Bruce Sadler Photo and Memories of the TV Antenna — Thanks to Ruth (Casson) Sawdon

This picture was taken when Bruce installed the TV antenna on my parents home on Queen Street/corner of Peter and Queen.

Thanks for your help…. love your posts of Carleton Place. I grew up there and have never stopped referring to it as my home-town. Still live in the valley (Arnprior) and love small town; although, I must say CP was much smaller when I lived there – a total of 4700 people. Ruth (Casson) Sawdon

Television reception came of age in the 1950s. It was a time when prosperity had returned to most homes and many people could afford to purchase a black and white television. However, television reception in the 1950’s was an expensive, and at times a challenging, experience. I know first hand that my father was on the roof on an almost daily basis adjusting the antenna for better reception. Those were the days of TV repair safety hazards– technician and home owner.

Ray Paquette What a momentous Saturday morning in 1954 when Bob Flint arrived at our house with the 17″ RCA Victor TV and the necessary supplies to install an antenna on the roof! If memory serves me, Bruce Sadler was assisting Mr. Flint during the antenna installation.

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston We got ours 54/55 and I am sure Bruce Sadler was at our house too – we thought we were in heaven even though the programming was certainly limited – good thing though as it kept us outside.

Linda’s Memories

What I most remember about that day was my father being so amazed that television signals were finally coming from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia. My father said that he hoped the residents of Newfoundland would be able to see the Queen’s address on Christmas Day.

He was screaming the whole conversation as he stood precariously on top of the Albert Street roof installing a new TV Antenna. Two neighbours were yelling back at him, worried he was going to break a leg. They had no interest in the Queen, nor did I.

For a few years my father had a special plastic sheet stuck to the front of the black and white TV that ‘simulated’ full colour. It was sold as a cheap alternative to buying an expensive color TV set and its promise had sucked my father in. Finally he gave in and bought one of the first colour televisions on Albert Street in Cowansville and our home instantly became the local tourist attraction. After seeing everything in black and white for years my world had now progressed to technicolor with a new neighbour coming in every night to watch my father play around with the “horizontal hold” button.

Of course he was the only person allowed to touch it and he spent a great deal of time on the roof adjusting the antenna to get the best picture. After constant calls to Lechausseur’s TV on the Main Street he became obsessed with something called tubes. Picture tubes were expensive, and it was a sad day if the repairman told you that you needed a new one.

My father was the only person allowed to touch the new TV and he was always up on the roof adjusting the antenna to get the best picture. After seeing everything in black and white for years my world had now progressed to technicolor with a new neighbour coming in every night to see ‘the TV.’ Some of the highlights were: ‘Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Colour’when Tinkerbell would splash colour on the screen and of course the map burning on the TV show Bonanza was priceless!

What are your memories?

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place and The Tales of Almonte