Jason Rioux provides update on progress made on restoration and future plans for St. John's Anglican Church in Chapleau

Jason Rioux, the owner of the St John's Anglican Church building, kindly provided me with a copy of a letter he sent to the congregation and Bishop Tom Corston about the present situation at the church. The letter provides details on steps that have already been taken to restore the church, and measures that are planned.

I extend my thanks to Jason for permitting me to share the letter with readers of the Chapleau Express in Chapleau Moments and here, as he moves forward. Jason is also open to hearing from you.  His email is jason.rioux@gmail.com

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

BY JASON RIOUX

Happy 2018! We wanted to share how things are going and provide an update for our vision on things yet to come. This building was built by you and taken care of by you for the last 100+ years.

Regardless of a change in building ownership, this remains YOUR church and we are deeply committed to keeping you in YOUR church. It’s not St. John’s Anglican Church without you.

Preserving the Building In 2016 and 2017, we undertook major renovations to improve the bones of the building. Without this investment, the building would have fallen into further disrepair.

Major basement renovations were completed to allow for fully accessible commercial food and retail use. This turned out to be an enormous job with many costly hurdles that were overcome. Exterior brick repairs and restoration work began.

We completed repairs to the northeast corner of the building near the chimney and started on the west wall’s spaulding brick. The brick chimney was rebuilt to full height and lined so it can be used again.

The rear cement patio and landscaping was added. We are lucky to have found Marc, our local experienced bricklayer to take on this work, and he had to find 100 year old reclaimed brick from southern Ontario and haul it north to Chapleau to do the job right.

And as it turns out, our bricklayer is now the tenant downstairs with homemade pizza making skills second to none!

As for 2018, we will finish the brick repairs on the west wall, point the brickwork around the building, and start brick repairs to the bell tower. We would like to bring back the original “castle top” -- if we can find a way to fund it.

Financial Sustainability

The church building remains a money losing project, big time. Our objective is to bring the building into financial sustainability for the for the long term. To accomplish this, the reality is we have 3 things to focus on:

1. Finding additional rent from the main floor

• We need this new rent to co-exist with the congregation, and will likely come from a new additional tenant or from running special events.

• We are currently looking for ideas, other non-profits focusing on local history and culture, performing arts, entertainment, special events, etc.

• Unfortunately this will require most of the pews to come out. More about pews discussed below.

2. Reducing our heating costs

• Step 1 – Install a new wood stove in the basement, just finished!

• Step 2 – Get completely off heating oil – We plan to install a new boiler heating system in 2018 that will use renewable wood pellets as the fuel. These are considered carbon neutral (good for the environment) and will be sourced from northern Ontario (good for the local economy).

 • Step 3 – Seal up the building – we need to seal up air cracks and gaps on the main floor. We will get a blower door test conducted to identify the air leaks and then try to seal them up to improve the efficiency of the building and reduce our heating costs for next winter.

3. Helping our current tenants be successful long term

• We are working closely with our current basement tenant, Stonewalls restaurant, to help them grow their business to meet the needs and desires of the Chapleau community. We are in the process of installing a new wood fired pizza oven downstairs for everyone’s eating pleasure in the next month or so, I’m super excited about that.

• We want to help the Anglican Church congregation find ways to innovate and connect with the community. We are open to trying new things, we have the large vacant lot next door that can host special events, we have the ability to be creative together for mutual benefit.

Please keep this in mind as you plan 2018.

We are here to help where we can, just pitch us your ideas on what you want to try.

Environmental Sustainability

We believe that we can make investments in the b that can both accomplish financial and environmental sustainability. For example the heating system improvements have the ability to make the building “carbon neutral”. Currently we are burning over 15,000 litres of heating oil per winter, this has significant CO2 emissions that are bad for our climate.

It just happens that converting to modern wood pellet heating is lower cost than oil, and is carbon neutral, a win-win situation. But it takes effort to make this switch.

We are working with technology suppliers from Europe, and we are working with Ontario pellet fuel suppliers for bulk deliveries to Chapleau. It’s not easy going first, but we think it is worth the effort.

What to do with the Pews? We expect that any new uses upstairs will require more flexibility in the space, different seating arrangements, more open space, ability to set up tables and We would like to hear ideas and preferences from the congregation on how we select which pews we should keep. We think we can probably keep 6 to 10 long pews in the space. Some questions and ideas we would like your feedback on:

1. Do we add name plaques to identify the original family pews that will remain in the church? This way we can keep track of the pews as they are shuffled around over time. Can you propose which pews we should keep as a priority?

