Mrs. Agnes Freeborn organizes successful Chapleau Senior Citizens Club with first executive elected at meeting in park in 1973

Chapleau Seniors in the Park 1973

The enthusiastic response to the week long round of activities during Senior Citizens Week in 1973 resulted in the formation of the Chapleau Senior Citizens Club.

Mrs. Agnes Freeborn was the organizing force behind the formation of the club, and acted as president until an executive could be formed. Mrs. Freeborn called a meeting at the senior citizens park on the site of the old Chapleau High School which was attended by about 40 senior citizens. She gave an outline of what she felt the club could accomplish, adding she felt it was time to "get the ball rolling" and not let the opportunity pass as it had on previous occasions.

The group agreed, and by the end of the meeting an executive had been elected with Mrs. Freeborn declining to accept the position of president. 

Mrs. Min Blackburn was elected president while Ernest Gilbert became first vice president and Margaret Costello second vice president. Helen Grout was elected treasurer, Charlie Swanson, assistant treasurer, Einar Pearson, secretary and Mrs. Mary Mizuguchi, assistant treasurer. Within a year Mrs. Freeborn had become one of the vice presidents.

Two meetings a month were planned, one for business and one for social activities.

Writing in the Sault Star about Senior Citizens Week, Maggie Costello noted that senior citizens had held the spotlight with events that included a bowling evening, a talent show, an evening of cards, a dance, the official opening of the park and a bus trip to Dubreuilville for mass.

Maggie wrote that at the tea, the talent show and the dance, the generation gap just about disappeared which was nice to see. She made special note of the work done by Eileen McCrea and Joan Warren, the coordinators of the week's activities, saying they "did an outstanding job of seeing that their guests were comfortable and happy. They were a busy crew".

Maggie concluded that the dance was the "highlight of the week when the young, the over 40s and the 60s and over mingled gaily and happily and shook a mean foot for all the dances.

"The music provided by the Rhythmaires was a most welcome departure from what we are subjected to most of the time. With everyone well dressed, the young hostesses looking like a bunch of bright flowers, and all out for a merry evening, there prevailed an atmosphere ... of 'the good old days' and missing for some time past."

Through the organizational efforts of Mrs. Freeborn, the club was founded and continued where previous efforts had failed.  Active in many aspects of Chapleau life, Mrs. Freeborn was born in Chapleau, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.D. McAdam. Her father, a CPR engineer was the third reeve of Chapleau holding office from 1917 to 1919. Her husband Earle, a CPR freight agent died in office while serving as the 7th reeve in 1938. Her son Elmer served several terms on Chapleau council and another son Earle served as reeve/mayor from 1998 to 2010. On December 1, 1974, the Chapleau Senior Citizens Club played host to the people of Chapleau in their newly renovated Drop In Centre in the basement of Trinity United Church.

Guests were welcomed by Mrs. Freeborn, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Gwen Clegg and Mrs. S. Marcel. The head table was "gaily decorated in a Christmas decor" according to the Chapleau Sentinel. 

Presiding at the head table pouring tea were Miss Helen Grout and Mrs. M. Murray. Waiting on tables were Mrs. M. Rioux, Mrs. Ed Riley, Mrs. J. Brownlee, Mrs. Zita Evans, Mrs. F. Lucas and Mrs. Mary Mizuguchi.

A major highlight of the opening was when the men took over the serving duties. Pouring tea were Willie Fortin and Louis Longchamps while A. Emond, L. Rioux and Peter Blackburn  waited on tables.

The kitchen was managed by Mrs. L. Thibault, Mrs. O. Brunette, Mrs. C. Law, Mrs. Rose Ritchie and Mrs. M. O'Hearn.

Rev. William Ivey brought greetings from St. John's Anglican Church while Rev. D. Maclean of Trinity United Church said he was pleased the Seniors were using the building.

Councillors Dr. G.E. Young, Walter Wilson and Ernie Gilbert were there, and I was too. In 1973 I was a councillor and chairman of the Chapleau Recreation Committee; in 1974, it was my first year as Reeve.

The finishing touch to the occasion was the music by Eunice Michaud and her electric piano which was enjoyed by all.

