WHERE WERE YOU NOV. 30-DEC. 1? GRAVENHURST ARCHIVES WANTS YOU TO SHARE YOUR STORIES

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Three months ago today the Gateway to Muskoka was plugged with snow.

People were trapped in their homes, traffic was stopped on Hwy. 11 and good Samaritans did their best to help out.

Somehow with the help of plows and plow drivers, volunteers and governments’ aid we survived the worst winter storm in decades — perhaps ever in the memories of young and old.

Its affects are still being felt after an incredible couple of initial weeks.

Janet Merkley, who was stranded under a metre o snow in Barkway, and Gord Durnan, who lives in West Gravenhurst, are seeking stories big and small of those struggles and the heroic efforts to dig out and just survive the start of winter 2025-25.

Merkley, who also volunteers with he Gravenhurst Archives, will share those chronicles with the Archives.

It’s all hands on shovels now, as Andy Warne helped Robert Dykstra dig out his daughter’s car outside Relish during the massive storm that blanketed Gravenhurst Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Photos Mark Clairmont

She says: “As a resident during Snowmageddon 2024, please tell us about your experience.

“We are gathering accounts from Gravenhurst residents and visitors; you may have had during that time. These may include stories from the Hwy. #11 closure.

We would like to hear about everything, including:

  • How you and your household dealt with the large quantity of snow, the

power outages, and any other challenges that occurred.

  • A neighbour or person who helped you OR how you helped your

neighbours.

  • A stranger who came to your assistance.
  • How you felt during this time (e.g. uncertainty, gratitude, quiet, calm) and what you did to get through it?
  • How your business dealt with all the challenges and who helped you?

In addition to residents, we would also like to hear from: Emergency response staff (police, fire ambulance), stranded people on the highway, stranded truckers, hydro workers, volunteers, snow plow drivers, tow truck drivers, stores, helpers at The Centennial Centre, volunteers with snow removal equipment from within our community and those who came to help from outside the community.

There were great stories about those people within our area and those who went from area dealt with it aiding strangers in any way they could.

Contact Merkley directly at [email protected] (with Word attachment to email preferred) and include your name and area you live locally or outside of Gravenhurst.

A few photos would be appreciated.

And in turn these stories will be shared with the Gravenhurst Archives as it is so important to save our history.

Please, no negative comments.

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