2. We will be looking to sell 20 or more pews to help offset our building restoration costs. Should we first offer the pews for sale to the original families they may have sat in them? If so, how do we contact those families if no longer in attendance?

 3. Any ideas for local businesses or places that might need pews like this?

4. Do we know a local carpenter that can shorten pews so that they can fit better into people’s homes? This could help more of the pew find their way into homes in Chapleau.

 In terms of replacement seating that can accommodate multiple uses, we are thankful to receive 100 chairs from the United Church to help get us started! Opening up the space and getting more people into the church will help with our collective community outreach. It's a beautiful building and sharing it with the community is a positive thing that increases the long term viability of the church.

As always, I want to hear your thoughts. You can email me anytime at Jason.rioux@gmail.com

Contingent travels to Montreal to celebrate Floyd Curry Night at The Forum as Chapleau born National Hockey League player honoured

A Chapleau contingent took the overnight Canadian Pacific Railway passenger train to "do their bit" at a celebration for Floyd 'Busher' Curry of the Montreal Canadiens, according to a story in the Sudbury Star.

It was Floyd Curry Night at The Forum in Montreal, honouring the Chapleau born player who the article noted was "a staunch supporter of Chapleau and environs." He played in the National Hockey League all with the Canadiens from 1947 to 1958.

Curry was born in Chapleau on August 11, 1925, but lived in Nicholson during his early years. He did have relatives in Chapleau.

The Sudbury Star noted that Curry was "well deserving of the support and acclaim of those who knew him personally and of Chapleau hockey fans who knew him as an outstanding player."

The newspaper added that "clean sport" had always been his standard "and had won him the support of his team-mates and opponents."

The Montreal trip was organized by Olive and Don Card, both of whom were greatly involved in Chapleau hockey for many years. In fact Mrs. Card was known as 'Mrs. Minor Hockey' for her 25 years service as secretary-treasurer of the Chapleau Minor Hockey Association. Don coached minor hockey teams and played for the Chapleau  Huskies and the Legion team in the town league.

The Sudbury Star story says 30 Chapleau people made the trip but only includes 17 who were Mr. and Mrs. Milton Schroeder, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Turner, Albert Bignucolo, Roger Longchamps, Mike Mione, Reggie Sonego, Alison and David McMillan, Raymond Brunette, Romeo Levesque, Eugene Fortin. Keith 'Sonny' Chambers and Baisel Collings plus Mr and Mrs Card.

David McMillan and I chatted about this trip when he visited me in Cranbrook several years ago and he advised that Alcide Brunette and Don 'Flappy' Jardine were also there. David has since died.

 I have included photos of teams which had some  players on them who went to Montreal and to provide a glimpse of some local hockey players from the Floyd Curry era in the NHL

If any others have details on this trip or were there please let me know.

Layton Goodwin who had lived in Nicholson when Curry did told the newspaper  "that at the age of four or five young Curry was busy on the ice (Lake Windermere) practising his shots with a broken down stick and an old tin can."

The Curry family moved to Kirkland Lake where Floyd started his organized hockey career.

After six years with the Oshawa Generals and a Memorial Cup win the Montreal Canadiens realized his potential and signed him. He had also become a member of the Canadian armed forces near the end pf World War II.

He played for the Montreal Royals before being brought up to the Canadiens. Playing his his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens it started in 1947 and ended in 1958. During his time with Montreal, Floyd won four Stanley Cups 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958. In his NHL career he played in 601 games, scored 105 goals and earned 99 assists for 204 points.

After retiring as a player, he coached the Montreal Royals, then went on to work for the Canadiens front office for over 40 years as director of sales and travel secretary. In summer of 1968 he was promoted to Assistant General manager. He remained in that position until 1978. During his time in Montreal the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup 6 more times.

Writing on his blog Greatest Hockey Legends, Joe Pelletier noted that for most of his hockey life Curry was a modest player happy to stay in the shadows of hockey's spotlight. Most nights, except one.

"On Oct 29, 1951 -- with then Princesss Elizabeth and her husband, the Duke of Ediburgh in attendance, " Pelletier wrote, "Curry scored three goals in a 6-1 victory over the New York Rangers. The Princess (who became Queen in 1952) was in the midst of her first royal tour left The Forum under the impression Busher Curry was the best hockey player in the world." 

"It was Curry's greatest moment," Pelletier added.

