The Huron Expositor, 1966-07-28, Page 101O--1IE HURON F POS1TQ1t, EAFOR'17i, ONT., JULY 28, 1966
(Continued from last week)
RECREAVON PARK
It was James and Jonathan Carter who first own-
ed the block on Main Street South that was bought in
May, 1885, by the newly appointed recreation company,
for a Recreation, ,Park. The price paid was $700.00.
This joint stock company was organized in the month
of May for the purpose' of purchasing and fitting up a
cricket and general recreation club. By .June, a cricket
crease had been made in the centre, with a bicycle
track around the entire grounds. A grandstand very
soon was built, and also a high board fence around the
park. In August, the Bicycle Club held their annual
tournament here, when $400.00 was given away in
prizes. The first Caledonian games in Seaforth were
held in this park in August, 1886. For many years all
games, circuses, the Chautauqua, etc., were held here.
From the 1890's, William Masters and later his Estate
owned the property till 1917, when the• corporation of
the Town of Seaforth took it over. Little use has been
made of this park .since the Lions Park became well
established at the east end of the town by the 1930's.
LIONS PARK
The Seaforth Lions Club received its charter at
the first meeting which was held in January, 1925. R.
M. -Jones was the president and W. G. Spencer, secre-
tary. At the following meeting, the Club undertook
the establishment of a Park and swimming pool to
serve the Seaforth district. The site chosen was the
remains of an old limestone quarry on Silver Creek
Farm, then owned by John R. Archibald. Before there
was an organized place to swim, there were at least
,three popular swimming holes used for many years
by the youth (boys only) of the town. One of these
was this old quarry, another was on the Case farm,
and the third was behind Maitlandbank Cemetery. In
the one last mentioned there were a few ,narrow escapes
from drowning. Near the quarry in the early 1870's,
there was also a lime kiln run by William Sclater. and
his brother John.••The limestone rock for the kiln was
procured from the quarry.
After much hard labor by the Club members, the
pond was ready for use by 1927. Each year improve-
ments have been made. A concrete area was created?
within the river in 1935. A new pool, 45 feet by 90 feet,
east of the pavilion and served by town water was of-
ficially opened July 12, 1956. A bathing Pavilion was
erected in 1942, with money donated by.. Mrs. Mary
Whittaker. The Children's Wading Pool was completed
in 1962, in memory of former deceased club members.
'In June, 1964, a new picnic pavilion was opened. The
first dance was held in it on; Saturday evening, June
20th. In this large building picnic meals may be serv-
ed under. cover, meetings held and also dances. In 1963
more than 25,000 people entered the swimming pool,.
and nearly 500 children received swimming instruc-
tions in organized classes during July and August.
Each year this record has been maintained. The Club
project, which started as a dream in 1925, h,as become
truly a reality.
SKATING AND CURLING RINKS
From as early as 1869, the Victoria Skating Rink
was just south of Carmichael's Mansion House. From
187.7 till 1879, Joseph Marshall was in charge. 'No
mention is made of it after 1879. It may have been
used also as a curling rink as • there was a Curling
Club in Seaforth years before it became a town in
1875. Through .the years there were •a few open air
rinks here and • there in the town. Coleman's pond close.
to the High School was a favorite outdoor skating rink,
and another was south of the track near where the
Eclipse Salt Block had 'been in earlier years.
In January, 1878, Lawrence Murphy opened' a
skating rink known as .Dominion Ice Rink, just west
of his 'home where the White Rose Gas Station is to-
day. By 1880 he had added a curling rink to the west
of the building. D. D. Wilson and Co. were in charge
of both in 1883, and in 1885, Ed Hallett had them for
the season. ,The first mention of a carnival was inthe
winter of 1886, and it was held in this Dominion ice
.Rink. In the spring of 1886, Murphy, who was still
the owner, tore down both buildings and used the
material to buildhis flax 'shed across the street, near
his flax mill.
In July, 1885, James and William McMaster of
Ridgetown, Ontario, leased part of the Houghton Hotel
property on Main Street and had erected on it a roller
skating rink. In September it was closed in and used as
a skating rink till 1905. From 1904 it was owned by
James Dick. When' built it was described as an "im-
mense" building. Willis Shoe Co., with Harry Willis
manager, , made ahoes here, after the rink closed; It is
on this property, Boshart's furniture factory is now
located.
In September, 1905, .a company of shareholders-
known
hareholders-known as the Seaforth Skating and Curling Rink Co.,
let the contract to Joseph Keating to build a large
frame rink on the corner of Huron and High Street.
