Guelph Daily Mercury,
Box 3604,
8-14 Macdonell Street,
Guelph, ON
I recently spent a three-week vacation in Guelph. Every summer when I visit my hometown I leave with a renewed impression that it is a good place to live, despite the frustrating provincialism and unbecoming, inflated self image of Canadians. Conveniently located near Toronto, the U.S. border, and the recreational facilities of the Great Lakes, it is so green and quiet. It is a place to relax and enjoy life, and listen to the leaves rustle in the summer breeze like linen brushing against your lover’s skin. People are friendly. They smile and say Good Morning to my greetings. Doors are held open. Wildlife abounds within the city. Guelph’s history is long and interesting, with a compliment of interesting characters. The University of Guelph is a great asset.
With each annual visit the problems of urban development stand out like blisters: the renovation and expansion of the City Hall; the Old Quebec Street disaster; the necessity of new, larger facilities for the Public Library and the Civic Museum; the looming architectural crisis at the Church of Our Lady; the overdue extension of Silvercreek Parkway under the CN tracks; a second interchange on the 401; the Wal Mart debate, which has even made the press in Japan, and more.
But be proud of your city, Guelphites! Try flying more Canadian flags. It’s a good place to live.
Published on Friday, July 7, 2006 as “Visits to Guelph remind of the city’s greatness.”
I wanted to write that the rustling of leaves sound like cotton underwear slipping off against the skin of a 15-year-odl girl, but didn’t think I would or could get away with it. It’s a nice image, though. It reminds me of my first girlfriend, Fiona, who was just 15 when we dated, and I was thinking of her when I wrote the sentence in the first draft.