Floyd 'Busher' Curry died on September 16, 2006 at age 81. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Names for photos

Chapleau High School team 1956-57-- David McMillan, Doug Sleivert, Stan Barty,Thane Crozier, Clarence Fiaschetti (teacher and coach), George Lemon (principal) Second row: Doug Espaniel, Roger Mizuguchi, Bill Cachagee . Front are Jim Hong, Bert Lemon, Harry Pellow, Ken Schroeder, Robbie Pellow (Mascot) Marc Boulard, Harry Hong, Jim Machan, Ron Morris.

 Chapleau Junior Team 1949 --Back row are from left Orville Robinson, Doug Swanson, Lorne Riley, Greg Lucas, Tee Chambers, Fred Goheen, Keith Strapp, Toddy Collinson, Ernest 'Sonny' Bignucolo, D.O. Payette (manager), Pat Serre, Ross Hamlin, George Payette. Front from left, Yen Hong, Bob Evans, Reggie Sonego, Ross Thornton (coach), Tom Jardine, Angelo Mione, Johnny Morin, Mike Mione, Clarence Fiaschetti

Here are the 1953-54 Chapleau Bantam champions who won the Algoma Dairy Trophy.. Back row from left: Baisil Collings (coach), Michael McMullen, Mrs. Broomhead, David McMillan, Richard Pilon, Tim Goodwin. Front are Charlie White, Ken Schroeder and Harry 'Boo' Hong.

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MM

. 'Loss needs no learning and sorrow needs no schoolmaster' Rev. Murray McBride at Chapleau Remembrance Day 1961

Impressive Remembrance Day services at the Town Hall and cenotaph following a parade of Branch Number 5 (Ontario) Royal Canadian Legion members was held in 1961, according to a Sudbury Star report.

The Star noted that the turnout of Legion members was "higher than for some years and made a fine showing as they marched in step to music from the town band."

The Town Band was a feature at pretty well all community activities from about 1888 on when it was formed. I have included a photo circa 1922 of the band in front of the first cenotaph built after end of World War I.

After the invocation was given by Rev. J.G. M. Doolan of St. John's Anglican Church, Rev. Murray McBride of Trinity United Church delivered an address entitled 'The New War' which in many respects we find ourselves today in 2017.

Mr. McBride noted that there is "little left to be said for those left behind" as a result of war "for loss needs no learning and sorrow needs no schoolmaster."




As I was researching this column and read the above statement by Mr. McBride, I recalled a comment my mother, Muriel E. (Hunt) Morris made about Remembrance Day. I don't think she ever missed a Remembrance Day service but commented, "Every day is Remembrance Day". As most readers know, her husband, my father, Flying Officer Jim Morris was killed on active service in the RCAF during World War II.

Mr. McBride presented the argument that war and peace can not be separated in our thinking. He proceeded to outline his thinking on 'The New War'.

He said that over a span of 4000 years, the first wars were nomadic tribal wars in nature characterized by invasion, looting, pillaging and slaughter for immediate gain. These were followed by wars for territorial gain as well where the conqueror took over land an settled there.

Then World War I and World War II were wars for intangibles "for principles of freedom and liberty" as well.

He suggested that the new war is vastly different. It is "a war with an  unseen enemy which can occur without advance warning by an aggressor sitting at home and exploding bombs in his own country and count on fallout to weaken those he wishes to conquer  or destroy."

Given our deeply troubled world today with acts of terrorism globally, it seems like Mr. McBride had a crystal ball back in 1961.

In conclusion he suggested that society had "turned away from God" thus causing alienation and causing fear and mistrust in society. "It is this that would seem to have made us so ready to use discoveries for destruction rather than building a better world".

In 1968, Mr. McBride was elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament and served one term.

At eleven a.m. the ceremony had moved to the cenotaph beside the Town Hall where the two minutes silence was observed and the Last Post and Reveille was played by William Forman.

Later at the Legion Hall, branch president Herb Doig presented Life Memberships to L.T. 'Len' Green and George Collinson, who were both World War I veterans.

The Ladies Auxiliary tea was also held presided over by president Mrs. Agnes Freeborn.

Lest we forget there were 32 Chapleau boys who died in World War I and 29 in World War II. One died during the Korean War and another while serving with a United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East with NATO. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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MM

J.T. Serre known for 'happy, jolly, good natured manner' at work and play in Chapleau

J.T. Serre, who arrived in Chapleau in 1886, was well known for the "happy, jolly, good natured manner"  he always maintained.

