Touching Hearts Opening Doors

Hi everyone, it is Brian Hurlburt here. Hopefully the wind isn’t too loud today.

Touching Hearts, Opening Doors.

I love sitting and talking with our seniors, our Elders. If you listened to Episode 1 and my story about Ruth Cann, my square-dance partner, you’ll know a little more of my story and background and why I’m doing what I’m doing.

But I thought today I’d do something a little bit different and maybe continue on with that story—or maybe give you another reason why I enjoy talking to seniors.

Yes, I grew up having older parents, and many times their friends were my friends. But there’s something special about our Elders: their wisdom, the years they’ve spent, and now, sadly, many times they sit alone.

Well, today I’m going to tell you about a man who meant a lot to me growing up, who I knew as Uncle Tom.

Let me say it:

Uncle Tom didn’t stand very tall, but when it came to hunting and guiding hunters, he stood above the rest.

That’s why I’ve chosen to do this episode outside with this background. This is real—as real as it gets. No, that’s not wallpaper.

Somebody asked me one time, “Well, why are you wearing that camouflage shirt?”

If you come from where I come from, it was either camouflage or plaid—and usually a red doe-skin, which is a type of jacket, for those who don’t know.

Uncle Tom wasn’t exactly my uncle by blood. But, as so many in the community were known in those days by either Uncle or Aunt, especially the older people, our Elders and seniors around us, he became Uncle Tom.

Through my adopted family, Aunt Juanita and her husband George Brittain, Tom Jeffrey became known to me simply as Uncle Tom.

No, he didn’t stand very tall, but when it came time for the hunters to get their game, Uncle Tom definitely stood above the rest.

And that’s what the story is about today.

I was fortunate. I knew Uncle Tom, his wife, and his family. Some of us were pretty close back then. Sadly, I don’t get to see many of them very often anymore. We connect once in a while.

I miss them. I miss Uncle Tom.

But I hope through telling his story, preserving those stories—Uncle Tom’s Tall Tale and stories like it—those stories will live on.

Not only outlasting the people the stories are about, but perhaps outlasting myself as well, to be handed down through the generations. Maybe not just in his family, but in other families.

Remembering these stories, I think, is important.

Touching Hearts, Opening Doors.

Now, before I share the song, let me tell you the story.

Because even though this song talks about Uncle Tom’s Tall Tale, it wasn’t actually a tall tale.

It just got taller in the telling.

Uncle Tom, my dad, Vic Hurlburt, and I went down between East Kemptville and Upper Ohio, Yarmouth and Shelburne Counties, Nova Scotia.

Hear that Blue Jay?

Maybe somebody’s sending me a message.

Anyway, I went with Uncle Tom and Dad down to what is known as the **Big Rock—the Big Split Rock—**halfway between East Kemptville and Upper Ohio.

Many of you will know where that is. Some of you perhaps will have the opportunity someday to see it.

It’s big. It’s split. The split is big enough that you can barely walk through it, depending—depending on how big you are.

The last time I was there, I could get through, but that’s been a number of years ago.

Actually, I think the last time I was there was probably with Dad and Uncle Tom. I’ve driven by since, but as far as actually stopping there…

There’s a little trail or footpath that leads out behind that Big Rock. And if you follow it to the right place, you’ll come to the bear den.

See, Uncle Tom guided hunters.

And I know from my own guiding experience—and this isn’t about me, but I’ll share this anyway—because a lot of times when I used to guide bird hunters, upland game bird hunters for Timberdoodle, or Woodcock, Ruffed Grouse, and sometimes Ring-necked Pheasant, there were a lot of times that they would unload their guns.

When I was young and sharp—18 or 19 years old maybe, maybe early 20s—I was a crack shot, and all I had was a little single-barrel Cooey 16-gauge shotgun.

They would unload their shotguns and the Woodcock would still be going.

And when I knew they were done firing, I’d shoot and drop the bird.

That helped keep the dog happy.

Helped keep the hunters happy too—and respecting their guide.

And that brings me to a similar story, the one we’re here to hear today, about Uncle Tom and how he went behind that Big Split Rock and found that bear den.

I’m sure he had been there to check that den on many occasions.

But this particular day—not the day we were with him, but the day of the story—he had a couple of sports hunters there on a bear hunt.

Uncle Tom didn’t stand very tall, but he was certainly spunky.

And like I say, when it came to guiding hunters, he stood above the rest.

That’s not just a line.

Uncle Tom crawled into that bear den and chased the bear out.

Now, I don’t recommend that.

But that’s what Uncle Tom did.

And as that bear took off and headed down across those barrens, those hunters unloaded their guns.

When Uncle Tom crawled out of that bear den, he could still see that bear going.