In 1976, club members participated in groundbreaking ceremony for Cedar Grove Lodge, and in 1978, with its completion, the senior citizens moved to the Mrs. Agnes Freeborn Memorial Elderly Persons Centre, in recognition of her efforts in establishing the club. Mrs. Freeborn died on March 3, 1977. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Ontario cabinet minister Rene Brunelle describes Chapleau as 'most progressive community in Northern Ontario' in 1978 at official opening of Cedar Grove Lodge

When Cedar Grove Lodge for Senior Citizens and the Chapleau Recreation Centre were officially opened in June 1978, it was also an occasion to honour some of Chapleau's distinguished citizens.
At Cedar Grove, the apartment section was named in honour of Peter Blackburn and Vince Crichton, to be known as the Blackburn-Crichton Memorial Wing and the drop-in centre as the Mrs. Agnes Freeborn Memorial Elderly Persons Centre. Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Crichton were long-time residents of Chapleau and great supporters of community life. Mrs. Freeborn was the founding president of the Chapleau Senior Citizens Club whiich held its first meeting on the lawn of the old Chapleau High School in the summer of 1973.

At the recreation centre opening on June 29, it was announced that the arena portion would be known as the Mrs. A.W. Moore Arena in honour of Mrs. Moore, who was present for the occasion. Mrs. Moore, over a period of many years, made an immense contribution to hockey, and to the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena, where she singlehandedly raised the funds for the installation of artificial ice. Her picture and a plaque were to be placed in the arena.

The home for the aged section at Cedar Grove Lodge was named the Rene Brunelle Wing, after the Ontario cabinet minister who was so incredibly supportive of the project, and in large measure made it happen. Mr. Brunelle, who died in April, 2010, was present for the occasion in 1978, and officially opened the complex. The ribbon was held by pioneer residents Mr. and Mrs. Fred Leclerc. Mr. Leclerc had served as a member of Chapleau council.

In his remarks, Mr. Brunelle, who represented Cochrane riding referred to Chapleau as "the most progressive community in Northern Ontario", according to a report in the Chapleau Sentinel. Mr. Brunelle also toured the new civic centre and recreation centre.

In a letter, Ontario Premier William Davis wrote that the decision to name part of the facility after Mr. Brunelle, was a "fitting tribute" adding that the "north has no better friend than Rene Brunelle and in the true northern spirit you have recognized this in a most meaningful way... May I extend to all who have been associated in any way with this project, my warmest best wishes."

Following the opening of Cedar Grove on June 30, the Chapleau Senior Citizens Club, with Mrs. Min Blackburn as president, served a delightful lunch while citizens also toured the facility. Tour guides were members of the Sincerity Rebekah Lodge.

Mrs. Lauretta Veit, a member of the founding board for Cedar Grove was chairperson for the official opening, and delighted those attending with the announcement that Catherine McKinnon and her husband Don Harron, "Charlie Farquharson" were present. Miss McKinnon sang 'Amazing Grace' while "Charlie" performed one of his popular dialogues. The visit was arranged by Peter Bernier, chair of the Chapleau Recreation Committee.

Back to the opening of the recreation centre, another highlight was the presentation of the Peter Blackburn Memorial Trophy to Jamie Doyle of the Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies as the player who made the most outstanding overall contribution to the team. Mrs. Blackburn had donated the trophy of her husband who had been an avid supporter of the Chapleau entry in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League.

In accepting the trophy, Jamie said: "Mr. Blackburn travelled many miles with our team. He was with us when we lost and when we won. It is a great honour to have won this most prestigious trophy."

Recreation director Terry Bryson was master of ceremonies for the recreation centre opening whiile it was officially declared open by Robert Eaton, MPP, on behalf of Premier William Davis. The keys to the building were presented to Peter Bernier, the chair of the Chapleau Recreation Committee.

Harry Pellow, then of Neish Owen Rowland and Roy, and a member of one of Chapleau's pioneer families, was the principal architect for Cedar Grove and the recreation centre. Eileen McCrea, executive assistant to the reeve was overall co-ordinator of the openings.

Among the dignitaries attending the recreation centre opening was Carlo Cattarello, the president of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association and an outstanding tennis player. I had challenged Carlo to a set to be played on the arena floor, and he brought his racquet and clothes all set to play. I tried to use the excuse that I had forgotten everything at home, but Tim Morin came forward and offered to let me use his racquet, shoes, shirt and shorts. Trapped!

The Chapleau Sentinel reported that it was "a great set until the reeve complained of a 'sore wrist' with the games tied 4-4. Mr. Cattarello emerged the winner 5-4".

For new readers, I was the Reeve (Mayor) of Chapleau at the time.

