Chapleau High School at turning point in its history in 1961-62 as enrolment jumped significantly, new course added

Merrick Goldstein 1960s

Chapleau High School took its first small step towards bilingualism - French and English - in the 1961-62 school year with the arrival of Luther Emerson as principal.

Susan Cecile, a Grade 13 student, who wrote a column in the short lived Chapleau Press explained that students who had graduated from the bilingual program at the separate school would be able to take "advanced French instead of the ordinary elementary French", in Grade 9. Plans were to continue it through to Grade 13 for these students.

At that time there were no plans to offer other courses in French, but it was the start of courses for those who spoke French as a first language.

Interestingly, Susan points out that enrolment has jumped to 201 as compared to 136 in the previous year. There were three Grade 9 classes, two Grade 10 and one each for Grades 11, 12 and 13.

Innocents John Murray, Jim Anderson, Peter Simpson Frank Bignucolo

For those who started at CHS in 1961-62, you may recall the teachers who were Mr. Emerson, Jean Hattie, Sheila Kingston, Raymond Achurch, Yvon Charbonneau, Marcel Gelinas, Clement Miron, Gladys Bowles, and George Evans in his first year at the school.

Susan commented: "We have found our new teachers enthusiastic, cooperative and just plain terrific".


Susan noted the importance of physical education courses, which were compulsory from grades 9 to 12, with two qualified teachers -- Mr. Gelinas and Miss Kingston. Activities would be held on the playing field and in the "cellar gym".

A skating rink was planned behind the school while there was also a school bowling league with games scheduled once a week at the YMCA lanes.  The fee for students was $2.00 a month.

Curling was also popular with 16 teams competing at the Pine Street curling rink after school on weekdays. Playoffs were planned for the end of the season.

Religious instruction classes were held weekly conducted by Father R. Marchand of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Rev. J.G.M. Doolan of St. John's Anglican Church and Rev. M.A. McBride of Trinity United Church.

To mark the start of the school year, Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion dedicated a new flag and flagpole in front of the school, according to the Sudbury Star.

Gerry Boucher

Legion member Ken Encil headed a team which erected the flagpole. The dedication ceremonies were conducted by branch president Herbert Doig assisted by Scotty Welch. The flag was raised by Wilfred Simpson.

The occasion was also an opportunity to present awards to four members of 1181 Chapleau High School Cadet Corps for proficiency in Morse Code training while at Camp Ipperwash. They were Wayne Midkiff, K. Knorz, Danny Mizuguchi and Edward Beynon, who won an additional award for work at Camp Borden.

The 1961-62 year at CHS marked a turning point in the history of secondary school education in Chapleau in more ways than one, but that is a story for another day,  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photos from Lark Ritchie collection

Friday Morning Coffee Club meets in new location with visit from The Sound Principle

Friday Morning Coffee Club, aka FMCC,  met for the first time in its new location at the White Spot, Triple O, with a special musical moment for Valentine's Day provided by 'The Sound Principle'.

'The Sound Principle', a very popular Cranbrook barber shop quartet, with FMCC founding member Joel Vinge as a member was making its annual rounds for Valentine's Day to raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. All funds raised go to the foundation.

It takes them two days to visit all those who sign up in Cranbrook and Kimberley  to have the quartet visit in person and present a rose to a loved one and sing two appropriate songs for the occasion.

 In fact, they even sing for the mother of Jim Roberts, another FMCC founding member, who lives in Oregon, Technology assists greatly!

They found time to visit White Spot Triple O, and present a rose and sing two songs, which were greeted by loud applause by the FMCC members, staff and customers. Members of 'The Sound Principle' are: lead, Gert DeGroot; bass, Rollie Cummins; bass, Michael Jones, and tenor, Joel Vinge.

Thanks so much.

FMCC had to move after two years when the Starbucks in Target closed as part of the store closing.

Thanks to the staff who made us feel so welcome at the new location.

Also, thanks to 'The Sound Principle' who bring moments of delight into the lives of so many people all year round, but especially on Valentine's Day.

They remind me of a quote attributed to Etienne de Grellet, a Quaker missionary:

I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

Etienne de Grellet
Quaker Missionary