Can you Publish this Letter on How to Improve the Town of Almonte? 1950

February 1950

Can you publish this letter on How to Improve the Town of Almonte?

It is encouraging to see a nice new rink go up in Almonte. But here is what could be another great improvement—a Rest Room, in a convenient part of the town. When Mother, Dad and the kiddies go into town, Dad lets Mother and her little brood out of the car and he drives off to get the car repaired (which generally takes hours). When she gets her shopping done, where is she supposed to stay till his return?

She may stand around some of the stores and hold onto her parcels and keep an eye on the children in case they pick up any little thing. In some of the stores she knows the boss is relieved when he sees her move out, in case they do happen to pick up some chewing of gum. Others are O.K. But, if there was a nice Rest Room like there is in neighbouring towns, she could take her parcels’ and kiddies and sit where she is comfortable and wait till Dad is ready to go home.

No wonder there are so many orders going through to mail order houses and also to other towns. It surely must be embarrassing to strangers to come to Almonte and no sign of a Rest Room. Here is one more way it could be improved. If there was a nice sign put up in front of The Cold Storage plant to let outsiders know what is inside. They could even take it for a vault or morgue. Hope this may help to Almonte and people. 

1950s Rest Rooms

Room for kiddies

The long-suffering shopper is really in for her day with the opening of this new Piggly-Wiggly supermarket — because she can come in and shop… park her kiddies in the TV and Magazine Room especially provided for that purpose… and stop to rest her own tired feet while she sits on comfortable divans and sips coffee with her friends, in the conveniently located lounge in the store’s lobby.

The building, constructed by Tidmore Construction Co., is completely air-conditioned both summer and winter, with central heating and refrigerated cooling system.

And one of the finest sound systems will provide pleasing music during shopping hours, continuously and coincidentally with the music which is provided all over the Monterey Center, both inside and out.

Marg McNeely
.

Hi Linda…..here is a pic of employees of the BNS in 1957 at Xmas party at the Lake Park Lodge.
Front row L-R…..Kathryn Downie, Noel Dagenais, Mrs. Cross, Mr. Cross (Bank Manager), Ray Eldridge, Phyllis Donnelly.
Back row L-R…..Irene Taylor, Marg (Tosh) McNeely, Wayne Symington, Ruby MacPherson, Doris Willows.
All were local people except for Noel and Ray

As a side line they installed, 486 lockers for storing perishable foods and this was a great success from the beginning. At the present time all these units are rented and it is proposed to create more of them. Mr. Milton Symington has been the manager of the plant during the years that have passed since its inception. He will be retained in that position and it is understood the new management proposes to adopt a more aggressive policy and to expand along various lines. Read–Cold Storage Plant in Almonte- Meat Locker Trivia

Unexpected Almonte

 

Ran into Gord Pike (owner of the Heritage Mall, bottom of Mill street, #Almonte) the other day, and heard his description of this spot (pictured), part of the mall’s stone work, parking lot side:

This was the window into the ice house. A wood chute came from the window to the ground – to load the ice blocks in (and/or?) out. There’s an iron ring, bottom right of the picture, to tie up a horse. There’s also a doorway stoned-over on this same wall face (to the left, out of this picture).

Gord said he thought of calling the mall, “Horse Stall Mall”, but didn’t think it was quite right Smart man – and hard-working – he’s been renovating two new store spaces to get them ready-to-go for grand openings, this month & next!

#AlmonteNeedsAPlaqueRightAboutHere#Heritage Note: the old photographs of ice-cutting on the Mississippi River in the comments

Allan Stanley

I used to pick-up a block of ice everyday from there and deliver it at the top of Mill Street to the O’Brien theatre… using my Ottawa Citizen paper route bag to carry it, slung between my mustang bike high handlebars.

Donna Sweeney Lowry

I remember visiting Johnnie Erskine’s cold storage lockers as a child, before home chest freezers became more affordable.

Does anyone remember how much it cost to rent a locker?

Tales from the Almonte Cold Storage 1950

Cold Storage Plant in Almonte- Meat Locker Trivia

Owl Burgers? Lewis Carr Butcher

Found in the Floors of my Summer Kitchen — Amy Thom

Symington and Family — Odds and Ends Lanark County

Johnny Erskine at 90 — Joe Banks

Social Notes and Love for Community Newspapers — Linda Knight Seccaspina

 Social Notes and Love for Community Newspapers —Linda Knight Seccaspina

Yesterday I was looking for information in newspaper archives about a local cave I will be writing about, and ended up reading years of local social columns. Who knew that after decades some of the old Eastern Townships social columns would be posted for the world to see.

They were all from small local newspapers: The Sherbrooke Daily Record, “The News and Eastern Townships Advocate ” and the “Granby Leader Mail”. These social notes found their way into all the newspapers on small bits of paper – typed or handwritten, and at times with very odd spelling.

Here are some I found about my family:

 “Mr. and Mrs. Arthr Knight with their little girls, Linda and Robin spent a week’s holiday in Montreal.”

Actually, it was just another week in 1961 for my mother to see the specialist, Dr. Gingras at the Darlington Rehabilitation Centre in Montreal. My father decided to bring us along to give her something to smile about. She played the piano one day in the common room and I danced around to the “Waltz of the Flowers”. Several Thalidomide afflicted kids came in to enjoy the music and my bad dancing.

One tried to dance with me, gracefully waving her hands that were somewhere near her armpits. I stopped in shock, and my mother glared at me. I took off my black Mary Jane shoes and gave them to the girl as I knew she had admired them. She was my hero, and so were all the other afflicted kids in the Darlington Rehabilitation Centre. That was the day I learned to respect everyone no matter what — as we are all the same.

“The Brownies closed their season of 1959 with a Doll Exhibition at the Parish of Nelsonville Church Hall.”

The paper said that Judy Clough and Linda Lee Pratt won out of the 30 entries. My beautiful Miss Revlon doll did not even place. Seems the second judge ratted to the others that my mother had sewn the doll dress. I never forgot that lesson. Don’t lie about doing things you never did.

“Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Knight held a party last Saturday night at their lovely home on Albert Street in Cowansville.”

What they did not read is that Linda Knight, their daughter, could not sleep. She joined the party and sat in a circle of adults as they played a sort of musical chairs with a huge bag of women’s underwear. When the music stopped, the one holding the bag had to put on whatever they picked out. Did I mention they were blindfolded?

What was that all about?

There was also no mention of the woman that had way too much to drink and had sat on the open window sill. Somehow she fell out of the window into the bushes below with a paper plate of pineapple squares in her hand.

After all these years I have learned never to divulge a name and am eternally grateful I have never fallen out of a window while eating squares.

“Mr. and Mrs. Murray Wallet and their children Sheila and Gary spent a week at their summer cottage in Iron Hill.”

I used to love going to my best friend’s cottage. It stood in all its glory partially hidden by lilac trees. There isn’t a week that does not go by that I don’t think of it.

There are nothing but wonderful memories of walking along the stream that came down from the mountain top. We also used to make evening gloves on our arms with the mud from the hole in the earth that was called their swimming pool.

We toasted marshmallows and hot dogs in a bonfire, while the fireflies buzzed around us. To get water we had to shake the hose that ran up the hill to the underground water source. We were always unsure if a bear was going to pop out. The best of it all was sitting inside sipping cocoa, and laughing at stories while the rain pounded down on the tin roof.

No amount of descriptive words in any newspaper could do it justice.

To this day I still remember and will never forget. Some memories are meant to never be forgotten.

Professor Beth Garfrerick from the University of Alabama wrote a thesis on how social information was distributed through the ages. I read a lot of small town newspapers from the past on a daily basis to try and get bits of information to piece community history together. Contrary to what some believe, it takes hours, and sometimes days, to get something interesting enough to entice readers.

A lot of my historical information comes from what Ms. Garfrerick calls “Ploggers”. Those were the local “newspaper print loggers” who played an important role in recording births, deaths and everyday happenings. If these were not online I could not write these community stories. But, I was pleased as punch that Professor Beth Garfrerick quoted me on page 12 of her thesis:

Canadian blogger Linda Seccaspina believes that small-town newspapers continue to publish the news that most residents of those communities want to read. She wrote, “Who does not want to know who got arrested at the local watering-hole or whose lawn-ornaments are missing that week? Even though large newspapers are losing money, the local weekly small-town newspapers still manage to survive. Why? Because the local population depends on their weekly words and supports them.”

This year my New Year greetings include the support for the Sherbrooke Record. It’s an honour to write for the same newspaper my family read when I was a child. One of the biggest differences between larger newspapers  and community journalism is that the staff have to face its audience every single day. Feedback is immediate. A community without a small newspaper is nothing more than a local media desert, and sadly there isn’t one that isn’t struggling economically. 

So, in this coming year of 2023, buy a subscription to your community newspaper where you live. Like the Sherbrooke Record I write for– place an advertisement, tell a business you read about them in your community newspaper. Engage with your newspaper and tell the politicians that our local press is a priority. There is no substitute for a local newspaper that has been doing its job for all the Eastern Townships population for generations and generations. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Happy New Year and see you in 2023. Can’t wait!

There is no substitute for a local newspaper that has been doing its job for all the Eastern Townships population for generations and generations. PLEASE support them.

The History of the Sherbrooke Daily Record– click

The Sherbrooke Record

6 MallorySherbrooke, QuebecJ1M 2E2

Record archives pulled from the flood

Click

Let’s face it, most everyone went to High School and somehow it doesn’t matter what you did and where you were, everyone pretty well has similar memories. Thoughts about growing up, music, the clothes, and your fellow classmates in the 50’s to the late 60’s are not just for class reunions. There isn’t a day that does not go by that I don’t have flashbacks like in the film Peggy Sue Got Married.

This book would not have been written had it not been for the former students of Heroes Memorial and Massey Vanier in Cowansville, Quebec, Canada joining together on Facebook to create these memories. It was nothing but joy for me to compile these bits of conversation and add some of my own stories to do some good for the school.

Proceeds from this book will go to either a breakfast or anti-bullying program at Heroes Memorial and this book is dedicated to every single one of you that lived in my era, because you know what? We rocked!

