There are doers and doubters in every community and in each walk of life. Doers are the people that, rain or shine, are there rallying the troops and rolling up their sleeves to get things done. They don’t do it for the “pats on the back” that inevitably result from their work, but because they see the need, they have the ability and they feel the passion. Doubters on the other hand are snide and sour individuals who pick holes in the work of doers, question their motivation and complain about the results. Many of us have been in both camps at one time or another (I know I have) … it’s called “living in a small town.” Nevertheless, sometimes we see people take on projects where their motivation and the results are beyond reproach.
Over the past year, Snow Lake has witnessed the fervour and work of a couple of doers who easily fit the “beyond reproach” description – Beverly Taylor and Dale Mayner.
Beverly Taylor, or Bev, as she’s known, is that smiling face we are greeted by each time we walk into Snow Lake Home Building Centre. She is helpful, intelligent, bubbly and intense at her job … and she brings those things and others to the projects she takes on outside of it. She and Dale Mayner have built upon the work of others (Jim and Wilma Pockett come to mind) and turned the end of Elm (Main) Street into a multi-season mecca of joy. First with this past summer’s “Ladybug Garden” and in the past weeks, she and Dale have transformed it into a “Christmas Garden.” Why do they do it you might ask? Well, I never inquired because it seemed obvious. I stopped and talked to them the other night and I know I had a smile on my face when I did – but they were both beaming. I think that’s the answer: “Because it makes them smile.” And it damn sure makes others join in their delight.
Dale Mayner, well, he’s the guy who lives in the house at the base of “Cinder Hill.” I like how my wife described him. “Dale is from Snow Lake; he’s left often and always come back … but in these last years he has shown what the town really means to him.” Personally, I see Dale as a good-natured guy. He’s a hard worker, Bev’s biggest cheerleader and not one to sit back and wonder why something isn’t being done … he’s more apt to just do it ’cause it needs doin’… and of course, because it makes him smile. I’ve noticed he smiles a lot lately, and for good reason. Both he and Bev have shown us the limits they will go to for the town they love.
I should also mention that when I spoke to them on the street the other night, both were very quick to brush away compliments on what they were doing and bring up their own appreciation of those who helped in the process. There were glowing words of thanks to the Legion for supplying power to the garden and those wonderful folks/businesses that have donated lights and cash towards this ever-changing project.
One other thing really amazes me about this very noble enterprise. I asked Bev about vandalism and whether it was a problem. “Not at all,” she said, then explained why. All summer she had kids up in the garden painting and placing “ladybugs” (rocks). This gave the kids a sense that the garden was their space and that they were a part of it. “None of these kids would let anything happen to this place,” she said.
This generation of Snow Lake kids will have some amazing memories of the wonderful space at the end of “Main Street.” I know I have memories of that area myself. Although they are a little more PG rated. That was then … this is now. I think I’d trade those memories for the ones the kids of today will recall.
One last thing … I want to put it out there right now that I think the Town of Snow Lake or perhaps our Chamber of Commerce should have a once-a-year ceremony to honour people who make us proud. They should be presented with a medallion and their name on a plaque that is situated in a place where people can see it. There are many in this town that bring a sense of honour to Snow Lake – we should come together once a year and show them how much we appreciate it!
