Posted on January 22, 2014 under Storytelling with no comments yet

 

“Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain…”

James Taylor

Cheers!  Raise your glass and let’s toast a family owned business that has survived fire and floods, big box stores and online shopping.  Come in to the warm and welcoming embrace of the 5₵ to $1.00 store in Antigonish.

It seems like the 5₵ to $1.00 has been here forever and, for as long as I can remember, there has been a member of the Jewkes family running the business.  They have an innate sense of what shoppers want and need and always seem to have what you are looking for.

For two Saturday’s running, I had the pleasure of sitting at a card table, just on the doorstep of the ladies wear department, signing copies of my book.  In the space of a couple of hours I saw hundreds and hundreds of people from far and wide and chatted with many of them.  The 5₵ to $1.00 is like an old sweater that fits just right and makes you feel warm.  They don’t need a welcome mat at the entrance.  You can feel it once inside the doors.

The store occupies its space right next to the Brierly Brook and just about every year, the river gets clogged with ice and, following a thaw or major rainstorm, overflows its banks.  For years that was a huge problem for businesses abutting the river as basements were flooded on an annual basis.  This was bad enough, but back in the day, the basement of the 5₵ to $1.00 housed, among other things, the toy department.  You just can’t sell soggy teddy bears.

And back in 1999, the flood of the century hit, with unprecedented rainfalls causing near catastrophic flooding in the region.  I remember it well as our green Geo Metro was the only car sitting in three feet of water in the parking lot behind the Main Street stores, at the height of the storm.  Our son literally waded waist deep in water, attached a rope, and several of us pulled it out of a raging current.  As it turned out, we would have been better off if we had simply left it to drift down river into the harbor.

Even a major fire did not deter the Jewkes family and, from the ashes, there rose a phoenix.  You can see it on the sign as you face the store on Main Street.

But mostly, the store is a reflection of the owners and staff.  Besides the late Creighton Jewkes and sons Lloyd and Stephen, who currently hold the reins, the names of the staff of yesteryear are as well-known as the letters of the alphabet.  Bob, Tina, Billy, Margie and many, many more spent a good part of their lives welcoming customers as they browsed the aisles of the store.  There is a whole new generation of men and women who are becoming the seasoned veterans.

And no discussion of the store is complete without mentioning the name of Hamish.  Simply put, Hamish is an institution at the store.  He knows every customer and can tell you where to find anything in the store, or who to ask.  If you look up the phrase “heart and soul” in the dictionary, don’t be surprised if you see his picture beside the definition.  Creighton was ahead of his time in so many ways.

For many years, I had the privilege of going to the 5₵ to $1.00 after Remembrance Day to raise a glass with Creighton and many of his war buddies.  We had our picture taken and inscribed a few words into a journal.  And we would always end the session by singing “Pals”.

And just like a good pal, the 5₵ to $1.00 remains loyal and true after all these years.

 

Posted on January 20, 2014 under Monday Morning Musings with no comments yet

I thought I’d start off the week with a picture. It could be titled “Hope” or “Wishful Thinking.” As long as the winter seems for some people, it is amazing how quickly the seasons come and go once you hit 60. I am not lamenting this fact… just stating a reality.

The January thaw has come and gone and it looks like winter is back. It never really left. It merely hit the pause button. Someone was telling me the other day that they finally broke down and bought a snow blower. They had to order it in and it arrived after the thaw last week. There is a better than average chance that they won’t get to use it the rest of the winter and it probably won’t snow for three more years. That is according to “Len’s Law.” When I heard this story I thought about different things over the years where we finally made a purchase ( can you say “home renovations” ) and sold the house before we got to derive any pleasure from the upgrades. This and much more in the upcoming story “Len’s Law.”

My story about two local bands from the ’60’s is in the hands of my editor. I shifted gears part way through the story. While the story is ostensibly about The Strangers and The Escorts, I wandered down a slightly  different path part way through writing the story. I was reminded about a scary band trip where the band truck lost its brakes coming down Cape Smokey after playing for a dance in Ingonish. The story is called “Band on the Run” and will appear soon right here at Week45.

