Times Advocate, 1996-11-06, Page 6Page 6
Times -Advocate, November 6, 1996
PA M!LY
Pioneer school days described
ByRoss Haugh
-A Reporter
BRUCEFIELD - If you think of children being
taught in red brick school houses in the pioneer days
you are wrong according to Kathryn Hamilton who
was the guest speaker at the recent annual meeting of
the Huron Historical Society.
Hamilton, a graduate student at the University of
Toronto writing a thesis on Gentle Women in Ontario
for her Masters degree said most schools back 170
years ago were private and later operated by the state.
In 1891 attendance at school was compulsory for
children up to the age of 12 years and by 1919 that
limit was raised to 16 years of age.
By 1861 school fees were abolished. There were
little bits of grants until then and that's when the
grade system was developed. After school hours, pu-
pils engaged in militia training and music classes
were popular.
At that time schools were an alternative for some-
thing to do, with classes in churches and private
houses. There were itinerant teachers with most edu-
cation in the homes with mothers teaching morals,
manners and family background.
Children could be sent to another household and tu-
tors were hired by wealthy people.
Bishop John Strong came to Upper Canada to tutor
sons of elite families and later began a school for
same. He opened a common (elementary) and gram-
mar (high school) for boys He applied for govern-
ment funding and in 1804 got a grant of $400 to buy
science equipment And set up a grammar school
In 1816, Common School Acts were put in place
with three trustees necessary for each school. The
buildings were very rough, made of logs, and were
dark and sometimes without privies or yards.
Bishop Strong wanted a system like he was used to
back home operated by the Church of England.
The children developed poor eyesight and disease
due to poor conditions. They sat on benches made of
logs split in half with legs and without desks and they
rotated around the fireplace to keep warm. The walls
were painted white at the top and black nearer the
bottom to use as blackboards. Later wood stoves and
windows were installed.
School facilities were often shared with Masonic
Lodges, taverns, stores and on one occasion tempo-
rarily in a jail in London, Ontario.
For the wealthy, Upper Canada College was
opened in 1830
In the early years, most teachers were women in
common and private schools. They taught reading,
grammar, spelling, history, writing, needlework, mu-
sic and manners. Sometimes, money was not availa-
ble to pay the teachers.
Boys worked in the summer and only went to
school during the winter months with male teachers
and the girls attended in the summer with female tu-
tors. Women were hired because they worked for less
money.
Itinerant saddle bag preachers and teachers came
through to help set up schools. Sunday Schools were
often used for a place of education with two hours of
memorizing each Sunday morning and afternoon.
Students learned to read but were not taught writing
or math. (not supposed to but some did). Adults also
came.
Natives were taught by the Methodist Church with
at one time six missions in Upper Canada. Adults
went to singing school with itinerant teachers.
By 1852, Upper Canada had more villages, towns
and cities.
Edgerton Ryerson wanted school systems open to
everyone. Much of modern education was put in
place by Ryerson. Spelling was poor, but reading and
math, etc. were very advanced , sometimes beyond
the child's understanding.
In 1846, school superintendents were appointed and
in the next four years the amount of blackboards in-
creased. Merit cards, departmental exams and certifi-
cates of merit were introduced.
Ryerson was upset with school texts coming from
the United States and phased out as many as possible.
He set up a Normal School in Toronto with the age
for entrance being 16 for women and 18 for men.
When graduating they could get a I, II or III certifi-
cate and were issued letters of permission.
Male and female teachers were expelled if they
talked to each other during school hours. Transition
was very gradual to the modern days.
TWEME
CROSS
WORD
`BLUES
B*?W ES'
For angers
please turn
to the
Announcements
ACROSS
1 Mischief -maker
7 Ham or steak
11 Zero
14 -West — Story"
18 One -celled
creature
19 S.A. plain
20 Tarantula
22 "Blues in the
Night" lyricist:
2 wds.
24 "Outlaw Blues"
composer:
2 wds.
25 Smelling organ
26 One of HOMES
27 Calls
29 TV's Alicia
30 Decreed
33 Walter of films
34 Indigo and
cochineal
35 Scottish accent
38 Look longingly
39 Former Mideast
alliance
41 Proofreader's
instruction
43 Judge Lance —
44 Towel marking
45 1992 candidate
47 Tears
50 Working
parent's
concern: 2 wds.
