Harry Stemp was born in Uxbridge in 1934. He started his career with the Uxbridge Times-Journal as an apprentice typesetter at age 14. He soon began writing sports for the Times-Journal and eventually owned 10 community newspapers in central Ontario including the Times-Journal. He started writing his award-winning Stemp’s Stew in 1965. The column came to an end shortly after he sold his newspaper chain in 1989, but was rejuvenated in 2006 when Harry became a regular contributor to The Cosmos.
What a wonderful place to live
Went back to my childhood Monday morning when I drove by Elgin Pond on a cold, crisp day, but under a beautiful warming sun.
The ice service on the pond had been cleared to form several skating areas and benches were in place thanks to the number of volunteers (won’t name them in fear of missing someone) who take it on as their responsibility to make sure young and old of Uxbridge can enjoy this wonderful natural facility.
As I sat and watched, fond memories of good times growing up in Uxbridge flowed through my mind and Elgin Pond was the focal point of our recreation enjoyment as a child. Swimming in fresh water through the summer months, winter skating and playing ‘shinny’ (hockey) was the thing to do for young and old alike.
A vision of my father, Jack Stemp, cutting the back off a four-legged chair, lacing up my skates and having me push the chair around and around until I got the nerve to stand upright and shouting, “Look Dad, I can skate all by myself”. I remember the great feeling of accomplishment. What a wonderful memory.
Watching young parents go through the same motions with their children made me think that not a lot has changed – other than pollution in one form or another having taken away the ‘swimming hole’ during the summer months.
We are so lucky to live in a community that has, not just a lot of services, but areas where we can enjoy natural activity whenever we have the urge. And also to be known as the Trail Capital of Canada is another bonus.
Guess what I am saying is appreciate what we have every day and, at every opportunity, thank those who spend the time and effort to prepare these areas for our enjoyment.
---------------------------
Something you may not know, but one Monday a month the veterans of our community have been hosted to an appreciation afternoon in the clubrooms of the Uxbridge Legion.
There is no charge for this, and our wonderful vets and their partners enjoy an afternoon of fun and fellowship. There are always lots of door prizes and the hard-working members of the Ladies’ Auxiliary make sure there are more than enough refreshments to go around.
These afternoons have been going on for several years and lately Uxbridge has been welcoming vets from other Legions whose branches do not have this type of an event.
Again the volunteer aspect of our community plays a role as some of our talented entertainers drop by and keep the party swinging – something always appreciated by those attending.
Monday afternoon I was pleased to see Walter Taylor (former town clerk) drop in and play, as only Walter can play, the wonderful organ that was donated by the family of the late Dick McEnaney. Walter is an accomplished musician who has been entertaining people for more years than he probably wants to admit and, judging by the guests, he was much appreciated.
This is always a wonderful afternoon, as Uxbridge is blessed to have so many residents who gave so much of their lives to make sure we enjoy the freedoms many take for granted.
But I have a feeling we have even more veterans among us who aren’t coming out to take part in these afternoons. If you know of one, please get them to call the Legion at 905-852-5293 for details. I can guarantee you they will be made most welcome and enjoy a great afternoon.
----------------------
When in Florida I love going to the various happy hours that are within walking distance of our digs. Not just because the cold ones are on at half price (although that is much appreciated) but more for the interesting people you meet along the bar.
For a while, as Canadians, we were quizzed about our health care system that many had been brainwashed into thinking as the worst system imaginable.
But lately it has been more about Uxbridge. Where is it, how big is it, etc. But lately I have bumped into several people who know Uxbridge well. One chap from North York worked for the construction company that built the latest addition to our Secondary School. Was so impressed with Uxbridge that he and his wife actually toyed with the idea of packing up and moving here.
But an interesting gentleman saw my ‘Trails Capital of Canada’ t-shirt and came over and asked if Lucy Maud Montgomery was still a popular name around Leaskdale? This sure caught my interest, and I soon learned that I was talking to Gerry Baxter who spent a fair amount of time in this area.
Gerry and business partners were interested in developing a golf course just east of Leaskdale on Durham 23. They thought it was an excellent location for what would have been a very exclusive golf facility.
“We were interested in the history of Lucy Maud Montgomery,” he said, “and planned on incorporating ‘Avonlea’ into the name of the course.”
Many will remember there was a lot of opposition to the project. It was eventually scrapped and Gerry and his friends moved on. But not without fond memories of this beautiful part of Ontario in which we live.
Also Gerry asked me to say hello to his friend who operates King Henry’s Arms as well as former councillor Bill Ballinger.
A small world? You bet it is. And I find it gets even smaller when I wear that trails t-shirt with the big “Uxbridge” right in the middle.
