Full agenda of activities for all ages in Chapleau during winter of 1973-74

Ann Card Morin

The 1973-74  winter sports and recreation activities seemed to start all at once prompting Margaret Costello, writing in the Sault Daily Star to quip, "Who says there is nothing to do in Chapleau?"

Maggie, as she was fondly known, pointed out that "Until fairly recent times in the younger groups the boys have had the best of the winter activities ... minor hockey."

But the times were changing, she wrote, with the formation of the Chapleau Figure Skating Club some years earlier, "with the blessing" of J.M. 'Jack' Shoup, when he was chair of the Chapleau Recreation Committee. I believe Maggie was referring to the establishment of the club, as there had been figure skating in Chapleau, at least back to the 1930s... maybe earlier!

For the 1973-74 season, the figure skating instructor was Patricia Poulin of Timmins. Miss Poulin had an impressive record including the Gold Medal for ice dancing from the Canadian Figure Skating Association.

The club had 100 members who would be working hard in preparation for the annual figure skating show.


Now, a new activity had appeared on the local scene which was beginning its first season under the direction of Lucille Pilon. The lessons included ballet, tap and other dances.

There were also dance classes held at the Mooose Hall with Giselle Mick of Timmins as the instructor.

The Chapleau Curling Club had started its season in November 1973 and the men's and mixed leagues were in full swing.

 

Minor hockey was underway and Maggie commented that "youngsters in hockey uniforms are becoming a familiar sight at almost any time during the day."

 

The Chapleau Junior "B" Huskies of the International Junior "B" Hockey League had started its ninth season with Earle Freeborn as manager and George Swanson as coach.

Steve Prusky, Glen Cappellani, Jamie Doyle win Jr B awards

 

Touching on skiing, Maggie noted  that although there was not enough snow yet, the club members were planning and preparing for the season, which she added "should be just around some corner or other".

 

Bowling was also popular in Chapleau, in fact there were so many bowlers, there was not a single open night at the alleys. Bowlers also included senior citizens.

 

Although Maggie doesn't mention them, there were also very active broomball and mercantile hockey leagues in Chapleau in the 1970s, as well as an Intermediate hockey team that played annually in the Northern Ontario Hockey League playoffs. The Intermediate "A" Huskies of the Northland Intermediate Hockey League were founded in 1975.

 

Meanwhile, the Chapleau Sentinel was reporting that renovations were underway at the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena with a Local Initiatives Program grant from the federal government led by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

 

The arena would also be introducing special programs for senior citizens and handicapped persons. Earle Freeborn had been named part-time arena manager earlier in 1973.

 

Yes, Chapleau was a very busy place in the Winter of 1973-74 -- plans were also being made for the Chapleau Winter Carnival. 

 

As an aside, I wrote this column about Winter activities in Chapleau from Orlando, Florida. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

 

Raising new Canadian Flag over Chapleau Town Hall in Historic Ceremony on February 15, 1965 (VIDEO)

The new Canadian Flag was raised over the old Town Hall in Chapleau on February 15, 1965, when Lester B. Pearson was the prime minister of Canada. Mr. Pearson, represented the riding of Algoma East which included Chapleau.

Doug Greig, who made this historic video available commented: "Become lost in the memories as you watch Chapleau raise the Canadian flag for the very first time."

Doug added the following information: The 8mm flag video was originally taken by George Theriault and converted to a VHS tape. He then donated it to the museum and I found it buried in a box under a cupboard.I made it to a DVD to preserve it as it certainly is a golden keepsake.Stephen Lee put it on youtube and the quotes as well. Just wanted to let you know that George  done the original.The main thing is that we have it. Doug"

Thanks Doug!

Bill Groves 'The Northern Crafter' receives international recognition on his wood crafting and carving

Bill Groves, also known as "The Northern Crafter" has received international recognition for his wood carvings mostly created from his home workshop in Chapleau.

A major publication in which Bill has been featured is 'Creative Woodwork and Craft', a craft international magazine home.

Although Bill says he has been making things since he was a "young lad", but  he devoted more time to it after retiring several years ago from a successful business career.

Bill shares part of his story: "I have been making things since I was a young lad (13/17 years old ) such as birch candle holders, a four foot train set for my young brother, two dozen full size arrows for a  bow, an 18 inch totem pole, etc ( no money to buy such things back then )."

Bill added that he "couldn't buy things for Christmas gifts so I made them. It's funny because my Mother would never let my little brother play with the train set . She put it up on his dresser so he could just look at it".

"When he  was about 45 she came to Chapleau for a visit and brought me the totem pole I had made. She had saved it for all those years !"

 Bill also had  the two dozen arrows when he moved to Chapleau  and  his boys were getting to the age of wanting to use the bow so "needless to say it wasn't long before they were pretty much trashed". I still have a few that I saved from certain death".

Although Bill continues his lifelong hobby  he admits to having slowed down now on his  crafting  and carving.

My  breathing is not what it used to be so even with a proper mask on, my wife, Barbara still gets too nervous for me to spend much time in my workshop".

 However, at his cottage, it is another story.  "I have been carving a couple of antlers for people out at the cottage during the summer when I can do them outside on  my cottage workshop deck where I can watch out over the lake and carve to my hearts content."

He cautions that carvers should take precautions so as not to affect their breathing.

Bill is also an incredibly good photographer, and has shared many of his Chapleau and area scenes.

I also extend my most sincere congratulations to Bill on having been recognized by the Township of Chapleau for his volunteer work over the years. When I was home for the 60th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School in 2012 , it was great to see the Waterfront Development and Peace Park --- areas where I played with my friends for years especially the Big Rock.

Congrats also to all who worked with Bill on these projects.

 Bill says that those interested in seeing more of his work can add him on Facebook and his email is billgroves@sympatico.ca. My email is mj.morris@live.ca