Mrs. A.W. Moore: Chapleau's Greatest Hockey Fan

Without any doubt, Mrs. A.W. Moore was one of the greatest hockey fans in the history of Chapleau. Fondly referred to as "Mrs. Artificial Ice Moore", and "Mrs. Hockey Moore", she played a huge role in having artificial ice installed in the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena.

After the memorial arena was officially opened on February 3, 1951, sportsminded people in Chapleau started to think about installing artificial ice, but it was Mrs. Moore who made the commitment to really turn the idea into a reality. For 15 years she sold tickets, and without her efforts, the project would likely not have been completed.

In a write-up published when the artificial ice was completed, it was noted that from the opening of the memorial arena in 1951, "Mrs. Moore was determined to see artificial ice installed in our arena, even if she had to raise the necessary funds herself. Through her untiring efforts and sheer determination, this grand lady, virtually by herself, raised the unbelievable sum of over $12,000. Without this amount the plant would not be installed...So it is with deep an sincere appreciation we say: Thank You Mrs. Artificial Ice Moore."

Mrs. Moore also donated to a public address system and to the painting of the memorial arena.

Mrs. Moore was named "Chapleau's Greatest Hockey Fan" by the members of the Chapleau Trappers hockey team which she supported for many years. After the Trappers won the town championship in 1949, a dinner was held where they honoured Mrs. Moore.

"... Mrs. Moore has so generously devoted her time, winter after winter in the interest of our hockey club," a tribute read. "She has shown this interest in various ways, by the selling of hockey pools, putting on bean suppers, mending hockey sweaters and socks, knitting an too many other things too numerous to mention."

The tribute also noted that when referring to the sport of hockey (back in the 1940s), it was generally thought of as being connected with a group of men with women being spectators. "Would it not be a more wise and profitable sport if we had more women like Mrs. Moore?" the tribute writer asked.

"Without a doubt she is the backbone of our hockey club. Whether we win or lose a hockey match she is right behind us cheering all the way. Her faith in us as a hockey team is truly unfaltering. Her heart and soul belongs to the Trappers, each and every time we play a game...."

The 1949 Trappers team which won the town championship included: Harvey Fortunato, Rev. Howard Strapp, Basil Collings, Mason McAdam, Cecil McAdam, Ed Swanson, Roy May, Tom Godfrey, Jim Dillon, Frank Lucky, Toddy Collinson, Roger Longchamps. "Daddle" Swanson, Garth "Tee" Chambers, Alton "Dudie" Chambers, Romeo Morin, Yvon Morin and Rollie Burns.

Mrs. Moore remained an avid hockey fan through the years attending games of the Chapleau Junior "B" Huskies who were the first great beneficiaries of her efforts in getting artificial ice, through the years to those of the Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies in the memorial arena and the Mrs. A.W. Moore Arena in the Chapleau Recreation Centre opened in 1978.

At the official opening of the recreation centre which Mrs. Moore was able to attend, it was announced that council had decided to name the arena, the Mrs. A.W. Moore Arena in recognition of her outstanding contribution over many years.

Mrs. Moore died in 1979 and it was very fitting that members of the Intermediate "A" Huskies who were carrying on the hockey tradition in Chapleau acted as pallbearers. Chapleau hockey players were always her "boys."

The next time you visit the recreation centre, and enter the Mrs. A.W. Moore Arena, pause for a moment and think about this wonderful lady who contributed so much to hockey in Chapleau, and was truly one of the commuunity's most outstanding citizens. My email is mj.morris@live.ca.

This article first appeared in my Chapleau Moments column in the Chapleau Express.
NOW JUST CLICK ON THE ENVELOPE BELOW AND SEND THIS ARTICLE TO A FRIEND,

Real challenge begins now for Cranbrook mayor Scott Manjak and his council supporters

Now that the referendum to extend the boundaries of the city of Cranbrook is over, and voters have said No to the proposal backed by mayor Scott Manjak and a majority of council members, they now face their real challenge after suffering two defeats on this issue during the first year of a three-year term.

After attempting to gain approval for the boundary extension to the area called the East Hill through an alternative approval process, and seeing that plan soundly defeated when the grassroots Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society led by president Sharon Cross obtained more than twice as many response forms from voters as were required to stop this process, council approved the referendum.

Despite the support of the local chamber of commerce, three former mayors and several councillors, a massive advertising campaign by a Yes side group reported to have cost more than $100,000, plus advertising by the city and the efforts of Manjak and  councillors Denise Pallesen, Jim Wavrecan, Angus Davis, Diana Scott, and Liz Schatschneider to sway Cranbrook citizens to vote Yes, they lost.

Following a recount, 2616 voters had said No, while 2581 voted Yes. There were 5228 ballots cast and 31 were rejected.

The CLC Society reports that it spent less than $5,000 on its No campaign. Councillor Bob Whetham supported the No side and voted against the alternative approval process and the referendum at council. His courageous position has now been vindicated by the voters of Cranbrook, and it is something his council colleagues need to recognize as they face the real challenges before them in the next two years of their term. He represents the wishes of the majority of voters in the referendum.

Simply put with a nod to Bob Dylan, the times they are a changing in Cranbrook, and it is now time for Manjak and his council supporters to accept the new reality and move forward with plans to address the many issues facing the city as it is,  without thinking about creating a second city on a hill.

