I read the news today and O-boy… another inaccurate perception of what museums are really all about. It is indeed true my friends… Seems the term “MUSEUM” is sometimes misunderstood and even used in a derogatory way if you can believe it! Yup, apparently some folks have a narrow, stereotypical notion of what museums are all about… likely left over childhood memories of mummies n dinosaur bones and such…(which is of course cool stuff by the way). Well, maybe it’s time to get the facts straight. The term museum applies to many different types of institutions and can accordingly imply many different things. Essentially however, museums are about preserving, educating, showcasing, and enjoying aspects of our heritage – past and presently unfolding. Many museums such as Youngtown engage both the past and present in a form of celebration of our journey and our times. Perhaps it’s not museums that are lost in the past but maybe some peoples understanding is in need of up-dating. Nope, museums aren’t restricted to dusty, worn out, dried up, petrified, squirrel dung or whatever some might be a thinkin. For us, Youngtown Museum… well, come enjoy and celebrate the wonderful past “AND THE PRESENT” impact of the thing we all love most…that rock & roll music! If ya still don’t want to be calling us a museum, then how bout calling us – Youngtown, that far-out music fun house in Omemee that dig’s Neil Young…. hey hey
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
No Bones at Youngtown Museum
I read the news today and O-boy… another inaccurate perception of what museums are really all about. It is indeed true my friends… Seems the term “MUSEUM” is sometimes misunderstood and even used in a derogatory way if you can believe it! Yup, apparently some folks have a narrow, stereotypical notion of what museums are all about… likely left over childhood memories of mummies n dinosaur bones and such…(which is of course cool stuff by the way). Well, maybe it’s time to get the facts straight. The term museum applies to many different types of institutions and can accordingly imply many different things. Essentially however, museums are about preserving, educating, showcasing, and enjoying aspects of our heritage – past and presently unfolding. Many museums such as Youngtown engage both the past and present in a form of celebration of our journey and our times. Perhaps it’s not museums that are lost in the past but maybe some peoples understanding is in need of up-dating. Nope, museums aren’t restricted to dusty, worn out, dried up, petrified, squirrel dung or whatever some might be a thinkin. For us, Youngtown Museum… well, come enjoy and celebrate the wonderful past “AND THE PRESENT” impact of the thing we all love most…that rock & roll music! If ya still don’t want to be calling us a museum, then how bout calling us – Youngtown, that far-out music fun house in Omemee that dig’s Neil Young…. hey hey
One Fine Day in 1993: The Scott Young Public School Official Opening (Omemee, ON)
Scott Young – BIOGRAPHY / HISTORY
Scott Young was born in 1918 in Cypress River, Manitoba. He started his writing career at age 18 for the Winnipeg Free Press in 1936. He was soon writing sports columns in Winnipeg, and later Toronto, and in 1949 published the first of 40 books. He wrote a number of books which cover parts of his own life such as Neil and Me — a book about his son Neil Young; and A Writer’s Life — an autobiography. His career in journalism produced thousands of articles for The Globe and Mail, The Telegram, Sports Illustrated, Maclean’s and other magazines during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Young served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II (1944-1945). Previous to this he was sent to England by Canadian Press (CP) to cover the news of the War. He received numerous awards and a Doctorate of Letters, Honoris Causa, from Trent University. He was married three times (Edna Blow Ragland aka Rassy; Astrid Carlson Mead; and Margaret Hogan) and had a number of children and step-children (Neil, Bob; Deidre, Astrid; Maggie, Caitlin and Erin). Scott Young died in 2005.
(From Trent University Literature)
(From Trent University Literature)
Looking back… In the Fall of 1993 The Scott Young Public School officially opened it’s doors in Omemee. Here are a few images from that historic event… (Note Scott speaking at event, also images of Neil and Bob Young)
Astrid Young – Another Creative Force Behind The Young Family Legacy
A
long with her father Journalist Scott Young and brother Neil, Astrid is yet another creative and notable force behind the Young Family legacy.
long with her father Journalist Scott Young and brother Neil, Astrid is yet another creative and notable force behind the Young Family legacy.
