Mrs. A.W. Moore: Chapleau's Greatest Hockey Fan

Without any doubt, Mrs. A.W. Moore was one of the greatest hockey fans in the history of Chapleau. Fondly referred to as "Mrs. Artificial Ice Moore", and "Mrs. Hockey Moore", she played a huge role in having artificial ice installed in the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena.

After the memorial arena was officially opened on February 3, 1951, sportsminded people in Chapleau started to think about installing artificial ice, but it was Mrs. Moore who made the commitment to really turn the idea into a reality. For 15 years she sold tickets, and without her efforts, the project would likely not have been completed.

In a write-up published when the artificial ice was completed, it was noted that from the opening of the memorial arena in 1951, "Mrs. Moore was determined to see artificial ice installed in our arena, even if she had to raise the necessary funds herself. Through her untiring efforts and sheer determination, this grand lady, virtually by herself, raised the unbelievable sum of over $12,000. Without this amount the plant would not be installed...So it is with deep an sincere appreciation we say: Thank You Mrs. Artificial Ice Moore."

Mrs. Moore also donated to a public address system and to the painting of the memorial arena.

Mrs. Moore was named "Chapleau's Greatest Hockey Fan" by the members of the Chapleau Trappers hockey team which she supported for many years. After the Trappers won the town championship in 1949, a dinner was held where they honoured Mrs. Moore.

"... Mrs. Moore has so generously devoted her time, winter after winter in the interest of our hockey club," a tribute read. "She has shown this interest in various ways, by the selling of hockey pools, putting on bean suppers, mending hockey sweaters and socks, knitting an too many other things too numerous to mention."

The tribute also noted that when referring to the sport of hockey (back in the 1940s), it was generally thought of as being connected with a group of men with women being spectators. "Would it not be a more wise and profitable sport if we had more women like Mrs. Moore?" the tribute writer asked.

"Without a doubt she is the backbone of our hockey club. Whether we win or lose a hockey match she is right behind us cheering all the way. Her faith in us as a hockey team is truly unfaltering. Her heart and soul belongs to the Trappers, each and every time we play a game...."

The 1949 Trappers team which won the town championship included: Harvey Fortunato, Rev. Howard Strapp, Basil Collings, Mason McAdam, Cecil McAdam, Ed Swanson, Roy May, Tom Godfrey, Jim Dillon, Frank Lucky, Toddy Collinson, Roger Longchamps. "Daddle" Swanson, Garth "Tee" Chambers, Alton "Dudie" Chambers, Romeo Morin, Yvon Morin and Rollie Burns.

Mrs. Moore remained an avid hockey fan through the years attending games of the Chapleau Junior "B" Huskies who were the first great beneficiaries of her efforts in getting artificial ice, through the years to those of the Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies in the memorial arena and the Mrs. A.W. Moore Arena in the Chapleau Recreation Centre opened in 1978.

At the official opening of the recreation centre which Mrs. Moore was able to attend, it was announced that council had decided to name the arena, the Mrs. A.W. Moore Arena in recognition of her outstanding contribution over many years.

Mrs. Moore died in 1979 and it was very fitting that members of the Intermediate "A" Huskies who were carrying on the hockey tradition in Chapleau acted as pallbearers. Chapleau hockey players were always her "boys."

The next time you visit the recreation centre, and enter the Mrs. A.W. Moore Arena, pause for a moment and think about this wonderful lady who contributed so much to hockey in Chapleau, and was truly one of the commuunity's most outstanding citizens. My email is mj.morris@live.ca.

This article first appeared in my Chapleau Moments column in the Chapleau Express.
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Real challenge begins now for Cranbrook mayor Scott Manjak and his council supporters

Now that the referendum to extend the boundaries of the city of Cranbrook is over, and voters have said No to the proposal backed by mayor Scott Manjak and a majority of council members, they now face their real challenge after suffering two defeats on this issue during the first year of a three-year term.

After attempting to gain approval for the boundary extension to the area called the East Hill through an alternative approval process, and seeing that plan soundly defeated when the grassroots Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society led by president Sharon Cross obtained more than twice as many response forms from voters as were required to stop this process, council approved the referendum.

Despite the support of the local chamber of commerce, three former mayors and several councillors, a massive advertising campaign by a Yes side group reported to have cost more than $100,000, plus advertising by the city and the efforts of Manjak and  councillors Denise Pallesen, Jim Wavrecan, Angus Davis, Diana Scott, and Liz Schatschneider to sway Cranbrook citizens to vote Yes, they lost.

Following a recount, 2616 voters had said No, while 2581 voted Yes. There were 5228 ballots cast and 31 were rejected.

The CLC Society reports that it spent less than $5,000 on its No campaign. Councillor Bob Whetham supported the No side and voted against the alternative approval process and the referendum at council. His courageous position has now been vindicated by the voters of Cranbrook, and it is something his council colleagues need to recognize as they face the real challenges before them in the next two years of their term. He represents the wishes of the majority of voters in the referendum.

Simply put with a nod to Bob Dylan, the times they are a changing in Cranbrook, and it is now time for Manjak and his council supporters to accept the new reality and move forward with plans to address the many issues facing the city as it is,  without thinking about creating a second city on a hill.

When I moved to Cranbrook just over 20 years ago, it was referred to as the "pothole capital of Canada." It still is in many respects and citizens have been complaining for 20 years or more. Instead of simply paying lip service to the issue, Manjak and council could start to address it seriously and present the citizens with a proposal to fix the roads.

Council needs to get serious about  the need for an overpass (or underpass) over the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks, a problem that has been ignored since Cranbrook was founded over 100 years ago. It is time to meet this real challenge now.

Obviously, there are challenges facing Cranbrook centred on the provision of proper environmental services for the future.

There are challenges to be met to address the needs of the homeless and to provide affordable housing for those who need it, and a proper home for the supporters of arts and culture. Cranbrook needs to attract new industries.

Most importantly, this mayor who promised an open and transparent administration and his supporters on the council hopefully will now realize that the greatest resource a community has is its people, with talents and abilities and good will, just waiting to be used to make Cranbrook a better place for everyone.

Ultimately, the real challenge  is to open the doors of communication and enter into a dialogue with the citizens, so that in the future the YES factor will dominate public discourse in this city with a focus on the things that bring us together, rather than those which divide us.

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BULLETIN: Cranbrook votes "NO" in East Hill Boundary Expansion referendum giving mayor Scott Manjak and council majority second defeat on this issue

Cranbrook voters rejected a proposal put forward by Mayor Scott Manjak and majority of council to expand the city's boundaries in a referendum held here Saturday November 14.

Following a recount, 2616 voters had said No, while 2581 voted Yes. There were 5228 ballots cast and 31 were rejected.

City council decided to proceed with a referendum after its attempt to use an alternative approval process to expand the boundaries in the East Hill area was resoundingly defeated when a grassroots group Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society, led by Sharon Cross, got more than twice as many response forms from citizens as necessary to stop the process.

Manjak and Councillors Denise Pallesen, Angus Davis, Jim Wavrecan, Diana Scott and Liz Schatschneider supported extending the boundaries. Councillor Bob Whetham opposed the plan.

More to come!