Some sly F. R. s were involved to a very major degree. Some family members, I have learned, are not only excellent keepers of secrets, for months, they are also boldfaced liars. When questioned, “Do you know anything about this?” straight-faced innocents answered, “No.”

Included in this deception were a great number of prominent, worthy local citizens. Folks you may think you know very well, as did I.

The deception has been going on for many months. The result was a formal invitation to the City of Hamilton Arts Awards presentation and congratulations on being a nominee.

Having spent a little more than 20 of the last years of my life writing about real devotees of the arts, it was overwhelming to find myself included. In the category of Lifetime Achievement. (Did this mean if I won the award I should then retire?) I was included with four other nominees, all of whom are household names.

It was a splendid reception. Tempting, plentiful food and drink. Arts community members clean up really well, F. R., know how to enjoy themselves. The Guelph daughter and very supportive friends accompanied me. Arts awards in the categories of dance, literature, music, theatre and visual arts were presented. I recognized a number of Dundas names.

To all nominees, congratulations. To John Laing, for his winning contribution to music, a Dundas twenty-one gun salute. The John Laing Singers have brought much pleasure to audiences and themselves.

I am still overwhelmed to see myself listed on the programme with Shirley Elford, a glass worker of great renown, a very amusing woman and a comrade since Sheridan College days. Conrad Furey, a painter we all have admired, whether we were aware of it or not. His illustrations and murals could only be painted with his humour, his hand.

The award winners were Barbara Milne and Gary Santucci, for their brilliant, highly successful Art Bus.

The bus travels from gallery to gallery openings and exhibitions. Like every ingenious idea, one exclaims “A brilliant idea! Why didn’t anyone think of it sooner?”

Not only did they think of it, they promoted it. Gary spoke spontaneously, with keen enthusiasm about the creation, the camaraderie, the importance to the arts communities in Dundas and Hamilton now linked by the Art Bus.

This is not like the Library Bookmobiles, F. R. World-wide, they bring books to readers. The Art Bus takes patrons to exhibitions in Galleries. Patrons who might be reluctant to travel on their own on dark late evenings.

Both Barbara and Gary are lifelong arts supporters.

And so, Faithful Reader, we can only say, Congratulations. Thank you for your tireless support of the arts. You join a very long list of very special folks in the arts. Folks like Boris Brott, Lois Laxton, Lou Zamprogna for their lifetime contribution.

Many more whose names you would recognize for their contributions to literature, music, theatre, dance, visual arts.

Is a Dundas 21-gun salute sufficient? It occurs to me that my - until now -mystical 21-guns salute could possibly be fired by all the cannons in the now -City of Hamilton. Hmmm.

The Rotary Club of Dundas has a unique fundraiser for the ice pad skating rink in Dundas Driving Park, soon to be perhaps equally well known for skating as for driving. This will be a winding ribbon of ice through the park. Rotarians are selling Safer than Salt icemelter.

It is a pale pink, designed to be seen. The components are a fertilizer and it continues to work to -25 degrees. No one or nothing should be expected to work beyond that!

The Rotarian price is a quarter of the price asked in stores. This is $20 for a 20 kg bag, delivered. Three for the bargain price of $50.

Call Jim Nicol, 905-627-7547. He is the brain and brawn behind this. Don’t wait until snowdrifts drift.