May 2010 - The Bulletin Magazine

lanket in temperatures that left white whiskers on the
horse and the farmer’s beard. Wood had to be cut and
seasoned a full year before it could be burned in the
cookstove or in the fireplace.
In hardships and in loss, settlers found within the
community they had earned a welcomed sense of
belonging. For many who choose our village to settle
in today, choose their new homes with a feeling it was
always there, without knowledge of the pain in the
roots of the land they walk on. For the early settlers, it
came at great cost.
But now there are watchful eyes towards the new mix.
They come to grow a family in rural peace far from
the big city problems, they are happy to commute.
Those who disturb the reason they come here in the
first place are reminded, here and there, they are not
welcomed. Fields of pain, loss and tragedy now house
with their new roots, new generations.
They enjoy our village shops, our restaurants;
gourmet European style with French cuisine and an
Asian fusion of food from places you may never have
been. The pub, a wonderful meeting place for
millionaires, doctors and people from all walks of life.
Today you will see, brave new farmers with tractors
on their shopping list, a mortgage in their pocket and
cattle they can‘t get much for on the market, still
struggling and also at great cost. It’s hardly a reward
for the effort.
Things have not changed in this respect.
The pharmacy stays, because we do here, at the
medical clinic. We are very dependent on one another
being so far from the nearest big town and gas prices
going up and down. Comforting like the bank, it’s
always there, the look of solid trust like the doctor’s
office. They all know your name and remember your
account number when doubt drifts across your face. A
priceless smile from Jane, the bank manager, “Hello
Peg, nice to see you” - so helpful and listens to
problems. The bank contributes to the wealth and
security of small towns undergoing transition.
18 The Bulletin | MAY 2010
The shop window reflects the professional approach
inside and very much describes the manner of
business, even if there’s not much going on outside.
Our school is our pride and joy. It gets great results.
Always high on the list of top grade schools.
I can’t imagine a village without a doctor. The doctor
helps to remove anxiety when hope of wellness is a
personal problem. Patients who have something to
tell, your doctor cares and carries your secret to safety.
Like a friend you trust, they like you the way you are,
a lot of folk haven’t the confidence to believe they are
likeable. So the solution is a shared discovery of trust.
A good diagnostician is pure gold. Dr. Gail Firestone
recently of the Emergency Department of North York
General, is all of that and more.
Our village doesn’t think it’s perfect. It is like nature -
no straight lines - bends and curves to adjust to the
changes. You choose to live here, so you help to
contribute. Take the dog and kids in your family for a
walk and see the village with new eyes especially to
rediscover the reason why you chose to settle here in
the first place. We do have one or two police around
somewhere, sharing with towns a distance away.
North, East, South and West of everywhere, we’d be
sad to see our peaceful village change.
We now have people like Dean and Brian at the
garage, two hardworking mechanics; organic food,
fresh vegetables and meat; Lucy’s Banana Bread café;
two convenience stores; Chinese food, pizza; car
washes and laundry; the men and women of the
valuable Lion’s Club providing community service;
computer help for business; a friendly Post Office; our
firemen and EMS help us to appreciate that
everything is under control keeping us safe
from harm.
Unless my family sends me a one way, first class air
fare, I’m staying in my village where I feel a
belonging to a community like Mount Albert.