Santa Claus Parade was coming to Chapleau in December 1948 sponsored by Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion following successful play presentation

Toddy Collinson, George Collinson, John Rose

Ted Soucie was telling his Chapleau Post readers that before reading his column, leave it aside and go to Major's Cleaners and get tickets for the play being sponsored by Harry Searle Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
 Ted added: "Now that you're back, I hope that you got good seats. Let me remind you that it is a full program and you had better be there early. We're starting on the button -- but if you happen to get in a little early, you'll be entertained by some good music."
 It was Chapleau, December, 1948. Having returned from World War II, the new Chapleau Legion branch members joined the World War I veterans, in becoming a central focus in Chapleau life.
 For example, the play 'Cousin Jill from Junction Hill' was sponsored by the branch and was being directed by J.M 'Jack' Shoup, a veteran of both World Wars I and II, Legion Branch president at the time, principal of Chapleau Public school and member of Chapleau township council -- in fact Mr. Shoup holds the record for the longest serving council member with 16 one year terms in the community's history.

J.M. Jack Shoup

 Major's Cleaners was operated by D.T. 'Toddy' Collinson, a World War II veteran, who in 1976 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Chapleau Legion participated in honouring George Collinson, on being a member of the branch for 50 years. His father was a World War I veteran, Chapleau's postmaster and fire chief for many years, and always active in community affairs.
 Ted moved on to sharing news about the "new room" in the Legion hall, revealing that Henry Therriault had shown it to him and had "every reason to feel proud." A successful redecoration project had been undertaken. In 1948 the branch was in the same building it is today but it was not until 1955 when B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt was reeve that it took over ownership from the municipality.
 Henry had also dropped in to see him and requested that he "plug" a Stag and Spaghetti feed scheduled for December. "It is going to be one of our old-fashioned stags and guess who is going to make the sauce? None other than George Bucciarelli himself! Nuff said." Mr. Bucciarelli who owned a grocery store on Lorne Street south and after whom Bucciarelli's Beach is named, perhaps needless to say, was famous for his spaghetti sauce.
 In 1948, Henry Therriault, after returning home from active service in World War II, had become First vice president of the branch. Always active in the Legion and other community affairs, he served 12 terms as branch president.
 SANTA CLAUS COMING TO TOWN

 Ted noted that he had received a letter from Santa who advised that Chapleau children were "swamping' him with letters which was just fine and all would receive their card before he arrived for the Santa Claus Parade on December 11. I have some of those letters written way back in 1948 and will share them in a later column.
 The parade, another activity sponsored by the Legion, under the guidance of Wilf Simpson, World War II veteran, , was being planned although some more volunteers were needed for Santa's Military Guard of Honour. The Legion was accepting donations for the Santa Fund to help the less fortunate at Christmas.
 Wilf and his orchestra were also playing for Saturday night dances in the hall. Admission was 50 cents.
 As I wrote in my 1984 book, 'Sons of Thunder ... Apostles of Love' the World War II veterans returned home, resumed their employment, married and started to raise their families.
All of them, from World War I and World War II having experienced the bitterness of war and having lived through the Great Depression were determined to build a better community for their children.
 They became involved in local organizations, sat on the municipal council and school boards, and were active in their church. As Mr. Shoup so often said, "They had a duty to serve." And they did, in time of war and peace. This is just a glimpse of one month in the life of Harry Searle Branch No. 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion. My email is mj.morris@live.ca