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4 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 11, 2001 "Scugog"s Community Newspaper of Choice" Dave Zinc opens the Grenadier Militaria shop Soldiering on in downtown Port Perry By Rik Davie Port Perry Star Stepping into the shop of Dave Zinc is a step into the world of scarlet-coloured pomp and circumstance of Buckingham Palace and the polished brass and the silver belt buckles of British officers' mess dress uniforms that have remained relatively unchanged since the turn of the century. Mr. Zinc welcomes visitors to the Grenadier Militaria shop on Queen St. with the relish of a youngster showing off his most prized mementos to an interested visitor. On the shelves of the shop sit the military history of England and Canada, all in their royal-scarlet and khaki- brown tradition. The helmet of an officer of the Royal Life Guards shares shelf space with the helmet of a United States Navy aviator and a beret of one of the most feared fighting forces in the world -- the British Special Air Service (SAS). How the shop came to Port Perry is as interesting as the man who runs it. "I always had an interest in toy soldiers," said Mr. Zinc, who answers questions about his age with "yes, go on." Collecting the metal miniatures, a popular pastime for many years in Canada, led to other military memorabilia. Unit crests, uniform buttons and helmets and hats of the various regiments all grew in the private collection of Mr. Zinc who spent most of his life running a trucking compa- ny his son now manages. But where to keep it all? "It rather outgrew my basement," Mr. Zinc said. An understatement when one looks at the walls lined with regimental histories and rare copies of military auto- biographies as well as other rare books on military life. "Rather than drive to Mississauga every day (where his son now looks after the company's day-to-day opera- tions) | decided to have a go with the store," Mr. Zinc said. "I focused on the Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry," he said. "But there are other pieces | am proud of, such as some English Civil War pieces that date back to 1649." The unusual items in the shop are, in some cases, unusual and hard to find indeed. A letter from the Duke of Wellington -- the man who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo -- graces the walls and swords from foot and cavalry are one of the hottest sell- ing items in the shop. "They (the swords) are very popular," Mr. Zinc said. "I sell out of them quickly." There are other services offered by the very knowl- edgeable Mr. Zinc that can assist others in finding their own military heritage. The medals and historical documents of fathers or grandfathers can be mounted in beautiful frames and medal sets can be renewed to become treasured mementos of those who defended Canada in the Armed Forces. Torn and worn ribbons can be replaced and even missing medals can be replaced after their award is con- firmed. If medals are lost, Mr. Zinc has the forms on hand to have them replaced by the government (at a cost) and documents recording a loved one's military service can be mounted with the medals to make handsome addi- tions to a family's history. For the collector who, like Mr. Zinc himself, began with miniature toy soldiers, he's got what you need. Shelves of tiny figures marching in precise formation and combatants in tiny intricacy and even mounted guardsmen and marching bands are available. The col- lection of toy soldiers has always been a popular hobby and such notables as former Lt. Governor Hal Jackman are well known for their huge collections. What Mr. Zinc has noticed is a growing interest in World War I military objects, which he said poses a prob- lem for collectors. "It is very difficult to find authentic World War | items," Mr. Zinc said. "For whatever reason there has been a tremendous interest. Perhaps it is the realization of Canada's substantial role in that war." Mr. Zinc said that many families have old war memora- bilia that they are unaware of or want appraised. All are welcome at the Grenadier. "There is a great interest in German military items," Mr. Zinc said. "But the problem with those items is that so many are counterfeits. It is so easy to reproduce items that look very authentic and it becomes difficult for col- lectors and dealers to obtain items known to be gen- uine." The source for much of the rarities on the walls is a large network of traders and other contacts. "Auctions are a source for many items," Mr. Zinc said. "There are a number of military auctions held on a regu- lar basis and through the Internet a large trading network is growing." Soon the Grenadier will have the same edge as Mr. The Grenadier Militaria shop on Queen St. offers up many types of collectible items. It's owned and operated by Dave Zinc. Zinc expects to establish his own web site soon. In the mean time, he is enjoying joining the business community of Port Perry. "We moved here about 16 years ago when my son was a teenager and | like the location for the shop," Mr. Zinc said. "I think the whole idea of this shop fits in well with the look and the feel of the downtown area." The big question: What is the rarest item in the shop? The answer is surprising. Not a gun -- he doesn't deal in guns -- and not a sword or a medal or even a hard to find regimental badge or uniform... An invitation! "There's an invitation to the 200th anniversary of the Cold Stream Guards," Mr. Zinc said. "It took place in 1850 and the Duke of Wellington was the speaker. It is proba- bly unique, there isn't likely another one left. It is hand engraved and a piece of artwork in its self." Rare items to be sure. A shop of rare items, including the soft spoken owner. For those looking to take a stroll through the military past of an empire, Dave Zinc and his shop await you among the shops of Queen St. right here in Port Perry. Mississaugas hand out $25,500 in local donations Baagwating Community Association presents nine groups with donation The Baagwating Community Association's board of directors presented nine ,Scugog and area charity and non-profit groups with an early Christmas gift last Thursday (Dec. 6). At that time, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Baagwating Community Association pre- sented a total of $25,500 to local community groups. On hand for the presenta- tions were Port Perry's Second Ice Pad Committee ($10,000), Stonemoor Day Care Port Perry sites ($2,000), Operation Scugog ($1,500), Students On Ice program ($1,000), Scugog- Uxbridge Animal Control Centre ($1,000), Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team ($2,000), Peterborough Native Learning program ($1,000), Grandview Children's Foundation ($2,000) and the Port Perry Scorpions ($5,000). Representing their respective organizations at last week's donation by the Baagwating Community Association were, clockwise from front left, Anne Wanninkhof, Operation Scugog; Sharon Johnson, Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team (OVERT); Cliff Sadgrove, Port Perry Scorpions; Shirley Kohler, Scugog-Uxbridge Animal Control Centre; Paul Michel, Scugog Second Ice Pad Committee: Gary Gorden, Grandview Children's Foundation; Katie Walker, Students On Ice; Karen James, Stonemoor Day Care; and Gary Edgar of the Baagwating Community Association. CHRIS HALL / PORT PERRY STAR