Northern Pottery manufacturing plant officially opened on 'gala afternoon' in 1973

Arthur Grout

The official opening of the new Northern Pottery manufacturing plant was "something of a gala afternoon" in 1973, according to Margaret Costello in her Sault Star column.

"Well over 150 townsfolk travelled down Highway 129 about a mile or so south of town to have a good look at the enterprise and get acquainted with Peter and Jeanette Gjoni its gifted and energetic owners, " Maggie wrote.

On hand for the opening was Arthur Grout, of Chapleau, a member of the board of the Northern Ontario Development Corporation, who would cut the ribbon stretched across an attractive display of original design and beautiful colour in pottery.

Before the official ribbon cutting, Mr. Grout said he had been immediately interested when he had seen the Gjoni productions in the Centennial building back in 1969.

As time passed and he watched the steady growth, and expansion became a must, Mr. Grout said that as a director of NODC he was only too happy in recommending financing for what he felt was an up-and-coming enterprise for the town.

He congratulated Peter and Jeanette Gjoni for what had been accomplished in a short time and "with a flourish snipped  the ribbon."

Guided tours by Sidney O'Riley of the staff and Mr. and Mrs. Gjoni were "something of an eye opener for anyone unfamiliar with this particular industry."

"The weather was ideal for the occasion and there was an atmosphere of pleasant informality which all added up to an auspicious official launching of a first" for Chapleau.

Meanwhile, at about the same time in the summer of 1973, Maggie writes about the Malaysian contingent of Canada World Youth who had been in Chapleau for a month and had thrown a "delightful farewell party" in the basement of the Town Hall.

Maggie described them as "a most engaging group of hosts and hostesses" who had come to Canada as part of  the Canada World Youth exchange program. Throughout their stay they worked with the participants in a Chapleau Opportunities for Youth program funded by the government of Canada.

The program included Malaysian music and dancing and delicious Malaysian food. Guests joined in the dances with the Malaysian visitors and they also performed some interesting dance numbers.

The Malaysian group was very much involved in Chapleau's first Summerfest chaired by Ed Swanson.

Maggie also noted that the Chapleau Overture Concerts Association was formed in 1973 which she strongly supported. It was formed to bring good professional entertainment to town.

 The response to the campaign for members by the concert association far exceeded expectations and Feux Follets presented for the grand opening of professional performances in Chapleau saw no empty seats in the house.

While most remember Maggie as a reporter with the Sudbury Star and later the Sault Star, she had been a professional actress in the United States. In 1969, she played a leading role in the Chapleau Little Theatre of 'Three to get Married' a comedy by Kay Hill, and delighted the audience with her performance as the spinster Aunt Lizzie.

The summer of 1973 also saw the demolition of the historic overhead horseshoe bridge as construction got underway on the pedestrian overpass and new bridge.

As I worked on this column, I could not help but reflect on Chapleau in the 1970s. In all aspects of community life, it was a very busy place, and would not have been so, if it were not for a tremendous spirit among the citizens of all ages who committed themselves to those things that improved and brought the community together.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Bishop Tom Corston of the Anglican Diocese of Moosonee announces retirement effective December 31, 2013

Rt. Rev. Thomas A. Corston, the ninth bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Moosonee has announced that he will retire from the position effective December 31, 2013.

In a letter to the people of Moosonee on May 8, Bishop Corston said: "Following a rather lengthy period of prayer and reflection I have decided that it is time for me to retire. I have informed Archbishop Colin Johnson that I will resign as Bishop of Moosonee on December 31, 2013. At year’s end I will be just short of my 65th birthday and 40 years of ordination." 

Reporting on Bishop Corston's retirement the Anglican Journal said: " His retirement will coincide with the date that a decision to restructure the diocese into a mission area will take effect."

Bishop Corston said in his letter: I do not think I can continue to provide the leadership required much beyond this point in our Diocese’s restructuring process as outlined in the Vision Quest program. It is a good plan and I believe we have done all we can to secure our future as  the Anglican community in this Diocese. 

