No, It’s Not Parry Sound
28 Wednesday May 2014
Written by parry034 in Parry Sound, Seguin Township, Suggestions
I’ve noticed that some of our neighbours have taken to referring to themselves as being located in Parry Sound. Yes, these Seguin companies are in the West Parry Sound District, but not Parry Sound.
You know Parry Sound – HIGH taxes and FAST internet, versus Seguin – LOW taxes and SLOW internet, and at this time of year, lots of blackflies.
I saw this before when working south of the border where companies and individuals would claim a Princeton address, or a Valley Forge address, or a Palo Alto address, even if it was just a post office box.
This came to mind today when I received an Explorers’ Edge release headlined – Explorers’ Edge AGM takes place on June 3, 2014 in Parry Sound. Actually it’s at Grand Tappattoo Resort in Seguin Township, although they list themselves as located at Otter Lake, Parry Sound. The Air Rider people also list themselves as being in Parry Sound on their Highway 400 billboards.
It’s nice to know Parry Sound is an aspirational address. As a realtor in Princeton once told us (loosely paraphrased), “When you live in Princeton you don’t need to drive an expensive car. Expensive cars are for people who wished they lived in Princeton and need to impress.” I’d like to think that’s the same for us Parry Sounders ;-).
Carry on, we’re happy to share the prestige associated with living in Parry Sound.
Yes They Have Trains, but do they Have a Trestle to Compare? (Parry Sound in Black & White)
No comments
June 3, 2014 at 2:04 pm
aspirational address? Due respect, but there’s a big difference between parry sound and princeton! When I was down in the city, Parry Sound’s reputation was that of “Huntsville’s poor cousin.” When people in this area are trying to be aspirational, they will say “Muskoka…” or “Georgian Bay…” (and note just how many businesses – even those actually based in Parry Sound – have done just that in their names), not “Parry Sound”.
The real reasons outsiders will refer to Parry Sound is two fold. One, it’s simple size and proximity. Not many people in the rest of Canada know where Parry Sound, but even fewer know where “Seguin” or “McDougall” are. So you say “Parry Sound” for no other reason than to avoid a couple rounds of “and where’s that?” Second, it’s the dominant influence. Seguin may tell me how big my bunkie can be and how many shrubberies I can plant, but Parry Sound town council has a lot more influence in my daily life. Their purview includes where I work, where I park, where I buy my groceries, and, of course, where my pool will be. Parry Sound is the 600lb gorilla. It sets the tone. You can live in Parry Sound and not be affected by what goes on in Seguin, but not vice versa. The municipalities feel about Parry Sound the same way that the rest of Ontario feels about Toronto. I’m not sure I’d call that aspirational.
June 3, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Ryan – I think I need to be careful that I don’t bite my tongue while pushing it into my cheek. Thanks for the comment.
June 5, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Parry Sound is actual a district (maybe ask Tony Clement and Norm Miller can explain that to you…). So Seguin is actually in Parry Sound District. Also – Ryan is right – not everyone knows where Seguin is – and in some cases it does not show up on Google maps – so businesses often use the nearest landmark to give a geographical reference.
June 6, 2014 at 8:18 am
Thanks for taking the time to read the post and add your comment. Interestingly Parry Sound District is a census designation used for the purpose of assigning political responsibility at the provincial and federal levels. Heaven forbid there should be any type of municipal amalgamation;-).
Once again, we are happy to share. I just hope no one arrives in the Town of Parry Sound expecting to find Air Rider, Grand Tappattoo, or …..