Town of Rosseau Not 'Short' on Charisma

Sometimes the best soda pop memorabilia can be found in the most unexpected places.

Here in our tiny village of Rosseau, Ontario (population 400), we're right in the very heart of cottage country. And during the winter, spring and fall months, you could shoot a canon down the main picturesque street and not hit a single soul. But in the summer, the town swells with tourists, motorcyclists, and boaters who make Rosseau their main hub.

And we have a few celebrities that vacation in Rosseau as well - though for the most part, you'd never know it, since their huge luxury cottages are well-hidden off obscure sideroads. The odd time, we have a brush with these famous people, and sometimes never know it.

Last year, Kate Hudson dropped in to the Rosseau General Store and asked one of the girls behind the counter (my neighbour) who worked there to help her buy the contents to make lemon pie. Of course, as Goldie Hawn's daughter, she was staying at the family cottage.

And here's my own story: a few days ago I was at our small post office with my wife Erin. While I was at the counter filling out a customs form for my outgoing package, a man came in and stood behind us. Faye, the postmaster, found the gentleman his stack of mail and greeted him by asking: "How was your winter Mr. Short?" - he responded with a soft-spoken "fine, thank-you," as he reached over my shoulder for his mail.

As soon as he left, Erin said to Faye - "That was Martin Short, wasn't it."

"Yep," she replied. "The nicest man you'll ever meet."

I looked up from my form, dumbfounded. I went out to the door and sure enough, there he was wearing sunglasses and blending in with every other Muskoka tourist. He didn't drive a flashy car, or behave like a star. There was no entourage, no demands from a famous movie star. Just a man on vacation who came to pickup his mail.

And somehow our tiny village didn't seem so small or insignificant anymore.

But I digress. Back to soda pop. Every Sunday this summer, the Rosseau Antique Market is being held at the antique shop about a block down from our house. Vendors from around the area gather and set up tables outside the shop and sell their wares. There are many treasures (some of which I'd classify as junk), furniture, trinkets, and lots of stuff that needs to be dusted. That's the first thing my mom would notice.

The thing that I always hope for at any of these outdoor markets is finding some old soda pop memorabilia. This market never disappoints. This afternoon I came across some great items: a Coca-Cola ice pick for $10; a Coca-Cola mirror made into a clock; a few Pepsi tin reproduction signs for $8 each; some Wishing Well 300mL glass bottles; a Coca-Cola cooler for $125; and a bunch of different wooden crates like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper. Some great stuff that helps put soda pop memorabilia to the front of people's minds - the way it should be!

The Rosseau Antique Market runs every Sunday this summer (until 4 pm each week). If you're ever up in the Muskoka area of Ontario, drop by - it's a great way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. And who knows - you may catch a glimpse of a famous person and not even know it!