn't need a scorecard or a bottle of beer. What he needed was a little companionship and some precious recreation. It makes you wonder, about what seems successful or prosperous to some, and what makes a satisfying existence to someone else. Bill didn't ask or even want to be a role model. He just was.

     Thank you for joining today's bog. Please visit again soon.

Gravenhurst Legacy to Uphold

A GRAVENHURST LEGACY TO BE PROUD OF - AND TO UPHOLD

HISTORY CAN BE CONTEMPORARY IF YOU GIVE IT A CHANCE  - YOU MIGHT EVEN COME TO LIKE IT, OVER TIME!!

     THIS MORNING, WHEN I TURNED ONTO MUSKOKA ROAD, NORTH, FROM WINEWOOD, THE MAINSTREET APPEARED IN THE SUNLIGHT, AS SUCH A WELL PROPORTIONED, REGIONALLY PICTURESQUE MESHING-TOGETHER OF OLD AND NEW, AND THE NEAT CONFORMITY OF A RE-CONSTRUCTED ROADWAY, SIDEWALKS, CLEAR PAINTED LINES, NO POT-HOLES,…..BUT JUST A FEW TOO MANY "NO PARKING SIGNS." IT LOOKS GOOD. IT'S A CREDIT TO THE COMMUNITY. THE FURTHER YOU MOTOR SOUTH, THE MORE INTERESTING IT BECOMES, WITH THE BRIGHT ILLUMINATION ON THE HISTORIC CHURCHES, AND POST OFFICE, MAIN STREET STOREFRONTS, AND THE TOWER OF THE OPERA HOUSE. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A PAGE OUT OF HISTORY. IT'S BETTER THAN THAT! IT IS ALL LINKED WITH WHAT CONSTITUTES A MODERN, NEW CENTURY TOWN. ON THIS SHORT AUTOMOBILE JAUNT, I CAN ADMIT TO FEELING QUITE SATISFIED, ALL THE WORK, ALL THE SACRIFICE FOR THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION, AND ALL THE EFFORT TO KEEP THE MAINSTREET LOOKING AS ATTRACTIVE AS POSSIBLE, HAS BEEN WORTH THE PAIN AND SUFFERING TO GET TO THIS POINT. I WOULD BE PROUD TO WALK WITH ANY VISITOR TO OUR TOWN, ALONG THIS MAIN CORRIDOR OF THE GATEWAY COMMUNITY, AND TELL THEM HOW IT ALL BEGAN; AND HOW IT HAS EVOLVED SO SUCCESSFULLY TO THIS POINT. WHERE HONESTLY, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE FINALLY CROSSED A SIGNIFICANT THRESHOLD, TO THE FUTURE WE'D ALL LIKE TO POSSESS. A FLAVOR OF HERITAGE, AND A CONTEMPORARY DISH.

    TO BE THE KEEPER, THE STEWARD OF THIS TOWN, DOES NOT REQUIRE A DEGREE IN CANADIAN HISTORY. IT DOES NOT NECESSITATE ONE BEING AN HISTORIAN, ARCHIVIST, OR CONSERVATOR. IN THE SAME VEIN, THE VISIBLE HISTORY, THE ARCHITECTURE, THE MONUMENTS AND HISTORIC PLAQUES, ARE IMPORTANT, BUT NOT THE DEFINITIVE EVIDENCE A HISTORY OCCURRED HERE……SUCH THAT IF ALL THE OLD BUILDINGS WERE GONE, AND THE MONUMENTS REPLACED BY MODERN ART, AND THERE WASN'T A PLAQUE LEFT STANDING, THE MOST RELEVANT OF THE PAST, BECOMES, SIMPLY STATED, WHAT IS IN OUR CONSCIENCE, AND MINDS, TO CARRY FORTH. IF THERE SHOULD EVER BE THE WILL, TO REMOVE OURSELVES, AS A SOCIETY, FROM THE INVISIBLE TETHERS OF HISTORY, WHAT WOULD STOP THE MODERNISTS FROM RELEGATING IT TO BOOKS AND ARCHIVE BOXES ONLY. SOME OBSERVERS AND HISTORY LOVERS, MIGHT ALREADY FEEL, THAT WITHOUT THE OLD BUILDINGS AND STREET NAMES TO REMIND US OF OUR OUR PAST, THIS HISTORY STUFF, HAS BECOME MUCH LESS MEANINGFUL TO MOST CITIZENS TODAY. THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS FOR THIS, AND MUCH OF IT HAS TO DO WITH HUMAN RESOURCES. LOCAL HISTORIANS ARE GETTING OLDER, AND WHEN WE LOOK FOR OUR APPRENTICES, NO ONE'S THERE TO HOLD UP THE FLAG. EVEN MY YOUNG SONS, ARE NOT LIKELY TO FOLLOW IN THEIR DAD'S FOOTSTEPS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE FOUND A MORE PROFITABLE WAY TO RECOGNIZE HISTORY……SELLING VINTAGE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, FROM THE FORMER, STILL NOSTALGIC, MUSKOKA THEATRE BUILDING.

     THERE IS AN UNDEFINED, UNREGULATED CIRCUMSTANCE, THAT ALLOWS HISTORY TO DRIFT OFF INTO THE DARK RECESSES OF A STORAGE LOCKER, WITH NARY A MUFFLED CRY FOR HELP; A MODERN COMMUNITY, WHERE HISTORY IS VISIBLE AND INTERESTING, BUT NOT SO MUCH. NOT AS IT WAS THIRTY YEARS AGO, ARGUE THE OLDTIMERS, IN COFFEE TIME CHIT-CHAT. IN ITS STRICTEST SENSE, AS PART OF OUR FUTURE-MINDED MUNICIPALITY'S DAY TO DAY PROTOCOLS, HISTORY IS WHAT'S BOUND IN LARGE DUST-COVERED TEXTS, TO BE CONSULTED IF NECESSARY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY CONSULTED.

     THE DIMINISHING OF HISTORY, IN THIS FASHION, IN OUR MODERN COMMUNITIES, WILL SPEED-UP OVER TIME, AS ENTHUSIASTIC HISTORIANS BECOME SCARCE, AND AREN'T REPLACED WHEN THEY RETIRE FROM ACTIVE SERVICE, OR BECOME RESIDENTS OF THE LOCAL CEMETERY. THE FACT, IN OUR OWN TOWN, THAT WE DON'T HAVE YOUNG ASPIRING HISTORIANS, APPRENTICING NOW, WHO WILL, IN TURN, UPHOLD THE RELEVANCE OF HISTORICAL RECORD, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO OUR HERITAGE THEN? WHO WILL PROTECT IT? WHO WILL TEACH OTHERS ABOUT OUR PAST? WHO WILL PROMOTE OUR HISTORY AS BEING UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT? IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT OUR PRESENT COUNCIL, AS THE LINK TO HISTORICAL PRESERVATION, WHAT MIGHT WE EXPECT FROM THEIR LEADERSHIP? HOW MUCH HISTORICAL BACKGROUND DO OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES HAVE, ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR TOWN? BEYOND WHAT THEY KNOW OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF TOWN INCORPORATION, WHAT KIND OF HISTORICAL TALK COULD THEY GIVE, ABOUT THE COMMUNITY THEY GOVERN? WHO WAS WILLIAM HENRY SMITH? WILLIAM DAWSON LESUEUR? DO THEY REALIZE, THAT IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, OUR TOWN "WON'T OFFICIALLY" CELEBRATE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS NAMING……AFTER THE TITLE OF A BOOK WRITTEN BY A BRITISH POET? HONESTLY, IT'S NOT INKED ON THEIR AGENDA. THE ONLY RECOGNITION OF THIS ANNIVERSARY, THAT I KNOW OF, IS THE ONE I'M GOING TO BE PRESENTING, ON THIS BLOG-SITE, IN JULY, THE RESULT OF MANY YEARS' RESEARCH…….AND GENUINE ENTHUSIASM TO PROMOTE (BRAG-ABOUT) OUR LITERARY PROVENANCE, FEW IF ANY COUNCILLORS CARE ABOUT. I DIGRESS. THE POINT IS, HISTORY ISN'T A BIG DEAL FOR OUR LOCAL COUNCIL. IF IT DOESN'T SAY IT ALL, IN THE FEW LINES OF A HERITAGE PLAQUE, OR FALL INTO AN ARCHITECTURAL ZONE FOR RECOGNITION, IT IS WHAT IT IS…….TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BUT NOT CELEBRATED. WHICH IS KIND OF NUTS, WHEN YOU REALIZE JUST HOW MUCH WE RELY ON OUR HISTORICAL RESOURCES, LIKE OUR RESTORED STEAMSHIPS, TO BOOST THE TOURIST ECONOMY. "OH THAT KIND OF HISTORY, YOU SAY. WELL THAT'S DIFFERENT."  AS FOR THAT POET GENTLEMAN, "WHAT IS THAT KNOWLEDGE GOING TO DO FOR US IN CASH REVENUE?" GEEZ, I WISH I COULD PROVE THAT IT WOULD EARN US MILLIONS, BUT I'M A REALIST. IT'S JUST A NAME. A 150 YEAR OLD NAME. WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THAT? WELL FOLKS, STICK WITH ME THIS SUMMER AND YOU'LL FIND OUT.

     WHEN I TAKE A WALK IN A LOCAL CEMETERY, WHICH I DO FREQUENTLY, I AM NEITHER MOURNFUL, ABOUT THE DEPARTED, NOR GHOULISH BECAUSE I FEEL A SENSE OF COMFORT AND PEACE BEING IN THE COMPANY OF DEAD PEOPLE.

