HomeMy WebLinkAboutHomecoming '87, 1987-07-01, Page 25THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987. PAGE A-25.
_Homecoming ’87_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Brussels one of16,000IOOF
lodges in North America
The Independent Order of Odd
fellows (IOOF) was first organized
in North America on April 26,1819,
at Baltimore, Maryland, by Tho
mas Wildeyandfourother Odd
fellows from England.
Today, membersproudly hail
their Orderforits wide-ranging
accomplishments, and as the
largest fraternity in the world
under a single international lead
er. Oddfellows and their sisters,
the Rebekahs, number almost a
million members world wide, who
serve mankind from more than
16,0001odges in North America
alone, and from 17 countries in the
world.
Through its teaching and cere
monies, the IOOF seeks to elevate
the character of men and women,
and thus create a better social
environment for people every
where. Although the Order is not a
religion, its doctrine proclaims that
members must be faithful to a
Supreme Being, and must uphold
thelawsoftheirland. TheIOOF
practice aid to others as a cherished
concept of founder Thomas Wild-
ey, who commanded his brethren
to “Visit the Sick, Relieve the
Distressed, Bury the Dead, Edu
cate the Orphan.”
Oddfellows and Rebekahs
throughout the world raised more
than $650,000to establish a facility
for opthalmic research at the Johns
Hopkins University in Baltimore,
with related visual aid programs
established in other areas as well.
Pledge cards are available from the
IOOF for those who wish to donate
their eyes after death. Other
programs established by the Order
to create a better living environ
ment are an Educational Founda
tion, which can provide funds to
assist students; various youth
programs which encourage young
people to work for the good things
in life; an educational program at
the United Nations in New York;
recreational camps for young
people; and facilities for the aged,
such as senior citizen complexes
and nursing care facilities for those
in need.
The Western Star Lodge #149,
Brussels, of the Independent
Order of Oddfellows was establish
ed on September 29,1874, with the
following Scarlet Degree Members
named on the Charter: Brother
Daniel McDonald, lawyer; Brother
Wendy R. Smale, tailor; Brother
Peter Scott, blacksmith; Brother
John Nott, veterinary surgeon; and
Brother George Russell, tinsmith.
The following members were
initiated on the same date: F.S.
Scott, bookkeeper; William Gra
ham, doctor; David Dobson, farm
er; John Hartman, carriage build
er; A. Duncan, cabinet maker;
John Pennington; Ben Gerry,
hardware merchant; John Leckie,
salesman; John Parker, hotel
keeper; C.R. Cooper, merchant;
and William H. Moss, salesman.
I The first Lodge Rooms were on
the third floor of Dr. Graham’s
block (now the Brussels 5c to $1
store), but within a few years had
moved to the second story of the old
Brussels Post building (now
Cornerstone Flea Market), where
they met for nearly 100 years
before being forced to move after
the building was sold early last
spring. The Lodge meets every
fourth Thursday of the month in the
BellTelephonebuildingon Mill
Street.
Any citizen in good standing in
the community may join the
Oddfellows Lodge by signing a
declaration which includes the
statement: “I believe in a Supreme
Being, the Creator and Preserver
of the Universe, and I am loyal to
my country,” and by pledging to
conform totheConstitution and
by-Iawsof the Order. However,
new members must be proposed
for admission by a lodge member
who is personally acquainted with
the applicant.
At present, the Western Star
Lodge #149 has more than 40
members. On the elected execu
tive, Bill Young is Noble Grand;
Cliff Bray is Vice-Grand; Gordon
(Doc) Stephenson is Recording
Secretary; Dave Miller is Finance
Secretary; Dave McCutcheon is
Treasurer; and Bailie Parrott is the
Brussels
Come in and meet Albert, he will be happy
tohelpyouwithallyourneeds.
ASSOCIATE
RADFORD
AUTO,FARM, &
INDUSTRIAL PARTS LTD.
TEL. [519] 887-9661
EMERGENCY [519] 887-9752
SPECIAL HOMECOMING HOURS:
Friday, July3opentill9p.m.
Sat., July 4, open till 6p.m.
Brussels StoreOnly
Congratulations
Brussels
Welcome
Summer
Clearance
SALE
=. OFF
TURNBERRY STREET, BRUSSELS 887-9811
Former postmaster
notes P.O. changes
Honorary President.
Things have changed in the post
office, says Muriel Garniss who
worked at the Brussels Post Office
for 27 years.
Mrs. Garniss served as post
master for Brussels from 1977 to
1984 when she took early retire
ment and turned over the job to the
current post master Elizabeth
Sholdice.
But Mrs. Garniss’ memories of
the post office can go back far
beyond her days as post master.
She recalls growing up on the third
line of Morris and watching the
local mail carrier come past in
horse and cutter in the late winter
afternoon, with daylight already
starting to fade and half the route
leftyettocover. Those were the
days when the mail arrived by
train, unloading in Brussels about
1 p.m.
Mrs. Garniss and her husband
Tom (who died suddenly in March
of this year in his main street shop)
movedtoBrusselsinl946. Fred
Hunter had been the post master
before thattime. in 1946 Harold
Kerney returned from the War and
became post master. Mrs. Garniss
started working at the post office
on an occasional basis during his
term. She recalls receiving 65 cents
per hour for helping out in the
Christmas rush in the early 1950s.
In 1958 Harold Kennedy died
while on his holidays. Pearl Kerney
took over as post master. Mrs.
Garniss, who had been working
part-time since 1957, began work
ing full time. Pearl Kokesch
remained as post master until 1977
when Mrs. Garniss took over.
By the time she was working in
the post office, Mrs. Garniss says,
mail came into town by truck.
There were four rural mail routes
just as today.
The present post office building
was built in 1935 and an apartment
was built in the second story. Mrs.
Garniss figures this was probably
intended for the housing of the post
master but can remember no post
master in her time who lived there.
Happy Birthday
Brussels
Best Wishes to all the
residents on your
115th Birthday
Your support and patronage
\y/ over the past thirty-five years has
(\been greatly appreciated and we
llook forward to
\been greatly ap
j look forward 1
J serving you in
the years ahead
M.L. Watts
Funeral Homes
Brussels Chapel & Gorrie Chapel
Funeral Directors
Max & Barbara Watts
887-6336
M.C. Smith Appliances
"Two Locations to Serve You Better
R.R. 2, LISTOWEL 291-3810
Proceed east of Molesworth on Highway 86 to
second road- Turn south onto Grey/Elma
Townline. Turn right at first crossroad. We are the
first place on right.
1 f
248 Main St, South
MOUNT FOREST
323-1417