Peter John Nolan wins baseball medal in 1889 Dominion Day tournament while Philip Pepin named most outstanding Chapleau Little League Player many years later

Don Swanson, Michael Bedard, Ron Larcher, Philip Pepin

Organized baseball was being played in Chapleau shortly after the community was established with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. 

So far, the earliest record I can find of a tournament was in 1889 held on July 1 as part of the Dominion Day celebrations when Peter John Nolan received a medal as the most valuable player.

A newspaper clipping with a photo of the medal says, "Herewith is a photo of a medal recording his (Nolan's) prowess on Dominion Day of that year, a day significant for sports activities in that railway town."

"Neighbouring terminals of Cartier to the east and White River and Schreiber to the west managed to get up interterminal ganes in those early days."

The clipping adds that "no record of the Chapleau team he played on to have been awarded silver medal but he was said to have been the star pitcher and equally efficient hitter."

Mr. Nolan was born in Stittsville, Ontario in 1865 and arrived in Chapleau as a car foreman with the CPR in 1887, staying until 1896. His son Earl provided the information for the news clipping and photo of the medal.

Quite likely, baseball was part of summer activities, with games played on a field in the vicinity of the present golf course, and eventually behind Chapleau Public and Chapleau High Schools on Pine Street.

In 1916, Father Romeo Gascon, parish priest at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church was coaching  a team called the Young Elephants. Harry Morris, my grandfather who had arrived in Chapleau a few years earlier to work on the CPR played on it.

Chapleau teams also travelled for sports along the CPR line and so did the Chapleau Town Band. The earliest hockey road trip I have found was one a Chapleau team made to Sudbury in 1893 to open an arena there. It lost 2-1.

Fast forward to the late 1960s when Chapleau Little League Baseball was a major part of summer sports activities -- as was the Chapleau Men's Fastball League. 

Margaret Costello in her column shared an end of season banquet to honour the Little League teams, players and coaches.

Margaret wrote that the young players "brought a hefty appetite with them as well as their best behaviour and made short work of the bounteous turkey dinner and all that goes with it prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary of Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion."  The mothers of the players served the meal.

Trophies were presented to teams and players for their accomplishments.

The Eldred Dickie championship trophy was presented to Philip Pepin captain of the Giants and Peter King and William Humphrey, the coaches.

The Dion Trophy was presented by its donor Marcel Dion to captain of the Braves Ron Larcher and coach Tom Edwards Jr. Coach Greg O'Connor was unable to attend.  The Broomhead Trophy was presented to Michael Bedard while Ron Larcher also won the Legion Trophy presented by Jim Lane.

The Collins Tip-Top Trophy in the Junior Little League Division was presented to Don Swanson as outstanding player by Olive M. Card, chair of the Chapleau Recreation Committee and township councillor.

The Arthur Simpson Memorial Trophy, emblematic of good sportsmanship, team co-operation and outstanding behaviour was presented to Philip Pepin, captain of the Giants by Wilf Simpson. Mr. Simpson announced that small individual trophies would now be presented to winners and as this would be retroactive previous winners Bill Westerman, Jamie Doyle and Joey Babin would also receive one.

Laurie Westerman, Little League president, welcomed everyone, and told the players, "We are proud of you. You played good ball and I hope you play still better next year."

FOUR YEARS OF CHAPLEAU MOMENTS

This column marks four years of Chapleau Moments in the Chapleau Express. I extend my most sincere thanks to everyone who has assisted me with these "rough drafts" of moments in the life and times of Chapleau and its people. Your support is so much appreciated. 

When Mario Lafreniere first contacted me to write the column, I really thought it may last six months at best. Four years later I realize that I have only scratched the surface, as every week I receive suggestions, comments, ideas from Chapleau folks no matter where they live now. 

The column is also published on Michael J Morris Reports.

And yes, I am still following up on stories from conversations at the 90th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School in 2012.  Enjoy your summer and be safe out there!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Elmer Rosenberg recalls rescue from slush puddle on Sultan Road among challenging moments during years in Chapleau

Elmer Rosenberg, who taught History at Chapleau High School for three years, leaving to take a position in Southern Ontario in 1980, contacted me recently. I was so delighted and surprised, as Elmer was one of my best buddies during his time at CHS. He found me on the Internet, that great people finder. 

When he told me that he had written a story about an experience on the Sultan Road, I asked if I could share it with my readers. He agreed, and here it is -- and I am sure that many had similar experiences to Elmer while travelling on the highways and roads in the Chapleau area. I know I did. Elmer calls it "The Road Not Taken" with credit to the great American poet, Robert Frost.

Thanks Elmer and it is great to be back in touch. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

The Road Not Taken

By Elmer Rosenberg

I've just completed year one of retirement and had the time and opportunity to reflect back on my career in education and especially my first years as a teacher in Chapleau, Ontario. I was  aware of Chapleau's existence but I had never ventured that far west along Hwy 101 from my home town of Timmins, Ontario.  

After completing high school in Timmins, I moved to Toronto and was hoping to land a teaching position in southern Ontario after completing university.  As luck would have it, the only job offer I received was from Chapleau High School. Far away from the familiarity and comforts of home, my three years as a brand new teacher presented several challenging moments.  

However, the majority of students at Chapleau High were polite and friendly even if they weren't always interested in the lessons I taught.  I'm certain their lack of enthusiasm had more to do with my ability as a first year teacher than the quality of the students there.  

I have many wonderful memories of my stay in Chapleau and was always grateful for the opportunities afforded me and a deep appreciation for the people I met.  One incident in particular stands apart in my memory  and speaks to the generosity and spirit of the people of Chapleau and area.  

 

I began my return trip to Chapleau late on Sunday morning after spending the 1979 March break in Toronto visiting family and friends.  The weather was mild but there was still a considerable amount of snow on the ground as I travelled north.  In an attempt to save time and distance, I decided to take the Sultan Industrial Road from Hwy 144 to Sultan and then proceed on to Chapleau.  

For the uninitiated, the Sultan Road is a private road  built  by the E. B. Eddy Company and used primarily by logging and lumber trucks.    This gravel road begins at Highway 144 and travels west through uninhabited bush to the tiny community of Sultan (population  of  about 50 people and approximately 60 kilometres from Chapleau). A previous decision to take this road saved me time, but in the end, cost me the price of a gas tank replacement. 

Elmer at English Channel after Chapleau

Now, the road was snow covered, so I geared up to give it another try. Unfortunately, I didn't take into consideration the mild temperatures during the day.  As I turned off Hwy 144, patches of slush on the road confronted me.  My car breezed through the first few.  I had a bad feeling but foolishly kept going.   Then I met a much larger patch, containing more water than snow.   

I  accelerated to  gain as much momentum as possible without losing control of my vehicle.  I made it to the other side of what was now more like a pond than a patch of slush. I was wishing that I had taken the paved road and driven the extra miles to Hwy 101 but there was no turning back at this juncture. 

 Darkness was descending and I had yet to see another  car or truck on the road.  My anxiety level was increasing with  every patch of slush I encountered and they seemed to be getting larger and more numerous. Then I came to the mother of all slush puddles at the bottom of a hill.  Not a pond this time but more like a lake.  Even though I was able to gain considerable speed, my car came to a stop somewhere at the half way point.  

I stepped out of my car to  survey the situation and found myself in about a foot of slush and water. Not only was I stuck but now I was wet as well.   In an attempt to ease my way out of this mess, I got back in the car but the engine refused to turn over when I engaged the ignition.     

 

Here I was, in the middle of a Northern Ontario bush,far from civilization, getting colder and more desperate.  I debated whether I should start walking or spend the night with my car. As I pondered the situation, another vehicle approached and drove around me through to the other side.  

Two young fellows got out of their  jeep, approached me and without asking if I needed help, started assessing my predicament.  One went to the back of his vehicle, pulled out a tire and attached two chains to the opposite sides of the tire. He attached the end of one chain to my car and the other to their jeep.  The driver returned to his jeep, put his vehicle in reverse and backed up close to the tire.   

He then  drove forward causing the tire to act as a large rubber band.   My car inched forward.  The driver repeated this action for what seemed like  an hour until my car was on higher ground.  By now, it was completely dark and cold and we were all wet.  

Although I was out of the water, I was unable to start my car. One of my rescuers raised the hood and began tinkering with the engine.  In the dark, he took off the distributor cap - who knew cars had distributor caps -  and wiped it dry.  Within a few minutes the  car was running   

As it turned out, I was only a few miles from Sultan and not far from paved highway.   I offered the two young men money as a token of my appreciation but they wouldn't hear of it.  I regret and am ashamed to say that I never learned their names.   