Born August 16th, 1962, Astrid is the daughter of Scott Young and his second wife Astrid Mead. A singer, songwriter, author, wine expert, and more, Astrid first made her mark on the music scene in the 1980’s. A strong presence in the band Sacred Child, Astrid later expanded her pursuits to include extensive solo work, back-up vocals with brother Neil and collaborations with various notable artists. While we may not always hear of Astrids accomplishments on the world stage, her work here in Canada is much recognized and her contributions to the arts are extensive. In 2008 Astrids book “Being Young: Scott, Neil, and Me” hit the book stores with positive reviews and remains recommended for anyone wanting an inside perspective on the Young Family. Youngtown salutes the ongoing work of Astrid Young with wishes for continued success. (Photo of Astrid (Below) by T.R. Hosier)
Being Young: Scott, Neil, and Me
Book Description – Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Neil Young is known as one of rock’s great artists, his influence extending far beyond his own generation. Being Young looks at a lifetime of love, humor, disappointment, and proud moments, picking up where Scott Young’s book Neil and Me left off in 1984. The book is a testament to a Woodstock-generation rocker whose independence and determination have seen him through his life as a prolific musician who is still producing to this day.
Book Description – Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Neil Young is known as one of rock’s great artists, his influence extending far beyond his own generation. Being Young looks at a lifetime of love, humor, disappointment, and proud moments, picking up where Scott Young’s book Neil and Me left off in 1984. The book is a testament to a Woodstock-generation rocker whose independence and determination have seen him through his life as a prolific musician who is still producing to this day.
Being Young by Neil Young’s sister, Astrid Young, offers a fresh perspective on one of rock’s most recognized cultural icons. Astrid goes deep inside the motivations that shaped their family unit, exploring all the ways it came apart and how, in the end, a tenacious and undeniable kindred spirit was able to pull it back together. The story is in part a celebration of the legacy of a family that many of us grew up feeling we knew and in part the meaningful and intimate reflection of one who experienced it all.
Astrid Young started writing creatively at an early age. A musician by trade, her career has taken her around the world, both on her own and singing backup for her brother Neil Young.
Check-out this Breakfast Television interview with Astrid from 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCqvli42qkE
The House That Scott Built: Get Back to The Country… Scott Young’s Farm
The House That Scott Built: Get Back To The Country… “The Farm” Revisited
When the Young Family left Omemee in the 1950’s, Scott Young returned to the village some years later (mid 1960’s) and built his dream home just south of town. High in the Cavan Hills, Scott and his good friend Jay had hunted on and around the 100 acre property for years. When the opportunity presented, he purchased the scenic land and “The Farm” was born. Farm?, well not exactly…more like beautiful forest and scrub land with the house perched strategically above. Author and journalist Scott Young wrote many treasured books at his beloved retreat from the 1960’s until his passing in 2005. He also had many special visitors. One can only imagine the great stories if the walls could talk. A private residence, the Farm was sold early in 2011. Several years ago while out for a drive with Jay, I captured most of the photo’s presented here other than book cover and pic of Scott. (Not to be reproduced). These pictures are respectfully shared to offer a glimpse of the grounds and home occupied by one of Canada’s great writers – Mr. Scott Young. Also shown, a picture of my good friend “Jay”… 85 years old and going strong, Omemee’s King Street, and the Youngtown museum. (T.R. Hosier / Youngtown) NOTE: Pictures not to be reproduced.
