Chapleau on national sports championship map as Doug Hong curls and Jason Ward plays hockey

See below for details

Chapleau has been on the national sports map in hockey and curling from Whitehorse, NWT to Dundas, ON, in 2014 as Doug Hong and Jason Ward were members of winning teams.

Doug was the lead on the Northern Ontario bronze medal winning team at the Canadian Senior Curling Championship while Jason played for the Dundas Real McCoys who won the Allan cup, emblematic of senior hockey supremacy in Canada since 1908.

Jason and Charlie

Doug, of course, for the few who may not know him, is from Chapleau, a member of the Hong family, outstanding athletes all. His grandfather established the Boston Cafe now the Redwood which is still in the family operated by his father Jim.

Doug has also been a great hockey player and golfer over the years.

As an aside, Doug played on the last hockey team I coached in Chapleau.

When I learned from Doug's cousin Kim that he would be playing in a national curling championship I contacted him.

Doug replied: "The team that represented N.O. last year did not fare so well therefore, we have to go up there early to play in the relegation round.  Double knock out, four teams for two spots. Hope to get through that and play in the round robin Championship."

That proved to be an understatement, according to a Sudbury Star story by Bruce Heldman who wrote: "The Northern Ontario reps won bronze the hard way, playing a possible record 16 games at a national event after three pre-qualifying games, 11 round-robin games, a tiebreaker and a semifinal, all in nine days."

Doug

Doug also won the Most Sportsmanlike Player Award.

“You only have to be around Doug for a short while and you have a smile on your face,” Robbie Gordon one of his teammates told the Sudbury Star. “He keeps the atmosphere light and shoots well and sweeps like a dog and has a great eye for the stone and what it is doing and has physical strength unmatched in any senior curling I have seen. It is important to have someone like that on your team.”

“Doug has been to five Canadian events and that is the third time he has won the sportsmanship award, and that is voted on by the players, so that tells you everything,” Ron Henderson added in the Sudbury Star story.

Turning to Jason Ward and the Allan Cup, Charlie Purich kept me informed on the series played in Dundas where he lives.

After the Real McCoys defeated the Kenora Thistles in the semi final game, Charlie sent me an email, "Jason Ward got one goal and three assists."

Born in Chapleau, Jason played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens and other professional teams. Charlie, who worked as a volunteer at the Allan Cup, had met Jason earlier -- although they did not know each other in Chapleau. Small world!

Charlie still plays hockey and for about 50 years he has been the "catalyst" wherever he played -- and as a volunteer at the Allan Cup too.

In the final game against Clarenville Caribous from Newfoundland and Labrador, the Real McCoys won their first ever Allan cup with a 3-2 overtime win.

Charlie and Ray

Charlie's final sports bulletin: "Ray Larcher, my grandson Finn and I watched Jason and the Real McCoys win the Allan Cup in a thrilling overtime to defeat a strong team from Newfoundland."

Ray, who was a hockey star in Chapleau playing for the Chapleau Junior "B" and Intermediate "A" Huskies had sent me a message on Facebook that he would be there.

Ray "cool" as always

Congratulations to Doug Hong and Jason Ward on their success, and thanks to Charlie Purich and Ray Larcher. That old saying was never truer: "You can take the boy out of Chapleau, but you can't take Chapleau out of the boy".  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

PHOTO CREDIT

2014 Canadian Senior Curling Championships Sportsmanship Awards: Doug Hong (NO) and Catherine Derick (QC) (Photo James MacKenzie) from Canadian Senior Curling

SEE ALSO ICE TIME WITH JASON AND CHARLIE http://michaeljmorrisreports.blogspot.ca/2014/03/ice-time-in-dundas-as-charlie-purich.html

 

Crosswalk shows people of the village in a different light

Rev F Lewis, J Aasland, Rev Y Woensdregt, L Siemens

I took a different kind of walk on Good Friday joining the 10th annual Crosswalk through the heart of downtown Cranbrook.

On my usual walks in the area, I am thinking about empty buildings and ways to revitalize the city's downtown core but this was a different kind of experience.

Crosswalk was organized by Rev. Yme Woensdregt, incumbent of Christ Church Anglican, who was assisted by Rev. Frank Lewis, minister of Cranbrook United Church; Laird Siemens, chaplain at East Kootenay Regional Hospital and Joyce Aasland, lay minister at Christ Church.

At each stop, one of them gave a short talk and offered a prayer.

About 40 people braved the rain and cold wind to participate in the walk which started at the Clock Tower on Baker Street with different people carrying a large wooden cross to each point along the way.

As I walked along, my first thought was that we are all people of the village when all is said and done, and I recalled the words of the Spanish philosopher Cervantes, "There is more harm done in the village than was ever dreamt of."

Yes, there is, but on this Good Friday morning, I saw Cranbrook and its people in a much different light. At each stop along the Crosswalk, we witnessed an example of how people could focus on those things that can bring us together rather than divide us.

For example, the Clock Tower was built primarily by the Rotary Club of Cranbrook and is a wonderful showpiece in the downtown.

