I remember the first time I drove into Glen Williams. It was in the late ’90’s and I was with my mother. She accompanied me to meet the owners of a shop where I was to sell my paintings. I’m a visual artist you see, and my work had brought me on an outing that was, unbeknownst to me, about to change my life forever. At the start of that day we felt we were entering uncharted waters as we had crossed over the imaginary border of Yonge Street and entered the western reaches of the province. To explain, I grew up on the east side of the Great Divide and all things west of Yonge Street may as well have been on the moon in our estimation.
Timidly wending our way across Mayfield Road, we veered left and drove down Prince Street leading into the heart of Glen Williams. I distinctly remember thinking to myself how very lucky the residents of this place were to live in such a place. My interest was perked. The hamlet that day didn’t disappoint in unfolding its charms to us once we got out of our car. We ventured into a shop that was then “Best’s Harbour (now Reeve & Clarke Books) for a scheduled appointment with Patsey and Carl Best. Afterwards we walked across the street to the Glen Oven for lunch where a tall and gregarious man, Doug Getty, and his daughter Carling (I think her hair was blue at the time) served us delectable fare. Afterwards, a wander about the Williams Mill and communing with artists in their studios found me smitten. I had fallen in love… and not just in a crush sort of a way. It was more like, “I’ll never forget this place and will carry it with me always” sort of a way. There was definitely a longing to go back and so whenever I could, I did so.
Fast forward to the point of my musing here today. I am sitting in my studio recalling the spell I came under that first day I visited the Glen. Maybe some of you have had the same experience. All these years later I marvel at how I continue to be captivated by this place and the people who live here. I, by a strange twist of fate, have become one of those lucky people who get to call Glen Williams home (a story for later).
In the meantime, I can’t quite put into words what this place means to me, but in this attempt, and in others to come, I will try to share what is at the heart of this place and why so many of us, quite literally, have fallen in love with Glen Williams. In all relationships it is easy to take things for granted and to assume they will always be there for us to enjoy, but like all gardens… and yes…even magical hamlets, they need tending. It is my hope that by sharing stories and thoughts of the Glen with you, we will continue to grow our lives together in this most special of places for many years to come.
Until next time…
Janet
