Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon officially opens Chapleau Civic Centre in June 1978, and Ernie Gilbert holds protective umbrella during sudden downpour

Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon officially opened the Chapleau Civic Centre 32 years ago on June 28, 1978, a rare moment in the life of a community to have the official representative of Her Majesty the Queen in Ontario pay a visit.
The next day, Cedar Grove Lodge for Senior Citizens was officially opened by Hon. Rene Brunelle, provincial secretary for resources development, and to complete the openings, the ribbon was cut by Robert Eaton, MPP, at the Chapleau Recreation Centre on behalf of Ontario Premier William Davis on June 30.

Accompanied by her husband Donald, Mrs. McGibbon inspected honour guards of the Chapleau Air Cadet Squadron under the command of Lt. Gary Groulx, and Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion, accompanied by Jim Lane and Legion president Henry Therriault.

Cpl. Anita Memegos of the air cadets presented the Lieutenant Governor with a bouquet of flowers. Ken Russell led in the singing of O Canada and God Save the Queen, while the flag was raised by Legion member Boyd Beacock and John Way-White played Reveille.

After being escorted to the platform, Master of Ceremonies Deputy Reeve George L. Evans called on the band of the Air Cadet Squadron to play the vice regal salute.

Following prayers led by Rev. William Ivey, Father Laurent  Dube and Rev. Carson Duquette, Mrs. McGibbon cut the ribbon to officially open the civic centre. She then proceeded to tour the civic centre.

As an aside, during the official outdoor opening ceremonies there was a sudden downpour but Executive Assistant to the Reeve Eileen McCrea, prepared for any emergency, quickly provided umbrellas, and Councillor Ernie Gilbert was given the task of protecting the Lieutenant-Governor from the rain. Eileen co-ordinated all the official openings.

During her tour of the civic centre, Mrs. McGibbon, while in the library, commented that "One can judge the stature of a town or village by the extent of its library." She was greeted in the library by board chair Mrs. Renee Cecile, librarian Estelle Morin and the staff and board members.

At the Fire Hall she was welcomed by Fire Chief Ad Andrews, and while there presented 30 year service certificates to Chief Andrews, Deputy Chief Frank Coulter and Raoul Lemieux Sr.

She then proceeded to visit Cedar Grove Lodge, the museum and the recreation centre with Councillors Robert Lafreniere and Ernie Gilbert as tour guides and drivers for the official party.

Upon arrival at the Legion Hall for a luncheon, the Lieutenant Governor was met by branch president Henry Therriault and Ladies Auxiliary president Thelma Therriault. Her Honour placed a wreath on the newly rededicated cenotaph.

The Chapleau Sentinel reported that it was a delightful lunch prepared by a "gourmet chef." The luncheon was under the direction of Mrs. Dorleen Collings ably assisted by her team from the Legion auxiliary.

Mrs. McGibbon also had the opportunity to chat with Catherine Remus and Ann Thompson, who had been exchange students under the Rotary Club program. She also met Frank Cranston, Chapleau's last survivor of World War I.

On behalf of the citizens of Chapleau I presented the Lieutenant Governor with a plate designed and made by Northern Pottery, a Chapleau industry.The platinum plate was unique as it had been designed specifically for this occasion. (For new readers, I was the Reeve (Mayor) of Chapleau at the time.)

Following the departure of Mrs. McGibbon, there was another celebration at the Chapleau Public Library. The highlight of the gathering was the presentation of an achievement scroll to Mrs. Cecile by George Evans. It read as follows: "The Board of the Chapleau Public Library, in recognition of her untiring devotion to library service in Chapleau, presented this plaque to honour Mrs. Rene Cecile, member of the Board since its inception in 1959." Her granddaughter Lisa presented her with a bouquet of red roses.

Harry Pellow, then of Neish Owen Rowland and Roy was the principal architect for the Chapleau Civic Centre. Harry is a member of a pioneer Chapleau family.

Next week: Canada Week 1978 continued with openings, Don Harron, Catherine McKinnon, Foster Hewitt and King Clancy. My email is mj.morris@live.ca