Define Your Space with...Superior CanadianCrafted FurnitureThe enduring quality of Mennoniteand other fine Ontario pieces youwill be proud to show.We borrow many motifs from the past, creating a solid,familiar look that has lasting appeal and value.Every piece offers unique hand craftsmanship, preciseconstruction and attention to detail.R eflectingthe beauty andserenity of theMuskokan landscape.Where the customer feels at home195 Wellington StreetBRACEBRIDGE (Across from Monck Public School Yard)645-8183Locally Owned & Operatedwww.muskokafurniture.netWide Selection of TopQuality FurnitureFor Every Room In YourHome & CottageQUALITYMENNONITEFURNITURE
Remembering Terry Fox’s visit to MuskokaBy Chris OcchiuzziRetired OPP constable John Lennoxhas fond memories of two days in thesummer of 1980 when he met anextraordinary young man who capturedthe hearts and imagination of the nation.On July 29 and 30 of that year,Lennox was honoured to be a policeescort for the lateTerry Fox on the 26-mile Muskoka portionof his Marathon ofHope.“It was amazing,”says Lennox, who wasselected because it washis turn to work theday shift. “I was reallyamazed when I firstsaw him. Spendingthose two days wasincredible. It just sohappens I was workingday shift and gotassigned to it. It wasn’tuntil he passed away Irealized I had metprobably Canada’sgreatest Canadian andgreatest athlete.”Lennox eulogi zedFox at a memorial service held on July 2,1981 at Trinity St. Alban’s AnglicanChurch in Bala. Sixty people attendedthe service.“Now when people hear the word cancerthey will be reminded of Terry Foxand his conviction that a cure is possible,”he had told them. “Terry Fox startedthe Marathon of Hope. Terry Fox isgone now. It’s up to us to finish it. TerryFox has given hope and inspiration topeople suffering with this disease and totheir loved ones. Terry has shown us allnot to give up. He has also taught us allto face up to our problems by his“He told mehe wasn’tdoing it forhim. He wasdoing it forthis, and hepointed to hisartificial leg...”demonstration of courage and outlookon life filled with numerous setbacks. Iwon’t forget him.”Lennox will forever remember theevents during Fox’s journey throughMuskoka. Lennox sensed a real thrill asFox ran through downtown <strong>Gravenhurst</strong>.It was jam-packed with well wisherscheering in support.“And it’s almost likehe picked up fromtheir enthusiasm andhe picked up hispace,” says Lennox,who was in the leadcar.During breaks,every two miles,Lennox was able tospeak to Fox andbecame quite in aweof the man’s passionfor his cause. As Foxwould refresh withwater and oranges, heand Lennox conversed.“He told me hewasn’t doing it forhim,” says Lennox.“He was doing it for this and he pointedto his artificial leg and he said that ‘I feltthe pain and I’ve seen the pain in kidsand I’m making this run because Ibelieve that a cure can be found and Iwant to raise money to help find a curebecause the hurting must stop.’”For those too young to remember ortruly understand who Terry Fox wasand what he achieved, Lennox sums itup with one phrase: “He was Canada’sgreatest Canadian. There will alwaysbe politicians, there will always besports celebrities, but there’s only oneTerry Fox.”Terry Fox shakes hands with John Lennox, the OPP constable whoescorted the national hero through Muskoka on his Marathon of Hope.Photograph: courtesy of John LennoxAuthor and artist team up for book sequelBy Kate BeirnessTo the delight of readers youngand old, author Susan E. Ross andillustrator Bonnie Bews are releasinga new book featuring the popular storybookcharacters, Zelda & Esmeralda.Zelda, Esmeralda and the Big BlueSea is the second adventure for thetiny fairy and her best friend, a brightred dragonfly. The sequel introducesTimothy Bendinbeak, a grey seagull,who ac<strong>com</strong>panies them on their journeyto the ocean.This is the third collaboration forRoss and Bews. Their success withthe first Zelda and Esmeralda tale,which won a coveted MoonbeamChildren’s Book Award, is an incrediblestory itself, considering theauthor and illustratormet by chance.“I was showing mywork at the <strong>Gravenhurst</strong>Farmer’s Marketin 2007,” recountsBews, a hinterglasartist with a studio atWalker’s Point.“Susan approachedmy booth and reallyliked my work. Fromthere we started talkingabout this storythat she had writtenyears previously, but had never beenable to find artwork to fit.”“The idea for Zelda and Esmeraldacame to me sitting on my cottageveranda one evening,” adds Ross,who is a seasonalresident in Beaumaris.“I waswatching a lot offantastic dragonfliesand noticed abright red one inparticular. Ithought – theremust be anenchanting worldout there in mygarden that I don’teven know about . .. and there must bea fairy living there too.”The popularity of the first book<strong>com</strong>pelled Ross to write a new adventurefor Zelda and Esmeralda, andshe hopes to write a third as well.“With the help of her friends, especiallyEsmeralda and now TimothyBendinbeak, Zelda has the courage tomake her dreams <strong>com</strong>e true. That isthe message of these books,” saysBews. “That you should go for yourdreams, and that friends can help youalong the way.”Ross is also considering a new lineof books, especially for boys.“I just had a grandson,” she sayswith obvious pride. “I think I mighthave to write something with a slugfor the main character – somethingboys might like!”Ross and Bews will be signingcopies of Zelda, Esmeralda and the BigBlue Sea on July 24 at the HinterglasCastle at Walker’s Point from 2 p.m.to 5:30 p.m.www.whatsupmuskoka.<strong>com</strong> July 2010 5
Change language