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.
An historic event
One thing I try and do when travelling is to get off the beaten 'tourist' track and mix with the local people.
Our visit to the Croatian school (mentioned in last 'Stew') started with a bus ride through the areas where the Serbian and Croatia leaders conducted a bloody war for several years. Most of the buildings that could be restored had been, but there was still much evidence of the battles that raged and, as usual, the suffering that the ordinary citizens endured.
Many fields were cordoned off as men scoured the area searching for the thousands of landmines planted during the war years. There have been many deaths and serious injuries, human and animal, since the war ended.
But the school, which had suffered serious damage, was a delight to visit. Only the old photos reminded one of those terrible years of conflict. In the main foyer we were greeted by a large number of students who sang, danced, performed a puppet show and, in perfect English, gave welcoming speeches.
A young student gave me a guided tour of the classrooms and, also in perfect English, explained what lessons were being taught. It was obvious she was very proud of her school.
Prior to the start of the trip we were asked to bring much needed school supplies and I was pleased to see a huge table loaded with gifts from Canada including cash from those who didn't want to pack gifts. We in Canada do not really realize what it is like to live in the war-torn countries of the world. Many take our freedom for granted. But when you can see firsthand what many people around the world endure on a daily basis, you realize what that minute of silence on November 11 really means.
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Little did we know it but our visit to Belgrade, Serbia, would prove to be the highlight of the trip. Our itinerary read: “Today you embark on a historic event” which had everyone trying to figure out what lay in store.
A bus ride through very heavy traffic, and we arrived on the grounds of the Royal Palace. Unused during Communist times but, since the fall of Communism, is the home of Crown Prince Alexander and Princess Katarina who had been in exile for many years. The palace is not open to the public, but somehow Sanjay convinced them that we should be allowed a tour of the grounds and the palace - which is beautiful.
This was wonderful, but none of us were prepared when Alexander and Katarina appeared on the steps and met with us for about half an hour. They talked about their years in exile and, since their return, what they have been doing for their country since the end of Communism. All their efforts are directed to helping those less fortunate, and returning the country to one that enjoys freedom instead of suppression.
Most impressive was Katerina's desire to see incubators available for babies in every corner of the country. On their return there were seven incubators in total. So they invited 250 people to a special dinner at the Palace. Admission - they had to bring an incubator or the cash to buy one. The dinner was so popular it has been held annually ever since. Each time admission concerned a piece of equipment for hospitals around the country.
Wow! This had been a wonderful surprise. But there was more to come. An announcement was made to take all belongings from the bus at the next stop as we would not be using the bus for the rest of the day. What's up, I thought. For sure it won't be a walking tour with this bunch.
Everyone was trying to guess what lay ahead. Finally we drove through a wooded area and there before our eyes was the famous “Tito Blue Train”. This train was designed and built especially for Premier Tito and was used to ferry royalty and world leaders around the country in luxury that is hard to imagine. Prior to lunch we were given a guided tour of the train, through Tito's private coaches which included a separate bedroom and dining car for him and another for his wife. Private bedroom and living room cars for his many prestigious guests. Several dining cars, with full kitchens and able to seat large dinners or intimate dining for small groups.
One car was devoted strictly for Tito to conduct business and featured a small cubicle with two chairs and a low dining table in between. This was where Tito met privately with his important guests. It was interesting that Tito's chair (which I was allowed to sit in for a photo op) was 6” higher than the chair of his guest. Tito believed that looking down on someone gave him a power advantage.
Following the tour the train started to move, and we were seated in various areas for a delicious lunch while we rode through the beautiful Belgrade scenery. Finally the train rolled along the side of the Danube River and, as we sipped our last bit of wine, the train came to a stop right beside our ship. A walk down the gangplank and we were home.
The end of another amazing day, and the chatter on the boat that evening followed the same theme. “Can you believe that day? What will Sanjay think of next”?
Who knows? But I sure want to be part of it.
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Saw some exciting plans to beautify and upgrade the Cenotaph grounds on Brock Street. It isn't convenient to walk around to the back of the Cenotaph, so people miss the names of those who gave their lives in World War I and members of the Uxbridge Legion wanted to do something about it.
No space to explain the artist drawing, but if you would like to see the plans drop into the Legion Clubrooms and a member of the staff or any Legion member will be pleased to show them to you. Legion President Jim Rowland tells me the exciting new look should be ready for Remembrance Day 2012. I can hardly wait.
