The golf club and the grocery store

When all the right people put their hearts and souls, and considerable effort, into a charitable function, the result is quite often bigger and better than all the contributing efforts combined.

Such was the case recently when Carl Oldham, owner of the Annapolis Save Easy, put his name to the first annual Annapolis SaveEasy Golf Tournament in support of King’s Theatre. That it’s a worthy cause goes without saying. Harry and Jacqui Shepherd opened up the Annapolis Royal Golf and Country Club for the event, and it was well supported and attended. Even Don Connolly of CBC Radio was there and emceed at the closing awards ceremonies “It was a windy, chilly day,” said tournament organizer Lesley Crysler, “but a 4-ball scramble is a fun format, and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.”

In total, more than $9,000 was raised for the theatre, one of the absolute gems of the Annapolis Valley. And it’s expected that the tournament will become an annual event. Good going Carl Oldham.

So, of course, one thing did go wrong. In follow-up coverage of the event, The Spectator referred to Carl Oldham as the owner of the Annapolis Royal Golf and Country Club. Although Oldham may wish that he owned such a beautiful and popular piece of real estate, Harry and Jacqui Shepherd are the owners and the rustic location on the outskirts of Annapolis Royal is a favourite golfing venue for locals and (if rumour is right) even Prime Ministers.

The point, is, The Spectator made a mistake and apologizes for that and any confusion that mistake may have caused. However, it does give us the opportunity to brag about one of our fine local golf clubs, a magnificent theatre, and the spirit of giving that Oldham so graciously and thoughtfully displayed. This is the very heart of what it’s like living in Annapolis County -- people pulling together for the common good.

This being Small Business Week, it’s fitting to highlight the community spirit that business owners such as Oldham and the Shepherds exemplify. These are the people who host charitable events, sponsor sports teams, buy school uniforms, allow hockey, soccer, and swim teams to set up bake tables on their busy premises, and in many cases help coach. They’re also the first ones to endorse such things as cancer research, help fill the food bank coffers, and in the case of grocery stores, often supply scouts and girl guides with all the campfire food they need.

Mixing up a grocery store and a golf club may seem like a big blunder, but in spirit, most small business owners are the same in their care of community. Our hats go off to them for that reason.

Now if we could just convince people to shop locally.