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Keep seeing the same sleds, boats and ATVs sitting on Marketplace or Kijiji for weeks now and they are obviously not selling. Last year sleds were selling like hot cakes in July. My dealer is saying he is getting bombarded with calls from guys who bought units saying that they now want to trade their machines in as they cant sell their old ones.

There's a glut of 'inventory'. In some businesses. Others (cars/trucks ?) - seems like pricing is still high and inventory low. One interesting observation from a marina staffer on my recent Georgian Bay boat ride from Parry Sound to Byng Inlet (Britt) - cottages are empty, boats unused or put away early because folks decided to travel out of country. I wouldn't have missed this summer in Ontario for anything. They did. Same story from a marina operator in the Muskoka area. Quiet. And I don't think it's the usual "Marine gas is $2.20 litre" explanation. For some reason, people have the itch to go to Europe or Florida. Shoot-me-now, if given that choice in summer.

Was out for a bike ride today and came through Sprucedale. Looks like they've torn the front entrance/mud room off the building. Hopefully they get the much needed repairs done and open for this upcoming winter.

Not only the Lions, Kinsmen and Shriners from what I hear and see. I have started helping out with Heart of Ontario Club and I am enjoying helping out so far. No interest in grooming as I ride to ride a little faster than a crawl. Jerry

New volunteers for any committee need a firm handshake welcome and a committment that you are actually going to use them in a good position that is empty. None of this just show up, we will figure out how to use you later etc.. Make a list of empty positions that can be filled immediately. And good positions. I know it can seem that every guy wants to run the groomer, not many want to stand knee deep in cold river water fixing broken bridges. When new people come to the first meeting they have already got ideas of what they can do and help with. Its very discouraging to offer to help groom and get told Old George does that, need help patrolling, well maybe but Mary Fred and Charlie are doing that etc. Need someone to run the bbq and food tents on events, well nope, we got that covered too. I hear this all the time at the window of the chip truck when people try to get on long standing committees or try to volunteer at community events. And often when people are already deeply involved in committee work they take resentment when the people in charge start asking for volunteers to do the work that volunteer has done for years, and often alone. You cant off load the crap work, the working in buggy hot or cold rainy weather to new people. One of the biggest complaints I hear all the time, is that the 4 or 5 Legions within driving distance to us are always asking for volunteers. People show up hoping to bartend on Canada day or be the rib guy in the fall. They go to all the Legions within their driving comfort distance. Nope, they get told they can be handy helping cars park or keeping open alcohol from going home in cars. And no shares in the tips, the same bartenders get all the tips. And if they want to volunteer on the big events, they can come in on the Tuesday after and clean the bar area because the other volunteers couldnt clean after a busy long weekend. People get very discouraged when they try to get involved in an already long running volunteer event.

After trying to volunteer with local club last couple years I have given up. I will volunteer time. As will another member on here for same club. But it was like getting your wisdom teeth pulled to get any info and it was always incorrect. Call district and they say call club. Club says call district for training. They say call club. Need chainsaw course. Done. read sign course material. Done. where do we meet? Silence. when is a work day? Silence. crap I can stay home with wife if I want to be ignored. Why try hard to get it?

Biggest issue is all rules and liability. That turns allot of good volunteers away. No sir you can’t use that chain saw today but you can pick up branches and limbs and throw them into bush for a few years and we will think about training you 🤣.