Chapleau 'rode the wave of community spirit' to win 2011 Ultimate Fishing Town Contest, according to sponsor World Fishing Network

When it comes to fishing, "basically, what you want, you can get, because Chapleau's got it all", the World Fishing Network (WFN) says in a news release as it launches its 2012 Ultimate Fishing Town Contest which Chapleau won in 2011.

Comparing Chapleau to Roscoe, its winning counterpart in the United States, WFN says that while the American city's "charm lies in fly fishing for trout, Chapleau's more like a jack-of-all trades.

"It has everything you could want. Anglers can target northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, splake, smallmouth bass, whitefish, lake trout,brook trout and more.

Bill Groves

"Fishing is great any time of year, from catching panfish with the kids and ice fishing for walleye to fly fishing for trout and taking out a kayak for bass in deep cover. Basically, what you want, you can get, because Chapleau's got it all."

The news release points out that Chapleau’s 157,480 votes were only 10,000 more than fellow Ontario town Port Colborne but it "rode the wave of community spirit to get $25000 prize.

"The 'friends telling friends' approach proved to be the deciding factor in Chapleau’s win, especially through social tools like Facebook and email. As word got out, support just kept growing, and pride in the town eventually took over and was seen in all facets of the community, whether business or personal. Like Roscoe, the local media got involved and even ads were placed in newspapers, radio, and television to help promote the contest."

It also noted that Chapleau is the gateway to the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, over 2,700 square miles, making it a prime eco-tourism destination for nature lovers and wildlife travelers. "Within this wilderness paradise are hundreds of lakes and rivers filled with a huge variety of different species. "

WFN said: "Just winning the Ultimate Fishing Town contest has already done a lot for Chapleau. With that exposure, the town was put on the map right away as a great fishing destination. When taking into account the prize winnings, tourism continues to be the focal point as new signage and promoting pamphlets were planned to help promote the town’s fishing opportunities even more. In addition, educational programs and fishing derbies for youth were in the works to help bring excitement to the sport for future generations."

As of now, the Chapleau Fishing Advisory Committee, who were instrumental in getting the word out about the contest, are accepting proposals for funding. the news release said.

Aside from the exposure and the donation, this contest helped renew pride in the community. Even a year later, evidence of the accomplishment is still visible. At an annual pike fishing derby in early February, crowds in attendance cheered when free Ultimate Fishing Town Canada shirts were being handed out. Coordinator Bill Groves actually threw them into the crowd and there was a stampede to get one.

Congratulations to all who were responsible for the success of the pike fishing derby. From all reports received out here in British Columbia, its was a resounding success, and an excellent way to get everyone warmed up for the Chapleau High School Reunion 90th Anniversary Festival.

Thanks to Bill Groves for the fishing photos not necessarily from the recent ice fishing derby. And, I could not resist including one of my great uncle Griffin Mulligan fishing on the Chapleau River about 100 years ago. Griifin was the brother of my grandmother Lil (Mulligan) Morris. I have no idea how many fish he caught that day. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Fishing enjoyed by CHS graduate very much involved in Chapleau affairs

Very much involved in the life and times of Chapleau in many capacities, this Chapleau High School graduate also enjoys fishing. (Photo courtesy of Bill Groves)

ANSWER: EARLE J FREEBORN

Gwen MacGillivray reflected that extra-curricular activities were the 'real heroes' at Chapleau High School with House System example of team spirit

BOYS ATHLETIC ASSOC. Names below. Click to enlarge

Looking back at her years as a student at Chapleau High School, Gwen MacGillivray wrote that she realized that it was not the institution but the students and staff who made it "a valid source of community pride over the years".

GIRLS ATHLETIC ASSOC. Names Below

Gwen, who graduated from CHS in 1980, was writing in a souvenir newspaper marking the school's 60th anniversary in 1982, but I am sure she was speaking for the vast majority of us who attended and/or taught at either the "old" school on Pine Street or the "new" school on the hill in its 90 year history. I am one of those who was a student at the old school and teacher at the new.