     I'M THE HISTORIAN. THESE WERE THE HISTORY MAKERS. WHAT I RESEARCH ABOUT GRAVENHURST TODAY, IS WHAT THESE FOLKS LIVED THROUGH IN YEARS PAST. IT IS ALWAYS A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE, LOOKING UPON THESE GRAVE MARKERS, AND READING THE NAMES OF FORMER BUSINESS LEADERS, POLITICIANS AND MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY FROM DECADES AGO. WELL KNOWN NAMES INSCRIBED, SUZANNE AND I RECALL, FROM THE HISTORY OF STEAMSHIPS WE'VE READ ABOUT; NAMES OF THOSE WHO PERISHED WHEN THE SMALL STEAMER WAOME WAS CAPSIZED IN A VIOLENT WIND-STORM IN LAKE MUSKOKA. HISTORY. SO MUCH HUMAN HISTORY BENEATH THESE SLOWLY ERODING STONES. SOME INSCRIPTIONS HAVE ALMOST BEEN WEATHERED-AWAY, AND SO GROWN OVER BY MOSSES AND LICHEN, THAT THEY ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. THIS IS OUR HISTORY. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CARVED THIS TOWN OUT OF THE PINE FOREST. THOSE WHO CONSTRUCTED THE FIRST LOG CABINS. CUT THE FIRST PATHS INTO THE DENSE BUSH. THERE ARE MANY ENDURING FAMILY NAMES, IN GRAVENHURST, TODAY, ORIGINATING FROM THESE SAME STALWART PIONEERS, WHO ESTABLISHED THE SETTLEMENT AND ITS FUTURE. AS WITH HISTORY, IT IS OFTEN RELEGATED TO QUIET, SEREEN PLACES LIKE THIS, OR IN PRINTED RECORD, KEPT IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT, IN A SHELVED ARCHIVES BOX……TO BE POSSESSED, AND CONSERVED BY PROTOCOL. JUST NOT FULLY APPRECIATED BY THE CONTEMPORARIES AMONGST US. THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND WHY WE KEEP RECORDS, AND MAINTAIN ARCHIVES, BUT NOT NECESSARILY, WHY WE ARE ALSO SUPPOSED TO BE REVERENT, AND SO PROUD, OF WHAT IS HOUSED WITHIN. WHEN HISTORIANS DO GET A CHANCE TO PRESENT THEIR HOLDINGS, FOR THE SHEER JOY AND PRIDE OR REPRESENTING THEIR COMMUNITY, THE AUDIENCE IS PREDICTABLY, THE CONVERTED; THE HISTORICALLY INCLINED.  THOSE WHO ARE PART OF THE FAMILY LEGACY, AND WHO AT ANY TIME, COULD TAKE THE CURIOUS, FOR A GRAVEYARD WALK, POINTING OUT THE FINAL RESTINGS PLACES OF THEIR FAMILY TREE. AS HISTORIANS ARE BECOMING ANTIQUATED THEMSELVES, AND APPRENTICES ARE OFTEN JUST AS OLD, I HAVE A GREAT FEAR, CONTEMPORARY DISINTEREST IN THE PAST, WILL INCREASE THE GAP BETWEEN MODERN HISTORY AND A LEGACY TO UPHOLD. HOW MANY OF OUR PRESENT ELECTED OFFICIALS, HAVE VISITED THE HERITAGE COLLECTION, THE GRAVENHURST ARCHIVES COMMITTEE HAS SO DILIGENTLY, AND THOUGHTFULLY PRESERVED FOR FUTURE POSTERITY?  IF NOT……WELL, WHY NOT? IT'S JUST SOMETHING I CAN'T DIGEST. IF YOU WANT TO REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITY, CAPABLY, AND INCLUSIVELY, YOU HAVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT, THAN FROM JUST THE YEARS OF YOUR RESIDENCY.

     IF I WAS IN A POSITION TO DO SO, I WOULD MAKE "LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS," GRAVENHURST'S LANDMARK CENTENNIAL HISTORY, COMPULSORY READING. I WOULD INSIST THAT EACH COUNCILLOR, PARTICIPATE IN A TUTORIAL, ADMINISTERED BY THE GRAVENHURST ARCHIVES COMMITTEE, AND THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. A MANDATORY QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WOULD FOLLOW, AND THOSE WHO FAIL, SHOULD BE THROWN RIGHT BACK INTO THE LOOP, TO GET UP TO SPEED, ON A LEGACY THEY WILL BE EXPECTED TO UPHOLD, HONOR AND PRESERVE. I SUGGESTED THIS TO A FEW COUNCIL HOPEFULS, AND ONLY ONE HAD ANY SERIOUS INTEREST, IN KNOWING ANYTHING EARLIER THAN THE DISCO ERA, AND UNFORTUNATELY, HE DIDN'T GET ELECTED.

    THERE ARE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES WHO DO SHARE IN THE GRAVENHURST LEGACY, AND WHO I BELIEVE, ARE SINCERE AND REVERENT ABOUT ITS INCORPORATION IN CONTEMPORARY POLICIES, AND GENERAL GOVERNANCE. THERE ARE OTHERS WHO ARE ENTIRELY CONTEMPORARY, AND FIND LITTLE REASON TO DRAW ON THE PRECEDENTS OF THE PAST, TO GUIDE THEM IN PRESENT COUNCIL SITUATIONS. THIS IS A FAILING, IN MY OPINION. APPRECIATING HOW WE ARRIVED IN 2012, AND ALL THE HURDLES AND CALAMITIES THAT HAVE HAD TO BE OVERCOME, SINCE TO TOWN'S FOUNDING, IS CLEAR EVIDENCE OF OUR CHARACTER-PATINA AS A COMMUNITY. THERE ARE BLOOD LINKS TO OUR FOUNDING SETTLERS, AND TO MANY OF THE BUSINESS, INDUSTRIAL, POLITICAL LEADERS OVER THE PREVIOUS 15O YEARS. THIS ISN'T TO SAY THAT THE PAST 150 YEARS WAS WITHOUT CONTROVERSY, CRIME, DISENT, POLITICAL DISHARMONY, AND SOCIETAL UNREST. REGARDLESS OF THE HIGHS, LOWS, AND PLACES IN BETWEEN, IT IS OUR HISTORY. AND IT'S AN INCREDIBLY INTERESTING HISTORY, AT THAT. HOW MANY COMMUNITIES DO YOU KNOW, IN CANADA, HAVE HAD A GERMAN PRISONER-OF-WAR CAMP, AND FULL REGALIA, NAZI FUNERAL PROCESSIONS? IN OUR CASE, FROM LORNE STREET, TO THE MICKLE CEMETERY? HOW MANY COMMUNITIES DO YOU KNOW, HAD NAZI PRISONERS-OF-WAR, MARCHED DOWN THE MAIN STREET OF TOWN, DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR? EVEN THE HISTORY OF THE CALYDOR CAMP, IS A STUDY IN CONTRASTS. WHAT BEGAN AS A SANATORIUM, WHERE DR.NORMAN BETHUNE WAS ONCE A PATIENT, BEFORE GOING TO AN AMERICAN FACILITY, WAS TO BECOME A NAZI PRISON CAMP, FOLLOWED, AFTER A MAKE-OVER, BY A SUMMER RESORT KNOWN AS THE GATEWAY HOTEL, OWNED BY A WELL KNOWN JEWISH FAMILY. ON THE SAME PROPERTY. IT'S MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I USED TO GIVE TOURS OF THE SITE. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STORY THIS IS, AND ONE THAT HAS BEEN HANDLED SUPERBLY, BY LOCAL HISTORIAN, CECIL PORTER. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT, YOU CAN FIND ONE ON THE LIBRARY SHELF. OR YOU CAN TAKE A HIKE TO THE UNGERMAN SUBDIVISION AND THE LORNE STREET BEACH FOR A LITTLE GANDER.

     HOW MANY COMMUNITIES, CAN BOAST A CENTRAL SQUARE, BRONZE STATUE, OF A WORLD FAMOUS COMMUNIST…….DR. NORMAN BETHUNE? A HERO TO THE CHINESE! A GREAT CANADIAN!

     BEING AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS TOWN, IS MORE THAN JUST A CONTEMPORARY SITUATION. SOME COUNCILLORS MAY FEEL THAT ALL THAT MATTERS, IS WHAT THEY ARE FACED WITH AS CONTEMPORARY ISSUES, AND THE PRECEDENTS ARE ALL WITHIN THE BLACK AND WHITE OF THE PREVAILING MUNICIPAL ACT. THE TOWN HAS ITS ROLL OUTLINED, SOMEWHERE IN THE MASS OF BOUND PAPER, IN ITS PROCEDURAL HANDBOOK, AND IN ALL THE SHELVES OF BYLAWS PASSED, AND OCCASIONALLY IMPLEMENTED, TO THIS POINT OF HISTORY. BUT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH. GOVERNING OUR MUNICIPALITY REQUIRES A GENUINE SENSITIVITY TO THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITY. IT REQUIRES A RESPECT FOR THE COMMUNITY BUILDERS, AND THE POLITICAL WILL OF A BYGONE, BUT "IMBEDDED HISTORY," AS THE PATINA AND PROVENANCE OF THE CHAIN OF OFFICE. THERE ARE CITIZENS IN THIS TOWN, GENUINELY CONCERNED, THE MODERNISTS ARE COVERING OVER THE PAST, MUCH AS THE LICHEN CLINGS TO THE FACE OF SO MANY TOMBSTONES. THEY ARE SEEN AS DIMINISHING THE RELEVANCE OF LEGACY, AND PROVENANCE, AS IF, BY THEIR INTERPRETATION, GRAVENHURST WAS BORN YESTERDAY.

    ALTHOUGH IT ISN'T REQUIRED OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, BEFORE BEING SWORN-IN, THAT THEY PAY ALLEGIANCE TO THE FOUNDERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, IT WOULD BE REFRESHING TO KNOW, THAT OUR OFFICIALDOM KNEW ENOUGH, AND APPRECIATED THE STRENGTH OF PRECEDENTS, TO MAKE HISTORY AN ARM OF GOVERNANCE. NOT JUST PORTRAITS HANGING ON A WALL. THEY DON'T MEAN ANYTHING, WITHOUT COMPLIANCE, TO WHAT OUR HISTORY ACTUALLY MEANS…..AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, TO THOSE FAMILIES, WHO ARE STILL REPRESENTED IN OUR COMMUNITY; TO KNOW THE BUILDING WORK OF THEIR ANCESTORS, IS FULLY ACKNOWLEDGED, AND APPRECIATED. IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A PLAQUE OR A CEREMONY. IT WON'T BE IMPROVED BY A MURAL ALONE, OR A CHAPTER IN A BOOK. IT NEEDS TO BE IN THE MINDS OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES, SUCH THAT WHEN THEY HAVE A CONTEMPORARY ISSUE, THAT HAS BEEN DEALT WITH BEFORE, THEY WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE, AND WELL-SERVED, DELVING INTO THE ARCHIVES TO RE-LIVE THOSE LANDMARK DECISIONS OF THE PAST. SOME WERE RIGHT. SOME WERE WRONG. LEARNING FROM THEM, EITHER WAY, SEEMS IMMEASURABLY MORE SENSIBLE, THAN HAVING NO PRECEDENTS AT ALL.

    THE PUBLIC SENSES, AND TO SOME DEGREE, OBSERVES FIRST HAND, (ATTENDING COUNCIL MEETINGS), THIS FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE THE RESPONSIBILITY THEY HAVE, TO RESPECT THE INHERENT CHARACTER OF "WHO AND WHAT WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY." IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT HISTORICAL REVERENCE. BUT IT IS ABOUT APPRECIATING, THAT THE CHANGES THEY ARE IMPOSING, AND THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE THROUGHOUT THEIR FOUR YEAR TERM OF OFFICE, IS PROGRESSIVELY CHANGING THE CHARACTER OF THE TOWN, BIT BY BIT. BUT NOT NECESSARILY, IN KEEPING WITH THE WAY WE BELIEVE IT SHOULD MORPH INTO THE FUTURE. HOW FAR SHOULD WE GO, WITH THIS DISTANCING FROM THE WAY WE WERE? IF OUR COUNCILLORS WERE GIVEN A LOCAL HISTORY QUIZ, WITHOUT BENEFIT OF A PRECEDING TUTORIAL-UPGRADE, AND THE QUESTIONS WERE GENERAL, HOW MANY WOULD GET A PASSING GRADE. IN THE MODERNIST POINT OF VIEW……WHO CARES IF THEY PASS OR NOT? THIS IS 2012. THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW! RIGHT? SO THEN WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CANADIAN? AN ONTARIAN? MUSKOKAN? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A RESIDENT OF GRAVENHURST? WHAT SHOULD IT MEAN? WHY? IT IS REALLY THE CASE, WE NEED TO FIND INTEREST IN OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, TO TAKE UP THE CAUSE OF LOCAL HISTORY……BECAUSE IT'S IN OUR BEST INTERESTS. PERIOD.