52 The Fonz
54 Pancakes,
maybe
56 "Twist and —"
57 Groan
58 Faucet problem
60 A Hunter
61 Take heed of:
obs:
63 One of the
Hebrides
64 English
composer
65 Urgent
66 Mr. Calloway
68 Perm
70 Pond papas
72 Small drops
73 Rainless
75 "Old Dog —"
76 Sub shop
77 March, on some
arrivals
79 Urn
80 Apiece
81 Divisible by two
82 Not attached
85 Dark wood
87 Ignore the
alarm: 2 wds.
89 Permitted
91 Porker's
proboscis
93 Actor Flynn
94 Influence
95 Choler
96 Federal agent
(hyph. wd.)
98 More (Sp.)
99 Drum major's
entourage
100 Observed
101 Sagacious
104 Papa's partner
106 Of most
ancient time
109 Circle part
110 Asphalt
112 "High —"
113 — and robbers
116 "Blue Hawaii"
composer:
2 wds.
118 "Blue Skies"
composer:
2 wds.
122 New member
123 Scratchers
124 Prison dweller
125 E-mail
command
126 Kind of curve
127 Punchers
128 Tried out
DOWN
1 Indian
sovereignty
2 — -Ra
3 London
neighborhood
4 Bleeper
5 Young Yokum
6 Minstrel song
7 Iwo Jima fighter
8 Head table
figure
9 Gibbon
10 Canvas cover
11 Big shot
12 Pressed
(clothes)
13 Brand-name
provider
14 Bashful
15 Tooth filling
16 Ladd or Keaton
17 Millay, et al.
19 — of Pauline
21 ROM carriers
23 Scanty, in Brit.
28 "Blues in the
Night"
composer
2wds.
31 Active person
32 Spanish
chaperone
34 Pushed in
35 Makes an offer
36 Beehive State
37 "Blue Bayou"
composer:
2 wds.
40 Noah's —
42 A Brown
44 Down the —
45 "— Man"
46 Topography
48 "Blue Jean
composer
2wds.
49 Frighten
51 Prompt
52 "Blues on
Parade"
composer:
2wds.
53 Skating —
55 Was certain
57 Awesome event
59 Pare
62 Author Millet
66 Fingal's lair
67 Fand's subjects
69 Gershwin, et al.
70 Satan
71 TV's Struthers
74 Indicate
76 Overthrow
78 Cow's sound
83 Dry
84 Paradise
86 Compliment to
the chef
88 Span of years
89 Sunshade
90 Take on cargo
92 Sub Oct to
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50
control
94 Some parlors
97 Sea forces
99 Puts under the
fire
100 Rants
101 Tintem Abbey
locale
102 Actress Cara
103 Look down on
105 King Solomon's
107 Blacksmith's
target
108 Vista
110 City Hall
regular
111 — Lollobrigida
114 Map
115 Location
117 16.5 feet
119 Uncooked
120 Small role
121 A Beatty
By Robert Zimmerman
•
I
FAMILY
HAIR CARE
PROFESSIONALS
Xbe CUttlig caavat
(Beside Murphy's)
235 -HAIR
(4247)
Vicki Parsons Kim Scott
Terri Farquhar-Vanneste
Rhonda Lightfoot
Hours: Mon. -Fri. 9-7•Sat. 9-4
• Waxing and ear piercing
SENIORS DISCOUNT
on Mn,e.Tees., Wed.
Auxiliary bazaar planned
ZURICH - "It Takes Two" was
Blue Water Rest Home, starring the
Olson Twins. Tuesday morning the
"Buddies", grade 5 students from
St. Boniface School under the lead-
ership of Sister Susan, visited the
residents at the Home. Ghosts and
goblins travelled the hallways and
gathered in the auditorium for a
program where they made Hallo-
ween decorations for the resident's
door.
The Crediton Women's Institute,
with Chairperson Anne Cottel, vis-
ited the home in the evening to en-
tertain the residents for their Octo-
ber birthdays. They wished Eleanor
Watson, Mabel Gilfillan, Vivian
Fremlin and Barbara Plumb a very
happy birthday. Melissa MacLeod
sang a solo, Cheryl MacLeod did a
reading and Alma Davey, Harvey
Smith and Lois Hodgins tap danced
for the residents. The Auxiliary
committee of Marie Denomme,
Gladys Gingerich, Doreen Oesch
and Eleanor Riley helped serve re-
frehments.
Wednesday afternoon tea was
served by Gladys Gingerich. Evan-
gelist Arnold Gratton, Gospel Hall,
Grand Bend conducted Thursday
afternoon Chapel Service. Fr. Mat-
thaias Wronski, St. Boniface
Church, Zurich celebrated Mass.
