The Maple Leaf Forever —- Maple Leaf Tavern

I think community should be documented for future generations. This hotel was part of the Ottawa community until it closed

Soul is a name. Every time you repeat the name, it steals a bit of soul, so that by the 1,000th time you say Burger King or Esso, it disappears. Soul resides in the one-of-a- kind, in Eddy’s Quick Lunch, The Vanier Grill, Maple Leaf Tavern. These are names that line Montreal Road in Vanier, names unrepeated in other places, names that outlive buildings, so that the gritty soul of the street resonates like the memory of sin’s embrace. Maple Leaf tavern which lasted 70 years until 1994 proudly served quarts, the once popular meeting place for Ottawa’s elite, the hotel’s bar became a magnet for crime – in the 1980s . The Maple Leaf Tavern, which opened on Montreal Road in 1923, closed in 1994.

Vanier ends a short distance west of St. Laurent Boulevard, where for years the Maple Leaf Tavern was home to a generation of National Research Council scientists, Mounties, tradespeople and those whose employment was more difficult to pin down. It closed in February 1994, to such universal sadness and outcry the Citizen dispatched one of its best writers to write an obituary “The Maple Leaf not forever, but not forgotten,” he concluded. A brand-new Blockbuster Video with plenty of parking replaced it.

Last call for landmark beer hall Phil Gebert shut the Maple Leaf Tavern a week ago, closing the doors on a three-tiered beer hall that could easily seat most of Vanier round its well-worn tables. This was not a happy ending to a hotel and watering hole first opened in 1923. Friday, as he tried to sell anything not nailed down, Gebert was not a happy man. “What’s the story?” the middle-aged businessman asked mockingly.

“There’s no story. The place is a dump. It should have been torn down a long time ago.”

He lights a smoke, drinks coffee, lights another smoke, all the while leading a handful of buyers between stacked cases of glassware and used kitchen equipment. At one table in the clutter 150 salt shakers are neatly lined up, their chrome tops gleaming in the weak light. In a few minutes, he will pull a black 8-ball from his blazer pocket, a remnant found in the basement games room.

“Take a picture of this. I’m always behind it.”

Gebert tried to keep things quiet when he closed the tavern, but you don’t easily remove a landmark. “If God had a bar, It would be called the Leaf,” a sentimental patron memorialized on the wall with magic marker. Others joined him: “It’s been great Tawny” “God Bless the Leafs”, and, “Lest we forget the times, Thanks for the memories Nancy Kerrigan”.

The grouchy Gebert may not want to talk about the tavern’s past but Claude Larose, 59, does. Larose has been working in taverns for 35 years back when beer was 42 cents a quart the last 17 at the Maple Leaf. Friday, the short, dark-eyed man came in to help out with the sale and pick up his last paycheque.

The tavern, at Montreal Road and St. Laurent Boulevard, used to rent 17 rooms in the upper floor. Larose says government workers in the area staked out their own sections of the tavern: RCMP in one area, CMHC in another, plumbers and electricians in yet another.

There have been so many stories connected with the Leaf over the years, Larose is hard pressed to single out a few. He remembers the man who was having chest pains at home and told his son, “Just get me to the Leaf and I’ll be alright.” He went to the hospital instead and died. Gebert and Larose say the Maple Leaf has been victimized by changing times and taste: People don’t drink as much anymore and, if they do, it’s only one quart instead of five.

While a 1988 fire hurt business the tavern shut for nine months they say there’s been a steady slide in business since 1992. When word leaked out last week about the closure, Larose estimates two or three dozen wooden chairs disappeared, whisked away to dens and basements. “It’s like they say. All good things must come to an end,” says Larose. So they do. The Maple Leaf not forever, but not forgotten.

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada05 Mar 1994, Sat  •  Page 19 Kelly Egan

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada10 Dec 1964, Thu  •  Page 57

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada14 Sep 1971, Tue  •  Page 34

1981

Americo “Maigo” Rego, the young manager at the Maple Leaf Restaurant and Tavern on Montreal Road, saw the graffiti on the wall two years ago and has been slowly renovating the tavern since.” Rego has been forced to open the Popular Draft Room downstairs to everyone because of declining sales. “At first the men didn’t like it but it has gradually been accepted. I always answer the phone with ‘hello, Maple Leaf Hotel’, though. It will always be that to me,” Maigo says.