When he arrived Chapleau consisted mainly of a group of box cars in which lived a number of families as well as 'Old Chapleau' about where the Lady Minto Hospital was located on Queen Street, and where Richard Brownlee had his barber shop in a tent.

It didn't take these early pioneers long to lay out the community on the "other side" of the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks.

Mr. Serre first worked for the CPR but the Hudson Bay Company was looking "for a smart young man who could talk French and English",  so he moved there, according to a Chapleau Post article in 1930.

"Telesphore was everything on that job. He rassled barrels of pork, kegs of molasses, bags of flour, cases of salt pork and bags of beans around until an ordinary fellow would have been glad to call it a day. But not him".

Chapleau party Mr Serre standing on right

The article noted that after the work day, which ended when the manager said it did, Mr. Serre, along with the rest of the young bloods of the town" enjoyed a good time, and would head to the "Indian reservation, and there they danced to the music of an accordion or a fiddle until the wee small hours."

Mr Serre on right

The reservation to which the article refers would have been what is now generally referred to as the Memegos Property on the Nebskwashi River where the Hudson Bay store was located before moving into Chapleau. Just imagine, they would walk along the CPR tracks in the pitch dark, and cross the river about where the Highway 101 turnoff is to Timmins today. And return home!

In 1891 Mr. Serre started working  for J. McN. Austin and as hardware became more important, he was put in charge of that department. By 1905, when it became important to have someone as an undertaker, he took a course and assumed this position too.

After joining what soon became Smith and Chapple Ltd. he became hardware manager there.

 Top items in the hardware department included rifles and shotgun shells, toboggans, axes, canoes, tents, and tin and iron cooking wares. 

one department

He saw changes in the store from "flickering old coal oil lamps, acetylene lamps, then unsteady electric light to fine lighting equipment" by about 1930.

"From the old cast iron stove in the middle of the store on to the hot air furnace then to the modern hot water electric blower, thermostatically controlled blower now installed."

The article also noted that in the early years of business no one ever saw an apple, orange, grapefruit, any fresh vegetables, ice cream and other items seen in the store by 1930 or so.

"Fast freight trains coupled with good refrigeration played a great part..." in bringing them to Chapleau.

I wonder if anyone today can find Mr. Serre's name inscribed in the cement in the cellar of what is now Chapleau Village Shops.

The article notes that "some cement work was being done in the cellar of the main store ... and this young fellow scratched his name in the fresh cement and it's still there (circa 1930)" Maybe Lucy Bignucolo could take a look!!!

T.R. Serre, became known as the "Grand Old Man" of the store in work and play. 

Thanks again to Margaret Rose and Bobby Fortin for loaning me the Richard Brownlee Papers. A treasure of information about Chapleau.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

'Chapleau Boys Go To War' added to Military History Research Centre collection at Canadian War Museum

Lara Andrews with Michael McMullen

The Canadian War Museum has accepted a copy of The Chapleau Boys Go To War, by co-authors Michael K. McMullen and Michael J. Morris.

Michael McMullen announced that "We are pleased that the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario has accepted the donation of our book  The Chapleau Boys Go To War."

"One of our objectives was that our book be used as a reference for further research by others," Michael said.

"Besides personal use, having the book available in libraries, schools and museums will contribute to this objective," Michael added, speaking on behalf of his co-author.

The  book has been catalogued and added to the Military History Research Centre’s library where it will be available for consultation by staff and the general public.

Michael McMullen presented a copy of the book to Lara Andrews, Librarian, Military History Research Centre, Canadian War Museum.

The Chapleau Boys Go To War is  the story of the contributions and sacrifices made during World War 1 and World War 2, at home and abroad by the people of Chapleau.

The Chapleau Boys Go To War is available on amazon.com, amazon.ca and Kindle, Key words: chapleau boys war. In Chapleau it is available at Chapleau Village Shops  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

