Missanabie Lodge No 266 of IOOF hold At Home described as one of most successful parties of year

Missanabie Lodge No. 266 of the Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) held their 'At Home' which was described in the Chapleau Post as "without a doubt one of the most successful parties of the year."

The lodge, instituted in Chapleau on May 16, 1888 remains the community's oldest fraternal organization in 2019.

As this At Home was held during World War II the article noted that "On one wall was a large Union Jack in the centre of which hung a frame containing the names of those Oddfellows" serving in Canada's armed forces.

"At seven p.m. more than 200 Oddfellows, Rebekahs and friends sat down to a delicious turkey banquet. The supper was in charge of Sincerity Rebekah Lodge. The tables were tastefully decorated and the guests wore coloured paper hats. The hall looked quite gay with its pink, blue and white streamers and lanterns."

The At Home was held in the Town Hall basement, the location for so many community events between 1914 and 1978 when the Chapleau Civic Centre was opened. The lodge room was on the second floor which was also the Council Chambers.

Founding members 1888

Following the supper chairman Reg Thrush spoke a few words of welcome followed by a toast to the Order by Borden McLeod.

B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt proposed a toast to those who were serving in the country's armed forces which was responded to by Ross Whitney.

After the toasts Mr. Thrush presented cigarettes to Jack Whitney, Ross Whitney and Lloyd Whitney who were in the armed forces. He added that cigarettes had been sent to Lodge members overseas. 

Nine of the ladies present who had husbands overseas were presented with boxes of chocolate.

Hiram Paul was presented with a past Noble Grand jewel by  Mrs. Ross Whitney and Mrs. H. Wooton pinned on the 25 year jewel presented to E. Woodard.

Following the presentations they adjourned to the auditorium on the main floor of the Town Hall where Arthur Grout was in charge of the entertainment which got underway with a sing song of some popular tunes of the day. Mr. Lauder played the piano accordion. 

Mrs. Bill Stedman and Mrs. Norman Veit "favoured" the audience with solos and both ladies were called upon for encores.

The article says Mr. Grout told "a very amusing story" but no details on it were provided. He also showed some photos. 

The evening ended with a dance with Mr. Darby getting it underway leading everyone in the Grand March and the dance floor, back in the basement, was filled to capacity. Dancing of all kinds continued until two a.m. with a break at midnight  for cake and coffee.

The article concludes: "It was a most enjoyable social evening and will long be remembered by those present". As I was working on this column, it brought back many fond memories of growing up in Chapleau, and in the 1950s, a bit later than this event, my friends and I would look through the basement windows to watch the proceedings. Sometimes my grandmothers Lil Morris and Edythe Hunt would be helping with the catering for a banquet, and we would sneak into the hall by the back door, and head to the kitchen for a treat.  Those really were the days my friends.

Thanks again to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for kindly loaning me the Richard Brownlee Papers. My email is mj.morris@live.ca