'Fun to eat in the dining car' a highlight of trip on Canadian Pacific Railway passenger trains for young travellers

Back in the days when passenger trains were the major way to travel across this vast and magnificent land, a meal in the dining car, whether it was breakfast, lunch supper, or all three, was always a highlight of the trip -- at least it was for me!

I recently came across dining car menus from 'The Dominion' in 1953, and having enjoyed my own trip down memory lane, decided to share some of the results. I don't recall my first trip from Chapleau to Toronto on a Canadian Pacific Railway train but it would have been shortly after the end of World War II in 1945 with my mother Muriel (Hunt) Morris and continued for years.

Along with the porter shining my shoes which we left out at bedtime to find sparkling clean in the morning, as we arrived in Toronto (for others Montreal), a trip to the dining car was the highlight of the trip for me.

The dining car steward would come through the train advising "First call for dinner" then second and third in due course after the train departed Chapleau for the overnight trip.

Based on the ' Dining Car Service for Young Travellers Menu" in 1953, here are the messages the CPR provided. The writer was trying to be poetic.

Ian Macdonald collection

The first message to young travellers: "It's fun to eat in the dining car as you rush along by CPR, Breakfast, lunch and supper too, Inside there's something good for you."

Breakfast: " Healthy Billy Beaver, napkin pulled in tight, Sits close to the table, eats with all his might. Juicy brick pancakes give Billy a treat, but we'll have  crisp bacon and such things to eat. The juice of an orange, milk by the glassful make you glad that so early we're up."

Lunch: "First call for lunch in the diner, the waiter announces. No news could be finer. So let's walk quickly through the train, and sit at the fresh white table again. Soup, meat, potatoes, perhaps some pie, or salad and jelly, there's lots to try."

Ian Macdonald collection

Supper: "It's lots of fun on the CPR train. That's why we eat with might and main. For supper there's always something nice. Fish or steak, tapioca or rice. And the friendly waiter is so polite as he pulls back the chair and says good night."

For breakfast on the young travellers menu cereal seemed to be the mainstay, while for lunch soup and maybe a sandwich were in order while an omelet. scrambled eggs or cold sliced chicken were main suggestions for supper. Prices ranged from a 35 cent breakfast to $1.50 for the chicken dinner for supper.

Turning to the adult dinner menus there were two -- 'Table D'Hote Dinner' and 'A La Carte'

Table D'Hote: Some items included a choice of fruit cocktail, celery with olives, cream of mushroom soup or consommé with a main course of baked Pacific coast salmon with dressing ($2.60), Roast prime rib of beef ($3.00), Sliced cold chicken and ham with potato salad ($2.70), or individual pot chicken pie ($2.70). All these meals included potatoes, vegetables, dessert and tea or coffee.

Ian Macdonald collection

A la Carte: Charcoal broiled 'red brand' small sirloin steak ($3.00), charcoal broiled fresh fish with tartar sauce ($1.25), prime ribs of beef ($1.75), and all other items were extra.

I don't recall my favourite dining car meal although it may have been chicken but I do recall vividly the outstanding service there.  I would love to hear your memories of eating there while travelling back in the day.

The CPR included the following statement on its menu: "It is with pleasure that we call attention to the desire and willingness of all our employees to give their utmost in service and special attention, and they as well as ourselves would appreciate your criticism as well as your commendations."

 They most assuredly, at least in my view, gave their utmost in service and special attention,  and I forgive them for the bad poetry!!!

Thanks to Ian Macdonald for providing photos. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Graham Bertrand retires as Chapleau Fire Chief after more than 40 years of service

TYLER, 'DAD' AND BRYCE

Graham Bertrand has retired as Chief of the Chapleau Volunteer Fire Department after serving in various capacities since he joined it on February 15, 1975.

He advised that his retirement was to take effect on November 12, so he would participate in the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11 on parade with fire department members.

He was appointed as a Captain in 1997, then Deputy Chief in 2002, and Chief in 2005.

But, over the past 40 plus years, Graham has not only been contributing as a first responder to make Chapleau a safer place, but a better place for everyone to live, work and play.

My files show that Graham was a member  of the 1973 Chapleau Recreation and Festival Chapleau committees, and by 1978 he was the chair of A Taste of the North, the community's winter carnival. He later served as chair of the Chapleau Recreation Committee.

 As an aside, in 1978, another great Chapleau volunteer was honoured with Jimmy Dillon being named King of the Carnival.

Graham was also trainer in the 1970s of the Chapleau Intermediate 'A' Huskies of the Northland Intermediate Hockey League --- and actively participated in a "donkey baseball" game sponsored by the team.

In 2010, he was fire chief when the fire department celebrated its official 100th anniversary.