This company purchased share donations to a total
of $4,200.00 to start the building. R. S. Hays was
president; William Pickard, first vice-president; and
W. J. Moffatt, .secretary -treasurer and manager -dir-
ector. While the company had transacted some busi-
ness previously, it was not formally organized till
November 27, 1905, at a meeting held in the Dick
House. The first ice was made by William McDougall,
Egmondville. The flooding was done by filling a barrel
with water from a nearby pump and. drawing it on a
sleigh to the ice surface. Many trips hadto be made
for one flooding. of the entire surface. The Curling
Rink was at the west side, separated by a partition from
the skating surface. The company operated for many
years under the directorship of William Anent; Dur-
ilg the years James Dick gradually became owner of
more than 50 pet cent of the shares, and from then he
undertook the management of the rink. The original
company dissolved in 1927, and from then Charles
Holmes was the owner and manager till he sold in
1938 to Dr. E. A. McMaster and C. W. "Smitty" Smith.
During their ownership improvements and Changes
were made in this Palace Rink. Dr. E. A. McMaster,
who bought Smith's share in 1948, sold to Ball and
Macauley Lumber Supplies of Clinton, in 1950. For
45 Fears this had been the rendezvous'for skaters, cur-
lers and hockey players.
Dy the time this rink closed its doors, the Mem-
orial Arena with artificial Ace, was ready for use at
the Agricultural grounds. The same ice surface at the
arena was used at the start by the skaters, hockey
plot/14' and the tilers. 'When the curlers felt 'a need
for mere play'i1;�g tt#le and larger glxarters, they bought
land from V �1yDiose, south of the arena, and in, 1956,
built 4 cement lrui1d ing' 6*0 feet by 180 feet, and 'an ad-
4itionAtug Made .to it. in 1961, 8y the n 1ddle• 105 (6 An
•
Seaforth ..
a • History by Isabelle Campbell,
enthusiastic Ladies' Curling Club was organized, jn
recent years the membership in both clubs has 'contin-
ued to increase.
On March 12, 1,057, the old rink on Huron Street
was burned to the ground from an unknown, cause.
That same year Ball and Macauley built the present
cement block building, and a little later, -=me 'lumber
storage sheds were 'erected.
LAWN BOWLING CLUBS
From the late 1890's there was a Lawn. Bowling
Club in Seaforth. In April, 1904, James McMichael, the
founder and first president of the club, .bought the
bowling green property on Victoria Street, and present-
ed it to the Club. The price paid was ,,$300,00. This
green, with a small clubhouse on it, was used till the
new one on Main Street was landscaped and ready for
use in 1928.
The first Ladies' Lawn Bowling Club was organ-
ized on May 7, 1907, with 30 members, who paid a fee
of $2.00, and five members, for some reason, who only
paid $1.00. The membership varied, with the years till
there were only twenty paid members in 1910. Appar-
ently the Club disbanded as the last entry made was in
1912. Interest was again revived when plans were be-
ing made to open a new and larger green. By 1927
there was again an active Ladies Club, which has con-
tinued to. carry on till the present time. Ever since the
Men's Club was organized there has always been a
group of enthusiastic bowlers connected with the club,
who many times brought home the "bacon". Chatles
Holmes and Tom 'Peck" Johnston won the District
Four doubles championship. in 1934.
(Continued next week)
> AREA WEDDINGS 57,
Beechey - Black
Marriage• vows were exchang-
ed in London by Marilyn Joyce
.Black and ; Thomas Edward
Beechey, with Rev. H. J. Snell
officiating.
The bride is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs, James D. Black,
Belmont and Mr. and Mrs.
James Beechey, St. Thomas are
thegroom's parents.,
The' bride, given in marriage
by her father, wore a rose two-
piece dress and 'white acces-
sories with a corsage of white
carnations and pink roses. At
tending the bride was Mrs. Ken-
neth Ashton, sister of the
groom wearing a beige dress
and hat, with a corsage of pink
carnations.
Kenneth Black, brother of
the bride attended the groom.
Following a buffet luncheon.
at the home of the bride's par-
ents, the young couple left for
a wedding trip to Northern On-
tario. On their return they will
take up residence in St. Thotnas.