When I moved to Cranbrook just over 20 years ago, it was referred to as the "pothole capital of Canada." It still is in many respects and citizens have been complaining for 20 years or more. Instead of simply paying lip service to the issue, Manjak and council could start to address it seriously and present the citizens with a proposal to fix the roads.

Council needs to get serious about  the need for an overpass (or underpass) over the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks, a problem that has been ignored since Cranbrook was founded over 100 years ago. It is time to meet this real challenge now.

Obviously, there are challenges facing Cranbrook centred on the provision of proper environmental services for the future.

There are challenges to be met to address the needs of the homeless and to provide affordable housing for those who need it, and a proper home for the supporters of arts and culture. Cranbrook needs to attract new industries.

Most importantly, this mayor who promised an open and transparent administration and his supporters on the council hopefully will now realize that the greatest resource a community has is its people, with talents and abilities and good will, just waiting to be used to make Cranbrook a better place for everyone.

Ultimately, the real challenge  is to open the doors of communication and enter into a dialogue with the citizens, so that in the future the YES factor will dominate public discourse in this city with a focus on the things that bring us together, rather than those which divide us.

NOTE> CLICK ON ENVELOPE BELOW TO SEND THIS ARTICLE TO A FRIEND!!

BULLETIN: Cranbrook votes "NO" in East Hill Boundary Expansion referendum giving mayor Scott Manjak and council majority second defeat on this issue

Cranbrook voters rejected a proposal put forward by Mayor Scott Manjak and majority of council to expand the city's boundaries in a referendum held here Saturday November 14.

Following a recount, 2616 voters had said No, while 2581 voted Yes. There were 5228 ballots cast and 31 were rejected.

City council decided to proceed with a referendum after its attempt to use an alternative approval process to expand the boundaries in the East Hill area was resoundingly defeated when a grassroots group Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society, led by Sharon Cross, got more than twice as many response forms from citizens as necessary to stop the process.

Manjak and Councillors Denise Pallesen, Angus Davis, Jim Wavrecan, Diana Scott and Liz Schatschneider supported extending the boundaries. Councillor Bob Whetham opposed the plan.

More to come!

To hear the other side rejected by anonymous yellow flyer producers in Cranbrook boundary expansion

 I had just calmed down from Cranbrook mayor Scott Manjak`s totally unacceptable offer to remove submitted response forms from citizens who may change their minds during an alternative approval process, and accepted the reality that this council has no intention of releasing a $500,000 taxpayer paid for growth management plan before a November 14 referendum on boundary expansion, and I receive an anonymously produced yellow flyer in a local newspaper.

The yellow flyer, obviously distributed by supporters of boundary expansion contains the broad sweeping generalizations with no supporting facts about the future of Cranbrook if boundary expansion is defeated which characterizes most of the material produced by the self proclaimed official Yes side, but it is a nameless, faceless piece of yellow paper. The choice of colour is appropriate.

However, it is point number nine in the anonymously produced  yellow flyer that deeply disturbs me. It says: ``It`s fun to criticize democracy when it doesn`t go your way and it`s a much better idea to waste taxpayer dollars on a ridiculous and costly referendum.``

From the outset of this sad, sorry tale in the political life of this small city in the southeastern corner of British Columbia, which has now received national attention, the supporters of boundary expansion, including a majority of the council, have attempted to marginalize those who would dare to oppose them as being less than democratic. On the contrary,  the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society, a non-profit society, with the names of its directors available, has been totally democratic in its actions since council tried to use the alternative approval process to expand the boundaries.

The government of the province of British Columbia enacted legislation to permit a municipality under certain conditions to use an alternative approval process rather than go directly to a referendum. Cranbrook council exercised its right under the provincial legislation to go this route in the first instance, and the citizens of the city were able to exercise their democratic right under the same legislation to oppose the council action by submitting a response form indicating they did not approve.

The council received a lesson in the power of grassroots democracy when over 3000 eligible voters submitted response forms basically telling the mayor and his council supporters that if they wanted to expand the boundaries, they must call a referendum as prescribed again by provincial legislation when  ten percent of the eligible voters submit forms under the alternative approval process. (1475 were needed.)

The citizens of Cranbrook, close to 4000 of them strong, although not all were counted, were not criticizing democracy by openly signing their  names to the form, as the anonymous yellow flyer supporters of boundary expansion would like us to believe, they were exercising their democratic right as provided under provincial law to be heard. It is insulting to them to be criticized by council members and others for exercising their democratic right to be heard.

If taxpayer dollars have been wasted on a ``ridiculous and costly referendum`` as the anonymous yellow flyer producers suggest, then theitr argument is with the government of the province of British Columbia who put the process in place.

The citizens of Cranbrook who moved the process to the referendum stage have clearly demonstrated that famous axiom in countries based on the English common law system ``audi alterem partem.`` (Hear the other side.) They have not been criticizing democracy; they have been practising it!!!

NOTE: YOU CAN EMAIL THIS POST TO A FRIEND! CLICK ON THE ENVELOPE BELOW!

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old"

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

from "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

On July 16, 1943, a Wellington bomber took off from an air force base in England. It was to be a short test flight around the airfield only.

The last entry in the pilot's log book written later by the squadron's wing commander was, "Aircraft exploded in air."

The usual telegram was sent by the war office, expressing regret that Flying Officer James E. Morris was killed while on active service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, July 16,1943. Similar messages would have been sent to the families of my father's crew who were on the flight with him.

