rev-digital-FINAL-PRESS-2023-PAGES-AHCC-QUARTER-BLEED - Flipbook - Page 66
ALMAGUIN HIGHLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
I
BY
“
“A Great Place to
Live, Work & Play
Shirley J. Mein
moved here not knowing anybody. I have absolutely NO regrets! The area and its people continue to amaze me with their warmth and
talents. When Covid hit, it was impossible to get out and socialize but that didn’t stop me from finding out more about the community.
Facebook groups sprung up, groups switched to meeting by zoom to continue their knitting groups, book clubs, art clubs to name only a
couple. People started advertising and selling things on Facebook pages, people posted seeking recommendations for contractors or what
every was on their needs list. People helping people. It was great.
Almaguin Highlands was a fresh start for me and a safe place to fulfill my dreams and find happiness; be it walking on some of the fabulous
trails, taking pictures of impressive waterfalls and rapids, or just driving around seeing how others have eked out a living away from the
hustle of a larger population center.
Six years in fulltime, and people call me by nickname. I love it! It feels comfortable and comforting. How great is that? We support each
other and encourage each other and promote each other here in Almaguin. It just is the natural thing to do here.
Before I moved here, I was asked by friends and family why would I move to the middle of nowhere and not knowing a soul. They didn’t get
it. I grew up in small town (Tottenham) of 900 people, it had small-town charm and warmth. People talked to each other and were truly
interested in the answer when they asked how I was. Just like they do here. Life in this area is something everybody should experience. The
care and compassion and support are second to none. It’s amazing how inventive and resourceful people are here in Almaguin. Within
walking distance of my place I can buy local honey, roasting chickens, maple syrup, eggs and hand crafted jewelry. If I take a short drive I can
go to a fully operational forge and have custom work done, attend classes at an outdoor center or receive a Reiki treatment. I can make a
phone call and have a professional photographer do camera or drone shots of myself or my home, have an officiant preform a wedding or
have an artist do a painting of my choice. You need baking done? there is the pie lady, you need quilting material? there is another, you want
to learn how to knit? just join a club, you want to learn something? just ask at the library or make a post on a local Facebook page for help.
No problem, people are happy to help and make a friend. AND then there is our Chamber of Commerce. I attended my first meeting to see
what the chamber was all about, and my conclusion is that the local chamber is all about making businesses large or small successful. I’m not
easily impressed, but they impressed me. For a minimal cost to join, you are given an opportunity to meet with experienced businesspeople
who want to guide as best they can and even assist you in securing loans to start up or grow your business.
P h o t o g r a p h y c o u r t e s y o f To w n sh i p o f S t r o n g
Photography by Andrea Jantzi
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