David Wice ~ Guitarist Vocalist

Guitarist/Vocalist David Wice, performing at
The Back 40, Cayuga, Saturday, June 20.
David appears regularly at The Bin in Binbrook ~ and anywhere that folks enjoy "listening to some good tunes." Self-described as "a bit of a jukebox when it comes to knowing songs," David has over two hundred titles in his repertoire. He can be contacted at
http://www.davidwice.ca/ Please note the date change.

Canadian Family Tree Research

Researching your family tree? At the Haldimand Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society genealogists regularly share experience and tips.
Tuesday, June 2nd, 7:00 p.m. at the Haldimand County Museum in Cayuga. Special Guest Speaker: Stephen C. Young, FamilySearch Project Manager of Historical Records in Canada, the British Isles and the South Pacific. Everyone Welcome. Admission Free.
www.familysearch.org

~ Niceties

Linda just brought us a piece of her homemade rhubarb pie. Linda is a special lady coping daily with more than most of us and still takes time to do something "nice."

Nice is a word that I don't often use unless in the noun form, "nicety." "There is still time for the niceties in life." The small things that make a difference. The important things. The things that matter.

A simple "Thank you" note takes a few minutes. A brief moment in front of the post office to exchange greetings. A few extra minutes to listen. A reassuring touch or a handshake. An unexpected "Thinking of you" card. A spontaneous invitation to a friend to ride-along. Or a piece of homemade rhubarb pie. Thank you, Linda.

"Woody"

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of "Woody," Gary Whitty. "Woody," always a quiet gentle presence in the neat little bookshop since the earliest days of our opening, won a place in our hearts. His family came first. He carried a wish list of books in his pocket.
Woody, we will miss you. If Heaven's library has The Crow and the Castle, dear friend, please save us a copy.

Mavis Gallant

In an electronic age when we are addicted to recording, replaying and viewing at our leisure, it can be infuriating, indeed, to be travelling in a vehicle with the obvious distractions when a live interview with the famed author, Mavis Gallant airs. Number one, an interview with the eighty-six-year-old Mavis is a rare event. Number two, any dialogue with this amazing mind is worth reviewing.
On CBC "Q" this morning, Gallant talked about her life, her writing style, her recent brush with death and her new book, "Going Ashore."
Hopefully, one is sufficiently adept to locate and download the "Q" Podcast on-line or perhaps CBC will air this treasure again.

114th Brock's Rangers ~ C.E.F.

"Researcher seeking information, photos, letters, journals, militia relating to the 114 Brock's Rangers and the men of Haldimand County and Six Nations who served in WWI. Also seeking information relating to the local Women's Patriotic Leagues and Sock League from WWI. For more information contact: Ben (519) 409-0302 or Brocksranger@rogers.com "

One of the pleasures in a used bookshop is the researcher. Historical researchers and collectors typically frequent archives, libraries, antique shops, flea markets and used bookshops. (Not to mention e-Bay.) It is with pleasure that we pass along to our readers the above recently posted notice.
We first met Ben two years ago when he helped identify a WWII medal found on our family farm in Canborough, Ontario. When not working, participating in battle reenactments or hanging out in the Haldimand County Museum, Ben can often be found ~ where else? ~ in the military section of The Neat Little Bookshop. Please give Ben a call if you think you have something of interest.

We Go on Quietly Making History

Inevitably there are days when one simply prefers not to report to work, and it is nearly always the days when you forget the "highs." If you are going to have a good day, you have to approach it with expectation. The notable characters whom we meet everyday make us laugh, make us think ~ cause us to reminisce.
Our predecessor, Herb Martindale, who opened the first Neat Little Bookshop in 1976, will always be remembered as a distinguished, notable character. Equally, Joe Chapman, former military columnist for the Hamilton Spectator, could often be found debating world affairs in Herb's shop.
Today, we have the young man who does pen and ink drawings of disappearing train stations. We have the tennis player who has eighty-two chess boards in his collection. (His favourite book is, "Alice in Wonderland.") How can we forget the hockey goalie who can recite verses of Robert Service's "Sam McGee?" There is the book-binder who astounded us with his beautifully hand-made, leather-bound books trimmed with Scottish tartan. And every day there is sure to be someone who has been to the part of the world you mention.
So returning to work each day is wildly exciting. And yes, today we go on quietly making history.

Story Hour at the Neat Little Bookshop

It was with some reservation that I originally accepted Amy's proposal of a weekly story hour. Amy and Michelle, your idea has been a great success and I hope as rewarding for you as it has been for The Neat Little Bookshop.

Amy, Michelle and their friend Megan ~ host the Story Hour every Wednesday after school. They are a welcome presence and we hope that when they graduate to High School they will occasionally continue to have time for the kids' program in the bookshop.

Cayuga Women's Institute 100 Years Old

Centennial Cake was cut for the Cayuga W.I. 100th anniversary, Tuesday, May 12. Pages of Treedsmuir History, photos of past and present members, nostalgic newspaper clippings and endless verbal stories filled an evening. Old-fashioned piano accompanied traditional songs such as "Old Susanna" and "Home On the Range."
The village of Cayuga is 150 years old this year. In the year 1909, fifty years after the incorporation of a village, women were banding together with the common goal of improving their lifestyle.

Plaque Honouring Robert Nichol

If you have met Bob Blakely and Cheryl MacDonald, you know the drama they create when the historic name Robert Nichol is mentioned.

Bob's demeanor changes. His hand rests on his sabre while unspeakable deeds are related. Did Robert Nichol end up at the bottom of the Niagara Gorge accidentally?

Be there, Thursday May 14, 7:30 PM. The Port Dover Harbour Museum

Stay A While ~ Read A Book

In tennis shorts, one of our out-of-town customers arrived this week. For tennis players, the Cayuga courts are reportedly in great condition.

Throughout the winter we were entertained by out-of-town hockey players and fans. The various sports remind us that the seasons come and go. This will be our third summer at 11B Cayuga Street.

We welcome customers to stay-a-while, read a book, recite some poetry ~ chat and relax with a coffee or a tea. (If we have baked, the cookies are pretty good too.)

Cayuga Chamber of Commerce

The May breakfast-meeting of the Chamber of Commerce is Wednesday, May 6, 8:00 a.m. Location: The Gingerbread House Restaurant, 311 Hwy. 54. Members are asked to bring food-bank items. Guest speakers will be a panel from the Cayuga 150th Centennial.