By Emily Stonehouse

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The May long weekend. We’re here. We made it. We’ve battled a particularly long winter, a highly damaging ice storm, and narrowly avoided a state of emergency flood situation.

We’ve earned it. A full and rich summer ahead.

But as per usual, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. A weekend of rain and sky slush have dictated the successes of the start of the season.

I spent a few years working in the tourism world. One of the reasons I stepped away was because it felt like a never-ending uphill battle. In that industry, you are always relying on factors far beyond your control. The weather, the unpredictable visitor patterns, the trends and tricks that skirt across the screens of social media consumers.

It’s nearly impossible to keep up with. And that creates a world of challenges. Unpleasant challenges. And while some people have the guts and gusto to climb up those mountains again and again, I did not.

But as I have removed myself from the world, and am now just a resident of a tourism town, I think we should take a look at our offerings throughout the downtown core.

Leading up to this past weekend, I heard plenty of mumbles and grumbles about the pending weather report. “Supposed to rain,” they would say with an eye roll. Like the weather is about to unravel all the plans for the weekend ahead. And it may have an impact on a few – the ones who are scheduling only outdoor time at the dock or the trails.

But personally, I always thought a rainy weekend on the radar was a bonus for the businesses in our downtown core. A reason for folks to step away from the cottage and come to explore the miniature magic that is Minden.

We have a golden opportunity (or at least a very wet one) to showcase our best assets to an interested audience. How are we making the most of this?

When I look at Minden with a visitor lens, sometimes I wonder if there is enough of a draw to the downtown core. Would visitors carve out a window in their precious cottage getaway to spend a slice of time here?

Because while we experience the community events, the camaraderie, the developed connections and friendships that naturally evolve and form in small towns, the ones just passing through don’t feel that ease. They are simply looking for an experience. And maybe that experience is shopping. Maybe it’s dining out. Maybe it’s something for their kids, something for fun, something for memories.

And as a community, do we have all those offerings? I can think of a few desirable shopping spots, eating spots, fun spots. But is it enough? Are we a destination?

Personally, as a mom to a particularly little kiddo, I do think there is a gap for young families in the community. On rainy days, we are particularly seeking an escape from the house. But where could we go in Minden?

There are gaps, for sure. But this is also a community of creatives and magicians, and if anyone can do it, it could be us. (Pending approval from township staff. There will be a whole other editorial on that…)

So here’s to the start of the summer. Rain or shine, we got this.