Mary Cook’s Deportment Classes for Young Ladies in Carleton Place

I wrote about a fashion show organized by Mary Cook in the 60’s at the Carleton Place Town Hall. Mary Cook also had deportment classes and Janice Tennant Campbell sent me this picture from the 60’s.

Jim Amy Kirkpatrick

I remember that you never carry 2 gloves. Not wearing them put them away. Also when you sit your legs should make an S. I questioned this and Mary said the best I could do with such short legs was a C.

 

Julie Kirkpatrick

I remember her coming to teach some of this to the members of my 4H group. Around 1974 ?? We were at Pooh Bell’s house …..can’t recall why there LOL. I have distinct memories of walking across the living room with a book balanced on my head. Mary saying “shoulders back, chin up and arms softly at your side “. LOL. I often think of that while I’m slouched in a chair. 

Lorraine Nephin

Lots of girls took them. Every time I slurp my soup Keith says did Mary Cook teach you that. We didn’t go to Toronto. We got to go to a fancy restaurant in Ottawa and we all had to order spaghetti and eat it properly with a spoon and fork.

Carol McDonald

Recognize Janet Knowlton , Edith and Charlie Knowltons daughter . Edith ran a grocery store across from Maple leaf dairy in CP.

 

Lynne Johnson we went to Toronto too by train and stayed at the Royal York. I remember going to Chatelaine mag and also to a shopping district where I bought a really cool mini dress. And being taught how to eat our food and how to hold (not!) onto a railing on stairs. How to properly stand and walk. Many are ingrained in me to this day!

Lori Armour

Lynne Johnson me too! We got to stay in a hotel downtown and got to be in the audience for a taping of Front Page Challenge.

 

Until the 1960’s educational institutions incorporated social graces as a crucial aspect of a well-rounded curriculum, and finishing schools specialized in etiquette, deportment and proper manners at the table. Private deportment classes were run locally by Mary Cook. They were taught how to sit, how to speak, how to dress, how to wear their hair, how to entertain, how to be a house guest, how to eat correctly and how to just generally be a polite person in society.

Comments: Dawn Jones— When i was a young girl in 4-H club, Mary paid a visit to one of the weekly meetings and taught us the finer points of etiquette.

Karen Blackburn Chenier- My mother signed me up for “charm school” with Mary in grade nine.Classes were held upstairs of the Cooks store on Bridge St every Tues night.Important topics such as hygiene,,silverware placement ,etc. were discussed . As a self conscious 14 year old i was mortified that anyone would know I was attending and after being dropped off would hide in the doorway.Graduation included a trip to TO on the train for a 1 night stay and a visit to the taping of Front Page Challenge where I remember Pierre Berton trying to peek down Adrienne Clarkson’s neckline.All in all a memorable time and i still proudly sign my name Karen Blackburn Chenier CSG {Charm School Graduate}

Carleton Place Mod Fashion Show 1960’s

Trotman family clippings 1967

Canadians generally are “sourpusses” and must team to “loosen up a bit” for Centennial Year, Mrs. Frank Ryan told a group here Tuesday. Making her first public appearance as regional chairman for women’s activities of the Ontario centennial planning branch, Mrs. Ryan said Ottawa Valley women should welcome centennial visitors with warm smiles and clean, tidy homes. “We want a good housekeeping job up the valley,” she said, “to remember that we are hostesses in Centennial Year.

And as hostesses we must have our towns and villages, particularly their front doors and back doors, neat and clean and fresh.” Mrs. Ryan spoke at the graduation of a deportment class of 13 teenage girls after a 14-week course conducted by Mary Cook.

Mrs. Ryan deplored the cold, abrupt attitude of some store clerks and said Canadians, compared with people of European and Latin American countries, are rude, lazy and arrogant. She said Canadians could learn about courtesy from people of the Argentine who are rigidly schooled in this until they are 18. Smile please “When centennial visitors come to our restaurants, to our service stations, or just stop us on the street,” she said, “let us smile a welcome and tell them they are welcome; that we’re glad to see them and do what we can to help them. Let’s create an image that will make them think pleasantly of us as we start the second hundred years.”

Mrs. Ryan said there would be centennial museums and swimming pools but she preferred to see the cleaning up of towns and cities, rather than preserving something that has outlived its usefulness. “As we proceed with our organization,” she said, “we want somebody to head up a women’s committee in every village, town and city of this big Eastern Ontario area, to give leadership.”

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada27 Jan 1966, Thu  •  Page 35

Mary Cooks Deportment Class..

From Deborah Bowker -I often wonder if Mary Cook realizes what an influential person she has been in so many lives that are graced to know her. Her teachings and guidance for oh so many Deportment Class students will follow each of us throughout our lives. I cannot begin to count the number of times – daily – that her lessons pop into my head, heart, and actions … She has been instrumental in helping to shape the lives and characters of many, many, grateful lives ! She holds my deepest and grateful gratitude … — with Mary Cook.

Photo of Mindy Merkley-Melinda Cook above ( aka Mary Cook’s daughter) Her memory today of the fashion shows she helped her mum with. Thank you Mindy!

“I can’t remember the number of times I walked that runway as a child. Mom always managed to find a way to make us cooperate to participate in those shows. I can still remember that slanted floor of the stage and the changes rooms we had in the back. There were many times I’d be running around in just my underwear looking for my next dress or outfit to wear. We used to have The Red Room on the second floor of our store where mom would have us practice before the fashion shows. We called it The Red Room because it had plush red carpet. She used to hold her deportment classes there and mock fashion shows for the girls in the classes. She would also hold small fashion shows there for customers when new styles of clothing came into the store. The second floor was loaded with ladies and children’s wear. When we were kids, and both mom and dad worked at the store, they’d hire Honey Blaine to babysit us at the store. I remember playing hide and seek among the hundreds of hanging dresses and crawling into display cases. You’ve brought back some fantastic memories Linda. Thanks for the gift.” NO thank you Mindy for sending this..

You can see Mary Cook in hte background.. For more of her models read- The Cook Girls – The Mary Cook Girls- Peter Bradley

The 1960s Almonte Fashion Show — Names Names Names

Mary Cook and her Telephone Pin

1960’s Fashion Shows– Once a Huge Extravaganza!

The Cook Girls – The Mary Cook Girls- Peter Bradley

Carleton Place Mod Fashion Show 1960’s

The Alice Walker Fashion Show 1974 Carleton Place