Tales From Ritchie’s Feed and Seed — Larry Clark — Story 1

Richie’s was a presence in Carleton Place long before the grand re-opening in 53 (55?). Don’t know what the legal name was at that time but we always referred to the company as “Ritchie’s”. My father, Norman Clark, worked there for many years (approx. 37-57). I roamed all over the building-remember the loading hopper, the huge freight elevator, the dust, the flour/grain chutes and the men who worked there-Burns, Bowes, Curry, Briscoe, Churchill and others whose names escape me. The other drivers I remember are Allan Currie (Franktown), Ken Briscoe (near Franktown-later had his own trucking business). I accompanied Dad on the delivery routes through the Lanark countryside as far as Ompah, Plevna, Snowroad, and surrounding areas. Years later, I worked in the wooden extension (missing in the photo, demolished) for Cecil Hicks. He operated an egg grading business in the basement and a chicken brooder in the upper story of the stone building; next to and entered thru the extension.The place names I recall are Arden, Poland, Plevna, Snow Road on the one end and to White Lake, Calabogie, Blakeley– Pakenham on the other. There was also Clyde Forks, Drummond Centre, Fergusons Falls, and Innisville down the middle. Did I mention Middleville. All these name are from memory so there are many missing.

No radio in the truck, so we went on our merry way singing all the old classics. Favourites were “Ramona” (not mine), “She’ll be coming round the mountain”, Hank Williams, etc. There are others I didn’t really care for so don’t remember them offhand. These trips were always an adventure for me on the Saturday morning runs. Particularly the road into Snow Road and Plevna, which was a one lane gravel road with pullouts for passing every mile or so. If you met another vehicle, one of you had to back to the pullout-not sure what determined who had priority (except for horse drawn vehicles) but a 3 ton truck carried a lot of clout. (tried to say persuavousness but apparently that is not a word). That being said, the most interesting part of this road was the various contours. The best way to describe it would be to say you were either going uphill or downhill, curving left or right with these two actions at the same time (the former and one of the latter).

Snow Road General store

Snow Road stands out as a milestone for a couple of reasons. We were unloading at the General Store and until that time (I was 10, give or take) I would drag the 100 lb. bags from the middle of the truck bed to the back. At some point I discovered that I could wrap my arms and knees around a bag and actually lift the bag and waddle to the back- A very proud moment! At some point, on my lifting a bag, a mouse scurried from under it-headed directly at dad. He reacted instantly, swatting the mouse and instantly killing it-dad was extremely strong (more later). Later, I entered the store only to spy a counter display of the best cookies I think I had ever seen. Several varieties of delectables. As I was flush at the time, I bought a pound of assorted cookies and started to have a feast; eventually, finding my way to bottom of the bag-not a good idea as I found to my later regret. There road out was the same as I previously described but the truck was near empty and in motion, had acquired a rather disconcerting rhythm to which my stomach began to take offence- no amount of singing could. Quell the maelstrom. Fortunately as the boil came to a peak, we pulled into a lay-by-I’ll leave the rest to your imagination. It was a long time until I ate another cookie-must have been at least a couple of days.

There were others but I remember Allan Currie (Franktown), Ken Briscoe (near Franktown-later had his own trucking business).

Memories of Ritchie Feed and Seed Carleton Place

1963 Riverside Park — Stills from a 8 MM Movie Camera — Larry Clark

Dowdall’s Esso and Hank’s Tire- Jo-Anne Dowdall-Brown and Larry Clark

More Photos of the Hazwill Pony Farm… Larry Clark — Wylies– 1962-1963

Photos of Carleton Place — Larry Clark— Findlay Memories

Memories of Larry Clark’s Photos- Bonds Horricks and Tombstones

Riverside Park Comments Larry Clark ‘The Dip’

Larry Clark Photos Documented 1963 Parade

Get me to the My Future Wife On Time — Larry Clark

I Was Axed — Memories of Larry Clark — Bell Street

1954 CPHS Graduation Pictures — Larry Clark