Chapleau Search and Rescue Organization receives training from Civil Air Search and Rescue Association in 1990s

The Chapleau Search and Rescue Organization issued a call for new members in January  1993.

In an advertisement Mike Fortin and Reg Fletcher said the organization was looking for volunteers, explaining that it was "a group of people like you who want to make a difference. We have trained pilots, navigators, spotters, ground personnel and ground search people" but more members were needed. 

The Chapleau association received financial assistance from the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge --- and perhaps other organizations.

The Chapleau association conducted training and searches.

Fast forward to January 25, 1998  "Tiger 320" associated with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) from 424 Squadron at Trenton, Ontario, arrived in Chapleau to assist with spotter training for Chapleau association members. They were in a C130 Hercules aircraft.

An article in the Chapleau Express said the purpose of the visit was two-fold -- to provide training for Chapleau members and to evaluate their performance.

Those participating included Leon Landry, Richard Beaudoin, Celine Hann, Christiane Jacques, A,J. Bowes, Paul Morin, Fern Gauthier and Raymond Gouge.

They departed Chapleau airport  for the first target area at Leblanc Lake where Aaron Bouvier and Dale Rioux were ice fishing. They provided the searchers with a smoke signal fire and mirror signal flasher as they passed nearby to get their attention, according to the article.

The object of the spotter is to guide the pilot directly over the target so that visual observation of the site can be made.

Marius Demers had set up another site.

During this training flight all spotters underwent performance evaluation by the CASARA team on board.

The article also thanked William Yanta for his "quick job" in removing snow from the Chapleau Municipal Airport, now the Eugene Bernier Airport, without which the Hercules would have been unable to land.

Other examplse of training programs were in March 1993 when the Chapleau members underwent winter survival training and in 1999 when they participated in "Operation Northern Rescue". 

I have provided a quick glimpse of the Chaoleau Search and Rescue Organization based on information compiled by the late Doug Greig. If anyone would like to provide me with more information on this important group, please feel free to email me at mj.morris@live.ca  HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL!!!!

Top students, bowling team winners and retiring teacher all honoured at Chapleau High School assembly at end of 1961-62 school year

Mrs Bowles

As the 1961-62 school year ended at Chapleau High School ended, the final morning assembly became a special occasion, according to a Sudbury Star article.

School principal Luther P. Emerson  announced the Principal's Honour Roll while members of the school's bowling team and a retiring teacher were also honoured. As an aside, those of us who attended the "old" high school on Pine Street where the Chapleau Civic Centre now stands will recall that each school day started with an assembly.

Mr. Emerson congratulated the honour roll recipients, all of whom had achieved an overall 75 percent average.

They included: Faye Andrews, Alvina Beaudry, Karen Broomhead, John Henry, Anita Joyce, Susan Lane, James Lapp, Linda Marchioni, Jacqueline Marcil, Patricia McGoldrick, Eric Morse, Bruce Pellow, Shane Wright, Stephen Alexander, Claire Fortin, Donald Fortin, Roland Laferriere, Evelyn Lemieux, Sila Rantamaki, Ronald Doig, Howard Higuchi, Hugh McKechnie, Shirley Petrunka, James Pullen, George Ritchie, Bernard Pilon.

Linda Marchioni had obtained the highest average of the year.

Student council president Gary Schafer presented the Student Council Trophy to David Mizuguchi who was president of the Chapleau High School Bowlers.  David was also very active in 1181 Chapleau High School Cadet Corps.

Presentations were also made to Frank Bignucolo captain of the winning team as well as to Jacqueline Bertrand and Shane Wright for highest averages for the year. Maureen Murphy and Bruce Pellow also received awards for high averages.

Mrs. Gladys Bowles was honoured on her retirement from the teaching staff after six years of service. She noted that she started as a part-time teacher but became full-time. Mrs. Bowles started teaching at the school in the 1950s when I was a student there.

Phys Ed class. Dr Hackstetter on far right

When Mr. Emerson left a year later, Dr. Karl A. Hackstetter, who had taught at the school from 1954 to 1957 returned as principal. As enrolment increased with students from the post World War II "Baby boom", more space was required and plans were developed to build a new school on the hill. It opened in 1966 but Dr. Hackstetter did not stay as principal.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau becomes thriving community despite obstacles after arrival of Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly Chapleau developed into a thriving community after the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in 1885, so I decided to share some of the activities described in the Richard Brownlee Papers. 

Some of the first settlers lived in tents, which also included the community's first store opened by T.A. Austin and located near the site of the Lady Minto Hospital in what was called 'Old Chapleau'. After Mr. Brownlee arrived in February 1886, he established his barber shop in the same location.

However, an early publication says that it was a "red letter day" for the Austin brothers, T.A. and J. McN, when they opened their store on Birch Street in September 1886 with a lean to on the side for Mr. Brownlee's barber shop. The building also housed the first post office.

But it was not only the Austin brothers who were establishing stores. By the end of 1886 it appears that five stores including Austin were on the scene or about to be opened. They included Murrays and Mulligan operated by Patrick Mulligan (my great great uncle), Deland and Kellett, P. Manion and the Hudson Bay Company relocated from what is now referred to as the "Memegos Property" on the Nebskwashi River.

Many  of the early settlers lived in tents, others lived in two rows of boxcars on Godlin and Stovepipe Avenues.

In my 1984 book 'Sons of Thunder... Apostles of Love' I noted that the winter of 1885-86 was extremely cold and disease was rampant. Chapleau had about 450 citizens, 90 percent of them men. Fire was also a great threat.

Boarding houses were built quickly  and the Queen's Hotel was opened in 1887, and the Algoma Hotel about 1890, but it burned down and was later rebuilt.

By 1886, three churches had been established -- Roman Catholic, Church of England (Anglican) and Methodist (later United).

The first public library opened in 1888, first in a boxcar then in the Mechanics Institute where it became the "centre of the social and intellectual life" of the community. It burned down in 1906 and at the time had 2000 volumes on its shelves. 

A school was also established, the first in a tent,  and moved locations until settling on Pine Street.

A street plan was completed and streets were named after Governors General of Canada, trees and King and Queen. Residential areas were established.

An open air  arena was established on Lorne Street by J. Gill by 1888 and a Chapleau hockey team made its first road trip to Sudbury in 1893. It lost. Curling had also been introduced. Other sports were also being played.

The Chapleau Brass band was founded in 1888.

Fast Forward to 1915.  An article notes that "In December 1915 they (the CPR) were moving over 450 cars a day through Chapleau -- there were 56 crews needed to handle the work -- they had fifty engines to handle the freight alone,with six passenger and two yard engines: there were three sets of despatchers and new offices all along the line were opened up, employing some thirty extra operators".

Chapleau citizens started going to Mulligan's Bay (named after Patrick Mulligan) early in its history and apparently the very first boat was a sail boat owned by J.B. Dexter, who helped found the Chapleau Brass Band, was a council member and fire chief.

This has just been a gimpse at some of the happenings in Chapleau mostly before 1900. Despite many obstacles the early citizens established a thriving community in the wilderness of Northern Ontario. 

Once again thanks to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin -- both members of Chapleau pioneer families -- for loaning me the Richard Brownlee Papers. My email is mj.morris@live.ca