Barbara A. Martindale- For What It's Worth November 18, 2013
Are you a Caledonian?
The Sachem headline did include 'true' 30 years ago, but in today's world,
everyone who resides in this small town is considered a true and proud
Caledonian. However, there are a few offerings from that 1983 feature that do apply in 2013. More are included with a few explanations.
Where we are is something some Caledonians can't get used to, such as
Caledonia is south of Hamilton. And no, here is one more for today's
Caledonian who can't get used to the fact that it isn't the Town of
Haldimand and hasn't been since 2001. County of Haldimand is correct, or to be more specific, The Corporation of Haldimand County.
Although the street Park Lane is near Kinsmen Park, there isn't a park on Park Lane. Grand Avenue isn't by the river either and why are there no
streets in Caledonia named King and Main.
Perhaps founder Ranald McKinnon's resolve to use Scottish names for
Caledonia is one reason, but then why did Grand and Park get into McKinnon's mix of names?
Sticking with Scottish names, Caledonians quietly accept the fact that two streets, Edinburgh Square West and Edinburgh Square East are not joined and both go north and south. By the way, the pronunciation by Caledonians for 'Edinburgh' is more often wrong than right.
Caledonians know better than to try to find York in the phone book.
This is still true- try Cayuga.
Many have no idea how Caledonia got its name. It was another intent of
Ranald McKinnon to use the name of his Scottish roots. Scotland once was known as Caledonia by the Romans in particular and considered a nickname for Scotland.
Why do Caledonians spend $5 or more in gas to go to Hamilton to save $2 on an item? That was a question in 1983 and still is, however not as dominant as it was then.
In 1983, the population was somewhere in the neighbourhood of 4,200 and growing. The official plan of the day projected we'd be 10,000 strong by the year 2000. That did happen.
What isn't accurate today but was in 1983 under the subtitle "What we do.”
The 'true' Caledonian eats supper by six at the latest, gets the mail
promptly at 10 a.m., does his/her banking more or less promptly at five o'clock on Friday, has never spent a lazy, but enjoyable afternoon with the kids at Kinsmen Park and complains there is nothing to do in Caledonia. Lifestyles change, and Caledonia has more to offer in comparison.
Many will have their own opinions on the question "Are you a Caledonian?"
If nothing else, this bit of trivia will inspire some thoughts.
For instance, walking, cycling, working out and taking the dog for a stroll are distinctive features of the way Caledonians live in 2013.