These words don't accurately convey the time and effort these young men exerted to help  a complete stranger without any expectation or acceptance of financial reward.  This memory has stayed with me for  35 years and on occasion, has inspired me to help other people in distress.  

At the time, I wished that I had avoided the road less traveled but now I'm thankful that I made the decision to turn off Hwy 144 towards Sultan.  I feel the same way about my decision to take a teaching position in Chapleau.

Ross Hryhorchuk retirement from Chapleau High School after 45 years marks end of an era in school's history

Gym class behind CHS, circa 1963. Dr Karl Hackstetter walking off field

The retirement of Ross Hryhorchuk from Chapleau High School after 45 years as a teacher and then principal really marks the end of an era in the history of secondary education in the community.

Arriving two years after the "new", to all those who attended the "old" Chapleau High School on Pine Street, opened on the hill in 1966,    Ross has witnessed the stages of expansion both in terms of the student body and physical space, program changes and in more recent years declining enrolment. Most recently Ross has been part of the merger of Chapleau Public School students into the high school building. 

Ross is also responsible for the very successful extra-curricular sports program in which students have been able to participate during his years at CHS. 

For the moment at least, Ross is also the last principal of Chapleau High School as a distinct entity as his successor will be the high school and public school principal.

George Evans, Margaret Rose Fortin, Mansel Robinson, 1997 Reunion

When the new school opened in 1966, it consisted of a gymnasium, library, two shops, two science labs, five classrooms, one typing room, an office and staff lounge. Today, with expansions, it is capable of housing the students from public and high schools. the old school opened in 1922.

As changes come as they inevitably do in this life, while reflecting on the history of CHS, some words the late George Evans wrote in marking the school's 75th anniversary came to mind.

Margaret Rose and Alex centre, M. Levesque, F Corston left , Kay Broomhead right

George wrote: "Over the years, this unique school has changed its location, its colours and its name. It has been there for generations of students and teachers passing through on their way to destinies all over the world...

 

"What will draw us to Chapleau is not a building with classrooms. The great magnet pulling us home is the hope of seeing the people who, at a pivotal time in our lives. made up our small intense world. In our lucid moments. we will be aware that we are paying homage to the fate that placed us in Chapleau so that we could be part of that world...

"When Chapleau's high school celebrates, the whole community celebrates. The high school is the place where the community comes together. 

"It is the possession of everyone, regardless of mother tongue, religion or ethnic origin. It is, in its best moments, the expression of Chapleau at its best. This is the truth that sets Chapleau's high school apart from all the others."

To me, as a person who attended the old CHS, and actually taught in both the old when it was being used as a senior public school, and the new school, George summed it all up. There have been reunions in 1982, 1997 and 2012, marking the 60th, 75th and 90th anniversaries, and I hope in 2022, all will return again again to the place where the community comes together for the 100th anniversary.

Front O. Warren, M Fortin, F. Corston, L. Martel, H Delaney, M Levesque back T. Collins, E Collings, A  Babin, D. McEachren, T Bryson. 1982 committee

Although I was working as a newspaper reporter at the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix in November 1966 when the new school was officially opened, I think it must have been a bit of a mini-reunion in itself. The gymnasium was packed for the occasion, and my grandmother, Lil (Mulligan) Morris, attended. I still have notes she made and pinned to a program she sent to her daughter, my aunt Marion, a CHS grad, with comments about it. My father Jim Morris and 

mother Muriel E. (Hunt) Morris also both graduated from CHS.

D.J. 'Jim' Broomhead, a former Chapleau reeve, who was master of ceremonies and member of the school board commented "We think we have done something good for Chapleau." Len Harris was school board chair.

Imagine, a year ago now we were converging on Chapleau for the 90th anniversary reunion festival, so I will  close with another vote of thanks to the organizers, and co-chairs Graham Bertrand and Nadia Fortin, and give recognition to Margaret Rose (Payette) Fortin and the late Alex Babin, who co-chaired the two previous reunions. 

To Ross, who is now the Principal Emeritus of CHS, congratulations on taking "early" retirement at 70 instead of 75, and my very best wishes.

To everyone, Happy Canada Day, and have a great but safe summer. My email is mj.morris@live.ca