Miss Grand Bend

The Last Post

2009-10-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

Well folks, this is it. I am not sure what will happen to this blog over the next few days or weeks. I will be consulting with Heidi and Brian who were instrumental in this thing getting off the ground. There is a lot of work here 90 posts, 120 pages, 150 photos, 10 videos, 150 links to peoples’ sites and 11,000 words but I will delete it if that is what we feel is best. Regardless, there will be no more posts after this.

I think the Eagles said it best “They stand up and sing about, what it’s like up there. They call it paradise, I don’t know why. You call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye” Maybe the last thing Grand Bend needed was winning this contest and more attention. We already have a great song and maybe we should keep our little paradise to ourselves. Thanks for all the support, it was a good run while it lasted.

Frank

1) We will miss the beach

2009-10-23T02:49:00.000-07:00

Well guys, we gave it a great try. CBC posted their update this morning and we didn't make the final two so it looks like, this is it. I may have one last post this weekend but if not I have had a ball with this and want to thank everyone who gave us a look, voted for us and participated in the cbc radio 2 Great Canadian Song Quest. There's a little place in Mexico that needs my help. Let's face it, we already have a great song. See you in June - better make that May.

Frank

Here's the youtube link - it looks better on the bigger screen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI1NPV3u37s

2) We will miss the sunsets this winter

2009-10-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

The sun is setting on the contest and this blog. I was planning to quote my source for our sunsets being in the top ten in the world. I know I read it somewhere and I believe it was attributed to National Geographic but alas I can't find it anywhere so you will have to trust me. This is the only evidence I have - some new sunsets from Corey, Tiffany, Lynda and Heidi. If you come to the Bend make sure you get to the beach for a sunset, you will not regret it. Every one is different and every one breathtaking.

Un update of sorts - the suspense is killing me

2009-10-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

I managed to listen to 3 of the 4 hours of morning show this morning. Tom Allen was giving recent updates on all the provinces and territories. I am sure I heard them all and a couple twice but did not hear Ontario. CBC 2 did post a comment to us this morning that the standings would be published tomorrow am on line. We need to keep doing whatever are doing and not miss a chance to vote. Remember little Waskada MB sitting in 5th place after week one - well they are now in first place in MB - that's encouraging - we were plugging them on our blog and they were supporting us. Maybe a miracle can happen. Don't give up. If you like some easy listening (and you can handle the suspense) you might want to tune into Tom Allen on Shift followed by Rich Terfry on Drive all starting at 2 pm eastern on cbc radio 2.

3) We will miss the Grand Bend strip (and town) this winter

2009-10-22T02:36:00.000-07:00

Is it the people of the town, the buildings, the party cottages or just the mix of everything that gives Grand Bend that laid back, quaint but quirky feeling? The town and its extensions down highways 21 & 81 has character. Part of that character is the unique construction which contributes to the character outside and inside each shop or restaurant, mix in the youthful people working there and you have part of the formula for our Grand Bend spell. Creative names and signage add to the mix. You have to love names like "jiggy's" and "twigs". Great food from "mean poutine" to "chocolate banana smoothies" and everything in between. The best french fries in the area. It's like the Bend had a town meeting many, many years ago and decided to share their magic recipe for fries. You have high end clothing shops to sidewalk merchants selling sunglasses and sandals. It's a vibrant economy that is totally dependant on those two big summer months. I tried to capture the feeling in these two videos but you really have to experience it in person. Oh, we better add our beautiful Oakwood into this mix as well with it's resilient 19th hole pub that doubles as a museum of memorabilia. It's the scene of many first GB spells including ours. Just click on the links. Go bend, Go vote it's a new day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4V0UzqW1Qc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIvMbH5A9So

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWtmjH6c_5w

4) We will miss the youthful people of Grand Bend this winter - a lot.

2009-10-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

We see them on the beach, the crowded streets, the shops and party cottages. They also work in the shops and restaurants and bars. The young people in GB are living life to the fullest in peace and love. It reminds me of Woodstock (NY 1969) - with a beach. Thanks Heidi for pics.

I think Brian described the people well in a comment to the cbc early on trying to explain the phenomenon of GB "people come to Grand Bend for... the people. It is the place to see and be seen. For four months Grand Bend becomes a kaleidoscope of humanity. For those of us who live and work here during the summer months, and year round, the experience goes deeper. One season in Grand Bend can change your outlook on the rest of the world and on the rest of your life. You can lose yourself and discover yourself all at the same time. You forge bonds with people that will out last time and distance.You share tears and pain, laughter and love and music.... Most people spend a season or two here but once Grand Bend gets in your blood it is there forever."

You've seen the beach bums and jammers and you can feel their energy. For me and my generation it's like a fountain of youth being here and maybe that's part of the spell for us. Maybe it's not just the sunsets and beach and town - maybe these young people draw you into this whole magical feeling and suddenly you are part of it and it won't let go. I wasn't going to do another video but I had trouble picking out some pics from this group to make my point so I just took a whole bunch of them and called on Ruth's Hat one last time. They call themselves Grand Bend University - they still spend a lot of time at the beach (bums??) and jamming but let's just say they aren't in high school anymore - they've graduated but still can't shake that GB feeling and obviously enjoy life.

Let's pause for a moment

2009-10-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

If you have enjoyed all this and I obviously enjoy this stuff. Someone who has been to the Bend just once is rooting for us and voting for us. Yesterday he sent me this link and all I can say is - thank goodness these guys didn't know about the contest or (based on this video) they may have been a formidable foe. This video is so well done about a little town on another lake in Ontario. I just wanted to share it with you - who knows, maybe I can get these folks voting for us too - who else would they vote for?? A lot of us have been there.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-dn-71nqbI

5) We will miss the music of Grand Bend this winter - a lot.

2009-10-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

Sure, we will have our CD's but will miss the energy of the live performances. From pub shows to concerts to jam nites. We will miss them all. I created 10 videos since the start of this contest. Some of them repeat the music so here is a link to each video that features a different song and here is a set of pics of some new kids on the block and the usual suspects (musically speaking) around the Bend. Hey maybe a title "Around the Bend" (miss grand bend is taken).

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miss grand bend - Brian - miss grand bend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZPnlWm25j8

beach bums - Ruth's Hat - I used to miss you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0RrwDIsH58

300 grand bend sunsets - Brian - sail on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCFNWA7wH1Y

hwy 21 strip and downtown - Natalie - not enough to cry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIvMbH5A9So

farmers market 2009 - Brian - ferris wheel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppJyqSDbecI

the dogs of grand bend & chippy - Natalie - my heart would know

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPpl5oXZbv4

the oakwood - Brian - see you in june

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWtmjH6c_5w

I guess I better throw in jam night again considering this is paying tribute to the music - Ruth's Hat - I used to miss you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS2UiGkw9F8

6) We will miss our ever changing Great Lake

2009-10-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

I don't know what else I can say about Grand Bend's neighbour, Lake Huron that I haven't said already. The lake is ever changing in colour in sound and shape. It's like it's dancing in a different costume every minute to a symphony orchestrated by the sun and wind and clouds. It's huge and powerful but fragile and serene. It commands and deserves our respect. We will miss its majesty and can't wait to see it again at the end of the winter as the ice is melting and the blue, blue water returning to our sandy shores. Thanks for the pics Meg.

7) We will miss the diversity of Grand Bend

2009-10-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

Grand Bend is incredibly diverse. The Pinery Provincial Park is one of the nicest parks in the province and just across the highway from our place. There is an 8 km bike path that will take you from the Pinery to downtown. We have enjoyed biking, hiking and canoeing at the Pinery. The Parachute club is just east of town and while I am confident it is something I will never do myself, I do enjoy watching first jumps out of GB on the internet. We have yet to get to the dragstrip but I love to hear the roar of the engines when we are sitting by the fire and the wind is blowing in the right direction. Our next door neighbours race so we get updates from them. The Grand Bend Motorplex attracts thousands of people every summer. We do get to the Huron County Playhouse once or twice a year. Alex Mustakas does a brilliant job directing this very professional theatre troupe which is part of Drayton Entertainment. The theatre is unique and just oozes character. These are just 4 examples of the diversity of our little gem. Thanks to Rhea of burnt marshmallows for the Pinery pic. Once again here is the Burgerfest parachute jump from 2008 and a beautiful view of the Bend.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raJEnSn-09s

Interupt our countdown for more media coverage

2009-10-20T19:30:00.000-07:00

This time it's Lynda Hillman-Rapley from the Lakeshore Advance. Here is the link. Go Lynda, Go Bend.

http://www.lakeshoreadvance.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2137969

8) We will miss the Sense of Community in our Bend

2009-10-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's the small town atmosphere of the Bend but I have never experienced a place with the sense of community spirit that is prevalent here. The Aquafest day was a massive volunteer effort as was Burgerfest and the Canada Day Concert not to mention the Fireworks volunteers. I bought tickets on 3 different fundraisers at the farmers market. I don't know how many thousands of dollars the Scatcherd Golf Tournament has raised over the years. We have an incredible fireworks display at our little Klondyke park every year along with free concerts and dances all set up and financed by volunteer efforts. The first comment I received on our Canada Day video back in July was from the fireworks volunteers. They heard and enjoyed the whole concert while they were setting up on the pier but couldn't see any of the acts or activities until the video pics showed up. We will miss the team spirit of Grand Bend and are proud to be part of that team. Here are 3 video links that have been under the links all along but this will make your access easier. Just look for and appreciate the volunteers it takes to make it happen. Go Bend, Go Volunteers, go bend family.