Anyone Want Breakfast ? The Story of St. James Weekly Breakfast with Photos — Holly Carol Parkinson

Peter and Chris

Every Wednesday morning 830-1030 a wonderful FREE breakfast at St. James Anglican Church- see you there! For all ages — Children, Families, ALL welcome. Donations greatfully accepted.

225 Edmund St., Carleton Place, ON, Canada

Every Tuesday at Zion Memorial- Come join us for a free hot lunch Zion-Memorial United Church. Lunch is served from noon- 12:30. Takeout is available. LOVE fellowship and lunch is free,(donations accepted)

37 Franklin Street Carleton Place, ON K7C 1R6

St James in Carleton Place to the Rescue! Carleton Place in the News… Crosstalk 2022 #communityproud

St James and St Mary’s Christmas Bazaar 1998 -Who Do You Know?

They Call Me James — James Warren of Carleton Place

Hallelujah and a Haircut —Faces of St. James 1976

What did Rector Elliot from St. James Bring Back from Cacouna?

The Emotional Crowded Houses– St. James

Our Community — The Staff of Carleton Place and the Sparks and Brownies of Carleton Place –Photos!!

Sparks and Brownies of Carleton Place, Ontario November 2022

PLEASE PLAY WHILE LOOKING AT PHOTOS — thank you!!

Last night I was honoured to speak about community to these young ladies in Carleton Place. They are working on their ‘Community Badges’ and we shared conversations on how we can all be part of the community and help each other. I was initially going to just put up photos of the cards they made for our town hall staff, but this is too important, and we need to carry on the message to everyone. Building strong leaders and helping people work together has the ability and the responsibility to make our ever-more connected world a more hopeful, stable and peaceful place. TOGETHER we are community!

These cards that are in EACH photo were made by the girls themselves, and I was so proud to be part of this project. Thank you everyone, and thanks to Mayor Toby Randell and Deputy Mayor Andrew Tennant for supporting this.

This is some of our Carleton Place Town staff below. These are the people that you call when you have town issues. They can be family, friends or your neighbours. Their dedication is imperative for the growth of our town and we thank them for their efforts. Thank you Sparks and Brownies for making these cards for our dedicated staff.

Town Clerk Stacey Blair.. and Mayor Toby – What is just one of Stacey’s jobs? Who looked after the election? Stacey did!!

She can marry you too!!

Amanda and Blake and Mayor Toby. Amanda added this below:

I randomly got this amazing Christmas card today from Elsbeth who is a member of the Carleton Place Brownies. Linda Seccaspina met with them last night and they drew Christmas cards that were handed out to Town Staff today. Elsbeth I’ve never met you but your card made my day! Thank you so much!

This is Mayor Toby with Niki — Director of Development Services

This is the Planning Dept’s ‘Lanark County tree’.. Is that a Toronto Maple Leaf decoration on that tree? Can’t be.. Maybe my eyes are deceiving me LOLOL

This is the Planning Building Dept. These are the guys that follow the building codes and make sure local construction is safe. I am behind Len waving. I like Len and wanted to make rabbit ears behind his head– but I didn’t LOLOL. These guys have tough tough tough jobs. Yes, the word tough is in triplicate because Lego is not involved in building. It’s serious business keeping our buildings safe!

This is the office part of our local town hall. These are the people you talk to for bills, payroll, human resources, etc. They always smile like that too– I know..:)

This is Public Works. Another hard working group. These are the people you call when the drains arent working, the street lights are out, snow plowing,– all the jobs you would not want to do. They are the heart of trouble shooting in Carleton Place. Dave Young on the far left has retired now as Director of Public Works, but is our project manager now for the bridge and the Main Street. Guy holding the card is Director of Public Works. Thank you Emmersyn for making their card– they even made a sign for you to thank you.

This picture really made my heart smile. This is public works. They are the ones out there in all the elements unclogging whatever is flooding, and are out doing things to help the town when you are cozy inside. The duties of a public works laborer include various manual labor tasks in our town. You operate power tools and equipment like air compressors, chainsaws, and lawn mowers, as well as heavy machinery like backhoes– include maintaining or building roads, parks, sewage systems, and more. These guys are seldom seen in photos, so thank you Toby for taking it. They are real hardworking people!

We are missing some folks here as some were out on a call. This group holding one of the Brownies/ Sparks cards are also important to our town. The two folks in the middle are from bylaw and the others are from our Carleton Place Fire dept. Also so important to our town.

Last but not least is just some of our hard working folks from Carleton Place Recreation & Culture. They look after our parks, docks, town hall events, town buildings and so many things. They do our Santa Claus parade and all sorts of other events you might not be aware of. Parks & Rec is everywhere!!!!

Carleton Place Library~~

Fom the Carleton Place Day care.. thank you everyone

Thank you once again to the Carleton Place Brownies and Sparks for the cards that we gave to each department. To the staff: your hard work and commitment help keep the town of Carleton Place going. All of us are so grateful to you! Thank you!

Sue Tweddle sent me this

Our attempt to recreate the older Brownie picture from 1952 last year in front of Zion Memorial

This is the park the Sparks designed for Carleton Place on a map they drew of Carleton Place. Looks like there are things going on in the Mississippi River too!

From our community to you town staff and to the Brownies and Sparks– Happy Holidays and thank you!

St James in Carleton Place to the Rescue! Carleton Place in the News… Crosstalk 2022 #communityproud

All photos are from May 22 Crosstalk click here_ BLESS ME FATHER for I have sinned—-I know God this is ‘borrowing’ from a publication posting it, but there are a lot of seniors that need to read this article, so you young folks, please click on the link.Thank you, and please support Crosstalk! Crosstalk is published 10 times a year (September to June) and mailed as a section of the Anglican Journal. It is printed and mailed by Webnews Printing Inc. in North York. Crosstalk is a member of the Canadian Church Press and the Anglican Editors Association. I have been reading this newspaper since I was a wee lass.

All photos are from May 22 Crosstalk click here_ BLESS ME FATHER for I have sinned—-I know God this is ‘borrowing’ from a publication posting it, but there are a lot of seniors that need to read this article, so you young folks, please click on the link.Thank you, and please support Crosstalk! Crosstalk is published 10 times a year (September to June) and mailed as a section of the Anglican Journal. It is printed and mailed by Webnews Printing Inc. in North York. Crosstalk is a member of the Canadian Church Press and the Anglican Editors Association. I have been reading this newspaper since I was a wee lass.

Support-Ukrainian Diaspora Support Canada | UADSC Facebook page

Website where you can get help and donate

Please support St James.

Address: 225 Edmund St, Carleton Place, ON K7C 3E7

Phone: (613) 257-3178

Facebook page- click

SIX Days Until….
MAY 11 Ladies and gents! A fashion show to support Ukrainian Diaspora Support Canada (UADSC) is taking place on May 11th, 2022, at 7pm hosted by St James Anglican Church in Carleton Place.

Presenting FOUR Ukraine models just immigrated here to Carleton Place! Come Welcome them to Carleton Place. PLUS surprise guest models from our community. Yes, it’s “The Real Women of Carleton Place”. Watch Sylvia Giles walk that runway!

The volunteers at St James Church have created a boutique full of items donated from people in OUR Community. It is filled with clothing, shoes, toiletries, toys available at no cost to the Ukrainian families resettling in our region– and you will also be able to visit it.
The fashion show will feature some of these wonderful items.

Tickets are available for a minimum donation of $15.00 and are available for purchase at the St James Church Office (225 Edmund St., Carleton Place ON K7C 3E7) Monday-Friday from 9am-12:30pm or by CALL to RESERVE at 613-257-3178.

Complimentary refreshments will be available, and each ticket holder will have a chance to win a beautiful door prize. You will require a mask to attend this live event and limited seating is available.

St James Anglican Carleton Place
Join us Wednesday for our Breakfast Table. Open until 11 am.

TEA 4- St James Anglican Church Friday at 230 and tickets will go fast.. St. James Anglican Church—LIMITED NUMBER–Available at the Church Officeand you can call to reserve your tickets
Get your tickets fast. Address: 225 Edmund St, Carleton Place, ON K7C 3E7
Phone: (613) 257-3178

St James and St Mary’s Christmas Bazaar 1998 -Who Do You Know?

They Call Me James — James Warren of Carleton Place

Hallelujah and a Haircut —Faces of St. James 1976

What did Rector Elliot from St. James Bring Back from Cacouna?

The Emotional Crowded Houses– St. James

 Above photo- St. James Thanksgiving 1888

The Anglican Church in Carleton Place was served for a few years from Franktown– one of the original rectories by Royal patent. In 1883 it was made the centre of a new mission and Rev. E J Boswell was the first missionary. During his incumbency, the first St. James church was built. There were originally unshapely masses of windows and galleries of the early Canadian order of architecture. The unattractive structure was replaced in 1881/1884 with a seating capacity of 500. The following year the debt was paid off. In 1887 there were 256 families and a bible class with 300 names on the roll. Mr Brice McNeeely Jr. (his father owned the tannery)was the superintendent.

Elliot Hall was named after Canon Elliot. It was built across the street in 1923 on land originally used by the Canada Lumber Co. Across the street is St. James Park which was once home to the other half of the Canada Lumber Co and the proposed site of the Rosamond Woolen Mill. Carleton Place was once going to host the Rosamond Woolen Mills before the owner had a disagreement with an early village council. Angry, he moved his mill lock stock and barrel to Almonte, where in turn, the Penman Mill owners argued with Almonte’s town council, and they moved to Paris, Ontario.The Canada Lumber Co. was torn down in 1908 and a hydro electric dam was built there. The hydro dam was removed in 1973.

Guide to Church Services in 1870 in Carleton Place:

St. James’ (Church of England) – ½ past 10 o’clock a.m. on each alternate Sabbath, and at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the other Sabbath.  St. Andrew’s  (Church of Scotland) – 11 o’clock a.m. every Sabbath.  Zion Church (Canada Presbyterian) – ½ 2 o’clock p.m. every Sabbath.  Reform Presbyterian – 11 o’clock a.m., and 3 o’clock p.m., on alternate Sabbaths.  Wesleyan Methodist – ½ past 10 o’clock on alternate Sabbaths, and ½ past 6 o’clock on the other Sabbath.  Baptist – ½ past 2 o’clock every Sabbath.  Roman Catholic – occasionally, of which notice will be given.

John Edwards This was the first sale of land of “The Clergy Reserve”. It was originally 200 acres of land running from Ramsay 7 to Ramsay 8. It was the historic land allocated to the Church of England by Crown. Whne the Clergy Reserves were abolished in the 1850’s, St. James Anglican Church purchased the land for 100 British pounds. It was and is home to massive white pines which are still the defining element of the CP ‘skyline’ when the sun sets in the West. One only need to look up.

St James Anglican Church presently offers twice-weekly Eucharist services, weekly youth group and Bible studies, several women’s groups, a variety of youth activities, a choir, and an ever-expanding Outreach program to help the less fortunate in other parts of the world.

Documenting Stanzel History — Community Comments — Stanzell’s TAXI and the IDEAL Candy Shop

Stanzel House on Bridge Street–all photos from Allan Stanzel

Thank you to Allan Stanzel for all these photos and the community for your memories. Documented forever now.

John EdwardsThe house was notable as a pre-Confederation house, probably the 1840’s or the 1850’s. It had fine classical proportions and showed no structural problems.The Town had it destroyed for a parking lot as part of a hope to improve the plight of the Main Street. There was zero impact…

Donna McfarlaneRita and mose Okilman lived in the small side also… Garnet and Wilma lived there when first married also.. and i think a family Jenkins also

Allan StanzelDonna Mcfarlane remember Mose and Rita well Mose would take us kids to the dairy on Allan street and get us ice cream and it was always just before dinner Gram would tell him not to Donna you knew Gram it would always be a feast especially if your mom Martha was visiting. Miss those days good memories.

Donna McfarlaneAllan Stanzel Yes lots of memories Allan.. called your GRanma aunt Etheleen… as did my kids.. She and mom were like sisters

Allan StanzelYes and we called your Mom Aunt Martha

James McNallyWasn’t the gas station beside it

Allan StanzelGas station was next to the doucett building

Doug ThorntonLived at 92 Bridge Street, next door (where Doucette’s building is now) from 54 to 59, friends with Don Stanzel. Remember the raccoon.

Allan StanzelThat was my Grandparents home Walter and Ethelyn Stanzel they owned it before 1950 not sure the exact year but definitely during war time. It had a small building at the side that was a candy store and a large barn and garage in the back. My parents lived in one side in the late 50s until early 1960s. There was a house beside it until it was taken down and Doucett put an office building beside it in the mid 70s. My Grandfather ran his Taxi business out of there also sharpened skates in the back shed for people and the local hockey teams .They did have a pet raccoon they would walk on a leash but not a skunk that I recall I have pics of it that I will dig up and post. My grandmother sold the house in the late 70s to the town and they removed the barn and structures in the back and put in a parking lot. I grew up in that house when my parents went to work it was always fun to explore from the house with an old stone basement to the garage and the barn in the back.

Allan StanzelI see my grandmother on the left on the front step the other two ladies not so sure more than likely her sisters.

Dan WilliamsI was telling someone the other day that that Taxi sign was reachable for a jumping kid! Donnie and I went to school together amongst other things.

Chris MichiePaved paradise, put up a parking lot.

Rich Morgan

My Mother worked at The Ideal Candy and Smoke Shop in the mid 60’s! Friday evenings were the best; we picked her up after work and always were allowed a treat!

Allan StanzelRich Morgan I can still remember the smell off candy and pipe tobacco when you would walk in the door.

Rich Morgan

Allan Stanzel 5 cent sponge toffee in the clear plastic wrapper! My favourite!

Allan StanzelThe building was all clapboard when my grandparents bought it he then in the 50s had it sided and bricked on the front. Information is a little off I can provide pictures of it being bricked my Mom has them if anyone is interested as well as my Grandfather walking the raccoon on Main Street.

Remembering Errol Stanzel January 1962

Fred and Libby Stanzel White Duck Inn Genealogy

How Miss Miller the Milliner on Bridge Street Turned into a Stanzel Story

The Stanzel Homes of Carleton Place

The Fred Astaire of Carleton Place — John Stanzel

Carleton Place Blind Woman Saved Four Seniors

Community Memories of the Lorimer’s–Stuart McIntosh

Charlie Lorimer’s farm, Ledore. Note the milk cans, butter churn and wooden eaves troughs Stuart McIntosh photo

Ben Willis–My Great Uncle Charlie’s homestead. This is “NOT ” The Dunlop Hunting Camp

The Lorimer homestead was east of uncle Charlies approx. 1 mile Building still standing ( Dunlops Hunt Camp) My great Grandfather Joesph lorimer and wife Annie mac Itosh raised 9 children here My mother Jean Bates Willis was born here in 1920.

Stuart McIntosh
January 20 at 2:49 PM  · 

Joe Lorimer, Bert Lorimer, Dave McIntosh, Dave Lorimer. Hunting on the Lorimer plateau 1941. At the home place.

Blair PaulGreat picture and stories! In the 40s and 50s you could see this house from the Poland church steps….before the bush grew up!

Peter EwartRhodena Bell where abouts would the feldspar mine be?

Rhodena BellPeter Ewart the entranceto the Feldspar mine was right across from the corner of ladore school it is all fallen in now My dad used to own Ladore school at one time

Ethel NagleWe used to sell the cream too, remember the truck coming to pick them up

Alice GilchristShelley McLeod Your grandpa picked up the cream at our farm

Leanne WalkerMy Grandmother lived here as a little girl after their home burnt. Hazel MacIntosh. Hazel Cameron would know more.

Peter EwartLeanne Walker the wooden eaves trough is most interesting…

Stuart McIntosh
January 19 at 5:20 PM  · 

Dad hunted with Joe, Doug and Dave Lorimer on what is called the Lorimer plateau.

Rhodena BellThis is owned by Hal Rodgers family from Hughesville PA now and Dunlop hunt camp now

Sandra DunlopJim Willis This farm has been passed down 3 generations now on both the Rogers family and the Dunlop family. At one point Morley Ashby owned it and sold it to Roger family

Kathy GrahamI believe Annie was my great (great) grandmother, I belong to the Lorimer-McIntosh clan, my grandfather Joseph married Elva Doucett, our reunions were held in Clayton, Ontario! I haven’t been to one in years tho’ ! My grandfathers father was Charles I believe! My maiden name is Hewitt my mother was a Lorimer!

Dave Craigthis is where my grandmother grew up. I have my great uncle Alecs pocket watch. Alec and Annie Lorimer never married. My middle name is Lorimer

Barry BatesKathy Graham if you read my cousin Dave’s comment below, you’ll see that Annie and Alec were never married. You must be from another branch of the Lorimer’s. You mentioned Charles. There was an Uncle Charlie and Aunt Virginia that I remember. On a Summer vacation, we visited them in Vancouver.

Kathy GrahamBarry Bates yes I think I must be from a different family! Charles and Annie I thought were married? My grandmother was also related in some way to the Paul’s in Lanark. Or Poland? (Ontario) the people who owned the store!

Cheryl Anne CooperWe used to sell cream too and fed the calves the skin milk.Oh I remember getting bunted by the calves. We shared the chores with in laws.I washed the separator parts every second day and hated it…but it had to be done!!

Photo-Rhodena BellI am trying to find pictures of the Lotimer girls I have stored

Rhodena BellBlair Paul my grandmother in middle her dad Joseph park to left and lorimer girls on either side might be uncle Jim park beside his dad

Cheryl Anne CooperWe used to sell cream too and fed the calves the skin milk.Oh I remember getting bunted by the calves. We shared the chores with in laws.I washed the separator parts every second day and hated it…but it had to be done!!

Blair PaulGreat picture and stories! In the 40s and 50s you could see this house from the Poland church steps….before the bush grew up!

Lodore Road in the winter

The Lanark Era
Lanark, Ontario, Canada
Wed, Jun 08, 1904 · Page 4

Documenting Ed Pelletier -Photos- Stuart McIntosh

What’s in a Photo — Stuart McIntosh

Mary Stuart Brien –Mary Beth Wylie

David McIntosh –Front Desk Man at the Mississippi Hotel

Remembering and Documenting The Loose Hay Loader

Howard and Olive Giles– Clippings

Maberly– the Community-Buchanan Scrapbook Clippings

With files from The Keeper of the Scrapbooks — Christina ‘tina’  Camelon Buchanan — Thanks to Diane Juby— click here..

Maberly used to be somewhat of a “Mayberry” in its time.  Once a thriving pioneer village of  sawmills, blacksmith’s shops, a general store (or two), school houses, local churches and a town hall (still in operation), and the men’s local tavern – a favourite up until 40 years ago – Today, Maberly is crying out for some reinvention.- https://thatsrelative.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/welcome-to-maberly/

https://thatsrelative.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/welcome-to-maberly/

People of Lanark County –The Rest of the Story — Weitzenbauer – Maberly

Maberly Girl Lives For Five Years Without Church

More Memories of Maberly-Doug B McCarten

The Village Named After John Mayberry–Maberly–Doug B McCarten

The Man of the Walking Dead of Maberly

Memories and Mentions of Names in Maberly

Memories of Maberly

History Clippings of the the Centennial Restaurant – Pakenham

Pakenham downtown thanks to Marilyn Snedden via the collection of Margie Argue and her late brother Dan Paige–read-Pakenham Community Centre Photos

Do you ever watch a movie, set in a small town where people go into a restaurant or pass each other on the street and greet each other? You wish for instant that you lived in a town like that and Almonte is that with the Superior Restaurant and Pakenham is that sort of town with the Centennial. That is what these restaurants should be best known for. It is the place where families gather, where people go after church, where the guys gather before they go hunting. It’s where people greet one another when they walk in the door. For a moment you can feel like you belong and just take in the laid-back friendliness. Let’s keep these restaurants alive!!!!

Mississippi Mills salutes long-standing businesses at second annual recognition event Click

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada06 Sep 1977, Tue  •  Page 80

The Citizen, Ottawa, Tuesday, September 6, 1977 An artistic salute to a good restaurant By Robert Smythe

The women at the Centennial Restaurant in , Pakenham, Chit., have been serving up good restaurant food and motherly advice for some time, and it is in recognition of their service to the community that the owners of Andrew Dickson’s craft ; store and gallery have put together a month long “Salute to the Ladies of the Centennial Restaurant”. Of course the show’s food theme affords the perfect opportunity to display predictable plates, goblets and place mats all of which abound at the Salute, in the earth tone chunkiness that you come to expect from local potters.

But those who have abandoned this homespun functionalism have done so with a good deal of humor. Their totally impractical tributes to the Centennial are the brightest of this group effort. Ice-cream is really the restaurant’s ace special, and so it is only natural that Paddy Mann’s vanilla cone banner should be hanging outside the old stone building. The image has also found its way onto colored T-shirts, screened by Jane Bonnell.

Gail Bent has made Gobelin tapestries of a stove and a Scottish frugal fridge (with only one carrot in it), but her funniest piece is Holstein By Any Other Name. It is a white wood udder, whose four generous teats are delivering a gushing stream of fibre milk down the wall into a waiting galvanized bucket. Across its side is emblazoned a silver MOO. Alice Paige’s jars of jam jelly look luscious sitting in the window with the sum streaming through them, especially when their deep clear color is echoed by a pair of ruby red satin lips hanging nearby.

Other clever and cute stuffed toys include some glossy eggplants, halved avocados, and a delicious chocolate wafer ice cream bar with a large bite taken out of it. Regular stuffed sandwiches come in several separate layers one for the lettuce, one for the meat, two for slices of bread. Inedible food was also heaped onto brooch pins. Of these, Neil Stewart’s jewelery work was exceptional. Using ivory, silver and brass he has assembled a miniature breakfast of bacon and eggs sunnyside-up, on a tiny round plate. Another piece features a slice of pie (a la mode?) and accompanying fork. At the other extreme of scale is Wayne Cardinelli’s oversized Blue Ribbon Pie in the Sky Award for the Centennial. The medal, which is at least one foot across, has been struck in clay for the occasion.

Sally TuffinI remember when it had red and white checkered tablecloths and shelving where local hand crafts were displayed for sale. Food was excellent.Then when I was a student at Pakenham Public we used to go out with friends to lunch at the Centennial.At the end of the schoolyear our bus drivers used to buy us all an ice cream at the ice cream counter. Worked there for a year when I was a teenager.

The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada11 Sep 1971, Sat  •  Page 47

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada30 Mar 2015, Mon  •  Page 25– Former Bookeeper of the Centennial Restaurant

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada24 Feb 1994, Thu  •  Page 18

The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada30 Oct 1971, Sat  •  Page 4

CLIPPED FROM
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada18 Oct 1975, Sat  •  Page 88

Heaps of ice cream in the biggest cone in the country (maybe in the whole world) goes for 50 cents at the Centennial Restaurant in Pakenham. Ont., on Highway 29 and it’s big. People come from all over the Ottawa Valley, and beyond, to try the cone they’ve heard about at the Centennial, as its name suggests, opened in 1967, and Elsa Stewart, its proprietor, explains: “We started serving the big cones around 1970. Some of the girls at the restaurant began scooping out larger cones and I encouraged them to continue.” She describes the cones, modestly, as “two, good-sized scoops.” Some of her customers liken them to softballs and its Sealtest and it’s good, but it’s the hefty scoops that really impress everybody. The restaurant keeps three freezers packed with tubs of ice cream and there’s good variety chocolate, vanilla, tutti frutti. strawberry, chocolate-walnut, maple, and heavenly hash a devastating mix of marshmallow-chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and a few nuts. One of the nicest things you can do on a warm summer day is stop at the Centennial, pick up a cone and stroll two blocks to the lovely, old stone bridge that crosses the Mississippi River at Pakenham.

Bev Deugo I worked at Centennial Restaurant in Pakenham in the summer when Elsa Stewart owned it…scooped ice cream until my fingers froze ….Cones were huge, lineups were long, we scooped for hours on a hot summer day.

CLIPPED FROMNational PostToronto, Ontario, Canada14 Jul 1979, Sat  •  Page 10

An Almonter doth protest!!!

National Post
Toronto, Ontario, Canada08 Sep 1979, Sat  •  Page 66

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada23 May 1980, Fri  •  Page 74

This arched landmark is one of only a few such bridges in North America. Built in 1903 across the Mississippi River, it is less than eight metres wide and was designed for horses and wagons. As the years went on, motor vehicle traffic put such stress on the bridge that it was threatened with demolition. Instead, after history lovers protested, the stones were taken down, catalogued and then replaced over a reinforced concrete structure in 1984.

Details: The bridge is near the intersection of Kinburn Side Road and County Road 29, just as you come into Pakenham.

While you’re in the area: The grey tower of St. Peter Celestine Roman Catholic Church dominates the village. The lovely stone building opened in 1893.

The Bookeeper

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada25 Sep 1971, Sat  •  Page 24

Read- Dickson Hall Fire Pakenham-H. H. Dickson

Christa Lowry, Mayor of Mississippi Mills
September 20, 2020  · 

Sunday Night Family Dinner when it’s my turn to cook. Thanks to Omar at the Centennial Restaurant for helping me out!
#SupportLocal #VyingForFavouriteAuntie

Who has been to the Centennial in Pakenham??? Carebridge Community Support1 min · So happy to work with community builder Omar of Pakenham’s Centennial Restaurant. Using donations from our MMTogether fund initiative we purchased gift certificates for tenants of 5 Arches Housing and members of the Pakenham SeniorsClub. The Centennial and Omar have been fixtures in downtown Pakenham for over 25 years!

And yes, Rice Pudding is history:) Faye Campbell
  · Pakenham  · 

Having lunch with my UCW group in Pakenham Centennial Restaurant had the best rice pudding with raisins and whipped cream. The best I ever tasted.

Elsa Stewart former owner

Turning over of Stewart House at Pakenham to United Church
 
Sunday took place when Mrs. Elsa Stewart, left, hands Rev. Murray McBride case containing golden key, while he already holds deeds given to properties. Other property is White House next door to shelter those on lay retreats and conferences.  Photo by Peter Greene

Mrs. Elsa H. Stewart
Deceased
Pakenham, Ontario, Canada
Order of Canada
Member of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: June 20, 1983
Invested on: October 05, 1983
R. ARTHUR STEWART, C.M. Operators of a model livestock-breeding farm, the Stewarts have been active in many farm organizations, founded university entrance bursaries to the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph for local students, and donated and worked in a United Church retreat house. They have also been major contributors to the restoration and revitalization of the village of Pakenham, Ontario.

Art and Elsa Stewart

Pakenham’s Stewart Community Centre was named for Art and Elsa Stewart who greatly contributed to the restoration and revitalization of Pakenham in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. It was opened in 1974, replacing the old Community Hall. Art and Elsa were awarded the Order of Canada in June of 1983. Operators of a model livestock-breeding farm, the Stewarts were active in many farm organizations and founded university entrance bursaries to the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph for local students.

tJuliana Mcfarlane-Sabourin and Omar from the Centennial restaurant

Juliana Mcfarlane-Sabourin and Omar from the Centennial restaurant

Related reading

Dickson Hall Fire Pakenham-H. H. Dickson

Pakenham Community Centre Photos

Did You Know the Village of Pakenham Moved?

Clippings of Jack Virgin Almonte

Sometimes an article comes up in the Gazette or my newspaper archives and it makes me want to document them. One did and please leave memories in the comment section so I can add to it.

1970 February Almonte Gazette

Local insurance agent, Jack Virgin of 184 Church Street, is expected to be released from Almonte General Hospital by early next week. Mr. Virgin was injured in a fall from the roof of his home last Friday afternoon and was taken to hospital with two broken wrists, a mild concussion and severe bruises and cuts to his head and face.

Mr. Virgin had just finished clearing the snow from the roof of the house with his son David and had been using ropes and other safety measures all afternoon but the accident occurred just as he put one foot on the ladder to descend. It had been raining minutes before and the foot of the ladder clipped slightly, throwing Mr. Virgin headlong onto the bare, paved driveway below. He was rushed by ambulance to the hospital where he was tended to by Dr. Tony Keon.

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
02 Aug 1961, Wed  •  Page 25

he Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
05 Oct 2019, Sat  •  Page C15

Well-respected businessman with a very strong commitment to his community. Jack was especially proud of his time as President of Western General Mutual Insurance. He was a life member of Mississippi Masonic Lodge 157 & Member of Tunis Shrine. 

The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
14 Nov 1972, Tue  •  Page 15

The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
07 Sep 1953, Mon  •  Page 9

VIRGIN
Florence Isobel
(R. N., Graduate, of the Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing, class 1952)

Florence was a proud graduate of the Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1952. She nursed at the Old Almonte General Hospital before joining her husband as a partner in J. L. Virgin Insurance, a successful local general insurance firm until retiring in 1993.
Florence was an active volunteer serving on many church and community committees and boards but was especially proud of her time on the Almonte General Hospital Board and the T V Ontario board. She was a long time member of the I.O.D.E., Captain Hooper Chapter. Florence enjoyed many treasured days and nights at their cottage on White Lake in the company of her family and many friends.

Photos-

The hydro community in Almonte lost another dear friend on Tuesday, August 27th. Jack Virgin passed away at the age of 91. Jack served his community as a Commissioner on the Almonte Public Utilities Commission from 1969 until 2000. He was the second longest serving Commissioner in the 92 year history of Almonte PUC (behind only Doc Metcalfe). He also served as Chairman of the Commission for many years including during the expansion of the generating station in 1989-90. He will be missed.-Mississippi River Power Corp.

Mississippi River Power Corp. Photos