HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-07-23, Page 29HOMECOMING '97, WEDNESDAY, JULY 23,1997 PAGE 9.
Memories of yesteryears
Former Brussels woman thanked for her untiring efforts
From the March 18,1909 issue of
The Brussels Post.
The Havana, (Cuba) "Post," of
Feb. 17, published the following
which refers to Miss Joan Ross, a
well known young lady of
Brussels, now of Toronto: - "The
formal opening of the Ocean Beach
free library was held on Thursday
last, many being present from town
and country. When the meeting was
opened, a letter was read by Miss
Soley from Miss Joan Ross, of
Toronto, through whose efforts the
library has become a fact, giving a
short history of the work in
connection with the same, and after
listening to short addresses from
several of those present, a hearty
vote of thanks was tendered to Miss
Ross for her untiring efforts and
self sacrifice in securing for our
citizens this boon of a free library.
When the consignment of books
arrives that is now on the way, the
library will contain over 400
volumes of choice reading. The
following compose the library
board: - Alex Young, librarian;
Frank McFarlane, Sec.; Mr. and
Mrs. Arscott, Mr. and Mrs. Allan,
Mr. and Mrs. McFarlane. It was
decided to call the library "The
Ross Free Library of Ocean
Beach." Thanks are due to Brussels
friends who contributed books to
the above project.
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Family & Friends
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125th
C'OtyST R UCT
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• Sales & Installation of Doors & Windows
Call Ken
(519) 887-9857
The way it was — The Lizzie Ross Smith home was located on what is now Elizabeth Street, one
block west of the former Callander Nursing Home, which was the house of D. C. Ross. Three little
boys perished here in a fire on New Year's Eve, 1959. Now a one-storey dwelling the house is
owned by Wallace and Jean Bell.
J.R. 's — a meeting place for young and old
Over the past 60 years a number of people owned and
operated a gas station on the same site as J.R.'s Gas Bar
and Take-out Ltd., presently owned by Bob Rowe, and
managed by Sue McNeil.
The first gas bar, (pictured above) was built on the
site. The tin shack was built by Charles (Charlie) Pope,
proudly standing in the doorway circa 1935.
The brand of gasoline sold on this first site was
Imperial. Ironically, the same brand is sold al J.R.'s
today.
However, it wasn't always Imperial. In 1940, Charlie
Pope sold the comer lot to Anglo Petroleum Ltd. They
replaced the tin shack with a service station with one
bay. The front part of J.R.'s retains that same structure
today.
Around 1941, Harry McCutcheon, who was
operating a service garage out of the old woollen mill,
where the Medical Centre stands today, moved and
leased the newly built Anglo Service Station.
During this time, Harry provided another service,
that of Canadian Tire Store merchant. He took orders
from customers and drove to Davenport Road in
Toronto, to the Canadian Tire Corp., to obtain the
merchandise. Harry stayed on this site for a couple of
years and then moved back to the old woollen mill.
In 1947, Anglo Petroleum Ltd., sold the site to Albert
and Christina Dinsmore, who entered into a lease
agreement with McManus Petroleum out of London,
which later became Reliance Petroleum.
In 1959 Dinsmore sold the site to Lloyd Michel, who
closed the service bay and renovated it to operate it as
a restaurant and gas bar.
This concept has been retained throughout the years;
the following is a list of people who have owned and
operated a restaurant and gas bar on this location:
1960- 1961
1961 - 1967
1967 - 1969
1969 - 1970
1970 - 1971
Harry & Lila Goll
Raphael Foran
Mel and Roxy Jacklin
Gilbert & Emily Leblanc
Alfred & Mabel Raddalz
1971 - 1975
1975 - 1977
1977 - 1979
1979- 1981
1981 - 1984
Ross & Erma Brighton (who can
forget those pies)
Ken & June Webster
Bob & Anna Copeland
Bruce and Sharon Weber
Bob Rowe & Gerry Wheeler
During the years of ownership between Rowe and
Wheeler, they have employed over 70 young people
from the Brussels area.
Bob says, the size of Brussels deters the larger
franchises, ie. McDonalds, K.F.C., and Pizza Delight,
from establishing here. "I have tried to offer food lines
to accommodate everyone's taste, and a delivery
service on the weekend for your convenience. From
the beginning, I have wanted to establish a 'meeting
place' for both young and old, and all of us in between.
I feel that has been accomplished here at J.R.’s Gas Bar
& Take-out Ltd., and would like to thank everyone who
has supported me over the years."