The messages of condolences from the King and Queen, the government of Canada and others would come later, full of words like "a grateful nation," "supreme sacrifice," "for King and country."

Although I didn't know it at the time, July 16, 1943, was destined to be the most significant turning point in my life, and I wasn't even two years old when my father's plane exploded in air and crashed over the English countryside during World War II.

In fact, that date had a profound effect on my entire family. Nobody was ever quite the same again. Of course, in 1943, I wasn't really aware of what life was like for my mother, Muriel E. (Hunt) Morris, my grandparents Harry and Lil Morris and George and Edith Hunt, my father's sister Marion, and the close relationship they all had. My grandmother Hunt was in England at the time working as a war nurse and my father had visited her the weekend before he was killed. She attended his funeral and burial in Ripon Cemetery, Yorkshire, England.

My father, like so many who joined Canada's armed forces during World War II was an ordinary Canadian from a small town, in his case, Chapleau, Ontario where he was born and raised, called upon to perform the exceptional. There was absolutely no doubt in their minds whatsoever that it was the right thing for them to do.

After his death, The Evening Telegram of Toronto reported that my father took to flying in his early teens and became associated with several of Canada's early bush pilots who were operating in the Chapleau area. Actually he was going down to the waterfront and getting rides and learning to fly planes, thinking that my grandmother didn't know what was going on. But she did. Mothers always know!  He earned his first pilot's license at the Fort William Flying Club.

In 1940 my father enlisted in the RCAF at Moncton, New Brunswick. He became a flying instructor and was posted to No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School at Mount Hope. He was among the first instructors in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. In 1942 he went overseas.

On November 11, Remembrance Day, we pause for a moment, and for some of us, for much more than a moment, to remember all those who died in war. For those of us affected so profoundly by war, we live with a day of remembrance each day of our lives.

My mother who likely never missed a Remembrance Day service in Chapleau, once told me that "Every day is remembrance day."

Indeed it is, and this year it has an added special meaning for me. I received an email from Stephen Hayter, executive director, of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon, Manitoba. Mr. Hayter wrote in part:
"The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum would be honoured to welcome your father's RCAF material into our collection.
"It is your father's story that we wish to preserve for future generations. I am so glad that you discovered us...
"Your father's name is also listed in our memorial book "They Shall Grow Not Old" which also states that he was part of #432 Leaside Squadron (Saevitir Ad Lucem), and that his Wellington aircraft #JA 119 crashed one and one half miles west of Malton, Yorkshire."  (http://www.airmuseum.ca/)

They shall grow not old, as we that are left have grown older. We will always remember them!

My email is mj.morris@live.ca
Please feel free to write me.

Chapleau nicknames from Chicken to Sparrow, Tiny to Gunner, Buddy, Boxcar, Picket, Tar, Pappy, Beanie and the Chief too

Let's return to more ever popular Chapleau nicknames. Since the first column on nicknames I have received several email contributions from readers of Chapleau Moments and my blog so thanks to everyone for writing --- especially Frances (Jardine) Corston-Lundquist, Bill Wilson, with recognition to Lindsey Wilson (Bill's assistant), Kyle Cachagee and Russell "Rusty" Dunne. The following is another nickname sampler from all the names provided.

Several have wondered how Henry Corston became "Chicken" and Frances clears up the mystery:

"Hi Michael,,as we always called you,,,Chicken was originally Chick from Hen(ry), from playing with kids of his age as they used to taunt him with the old nursery rhyme,,,,"Henny Penny the sky is falling down"...Later years he got Chicken.

Frances also shared how Lloyd McDonald, who later worked many years for Canadian Press got his nickname "Sparrow." Apparently he was coming down the lane from Sunday school and tripped and fell. His neighbour Mr. Wilson said, "God sees the little sparrow fall," and from that day he was known as Sparrow. Thanks Frances. (Robert Jardine has a video clip of a television interview I did with "Sparrow" at the 60th anniversary of Chapleau High School.)

Now to let you know how Lindsey Wilson, Bill's son, also became his assistant. Lindsey wrote in an email, "I am sending you this e-mail on behalf of Bill Wilson (my father)." Lindsey advised that at the time Bill was on holidays but wanted to respond to my article in the Express regarding nicknames with ones he remembered.

Bill recalled that Fred Burrows was called "Bunt" while Philip "Tiny" Martin's sister Shirley was "Torchy" and Ed Bignucolo was "Psyche". I would add that his brother Ernest was "Sonny" who along with their other brother Albert "Al" were all outstanding goaltenders with the Chapleau Huskies.


Ted Collins was nicknamed "Gunner", his sister Marie was called "Flash" while Lorene was "Toots." Douglas Swanson was "Sonny" while Terry Shanoon was "Boots" and Gerald Pilon was "Tonto", Lorne Riley was "Fats" and Raymond Burns went by "Butch."

Wow. As I go through all these names they sure bring back fond memories of life in Chapleau, as I am sure it does for you too.

Bill also reminds us that Keith Swanson is "Buddy", who devoted so many years to hockey in Chapleau and until recently was a member of the Chapleau council. Let me just add here that his brothers Michael and Frederick are "Pat" and "Ted" respectively.

Estelle Morin was "Pootch" and Pat Purich "Pappy" while Henry "Hank" Therriault's younger brother Arthur was always called "Babe."

