HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1979-03-01, Page 10MURON EXPOSITOR
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'Today.fane ofthe last travelling entertain-
ments to roll into town and unfold their tent
in. someprominent location is the circus and
scute predict that even the travelling, circus,
is an endangered species.
'Flat a few dtades ago, .ono Qf rural` North,
Amer'ica's most popular attractions also. took
Plage ,under a canvass .roof - the visit iof the
anneal! Chautauqua,
Now fat anyone who was born just a bit WO
late to partake of the "`.culture under a tent"
offered b} :Chautauqua, l"ll: give yOu
capsule history of the installation 'before
describing the attractions of the 1929 :event
in Seaforth.
The original Chautauqua Assem
lvvas.
founded on the banks of Lake Chautauqua in,
New 'fork State in 18-4, by a Methodist
clergyman Dr. John Vincent and a prosper,'.
ous manufacturer named Lewis Miller, 'for the
express purpase oproviding avaried course
of study that would encourage adults to
continue their education after their formal
;studies had stopped.
C
ed such r
Chautauqua s
hauu qa proc h a •�,l?tap.ula
.
concept, with its combination of education,
recreation, and entertainment, sprinkled
with a bit of religion, that by 1904 some
g
enterprising soul decided the institution
Should expand beyond the boundaries of
New York State. That's. how the travelling,
c'a. au ua a and .v World Y'ar• 1.
h ut y s begn b� or ,
J.M. Erickson decided Canadians,antic
P
u arly, might`rural Canadians be
1 just as
enthused about these cultural happenings as.
their American neighbours. So, the chant-
auqua came to Canada - ttrst.to the prairies.
and theng gradually eastward to Ontaria•and
eventually on to the'Maritinces,
What .did the Chautauqua offer to its
audiences? Well, in a day when radioswere
still a novelty, when movies, were silent and
when.eo . le didn't travel the distances they
P P •
.'dotoday, the chautau uas'offered' entertain -
meat,
q.
culture, and somegood old' fashioned
9.
'fun right 'on your doorste
g P
- G
The shows, which usually arrived in. ; a
tots n• for a week's stay' during the ,spring, ttr
summer ftatu,red noted orators. p.roadwas
plays. musical groups like the Swiss .B:ell
Ringers, and Clowns.'and other attlActions
geared 'for the 1 ounger set.
The Canadian Chautauqua. N,,,: attic ; to
Seaforth for the first time in 1929' and set ;up
their tent in ` ietoria Park. The !Expositor
greeted the arrival with a' front page. story.
"Chautauqua is an Organization }which
brings to communities alt over Canada the
very tuicst:of entertainment and outstanding
a• a minimum niof st. ,hes
lectures t i m u eo T e
Splendid artits are brought to th
iso n
e
itthrough the efforts of
some of the local
ct izenswho believe that Seatorth should.
has ethe best entertainnient it is possible to
get_+.
The .article : went on to .say that the
travelling show would visit ocer.500 towns in
the country rifer the sunnier, offering 'five
crowded,. eventful days"" Of entertainntent•
wherever it stopped.
What were sante of the attractions
S afortht s Lust co ld "estnt in 1929?
Well, on Saturday night. the Chautauqua:
opened with a play titled 'lite 'Famity
' presented in; Erwin.
C pstairs. resented :by the 'Mart.
Players, which w as an u ,.roartous comedy
P
of a very human fancily engaged in marrying
.off their eldest daughter.' Audiencesct•ere
proise ev could e rolling in the' aisles itt o th , >' b s
over the consequences of a mother trying too
hard to impress her daughter's :fiance.
' On Monday, audiences were expected to.
be a bit more sober after the lighthearted heart
ed
Opening onSaturday. First, some7Moscow
artists offered a musical. prelude and then
Mrs.' D. Pirie 'Beyea lectured on the topic,
"Education or Catastrophe. " Mrs. Beyea it
seems, was a recognized authority on health
and social problems after serving overseas in
the nursingservice for four years during the
war; 'tiler; message, which se unfortunately
aren't told,, has been .''.delivered practically
all aver. the cif shied world.
MondaY evening. the Moscow artists w
ere
_...
brought hack to present Scenes, F,ro.rn
Russian life. The entertainment included
Anatol Frikin. a baritone soloist "`celebrated
throughout Europe." a 'group • of talented
niusicians playing violin, piano and balalaika
and Alexander Bolshakoff.. who :had once
been the "ballet. =Stet of the Imperial
Russian Ballet."