“Our male-only side will never die-out, though. It may not be as busy as it used to be but the women will never feel comfortable there.” Rego has been forced to open the Popular Draft Room downstairs to everyone because of declining sales. “At first the men didn’t like it but it has gradually been accepted.”

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada27 Nov 1981, Fri  •  Page 89

1988

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada14 Nov 1988, Mon  •  Page 15

By John Kessel and Mike Blanchfield Citizen staff writers

A fire Sunday that gutted the upper floor of the Maple Leaf Tavern and Restaurant was likely the job of an arsonist, an investigator with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office says. Les MacPhee said he and police believe the same suspect set a $20,000 fire at the tavern in mid-September. “We just haven’t been able to find the man to question him,” MacPhee said. “We believe it’s someone who has a grudge against the hotel.”

When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting out upper windows of the tavern on Montreal Road just east of St. Laurent Blvd. They battled the blaze for nearly four hours before bringing it under control. Two firefighters received injuries. They were taken to hospital and later released, said Guilbault. Despite extensive damage to the upper floor of the two-storey building, the pub’s manager vowed it will reopen within two weeks. Phil Gebert said the ground floor and the basement which house the pub received only water damage. The upper floor was unoccupied. “It’ll just need a week to air out,” Gebert said Sunday morning, noting that most of the tavern furniture was not destroyed.

However, Dave Guilbault, an investigator with the Ottawa fire department, said there was “severe damage” to the roof, with minor smoke damage to the rest of the building. The basement, where the restaurant’s popular lunch specials were served, was not damaged, he said. “It doesn’t look too good right now,” said Platoon Chief George Way. “There isn’t much of a roof left.” He estimated damage to the building at $350,000 and water damage to its contents at $100,000. The building was empty when Sunday’s blaze broke out.

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada09 Nov 1946, Sat  •  Page 13

Cheryl Lacasse–Old Ottawa’s past – forgotten and fond memories

  · 

Maple Leaf Hotel, Ottawa 1948

OTTAWA, CANADA – CORNER OF ST. LAURENT BLVD AND MONTREAL RD.

Flickr – Ross Dunn

Old Ottawa’s past – forgotten and fond memories

Malcolm Williamson

  · 

I don’t have a ton of history about this Ottawa hotel which like several businesses in the neighborhood mysteriously burned down around the same time.

The Maple Leaf Hotel was a favorite hangout for a lot of people, some even legal drinking age. It was on the corner of St Laurent and Montreal Road.

In high school (grade 13) it was where I would skip math classes with a few friends and head over for the afternoon and then high tail it back to school to get our books and catch our school buses home.

This was quite funny as our high school was several miles away and I would actually have to pass where I lived to get back to school only to then head home.

We would each order 5 small glasses of beer for $0.90 and leave the waiter a $0.10 tip so 4 guys ordering 5 beers and that table got filled up with glasses pretty darn fast. I mean we were on a mission and only had so much time.

I also recall the waiter wouldn’t take the glasses away so we would stack the glasses on top of each other making a 3′ high pyramid of breakables on the table (maybe they were plastic?)

Drinking age was 21 and I was 16 (going on 17) but looked older, yet I doubt I looked 21. We never got asked for our ID.

On one adventurous day, we stole a wooden Maple Leaf sign from inside which was proudly displayed in our grade 13 lounge.

Marilyn Cottrell

Thanks Linda, my ancestor was Michael Spears who in 1830 owned the 100 acres where the Maple Leaf Hotel was. Mary Ann Spears, from Navan, mentioned in the obit for James Alberty was Michael Spears’ granddaughter. I had not seen his James Alberty’s obit before — thanks

Carey Craig

My Mother Father and myself lived for a month at the Maple Leaf Hotel in early 1956 when we first came to Ottawa.My father finally found an apt not far away from the ML in Alvin Heights. We stayed in the corner room which had two windows one facing the Montreal Rd and the other St.Laurent Blvd. I last stayed at the ML in Oct. 1970 room rent was $6.50 per night. It’s one of the places that if you have been there you will never forget.

