Great hospitality

Dear sir:
An open letter to the people of Ontario.
I fell in love with your country in 1953 when I was just 15 years old. That was the year of my first fishing trip to Sunset Country.
Each time I return, I feel refreshed and renewed. The clear water, the bush, the wildlife, and especially the people have that affect on me year after year.
Something happens when we cross the border into Fort Frances. Quite suddenly, everything seems nicer, more accommodating, more pleasant.
This year, in the first week of July, I will be returning to the Sioux Lookout area for the eighth time in the last six years. I have received your outstanding hospitality many times, and I don’t want to bore you, but I must give just one example.
Several years ago, my brother and I were about 10 miles east of Fort Frances when our vehicle broke down. I had no choice but to leave my brother with the car and boat, and hitchhike back to town for help. I was concerned because he was getting chemotherapy and was weak and tired from the treatments.
The very first car that came by stopped and gave me a lift–a wonderful couple from Thunder Bay on their way to Fort Frances to attend the wedding of a friend’s daughter.
They took me to their friend’s house, fed me doughnuts and coffee, called a tow truck, and let me use the phone to call Fireside Lodge in Sioux Lookout. The lodge owner drove down and picked us up, and the car was delivered to us at the end of the week.
Like the usual tourist, I lost the names and have never been able to thank them properly. So now I say thank you.
The amazing thing is that this has not been unusual behaviour. Can it be possible that all Canadians are like this?
I remember once when I found and returned a lost billfold to a fisherman staying at Fireside. He said that this was probably one of the few places where he would have had it returned.
I’m telling you, something happens when we cross the border–everything gets nicer.
Thanks again and
happy Canada Day!
Signed,
Dave Roberson