Dance Hall Days with The Coachmen

If you did not read the story about Dance Halls in Lanark County by Arlene Stafford Wilson this week– click here. 

This spurred on a heap of conversation as they say and Donovan and Stan Hastie sent me these fabulous pictures of The Coachmen to share with everyone.. Thank you so much!

Norma Ford— Antler Lodge Friday night during the summer, Merrickville in the winter (of course these were country music halls), Rideau Ferry Inn was for rock and roll. Saturday night, Port Elmsley Drive Inn. Those were the days that will never happen again, such good memories. Met all your friends, socialized even though the same people were in school with you, and had a good time. The parking lot was as busy as the halls were. The rest of the time, we all met up at “curb service”. Damn, I am old

 

Valerie Edwards—I remember, somewhere around 1966-67?, dances at the Carleton Place Canoe Club, with frequency. Same wonderful old wood floor, as others. Also, there was a group called the Staccatos in ,Ottawa. Made it to Rideau Ferry Inn once or twice- 2 bands , 1 at each end, they spelled each other.

 

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston— Valerie – oh yeah! who could forget those and do you remember Dave Brown playing there – good dances some right after a regatta.The first one I went to my Dad drove me there and picked me up right after – almost off a TV Sitcom.

Dale Costello— Does anyone remember the Cheese Factory in Tennyson? Spent many a summer night there feeding the jukebox.

Ann Stearns Rawson– Yes, my parents stopped every so often to buy fresh curds.

I will ask Bordy, I know he remembers the hall in Ferguson’s Falls whenever we drive up that way. I had never heard of one in Tennyson. There was also one on the Richmond Road, I believe Prospect at one time as well.

Doug B. McCarten— Attended Rideau Ferry Inn on many occasions as well as the CP Canoe club! What memories! Thanks for the trip!

Starr Hillman— 1968 my sister and brother-in-law, Carol & Ross Mitchell took me to a dance in Carleton Place, I was 16 and had a blast. Wayne & Linda Preston, Dale & Elaine Wilson might have even been there, they were all best buds and had cottages on the lake.

Llew Lloyd— Rideau Ferry Inn was a Saturday night must. House band. ” The Continentals”–Dennis Staples ex. Mayor of Smiths Falls guitar and vocals.

Allan Wing— Rideau Ferry, rock and roll, big band sound alternating each set. Always extra OPP on duty after the dances on the road leaving the dances.

Keith Giffin– Canoe club my brother Terry. And Dave Brown , Jack Shail , Stan Hastie played at the club

Doug B. McCarten– I remember….

Keith Giffin– Dale my wife Nancy tells me the Colmans had the cheese factory back then and dances were held there.

 

Dale Costello– If I missed a summer night at the Cheese Factory, I was sick.

 

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston— Keith – my memory is telling me that Dave Brown had a song called “Peanut Butter” yes? Those guys were always the best – I have a picture of them at a High School reunion somewhere but Wayne Hedderson was in it.

Debbie Roy –They were the Coachmen. My uncle, Jack Shail, was in the group too.

 Ann Stearns Rawson— I remember going to a teen nightclub somewhere in Ottawa where the Coachmen played quite often. And, I definitely remember “Peanut Butter”.

 

Donovan Hastie- My father Stan Hastie was in the Coachmen as well. My Dad has an audio recording of that reunion

  

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston— Donovan – I have what could be best called snap-shots as for whatever reason your Dad was not in them. I have Bob Covell Ian Mcgregor Wayne Hedderson Terry Giffin and Jack Shail – all wearing light blue tee-shirts with The Coachmen ’85 on the front. They were wearing burgundy colored ballcaps with a gold bear on the front. I need to get my scanner working!

Donovan Hastie— The original drummer of the Coachmen from 1962-64ish was Lorne Hudson who also played that night of the reunion.

Debbie Roy— Stan Hastie, Bob Coville, Wayne Hedderson, Jack Shail. I can’t remember that drummer’s name.

Llew Lloyd— Actually that’s Gary Saunders on keyboards . it’s a very early picture of this group . Lorne Hudson and Terry Giffin both played drums with this group and in it’s earliest incarnation Ian McGregor played sax

 RELATED READING

Back to The Future — Twisting Your Dignity Away