David Hurst

Used to go there for 20 cent draft after a days work for the moving company on St.Laurent.

Judy O’Neil Telford

An old story. Years ago 4 cooks from the base (Rockliffe) would go for a beer. It was an exceptionally hot day and one of the four saw one guy put 2 pounds of butter on his head and put his hat on. So they decided it was a good day to have a beer. 4 took their hats off, 4th didn’t. Days before air conditioning. Butter started rolling down his face. He was embarrassed as hell.

Rick Cooke

 · 

I have this beer bottle opener in my collection from the Maple Leaf.

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada21 Mar 2002, Thu  •  Page 23

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada13 Jul 1966, Wed  •  Page 2

Bank Street hotels called ‘dead’ Ottawa hotels appear to consider Bank Street dead for tourist travel. Not a single one accepted the Tourist and Convention Bureau’s invitation to put direct-line telephones’ into the Bank Street reception centre. At the Prescott Highway centre, five major hotels have taken up all available spaces, forcing the bureau to turn down an application from Bruce MacDonald Motor Hotel. The hotel wants to locate only in the Prescott centre, bureau director Gerald Geldert told the tourist and convention committee Tuesday night. But the Beacon Arms, Lord Elgin, Savoy, Chateau Lauri-er and Butler Motor hotels have filled all the spaces. The committee agreed a row of tourist folder racks there can be taken out to provide more spaces if the direct-line venture works out.

A request from Eastview’s Lafontaine Hotel for permission to install a phone in the Montreal Road ‘centre was turned down because the hotel does not advertise in the city’s tourist publications. Charles St. Germain complained that Eastview keeps aloof from tourist, promotion and benefits from Ottawa advertising. Now in the Montreal Road centre are phones to the Beacon Arms, Lord Elgin, Savoy and Riverside Motor hotels. The Beacon Arms, Savoy and Lord Elgin are in the Britannia centre. Motorcycle guides Not even Donald Sigouin, 55, of 356A Cumberland St., who is promoting tourist guides on motorcycles, wanted to locate at the Bank Street centre. He told the committee his choice is the Prescott centre where he counted 26 tourist groups Sunday at one time. The committee recommended letting him move his Ottawa Tourist Motorcycle Escort Service to the centre on a trial basis.

Aldermen Lionel O’Connor and Charles Parker opposed the move. Foolish move? “This town’s in the midst of a local revolution because of all the motorcycles,” said Aid. O’Connor. “It’s so bad that we have women out on the streets, screaming at them.” He indicated city council would be foolish to appear to promote the proliferation of the two-wheeled noise-anakers. “The whole city is up in arms against motorcycles,” he said. John Powers said Mr. Sigouin’s motorcycle escorts, who will charge $1 to guide tourists to their destination in Ottawa, will have to stick to a rigid contract with the city as well as obey laws governing motorcycles. St. Germain objected to Mr. Sigouin’s intentions of taking 50 cents out of each dollar his cyclists make. But the committee agreed Mr. Sigouin would need the money to pay for signs and the receptionists he hopes eventually to place outside all four centres.

Clippings of the Old Albion Hotel

The Brunswick Hotel — The “dollar-a-day” Huckell Hotel — (Murphy-Gamble Limited)

From Carleton Place to “the Laff” — The Life and Times of Peter Prosser Salter

Childhood Movie Nights at Reliance Motor Court in Eastview — Noreen Tyers

Mini Memories of Retail Stores, Au Bon Marche, Liberty Stores, Orientique, and Flash Cadilac 1976

Norman Levine– Selected Photos– Lower Town- Simpson Book Collection

Battle of the Hatpins — Women of Local History

At Church on Sunday Morning From the Pen of Noreen Tyer

Hitching a Ride Cross Town — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

The Flying Teeth in Church — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Making the Fudge for that Special School Affair 1940s Noreen Tyers

Canadian ration Books

When you were raised in the 1940’s and it war wartime, there were things you learned that you could not change as it was the just the way it was

I lived on a street in Eastview Ontario (now part of Ottawa) on a quiet little street. Across the street was a field and the railway tracks were on the other side of that. There were eight families on this street. As kids we all played together and you soon learned who was in charge and sort of in charge of street games like Red Rover and Hide and Seek. We also played baseball in the Summer and Hockey in the winter on the street. You would see little traffic on the street as some of the men were away fighting in the war or you just did not have a car.