In 2005, Graham was honoured by the township for his 30 years of service and presented with a certificate of thanks and congratulations by Mayor Earle Freeborn.

 Jim Prince, the founder of the  Chapleau Express summed up the contribution of Graham and all firefighters in an article noting that they should be recognized for their work and dedication "on the front lines".

Jim's article  added that volunteering as a firefighter is rewarding and life changing experience for those who serve. They are called upon to perform extremely hard and physical work under adverse conditions.

However, Graham's significant contribution to Chapleau has not begun and ended with his service to the volunteer fire department for more than 40 years.

In 2001, when Chapleau celebrated its 100th anniversary of its incorporation as a municipality, with his late wife Rose (Connelly), he co-chaired the celebration.

 It was a huge success. I know!  It was my first trip back home after moving to British Columbia to teach at College of the Rockies. I stayed with Dr. G.E. "Ted" Young, and had a wonderful time.

Graham also headed the committee for the 90th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School in 2012, and has advised me that now he has retired as fire chief will "need something to do" so is willing to become involved in a 100th anniversary celebration of the school in 2022.

Graham has also contributed to the life and times of Chapleau as a member of other organizations for many years. I believe that the greatest resource any community has is its people, and Graham C. Bertrand is a shining example of a person who has volunteered his time and talents to the betterment of Chapleau. Congratulations Graham, and I look forward to the 100th anniversary of Chapleau High School.    "Keep smiling Graham!" My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Unveiling of Memorial Walls highlighted Chapleau Remembrance Day service in 1978

The unveiling of Memorial Walls at the Remembrance Day service on November 11, 1978, completed the move of the cenotaph to its new location beside the Royal Canadian Legion Hall.

On June 25, 1978, a rededication ceremony had been held following the relocation of the cenotaph from between the old Town Hall and St. John's Anglican Church on Pine Street. Jack Boucher was the general contractor for the project.

The unveiling ceremony was conducted by Henry Therriault, World War II veteran, and president of Branch 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion. The prayer of dedication was given by Rev. William Ivey, rector of St. John's Anglican Church following the unveilings.

The unveiling of the World War I wall was done by Frank Cranston, Chapleau's last surviving veteran of World War I, and air cadet Bonnie Goheen.

In June at the official opening of the Chapleau Civic Centre, Mr. Cranston, who had also served in World War II, met and chatted with Ontario Lt. Gov. Pauline McGibbon who officially opened the civic centre.

Later the upstairs hall at the Legion was named after Mr. Cranston.

The unveiling of the World War II wall was done by Muriel  (Hunt) Morris, (my mother) and Eric Groulx.

Bernie Morris played the Last Post and Reveille, and the Act of Remembrance was read by Mr. Therriault.

The Chapleau Sentinel reported that a "unique addition" to the service was the singing of an anthem, "I Wonder Why". It was sung by Mary Beacock,  Beth Dunne, Gwen Travis and Charlie Law, accompanied by Russell Dunne on the guitar.

In our book 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' Michael McMullen and I identified 32 Chapleau boys who died in World War I or died soon thereafter , due to their war related wounds/ health conditions.

They were: Harry Barber, William Bertrand, Joseph Bolduc, Peter Chappise, John Collings, Willard Daniels, Ambrose Evans, Percy Hall, William Hartley, Walter Haskins, James Hewitt, Albert Jeffries, Harry Kitchen, John Kuskitchu, Jacob McWatch, Simon McWatch, John Moir, Peter Moran, Alex Mortson, Loftus Muske, Lorne Nicholson, Frank Pitts, Roderick Potts, Jacob Redbreast, Alfred Therriault, Edgar Turner, John Turner, William Turner, Harry Unwin, William Unwin, Walter Valentine and Hans Wrangham.

In World War II we identified 29 Chapleau boys who died either killed in action or died due to war-related causes. They were: Jack Bilbe, Leonard Brough, Harold Chandler, Richard Chappise, Raymond Cochrane, Wesley Cummings, Angus Dawson, Hugh Delaney, Robert Edwards, Kenneth Green, Alton Henderson, Samuel Jeffries, Ray Montgomery, James Morris, Harold Murphy, Frank Mutcheguis, Donald Robinson, Jack Rose, Benoit Rioux, Henri Rioux, Ernest Serre, Kenneth Slievert, Mansell Slievert, Victor Sommers, George Swanson, Henry Swanson, James Taggart, James Thomson and Burnham Thorp.

Ernest 'Sonny' Bignucolo was killed while on active service in the Canadian Forces during the Korean War while Nelson Edwards was killed while serving with Canadian forces in NATO as part of a United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East.

Lest we forget!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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MM