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HomeMy WebLinkAboutX2023-022-001Ike .,eOAk 9 so omens0institute weedsintiir ts or7/ tl Altona is a hamlet at the intersection of the Second Concession Road and the Uxbridge -Pickering - — townline. Mennonites were among the settlers in that area. Altona may have been named after Altona in Germany, where old books valued by the Mennonites had been published. Reesor's plan for Altona was reg- 3 '1 I 1d -+c i L 4 { as l 3 If 1 x R T H U X BRIDGE TwP. - — ------ S!de1inG :'- U„ 9+h 8wh — Uxbrlclge Town Ifoe , I ! ] i 4 � I Can, 13 Pick err rl r ycLA P r m c r � � h L � Q tY Area M¢ r P by d L►tells Le�v,s /9gZ ��NOf to sc.�le� v d � Con THE HISTORY OF OUR SE`1'TLEtviENT At the dawn of our provincial history some two hundred odd years ago, we find, according to the records of the French missionaries, several Indian villages in existence on the north shores of Lake Ont- ario. The Indians who inhabited these Villages were of the tribe of Senecas, one of the famous Five Nations or Iroouois. Their ancestral territory was south of Lake Ontario within the great forest that stretched from the Niagara to the Hudson; but a considerable portion of the tribe seem to have made permanent homes for themselves on the Northern shores of the lake, attracted doubtless by the game and fish which were there, easily obtainable in rich abundance. The French 11iissionaries M. Fenelon and M. Trouve had established missions in two of these Indian Villages, one in Prince Edward County, the other where Port Hope now stands, and in the year 1669 lvi. Fenelon proceeded still farther westward to a third Villa4e, Gandatsetiagon, or Frenchman's Bay. This village was later to become one of the best shipping ports on the lake, all the grain and timber from this section being teamed and shipped from there. Now, nothing remains to show any signs of these activities and the lake shore has become a summer resort., In passing we may say that an Indian burying -ground was in later years discovered near the present Atha School. In 1791 the Constitutional Act was passed which divided the province of Quebec into the two 'UpperCanada and Lower Canada. On Feb. 22nd of the same Provinces, year, instructions.were issued from the Surveyor --General's office in Quebec, to one Augustus Jones, to survey and mark the front line of a row of townships from the mouth of the River Trent to Toronto, and to carry the side of each township back one mile. It is interesting to note that the work was completed in the fall, by the surveyor and the (2) the men he was to employ, the time being 79 days, the sal::-:ry £34, 11S. 3d. or $172.80. The first township meeting was held on the first 14ionday of March, 1811, when a to -.An clerk, assessors, collectors, Path -Masters, pound - keepers and wardens were chosen. The cencus of the township at this time being around 180 persons. In 1911, Centennial Year, a suitable celebration was held at Brougham, the population of the township at this time being near the 6,000 mark. ate' HOW ALTONA SETTLED The year 1830 marks the beginning of a new era in the history of Upper Canada. It is estimated that 34,000 settlers entered the Province in 1831, and during the four years, 1829-1832, fully 160,000 were added to the population. Pickering Township had its growing time in this period in common with the rest of the province. It was during this period that the communities in which we are interested, namely Atha and Altona, received their influx of settlers. Among the first settlers of come to the eigth concession was Nathan Bentley, who came in 1831 and purchased the bush farm, Lot 32, Con. 9 where he resided contin- uiusly till his death in 1874. One of his daughters, N rs. C. IflcAvoy, remained on the farm until the death of her husband, the owner now being Mr. A. Carruthers. The Lehman family seem to be one of the next to come. Daniel Lehman came in 1833, bought the south half of Lot 35, Con. 8 and in 1835 he and his bride settled on the farm. he erected a sawmill, which continued in busy and successful operation as long as he lived. After his death in 1867 one of his sons, Abraham, contin- ued to operate the saw mill, which was later transformed into a chopping mill. The mill at this time is not in use, but the property still (3) remains in the family. Mr. Eli Lehman, being the present owner. John ;dell, a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, came to Janada, with his wife, in 1834, and settled on Lot 28, Con. 7. One of the sons, John r�. Bell, married and remained on the horiiestead, making stock — raising a prominent feature of his f.rming activities. His daughter Tars. Peter Stewart, and her two sons, John and Peter, lived there until the death of the former, also the son John, and the property was then purchased by Mr. Joseph Byer. 1vichael Nighswander and his bride Susannah Barkey, came in 1838 and located on Lot 34, Con. 7. In 1845 he erected a sawmill on the farm in which he did a good business for 45 years. Their family numbered ten, two sons, Michael and Tillman liveG on the homestead until their death, and the property is now olan,d by Mr. Kirton. The Whitson family also came from Scotland, settling on Lot 26, Con. 7 in 1839. One of the sons John, lived at Lot 28, Con. 8 and since the death of their p-.rents, the two daughters lh,isses Ella and Georgie, still reside there. Samuel Hoover of Markham purchased Lot 34, Con. 8 on Oct. 13, 1843. It was then known as Mercer's Swamp, Navin, been granted in 1806 to Andrew Piercer on his fulfillment of the settlement duties. In 1847, Abraham Hoover, a son, with his wife t_ok possession, a house having been built and about 10 acres cleared prior to that time. He became the owner of about 4.00 acres of land and the only farm still belonging to the original Hoover's is that owned by Pir. J. B. Hoover, the others now being ot•ned by Mr. Tran, Mr. Louis Hoover, and Firs. D. MacDonald. Adam Spears, a native of Scotland, settled on Lot 29, Con. 7, in the forties and established a saw�rrill on the stream running through the farm. Large quantities of lumber were teamed from here to be shipped at Frenchman's Bay. This mill was continued in operation by his sonJames till about fifty years ago. 'he property is now owned by Mr. Frank Bielby. Other pioneer names familiar are, Lapp, Brown, Lott, Harrison, Hishey, but all of these have now left the district and others have taken their places. One of the earliest settlers in the Altona district seems to have been the Daniel Yake family, who carve about the year 1804 to North i k The c�rne overland to Canada from z Lot 33, Con. 9, Pic ering. y a Pennsyloania, with their family, their little effects and three cattle. Of the children only Michael remained in Pickering. About the year 1816 he married Jane Van Zant by whom he had a family of t`relve. One of the daughters, Polly, married lair. Jones and spent all her long life on the farm at Lot 1, Con.2, Uxbridge. ThF farm still remains in the Jones name, Ralph and Mary, still residing there. Another son, Abijah, also lives in Altona, his name long being connected with the Union Sunday School. Another name familiar to Altona people, was that of Monkhouse. Joseph i,,onkhouse came from Cumberland, England in 1849 and began storekeeping in Altona the following year. In 1857 he married Christena Reesor and leaving the store be, -an milling, at the mill built by Abraham Reesor. In 1865 his wife died and in 1874 moved to Lot 32, Con. 9 now owned by Mr. Wm. Heesor, and for twelve years r,anageca the farm. His second wife was Elizabeth Kester. Besides being a successful busin ness man and farmer he was interested in public affairs. Serving ten years on the council. On his brothers death he returned to the sore and remained there until his d eath in 1903. "e eras succeeded by his son `.Millis J. i,.onkhouse. At an early date, Samuel Nighswander built a mill at Lot 31, Con. 9. For a number of years this mill was operated by Tti r. Cliff as a woollen mill, later by Mr. Enos 1�ighswander as a grist mill, and now by Peter Nighswander as a cider mill. Daniel Barkey was born in Whitchurch township in 1824 and settled on N lot 28, Con. 9 in the early forties. ne was a preacher of the Mennonite faith andLived to a ripe old age. The farm is still in the family and occupied by his grandson Charles Barkey. Other pioneer names familiar were Peter Reesor, Samuel Hoover, White, Jacob Stouffer, MacFailone and i,-iliard. It, is difficult for the young people of the present generation to appreciate the hardships and sacrifices of the pioneers. Immigrants at this time had to face a long tedious and often dangerous sea voyage and a trailsome journey from the ports of the lower provinces or the Atlantic states. lv.,any came from far away countries, and have made wonderful progress in this area. 6ki f M� - ;, -I J%" `6 .� _-A "Altona" by Abi iah Jones We lift the curtain as we try to gaze into the dim and distant past and present a short sketch as far as possible of the times of the olden days. The custom of the early settlers, their deprivations, the hardships, their successes, disappointments., their failures with the raising of large families of eight to twelve children in every home. They toiled knowing "'by the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.', Altona settlement situated on the townline dividing the townships of Pickering and Uxbridge, has its main street running north and south. We shall commence at the south end at the old carding mill owned by Edwin Cliff 'liter did a rushing business for many years where the farmers took wool to be made into ;pats and rolls ready for the old spinning wheels,to be spun into yarn, fine for the plaid dresses of malty patterns and many colours; and coarser for the warm petticoats which has almost been discarded and become a think of the past. There was a time when they were worn but that was long ago. The grey fullcloth for the mens pants and warm coats. The double and twisted yarn for heavy socks - when two skeins of yarn were rolled in separate balls the size of turnip and placed in pans. The old spinning wheel put into action and the yarn from each ball placed on the spindle together rolling in the pan and the nimble fingers of the spinner soon had a skein of double twisted yarn for mens heavy wool socks. Now no more is heard the humming of the old carding mill, the buzzing of the old spinning wheel or the click of the measuring reel which you heard in the old pioneer homes of long ago. Coming to the old mill lane, there stood an old house where the Bodins and Andrew families lived on the south west corner. It has disappeared these many years and a new home erected. Crossing the old mill lane to the north west corner stood the old blacksmith shop of James Chambers and his residence, who met an untimely death when the large mill dam broke in June about the year 1851 when he was drowned. James Wilson married his widow and carried on the blacksmith business for marry years. Not far fvom this was the workshop of Joe Monkhouse with hall overhead where preac'ner Day, father of Professor Day, held services some seventy years ago. These places have disappeared and a beautiful home stands on the site. Coming to the hill of mill lane or mill street, stands the large grist mill erected by Reesors eighty or ninety years ago. Some of the upper pottion has been taken down and made much lower. The mill and the little mill cottage across the street and the old Reesor homestead across the stream are landmarks of the days long ago. We leave the old mill pond and retrace our steps up mill lane and pass its corner where splendid homes are built. We turn north again on main street and on the west side stands a comfortable home erected many years ago. Beside it stood the old brick schoolhouse, where within its walls we often felt the sting of the schoolteacher's five fingered strap on the birch rod. One one occasion, he sent one of the boys down to the head of the old mill pond to cut a rod, as the old one was getting used up by continual use. In the olden days, you could get a good fish pole at the head of the pond eight to twelve feet long. So the boy cut a fish pole instead of a rod. When he bro,.-?bt it in, the boys began to snicker, wondering if our good old Scotch teacher was going fishing and they were going to have a half holiday, but soon they found out the holiday was different to what hey haad hoped for. The teacher cut the small end off the pole and the boy, who was sent for the rod, got the first taste.. The boys that snickered got the next taste. The teacher's body is now resting in the quiet churchyard in the hamlet. He died in 1851, age seventy years. We now cross to east side of main street, where once stood a frame dwellifg house. The end,facing the street, was the store. When the site was purchased by Thomas Monkhouse, he erected the large brick store and when the foundation was laid and the first floor covered with boards, the Honourable George Brown made a political speach and the woods around rang with his oratory. This large brick store, where a fortune was made in groceries and china, is now closed. But it still stands as one of the landmarks of the olden days. Adjoining is the old Dutch church and church yard of reverent and sacred memories where many of the old pioneers' bodies rests who in life often heard the dismal howl of the wolf, saw the prowling bear and fleeting deer. The church still is used as a place of worship by its good people and the beautiful church ►a.rd,so well kept, might well be an example to some larger church yards. To the north, where now stands the old Dutch shed, once stood the old log schoolhouse with its small playground. We now come to the dividing line of the townships of Pickering and Uxbridge and cross over to the corner where the old Altona Inn, with its gilded sign and gilded bar room, has long since passed away and a more pretentious brick building erected. Now no longer a bar room but a growing store which is a benefit where the people of the little hamlet and surrounding district can get groceries of all kinds. The names of the hotel keepers who once stood behind the bar were Lindsay, Cooper, Fishburn, Brown, McKay? Graves. On the opposite corner, the Jones farm, once stood the old shoe shop where a busy trade was done. One had to have the foot measured for the long cowhide boots reaching up to the knee. When removing the boots it was necessary to use a boot jack. There were copper -toed shoes for the boys and girls and kip and calf skin for the women. The old shoe shop which was once a dance hall has long passed away. The old shoe makers are all sleeping in the quiet church yard. The names of those shoe makers were Campbell, Baikie, Swanson, Reath and Jobitt. All I �CJ-WIk 40-2-0 -11 1; RIP CF� xI -A Is 14- c- tv P. ri THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1975 The Second Section Sports News District News A neighborly place, but i,n airport plans ALTONA — "We've progressed a lot of ways as far as things go, but the feeling is really lost." That was how a longtime resident of Altona summed up her feelings about the community to The Tribune last week. borhood as we knew it: that's old history now," remarked Fred Lewis, proprietor of Altona Feed and Supplies and a lifetime resident. The community of Altona comes under the plans for the Pickering airport and now, most lifetime residents have moved away, or have plans to move. areas around Ontario: Lindsay, Peterborough, Barrie, Orillia, Stratford, and elsewhere. But, as Mrs. Bert Lewis puts it, "When Most older residents you've been there that "The old neigh- have moved to other rural long, the roots get awful k This building *as first used as a hotel, took place there. Operating the building as a then general store, and then apartments. it store, beginning in 1921, was Oliver Madill, was known as the "Look -See Brown Hotel," who retired in 1955. and it is said that many hair-raising events deep. It's hard to pull out." Mrs. Lewis and her husband lived in the Altona area much of their lives and now reside on Watson Drive, Stouffville, In the old days, as Bert Lewis, 80, recalls it, "you went to Stouffville on a Saturday night, and .you knew everybody. That was the main shopping night and the streets would be lined with horses." Their son Fred described Altona as "just one of the little rural communities that con- tained a pond to swim in and a school yard to play ball in and a general store to buy a chocolate bar in.,, Fred, a former councillor in Uxbridge Township, had proposed a plan a few years ago to move some of the historic buildings from Altona to a new site to be called "New Altona." The plan also called for moderately -priced housing for people ex- propriated from the Airport lands. The scheme died, however, for lack of support from Township and Regional government. The proposed location was on "Century City" land. By now, most families are already living in new homes far from Altona. Others, such as Desmond and Adelaide Kerr, have made plans for a new life. They are setting up a Christian camp called "Camp Agape," near Huntsville. The Kerrs came to Altona from Toronto about 25 years ago, and soon learned to ap- preciate the community. Altona was special, "just in the way the community is expected to function," said Mrs. Kerr. "Like at a funeral — everything that has to be done is done by the neighbors that know you." The Kerrs' older children attended the one - room. school where there was "a real closeness amongst the kids, like a family ... a real per - Story and pictures by Ted Wilcox sonalness about," Mrs. Kerr said. Some of the happy times that Mrs. Kerr remembers were quilting bees and sewing classes held in carious homes in the winter. "They were really just an excuse for a get together and a gab," she said. They also thought back to using battery - powered crank phones with 15 to 18 co -members on a party line and never,, having their' sideroad ploughed in the win- tertime. But the most memorable aspect of Altona were the neigh- bors. When Albert Foster, on the ninth line, had his barn burnt down, the neighbors rebuilt it. And when a visitor from the city got stuck in the snow, neighbor Stanley Reesor hooked up his team and pulled them out. Although the buildings in Altona may remain for several years, those flesh and blood people who made the old community are now but a few. Even if the airport hadn't come in, Mr. Kerr said, "something was changing." Classified ied Section "Monkhouse" was a well -respected name in Altona among the early settlers there. In 1841), Joseph Monkhouse came to Canada and a veal- later set up a store in Altona that came to be known in the district for its fine tableware. The above gravestone is found in the cemetery beside the old Mennonite Church. Old buildings remain } Altona spioneers 65 7spitable ro� UP . A 41, The Frank Barkey home is one of Altona's oldest. At the top of the picture, the inscription "D.B — 1857" can be seen carved into a stone. The home was built by Daniel Barkey, ancestor of Frank, who settled at the farm in 1837. ALTONA — Even with the threat of an airport nearby, Altona today has a peaceful appearance to it. Its remaining graceful old buildings and houses tell a story of simpler, less hectic times. "People were more friendly. Folks dropped in to see you without a special invitation." That was the recollection of Mrs. Barkis Reesor of hospitality in her grand- mother's day, as stated in a presentation to the Altona Women's Institute in 1926. "Dancing, skating, Sunday School picnics, logging bees, sleighriding parties were all en- joyed," she wrote. "Father's word was law ... All were concerned for soul saving and church attendance." Altona was predominately a Men- nonite settlement from its early days. As the story is The two oldest living residents of Altona, Jane, and Stanley. Today, Bert lives on Bert and Stanley Lewis, are shown here on Watson Drive, Stouffville, while Stanley still their parents' farm in 1897. From left to right resides in Altona. are: their father Thomas, Bert, their mother told in "From Paths to Planes", a history of the Claremont area, "names such as Nighswander, Reesor, Barkey and Monkhouse were well known and highly respected in this pioneer settlement." Some of the land- marks include the old hotel, later used as a general store and today as apartments. In 1850, a store, was begun by Joseph Monkhouse, which became well known for its abundant stock of groceries and dry goods as well as fancy china. The cider mill, still in operation last fall, had originally been used for a woollen mill, saw mill and grist mill. Formerly, up to a ton of apple butter was being produced there, but the con- centration of late has been on cider. The farmers of Altona were involved mostly in mixed farming, and the farms were handed down generation to generation. One of the last remaining is the Barkey farm, operated by Frank Barkey, member of the sixth generation from Daniel Barkey who settled in Altona in 1824. Another important landmark in the com- munity is the Community Centre, converted from a one -room schoolhouse. The present building was built in 1911. A recollection of the early schooling is given by Abijah Jones, who died in 1889. Within the walls of the "old brick schoolhouse," he wrote, "we often felt the sting of the schoolteacher's five - fingered strap or the birch rod. On one oc- casion, he sent one of the boys down to the head of the old mill pond to cut a rod, as the old one was getting used up by con- tinual use." The oldest standing building in the com- munity is the old Men- nonite Church, built about 1853. The church there had connections with those Mennonites settling in Whitchurch and Markham Townships and services "have always been in circuit with others in the district," according to "From Paths to Planes." T h e A l t o n a Missionary Church was erected in 1875, with several alterations made since then. This old dam, now fallen into disrepair, grist mill and finally a cider mill. Today, the formerly powered a mill owned by four mill is powered by a Studebaker car engine generations of Nighswanders. The mill was rather than water. first a woollen mill, than a saw mill, than a The Mennonite Church in Altona is the oldest building in meetings were held in a log school on the north corner of the the community, being erected in 1852. Prior to that, present community centre property. '1WCt_ M)T �'- /-% bout ca&m— by Traveller ]Ross Johnston] Rosslohnston was a mvellingsalesman forthe Whitby Chronicle. In the years 1883-1884 lie wrote a series of articles about his ad ventures in the villages and itandets of PickerittgTownsltip under the heading "Our Town and County:' He signed himself simply as "Trd veller." This item on Altona first appeared on 12 December 1884. k�Z r t �;yrrr A;,�.L> ReesorMills from the Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Ontario (Toronto: Beers,1877). All about Altona—'Traveller' taken for a medicine man by a vinegary virago —Men, Mennonites and mills — 'Traveller' burns the mid -night oil. Whitby, Dec 9th. — Last letter left me hurrying along on the town line between Pickering and Uxbridge on the way to Altona. When at a considerable distance therefrom (I will not say how far as I do not wish to locate the exact position) I met with the fast rebuff experienced in my travels. It was getting towards evening, and a drifting snow storm had set in which proved anything but agree- able, especially with the wind in my face. Thinking it wise to take shelter a while, I called at a house by the way- side, when after repeated knocking the door was opened about three or four inches and a female face of doubtful age, not the most inviting ever beheld, peered out at me and demanded my business there. Putting on my blandest smile I replied 'May I come in awhile: 'Can't come in here' came the answer sharp and shrill. 'You might at least show common courtesy to a stranger, I only wish to stay a few minutes till the storm blows over,' was my apologetic reply. 