It’s safe to say that Acton left a strong impression on CBC Television host Jonny Harris.
The comedian and Newfoundlander visited Acton last year to film an episode of Still Standing, a show that highlights the resilience of small towns in the face of adversity.
At some point last spring, between interviews and recordings of the town’s slices of life, the Toronto resident decided he would return.
“There are a lot of things I love about Toronto, but getting to Acton, you do feel you can take a breath and unwind,” Harris said, commenting on the tranquility of the town. “It’s wild that you could be in a city that is one of the biggest cities in North America, but as soon as you get out of there, life is full-on rural again.”
Producers of the show chose to feature Acton for the fifth episode of the 11th season. A free pre-screening is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bethel Church, ahead of the 8:30 p.m. airtime the same day.
Many Still Standing editions centre on the closures of local industries to instill the stakes for the viewer. It should come as no surprise that the closure of the Olde Hide House, and its association with the former Beardmore Tannery, attracted attention from the producers of the show.
Interviews and interactions with residents left Harris with the sense that Acton residents are unique for two reasons: because of their tenacity and volunteerism.
One of the stars of the episode is the Halton Hills Turtle Guardians. The founder of the organization, Peter Duncanson, demonstrated the intricate system he and his fellow volunteers have set up for ensuring the safety of Acton’s reptilian neighbours.
“That’s kind of a perfect example of how volunteers make a rural town tick,” Harris told HaltonHillsToday.
He also spoke to Courtney Stanley, whose entrepreneurial spirit turned her freeze-dried goods business, 70 Below Treats, into a success. Harris’ taste testing at the downtown business is sure to deliver some laughs as he accidentally samples dog treats.
Throughout the episode, Harris lays out the history and geography of Acton and how the Beardmore Tannery gave the town the nickname of Leathertown. He even gets crowned as a fall fair ambassador, one of the few, if not only, adult men to receive the honour.
Former Halton Hills mayor and current Acton resident Rick Bonnette sees the episode creating “a sense of pride in the folks who grew up in Acton.” For recent newcomers to the municipality, he expects the show will give an idea of the town’s history and the many hurdles it had to overcome to become what it is today.
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