Dane Ries presents the Michael J Morris Rope Swing at Cranbrook Aquatic Centre

When I did my rope swing in August at the swimming pool, aka Cranbrook Aquatic Centre, the lifeguard team led by Dane Riese were really a class act -- complete with creating a video of the occasion.

Well, Dane has provided me with the final version of my rope swing moment, and while I sure am no rope swing pro, I did it.

It all resulted from me saying one too many times that I would like to once again rope swing, something I did into the Humber River in Toronto, and into the Chapleau River from the CPR trestle as a kid.

Dane said, "We will make it happen" and on August 29, it did.

Here is link to the story done after the moment http://michaeljmorrisreports.blogspot.in/2014/08/rope-swinging-into-swimming-pool-to.html

Dane commented: "Working at the local pool we were able to help Michael relive his childhood and dream to once again swing out on the Rope Swing. Hope you enjoy his moment as much as we did!"


Michael J. Morris Rope Swing - By Dane Ries-HD from Michael Morris on Vimeo.

Yes Dane, I really did enjoy the moment, and once again I thank you, Jessica, Louis, Zach and the other lifeguards for letting me become a kid again!  Not time for the Winter years yet! Thanks to Joel Vinge too for his support and encouragement.

Dane, MJM, Zach, Jessica, Louis

George Young led polls for council as Bubs Zufelt returned as reeve by acclamation for 1951 Chapleau council

George Young, Bubs Zufelt

With Chapleau electing a new mayor and council recently, I decided to take a look back in my files to catch a glimpse of what was happening in 1951, the 50th anniversary of the municipality's incorporation.

First though, I extend my sincere congratulations to Michael J Levesque on his election as mayor and to Gisele Noel, Guillaume Tremblay, Kevin Lindquist and Gerard Bernier as councilors. All the best as you face and meet the many challenges facing the community over the next four years.

Now, back to 1951 when the mayor and council were elected for one year terms, B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt was returned as reeve by acclamation, but in a "quiet election" campaign, according to the Chapleau Post,  George Young (the father of Dr. G.E. Young) led the polls in his first bid for a council seat.

Mr. Young, however, was no stranger to community involvement. In fact, In 1921 a ratepayers meeting empowered a board to select a site for a new Chapleau Public School and it made the decision to locate it on the site where it was located on Pine Street until its recent demolition by the Algoma District School Board.

V.T. Chapple, W.R. McAdam and Mr.Young  selected plans and a new seven room building was erected with classes beginning in it on February 19, 1923, according to a document prepared by J.M. "Jack" Shoup. Mr. Young served on the public school board for many years.

Mr. Shoup, the longtime public school principal, was re-elected to council for 1951. My records indicate that Mr. Shoup served 16 one year terms on council, establishing a record for longevity.

Also re-elected for 1951 were Ernest Lepine and Arthur Grout. The Chapleau Post reported that the turnout was 44.36 percent of the eligible voters.

As Chapleau celebrated its 50th anniversary of incorporation --- the community had been established in 1885 with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway -- it was a busy place.

A sewage treatment plant and sewer system were just being completed and in February 1951, the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena was officially opened. Over the next few years, roads were paved, sidewalks extended, and new businesses and industries arrived. 

The CPR located a diesel repair shop at Chapleau and lumber companies moved into the area following the 1948 forest fire. Main (Birch) Street took on a new look. The photo included of Chapleau by the late 1950s gives an indication of how the central part of the community looked.

How many buildings can you name? Email MJM

The 1950s have been referred to as Chapleau's "boom years", and the reeve and council of 1951, deserve much credit in working to make the community a better place to live, work and play, along with the businesses and industries and citizens who volunteered to serve the community.

For example, I am always reminded of the answer Frank Coulter gave me when I asked him why he had served so many years on the public school board. His reply: "Mr. Shoup told us we had a duty to serve, and this is one way that I could."

In the interests of full disclosure though, Reeve B.W. "Bubs" Zufelt, was my uncle.

However, even though Chapleau's future looked bright, there was at least one warning sign in 1951. With dieselization by the CPR, it no longer needed to purchase water from the municipality which meant a drop in annual revenue of $5,000.

Thanks to Doug Greig for the Chapleau Post and Charlie Purich for the photo of Chapleau. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau Rotary Club active in wide range of activities during its first ten years in community

Angelo Bucciarelli, Jack Shoup, governor, Art Grout, Bubs Zufelt

The Chapleau Rotary Club was very active in the community during its first 10 years after receiving its charter dated December 3, 1951.