'No room here, house full already,' was hissed out from between the thin lips and the door closed with a bang, leaving Traveller to face the storm as best he could. Learned afterwards that the 'house full already' was all a sham as I expected at the time. Too much vinegar in the atmosphere to allow of a houseful. Don't think a baby could live there without having tits. Hold on, this is too severe. I take half of it back again. The fact is, I had on an old rubber overcoat, buttoned up to the chin, one hand supported an umbrella, and in the other was my constant trav- elling companion, my satchel which make up probably gave me the appear- ance of a pertntbulatingmedicine man. Alas the medicine man of this partic- ular type, however worthy of honour, does not in this country and age receive the homage paid him in less civilized communities. Civilization you see does not necessarily mean civility. The treatment of a medicine man in the wigwams of the untutored Indians would have been much less rude than that accorded me as above stated; but let us not forget that the circumstances are different. Might enlarge on this head but will pass on. Had a good laugh all to myself as I pursued my solitary way. Found no such difficulty at my next calling place, as I was not only kindly received but invited to remain to ten, which I gladly did. Making a fresh start I pushed on westward and finally reached the Altona Hotel kept by Mr. Andrew Brown. Tired enough was I, as the roads were getting heavy. Andrew keeps a quiet comfortable house and does his best to make his guests feel at home. He professed to be a law-abiding citizen, and is therefore unlikely to give the License Inspector much trouble. He has been 20 years in business here and elsewhere, and is very fond of gardening. Mr. Thus. Monkhouse (brother of the much respected Reeve of Pickering) is the Post -Master and mercantile man of the place, and keeps a fine variety of goods embracing all lines needed in a country store. He is evidently doing an excellent business here. The business was estab- lished in 1850 by his brother Joseph, who carried it on for 15 years, since which time it has been conducted by Thomas. Can any mercantile house in the township show a longer record? Of church buildings there are two, both brick. The first, or oldest, is a small building owned by the Mennonites, of which body I understand Mr. Samuel Hoover is the present minister. This church has been in existence here for many years. The other building is much larger, and was as I learned erected on union principles about 25 years ago, and is still so held, the Reformed Mennonites owning the largest share. A Union Sunday School is held here of which Mr. D. Barkey is the worthy superintendent. The village school is also brick and was built in 1858, the old school house having been built in 1834 when the school section was first formed. Mr. Jas. E. Forfar is the present highly esteemed teacher. I am told that five out of six of his pupils who tried passed successfully the intermediate examination. Just come over with me and have a look through the 'Altona Mills' close by on the south side. Here we are, and here too is Mr. Abram Reesor the occupant, busy making repairs in the mill -race. Building frame, three and a half stories, water power, old process, machinery complete, mill been running about 20 years, capacity about 40 bbls. a day. Three run of stones, business chiefly gristing and chopping at present, but intention is to do more extensive busi- ness by and by. You have our best wish- es Mr. Reesor for the success both of yourself and your mill. Then close by is Mr. Flavius Reesor, also a miller, and thresher as well. His mill is a cider mill, and there is no lack of grists this season. He also runs a steam thresher, termed'Sawyer's Grain Saver.' These Reesors work into each other's hands you see. The one threshes the grain and the other grinds it. Now, although through with the 'Altona Mills; I am not through with the mills of Altona. There is quite a difference Y Tolt•it h"Te arGvccic �'tr�ttii��y rcxct lfa�eclyc o> .. Plan of Al tona, surveyed by George McPhillips for David Reesor,1857. between a horse chestnut and a chest- nut horse. We will now take a run down further south and see the Altona woolen mills. A fine stream of water is the propelling power by which the machinery is kept in motion. But water -power and the best machinery would not accomplish much without brain -power, and that finds its embodiment in Mr. Thus. Waterhouse, the wide-awake Englishman who runs this establish- ment. The late partnership between him and Mr. Farlanc, has been dissolved and Mr. Waterhouse has the business in his own hands. Went all through the mill, but having already described two other woolen mills I will save myself and MARKET HOTEL, C,')CNxR rROWr AND QY0269 ATIL, rr0MZ02114 Wo- Z'; ONE IKII.i.AR PER DAY. WIN firFt-claw NfAnxr.T 110TM having been leased by UK. ANDREW Bnowtt. (late of Altr,na, C'A"ge j is the bout dollar-M.- day 11013HO arotrttd tl10 ivarket- Holkiting a call A-oni rw old jr�alias � 111a sqp. rounauig eutu,trT. w m xm* St;d tbeuuselvea at lttrrna. 17-y. A:NDEZ« BROA74, PrsP. From Pickering News, 1 December 1882 readers the infliction of a third attempt in that line. Mr. Waterhouse manufac- tures yarns, flannels, sheetings, horse - blankets (in which he challenges any- thing in the trade),blankets, tweeds &c. &c. The machinery is very complete, and the work turned out of excellent quality. Traveller would gladly have purchased tweed for a good suit had he seen his way clear for getting it home. There is a large amount of local trade done in addition to heavy shipments to Toronto and Montreal. There, I must shut off stein for the present as the old clock has struck the noon of night, and I must be up and off in the morning. in 1890 the Stouffville Free Press ran this item about the Monkhouse store: The place is noted because of Mr. Monkhouse's store. The store is noted not only because of its large stock of dry goods and groceries. but esnenallv because it carries the largest stock of delf [sic] ware in this district. The whole of the upper flat of the large building (erected about twenty-five years ago) is trans- formed into a veritable China Hall. The visitor's attention is first arrested by counter after counter covered with handsome Dinner and Tea sets. This large assort- ment is found in a variety of col- ors in print and enamel, with plain gold or spangle. Under these counters are arranged scores of Toilet Sets from the comparative- ly plain to those of the most handsome design and superior quality. Next in order are arranged large counters of glass- ware, plain and in colors. On both side of the building run wide counters the full length, covered with a bewildering variety of fancy china. Much of this stock comes by direct importation from Europe. This fact is indicative of prices at "China Hall" No one in this vicinity need go to Toronto to buy fine table ware. LAND FOR ALE. P% A T of LOT 4 No. Q etwi 714, Etch C'o!1"Sakin nod riclernlit., rnrttttining 125 Acres, 30 of wbieh Ir n tl Lam] ft tXIM-01F'eaarr)o ere P vpell- in inn }1,nu-ie wnd 1lern, a young Clr, rharil sinol an ,xr►-llcnt NUR Site. The Lisod is of the f1ru riu+i► ily, and V-ill be 9c,Jtf law for cas& for fvnbr infurnmtico rnquirm at lbe Subirntwr, sin Ote irrrrnis DAVID KRF:Tr FR, i l_.E'i+'lt��netg, .T►ahr .;��, I1'�'_ _------- `�-3°wl:�p - From The Constitution (York), 6 September 1837 pt(�klili'iUiZiCi4L SCcjiiry® 1rCLiiM� + �+3-+tF ,200i. t_j C�• �u►s.I-��. n,..�„1..\stc�, cj. 1'�',vrclr_�,ti E I a °J iNJ ; 1tia 1 S 13 1V� �- 3rk�15 J 30Y\es cl 4{(e.- t� 6'I+o(- Yti•� 4e Te t„ 3er.i r ­_ I— __ <CA-i,c L 0 a n vt s J a F. _ L I :0 1 1 !D l7 C. Tors�'f� w. ors.���. O P V� 1 S e T C. 11.E t�lacl - ii- l�c�clr tt�»ct der O c r N -2 a j ;Z1 J.-YYIo� r ITF IF • • (; ku••GV, L] � J.' 1. �16t\��6451 r •.,�ar� 1cl / Nvcvzr p i 1 q (L y n 14Cu v z r {{ `/c_i<e- jV; Jl s11 �Jcl,.��e Ld 11 'AN nsvr� 1 �iJi 6, Q r*�Qr J. lit o ve_Y- _ I- 7 THE TRIBUNE, STOUF FVILLE, . ONT., - THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1958 Twelve Home Sub -Division Planned For Altona, Uxbridge Council Told Mr. Mervin Bunker has pre- sent could be obtained, a proper sented Uxbridge Twp. Council plan would be submitted. He with a sketch for a proposed also stated that the Planning Board had referred him to coun- cil. The land is under sub. townline running west from the division control and is classed Altona Corner. Mr. Bunker, it , as agricultural. f was revealed, had been to the Mr. Bunker suggested that as, �- township Planning Board prior the school on the south side o to council but no recommenda- Pickering Twp. required renova- tion was received on the plan tion it would be advisable to for council members. I form a union section and take Trustees of School Section in some 500 acres which would No. 6 (Glasgow) attended the take care of all the children in council meeting on Monday the district. night and pointed out that while Council referred the matter they were not there to either I back to the Planning Board. support or oppose the plan, they I Site Not Suitable " wished to draw attention to the III A committee a ppointed by the ' fact that it would be necessary Planning Board to report on _ to build an addition to the pres- the desirability of the purchase ent school which at present has of a site for the Goodwood f3 u n k e r an attendance of 38 with one school, reported they considered teacher. I the site on the Alger Maye farm The Trustees also stated that as unsatisfactory. It was stated, the present grounds were not that the land would require 1 of sufficient size to warrant a considerable expense in grading. larger school. Members Turner, Forsyth and The plan presented by Mr. Don St. John suggested that the Bunker, who is a resident of school board look over Nther Altona, showed his property sites. They suggested that an divided into twelve lots with a entire new school might be dead-end street about half way erected rather than an addition. up. He stated that the drawing Council referred the report to i -vas only temporary and if ron- the Planning Board. {, berialtl $ G) cttetie;, C,(44 / �" S j-a fh to h ; > JEnr, a nd Icm MAr5,h tmmn L, GI e-n 0.n(e Pca+ Ayer ib r a- �3 tie--tJ a DSO (� - T tiff n I I A e WFr;�c . DcLecy 4 Alice ,E)Sr:n akriet r he n Mctr•S�tmc: n -- 4. (Haar!��' Y�LIYIzv«-_ MCIC�uy�I7 (Parse;,� � Ye".A�' N_ bd 5DAr .�----ar-_hman n Nl5 r s t�rankpr' -Lcrcl _ --- {. W1 11) µ Cviin tinef Dorle 1k)-i It '.arms 91, M'jI<e cLnc') Rery) f3�11 Ben e4 lC R01)Iticj (3ri Ilinger L am W �1 ;3i�'�' ir• I 7 e ,ijEFFRE/ DALE- WILLIAMS NuJ. It),1912 (-!£AT11Erc DIAINJE 1nttLu ANS MAR. zo, 1975 PHy FLIZnBETH W%LLI AMS 5L-PT. 23, 1179 horr,wc A9o.r� � �, 'i i8 AYNDA (A(AG,,tc150) t-1AK. 20, 197� 1�1) 1q 60 y G�riS�o?i+er T%aui d .1u nC y Y (C!Iwq hEKVYN SINCLA(R BuNKE(Z A (ocT. 17 ) 1930) Lc-tp hzei,,Q i� \Hell, All- MOCA 19'i 2 E+het Mc ij (j .r 2 , Igi3 3. Clarence Ner�ry (5ep+�>, 1q�4 4 Viola Bea.�rice (gl,�,�s,lgib 5, HarVkj C jene (J-k,,. 71 (919 1. Marie. I 2' ,. 4, r, (� 3, Abbe - I, htARGA96T uK0kiAty (Dc-t 29 VID - Dec,3, VO4) �. Mina ;{ , fie to Ro1er. * Sc- t Ai -ICE Jf�NE JON6S C A P�O SC4f I$52 - DCC. , 1914) le,4 / ABISAti JotvES (Jr,� ' A51JAH JtNES (Sr,) C� (�Ry C-E0KG- E WILLIFIMS (gt✓i'T. (3119y7) `4 E I E4NbK GouDIE (SEpr. NORNHN N ELSOM $uNk<EK Feb 26, 6211-A%A5,9 1ct1,5) I T"o as 8 u f, m t1 A M 1A f}R-y YAY,E Sus AN BRowN �_ �fj :.. A .. % Y� E, h.o c,.,F,,� .� c -c-a+ ..� c_ ."cJc c 4 G�.,{;� — n /� ,e �._ �-� �,C.lt 4.,�c7V <�..C7c ��, i� ��.I�-„e, � _..� G t� ,--C✓d-v ' �--'�-.1r�,''f~ �4J 4..<.Q ��r( ti`� re. � �..�-"4_. �.t..�ln.-, Ge.. ✓ - �� A� - �-a - ,�i c -,�-e tc �' �f,G-t �. t./,a e-z ,��% * W 1 m 6etS 4 r qbta Altona By ELEANOR BUNKER ALTONA — The com- munity of Altona continues to expand. A new home is under construction on the lot west of Mr. and Mrs. John Greenshields' resi- dence for Mr. and Mrs. Privott. The corner home belonging to Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon has been sold and the new owners are making renovations. Expands "CHARLIE" ENJOYS ALTONA HOME ' Uharlie", a pet crow, has and milk is a favorite dish. found a permanent home with When "Charlie" was but a Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Bunk- er, Altona. lie was captured few weeks old be would when very young and ha perch on the back of the fam- since become a familiar fig- il,y's collie dog and ride an ure around the district. The ound the yard. Pictured albove crow has an enormous aippe- is "Charlie', perched on the Cite, eating everything from shoulder of 6-year-old Tommy. WO.Vms to chicken feed. Bread Bunker of Altona. Altona Student W Two Academic Awards Uxbrid.WWI ge UXBRIDGE — An -Al. tona student has won two of the top scholarship aw- ards at Uxbridge Second- ary School. Tom Bunker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Bunker, was prominent on the platform at the annual Commencement Exercises, iday night. He is now en - Red in Engineering at Tonto University. In addition to an Ontario r±holarship of $400, Tom so received the I.O.D.E. Mathematics Award, a Life- time Honour Pin and a Letter `U' Award. TOM BUNKER SLA, 01q IS IG LdWJjra5 Doty Is I'rmw gip' Weekly coli..-.Lmn� /?k L on education Like most communities, Whitchurch-Stouffville is an education -conscious Town. To help bridge the gap between the home and the school, The Tri- bune now has an education col- umnist. She's Lynda Williams, a former teacher and mother of three. She introduces herself to readers on Page A-2. Mrs. Williams' interests are wide-ranging. In the weeks ahead she'll be dealing with such topics as discipline, busing, homework, report cards, smoking, drugs, fund-raising, computers, P.A. Days, parent -teacher organiza- tions, street -proofing, `back to the basics', (reading, writing and arithmetic), and more. Mrs. Williams isn't anticipating positive responses to everything she writes. She's interested in negative replies as well. Letters pro and con can be left at The Tri- bune Office, 54-56 Main St f Pet West or mailed to Box 40, Stouff- ville, (LOH 1LO). Student, parent, teacher or senior citizen, education effects us all. What Linda Williams says, should interest us all. y�e�- -�ro rn ��,�'r►�et- ova I v u,in � � ne Me,rV (Bankex Ly o its. Thomas Bunker Wins silver medal �U 1 y lc/ jU ALTONA - Thomas Alan Bunker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Bunker, Altona, has graduated from the Faculty of Ap- plied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto with a B.A.Sc. degree. A graduate of Uxbridge Secondary School, Tom headed his class of 63 and has been awarded the W.S. Wilson Silver Medal. He established an average mark of 82.3 percent. Tom is employed by Sutcliffe Company of New Liskeard and is presently on �a job at Manitouwadge, Ontario. Thomas tsunker �. La eo r e_ Lord i' U n 4-ay 05; mr. ana lvlrs. !Merv. .Bun- *AL ker and family have return- ed from a holiday in the Eastern Provinces. Don and Glenna Goudie visited her family in New Brunswick at the same time and the boys had a couple of days good fishing there. Janice return- ed homq after spending the summer with her grand- parents. Mr. and Mrs. J. R.usch and 17�'U' S � 91 Chris moved from their j home here to anotlftr near k Oshawa and closer to Mr. Rusch's work. Mr. and Mrs. Bragg and two sons are now settled in the Rusch home. We welcome them to our community. Since moving ink their eldest son was rushed to Newmarket Hos- pital for an appendectomy but was able to return home on Monday. ALTONA WOMIEN'S INSTITUTE l; THE ART OF A WHITTLER Mery Bunker's an original F YOUR FAVOURITE televi- sion shows are Bonanza, Gunsmoke or Big Valley, then you'll love Mery Bunker's whittling. The Wild West comes alive in the dining room of his Minden home where one can see wooden miniatures of horse-drawn stage- coaches and Conestoga wagons. "I've never seen any whittling done nor do I care to," says Bunker. "I want to keep my own style, be it good, bad or indifferent." His style is definitely good as witnessed by the awards he's racked up in the three short years he's been whittling. "I don't know what made me start," says the owner of Bunker's Hill, which is not only his home, but where he makes and sells reproduction pine furniture. "I only have a Grade 8 edu- cation and I've always worked with wood." Bunker was a general con- tractor living in Stouffville when the federal government expropriated his land for the Pickering Airport site in 1972. He used to fish in the Minden area in the late 1940s and he rihad good memories of the scenery. He and his wife Eleanor bought some land and built a cabin, thinking they'd make a go of it for a summer. They never looked back. The cabin is now a workshop and the couple and their youngest son, Chris, now live in a modern house that was designed by Bunker to resemble an old farmhouse. It's the perfect setting for the stun- ning wood pieces scattered throughout the house. . A massive pine corner cabi- net and hutch in the dining room sits alongside a dry sink stand. The cupboards in the kitchen are made with wood taken from an old barn and have porcelain knobs dating back to the mid-19th century. I want to keep my own style, 'says Mery Bunker whose whittling has won many awards .T, ✓i� p y, `xr z Ilka g v This beautifully detailed stage coach and horses show Mery Bunker's unusual talent The beds upstairs are romantic enough to melt even the h_rd- est heart. The spare room has a bird's eye maple ensemble that includes a pyramid -style head- board and matching dresser and washstand. "When we first moved 'here, I was invited to a woman's house to play cards," says Eleanor Bunker. "When I went to leave, I retrieved my coat out of a bedroom and there was this beautiful set. I came home and told Mery and he said to phone her up and ask her how much she wanted! I told him I couldn't do that; I barely knew the woman! But that's Merv." That's Merv, indeed. He's a real tease with a heart as big as Continued on page 12 m page 11 ne of those tree trunks he ,rks with. On this day, he's ne home just long enough to interviewed, then he's back -oss the road where he's .11ing a well for the house 's building for his grown .fighter. One feels like a long- ie friend as both Bunkers er a dizzying array of food i drink. "We built this house to meet r needs," says,'Bunker. "We ginally had plans drawn up a modern home and then e day we saw and old farm - use being restored. I'm shy I didn't ask if I could have a >k at it. But I came home and etched it and that's how we ded up with this house. We ew it had to be a place where r furniture would fit in." The models for his whittling ;o come from things he has mired and remembered. He's e first to admit that he's a .........:....:.. County Life — May 1.2, d992- Pago 1 t country boy and it was this love of a simpler way of life that inspired his first carving. " "First he made the logs, then he added a horse and finally the cutter," says Mrs. Bunker. There are two cutters; the other one carries little stuffed passengers that Mrs. Bunker made. The horses pulling the cutters are made out of pine but the rest of Bunker's carv- ings are done with butternut wood. They include a hawk and moose,- along with the wagon and stagecoach. Every detail is covered: from the wiffle trees and blinders on the teams of horses to a tiny water -barrel on the side of the wagon. All the carvings portray something being caught in action; either a hoof raised or the angle of a head. "I won't ever whittle a duck just sitting there. I like to carve something as if it's living." Each team of horses have names, usually after neigh- bours and bowling and card - playing friends. When asked if he would name one after this reporter, his wife immediately understood the seriousness of the request. "We know people that say they'd rather have one of Merv's horses named after them than a child!" says Mrs. Bunker. Bunker did the stagecoach carving, which is called Going West after looking at photos in a book on early horsedrawn vehicles. It won first place in 1991 at the Agnes Jamieson Gallery's Best of Members show. It was only the second time Bunker had submitted anything for judging. "The year before was the first time. I entered the cutter and it didn't do quite so well. This year the wagon, which I call Rest Time on the Trail, also Continued on page 13 'I'll only sell because I want to, not because I have to, 'he says y From page 12 Bunker won't say what type placed first in the same show. I of money his whittling could modeled that after one Eleanor garner but he will say it's in the and I saw at Black Creek four digits. He'd like to try his Pioneer Village last fall. The hand at competitions outside of staff let me in to the exhibit the local area where he's area so I could take some mea- unknown and then he might surements of it. It's representa- think about selling his work. tive of an interesting time in "I've worked for 49 years to Pennsylvania history when be able to do this. It takes me people started moving west — three to four months of 40-hour the early 1700s till the mid weeks to whittle one model. So 1800s. I've actually had some I'll only sell because I want to, offers on that one." not because I have to." Everything old is new again dah posts. Eleanor designed the bargeboard trim around the verandah and Mery created it. The house was done by April 1977. Of all the things in all the boxes Eleanor had driven up in the pick-up truck, the only thing irreparably damaged was a white -fox collar on a winter coat she had stored in the garage. "Somewhere, there was fur -lined mouse nest, but we never found it." But that's only half the story of the Bun - by Susan Belson Some homes are interesting because of their history. Some are interesting because of how they were built. Still others are inter- esting because of what they contain. Mervyn and Eleanor Bunker's house qualifies on two counts. Their house isn't old enough to have a lot of history. But as virtually a one-man con- struction job and as the repository of a col- lection of pine furniture, each piece with a narrative of its own, it certainly meets the other two criteria handily. Remember the Pickering airport? The Bunkers lived in Altona, three miles outside of Stouffville — once a village of its own, now so absorbed into the nearby community that it no longer rates a mention on the map. But as they say in the real estate business, only three things matter: location, location, and location. The Bunkers were among the people who had their homes swiped out from under them as the federal government prepared for the airport that would never be. The 1974 expropriation forced them to contemplate where they wanted to live and Haliburton County was the region they de- cided explore. (They knew the area from the grandfather of a friend of Merv's: said grand- father had a cottage on lake Kushog near Pine Springs and Mery had been up here a few times.) He wanted fishing, she wanted flowers, and, for their children, they needed to be on a school -bus route and handy to town. They found what they were looking for off Highway 35 west of Mountain Lake. "It was trees right down to the road," Mery recalls. "We made a picnic table out of two trees and a piece of plywood, and sat around it on lawn chairs under a tarpaulin." The next year, over two weekends, Mery built a cabin 20 feet by 30 feet on block pillars to get them out of the caterpillars and the black flies. In April 1976, they got down to the business of house -building. Mery stayed at the site with the family dog. Some- times he didn't leave the property for six weeks at a time. Eleanor commuted with the two younger children, Pat and Chris, on weekends. (The two older children, Tom and Linda, were al- "The p ready married with families of their prohibiti own.) Mery had been a compare custom homebuilder all his life, starting guys who e out in his father's business. This would more. Bu be the third house he smoothne built for his family, all of his own design. (The first was made from the materials of the house that both he and his mother had been born in.) "We saw an old farmhouse west of Sunderland and the exterior got my mind going about what this house would look like," he recalls. "We sure had lots of old furniture to go with it." "We didn't know a soul up here," says Eleanor, "not suppliers or contractors. But Mery and Eleanor Bunker's (above) house was inspired by an old farmhouse near Sunderland. Mery turned the posts of the verandah on an old lathe and fashioned the barge - board after Eleanor's design (detail right). the meat manager at the A&P in Stouffville said that Carnarvon Lumber was a good place to deal." For what labour