For your baseball game you picked out various articles as your bases, for example the old fire hydrant was third base, a stone on the street was 2nd base, a tree on the side of the road was first. This worked well as there was little to worry about, for they were just there. Grandpa did offer to make us bases but no one wanted the responsibility of picking up the bases when the game was over. For Hockey in Winter time your puck was mostly the droppings from the bread man or the milk man’s horse. One soon learned you wanted colder weather as the pucks stayed frozen in the cold, and that was important, after all no one wanted to be sprayed with horse droppings.

Out of eight families, three Dad’s were in the Army and away at war in Europe, my Dad was not accepted to the armed forces and my Grandpa was to old to join the army, although some of his sons, my Uncles, did go to war. Thank Goodness for Grandpas as he repaired all broken things and did give advice or correct if needed. He was kind of the one you went to if you needed some advice.

On our street money was not always to plentiful and we soon learned that our families did rely on each other for items and Mom might just run out when making a meal. You were never embarrassed to go to your friend’s mother for an item your Mom might need for a recipe. In fact there were times when my Mom would make a desert for all, and the next door neighbour would have the makings of a lunch, so the name of the game was sharing your goods. By the end of the war they were expert at pooling their resources, and no one ever went hungry and there were leftovers that could be the starter for the next meal.

During the war time there were Ration Books which dictated what was available to you and your allotment. Now living on a street where one family kind of overlooked looking after one another, and sharing was most prevalent. We had no car so the gasoline coupons were up grab, and trading was the name of the game, part of the bartering system.

It seems to me the war effort was in force and knitting needles were always handy to make something to send to a loved one overseas. I was taught knitting at a young age and soon was making scarves to send to the Red Cross., to go overseas.

School time was a good time and one did not think of things like war, or whose Dad was away. We participated in school activities and our learning. I cannot say that I ever hesitated going to school as I did enjoy the teachers the social time with friends. We lived close enough that we walked to school with our friends who lived on the same street and it was always enjoyable to be able to wave to our neighbours who lived on adjoining streets on the way to school. In so many ways I do think the older folk did enjoy the children and their laughter, not really a care in the world. The funniest thing was you might be eating an apple on you way back to school from lunch and it was nothing for one of your neighbours to say, now don’t throw that core on the street, make sure you put it in the garbage. As children we did not take exception to this friendly reminder.

Things seemed to be more friendly and people did help and look after each other. It was close to Halloween and there was going to be a get together and a party. As a child I was used to my Mom making fudge for special occasions at school. Well when we all arrived home from school, the Mothers were talking at the front door. I have to admit adults were so smart and in tune to the season and what was happening. Well noisy children coming home announcing was not new to these Moms, Mom we need some fudge for the party. With the ration books and the allotment of sugar, this I can remember being told “I don’t know if we have enough coupons for sugar”, we had the attention of all three Mom’s and there was Grandma and my Mom’s Aunt, and friend Joan, had a grandmother who lived on the street as well. In order for the kids to get their treat for the party, they had to round up coupons from who we could. We pooled our resources and we were just a tad bit short to make enough for three families. My older friend and neighbour up the street, Mrs. Pauquette, I could ask her. I sometimes dusted for her if I was saving for something I wanted. Up the street I went and sure enough she had some extra coupons as they were older and had no children and did not use the same amount as a family with children.

I have to say the next day when we came home for lunch, the fudge had been made, cut into squares and divided into three boxes. We all had our contribution to the party, thanks to the co-operation of family, friends and neighbours. We were all set until Christmas now, that is when the next school celebration would take place.

For some this was not good memories, but the comradeship with your neighbours and family certainly did help. As we take time out to remember on November the 11th, just remember those who did not return.

From the ✒

of Noreen

November 8,2020

Amy’s WWII Never Fail Fudge

This recipe makes about 5 pounds of decadent  fudge.