Free Canada Day Concert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbaXXB8ekMM

Free Aquafest Day and Concert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx6JUpxxp2M

Free Fireworks Canada Day - video from coraldiva you can see volunteers setting it up in the Canada Day Concert Video above and this was the result
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPlWed7CHZI

Another navigational tip - voting link

2009-10-20T16:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks Northern_Light - the voting link is always right here at the top of the blog - just click on the little orange cbc logo on the top right - it will always be there.

9) Animals ... continued from below

2009-10-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry, my posts got out of order a bit. The first 9) Animals is below with a video. I didn't publish it until after my Casey post directly below this one but I set it up before so they got out of order. Here are some pics to bring them together. These are some of our 'other' favourite animals. In the case of the one footed sea gull - he kind of adopted us and followed us everywhere. (click on them to enlarge any)

Detour again - Headline - The quest to immortalize Grand Bend in song

2009-10-20T03:24:00.000-07:00

In typical fashion - well researched and well written, Casey Lessard has done a nice job in capturing our spirit here. Casey is the editor, reporter, photographer of our local paper "The Strip". The Strip makes the long winters a lot shorter with monthly updates arriving in our mail box. It's more often in the summer. If you really miss grand bend subscribe, it's a great investment. Here is a link to the article - enjoy - animal post just below this.
Go Casey. Go Bend. Go vote - new day.
http://www.grandbendstrip.com/2009/10/the-quest-to-immortalize-grand-bend-in-song.html

9) We will miss the animals of Grand Bend

2009-10-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

We don`t need pets in Grand Bend. We can borrow everyone else`s. You can sit on his engraved bench beside Sunny (the chick magnet) and watch all the girls come up to pet his silky coat or you can play frisbee with Sheva or watch Oz chase his favourite stick all day long. You can watch the golden finches, hummingbirds and woodpeckers and don`t forget the Tundra swans in March. You can feed the chipmunks, squirrels, swans or goldfish at the Klondyke park or the rabbits at the garden shop. Grand Bend seems to be a popular spot with the animals and we will miss chippy, sheva, sunny and Oz this winter. KT and I prepared the original of this off her spreadsheet "the dogs of grand bend" hence, the pink colour scheme. I tweaked it a bit for the contest. I have been taking a lot of dog pics lately but unlike her I forget the names by time I get home. This is Natalie singing again - great country sound to this - you can look her up on myspace - link on the right. I will add some more animal pics tonight. Isn't it shameless what we will do for votes, first the elementary kids, now the pets but all is fair in love and the cbc radio 2 song quest and we love GB and the GB animals. Go Bend, Go dogs, go chippy, go vote.

Small break from the countdown - It`s Monday!

2009-10-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

We will get back to our countdown in a bit. This message was posted earlier today by one of our significant benders. It exemplifies points 3) 4) 5) and 8). She has worked in the Bend for the past 7 summers and lived there for the past 3 summers. I`d say she`s hooked - her spell is locked in. She comes from a little town that looks just like the Parkhills, Embros, Lucans and Ailsa Craigs. For most of us Monday is not a very great day but she misses the Grand Bend, Mondays already. Here it is unedited.

``Remember the days of Monday being JAM NITE!?
They seem like distant memories as this autumn chill creeps up on us but try and remember the warm summer memories of spending your whole Monday getting geared up for Jam Nite! Whether it was planning the most kick ass pre drink, creating the most original outfit if there was a theme that week or just practising your dance moves/warming up your voice! Everyone has their own Jam Nite Prep, because lets face it...Mondays were better then any Friday and Saturday..now we spend Mondays preparing to get through the work/school week...blech! We have managed to keep Jam Nite going for 13 Summers Strong.
Wouldn't it be amazing to open up Season 14 of jammin in May 2010 with our own original song!? Maybe the artist who records the song could be persuaded to perform it for us!?``

Maybe they could cover `miss grand bend`also

Good chance to post this jam nite link again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS2UiGkw9F8&feature=player_embedded

10) We will miss the drive to Grand Bend

2009-10-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

We never take the same route to the Bend, twice in a row. We only take the major highways if it's dark and we can't see anything anyway. It's a 100 minute drive from home for us and there is never any traffic, regardless of our route or departure time. None of these things make it that special but these pics are from 2 of our different routes. We travel through some of the richest farm land in Ontario. Our drive up to the Bend is relaxing and full of the anticipation of another weekend in paradise. No more news on the car radio - it's all music ( I have even programmed in cbc radio 2 on my car radio and guess what - now we listen to "Drive") We hate to see summer end but the fall colours make the pain of our upcoming loss more bearable. 1) Glimpse of the Parkhill Cemetary 2) The trees on the road between Parkhill and GB 3) A corn field just outside Dashwood 4) The road between Embro and Fullerton. Will this winter ever end? Hey, maybe it won't start. Go Bend, Go drive to the bend, Go cbc Drive, Go vote

Home Stretch - What will we miss about Grand Bend this winter?

2009-10-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

Let's get this show on the road again and see if we can drum up some votes on these last five days of voting. We started this blog on September 23rd just a couple days before nominations started. Here we are 72 posts later and what have we been saying is special about our Grand Bend? What will we miss about Grand Bend this winter? I have 10 elements listed here and you will see them all mentioned in one way or another in the posts below. I will use this summary to emphasize them again. We could easily break these elements up into smaller pieces and say there are 50 things that make Grand Bend worthy of winning this contest but we will focus on these 10 elements.
1) The Beach

2) The Sunsets

3) The Town

4) The People

5) The Music

6) The Lake

7) The Diversity

8) The Sense of Community

9) The Animals

10) The Drive

Sad news last night to pass on

2009-10-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

This news is out there now so I want to pass on our sympathy. There was a fire yesterday at White Caps on the strip. Thank goodness no one was hurt but it sounds like there was a lot of damage. The news kind of took the wind out of my sails last night. Our hearts go out the the new owners after all their work renovating last year and getting the business back up and running. It will leave a hole in our streetscape in more ways than one. Hang in there.

Time for a quick sunset - early June 2009

2009-10-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

This is all I have time for while I hurry my lunch. First sunset I came to in this folder. Will be posting other stuff tonight. It's a new day so make sure you vote.

Promised plugs for other provinces so here they are

2009-10-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

1) Waskada, Manitoba. This will be my 3rd MB place to vote for. Because I used Lac Dubonnet for reference, I was promoting them. Then Bob Mackowitz on cbc got me thinking about the Forks in MB and my experience there, so I went their way. Now the Waskadians are saying good things about us and I want to acknowledeg that. Go Waskada now - my votes will all cancel out in MB.

2) Linda is voting for us and promoting the Black Sheep Inn. I have only voted once in PQ so I will start voting and rooting for an Inn there.

I have been voting for the maratime provinces every day because my families' roots are there and I love the places and their music. Go maratimes - they are all great spots and great artists.

I don't want to start forming alliances - I don't like those kind of reality shows and I hope cbc 2 were not looking for that kind of angle. Just give me music about places but I do want to acknowledge kind words, when I have time.

If these folks miss grand bend, they could be in trouble

2009-10-18T17:37:00.001-07:00

One of my all-time favourite videos of Grand Bend is this one. It's been a link here since the beginning but I'm afraid it could get buried and people not see it. I stumbled on it 3-4 days after we witnessed it live from our vantage point and it's a spectacular way to see Grand Bend. Enjoy it while I gather some more stuff. It happened at another one of our annual events and concerts (2008). If you have seen it, enjoy it again it's not long. You don't want it to go too fast though (that would be bad). Go Bend. Go jump. Go view.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raJEnSn-09s

Take that Algonquin, Toronto and TBay. There are a lot of jumps posted on youtube out of our club in GB just search on youtube any combination of Grand Bend & jump. Mary, Ken & Bob got a standing ovation from the beach when it was over and it was a very breezy day. I am not too quick on the draw today - I just posted their link - it was right on their video - it's over in links on the right. If it looks like you might be interested - drop in anytime.

Good Sportsmanship and "Wolf Howls"

2009-10-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows I am competitive but after 20 years of coaching everything from baseball to basketball to even soccer they also know I am a good sport. Well I was thinking about our toughest competition in Algonquin Park , currently ranked #1 in this contest. As I mentioned before our Pinery Provincial Park is quite a bit smaller but it is magnificent none the less and we do have all those other things that Algonquin doesn't have like a sandy beach that is part of a 6,000km shoreline. A GREAT lake (3rd largest in the world) as opposed to a bunch of little ones. World ranked sunsets. A downtown strip that would knock your socks off, you can buy new socks there as well but you don't need them in the bend - no mosquitoes. Ten great pubs, Twenty-five great restaurants. A legion, a skateboard park for future surfers, a dragstrip, a parachute club, Huron County Playhouse a new beachfront and boardwalk. Crowds of beautiful young people but quiet secluded walks on the beach if you want that. But, Algonquin Park has had world famous "wolf howls" since 1960. To show I am a good sport, I will put a link over to the right that describes these howls. I first heard about them over a couple of beers and it sounded like this ... a bunch of people drove for hours in some kind of convoy to a designated location where the Grand Master of wolf howls would start howling and everyone gets out of their car and starts howling too. Eventually, if it's a successful howl, the wolves will respond and you have a whole bunch of people and wolves howling at each other. On the website they say wolves howling "is akin to community singing among humans". Well guess what. Two months ago when Brian released his CD there was a surprise backup singer on "miss grand bend". Shelby made the list of credits. Now, ever since, when Brian closes a live show with "miss grand bend" the locals add Shelby's backup vocals (she would get carded in the bar) and what do you know, it's a Grand Bend "wolf howl". Luckily I caught it on video this past Saturday night with a packed house of worm dancing beach bums and jammers hugging each other and singin along. Here they are - the first video is off Brian's CD with Shelby doing the backup work on cue. The second video was recorded live at the Oakwood last Saturday as we all said good bye to one another for another season. Dave likes the lights dim so the picture quality is not HD off my little Kodak, sitting on the table right next to my wings, but we capture the moment. For the first time ever, we saw professional Brian laugh during a performance but he still finished the song. Have a look. Go Bend, go wolves, go howl in your back yard or on your balcony (no one will notice in GB or Algonquin but I wouldn't try it in Toronto).

Will this contest ever end?

2009-10-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

I hope so. Linda really hopes so. Well the voting ends next Friday 10/23. We need all the votes we can muster. We have to get past Toronto. It's David vs Goliath. Just click on the cbc Great Canadian Song Quest link here or the icon to the right. While there, you can listen live - pick the morning show (Pacific Coast) and you will here our plug from Bob and it's easy listening. You need to get a red tick mark on your place and artist before clicking on submit vote. You need to see a red check mark on Ontario after you submit your vote or something is wrong. This is like writing one of our procedures manuals - no fun at all. You guys are on your own for a while. I have some work to do - will check in later.

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/songquest/

These are for you, Bob

2009-10-18T05:37:00.000-07:00

Bob Mackowitz is filling in for Molly on the cbc radio 2 morning show. He talked about the Ontario entries and gave our little Bend a great plug with some very truthful words. It's more than just a party town and more than just a summer town. It's beautiful in any season. I think we have lots of great fall photos here so I dug up a couple of winter ones. I am sure I will find some better ones on our groups' facebook pages. I will add more later. The beach ends just past the snow fence. Those are sand covered ice banks past the beach that were all melted three weeks later. These were taken on our Tundra Swan expedition last March. The migratory return of the Tundras every year is just one more magical piece of our little paradise puzzle (they live in Alaska and just stop in the Bend for a few days - they miss grand bend every winter also - I heard they like to shop at Archie's). I wish I could have gotten some better Tundra pics - they are magnificent creatures. This one pic was taken in fields (of water) just across from the Pinery, you should hear the swans. Casey or Dave, have you got anything I could use? Go Bob, Go Bend, Go Tundras - hurry back. Will this winter ever end? (forgot, click to enlarge the Tundras or any pics).

The Road to Grand Bend - The Oakwood Resort

2009-10-18T04:18:00.000-07:00

Our road to Grand Bend was through the Oakwood resort. In 2002 we stayed at the Oakwood and had our first dinner at the table in these pictures (1.48 minute mark) while the sun set at the bottom of Oakwood Ave (where you see that little bit of blue Lake Huron in these 2009 pics). I decided I would package these using a theme from some of Dave's incredible memorabilia in the pub. We have great memories of this place and the old pub as well. The pics were shot on a perfect fall day last Saturday (Thanksgiving Saturday). The pics at the end of the daylight shots are from (quite) a few years ago. It's two of our great friends Heather and Tom Rossi on the practice green. They miss grand bend also. We called ourselves the "M.A.S.H." nurses and the pros from Dover (Elliot Gould - MASH 1964). The day these pics were taken it was very hot and we were at the beach all morning. Tom and I walked up to the Oakwood from the main beach in just our bathing suits and sandals, covered in sweat (they were not thongs). We went into the pro shop to book an afternoon tee time. The young assistant said "sir, we have a dress code". That's ok we want it for late afternoon. As we were leaving the proshop there was a gaggle of girls (I think nurses - Tom and I can tell). They were trying take a group picture. We took their pictures for them and while doing that I said Tom was a famous marathoner from Australia and we were just training on the beach for a big race. We got in their next few shots. Our nurses didn't believe us when we got back, did they Tom? and we won't mention the memorable night I can't remember at the Oakwood, will we guys. On a more serious note Heather just won a prestigious National Award for Nursing Mentorship - and she can hit a golf ball. go Heather, Go bend, Go Oakwood. This was pretty much the end of the season for most of us at our favourite pub. It was a packed house and a another great show from Brian. We are going to miss grand bend this winter. Will this winter ever end? Go bend, Go Vote, Go cbc radio 2, Go Oakwood and Go Dave (new nickname - goose).

Here is the youtube link to the video below on a bigger screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWtmjH6c_5w

As promised - The Beautiful Oakwood Resort

2009-10-18T03:19:00.000-07:00

I will get into some detail on the next post. We have a lot of emotional ties to this great place. Just hit the play button - not sure why the screen is black to start. You can get a bigger screen version on the youtube link in the post just above this one.

Even our $Dollar store has a priceless view

2009-10-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

I managed to take 57 shots while Linda was in the $Dollar store to get 1(one) gift bag. It is a big $ store she reminded me when she came out. It really is a big and nice $ store. This was just one of the trees showing fall colours today in their parking lot. We took a quick day trip up to the Bend to do a final sweep of our place, drop off a gift and take a few more fall pics for the blog. I really don't know what to make of this phase of the contest. I can't wait to see the next status for Ontario. I am seeing a lot, lot more activity than we ever had before but maybe the format now with just 5 places is making it more difficult. This could be a David vs Goliath(s) contest now. Go Bend. Go David. Go get us an update cbc. let's hit 'em hard tomorrow.

Grand Bend Beach Weddings

2009-10-17T04:50:00.000-07:00

... are pretty common. This one wasn't common at all. The beautiful bride was a great athlete from Brantford - I helped coach her in basketball and flag football when she was about eight years-old. She played against our BCI Mustangs in high school basketball and rugby (she was NPC). She went on to Western for a few years and now teaches in the area. We were at our first jam night ever when she came up to give me a big hug, wow last time I saw her she was 3 inches shorter covered in mud and blood at the Harlequins field in Gretzkyville (she looks even better in white). The groom is an original jammer and a talented musician. They made him play a set at his own wedding. Major victims of the Grand Bend spell, they will be here for a while. This was Maggie's pic from the GBU collection. There was one other beach wedding last year for another friend. We are taking up their baby gift this weekend - congrats you four. I say we re-enact Tracy and Andrew's wedding here next summer - taking votes. Go Bend. Go Beach. Go Beach Weddings.