The Commander in Chief is endangering Canadians

Perrceptions by Gerry Warner
“Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came” was the title of a forgettable 1970 movie that ironically seems to have some prescience now as Commander in Chief Stephen Harper prepares to expand our Iraq misadventure into an even larger war in Syria.
Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe Syria has declared war on Canada.
In fact, Syria is embroiled in a five-year civil war that shows no sign of ending and is, therefore, in no position to declare war on anyone, little alone us. But this minor detail doesn’t bother our brave Commander in Chief, who’s so eager to get into an even bigger war that he hasn’t even bothered with the diplomatic niceties of telling the Syrians he’s declared war on them, something that’s supposed to be done under international law and the United Nations in the vain hope that it will cause the country declaring war to have second thoughts.
That technically makes Canada an international war criminal, but our eager Commander in Chief doesn’t worry about technicalities even though our US partner in this dangerous venture took the time to inform the Syrians.
And what was the Commander in Chief’s justification for expanding this dangerous venture that has already taken the life of one Canadian? In the past, he said Canadian F-18’s would only go into Syria with the “clear support” of the Syrian government. But Tuesday in Parliament, he said: “The reality is that the Assad regime does not have the will nor the ability to counter the Islamic State in Syria.” In other words, the Syrian government, led by Bashar al-Assad, is in such dire straits from the civil war that it’s incapable of fighting back.
Obviously we have a very brave Commander in Chief.
Our brave Commander also likes to stoke the fears Canadians understandably have about ISIS, the fanatical, jihadist, terrorist group that has overrun parts of Iraq and Syria and committed ghastly beheadings in the name of a perverted brand of Islam that the great majority of the world’s Muslims don’t support. But the PM ignores this in a brazen bid to enrage his core supporters into supporting a holy war against a small but blood-thirsty band of Islamic fighters capable of causing havoc in the volatile Middle East, but with no capacity whatsoever to harm anyone in North America.
Does ISIS have missiles capable of hitting Canada? No.
Does ISIS have an air force that could drop bombs on us? No.
Does ISIS have a navy capable of shelling our shores? No.
Then what are we doing in Iraq and Syria attacking ISIS? Good question!
Unfortunately, ISIS does have a sinister way of harming us thanks largely to our Commander in Chief’s so-called “strategy,” which is playing exactly into their blood-stained hands. Remember the good ol’ days when Canadians were known internationally as peacekeepers? Now, thanks largely to Canada’s participation in the wars in Afghanistan, Libya and now Iraq and Syria we’re no longer seen as international good guys. We’re now seen as another Western, imperial power riding on the coat tails of Uncle Sam dropping bombs indiscriminately on Muslim believers in the Middle East whether they are jihadists or not. And so they hate us and out of that hatred and thanks to the Internet they’re able to recruit “lone wolf” terrorist wannabes in our own ranks that in a few isolated cases have succeeded in killing us. That’s the tragic consequences of what Harper’s bellicose, war mongering strategy is doing to us. Yet, if the polls can be believed, a majority of gullible Canadians support him.
Surely expanding this war in the most war-torn part of the world has deadly consequences we can hardly fathom. Don’t you think it’s time then to hit the re-set button on Harper’s folly?



Gerry Warner is a retired journalist that has lost all respect for the Commander in Chief,

George Theriault relaxes with prime ministers Mackenzie King and Louis St. Laurent

When George Theriault was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, on numerous occasions he was called upon to fly dignitaries like the prime minister to a secluded lake for a few hours or days of fishing, hunting or just plain relaxing.

In his wonderful book 'Trespassing in God's Country - Sixty Years of Flying in Northern Canada', he includes a chapter, 'Relaxing with the Prime Ministers'. In 1954, after retiring from the RCAF, he established the main base for Theriault Air Service at Chapleau. He had joined the air force in 1940 during World War II.

He reveals that before Prime Minister Mackenzie King retired in 1948, "I had several opportunities to socialize with him at his summer home in Kingsmere, a small lake in the Gatineau Park, where he loved to spend the weekends. He enjoyed the simple pleasure of sitting on his verandah and chatting about all the unimportant details of life."

Mr. Theriault gives an insightful look into the life of Mr. King when he was out of the public eye. One day he relates that the prime minister in "his very shy way" if he would do him a favour.

"He had some young children visiting from Ottawa, and he wanted them to see the country from the air in my J-3 Cub which I usually flew to the lake on weekends. He even offered to pay for the gasoline for the trips... Naturally, I agreed to the trips but wouldn't accept payment for the gasoline."

He tried to convince the prime minister "to come up for a spin but he politely declined saying that he only flew when he was on business. He preferred to have his feet on the ground when he was relaxing."

Just imagine sitting on a verandah with the prime minister today "sipping some cool drinks." Well, Mr. Theriault did, and was asked by Prime Minister King  what the average air force pilot earned as a yearly salary, then added how much would a similar pilot flying for Trans Canada Airlines (now Air Canada make).

Mr. Theriault replied that he made about $4800 a year, and a TCA pilot about $10000 a year.

One of the other air force officials present asked the prime minister his salary. Mr. King "was silent for a while , and then responded that he made under $10000; this was in the summer of 1948!"