And he shot.

And he dropped that bear barely before it disappeared out of sight.

Now, that’s what our song today is about, and that’s what the memory is about.

But there are so many memories out there.

Hopefully you enjoy this song. Hopefully you enjoy the story.

And you can tell that I love these stories, these memories, and Touching Hearts, Opening Doors.

Well, now you know Uncle Tom’s Tall Tale.

And, as I said, it’s not a tall tale that didn’t happen.

It did happen.

Before I ever heard the tale, I was taken to the spot and shown where it happened.

Then I was told the story right there on the spot by my dad and Uncle Tom.

The story was also confirmed by Tom’s grandson from Yarmouth and was well known in the local area at the time.

So I hope you enjoyed that story and that song.

And I hope you’ll support my efforts with Touching Hearts, Opening Doors.

There are three ways you can do that.

Our GiveSendGo campaign: make a donation. I’ll see that it’s put to good use, whether that’s transportation, gas, expenses, maybe a USB stick if that’s the only way I can give someone their song.

And I’ll go in and sit down and talk to the seniors.

Listen.

Spend time.

Get their story.

And when I have permission, share that story, give it back to them in song, and share it through CountryAirRadio.com.

I appreciate you. I appreciate your support.

And, as I said, there are three ways.

One is, yes, your donation is greatly appreciated.

If you can’t do that right now, I know times are hard and many people are hurting.

Pray.

Prayer is the most powerful thing.

And if you can’t do either of those, at least go spend some time with a senior.

Go sit and listen.

Give them your time.

You know:

The Story is the Gift — The Song Helps You Hear It.

[Music — “Uncle Tom’s Tall Tale”]

Now, just before I close off this week, our housekeeping tip:

Scrub your floor.

No.

The housekeeping about this video, about Touching Hearts, Opening Doors, and other things that are going on with Country Air Radio and myself.

CountryAirRadio.com has a new website and a new look. Go have a look. Tell me what you think.

I’ve also been uploading and creating this week a live channel.

And I’ve created Brian Hurlburt Music, where you can listen to these songs.

I appreciate each and every one of you.

If you’re listening to this, I consider you a friend.

Be a friend of the seniors.

Go visit one today.

And if you can’t do that, and if you need to reach out but you don’t have the time, then perhaps donate to our GiveSendGo campaign, our fundraiser for Touching Hearts, Opening Doors.

I’ll do my best to use that money respectfully and honestly for paying expenses and getting out there and meeting the seniors.

Yes, the first episodes of our Touching Hearts, Opening Doors podcast are going to be based on the stories I already have, the songs I’ve already created, and the people I’ve already spent time with.

Your reaction and your support will help gauge how far this thing goes.

There are links in the written copy of this on Substack.

And I appreciate you.

I appreciate your support.

I believe this is a great outreach.

Going and sitting and spending time with these seniors is well worth our time, our money, our prayers, and our investment.

I believe it’s not only preserving their stories and giving the senior who tells the story their song and their recording, but also preserving their memories and their stories for future generations.

Thanks, everyone.

Ciao for now.

Brian Hurlburt

Support the Journey

Touching Hearts, Opening Doors — GiveSendGoSupport the outreach directly:https://www.givesendgo.com/touching-hearts-opening-doors

Top HostVote free daily for Brian Hurlburt:https://tophost.org/2026/brian-hurlburt

Country Air RadioMore songs, stories, people, places, and memories:https://CountryAirRadio.com

Thank you for listening and for being part of our Journey of

Touching Hearts, Opening Doors.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brianhurlburt.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 1 of Touching Hearts, Opening Doors

Ruth Cann was never actually my teacher, but when I was in Grade 3, she became my square-dance partner. Years later, she became my neighbour and friend. This first episode is about Ruth, the last time I saw her, and why listening to our Elders while they are still here matters so much.

Ruth CannDecember 24, 1913 – July 28, 2023Teacher for 37 years. Square-dance partner, neighbour, friend — and, at 105, still finding new adventures.

Support the Journey

Touching Hearts, Opening Doors — GiveSendGoSupport the outreach directly and help with the practical costs of visiting Seniors and Elders, preserving their stories, and creating songs from their memories.https://www.givesendgo.com/touching-hearts-opening-doors

Top HostVote free daily for Brian Hurlburt in the Top Host competition. Paid votes also help support the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and its work in children’s hospitals.https://tophost.org/2026/brian-hurlburt

Country Air RadioHear more songs and stories inspired by local people, places, memories, and history at: https://CountryAirRadio.com

Thank you for listening, for remembering Ruth with me, and for being part of this journey — Touching Hearts, Opening Doors.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brianhurlburt.substack.com/subscribe