South Grey Museum's [re]CALL Project Podcast

It’s so different Robert, it’s hard to explain.” 

          -Bill Hutchinson

The [re]CALL Project started at the outbreak of COVID in March of 2020.  The world was undergoing some rapid changes, and I knew that we were in a transitional time from one era to the next.  I didn't want the stories and lessons of our Seniors left behind.  

So I made a few calls, got a ton of referrals from the Markdale Seniors and our Museum Community, downloaded a $37.00 app, and started dialling and recording.  

There are some common traits that I have observed from these conversations.  Our Seniors came from a much simpler, more isolated and difficult time.  They had fewer possessions, consumed less media, had way less stimulation, and way more hard work, particularly manual labour.   They also demonstrated resilience, grace and a very obvious optimism.  And yes, they're happier and far less cynical than more recent individuals. 

I loved hearing their voices, their stories, their memories.  We enjoyed so many laughs and "ohh, I sees" together.  It was fascinating to discuss how much things have changed over the course of their lives. 

I hope that you reading this article have gotten something from The [re]CALL Project, and that you will take the time to listen and benefit from the experiences of our Seniors.  

They just don't make 'em like this anymore. 

“We made do with what we could grow or what we could trade.”  I look up to Bill Hutchinson, and for good reason.  Bill is a Grey County gentleman, and provides a solid example of how to be a good person, and how to experience Life.

Bill was born 1 ¼ miles south of Flesherton on April 8, 1930, and vividly remembers baking bread and churning butter with his mother when he was 6 years old.  

Bill’s voice alone is worth listening to on repeat.  Hear 85 years of [re]collection, and about how he and his brothers repaired the power lines in The Great Storm of ’47 that carried on for 3 days and 3 nights.  On The [re]CALL Project.

John Franklin of Meaford is “only 94”, and is a brilliant storyteller. He recounts his family’s history dating back to their migration from England to Canada over 120 years ago, as well as his father’s service in WW1. John’s advice to young people is “To have a better handle on human nature.”

Listen to John’s period-correct inflection, and hear the story about his parents getting married twice in a hurry. This and more on The [re]CALL Project.

Museum Rob talks to Elizabeth Norrington of Wilcox Lake.  “Liz” built barns and log cabins with the love of her life, John Simpson, for years.  She says, “The Wheel keeps on turning, and there you are.”

Liona, a long time secondary schoolteacher in Grey Highlands, was born in 1937 in Walkerton and raised in Vandeleur.  She grew up poor -her mother had to make her clothes and shoes by hand.  When World War Two broke out, Liona and the other children picked milkweeds to be made into life vests for the war effort.  She remembers getting the strap at school because she copied something incorrectly off of the blackboard, and was once sent home for wearing overalls.  Liona talks about the changes that she’s seen in her life, and shares her memories of long gone local customs, such as ladies all wearing their wedding dresses to wedding showers.  In her words, “I was tough, but I was fair.”

John Butler is a local historian, eccentric and friend currently residing in Port Law.  Born in 1946, John has an encyclopedic memory, a sharp wit and can speak like nobody’s business.  You will love hearing John’s perspective on local history, community dynamics, and his new book, House of Refuge, Grey County’s Home for ‘Poor,Old and Friendless Folk’.

Ralph Hollis was born in 1940, and is so cheery that just hearing his voice will make you smile.  Listen to Ralph’s wonderful memories of growing up in the country, swimming in streams with his schoolmates, fashioning his own skis from barn boards, and even his amazing first hand account of his mother being taken to the hospital in Dr.Carefoot’s “Snowplane” ambulance.  This and more on The [re]CALL Project. 

Museum Rob talks to Helen Shibish, born in the 30's, and still a prolific Community volunteer in Grey Highlands. Helen says, "Sometimes I get myself into trouble, because I'm a doer."