Thoughts Along the Path . . .

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With so much attention on Ayr200 this year, I have been wondering what we mean when we refer to “Ayr.” Please join me for 2-3 minutes as we explore what the word itself might mean. And since many of the readers of this newspaper and column may not be from Ayr, I invite you to apply these thoughts to wherever you happen to be.

Ayr is a place. You live here, maybe you work here. You shop, you play, you are physically within it or nearby. What do you know about Ayr itself and how does that help define Ayr? Our ponds are obvious, but we also have buildings of historical interest, schools, parks and trails, businesses that have come and gone over the years, neighborhoods with gardens that tell stories, and gatherings organized for local participation. As part of the North Dumfries Township and Waterloo Region, we engage with many people and interests. How can we maintain Ayr’s natural beauty, distinctive culture, and protect the environment? What defines Ayr as a place for you?

Ayr Is a collection of people. In addition to your neighbours, you know others through your own daily or weekly activities. Maybe you work or volunteer here, attend special events, belong to a faith-based group, are a customer or client of local businesses, go to the gym, attend a book or other clubs, play or watch sports. Here’s an idea: During the next few weeks you can make a point of meeting or greeting people you do not currently know. You might even go to a part of town you aren’t in very often or during a time period that isn’t your usual. And then say hello to everyone you see, noticing how pleasant it is to share a smile with others.

Ayr is a place to play and to learn.

We are fortunate to have many recreational and personal enrichment opportunities here. Just to name a few: a beautiful library; live theatre; free concerts and movies in the summer; pop-up programs through the Township; local celebrations for annual events and holidays; a weekend outdoor market from late-spring to early-fall; and sports teams. Perhaps you are like me with some wellness and cultural interests that cannot be fulfilled in Ayr, but I realize that’s the tradeoff for the small-town atmosphere that we enjoy here.

Ayr is a place to contribute to.

Having written about what is great about Ayr – and indeed there is more than I mentioned – it is not perfect. Who/where is? You probably have ideas, and that offers an opportunity for reciprocity, for a give-take relationship that can ultimately create balance. What do you wish for? Can you help to bring it about through being informed, participating in community events, offering help to others, speaking up at Township Council meetings, writing letters to the editor, organizing events or supporting others who do?

Ayr has a history. The Ayr News often has articles and photographs, including its weekly look at 29, 50, and 100 years ago. You can walk through the village and read historical landmark plaques or visit displays at the North Dumfries Community Complex. What do you wonder about? Recently a longtime resident told me that he bought furniture for his first house at a local store in Ayr. That got me thinking about how Ayr was once more of a business and commercial centre. I’ve been here 23 years, and I notice a lot of changes. With 200 years of history, what is Ayr’s legacy?

Ayr has a future.

We may not all agree on what we want, and we may not get everything we want in any case. But that doesn’t mean we cannot help shape the future. With Ayr200 happening now – what do you want Ayr to be when the calendar announces Ayr225 or Ayr250 or even later? As we honour the past and celebrate the present we can also look to the future. This is indeed something to ask ourselves as we walk along the path.

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Submitted to Ayr News by Jaellayna Palmer, July 2024