Thanks Lindsey for helping out your Dad and I hope he had a great vacation.

Kyle Cachagee wrote to reveal that his late grandfather Charles William was sometimes called "Boxcar" but the nickname used most of the time was "Tony." His grandmother Kathleen is "Kitty" or "Nanny." to her grandchildren. Kyle also recalled that Jean Longtin was called "Fireman" as he always wore a red plastic fireman's hat around town.

Russell "Rusty" Dunne moves us to another generation of nicknames but started his message remembering some members of his family. Garth "Tee" Chambers who delivered groceries for Dominion and Viet's supermarket as well as Sears and was the Post Office Custodian for many years. Keith "Sonny" Chambers, Railroad employee war vet. "Doody" Chambers brother of Tee and Sonny, all my cousins because my grandmother (the late Mrs. Agnes Freeborn) and their mother were sisters.

"Other people I grew up with had names like David "Picket" Doig, Robert "Tar" Doyle, Gerry "Beanie" Gionet, Donald "Saints" St.Germain, Richard "Ben" Lacroix, Gerard "Moose" Bernier, Glenn "Esposito" Cappellani, Gary "Hoss" Legros, Angelo "Butch" Bucciarelli , Gary "Hippie" Korpela, Charles "Buddy" Collings, Donald "Wibble" Collings, Robert "Barney" Bromley, to name a few that I can remember off the top of my head."

Rusty added "Some I went to school or worked with and others I was related to. All in all Nicknames are part of our lives. We grew up with them and recognize them easier than proper names." Most importantly he noted that there was never anything bad or derogatory meant when the nickname was given. It was just something that was said and stuck to you.

"My name is Russell Dunne and I have been called Rusty Dunne all my life by family and friends and 99% of people who know me remember my name as "Rusty" instead of Russell.

"I also remember my history/economics teacher being referred to as "Chief" at one time, but it does make you think back and wonder "how did I get that name " or where it came from?, Who knows, maybe its would help to talk to old friends and family and find out."

Thanks Rusty and let me wrap this up with an explanation of how I came to be nicknamed "Chief." In 1970, I was "hired" by Jamie Doyle and his buddy Keith McAdam to coach their Chapleau Midgets hockey team. (Yes, I was hired by them but that's another story.) Shortly after becoming coach, at a practice, one of the players called out, "Heh, MJ..." and before he got any further, in no uncertain terms, in my best Dr. Karl A. Hackstetter voice, I told him that I was Mr. Morris to him and all the players and not to forget it.

I stormed from the dressing room, slammed the door shut, stood outside and lit a cigarette waiting to learn my fate. There was silence, then the late Lionel Corston spoke up and said, "It doesn't sound right to call him Mr. Morris. He is the Chief and we are the Indians..." The team agreed unanimously on my new name, and out they came headed to the ice in the old Chapleau Memorial Community Arena. As each player passed me, he said with the mischievous smile that can only come from kids when they know they have won a big one: "Hi Chief." What could I say. The name stuck. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Ecole Secondaire Chapleau High School students received standing ovations for performances in World War II production for Remembrance Day in 1987

Just recently I received a message on Facebook from Derek Lafreniere recalling "You'll Get Used To It ... The War Show", by Peter Colley, a play about World War II that I directed at Ecole Secondaire Chapleau High School just prior to Remembrance Day in 1987. Derek was a student in my drama course and played a leading role in the production. He later served in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Derek wrote: "I remember the Army play you directed that I was in. It was such a great experience. In addition, we put on one hell of a show if I may say so. If I remember correctly it was a fairly large production,singing, dancing etc..."

It sure was all that you write about it Derek and after a successful run in Chapleau we took it to Wawa for a presentation at Michipicoten High School.

As Remembrance Day on November 11 approaches it seemed a good time to bring back the moment that ESCHS students, staff and community members were involved in the production of Peter Colley's play. Colley noted that his play looked at Canada at war through the eyes of the soldiers themselves, adding that if at times it seemed they did not take the war as seriously as some people would think, "it must be remembered that our soldiers didn't take it that seriously either." When they weren't actually fighting, they took a break from the war.

This play was produced in conjunction with Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Chapleau.

I directed many plays during my years at CHS/ESCHS, and each one was very special to me, but this one really challenged the cast as it combined many dramatic techniques including mime, music and dance into a play set in a time period which was not even a distant memory to them.

When I first read the play I was studying drama at the Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto, and it was a play I knew I had to direct for two reasons: it would place new demands on my students to reach beyond the ordinary in playing the respective roles, and because of the tribute it paid to Canada's ordinary soldiers in the ranks, including many from Chapleau. But they were not ordinary at all. They were the exceptional generation who left loved ones at home to serve. Some returned. Some, like my father, James E. "Jim" Morris, and other Chapleauites did not.

Twenty-two years after "You'll Get Used To It: The War Show" brought audiences to their feet in rousing standing ovations from the packed houses, I remember it like it was yesterday, and I am still in touch with some of the cast.

Writing in The Daily Press, reviewer George Evans, said that a "wonderful thing" happened at ESCHS. "For the older people there was bittersweet nostalgia for the years of World War II, and for the younger folk there was the impact of seeing war as it really was for the 1939 generation of teenagers. From oldest to youngest, the audience was caught up in the banality, the humor, and ultimately, the irreversible waste of war."

