On June 23, 2020, our community lost one of their best known and respected citizens. John Atkinson was a . . .
Shawville resident most of his life, went to Shawville schools, was active in sports, trained to be a radio announcer, helped our farmers, garages and many residents when he spent many years at an auto parts store. John married his childhood sweetheart, Pontiac born Linda Hines and started a family.
John’s dream was to have a bar and promote local musicians. As a bar owner, John provided first jobs to many of our county’s youth and was babysitter to young and old who sometimes needed guidance to slow up, or maybe needed a ride home in a converted hearse just as a reminder of what their last ride would be if they drank and drove. Even though John was a bar owner, he was one of the first proponents of MADD.
From an early age John loved music. The very first music that was played in the Anglican (Hooley) Hall was when his dad Cyrus, John, Billy and his dad Lloyd Atkinson and me and my dad Louis Judd provided music in the late 1950s at the weekly social evening to entertain a hall full of locals out for some good clean fun.
John also played with Lloyd and Bill for dances at the Top Hat in Campbell’s Bay. John always had several used guitars at home and helped many aspiring musicians with their first guitar.
Families of many of our permanent citizens pioneered in the maple tree covered mountains of Greermount. Although money and often even food was scarce, community spirit, time for a little fun, music, and attending church were imbedded in the lives of all who were raised there. The Tubman Line was probably the most active area in the early 1900s.
Every Saturday night, most young lads that were old enough to take the well worn one mile path through the bush where you might often encounter a wild animal, ended up at Plouffe’s store which was half way between Campbell’s Bay and Otter Lake on the highway.
It was a little general store that sold essentials and tobacco. Most folks walked there rather than hitch up the horse. You could walk across country in less time than hitching the horse and going around by the road.
Tubmans, Coles, Atkinsons, and Judds were some of the group that walked the mile through the bush. Dales, Hayes and Parkers all walked from range A west of the store. This was the Saturday night outing and stories and music were just as important as picking up a few supplies. Everyone could play the spoons and the comb but usually a fiddle, guitar and tin whistle appeared before the night was over.
Music was and still is the universal language and whatever other language you spoke at home didn’t matter. The get-together at Plouffe’s store never went too late because some of the younger kids who tagged along had to get home in time to rest up for church the next day.
At every church service that I have attended, be it weddings or funerals, music and singing played a huge part of the service. Music has been a part of every culture as long as there have been records kept. Even animals like music. Milk cows are most contented with classical or western music. Many armies were led into battle with a drummer or even bagpipes. Parades and wedding receptions always are centered around music. John Atkinson hosted numerous stag parties at the bar and there was always music.
Throughout this pandemic when we were told to self isolate, musicians continued to sing, play and entertain by cell phone if nothing else was possible.
My dad told me something when I was only ten years-old that I never forgot: “If you can play music, you are never alone.”
Be safe. Be courteous to those you meet. Be proud. Canada is one of the four most successful countries in this old world at fighting this virus. Don’t stop the music, it’s carried us through thousands of years.
Chris Judd is a farmer in Clarendon
on land that has been in his family
or generations. gladcrest@gmail.com