Thanks to all those who have been writing me. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

IN PHOTO are founding members of the board of Cedar Grove Lodge at ground breaking cereemony in 1976: From left, Michael Morris, Dr. G.E.Young, George Evans, Hon Rene Brunelle, Walter Wilson, Ernie Gilbert, Lauretta Veit, G. Ste, Marie, F.A. Card, Louise Mione and Min Blackburn.

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

Chapleau 1976: laughter at high school, comic athletic prowess, ball hockey squeakers and the circus tent

Jamie Thibault, who was president of the Students Council at Chapleau High School in 1976-77, reflected on the importance of laughter as part of everyday life at the school when he was attending it in the Seventies.

Writing in the souvenir newspaper for the school's 75th anniversary in 1997, Jamie says that while laughter was never really given the respect it should have received, "it was a something, a quality perhaps, that everyone possessed whether they were aware of it or not."

Reflecting on his high school days Jamie still heard laughter in the hallways, classrooms, gymnasiums, library, on the hill as students told jokes. passed along secrets, and pulled pranks amongst one another.

"I hear the comic anecdotes of Mr. (Bryan) Kuehl to drill home a point in his Biology class; I relive the hockey tales from Mr. Morris in Man and Society; I visualize the comical actions that Mr. (Alex) Babin used to illustrate the use of a verb in French class: I hear Mr. (George) Evans using comic relief to get the class through another session of Greek mythology; I hear Mr. (Ross) Hryhorchuk laughing at another display of comic athletic prowess..."

On the 1976-77 CHS Students Council with Jamie were Tom O'Shaughnessy, Willie Date, Tim Morin, Jean Doyle, Francois Tremblay, Elaine Travis, Mike Serre, Joan Payette and Anne Marie Payette.

Thanks Jamie for the memories.

Also at the high school in 1976, Guy Bazinet was the valedictorian, while recipients of the Ontario Secondary School Honour Graduation Diplomas included Gilles Babineau, Richard Barrer, Guy Bazinet, Heather Beacock, Andre Bedard, Angelo Bucciarelli, Doris Delaney, Russell Deluce, Linda Dingee, Michelina Frattaruolo, Luc Gauthier, Michelle Jacques, Guy Martel, Keith Travis and Andre Tremblay

RECREATION ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY

Meanwhile, in the Spring of 1976, recreation activities were getting underway for the summer season.

Little League Baseball was getting underway at Grinton Park, where the Chapleau Recreation Centre opened in 1978, and with repairs to the field having been completed, under the capable guidance of president Bill Chambers, Chapleau would be hosting the District Four Little League playoffs.

At the beach Paul Richardson would be returning for his second year as the swimming instructor and lifeguard.

Over at the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena, the newly formed men's ball hockey league was getting underway with four teams participating -- Chapleau Lumber, The Hustlers, Ministry of Natural Resources and the West Side Boys.

In the opening games, the Ministry of Natural Resources squeaked by Ron Larcher's Hustlers, scoring in the dying seconds to win 5-4. Chapleau Lumber built up a 3-0 lead but couldn't hold it and lost by an identical score to the West Side Boys. I remember attending the ball hockey league games and found them so relaxing after a long winter of coaching the Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies in their first season in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League in 1975-76. I sat in the stands and enjoyed the ball hockey games.

75th ANNIVERSARY PLANS FINALIZED

In the Spring of 1976, plans were also being finalized for Summerfest and Old Home Week to mark the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of Chapleau as a municipality to be held from July 1 to 4. Led by Festival Chapleau co-ordinator Eileen McCrea, a group of volunteers was working to finalize the activities -- and bring the circus tent to town for activities in the beach area.

Manlio Spessot and the Boy Scouts were organizing the canoe and kayak races while Dorleen Collings, who was often fondly called "Chapleau's cook" was planning the menus for the meals that would be provided. Recreation Director Terry Bryson was overseeing all the recreation activities for the celebration.

Plans were also being made for a visit to Chapleau by the Hon. Rene Brunelle, chairman of the provincial cabinet, who would participate in the sod-turning ceremony for Cedar Grove Lodge for Senior Citizens which would be located on the old separate school site on Pine Street. During Senior Citizens Week, the Chapleau Senior Citizens Club saw plans for the new complex and made their comments.

Terry Bryson announced that a picnic for senior citizens would be held during the Old Home Week, while Councillor Ernie Gilbert outlined grants for Senior Citizens centres.