Beach Day in July

2009-10-17T03:17:00.000-07:00

Nothing special, just 4 pics taken within minutes of each other from beach level and then the observation deck (July `09). They give you a good idea of the size of our main beach. (as always click to enlarge). Go Bend. Go Beach. Go vote - once a day every day.

Pause for a rules update on cbc radio 2 song quest contest

2009-10-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

They have fixed their website/program and you can now only vote once per day per province but you can vote everyday so we have 7 voting days left counting today, maybe 9 if they go through next weekend. There have been a few bugs with their website but all in all it's fair and slick. My boss says I do the work of 3 people so I get to vote twice at work, desktop & laptop and once at home. We apparently have a lot of new voters who need info like this. Hey Asia, how are we doing over there? Adam & Robin are old benders. Australia, Kerry can you help? nice marathon bud. New Zealand - Matt, are you out there? Jenn in BC, great article on mom, eh? Am I forgetting anybody? Wo, Vegas, what's the name of our dog? Can we work "missy" into it? Thanks for all my friends from work - many have been to the Bend but avoided the spell.

Ken Dinel's - the Band in You - Canada Day Concert - I am not sure about the order but the bands performing were ....

2009-10-16T17:37:00.001-07:00

"the rocking kids" "The Ordinary" "Sweet 'N' ToXic" "eXpired" and "Victim" There was a great article about these kids in our Grand Bend Strip (newspaper) you might be able to see the issue on-line. I will ask Casey which issue - I looked through some tonight but couldn't find it. Also, if anyone has a video of these guys posted somewhere - comment back the link and we can link to it. Ken, if you are out there and you or any of these kids have mySpace links comment them into me and I will hook them in. Here is the link to my slide show video that includes pics of these great little guys. (click on the photos to enlarge them). if you are a fan of Brian's and have his CD turn the volume down. If you don't have the CD you can listen but remember the CD is much, much better. You can listen to all our older guys on their mySpace links over to the right (my left). I think all of the older guys have CDs - Ruth's Hat, Lance Bedard, Natalie Tobin - I have all theirs and love them. Greg, do you have one? If so I want it. I think Andy is working on something. Dereyk holds the Guiness book of records for single drummer in the most bands (in Grand Bend). Here is the link to the concert pics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbaXXB8ekMM At the 4.08 mark of this video while we were all looking at the stage the beach patrol were not and they rescued someone - they never miss a thing on the water.

Here is a video of the older kids later in the day - the quality is weak but you get an idea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9jrkkGtLyg

Wo, I just found one link to maybe Casey's photos and/or article

http://www.flickr.com/photos/caseycanada/3807386507/

Grand Bend's - the Band in You

2009-10-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

Time to call up the reserves. I can't believe how shameless this is but this is more than a contest now. Our supporters are giving it their all and we are getting tired - some of us are old and my fountain of youth has probably already been winterized. Marty?? We are pulling out all the stops. Grand Bend Public School - where are you? (we don't have a high school - let's put that on the list). Parkhill, Exeter, Lucan - help. These are pics of our Canada Day concert which featured 5 bands from Ken Dinel's - the Band in You. They were amazing. There is a slide show video of the day with some better pics but I tried to get all the members in these. I will say up front Brian isn't happy with these old tracks but it's all I had at the time and I don't have time to remix this and we are desperate - ok Brian? By the way, thanks for all the support back in the Bend and UWO, Guelph and everywhere else it's pouring in from - GBU, bums and jammers. Let's see if we can rally from behind - more fun this way, right Heidi? forget plan B. The band pics and link is coming. Go Bend, Go vote for GB, Go kids, Go Ken. Does she know how to vote Dave?

Our neighbour - Manitoba - Lac Dubonnet

2009-10-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

Forgetting about comparisons to places in our own province, I want to look at just one outside Ontario in Manitoba. Lac Dubonnet caught my interest early on in the nominations and I have been rooting for them since I found out we could vote for other provinces. On my way home tonight, listening to the Drive on cbc 2 they interviewed a shopkeeper who is promoting his town of lac Dubonnet. Well he talked about the geography (scenery) and the fireworks at Canada Day and then the people. He did a very good job. You here it over and over again through this contest "the people" it's a common theme for every nominated place. He talked about what makes his people special, like being serenaded on the street by some guy with a home made guitar. He did have a good finish, he finished with "and the there are rumours about people being chased by Sasquatches coming out of the bushes". My kind of town. Well, lets see how we compare. We have some beautiful and diverse scenery, from our gorgeous lake and beach and dunes to the oak savanna woodland of our Pinery provincial park. We had some great fireworks on Canada Day (following an 8 hour free concert on the beach). See coraldiva's video of our fireworks linked here and under links on the right and my videos of the concert (coraldiva - what a great name for a young lady (my age) from the Bend). I don't know who coraldiva is but she may have been the lady I saw at our local coffee shop last weekend. A purple Harley pulled up as we were walking out (nothing unusual there) but as I was trying to help a young girl with her dog (Willy) I didn't get to ask this coraldiva for a picture. I did get a picture of her bike. As she pulled her helmet off I realized it was a lady and not a biker guy - again nothing unusual there but she was closer to my age than Willy's owner and riding solo - wearing all leather, jacket and chaps. After Willy's owner came back I told Linda to just give me a minute while I checked on this coraldiva. Unfortunately, she wasn't coming out for a while. She had her leather jacket off and was reading the newspaper with her coffee. She looked a lot like Meryll Streep (you never know). Anyway, here is the bike. That is one of my stories about the people you see in GB. It's a fountain of youth. My guitar story is of a guy (my age again) riding his bike down the highway (bicycle this time not a Harley) with his guitar in the basket of his bike as he biked to, or from his buddies place - not too unusual - it was a guitar hero, guitar. I love GB and our beautiful people. I am not going to play our Sasquatch card. I promised Linda I wouldn't but if we get desperate, look out. The sad news is Lac Dubonnet are in 5th place. Vote for them when you vote for us. Go Bend. Go Lac Dubonnet, Go Sasquatches, go the xxxxxxxx of Grand Bend. Pic of Lake Huron on a blue day, coraldiva's fireworks, Coraldiva's bike, Willy with his coffee and donuts and one of our friends from the Shady Oaks general store (how did he get in there?).

fireworks link;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPlWed7CHZI

They have woken a sleeping giant ...

2009-10-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

The cbc standings were out this morning and I'm afraid they have woken a sleeping giant in Grand Bend. We refuse to get into a negative campaign. Everyone of these places in Ontario is worthy of this victory but ... Algonquin is the absolute best provincial park in our beautiful province but which one is ranked #2 - I think it's the Pinery (just south of GB) dune beaches and all (and no black flies or mosquitoes). Now, Toronto is an amazing city, it's our capital and you have to love it. It even has a beautiful beach as well on another great lake - lake ontario but I think the great people of TO would have to drive to Kingston to see a sunset like ours - they might as well drive up to the Bend. Go Bend, go vote, get your rally caps on and fasten your seat belt Brianna. I think, I even woke the beach bums up early this morning with my scream for help. How do you like our prehistoric pizza eating dinasour? - he only comes out when we need him? Go Bend. (click to enlarge him - he's not so scary from here).

CBC radio 2 have just posted standings - HELP!!!! ---------------------------------------

2009-10-16T03:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's possible to come back, we are in 4th spot just ahead of Picton. We need to crank it up a notch if we want to show Canada how resilient we are as well as what a great place we are to live and have a song written for us. Rally our troops we have a week left plus this weekend. Vote for the Bend, go bend, go vote, go - come back. Thanks Mag - GBU for sunset after storm.

Brief Explanation - might help navigate

2009-10-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

If you are wondering what's happening with the little video bar on the right so am I. I have never been able to control it (another spell). I can pick any single video - that's easy. I can pick my YouTube channel and I have no control over what comes up. I have found my best bet is to try using common names. It sort of works but not completely and the names must look pretty stupid on YouTube. There are so many over there right now - it might be easier to click on any one and then click on the video itself and it will take you directly to YouTube where you will get a bigger screen and can pick from any of the videos. All the ones created for the contest are at the top. I don't know how much longer these talented young people will let me use their stuff but I will review that after we win the contest. Go vote, Go bend, go bed - that's where I am going. Now there's 3 back ??? I think Linda bought some magic apples at the farmers market. Wow, that last one came out pretty good and fast. Usually the quality is not good for several hours until processing is complete. It's the middle one on the video bar. Click on the video itself once it starts here on the blog's video bar.