The outstanding company included Marcel Morin, Michel Sylvestre, Derek Lafreniere, Dean Harvey, Jeremy Comte, Christopher Ivey, Tara Leigh O'Hearn, Anita Hoffren, Andre Bourgeault, Kyle St. Amand, Gerry Servais, Kyle Videto, Laurianne Martel, Desmond Larocque, Donna Old, Annalisa Meyer, Michelle Meyer and Lori Brunette.

Margaret Rose Fortin, of the ESCHS teaching staff, did an incredible job as the music director, with Mrs. Ruth Godemair as the pianist. Members of the ESCHS Chorus included Gabriela Dell, Carolyn Hryhorchuk, Gerard Lalonde, Juliette Payette, Dave Fagan, Yvette Joyal, Desmond Larocque, Mike Holgate and Alison Wedekamm. George noted in his review that it was "impossible to overestimate" the contribution of the chorus to the emotional impact of the production.

Also greatly contributing to the success of the production was the awesome use of sound and lighting particularly in the battle scenes in the very capable hands of William Mitchell, Sylvain Bernier and Scott Keech. Video was done by Derek Woods. Costumes and makeup were looked after most capably by Yvette Joyal and Lisa Martel, and I must add that Mrs. Joyal pitched in to help with every aspect of the production. She was always available to help.

Set design was by Roxane Duhaim, while official photographer was Michael Heintz, prompter was Yvonne Ranger, and properties and stage assistant was Allison Berry. Rick Dell and Crystal Collins produced the program.

Production co-ordinator was Ross Hryhorchuk who noted that on the day before Remembrance Day there was also a special ceremony at the school to honour the members and veterans of Harry Searle Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion as a simple thank you to them.

Thanks again to all of you for making the last play I directed at CHS/ESCHS among my most memorable moments from the years I spent at the school. My email is mj.morris@live.ca.

I am also on facebook.

This article appeared originally in my Chapleau Moments column in the Chapleau Express of October 17, 2009.

William McLeod provides update on Merle Newcombe, George Weeden mystifying disappearance near Amyot 50 years ago

GEORGE WEEDEN AND MERLE NEWCOMBE – THE SAGA CONTINUES FIFTY YEARS AFTER THEIR DISAPPEARANCE NEAR AMYOT, ONTARIO



By William McLeod


October 23, 2009 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the disappearance of two Chapleau moose hunters at Mile 106 near Amyot, Ontario. Amyot is located about 180 km. west of Chapleau on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

A detailed account of the disappearance appears on an earlier blog generously provided by Michael Morris. The following is a brief summary of the matter.

Merle Newcombe and George Weeden, both employees of the Canadian Pacific Railway, left Chapleau on October 22, 1959, planning to do some moose hunting in the vicinity of an old tourist camp that had been owned by Newcombe’s family for a number of years. They were last seen near the camp by a passing train crew the following morning - October 23. After that they simply vanished from the face of the earth. In spite of massive search efforts until the snow came that fall and again the next spring, no trace of the hunters was ever found. No rifles, no spent shells, no signs of a struggle, no evidence of an animal mauling. Nothing.

The mystery has intrigued me and many other folks who live or lived in Chapleau at the time. I wrote a whole chapter about it in my book “The Chapleau Game Preserve: History, Murder and Other Tales” which I published in 2004. Since the book came out nobody has come forward with any new information about the case.

On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the disappearance Canadian Press ran an extensive and well written piece by Pat Hewitt on the disappearance. The syndicated story ran in numerous newspapers and on radio stations across the country.

A number of elements in the CP story broke some new ground and raised new questions about the disappearance. Two aboriginal trappers were in the vicinity of Amyot on the last day Weeden and Newcombe were seen. They told police they spoke to the two moose hunters and then set off up the track to set a beaver trap. When they returned to the spot where they had talked to the hunters, Weeden and Newcombe had simply disappeared. I knew the identities of the trappers when I was writing the story in 2004. But, because their names were expunged from the official Ontario Provincial Police file on the case, I decided that it would be too risky to name them. But the CP story did indentify them as Clem Nabigon and his son Herb who was seventeen at the time. Clem Nabigon died in 1982 but Herb is very much alive and resides in Sudbury.

Harriet (Newcombe) Bouillon who is Merle Newcombe’s step-daughter finally agreed to talk about the case. Like most people who know something about the disappearance, Harriet believes that the men met with foul play. She made a very interesting comment about her dad’s wallet that surprised me. Some time in 1968 two Chapleau men, Walter Telik and Hamil Robinson were staying at Newcombe’s camp. For whatever reason, one of them looked under the mattress of one of the beds. Hidden there was Merle Newcombe’s wallet containing his identification and two dollars. After looking into this new development, the O.P.P. concluded that the wallet had been placed there by Newcombe shortly before he vanished. The police further concluded, probably correctly, that no one had thought to look under that mattress at any time during the search. However Harriet told Pat Hewitt that she believed the wallet had been “planted” under the mattress. Planted when, by whom and for what reason she did not say.

And finally, completely unrelated to the anniversary, in late September of this year, I received a call from a lady named Grace Pettingill who lives in Lapeer, Michigan. She is the daughter of Merle Newcombe by a previous marriage. The disappearance has bothered her for all of these years. In an attempt to get some answers and some closure, she Googled “Merle Newcombe” and my book came up. She had never heard of the book and it did provide her with some information. Grace and her daughter Marshall Bay of Decatur, Michigan have made a pilgrimage to Amyot and, on October 23 they will stand on the site near Mile 106 where their father and grandfather were last seen alive.

