July 2, 2021

BAND OF PATRIOTS, MUSICAL DIEHARDS ‘MAKE A LITTLE NOISE’

MUSKOKA — While Canada Day celebrations were reserved, some Muskoka musicians still managed to “make a little (respectful) noise.”

Albeit muted.

In an annual tradition at the home of Muskoka Concert Association president Diane Harrop in Gravenhurst, “O Canada” was heard loud, proud clear across town.

Members of the Gravenhurst Bifocals and Muskoka Concert Band spread out across her front lawn for their first joint mini concert in more than a year.

The small merry band of nine musical diehards and patriots gathered under a pine tree to make joyful music once again.

A few family and friends listened at a distance in lawn chairs.

But it wasn’t hard to hear the small ensemble.

Their half dozen attempts at musical re-unification drew the interest of neighbours off the Muskoka Beach Road — and of drivers who slowed their vehicles for the old kids at play.

A young cyclist circled the Harrop house several times making it look as if there was a larger audience.

In town at Bethune Memorial House, where Canada Day usually comes with a big red and white cake, staff weren’t rushed off their feet as per normal on one of the busiest days of their year.

Elsewhere across Muskoka orange was the new red for the day as Canadians combined celebrations with reflections.

The night sky was dim and relatively silent compared to recent years as fireworks — popular with Canadians and First Nations — were a no-show for the most part in most neighbourhoods, parks and over waterfronts.

National Indigenous Heritage Month ended on the sombre notes of native drums pounding a beat of a new Canadian heart.

One that in years past would have been filled with chest-thumping pride for the Maple Leaf flag.

Who knows, maybe as the Pride flag has changed its colours and design could Canada’s emblem add a tinge of orange?

TBD.