• 1 tall can (11 oz) Carnation Evaporated Milk
• 4 1/2 cup white sugar
• 18 oz Nestles or Ghiradelli semisweet chocolate chips (three small bags)
• 1/2 pound butter
• 3 tablespoons vanilla
• Nuts, if desired (we’ve added crushed up candy canes on top of the fudge, stuff like that is tasty too!).

Put chocolate chips, butter and vanilla in large mixing bowl, set aside.

Bring milk and sugar to a rolling boil on medium heat in a large pan, stirring occasionally. When it reaches a rolling boil, time it for 6 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Note: Amy suggested a temperature of 248F/120C on a candy thermometer but I needed to cook the fudge for double the time to get it there. Instead, I stopped cooking when flecks of caramelization started showing in the milk–about ten minutes, 225F. I wonder if the difference in altitude between her place and mine is a factor?

Pour the milk and sugar syrup mixture over the contents of the mixing bowl. Stir constantly until butter is completely melted, and the fudge is smooth and isn’t shiny. Add nuts if desired.

A 9×12 baking dish will hold the whole batch (either butter the dish or line with parchment paper first).  Or, pour into smaller containers to share.

read the rest here and amy’s story

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Childhood Movie Nights at Reliance Motor Court in Eastview — Noreen Tyers

My childhood was always imagination and I did kind of live in Never, Never, Land –it wasn’t confusing, just a very enjoyable time. I do believe that is why I can write some lines of things in my memory and they are happy thoughts. These little stories are not fictional they actually did take place. My childhood was great. I could go to places that didn’t cost money and would enjoy every minute of the time I spent there.

Simply climbing a tree, swinging upside down, singing away, or watching the train go by, and imagining where it was going. I could sweep the front yard saying busy me, busy me, as there was very little lawn as the big poplar tree did not permit grass to grow. Mind you Sewelley (Mrs. Sewell) used to come out and say,

“Put that broom down Noreen, I just hung my wash out”.

There was also a giant stone in the front yard that was the vocal sitting place, and all the heavy discussions of young children, took place there as well as your dreams of life. I did enjoy my own company and I do believe I should start remembering this now.

MOVIE NIGHT

This story shows how the family contributed to this business. One of those places was Movie Nights at Reliance Motor Court ( the Butler Hotel/Motel) on the Montreal Road. These movie nights I believe were held on Wednesday evenings in the Garden. The movies shown were either, travel logs, or it could be a National Film Board Feature, and of course there were cartoons. (By the way the best part of the evening) We attended and so enjoyed our evening out at no cost.

We would sit in the garden in the Adirondack Chairs, that were spread throughout the garden or just sit on a blanket on the lawn if there were a lot of visitors. If it was a damp evening the chairs with a blanket were much more snuggly. These chairs were made, painted and maintained by my Grandfather, John A Lahey.

As a child I did think my grandfather was very special, as he always created and looked after his creations, so they always looked good. I was proud of my Grandfather and thought he was just so smart and he truly was, always a friendly face with a big smile, yes he was my shining star. When I think of it he also looked after the tables in our Sunday School at St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, he did make them look like new.

There were always tourists at the Reliance Motel and sometimes there would be families from the Armed Forces that would be transferred to Rockcliffe Airport. These families would be waiting to go into their new abode in the PMQ.’s. (Permanent Married Quarters) in Rockcliffe Air Station. There were usually children around our ages so it was new children to play with. Have to admit in my early teenage life I did babysit for Reliance and their patrons. I met so many nice families and always was asked to babysit again.

They were always very busy at the motel and our family was quite involved, my grandfather and his handy work was always doing something, either painting, repairing or creating. My dear Uncle Earl looked after the grass and the gardens, and he did have a green thumb. He would spend a great deal of time planning the flower beds and when he was finished they were pictures to be seen and always well groomed. Yes he did deadhead the plants, something I learned from him at a young age, and he always said in order to have a garden— Two Rules: first you weed, second you deadhead and just make sure you clean up after.

1930

It was no wonder the gardens at Reliance were something I would always admire as it was a good feeling place. Many a picture was taken of the garden with all the pretty flowers. Uncle Earl also cut the grass throughout the Motor Court, there was many little cabins, housekeeping cabins and a motel. There was a great deal of grass to be cut and picked up after. In so many ways I did think our family did help to create the success of this business. For in my family there was pride and if you wanted to have a nice looking spot, it did take work.

