This week, the Parry Sound North Star says goodbye to a piece of history. Doors that opened up on the surface of the sidewalk in front of the Star Office, at 67 James Street, will soon be removed as part of the revamp of the downtown.
Change makes sense, and Parry Sound will doubtlessly benefit from the work now underway. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to say goodbye to those rust-covered doors outside the building.
Why is it difficult? Well, at first we wondered the same – so often we cursed when the hoist that lifted a platform piled with papers wouldn’t move, when curled metal edges put passerby on the sidewalk at risk, when staff had to chip away ice and snow before lining up outside the doors in chilling weather to pass bundles from the building’s basement to a waiting truck. But now, with the demise of the doors, decades of memories come flooding back for current and former staff.
Progress is inevitable. It’s also a good thing. Without it, we’d still be tying tired mounts to hitching rails along muddied streets. But it’s at times tough to say goodbye – even to something as innocuous as two metal doors and a lift – because we’re moving on, and leaving a few historic memories behind. The North Star staff looks forward to our new downtown. In the meantime, over the next few days we encourage everyone to take a final glance at those historic sidewalk doors. Just don’t trip on the edge on your way by.