Turning to Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, who succeeded Mr. King later in 1948. Mr. Theriault wrote, "we found a boss who really liked to relax in a boat or canoe."

"If Mr. St. Laurent only had a few hours to relax and fish, I flew him in the Norseman to a private camp North of Ottawa ... we could leave Ottawa after 5:00 pm and return by 10 pm."

Mr. Theriault always enjoyed fishing with him "because he would just paddle a 16-foot canoe out onto a lake and sit for hours. There was no competition, no hurry to catch a fish. It seemed to be a way of meditation for him. After a few hours of fly fishing his whole countenance brightened and the weight of office seemed to grow lighter on his shoulders.

"Catching a fish seemed less important t o him than the experience of just sitting in the canoe moving his fishing line in and out of the water. In the privacy of nature, he seemed to allow the pressure of government business to dissolve. The hours spent with him in a canoe were beyond the realm of time. The transforming power of nature worked its magic on us both."

Mr. Theriault has provided an insightful behind-the-scenes look at  two of Canada's long serving prime ministers. "Trespassing in God's Country" in its entirety is a great read. Russ Bannock, the former president of de Havilland Aircraft of Canada noted that it is a "magnificent story of his (Mr. Theriault's} life as a Canadian pilot.

My thanks to George Theriault and his son John for making a copy available to me. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau High School at turning point in its history in 1961-62 as enrolment jumped significantly, new course added

Merrick Goldstein 1960s

Chapleau High School took its first small step towards bilingualism - French and English - in the 1961-62 school year with the arrival of Luther Emerson as principal.

Susan Cecile, a Grade 13 student, who wrote a column in the short lived Chapleau Press explained that students who had graduated from the bilingual program at the separate school would be able to take "advanced French instead of the ordinary elementary French", in Grade 9. Plans were to continue it through to Grade 13 for these students.

At that time there were no plans to offer other courses in French, but it was the start of courses for those who spoke French as a first language.

Interestingly, Susan points out that enrolment has jumped to 201 as compared to 136 in the previous year. There were three Grade 9 classes, two Grade 10 and one each for Grades 11, 12 and 13.

Innocents John Murray, Jim Anderson, Peter Simpson Frank Bignucolo

For those who started at CHS in 1961-62, you may recall the teachers who were Mr. Emerson, Jean Hattie, Sheila Kingston, Raymond Achurch, Yvon Charbonneau, Marcel Gelinas, Clement Miron, Gladys Bowles, and George Evans in his first year at the school.

Susan commented: "We have found our new teachers enthusiastic, cooperative and just plain terrific".


Susan noted the importance of physical education courses, which were compulsory from grades 9 to 12, with two qualified teachers -- Mr. Gelinas and Miss Kingston. Activities would be held on the playing field and in the "cellar gym".

A skating rink was planned behind the school while there was also a school bowling league with games scheduled once a week at the YMCA lanes.  The fee for students was $2.00 a month.

Curling was also popular with 16 teams competing at the Pine Street curling rink after school on weekdays. Playoffs were planned for the end of the season.

Religious instruction classes were held weekly conducted by Father R. Marchand of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Rev. J.G.M. Doolan of St. John's Anglican Church and Rev. M.A. McBride of Trinity United Church.

To mark the start of the school year, Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion dedicated a new flag and flagpole in front of the school, according to the Sudbury Star.

Gerry Boucher

Legion member Ken Encil headed a team which erected the flagpole. The dedication ceremonies were conducted by branch president Herbert Doig assisted by Scotty Welch. The flag was raised by Wilfred Simpson.

The occasion was also an opportunity to present awards to four members of 1181 Chapleau High School Cadet Corps for proficiency in Morse Code training while at Camp Ipperwash. They were Wayne Midkiff, K. Knorz, Danny Mizuguchi and Edward Beynon, who won an additional award for work at Camp Borden.

The 1961-62 year at CHS marked a turning point in the history of secondary school education in Chapleau in more ways than one, but that is a story for another day,  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photos from Lark Ritchie collection

Friday Morning Coffee Club meets at The Ranch for gourmet breakfast prepared by Chef Justin

Jim, Chef Justin, Mark

The Friday Morning Coffee Club, aka FMCC, enjoyed a gourmet breakfast at The Ranch prepared by Chef Justin Cleland on a beautiful Winter day.

Chef Justin was ably assisted by Jim Roberts (his uncle), and Mark Spence-Vinge in preparing the meal enjoyed immensely by FMCC who were on hand to enjoy their second visit to The Ranch. Thanks Jim.

