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For weeks I expected a band of roving thieves to come lunging out of the bushes as I walked the dog down quiet lake streets. Nothing bad or sinister ever did happen. The biggest action on our street was when some freedomâ€"seeking horses escaped the stables and trotted past our house, stopping at our gate for a pat. It seems that infamous bank robbers and daring gangsters the Boyd Gang once hid from the law in a long-gone cottage on Valley Rd. The feeling I was left with was that some people thought they might still be there, or at least their relatives. FEBRUARY 2003 The lakeside community was so quaint and unspoiled that a movie set in the I959s was filmed there not long after our arrival in our new home. Meeting new people and replying to the question of where I lived, I noticed that faces would darken with worry about our chosen location. Hidden, ominous innuendoes suggested that it was a slightly scary place to live. when we first moved to Musselman Lake back in I984, it was cottage territory, thick with cedars. the air fresh and fragrant. Change though has come. and we Rural Reflections Ontario’s Finest Summer Ballroom Not alone with his woes was Cy Bellman. owner and operator of Musselman's Lake Arena Bowling Centre. who was operating under protest when his application for a This was originally the Winsome Comer Booth and Dance Hall. owned and operated by las. Pidgeon. Back in l953. Mr. Pidgeon made an offer to the town to help create a public beach at the lake‘s south end. It was reported that the council of the day suggested "that a hazard might be created'fl The corner of Ninth Line and Mitchell Ave. where Sunny's Variety Store stands, was a very different sight back in '84. There was a large old white wooden structure with a smaller store and snack bar, both in bad repair. have not escaped the residential building frenzy that is happening all around us. Many little cottages. some built in the '205. have either been removed. rebuilt or renovated. I witnessed the oldest dance hall in Canada -- the crumbling Glendale Dance Eavilion located at the south end of the lake -- being demolished, leaving the southern lakefront property vacant. Without the aid of a crystal ball who is to know our future. but whatever it holds you can bet it will be Interesting. Long-time residents said it was quite the place to be. People would walk the little streets and admire the many lovely gardens. Picnics were held on beaches and many romances began in the summer moonlight at the lake. lust 50 years ago we were a seasonal community that came to life each spring. Now year-round residents fill old homes and build new ones, and our lakeside community bustles with life. Years ago, Lake Musselman -- as it was referred to -- comprised mainly of seasonal cottages and was the hub of summer social life for people near and far. Visitors and cottagers danced to big band music at any of the three dance pavilions dotted around the lake. An announcement ’in the newspaper in I953 proclaimed Cedar Beach "Ontario's Finest Summer Ballroom". 0 licence was denied. The bowling alley didn't disappear but underwent maior renovations. and is now home to Charlinda's Chocolates and residential apartments. Ruth LeBlanc ,1, . When booklno your appolntmont. mention this coupon U i Editor‘s note: Cartoonist Walt Radda won second-place honours in the Canadian Community Newspapers Association awards for 200l. I would ichnsider it to be the cartoon of not only the year, but of the decade. To the Editor. Your lanuary cartoon abdut the seniors' move to the old' civic offices was hilarious. Everyone i know has found it to» be a great giggle. Artist draws inspiration Well developed humour "WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE THIS MONTfi" - 9 Letters from our radar: The lady holding the purse and talking to her friend soon sat ‘down and d'utsome quick figure studies on bond paper using her fountain pen! l'm referring to your editorial cartoon in Slouflvr'lle Tliis Month for lanuary 2003. The lady had shopping to do and forgot to sign them, but -I thought they were good enough to mail them to you. This lady with the purse shows some talent. as you can To the Editor: Iennet Abbott Stouffville The Clock Tower Artists Stouffvifle