The official opening of the club was on January 26, 1952, with a banquet held in the basement of the Town Hall.

According to a  report marking the 10th anniversary by J.M. 'Jack' Shoup and Ovide Payette who chaired the club's history committee, the Rotary district governor Kenneth Partridge rode from the CPR station on a  sled pulled by a team of purebred white Samoyede dogs driven by Adam Andrews.

Other visiting Rotarians followed on two CPR ice sleighs.

Among the many gifts the Chapleau club received were a Union Jack and a picture of King George VI -- he died on February 6, 1952, just a week after the presentation.

Charter members included president Rev. E. Roy Haddon, vice president Dr. G.E. Young, secretary Newt Pellow, treasurer Bob Serre,sergeant at arms B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt, Gordon Bailey, Charles W Collins, Lionel Moorey, Ross Thornton, Angelo Bucciarelli, Ernie Collins, Bob James, Cecil Smith, Dr. Bill Young, Harold Cahill, John McClellan, Earle Sootheran and J.M. Shoup.

In its first year with Mr. Haddon as president the club held its first canvas for the Crippled Children's Fund as well as establishing a Ladies Night, and took over a Halloween celebration for all Chapleau children.

With Dr. Young as its second president, the club continued its good works, but the report particularly noted that Dr. Young led the Halloween Parade and Street Dance in his "Devil's Blackwith with long spiked tail" that was "pinched by all the kids".

I was unable to find a photo of Dr. Young in that costume but did have one of him dressed as a pioneer, complete with beard, for the 75th anniversary of Chapleau in 1976.

Jack Cockburn, Dr Young

John  McClellan as the third president in 1953-54 started active work with local children in need of assistance. The club paid for operations for one child at a cost of over $800.

The report noted that the community owed a deep debt of gratitude to Leyton Goodwin for his "untiring service" on behalf of children. Mr. Goodwin made "numerous trips" to Toronto and Sudbury with children in need of care.

With Arthur Grout as president, the club grew in membership and was entertained at his Camp at Devon

With Don Rose as president in 1955-56  annual ball and hockey games were started between Rotary and the Knights of Columbus, Independent Order of Oddfellows and other groups. These continued for several years and the club also had an annual trip to golf course and curling rink.

They also started making annual Christmas trip to hospital to sing carols and bring gifts.

During B.W. Zufelt's presidency, the club started honouring retired citizens, one at a time at club meetings. They also welcomed new citizens to the community.

The club also took over sponsorship of the Boy Scouts and Cubs in the community and this undertaking lasted many years.

J Purich, L Ruttle, Un, un, D Rose, F Leigh, A Bucciarelli, J McClellan, D O Payette, C Smith

In 1957-58, president Les Ruttle "preached" the Rotary cause so well that several new members were recruited and an annual trip was made to Sheppard and Morse. A donation of $1,000 was made to the hospital building fund and $500 for beach equipment.

Angelo Bucciarelli in 1958-59 organized a trip to Sudbury to visit a club there. At 37, membership reached a high point, and a curling team was sent to Englehart.

With Jim Haddow as president the club sponsored a grade from Chapleau High School on a trip to Marathon as well as providing $500 for the library. A student loan fund was also set up.

Mr. Haddow was transferred from Chapleau so Ovide Payette took over on a interim basis in 1960. Eric Gage was president for 1960-61 and a donation was made to the CNIB Sudbury Hospital Building Fund. The report notes that a plaque was placed honouring the club. "the only service club so honoured".

The 10th anniversary of the club was celebrated with a banquet on October 28th, 1961 with Des Delaney as president.

The club's donations over the years ranged between $2500 to $5000 a year with all funds raised through bingos, car raffles and Easter Seal campaign and some smaller projects. Tribute was paid to Jim Purich for his work as chairman of the Ways nd Means Committee.

Mr. Shoup and Mr. Payette that no survey would be complete "without an acknowledgement of the splendid service rendered by the Ladies of the Anglican Church (St. John's) over that entire period by serving excellent meals of a high standard, promptly and efficiently. Thanks ladies  your contribution has had a large part in the success of Rotary in Chapleau."

I well recall those meals because it is where I went for treats and sometimes a meal on many  nights as both my grandmothers Lil Morris and Edith Hunt would be there. Later, my Mom, Muriel (Hunt) Morris would be there too as the "younger" ladies of St. John's helped the "Senior WA" .. My thanks to Gemma Ouellet for providing me with the Rotary report... My email is mj.morris@live.ca