Loss of
Paine is
difficult
to bear

Dear Editor:

1998 was to have been my
tenth year working: at Paine
Hardware.

My despair at secing the
burned-out shell of the store
on New Year’s Day was over-
whelming.

Regardless of how
involved I became with other
work and school activities, 1
always knew there would be a
place for me back at Paine.

As of late I had been into
work only sporadically, but it
was a comfort knowing that 1
could .walk in. and_ there
would be little, if any, change.

This was a home. And it
was not just a home because
of the surroundings and the
other staff; it: was a home
because of the familiar cus-
tomers [I wvays knew would
return; the people who came
in every year to get their fish-
ing and hunting licences and
whom 1 knew by name.

We would catch up on
what had happened since . 1
had last seen them. This was
often not.a quick visit to the
hardware store; it was a visit
with a friend you had not
scen in a while. There were
many debates, but it was all

* good-natured, and expected.

We parted knowing that
much more had occurred
than a simple transaction, and
that we would do it all over
again next year.

This atmosphere is not

casily replaced.

The Rnowledge that I have
gained from working in such
an atmosphere is immeasur-

- able. .

While 1 have gained expe-
rience in plumbing, fasteners,
and the assortment of other
bits and :pieces, I have also
gained experience from those
older people who came into
the store because it was a con-
nection with their past; a
piece of their lives.

_ These people taught me
the value of history.

While I. may have been
there to help them find the
nut or bole they were locking
for, they may not have real-
ized that the lessons I was
learning were much more
valuable.

As emphasized in your
Jan. 4 editorial, we need more
soul in our communities. In
these days of big box stores
and increasing competition,
we must treasure those places
thar have character.

What has been lost with
the destruction. of Paine
Hardware is much more than
a simple store; it is years of
memories and numerous rela-
tionships and was one of the
few living reminders we had
of the past. The gravity of this
loss cannot be understated.
Caroline Murdoch
Lions Bay

AL

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