     MORE THAN JUST A FEW BUILDERS OF EMPIRES, IN THE PAST, HAVE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED GRAND AND FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURES, AND CITYSCAPES, THAT WHILE ARCHITECTURALLY APPEALING, AND FUNCTIONALLY SUPERIOR TO OTHER STRUCTURES, AND URBAN LANDSCAPES, FAIL OVER TIME, BECAUSE OF DEFICIENCIES. OVER-SIGHTS. THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE, BUT WERE NEGLECTED. IT MIGHT, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE A WEAK AND CRUMBLING FOUNDATION. WE STILL, IN THIS SOCIETY, NEED OUR FOUNDATION TO BUILD-UPON. IF CONTEMPORARY COUNCILS HAVE LITTLE IF ANY INTEREST IN WHAT HAS GONE ON HERE, IN THE PAST, THEN THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR PLAN OF ACTION AND PROGRESS, ON THE SAME WEAK, AND UNWORTHY FOUNDATION, THAT WILL EVENTUALLY FALTER AND FAIL. THE FUTURE OF THE GRAVENHURST OPERA HOUSE COMES TO MIND. THE LONGTIME CITIZENS OF THIS TOWN, ARE APPALLED AT THE LACK OF ENTERTAINMENT AT WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED, FOR MANY DECADES, AN "OPERA HOUSE;" MEANING "NOT AN OFFICE FOR MEETINGS." NOW IT IS, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, AND BY MODERN APPLICATION, REVERTED BACK TO ITS EARLIEST DAYS AS MUNICIPAL OFFICES. IF THEY HAD REVERENCE FOR THIS REPEAT OF HISTORY, THAT WOULD BE ONE THING. AS IT IS, HOWEVER, THE CHANGE TO MEETING PLACE, FROM ENTERTAINMENT VENUE, IS DUE TO LACK OF DIRECTION AND NOTHING MORE. THERE ARE OTHER ENTERTAINMENT VENUES IN GRAVENHURST, CAPABLE OF DRAWING A CROWD. ONE OF THE MOST HISTORICAL VENUES, IS OPERATING AT A GREATLY DIMINISHED CAPACITY, IN THIS REGARD, BECAUSE ITS OWN HISTORY DOESN'T CARRY THE WEIGHT IT SHOULD, WITH OUR CONTEMPORARY COUNCIL. INSTEAD OF READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE HISTORY OF THE OPERA HOUSE, THAT WAS DOCUMENTED IN A RECENT BOOK FOR ITS ANNIVERSARY, THE HISTORY IS RELEGATED TO THE BOOK SHELF…..APPARENTLY WHERE IT BELONGS. IF HISTORY WAS UTILIZED, AND CELEBRATED, THE OPERA HOUSE WOULD HAVE A HUGE FUTURE UNFOLDING, IN THE REALM OF THE PERFORMING ARTS. INSTEAD OF CALLING UPON HISTORY FOR HELP, THE MODERN COUNCIL, IN THIS NEW CENTURY, FOLDS ITS COLLECTIVE HANDS, AND REFUSES TO BUDGE. THUS, MORE SPACE FOR MEETINGS. LESS INTEREST IN THE OLD THEATRE, FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT IT CAN STILL SHOWCASE. WHEN I SUGGESTED A CITIZENS' COMMITTEE BE FORMED, TO HELP LEAD COUNCIL OUT OF THEIR SELF IMPOSED-STALEMATE, ON THE MATTER OF REJUVENATING THE OPERA HOUSE, NARY A WORD WAS OFFERED IN SUPPORT……AND STILL NO INDICATION COUNCIL CARES WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS ON THE MATTER.

      WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS TOWN? NOT A THING THAT CAN'T BE CORRECTED, OR IMPROVED UPON, IF THERE IS THE ENTHUSIASM AND WILL TO RESTORE RESPECT FOR OUR HERITAGE…….NOT JUST FRAMED IN A MOUNTED PLAQUE, IN A PAINTING, PHOTOGRAPH OR MURAL…….BUT EMPLOYED IN REAL TIME, REAL LIFE SITUATIONS, WHERE IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE, TO SOLVE AND OVERCOME CONTEMPORARY STALEMATES.

     TO BE HISTORICALLY RESPECTFUL, DOESN'T IMPOSE A DRESS CODE. IT ISN'T NECESSARY TO WEAR A TOP HAT, OR A VICTORIAN FROCK, OR TO ARRIVE AT A COUNCIL MEETING VIA HORSE AND BUGGY. IT IS NECESSARY, FOR HISTORICAL ACCURACY, TO CONDUCT A MEETING BY THE LIGHT OF SEVERAL OIL LAMPS. IT'S AN ATTITUDE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. AN UNDERSTANDING, THAT TO MANY OF US, THE INDIFFERENCE TO WHAT WE HOLD NEAR AND DEAR, IS FRANKLY, WORRISOME. LIKE CARRYING THE FLAG PROUDLY, IT IS INCUMBENT TO KNOW WHAT THAT PROTOCOL MEANS……NOT JUST WHAT YOU ASSUME IT MEANS. THERE ARE SOME OLDER CITIZENS HERE, WHO BELIEVE OUR OWN FLAG, IS COMING PRECARIOUSLY CLOSE TO HITTING THE GROUND. ELECTED OFFICIALS SURELY APPRECIATE WHAT THIS MEANS. 

STILL TIME TO RE-CONSIDER VOTE ON THE USE OF THE HAIGHT BEQUEATH

     There is still lots of time, before the June 5th vote, on a committee proposal, to use the one million dollar bequeath, made by the estate of the late Terrence Haight, to pay down the town debt….., for Gravenhurst councillors who voted for the motion, to change their position on the decision. There is time to opt for public consultation, in order to allow interested residents, to offer their suggestions, on how the money can be best invested, to assist our community at large. As a watcher of local politics, I think this is a more important council reaction, and decision, than councillors may have previously thought……and a lot of citizens are openly critical about council's jumbo-sizes arrogance. The word on the street is that the town would be making a huge mistake, to spend the memorial bequeath in this fashion, and my advice to councillors who may be reading this tome, is to hit the street, and ask the pertinent question yourself. Possibly ten out of ten citizens asked, would recommend the establishment of a future community grant program, or the same percentage suggesting that paying off the debt would be best. Maybe it would be fifty-fifty. But to not allow the public to enter into the discussion, will have its political consequence. What needs to be shown here, is that our elected officials, are prepared to allow the public to decide. The residents of this town. Not just ratepayers. Not just a table of councillors, or administrative staff at town hall. The everyday folk who call this south Muskoka town their home. It would sure be neat, to see our council members, out on the street seeking consensus, because they believe it is the right thing to do.

    It's okay to re-think a position. The vote that counts, is what council decides, and I'm betting, councillors will judge the prevailing protest, by enthusiastic citizens, as proof, the public wants to, and will be involved in the process. Being unmoved, indifferent and stubborn in this case, won't be a credit to recall, at the very next all-candidates meeting……when we really will open the floor to debate.

Empty Stores and Vacant Lots Not the Whole Story

 AN AMBLE IN THE WOODS DOES THE WORLD OF GOOD

     FROM SCHOOL DAYS, I REMEMBER A MEMORABLE LITTLE VERSE BY GEORGE POPE MORRIS, 1802-1864. IT READS, "WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE!  TOUCH NOT A SINGLE BOUGH!  IN YOUTH IT SHELTERED ME, AND I'LL PROTECT IT NOW."

     I'VE BEEN OVER AT THE BOG, ENJOYING A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY AFTERNOON. THE LOWLAND IS SO FULL OF LIFE, AND LIFE SOUNDS. I COULD STAND ON THE EMBANKMENT, LISTENING TO THE SOUNDS OF THOSE BABBLING LITTLE CREEKS, UNTIL SUNSET, AND NEVER FEEL I'D STAYED TOO LONG. I ALWAYS ENJOY THIS TIME OF YEAR, WATCHING THIS FOREST AND COMPANION LOWLAND, EMERGING WITH RICH GREEN GROWTH…..THE TIGHTLY COILED FERNS READY TO UNFOLD INTO THE WARM SPRING SUN. HEARING THE TELL-TALE RUSTLE OF SMALL TOADS IN THE OLD DRY LEAVES FROM SEASONS PAST, AND THE SCURRYING SOUND OF UNSEEN CHIPMUNKS, CLAWING AT THE BASE OF GNARLED TREES, FORAGING FOR SOMETHING TO GATHER FOR THEIR NEST. I FOUND DEER TRACKS JUST OFF THE PATH, AND BY THE LOOKS OF THE TUFTS OF BLACK FUR ON SOME LOW BRANCHES, IT APPEARS A BEAR MAY HAVE BEEN HERE A DAY OR SO AGO. IT IS AN URBAN GREEN SPACE, YET WHEN YOU STAND JUST BELOW THE EMBANKMENT OF EVERGREENS, IT SEEMS AS IF YOU ARE MILES FROM THE NEAREST INHABITANT.  WHEN YOU STEP BACK UP THE PATH, YOU CAN SEE THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSES AND LAWNCHAIRS. THIS DEDICATED OPEN SPACE, PROVIDES NATURAL WATER FILTRATION, BEFORE A HUGE QUANTITY OF CONTAMINATED RUN-OFF WATER, FROM THE URBAN AREAS, DRAINS IN MUSKOKA BAY.

    IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE, THIS SAME BOUNTIFUL GREEN BELT, MIGHT WELL HAVE BECOME PAVED OVER WITH ENTOMBING BLACK-TOP, AND INTRUDED UPON WITH NEW BUNGALOWS, CAR-PORTS AND DOUBLE GARAGES. HOW CLOSE WE CAME TO LOSING IT, AS A RESULT OF GOVERNMENT FOLLY. THERE ISN'T A DAY, OR TIME OF DAY, WHEN I ARRIVE ON THIS THIN RIDGE, AMONGST THE LUSH FERNS AND EVERGREENS, LOOKING OVER THE BOG, THAT I DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT NEARLY OCCURRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE FORAY BY THE TOWN TO SELL OFF THE PROPERTY, INSPIRED A LOT OF CONCERNED CITIZENS, AND ASSOCIATIONS, TO PULL TOGETHER TO COUNTER THE TOWN'S PROPOSAL. I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER LOCAL EXAMPLE THAN THIS, OF CITIZENS BECOMING ACTIVE TO PRESERVE WHAT NEEDED TO BE PRESERVED. THERE ARE TIMES IN EVERY GOVERNMENT TERM OF OFFICE, WHEN OFFICIALDOM DECIDES TO RE-DEFINE DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS, TO PURSUE A DIFFERENT COURSE, A DIFFERENT AGENDA, AS THEY SEE FIT.

   OF COURSE, WE'VE SEEN IT MANY TIMES BEFORE, WHEN THE PUBLIC HAS HAD ENOUGH. WHEN PROTOCOLS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN BREACHED, BECAUSE IT WAS ASSUMED WE WEREN'T WATCHING, OR THAT WE DIDN'T CARE. IN MY LENGTHY EXPERIENCE AS A REGIONAL HISTORIAN, THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF THE PUBLIC REARING-UP, AND SUCCESSFULLY CONFRONTING A MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, MORALLY AND LEGALLY.  ELECTED OFFICIALS REDUCING THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE, IN THE PROCESS OF GOVERNANCE…..AND GENERALLY, IT NEVER ENDS WELL.

     I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS SUCH RELUCTANCE, OF LOCALLY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, TO ASK THEIR CONSTITUENTS FOR ADVICE, ON CERTAIN CONTENTIOUS MATTERS. THERE IS NO RULE, THAT PROHIBITS A COUNCILLOR FROM SEEKING AND ACQUIRING FEEDBACK, CONSENSUS, ADVICE, DIRECTION, PROVIDED THE COUNCIL BUSINESS ISN'T CONFIDENTIAL, OR DEEMED A SENSITIVE MUNICIPAL MATTER. IN THE CASE OF THE TERRENCE HAIGHT BEQUEATH OF A MILLION DOLLARS, IF COUNCILLORS HAD BEEN TRULY INTERESTED GETTING A CONSENSUS, REGARDING INVESTMENT OF THE CAPITAL, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ANY PROBLEM GETTING RESPONSES. HOW MANY CITIZENS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO A COUNCILLOR ABOUT THIS MATTER? TELL YOU WHAT! IF THE TOWN HAD SET UP A COUPLE OF TABLES AT THE OPERA HOUSE, OVER ONE OR TWO WEEKENDS, SPLIT BY COUNCILLORS DOING SHIFTS, AND INVITED RESIDENTS TO COME IN FOR A CHAT (NOT JUST RATEPAYERS), I'M WILLING TO BET, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MANY MORE OPTIONS, AND MANY MORE ENLIGHTENED COUNCILLORS…….AS TO HOW ENTHUSIASTIC OUR CITIZENS CAN BE, WHEN GIVEN HALF A CHANCE.

     COUNCIL HAS TO LIVE WITH THE REALITY, THAT MANY CITIZENS HAVE JUST GIVEN UP TRYING TO FIGHT OR INFLUENCE TOWN HALL. POSSIBLY THIS IS AN ADVANTAGE TO THEM. FEWER ANNOYING PEOPLE TO GET IN THE WAY OF THEIR PLANS. THESE DISENCHANTED MEMBERS OF THE ELECTORATE HAVE LITTLE APPETITE FOR VOTING, BECAUSE THEY KNOW ONE COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE ROUGHLY THE SAME AS ANOTHER. YOU SEE THE SAME MALAISE IN FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL POLITICS. WHEN YOU VOTED FOR THE CONSERVATIVES IN THE LAST FEDERAL ELECTION, DID YOU KNOW ABOUT AN OMNIBUS BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE RETIREMENT PLANS? THE NEW UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE RULES? BET NOT! SO IS IT ANY WONDER A LOT OF CANADIANS HAVE JUST RESIGNED THEMSELVES TO THE VASTNESS OF "WHATEVER," AND ALLOWED DEMOCRATIC PRIVILEGE TO FADE INTO OBSCURITY. ON A MUNICIPAL LEVEL, IT'S THE SAME IF NOT WORSE. COUNCILLORS WILL COMPLAIN THAT CITIZENS DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO, BECAUSE THEY WON'T ATTEND PUBLIC MEETINGS……JUST THE FEW REGULARS WHO SHOW UP FOR EVERY MEETING. THIS IS, OF COURSE, A HUGE ERROR IN JUDGEMENT, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT, THOSE WHO ARE FUMING AND GNASHING THEIR TEETH, AWAITING THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY TO SPRING FORTH WITH AN OBJECTION. SOME TIMES, LIKE WHEN THERE'S A MEETING WITH AN "OPEN MIC!" ON RARE OCCASIONS, THE RIGHT CONDITIONS PREVAIL, YOU SEE, AND THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF FRUSTRATION BUILDS, AND THE PUBLIC "WILL" POURS FORTH IN VIGOROUS PROTEST. I HAVE NEVER UNDERSTOOD, WHY THIS ANGER AND FRUSTRATION ISN'T DEALT WITH, BEFORE IT GAINS STRENGTH, AS IT IS SO MUCH MORE SENSIBLE, THAN BUILDING A HEAD OF STEAM, WITH NO EXIT VENT.

     WE NEED PERCEPTIVE LEADERSHIP FOR THIS TOWN. LEADERS WHO ARE WILLING TO FACE THE PUBLIC, HAT IN HAND, READY TO PROVIDE EXPLANATIONS TO QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED. WHO ARE ALLOWED, UNOBSTRUCTED, AND UNCENSORED, TO QUESTION THEIR DECISIONS, AND PLANS OF ACTION. WE'RE ALL TIRED OF THE DIET OF UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS, THAT OUR OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN MAKING MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT BETTER, AND MORE TRANSPARENT…..BECAUSE THE CONTRADICTIONS PROVE THE OPPOSITE. "WE DON'T HAVE TO," SEEMS TO BE THE ONE-ANSWER-FITS-ALL SOLUTION, WHEN THE PUBLIC IS CONCERNED. BUT HONESTLY, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY. PUBLIC CONSULTATION IS A DAILY SITUATION. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HAVING PUBLIC MEETINGS. IT'S ABOUT CONNECTING WITH THE PEOPLE. WE'VE HAVEN'T GONE ANYWHERE. WE'RE STILL ROUGHLY, GIVE OR TAKE A FEW MILES, WHERE WE WERE AT THE LAST MUNICIPAL ELECTION. MY INPUT ISN'T DESIRED. I'M PESKY AND TROUBLESOME. BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER CITIZENS WHO WOULD LOVE TO CHAT CASUALLY, ABOUT THE TOWN THEY LOVE……AND POTENTIALLY, THE ONE THEIR FAMILIES HELPED TO BUILD. 

      YUP, IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A WALK OUT INTO THE BOG. THE ONE WE ALL HAD A HAND IN CONSERVING. WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT, GRAVENHURST CITIZENS KNOW HOW TO FIGHT BACK, AND RUN THEIR OWN TOWN.

MAKING MILLIONS DOESN'T DEFINE QUALITY OF LIFE - SATISFACTION AND PEACE-OF-MIND DOES -

OUR TOWN ISN'T SCULPTED TO DRAGON'S DEN STANDARDS -

     IT'S QUITE LIKELY, AND OF NO REAL SURPRISE, THAT A FEW SMALL BUSINESSES, AND INDUSTRIES, OPERATING IN GRAVENHURST TODAY, WOULD BE TOSSED OUT OF THE CBC'S "DRAGON'S DEN," BECAUSE THEIR PROFIT STRATEGY FALLS SHORT OF BIG-TIME EXPECTATION. A PROFIT THAT IS DEEMED NOT HIGH ENOUGH, OR SUSTAINABLE, TO CRACK THAT ELUSIVE FIRST MILLION DOLLAR PAYDAY. I'M JUST GUESSING HERE, BUT HAVING FRESHLY-BAKED COOKIES, TO GIVE OUR CUSTOMERS ON SATURDAYS, AND OUR SONS' MODEST PROFIT PROFILE, AS SELLERS OF VINTAGE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, ISN'T GOING TO WOW THEIR PANEL OF MULTI-MILLIONAIRE INVESTORS. WHY WOULD IT? THE "SHOW ME THE MONEY" DEMAND, ISN'T ALWAYS AS CUT AND DRIED AS IT SEEMS ON THE SHOW. THE PANEL DOESN'T USUALLY BUY INTO THE MOTHERHOOD IDEA, THAT "A BUSINESS CAN ALSO BE SYNONYMOUS WITH QUALITY OF LIFE." I HAVEN'T HEARD A PANELIST BLURT OUT, "THERE'S MORE TO LIFE THAN MONEY." HOW DO YOU PITCH THE HAPPILY-RUN, PERSONALLY CONTENTING FAMILY ENTERPRISE? CONTENTING TO THEM, MEANS MONEY IN HAND. LOTS OF MONEY. EVEN THE TV. WALTONS COULDN'T HAVE GOT A FEW EXTRA BUCKS FOR THE WALTON'S MOUNTAIN SAWMILL.  SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE OUR JUST WOULDN'T CUT IT, WHEN IT COMES TO SECURING THEIR INVESTMENT. IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY. IT'S JUST A SHOW. REMEMBER THAT! THERE ARE CRITICS IN THIS TOWN WHO PROBABLY FEEL, THAT ANNOYING LITTLE BUSINESSES LIKE OURS, BORDER THE IRRELEVANT…..AND ARE GENERALLY A WASTED INVESTMENT. IT'S WHY WE'VE GOT PRETTY GOOD AT IGNORING THEM.

     AS MUCH AS THIS SEEMS A RIDICULOUS STATEMENT, BY TODAY'S BUSINESS STANDARD, BECOMING A MILLIONAIRE ISN'T AS IMPORTANT AS ENJOYING ONE'S LIFE AND OCCUPATION. THERE IS THAT EFFERVESCENCE OF A GOOD AND KIND LIFE, THAT SHOULD REMIND US OF CHARLES DICKENS CHARACTER, "FEZZIWIG" FROM HIS BOOK "A CHRISTMAS CAROL." HE REFUSED TO SELL-OUT HIS BUSINESS TO "THE NEW VESTED INTEREST," BECAUSE HIS INDUSTRY WAS "A WAY OF LIFE," THAT ONE COMES TO KNOW AND LOVE. "MONEY ISN'T EVERYTHING," HE RESPONDED, WHEN ASKED IF HE'D RECONSIDER SELLING, TO "THE NEW VESTED INTEREST." WHICH WERE THE DRAGONS OF ONCE UPON A TIME. WHEN TOLD HIS NEW COMPETITION WOULD CRUSH HIM, OLD FEZZIWIG SUGGESTED IN RESPONSE, THAT HE WOULD GLADLY DIE-OUT WITH THE OLD WAYS, IF NECESSARY.

     THE AUTHOR'S CHARACTER IS FORCIBLY RETIRED. HIS BUSINESS OVER-TAKEN. IT IS A CASE OF SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. EBENEEZER SCROOGE AND JACOB MARLEY HAVE A HAND IN FEZZIWIG'S RETIREMENT AND REMOVAL FROM THE PREMISES HE SO CHERISHED; AND THE BUSINESS AND STAFF HE LIVED FOR, IN HIS MORAL ROLE IN THIS CHRISTMAS TALE. BOTH SCROOGE AND MARLEY WOULD COME TO SEE THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS, AND THE LENGTH OF PONDEROUS CHAIN THEY FORGED IN LIFE, LINK BY LINK.  MORTALITY AND IMMORTALITY, DO NOT HAVE ANY STAKE IN WHETHER ONE IS A MILLIONAIRE OR A PAUPER.