Scott Young – Young Family Piano Finds New Home (Omemee)
Omemee, ON – It is with much pleasure that we report on a special new addition to the Youngtown Museum. Specifically, the museum is now home to the Young Family Piano from The Farm of Scott Young and his wife Margaret Hogan. This wonderful piece is a Mason & Risch upright piano obtained by Neil and Astrid Young in Peterborough Ontario in late 1993. Our understanding is that Neil, Astrid, and Bob were in the area to attend the opening of the Scott Young Public School in Omemee around the time of purchase. Neil and family members played this piano many times during visits to the family farm. As outlined in “A Writer’s Life” by Scott Young (page 216) – It was apparently raining quite heavily the day the piano was delivered. Consequently, the delivery truck ran into difficulty making its way up the hill to the farm house. Out of necessity, the deliverymen had the task of pushing the piano up the hill in the pouring rain! (I personally know it couldn’t have been an easy undertaking for them as my boy’s and I had the challenge of moving the piano to the museum in the snow this past weekend!)
We are so very pleased to accept the piano on behalf of the museum, volunteers, and supporters. Although sad that Mr. Scott Young has passed on and his prized home in the Cavan Hills has found new ownership, we hope that the Young and Hogan Family (and museum guests) will find joy in seeing the piano on display. (Note: Additional reference to this piano can also be found in Astrid Young’s book – “Being Young”.)
Sincere thanks to Margaret Hogan and family for this very special donation.
Trevor “T.R.” Hosier / Youngtown Museum
Trevor “T.R.” Hosier / Youngtown Museum
Photo’s: “The Farm” (Above) and The Piano on the move to Youngtown (Below).
Neil Young to Receive Humanitarian Award at Junos – 2011
SHAKEY SCORES AGAIN!!Another well deserved recognition for Canada’s own Mr. Neil Young. Beyond his outstanding and ongoing contributions as musician and songwriter extrordinaire, perhapes less known (at least in some circles) is Neil and Pegi Young’s commitment to community service / humanitarian efforts… ie The Bridge School, Farm Aid, and numerous other causes. Once again, thanks for all you do Neil!
March 28th., 2011 Neil Young Day!
Update!!! March 27, 2011
Scott Young is on the mind’s of museum visitors (Omemee)
It’s Halloween so I don’t know if something spooky is going on or what but one thing is for sure, Canadian Author / Journalist Scott Young was on the mind’s of museum guests this weekend. Coincidence or not, within a brief three hour period, four seperate guest’s arrived at the museum with some information and special interest pertaining to our former Omemee resident… Visitor one advised me that Scott Young had done a book signing for “Neil and Me” back in the 1980’s at 45 King Street East…Youngtown Museum address!… we didn’t know that! Visitor two arrives and tells me Scott Young did a book signing for his book “Gordon Sinclair: A Life and Then Some”… thinks the signing also took place at 45 King Street location… interesting, we didn’t know that either! Visitor three arrives and advises me that he has one of Scott Young’s hockey books (we didn’t have this one) and would like to donate it to the museum… I’m thinking, funny, I was just talking to two other people about Scott Young! Visitor four arrives and informs me he is from Cypress River, Manitoba… Scott Young’s birthplace / home town! This guest presents me with a terrific picture postcard of Cypress River and states that he felt it important that Scott Young’s hometown should be recognized at the museum in Omemee and we certainly agree. As William Shatner would say on his new television show, are these four events weird or what?
Remembering noted Canadian Author, Journalist, and respected Omemee resident Mr. Scott Young…
Neil Young’s childhood friend is in the news at Youngtown Museum, Omemee!
45 King Street East, Omemee is not only the address for the Youngtown Museum, it was once the home address for Neil’s closest childhood friend Henry Mason. Flashback to the early 1950’s in Omemee… two young boy’s fishin off the bridge, riding bike’s, catching turtles, and I suspect getting into some mischief along the way… yup, Neil and Henry. During Neil’s recent visit to the museum, it was suggested that a photo of Henry should be showcased in the building (Neil described Henry as his “best friend” back in the day). And so it was, we set off to find Mr. Mason. Fortunatly, we didn’t have to look too far cause Henry never left the county. Today I had the opportunity of meeting Henry Mason in person. A friendly and welcoming gent, Henry has been a farmer since his teen years. During my visit we shared a cup of coffee and some stories while Henry’s dog “Lucky” kept a real close eye on me. Reflecting back on his youth and his day’s in the sun with buddy Neil was clearly a positive experience for Mr. Mason. As such, Henry was most willing to share the attached photo’s of himself – in the past (age 10) and present day (age 66). Real nice to meet you Henry!