Let's finish our quest for the rest of Grand Bend's strip(s) - starting at the intersection of Hwys 21 & 81

2009-10-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

and along the Hwy 21 strip south on Thanksgiving weekend and then it's back downtown (in the summer) for some of our favourite spots and things to do before heading home to the Klondyke. We will do more on our park later. This is a full version of Natalie's "not enough to cry" you can link to her myspace page on the right. One of my favourite songs. Go Bend, Go song quest, Go Nat.

The big five`O` We just passed 50 posts on this three-week-old blog

2009-10-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

Let`s celebrate with a photo from an outstanding Grand Bend photographer, David Bannister. His link with some gorgeous photos is to the right under links. Enjoy. I think you know where the pot of gold is (our magical place). This was taken last Tuesday. `the seas were stormy that day my friend` George Castanza - Seinfeld. Go Bend, Go cbc radio 2 songquest. Go rainbow. This picture seems to change every time I go in.

I hope you are all voting tonight

2009-10-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

I hope you are all voting tonight. I did.
I hope you are all voting tonight. I did.
I hope you are all voting tonight. I did.
I added link to great Arlo Guthrie concert in Vancouver this year - over to right under links from cbc radio 2 concerts on demand. listen while voting - great, great story teller too. Go vote. Go vote. Go vote.

Ok, enough words let's liven this up a bit. This one's for you Miss H, our songquest head beach bum - I wonder how we are doing?

2009-10-14T17:37:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to our jam night video now on youtube - caution, you may want to adjust the volume down a bit - I kind of had it cranked when I put this together. Thanks jam night group for the pics - thanks ruth's hat again for the song. go bend. go jam nights. go vote cbc song quest for grand bend - five artists to pick from. CBC link is over there - the logo on the right (my left). The youtube link is right here - just click it - -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS2UiGkw9F8

What I meant to say was .... (cont'd from post below)

2009-10-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

--
Points to be ready with (my script for answers to any questions - if only I had let Tom ask them)

- Remember advice from wife, family, friends our songquest facebook group, your producer – stay focused – I can wonder in my thought process. I think I inherited that and any creativity from my mom.

- Small talk - enjoyed listening to Bob Mackowitz filling in for you yesterday. Worked early had to listen to pacific broadcast with 92.1 Vancouver to catch the whole show.

- Reason for blog – GB is our favourite place on planet. Music a key element of our reason for loving GB. It fits criteria. I started blog without understanding entire contest and was hoping we could nominate Brian’s newly released song “miss grand bend” – hence the name - everything fit until Lily clarified contest for me when we first set up podcast. We rolled out of nomination gate flying and decided to just keep going promoting GB (our little paradise) – do we have to be careful? The Eagles think so “call something paradise – kiss it goodbye” I have been calling it that for 8 years – it’s still there and better than ever - how big can this little contest be anyway??

- Geography, where is GB – eastern shore of Lake Huron, north of London, South of goderich, west of Stratford or if you zoom in north of parkhill – south of bayfield west of lucan or Exeter. For an aerial view have a look at some of the parachute jumps from our GB skydiving club – see our blog.

- What makes GB special – what would we “miss” about it?

- Beach, Lake, Sunsets (expand later), beautiful people, youthful exuberance of people of town, hustle and bustle of the town, from bikers to beach bums, musicians to artisans, shop clerks and bartenders to creative entrepreneurs. Our people are special – both the visitors we attract and regulars alike. (if time 55 yr old guitar hero story or Carly Simon chaps & Harley story)
- The music, we love music especially live music of almost any genre. It’s why songquest is such a brilliant idea. Well, in GB we are blessed with an abundance of musical talent, kids who flip burgers by day and blow us away with their music at night. We want the rest of Canada and the world to hear these kids.
- Downtown strip, it’s quaint but I like to think a quirky kind of quaint. The shops the restaurants, the ice cream parlours, the pubs – each one is unique. Our high end dress shop is right next door to a great sun glass, sandle beach hut. Our beautiful church is next door to Bum Bum's (beachwear)
-Diversity – Pinery Prov park (gorgeous for hiking, biking, canoeing or lazing on the beach), Dragstrip attracts 1000’s, Parachute club (check first jump videos - youtube), Huron County Playhouse has become our favourite theatre. In the past 2 weeks this list has grown by ten times as we explore more of our Bend for the blog.

Formal apology to cbc radio 2, Tom Allen, Carole, Bob and Joe from missgrandbend

2009-10-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

"xxxx happens" was the only way to describe it. I was sitting in my office yesterday from 7 am with the door closed waiting for my call from cbc. I was never 100% sure if it was supposed to be 7:20 am eastern live on the Atlantic feed or live in the east at 8:20 so I sat there reading my notes. On advice from sweet Carole at cbc (who had to listen to me ramble on about GB for 30 minutes), Linda, Heidi, Brian, Julie and Nancy - I needed to stay focused and just answer Tom's questions he's a pro and will be your safety net - don't wander you only have 5 minutes. I was ready and focused. Well, at 7:45 I get my first email from Nancy my cousin in TO (too bad she wasn't at their Algonquin in New Brunswick). Hey I here you're coming on are you ready? I'm ready - never been more ready. About 8:10 am - Nancy emails - they said you will be on in 10 minutes shouldn't they be prepping you? - by the way the music is great this morning. At 8:20 my phone rings - the shop needs an inventory adjustment - I'll call you back. Oh, Oh, a general delivery voice message sneaks in my in box. Darn, where did that come from? Nancy sends a panic email - Frank, they need you, where are you for god's sake call them - she almost had a coronary attack - her words. I don't have a number - I am trying to relax and stay focused. I listen to the voice mail - cbc you are live in 4 minutes call this number - great, I have a number. I get Joe, Frank that was an hour ago - we were live in Atlantic at 7:20 eastern - Nancy was listening to the time shifted Eastern broadcast which was taped an hour earlier. Carole called me back 5 minutes later to say we will reschedule. Thank you Carole. Well, today we pulled it off. I had 2 cbc numbers and an email address, they had my extension, cell number and work email. The only problem, I wasn't ready. As soon as I heard Tom's familiar voice I completely ignored my notes and winged it. I jumped right through Tom's safety net and he had to drag me off after rambling (enthusiastically) about our favourite place for 5 minutes. For this I am sorry. The podcast was so much easier - I could tape it myself with just Tiger listening and yawning at me. In order to make amends to everyone - here are my cheat notes - page 1 - the summary page. I had 3 more pages of detail if I needed them but you are seeing them everyday in the blog.

Let's slow it down a bit with a couple sunsets courtesy of Doug Nemeth & GBU plus a pic of an October storm (no walking on the pier).

2009-10-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

I was waiting for Doug or someone to give me the ok to link this group to our blog. I have been so busy I didn't see the ok. The Grand Bend University group has an average age that is a little bit higher than the average age of the beach bums and jam night group but you see them on the beach every day and out at jam nights trying to help me bring up the average age of those groups. We brought the average age of GBU up even higher but they have welcomed us. I can finally call Oz by his name instead of "Little Dog Big Stick". I have never been a big fan of facebook but I think we have linked in about 2000 people to our blog. Let's see if it works. Go Bend, Go GB University, Go facebook. If you want to see more of Doug's handy work check the link to the right to Grand Bend University. The storm pic was taken last week. I told Tom Allen this morning GB is not just a summer place - it's breathtaking in every season - just wear a parka.

Jam Night 2009 sampler with Ruth's Hat (you might want to crank that volume down a hair)

2009-10-13T22:37:00.000-07:00

Jam Night

2009-10-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

Where do I start? I will start by saying I will revisit jam night again later and by all means you jam night regulars throw in your 2 cents worth in comments, it's too important to the Grand Bend music scene and Grand Bend period to just make one post. Here it is from the perspective of someone my age (LVII) who can't play a lick or sing but just loves music, live music and people that are willing to get up there and give it a shot - only to blow us all away. For us, it's only been the last 5 of 12 years and we can only get to a couple of jam nights per year but they are the most special nights of our summer. The jam night band Jamie, Andy, Dereyk, Lance, Brian, Greg can all hold more their own individually but they have a chemistry that really works to get things started and wrap it up. In between you have a mosaic of talent from all over the province and country (incredible talent in most cases) plus the dependable regulars who get up there and do their thing with all kinds of configuration of back up bands and instruments for support. Don't be shy, if you can handle it - let one of the regulars know your name and where your from and you will probably get your shot. After about 10 of these nights we recognize some of the guests from previous nights but the most excitement comes from the unknowns. I like looking around the room early (listen to me early - that's 11:30 on jam night Monday) to see who is back but then try to guess who will be the new ones to get up there. "Wow", I wish I had a dollar for every time I have said that in those 10 jam nights with my jaw dropping to the floor. At 11:30 you actually can still look around the room by 1 am you can't look anywhere but at the 50 heads in front of you. If you think jam night only means a jamming of musicians it's also a jamming of humanity (capacity crowd) in Gables (the home of rock and roll) every Monday (yes Monday night) of the summer. That will have to do for a first post it's getting late and I have another early date with cbc in the morning ( I hope this time). Thanks for the pics GB Jam Night Group. Bo Bend, Go jam night, vote for GB on cbc radio 2.