Hopefully Pat Hewitt’s story will persuade some person or persons to come forward with new information about what happened in that October fifty years ago. If this happens, some closure will come to the Newcombe family. George Weeden was a bachelor and I know of no living relatives that survive him. Regardless, the case continues to mystify many people even today.

Information on how to acquire Bill McLeod’s book on the Chapleau Game Preserve and his latest book “Murder in the Schoolhouse” may be obtained by telephoning Bill at 705-522-3858. Murder in the Schoolhouse is the story of the 1954 murder of Steve Klapouchak, the Dalton school teacher.

NOTE: Bill McLeod, one of my oldest friends from Chapleau, Ontario, where we were both raised, is a retired professor of Business Administration at Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario. Thanks Bill for providing this update... mjm

Family reunited on Thanksgiving weekend after more than 20 years with help from facebook

This is truly a wonderful story about a family being reunited after more than 20 years with some help from the social networking site facebook and a decision by the province of Ontario to open adoption records.

I received a message today from a dear friend who said, "I thought that I would share this with you since we have spoken in the past about how amazing facebook is for reconnecting."

Here is her story although names have not been used and location is not given to protect everyone's privacy. Otherwise it is my friend's story.

She wrote: "June 2009 the adoption registry in Ontario opened, this basically means that anyone who was adopted, or who gave someone up for adoption, or siblings could apply for 'Post Adoptive Information'.

"This is what I did as (my child's) birth mother in June 2009. On October 1, 2009 I received two Statements of Live Birth, the original one that I submitted and the revised one which was submitted after ... adoption was finalized. On this paperwork was... adoptive name.

"My oldest daughter ... was here when I opened the letter, after our initial crying spree, she put ... name into facebook and found that there was only one (person with that name and where the person lived)

"After looking at ... pictures we were both positive that it was the right young (person) and the birthdays matched, so she sent ... a friend request and an email asking ... if ... was adopted.

"When my other daughter ... came through the door she proceeded to do the same thing. We waited and waited for what seemed like an eternity for a reply, and on October 7th ... went on her facebook and screamed 'Mom, ... added me!!!' She checked her email and sure enough ... had answered it that yes ... had been adopted.

"... checked and he was online so she said hi .... wrote back, 'so what is this all about'....she said 'my mom is your mom', needless to say there was a
lot of excitement and chatter, and we got... phone number... and called.... I was on the phone... for about 2 1/2 hours that night and have spoken... every evening since. Our trip to meet (where the person lives on Thanksgiving Weekend) was a huge success.

"It is funny, 4 children, 3 raised together and 1 not and still you would swear that they had all been raised under the same roof. They finish each others sentences and they have the same sense of humor, it is crazy.

"Well, that is my "WHY I LOVE FACEBOOK" story.

"I hope that you have a truly tremendous day, I know I will!!!"

Thank you my friend for sharing this story with me and for granting permission to share it with the visitors to my blog. What a wonderful Thanksgiving story. God bless all of you.

Please send any comments to me at mj.morris@live.ca and indicate if I may share them.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

As I started to write I thought of Rudyard Kipling's line that "East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet til earth and sky meet presently at God's great judgment seat.."

The focus of my blog in the beginning was to be pieces geared towards readers from my home town of Chapleau, Ontario -- mostly my former students from Chapleau High School who encouraged me to start it.

Recently most of my posts have been about a boundary expansion debate here in Cranbrook where I have lived for the past 20 years, and until my retirement I taught at College of the Rockies.

I've often wondered how to bridge my two audiences so that east is not east and west is not west and today I can begin. Across Canada no matter where one lives it is Thanksgiving Weekend, a time to gather with loved ones and give thanks for all the blessings of this life.

It is also a time to think about those who are less fortunate than us, and to reach out to them each in our own way so that their lives may be made better. It is a time for us to pause for a moment and think that we should perhaps devote ourselves more to those things that bring us together rather than those that divide us.

No matter where we live east or west or north in this magnificent land, I wish each of you a most Happy Thanksgiving weekend.

Appropriately perhaps here in Cranbrook the ground is covered with the first snowfall and my good friend Barbara (Bowland) Groves in Chapleau reports snow is called for there soon.

God bless!

Calgarians buy unsold condos in Columbia Valley at auction

CBC News has reported that Calgarians bought 38 of 40 previously unsold condos in British Columbia's Columbia Valley at an auction held in Calgary Saturday. Apparently the auction was held there because Calgarians buy the most properties to use as get-away homes in the Columbia Valley in the southeast corner of the province.

CBC News also quotes Mike Percy, dean of business at the University of Alberta as saying that the American style auctions may be a "taste of things to come."

As Cranbrook voters prepare to vote in a referendum to expand the city's boundaries on November 14, they may well consider the implications of this experience just north of their community as it could possibly apply here. And certainly consider it is a taste of things to come!

The referendum was approved by first term mayor Scott Manjak and a majority of council after they suffered a major defeat when they tried to use an alternative approval process to approve the boundary expansion whereby 10% of eligible voters (1475) would be required to sign response forms to stop it. A grassroots group got over 3500 signatures.
HERE IS LINK TO CBC NEWS STORY.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/10/04/calgary-auction-lake-windermere-condos.html

Did you attend the "new" Chapleau High School?

