What Holds a Small Town Together Isn’t Viral Noise—It's Us
- 59 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A viral video and a wave of outside commentary can travel far faster than the truth, and this week the Lyceum Theatre found itself at the centre of a story that doesn’t reflect who we are or how we treat one another. In that video, the theatre, its volunteers, and several local residents are spoken about in ways that are unfair, inaccurate, and unworthy of the place we call home.
Gull Lake isn’t perfect—no community is—but we are not a town where people are reduced to insults or where neighbours are blamed for decisions they did not make. We are not a town where online outrage replaces real conversation. And we are not a town where the loudest voice automatically becomes the truest one.
For more than a century, the Lyceum Theatre has been a gathering place for families, volunteers, and visitors. It has survived fires, recessions, pandemics, and the changing tides of entertainment because the people of Gull Lake kept showing up for it—not because of politics, not because of pressure, but because it mattered to us. That hasn’t changed.
It’s natural for people to have strong feelings when a long-standing community institution is involved, but it’s important that conversations stay grounded in respect and facts. Outside narratives can spread quickly, and a video made in frustration can reach tens of thousands of people before anyone here has a chance to say, “That’s not the whole story.” When language is used that demeans community members—including elders who have given decades to this town—it doesn’t just misrepresent a situation. It harms the fabric that keeps a place like Gull Lake strong.
A few things deserve to be said clearly:
Staffing decisions at the theatre are private matters. They are not made by public vote, online pressure, or personal opinion.
The Lyceum is not a political institution. It shows films of all kinds without endorsing the views of any filmmaker.
People have every right to disagree or express their views—that's part of community life.
Personal attacks and harassment are not.
Gull Lake’s strength has always come from respect—even when we don’t see eye to eye.
As someone who spent many years on the theatre board, I know how much work goes into keeping the Lyceum open. The focus has always been the same: offering good, family‑based entertainment that fills seats, brings people together, and keeps this 100‑year‑old theatre thriving. I know that commitment hasn’t changed.
We don’t need to match negativity with negativity. We don’t need to argue with strangers on the internet. And we don’t need to let outside narratives—however loud or emotional—define our theatre or our town.
What we can do is what Gull Lake has always done: stay grounded, stay respectful, and stay focused on the people who actually live here. The Lyceum Theatre will continue to open its doors. Volunteers will continue to give their time. Families will continue to share popcorn and stories. And if you want to support the Lyceum, the best way has always been the simplest—come to a show, volunteer, or share the memories that make this place matter.
That’s the story worth telling. That’s the story that has lasted 100 years. And that’s the story that will outlast any viral moment.
Blake Campbell
Comments