• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
South Muskoka Doppler

South Muskoka Doppler

Read Local

  • Home
    • All Stories
    • Community Guidelines
  • COVID-19
  • News
  • Community
  • Commentary
    • Letters
  • Business
    • Professionally Speaking
  • Sports
  • Obituaries
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
  • Events
    • Event Listings
    • Add Your Event
  • Speak Up, South Muskoka!
  • Subscribe
  • Donate
  • North Muskoka
  • Art Fx
You are here: Home / News / Family Traits

Family Traits

By Doppler Online On September 26, 2021 Commentary, News

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print

When I entered the Draper family 75 years ago, I came out of the birthing canal expecting some great and wonderful things that would accompany me through the pages of life.

Talent and skill describe related properties, but they’re not exactly the same. Talent comes naturally, while skill is something you develop through learning.

My dear ole Dad was just one of those overall handymen. He loved to “tinker.” He told me on many occasions that a man was never fully dressed unless he had a Jack Knife in his pocket. When I was a kid, the understanding of that statement eluded me, and it still does today. 

The Draper clan produced a long list of very capable individuals, both male and female. They all had the same gift, they were good with their hands. My Great Grandmother was a whittler. She whittled out some amazing carvings, and I have been the recipient of a couple of those treasures. All of Dad’s brothers also had the same knack with their hands, and had the know-how to make or fix anything. My Father was one of six children with one sibling being a girl, Aunt Glady. Oh, how I loved that lady. When my Mother couldn’t hammer any sense into me she hoped that Aunt Glady could. She could knit, sew, quilt, crochet and let me not forget her baking.

To this point I’ve provided a very abbreviated description of those in my blood line. Now, here’s my beef! 

Picture in your mind a French Guillotine. As soon as that razor sharp blade is released, “swoosh” it whistles downward and severs the head from the body in a split second. This gory visual explains well the separation of the Draper genes that I missed out on. 

You probably have guessed by now, that I’m not a whittler, I’ don’t carry a Jack Knife in my pocket, and I don’t “tinker.” I’m sure there are probably those who have little regard to my sensitive nature, and who would rightfully categorize me as useless. Well, let me tell you this! If it wasn’t for my good looks, my masculine physique, and of course my modesty, my wife probably would never have considered me as her husband. (JOKE)

If our toaster goes on the blink, guess who fixes it. My wife Pat. She repairs anything that goes on the hummer. Computer, phone, electric kettle … you name it.

Here’s one that really puts me to shame. Recently I was thinking that my windshield washer anti-freeze must be getting low and I decided it needed attention. Just take a quick guess who did the work? Ah-uh, you guessed correctly. Allow me to boast just a little. I knew that there’s a tiny lever just below the steering wheel that would release the hood of my car. Car makers put that little lever just to tease the owner. As you undoubtedly know, that little levers only job is to open the hood … (about a half inch) We have owned this great car for over eleven years, it has very little milage and runs well. (No, it’s not for sale) I have NEVER been able to open our car hood … but I know who can, and so do you. I’m thinking of putting a posting on Facebook and jobbing her out. Strangely enough, Pat finds nothing humorous about this.

Ok, I missed out on the Draper gene pool, but Good Golly Miss Molly, you should hear me play the Kazoo or Jews Harp.

Rusty Draper was born and raised in Gravenhurst. His first job in radio was at CKAR in Huntsville, and to end his radio career he was the first voice on Muskoka FM in Bracebridge. Rusty is also a pastor, author, and raconteur (the fancy way of saying storyteller).

Don’t miss out on Doppler!

Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!

Click here to support local news

Reader Interactions

Join the discussion:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All comments are moderated. Please ensure you include both your first and last name and abide by our community guidelines. Submissions that do not include the commenter's full name or that do not abide by our community guidelines will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

  • Recent Stories
  • Popular
  • August 6, 2022 3

    Is Muskoka going to the dogs?

  • August 8, 2022 2

    Muskoka Lakes considers indoor lighting restrictions

  • August 15, 2022 2

    An open letter to the Premier | Commentary

  • July 30, 2022 1

    We’re at a crossroads in this country: Sally Barnes | Commentary   

  • August 12, 2022 1

    Council considers basketball courts in Bala

  • August 19, 2022 0

    Last call! Deadline to file to run for school board or council is 2 p.m.

  • August 18, 2022 0

    Torrance Barrens introducing limited number of campsites, reservation system

  • August 18, 2022 0

    Art Fx  “Winter Glow” by Tom Clark

  • August 18, 2022 0

    Boomtime Gravenhurst the setting for Shakespearean drama 

  • August 18, 2022 0

    Break and enter foiled in Gravenhurst

  • 2021 Federal Election (1)
  • A Sponsored Profile (6)
  • Advertise (1)
  • Art Fx (14)
  • Breaking (2)

Footer

About Doppler

Established by a bunch of local news hounds, Doppler strives to be the go-to source for people wanting to know more about what is going on their community.

We strive to provide local news that is relevant and timely. We also look to tell local stories that inspire, inform and engage.

Notice the persistent use of the word local? Our mantra is local. South Muskoka Doppler serves the communities of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Muskoka Lakes with features on local people doing extraordinary things, local business spotlights, news and sports coverage, all supplemented by provocative opinion pieces on topics near and far. We are working hard for you.

Feel free to drop us a line at matt.driscoll@doppleronline.ca and tell us how we are doing, what you would like to see more of, or to just say ‘Hi’.

Thank you for reading Doppler.

South Muskoka Doppler – READ LOCAL
A division of C3 Digital Media Group Inc.

Bracebridge Ontario Canada
August 19, 2022, 1:04 pm
Sunny
Sunny
26°C
real feel: 29°C
current pressure: 1020 mb
humidity: 47%
wind speed: 3 m/s S
wind gusts: 3 m/s
UV-Index: 7
sunrise: 6:23 am
sunset: 8:18 pm
© 2022 AccuWeather, Inc.
 

Recent Comments

  • Kathryn Sauro on An open letter to the Premier | Commentary
  • Dinny McCraney on An open letter to the Premier | Commentary
  • Turk Gruman on Council considers basketball courts in Bala
  • Jackson Triggs on Wakes, noise and speed: Lakes survey reflects growing frustrations
  • Robert Dyment on Graydon Smith faces charges laid by private citizen
  • brian sisler on One person dead, one injured in Bracebridge shooting
  • RJR on What on earth has happened to us? | Commentary
  • RJR on Is Muskoka going to the dogs?

Copyright © 2022 ·Doppler Online, a division of C3 Digital Media Group Inc. · Log in
  • About
  • Support Local News
  • Advertise with us!
  • Community Guidelines
  • Contact