On Tuesday afternoon.' audiences were
invited to a musical programme which.
featured Ernest Toy, who "has been
studying the violin since earliest childhood.
and is undoubtedly onc of the masters of the
%.
,present. day. He is well known an the
continent. inn England, Australia and New
Zealand and, has travelled with Melba (a •
celebrated opera, singer). and Jahn.
McCormack.'
" 7
On Tuesday night. education was again
then order of the day when Dr. Tehyi Hsieh
spoke on"Awakening China," The speaker;
who listed among his achiey emants a degree
from Cambridge University) and a diplomatic
career,' coinbined "the blood of China's.
ancient aristocracy with the spirit of modern
democracy." One can't help wondering if
Dr. Hsieh was able to predict . the vast
changes that China was to undergo before
becoming the world power the co..untrv.is
today.
Nov in case it seems the Chautauqua was
all education and little recreation, rest
assured there was some fun mixed in with
the higher learning, Thursday was devoted
to
to the afternoon performance of Herbert
Taylor, billed as the "Master of Fun -Land"
who combined the talents of "juggler,;
ventriloquist and clown. 'Then in the
evening, adults enjoyed a performance of
the play "Smilin' Thru again by the
Martin Erwin Players.
On FridaL the ,program concluded with •
the afternoon lecture of Captain Stanley
Dancey,speaking on the lofty theme of
"Canadianizat"ton'." and with an evening
concert by the Jackson Jubilee Singers.
"The Jackson Jubilee Singers Will bring.
• the 1929 Chautauqua to a close 'with thein'
Grand Joy Night Concert. These negrq
singers are,4dntirablS fitted temperntentally
to -interpret the neva spirituals and
rollicking dark, melodies Which are presen-
ted on their program. ,little Van Osborne„
versatile "sine year -old -bob: entertainer is
featured. said the Expositor article, In the
day when blackface performances 1 y
entertainers like Al Jolson were eeniman, it
must have been an exception to hear the
spirituals sung by the people Oa originally.
• wrote them.
played in Seaforth a
The Chautauqual•p } e forth front,
? and 22 to June 2 , n d sc s
a on tickets for
the entire 10 performancescost the grand'
stun
,
sut: of 52.20 for adults and 25 cents per
performance for children.
At the end of the week, the organizers,
likely recruited some of the younger'
townspeople to help tear down the tent and
the performers packed up and moved on to
• the next stop on their summer circuit.
In later years, the Chautauquas visiting
Seaforth raised their tent on the vacant field
neat to Nobel Bowling Lanes.
Unfortunately, like many things," the
'Chautauqua didn't survive the changing
times. As radio entertainment becanco.more
sophisticated, movies turned into talkies and
the depression made extra spending money
a luxury. the travelling entertainment known
as Chautauqua disappeared',
But Cautau uas certainly 'hadn't exi
sled
in vain, They not only gave lots of young'
entertainers theiP.'start .but, they brought
some of the attractions of the city to rural
communities where cultural outlets were few'
and far between, Who knows how many
people developed their love for theatre or
•muste sitting on 'a hard bench inside a
Chautauqua tent?
Anyone •one with more stories about Chaut-
auqua is invited to drop ''a line to The
Expositor or else give us a call with your
stories.
nal
BY WILMA OKE
The Country Singles
celebrated the fourth
anniversary of the group at
celebrate fourth
thea weekly dance Saturday
nii,'ht_ at the •Vanastra.'
Recreation Centre,'
As usual. the dance was•
"EXPLODING THE MYTH,
A half hour sP ecial presentation
by Imperial Oil
March 7- 9:30 p.m.
South Huron & District Association
for the
Mentally Handicapped
well attended. Over • 325.
.signed in for the evening of
feltuwship, dancing and
food:.A buffet lunch is served
after each dance and
Saturday a big birthday cake
marked the anniversary. •
Betty Cardno, Seaforth,
Vicki Hobanuik, : Lucan.
(Formerly Clinton) and Irene
Okahashi saw the need for
the Singles Club and its been
a success right from the
beginning. .
An average of 190 -attend
the weekly dance,: ususally
held at Vanastra and they. •
came from across
southwestern Ontaio ranging,
in age from 18 to 80 years:
Betty Cardno said well
ever. 100 .:Marriages have
resulted among the Singles
during the years.
