Make no mistake that in hockey circles and sporting circles, these are historic times for Owen Sound.
I honestly hope in this day and age of camera-video recording, Internet documentation and more, you’re chronicling the games, stories and events that people in the city and region will talk about for decades.
I say this in light of a neat release from the Ginger Press Bookstore simply titled ” The Owen Sound Mercury’s “.
The book is written by Cliff Keeling who makes no claims to be a writer, nor an author, but rather offers his perspective from his post as the Mercury’s stick boy in the 1950’s combined with scarce articles and scrapbooks he could piece together from others.
In all honesty, Cliff Keeling states earnestly, he waited, and waited, for someone else, anybody, to tell this story.
And the story is a good one from every regard.
What I enjoyed best, was Cliff Keeling’s childhood memories, not so much of the Mercury’s and his connection to that team, but rather his recollection of what life in Owen Sound was in the 50’s, and the impact Senior hockey had on the day to day existence of so many.
This is a sports oriented release, no question, but the ” Owen Sound Mercury’s ” by Cliff Keeling is also a valuable piece of city history and sports history, the kind of documentation we should be proud of and never lose sight of, even 60 years later.
I’m Fred Wallace