It’s “shameless promotion” time. I sit on the Board of Friends of Antigonish Library. ( FOAL )  Our major fundraiser, a dinner theatre, is coming up on Valentine’s Day. For you non romantic types, that would be February 14th. It will be held at the Legion in Antigonish and tickets ($35 per ) can be purchased at Brendan’s, The Library or from me. I will be working at the dinner selling lucky 50/50 tickets. Grab your sweetie and join us.

Here’s an update on something I mentioned at the beginning of the year. I plan to get involved with the hot meal program at St. James church. They are looking to add a second day ( Thursdays ) to the program and I plan on helping with the organization. What I need most is for a few people to step forward and volunteer to captain a team of 6 or more people. These captains need to find five or six friends or work colleagues to help them put on a simple meal once every six weeks at the church. I will raise the money for the year. If you have the time and the inclination to help out, please get in touch with me. We probably won’t get this going until the spring. Thanks for considering this.

Coming this Wednesday is the story “Where Everyone Knows your Name.” I never watched a single episode of Cheers but am aware that this was the theme song. The story is about a local business that has survived fire and flood, the onslaught of on line shopping and the arrival big box stores.

From “The 10 Habits of Optimists” … SMILE MORE, FROWN LESS

Have a great week.

Posted on January 18, 2014 under Storytelling with no comments yet

I don’t drink and drive.  I don’t smoke and drive.  No big surprises there as I neither smoke nor drink.  Occasionally I will have a coffee beside me in a cup holder and have been known to eat a muffin while holding the steering wheel with one hand.  I like to listen to the radio and will carry on a conversation with fellow passengers.  With the possible exception of drinking and driving, none of these other activities constitute a distraction or a danger to other drivers, according to Section 100 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

Unless, of course, your spouse is in the driver’s seat giving you directions.

I have become intimately aware of section 100 D (1) of the Act.  It pertains to the use of hand held cellular devices.

On a recent business trip to Cape Breton I discovered the subtleties of the Act.

Let me confess that I can’t tolerate people who text, call or e-mail while driving.  I would have been one of the first people to applaud this addition to the Motor Vehicle Act, having nearly been run over on several occasions by someone oblivious to me being in a crosswalk.  And I would be the first to agree that enforcement needs to be stepped up.

As long as it’s not me that’s being enforced.

I will spare you the details of my transgressions, but when I was stopped on the outskirts of Sydney, I was not texting, e-mailing or talking with anyone on my cell phone.  I politely offered the officer my phone to examine my log, which would make it clear that I hadn’t actually been using the phone.

I will, however, admit that I was cradling the phone in my hand.  Perhaps sending a coy glance its’ way.  Guilt by association.

I was given the option of paying the $169 fine or appearing in court on February 14^th.  Happy Valentine’s Day, officer.

Did I mention that I am quite fond of pets?  We had a dog in the family during my youth and, until recently, had three cats as family pets.  I bear no ill will to our four legged friends.

I eased my way off the ramp onto the 105 heading for the Louisburg exit.  Oddly enough, my phone rang minutes after parting ways with the Mountie.  I didn’t pick up the phone.

I was just getting up to speed when I was passed by a small quarter ton truck.  I did a double take and sure enough, there was a Golden retriever behind the wheel.   I followed in hot pursuit.  I admit that I was still a bit rattled from my recent encounter.  I decided to pass the vehicle and sure enough, this elegant pooch was perched on his master’s lap with one paw on the steering column.

For a moment, the cynical side of me thought about pulling off the road and calling the Mounties to report the sighting of the miraculous dog driver.  I didn’t check the Motor Vehicle Act to see if there was a section on sarcasm.

I am sorely tempted to take three cats for the drive to Sydney on February 14^th.  I’ll make certain that they are all on my lap, paws on the steering wheel, as I enter the Court House parking lot.