Name Bruce:field
card party winners
Winners at the
Brucefield Oddfellows card
Party on Febtruary 23rd were.
Ladies high; 04.4boris: Willson,
Ladies low, - Marjory
Broadfoot, Lone Hands, Jean
BINGO
Every
Saturday
at
...Blyth
Memorial Hall.
12 reg." 10 each
spate;the wealth
S150 jackpot 60 calls
every Sat at 8 p.m,.
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR
DATE; Wednesday, March 28, 1979
PLACE: Royal Canadian Legion. Hall Goderich
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Development Committee of Huron County is holding a
Seminar to invite suggestions and questions on the role of
EconorTilc Development in Huron County in the future. Your
participation is requestedto, help evaluate` our Economic
opportunities,
Name:.. .
rrr..
Address:,
.r r • • r' 44 Vitt ie.
•
0.
.. et ♦ . y r r Y. p'y , . y ..e r.. M. .
elephone:rrr r , ,,. ,r, ttr...r rr.y.rr...,.r...d
Please' fill out the above` information' and retu`i'n it with the
$3.00 registration fee by March 15,' 1979 to the Undersigned:
R. S. C U MM IN GS Development Officer
Court House, The Square
GODERICH ONTARIO" N7A 1,M2
For information call: 524-2188
McEwen, Melts 'high, • Itgn
Stewart, Mens Low, Sam
Thompson , Lone hands,
W,D. Wilson, Lucky .Draw,
J.K. Cornish. Next party will.,
be on March 9th. '
Comedy:
The Blyth Centre for the
Arts announces that thenext
o a .
production which will be
:appearing on stage at Blyth
Memorial Hall is "The Four
'Poster" scheduled :for Wed-
nesday evening, March 7 at
8:00 p.m.
This three -act comedy by
Jan de Hartog comes to Blyth
after a very successful three
night run in Goderich at
Mackay Tall. Produced ' by
SATURDAY SKATERS AT THE ARENA Tawnya Ta.yior pulls sister
held at Seaforth
Tammyduringhe open skating period h Community
t n pa 9__..
Centre; op the weekend. •(Expositor Photo)
Brother
hood night
a huge
success
THE LEGION NEWS
Seaforth Legion would like
to thank all the, members and
• organization for making Bro-
therhood Night a success. A
special thank you goes out
to Rev. Robert for his excel.-
lant speech.
Don't forget the big Datice
July the 15. Swing ,to the
music of Chris Black & his
Swinging Brass." Make a
date & don't be late,"
initiation will be held Mar,
15th, ' A good turn out is
expected as fifty new mem•'
hers will be welcomed' into _
Branch ;156.
Public speaking– Will be
held Wed. Feb. 28th• The
public is invited to attend..
Souvenirs are now avail-
able " marking Branch 1561s '
50th anniversary. These are
on display downstairs:
PIPING IN THE PARTY - Piper Peter Malcolm :piped -in the merry
makers celebrating the,fourth anniversary of the. Country. Singles Club:
rs, Betty Cardno (left)
The club holds Weekly
(Photo by Oke)
With Mr. Malcolm are three of the club's founde
and Irene Okahask'i and Vicki Hobanuik of Lucan
dances at. the Vanastra Recreation:
production comes
theG d nch Little Theatre
o e • •
and directed Eleanor Robin-
son the play spans a 25 -year'
period inthe lives:. of Agnes.
and Michael and: looks at •
various events that, make up
the course of their marriage.
Members of the audience
will enjoy identifying and
relating to the activities as
portrayed in the different
scenes.'
A star performer ; of the
Goderich Little Theatre, and
ea n
well known to residents of
Huron County, Virginia
Lodge appears as Agnes.
Her wide experiencein' the
dramatic field enables her to
give an excellent' and . sen-
sitive protrayal of .her,role.
Warren Robinson, whO has
written, produced and
directed many successful
award winning : plays for
Goderit5h District Collegiate
10111•10.441....
to Blyth
People
Ray Anstett, well known member of the Beavers Old
Timers was injured:during a game in Mitchell Sunday
,Timers
when: a bone in' his; leg was fractured.