After my siblings were all in school, my mother thought maybe she could earn some extra money. She went to work at Reliance Motel as their short order cook for breakfast and lunch. After the rush was over she would go into her baking mode, would you believe 17 to 24 pies a day. She would make Apple, Cherry, Butterscotch Cream, Coconut Cream, Lemon and Strawberry Rhubarb when in season. This was a busy occupation and many a day she would do over one hundred breakfasts meals, and of course there were sandwiches, soup and hamburgs for lunch.

I can remember being called to come in and give a hand, scraping of dishes and loading the dishwasher on many occasion. It happened once or twice a week that Mom would get a call at home asking if she could bake a few more pies as they ran out. Over one of the Butler Boys would come to pick them up, and they knew that would get a piece of warm apple pie and a glass of milk while waiting for the pies to come out of the oven. As a young girl I can remember that each year in the few weeks when the Tennis Matches were going on at the Rideau Tennis Club, on Riverside Drive, my mother would leave very early for work and come home late as they just loved those pies.

Other family members that worked at Reliance was my Dad who would clean the office twice a week. A cousin, Edie worked on the Front Desk for quite a few years and was a secretary for the three Mr. Butlers, Fred Sr. Fred Jr and Norman. They all held the title of president to the Ontario Tourist Association.

As you see the family was very involved in the Reliance Motor Court. Mr. Butler Senior put a gate in the back fence between Gardner Street and Reliance as it was very handy to get to work instead of walking down the Railway Track. The girls of Gardner Street also used the gate to get to Church activities and Girl Guides. I do have to say that it did kind of frightened me to walk the tracks at night. I always thought how kind he was for looking after the girls of Gardner Street.

Mind you in turn, you always had to be on your best behaviour and at all times polite and remember your manners. I also enjoyed the fact that in our neighbourhood including our street we all grew up together, and relied on one another, and neighbourhood watch was practised, long before it became the in thing to do. In our neighbourhood we were all very close, went to school together, did homework together, and always shared secrets and went to Sunday School together. It was a good childhood. with lots of love, some tears, and big gumdrops from Grandpa on your birthday.

From the Pen  of Noreen May 17/18

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
04 Aug 1959, Tue  •  Page 30

Just Me Growing Up in the Early 1940’s Noreen Tyers

Now I did not come from a wealthy home, but there was always enough food on the table and my mother and the next door neighbour, as we called her Sewelly, were two thrifty individuals.  In the two families there were seven Children, three girls and four boys. Sewelly’s husband was in the Army and away at war in Italy at the time.

In this era there was Ration Books and for some things you had to use a stamp from the book  to buy certain items I am not sure of exactly what was covered in the books or what needed a coupon.  I do know that meat and sugar were two of the items also gas for your car. That did not affect us as we had no car, so the coupons were passed on to other members of the family, who did have a vehicle..

During that time money was not in abundance in our home, with four children clothes, food and accommodation to be paid, you did what you could to maintain your household.  Now Sewelly and Mom came up with an idea for noon time when the children would come home for their lunch. As parents they realized that in order to stimulate little minds, children needed nourishment with good foods.  Their solution one would cook the main meal the other desert, depending what they had on hand in the larder. I do have to say this was a great idea as the children received a good variety using different family.
recipes.

Getting close to payday maybe you did not get what you thought you should but then you were fed.  Both women were good cooks and could create something with very little. One has to remember there was not always refrigerators and one required an Ice Box to but the food that would spoil.   Meat was a problem and you would cook it up before it spoiled and then you would further create with it. Shepherd’s Pie with minced leftover roast, Soup made from Bones, be it chicken or vegetables with  meat Left over from roast. One dish I do remember was can of pork & beans with a can of Scotch Broth soup and some sliced onions for taste. Some bread crumbs on top and brown in the oven. That is when we were all introduced to soup made from ground beef, as we would say hamburger soup.  I think the name came from the fact that there were also tomatoes in the soup and it did taste good on those cold winter days.

Our family was lucky as my mother’s cousins were Butchers working for a well known Meat Shop in Ottawa and come Saturday evening would be given their share of unsold items.   We were on their share list and as a result always lucky enough to have a great Sunday Dinner Roast, be it Pork or Beef, maybe a Ham with a Bone. This then allowed a good pot of Pea Soup to be made.   You know your parents and grandparents would say WASTE NOT, WANT NOT , things were not thrown out, if you could not cook it, there was always someone who could use it, of course you knew your neighbours and you shared.     Some of the cuts of meat would be, Liver, Heart, lambs fries or sweet breads Pork Hocks, (Pigs Feed and Cabbage or Head Cheese made from these) and just any other cut that would have been on display in the counter that did not sell, sausages, ground beef   pork chops whatever. There was one thing about it the sharing was always part of the meat package. When I stop and think there were a few families that would benefit and eat well, like we did, even though you might not like the name of the creation at hand, beef steak and kidney pie.  If one just ate and did not ask the name of the dish they were just fine. Maybe it was a good idea for kids to be seen and not heard, as they would not complain.


My Mom who made delicious pies would go to the fruit store for fruit that was not just as fresh as it could be and make pies, peaches, apples, blueberries.  Rhubarb and raspberries from Grandma’s garden, in season . She would also do raison, custard, lemon, coconut Cream for Dad. Of course there was always tourtieres, always at New Years Eve, with such a great flavour and very nutritious or pigs in a blanket, now today we would be busy counting the calories instead of filling our faces, and enjoying the taste.

While on the topic of sweet things. Oh MY GOoDnEsS, my Mom’s Fudge.  To this day I have never tried to make fudge, would you believe that I convinced myself  it just would not taste the same, so therefore afraid to try. Today our children would ask how do you make it and they would start very young Rather foolish on my part as this is now something from my childhood lost.  I never did make I just ate whatever was in site, definitely did not like to share, I did under protest. There was always Fudge at Christmas, Valentine Day, sometimes Easter, Halloween and you could ask for your birthday.  My favourite was Maple with Raisins, especially when fresh Maple Syrup was available second favourite Chocolate. My mother always made a treat to take to School for Special Occasions :
NOTE;
When I think about it, my Mom would make fudge for people and they would pay her.  This was done around Christmas time and she would use the money for Santa gifts, for the family.  My Mom was a very thrifty person and with her baking and fudge was able to keep herself in pin money and any special occasion that came up she was prepared.

Her cooking and baking habits continued and after we were all in school, she took her recipes and skills to Reliance Motor Court in Eastview and became the short order cook and a baker of pies making from 20-30 pies a day more on Fridays to cover the weekend and even then the Butler Boys, would come to the house to have her make more pies.   People would come back to this establishment and ask if the pie baker was the same person. That was my Mom

Family life was good yes we lived in a poor repair, rental house and also  we wore 2nd hand clothes, did it hurt me not really, made me feel how lucky I am today with what I have now.  Yes my parents gave us the basic in material things, but gave us a lot of love, friendship and values that is all that matters to me today.

From the Pen
of Noreen
Sept 2018

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and theSherbrooke Record and and Screamin’ Mamas (USA

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. Tales of Almonte and Arnprior Then and Now.

 

 

Grandma and the Cute Little Mice– From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

Another Broken Bed Incident — Stories from Richards Castle — Noreen Tyers

Lets Play Elevator- Charles Ogilvy Store — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

At Church on Sunday Morning From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

Jack’s in Charge-Scary Stories — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

Adventures at Dalhousie Lake at the Duncan’s Cottages —- From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

I am Afraid of Snakes- From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

Hitching a Ride Cross Town — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

My Old Orange Hat –From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Out of the Old Photo Album — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

 

Snow Road Ramblings from Richards Castle — From the Pen Of Noreen Tyers

Summer Holidays at Snow Road Cleaning Fish — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Snow Road Adventures- Hikes in the Old Cave — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Putting Brian on the Bus– Stories from my Childhood Noreen Tyers

My Childhood Memory of Richard’s Castle –From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Grandpa’s Dandelion Wine — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

My Wedding Tiara — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

The Art of Learning How to Butter Your Toast the Right Way — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Smocked Dresses–From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

The Kitchen Stool — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

The Flying Teeth in Church — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

The Writings of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Memories of Grandpa’s Workshop — Noreen Tyers

Cleaning out Grandmas’ Fridge — Noreen Tyers Summer Vacation at Richard’s Castle

My Flower Seeds — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Hitching a Ride Cross Town — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

In The 1940’s

As a child, for some reason the fascination with trains and the tracks was always there.  Maybe it was due to the fact my Dad rode the trains from New Brunswick to Ottawa after he went to find his Mom who had left  him in England.  He had little money in his pocket when he arrived in Canada and this was a way to travel the country and not have to pay.

