STEPHEN RICHARDS | Special to MuskokaTODAY.com FICTION

Bart’s Place, Basement of Musicians Friend

The apartment is spartan. There is a door to a room containing a retrofitted combination toilet/shower, with a privacy curtain salvaged from an RV. Sundry cleaning supplies, hanging clothes and a pair of boots.

The main room is demarcated into zones using green painter’s tape. The bedroom/living-room contains a pull-out couch, a trumpet table lamp, and a three-drawer filing cabinet with socks, underthings and valuables.

The work area has instrument repair tools with each tool on the wall outlined indicating their proper place.

The rehearsal area has his beloved “Super Balanced” alto sax resting on a stand, recording equipment and a collection of sheet music. On the wall is an autographed framed poster of his uncle.

The kitchen has milk crates mounted on the wall for dishes, cooking tools and dry goods.  There’s a battered mahogany bar book-ended by a portable fridge and wash basin on the right, a slim-line stove/oven on the left. Some folding chairs and tables lean against a wall.

Bart Neely is making pizzas. Desmond fat cat is sitting on a hassock patiently watching and waiting.

A knock at the door and Marley Kim opens it saying: “It’s only me,” as Bart looks over to see.

“You are right on-time. The pizza stones are heated and I am finalizing the pizzas,” says Bart as he slices slivers of unsalted butter onto the low-fat mozzarella cheese before sliding the pizzas into the oven.

Bart pours two mugs of hot apple cider, adds a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of nutmeg to each and hands one to Marley as she sits on the sofa. Bart sits on a folding chair across from her.

‘Nymphs Dance’ and ‘Faeries’ by Mannheim Steamroller mysteriously starts playing on his Sony boom box.

Paul Emil Breitenfeld, Bart’s uncle, materializes (out of a puff of smoke) next to Marley. He puts his head on her shoulder. Bart stares. Paul then puts his arm around Marley making kissy faces. Bart scowls at Paul, gets up and is about to point and demand he to stop.

Desmond leaps off his hassock and head-butts Bart then and in a flash scoots back to the hassock acting as though he were there the whole time.

Bart’s knee buckles. He spins around and flops onto the sofa next to Marley with his arm behind her head for support. Marley smiles affectionately and is about to speak when Bart, apologizes leaping back up.

“Nice move. Very slick” she coos.

Frustrated, Bart stammers “It was the cat. He pushed me.”

Desmond remains silent, acting so nonchalant.

Paul’s hearty laugh and is rewarded with a cool stare from Bart.

“The pizzas should be done. I’ll get them.”

Marley sets two place settings side by side at the sofa and tops up the ciders.

When they are done eating and the dishes are put away, they resume positions on the sofa chatting. Desmond struts over to Bart, leaning against his knee urging a back rub; Bart obliges and continues as Desmond edges towards Marley then moves on. Unbeknownst to Bart who continues patting what he thought was Desmond is now Marley’s knee. She looks Bart in the eyes, remaining still and silent.

Bart hears a sound at the door. He sees a wee man in green coveralls pass through the door, drop a letter, then as mysteriously disappears.

Bart picks up the letter. It’s from Santa’s Village. He doesn’t know anyone there. Out of curiosity, he opens up the envelope scans the contents (a note and a candy cane) and asks Marley: “Have you ever been to Santa’s Village in Bracebridge — Due North?”

(Softly in the background, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy sings ‘All I want for Christmas.’)

Marley smiles.

The Smyth House, Bracebridge c1952

While waiting for all the guests to arrive, Caitlan Smyth, Aine West, Brianna Orr and Oonagh Kelly are seated around a table in the kitchen, munching on ‘Venus Drugs and Confections’© cranberry scones, sipping Irish breakfast tea and (this time) observing Mr. Smyth, dressed in red coveralls, un-decorate a Christmas tree and prepare for the New Year’s Eve get-together tonight.

The Boyces, Gardwoods, Hopkins, Murphys, Goodfellows and Rimsteads are on the way, each bringing something for the potluck celebration.

The families gathering represent concerned business people worried about the effect of rerouting Hwy. 11, which currently follows Manitoba Street, to eventually bypass the town completely. Commerce in towns such as Thornhill, Newmarket, Barrie and Orillia were significantly impacted as a result of the highway bypassing town cores. The business people appreciate that development of the region is inevitable, however not at the expense of the current residents. And so they are gathering to develop a scheme for the benefit of these BIA members present.

A Muskoka Banner article was passed around proclaiming the success of Eaton’s downtown Toronto display followed by another of their Santa Claus parades.

