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We confess to having stolen the above line from one of our favourite media - the sign in front of the Free Methodist Church on Reach Street. Whoever is responsible for coming up with the pithy, clever sayings which are rotated every couple of weeks on the sign - be it the church’s energetic pastor, Joe Schaefer, another sagacious scribe, or even a committee that spends a few happy minutes every now and then coming up with the next message - they’ve come up with some great ones over the years. Most of the time they have a religious bent (of course), but sometimes they have a broader message for the community.
In August of 2007, a tragic car accident occured across the street, killing two well-loved young men. As cards and floral tributes began to gather at the base of the tree where the crash took place, the Free Methodist sign reminded everyone that they didn’t have to be brave, it was important to grieve and weep. Just an anonymous sign (have you ever actually seen anyone changing its letters?), but a great comfort in a time of trouble. And for the last week, the sign has once again hit the nail on the head with the above message of good cheer.
Far from being depressed about the dreaded “economic downturn”, it urges all of us to look forward eagerly to the future, to ignore the “doom and gloom” that’s forecast in the national and international media and take individual action to keep 2009 bustling and happy.
As Harry Stemp says on the opposite page, our own local merchants, particularly those on Brock Street between Toronto Street and the tracks, already had reason enough to be leery of 2009, because of the reconstruction which will make it difficult for customers to reach their storefronts. But most of them are determined to keep the traffic flowing by gussying up their back entrances (or in Scott Rutledge’s case, his side entrance off Church Street), and it’s not going to be a major hassle for us to continue to patronize the shops we love so well. For the sake of their prosperity, even their continued survival into next fall and beyond, we must resolve to make the effort.
We don’t pretend to understand how the economy works, but to some extent, a recession seems to us to be a self fulfilling prophecy. If you’re convinced the economy is going to tank (and the major media have been doing their best to proclaim it as fact for the last few months), our actions will probably contribute to making it happen. So let’s not believe it. At least on a local level, we have the power to ensure our business community prospers in 2009. Let’s all do our part to defeat the downers - 2009, bring it on!
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You may have noticed an announcement on page 1 that the eagerly-awaited Cosmos web sit is up and running as of this week. Who’s eagerly awaiting it? Mostly former Uxbridge residents, or friends and family of residents, who would like to stay in tune with what’s going on in our community. When you check it out, you may see pictures we didn’t have room for in the paper, or past gems by your favourite columnists, but for the most part, it’s just a way for someone in Fergus or Fenelon Falls, or even Mount Albert or Marsh Hill Road, to defeat the disappointment of not getting the Cosmos delivered to their door.
We thank Stuart Blower at Stadam Design for his efforts in getting us up and running, and looking good while we’re doing it. And as usual, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Enjoy!