Technology malfunction

2009-10-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry to everyone who may have been listening to CBC radio 2. We actually got into a telephone tag issue with both voice mail systems (I am responsible for ours so I have no one to blame but myself). The producer just called to say it will be tomorrow 7:20 am live which I think will air 8:20 eastern but not 100% sure on that. They have my cell number now as well so let's hope this one goes better. In the meantime I will keep blogging after work tonight. Go back to bed all you beach bums.
fab

Did I mention the beach and lake, lately?

2009-10-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

These pics were taken Saturday before our quest for pics downtown on the strip. It was a beautiful sunny day but breezy and cool by the lake. The beach umbrellas have been replaced by hoodies and parkas but the lake and beach are as magnificent as ever. There were 3 different groups of fathers and daughters fishing (click on photos to enlarge).

Disclaimers - I am not who you think I am.

2009-10-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

Rumours ------- my favourite Fleetwood Mac album.

I was approached yesterday in the blustery wind on the strip by one of our favourite shop owners. He asked if I was the guy who designed the new street scape. I am here to tell you I am not that guy. I don't know who that guy is but if someone has a link to the design I will gladly post it here (however I did steal a brick from the dug up part of the sidewalk as a souvenir before they went for recycling). The last thing I designed was a wine rack made out of driftwood and rope - it was in my survivor phase. Ask Linda what happened to that project - I think it's in the roasting marshmallow segment below along with my favourite t-shirt. I am also not Brian's agent - I just enjoy trying to share his music with people - sorry Brian but I have a day job - at least I did until this contest started. I am also not part of the GB tourism board although they are welcome to use any of my pics any time. Congrats again Frieda, Mike and family. I also don't work for the Oakwood. If Dave finds out I took pics of the Oakwood while he was out chasing geese I may never get back in, yes I have a new nickname for Dave. Please don't anyone show him this blog until after the contest is over. I was also not in "the apprenticeship of duddy kravitz" although that was my mother's nickname nor was I in "Mr Holland's Opus" but I did like the marching band scene thanks to our Burlington Teen Tour cousins Dale and Linds just back from Japan. However, I could be a figment of everyone's imagination right Denzel? (Pelican Brief - Darby Shaw - Julia - Grisham - great movie and book). Hey where did she come from? Oh the Shady Oaks just 1 km south of our place in the Bend. Witches everywhere around here. Don't eat that apple. The guy sitting in the Muskoka chair was just enjoying another Lake Huron sunset when he took a bite - said that GB spell won't get me. Go Bend. Go away rumours. Go cbc radio 2 songquest.

Just some teasers for now

2009-10-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

Until I can get a video done of our quaint and quirky strip and town here are just few better pics of the gorgeous Oakwood and as promised Twigs (gatekeepers and keymasters of the witch below). Don't come if you don't want to fall under our spell. (shhh, whispering, we are right next to the 7th tee at the Oakwood in pic 4) ``I think that's a 7 iron that Lefty has out, Johnny``. (click on them to enlarge pics and see Lefty's form - not bad). We love the creative names of some of the businesses in our town - like Twigs, the flower shop and Twisted Sister the hair braiders, Vern Sorenson's birdhouses - the Viking's Workshop (anybody read Gargoyle?) or Henna Beach tattoos where you will find the famous Sheva and her pups. How could I forget Bum Bums beach wear. GO Bend, Go Shops, Go Oakwood. Go cbc radio 2 Great Canadian Song Quest. The Gargoyle rerference is a plug for Mary Wolfe's book shoppe in Bayfield - too late for them to be nominated plus Bayfield is only quaint not quirky. You would never see Butch, Sundance or Elvis there - maybe James Taylor or Carly Simon though. Hey, by the way, Butch was dancing at the Oakwood Saturday night.

"I miss Grand Bend - will this winter ever end?"

2009-10-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, It's only the 12th of October but we left Grand Bend yesterday with our car packed and our place all closed up. I didn't mind coming home for a hot Turkey dinner on Sunday because it was only 5 degrees and gale force winds blowing off the lake when we left the Bend. But as I walked out the door this morning I thought of Brian's lyrics. I had to scrape my window for the first time this fall/winter. That usually means 250 more days of windshield scraping before we can get back to the Bend. Those aren't the rockies just the snow banks on our front lawn. I think someone was punishing me for leaving the Bend early. I have a pic of my scraped windshield in the camera but it's not with me here so this is a temporary pic from last year. Go Bend, Go away winter. As promised, here is my car this morning - I hate scraping and need to find a frowning smiley face. I will keep last year's pic here for effect. Wait a minute - where did that smiley face come from anyawy? I don't remember putting that there???

Stella

2009-10-11T23:25:00.000-07:00

This sign first showed up in Grand Bend several weeks ago. I hadn't seen it for a while but we stumbled on this copy on a poll while we were exploring the strip for the blog. We are hoping Stella has found her way home by now but if not maybe this extra exposure will help her get there. Regardless, we wanted to add another name to the list of names for "little dog" down in Vegas. That contest is still a contest although we did miss a skype call from vegas tonight while we were at the funeral of a turkey - maybe there is a winning name - I will keep you "posted".

***

He was a "good" bird - loved his mama and elvis too.

Tom Selleck misses Grand Bend and his old Budweiser canoe

2009-10-11T22:31:00.000-07:00

Tom Selleck misses his "friends" and Grand Bend a lot. Now, what does Michigan native, Tom have to do with the Bend and canoes? Let's try to explain some of that. The first pic here is one of Dave's autographed pictures of Tom and one of hundreds of pieces of memorabilia in our favourite pub at the beautiful Oakwood Inn. The second pic is of the relatively new canoe, the "Miss Oakwood" hanging above the pub. Now the "Miss Oakwood" replaces a "Budweiser" canoe that hung in the ceiling of the original Oakwood pub. The Budweiser canoe was donated by Tom Selleck after it was retired from duty in a couple of his TV movies. The original canoe and hundreds of other pieces of memorabilia were lost in a fire on New Years morning 2005. The entire pub was burned to the ground. It was one of the original Oakwood buildings and absolutely beautiful. It was the scene of many of our early adventures in the Bend. Tom and Heather will not let me forget one of those nights. I cried when I heard the news on TV that New Years day. The third pic is just the shed outside the pro shop today but it was built from the same logs as the original pub and is a good illustration of what the old pub looked like (the pub was much bigger of course). The fourth pic is looking out the huge front doors of the new pub which was open in time for New Years 2006. Now Sidney Crosby has replaced Mr. Hockey in some respects in the magnificent new three story pub which is still our favourite pub (don't worry, there is still some Gordie Howe stuff to be found). Dave Scatcherd has somehow preserved the rustic feel of the old pub, maybe it's the use of some of the original oak cleared from the property decades earlier in the bar or maybe it's all the memorabilia or maybe it's just more of the magic of the Bend. I will do something special on the Oakwood later - it holds a lot of special memories for me and my family and our friends.

Grand Bend is Timeless

2009-10-10T23:03:00.000-07:00

In fact, most of us judge time by sunrises and sunsets. There are not many clocks in the Bend. If you want to know what time it is you may have to walk up to the Horticultural Society's sun dial. These photos were taken a shade before noon.

The scene of the original spell for us

2009-10-10T16:31:00.000-07:00

It was right here at this table at the Oakwood Inn overlooking Oakwood ave and the lake when the sun set at the bottom of this cottage lined street. Our lives have not been the same since. We will be back at the Oakwood tonight closing down 2009 for us. Dave, my 3 sons (chip, ernie and rob) and I plan to put our names on that plaque one day. Go Bend, Go Oakwood, Go Sunset spells at the Oakwood.