     MY GRANDFATHER, STANLEY JACKSON, OF TORONTO, WAS A WELL ESTABLISHED HOME BUILDER. WHILE HE WORKED OCCASIONALLY FOR OTHER BUSINESS INTERESTS, DURING HIS LIFE, HE WAS CONTENTED WITH THE WORK HE HAD, ON A REGULAR BASIS. CUSTOMERS KNOWING AND SEEING THE QUALITY OF HIS WORKMANSHIP, HE DIDN'T NEED TO ADVERTISE. WHEN HE DIED, HE WASN'T A MILLIONAIRE. THERE WASN'T ONE PERSON IN OUR LARGE FAMILY, WHO WOULD HAVE SAID, HE WAS AN UNSUCCESSFUL MAN BECAUSE HE WASN'T WEALTHY. THEY WOULD HAVE REMARKED, WHAT A FASCINATING LIFE HE HAD ENJOYED, AND HOW MANY FRIENDS HE HAD MADE IN HIS TRADE, HIS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND IN THE MUSIC COMMUNITY AS A VIOLINIST. SUZANNE'S GRANDFATHER, SAM STRIPP, AND HER FATHER NORM STRIPP, WERE LARGELY SELF EMPLOYED FOR MOST OF THEIR RESPECTIVE LIVES, AND AS WITH MY GRANDFATHER, BOTH MEN DIED WITHOUT HAVING MADE HUGE BUSINESS PROFITS. YET BOTH LEFT THIS MORTAL COIL, HAVING SPENT A GOOD LIFE PURSUING WHAT INTERESTED THEM, IN THE PROFESSION THEY WERE MOST COMFORTABLE. RIGHT UP TO THE END OF HIS LIFE, SUZANNE'S FATHER, NORMAN, REFINISHED OLD WOODEN LAUNCHES, INCLUDING MUSKOKA-BUILT DITCHBURNS, FOR VERY APPRECIATIVE CUSTOMERS. HE DIDN'T WANT A MILLION DOLLARS. HE WANTED TO PRESERVE, FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, A WAY OF LIFE HE HAD ALWAYS KNOWN. WHAT HE FELT COMFORTABLE AND INTERESTING ABOUT LIFE. OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IN HIS LIFE, WAS HIS MEMBERSHIP IN THE WINDERMERE AND DISTRICT LIONS CLUB. FRIENDSHIP WAS WORTH MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS TO NORMAN, AND YOU'D FIND THIS OUT IF YOU DID A LITTLE RESEARCH. HE WAS PROUD OF HIS WINDERMERE ROOTS, AND THE VILLAGE WAS PROUD OF HIM. WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR? OH YEA, A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE BANK.

     In the so called old-days of business, in the true period of those "mom and pop" and "family" enterprises, there was always a struggle to survive. It became a way of life. Like the Walton's, on Walton Mountain, in the 1970's television show, running a sawmill as a family, from the period of post Depression, to the Second World War. Hardship was widespread. Some had it better, some worse. It mirrored in many ways, the life of a small rural community, and viewership of this show was probably pretty substantial in towns like Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. I never missed an episode as a teenager. Suzanne, growing up in Windermere, watched it faithfully with the rest of her family. While it was fiction, and a nostalgic, fanciful Hollywood creation, for entertainment not education, it still reflected pretty close to home, the way many of us had been, and were still living and working in small family enterprises. Business and investment critics today, wouldn't have too much use for stories, or scenarios like this, on screen, or in real life, because of the million "plus" dollars they wouldn't earn. It's sad actually, that our prevalent business strategy, and motivation today, discourages small business if the projected earnings aren't huge and growing by leaps and bounds each year. They would laugh at Old Fezziwig, for trying to keep his small industry operational, because of its lesser profits……as compared to the behemoth profit-making of competitors.

    This town of ours, like millions of other communities, world wide, was created by entrepreneurial spirit. Small industry. Small business. We had our big investors, such as A.P. Cockburn, and we had our mom and pop general stores proprietorship, that kept the growing number of citizens supplied with the needs of the day. Gravenhurst, as with all fledgling settlements, on a wild frontier, was initiated by courage and resolve, to work hard and prosper. Profit came in many forms, back then, when just surviving was a sign of an improving personal economy. It was a gamble. The homesteaders were gambling. The early industrialists and investors, were gambling. Small business founders, gambled. Governments of the day gambled on all components to merge together, to form thriving hamlets, becoming villages, evolving into towns…….and possibly one day, a modern city. It's still a gamble today, as it has been through history, and there are no sure bets. The stock market crash of 1929 made life abundantly difficult for everyone……and yes, even the wealthy. War, Depression, Recession, and natural disaster can knock a way of life down for the count. It has before and it will again. There will be a regeneration, despite those who honestly believe, that entrepreneurial spirit is controlled and travels on a pre-set track. Those who continue to preach about the imminent failure of our business community, like all those who predict the end of the world as we know it, are as necessary to the community, as those who rise each morning, step out into the prevailing weather, and exclaim, "What a great day it is." Raining, snowing, overcast or sunny, their outlook on the day, is that it is "the time of our lives," with all the potential that entails. If we didn't have the wind-bags of dissent, what would we have to bounce off of, to remind ourselves, that predicting the end, is always easier, than manifesting the courage to do something about it. Easier than putting forth the kind of progressive enterprise, that doesn't require even a single word of explanation; just the courage to face adversity…..again and again. Thankfully, we have less blow-hards, and more citizenry, who soldier-on regardless of those who predict……. we will all soon fall off the edge of the earth. Civilization has always had its detractors. Those who had a plan to make it better. Folks that felt Utopia was attainable. Now they're called cults.

     I've known and interviewed hundreds of business and industrial investors, as a journalist. The most successful ones, have always, in my opinion (as the reporter), been those of much less bluster, and pronounced ego, who offered little if any propaganda about how proficient they were, to make the subject industry, business or development a lasting, profitable investment. These investors didn't present themselves, as our saviors……those who would lead us from our own pauper lifestyles, by investing in our community. They wanted the support of the community, and realized, rather astutely, that bravado and self-promotion can actually become a detriment, to what might actually be a good business plan. Many times, I was sent out to businesses that were failing, and the only reason I was there, in fact, had everything to do with what that company owed-us in overdue advertising accounts. The plan was, I suppose, that if I could write a really compelling story, that would inspire more business, these folks could pay their past-due accounts, and carry on to do even more advertising in the future. A majority of these businesses and several manufacturing companies, required a lot more than a compelling story to save them. There were hateful people at the helm. They blamed everybody else for their misfortunes. Nothing they did, or didn't do, caused their chagrin. It was the government's fault, the supplier's errors, high taxation, the crappy-work ethic of employees, you name it. The buck never seemed to stop where it was warranted. Many of these proprietors closed their operations, as I often predicted, because of their own errors in judgement. Their high-handedness. Their failure to look at their own faults, before blaming anyone or anything else. I also watched as a lot of fine folks lost their shops, and it often was because of circumstances beyond their control. Instead of closing-up, and vocalizing their anger about the business failings, they shook their neighbors' hands, thanked their staff and suppliers, and most important, their customers. Funny thing about this. I know that a small but significant number of these investors, have shown-up in new business adventures, and just as many, have become damn fine employees, helping someone else's enterprise prosper. Experience is an important resource. If you always succeed, how will you deal with failure, should it arise? Having someone, as an advisor, who has failed, in business, is a resource of information that can prove quite valuable.

     What is threatened most, in Gravenhurst these days, is the atmosphere of confidence. Too much emphasis is being placed on empty store-fronts and vacant commercial lots. The constant bombardment of negatives, as we once used to hear so much from the business community itself, is becoming quite destructive but from a different source. There are critics who want us to be everything to all comers. To be a haven to those who want to turn a million dollar profit, like flicking on a lightbulb. The new reliance, to condemn us to non-prosperity, is precariously hinged on editorial-supporting statistics, with cross referencing of interesting facts with anecdotes, just to prove a point. The obsession with self-mutilation, as carried-on by critics, is really quite extraordinary, to anything I have ever known, as a long-time local business reporter / writer, and regional historian. While I'm abundantly good at wading through nonsense and rhetoric, to get to the truth, reality is, the spewing of "sky is falling" critiques, is most definitely having an effect, presenting our community as a hard-luck case, with no future. The self-serving, grandstanding that is going on now, is getting the kind of attention, that will eventually serve to adversely influence new capital investment. Before large speculative ventures, are afforded communities, like ours, fact-finders are sent to scout the place out. One of the first sources of information, seeking out the economic and social climate, is to consult the local media…..print and electronic. If they do a Gravenhurst search, they're going to find a guy like me, lipping-off about the qualities and quantities of our municipal council. If you're a regular reader, you will realize that I am as complimentary as I am critical over the long haul. Just archive my blogs and you'll see this. On the other hand, the kind of generalizing about how economically challenged we are, in a tourist economy, is becoming a worrying, ongoing condition. The media, it seems, prefers to present the down side of local business, instead of taking some time to discover the amazing success stories, and those entrepreneurs……some quite young, who have become part of our town's tradition……..of defying the odds, as presented by self professed experts. So unfortunately, until the business community itself, starts demanding accountability from the media, in this regard, the gloom and doom overview of a bright, sunny, cheerful little town, will dampen the enthusiasm of investors we need. As for the Town's Economic Development services……..it's a waste of time, under the present circumstances, because for every step they take forward, there is that wave of negativity that rises to the occasion. There's a right to free speech. There's also the right of fair play. The local BIA and Chamber of Commerce would be well advised, to come up with a strong media counterpoint, and program, to challenge the critics' assertions, that we wallow contently in sub-mediocrity. Of course we need a firm, proactive response, to those who seem hell bent, on knocking us down, again and again. I'm banking on the business community, regardless where their investment lies, to band together, to offer a different perspective on an old and tired theme. Statistics don't live and breathe. They never tell the complete story. Relying on them, as an absolute definition as to how we are doing as a community, is foolhardy, and void of even a smidgeon of insight, about what human-will can achieve…….and has, many times, in our hale and hardy little town.

     What would we do without critics? Part of the feeling of success and victory, is joyfully, and poignantly, demonstrating, just how wrong they were (are)……and how much of life was wasted, pounding nails into an empty coffin. How foolish they must feel then, when they take that final farewell peek, and see that what they had believed was final, and very, very deceased, was in fact, just getting a second wind.

     "I shall continue, therefore in the course I have hitherto pursued; looking at things poetically, rather than politically; describing them as they are, rather than pretending to point out how they should be; and endeavoring to see the world in as pleasant a light as circumstance will permit.

     "I have always had an opinion that much good might be done by keeping mankind in good humor with one another. I may be wrong in my philosophy, but I shall continue to practice it until convinced of its fallacy. When I discover the world to be all that it has been represented, by sneering cynics and whining poets, I will turn and abuse it also; in the mean while, worthy reader, I hope you will not think lightly of me, because I can not believe this to be so very bad a world as it is represented." Geoffrey Crayon. (Taken from the book, "Bracebridge Hall," by Washington Irving)

     Thank you so much for joining today's blog. Please join me again soon.

     Watch for ongoing season updates, detailing the "Music on The Barge," concert series, at Gull Lake Park; including previews of the performers, and reviews of the events themselves. I hope we're not using up all the good weather now. We need those sparkling, clear, warm summer nights. This year, there are no rain re-locations, to the Opera House, or the new Terry Fox auditorium, because of size limitations. Concerts may be delayed by the rain, or interrupted temporarily, like ball games, but a full rain-out will mean "no concert." The suggestion is, that on nights that look like it might rain, you should bring along a raincoat and umbrella just in case. A portable shelter on the Barge will be employed to keep sound equipment and instruments dry, in the event of short-lived inclement weather. Watch this blog for concert updates and announcements I may be asked to make, by Fred Schulz, manager of The Barge. Hope you will come out to this amazing summer venue, in beautiful Gull Lake Park, commencing June 24th, with the Muskoka Concert Band, conducted by Neil Barlow.

Haight Bequeath Not Just For Council

COUNCIL REPRESENTS THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY  - NOT JUST THE RATEPAYERS

BEQUEATH SHOULD BELONG TO US ALL!

     MIGHT TERRENCE HAIGHT HAVE CHANGED HIS MIND ABOUT THE BEQUEATH OF A MILLION DOLLARS, TO THE TOWN OF GRAVENHURST, HAD HE KNOWN THE POTENTIAL OF DISAGREEMENT, REGARDING HOW IT WAS TO BE SPENT? ISN'T THIS ALWAYS THE WAY? SQUABBLING OVER AN UNEXPECTED INHERITANCE.