he needed, Mery relied mostly on people he'd worked with before around the Stouffville area. Block layers and plumbers who had been regular subcon- tractors put themselves out to come up and work on the house. They had the same problem, of course, as everyone who builds a house in Haliburton: bedrock. But the excavation and other sites d rice of wet plastering is ve for most people today, to drywall. And the old an do it aren't around any t you can't beat it for the ss of the finished look. " on the property yielded the granite for the living -room fireplace, which Mery hefted into place himself. For it was, by and large, a one-man job, though Eleanor and the kids helped. According to her father, Pat, their younger daughter, "could wheel cement like a man." When summer came and the children were out of school, Eleanor started moving things north in the pick-up truck. Sometimes she'd make two trips a day. There were 12-by-12 hand-hewn beams from an old barn, a old bell -house off the garage in Altona that now sits on top of the garage here, rough pine siding cut right out of the bush near Claremont. And all that 19th-century pine furniture that Mery had spent untold hours restoring. Finally, moving day. "On August 21st," Eleanor recalls, "we had an auc- tion sale in Altona of everything that was left. We slept on the floor overnight and moved up here August 22nd." The family lived in the little cabin all summer and fall while work continued on the house. Then winter came. "It'd be minus 30 outside and you could sit in there without your shirt on," says Merv. "But don't put your feet on the floor. There was even ice under the bed." "It was fun," Eleanor says in retrospect. "I figure we pioneered up here." It was 15-year-old Pat who finally got the bright idea of moving into the basement of the new house. That way they'd have better heating and running water and a toilet! Just before Christmas, they shifted. And the work continued. George Broney, a plasterer who had done all Merv's work in years gone by, came and lived with them for six weeks while he did the interior walls. "The price of wet -plastering is prohibitive for most people today, compared to drywall," says Merv. "And the old guys who can do it aren't around any more. But you can't beat it for the smoothness of the finished look. It compensates for all the irregularities in the; studs the way drywall never can." As things got more finished, Eleanor' started to come into her own. "I did all the: painting and decorating," she says. "As Merv' finished out the trim, I started painting and we met in the breezeway. Then Ron Murdoch i came in and laid the carpet as I was hanging; the curtains. The day after that, the furniture- was in. Do you think we were in a hurry?" The board -and -batten siding went up.. Mery bought an old lathe to turn the veran Mery and Eleanor Bunker enjoy a cup of coffee in front of the fireplace he built with granite from the property. The "table " in front of them is actually a box, made from Merv's mother's dough box. The lid was Eleanor's grandmother's bake board. kers' house. The other half is what's inside. It started with an old pine table from her father that was black with age. Mery stripped and refinished it. That led to chairs and cupboards and hutches and desks and beds. "Our bed is made from old church pews," Mery announces. "There was a Presbyterian church in New- market that had decided to get some new pews to go with their new interior decor and I was asked to put in an offer on the old ones. Turned out they only got one other offer on them, but even though this chap would have given them more money, they didn't like the fact that he had, well, sort of a snootful when he came to see them. So they accepted my offer. I got a call one day saying the pews had to be out of there the next Sunday, right after service. They were still counting the collec- tion when we started loading the pews. There was an old chap there who said the pews had been brought into the church 97 years before and they were old then. And it's been 20 years since I bought them. There were enough pews to seat 250 people. I used two of them to make the bed and sold the rest." There are many other similar touches. Like the kitchen cupboard doors made of granary boards. The kitchen table made out of a feedbox. The coffee table in the living room made out of Merv's mother's dough box with a lid that was Eleanor's grand- mother's bake board. The bathroom mirrors made out of large, ornate picture frames. Half the story is the design and building of the house; the other half is what's inside it. What all these pieces, and many more be- sides, have in common is that most people wouldn't have touched them with a ten-iuvi barge pole, if they'd seen what god -forsaken messes they were when Mery first laid eyes on them. Now they are treasures. With a twinkle in his eye, Mery points to more furniture around the house that he has brought back to life. "More old wood," he says. "We can't afford any new wood." With their deep-rooted value for things that carry their own stories, Eleanor and Mery opened an an- tique store 'beside their house and kept it going for the past seven years or so. But it's getting in the way of his fishing and her flowers. So they're not going to do that anymore. Mery will make custom pieces of furniture on request, but that's it. Except for building a few more houses for the family, that is. A few years ago, he built one up near Kushog Korner for his niece and he's just put the finishing touches on one for Pat across the road from their own place. Losing the house in Altona was a shock and a disappointment. But the Bunkers have won through by dint of their strength and talent. Merv's assessment of how things have worked out? "I wouldn't trade this place for the whole ed ��, ,+,j,,"A V1'91iE i `a� This is the third in a series of articles about interesting homes in Haliburton County. mease loin Mervyn and Eleanor Bunker as they celebrate fifty years of marriage. Reception to be held at Club 35, He, sLske (10 km north of Carnarvon on Hwy 35) an Sat. Apr 18th, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Beat Wishes Only. Call Chris Bunker at 905-887-5487 for more Information. As I stepped onto Bunker's Hill, it was like walking into M an entirely different world .... a world much B E reduced in scale, filled with incredibly detailed buildings all created at one -twelfth their original size. The care and attention to even the smallest detail is impressive and one wonders about the skill and amazing ability of the person who constructed it. Mery Bunker is the man who built the 12 miniature structures plus the out -buildings that go with them. Merely constructing the buildings Would be a feat in itself, but Mery did not stop there. Each of the structures i finished, inside and out, with various furnishings,. accessories and tiny details that match the era in which the building existed and the purpose it served. For example, the small school house is equipped with tiny desks. On the blackboard, behind the teacher's N ■ desk, are the names off BY some of the students who attended the Stanin- ISTY hope School. NETT All the furnishiningsm and interior decorations were made by Mery or his wife, Eleanor. Tiny stoves, an iron forge, a a globe and garden tools are just a feww examples of the items that Mery has.s made to scale to decorate his village.e. Merv's display is not just a presentation of -beautiful craft -work,:, but also a lesson in history. The builild- ings are all representations of buildhings which existed during 61oneer times. Reproducing a specific buildinng in exacting detail can be a challengge. s If the building exists Mery will visitit it, measuring every detail, including haow the building was constructed. If the building no longer exists, he will gather details from people who remuem- ber the structure, or from his own memory and build it accordingly. SummerTimes 0 S7 The tin world The G.E.O. Watson Livery Stable is an exacting copy of the livery which 3 Tune 20, 1997 once existed in Stouffville, a commu- nity where Mery grew up. The building � • includes a weather vane on the roof in a urn er s / the shape of a horse, which actually rotates with the wind. The weather vane is one project that Mery remembers vividly. While he was cutting the wood, he acciden- tally ran his thumb through the saw. He I drove to the Minden Hospital, the wound was sewn closed with 14 stitches, and he returned home to finish the project. The blacksmith shop is a recon- struction of the business that once existed in Fenelon Falls. It is outfitted with many wonderful details. The forge and accompanying chimney was created out of stone held in place with (more on page 4) Miniature buildings capture moments in history Mery and Eleanor Bunker have created a finely detailed miniature village. (from page 3) Mery began creating his mini- ature village, built to the scale of one inch to one foot, in the early 1990's. At the same time he was also a furniture maker, constructing "normal" sized items for area residents. The miniature village is located in a building behind the Bunker home north of Minden. As one steps into the display building, the first structure visitor sees is "Bunker's Sawmill" This is one of the few buildings which is not a direct replica of a previously existing structure. "The sawmill is a combination of several buildings. There were no big circular sawmills in the area, so I created this one from what I thought it should look like," says Merv. Not only is it a highly detailed representation of a sawmill, the me- chanics of the building actually operate with a motor and belt to turn the saw blade. All the working parts were made by him, from pieces of scrap metal. "I can't bring myself to buy pre - made pieces for the buildings. Once I do that I might as well throw it all away. It won't be fun any more," he says. Bunker's Sawmill with is circular saw that actually rotates. mortar. The bellows, which fan the "coals" (there is only so far one can take realism) of the forge, are fully functional in the miniature reproduc- tion of the shop. Tie rings for securing horses dot the interior walls while numerous smithing tools lie about the shop as if the skilled hand of the smithy is all that is needed to bring the scene to life.. Pettinger's Grist Mill, the mill that once stood in Coboconk, is also a part of the village. The water wheel, adjacent to the building, turns end- lessly as water flows over it and into the landscaped pond below. A water- fall runs parallel to the wheel and fills the room with the soothing sound of tumbling water. A firehall is also part of the miniature town. Copied from the one at Black Creek Pioneer Village, it houses a replica of the pumper on display at the museum north of Toronto. With each building there is a brief written description relating the history of the structure. Some of the displays also have photographs or newspaper clippings featuring the original structure. Mery estimates the buildings in the display include over 50,000 cedar shingles. All were cut by hand, as were all the other pieces that comprise the miniature village. Even the wooden siding which covers many of the struc- tures has been cut in tongue and groove style and painstakingly put together. While cedar domi- nates on the roofs, pine is used through other parts of the construc- tion. "That's " what they ' used back then to make their build- ings, so that's what I use for the reproduc- tions," says Merv. The foundations of Welcome to the Stanhope Schoolhouse, one of 12 buildings at most of the Bunker's Hill. Note thepot belliedstove, the globe on the teacher's buildings are desk and the dangling cord attached to the bell overhead. constructed using stone and mortar. The bricks in the chimneys were crafted by him as well. The bricks are cement, with a colour- ing agent added. The village is Merv's pride and joy and obviously his pas- sion. When he starts working on a replica, time means little to him. The work will consume 10 to 15 hour days, seven days a week. Sometimes, he admits, he becomes so engrossed by the project that he has no idea,what Aay or month it is. Detail of the water wheel and waterfall next to the Pettinger Grist Mill, "Some people ask me how I can be so patient, but it has nothing to do with patience, it's stubbornness. I am not a patient man," says Merv. Another building of interest in the village is the John Hulbig homestead. The original structure is currently covered by boards, but a few of those are removed in order for Mery to measure the logs that are hidden beneath. The replica was built as it originally stood, a cedar log home. The wood which Mery used for the house, was taken from the Hulbig property as the pioneers had done when the origi- nal was constructed. Even the windows of the replica are made of glass found on the property. Other structures in Merv's collection include: a cobbler shop; Stanhope School; Twelve Mile Lake Presbyterian Church; The Reid House (a part of the Haliburton Highlands Museum display in Haliburton); and the home of hiss grandfather. Mery and Eleanor welcome visitors to the miniature world they have created. Bunker's Hill is sure to captivate those interested in history, impress anyone who works in mini- ature and intrigue just about everyone else. There is a $3.50 admittance charge and Mery and Eleanor ask that visitors telephone first to ensure they are open. The number is 286-1417. Bunker's Hill is located on the Twelve Mile Lake Road off Highway 35, just south of Hart Lodge. 1 j Ak ti Seventeen year old Larry Spiece, R.R.3, Stouffville, has been an entry in shot put competition only two years but already is considered one of Ontario's best in Juvenile class. —Jas. Thomas, Larry Spiece n ",.; 1 ),0 Puts fordista"ce STOUFFVILLE - To pick up 12 pounds of steel requires enough physical effort, but to then throw it 50 feet requires strength, timing and technique that few possess. Larry Spiece, a seventeen year old student of Stouffville District `3econdary School is a member of this minority group. After competing for just two years, `his handsome, husky youth has qualified for the Canadian Shot Put Championships to be held in Vancouver. He earned this right as a result of his third place finish in the Eastern Canadian Track and Field Finals at Etobicoke. Larry trains with the Victoria Park Track and Field Club in Scarborough under the direction cf British Commonwealth gold medalist, Dave Steen. In addition, he spends many hours working with barbells in his basement gym. After months of supporting too much weight, including elevator cable weights, the bar buckled. On learning of Larry's requirement for a more substantial bar, the At1 Allo s Com any past two years in the Georgian Bay Meet and ranked high in various trials leading up to the Eastern Canadian Finals. His greatest distance in practice is 55 feet 2 inches and 51 feet 10 inches in competition to earn recognition as one of Ontario's best in Juvenile Class. as Y p Recently, this young responded with a gift of a seven foot chromed man has been putting his weighing pounds behind a shot o vanadium bar to help him 220 16 pounds with in his conditioning g g p rp ogram considerable success. A --few weeks ago he placed second at a Newmarket meet. His specialty, however, is the 12 pounder. In this class he has cap- tured first place for the Once in a AI T NA — Twenty -one- year old Wendy Williams of Altona must still think she's dreaming. Next week, however, she'll experience the reality of a three-month tour that will take her as far distant as Bolivia, Ecuador and Panama. Wendy is a member of the Continental Singers, one of seventeen American -based choirs that travels all over the world. She auditioned last fall, following a worship service in Uxbridge Baptist Church attended by more than 600 people. She re- ceived the good word in November. "I'd almost given up hope," Wendy said, noting that only a few are selected lifetime WENDY WILLIAMS from all across Canada. Those closest to this per- sonable Christian girl, attest to her beautiful sopra- no voice. She's one of nine - Wendy says she's never had voice training, but par- ticipated in music festivals as a wee gal in public school. Little did she dream then that the ultimate singing ex- perience would result ---a three-month tour with one of the most famous choirs in North America. And the community agrees, it couldn't happen to a finer girl. Guelph University student Larrie Spiece, a Grade 13 graduate of Stouffville Dist. Secondary. School, will attend the University of Guelph in the fall, for adegree in Bachelor of Science of Agriculture. He hopes to be a veterinarian. Larrie is the son of Mr. and Mrs. K. W. Spiece, Stouffville, R. R. 3.14rei . tour members in a group called "Soul Foundation" that sings at special services in Uxbridge Baptist and other churches around the area. She's the daughter of Colin and Doris Williams, R.R. 3, Stouffville. A graduate of Uxbridge Secondary School and Centennial College, Wendy holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. She's a member on the staff of Richvale Day Care Centre near Richmond Hill. From Toronto, Wendy will fly to Canyon Meadows, California and attend a pre - tour rehearsal camp. From there, it's on to Arizona, New Mexico, Boston, Flor- ida then down to South America. A final concert is scheduled for May 8 in Los Angeles. She'll arrive home the following day. This particular choir has 25 members accompanied by a 14-piece orchestra. The young people range in age from 16 to 25. "I'm really looking for- ward to it," Wendy said, adding that her mother and dad have been very suppor- tive. La -- N -1 ��----�l - _ � = i / ^ 49 A Snort history of tn,a (Old) Mennonite Church ALTO NA The history of the Mennonite Church seems quite inseparable from the history of the Altona comamnity for several reasons. The original united group seems to be the only denomination to have built a meeting house in the hamlet, and until (5 the present church was the only one; whil0ln that year the second c_r.uren was built, t also was formed with a Mennonite group holding one hall interest. At one tif�.e too, the Comm],ity seems tc have been more praominartly Mennonite than it is at the present, the western part of Pickering forming an overflow from the settlement in Markham TVP. which also overflowed into Vaughan and Whitcauren, and these churcnes at one time were al.l at1iiiated witn the Aitona congregation. It also seems probable that the hamlet received its name througn Mennonite familiarity with Altona in Europe. Tile .Dutch Mennonite congregation in this German city enjoyed, under Danish rule from lbi^ on for many years, great free- dom as compares. Mitn other persecuted sections, and produced many prolific writers. Two writings, one a catechism widely used soli, and another, a book of sermons never trans- lated to English, were famiiiar boo.&s in many h:enEionite homes, and Altona :vas a familiar name. The cnurch seems to have exerted quite an influence too, in early times, and aspec- iai.Ay when the English language was first intruattced, perhaps more of the nLigr_bourhood attenaea its services than after more other caurcaes were built. The early history is a.aite uncertain. The MenDonita settlement in Markham Twp. began about _g'`S, and the Stouffers came to the viliage named after them: in 16N , and seem to nave worshiped here, since there was no enuren at Stouffville until much later, and some of them served as trustees for this property, though there is evidence that they may also have worshiped at Dixon's hill, especially a.:ter the M.b.0 grou_o was formed. but wrere the congregation worshiped, and <Nno were tLe ministers, is a question. The first minister re.:oraea is Daniel Kreider in 162'-, and the log school on the north corner of the present property was apparently built in 1834, This building was used as sebooland church until 1852, although the congrgation was well estabiisnad before this date. It can only be conjectured that they worshipers in the homes of members until 2934 and trat until 1625, and from 1636 (when Han.Kreiaer moved to Ohio) to 1851 the ministry was Sup,, -lied, probably from Wideman's in Markham. The present brick building was apparently built in 1852. The trustee's minute book shows tha first meeting in 1650, held in Stouffviiie, with Abraham Stouffer of Wnitcaurch, and Samuel Hoover and Martin N eiswander of Pickering as trustees, when axrangements were made for the transfer of the one acre, more or less, from Christian Stouffer, (wno had moved to Oxford Co.) for tce sum ci five pounds. Tee dead was not registered until# 1652, and retevved, apparently, in 165(, when the counties of York, Ontario and Peel were separated. 'Trustee meetings were held every year for a time. In /51 and /52 tney were hela in the schoolhouse. In 1653 t.le meeting was held in the meeting house, Swhicn nas led to the assumrtion treat in the su=t er of /52 the enuren was built, although zLere is no recording o* a motion to do so. 'inhere seams to haae been a building boom, on at this time toc, since many of the old colonial houses of the district were built about this time. One wonders why tie enuren was not built larger, considering the district it was designed to serve. Tne cemetery has al',_ays been a community one, and it is significant that the fi st eve is Elizaoeth Stouffer, wife of the pioneer Abraham Stouffer of Stouffville. R. 1335. Other historical business meetings were held in 1 2n, when the churcn sneds were built on the west sixa (it is not known when the first ones we're built) and in 1c-31 when at a public meeting it was deciaea to :Lrprove the cemetery; while in 1 52 it was deci-ed to sell both of the sheds and arrange better parking space. Trustees and their term of service nave been as follows, beside those me�-_tioned. Samuel ivigrs- wander, , 1651-53 ; Peter Reesor, , 1051-53 ; Jacob Le! ma n,1851 53; Abraham Reesor,1853-55; Martin Ni nswander,1853-78; Jonn_ Stouffer,(oi Uxbridge),1853-D5; Samuel Hoover,1855-57; Daniel Lehman,1855-&`; Abraham Hooverl8bn; Martin hignswander,Jr. 1862-1;15; Samuel h2grlswander,18b3; Jacob Lehman,1864-7; Joan G.rioover,l876-1;08; Edwin Moyer,1878-51; Solomon Burkholder,l8c�lt Henry Byer,l-n2-22 ?; Isaac Reaman, 1J08-25; Enos Ivighswander, 115-17; David Nignswander, 117- Thomas Diller, 122- Isaiah Hoover, 1g25-; Alien widaman, 1552- . On the spiritual side i6 should be mentioned Luat t.ie services here have always bean in circait witn others in the district. From the earliest records meetings were held here every four weeks. This probably applied until about ibis; or a little later, when another group Seas formed, and tna two groups held services alternately until 1y1�. During this time services were hell at least every two weeks, likely oftener. After 1'!1; one group aiscontinued and the present group held services every four weeks until 1y28, when � a schedule of two and four weeks alternately was adopted. Yinisters serving nave been as follows. Daniel Kreider, 1825, (perhaps earliarl - 1636; (proably Jacob 'Grove or Joan E.Reasor, both ordained in 1636, resident in Markham 1wp.); Henry Barkey, 1651-76; Samuel Hoover, 1873-;3; Christian B-axkriolder,18&V ; Levi Grove, 1906-3n; Fred L.Nigc_swander, 1037- : John G. Hoover, 1892-1 ;14; L.,T.isurkholder, 1 11}-ly. Acknowleagements to L.J.Burkholder, Robert F'reidmann, Wm. R. Wood, and others, by Fred L. Nighswander PLAN TO A T TEND THE TRIBUNE:, THUR51JAY, 6Erl. Z:), IU73U • nhi*stor*ic service ALTONA — On Sunday, Oct. 5, a special service of thanksgiving and remembrance will be held in the historic Altona Mennonite Church. Rev. Paul Martin of the Wideman Mennonite y' Church is the guest speaker, Paul Burkholder, R.R. 1, tario" by Lewis J."s. Burkholder, places the church's date of construction at 1852. Christian Stouffer conveyed one acre to r, I 16 the Mennonite Society On Sunday, Oct. 5, the historic Altona Paul Martin of the Wideman Mennonite for this purpose. Mennonite Church in Pickering will be re- Church will bring the message with Names such as Daniel historical background on the building by Lehman, Henry opened for a special service at 3 p.m. Rev. Paul Burkholder, Markham, R.R. 1. Barkey, Samuel Hoover, John G. Reesor are listed as Mennonite Church was major renovations and 'roots' in the Altona Hoover, L . J . prominent ministers closed as a worship remains in relatively community is invited Burkholder, Jacob G. and deacons there. centre in 1974. The good condition. to attend the worship, Reesor and Samuel G. The A 1 t o n a interior has had no Anyone with Oct. 5. Altona Mennonite Church • • • uture i a fmite By Jim Irving He said the last farming and the land, Rev. Paul Martin. ALTONA — Altona service held in the church "hindered us somewhat," He said that "life for Mennonite Church may was Sept. 15, 1974, when it Mr. Reesor said, "and all is a pilgrim age," with be gone as a "meeting was "abandoned as a kept us from becoming God opening doors and place," but it's far from regular meeting place." doctors," and following providing opportunities forgotten. Aaron Grove, a other professions. which people didn't Sunday afternoon, a former pastor, said he He said he was always see. large crowd returned to always felt badly when "trying to bbe generous," Harvey Nighswander the little country chapel, churches are no longer but their "weaknesses said it was "wonderful to closed since 1974, to recall used. However, he and shortcomings" must have lovely things," but both the pleasures and believed every church, be evaluated; their not everything is lasted. some of the pains of its used or unused, has still a values must be em- "We have to use these long and enduring past. "speaking message to braced. experiences to God's It is the hope of those all." The message, "Let us doing ... "I believe there supporting the service of He said the church arise and go back to are greater things "thanksgiving and was "a solid reminder" of Bethel," was delivered by ahead", he said. remembrance", to renew the spiritual presence of ——-*1-�- sufficient interest in the those who once lived in building, which has been the area. maintained in church- He said he attended I The bullding, rain going order, to decide its the church as a child, in Burkholder, one of the fate as something other all kinds of weather, speakers, told the than just a local land- sometimes running congregation, was mark. behind the sleigh to keep erected in 1852. Bricks "We want to see warm, only to arrive were brought in from whether it should be "and find it just as cold C h e r r y w o o d a n d preserved or moved," Joe inside." pinewood from nearby. Nighswander, chairman Mr. Grove said the In 1857, the church of the worship told The services were always property was formerly Tribune. He said it had conducted in German, deeded to the Society of long been used by the old until his Uncle Levi Mennonites, one of the order of Mennonites, but managed to introduce stipulations being that the when the church became some in English at trustees were all to live affiliated with the Thanksgiving and on within five miles of the Mennonite Conference of Good Friday. site. Ontario in 1964, the "The people didn't Mr. Burkholder then services were divided like it much," he said, listed various names that among a circuit of three "but we kids did." read like a who's who of churches. With the ex- Cecil Reesor, another Mennonite families and ception of a few mem- "former participant," original settlers from the bers, the congregation praised the beauty of the Stouffville - Markham from Altona then at- setting of the church and area. Among the familiar tended the Mennonite recalled the "simplicity n a m e s w e r e Church on Steeles of faith" of its adherents. Nighswander, Stouffer, Avenue, on the Scarboro- Despite the latter, Wideman, Hoover, Leh - Markham townline. their rigid adherence to man, Burkholder, Moyer L- ---`""'- . ` ------ and Reesor. .4 1`•Irss••�. /y�9hswanderPM,(ie4;f1 �Gr�� e p)l Urk�k�lr4r Sr�rt) G.2eesor, lf.Nigkswa„�le r C.l2e P relt Mice. q •�9II71I. ��G9!��L ..,r''1 ud %%1 R/t1.•I�/IL 2l,IL�?G('!' • i•a . Ye I Attonn Mennonitr Thitrrh Sunday,October 5/80 At 3:00 Pm This Service Is Designed To Be Of Significance For All Interested Persons. You Are Welcome. in51de- on n6-x+ Payer fi Oc+c,ber 9 P o PROGRAM SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AND THANKSGIVING CHAIRMAN - JOSEPH NIGHSwANDER SONG LEADER - GEORGE REESOR DEVOTIONAL MEDITATION HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE ALTONA MENNONITE CHURCH - PAUL BURKHOLDER TESTIMONIALS BY Two OF THE FORMER PARTICIPANTS OF THE CONGREGATION - AARON GROVE - CECIL REESOR MESSAGE - PAUL MARTIN "LET US ARISE AND GO BACK TO BETHEL" NOTES I. The to ateea o6 .the chmah and gtounda ate pteaa ed at the inteAut shown by 6Ai.end6 and 6oAmeA pa4ti,- c-LPant6 o6 the Afton Church. They weQcome you to this set vice, and hope you Witt take time to waZk through .the gtounda, and at.ao to 6e?.Qowahip with each other abtet the aenvice today. 2. The Hymn Books used in the service ,today have been kepi Prom 6ohmeA days, and were made avai,Qabee 4ot th,ie seh.v.ice. 3. TheAe w tt be an oi4ehi,ng box at .the door o6 .the church 60A your donations towaAd the upkeep o 4 .the bu i tdc ng and gAounda . Joe HighewandeA " the caatodcan o4 the quunda, and Witt weecome contAibutiou to the eauee at any time. ^port tn_ of � S'.t� :a 'r,--_1nnttr) 'Al here did Altona get it's name? 14hy does the _Meng onite Church here seem to be the only one existing from early times? Where have the early pioneers gone? Where are their families today? The answers to these questions make interesting history. The history of the 'Mennonite ChAnch seems quite inseparable from the history of the Altona community, for several reasons. No doubt the name of the hamlet came from that of Altone (Hamburg-Altona) in Germany., The S)utch Mennonite congregation in that city enjoyed, under 'Danish rule from 1610 on for many years, great freedom of worship as compared with other persecuted areas, and produced many prolific writers. Tiro writings, one a catechism widely used still, and another, a book of sermons for every Lord's Day and every religious holiday in the year were familiar books in many Menn6tite homes, and Altona was a familiar name. The writer can remember his grandfather, Abraham Lehman, read - an these sermons regularly., In other Mennonite areas, notably Manitoba and Penneylvenia, there are also Al tona's. Yo doubt the reason this was the only church building in Altona for a long time is due to the fact that the community was predominantly Mennonite in those times, as was the entire west edge of Pickering Township. Even the Union Church built in 1875 was an outgrowth of the church here, with the Mennonite Erethren in Christ holding half interest It is regretable that so little of the early history was written.There is no record of a church building here until the log school house, apparently built in 1834, was used also as a meeting house. It stood near the corner north of the cemetery The first minister recorded is Daniel Kreider, in 1825. The Stouffers came to the village named after them, in 1804, and seem to have worshipred here, There w,es no Mennonite Church in Stouffville until much later. So it can only be conjectured that the congregation worshppred in the homes of the members until 1834. Daniel Kreider moved to Ohio in 1836, and there is no record of another minister until 1851, so perhaps the ministry was suprlled, probably from 'rdideman's in 1,7arkham, except when Kreider was here. The present brick building was apparently built in 1852- The trustee's minute book showd the _first meeting in 1850, held in Stouffville, with Abraham Stouffer of tdhitchurch, and Samuel '',over -arid idartin Nighswander of Pickering, as trustees. At this meeting arrangements were made for the transfer of the one acre, more or less, from Christian Stouffer, (who lead %coved to Oxford Co) for the sum of five pounds. The deed was not registered until 185?, and renewed, apparently, in 1857, when the Counties of Fork, Ontario, and Peel were separated. Trustee meetings were held every year for a time. In 1851 and 1852 they were held in the schoolhouse. in 1853 the meet- ing was held in the meetinghouse, which has led to the assumption that in the summer of 1852 the church was built,although there is no recording of a, motion to do so, There seems to have been a building boom on at this time The brick house on the Nighswander farm, Lot 31, on the Reesor farm, Lot 30, and the olcl school building, were ell built about that time, The bricks were hauled from the Cherrywood brickyard, and at one time the writer remembers that the Older residents knew who the bricklayer was• One &nly wonders why the church was not built larger, considering the district it was designed to serve, The cemetery his always been a community one, with many non-I.Tennonite families burying here. It is significant that the first grave is that of Elizabeth Stouffer, wife of the pioneer Abraham Stouffer of Stouffville and is dated 1835. Other historical business meetings were held in 1920, when new church sheds were built on the west side. In 1931 at a public meeting , it was decided to improve the cemetery. Isaiah Hoover, a, deacon, took charge of this work, together with David Nighswander the caretaker and a good job was done which took most of that summer. In 1952 it was decided to sell moth sheds and arrange for more parking space. Trustees and their term of service have been as follows (in addition to the original ones): Samuel Nighswander, 1851- 53; Peter 7eesor, 1851-53; Jacob Lehman, 1851-53; Abraham Reesor, 1853-55; Martin Yighswander, 1853-78; John Stouffer, (of Uxbridge) 1853-5,5, Samuel voover 1855-57; Daniel Lehman, 1855-60; Abraham Loover 1860; Tsartin T'Tighswander, Jr. 1862-1915; Samuel T'ighswa.nder, 1863; Jacob Lehman,1861-6^; John G.Hoover, 1878-1908; Edwin Moyer, 1878-91; Solomon Burkholder, 1881-92? Henry Byer. 140-1922?; Isaac Rearman, 1908-?5; Enos Nighswander, 1915-17; David PT ghwwand.er, 1917-61; Thomas Diller, 19?2-70; Isaac 1-Toover,1927-7? ; Allen Wideman, 1952-66; Jos, Nighswander; 19_.____.__. ;? �a.rvey Yighswander. Enos Nighswander, The spirit-,ual ministries at the place �r.,n early +i mes ; was in circuit with other meeting houses in the distri.ct.This was the method used by many denominations during pioneering days. It was perhaps due to a shortage of ministers, but in many cases it was contin'bd too long after the population warranted regular services at each place, Meetings were held at Altona either every two or four weeks. Among the ministers who served here, mention should be made of the following: Daniel%Kreider,18?5 (perhaps earlier) -1836; Probably Jacob Grove and/or John H,Reesor, both ordained in 1836; in Markham Twp,; Henry Berkey, 1851-75; Samuel Hoover, 1873-93; Christian Burkholder, 1889-1916; John G.Hoover, 1872-1914; L.J. Burkholder, 1878-19 ; Levi Grove, 1906-36; (as bishop 1937-74); Fred.T,Tighswander, 1937-65, (moved to Emo, Ont serving under Conservative Mennonite Gospel Ylission); Cecil Reesor, 1952-59; Alvin Baker, 1961-68?; In 1889-90, when the Ontario Conference of Mennonites was formed, they and the Old Order rennonites held services alternately until 1919,jfter 1919, the Ont^rio Conference discontinued the Sunday School and services here and their_ interest in the Altona community, except for P brief period from about 1935- 1940, when, after consultation with the members of the Altona congregation, they opened a work in the old Yethodist building at Glasgow. The raster of this work, Gordon Shreg, lived in the Altona community, and several efforts were carried out in co-oreretion with the memb°-rs at Altona . '..hen t.l-e effort at Glasgow discontinued, the congregation here Pegan looking more to foreign f ielas as an outreach, In 1930, the "Old Order" Mennonites in this district became the "Yarkham Conference, and in 1940 the "'Markham -Waterloo Conference`: During the '30's, '40's and '50's, attendance increased, as did spiritual fervor -rd the church enjoyed a healthy growth.Quite a number of young people from Non -,Mennonite and non --Christian homes found the Lord and warm fellowship here during this Period. C) has completely re -organized into three different affiliations in 1964, so Unfortunately, due to urbanization and other influences, the congregation that Altona figured less and less in the life of the former worshippers. Todaa� they and their families are found in widely scattered communities,(a.nd faiths) and some are in Other conntr ies. For a few years after 1964, those of the congregation who affiliated with. the Conservative Mennonite Church of Ontario held Sunday School and evening services here. Some from the community and from as far away as Toronto were attracted to the Altona DCXXXXXX 1,1eeting uouse. But eventually this was also discontinued. The expropriation of the area and the dislocation it produced seems to have removed the possibility that the building might again be used for the breaching of the Gospel. On Sept 15, 1974, the last service was held, after which the building was abandoned as a regular meeting place, leaving it as it is today, only a remembrance of the past. One could regret that it is so. The country church was eery much part of the backbone of the country and the early communities. It helped produce a Christian conscience and gave spiritual ministration in the place where the people were found. Everyone know each other, and friendliness and and orderliness were t're norm. They made a good climate for the greeting of other, and spiritual meetings that stirred the country in a much more proper way than countries are "stirred" (up) today. 22. You are Invited to Attend INFORMATION a Commemorative Worship Service at 31tona Aennon"tte Cburcb *unbap, October 3, 1982 at 3:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Dr. Frank H. Epp Waterloo, Ontario Writer & Historian "sett it to Coming 6enerationg" �(.Toe + U 1. TGti.s chuteh buitd.ing wad eonsttuc ted 130 yea-cd ago PROGRAM in 1852. Regu.ean senv.icu were heE.d untie 1974. On Oe tobet Chairperson; JOSEPH M. NIGHSWANDER, Trustee 5180 a seAvice ob Thanksg.iv.ing and Remembna.nce wad weft attended by peuo" .inteAuted in th,i.d Song Leader: ERNEST HOOVER building and in the adjoining cemetery. 2. The chuneh and cemetery atewithin the perimeters Devotional: REV. ARTHUR BYER, Pastor, ob ,the land exptopxi.ated by the Govetwent ob Steeles Avenue Mennonite Church Canada bot the new Toronto I ntvuw t i.o nat Atnpon t, but were exempted bram the 1972 exptopuation Historical Sketch of the Altona Community: MRS. LUELLA LEWIS ptoeeds. Mrs. Lewis is a member of one ,of the pioneer 3. Abraham Stoubbet and h.i.d wibe, Etizabeth., bounders families of this area. a b .the Town o b Stout bviUe, are bun i,.ed .in t tis cemetery. you may see their tombstones .immediateey Address: "TELL IT TO COMING GENERATIONS" east ob the church buitding. DR. FRANK EPP, Waterloo, Ont. Dr. Epp is author of a number of books including "History of the Mennonites in Canada". He is Past President of Conrad Grebel College. He has served as Editor of the Mennonite Reporter. May the Faith in Christ which gave hope and courage to our ancestors be real and have meaning to us and our children. 4. The peed mt turteed o b the chuteh and cemetery, Enos N.ighswandec, Harvey N.ighswandet and Joseph Nigrawandet, are gtatebut bon the .interest shown by br.iendd btom near and bat. 5. Obber.i.ng boxed at the dootd ob the church are provided bar anyone who wooed eike to share .in the experts e o b maintaining n.ing the building and grounds. 3 Page 1. 0t1•-5/�-Z- Honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, I feel it an honour to be asked to participate in your Commemorative Worship service in this little church. First, let me introduce myself. About 35 years ago, I came to this area from Goodwood to teach at the little red school house across the road. I have been involved with community and church work in this area ever since, even though we moved to Vivian following the Government Expropriation here. At the present time, I am the curator of the Altona Women's Institute Tweedsmuir History of this area, and it is from this information contributed by Mrs. Barkis Reesor, Mrs. Lillian Byer and Mr. Fred Nighswander I have gleaned the history that I wish to share. Further information was taken from the Reesor Family in Canada and the Stouffville Centennial Books. The theme on your program states - may the faith in Christ which gave hope and courage to our ancestors be real and have meaning to us and our children. Let us look back for a few minutes and see when and how this church was started. The Mennonites, so called because of their leader, Menno Symons, having met with persecution in Switzerland had come out to America on the invitation of William Penn in the early eighteenth century. Even on these lonely frontiers, the Mennonites continued the life of their religious community without interruption, meeting in the homes of their members and electing their ministers from among their members. As the American Revolution against Britain came about, they maintained their policy of non-resistance and non -participation and went about their own affairs. They had taken an oath of allegiance to Britain for sanctuary in America and even after the revolution made no move to renounce their British citizenship. As late as 1804 they were allowed to pass the border without permits, as British subjects. The routes to the north were easier, too, than over the mountains to the west. After many others of their group had already migrated to Canada, Christian Reesor had stayed in Elizabeth Town Penn., until after his father's death(Peter Reesor), at the age of 91. The new land had already been scouted out and found to be cheaper and having good soil suitable for their needs. You have all no doubt heard of Peter Reesor's history making adventure to Canada, as a young man, from Pennsylvania about 1796 and trading his horse and saddle for a 600 acre track of land in York County. According to the Stouffville book he was accompanied by his sister's husband, Abraham Stouffer, but the Reesor book suggests that he travelled the 7 week 500 mile trek alone. Having returned to Pennsylvania on foot, in 1804 Christian and Fanny Reesor and family, including Peter Reesor and Abraham Stouffer emigrated to Canada in 4 large conestogq wagons bringing possessions and livestock with them and taking Page 2 6 weeks to make the trip. Peter Reesor and his family settled in Markham Township where he and his father, Christian built a sawmill where Lc st Hill now stands. Tragedy struck when Christian Reesor, leader and pastor was killed by a falling tree in 1806. Peter nobly carried on in his father's shoes and divided the estate among the family. Abraham Stouffer, after whom Stouffville got its name, with his wife Elizabeth (Reesor) and family had proceeded 8 miles further porth and purchased a plot of land in 1805 where he built mills and farmed in this area. In the same year he bought 100 acres, a part of which is now Stouffville. His wife died in 1835 and is the oldest recorded grave in this cemetery. As was the custom, a father secured sufficient land for his sons to begin farming and it is recorded in the Reesor Book that 2500 acres were acquired in the surrounding area in the early nineteenth century. (by the Reesors) The name, Altona, probably came from the much used books of catechism and sermons used by the mennonites. These books were published in Altona, Germany. At this time the Mennonites gathered in the homes of the members for their church services. the first recorded minister was Daniel Kreider in 1825. This meeting arrangement apparently worked well until the congregation grew too large for the small log homes. At this time they resorted to using the old log schoolhouse, which was immediately north of this building, and built about 1834. This building was used as school and church until 1852 although the church congregation was well established before this date. The present brick building was apparently built in 1852. The trustee's minute book shows the first meeting in 1850, held in Stouffville, with Abraham Stouffer of Whitchurch, and Samuel Hoover and Martin Neiswander of Pickering as trustees. Arrangements were made at this time for a transfer of the one acre more or less, from Christian Stouffer, who had moved to Oxford , for the sum of five pounds. The deed was not registered until 1852 and renewed in 1857 when the count ies of York, Ontario and Peel were separated. Trustee meetings were held every year for a time. In 1851 and 1852 they were held in the schoolhouse. In 1853 the meeting was held in the meeting house, which leads us to assume that the church was built in the. summer of 1852 with the masonary done by W.M Feaster and the remainder of this work by the congregation. There seems to have been a building boom at this time as many of the old colonial homes of the district were built then. One wonders why the church was not built larger, considering the district it was designed to serve. The first church group in Stouffville is recorded as meeting in the schoolhouse here in 1840 where the present cemetery is located and the first church was built in 1874. So the people from that area it is assumed attended services at either Page 4. How well I remember the valley And that little old brick church. The hours that we spent just learning of God and His love for us, When we gathered together on Sunday, The most sacred day of all, In that dear little church in the valley - These memories we now recall. Those carefree days of our childhood Have gone and will never return, But no matter what life will bestow on us, In our hearts we always will yearn To be back in that peaceful valley, Just to wander along the way And to meet with old friends and loved ones In that shrine of our childhood day. Ellen Ostrom �h-cue , a /v a-wzaJ a4e� d It Page 3 Dickson's Hill or Altona. The Cemetery surrounding this building has always been a community one with some burials here even in recent years. The first minister in the new building was Henry Barkey, followed by Samuel Hoover, Christian Burkholder, John G. Hoover, Levi Grove, L.J. Burkholder, Fred Nighswander, and so on,These preachers were not professionally trained but were members of the congregation who were chosen by lot. The men gathered on one side and the women on the other to partake in the all German service. The first English services were introduced in 1875 by Mr. Samuel Hoover because his wife could not speak a word of German. In April 1872, a second church was organized at Altona to be known as the Altona Christian Church. The meeting place for the first three years is not known. Land was donated by Mr. Abram Reesor and the present building was built in 1875 in union with the Mennonites, now known as the Missionary Church. Church services were held alternately but other services were united. It wasn't until 1903 that a church for this denomination was started in Stouffville. Other former places of interest in this community worthy of mention were China Hall built by Thos./'4onkhouse, which stood next door, (so Ala temperance hall on the N.W. corner, a tavern, later a general store on the N.E. corner and still later made into apartments, a butcher shop; a blacksmith shop, the school which later became a community centre and in later years a food and supply store. As you can see these other businesses have been long gone. However, the 2 church buildings remain, even though the worshippers have gone elsewhere. We are pleased to see the one church building still in use now as the Altona Christian School. All through the years this church, as well as the others in the area, have had an important influence in the community. Let me close with a poem taken from the Ideals Magazine. THE CHURCH IN THE VALLEY In that little old church in the valley, The shrine of our childhood day, We gathered together on Sunday To sing and to kneel down and pray. We prayed for the Lord's tender blessings And His guidance we would seek. Then we left the church in the valley To begin another week. Former pastor conducts service at historic church Rev. Fred L. Nighswander, former pastor at membrance. Mr Nighswander, now retired, re - the Altona Mennonite Church, returned to the sides at Emo, Ont. The future of the church is 132-year-old country "meeting house", Sunday undecided as trustees seek opinions of former to conduct a service of thanksgiving and re- members. ,. /� S:-'.V --- Jim Thomas PROGRAM Chairperson: HAR VEY NIGHSWANDER Song Leader: ERNEST HOOVER Devotional: REV. DOUGLAS GRAY Reporting: J.M. NIGHSWANDER - on the 1984 questionnaire - on the current status of the church building and the cemetery Address: REV. DANIEL NIGHSWANDER - Daniel is an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church. - he has served for 5years as pastor of the Cassel Mennonite congregation. he is currently studying at the Toronto School of Theology. - he and his wife Yvonne and two daughters will be moving to Jerusalem in January of 1987 where Daniel will be a research scholar at the Ecumenical Centre for Theological research May the Faith in Christ which gave hope and courage to our ancestors be real and have meaning for us and our families and friends. Usher: NORMAN LEHMAN INFORMA TION 1. This church building was constructed 134 years ago, in 1852. 