I’m in the town of White River now.
Claim to fame: where Winnie the Pooh began.
It’s the central theme here.
Winnie the Pooh paraphernalia is sold everywhere.
I can get a 490-calorie pecan butter tart and a stuffed Eeyore in the same place.
It’s a bit of a stretch, though, if you ask me.
A.A. Milne based his Pooh stories on a bear called Winnie that he saw in the London Zoo.
The bear was originally bought from a hunter for $20 by a Canadian military officer, who was on his way to England in the First World War.
The bear was bought in White River.
So based on that single sale of an animal, I think that’s quite the claim for this town to say that White River is where it all started.
Could Winnipeg make the same claim?
That’s where the officer was from and after which Winnie was name.
Could the London Zoo make the same claim?
Still, every town needs something to bring in the tourists.
And I give full marks to the residents of White River for their creativity. Well done!