     IF THE ELECTED COUNCILS OF THE PAST, IN THIS TOWN, GAVE A CRAP ABOUT DEBT-LOAD, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE SIGNED ONTO A RECREATION CENTRE UPGRADE ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT. THEY WOULD HAVE SAID TO THE FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS, AND LOCAL RESIDENTS AS WELL,….."WE'RE NOT READY FOR THIS POOL PROJECT."  WE NEEDED MORE TIME. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RUSHED. AND MOST DEFINITELY, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MASTERS OF OUR DOMAIN. IT WAS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FUNDRAISE. IF WE WANTED TO FINANCE A POOL, WE SHOULD HAVE CONDUCTED MOST OF THE DONATION-SEEKING ON OUR TIME, WITH OUR VOLUNTEERS. WE HAVE SO MUCH DEBT BECAUSE WE WENT INTO THE PROJECT ILL-PREPARED, AND WITHOUT KNOWING ABOUT THINGS LIKE A HIGH WATER TABLE ON-SITE, AND THE PROBLEMS OF LINKING TWO ROOF-TOPS, INSTEAD OF HAVING ONLY ONE.

    SO AS COUNCIL APPEARS DETERMINED NOW, TO USE THE TERRENCE HAIGHT BEQUEATH, OF A MILLION DOLLARS PLUS, TO PAY DOWN THE GENERAL DEBT, THEY ARE UNDOUBTEDLY SLAPPING THEMSELVES ON THE BACK FOR BEING SO DARN RESPONSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC PURSE. COME ON! THE DEBT? THAT'S FUNNY BUT IT'S TOO PAINFUL TO LAUGH. CONSIDERING THEY COULD HAVE SAVED ABOUT FIVE TO SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS, OR MORE, IF THEY HAD REFUSED PUSH THE CENTENNIAL CENTRE UPGRADE, WITH THE HURRY-UP AGENDA, (FORGETTING ABOUT THINGS LIKE HIGH GROUND WATER LEVELS), AND OF COURSE, BUYING A BUILDING FOR A NEW TOWN HALL, WITH AN INADEQUATE ROOF. ON TOP OF THAT, GIVING AWAY THE OLD MUNICIPAL HALL. SO FORGIVE ME FOR CHORTLING QUIETLY, ABOUT A TOWN COUNCIL THAT IS NOW WORRIED ABOUT THE DEBT-LOAD, SO MUCH, THAT THEY PLAN TO TAKE A GIFT TO THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND PAY DOWN THEIR PAST EXCESSES. IT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE FORWARD-BACKWARD SYNDROME.

     FOR THOSE COUNCILLORS WHO VOTED AGAINST THE PLAN TO SPEND THE BEQUEATH ON TOWN DEBT, I APPLAUD YOU. YOU HAVE VOTED CORRECTLY. FOR THOSE WHO VOTED IN FAVOR, OVERTURN THE DECISION, AND ALLOW THE PUBLIC THEIR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS.

     THERE IS A NAGGING SHORTFALL OF INTEREST, IN THIS TOWN, WHEN IT COMES TO THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF THOSE PEOPLE, WHO DON'T OWN PROPERTY. AS VOTERS AND RESIDENTS OF THIS TOWN, WHETHER THEY OWN PROPERTY, OR HAVE EVER PAID A TAX BILL, THEY ARE EQUAL STAKEHOLDERS IN GRAVENHURST. ALTHOUGH COUNCILLORS MAY NOT WISH TO BORE THEMSELVES WITH THE DETAILS OF WHO THEY REPRESENT, THE CASE IN POINT, IS THE BEQUEATH. THE KINDLY-EXTENDED INHERITANCE, FOR OUR TOWN, BELONGS TO THE CITIZENS, AND THEY AREN'T NECESSARILY RATEPAYERS. WHILE PAYING DOWN THE MUNICIPAL DEBT-LOAD, MAY IN FACT, PLEASE A PORTION OF THE RATEPAYERS OUT THERE, THOSE WHO RENT ACCOMMODATIONS, AND DON'T PAY PROPERTY TAX, HAVE THE INHERENT RIGHT, AS RESIDENTS, TO AN OPINION ON HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT. OF COURSE, THERE ARE A FEW COUNCIL MEMBERS NOW, WHO THINK THEY KNOW WHAT THE PUBLIC WILL IS…….YET THE INSIGHTFUL AMONGST US, REALIZE THEY'RE JUST WINGING IT…….OR CLAIRVOYANT.  THEY'RE WILLING TO GAMBLE ON THEIR HUNCHES. THERE'S ALWAYS A PRICE TO PAY FOR TAKING A GAMBLE. WE ALL KNOW THAT, RIGHT?

     ADDITIONALLY, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT. WHILE THE BANNER HAS A GOOD CIRCULATION FOR A SMALL TOWN LIKE OURS, IT IS NOT READ BY THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, AND COUNTING ON ITS NEWS PAGES TO SPREAD THE WORD, AS COUNCIL HAS SUGGESTED, ISN'T SUFFICIENT ALONE, TO INFORM THE PUBLIC. HATE TO RAIN ON THEIR PARADE BUT I'M GOING TO ANYWAY.

     There is a good opportunity here, before this decision by council, is cast in municipal stone, for those who supported the proposal, to fan out in their community, and casually find out, what local folks think about the plan to spend the bequeath. Don't ask leading questions, if you want fair comment in return. Asking a question like "You want us to pay down our horrible debt," isn't the kind of question I was thinking of. How about, "If you were the mayor of Gravenhurst, how would you invest a million dollar gift to our town?" It's unofficial, and a non-sanctioned survey, but it's what real and caring people do, when they want consensus, and not just conformity, and compliance.

     There was a comment in another news item, this week, in The Gravenhurst Banner, about department changes. It once again had to do with transparency and improved governance, being implemented by Gravenhurst Council. Talk is cheap. There's a political-speak going on in this town, that is bizarre. You can't promise this new and improved governance model, and then turn off the tap, when its deemed convenient to do so. In the matter of the Haight bequeath, this is precisely what happened. I do have a serious problem with the prevailing attitude, especially, the statement that council was voted-in to make these important decisions for us. As if to say, we're the kings of the world, and we'll do what we like. The councillor who made this comment, should take a wee look at what is going on in Quebec these days, the result of proposed tuition increases. Civil disobedience has, as its root, problems with poor, misguided and excessive governance. The student protesters and the anarchists who have joined the ranks, are the motivated, pent-up result of years and years of government arrogance and ineptitude, to deal with public discontent. The "just ignore them, and they'll go away," attitude. So what if they don't go away? What then? That's when you call in police reinforcements, day after day. No one who cherishes democracy, wants to see rioting and criminal behavior associated with protest. As far as the public's right to protest government, it is one of those democratic things……that some politicians like a bit, but not a whole lot, when they're faced with comeuppance like they've seen recently. There are times when democratic rights, in our own country, are trampled by politicians, and in many cases, they get away with it. Other times, it prevails in a most profoundly disturbing way, like watching an out-of-control mob burning a city. Frustration and civil unrest needs to be understood by our politicians. It's like your mother used to tell you about getting a sliver removed before it becomes infected. There's a lot of nasty infection out there. Negotiation could have gone a long way to fix the problem, versus, increasing the antagonism with new restrictive, undemocratic, legislative measures…….that at best, only fan the flames of unrest. But then that's Quebec and not Gravenhurst. Funny thing though, about civil unrest wherever it exists. Talking about making government more democratic and transparent is just hypocrisy at its finest.

     I don't recommend a huge protest gathering at Gravenhurst Town Hall, when the matter of the Haight Bequeath is discussed again, on June 5th, because I'm hoping those councillors who voted for the debt-payment proposal, will by then, sense the growing frustration with their town administration, and reverse the previous decision. It would take great courage to do this, and it would show the citizens of this town, that council does pay attention, to the will of the people. What the people want, is an open forum to discuss the way the bequeath is invested. It's not really asking a lot, is it?  If however, Council continues to use the battering-ram approach, it will be their consequence, especially if they're considering taking another run for elected office.

     For councillors who think this blogger hides behind a computer screen, sitting in an armchair, critiquing everything they do, I'm also a citizen of this town, who is always willing to discuss local issues, and public relations with anyone, at any time, and councillors must surely know by now, I'm always looking for a coffee and good conversation. I have yet to bite-off a single head, and any councillor who has dealt with me, and our family in the past, knows darn well, I'm not mean spirited……and I can defend every statement I make. So if they ever get the urge to meet with their critic-in-cyberspace, let's have a chat. It might be worth the effort for all concerned, trying to represent and preserve the good life we know in Gravenhurst. The welfare of democracy is always worth the effort. I'm in! Are you?

AS FOR THE POOR OLD MAIN STREET - LET THE EDITORIALIST HAVE HIS DAY

     THE GRAVENHURST BIA AND THE LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE A REALLY BIG CHALLENGE AHEAD. THEY MUST WORK MORE PRO-ACTIVELY, TO COUNTER THE DISPARAGING COMMENTS, BEING PUBLISHED, ABOUT THE STATE OF MAIN STREET BUSINESS, AND TOWN BUSINESSES GENERALLY. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF GRAVENHURST, TO PUT UP WITH THE CONTINUAL BERATING AND DOOMSAYING IN THE LOCAL PRESS? ISN'T IT TIME FOR COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOLKS, TO START QUESTIONING WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE, THAT IS INSPIRING THESE INCREDIBLY NEGATIVE BUSINESS REVIEWS. WHEN IS THE LARGER BUSINESS COMMUNITY, GOING TO MOUNT SOME SORT OF REACTION, AND POSITION TO THE PRESS, TO INSIST ON FAIR PLAY EDITORIALLY. IF YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ ABOUT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, WHY WOULD YOU BOTHER SHOPPING HERE…..EVER? APPARENTLY WE ARE ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE THAT DOESN'T END. I DON'T BELIEVE IT, BUT SOME READERS WILL.

     I SUPPORT WHOLE HEARTEDLY, THE RIGHT TO OPINE. I AM A FREQUENT COMPLAINER MYSELF. BUT I COMMENT ON WHAT I KNOW INTIMATELY WELL. LESS SO, ABOUT THOSE REALITIES I'M AWARE OF, BUT HAVE LITTLE BACKGROUND. I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT IT IS WORTH REPEATING UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THE FACT THAT OUR OWN MAIN STREET SMALL BUSINESS IS PROSPERING, AND HAS EXPANDED ITS RETAIL AND STUDIO SPACE TWICE THIS SPRING, WARRANTS SOME CONSIDERATION, WHEN COLUMNISTS AND NEWSPAPER EDITORS, ARE LOOKING FOR INTERESTING BUSINESS STORIES. FOR SEVERAL YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN ASKING THE MEDIA, AND THE CRITICS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, TO PLEASE STOP IN AT OUR STORE FOR A LITTLE CHAT. WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE OUR STORY. TWO GRAVENHURST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, WHO WENT RIGHT TO WORK AFTER GRADUATION, AND OPENED THEIR OWN MAIN STREET BUSINESS IN OUR TOWN. THEY COULD HAVE MOVED TO BRACEBRIDGE, BUT THEY DECIDED TO INVEST IN THEIR HOME TOWN. EVER SINCE, THEY'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE UNREST AND NEGATIVE BOMBARDMENT, INVOLVING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP THEM……NETWORK WITH THEM…..AND  BE PROUD OF THEM FOR BELIEVING, AND CAPITALIZING IN THE POTENTIAL OF THE LOCAL MARKET-PLACE. A FATHER IS OF COURSE BIASED, FOR CALLING HIS SONS ROLE MODELS. IF YOU KNOW OUR LADS, ANDREW AND ROBERT, YOU TELL ME. IF YOU WERE TO ASK OUR YOUNG CUSTOMERS, (WHO, BY THE WAY, ARE THE FUTURE OF OUR TOWN), YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT, HOW JUST ONE LOCAL BUSINESS, HAS RESTORED INTEREST IN STAYING HOME, AND ALSO INVESTING IN SMALL BUSINESSES.