(Photo: T.R. Hosier)
Neil Young Supports Youngtown Museum!
By Trevor “T.R.” Hosier
As the song says, “I’ve been to Hollywood I’ve been to Redwood, I crossed the ocean for a heart of gold”. While these lyrics are actually true for this writer, it was my recent visit to Redwood City California (the land of Neil Young) that proved most worthy of print.
Trevor and William Mitchell
In brief, the museum has long hoped to secure one of Neil’s guitars for display. Having recently seen some of Neil’s property up for auction in support of his Lincvolt project, timing seemed right to make contact. Following correspondence with William Mitchell of
Shakey Pictures, a special arrangement was made with Neil to acquire his vintage 1970’s Texan acoustic. The piece was extensively played by Neil, used to write the classic song “Natural Beauty”, and accompanied him on his tour bus. Neil also saw fit to sign this wonderful guitar for the Youngtown Museum and in writing designated it “Natural Beauty”. Neil also donated and signed a Blue Ray edition of his Archives Vol. 1 for the museum.
In keeping with the occasion, it only seemed fitting that we pick up these historic pieces in person and so my wife and I set off for Redwood City. The five day adventure that followed can only be described as amazing. Although Neil was not available this time around due to various commitments, our hosts, Larry L.A. Johnson and Will Mitchell of Neil’s company “Shakey Pictures” were available to us throughout the week. Let me tell you, if it’s true we are judged by the company we keep, these two guys are doing Neil proud. Knowledgeable, dedicated, and passionate Neil insiders, Larry and Will are truly outstanding talents themselves and made our visit even better than expected.
Trevor, Larry L.A. Johnson and Lincvolt
An exclusive tour of Neil’s warehouse archives proved to be mind blowing! A secret location, I was half expecting to have a black hood placed over our head’s prior to visiting the site, (I’m sworn to secrecy) imagine a huge warehouse filled with everything Neil Young… stage back-drops and props from decades of touring, vintage cars, motorcycles (got to sit on one), and even a Hearse that I figured was “Mort 3”. There was more…paintings from the Chrome Dreams tour, Rust Never Sleeps costumes, tour gear, instruments, promotional items, original documents including Scott Young’s personal scrap book lovingly put together with newspaper clippings and articles about his son and so much more….. I thought, this must be Neil Young heaven man! Next stop, Lincvolt garage. If you’re not familiar with Neil’s Lincvolt project you had better Google it.
Johnathan Goodwin Trevor and Brenda Hosier and of course Lincvolt
Simply an awesome project, we met up with “Johnny Magic” himself… Johnathan Goodwin is the wizard mechanic/technician working on Lincvolt as immortalized in the song by the same name from Neil’s Fork in The Road CD. Lincvolt itself, the vintage Lincoln convertible, has been modified and morphed into an environmentally friendly super car… still a work in progress. My wife and I were gifted two Lincvolt crew jackets and scored some terrific pictures with the car, Johnathan, and L.A. Johnson… what a day. If all this wasn’t enough, our host behind the scene was unable to use his San Jose hockey tickets that week. In his place, my wife Brenda and I along with Larry J. attended the game.
Hey hey what more can we say? A wonderful week, gracious hosts, and lots of fun. Our sincere thanks to Neil Young, Larry Johnson, and Will Mitchell who made it happen. Now, we invite you to come see Neil’s guitar…”Natural Beauty” at the Youngtown Museum.
Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945, Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician and film director.