Julie Bender, Zurich Mennonite
Church led Tuesday afternoon
Bible Study.
Thursday was ghost and goblin
day as several staff members came
dressed in their Halloween attire.
In the evening the residents hand-
ed out candy and played host to
many area children. The residents
enjoyed watching the little people.
Sunday Roy Gingerich, Clara
Hamilton and Bob Carson were es-
corted to Zurich Mennonite Church
services by Dennis Hutton, volun-
teer driver.
Monday tenants of Maplewoods
Apartments enjoyed a noon dinner
at the home. Monday afternoon the
residents chuckled away at the an-
tics of Victor Borge in his video
"The Best".
•
beim
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
We offer a large
selection of silk &
driedfloral creations
for the interior or
exterior of your home
or business.
Friday November 8 , 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 9 , 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday November 10, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
410 William St. Exeter
**FREE GIFT WRAPPING AND GIFT WITH PURCHASE **
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL TRACY MACVICAR AT 235-425
taking a holiday?
send Fido too!
HOLIDAY FARMS
pet resort
BOARDING. GROOMING • DAYCARE
Fussy eater? Medications?
NO PROBLEM
We cater to your pet's total comfort
LOCATED ON 47 ACRES OF
BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY FARMLAND.
OVER 3/4 ACRES OF FENCED IN AREAS
WHERE YOUR DOG CAN RUN OR SOCIAUZE
FOUR TIMES PER DAY.
227.0241
HWY. 7 JUST NORTH OF LONDON
'BORDETELLA SHOT REQUIRED'
Best wishes to Gertrude Durand,
a tenant of Maplewoods Apart-
ments and Margaret Snell, a resi-
dent of the home who are visiting
South Huron Hospital Exeter.
Coming events
The residents will be busy on
November 9 with the Auxiliary ba-
zaar and tea from 2-3:30 and an
e
open house for Stewart Thiel's
80th birthday at St. Peter's Luther-
an Church Fellowship Hall.
November 10, Beatrice Rader
celebrates 80 years young in the
auditorium of the home from 1 5
p.m.
LIGHT UP HAY TOWNSHIP
FOR CHRISTMAS
Hay Days '96 has made this a year to
remember. The FINALEVENTwill be no
` '`E`'• exception. During December, let's light up
Hay Township! Hay residents have the opportunity
to win some prizes too.
The best outdoor Christmas Light Display will win
$100. Second and third prizes will each receive $50.
These Hay Days '96" light displays will be judged
December 16 & 19. In order to enter, Township resi-
dents must pre -register at the Hay Municipal Office any
time between now and then.
There Is another extra bonus - a sort of "early bird
prize". The Steering Committee would like as many
homes and farms as possible to be lit up for the whole
month of December starting on Sunday, December 1.
Therefore, everyone who pre -registers before that date
will be entered Into a draw. On the evening of
December 1, the draw will be made. If the name drawn
has their light display turned on, they will win a trip for
two to Frankenmuth, Michigan including motor coach
transportation and dinner. Contact Fred Haberer at 236-
4966.
Many township residents will start planning for and
assembling their lights now and when December
1 rolls by, we'll flip the switches and light up
Hay Township to finish of "Hay Days '96"
Ins lel
HAY DAYS `96.
•
faate
BAYFIELD
NOW
our
SAS
Begins Friday ember 8:•..
The Wardrobe
BIZEtEir
PRICES NOW
THEY'RE
RIDICULOUS
Ch F Out Our
$20.00 Room.
oh,
3 0 to 7 5 Off
Our Entire Stock
(Excluding LaParka Goats)
qh.
, ()
J�1
,.
565-2588
Main St. Hayfield
CHRISTMAS BEGINS IN
r /ayfield
1r�
NOVEMBER 8, 9 & 10, 1996
AND CONTINUES THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
In Store Draws
- Draw date December 15, 1996
Refreshments and Treats
'IYee Lighting Celebration
- Prfday November 8, 1998
- 7:00 p.m. Clan Gregor Square
- Community Carolling In the Square
- Refreshments & TYeats In the Park or Town Hall
Christmas Bazaar Sale
- Lioness - Prtday, November 8 - Noon - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 9 - 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.
at the 6ayfleld 7bwn Hall
- United Church - Riday, November a - Nos, - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 9 - 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.
at the United Church - 6eyfletd
Choir Concert
- Starchy november 10, 1996
- 2:00 p.m. nayfleld Town Hatt
Remember: SHOPS ARE OPEN
THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
piyfie Id
A VILLAGE FOR ALL SEASONS