CENTENNIAL MUSEUM OPENS FOR SUMMER

Robert Andras, who was the minister of Manpower and Immigration for Canada was in town in June and officially opened the Chapleau Centennial Museum for the summer season by raising a new Canadian flag on behalf of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

Under the capable supervision of Dorleen Collings, The Chapleau Sentinel reported that the museum had been a "beehive of activity with flowers blossoming and the fountain "spattered with the pennies of those seeking luck." Inside many displays were being restored. The rock collection, stuffed birds and animals and the famous Rotary table were all in place.

Seems like only yesterday.

Harry Pellow recalls enthusiasm at 'critical pitch' during Chapleau road hockey games of the Fifties

Butch at CHS Reunion 2012

By Harry "Butch" Pellow

I only recall the famous strip between Birch and Cedar but I did play on the pond on the back river once or twice. Both times I froze my toes and fingers and decided that it was too cold for me.

But on Aberdeen Street it was warmer and much closer to home to play road hockey. Frequently, snow piles were pretty high; often stained with dog urine and rarely without many deep holes in them where the pucks had been lost and had been recovered either by probing sticks or urgent kicks from various team players.

Players were randomly gathered either by purposeful visits to the destination or picked up on the way by. The skill level was indeterminate but the enthusiasm was always at a critical pitch.

Frequently the more proficient and sometimes the more senior amongst us effected a team selection process which created a lop-sided weighting of skill and ability resulting in long periods hen goals were only scored from one direction. By the way, I was not one of the more senior amongst us if you know what I mean.

Sometimes the call of nature shortened the attention span but then there was always the back of Schroeder's porch, Evan's barn or Mcleod's hedge available for relief. Not infrequently if the call was more urgent there would be knocks on adjacent doors (usually Evans or Schroeder’s) asking for use of the facilities but this was rare because it could have called an end to the game if dinner was seen to be on the table.

There were several constants including Mike Morris, Bill McLeod, Ken Schroeder, Jim Evans, Butch Pellow, Charlie White and Buddy Swanson. Down the block and around the corner players would be attracted by the shouting or previously having been invited to bolster a losing run. They included Tony Telik, Joey Steen, Mansel Riley, Mark Boulard, Tommy Jordan, Tim Goodwin (yes even that far away), and Gunner Collins and and and………………

Games usually started immediately after school and lingered well after the merchant families parents arrived home from work. Some evenings that was quite late. Generally speaking though darkness imposed a limitation and there were very few lights on the street to create a safe level of illumination. Especially low in fact as I remember because once the puck was lost, it remained lost until the next morning. In the absence of a puck there were alternative missiles however including a half size can of Carnation milk, Klick or Spam cans, other similar sized items from the nearest garbage bin, frozen ice balls, horse dung in various states of compression (frozen or not) and now and then, even gloves, shoes or rubbers.

Skates were never worn, we were generally wearing pretty warm jackets and they became sweaty, only the goalies wore pads, many wore hockey gloves and as often as not the sticks were retreads or broken.

I recall MIlton Schroeder often calling ".. Kinny, get in here for dinner", Zita arranging for communication to Jim for the same purpose and I was always under threat of 'no dinner' if I didn't know enough to come in from the cold.

Mcleod, Evans, Schroeder and I even think Mike Morris took turns in net. Mike later took up officiating as we know. The rest of us barrelled along the snow tracks left by the sleighs and the infrequent car or truck and now and then would do our best to shovel a somewhat level playing surface that would quickly become snowed over or covered in disturbed snow bank residue after searches were made for lost pucks. To say there was no contact would be an untruth. The reality was that all of us endured pain masked by the cold, many bruises, black eyes and very sore fingers. It was fun but it was rough and it was dangerous.

Once inside of course it wasn't easy to get back out again on school nights although it was different story on weekends when the games started immediately after hockey practice on Saturday mornings and continued until it was Hockey Night in Canada. Sundays were generally a replay of Saturday with the added flare of one or other of us posing as a "best player" from last night's game or attempting to interpret Foster Hewitt's description of a play that until the late fifty's was as exciting as it could get without a picture. Even when TV arrived it was grey and snowy on Doctor Young's cable line or and we relied on Foster Hewitt or Danny Gallivan to bring it all to life.

Note: Harry "Butch" Pellow, was born and raised in Chapleau, Ontario, a member of one of the community's pioneer families. He founded Pellow + Associates Architects Inc., of Toronto, in 1978. Harry was the architect for the Chapleau General Hospital, Chapleau Recreation Centre, Chapleau Civic Centre, Cedar Grove Lodge for Senior Citizens and the golf club house in Chapleau.