The Youngtown Museum is named in tribute to one of Canada’s most outstanding Singers , Songwriters, and Musicians … Neil Young. Neil spent his early childhood in the village of Omemee and the Young Family history continued in the area through Neil’s father (Canadian Journalist and Author) Scott Young who lived near town until his passing in 2005. The museum is not directly affiliated with Neil Young or his family but pays respects to the artist and his family through an amazing exhibit of memorabilia, photo’s, and music.
Young’s work is characterized by deeply personal lyrics, distinctive guitar work, and signature falsetto tenor singing voice. Although he accompanies himself on several different instruments—including piano and harmonica—his style of claw-hammer acoustic guitar and often idiosyncratic soloing on electric guitar are the linchpins of a sometimes ragged, sometimes polished sound. Although Young has experimented widely with differing music styles, including swing, jazz, rockabilly, blues, and electronic music throughout a varied career, his best known work usually falls into either of two distinct styles: folk-esque acoustic rock (as heard in songs such as “Heart of Gold”, “Harvest Moon” and “Old Man”) and electric-charged hard rock (in songs like “Cinnamon Girl”, “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)”). In more recent years, Young has started to adopt elements from newer styles of music, such as industrial, alternative country and grunge, the latter of which was profoundly influenced by his own style of playing, causing some to confer on him the title of “the godfather of grunge”.
Young has directed (or co-directed) a number of films using the pseudonym Bernard Shakey, including Journey Through the Past (1973), Rust Never Sleeps (1979), Human Highway (1982), Greendale (2003), and CSNY Déjà Vu (2008), a documentary about the band’s controversial 2006 “Freedom of Speech” tour. He is currently working on another documentary about new technology for automobiles, tentatively titled “Linc/Volt”.
He is also an outspoken advocate for environmental issues and small farmers, having co-founded in 1985 the benefit concert Farm Aid, and in 1986 helped found The Bridge School, and its annual supporting Bridge School Benefit concerts, together with his wife Pegi (in this, Young’s involvement stems at least partially from the fact that both of his sons have cerebral palsy and his daughter, like Young himself, has epilepsy).
Although Young sings as frequently about U.S. legends and myths (Pocahontas, space stations, and the settlement of the American West), as he does about his native country (such as in “Helpless” and “Four Strong Winds”), he remains a Canadian citizen and has never wanted to relinquish his Canadian citizenship. He has lived in the U.S. for “so long” and has stated, about U.S. elections, that he has “got just as much right to vote in them as anybody else.”
Rust never sleeps at Ontario museum
Posted: July 07, 2008, 10:45 PM by Ronald Nurwisah
In our Best of Summer series, the National Post takes readers on trips to some of the most interesting places in the country, from the hometowns of the famous to little-known places that have been touched by celebrity.
By Stewart Bell National Post
OMEMEE, Ont. -Trevor Hosier’s most coveted bit of Neil Young memorabilia is his life-size cut-out of the rock legend, a cardboard likeness that stood beside record bins in 1972 to promote the al-bum Harvest.
Now it hangs behind glass at the Youngtown Rock & Roll Museum, which Mr. Hosier opened in May in an old downtown house as a tribute to Omemee’s most famous son and his musical contemporaries.
The collection includes rare Neil Young album covers, concert posters and signed guitars, as well as mementos from Mr. Young’s various bands — Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Crazy Horse.
“I’ve just been collecting stuff since I was a kid and it sort of evolved from there,” Mr. Hosier said. When he decided to put it all on display, he thought, “What could possibly be better than Omemee?”
The Omemee Business and Community Improvement Association’s motto may be “In the Heart of Pigeon River Country,” but the locals all know this is Youngtown. Neil Young lived here as a boy; the middle school is named after his father, the late writer Scott Young.
Omemee is also that “town in north Ontario” that Mr. Young sings mournfully about in one of his most beloved songs, Helpless, although he once said it was about “not literally a specific town so much as a feeling. Actually it’s a couple of towns. Omemee, Ont., is one of them.”
With its slow, strung-out strumming, swelling electric guitar and high, uncertain vocal singing longingly about home, Helpless still hits Canadians right in the gut.