Although on this visit, we ate around the big table in the ranch house, it seems to me there is something about the mountain air that really contributes to the fellowship, friendship and laughter that abounds at all FMCC meets, but maybe a bit more at the ranch!

A special highlight was the presentation of a birthday cake and a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Brian Passy.

As the old saying goes "... and a great time was had by all!"

Jim with cake for Brian

A special thanks to Chef Justin, who spent countless hours planning and preparing the meal featuring Eggs Benedict. We also wish Justin all the best as he launches his career in music.

And before anyone asks, no, I did not try bronc busting on this trip.

It has also amazed me the number of people who have stopped me on my walkabouts in the past week and asked "What are you guys going to do now?" or "Have you found a new place yet?"

Of course, they are referring to the loss of our Friday morning home for almost two years at the Starbucks in the Cranbrook Target store. Starbucks is closed now and the store will be  soon.

Thanks for asking

As I write, no we haven't but if anyone would like to offer suggestions, please email me at mj.morris@live,ca.

 For the moment we will meet at "temporary" locations.

Joel Vinge sent more pics and added to the story. Thanks Joel.

Ordinarily I would have waited but I wanted to post before leaving for Florida on a recruiting mission for  The Ranch and FMCC,  More later on that11

 I am updating from Calgary before boarding my flight. My new mini computer is great -- next challenge my phone!!!

Joel  wrote: "Another excellent Breakfast with two specialty Chef’s (Jim and Justin) with their Eggs Benedict Breakfast!  Also Michael & Terry in deep conversation.  

"Michael takes a picture with Gordon looking on.Another special FMCC event!Joel"

Fond memories of growing up Chapleau return for wonderful moments at Harry 'Butch' Pellow party

I took a course in twentieth century European history from Dr Jacques Goutor more than a few years ago ago now, and the first thing I learned from him was that hockey kept Canada together. Well, he didn't actually come out and say that exactly, but on the first day of class he told us about his arrival in Canada from France.Dr Goutor told us that upon arriving in Toronto, he went out and bought the newspapers and the headlines were LEAFS WIN STANLEY CUP! It was 1967, our Centennial year as a nation, and the Toronto Maple Leafs had defeated their arch rivals the Montreal Canadiens in six games. It was the last time the Leafs would win Lord Stanley's mug. As an aside Dr Goutor was one of the best professors I ever had and went from Wilfrid Laurier University to the University of Western Ontario. He died recently.

Tee Chambers, Butch, Aldee 1954 & Aldee and Butch 2014

All so typically Canadian for our Centennial year in 1967-- a team from the heart of English Canada wins the Stanley Cup but the focus for the celebrations of the centennial is on Montreal, the major French Canadian city which hosted Expo '67, and the cup is named after an Englishman who was Governor General at one time. Trust me on this one! It is such as this that has contributed  to keeping the country together and safe-- the invisible hand of Canadian compromise!

Dr Goutor, who at the time had little knowledge of hockey and its importance to Canadians, said he decided to stay here because it had to be a safe place if the headlines were about a sporting event. He was raised in France and lived through the horrors of World War II and its aftermath.

To this day, I watch the headlines of Canadian daily newspapers, and headline writers are ecstatic on those days they can proclaim victory for their local hockey team when it wins a title, and are beside themselves with joy when Canada wins internationally. In Chapleau, hockey often has dominated the front page headline from the Chapleau Post to the Chapleau Sentinel to the Chapleau Express.

Fast forward to Toronto, October, 2014. The Leafs have still not won another Stanley Cup, but there we were, more than 60 present and past Chapleau residents, gathered for a party at the home of Brigitte and Harry 'Butch' Pellow. We had travelled from many places for this occasion, and of course, when two or more Canadians meet together, two topics arise -- hometown hockey, and that other great Canadian unifier, the weather.

Chapleau hockey players from Yen Hong who was playing Intermediate hockey in 1949, to his brother Jim, to their respective sons Bill and Geoffrey, who played at home in the late 1970s, to representatives from the 1950s of my vintage in minor hockey and Chapleau High School teams were all there. (They even let me be in the group photo as a hockey player as knowing I was not headed for the NHL, I gracefully retired after one year and became a referee. Thanks guys)

 Baisel C, Mike McM Mrs Broomhead, David Mc, Richard Pilon,Tim Goodwin Charlie White, Ken S, Boo Hong

Jim E, Butch, Ian Macdonald, Dr Frank B

Imagine, 60 years later, the "famous" game for Chapleau Bantam supremacy was still on the agenda. Mike McMullen, who was there with his wife Alison (McMillan), had scored the winning goal in overtime. Frank Broomhead, was there and later I was able to send him a photo of his grandmother, Mrs. Broomhead presenting the Algoma Dairy Trophy to the winning team.

