July 23, 2026

BROWN BAG REUNION SPARKED OLD MEMORIES OF GOOD TIMES GROWING UP IN GRAVENHURST WITH MANY OF THESE “OLDER” FRIENDS, SCHOOL CHUMS AND MOSTLY FAMILIAR FACES

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Apologies first, to my GAP customers.

If I was a few minutes late today with my food deliveries.

I have a good excuse — I was at the noon Brown Bag reunion.

And you know how everyone likes to talk at these things.

For a reporter who’s stock and trade is the gathering and dissemination of information it was irresistible.

No mere gossip pour moi — or maybe.

It was all part of the fun of another sunny summer afternoon at the Rotary Gazebo at Gull Lake Rotary Park.

Where about 75 old friends and neighbours got together once more to reminisce and remind each other: “who are you again.”

**Another big happy crowd turned for the Brown Bagger Thursday as attested to by the many smiling faces. PHOTO Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com**

Good thing organizer Jane Templeton had name tags and the luncheon founder Bette Allen was back from the Soo to attend if not lead a helping hand. She lives in Gravenhurst again lured by life growing up with these people and thus the reason for the annual reunion.

Not that much was needed as this mingle was a July jingle.

A nicer mix there couldn’t be with every baby boomer and high school era represented

A few were missing and noted in the “Memory Book,” as having sadly passed since last summer, said Templeton.

Still, with only two walker in evidence, one belonging to Rusty Draper, the mood and stability was remarkably chipper.

Surprisingly several were quite sprightly and energetic for an average age of their early 70s. A few a little stiff, perhaps.

Older but not old.

**John Barker, Rusty Draper, Clayton Ruttan and (?) Huish reconnect as Rusty’s wife Pat, right, chats with someone else.**

So it was appropriate that Rusty wasn’t rusty; in fact he still had his grin and a straw hat that was a chick magnet for hugs from the girls/women, while his wife Pat was busy fraternizing elsewhere with guys she grew up with and attended GHS.

Such as it was for all the smiling faces who gathered and beamed for a noon team photo and endless picture-taking and selfies during two hours.

It could have gone on longer and probably will with some renewed connections on social media as emails were exchanged.

A few even brought lunch sandwiches as they joked about brown bag refreshments growing up.

And too many stories to share here that made even a few blush when recalling teenage tales.

Pete Davidson brought up Gord Simpson’s name, Ron Adams talked about learning photography from Hank Fry, Mike “Legend” Barnes dropped Bobby Hull’s name, Linda Shea reconnected with Heather White, Gord Durnan was swimming in memories about waterfront friends on Gull Lake, Rusty reminded Rob Graham about his home on James Street behind the high school and John Barrett, the praises of bandmates in the Better Reason and Keith Montgomery overjoyed to come down from Bracebridge and see friends he hadn’t seen for too many years — at least last year.

Evelyn (Terrelly) Goldsmith enjoyed the brief time together like never before.

“So great to see so many old faces again.”

She wasn’t the only one as the next Thursday in 2027 is certain to be looked forward to by more than just those here today.