“For me, when I hear that song, it makes me think about being a young boy, early ’60s, old cars and old men in front of the five-and-dime,” Mr. Hosier said. “Everything that was good and decent and idyllic…. That song really captures everything about my youth, about growing up in Canada, in Ontario, in a simpler time when everything was good.”
Mr. Hosier grew up in Toronto, listening to CHUM radio and collecting autographed pictures of his music idols. At concerts, he talked his way backstage to see what kind of souvenirs he could pick up. Then he started going to auction houses to bid on rare memorabilia.
His collection eventually outgrew his family counselling office and his rec room in Lindsay, Ont., so he decided to convert a house he owned in Omemee into a museum.
Built along the Pigeon River on land purchased from the Mississauga tribe, Omemee was a shipping point for grain and timber, with several mills and taverns. Today it is a few hundred homes surrounding King Street –a Canada Post office, Foodland, Legion Hall and now, a rock ‘n’ roll museum.
For an $7.50 admission fee, visitors can see Johnny Cash’s black leather vest, Jerry Lee Lewis’ shoes and a red shirt worn by Elvis in 1961, as well as The King’s personal copy of Viva Las Vegas.
A big Beatles fan, Mr. Hosier has devoted a room to the band. Then there’s Bob Dylan’s Marine Band harmonica, a guitar strap that once belonged to Jimi Hendrix and a microphone used by the Grateful Dead.
There is also a signed guitar inscribed with the lyrics to Helpless: “There is a town in north Ontario/With dream comfort memory to spare/ And in my mind/I still need a place to go/All my changes were there.”
Whether Omemee could accurately be placed in Ontario’s north is another matter. It is in the Kawartha Lakes west of Peterborough, which, as Jim Moodie wrote in the The Sudbury Star, makes it “practically a bedroom community of Toronto.”
The Youngs moved to Omemee in 1949. Scott Young had left his job as a sports writer at the Winnipeg Free Press and, after a stop in Toronto, where Neil was born, they bought a house on five acres in Omemee.
Neil spent his days fishing, catching turtles, raising chickens and watching The Lone Ranger on TV. It was in Omemee that he caught polio, which left him scrawny and frail. After his parents separated, Neil moved with his mother to Winnipeg, where his music career began with a band called The Squires. Then it was on to Los Angeles.
His first attempt to record Helpless didn’t work out. A long version with Crazy Horse was lost when the studio engineer forgot to press the record button. Instead, he recorded a sparse, slower take with Crosby, Stills, Nash&Young.
The song made it onto the Déjà Vu album, which topped the Billboard charts in 1970 and produced three top 40 singles — Teach Your Children, Our House and Woodstock.
“Primordial, aching, trancelike, Helpless is something you already know,” Jimmy McDonough wrote in Shakey: Neil Young’s Biography, “and it makes you believe Young is only the messenger of his work.”
Helpless soon became a Canadian classic. Mr. Young sang it with The Band in Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz, and k. d. lang performed it at the Juno awards in 2005. When Scott Young Public School opened in Omemee in 1993, students marked the occasion with a choral version.
The Youngtown museum has only been open a few weeks but it has already attracted a few Rusties– as Mr. Young’s devotees call themselves — from as far away as British Columbia and Amsterdam, not to mention locals who drop in to share their Neil Young stories.
The one visitor who has not yet made it is Shakey himself. When Mr. Young played Massey Hall last year, Mr. Hosier got backstage and told him about the museum. “He seemed pleased. He didn’t have a lot to say other than, ‘Cool.’ ”
But Mr. Hosier is sure that Mr. Young, who apparently still owns a ranch nearby and has been spotted in town, will stop in one day, probably unannounced and incognito in shades and a ball cap.
“I think he’ll like it. It’s very simple, lots of stuff but it’s certainly not commercial,” Mr. Hosier said. “I’ll be glad when Neil Young finally arrives here. I’m very confident he will. I’m looking forward to that day.”
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