But we also played road hockey and river hockey, and for some reason I was a much better player in those venues.

In a story Butch Pellow wrote a while back, he captured the Hong brothers and others so well and I share part of it again with you.

"

Jim E on left, Mike McM, Yen

Think of that slap shot by Hong, Hong, Hong, or one of the really big guys when it accelerated over the ice ridges and soared away out over the river; or at you directly, then veered away as it embraced the ripples. Can you recall the sound of the skates cutting through the crisp surface as they raced for the puck, can you recall the whack, slap, and clicking of sticks on each other and on the ice? 

"What about the yelling and chanting and the code words that defined the play. “..over here” “…pass it, pass it”; “…go, go go”; “he scores!” etc….; wild enthusiasm and true abandonment because it would be dark very soon and there were very few lights to mark the way home.

Tout le gang

"Do you remember how the Hongs played hockey and skated? Yen sprinted, was light on his feet, very fast and dipsy-doodled like no one else (except maybe Max Bentley). He even bore the nickname “Ziggy”. Jim was a powerful steady and fast upright skater and a great stick handler as I recall; and our friend Boo skated low, took long steady deliberate strides and always made skating fast look easy; he also had his skates rockered so there wasn’t more than a couple of inches touching the surface."   

Harry 'Boo' Hong was not with us as he has passed away, but we remembered him, and it was delightful that his wife Donna was with us from Vancouver. Of course the conversation turned to so many other topics. Some of us had not seen each other in more than 50 years since our days at Chapleau High School.

Bill C, Butch, Joy (Evans), Jim H on right

But it seemed like only yesterday since we were growing up Chapleau, hanging out in the Boston Café, going down the lake, attending dances at the Legion or Town Hall basement, travelling over the gravel road to Racine Lake for awesome parties the home of the Martel family, preparing for the annual Cadet inspection, banquet and dance, cheering at hockey games in the old old rink and Chapleau Memorial Community Arena, in the electrifying atmosphere of home town hockey, driving around the streets of Chapleau aimlessly in the evening but never too far from Main Street just in case something really big happened, going to house parties, attending church services on Christmas Eve, and the list is really endless.

Ken S, MJM , Yen, Dr Bill Pellow

We were growing up Chapleau and at Butch and Brigitte's party, all were discussed as laughter abounded all day. Those were the days my friends and we thought they would never end, and just maybe for another moment they came alive again at this party

On a very personal note, it was the highlight of 2014 to be with so many old friends as the song says "to pass the time of day" knowing that the greatest resource a community has is its people. My friends -- throughout its history, that has been and is the Chapleau brand. I extend my most sincere best wishes for the holiday season and Christmas to all. Every blessing, and my apologies once again for mixing metaphors!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

HOCKEY PLAYERS 2014 pic  Back Jim Machan, Vince Crichton, Ian Macdonald, Geoffrey Hong, Mike McMullen, Seated MJM, Frank Broomhead, Bill Cachagee, Butch, Jim Hong, Bill Hong,  (kneeling) Yen Hong, Aldee Martel, Ken Schroeder

 Chapleau Huskies Intermediate team of 1949. Back row are from left O. Robinson, D. Swanson, L. Riley, G. Lucas, Tee Chambers, F.Goheen, K. Strapp, T. Collinson, 'Sonny' Bignucolo, D.O. Payette (manager), P. Serre, R. Hamlin, G. Payette. Front from left, Yen Hong, B. Evans, R. Sonego, Ross Thornton (coach), T. Jardine, A. Mione, J. Morin, M. Mione, C. Fiaschetti.

.The CHS team of 1956-57. Back row from left: David McMillan, Doug Slievert, Stan Barty,Thane Crozier, Clarence Fiaschetti (teacher and coach), George Lemon (principal) Second row: Doug Espaniel, Roger Mizuguchi, Bill Cachagee . Front are Jim Hong, Bert Lemon, Harry Pellow, Ken Schroeder, Robbie Pellow (Mascot) Marc Boulard, Harry Hong, Jim Machan, Ron Morris. Note that Clarence was playing on the 1949 Junior team, and was also first CHS student to return as teacher.

Thanks to Harry Pellow, Ken Schroeder, Diane (Dowsley) Richardson, Mike McMullen for photos