Mrs. Ella Munro wasgreeting friends on Main Street on
' e
Tuesday. It was the first time she had been out sine New
Year's Eve when she injured her leg.' in. the ;intervening
Weeks she has been confined to hospital and to her home.
of t e Royal Conservator of
Results of Examinationsh y s •y
Music, Toronto, held recently at Stratford included Piano,
Grade 8 Honours Anne Ribey and Carolyn Wilson;
Rudiments Grade 2, First Class Honours - Anne Ribey.
ThepP u ils are students of Mrs, Jane Vincent.
Mr. and Mrs. Norman S eake and son, •Sean :ttf
p
Fredericton, N.B„ spent the weekend with the latter's
father, Leo Haganand brother Paul Hagan.
Edythe Coleman of RR '1, Seaforth brought an
interesting storyinto the Expositor this, week which
appeared' in the old Family Herald prior to the 1963.
eclipse.
The storby raconteur H. Gordon Green, was all about
a farmer named Charlie Beaver who didn't value education
and the August 31, 1932 total eclipse of the sun, when the
farmer assumed the end of the world was at hand when the
skies darkened in the mid-afternoon. So, eclipses have
occurred at least two other times in .this century. But, for
those of us in. southern Ontario who didn't sec any dark ,-
our
skies Mpnday morning, next chance won't came until
• the 21st century, when the: moon again passes between the
sun and and earth over North. America.
McKillop residents Bob and Greta Mclercher, who
have been holidaying in Florida sent the Expositor a page,,
of Valentine`grectings-from thc=Tamp-a;Triburtc. Floridians
are obviously more 'Valentine greeting .minded than
Seaforthites.
Mr, and Mrs. David Papple are quietly celebrating their
69th wedding: ,."uversary on March 9th, ;
Dr, and Mrs. ;' Charles Toll have returned from Florida.
Mrs. Harvey Leslie "of Seaforth has moved to John St:
Atwood in an apartment' located at, the home of Mrs. G.
Hienstra.
'. .Rev. J. the and Mrs• Stewart were recent visitors with
Mr. and Mrs._ Benson Mole of Dungannon:
Mr. and Mrs„ Alvin E Hammond of Moorefjeld'and. Dr.,•
K.G. and Mrs. Stewart of,Waterloo were recent guests of
their father. Rev, J. Ure and Mrs, Stewart.
Egmondville
Institute appears a
pp s Michael,
her husband,
• The Goderich Little
Theatre,in operation for over
twenty-five' years , holds a
reputation for productions of
high calibre and dramatic
excellence:
Their appearance at Blyth
makes a splendid addition to
the ongoing r winter pro
gramme. Tickets at 53.50 are
available at the door. •
ueens
Hotel
Dublin
Th•jurs., Fri. and Sat,
RICK .J N
SOW
Next Thurs", Fri. 8 Sot.
MISS NUDE CANADA
DINING
ROOM.
Open Doily from 12' 'noon
Good Old -Fashioned
Home-Cook@d Meals':
Seaforth,
Appearing
Thurs. Fri: Sat.
G R EYSTO N E
wIL.LOw
Next Week:
Thurs. Fri. Sat.
PARADISE
GAMBLER.
ltleiaant s Eintert himent iito hi $ p.m. to I.NM*
JAGH'WAY '#8 DUBLIN, 3454s2o
4111'11***iliktillkit
Correspondent.°.
MRS:.'CAROLE GEDDES
527-0844
•Robin Marie
Bannerman:, daughter of
Corporal and Mrs.
Bannerman of Lahr Germany
was baptized at Egmondville
United Church on Sunday
•February, 18th, :1979. Robin
is the grandaughter of
Mr. and Mrs,.. Darwin
Bannerman, Egmondville,
Corporal and' Mrs.
Bannerman and Robin have
returned to their home in
Germany.
.t
United Nations
Youth 'Pilgramage
SPEAK -OFF
sponsored by
Oddfotlows and Rebecah
Lodges
will be held '
Frida • evening
g
March
at 8'p.m.
Clinton Public
Schooj.,
All interested
invitedpersons.
ar
e
LAST NIGHT: MARCH:lst
JCJ' ADULT
ENTERii AINMENT
March 2nd -1th "WILDERNESS FAM,NLY" PART 11
STARTS MARCH 9th - 15th
WALT DISNEY Producudspresents
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
SAV► MARCH 10th•12:00 MIDNIGHT
SaTha Sgwra, Qod., ich, ti44t11
Prorr in iii►NCt Io ch.nr without Model