Labour Day in 1959 became Hospital Day sponsored by Lady Minto Hospital with 'fun for all ages from oldest to youngest'

Designating it as 'Hospital Day', the Lady Minto Hospital sponsored a day full of activities on Labour Day in 1959.

The program was designed for "fun for all ages from oldest to youngest", according to a report in the Sudbury Star.

The day's activities also provided the opportunity for citizens to meet the staff of the local hospital.

A parade started from the hospital at Elm and Queen streets, in "old Chapleau", led by the hospital float with its "bedside motif" with Beryl Rowntree, Christina Freeborn, Gladys Ryan, Ann Maureen Bedford, and Claire Fortin caring for the patient -- "a huge toy panda".

There were other floats including one from the Senior Citizens, as well as the Town Band and the Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion Pipe Band. The parade ended at the Beach area.

The nurses on the hospital float took up station in the Lodge Room (upstairs) in the Town Hall for a polio shot clinic supervised by Dr. G. E. 'Ted' Young. It was a busy place with 276 people getting a shot. Mrs. Audrey Bertrand arrived to assist at the clinic.

Registrars were Mrs. D.O. Payette, Mrs. Rita Bedford and Mrs. Mansel Robinson.

Down at the beach races got underway for the youngsters organized by J.M. Shoup, who had been doing this job for as long as I can remember. Mr. Shoup had just retired as long time principal of Chapleau Public School in 1958.

A very popular event sponsored by the Catholic Women's League of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church was a pigtail contest. Winners in the various age categories were from youngest -- Lynn Hazen, Helene Tremblay, Joan Martin and Linda Marchioni. Mrs. Ed McCarthy was in charge.

Over at the ball field behind Chapleau High School a championship minor league baseball game between the Cubs and Bruins got underway for the Broomhead Trophy. The Bruins emerged victorious and team captain Neil Midkiff accepted the trophy from D.J. 'Jim' Broomhead.

There was also another ball game with teams coached by Keith 'Buddy' Swanson and Tommy Godfrey which was apparently very popular, but results not revealed.

Meanwhile, another popular event was underway at the Beach area where Walter Broomhead and daughter Karen were providing pony rides for the youngsters.

There was a dance in the Town Hall basement in the evening, highlighted a draw for a car -- winner was George Brady.

Chair for the day was C.B Greenlaw, and committee members included George Riesz, Mr. Shoup. Jim Purich, Vince Crichton, Sylvia Crozier, Mary Chrusoskie, Mrs. W.W. Lawrence, Mrs. George McCallum, Mrs. A. Boulard, and "many others"

In May a successful Tag Day had been held. My email is mj.morris@live.ca