Chapleau and Timmins representatives meet to plan Highway 101 to connect communities

After Highway 129 between Chapleau and Thessalon was opened the next project was to connect the community with Timmins. 

The North Bay Nugget addressed the issue in an editorial in February 1951.

"It has remained for Chapleau a tiny town to the north and west of us (North Bay) to start the ball rolling for a road between Chapleau and Timmins," the editorial said.

"Good for Chapleau. We hope they are successful. At the same time we wonder what the trouble is with Sudbury's initiative that it has failed to get together with Timmins (they are the two bigggest communities in the northland) to press for a highway to link up their cities."

Highway 144 linking Sudbury and Timmins was to come along later.

The editorial noted that a group of "Porcupine enthusiasts made a jaunt to Chapleau to talk up the new highway. Now Chapleau has returned the compliment.

Chapleau Reeve, B. W. 'Bubs" Zufelt who had assumed office in 1948, was impressed with the apparent ease with which a highway could be hacked through the bush between Chapleau and Timmins. Mr. Zufelt expressed the belief that the chain of lakes spotting the area could be rimmed at normal costs.

In the interests of full disclosure, Bubs Zufelt was my uncle.

"With the road completed, we shall not be the distant neighbours we are at present", he said. "We are certain this delegation is going to much toward getting the government to do something about getting this road."

The editorial continued that the "Timmins-Chapleau highway plan was fathered by business groups in the two towns and already it has been actively endorsed by labour unions in the area. They see the road as increasing employment opportunities since it would open rich timber and mineral resources now dormant because of the lack of transportation."

The editorial concluded: "Well, all we can say is, good for Chapleau andtimmins. We hope they get their road."

By 1962, Highway 101 was completed linking Chapleau and Timmins through Foleyet.

I remember the grand opening in Chapleau when the parade assembled at the Shawmere River and came into town. 

My first memory of travelling over Highway 101 to Timmins was In August 1964 when my Uncle Bubs drove me to Timmins to start my first job as a daily newspaper reporter at the Timmins Daily Press. My grandmother Edythe Hunt accompanied us. Like all grandmothers she had to check everything out!!!!

By 1966, Highway 101 had been extended to connect Chapleau and Wawa. However, although Chapleau had been promised that the Trans Canada Highway would pass through it, the community is still waiting!!!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Six Chapleauites including reporter Maggie Costello ride Highway 101 to Timmins for first time in 1961

Shortly after Margaret 'Maggie' Costello arrived in Chapleau in 1949, she started reporting on the life, times and people of the community, and as part of her experience became the first woman to travel over Highway 101 to Timmins in 1961.

For more than 25 years, Maggie as she was fondly called, became a fixture at all things Chapleau, arriving in her Volkswagen Beetle with her camera, and reporting on them first for the Sudbury Star in her Chapleau Scene column and in news stories, then with the Sault Star where she wrote Chapleau Hi-Lites and reported the news from her adopted community. 

Maggie was born in Pennsylvania, and after settling in Chapleau with her husband Bill, first worked at the Chapleau Clinic and for the Township of Chapleau, but she was a newspaper reporter, first and foremost.

She had been a reporter in the United States, and was also a professional actress, something Chapleau  learned when she played a leading role in the Chapleau Little Theatre's 1969 production of Kay Hill's comedy 'Three to Get Married'.

Maggie was also active as a member of the board of the Chapleau Community Credit Union, the Chapleau Chamber of Commerce and Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary.

Doug Greig recently sent me some of Maggie's columns including the one 'Six Chapleauites ride Highway 101 to Timmins -- for first time' from December 1961.

She wrote they were looking at a map spread out before them and "can hardly believe it happened -- but it did. Six went all the way to Timmins."

On the expedition over the new highway with Maggie were Reeve D.J. 'Jim' Broomhead, Marcel Bourgeault, Roy May, Gilles Boisvert and F.B. 'Casey' Nowakowski, and she was most gracious in extending thanks to them for having asked her to accompany the delegation determined to see Highway 101 opened and available to all in 1961.

Commenting on being the first woman to travel over the new highway from Chapleau to Timmins, Maggie wrote, "We've never been one to shout from the housetops that we were first in anything - but we are, we are - and being the first woman that's something no one can take away from us -- we were the first woman to drive over Highway 101.

Just a note on Maggie's use of "we" when referring to herself.  "We" can also refer to the group so it can be a bit confusing. Maggie came from the school of newspaper reporting and column writing where the use of "I" was not permitted. Even though I am (we are) a product of the same school of journalism, after all these years of more personal journalism, it took me a few moments to adapt to Maggie's style, although the use of "I" should still be avoided. The third person should be used, and enough already of a lesson from Journalism 101.

Stuck in mud on Highway 101

Although Maggie was proud of the group's accomplishment, she wrote that "further keeping the ego in check the successful trip owed its success to the assistance of the department of highways equipment over the one and only bad part of about 50 feet some 30 miles between Chapleau and Foleyet. 

She added that about noon they reached the stretch of swamp and muskeg that had not been completely filled in and the ground was soft and mushy and the "wheels of the vehicle sunk in but good."

It was lunch time, she noted, but as soon as the highway crew returned, the two car caravan received all kinds of co-operation, and "after being set on more solid ground by bulldozer operator Lloyd Eaton of Foleyet, we rolled merrily the rest of the way."

A short news story about the historic trip noted that "residents of Chapleau and Timmins joined hands over a new stretch of road in jubilation. Highway 101 was finally a reality."

The official opening ceremonies of the highway took place with a huge celebration in June 1962.

About 10 years earlier, a Chapleau delegation chartered a plane and flew to Timmins for highway discussions with the Porcupine Chamber of Commerce. The flight took 52 minutes compared to  a return trip of about 19 hours by train at that time. Accompanying Reeve B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt were Arthur Grout, Albert Evans, Charles W. Collins, Gordon Bailey and Wilf Simpson.

Margaret 'Maggie' Costello, who was predeceased by her husband Bill, died in 1983. She had retired in 1977. A memorial service was held at St. John's Anglican Church. 

Thanks to Doug Greig and Anne (Zufelt) McGoldrick. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Official opening of Chapleau-Timmins Highway 101 connection in 1962 called 'banner day' in Northern Ontario history as aerial bombs exploded everywhere

Between Chapleau and Foleyet Hwy 101 construction

The Chapleau-Timmins Highway 101 connection was officially opened on June 23, 1962, with citizens awakened by the sound of aerial bombs exploding everywhere, making it a "banner day" in the history of Northern Ontario.
Ken Encil was in charge of the explosive start to the activities while Jack Baker, president of the Chapleau Chamber of Commerce, commented that the committee had gone "to great lengths to make this a banner day in the history of Northern Ontario, as indeed (the road) is making history for this part of the country.

Monster dances had been held the previous evening with the teenage dance on Pine Street across from the old Chapleau High School which had been illuminated with coloured lights and the adult dance in the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. The very popular Jim Lane was the master of ceremonies and in charge of music for both dances, and let me tell you, it was one great night in Chapleau for everyone. I was home from university for the summer and remember it all like it was only yesterday.

At 8:30 am. Chapleau vehicles proceeded to the Shawmere River, and were directed to stop west of the river and park under the direction of the Ontario Provincial Police. The directions were very specific as Timmins vehicles were to leave that city, not later than eight a.m. to arrive at the Shawmere not later than 10 a.m. and be "parked two cars wide facing west and must stop 300 feet short of the bridge..." A warning, "Don't forget the fly dope," was issued.

At 10 a.m "sharp" there was a tug of war competition on the bridge between two teams from Timmins and two from Chapleau lumber jacks. I have no idea all these years later who won, but the Timmins Canadian Legion Band was also there playing numbers before the opening ceremonies began.