I was in touch with Gwen recently and she readily agreed that I could use her column written almost 30 years ago now -- and I was also able to extend best regards to her mother Joan (Simard) who was in the same class as me through Chapleau Public and High schools. Joan was a whiz in mathematics, and  Gwen advised, "She still is".

Gwen noted that CHS students were "strong contenders in anything they chose to enter whether involved in science fairs, typing contests, sports of 'Reach For The Top', they always managed to put in a good showing".

When  the new school opened in 1966, historically the major team sport had been hockey with curling and at one point bowling as sports too. In its earlier years CHS also had very good track and field teams in conjunction with the YMCA. High school hockey ended with the opening of the new building as it was the same year as the Chapleau Junior "B" Huskies commenced play  in the International Junior "B" League and it of course recruited almost exclusively from CHS.

However, the new school also had a proper gymnasium, not as Ian Macdonald described the one in the Pine Street school, "A basement level gymnasium ... with a low ceiling height of approximately ten feet. The foundation walls... were whitewashed granite rubble with hostile surfaces quite hazardous to those attempting to play basketball

Gwen wrote that by 1980, CHS had won the NSSSAA Gymnastics Championship every year since 1973, and it struck me that with the new school a new era in high school sports had arrived too. That won't seem like news to students who have been attending CHS for the past 46 years on the hill who have played on the various teams. It has been an integral part of their school experience, and much credit must go to the coaches over the years, with a special nod to Ross Hryhorchuk, who established the school's sports and extra-curricular programs, and has greatly contributed to their success.

Boys' and Girls' Athletic Associations were established as well as a House System for extra-curricular activities and Gwen wrote that the school instilled a sense of "team spirit"  and the success of the house system was a prime example.

"Talent played an important role in all the competitions and contests, but team spirit and the hard work of dedicated individuals was the major contibuting factor .. and that's really what CHS was, and is... team work," Gwen  wrote. 

The school has produced excellent teams often at junior and senior girls' and boys' levels  in gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, curling and soccer, and at one time also had junior and senior cheerleading squads. I won't even try to start listing the championships won by CHS teams, mainly because I don't know all of them, but I do hope that this part of CHS life can be recognized at the school's 90th reunion festival coming up soon.

As Gwen pointed out: "While the students could never be accused of lacking scholastic talent, the extra curricular activities were the real heroes of the time".

She also touched on the importance of other events during her time as a student from 1975 to 1980 like greaser day, winter carnival, initiation, and regular dances with live entertainment, all "a very big part of our education.

"Of course, part of our recreation included ribbing the teachers and frustrating the librarians, but it was all done in fun ... and accepted as fun, right Mrs. Joyal?" (Yvette Joyal was one the school's popular librarians.)

Thanks to Gwen MacGillivray for sharing and to Donald Warren for scanning the photos of the 1972-73 Boys' and Girls' Athletic Associations and making them available. I chose them as they show the number of students involved in the respective associations. In 1972-73 there were 452 students attending CHS, a record enrolment. Robert Fife, now CTV Ottawa Bureau Chief was president of the Students' Council. My email is mj.morris@live.ca


NAMES
CHS BAA 1972-73: Back from left Ross Hryhorchuk, Guy Martel, Denis Brisson, Donald Johnson, Robert Doyle, Guy Bazinet, Bernie Gagne. Front from left, David Doig, Maurice Blais, Jamie Doyle, Keith Marsh, Tim Morris

CHS GAA 1972-73: Back from left Karen Turner, Pierrette Demers, Janet Apsey, Carol Besnier, Georgia Ann Landry, Diane Kohls, Denise Joyal, Ruth Dodds. Middle from left, Debbie Dunne, Tina Cappellani, Micheline Audet, Barbara Hoath, Helen Fortin, Diane Mallek. Front from left, Mary Lou Futhey, Gail May, Lise Bourgeault, Marilyn Laframboise, Cathy Welch.