Did you read Memories of Almonte by the Commonfolk?
Yesterday alone this story had 221 Facebook shares of the story and immediately I got comments about a local beloved teacher which I thought I would share. Stay tuned for Part 2 of Memories of Almonte by the Commonfolk coming in a few days.
The comment that began it all :
Hello Almonte–Many years ago I was in Grade one, Mrs. Scholars class; I wonder how many people remember her. There was always a shortage of books and we had to double up. I was always paired up with Elizabeth Warner, me being from the country and being very shy, I think i was doing a lot of blushing. She moved away and i have thought of her many times over the years,-Don Andrews
Judy (Reid) Hamre
For Don Andrews: yes I remember Miss Elizabeth Schoular – she had retired when I started at Church St. School in Mrs. King’s grade 1 class, but she would come in and read to us. Many years later at a flea market in the basement of an old church in Carleton Place, I came across her Singer treadle sewing machine. It had every part, the owner’s manual, and sews like a dream. I paid the princely sum of $35 for it! It is one of my greatest treasures and thanks to my dear friend Fran (Scissons) Briscoe, has travelled across the country to BC with me.
John Morrow
If I am not mistaken, the teacher’s name could have been Miss (not Mrs.) Elizabeth Ann Schoular 1895-1985. She started teaching about 1910 when she was 15 years old and was still available to do some supply teaching into the 1970s. She was a first cousin of my maternal grandmother, Effie (Dunlop) Robertson (formerly Cooper) and a second cousin of my paternal grandmother, Agnes (Napier) Morrow. She was quite involved with the United Church for many years and also served as the secretary-treasurer for the Auld Kirk Cemetery. Her nephew. Duncan, was also a teacher in Almonte for a few years before returning to his native Smiths Falls where he became principal of Central School, then Supervising Principal of all Smiths Falls schools until the county or regional boards were established in 1969, eventually serving as director of education before his retirement. After retiring, he served as a trustee on the Lanark County board until his death in 1992. His elder son, Jamie, was recently elected as trustee for the Smiths Falls area on the Upper Canada District School Board; his younger son, David, also served as a trustee on the same board a few years ago.
An interesting side note regarding Elizabeth Schoular teacher in Almonte and her sister Della. Apparently the were entertaining a couple of potential suitors in the parlor of their home on Farm Street one night, and about 9 p.m. Aunt Maggie (their mother) came to the head of the stairs and asked “Doesn’t somebody around here know enough to go home at a decent hour?” or words to that effect. That supposedly put an end to either of the sisters plans to marry
Photo from Almonte.com– So who did own this store if not Harry Gunn?
Marte Sheldrake
I remember Miss Schoular also, although she never taught me as I moved to Almonte from Windsor in 1952 when I was placed in Miss Ross’s Grade Four class with Don and his cousin, Bob Andrews. We went through the next four years in the same classes and you’re right Don–you appeared very shy, an admirable quality in hindsight!
I met Jack De Sadeleer once as his sister, Judy, was one of my best friends until she married and moved to southern Ontario.
As to the photo of the grocery store (see story), I don’t believe it was ever Harry Gunn’s. In the fifties it was owned by a Mr. Pobst ( sp.? ) until he closed it . But you would buy items at the counter and he or his assistant, Harold Woermke, would climb a ladder and take the items off the shelves, wrap them in brown paper, tie them with a string and hand them to you. Kind of like a sketch from “the Two Ronnies “.
He closed the store in the late fifties and it became Mappins Jewellry Store, managed by Mr. Pobst. In 1965, my father, Perce Baker, bought the building from Bob France and it became Baker’s Gifts and Flowers, as my dad had also purchased The Flower Shop on Farm Street from George Gomme.
Harry’s grocery store was on Bridge Street, just behind our building. He later had a dress shop across from Peterson’s Dairy on Mill Street. Since my husband Derek died almost two years ago,I now spend my time living between Ottawa and London, England where my fiancé lives and when people there ask me where I’m from, I very proudly say ” ALMONTE ” !
Marte ( Baker ) Sheldrake
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.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)
lindaseccaspina 