The "new" Chapleau High School was opened in 1966 but one of the first discoveries was that an addition was needed.

Writing about the new school in a souvenir newspaper marking the 60th anniversary of Chapleau High School in 1982, George Evans, the longtime vice principal and history teacher at CHS, noted that a "new era" was beginning.

"The new era began in September 1966 when the high school moved to its new home on top of the hill. For a couple of trying months we shared the building with the contractors who were still working to finish it. Then we had it all to ourselves, the bright classrooms, the spacious gym, and the library," George wrote.

The original new school consisted of a gymnasium, library, two shops, two science laboratories, five classrooms, one typing room, an office and staff lounge.

The school replaced the original CHS located on Pine Street where the Chapleau Civic Centre is now. On June 22, 1922, the municipal council passed a by-law making Chapleau a high school district. Max Brunette was the reeve at the time. In 1925 a wooden building on the site was renovated and the larger building was encased in brick, which became home to high school students for 41 years. (Information taken from Pioneering in Northern Ontario by Vince Crichton Sr .)

At the official opening of the new school on November 5, 1966, D.J. "Jim" Broomhead, the master of ceremonies for the occasion said, "Today we feel we have done something for Chapleau." Jim, a former CHS student, now a member of the school board also served as reeve of Chapleau.

L.T. "Len" Harris, the school board chair, accepted the key to the building from architect John Shaw. Mr. Harris, also a former student, expresed his gratitude to everyone who had made the day possible. He observed with satisfaction that Chapleau students would now have the same educational opportunities as other students in Ontario.

Other board members were George Collins, Paul Belair, Frank Braumberger and R.A. "Ricky" Selin. Board secretary was Mrs. R. Deluce.

At the official opening, Rev. Murray Arnill of Trinity United Church gave the invocation and benediction while representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 5, Chapleau, presented the colours to the school.

William Mair was the principal, and for the benefit of those of you who were students in 1966-67, here are the teachers. How many do you remember? They were George Evans, Annalee Barg, Gertrude Caffet, Rheo Courchesne, Ora Devine, Ruth Doig, Georgette Harris, Lloyd Hulton, Robert J. Lemieux, Casey Roznik, Terrence Spratt, John Symons, Marie Tremblay and Bruce Watt.

Within three years an addition was added to the original school as the baby boomers were arriving in full force. As an aside I got there just as construction was to get underway on the addition.

Shortly after the new school opened, Elmer Freeborn arrived as the business administrator for the newly created Chapleau Board of Education, a position he held until his retirement in 1992. Elmer died recently and I extend my most sincere sympathy to Margaret, his daughter and all the Freeborn family on the loss of a father, brother and uncle who in his lifetime contributed immensely to the betterment of Chapleau and its people. On a very personal basis I so much appreciated all Elmer did for me over the years that I taught at CHS.

Not only did Elmer make an immense contribution to education in Chapleau but he also served on the municipal council, the hospital board and with other groups in the community. Elmer is from a family where duty and service have been part of their daily lives for many years. His father served as reeve of Chapleau; his mother was president of the Ladies Auxiliary to Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion and founding president of the Chapleau Senior Citizens Club and the drop-in centre at Cedar Grove Lodge was named after her, and his brother Earle is currently the mayor of Chapleau. Thank you Elmer. Rest in peace.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

This post appeared originally in my Chapleau Moments column in the Chapleau Express.

Cranbrook growth management plan essential to citizen decision making

Let's assume for a moment that you are a shareholder in a publicly traded company that has been experiencing significant growth over the past few years. The former CEO went to the board of directors in early 2008 and recommended that it approve a growth management plan study to assist the company in making wise decisions for its long term future.

The board thought this was a good idea, and approved a $500,000 study in early 2008. The previous CEO told them that by starting the study early in 2008, the plan should be completed by the end of the year, or early 2009. His successor told the board it should be available by the summer of 2009.

Meanwhile, the company was presented with a huge opportunity to expand, and before it received the $500,000 plan it proceeded with plans to expand the company's operations under the new CEO.

Shareholders were irate when they heard the news that the company was planning a huge expansion before it received a plan for which they, in effect, had paid $500,000. They launched a campaign, and succeeded in obtaining enough proxy votes to call a special shareholders' meeting.

At the meeting the new CEO said the company planned to proceed with the expansion, and the growth management plan was not available.

The shareholders called for a vote, and the story ends with the ouster of the CEO and the board of directors.

Sound familiar?

Well, here in Cranbrook, British Columbia, first term Mayor Scott Manjak and a majority of the city council have approved a referendum set for November 14, 2009, which if approved will more than double the size of this small city in the southeast corner of the province. And it is proceeding with the referendum before a growth management plan has been made available to the citizens to assist them with their decision.

Doesn't make sense to me! Why would anyone approve a $500,000 expenditure to create a plan, which was done by the last council, and then proceed with a referendum without taking the plan's recommendations into consideration. An incredible waste of taxpayer dollars.

Manjak, who took office less than a year ago, and promised an open and transparent administration, told the Cranbrook Daily Townsman on January 22, 2009: "A growth management plan focusing on the East Hill boundary expansion should be ready by summer (of 2009)." Most recently he has said it will not be available before the referendum. Apparently it is undergoing some kind of "technical review" by city staff.