The first stop along the way was in front of Cranbrook City Hall, the seat of local government, and the place ideally where the people we elect to serve as mayor and councilors will devote all their efforts to make Cranbrook a better place for all citizens to live, work and play -- and hold activities like the Crosswalk in a free and democratic society

Next stop was in Rotary Park at the War Memorial where each in his or her own way remembered those who served in Canada's forces and those who did not come home. At Spirit Square, I could not help but think of  the ways it contributes to bringing the community together, especially with music events in the summer months.

At the Law Courts building we were reminded of the justice system and all those involved in it - judges, lawyers, police officers, corrections officers, court workers, victims of crime -- and yes, those who commit crimes too.

We moved along to the Canadian Mental Health Association and were reminded of the work it does in the community and area. At the Community Connections Society building which houses the Women's Resource Centre, again, we were reminded of its work and the challenges it faces.

In a final prayer outside Christ Church Anglican before going into the church hall for refreshments, just as Rev. Frank Lewis was beginning, the sun peaked through the clouds, prompting him to comment, "God is shining down on us."

Yes, we are all people of Cervantes' village, but one simple walk through Cranbrook's downtown following along behind those who were carrying the cross, helped me see it all quite differently. Thank you all, and most especially the organizers for the experience, and thanks to my friend Joel Vinge for taking the photo. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Revellers Ski Club members brought happiness and enjoyment to others in Chapleau during 1930s

names unknown

For "good, clean fun, fellowship and entertainment" nothing could compare to the Revellers Ski Club, according to Vince Crichton in his book 'Pioneering in Northern Ontario'.

Founded in the Crichton home at the corner of Aberdeen and Birch streets (the three story red brick house), on the eve of the Great Depression in January 1929, it became an important part of community life until it was disbanded near the beginning of World War II in 1940.

Vince shared the names of the founding members, most of whom were members of early Chapleau families. They included: Norman Barker, Hubert Boucher, George Crichton, Grant Henderson, Borden McLeod, Hector Buncombe, Albert 'Gussie' Evans, Goldie Matheson and John 'Jiggs' Goldstein.

Within a week, Elaine Bowles, Georgina Boucher, Marnie Godfrey, Freda Jarrett, Queenie Matheson, Ida Stevens, Allie Barker, John Doig and Bill Chandler joined.

The first president was Norman Barker with George Crichton as secretary.

RSC Members (Anne (Zufelt) McGoldrick collection)

Simple rules prevailed. At first membership was limited to fifty and yearly membership was one dollar. During the winter a ski-hike was held each Friday night with a social or dance to follow at Perpete's Hall on Elm Street (about where the Pentecostal Church is today) to follow. The cost was 10 cents per member.

No alcohol was permitted.

Vince noted that within two weeks the restricted membership was filled and there was a waiting list. In due course it was raised to 100, and eventually became unrestricted as the club's popularity increased.

George C, Hugh McM, Grant H

Each Friday afternoon a ski trail was broken by members and the hike was usually about an hour.

Sleigh rides and skating parties were added later.

Vince wrote that a few of the original members "chief among which was John Goldstein ... affectionately known as 'Jiggs' were very good square dancers and a social evening was not complete unless everyone joined in one or two good 'hoedowns' as they were called.

"These were danced to the toe and heel-tapping tunes played by Herb Lucas (who worked with Alf Comte in the barber shop) on a harmonica, on which he had no equal.... The ski club was responsible for the rejuvenation of square dancing in Chapleau at the time."

What year is car? Hugh and George

In 1933, the election campaign for club president was amazing. Candidates stood on the upper verandah of the Algoma Hotel (later the Hublit) delivering election speeches, another strung a large banner across Main Street, and signs could be seen at street corners urging members to vote for one candidate or another.

Grant Henderson won.

Wilf Simpson and his orchestra became a "vital part" of the social evenings. Wilf was a "very versatile artist playing with equal finesse the piano, banjo and saxophone". At the time the other members were Joe Perpete, Joe Petrosky, Walter Midkiff, Ken Godfrey and Winnie Nixon.

Vince wrote that it was remarkable the talent that could be found in a small town and in a small group of people.

For example it was soon discovered that the Revellers was loaded with talent and fine actors were found for three act plays. Among the actors were Jim Broomhead, Bob Halliday, Gertie Curry, Beatrice Curry and Edith Keays.  Fine singers included Bessie Woodard, Clyde Fife, and Pat Poland.

Here is one delightful anecdote Vince shares: "Wilf Simpson entertained by playing the piano while blindfolded, his wrists handcuffed together, the keys covered with a blanket."

Another had Hugh McMullen simulating the playing of a violin. He would make an dignified entry on stage and go through the motions of playing the violin perfectly.

But, hidden behind the scenery on the stage in the old Town Hall auditorium was Alf Comte playing his violin!

The Revellers Ski Club went far beyond its original purpose as the talent in the group was discovered and they came to be in demand by other organizations. They appeared at the Catholic Women's League annual St. Patrick's Day concert, and did a floor show for the Girls Softball Club among other performances.

Vince noted that there was never any charge for any of the services provided by this club.

"Compensation was derived from the many happy pleasant hours of preparation and the knowledge that they were bringing some measure of happiness and enjoyment to others."

Thanks to those who asked that I write about the Revellers Ski Club, but it would likely not have been possible if Vince Crichton had not written 'Pioneering in Northern Ontario'.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca