Cranky Reviews

*Editor’s Comment: When Leacock’s first book on the imaginary small town of Mariposa (a thinly veiled Orillia) “Sunshine Sketches of a Small Town” came out in 1912 the characters in the book were obviously based on real people, some of whom were not flattered by the portrayals. Leacock’s parties and drinking while in Orillia were not appreciated by some of the residents of the “dry” and sober town either. By 1958 most was forgiven as the doors opened to Leacock’s summer home, restored to its former grandeur as the Stephen Leacock Museum.

**Editor’s Comment: Don Harron was one of the few Canadian comedians at the time to break through into the USA with his iconic character Charlie Farquharson through his regular appearances on the TV show Hee-Haw. He got on the wrong side of the Mayor of Parry Sound with this bit, included below in Charlie’s own vernacular and spelling, which Trestle have on the beer can in tribute. “Nowadaze Parry Sound looks like most uther towns on this continence, thanks to them branched plants of frenchfrieses that has sprung up everywhere- Mickdonalds, Burglar King, Kernel Kadaffy Frayed Chicken. Nowhere will you see a sine “Home Cookin’” cause all our local burghers is out eatin’ at them malty-nashnul burgurs. This makes everyplace into a no place, and it’s eezy to fergit ware you is if yer jist passin’ through at snacktime”.

*Reviewer’s Comment: Our pedantic Editor must have struggled mightily while typing out Charlie’s bit on Parry Sound.

Final Rating: A Hearty Cheers to Charlie with a 17 out of 20