I spent much time watching the trains, there were side tracks between Montreal Road and McArthur Road.  On certain tracks they would drop of various sections of the train..  There was a place for Oil Tank cars to be emptied into the Permanent oil tanks.  There were cattle cars filled with Cattle to be dropped off at the slaughter house.  Now this was not a nice place one could hear  the cattle and the end result was not a good one.

Across the two lane of tracks was National Grocer and they had a set of tracks to drop off the groceries, to be delivered to the various stores in the area.  Fruits and Vegetables arrived this way, we sometimes would investigate the premises of these box cars and sample the goods.  Now workers from National Grocery would spot us and tell us of the many spiders that could be found in the bananas.  This did not deter us for when the thought of fresh fruit  took over we would once again investigate. I did very well climbing the cars once again I was with the boys.  (A BIT OF A BAD CHILD – MAYBE  – sure no prissy little girl.)  Now one has  to remember FRESH Fruit was a luxury item as money was tight.

I had become at ease with the trains and had little fear.  I would wait for them to stop at the various spots and before long would be climbing on the ladders, hanging on and going to the next stop and jumping off.  Our neighbors and playmates had moved from Gardner Street to Queen Mary Road in Overbrook, I was rather bored and came up with the idea that maybe I should ride the train to see the kids.  I could drop off on Queen Mary Street, as it was a crossing and the train went slower, I was quite confident and though this will be easy.

Now one gets to know the times of the trains so it was not hard to plan my time. .  You soon realize that the train usually slowed down between the Montreal Road and McArthur Road. Over to the tracks I went and when the train was going by I reached for the rail.  I was so intent on what I was doing I hadn’t noticed my Dad was behind me.  Just as I was reaching he grabbed me by the back of my clothes.  At that moment I was never so frightened for I thought I was going to fall under the train and be run over.

I do not think my feet touched the ground the whole way home. And I did get punished.

YES THE BUTT WAS RED

The Vanier Parkway, specifically the portion between Prince Albert and Beechwood, was constructed along the same route that once carried the tracks of the Bytown and Prescott Railway Company through the commercial, industrial and residential areas of today’s Overbrook, Vanier and New Edinburgh. At the time the railway was constructed, this area of the Ottawa region was known as Junction Gore—the northwestern corner of Gloucester Township located at the junction of the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers.

The area continued to grow and small businesses started to open up along Montreal Road and McArthur. By 1909, the villages of Janeville, Clarkstown and Clandeboye amalgamated to form the new village, and then town, of Eastview. Sizable vacant lots along the railway provided the opportunity for larger industries to set up shop.

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

1. Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun  Screamin’ Mamas (USA)  and The Sherbrooke Record

   

My Old Orange Hat –From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Out of the Old Photo Album — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers

 

Snow Road Ramblings from Richards Castle — From the Pen Of Noreen Tyers

Summer Holidays at Snow Road Cleaning Fish — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Snow Road Adventures- Hikes in the Old Cave — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Putting Brian on the Bus– Stories from my Childhood Noreen Tyers

My Childhood Memory of Richard’s Castle –From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Grandpa’s Dandelion Wine — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

My Wedding Tiara — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

The Art of Learning How to Butter Your Toast the Right Way — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Smocked Dresses–From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

The Kitchen Stool — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

The Flying Teeth in Church — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth

The Writings of Noreen Tyers of Perth

Memories of Grandpa’s Workshop — Noreen Tyers

Cleaning out Grandmas’ Fridge — Noreen Tyers Summer Vacation at Richard’s Castle

My Flower Seeds — From the Pen of Noreen Tyers of Perth