   OUR BOYS HAVE TAKEN IT ALL AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE INFIGHTING OF THE PAST, AND THE CONTINUING NEGATIVITY, NOW FROM THE PRESS, THEY'VE OPTED, QUITE APPROPRIATELY, TO CONCENTRATE ON THEIR OWN BUSINESS…….AND LET THE REST OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY FIGURE OUT THEIR OWN FUTURES. IT'S A SHAME, BUT IT'S NECESSARY. TOO MUCH TIME WAS LOST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ALLIES FROM ENEMIES……WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN UNFALTERING COMMITMENT BETWEEN NEIGHBOR BUSINESSES TO STICK TOGETHER, AND FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.

     THE LATEST HARANGUE ABOUT THE FAILINGS OF GRAVENHURST BUSINESS GENERALLY, THE MAIN STREET SPECIFICALLY, IS ONE OF THOSE RIGHT-TO-AN OPINION SITUATIONS, BUT IT DOES MAKE YOU WONDER WHERE IT IS ALL HEADED. CONSIDERING THE LOCAL MEDIA DOESN'T SEEM AT ALL INTERESTED IN A "MAIN STREET BUSINESS DOES WELL STORY," BUT IS QUITE HAPPY TO ADVANCE OPINIONS ABOUT HOW THE TOWN IS FAILING. MAYBE IF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY BEGAN A LITTLE COUNTER CAMPAIGN, AND SUGGESTED TO THE MEDIA, THAT IN THE INTERESTS OF FAIR PLAY…….THERE NEEDS TO BE JUST AS MUCH APPETITE, TO GIVE INK, TO HIGHLIGHT SUCCESS STORIES…….AS REALITY CHECKS ABOUT THOSE BUSINESS HAVING A ROUGH TIME. IT'S NOT FAIR, IT'S NOT EQUAL, AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT.

    EACH DAY ANDREW AND ROBERT HEAD OUT TO WORK, WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION AND ENTHUSIASM. THEY LOOK ON THE SUNNY SIDE, AND THEY SEE POTENTIAL WHERE OTHERS PREDICT DOOM. THEY TREAT CUSTOMERS WITH RESPECT, AND THEY GET IT IN RETURN. ON SATURDAYS THEY TAKE A TIN OF COOKIES THEIR MOTHER HAS MADE, THE NIGHT BEFORE, TO SHARE WITH THEIR PATRONS. IF THEY DIDN'T MAKE A DIME THAT DAY, THEY WOULD NEVER DESPAIR THAT IT WAS A TREND. THEY WILL CLIMB BACK UP, ON THAT SADDLE, THE VERY NEXT DAY, AND MEET THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH OPEN ARMS. BROWSERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME, THEY WILL SAY; "HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY? WOULD YOU LIKE ONE OF MY MOTHER'S FRESHLY MADE COOKIES?"

     JUST A NOTE IN PASSING. WE JUST CONFIRMED TODAY OUR FAMILY'S INTENTION TO OPEN TWO MORE LARGE ROOMS FOR ANTIQUE ITEMS, IN THE BOY'S MAIN STREET BUILDING…..THE FORMER MUSKOKA THEATRE…..AS OF JULY 1ST.  SO, WHAT ARE THE CRITICS PLANNING TO DO TO IMPROVE LOCAL BUSINESS? YOU GUESSED IT. ANOTHER COLUMN ABOUT HOW CRAPPY IT IS TO BE LOCATED ON THE MAIN STREET OF GRAVENHURST. WHICH I DON'T HAPPEN TO BELIEVE, IF IT ISN'T ALREADY QUITE EVIDENT. I DON'T INVEST IN LOSING PROPOSITIONS.

     CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE NEW BUSINESSES STARTING UP IN GRAVENHURST, THIS SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON, AND BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE STALWART FOLKS WHO DEFY THE CRITICS, AND SOLDIER ON WITH THEIR BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES. I LIKE WHAT I SEE OUT THERE……AND YES, I'VE HAD THE QUEBEC POUTINE, AT THE NEW FOOD SERVICE AT THE SOUTH END, AND I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THERE WAS A LINE-UP THERE, FOR SERVICE, AND AT THE ICE-CREAM OUTLETS AROUND TOWN. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT IS ALIVE AND WELL……AND CUSTOMERS ARE PREPARED TO LINE-UP TO GET A SLICE OF THE PIE. 

     THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING TODAY'S BLOG. PLEASE VISIT AGAIN SOON.

     AND PLEASE JOIN ME THIS JULY, FOR MY CELEBRATION SERIES OF ARTICLES, COMMEMORATING GRAVENHURST'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY, (AUGUST 1862 - AUGUST 2012), OF THE NAMING OF ITS NEW POST OFFICE, BY WILLIAM DAWSON LESUEUR, INSPIRED BY THE TITLE OF A BOOK, WRITTEN BY BRITISH POET / PHILOSOPHER, WILLIAM HENRY SMITH. THE ANNIVERSARY IS A LOW-KEY AFFAIR, CELEBRATED IN THIS COMFORTABLE CYBER-SPACE. SORRY WE CAN'T AFFORD A TOWN CELEBRATION. APPARENTLY THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN'S INCORPORATION, IS MUCH MORE COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT THAN BEING NAMED AFTER A FAMOUS WRITER'S WORK, GRANTED BY A POSTAL AUTHORITY, WHO WAS ONE OF CANADA'S RESPECTED HISTORIANS. WELL, BY GOLLY, I'M GOING TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH OUT OF IT ANYWAY……FOR ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR LITTLE TOWN IN SOUTH MUSKOKA…….AND THE LITERARY PROVENANCE WE HAVE……THAT FEW KNOW ABOUT.

Gravenhurst A Good Town To Write About

ROBERT BOYER GAVE ME THE ASSIGNMENT TO WRITE ABOUT MUSKOKA - SO I DID! AND LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

STILL DOING THE MUSKOKA / GRAVENHURST THING - NO SHORTAGE OF THINGS TO WRITE ABOUT

     WHEN I WROTE YESTERDAY, THAT I ACTIVELY PROMOTE GRAVENHURST, VIA THE REGULAR FEATURES I WRITE, FOR SEVERAL ONTARIO PUBLICATIONS, I MEANT IT.  THERE'S A GOOD REASON, AND I WANTED TO OFFER AN EXPLANATION. I WON'T DENY THAT I GET FRUSTRATED WITH OUR LOCAL COUNCIL, BUT I DO NOT DEFINE OUR TOWN BY ITS ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES. I DEFINE IT BY THE CITIZENRY, AND HOW HARD THEY HAVE ALWAYS WORKED, AND CONTINUE TO LABOR, TO CREATE A GOOD AND CARING COMMUNITY…..THAT LOOKS AFTER THE LESS FORTUNATE…….ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP-OUT IN THE EVENT OF SOME TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCE, OR DISASTER. IT'S A GOOD NEIGHBOR TOWN. I WOULD, WITHOUT RESERVATION, RECOMMEND GRAVENHURST AS A WORTHY HOMETOWN, FOR ANYONE WHO SHARES THESE NEIGHBORHOOD VALUES. I HAVE FOUND PEACE HERE, AND SANCTUARY. OUR FAMILY HAS FOUND PROSPERITY IN BUSINESS, DESPITE WHAT SOME CRITICS ARGUE IS IMPOSSIBLE. WE HAVE ALWAYS INVITED THE NAYSAYERS TO VISIT, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE PROVEN WRONG. SO HERE IS ANOTHER SHORT BIOGRAPHY, ABOUT WHAT CIRUCMSTANCES BROUGHT THE WRITER AND HIS FAMILY TO GRAVENHURST, BACK IN THE FALL OF 1989. 

     ROBERT BOYER AND HIS FATHER GEORGE, WERE TWO WELL KNOWN WRITER / HISTORIANS. I NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE SENIOR MR. BOYER, BUT I'VE READ HIS HISTORICAL NOTES ON BRACEBRIDGE AND MUSKOKA. AS FOR HIS SON BOB, I'VE READ NINETY-FIVE PERCENT OF WHAT HE WROTE, IN BOOKS SUCH AS "A GOOD TOWN GREW HERE," A HISTORY OF BRACEBRIDGE, PUBLISHED IN 1975. I BECAME THE YOUNGEST NON-FAMILY MEMBER TO BECOME EDITOR OF THE FORMER HERALD-GAZETTE, IN THE EARLY 1980'S, AND NO ONE HAD TO TELL ME, THAT I COULD BECOME BETTER AT MY JOB, BY SADDLING UP TO BOB BOYER, WHO THEN, WAS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF HIS BABY, THE MUSKOKA SUN.

     BOB TAUGHT ME ABOUT THE PROTOCOLS OF BEING AN EDITOR. HE OFFERED ME ADVICE ON HOW TO REPRESENT THE COMPANY, IN THE COMMUNITY, AND HOW TO DEAL WITH LOCAL POLITICIANS, ESPECIALLY, MPP FRANK MILLER, AND MP STAN DARLING, BOTH OF THEM HIS CLOSE FRIENDS.  WHEN I SERVED MY APPRENTICESHIP IN THE NEWS BUSINESS, WITH THE MUSKOKA LAKES-GEORGIAN BAY BEACON, IT WAS MY WEEKEND PHOTO-GIGS, TO COMPANION BOTH MEN AROUND MUSKOKA, TO A WIDE ARRAY OF ANNIVERSARY AND BIRTHDAY PRESENTATIONS, AND TO DOZENS OF SPECIAL EVENTS, GRAND OPENINGS, AND PUBLIC MEETINGS. OF COURSE, ONCE BOB GOT A HOLD OF ME, AND BUFFED-OUT THE CRINKLES OF POOR PROTOCOL, I BECAME A BETTER PUBLIC RELATIONS AMBASSADOR FOR MUSKOKA PUBLICATIONS GENERALLY. WHAT MR. BOYER TAUGHT ME, AS A FORMER MPP HIMSELF, AND PAST CHAIRMAN OF ONTARIO HYDRO, WAS HOW TO HANDLE SITUATIONS IN A MORE DIGNIFIED MANNER. IN OTHER WORDS, NOT LIKE A REPORTER. NO BARGING IN, AND BARKING OUT QUESTIONS. AS EDITOR, THERE WAS A POLITE, RESPECTFUL WAY TO INTERVIEW PEOPLE, FOR ARTICLES, WITHOUT SOME OF THE TYPICAL ROUGH CARESS, PRACTICED BY HARD-NOSED REPORTERS, POUNDING THE BEAT FOR FRONT PAGERS.