Jim Wyatt of Timmins was master of ceremonies, while W.E. Brewer, Jack Baker, and Herb Curnow, presidents of the Porcupine, Chapleau and Foleyet chambers of commerce, gave short addresses. Rheal Belisle, MPP, introduced W.J. Goodfellow, the Ontario Minister of Highways who officiated at the official ribbon cutting after which Dr. J.B. McClinton, of Timmins, a pioneer promoter of the highway unveiled an historical plaque. Two years later when I became a reporter at the Timmins Daily Press, I came to know Dr. McClinton and what a great supporter he was of the development of Northern Ontario.

The parade then proceeded to Chapleau, and upon arrival at the outskirts of town, headed by the Chapleau Town Band and with the assistance of the Timmins Legion Band, Timmins Lions Sea Cadet Band, Chapleau High School Girls Bugle Band, Chapleau Pipers, drum majorettes from Timmins, CHS Cadet Corps the procession of vehicles and floats headed into town. It ended up at the Town Hall. Charlie Law and Willard Morrison were parade marshals.

After the parade Balloon Man Ernie Holden and 101 Pennant Man Casey Nowakoski could be found at the beach area where as usual J.M. "Jack" Shoup was in charge of the activities for children. The usual activities associated with Chapleau celebrations took place with the added attraction of a fire brigade competition on Pine Street between teams from Chapleau, Timmins, Porcupine, Tisdale and Schumacher all organized by Fire Chiefs Ad Andrews of Chapleau and Stanley of Timmins.

A challenge grudge softball game was held between Chapleau council and all stars led by Reeve D.J. "Jim" Broomhead and Timmins led by Mayor Leo Del Villano.

I never seem to have the winners of competitions in Chapleau, so if anyone remembers, please feel free to let me know. If you have photos please let me know.

As I look at the program all these years later, it was a non-stop weekend in Chapleau with activities for people of all ages and it brought visitors to the community from everywhere -- or so it sure seems. The organizing committee was chaired by Arthur J. Grout assisted by Ted Demers and Jim Wyatt. Committee members came from every organization.

On the same weekend, the executive of the Sudbury and District Municipal Association held a meeting in Chapleau, and Ontario cabinet minister W.J. Spooner officially opened the Five Mile Lake Provincial Park.

On Saturday evening as soon as it was "sufficiently dark" there was a fascinating outdoor picture show on two screens organized by Yvon Martel assisted by Ted Demers and Eric Gage while near the end of an amateur show in the town hall auditorium there was a playback of a record made some 10 years earlier by Chapleau proponents of Highway 101. Speakers on it were B.W. "Bubs" Zufelt, the reeve of Chapleau in 1951, and Charles W. Collins, A.E. Evans and Mr. Grout. all citizens who in their time were devoted to the best interests of the community. I wonder if anyone still has this recording, a very important historical document.

A giant fireworks display organized by Tommy Godfrey and his crew brought the day's activities to a close

Forest fire evacuation of Chapleau in 1967 called 'masterpiece of planning' even though roast found in with the shoes

As Chapleau life returns to normal after after the power outage of 2010, it was in June 1967, 43 years ago, that a forest fire resulted in the evacuation of about 90 percent of the community's residents.

(See end of story for map explanation.)

Charlie Purich, who was working as a purchasing agent for the department of lands and forests recalled that the fire in 1967 that evacuated the town was called 69-8. 69 stood for the District and 8 was the eighth fire that year. The fire started Friday June 2 just north of Montreal Lake and Mosquito Lake in 13G township and its perimeter as of 21:15 June 3 was 3250 acres and On June 4 at 11:00 hrs. it was 3300 acres. Then it spread to 3550 acres by 14:00 hrs. Then to 4450 acres by 17:00 hrs. Then to 5000 acres by 17:30 hrs. On June 5 at 07:15 it was 5800 acres and then it started to die.

Charlie added that it started in 13 G Township and followed the west side of Sideburned Lake and the east side of Highbrush Lake crossing Highway 101 and continuing on a direct path toward the town. The fire broke out about 12 miles southwest of Chapleau on the south side of Highway 101 west.

Reporting on the fire in its June 8, 1967, edition, the Chapleau Sentinel said that tractor trailers loaded with bulldozers and other equipment were rushed to the area to create fire breaks. However, by Sunday morning at daylight the fire aided by higher winds had jumped Highway 101 and was headed to Chapleau.

District Forester Jim Keddie had advised Reeve T.C. "Terry" Way-White of the situation and a meeting was held in the Town Hall at 11 a.m. attended by the council and other citizens as well as lands and forests personnel and Ontario Provincial Police. The decision was made to evacuate the municipality and the order was given by Mr. Way-White. The exodus began on Sunday afternoon with between 800-900 vehicles beginning the trek out of town after the signal had been given to evacuate. There were 90 boxcars in the CPR yard and a hospital train had left Sudbury to assist with the emergency. At its peak, nearly 400 firefighters were on the scene.

The Sentinel reported that even given the awkwardness of the old horshoe overhead bridge the traffic flow was steady and even and no tieups occurred. The newspaper referred to the evacuation as a "masterpiece of planning" with a committee headed by Mr. Way-White with J.M. "Jack" Shoup and township clerk Ollie Carlson assisting with general directions. Other members included Gene Bernier, communications; Roy May, transportation; Jim Broomhead, those in hospital and in need of special care; Con Schmidt, the contact for reception of evacuees in other communities; OPP Cpl. Ron Lewis and Fire Chief Ad Andrews, policing and safety. George Nutkins and Doug Kavanaugh of the CPR and Chief Forest Ranger Lawless Cecile and Deputy Chief Ranger Lloyd Woods also played major roles during the emergency.

For the record, Charlie and others have been providing me with details on this fire for some time before the power outage caused by a forest fire near Wawa.

Charlie also noted that "When the town was evacuated we assisted the OPP with our Lands and Forests trucks, patrolling the streets and it was an eerie feeling late at night."

By Monday, some rain had fallen and the evacuation order was lifted. Chapleau residents began to return home.
I posted a request for memories from the 1967 fire on Facebook and here are the responses:

Hugh McGoldrick "Michael, I will always remember Veda Warren saying,"I'm not leaving town 'til the walls of (her) house get hot." I guess she never did leave, but it sure sounded funny to me that this sweet little defiant lady was going to 'stand up' to the fire. She clearly had a pioneer spirit.

"Meanwhile, the McGoldricks and the two Jardine families on Grey St. (Doug and Don) were somewhat less defiant and we all went to Least Lake. I think we stayed at Mammy and Pappy Jones' camp. When we arrived there was a duck in the camp that had pooped everywhere. So we had to clean the camp and then find sleeping arrangements for the 15 or so of us. It was cozy but fun.

Ann (Card) Morin: "Since I was only 11 yrs old it seemed more like a camping trip, although we a knew that the town was in grave danger. I also remember feeling pretty important that our town was mentioned in the House of Commons. In the end I was just pleased to have an early start to summer and return to town to find that my new bicycle had not perished in the fire...important considerations for an 11 year old.

"I remember we went to Mulligan's Bay, Uncle George and Auntie Olive's (Boucher) Camp ...mass confusion my mother packed me all tops no bottoms ... we found the roast in with the shoes. It was scary because my Dad had to stay home with the fire department... we could see the smoke from the camp."

Suzanne (Comte Weber) "My grandfather said that the wind would change and the town will be ok. So our family, probably one of the few didn't leave town. I remember walking around town , it was so deserted, hoses all over. houses being watered down. What a memory it was."



Kate Laframboise " I remember strong smell of smoke and the sky was gray.My sister Janet drove us to Timmins, with the exception of my two eldest brothers and my father Bucko. We stayed in a hotel for a couple of days and then heard everything was okay to return."

Eugene Bouillon "I remember a bunch of us kids riding around on our bikes, with bandanas on our faces, covering our noses from the smoke. The smoke was so thick, sometimes, you could not even see the Ball park from our place. Embers were falling all over King Street and even over to Elgin Street. We went to Foleyet, and stayed with some people there."

Joan Lapointe Gauthier "I remember the fire very well. We were living on King Street and my grandfasther kept hosing down the house because of the live embers. I had a Uncle Tom who had had a stroke and was in hospital and we took him home with us. My mom Evelyn Lapointe was working at the hospital and they were delivering a baby when the alarms sounded. I packed as much of the personal belongings as possible into our car. I'm not sure as to what happened to Uncle Tom but if my memory is correct I think he was taken to Sudbury by train. My grandfather was adamant about not leaving the house and we stayed that night after the evacutation order but did go to Foleyet the next day and came home that evening. You could hear the bulldozer as clear as a bell cutting a fire break into the bush behind the houses on the bush side of King Street."

Johanne Wilson: "Roger and other men were helping to put people on the trains. I took my Dad's car and loaded the 3 boys along with some valuables, and so did our neighbour at the time and ,we drove to Sudbury. Waited there for our husbands to come... " When it was safe, we returned home, all ended well."

The Sentinel was also reporting that Eddie Shack was in town the weekend following the evacuation as guest speaker at the Chapleau Junior "B" Huskies banquet as part of their celebration on winning the NOHA Junior "B" championship, and the Scouts and Cubs were holding their annual Father-Son banquet. Life returned to normal very quickly. In years to come, I am sure many stories will be told about the great power outage of 2010. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

p.s. I was working in Toronto at the time of the  1967 fire but my mother, Muriel E. Morris was in Chapleau. Mom refused to leave her home.

 MAP PROVIDED BY CHARLIE PURICH  It is the actual map prepared by personnel at the "Point" during that fire.


Colours showing spread of fire:
Red----------June 2

Yellow------June 3
Blue---------June 4
Orange----June 5

Updates on the power and forest fire situation at Chapleau

POST SIX: BULLETIN  Jeanette Wright from Chapleau posted on Facebook: "Monday 3pm Hydro is back on hoooray."   Anita Stephens also posted that power is back on at her home and office.  Other contacts have reported that the power is now back on in Chapleau area, and the community is returning to normal after more than 90 hours without power.

However, the forest fire named Wawa 18 is not out yet.

POST FIVE:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2010/30/c8127.html  Full details

Monday May 31 at 8 a.m ET: Hydro One reported on Monday morning that: "Seventy-five workers and support staff and one helicopter and off-road equipment have been mobilized to undertake power restoration work which involves clearing conductor; removing and replacing burnt poles; and, the restringing of conductor. Based on the current damage assessment, it is expected that full power restoration will not be complete until late Monday. "





POST FOUR:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2010/30/c8127.html  See full details

7 p.m. Sunday May 30: Today, Hydro One crews commenced power restoration activities in the Chapleau area. A power outage, which began on Thursday, May 27, was caused by a forest fire that started Thursday, May 27 in the Chapleau area near Wawa, Ontario.






POST THREE:
3 p.m. Sunday May 30: Here is link to video of the Wawa Fire 18, which I believe was taken on May 28   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2HjuF0YTHI&feature=player_embedded


http://www.soonews.ca/viewarticle.php?id=26313  Click on link for full story from Soo News.
 Soo News is reporting today that the fire has grown to 2300 hectares and MNR’s priority is to suppress the fire, maintain safety procedures and enable Hydro One power line crews and equipment access for Sunday morning to repair the damaged transmission lines and restore power to the town of Chapleau. MNR is providing fire engine support and emergency medical support to Hydro One for their efforts if required.





POST TWO:
9:30 p.m. Saturday May 29:  CBC NEWS is reporting tonight that Chapleau Mayor Earle Freeborn said the town may be without power until early next week, but  backup generators will keep the hospital and water running.
Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/05/29/toronto-forest-fires-blackout.html#ixzz0pN7vajXa

The fire is not threatening any populated areas at this time, according to all reports.

POST ONE:
Chapleau was still without power and the forest fire near Highway 101 was still burning, according to my contacts at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Saturday May 29.

The power disruption occurred on the afternoon of Thursday May 27 when a forest fire along  Highway 101 near the turnoff to Hawk Junction destroyed at least 22 hydro transmission poles. Hydro One crews have been unable to work in the area because of the fire.

I will post further information as I receive it. If you have information please email me at mj.morris@live.ca