"I am sure that much of the angst some people are feeling will settle once the Diocese is living in the new entity. At year’s end a part-time Administrator will be appointed who will take over the administrative ministry of the Area. While it is a good plan it is, hopefully, not forever and before too long the Diocese will feel comfortable in electing a new Bishop to oversee new growth and vitality in this northern Church."

However, he is not leaving entirely as he will remain involved as "the 'Episcopal Visitor' for the Mission Area as an assurance that Confirmations and Ordinations are cared for and all parishes are visited. I will also act as 'Consultant' to the Archbishop and the Administrator for matters that may present themselves. I will easily be able to undertake those ministries from my Sudbury home for the foreseeable future or until a successor to this Office is chosen."

To most people in Chapleau, the bishop is known simply as 'Tom', the son of Frances (Jardine) and the late Henry 'Chicken' Corston. Both his parents come from pioneer families of the community.

Tom recently was presented with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, of which he is chaplain. In accepting the medal, he made special note of his father who was wounded in action during World War II and all veterans.

In his letter, he added: "I have enjoyed the brief time that I have been Bishop of this Diocese, in spite of the need for our having to restructure which is the cause of some sadness. I must say, however, that in my almost 40 years of ordained ministry the Lord has led me down roads I would never have gone otherwise. 

"It has been truly a remarkable experience. The last few years as your Bishop have been a tremendously fulfilling opportunity to provide leadership in a changing and challenging time for the Church in the north. I am so very thankful to the people of Moosonee for your support and I praise God for you all."

He was ordained deacon at a service in St. John's Anglican Church in 1974 and to the priesthood in 1975 in Timmins. He became bishop of Moosonee in 2010.

As part of his retirement announcement, Bishop Corston shared his disappointment with a lack of progress on plans for the future of historic St. John's, Chapleau. Although St. John's was established in Chapleau in 1885, the first service was held in the present church on March 29, 1908, making it the oldest 'public' building remaining in Chapleau.

The present Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church was opened on Christmas Eve 1919 after the original church building was destroyed in a fire, and the Royal Canadian Legion Hall was built in 1920 and Chapleau Public School about the same time.

Bishop Corston explained that in September 2012 an agreement was reached between him and some of the community leadership in Chapleau for the formation of a new Historical Society that would form a Board of Directors  and apply for incorporation. That new Society would then take over the ownership of old St. John's Church which would plan to use the building as a future cultural and historical centre for the town, as well as a site for community groups to gather, including a senior's centre. It was believed that it would be easier for such a group to apply for government funding to repair and upkeep the old church. 

He added that to ensure that the present Anglican congregation could continue to use the church for worship, two representatives of the new society would be elected from the congregation. Indeed, at their annual congregational meeting in January, two members were elected to represent the Anglican concerns on the new Board.

 
"Unfortunately the plans have fallen through", he wrote,  adding that  in a recent conversation with the Mayor of Chapleau, Andre Byham, he learned that the leadership for the project decided that they were not interested in undertaking the work required.  

"At the moment, according to the Mayor, there is no one else in the town interested in taking over the project," Bishop Corston said 

He said this is a "major disappointment" as the present congregation is too small to manage the required building renovations and upkeep. 

However, he remains dedicated to doing everything  possible to assure the old church is properly cared for, but as he expressed to the Diocesan Executive Council, this is a major dilemma for the Diocese. 

"It would be horrible to allow this rich piece of Chapleau's history to deteriorate to the point where is became necessary to demolish the  beautiful building."

 
Bishop Corston concluded his letter: "Thank you so much for your prayers and friendship that have upheld me as your Bishop. Moosonee was my first home in the Church after ordination and because of you it continues to hold tightly to my heart. For me it has been and continues to be, in the words of Robert Renison, our fifth Bishop, 'Ye Happie Kingdom'. May God bless you as you serve our Lord Jesus Christ in the years ahead."

If any are willing to assist Tom in ensuring a positive future for St. John's, please feel free to contact him, or chat with members of the church in Chapleau.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca