The Last Post

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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