Well, it happened again. A new spell was cast on one of the best fall days we have ever had in the Bend (click on them to enlarge photos) ------------

2009-10-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

It's always Halloween early in the Bend because of its magical influences. The fall colours and farmers market seal the deal. You will always miss grand bend when you can't be there for Thanksgiving. Here are just 5 of the 900 pics we took today on our travels this Thanksgiving Saturday from the Oakwood down to Aunt Gussies and through our strip and gorgeous farmers market. The rest have all made the cut but need to be packaged up in a different spell. Let's say thanks for Grand Bend and thanks Twigs for the witch - you will see the beautiful Twigs store shortly. That's just one of the views of the Pinedale Inn between Gussie's and the Oakwood's pumpkins. More to come.

Fountain of youth

2009-10-10T06:18:00.000-07:00

In addition to everything else - Grand Bend is a fountain of youth. I could barely walk around the block before we discovered Grand Bend. Look at me now. I like to stretch while watching the sun set. We walk 10 kms a day and bike and swim. I may even enter a senior triathlete competition. That's not really me in the pic it's just a friend but it is another Grand Bend sunset. Go Bend. Go Youth. Go stretch. Thanks for the pic Heidi & Meg.

The Strip

2009-10-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

The Grand Bend Strip has something for everybody. From mini-golf and batting cages to jewelry and everything in between. How about a henna tattoo or some salt water taffy (It's imported not made in Lake Huron with a large shaker of salt) or an ice cream cone or smoothie or beach wear or fine clothing or maybe a cold beer or glass of wine in a patio bar or any kind of food you could imagine. We have a beautiful church. At one end of the strip is the beach and lake, at the other end the town spreads out a bit to offer more of the same plus a gorgeous theatre, a dragstrip, a parachute club, a golf course and one of the most diverse little communities in Canada. We will miss our little strip this winter. Oh, by the way, it's getting a makeover. Go Bend, go diversity, go makeover - finish on time.

The Office

2009-10-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

Chairs 4.99, Cooler 12.99, frisbee 1.99 - view priceless. This is our office on any beach weekend in the Bend. This is what we see for an hour or so early in the morning. By noon we are pretty much surrounded by beautiful young people. We take their pictures for them, guard their stuff and just enjoy their company. It's part of the magic of our favourite place and keeps us, as Rod would say "forever young" or was that Bob Dylan - wait a minute it was both of them - either one will do. Go Bend, go beach.

Time for another sunset - how about 300 in 5 minutes

2009-10-08T17:43:00.000-07:00

Couldn't decide on one more sunset pic so here's 300 in 5 minutes with Brian and friends doing "sail on". I just shuffled the deck and this came out. Hope you like it - nominations end Friday midnight. Not sure what the next phase will bring but this has been fun. I don't think we're quite ready to "sail on" just yet.

(Sorry folks. To see this one just click on the sunset video to the right. I had the video here but it was messing up access to the video bar - if you want a bigger screen for the video bars just click again and you will be right in youtube for bigger screens)

Contest within a contest - help me name this dog?

2009-10-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

I will try to keep it short - impossible for me. My future daughter-in-law Tracy, a first grade teacher in Las Vegas, NV saw this sorrowful pooch on her way into the gym one day, two months ago. On her way out (two hours later) the pooch was waiting for her. Tracy looked at the dog and she looked back at Tracy. Against her better judgement Tracy ended up taking her home to Andrew and bonsai their other dog. Andrew and Tracy spent the next 6 weeks trying to find a home for "other dog" or "little dog" as we grew to know her. There have been people in some hard hit economies in the US who are not only walking away from their houses but also walking away from their pets. They could not find a shelter that would guarantee her survival. Last night we found out "other dog" will never be "leaving Las Vegas" or Tracy and Andrew's home. She had a makeover last week but I like her before picture (this one). Anyway we now have a name the pooch contest going. I nominated 20 names before it hit me - "missy" or more formally missgrandbend. For all we know that's where she came from or for sure where she would want to be if she ever saw it (It's a paradise for dogs also, just ask Sunny, Sheva or Oz). Post a comment here if you like the idea and maybe I can count your comments for votes. Go missy, Go Bend. I found a better before pic of "little dog" it somehow got separated from the other pics - story of this kids life. It also doesn't have Andrew in it - he takes after me not his mom for photogenetics - I think I just created a new word (your dna that defines how photogenic you will be) - how do I copyright that?

Lake Huron is a great lake

2009-10-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

... it's one of 5 actually but it happens to be our favourite. It's constantly changing in colour as these pics illustrate. It can be dead calm or have 6 foot swells. It is the 3rd largest fresh water lake in the world with over 6,000 kms of shoreline. As large and majestic as Lake Huron is - it is fragile and needs our help. We have to take better care of our beautiful lake so our grandchildren and their grandchildren can enjoy Grand Bend and Lake Huron as much as we do.
Go Huron. Go Bend. We had a great Aquafest celebration this summer (in the rain of course) where the focus was on water. In addition to a free "pedal powered" concert, the guest speaker was Canadian Maude Barlow a former senior advisor to the UN on water issues.

We are still in first place in Ontario. According to the CBC last night the nominations keep rolling in for Grand Bend. Keep up the good work everyone. Actual voting begins next week.

Hoofprints on the beach

2009-10-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

Time to change the pace a bit. This is one of my favorite pics of the beach just north of our water treatment facility that doubles as a beautiful day park. That's Butch and Sundance. They moved to Grand Bend after they escaped from Mexico just ahead of the arrival of Elvis (he likes to hang out at the Pinery flea market). It's hard to get a glimpse of any of these guys never mind get a photo. Grand Bend really is a magical place. Sundance still can't swim - the fall down the hill to the beach to get this pic almost killed me.

"No pets, glass or alcohol allowed on the beach"

2009-10-06T15:50:00.000-07:00

"Your beach patrol is now on duty". We have talked about a lot of things the Bend has going for it but there is one group of people who never get enough credit. Our beach patrol guys and girls are part of the fabric of the beach and the town. They not only make the beach safe, they project such a professional image for everything that is Grand Bend. I have never seen a more proud team of workers. Ok, they like being pirates on jam night but you should see them in action on the beach. It's like a chess match when someone is in trouble. All the pieces are moving to rescue the swimmer in trouble and cover off each others' positions. It's usually over before anyone else realized what happened. With sometimes 5,000 people on the beach, they never miss a thing (not on their watch). I am mixing in a few older pics here. Some of the faces have changed over the years but not the pride and attitude. I have seen lifeguards and beach patrol people all over North America - none can compare. I doubt there is a better team in the world. Go Bend. Go Beach Patrol. Nominate GB for these guys - the pirate thing was just a phase.

Let's pause to thank CBC radio 2

2009-10-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

We will get right back into this soon enough. If it wasn't for this contest a few things would have never happened. One, this blog would probably not have started at least not for a while and maybe with a different look and feel. Thanks for that CBC. I don't know about the rest of you but I would not be enjoying CBC radio 2 like I am tonight - going right from Drive into another great Canada Live concert. This contest got me reacquainted with CBC radio. Thanks for that CBC. Let's thank CBC radio 2 for helping us let the rest of the world know about our favourite place and what makes it special. Just before 7 pm tonight Brianna and Rich gave an Ontario update. Top 5 in reverse order 5) Byward Market, Ottawa 4) Toronto 3) Sleeping Giant Thunder Bay 2) Algonquin and "still cleaning up" at number 1) Grand Bend. No longer the surprise leader. They said part of the reason we had a "mighty fine blog". Thanks for that CBC. Now, if only they would play our existing town's song "miss grand bend" we would give them a collective big round of applause this weekend as many of us close up our Bend for the season. Better still, invite Brian down to the studio to perform it live. By the way, Canada was ranked 4th on a list of 182 countries today for quality of life (Norway leading that contest). Where does that put us if we are #1 (in Ontario at least - maybe the whole darn country) in our fantastic CBC radio 2 songquest contest ??? It puts me feeling pretty good about life. Thanks for helping with that CBC. Go Bend, Go CBC Radio 2.

Bosanquet might sound better

2009-10-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

On Friday's - "Drive" show on cbc 2. Brianna (and Rich I think also) indicated they like the unique sounding names of small towns in Canada, me too. When I was growing up we would drive through Dog's Nest, Ontario to get to Lake Erie. I loved this pic of an antique Bosanquet fire truck and it reminded me of the Bosanquet water tower you can see from the Sandhills golf course. I thought I would put one lonely nomination in for the lovely sounding Bosanquet, Ontario and see if Brianna can find it. It actually used to be a large area that encompassed our first place, write in candidate, Grand Bend among many other Lambton Shores spots. I thought this might get us some browny points for a cute sounding name that some very, very old people maybe used to call Grand Bend. The fire truck is one of many antique items at our very beautiful Pinery flea market. If you haven't been lately pay it a visit - next weekend will be the last for the season. Take your camera and your wallet - great music, food and local fruits and vegetables as well as all the other neat stuff. I saw Elvis there.

No place I'd rather be ...

2009-10-04T04:40:00.000-07:00

Here is another attempt to illustrate the youthful electricity of Grand Bend. These were sent to me in the middle of the night with the title - "No place I'd rather be". The pictures are of memories of another summer in the Bend from the viewpoint of some young ladies who electrify the room with their smiles when they walk in. It's all part of that magic of this place. The pictures end fittingly but sadly on the last jam night of the summer at Gables on labour day. It was the 12th year of jam nights. Where else would you get 300 people every monday night of the summer?

(just holding on this slide show for the moment waiting for ok from Heather - Heather are you out there anywhere? comment back)

Grand Bend Beach Bums

2009-10-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have been trying to find a good way to describe the youthful exuberance of our magical place. You can feel it and it energizes you. Well, I am still struggling a bit with facebook and still getting lost at times. I almost missed the Grand Bend Beach Bums. This group can do a better job of explaining the party like atmosphere which has been part of the Bend for at least the past 50 years. Most of these pics have been accumulated over the past 5 years. Thanks to Sarah and all the GBBB's for the pics and thank's to Ruth's Hat for a little audio. Go Bend. Go Bums.

"Let the Grand Bend spell, shine 'er light on me"

2009-10-02T16:46:00.001-07:00

Well, you wake up in the mornin', you hear the cell phone ring,

Your friends will be there in an hour, to do the same old thing.

There'l be food at dear Aunt Gussies and lot's of sun up in the sky,

But you better not complain, boy, or we'll leave you there to cry.

Let the Grand Bend sp'e'll shine 'er light on me,

If you're ever in Grand Bend, well, you better do it right;

You better have some fun there but you better not fight,

Or the OPP will grab ya, and the boys will bring you down.

The next thing you know, boy, Oh! You're Strathroy bound.

Let the Grand Bend sp'e'll shine 'er light on me,

Let the Grand Bend sp'e'll shine 'er ever lovin' light on me.

no point in spell checkin' this one

This was actually shot within the first hour of the opening of this part of our beach after all the work done last fall, winter and spring (click to enlarge).

Time to throw in another SUNSET - Nominate Grand Bend

2009-10-02T02:20:00.000-07:00

I shouldn't go too long without trying to cast another spell. Enjoy, and nominate Grand Bend. You know how to do it. You can get there from here, just click on the CBC link to the right, pick Ontario and write in Grand Bend. By the way, we're leading this nomination round as a write in candidate - how neat is that? This blog is solar powered. Go Bend.

Great food and atmosphere

2009-10-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for good food and atmosphere. You have lots of options in the Bend. The Growling Gator (here) has a beautiful view on their menu. J-Dees gives you a 300 year old tree with their incredible fries and bergers. An ice-cream at John's Dairy Dip for dessert will get you a Muskoka chair overlooking the sidewalk traffic - just to name a few (click to enlarge).

Roasting Marshmallows

2009-10-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Maybe you would rather just relax and roast some marshmallows by the fire before the dance tonight at our Klondyke park.

Youthful Exuberance - Grad/Prom Night

2009-10-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

Part of the appeal of this special little place is its youthful exuberance. The young people in this town bring it to life every weekend in the summer. It's a fun town, full of energy and excitement and it sucks everyone into its party atmosphere. Just enjoy it.

Keeping with yesterday's couch theme

2009-10-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

Well, in addition to all Grand Bend's other attributes, we do have a couch. It's not a rock but it didn't come from Ikea either (at least not recently). View, priceless. These are not your usual couch potatoes. thanks, Doug.

Let's see - what magic can I perform tonight?

2009-09-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

How about I paint the sky pink and blue and see how many more of these people I can hook. Summer 2009 in the Bend - thanks Heidi and Meg.

Grand Bend is Magic - she will cast a spell on you

2009-09-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

If you can't take the heat - don't get in her kitchen because GB will cast a spell on you. She will have you eating out of the palm of her hand and you too will "miss grand bend". Thanks for the jpeg tiff.

Mother Nature at her best - the dunes

2009-09-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

A few kilometers north of the main beach you get a good look at the (6000 year-old) dunes that guard the beach for mother nature on this beautiful September morning walk.

Sundays at the beach

2009-09-30T00:39:00.000-07:00

Sundays at the beach usually means more families and the sail boats. That same weekend this was the view from the beach on this day in September 2009, with a pretty light crowd. There is always a beautiful contrast in colours between the changing blue of the water and sky, the umbrellas and the white sails of the boats (click to enlarge)

"Inexplicable Avalanche" of Votes for Grand Bend

2009-09-29T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hmmm - let's see if we can maybe explain them. Let's start at this little gazebo overlooking the river and south beach and further south of that the Pinery Provincial Park. New gazebo, new boardwalk, new trees, 6000 year-old dunes behind that gorgeous beach. Sparkling blue water, blue sky and not a care in the world - Grand Bend ... to be continued.

(click to enlarge and get a better look)

The little town that could - GB

2009-09-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Livingston says nominate Grand Bend, the little town that could. I think we had a surprisingly good day yesterday. Let's see if we can get some momentum to get us up the hill today. Click on the CBC link to the right and write in Grand Bend. Go Bend.

Time for another sunset

2009-09-28T16:35:00.000-07:00

I think this was the only good weekend in June. Just another sunset in the Bend - ho hum. Well if you've never been, you wouldn't understand. Beach Patrol were off duty at this point.

Time for Nominations - GB GB GB GB

2009-09-28T04:03:00.000-07:00

It's time for nominations - if you want Grand Bend you will have to write it in. Go Bend. Go Tide - oops wrong movie. Just click on the CBC 2 link below, choose Ontario and input Grand Bend. Everyone loves an underdog.

The Grand Bend Strip (also the name of our newspaper)

2009-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

The strip on Grand Bend is part of the charm of our little paradise. It's full of character - from the restaurants and pubs to the unique little shops. The food is great and there are plenty of value in the shops. No trip to the Bend would be complete without a stop at Archie's Surf Shop.

Let's talk about the music in the Bend

2009-09-26T03:40:00.000-07:00

Maybe every town has a wealth of musical talent just waiting to bust out but somehow we got way more than our share. Every year there are free concerts like this one last year on Canada Day featuring many great local groups. I think the youngest ones here were only 8 years old but Vintage Moments just before the fireworks helped to average out the ages a bit. If you would rather a cozy setting try the Oakwood Pub or Gables or White Caps or Colonial or the River Bend or Paddington's. They are all within 300 meters of each other and offer up a wide variety of local talent.

Footprints in the sand

2009-09-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

Morning walks on the beach are a must but they are always special when our footprints are the first ones in the sand. Some mornings are so serene I can't even turn on my ipod. What makes Grand Bend special? How about mornings like this.

Did I mention the beach?

2009-09-24T15:31:00.001-07:00

That's our blue beach designation flag along with the green flag for safe swimming this day. The blue beach designation means a lot of requirements have to be met. One of those requirements involves those snow fences which don't look too pretty right now but they are protecting freshly planted dune grasses that will mature to protect our beach for centuries. Don't worry, there is still plenty of room on our beautiful big beach. (click on the image to enlarge).

How could I forget the sunsets?

2009-09-24T09:20:00.001-07:00

How could I forget the sunsets when I am mentioning what's special about our Bend? Every one is different but always beautiful.

What makes it special?

2009-09-24T01:53:00.000-07:00

Well, the beach, the lake, the town, the people, the music ... did I mention the beach.

The end of another summer

2009-09-24T01:41:00.000-07:00

Well it's officially over (the summer of 2009 in the Bend). We are hoping for a nice fall and short winter to make up for the poor weather this past summer. On the bright side our new blue beach designation and beach enhancements were very well done and make us proud. Brian (Dale) finally released that first CD which is now available on i-tunes. I am looking forward to promoting our favourite spot on CBC 2's songquest.