Carter - Brown
Ruth Anne' Brown was giv-
en in marriage by her father
to James Samuel Carter in
Northside •United C h ur c h,
Seaforth. Rev. J, C. Britton
heard the vows exchanged,
and Mrs. Cleave Coombs, Eg-
mondville, was soloist, ac-
companied by the organist,
Mrs. James Stewart. The
bride is the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. James E. Brown,
Egmondville, and the groom
is the son of Mr. and Mrs.
John E. Carter, RR 2 Sea's
orth. A gown of French Chan-
tilly lace was chosen by the
b°r i d e. Pt was floor -length
with a bouffant skirt that
cascaded at the back into a
chapel train. The bodice feat-
ured lily -point sleeves, scall-
oped Sabrina neckline, and a
barque waistline. A tiara of
rhinestones held the should-
er -length veil of French Illu-
sion and she carried red roses.
Elizabeth Carter, RR 2 Sea-
forth, sister of the groom, as. -
maid of honor, wore a street -
length dress of aqua sata
peau with three - quarter -.
length 'sleeves and a t t a i n
held by a crescent of roses.
Her hat was also a.. rose cres-
cent which held her illusion
veil, Miss Gail Brown. ' Eg-
mondville, sister of the bride,
and Miss Norah Brown, 'Eg-
mondville, a cousin of . the
bride, and Mrs. Donald Matt-
hews, Seaforth, were brides-
maids. Their dresses were
similar to that of the maid
of honor. Kimberly Elliott,
Dublin, was flower -girl wear-
ing a white dressi with ' cum-
merbund and hat which mat-
ched the colors of the other
attendants' gowns. Three 'bro-
thers of the bride were at-
tendants, Raymond Brown
was ring -bearer and Beverly
and William Brown were
candle -lighters. Donald Matt-
hews, Seaforth, was best man
and the ushers were Allen
Carter, RR 2, 'Seaforth, James
Brown, Egmondville, a n d
John Varley. RR 4 Seaforth.
The wedding dinner was
served at the Legion Hall,
Seaforth. For a honeymoon
in Southern Ontario, the bride
chose an aqua chiffon dress
over lace. white accessories
and a corsage of deep pink
ros',s.
'Upon their return they
will reside in Seaforth. Guests.
attended from Haliburton,,
London, Kitchener, Walton,
Petrolia, Dublin„ Dorion, Eg-,
mondville..Mactier, Ohio. Gor-
merlv Wingham and Sea-•
forth.
Remember! It takes but a
moment to place an Expositor
Want Ad and be money in
pocket. To advertise, just Dial
Seaforth 527-0240.
•
_11I1i%dl -
m!*
Take that well-deserved vacation
with an NFC Traveloan
AMOUNT
LOFN
MONTHLY
60
months
48
months
PAYMENTPLAN$^
36
months
30
months
20
months
11
months
100
' 30018.35
650
1000
1600
2600
3000
4000
6000
$ .
,
101.01
126.26
$
73.35
88.02
117.37
146.71
$
901 ` 8
108.22
144.30
180.37
' $
23.73
41.45
'
$6,12$9.46
32.86
58.11
.
.37
51.24
91.56
0000•
Above p yments I elude principal and Interest end are belied
onpromptrepayment, butd000t include the cast of life Inrarshee.
Let yourself go
and do the things
you want on your
vacation. Do them
with an HFC
Traveloan.
Then when you
return, repay HFC
conveniently.
Ask about credit life Insurance
on loans at low group rates
HOUSEHOLD FINANC •
Ask about our evening hours
GODERICH
35A West Street—Telephone 524-7383
(above the Signal Star)
STRATFORD •
119 Ontario Street -Telephone 271-9440
(next to Simpsons -Sears)
x •
News of
VVin.C'heisea
Mr. and Mrs. Walters
and Mr. and Mrs. George Wayne
of Sunshine Line visited Thurs.
day evening at Grand 13end
with Mrs. W. J. Seer and Wass.
May Skinner.
•
Mrs. Newton Clarke moved
to Exeter.
Mrs. John Coward visited on
Wednesday with Mr, and Mrs.
William p4ssmore in Exeter.
Mr. and Mrs. Elson Flynn,
Jim and Joan left on Friday
for a trip, through the Western
Provinces, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey
Skinner of Sebringville are
staying with Larry.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Prance
were guests Saturday at the
Goudey-Delbridge wedding at
James Street Church, Exeter,
Mr. Harry Cole of London,
spent Saturday with Mr. and
Mrs. Freeman Horne.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Grebb,
David and Michael of Farquhar
visited with Mr. and Mrs.. Free-
man Horne, Monday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Smith
and Penny visited Tuesday eve-
ning with Mr. ,and Mrs. Colin
Gilfillan an,d Barbara.