“Oakville residents have been discussing plans to create a Santa’s Village, but had run into various zoning issues. Let’s beat them to it,” says someone.

Another: “Santa must go south for the summer, right? Why not make it the centre of Muskoka. We can call it his summer cottage and turn it into a child-friendly theme park.  We can even have a parade mid-year. All kids love to march around.”

This was followed by: “Bracebridge is located at the 45th parallel and is in the middle of Muskoka with Gravenhurst to the South, Huntsville to the north, Bala out west and Dorset in the east. We are perfectly situated.”

The discussion got quite animated as the celebrators loosened up.

Rett Green, a not particularly handsome man but is quite handy, says: “We can build ‘Beaver Lodge’ … with duct tape”  His cousin Harry, a bespectacled accountant and Rotarian, adds: “To finance it, we will need to raise about $120,000 selling shares to all the families. And we can use our kids as cheap labour and teach them the value of good work in the community.”

Bill Green suggests they create some adventure areas and call it “Adventures with Bill.’”

Ralphie Parker has grown to appreciate themes — and requests a shooting range called “Don’t shoot your eye out.”  His brother Randy suggests making “snow angels” in Lifebuoy soap-flakes, dressed in oversized white Tyvek coveralls, aviator goggles and leather helmet.

The old man pipes up: “How about a timed Oldsmobile tire-changing competition.”

Ralphie’s friend Flick suggests a skill area called ‘Double dare and triple dog dare’ zone.

Schwartz suggests goodies should be served, like maybe Fudge, as tourists always seem to want it.

A Grim-looking fella suggested a “Storybook Gardens” and “Goose Pageant.”

After several meetings, some fundraising, a lot of thinking as tradesmen like to do, and eventually construction the plans came to fruition.

With a little bit of magic, opening day finally arrives Dec. 8, 1954 at 1 p.m. The Legion Pipe Band pipes in the dignitaries and the Bracebridge Citizen Band is in fine sounding form.

There is fluffy snow in front of Santa’s summer getaway, with icicles dangling from the eaves. Those present are greeted by Santa, Mrs. Claus and their Elves.

The 200 or so under-privileged children bussed in to enjoy the celebration, were given a candy cane and a gift.

Other visitors arrived by car, ice boat and train. Some dignitaries flew to the nearby airport and were ferried out by taxi.

An Oakville family of two adults and three children rode the special train on that fateful day. The parents soon lost track of their children.

Dougie drove the Tractor Farm ride past the Reindeer Barn and Animal Pen and went to Robin Hood Archery. Robbie took the Riverboat ‘Summer Sleigh’ through the Santa’s Helper ‘Mine and Science Centre’ before exploring the ‘Enchanted Forest.’

Karen took the ‘Cinderella and Pumpkin Coach Ride’ to the ‘Good Witch Gingerbread Shop,’ saw the ‘Wee Puppet Theatre,’ and eventually got lost following the Fiberglas and papier-mâché Goose dressed in orange hosiery as it laid golden chocolate eggs for all the children. Eventually she was found and taken to the lost child area at the ‘Forget Me Not Shop,’ by Kathy Smyth dressed as ‘Little Miss Moffat.’ She gives Karen a toy flute.

Some of the good little children visiting that day also got a suitable gift from the wandering fantasy characters.

2012 Santa’s Village, Bracebridge

Bart and Marley drove over the next day on their day off and had a splendid afternoon enjoying the topsy-turvy rides: ‘Mad Hatter Tea Party’ spinning around in tea cups, ‘Rudolph Sleigh Ride Rollercoaster,’ ‘Christmas Ball Ferris Wheel,’ and the ‘Toyshop Carousel.’

They rode the Zip line — flying like Peter Pan and Wendy — to Elves Island.

Meanwhile, behind closed doors in Santa’s Cottage, the board of directors are meeting.

“Accountants and regulations …  require an audit … formal documentation of internal controls … public reporting … blah blah.”  All that rigmarole that expenses are “going to kill this park.

“We gotta do something.”

Bart and Marley, now holding hands, continue to wander through the park marvelling at its life and sense of fun.

“This would make a wonderful music venue,” chimes in Marley. “Although the Village Stage is a faded peeling elevated gazebo, it is suitable for a small band. Maybe with a bit of work. …”

As they ponder the gazebo, the village train rolls into the station.

Bart picks up the hat resting on the seat.

“There is magic at Santa’s Village.”

With a blast from the steam whistle, they get on the ‘Candy Cane Express’ to go wherever it takes them.

Steve Richards is a Muskoka musician with a vivid imagination, penchant for eclectic set designs and a love of the ‘Christmas Story.’