What will the future bring?

View from the Strip
By Casey Lessard

I’ve heard a lot about memories this summer. From tributes to Bill and Helene Regier, to scrapbooking in this week’s issue, reflecting on the past has helped a lot of people in this area, I’m sure.
One of the actors I interviewed for Legends, the musical tribute to rock’s icons playing at the Huron Country Playhouse until this weekend, said we live in a very nostalgic age. If you look at this issue of the Grand Bend Strip, you might think we have nothing but nostalgia to talk about. But sometimes it’s important to reflect on where we’re coming from to know whether we’re going in the right direction.
As young people (and some older ones) return to school this week, it’s a good idea to reflect on the experiences of others, like Elinor and Fred Clarke (page 3). They’re in their 70s and show no sign of stopping. They love life and have made choices that make them feel good about what they have done with the time they have.
I’ve made some bad choices over the years (who hasn’t?), but I’ve learned from them quickly and make more good choices now than bad (I think). I’m glad I’ve made the mistakes I have, because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be writing this column, that’s for sure. I’ve taken a long road to return home, and I don’t remember much I regret.
Oddly enough, it’s hard for me to remember what I did before the Strip. When something consumes you, sometimes it’s important to pause and reflect on how you got to be in the situation you are in. I know I wouldn’t change a thing.
Nancy Gibbs of Time magazine recently compared September’s arrival to the New Year, complete with resolutions fit to be broken.
Looking ahead to this fall, I encourage young and old alike to think about their pasts, but forge into the future without regret. You can’t change your past, but you can definitely make decisions that affect your present and your future.

Regarding the immediate future of the Grand Bend Strip, a lot of people want to know whether it will continue every other week through the winter, and yes, that is my intention. I have a lot on my plate this year, so I may take a week or two off this winter, but my goal for the future is to maintain and improve upon the standard you expect from your free community newspaper.