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.
A generous thing to do
Always proud to be a Canadian wherever I am, but after Canada was slated as the best country "brand" in the world after an international business consulting firm surveyed 3200 travellers, the chest goes out and it gives one a few more bragging rights.
FutureBrand, with operations in New York, London and Singapore, ranked Canada atop its country brand index for the second straight year. The results were announced at the 32nd annual World Travel Market in London. The index is compiled from what FutureBrand says is the most comprehensive study of how travellers perceive countries around the world. The travellers were surveyed on their views of 110 countries.
Switzerland came in second, followed by New Zealand, Japan, Australia, the United States, Sweden, Finland, France and Italy. Both Australia and the U.S. dropped down in the rankings.
The Canadian Tourism Association trumpeted the recognition. "According to the index, the most important factors that truly differentiate a nation's brand are its associations and attributes: the qualities that people think of when they hear a country's name, read or see images of a location, or plan a business or leisure trip," the commission said on its web site.
“While Canada's tourism brand has grown into a powerful cultural force and a marketing tool to inspire visitation, it also has largely untapped potential as a lever to drive trade and investment in ideas, education and business," said commission president Michele McKenzie. “In this period of global economic turbulence, by showing the world that Canada is a dynamic, modern and cosmopolitan society, we're not just inviting the world to visit us, we're capitalizing on our positive reputation to open new doors and create new opportunities."
As I said, it is not difficult to be a proud Canadian so it is always great when travellers from around the world give us a strong thumbs up.
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Time flies. It's hard to believe that it is 40 years since Mary Hogg opened her Strawberry Threads store on Brock Street. Since then, the well-accepted business has continued to flourish and serve the female population of Uxbridge and surrounding areas well.
I only shopped there when it was gift-giving time, and Mary always seemed to have just the right item to make me look good on birthdays and Christmas. I also fondly remember meeting in the backroom of the store with the executive of the Spring Water Days committee. Those were good times with fun friends and, as most will remember, Spring Water Days was a wonderful annual community event that lasted over 10 years.
Want to wish the owners of Strawberry Threads well with their anniversary celebrations and lots of business in the future, also to commend Mary Hogg for her foresight in starting it all in the first place.
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And speaking of business, my friend (and former employee) Sue Alden is venturing into the rare and collectible books field. Sue dropped me a note saying that she is starting “Pages Past” in a shop above the Hobby Horse Arms and is hoping that folks will drop in and have a look at her new digs. The opening is Sunday, November 20 from noon to 6 p.m. and, even if you don't make a purchase the first day, Sue has some wine and cheese to tempt your palate while you are checking out what she has to offer.
If you would like to know more, give Sue a call at 905-985-7594.
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Interesting what winners of those huge lottery prizes do with all that money. Pay off their entire mortgage as well as those of their children, and dump debts. Buy a huge new home. Travel the world. You name it and you have heard it. However, the couple who recently won the £101m lottery in the UK came up with a generous and novel idea to use some of the funds. They immediately thought about people who had a positive effect on their lives and wanted them to share in the winnings.
The winner, Mr. Dawes, said: “So far we've drawn up a list of 20 people who we are going to make millionaires - anyone who has helped us through our lives.” Indicating there could be more. In my opinion a kind and generous thing to do.
Of course, huge wins mean little for some people. When Chris Weir was asked what he was going to do with his £161m lottery win he said, “I'm going to buy a nice lot in Barcelona's Nou Camp Ground.” That must be quite the campground.
Everyone dreams of winning and everyone has a different idea of what they would do with their winnings. The most interesting remark came from a farmer friend of mine. “I would just keep on farming until all the money is gone.” ------------------------
The morning of November 11 my thoughts were in Uxbridge where I knew there would be a splendid ceremony marking Remembrance Day, and recognizing the sacrifice made by so many Canadian men and women so we could enjoy the peaceful life that many take for granted.
Since I am in Florida I pinned my poppy on and set out to find a parade and ceremony to mark the occasion. Knowing how the Americans respect their veterans and present-day soldiers, I thought it would be a breeze.
No such luck. Not ever seeing a Cenotaph or war memorial in the area, I travelled around several blocks hoping to find some celebration happening. I asked a number of people about this and none could help me. In fact, some were puzzled about what I was asking, shrugged their shoulders and walked away.
So back home I managed to find a ceremony on TV and thought about the splendid ceremony that would be taking place in Uxbridge. Not quite the same as being there but my own two minutes of silence satisfied my desire to remember those brave men and women to whom we all owe so much.