Nonsense! If it is undergoing some kind of review, that's a lame excuse not to make it available to the citizens of Cranbrook now. Tell the staff to make it a priority and get it done and make it available before the referendum. To do so would be in keeping with Manjak's promise to the people who elected him that he would run an open and transparent administration.

The minutes of the mayor's brown bag lunch session of August 18, 2009 quote him as saying the plan was being "vetted" by city staff. As I write it is September 25. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for October 5, 2009.

Manjak admits that the plan is focusing on the East Hill, the very area that voters are being asked to bring into the city limits.

Former mayor Ross Priest, commenting on the study while he was still in office, told the Townsman on January 23, 2008, that by starting in early February last year "the growth management study should be completed by the end of 2008, or very early in 2009."

The referendum is being held because a grassroots group here gave the mayor and majority of council a huge setback when it tried to use an alternative approval process to get the boundaries expanded. The group got over 3000 signatures on elector response forms to stop that move, getting more than double the 1475 signatures required.

Notwithstanding the referendum, and the campaign currently being waged pro and con, the whereabouts of the $500,000 growth management plan, and the real reasons for the stalling in releasing it to the citizens who paid for it, should be of great concern to all. I hope all of you will contact the mayor and councillors and insist it be released now.

Citizens for Livable Cranbrook Society create defining moment for city

The Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society has created a defining moment in the history of this small city in the southeastern corner of British Columbia as citizens now prepare to vote in a referendum on a boundary expansion proposal supported by Mayor Scott Manjak and the majority of the council.

City council decided on September 14 to hold a referendum after its effort to gain approval for the boundary expansion using an alternative approval process, supported by first term Mayor Scott Manjak and the majority of council went down to a resounding defeat when the grassroots group obtained more than 3000 signatures opposing the council's action. The group received more than twice as many as the 1475 required to halt the council decision. The referendum is scheduled for November 14, 2009.


Manjak and Councillors Denise Pallesen, Liz Schatschneider, Angus Davis, Jim Wavrecan and Diana J. Scott, who voted for the AAP totally misread the citizens they represent, but upon reflection, it may have been a good thing for Cranbrook in the long term as citizens pro and con the boundary expansion are now energized and involved in the local political scene. This mayor and council were elected almost a year ago by about 30% of the eligible voters who turned out on election day. Councillor Bob Whetham opposed the AAP.

There can be little doubt that no matter the referendum result, the next municipal election campaign, although just over two years from now, will be already underway, and a major issue will be the type of community the citizens want, and the people they want to lead it. The defining moment for Cranbrook will continue for some time, and that's good.

The lines are now being drawn as the boundary expansion campaigns get underway with a "yes vote" group of "concerned citizens" setting up a campaign office, hiring a campaign manager, launching a web site, running a full page ad in local newspapers, handing out yes buttons and holding a "catered lunch" to launch its campaign. That's in the first week. A co-chair of the group is Brian Sims, who announced that he has taken a leave of absence from his duties as president of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce to be involved.

If I owned the land in question, I would be absolutely delighted to have a group of "concerned" citizens launching such an aggressive campaign really on my behalf. And I am sure everyone would love to have a city council that spends taxpayer dollars on advertisements urging the people it represents, even those opposed to its decision, to vote yes in the referendum, do the same for their pet projects. After all, the whole boundary expansion issue has arisen as result of an application from companies that own the land.

Had the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society not opposed the AAP, the mayor in one of his advertisements would not have offered to remove submitted forms from those who changed their minds, I would never have become interested in the issue. Obviously British Columbia law is not clear on this one, and it should be and that is matter for the legislature.

At the council meeting of September 14, speaking in favour of a motion to proceed to a referendum, Manjak referred to the local chamber of commerce as "our community partner", which represented the community's "business leaders." I have nothing against a chamber of commerce, but I am concerned about a mayor referring to it as a "partner" in effect giving it special status. As a result I visited the local chamber's web site and discovered that the city's chief administrative officer is a member of an "advisory" group to the board of directors and attends its meetings. Councillors Schatschneider and Pallesen are also listed there although the latter is noted as representing "DBA" which is the Downtown Business Association.

Apparently the chamber is supporting the council's boundary expansion decision, but according to a recent letter in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman, all members are not happy with that decision.

I would respectfully suggest to the mayor and council that it move to strictly an arm's length relationship with the chamber of commerce, as they really only have one partner. It is the citizens of Cranbrook that elected them to office, not any organization within the city that may or may not always have the same interests as a council must have in serving all the people.

Had the grassroots group not taken action, I would not have been looking around. I received an email from a reporter this past week who had been reading my blog, and it said in part that my "journalistic juices" must be flowing. Indeed they are.

Most importantly though, I hope the citizens of Cranbrook will stay energized at this defining moment in the life of their community.

Vancouver Sun writer weighs in on Cranbrook boundary referendum and Jumbo Resort

Daphne Bramham of the Vancouver Sun has written an excellent piece -- much food for thought in it -- on the Cranbrook city council decision to pursue the Alternative Approval Process and now after being defeated on that one by the grassroots, has approved a referendum on its desire to extend the city's boundaries. The referendum is set for November 14, 2009.

Daphne also writes about the Regional District of East Kootenay decision on the proposed Jumbo Resort.

A good read at http://www.vancouversun.com/news/citizens+battle+heard+local+town+halls/2003164/story.html


COMING THIS WEEKEND!!!!! The Battle Lines are Drawn in Cranbrook Referendum Debate