2. Regular services were held until 1974. On Oct. 5, 1980, Oct. 3, 1982 and on Sept. 23, 1984 special commemorative services were weld attended by people interested in this building and the adjoining - cemetery. 3. The present trustees, Norman Lehman, Harvey Nighswander and Joseph Nighswander are grateful for the interest in this historic building sho wn by the people of the community ofAltona an , s . rounding areas 4. The property on which the church building and cemetery areo.' situated has not been expropriated by the Federal GovernmenI for the planned airport, and is entirely the responsibility of thoe trustees. Plots are available for any family who might be in- terested in using this cemetery as a burying ground. A perpetual care fund is set aside and administered by the Public Trustee and the interest is available to the trustees for maintenance of the cemetery. 5. On Jan. 29186 the property was designated a historic site under the Ontario Heritage Act, and some financial assistance is available through the Town of Pickering for maintenance. 6. An offering will betaken for the expenses of this meeting and to assist with maintenance of the building and cemetery. You are Invited to Attend a Commemorative Service at the AItnntt Mennonite (114urt4 ii�unbag, October 5, 1986 at 3:88 p.m. Guest Speaker: Rev. Daniel Nighswander Toronto, Ontario Daniel is a member of one of the pioneer families of the Altona area A �cruitc Of U4ttnksgiuing & 9emembrance Altona Mennonite Church Declared h0 istoric site ALTONA—On Jan. 29,1986, the Altona Menno- nite Church was designated an historic site under the Ontario Heritage Act. Built in 1852 on the south-east corner of the Uxbridge -Pickering Townline and Sideline 30, the church was used for regular services until Sept. 15, 1974. The first grave is that of Elizabeth Stouffer, wife of pioneer Abraham Stouffer, Stouffville. It's dated 1835. The church is maintained by a fund managed by a board of trustees. Maintenance and pre- servation of the building is possible through the help of donations from groups and individuals. This money can then be matched by equal funds from the Government. A commemorative plaque was recently erected at the site. It reads: "Altona Mennonite Church —1852. This build- ing was constructed by pioneers who emigrated to this area from Pennsylvania in the early 1800s. Members of the congregation hauled the bricks from the Cherrywood brickyard. Heads of local families served through the years as trustees. These included Reesors, Widemans, Nighswan- ders, Hoovers and Stouffers. The first grave is dated 1835. The last regular service was held September 15, 1974. The church and cemetery are reminders of the work and influence of the Mennonites in the development of this com- munity." S - Tn. b-U ►, a APr. zo/i Cornm,Pmcra%rve Church $&#-vice held Uct, 19 -�-P Harvey Nil hs wa. nde r oonald Pugh Lynda. W;ll-ams Joe Wq hs Loa.n der Altona Mennonite Church designated an historic site Plaque unveiled To the Editor: On Jan. 29, 1986, the Altona Mennonite Church was designated an historic site under the Ontario Heritage Act. Built in 1852 on the southeast corner of the Uxbridge -Pickering townline and sideline 30, the church was used for regular services until September 15, 1974. The first grave is that of Elizabeth Stouffer, wife of the pioneer Abraham Stouffer of Stouffville, and is dated 1835. The building is main- tained by a fund manag- ed by the Trustees of the church. Maintenance and preservation of the building is possible with the help of donations from groups and in- dividuals, which can then be matched to equal funds from government grants. A Thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Culture and Communica- tions and donations, a commemorative plaque has been erected on the site. Lynda Williams Trustee a Commemorative Service at the Altona Mennonite (nhurxh Wunbap, October 16,19SS at 3:00 p.m. Guest Speaker. Rev. Donald Pugh 21 Cameo Dr., Leaminton, Ont. Rev. Pugh is a native of the Altona area A #eruice Of 04ttnksgiuing & +i9ememhrance PROGRAM Chairperson: JOSEPH M. NIGHS WANDER Song Leader: ERNEST HOOVER Devotional: REV. STEPHEN DRUDGE Reporting: MRS. L YNDA WILLIAMS - on the current status of the church building and the cemetery Address: REV. DONALD PUGH - Rev. Pugh was born and raised in the Altona area and serv- ed as pastor of the Altona Missionary Chunce from 1970 to 1976. - currently he has the United Church Mersea pastoral charge near Leamington, Ontario serving as pastor to three congregations. May the Faith in Christ which gave hope and courage to our ancestors be real and have meaning for us and our families and friends. The Altona Mennonite Church, Sideline 30, Town of Pick- ering, has been designated an historic site under the Ontar- io Heritage Act. A commemorative plaque has been erected on the property. The church, built in 1852, was closed in 1974. The first grave is that of Elizabeth Stouffer, wife of pioneer Abraham Stouffer of Stouffville. It is dated 1835. ---Jim Thomas ALTMA WOMEN'S Usher: KATHY NIGHS WANDER 37 You are Invited to Attend PROGRAM a Commemorative Service at the Altoila Meppoilite Qurch A Historic Building Constructed in 1852 Supday, Septeniber 29, 1991 at 3:00 p.nl. Guest Speaker: Rev. Stephen Drudge Pastor of the Rouge Valley Mennonite Church R.R. #1, Markham, Ontario A Service of Thagksgivigg & Remenibrapce RESTORATION PROJECT: FINANCES 1. A fairly major restoration of the building interior has only recently been completed. This consisted of replacement of the ceiling plaster, repair of the walls, new window sash, and other more minor repairs. 2. The cost of this summer's repair and restoration work totals $6573.36. Most of this cost was covered by a grant from the Town of Pickering under the Ontario Heritage Act as well as insurance coverage of damage caused by a racoon. These amounts totalled $5775.56, leaving a balance of $797.80 still to be raised. Any donation toward this deficit will be very much ap- preciated. Fund raising efforts include manufacture and sale of collector plates, which are available at a cost of $12.00 each. 3. Some fairly major repair work is also needed in the cemetery. The old slab type stones are deteriorating. Most stones need to be cleaned to stop damage from algae and moss growth. There is not enough money in the cemetery fund to do major repairs. Families may wish to replace stones of relatives, or to assist with cleaning and repair work, or to donate to the cemetery fund. 4. If you have suggestions or wish to assist, please contact one of the trustees. 5. Again, the trustees wish to thank everyone who has expressed interest or given assistance in maintaining this historic church building and the cemetery. Welcome and Introductions: JOE NIGHSWANDER Congregational Singing Led By: DOUG HOOVER Reporting: LYNDA WILLIAMS Special Music: JOHN HARDER Offering: Scripture Reading Er Prayer: REV. LAWRENCE BURKHOLDER PASTOR - WIDEMAN MENNONITE CHURCH MESSAGE: REV. STEPHEN DRUDGE - PASTOR ROUGE VALLEY MENNONITE CONGREGATION May the faith in Christ which gives hope and courage to our ancestors be real and have meaning to us and our families and friends. USHER: WE REMEMBER THE PAST KATHY NIGHSWANDER 1. This church building was constructed 139 years ago, in 1852. 2. Regular services were held until 1974. Commemorative services have been held in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1988. The purpose of these services is to remember the past; to give thanks for the present, and to think and plan for the future of the building and the cemetery. 3. On Jan. 29186 the building was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as a site of architectural and historical significance. WE THINK OF THE PRESENT 1. The Trustees, Lynda Williams, Kathy Nighswander, Joseph Nighswander are grateful for the interest shown by people from the community and other areas in preserving this building and the adjoining cemetery. A major restoration has only recently been completed. 2. There is.still space in the community cemetery, and plots are available for families who may be interested. A perpetual care fund administered by the Public Trustee provides some interest income for routine maintenance. WE ARE AWARE OF THE FUTURE 1. The trustees and many others feel strongly there is value in preserving and maintaining the building and cemetery. Ongoing assistance is required from the broader community to make this possible. An offering will be taken today for this purpose. 2. The trustees welcome suggestions for the preservation and possible use of this building. A .T(J * rio t Csirr W S P WBUNE SEPTM ER 27, 1995 A It Mennonite Church hosts special service Oct. 1 COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE Altona Mennonite Church is holding a Commemorative service Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. with guest speaker Rev. Winston Thurton, pastor of the Markham Missionary Church. The historic building, located on Sideline 30 at the four corners of Altona, was constructed in 1852 by what was then known as The Society of Mennonites, and regular worship services were held there until 1974. The daughters of Colin and Dory Williams were so taken with the fine old church that one got married at the -location last October and the other is to be married there Oct. 21: Since regular ser- vices ceased, commemorative services have been conducted in 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991 and 1993 in order to remember the past, give thanks for the present and ask the community to consid- er the future of the building and the adjacent cemetery. Repairs have been undertak6n and, while r� major work on the church is anticipated in tnw immediate future, continuing maintenance is nec- essary. Although some work has been done on the cemetery, more is required to meet current stan- dards imposed by The Cemetery Act. Funds are needed to cover continuing lawn maintenance, tombstone repairs and perpetual care fund requirements. Space for burial plots is available in the cemetery and inquiries about pur- chasing plots should be addressed to trustees Lynda Williams at 640-4981 or Joe Nighswander at 640-1536. Any assistance from the community will -be very much appreciated and comments and suggestions on the preservation of the building and its possi- ble uses are welcome. Reporting: - It You are Tnvitedto -Attend a Commemorative Service at the -A tong -Mennonite Church An Historic Building Constructed in 1852 Sunday, September 28, 1997 at 3:00pm Guest Speaker: David Ianuzzo Associate Pastor of the Stouffville Missionary Church 1. The Church Building - No major repair work is anticipated for the immediate future. However, routine maintenance will continue to be needed. WE THINK OF THE PRESENT There is a cash balance in the church account at the C.I.B.C., Stouffville of $547.08. 1 The value of the collector plates inventory is approximately $500.00. Orders for plates will be taken today. Insurance and maintenance costs continue. Any financial contributions are very much appreciated. Receipts for income tax purposes can now be issued through the 2 Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario. 2. The Cemetery Some repair work has been done in the cemetery. More is required to meet current requirements of The Cemetery Act. Additional capital is needed to provide income for lawn maintenance, tombstone repairs, and perpetual care fund requirements. Families of persons buried here may wish to assist, and any assistance will be very much appreciated. The trustees, Lynda Williams, Kathy Nighswander and Joe Nighswander are grateful for the interest and assistance of community people in preserving the building. Restorative work has been done on both church and cemetery. However continuing maintenance is required: There is space in the cemetery for additional burial spaces, and plots are available for sale. A perpetual care fund and a small amount of capital provide some income for lawn mowing costs. WE CARE ABOUT THE FUTURE 1. The trustees and others in the community feel strongly that there is value in preserving and maintaining this property. Ongoing assistance is required from the broader community to make this possible. An offering will be taken today for this purpose. 2. The trustees welcome suggestions for the preservation and possible uses of the building. Program Welcome and Introductions Congregational Singing Historical Perspective LYNDA WILLIAMS Trustee LOUISE POGUE LORNE SMITH Historian Reporting: JOE NIGHSWANDER Trustee Special Music Offering for Church Building Maintenence Scripture Reading & Prayer: Hymn: JOHN JENNINGS , LOUISE POGUE Message: DAVID IANUZZO Associate Pastor Stouffville Missionary Church Usher: KATHY NIGHSWANDER Trustee May the/ faAtly i w ChV&St what lti gOWe� heel a ,& cat,wa.ge,, to- our a-vt.c�o s- lv/ rea, l to- ay a v& to o-t w a i& fruo d6 WE REMEMBER AND GIVE THANKS FOR THE PAST 1. This church building was constructed 145 years ago, in 1852 by wliat was then called "The Society of Mennonites" 2. Regular services were held until 1974. Commemorative services have been held 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1993 and 1995. The purpose of these services is to remember the past; to give thanks for the present; and to encourage the community to think of the future of this building and the adjoining cemetery. 3. On January 29, 1986 the building was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as a site of architectural and historical significance. 39 01 40& THE ALTONA MENNONITE MEETING HOUSE F-vervone is `velc o September 15, 2002 from 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM to celebrate the 1 -0th � versa of the, "Ial M0,41ii o o a ❑ Decoration; Open House; Hymn Suig. O 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. arrival and decoration of cemeter, U 3:30 p.m. hymn sing, meditation and special music. ❑ Followed by refreshments at the tent. to r a OUR HISTORY The meeting House was constructed 150 years ago in 1852. Regular worship services were held until 1974. Since 1980 commemorative services have been held biennially. The purpose of these services is to remember the past; to give thanks to God for the present; to think of the future. Today's service has been planned to bring together those who enjoy the traditional style of hymn singing and worship in song; as well as to encourage interest in this historic site. The Trustees are grateful for the continuing interest of many people. Current maintenance needs are exterior brick repairs, roof repairs, new steps and a fund needs to be developed to replace the west roof shingles in the near future. An offering will be taken today for the above needs. Tax receipts are available; please use the envelopes and make your cheques payable to "THE MENNONITE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO". The building is available for compatible uses such as weddings, historical tours and events of historical or educational value. The adjoining community cemetery is still available for families who may be interested in plots. Please speak to one of the trustees if you have inquiries. May the faith of Christ which gave hope and courage to our ancestors be real to us, to our families, and to our friends. There it stands, solid and simple, yet attractive, at the intersection of Uxbridge/Pickering townline & sideline #30, in the Township of Pickering. Since 1852 the Altona Mennonite Meeting House has graced the rural hamlet of Altona. It is surrounded by the only cemetery in the community and by the graves of the pioneers who settled in the area. A number of Mennonite families were among emigrants from Pennsylvania and, in a few cases, from other areas. Until 1825 the Mennonites gathered for worship in the homes of members. When the congregation grew larger they began using a log schoolhouse on the S/W corner of the intersection. According to an old minute book, a trustee meeting was first held in the "new" church on January 19, 1853; thus establishing the church was built in 1852. Wm. Feaster was the builder. Daniel Kreider was the first minister. The reddish/yellow brick building, with its two doors facing the road; its eight small windows with 7" x 9" panes; its pine floors and pews; its simple interior with the main meeting room and two small anterooms, reflects the simple life style and theology of the people who built it so long ago. The floors and pews have never been painted or varnished, and are as they were in 1852. The plastered walls and ceilings are stark white as they have been all through the years. Two rows of cast-iron clothes hooks are attached to two-by-fours suspended from the ceiling; but only on one side. This reflects the fact that the women sat on one side of the central aisle, and the men on the other. Since there is no cloak room for the men, the hat hooks were essential. A simple long pulpit is the focus for persons sitting in the pews. The church building has never been enlarged or renovated. The past & present trustees have tried to use only authentic materials for necessary repairs and maintenance. The church building is currently in an excellent condition structurally. The cemetery is well maintained. Continuous worship services, although not every Sunday, were held in the church until 1974. Commemorative services have been held biennially since Oct. 5, 1980. Two weddings were held in this historic building for daughters of local families.` Tours are welcomed! Please contact any one of our trustees: Joe Nighswander, James Nighswander, Kathy Nighswander, Larry or Susan Cogar. "(Courtesy of the Pickering Township Historical Society) PROGRAM WELCOME - Susan Cogar OPENING HYMNS - led by Doug Hoover REFLECTION & PRAYER - Pastor Gord Alton SPECIAL MUSIC - Men's Quartet CONGREGATIONAL SINGING - Doug Hoover SPECIAL MUSIC - Men's Quartet TRUSTEE REPORT & OFFERING - Larry Cogar CONGREGATIONAL SINGING - Doug Hoover CLOSING REMARKS - Joe Nighswander We would like to thank all those who participated in this afternoons events. Special thanks to Pastor Gord Alton of the Stouffville Community Mennonite Church, the Men's Quartet (Quinton Neufeldt, John Harder, Bob Wideman, and Neil Drudge ) and Doug Hoover of Wideman's Mennonite Church. ALTONA WOWN-Is INyrMra 40 0 ALTOQNA "CHINA HALL," ALTONA As we passed through the little ,village a few days ago and saw a few men sitting about the corner in an .indolent mannem,a cow aicross the street chewing her end, and a few sheep panning in the fence corner, mur mind went baiok to the busy fjiays when (Monkhouse's 'China Hall' south of the corner was the hub and ibeehire of industry. Way back when the present owner, Willis Monkhouse wasrunning around in dresses this father the late Joseph Monkhouse was the leading business man within many miles. A reference to his busy store was made in an old ipsue of the Free Press, a paper publislhed in Stouff- ville back in 1890,. It said: — In 1745 the- old wailed -city of iCarlisle in the north of England was task n by 'Charles the Pretender. It was decreed that the bell in the tower of St. Mary's Cathedral should pat be rung for one hundred years, In 184,5 when Mr. Joseph Monkhouse was serving his appren- ticeship in his native city, he was permitted' to hear the old bell, so lone silent, ring out in jubilant notes. Five years later, at the suggestion of the Rev. Ludwig Krib'bs, he came out to keep store in Stouffville, but settled with his brother the late Thomas (Monkhouse at his (present stand. Altona is the eastern suburb• of Stauffville, and so it appears here. The place is not.. ed because of Mr. iMonkhouse's store. The store is noted not only because of its large stook of dry goods and groceries, but especially because it carries the largest stock of delf ware in this district. The whole of the upper flat of the large ibuilding (erected about twenty-five years ago,) is transformed into a. veritable China, Hall. The visitor's attention is first •arrested by counter after counter covered with hand- some Dinner and Tea Seas. This large assortment is found in a var- iety of icolors in print and enamel, with plain gold or spangle. Under these counters are arranged scoree of Toilet Sets from the compara- tively plain to those, of the moss handsome design ana superior qual• ity. Next in order are arrangee large counters of glassware, plain and in colors. On (both sides of tht building run wide counter-3 the ful length, covered with a bewilderinf variety`of fancy china. Much of tbi: etock comes ,by direct importatioi from Europe. This faict is indicativi i o:f .prices at "China Hall." No oni I in this rvictnity need go to Toronti 'to buy fine table ware.' i Morrxfiousm—John Monkhouse came from Cumber- land, England, in 1851, to Altona. He died in 1855 and his wife, Sarah Monkhouse, in 1862. Their sons were Joseph and Thomas Monkhouse, of Altona. Joseph Monkhouse came to Canada in 1849 and began storekeeping in Altona the following year. In 1857 he married 'Christena Reesor, and leaving the store began milling. In 1865 his wife died. In 1874 he moved to Lot 32, Con. 9, and for twelve years managed the farm. His second wife was Elizabeth Kester. Besides being a successful business man and farmer he took consid- erable interest in public affairs and served for ten years in the council, being reeve from 1884 to 1887 and warden of the county in the latter year. On his bro- ther's death in 1886 he returned to the store, contin- 1 uing till his death in 1903. He was succeeded by hisq !. soli, Willis J. Monkhouse, who still continues the busi- ness. L+1-y, *�.ta�` tt•.� I.,, a r Tid221 i/ / G 7- �- 100 llz J ��• /' is ;; l f � ! l f f/Gz- r� 2 2�/Y � . ✓'41� This month's cover is by Fred Gor- man of Smith's Falls, Ont. and is a tribute to the General Merchant. He is becoming rarer as the years go by and the Super-dooper-markets reach out into the country and I suppose one day he will make his exit from the stage of country life. Meantime, the sizzling stove is his trade mark, reminding us that he offers friendship and hospitality along with his brooms and twopenny nails. You are assured of a welcome whether you,are a farmer come to buy n month'c srrnnlies- a small bov come to 19. Deaths MONKHOUSE — Lauretta al the Rubby General Hospital Whitby on Tuesday July 31st., 1973, Lauretta Hood beloved wife of the late Willis J. Monkhouse, dear mother of Mrs. T. Seymour (Ethel) of Whitbyin her 94th year. Resting at the W.C. Town Funeral Chapel, Whitby for Service in the chapel on Friday Aug. 3, at 3 p.m. Interment Stouffville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the chaiity of your choice would be appri- ciated. visitors commencing 7 n m Th.—A.. JOSEPH MONKHOUSE -'RECEIPT rOR TAXES. Roll No. l��. , i. c�Town.-hip of Uxbridge ....................1876. t Assessment on Real Property................... Assessment on Personal Property .....�I ................ .i ` AXES. County and hencral Sehool hate, 20 cts ou the 100. I AD r Township Rate, 20 cts. on the ...... ......... Trustees Irate, Section''- o .� ......... ......... . . Do do No Do do No ....... ... `. . Pailway Rate, 15 cts on the $100...... v Surveys....................................... ............. Commutation Statute Labm ........:. Dogs.. ................... ................. Arrears of Taxes......... ............ . Total ....... Rec'd Fayment ZCOLLFCT011, { � _•� Cam[ �.c.f .�U-cd �� mod- <wc� 0 .0a 16S2 �w; 011). OK OK � r , /i✓�✓sr��✓r�/✓���r<<� Oar i✓�rr�✓✓i/s'i�i /i/i✓si/ l%ri�r/%iriiiirrrrrc / - Lombard Street, _ I ' 11A)YD�[ N. = .�aetlll'n, Mllf vtryyl ,Y.H1n.Y,.�,N v.IN}. �'--i/'I. THE ADDRESS ONLY It Bi AITTEN ON THIS SIDE. . -V?I-"lad C�� Al 1 4L llu 4-tet,, G /�ruc-e�a� d(✓c.e��_oC �i� 4,/Zt, Lam- L , G Z4,� ,Va.� CAAA A, PO S T C, �" THE ADDRESS ONLY TO BE WRITTEN 011. 51 I � ri �2---4CI, Lel-5� I'd � %'ice, z•��Q��•"�-C 5"1 15Ker_ � I GhUrc� and CI„h� (-}ally— taken �ror�, r.r� cict' Pcs� �arc� cia%e�1 /y13. Late Fletcher Goudie Fire destroys apartment ALTONA—Damage was extensive in a fire, May 30, that destroyed the rear interior of the Hyde Apartments, better known in the community as the former Fletcher Goudie home. Four families were affected, nn although the blaze was con- centrated in the section used by \ Mr and Mrs Fred Hyde Jr. Mrs \ Hyde, according to neighbors, r` was at work at the time. Mr Hyde's parents occupied the front portion of the residence. They have since moved to Bradford. The whereabouts of other tenants is not known. Since the property is part of the airport expropriation site, there is little likelihood the building will be repaired. Only for the quick response -by firemen, a neighbor said, the entire structure would have been lost. 134,ldlnr lurri cic:vn ,NgTown-"home" Fletcher Goudie, long-time Stouffville resident, passed away Thurs., Jan. 6 at the J. D. Ruddy Hospital, Whitby, where he'd been a patient three weeks. Fletcher was born at Maryborough, Ont., in 1895, the son of Rev. Samuel and Eliza Goudie. With his father a minister, they lived at different Mennonite charges before moving to Stouffville in 1906 to make this town their home until moving to Whitby. Fletcher was predeceased by his only sister Pearl in 1910 and a brother Allen in June, 1982. Fletcher was well- known as a tinsmith in Ernie Button's Hard- ware Store for many years. Later, he was employed as a steam - fitter in the Toronto area along with his two sons, Ivan and Don. Fletcher was prede- ceased by his first wife, Ina Mertens in 1966. He is survived by his wife Reta (Paisley) Barnes. He was the dear father of Ivan, Stouffville; Eleanor Bunker, Minden; Helen Davis, Georgetown and Don of Mississauga; also a step -son, Gwynne Barnes; 15 grandchil- dren and 15 great- grandchildren. Service was held June 10 from the W.C. Town Funeral Chapel, Whitby with inter- ment, Stouffville Cemetery. Pall- bearers were -Harold Lewis, Bob Lewis, Charles Goudie, Milton Halpenny, Gwynne Barnes and Jerry McKay. 7. IN MEMORIAM AND CARDS OF THANKS GOUDIE -- In loving mem- ory of a dear mother and grandmother, Mrs. Fletcher Goudie, who passed away February 21, 1966. You still live on, in the hearts and minds Of the loving family you left behind. Sadly missed by Ivan, Doreen and family. GOUDIE — In loving mem- ory of my sister Ina, Mrs. Fletcher Goudie, who passed away Feb. 21, ,1966 and my Dad, Joe Mertens who passed away Feb. 22, 1959. Ever remembered, Margery Mertens. Twenty _ Back around the year.1946, Stouffville High School had an excellent array of athletes, both boys an girls. Recreation for the girls was more restricted but as long as they could skate and wield a broom, th sport of broomball flourished. You may (recognize many of the players. They are — front row (left to right Betty -Jean Free],__ Audrey Slack, Miss Swinton, Margaret Freel and Marion Sanderson. Rear row__fjeft t right) Shirley BunUr, Mary Valleau, Jean Hodgson eanor Gou�dib) Vera King, Erline PaisleyCHelen Goud and Marian Murphy. Broomball THEY VALUED EDUC=ITION A large majority of those who settled in Pickerin- iti thr earlier' days were men of -air education, and among them there were not a few who had received such training aS fitted diem fo- business of a public kind, such as drawing contracts and other legal documents, keeping accounts and recording the minutes of religious and other public gatherings. Such men valued education an were careful at as early a date as Lossible, to establish schools in which their children :night enjoy its advantages. Practically nothing is known of school life in the township till the period of tht ti�irties. It is probable that there were small gatherings of children under instruction before that time, but the formal buildinE of schools and their systematic main- tenance begins about that time. the first schools were rough log structures, crudely chinked and 1,_,lastered, with unplaned planked floors, and absolutely devoid of maps, globes and all the modern apparatus of education. The desks, always homemade, usually ranged around the walls and the pupils sat on the backless benches facing them. the Centre was occupied by a big box stove, about which sometimes when the seats around the walls were all filled, other benches .,,,ere placed for the smaller children. As in other parts of Ontario, school life often languished in the bummer months, but Wien the fall frosts pre- vented fr_irther field labor, the bi ;er boys and girls, and often young men and women calne flocking back to school, which became a very hive of busy work for Winter. i r aa- OL- Country Schoolhouse I passed by it the other day, "The country school," by the Queen's highway. Q A huge iron lock was on the door �' A And baby mice played on the floor. " Vi Where children's feet now make no noise. l It's vacation time for girls and boys. The I L'Ay bell looked down so (� sad, The water in the well was bad. Oh, the country school had a lonely face, _ But the yard was gay with Queen Anne lace. Myrtle Davis. Chatham. The record book of the Altona School section 17--entitled "the Secretary and Treasurers Book for Union Section No. 3 Pickerink; and 5 Uxbridge," bears the fol__owi_lg on its opening page; School section formed 1844: School house built 1834: numuer of inhabitants, 1856--286; Unable to read and write -- about 30 per cent. At thi: distance of time perhaps we may by permitted to hope that the estimate of the illiteracy was some- what higher than was warranted by the facts. In any case the school was there and doubtless was doing its best to iriprove the condition. The teacher at this time and for nine or ten years following was Mr. A. McSween. His salary for 1856 was £$0 (or 41375)'and for 1857, £85 (or $400). dew Ontario County's Early, Educational History as �eported by Inspectors, This week's article deals with two school inspectors' reports to County Council at the turn of the century. The reports are interesting when the figures relating to school population, teachers' salaries and costs per pupil are compared with to- day's educational costs. Teachers' Salaries in the Different Municipalities Pickering, highest salary ,paid male teacher, $475; average paid male $365.38; average paid female, $282.73; Whitby—$500;' $350; $265; E. Whitby — $450; $327.14, $233.09; Reach — $380, 'Cost Per Puril These- statistics show that the average cost per pupil is some- what less than Ill per year in the public school. In the high schools and collegiate institutes the cost per pupil is scarcely ever less than $20 and often $30 or $40. Considering the en- ormous number of pupils who receive their whole education in the public schools it appears to me that some means should be devised whereby more lib- eral provision could be made for our public schools as a means of securing the services of more highly qualified and more competent teachers. I do not think that a provision of $20 per year,per pupil could possibly be considered extrava- gant. The salaries of teachers are in many cases kept at the present low figure in the inter- ests of the ratepayer who has no children to be educated, and unfortunately in many cases even the parents of the child- ren are willing to elect such ratepayers as trustees. Fre- quently it is quite impossible for the inspector to secure much -needed improvements in the building and equipment of the schools through the neglect or economy of such trustees. I am sorry to have to report that at least three of the school buildings in my inspectorate are not suitable for school buil- dings at all, and I regard these as dangerous to the health of the children. On the other hand I am glad to be able to say that in most cases trustees and rate- payers have shown a com- mendable interest in carrying out suggestions for the im- provement•of the school prem- ises. School Visits Much might be done to aid and encourage the teacher and to stimulate the pupils if the trustees and local clergy en- deavored to visit the schools at least twice per year. A ref- erence to this statistical report! will show that in many cases neither trustees nor clergy, ever enter the school from Iyear's end to year's end during I teaching hours. Educational Reform In the matter of the entrance examination the present trend of educational opinion seems to be towards its simplification by eliminating such subjects as history, physiology and temper- ance, English literature and the more difficult problems in a ithmetic and English gram- mar, thus making the standard for entrance largely depend upon the pupil's proficiency in reading, writing, spelling and the simpler operations in arith- metic. It is thought that; the re- maining subjects would be bet- ter taught if more freedom were allowed to the teacher in dealing with them than can possibly be allowed in prepar- ing candidates for a set exam- ination. Uniformity The last four years have de- veloped a spirit in all ranks of the teaching profession for greater individual freedom in the management of schools than has hitherto been allowed by the regulations of the educa-1 tion department. The maxim of this party in educational re-form is expressed in the words of President London, of To-1 Ironto University —":'Zo system .is so dead as a perfec ystem." There can be no doubt that over -regulation of the courses of study and of methods of school management must tend to repress the individuality alike of teachers and of Pupils' but it must be. remembered that great freedom means grea- ter responsibilities and better teachers to fulfil such respon- sibilities. In other words the greater freedom given to the teacher would call for increas- ed energy, devotion and ability on the part of the teacher. I am not without hope that the time is near at hand when a much enlarged freedom mays safely be given to the schools and when each teacher may within reasonable limits follow out his own educational ideas under judicious inspection. Af- ter all, a competent and able officer is worth far more either in the civic or educational life of the community than a statu- tort' regglation however judi- cious. Voluntary Schools The uniformity which has been descrtt ed as the great fai- ling of the present education system has given rise to a de- mand on the part of some sec- tions of the community for vol- untary schools which shall re- ceive state aid. Another reason which has been adduced by their advocates in support of them has been already referred to in the first paragraph of this report, namely, that the inter -I ests of the parent are sacrificed to the interest of the ratepayer( who is not a parent. It is claimed that in the man- agement of a voluntary school the parent would have full control, and that needei im- provements in the building, equipment, etc., of the senool would not be hindered by the penuriousness of the non -par ent ratepayer. These, I think, are the only valid reasons that have yet been given in support of the claims of such schools. ) But it would, I think, be a monstrous injustice to with- draw one dollar of the people's l money from the public schools':, for the use of special communi- ties such as would arise in this way, and as I have already, indicated, it is quite within' the area of probability that both these valid objections to the present public school sys- tem may be obviated by judi- cious legislation. Practical Education A great demand for practi- cal education has been keeping the course of study in our schools in a stale of continual ferment for the last 15 years. 1 Everybody seems to want prat - tical education, but no two of these practical educators have reached any unanimity of o- pinion as to what consitiutes an education which shall be, really practical. To one man it means training in elementary science, to another, bookkeep-, ing and typeAvriting, to a third' manual training, to still an- i other agriculture or engineer- ing. It may very probably turn out that none of these views! are wholly correct and that' practical education must bell sought in quite another direc tion. Much as I would like to deal more fully with the ques- 1 tions suggested here, I feel , that I have already taxed your indulgence. I•f, however, an opportunity is given for the, publication of educational re ports as last year, I shall take' advantage of the opportunity: afforded to deal with these questions in greater detail. All of which is respectfully submitted. Your obedient servant, - John Waugh, Ins ector Pub. Schools, S. Onl-1 ,�.� a .�, School Section JVo. ............Township NDANCE OTHE ONTOP _C-°.-----r-----�---:-.- .-11....`'..:.. ------..._ATTES z��l1-L;L r /1 y h -!�� -Ist WEEK. 2nd WEEK. Srd WEEK. Teacher. — ley of the Month. L e i�// � /J �� 4th 34F.LK. 3th WEEK. N ,� w W z r� A i r Z fTj A p �; NAMES OF PUPILS. O w O p W xi x 0 W �' Z F�7 O A �' p z R z W g O�1 't7 W -- p p4 g F f+ ; H H P� H H P4 �" P, E 4 54 4 H �v E+ Ga I d s � I I a 5 .�i�/ZZC/�� >✓ ° �/ / / / / / / % /i / old% (Gr vi . Cal I I I i I xt.. t zyj DAILY \ATTENDANCE. - I I /pf Aggregate Attendance for the month.... .L�. Average attendance for the' month ... QRC........ 20 ) Af i School Section ,No. /.,7..... Township o_.:.,......�'...:................. ATTENDANCE FOR THE XONTH OI'........ ......0 L..J............... __........ .-..- ....................... _... Z83... .. cher. �oftke Ist WEEK. 2nd WEEK. 3rd WEEK. 4th WEEK, bth WEEK. —sL �!c -. 1r ��-- W D Moati. �, e F. N A'MES OF PUPILS. p w 7 z[ i A �; O p W i .. *+ 7 O ' W p H A W p x GT+ Z O kl A W p x Z O W p A w kp f+ cc w O F — — F H E. E- (�+ — 0/� - /�/// 1 i I 1� { 19 I � � I �Z I 1C 4 I � /I I I II I I I � I III I I I I I I � ' I I I I DAILY ATTENDANCE. Aggregate Attendance for the month —40. / .. . Average attendance for the month..'.",... - ..... 21 IN IP"T t �✓Z/Ire' � J � U �I�IUi1� vA7�i V LA � I i�?g9 Front Row, Left to Right. Virggie Mowder, Bertha Roper, Gladys Mowder, Myrtle Yake, Eva Brown, Gertie Mantle, Clarence Barret, Mina Burnham, Lola Parker, Adelaide Hoover, Maggie Davis, Annie Davis. 2nd Row, Left to Right Mildred Mowder, Mamie Hoover, 7dith Roper, May Davis, Laura Forsyth, Ruth Burkholder, Bessie Mantle, Mildred Barkey, Albert Elson, James Cooper, Mrg.John Tran, school teacher. 3rd Row, Left to Right Zellah Mowder, Della. Lehman, Edna Breuls, Margaret Burnham, Loyal Barrett, Freeman Mantle, Clayton Baker,Peter Nighswander, Caleb Taylor. 4th Row, Left to Right Luella Mowder, Martha Cooper, Laura Boothby, Libby Barkey, Florence Roper, Ellen Yake , Roy Barrett, Benjamin Boothby, Fred Lehman. 5th Row, Left to Right Ernest Forsyth, David Nighswander, Burkholder, Charles Boothby. Arthur Roper, Pearl Boothby, Orval The school building in this picture is a former one, but on the same site but slightly closer to the road and south a little. Shool grounds were much smaller then. I—W ff .k.+u-• a,,2..�.l.ay--t..c(, %7? s�+ G*�^.i YMJit:(✓C✓c.�K..�-�/7�c2-ate .%i CO 1"'�"'Lc°� �.�e•-,� ,�c>-v-sc. ' a�� t✓,—eCe.ev, ,��' a „C, , ,�n � cl�-,�.zc,, �yti^ri �f''`°" %71 �/�a`• v.�Gx/v ,`JUIt� eC d:I�QicnJ� ary .� AUTO WOhMI MW Students at Altona Public School in 1899 line-up outside the building for the school picture. The teacher, who is standing at the right, is John Tran. In the front row is (left to right) Virgie Mowder, Bertha Roper, Gladys Mowder, Cora Mantle, Myrtle Yake, Eva Brown, Gertie Mantle, Clarence Barrett, Mina Burnham, Lola Parker, Adie Hoover, Maggie Davis and Annie Davis. Second row — Millie Mowder, Mamie Hoover, Eddie Roper, May Davis, Laura Forsyth, Ruth Burkholder, Bessie Mantle, Millie Barkey, Harold Elson, Roy Yake and Jimmv Cooper. Third row — Zellah Mowder, Della Lehman, Edna Bruels, Maggie Burnham, Clayton Baker, Peter Nighswander and Caleb Taylor. Fourth row — Louis Mowder, Martha Cooper, Laura Boothby, Libby Barkey, Florence Roper, Ellen Yake, Loyal Barrett, Freeman Mantle and Fred Lehman. Fifth row — Earnest Forsyth, David Nighswander, Art Roper, Pearl Boothby, Orvil Burkholder, Charlie Boothby, Roy Barrett and Ben Boothby. remember? This classroom photo should stir the memories of former pupils at Altona Public School, S.S. NO. 17, Pickerinj Township. The year is 1926. Students are: Front row (1. to r.), Clifford Barkey, Roy Slack, Fred Alsop, Garfieli Drewery, Walter Slack, Carson Tindall, Harvey Nighswander. Centre row (I. to r.), Mary Nighswander, Louie Hoov er, Hilda Madill, Edith Nighswander, Ella Hook, Eva Hook. Rear row (I. to r.), Miss Bessie Robinson (teacher) Olive Madill, Viola Bunker, Verna Wagg, Arthur Wagg, Stanley Slack, Reg Ramer, Stanley 12eesor, Lorne Kester. Do You Remember? — S.S. No. 17, Pickering Twp. (Altona) —19 This photo should stir a few memories for former pupils of Altona Public School (S.S. No. 17) Pic Township. The year is 1928. The teacher (left rear) is Miss Spring. The children are: Front Row (left to — Harold Lewis, Roy Slack, Harvey Bunker, Roy Tindall, Clifford Barkey, Harvey Nighswander, Fred Lewis. Row (left to right) — Lucille Howsam, Mary Nighswander, Lois Kester, Elsie Eckardt, Alma Fretz, Ruby Tinda Hook, Rettah Eckardt, Norman Fretz. Rear Row ( left to right) — Miss Spring, Ella Hook, Mabel Eckardt, Nighswander, Florae Durden, Florence Tindall, Stanley Reesor, Lorne Kester, Walter Slack. r �) Altona School Coronation Programme June lsta 1951 1. Opening Chorus - 0 Canada 2. Frayers for Coronation, followed by The Lord's Prayer 3. Poems - by the pupils Lorne? Esther, Fvelyl; Feter, Max, Ruth Meyers, Ruth Nighswander, Charlotte Anne McNair. 4. Solo - Mrs. Reesor (Millard) 5. Talk - by 14r. Fred Nighswander 6. Solo - Mrs. Ressor 7. Presentation of Medallions by Mrs. Walter Carter. 8. Songs by Seniors. 1. Fairies 2. Long, Long Ago. 3. Canada 4. Dear Land of Home. 9. The Queen. 10. Planting of tree (donated by Pickering Twp. Council. 11. Refreshments. 0 -az, Promotion Results Of Altono School Grade 8 to Grade 9 Roy Dauphinais, Ivor Hig-', ginson, Carole Jakeman, Ron- ald Spenciey, Edwin Spencley, Norma White, Peter Yawarski. Grade 7 to Grade 8 Gordon Eckardt, Alan Elson, .Jean Lewis, Earl Thompson, Evelyn Whitty. ;{ Grade 6 to Grade 7 Frank Dauphinais, Shirley El - son, Enos Nighswander, Violet Thorvaldson, Gwen Higginson. Grade 5 to Grade 6 Shirley Lewis, Roy Lewis. Grade 4 to Grade 5 Joyce Lewis, Esther Nighs- wander, Nicky Yaworski, Ken- neth White. Grade 3 to Grade 4 Earl Elson, Winston Higgin- son, Lorne Thompson, Robert McNair. Grade 2 to Grade 3 Monty Higginson, William Higginson, Brian M•acAloney. Grade 1 Thomas Bunker, Frances Daughinais, Glen Fretz, June Lewis, Bradley Jakeman, An- na Mary Nighswa-nder, Nancy i Wideman, •Sharon Wideman. f Mr)_ Woad cock --Teacher r),- ,15-1- ALTONA Congratulations to Miss Me - Laren, Mrs. Colby and Altona school pupils on winning three firsts at the Ontario County Music Festival held in Ajax last week. On Saturday evening the children sang at the win- ners' concert. Altona had the distinction of being the only school to win in three classes at the festival. More than 7,000 children took part. Dr. Ray Fen - wick was the' adjudicator again this year. This Friday evening, May 22, at 8 o"clock, Altona school will be participating in the Music Night held at Uxbridge Music Hall. A number of other schools Nancy and Sharon Wideman and Bradley Jakeman had the honour of representing Altona School when they sang in the 150-voice choir at the Teachers' Convention in Toronto on Tues- day. The choir, made up of pu- under the music supervision o! Mrs. D. Colby will also take part. Parents and friends are invited to attend. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Reesor, Stan Ree- sor and Art Wideman were, among the lucky ones to get away for a fishing trip during the long weekend. For the rest of us, it was a good time to stay home and catch up on some outside work. Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Carson and Ondine of Toronto had sup-* per with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bunker on Mon- day. A number of ladies from here attended the W.I. district An- nual held at Claremont on Wed- nesday. pils from rural schools ip On- tario, was under the direction of Cyril Hampshire, music di- 1 rector for Hamilton schools, and a concert pianist of note. Fif- teen pupils under the music supervision of Mrs. Colby were chosen to sing in this choir. They will be heard next Satur- day morning on Richmond Hill Radio Station at 8.45 a.m. Be sure to listen. :./� //1'v'ar .� � �� / ��LL/4.�:�:J / .�.¢.�.-ate. VST� v�'P-c'"f✓.� � �� �z�—_ -- _ 1, ' _ �C 1-Cs�✓ icl dzl✓ G x - > ztti ���ZCC/c.,/ d c ate- �i tJ n di✓c�� c .c t�vG"�j do c . U tZ These Schools Will Not Reopen In September At the conclusion of the June term, two school buildings in Area No. 1, Pickering Twp. will close their doors, possibly forever. One of these is No. 13 at '.lit. Zion, erected in 1875. The pupils will be transported to Greenwood, a move that was favoured by the ratepayers. —Staff Photo. Another school to be shut down is located at Balsam. The board favoured this move stnee enrollment is small and the building is in need of major repairs. The pupils will be transported by bus to Cedar Creek. Note the old hand pump in the playground. —Staff Photo. Pace THE STOUFFVILLE TRIBUNE Thursday, May 20, 1965 To Close Two Schools In Twp. Area No. 1;0 MoviFe AlAtona Sr. -Room Two schools in Pickering Twp. Area No. 1 will not be reopened in September. Board Chairman, Don Gib- son confirmed the report that both Mt. Zion and Balsam schools will be closed permanently at the conclusion of the June term. he Balsam students, which will number about 10, will be transported by bus to Cedar Creek, a few miles to the west. Mt. Zion pupils, estimated at about 30, will attend the school in Greenwood. Mr. Gibson said that the closing of the school at Mt. Zion was favoured by the majority of ratepayers in that community following several public meetings. He said that in all likelihood, the board would have kept it open for at least one more year. He said that the building was in a fair state of repair but the former trustees had experienced .some difficulty in retaining a qualified teacher. The structure was erected in 1875. Considered Unfair The Balsam school is one of the oldest in the town- ship. The condition of the building is not suitable and the attendance is small. The board chairman said that it would only be fair for the Balsam children to receive the same educa- tion service as other pupils in the area since they were charged the same rate. The Altona school will remain open but grades 7 and 8 will be transported to either Greenwood or Green River. One room, containing grades 1 to 6, will be re tained. ALTONA' OMEN'S INNSTITUTIF 5 2 chool (S.S. No. 17) Pickering Twp. In September, 1940, Altona Public School had an enrollment of 26 pupils. The teacher was Gordon J. Bolender, now the Principal of Rosemount Public School, Kitchener. Mr. Bolender is shown here, (right -rear), along with the following students: Rear Row (left to right) —Murray Tindall, Keith Howsam, Clarence Baker, Mary Davis, Audrey Baker, Audrey Slack, Lois Baker, Eileen Baker, Evelyn Davis, Elsie 1940 Tindall. Centre Row (left to right) —Levi Fretz, Bob Lewis, Bill McKay, Marjorie Madill, Isobel Davis, Jean Hodgson, Gloria Whitehead, Kath- leen Thompson, Mary Eckardt. Front Row (left to right) —Mervyn Bunker, Paul Whitehead, David Gammon, (unknown), Harold Howsam, Fred Davis, David Whitehead. ALTONA PUBLIC SCHOOI L. �_. �.