November 6, 2023

REMEMBRANCE DAY WEEK BEGINS WITH CONCERT AND SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICE

GRAVENHURST — Marlyn Goodwin turned 90 today.

And she had three of her sons in town for the weekend celebration, including Tom who returned today to his Nova Scotia whale-watching business, while brothers Greg and Bill headed home to the Ottawa Valley (after an AC/DC concert at the OP). Brother Randy, of Kitchener, was hit with COVID so missed his mom’s milestone.

They were at at Saturday’s Muskoka Concert Band Remembrance Day concert at Trinity United Church with her husband and their dad “Dr. Jim,” who is 93.

He’s a former Canadian navy man who was also recognized Sunday at the church’s Remembrance service. Goodwin was one of 11 kids in his family, including two brothers and two sisters who were also in the service. He and a younger brother are the only ones alive.

Goodwin’s military photo was among dozens televised on two large-screen church TVs honouring church member families who served.

**Dr. Jim Goodwin, right, with three of his sons, Tom, Bill and Greg, and their mom Marlyn, who turned 90 today, at Saturday’s Muskoka Concert Band Rembrance Day service.**

Church member Nancy Jaimeson spoke movingly of her late “Uncle Elmer” of Powassan. He was shot down overseas during the Second World and escaped his German prison of war camp. He later ended up in a TB sanatorium in Gravenhurst and where he eventually returned to on his honeymoon.

In the run-up to Saturday’s Nov. 11 service at the Royal Canadian Legion, poppies are popping up on lapels across the country. Members of the local Branch #34 here were out Saturday “giving away” the red symbols while welcoming any “donations” to the legion.

Services at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month happen throughout Muskoka no matter the weather.

In Gravenhurst the Bifocals Band returns after a pandemic break for one of the nicer services.