It is said that idle hands make fretful minds. Nothing rang truer at the outset of the global pandemic in the early spring of 2020. The Ford government officially declared a state of emergency on March 17, 2022, and from there, a series of mandates were implemented in order to keep the virus under wraps. They restricted so many facets of our daily lives, including the ability to congregate, travel freely, and for many, go to work.
Many businesses closed during that time, recalls award-winning photographer Rob Stimpson. His business had slowed right down as well so he had extra time on his hands to ponder the state of things. He was grateful for the few businesses that managed to stay open in his community of Lake of Bays and in the spring of 2021, he embarked on a personal project to thank them.
“I went around and photographed, as a personal project, all of the people who were staying open during COVID in the Lake of Bays Township,” said Stimpson. “It started with the Dwight grocery store, I went over to the Beacon and the post office, and then from there, it morphed into going down to Baysville, and over to Robinson’s in Dorset… to me it was just a thank you to the businesses who had stayed open during those days… So many businesses especially in the hospitality industry were struggling, but the essential services were doing their best to keep up.”
His efforts were well received. “Most were appreciative that I was profiling their business and giving them a plug on social media. Leanne at the Beacon was very appreciative. This was a personal project that I took on to help support the businesses that stayed open during the pandemic. One of the attributes of small towns (not just small towns) is the unsung heroes, the individuals who step up with few accolades. Lake of Bays is a great community and is built on small businesses. We love living here.”
There were light moments, too. “I heard someone say after the mask mandate was dropped don’t even think of inviting me to a masquerade party!” quipped Stimpson.
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