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TOPIC: Our History in Song, Part I

twain2country

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Date: Fri Jul 24 1:42 PM, 2009

Our History in Song, Part I	Permalink

http://www.timminstimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1669321 July 24, 2009 By Diane Armstrong If you could read the e-mails I’ve received over the past year regarding the 100th Anniversary of our city, you’d see these were from many who now live hundreds and even thousands of miles away, but their roots in our city still run deep. A Torontonian went to the expense of designing a 100th logo and having T-shirts printed. Rumours have abounded about various purported activities, such as school reunions and even to unfounded rumours about a “huge Shania Twain concert”. The out-of-town interest is keen to say the least. I direct them to the website, www.timmins100.com . One of these e-mails really piqued my interest. It was from a former resident, David Hartt, who now lives in Owen Sound, ON. An accomplished musician and avid historian, David has written an album of songs about our local heroes. It’s called “Sticks and Stones” as a tribute to our logging and mining history. This is an excerpt from the title track: “From across the ocean, they set sail for the west To a young and wild country where a man could be his best They carved their lives in sticks and stones They set their roots and built their homes The rock was rich, the forest thick A man’s fortune was his own, in this land of Sticks and Stones.” After reading the words and listening to a demo recording of 12 of his songs, I was so impressed, it was arranged that I should meet this remarkable man when he visited Timmins recently. This was when I learned that he was in the band, Longshot, where Shania Twain got her start. David also wrote the song “Precious Memories”, which won the competition for our City’s 75th Anniversary in 1986. In this new album, Hartt tells of Harry Coott and the Porcupine Food Bank: “Harry the Banker, we just want to thank ya For all of the good that you do. Rare is the child who hungers awhile ‘Cause there’s no food in his home” Of George Zolob’s bravery during the 1928 Hollinger Mine fire: Zolob Climbed Up to the Sun Saying, “Maybe I die, maybe not, but I go try” Of Father Les Costello: “Leslie John Costello would not like this song. You know Father Les, he would think it was wrong He was a regular guy who helped people get by He didn’t want praise or awards- a smile was the greatest reward.” David wants to produce a CD of the 12 songs – all about Timmins’ personalities. What most impressed me was the fact that he will donate ALL the proceeds to the Porcupine Food Bank and St. Martin de Porres Community Charities. Watch for my column next week for details about this project that simply must get local support. That’s my view from Over the Hill. __________________

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