Shortly after the completion of OAC at Etobicoke Collegiate by James Robertson and Matt Downey, the "Summer of '98" began. Parties, chicks (or lack thereof), and cottage trips. Robertson had an idea and suggested a trip to his cottage in Haliburton, to "chill" and drink beer. This is where the word "chillville" originated. This cottage, or the "old" cottage, was located near Gooderham, Ontario, and actually, was not so chill. No TV, no fire place, and actually was pretty old. The good thing was the floating dock and outdoor fire pit, which served us well. Two trips were made to this cottage, one in the Summer of '98, and one May24, 1999, and from these trips, a distinct language was concieved, and began to evolve - the language of Chillville. The cottage was named Chillville, even though it was only half-chill, and various words as "fuzzy session" and "cozy buddy" emerged. These were, and are, the staples of the Chillville language. The famous sign, "CHILL VILLE", as seen in the background, was painted during the second such cottage trip.
When it was announced in the fall of 1999 that Robertson's mother was purchasing a new cottage, cheers and jeers went throughout the community. This new cottage was to be located right off of Highway 35, halfway between the towns of Coboconk and Minden, Ontario. Coincidentally, Gardiner's grandparents live 10 minutes by foot up the highway, in the town of Miner's Bay.
It was on New Years 1999/2000 that the old boys of ECI decided to head up to the new cottage, and celebrate the New Years by chilling and beer and steak. It was then that the cottage became known as Chillville. The language of Chillville and way of life in Chillville began to rapidly evolve from this point. Even though three out of the four of us (Robertson, Downey and Gardiner) got sick, leaving Marshall to chill somewhat alone. From then on, trips to Chillville began, on a tri-monthly period. See TRIPS for more information on each trip. We will continue to travel there until we die. Or get a better cottage. However, as we all now work, and some of us are very busy, while some of us are getting married, while some of us are moving to the bush to look at rocks, it is becoming increasingly hard to travel to Chillville. Chillville now is an away from the city, and from working. We are growing up, my sons. We've had ups (beer, steak, weed, comedy, beautiful nature), and downs (death of Gardiner's grandfather), but mostly ups. What a life.
We are always inviting new and different people to come up, and usually they don't want to or can't. But we're always open to new and exciting people. Peter UltimateAss is not allowed anymore. Even though he cooks well and likes to do the cottage thing, he is the anti-Chillville.
And I'm spent. Done son.