OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to a letter about Gordon Lightfoot memorabilia being put up for auction, published Oct. 28.
I was very taken aback reading that Gordon Lightfoot’s possessions are to be auctioned off. Why?
Lightfoot, having grown up here and chosen to be buried here, is one of Orillia’s greatest legacies. Yes, he is commemorated with the Lightfoot Trail, the bust in front of the opera house and a statue in the park, but none of these things can compare to being able to view all his personal items in person — seeing lyrics written in his own handwriting, viewing his guitars, etc. All of these should remain together.
I agree with the writer that Stephen Leacock has a museum and a Lightfoot museum would be a terrific way to celebrate him and the arts. Leacock for literary work and Lightfoot for music.
Kathy Quigley
Orillia