A large, number of children
from Thames. Roads Zion and
Winchelsea and Woodham at-
tended Bible School at Elim-
ville United Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sparling,
Mary Horney, London and Mrs.
Irene Ford, visited Sunday
with Mr. and Mrs. Freeman
Horne.
Remember! It takes but a
moment to •place an Expositor
Want Ad and- be money in
pocket. To advertise, just
Dial Seaforth 527-0240.
'blue coal'
Champion Stove and
Furnace Oil
WILLIS DUNDAS
Office 527-0150 — Res. 527-1053
For Complete
INSURANCE
on your
HOME, BUSINESS, FARM,
CAR, ACCIDENT, LIABILITY
OR LIFE
SEE.
JOHN A. CARDNO
Insurance Agency
Phone 527-0490 Seaforth
Office Directly Opposite
Seaforth Motors
EDWARD M. LiNDSEY, of
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee,
was elected President of
Lions International at the As-
sociation's annual convention
in New York City, July 6.9.
Serving as the 50th President
during the Golden Anniver-
sary year, Mr. Lindsey heads
the world's largest service
club ' organization with
797,159 members in 135 coun-
tries. Mr. Lindsey was in
Seaforth two, years ago when
he represented Lions Inter-
national at the 40th Anniver-
sary of the Seaforth Lions
Club.
Classified ass pay divjidends.
HIGHER:: 'INTEREST RATES
GUARANTEED INVESTMENT
VESTMEiNT
CERTIFICATES
6%
on amounts of $100 to $100,000
or more for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5
years. Larger amounts sub-
ject to negotiation.
An ideal investment for security and
high return.
The Industrial Mortgage & Trust
r
Company -
ESTABLISHED, 1889
OFFICES: Forest - Sarnia Petrolia
Strathroyl,
Contact Our Representative
DONALD G. EATON
Phone 527-1610 — Seaforth
1965 FORD SEDAN—A94755
1965.ENVOY' "EPIC" — E9276
1964 OLDS SEDAN, A.T., R. P.S. and 13,13.—E9395
1964 F-85 CUTLASS H.T., P.S., P•B,, Radio, A,T., like new
1961 CHEV. SEDAN -E7981
1961 PONTIAC SEDAN -46141
1961 METEOR COACH•= -E9488
1959 CHEV. 1/2 -TON PICKUP—C73814
NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED
AT
eaforth Motors
Phone .527-1750 Seaforth
LOT OPEN EVENINGS TO 9:00
®
EVERY WEEK
ELMER IS
GIVING AWAY:
1 CCM -
!NE..
volU C
Witil A K
C Mi-
IMPERIAL "700"
BIKES
ONE BOY'S
ONE GIRL'S
FLYTE
ACCESSORY
KITS
Each Kit contains bicycle
lock, handle grips, bell,
mud flap and streamers.
HOW TO ENTER
1 Cut this contest out of paper
along dotted lines and color the
picture. Or draw a pigtOrethat
looks like this and color it.
..
EE. ANKE-1-
Lots of other dandy prizes too! 1
Enter Elmer's Summer Safety (ontest a.• 1
This contest is based on Elmer's rule "Keep out from between
parked cars". Find the seven -erro, s in the picture then color
it and mail to address below. It's fun 1
2 List on separate sheet of
paper the seven things wrong
in the picture.
3 Mail content and list to ad-
dress on Entry Form. Don't for-
get to fill in your name and
address.
Fill in and mail before
AUGUST 3 110 h
ELMEk
e/o t N'I'ARK 'SAFETY LEAGUE
208 KING STREET WEST
T L ONTARIO
TORONTO ,� N A
4 All entries become o s the pro-
perty of Elmer the Safety Ele-
phant and cannot be returned.
5 Children of employees of this
newspaper, the Ontario Safety
teague and. C.C.M. may not
enter.
Contest No. 2
6 Any child of elementary
school age may enter.
7 Judges will be Traffic Safety
authorities. Judges' decision is
final.
NAME .
JM
ADDRESS,
AGE TELEPHONE
'S'iAii ii._T WY'�.�.Y.i. .r..1.W ..!lM... 0400.0
•
Crown or City)
Boy .....,.. 0i,1
00.01•11 .1.1.1•.0.111..0110401011 011•04...,.
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