Martel family made significant contributions to Chapleau since arriving in 1951 to establish lumber mill

The Martel "Kids" from Larry Martel collection

When Joseph Egide Martel and his wife Yvonne moved to Chapleau with their family in 1951 it marked the beginning of a long family relationship with Chapleau, Jim Prince wrote in the Chapleau Express after they were honoured at a civic reception in 1998.

In another report on the reception, perhaps Dan Lemieux, speaking on behalf of the Chapleau Ski Club, summed it up best on behalf of all those who were touched by the Martel family. Dan said: "Whenever we were in need we just had to go to the J.E. Martel company office and we never came away empty handed."

Richard Bignucolo, representing the Chapleau Airport Commission thanked them for their contributions to the airport. Yvon Martel, along with Gene Bernier, were particularly instrumental in getting an airport at Chapleau. Yvon, in an aircraft piloted by Stan Deluce, made the first landing at it in 1970.

Earle Freeborn, then the reeve of Chapleau, said that "Since 1951, you have provided employment for our community," adding that they had supported sports and many community projects.

The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Martel, Lise, Solange, Suzanne, Oriette, Yvon, Aldee, Denis and Jean, all contributed to the community.

They were great supporters of hockey and Suzanne Turcotte noted that Denis had coached a Midget team to an Northern Ontario Hockey Association championship. Aldee was a great supporter of Junior "B" hockey and was part of the 1953- 1954 famous Chapleau Bantam team.

Tee Chambers, Butch Pellow, Aldee Martel in Sudbury Arena 1954

At the civic reception, Mme Yvonne Martel and the four Martel brothers who had taken over operation of J.E. Martel and Sons Lumber Ltd. after Mr. Martel, its founder died in 1972, were presented with tokens of appreciation by the Township of Chapleau, flowers to the ladies and certificates of appreciation to the brothers.

The reception honouring them was held after they had sold their operations in 1997 to E.B. Eddy Lumber Ltd.

 They even had a fastball team at one time, and Larry, Aldee's son, shared an anecdote about making games on a Friday night. In the summer months while attending university, Larry worked for the company, and worked stopped at noon on Friday. His girl friend, now his wife would be coming for the weekend, but Larry also had to play ball.

So he would drive to Sault Ste. Marie, pick up his girl friend, and make it to the game on time, and be a quick change artist to be in uniform at game time.

The Martel "Boys" Larry Martel collection

Writing in Chapleau Trails, edited and published by Dr. W.R. Pellow, Doug Greig notes that J.E. Martel and Sons Lumber Limited was one of the first independently owned and operated manufacturing firms to situate in the Chapleau area.

Joseph Egide Martel moved to the area from Lasarre in 1951 to salvage the standing timber that burned in Fire Number Six at Racine Lake.

 A supply of green timber limits with a allowable cut of 7,500 units from the government of Ontario after the salvage operation resulted in a permanent operation at Racine Lake until 1959 when a portable sawmill was dismantled and by 1960 a new mill one miles west of Chapleau was up and running with a production capacity of 7,000,000 board feet annually.

When Mr. Martel died in 1972, the business was divided into an equal partnership among his four sons - Yvon, Aldee, Denis and Jean.

Top Yvon and Margot, Aldee and Lorna and bottom Jean and Carmelle, Denis and Linda

Doug Greig wrote: "The new ownership developed the proper quality, customer care and progressive employee relation philosophies that today's major corporations are just now starting to realize as keys to long term success."

Over the years, the company evolved into a modern progressive one responsible for the sustainable management of their forest license, and employment in manufacturing jobs in the Martel woodlands, sawmill and marketing operations.

Doug noted that the company survived economic downturns by continuing to provide quality products, customer service, fair treatment of employees and continued investment in the company.

Among many awards over the years, one that stands out is one from the Ontario Lumber Manufacturers Association. Yvon Martel was presented with the first ever Honourary Life Member Award for his work with the association.

Doug Greig again: "The quiet success of J.E. Martel and Sons Lumber Limited has been rolling along for over 46 years (at time Doug was writing). The company is a solid pillar of the community of Chapleau and province of Ontario...The Martel company could always be relied on to help with any community project..."

A personal note of thanks to Aldee for being the person you are, and to Larry Martel and Doug Greig who were so helpful with research assistance. Congratulations to Larry on his recent promotion and best wishes to all the Martel family on the occasion of their family reunion. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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.