    IF I WAS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH, AS A REPORTER, BOB MADE DAMN SURE I WAS GOING TO BE A CREDIT TO THE PUBLICATION AS ITS NEW EDITOR. I MIGHT HAVE REJECTED THE INTERVENTION FROM THOSE I DIDN'T RESPECT, BUT BOB KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. AS AN HISTORIAN, AND ON THE SAME HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXECUTIVE AS I WAS, NOTHING HE IMPRESSED UPON ME, AS MY NEW ROLE, WAS WITHOUT FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE. I WASN'T RUNNING A DAILY. THIS WAS A COMMUNITY WEEKLY, AND THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE. AT THE TIME, OF COURSE, WE WERE COMPETING AGAINST THE BRACEBRIDGE EXAMINER, A NEW PUBLICATION, AND THE CHALLENGE TO KEEP ADVERTISERS AND READERSHIP WAS RIDICULOUSLY DIFFICULT. I LISTENED TO BOB MORE THAN MY IMMEDIATE BOSS, AND IT WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE. BOB KNEW HIS HOMETOWN A LOT BETTER THAN I DID, AS I WAS STILL A RELATIVE NEWCOMER TO THE DISTRICT.

     AFTER SON ANDREW WAS BORN, AND I'D BEEN EDITOR LONG ENOUGH TO REALIZE I DIDN'T LIKE IT, I MADE AN IMPORTANT SWITCH, FROM MANAGEMENT OF THE HERALD-GAZETTE TO THE MUSKOKA SUN. AS MR. BOYER CARED ABOUT CONTENT AND QUANTITY OF EDITORIAL COPY, HE DIDN'T CARE THAT I WAS GOING TO BE WORKING FROM HOME, INSTEAD OF TAKING UP OFFICE SPACE AT THE DOMINION STREET BUILDING. I WAS ONLY DOWN THE STREET ANYWAY, AND I COULD BE AT THE OFFICE IN TEN MINUTES, IF THERE WAS A DISASTER MANIFESTING. I GOT TO STAY HOME WITH ANDREW, WHERE I COULD WRITE IN BETWEEN HIS FEEDINGS, AND SUZANNE WENT BACK TO HER TEACHING JOB AT BRACEBRIDGE AND MUSKOKA LAKES SECONDARY SCHOOL, JUST UP THE HILLSIDE. WHEN I WAS COMFORTABLE, BOB REALIZED, I PRODUCED A MUCH LARGER MASS OF COPY. I WAS FREE RANGE, I GUESS YOU MIGHT SAY.

     I didn't have it easy with Bob, as the second in command. I got the Assistant Editor's job, but he got to say things to me, like "Okay Ted, I need lots of copy for the holiday edition." Now the fact that Bob's daughter, was married to Suzanne's cousin, didn't help me much. As we were extended family, I think he worked me harder. The difference by this point, is that I was doing something that interested me, more than covering the news beat for The Herald-Gazette. I was writing historical features about Muskoka, measured by the pound. I was doing interviews with hundreds of Muskoka artists and crafts people, human interest stories, business profiles, and any other interview Bob thought would fit the readership of The Muskoka Sun. At the time, I was working in a reasonable environment, but it was more urban than I liked, and the traffic was non stop down Ontario Street, to Wellington. When Andrew began walking (running more like it), I didn't feel safe being so close to the road. We only had a tiny front yard, and he refused to stay in the back. When Suzanne was pregnant with Robert, we decided to move to a nice older bungalow on Muskoka Beach Road, a five minute walk to Bowyer's Beach. It was here that I wrote mountains of regional editorial copy, to fill the pages of The Muskoka Sun. Bob was pretty pleased when I'd pull into the office with a wheelbarrow load of copy for typesetting. I did all my work on portable typewriters. I went through a lot of ribbon in those Sun days. The typesetters, however, could be seen making the sign of the cross, when they saw me heading up Quebec Street with a special delivery.

     In those days, The Muskoka Sun was massive. I can remember the Civic Holiday edition, would push over 100 pages, and Bob never liked the ad count to get too high…..which meant that the paper would have been just over 60 percent ads, and the rest was up to writers and photographers at Muskoka Publications to fill. I've come across some writers recently, who think they've had a rough time putting  together a novel or a month's worth of blogs. When Bob would call me into his office, and he'd be in one of those cigar chomping moods, I knew as soon as I crossed the threshold of his office, my God, "We've got a big one coming don't we Bob." He'd lean back in his creaking old wood office chair, pull the stogy from the corner of his mouth (like you'd expect of an editor), and say with a twinkle of his eye, "We're going to need a lot of features for this week Ted. I trust you are going to be able to help me out." What this would mean, by the way, is that whatever I had already pre-written, over the winter months for the seasonal "Sun," would disappear like a thong on a sumo wrestler. It would mean I'd have to dig into my reserve stash of story ideas, and start making phone calls. The news of a big paper, usually came on the Monday afternoon, and press day for the Sun was on Wednesday. It was the "between a rock and a hard place" thing. I would have no life other than writing, until all the white space was filled. I wasn't the only one writing for the paper, but it sure as hell felt like it, during weeks that started off in this fashion. I had years of this horror of white space, working for one of the best known summer papers in Ontario. Thanks to Bob Boyer, its chief architect. You know, I worked hard for Bob because he appreciated the effort, and he never took credit for a good looking paper, without throwing a bouquet to the writing staff……and some fantastic photographers like Tim DuVernet, Harold Wright and John Black.

     What happened gradually, is that I began writing about every aspect of Muskoka I could think of, or had access to in my Muskoka collection of reference books. Living at Golden Beach, where my office looked out onto a pleasant forest scene, was certainly more conducive to creative enterprise, than looking out at the racing cars, heading down Ontario Street. I wrote so much copy, that it was embarrassing to see all my bylines. By my own choice, I started eliminating bylines on a lot of small feature projects, so it wouldn't appear as Ted Currie was a one man writing team. I actually started writing with many different styles, to make it appear these unsigned pieces had indeed been written by some other staffer. Suzanne always knew if I wrote a piece, she read in the paper, no matter how much I changed styles. The point of all of this, is that Bob Boyer was a task master, at a good time in my writing career. I had the greatest job on earth, and I was writing about people, places and things, that I was interested in…….and my youthful exuberance to earn a name for myself in the writing field was full to overflowing with enthusiasm. The fact that Bob made me work hard, and long, was perfect for the time. My bylined feature stories were in a lot of cottage sunrooms around the Muskoka Lakes, and I enjoyed the celebrity the exposure afforded Suzanne and I, back then. As a result, we got invited out a lot, and it was nice to be treated with respect as a local writer. Just as Bob had promised. Bob and I made quite a few appearances together, and both of us were very proud of The Muskoka Sun. At this time, The Muskokan, published by The Examiner, was giving us a run for the money.

     When we moved to Gravenhurst, after we found a much nicer property, and better house and yard for our two boys, I ended my relationship with Muskoka Publications. I would have worked for Mr. Boyer to eternity, but some management overseers had other ideas for me, and intervened with the suggestion, I would only be employed part-time in the future. I extended them the finger of no return, and offered my writing to other publications. In the mid 1990's, I was again given an opportunity to write for the Muskoka Advance, and The Muskoka Sun on my own dime, as a promotion of my own work, and from right here at Birch Hollow, I doubled my output from previous years. The difference really, was that I liked the digs here better, and the view from my office was even more inspiring than the one from my old office on Golden Beach Road, and much better than my tiny work space, with no window, on Bracebridge's Ontario Street.

     I extended the finger a couple more times, because I'd adopted a no-bullcrap-from-management policy, and found several other publications that were just happy to have me onboard. From Birch Hollow, in our hometown Gravenhurst, I have produced four regional books, all non-fiction, and contributed major feature stories to Muskoka Today, The Wayback Times (antiques), Curious; The Tourist Guide, and most recently, the Great North Arrow. Most of the feature articles use Gravenhurst as a stated backdrop, and of this, I'm very proud to represent the town that has inspired me to write like a machine. This modest little bungalow, that looks like a pioneer cabin in our urban-themed neighborhood, has proven a kindly haven to a weary old writer, who can still boast, after all these years, to being able to outpace and outperform the work I produced twenty-five years ago. I'm a little beat-up, having hovered over this keyboard for so many mortal hours, but the mind still works alright….if I can just keep these aching fingers hitting the keys. I'm a little bit slower these days, according to Suzanne, who comes into my office occasionally, to remind me that I've spent too long at work, without a break in the action. She may want to go to the garden centre for something more to plant. I'm a hobby gardener, so I'm always glad to tag-along. We only have a few inches of property left, that doesn't have something growing on it.

     As I've written about before in this blog, like the change of studio locations for an artist, I wasn't sure about the move to Gravenhurst. I wondered if it would provide me with what I needed, to be able to crank out copy the way I'd been able to in other locations. For awhile, until I found the right place to situate my desk, I couldn't seem to adjust properly. I'd just sit there. For a writer, this is the death knell. Hour after hour, staring at the horrible white page in the typewriter carriage. Taunting me. It was like a nagging, drawn-out scene from "The Lost Weekend," with Ray Milan. Even a stiff drink didn't make any difference. When I finally pulled up to a desk, overlooking The Bog, where I could open my window and smell the spring lilacs, and hear the rain on the raspberry canes, what was blocked, began to open up, and run free. I was home. On most writing jags, it would take only several moments before the first sentence was imprinted onto that same white paper, and the rest came as easily. Even now, with this amazingly bright computer screen, what could be a frightening light, should I have a moment's blockage, is quickly used up by new editorial content.

     A friend asked me one day why I refused to join any of the local writer's groups in the district. First of all, I don't write fiction. Secondly, I am highly superstitious, and as a former hockey goalie, yes, I could and have taken it to extremes. Like the number of times I had to hit the goalposts before a face-off, or the necessity to clear away my goal-crease of chipped ice, and snow, whether it was there or not. With writing, it is exactly the same, except I don't have folks trying to kill me with slapshots. I have a lot of rituals before I sit down to write, and just as many when it comes to places to stop for a break, and procedures for saving my copy. I am so superstitious, that I won't do any major computer fiddling myself, preferring to have my tech-support in our family, handle all my online publishing. They've all told me in their own ways, "You drive us nuts with your demands!" I have, I suppose, become Mr. Boyer, but I don't smoke cigars. As to belonging to a writer's circle….."I wouldn't belong to any group that would have a guy like me as a member." Woody Allen, from the movie, "Annie Hall."

     I love writing about Muskoka, and of course, about Gravenhurst. I know there are readers, who believe I'm particularly hard on the elected representatives of our community, and they are probably right. As I have always practiced a high standard of respect, for the region in which I live and work, (and I've got lots of corroborating evidence), if I sense less commitment, passion or a general malaise in our town, I won't be afraid to make it public. It may make me unpopular to some, but it really doesn't matter. I'm not in a popularity contest. Our last municipal election, unfortunately, was just that. When what was needed, was an elected council all-fired-up, to get on with the job. Maybe my impression of being "fired-up" is what's wrong here. I suppose you never know. The calm, gentle, status quo thing may work in time. Hope so.

     Writing from my home base in Gravenhurst, has and continues to be a pleasure.

     Thank you so much for joining today's blog. Please join me again soon.

     Watch for upcoming previews and reviews, of the 2012 season of "Concerts on the Barge," at Gull Lake. I hope you can all take advantage of this exciting new season, on a restored Barge…..and this is thanks to the Town of Gravenhurst. Help us celebrate the re-opening of a Gravenhurst landmark…..well, actually, a platform on pillars out in the lake.