� Iq ( C Altona School To Closer Permanently)) �Df By ELEANOR BUNKER ALTONA — Altona's little red schoolhouse will be clos- ing it's doors permanently next week so a community picnic is planned for this Friday evening. All pupils, past and present, their par- ents and former teachers, are invited to attend. A pic• nic basket supper will be at 6:30 p.m. with beverage pro- vided but please bring your own dishes. Supper will be followed by a short program in the school. Strange Quiet At Altona- School 13YELEANOR BUNKER ALTONA — School start- ed on Tuesday but all is quiet at Altona where the building was closed at the - end of the June term. New staff members at Glasgow are Mr, Armour and Mrs. Binstead. IELL '20 THE COUiiTHY 3CHC0L by 1rs. Lkdelaide iLerr of /1'46 tilt ona The door of the little red schoolhouse is closed, rind the desks are empty and bare. The chalkboard stands silent, no lessons inscribed, iind the cloakroom has no coats to wear. The old weathered door, that swung open each morns Flaking way for reluctant feet. That kept out chill winds and braved recess time hase„ Is quiet and yet somehow too neat. Though the once cluttered room be empty and bare, And the schoolyard bereft of its noisy games Though the roster be ended,the last flower bloomed That grew in its garden of games. Still the little red schoolhouse will never be gone 4hile we who have known it, live, And pass on to our children, its warm happy tales find the future our rememberings give. The door of the little red schoolhouse is open In memories golden that we may impart, rind its happy times linger in minds time forever., And an open door , here in my heart. AI,TOI�IA 11M)MENS M7;"L'rUTr• .S .................•.:...,.•...n,.w:,•x;v:a;<a:n>:L:xra,..vrm•.aw:..K;.�o::«::..; - .... Church, Community Both .Want School ALTONA — Who is en- mitted an offer and it was titled to purchase the old accepted. Altona schoolhouse — the Mr. Lewis argues that ratepayers of the section the structure should be made available to the or the Board of the Altona whole community. He is United Missionary agreeable that the church Church? use it when necessary. He Fred Lewis, Altona busi- has taken his appeal be- nessman, was notified by fore the Township Coun- the Pickering School Area cil. Board that the building Councillor Harvey Spang could be purchased as a in whose ward the build - Community Centre for ing is located, feels that $1,500. prices should have been accepted on a tender basis. Before he had time to "I think they gave the reply, church officials sub- property away." Sale Of Old SchOol rea e C is ALTONA — The report- ed sale of the former Al- tona schoolhouse to -the Altona United Missionary Church, has sparked a controversy among many residents here. - Some feel that it should belong to the community while others contend that the property should be owned and maintained by the church. Thirteen per- sons were contacted by The Tribune. Replies were divided evenly with one ed by some community residents concerns wheth- er the Church Board will allow the building to be used for dances and euchre parties. The Tribune• could not learn if any policy had yet been established. Mr. Fred Lewis has al- ready appealed to Picker- ing Township Council for a ruling on the matter and the issue could be re -open- ed for discussion when the Area Board meets October 17. refusing comment. The Pickering Township School Area Board No. I has already accepted the $1,500 application by the church. Mr. Fred Lewis, named to act on behalf of the community, said he had insufficient time to call a meeting. The main fear is that the church will be too restrictive in the use of the building. NOT SELECTIVE Trustee. Gordon Pearce denied that the Area Board had been selective in the sale. "The church was the only organization to accept our offer," he said. Mr. Pearce told The Tribune that if no offer had been received from within the community, the property would have been offered for sale by public tender. Bob Lewis, a trustee on the Church Board said he was surprised at the con- troversy that had been created. "We have no in- tentions of keeping the community out, it can be used by both." Mr. Lewis said that the church trus- tees had made enquiries about the building last February when they learn- ed it would be available. "We were told to have our offer in by September 26 which we did." ALLOW DANCES? The main question voic c� L Controversy Community Centre For Altona School ALTONA — Past prob- lems concerning the ulti- mate use of the old Altona schoolhouse appear near an end. Many ratepayers in the former No. 17 sec- tion want the building re- tained as' a Community Centre. Some members on the board of the United Missionary Church want it used for a Sunday School. Now, it seems, both sides will benefit. Mrs. Lloyd McKean, chairman of Pickering Township School Area 1 recommended, Mond'av night, that trustees repre- senting the entire commu- nity be selected to form a Board and operate the Centre 'in the best inter- ests of everYonc'. Mrs_ Lloyd Bi-kton, Stouflville, RR 3, spoke on behalf of the Community Association. Ellis Melton, Claremont, RR 2, addres- sed the Board on behalf of the church. They both agreed that the 'co-opera- tive venture' could be tri- ed for one year. The Area Board will retain the deed to the property. Organiz(31 Community. Centre ALTONA — Frank Bar - key, Claremont, R.R.3, has been elected President of the - the new Altona Commun- ity Centre. A public meet- ing was held Monday night. Other members of the executive include Norman Fretz, vice president; Mrs. Lloyd Britton, secretary - treasurer; Mrs. Ted .Jones and Mrs. Fred Lewis, direc- tors. The community program will include both the Unit- ed Missionary and Men- nonite churches and the Women's Institute. The former Altona school building will be the centre of activity. It will be the location of a meeting, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m., to discuss plans for the future. A formal name for the organ- ization will be selected and suggestions will be wel- comed. ,(�� - 7/4 Concert ALTONA — The lights went on again at the old Altona schoolhouse last week and indications are that the site will become the centre of community At, Altona School �. , .,.E activity. Lorne Lewis on his accor- The building has been dion; Effie Bullock at the made available to area res- piano; a violin -accordion idents in a co-operative duet by Walter Davis and project promoted by the Frank Bielby; a guitar Pickering Township Trus- duet by Earl Lewis and his tee Board. The Communi- music teacher and an in ty Centre President is terlude of instrumental Frank Barkey. tunes performed by the On Dec. 22, an estimated Altona Women's Institute Kitchen Band. ..00 persons attended an old-fashioned Christmas Concert in the school, with Mr. Barkey the Master of Ceremonies.'The program included numbers by CAROL SINGING The gathering joined in the singing of Christmas carols led by Don Burns with Mrs. Burns at the pi- ano. Lovely Christmas mu- sic was provided by Bob Flowers on the electric organ accompanied by Ted Jones on drums. Mrs. Orval Fretz' Sunday School class presented a play followed by a pageant presented by the Menno- nite Church with Emily Nighswander, the narrator assisted by Mary Lois, Cynthia and Rosalie Nighs- wander. The pageant was a highlight of the program. Katharine Cummings was all decked out in cos- tume for her Highland Fling dance number. Tom- my and Morgan Britton presented recitations. "It's just like old times," commented one resident. Folk Dance Lessons At Altona Community Centre A&C Zf /eAli, By ELEANOR BUNKER ery of Hamilton. with their parents Mr. and ALTONA — The old tona School is current the centre of communi activity. Following t pre - Christmas gatherin an evening of square da ing was held Tuesd night. Beginning Jan. 1 lesons in folk dancing w be offered every seco week. Mr. Joe Faulkner London, England arrive Wednesday to surprise h son and daughter and da ghter-in-law and to spe the holiday season wi them here. Mr, and Mr Rick Faulkner and Mi Linda Faulkner have bee making their home wit their uncle and aunt, M and Mrs. Frank Kerwood Last Friday evening, and Mrs. Fred Lewis ente tained their staff an friends to a party in Alto School. . Mr, and Mrs. Wm. Lor enjoyed Christmas at th home of Mrs. Lord's siste Mr, and Mrs. T. Montgo Alton w m Al- Mrs. Norman Bunker Mrs. Fred Lewis along with ly spent Christmas with her Mr, and Mrs. Don Hanson, ty son Harvey and family of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Brad- o Goodwood and stayed over ley, Mr, and Mrs. Gordon gs for a few days visit. Powell, Mr. and Mrs. Roy nc- Walter Barkey was home Lewis and Mr. and Mrs. ay from Toronto to spend Bert Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. 3, Christmas with his par- Jim Harper were unable i11 ents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. to attend due to illness. nd Barkey. Mr. and Mrs. Mery Bunk. Christmas Day guests er entertained Miss Marg- A with Mr. and Mrs. Charlie ery Mertens and Helen and d Hodgson were Mr. and Mrs. Don Davis, Larry and Bri- is George Fowlie of Lamont, an of Weston on Christ- u- Alberta, Mr, and Mrs. El- mas Day. nd gin Wagg, Mr. and Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bar- th Fred Parcels of Peterboro, key and Sharyn enjoyed S. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Byer Christmas with Donna's ss and Sharon, Mr. and Mrs. parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack n Ernie Smith, Charlene and Johnson of Pine Grove. h Blair and Mr. and Mrs. Ha- Mr. and Mrs. Bob Lewis r. rold Hodgson and Chris- and family entertained the tine. Wideman side of the fam- Mr. Mr, and Mrs. Williams, ily to a pre -Christmas din- r- Sr. of Toronto spent ner on Dec. 17. Guests pre- d Christmas with their son sent were Mrs. Morgan Hill Colin, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Ed. Wideman, Mr. and grandchildren, Barry and Mrs. Bob Logan and fam- d Wendy. _ fly of Palmerston, Mrs. Art e Mr. and Mrs. Dave John- Wideman, Sharon and Nan- r son of - Milverton were cy, Ron Sargeant and Lin - home to spend Christmas da Foster. ALTONA NyoNI 'S iiv� "". ALTONA NyoNI 'S iiv� "". THE STOUFFVILLE TRIBUNE, Thursday, December b, 1957 One of the most colourful ternoon was entered by the was decorated with dozens of placed second in the school floats in the Stouffville Santa Altona Public School. Entitled multi -coloured imitation flow- float competition. Claus Parade on Saturday af- "The May Queen," the entry ers made by the pupils. It —Staff Photo s z TSe little red brick schoolhouse at Altona was officially closed at the conclusion of the term in June. Erected in 1917, it has served as the education centre for hundreds of children, many of whom still reside in the community. —Staff Photo. Altona School Closed But Memory Lingers On (By MRS. LUELLA LEWIS) — ALTONA — The end of an era has come,. Call it progress or what you will, but school, as we have known it, will never be the same. Feb ` Recently, a community picnic was held on Pancake.the grounds of the little red brick schoolhouse at Altona ' (S.S. No. 17, Pickering Township) to mark the occasion of its permanent closing. Many At:. boys and girls in years gone by, received their ele--Contest mentary education in the present building, erect- ed in 1911 and also in the old schoolhouse that it replaced. It is with a feeling of nostalgia that the Altona ,,o community will no longer see the young genera- tion strolling along to its door or hear the tolling ALTONA—It was a pan - cake menu at the Altona- of its bell, calling the, children to class. Instead, Community Centre, Feb. 7 more buses will be employed to carry our children and, coupled with a crok- to other communities. inole party, the event at-44 Many former teachers and pupils attended the fare- tracted close to 100 per - of all ages. well gathering. Former teachers present included — Mrs. sons The evening was so suer Irene Jones (Harper) who taught from 1921.26; Mrs. Luella Lewis (Harper), 1946.48; Mrs. Mary Woodcock, cessful in fact, that a sec. and crokinole fun -night is 1951.58; Mrs. R. Betsworth (Webber), 1961.63 and Miss Sturdy, for Friday, Feb " S. 1963.65. planned 17 at 8:15 p.m. The eldest former pupil in attendance was Mrs. Nor- A highlight of the gatll -_ Bunker who presented an interesting talk on the Altona eying was a pancake -eating School as she had known it and where her entire family contest with fourteen en - and a number of her grandchildren attended. tries. Albert McQueen of An estimated 129 persons listened attentively as a pro- Claremont consumed • 10 gram was presented by the teacher, Miss Linda Grill and cakes in 3 minutes to win pupils from grades 1 to 5. first prize. Runner-up was We do not know what the future holds for the build- ing, but we do know that this marks the end of the centre of Gordon Powell of Union- ville, downing 9 cakes in . . our community. Mrs. Adelaide Kerr penned a few lines especially for this occasion which expresses the feelings the same time. Crokinole winners were. of- us all — Jackie Paisley of Stouff- Esther Davis, Stouff- FAREWELI. TO THE COUNTRY SCHOOL ville; Michael Assinck, Al The door of the little red schoolhouse is closed, And the desks ville; tona and Kenneth Tindall are empty and bare, The chalkboard stands silent, no lessons inscribed, also of Altona. And the cloakroom has no coats to wear. For crokinole playe .- who work up an appetite, The old weathered door, that swung open each morn, a hot lunch will be served Making way for reluctant feet. on Friday night. That kept out chill winds and braved recess -time haste, — Is quiet and yet somehow, too neat. Though the once cluttered room be empty and bare, And the schoolyard bereft of its noisy games. Though the roster be ended, the last flower bloomed. That grew in its garden of names. i Still the little red schoolhouse will never be gone, While we who have known it, live. And pass on to our children, its warm -happy tales And the future, our rememberings give. _ The door of the little red schoolhouse is open, In memories golden that we may impart. And its happy times linger in mind's eye forever,' And an open door, here in my heart. `i 73 VOL. 79, NO. 1 STOUFFVILLE-MARKHAM-UNBRIDGE, ONT., THURSDAY, JUNE 1, f9bi The little red brick schoolhouse at Mount Zion in Pickering Township is one of three similar structures that has been purchased by Mr. Arthur Latcham of Stouffville. Each will be turned over debt -free to be used as community centres. Other buildings are located at Altona and Atha. —Staff Photo. Altona Holds Reunion To Honor ,16, Benefactor Arthur Latcham ALTONA — The second annual Altona reunion and community picnic took on a two -fold meaning Friday night. It brought together former teachers and stud- ents who attended the pub- lic school, now the Altona Community Centre. It also permitted the executive and residents of the area an opportunity to honor Mr. Arthur Latcham of Stouffville. It was through Mr. Latcham's generosity, that the school was purch- ased and donated debt - free to the community. It is now the centre of activi- ty in the section. Mr. Fred Lewis present- ed Mr. Latcham with a per- sonal framed photograph. It was presented in turn to committee chairman, Frank Barkey to be retained by the Centre. In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Latcham, guests included, Toronto Fire Chief, --Frank Coak- well and Mrs. Coakwell and Mr. and Mrs. Austin Pearse. Mr. Pearse is a member of the Pickering Township School Area Board. FORMER TEACHERS Ten former teachers were in attendance- Mrs. I- rene (Harper) Jones; Mrs, Bessie (Robinson) Wide- man; Mrs, Edna (Steven- son) Ramer; Mrs. Mary (Graham) Barkey; Mrs. Margaret (Wallace) Couper- thwaite; Mrs. Luella (Harp- er) Lewis; Mrs. Mary Wood- cock, Miss Frances Schultz, Miss Sharon Sturdy and Miss Linda Grill. Mrs. Nor- man Bunker, a life-long re- sident of Altona, gave a short history of the area and the names of teachers from 1856 to 1966. Attending from the far- thest distance was Mr. Charles Boothby of Mission City, British Columbia. The oldest former student was Mr. Frank Baker, 89, of Jackson's Point. The young- est pupil who attended at Altona was Gordon Britton, age 7 and the youngest at. the picnic was Troy Hanson 13 weeks. The oldest form- er Altona teacher was Mrs. Bessie Wideman and -the youngest, Miss Linda Grill. Platform entertainment featured Beverley Bell; Tommy, Earl and Terry Le- wis; Sharon and Nance Wideman; Lorne Lewis and the Altona Women's Institute Kitchen Band. Frank Barkey was Master of Ceremonies. CROKINOLE party, all ages, Friday, March 3rd at 8.15 9 p.m.: Altona Community Centre. Everyone welcome. Come and support your com- munity project. Admission Mc. lunch included. Commencing Tues, May 2nd, Two Weeks of Special GOSPEL SERVICES at the Altona Community Hall Special music and singins each night. Sat, night will he .young people's night. Old Time Pentecostal Meetings, EVERYONE WELCOME -- Special Speaker% -•- Servic" 8 p.m. eery night except Monday. 7 Arthur Latcham 16,uys Three Schools -1 -,or Community Centres . STOUFFVILLE-Three rural communities in - the Township of Pickering, are this week acclaiming the generosity of- Mr Arthur Latc ham of Stouffville. The country hamlets of Altona, Atha and Mount Zion now have their own individual Community Centers, completely debt free. Three school buildings have been pur- chased by Mr. Latcham and presented with no strings attached, to the sections where each is located. The three centres have their own committees but each was finding it difficult to raise sufficient funds to cover the cost of acquiring the schools. The business arrangement 'was worked out by Mr. Latcham with Lloyd Johnston, Adminis- trator of Pickering School Area No. 1. The buildings will con- tinue to serve as the cen- tre of community recrea- tion and money earned will be used for interior improvements to the pro- perty. --- ARTHUR LATCHAM �ver Sixty Register In Altona Softball By ELEANOR BUNKER ALTONA — Last Friday evening over 60 boys and girls from 7 to 17 years gathered at the Al- tona Community Centre to register for softball. Altona hopes to enter sev- eral teams in a North Pi- ckering Township League. Don Cross, Mike Con- nors, Dave Bell and Gary Bambrough of Toronto were guests of Tom Bun- ker on Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Colin Wil- liams, Barry and Wendy, enjoyed supper with her brother Mr. and Mrs. Rus- sel Hilts and children of Toronto on Saturday. Anyone interested in a bus trip to Varsity Arena to hear Dave Wilkerson, author of "The Cross and the Switchblade" May 19, get in touch with Sue Brit- ton (640-3551) or Pat Lew- is (640-3796) by May 16. At Monday nights' eu- chre at the Altona Com- munity Centre Mrs. Tom Ogden and Walt Slack won 1st prizes. Lloyd Brit- ton won the door prize. r� +� )1 , 1917 Altona euchre winners By Blanche Tindall ALTONA — Recent euchre winners at the Al- tona Community Centre include — Mrs. Forgie, Emma Clodd, Margaret Gall, Harold Morgason, El- roy Clodd and Les Gauslin. The lucky prize-winner was Dianne Pickering. The next euchre is Dec. 2. 4 Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lewis attended the dedi- cation of the new Christian Education Centre at Mark- ham Missionary Church, Sunday. Miss Mabel Huson spent the weekend with Rev. and Mrs. Frank Huson. Altona W.M.S. have been invited to Ringwood Christian Church, Decem- ber 3. Mrs. Robert Lewis host- ed a mother and daughter banquet for her Sunday School class at the home of Mrs. Norman Lehman. Mr. and Mrs. George Bar- rett of Gormley, visited with Rev. and Mrs. Frank Huson, Saturday. ................... -- Lose Centres PICKERING TWP. — Antic- ipating the expropriation of lands for the new International Airport, funds contributed by Arthur Latcham of Stouffville, for the purchase of Community Centres at Altona and Atha, will be re -distributed between Cen- tres at Claremont and Mount Zion. The contribution by Mr. Latcham was $3,000, fifteen hundred dollars to Altona and the same to Atha. It has also been agreed that once the kitchen facilities are no longer required at the Atha Centre, they be removed and in- stalled in the Centre at Mt. Zion. Christmas concerts revive in rura ar ALTONA — it was an o 1 d fashioned- country Christmas Concert at its best, Thursday evening at Altona. The location, once a school, and now a Com- munity Centre, brou(.*ht back fond memories to the majority of Moms and Dads present. The audi- ence, estimated at 170, filled the little red brick building to capacity. The program, that in- cluded many vocal and in- strumentdl numbers, was well received. In fact, the smaller the artists, the more enthusiastic the re- sponse. Members of the Nursery School opened the show with a selection entitled 'Christmas Tree'. Thev decorated a tree while they sang. Other numbers followed including t h e family of Mr. and Mrs. Don Boake; a piano solo by Susan Fretz; a piano and guitar duet by Marian and Stanley Kerswill; a vocal duet by Don and Dawn Boake; an accordi- on solo by Lorne Lewis and a poem, written by Mrs. Burns and read by Mrs. Britton. The talented Pearce family presented a tap dance number follow- ed by a piano solo by Dawn Boake. Helen Nighs- wander won applause for her accordion solo and a similar reception was ac- corded a quartet number rendered by Don and Lau- rie May Boake and Robert and Keith Lewis entitled 'O Star of Bethlehem.' Don Boake played two well known Christmas num- bers on his mouth organ. rs Plays were presented by ci members of both the Pen- tecostal and Mennonite churches with the inter- mittent singing of Christ- mas carols by the audi- ence. The evening's enter- tainment was concluded with the arrival of the sea- son's favorite gentleman, Santa Claus. New Pentecostal Church ready for The sod -turning for the Stouffville Pentecostal Church, I Main Street East, was performed April 29. Three months later, the chapel is near completion and should be ready for occupancy early this fall. At present, Sunday services are held in the Altona Community Centre. The pastor is Rev. Stanley A. Grant. —Jim Thomas. Honor newly weds By Blanche Tindall visited Nov. 16 with their ALTONA — A commun- daughter Joyce and David ity shower will be held Johnson of Milverton. Friday, Nov. 21, in the Mr. and Mrs. Philip community centre for Mr. Bard of Chilliwack, B.C., and Mrs. Kenneth Wide- have been visiting at the man. Everyone is invited. home of her sister, Mr. Mr. and Mrs. Ronald and Mrs. Gordon Wide - Sargent, Mr. and Mrs. Har- roan, and attended the old Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lewis and Mr. and Kenneth Wideman. Mrs. Fred Lewis were Mr. and Mrs. Elwood guests at the wedding of Hardy were recent visitors Mr, and Mrs . Kenneth at the home of Mr. and Wideman, Nov. 14. Mrs. Stanley Lewis. Mr. We are sorry to report and Mrs. Earl Lewis of that Bert Lewis and Ricky Manitoulin Island were Harper are confined to also recent visitors at the Centenary Hospital in Stanley Lewis home. Scarborough. Mrs. Robert Lewis visit - Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis ed recently with Mrs. Phy- llis Schneider of Blooming- } dale. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Kerswill who were married Nov. 15 in the Stouffville United Church. SQona Com' UARE Centre Al Saturday' day, munity m. Frank Jan. 17, 8.30 p. Barkey caller and m.c. Lunch provided. $1.25 per person_ Cheque aids Altona nursery school j The Altona Nursery School has received a $25 donation from the Claremont 1 'Lionettes', the ladies' branch of the Claremont District Lions Club. Teacher, Mrs. Marie White (left) accepts the cheque from Mrs. Marlene Webb of Good- wood. The pupils are (left to right) - Connie Ward, Steven Carruthers and Gale Vogelson, all of Claremont. —Peter Harris. A 50th wedding anniversary celebration for Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Jones drew over 250 friends and relatives last week in Brooklin. The Jones are formerly of Mt. Zion and were married in 1926 in Goodwood. t el 7 6 Mr, and Mrs. Cecil Jones 4_,_-Me r hee:. her 't- A If onct se hoc early this fall 1F T PENTECOSTAL �` U 33d .d i e si Altona students walk down memory lane Teachers - Altona 1856 Mr. A. McSween 1869 Mrs. M. Millard 1894 Mr. Mason Flumerfelt 1899 Mr. John Tran 1911 Miss Annie Murray Miss L. J. Ridley Miss Irene Reesor 1917 Miss Biehn (Drewery) Miss Fannie Ramer (Pugh) Miss Viola Lee 1921-26 Miss Irene Harper (Cecil Jones) 1926 Miss Bessie Robinson (Ed Wideman) 1928 Miss Spring 1929 Miss Kate Reesor (Walter Carter) 1935 Miss Florence Edna Stevenson (Reg Ramer) 1939 Miss Doris Watson (Gary Houck) 1940 Mr. Gordon Bolender 1942 Miss Mary F. Graham (Cliff Barkey) 1943 Miss Margaret Wallace (H.J. Couperthwaite) 1945 Miss Gloria Harding (C. H. Clarke) 1946-48 Miss Luella Harper (Harold Lewis) 1948 Miss Miriam Lucille Heise Apr. 1951 Mrs. Margaret (Vic) Symes Sept. 1951-58 Mrs. Mary (Chas.) Woodcock 1958 Mrs. Vera (David) Francis 1959 Miss McLaren Mr. Jim Empringham Miss Frances Schultz 1961-63 Miss Webber (R. Betsworth) 1963-65 Miss Sharon Sturdy 1965 Miss Linda Grill Inspectors Mr. Fotheringham Mr. Hutchison 1944 Mr. McCelland Music Mrs. D. Colby S.S. #17 will be remembered in grand style in early Altona Public School opened in 1911 and closed in 1966. September. When former students honor the school's 50-year history, Former students and their spouses are invited to attend the they'll take along walk down memory lane. Altona Public School reunion at the school grounds on Most of the former students now live in Stouffville, organiz- September 11th, beginning at noon. ers said. I FLASHBACK a a �1 w READY FOR REUNION: Altona Public School, located just east of Stouffville, will hold a reunion on Sept. 11 at the school. Opened in 1911, the school closed in 1966. Above, the school population in 1940. From left, front row, Mery Bunker, cAt Paul Whitehead, unknown, unknown, Harold Howsam, Albert Davis and Ray Whitehead. Middle row, Levi Fretz, Bob Lewis, Bill McKay, Marjorie Madill, Isabell Davis, Jean Hodgson, Gloria Whitehead, Kay yv Thompson and Mary Eckardt. Back row, Murray Tindall, Keith Howsam, Clarence Baker, Mary Davis, Audrey Baker, Audrey Slack, Lois Baker, Eileen Baker, Evelyn Davis and Elsie Tindall. PHOTO COURTESY MARY ELSON Altona "children' heading back.to school ; as chool days, school days, Dear old golden rule days. Readin' and writin' and 'rithmetic, Taught to the tune of the hickory stick, You were my bashful barefoot beau, I was your queen in calico. You wrote on my slate, "I love you —Joe. When we were a couple of kids. BACK TO SCHOOL: Former students of the Altona School returned to the community, just east of Stouffville, for a reunion. About 270 people from as far away as Australia and California attended. The school closed in 1966. JIM MASON PHOTO school. "I had to walk about 600 feet, he recalls. Often he'd wait until the first bell had rung before starting out — and still arrive in plenty of time. As a child, Joe was not a robust lad, earning him the nickname `Little Joe'. "When it came to picking sides for ball games, I was often the last one chosen," he remembers. However, when it came to pranks Joe was usually in the centre of Memories, memories. They'll come flooding back when former students and that, at the time, one could purchase a pound of tea for a dollar; a pound of butter things. "We'd catch garter snakes in the teachers of Altona Public School, (S.S. No. for eight cents and a dozen eggs for five cemetery and chase girls to hear them 17), Pickering hold a gala reunion. The location is the exact same spot where these cents. It was the custom `back then' for the scream," he recalls. Higher learning was not part of his dad's memories were created — the little red brick older boys to work on the farms during the plan, said Joe. "I remember Kate Reesor schoolhouse, a hop, skip and a jump south summer and attend school in the winter. In begging my father to let `little Joe' go on to of the community's four corners. the winter of 1869, the recorded enrollment high school but he refused. This was The date is Sept. 11 at 12:30 p.m. was 80 pupils. common among many Mennonite families, It was Mary Anne (Fretz) Schlabach, now of Vineland who planted the reunion The school that still stands was closed in 1966. Trustees at the time included — he explained. But Joe was not to be denied. He took to seed. Others on the committee include — Nlary (Eckardt),Elson;,Susan (Fretz) Cogar; Gordon Wideman, Millard Reesor, Joe Nighswander and Marion Meyer, reading, acquiring books by the dozen from the Stouffville Library. Later, while still Nelda (Elson) Morley, Joe Nighswander (secretary). farming, he attended Hamilton's McMaster and Grant Hill. During Mr. Nighswander's tenure as a University and then went on to become the Mr. Walks The present structure, now used for a student, he had only one teacher, Kate chief executive officer at Parkview Home Mr. Archibald church, is the third of its kind to serve the Reesor. and Parkview Village, a position he held for community. The first was a log building on "She had a great effect on my life," he 20 years. the south-east comer of the intersection. It recalls. In 1990, he was named Whitchurch- was replaced in 1834 and remained in use Did he ever receive the strap? Stouffville's `Citizen of the Year'. 77 years. During construction of its "Only once," he recalls, "but I don't This is but one success story from replacement, classes were held in a remember what for," student records of S.S. 17. There are Temperance Hall on the north-west corner. And afterwards? hundreds more, many of which will be Completion date was 1911. Joe Nighswander, a former student and "She gave me a hug," he remembers. Highlights of his public school years? shared Sept. 11. That's when Altona's little red brick `home.' trustee, has done considerable research into The advent of electricity; Christmas schoolhouse' welcomes its children this and earlier school history. In doing so, he discovered that one teacher, a Mr. Swain, concerts; Arbor Days; spelling bees; a trip to Niagara Falls and carrying drinking Jim Thomas is a Stouffville resident who was paid an annual salary of $375. Mr. water from a nearby spring -fed pond. has written for area newspapers for more Nighswander's quick to point out, however, Joe's parents' farm was close to the than 45 years. MR __t_..t.. - r -- . 1 i The Andrew's house on the south-east corner at the approach lane below the four corners of Altona between Pickering and Uxbridge townships; was burned down nearly seventy years. A new brisk house was erected some fifteen or twenty years ago by Mr. McIntosh who disposed of it to Mr. James a couple of years ago who resides there at the present time. J VrtL,rcLNC,N T IZ—C, A-i-LL Ac, ri kAQ-cj4 )LQ M41 fC;L&A2&T ny 4b,4 v I A PAqMVOF--A*r-Y L. jb rn i rK Pitatogrocry .440 PERT it WARueKbe r Y T Ito a Se le- 7- �, r�_ a � HoLA S e 0-,,s)Y Don tqansc,7 in 6y Lewd's x p r o 1, r ,v- il- ed in Fe b.)573. )3i4;/)- by Willis MUJ')k)-tQQSe-, k;she,-/ by t'- bVici crocl'er A rn v + I- h e 5 4 gil;f-ers 4TXpr,-pr;a Fee/ ;n 1--, b. )g p 3. -* :3 L4 I" JVJ C i-i to S h Cam Jaynes REESORS HISTORY OF THE OLD MILL. 1. Abraham Reesor married Christina Shunk, came to Altona in 1850, and built a saw mill, a grist mill and a house. He died in 1855 leaving a widow with seven children. He died of typhoid fever. Their children were Anna who married Jacob Stouffer and lived on the farm of 150 acres, now owned by Stanley Lewis. Mary married Mr. Spink, another married Mr. Robinson at Markham. Isaac, on his way to England, was drowned in St. Lawrence River with a load of cattle. The name of the boat was Vixburg. Flavius married Mary Barkey and lived at Cherrywood, later in Altona. They lived to celebrate their diamond wedding. Ketura was drowned, and Abraham Reesor married Mary Jane Kester and they had one son Floyd. 2. Mr. Joseph Monkhouse came to Canada in 1849 and began storekeeping in Altona. He lived in Toronto before and well remembered when the Lake Ontario came up to their back door on Front St. Then he married the widow, Mrs. Abraham Reesor in 1857 and ran her mill until she died in 1867 as he had a life lease. They had one daughter, Sarah, Mrs. Joseph Millard, and they lived on the farm on the second , cbn.jowned by her daughter, Mrs. Lud Hoover, north of Altona. In 1874, he moved to Lot 32, Con. 91 and for twelve years managed trefarm now owned by William Ressor. His second wife was Elizabeth Kester and they had one son Willis. Mr. Monkhouse took consider- able interest in public affairs and served for ten years in the council being Reeve from 1884-1887. On his brother's death, Thomas Monkhouse, in 1886 he returned to the store continuing until his death in 1903. He was succeeded by his son Willis J. Monkhouse. He kept four clerks and dealt in dry goods, groceries, hardware and crockery. Mr. Abraham Reesor Jr., took over the mill when his mother died in 1865. After his death Wm. Vanzant purchased and run it. Then William Kaiser was the owner. During his time the dam went out. Mr. Alex Jones was the next owner. After him came Mr. Hugh McIntosh, who purchased the mill March 1, 1924. He sold it to Mr. Earl Howsam who remodeled it. It was burned March 10, 1944. 5. DEATHS HOWSAM, Wilfred Earl --- Suddenly on Thursday, July 20th, Earl Howsam, beloved husband of Cora Kerry and dear father of Harold, Green - bank; Lucille (Mrs. Lloyd Weldon, Stouffville; and Keith (deceased) and nine grandchildren. Rested at the #uneral home of Low and Low, Uxbridge, for service in the Chapel on Saturday, i July 22 at 2 p.m. Interment Kendal Cemetery, Utica. VICIOUS RAIN STORM TEARS OUT This photo was taken looking through a thirty-five foot gap which the flood tore in the �, ^ 4 •.1. L-MPnt on the Alexander place (former How. , sam mill) at Altona. This was a comx)let- nPw water course ROADWAYS, tearing out 150 feet of road- way. That's Norm Bunker, local contractor surveying the damage. 0 FBE R.VILSAA AT FORT CHIPPAWA Pte. Earl "Bud" McNair, son of . and Mrs. William McNair of :ona, who is a member of the Irish giment now stationed at Fort ippawa, North Bay. I yT .see 4 Toronto Thrills t® 48th Return AI}r%na Cnimle 1-4ty Years r1i"lamea Friends and relatives gaith- ered.at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William McNair of Alto- na last week to honor this po- pular couple on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniv ersary. The couple have lived more than forty-five years at. Altona, retiring from their farm nearby six years ago. Mrs. McNair was the former Elizabeth Meyer, daughter of Edward .'Meyer, Pickering, and her • husband is the son of the late Jonathon Me -Nair of Beth. esda. They were married on Dec. 1st, 1903 by the Rev. W. Percy on the 9th concession of Pickering at the bride's home. immediately following their marriage the couple spent four years on the 5th con. of Mark- ham prior to coming to Altona. An interesting highlight of the celebration was a phone call from Tisdaie, Sask. from John D. McNair who was the -best man at the ceremony fif- ty years ago. Miss Alice White w'ho was the bridesmaid and who now lives in Fergus, w:1s able to be present. Both the honored guests en- joy comparatively good health. Mr. McNair who has a ready wit enjoyed by a wide circle of friends, while not indulging in public life, was always an ard- ent curler and horse -shoe hit- cher. The couple have two sons, Fred of Stouffville and Earl of Enniskillen and one daughter, Mrs. Stan Thompson. There are ,eight grandchildren. A wonderful lady Sept. 25 is a special day for a very special person. Mrs. Elizabeth McNair, Main Street, Stouffville and formerly of Altona will be 91. She resides at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Stan Thompson. / 9 7 v Jas. Thomas. Mrs Elizabeth McNair A respected lady STOUFFVILLE — Four years ago, Mrs. Elizabeth McNair celebrated her 90th birthday at her residence near Altona, the community where she was born and lived most of her life. The venerable lady, who moved to Stouffville with her daughter three years ago, passed away Sept. 4 at Parkview Home. f9.73 Mrs. McNair was the daughter of Edward and Magdelina Meyer. She would have been 94 on Sept. 25. Her husband, William McNair, pre- deceased her 11 years ago. Apart from five years spent on the 5th concession of Markham, they re- mained in Altona. Mrs. McNair's life revolved around her home, her family and the Missionary Church where she was a devoted and active member of the congregation. She is survived by sons Fred of Stouffville, Earl of Enniskillen; one daughter, Flossie • (Mrs. Stan Thompson), Stouffville; eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Rev. Donald Pugh of Altona, conducted the service from the O'Neill Funeral Home, Sept. 6, with interment, Altona Cemetery. The pall bearers were — Robert and Lockie McNair; John, Earl and Lorne Thompson; and Larry Schell. Sudden Deaths Shock Altona By ELEANOR BUNKER ALTONA — Altona com- munity has been shocked by the number of sudden deaths of past and present residents during this past week. Sympathy is extend- ed to the family of the late ZiEowsam who ran the feed mill at Altona, to Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Elson and family on the passin of his father, to Mr. nd Mrs. Howard (Ted) onA Sue and Mike on the sud- den death their son an brother C—Edward', and t Mrs. 9enr er and fam- ily on the passing of her husband. We are glad to report that Chas. Kerswill is home from jhe hospital after his recent. operation. Mrs. George Harvie spent the past two weeks at the home of her son Bud at Keswick while his wife was in hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hodg- son enjoyed the weekend with cousins at St. Cathar- ines. Mr. and Mrs. Bragg, Dan- ny and Peter returned home Saturday after a month's visit to the west coast. g d Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lord enjoyed holidays with friends last week with a visit to Expo and a bit of fishing at her sister's - cot- tage at Lake Skootamata. ° Misses Kathy and Patti - Jean Bell of Windsgr were weekend guests of the Lloyd Britton family. Last Thursday evening Mrs. Don Goudie was hos- tess to a miscellaneous shower for Cheryl Brown, a one-time Altona resident, whose marriage to John Quesnel takes place this Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Don Goudie and family and Mrs. Merv. Bunker, Lynda and Patti attended a. surprise birth- day party for their father, Fletcher Goudie, at his home in Whitby. ��C;J3V /(- Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Morgan Newlyweds on tour with puppet show Sue and Glenn Morgan are currently on tour of Canada and the United States with their award -winning puppet show. �-- SUE POWELL Ken Ma `,'_r�t of K R. May Real Estate Limited takes pleasure in an- nouncing the appointment of Mrs. Sue (Jones) Powell to their sales staff. Sue has been a resident of the Stouf- fville/CLaremont area for many years. She is a graduate of Stouffville District High School and has successfully completed courses at both Seneca and Durham Colleges. For any of your real estate needs, please call Sue at (Bus.) 640-2223 or (Res.) 649-2424. To entertain school children STOUFFVILLE — Many newlyweds embark into the big wide world of show business, a little unsure of the future. Not so for Sue Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jones, R.R.2, Markham and Glenn Mor- gan, formerly of Bethesda and now living at Niagara Falls. Following their marri- age on Saturday in the Stouffville United Church, they left on a three-year tour of the United States and Canada, residing in an 18-foot trailer and carry- ing with them a troupe of marionettes. Sue and Glenn are own- ers of the Van Winkle Marionettes and have a contract to appear in schools across North America. Together, they put on a twenty minute variety show which is in- tended to be educational as well as entertaining. No attempt is made to hide the operators from the audience or the strings that operate the puppets. The fact is, they want the children to see for them- selves exactly how it's done. Glenn purchased the show 2 % years ago. He has appeared in the Cal- gary Stampede and the Edmonton Klondike Days. Sue became a part of the program last summer and now takes the place of Glenn's father. The contact with the schools was obtained after an audition. There were more than 80 entrants. The Van Winkle Marion- ettes placed third. Sue and Glenn left on Sunday, flying to Nash- ville, Tennessee where they staged their first show, Monday. They plan to be home for Christmas and will appear at Eaton's Fairyland. 6�1 N, Z `J S'4 v o6l 59(78 D V /'V /-I- _ _. _-_. -- _ ,-ancs PACF)Ce7 Y act-&- ff\sIDtgr r 1. ''�17d.75 r•/H2.� it P.Poo —A Yt�E''s f PoPE�Nr 1* tttYK/If_ n�_� rt Ili= FL � Ory�RU�d_�`7 i o f y kw.iaz Q �' d� • /�• P iIt�AGN _ �`� _ PF►RSo�rr1G c'TARi9O F j 11aUs L' n. bUaxeK PY2 o -. '�81ZL�CzE N�UCr � S: �191Q k5.5 f 9 _El toxo ?c Aq r y x �J I?r� PN vY Ali Rh PRO PCX TY �{o ASE El Nn,.c� � �88.aF• � t =.fcG N 13.aus��--f�an.o�K'TY I �R��n�wr FIcuSE ft T 61 lve *rrN I - L �,o /,V4 eo/,r s 14W �,\TI 4� 6 OSARN k I� /S7 7 mall �l.AtL%h 'Lr Moase Y #6`a. i IT i�Ov6� .BA�tN �o ub :T u� 1 a��.. e 1344kk&r-.s 0rfVP—WA.3 I � I Stijl 1 i `5vL) —,�J t3AIR N se I N o u AA. � 0 W flou 4e a SYnopis of the Accompann�arcels of Land in Altona about Seventy-five Years Ago. 1825. Mr. Boothby owned the property marked and operated a blacksmith shop. In 1908, he sold it to a farmer by the name of Mr. March. In 1925, Mr. March sold it to Mr. Fred Pilkey. Mr. Skeen owned the adjoining property south, and sold it in the 1870's to a Mrs. Scott, a widow with three small children. In 1921, Norman Bunker purchased it from her estate. Mr. Jacob Stover owned the next adjoining property. It was later sold to a Mr. Lawn who sold next to a Mr. Brown. It was then passed on to a Mr. Forsythe, then to Mr. Burnham and later to Norman Bunker in 1929. Then comes the Altona street; as it was named in the earlier days. This was a street to allow for getting into the parcels of land off of it. The building at the east end was a slaughter house where stock was killed to be sold in the butcher shop adjoining the house up at the entrance of the street on the south north corner. South Side of Street Not sure how long this property belonged to Mr. Kee, A Mr. Forfar had it rented and taught school at Altona; after that a Mr. Gordon owned it. It is presumed that he erected the butcher shop and slaughter house at the end of the street; the butcher shop and slaughter house has been torn down years ago. Then the Monkhouses' took over this property but it was tenanted by several people up until 1905 when purchased by Thomas Burnham from Mrs. Barnes, her maiden name being Monkhouse. Norman Bunker purchased this property from the Burnham estate in 1933• Mr. Mighton owned the neXt adjoining property which Mr. Abijah Jones' purchased in the 1880's. After living there for a goodly number of years sold it to a Mr. March, a brother of Mr. March that owned the Boothby property. Mr. March s_)Id to a Mrs. Kensett. Mrs. Kensett to Mr. Robert Hook. Mr. Clarkson now owns it. The Morden property next, was sold to a Mr. Millard and was tenanted by several people for a. number of years, when Mr. George Irwin, a mason by trade bought it in the early 1900. This property passed on to his son Wayman and since his death in June 1952 has been vacant. Between 60 and 70 years ago the next property south was known as the Abram Lehman property. Afterwards Jacob Barkey, father of Isaac Barkey of Stouffville rented it for a time. About fifty years ago Abijah Jones bought this place, tore down the old buildings and bull' the present ones, which he rented out for a few years, and then moved there himself with his wife, who died there in 1926; he lived alone up until four years before his death in Stouffville Brierbush Hospital. dv-yA%Ah`irwin purchased this property, and since his death, Mr. C. Storry bought it and now Elwood L.lson who lives there is the new owner. Altona Inn, as it was called sometime in the 1800's, was first owned by a man named Cooper. This property was purchased by Andrew Brown. The east half of the two storey building was the residence and the west half the bar room. In 18757 Andrew Brown had the bar room torn down and erected the largetwo storey brick building and attached it to -he two storey frame building as it is to -day. The south west room on the ground floor of the new building was the new bar room. Two of the large rooms also on the ground floor was uded as dining rooms. There was also erected to this new building a large open shed and stables for the accommodation of horses. These buildings were filled to capacity on numerous occasions. In 1902, Mr Brown died and is buried in Altona cemetery across the road. This property was sold to a Mr. Graves who also operated it as a hotel until 1907. When James Wellman andhis don Harry rented it and did likewise. In 1909, when local option came in force in Uxbridge Township, the Wellmans then bought a farm at Glasgow. The Graves came back to live for a short time and then sold it to Mr. Peters of Toronto who in turn lived there at short interve.-s and then rented it to several tenants who lived there for short periods of time in 1921. Mr. 0. M. Madill purchased the property and opened up a geney4al store•. He tore down the old shed and stables and erected the present large garage. 0. M. Madill served the public in this capacity until July 1953 when he sold his business to the present owner Mr. Brown who came from Port Elgin and also operates this as a store.. ALTONA WOMEY- 3 INSTIME 6-7 J I v MADILL — In loving mem- ory of our dear father and grandfather, Oliver M. Ma- dill, who passed away Aug. 11, 1968. His life was earnest, His actions kind, A willing hand and an active - mind, Anxious to please, loath to offend, A loving father and faithful friend. Sadly missed by Olive, Hilda, Marjorie and family �►,ri�`.��.L a � ''"�.`.oC e.�-.,�c'�', �r-� ''u - f�-z.cu.-�c-• 'u, �.�" er a -may► ' a..[ oC�;C` °''' >;P" %��/ d� >7f4 . - - ,;.�' av G- 7,� /90 7 v �oZ �-Ld� ''�i?.�I�`{-'t-�.� .-fwZo`-�-. �G�c-a+C.�-o�-.4z.e.. • o�a. /�j a? 3 �`_-G,uaro - �' �� • /�.E'�' .1.v �-4-c.�-. ti, . Woms Uxbridqe Times -Journal History of Business. Wednesday, November 6, 1991 Altona Inn had a very colorful, long history Altona, formerly a thriving little hamlet, lost its chance to grow and prosper when the pro- posed Pickering airport emp- tied it of both land and people. . Dividing its loyalty between Uxbridge and Pickering townships, Altona was settled predominantly by Mennonites in the early 1800s. The Mennonites named the hamlet,, located on the Ux- bridge/Pickering Towwnline and Concession 2 after Altona, Germany. The first known settler was John Willson, who took land in 1805 on lot 1, Concession 2. Other early settlers were Daniel Yake, who came from Germany in 1804 to settle first in Penn- sylvania and then to Ontario. Settlers on the north side of the line were Casters, Browns, Shoefelts, Jones, and Vanzants. Altona was orginally a far- ming community which grew around the crossroads. Mills, necessary to the farmers, began to sprout up in the early days helped by the Altona Creek which flows into Lake Ontario as part of Duffin's Creek. Sam Nighswander built at lot 32, Concession 9 at an early date, creating first a wollen mill operated by Edgar Cliff. It later became a grist mill and finally a well-known cidar mill known as the Apple Butter Factory. This building burned down in 1978. Another old grist mill was located on the southeast corner. Unfortunately, it too burned down in 1944. It had been used as a bird sanctuary for a time. The large mill off Sideroad 30 was hit with tragedy in 1951 when the dam broke and blacksmith Jasme Chambers was drowned. As the hamlet grew, businesses began to be built. Joseph Monkhouse arrived from Cumberland, England and became the owner of the Altona General Store in 1850. He also operated a saw mill. He left the store in 1857 and ran a mill built by Abraham Reesor. r. Monkhouse moved to a property on Concession 9 and managed a farm from 1874 to 1886. A well-known resident, Mr. Monkhouse served on council for 10 years and returned to the store after his brother's death and worked there until his own death in 1903. At that point, his son Willis took over. The Altona Inn, located on the northeast corner, was own- ed in the early days of its con- struction by Luxey Brown. With a bar and dance floor, it became a stopover for many, especial- ly those who were visiting the China Hall, added onto the general store by Thomas Monkhouse. Joseph Monkhouse had joined his brother in Altona. The popular China Hall, located in the upper storey of the store;, was known for miles around. It was devoted to dinner and tea sets, glassware and, of course, china. During its heyday, the store had the largest display of china between Toronto and Peterborough. Unfortunately, this land- mark also burned to the ground in 1973. .t , The Altona Inn itself -ex- perienced many changes through the years. In 1875, the bar was removed and a large two -storey brick addition built at the front with a new bar room. The building acted as a hotel until 1907. It was rented out until 1921 when it was bought and used as a general store by Oliver Madill. It also acted as an egg grading station and gas station for a time. It was sold in 1953 and used as apartments. For a tirrfe, Altona pro- spered as a business communi- ty with a butcher shop, slaughter house, shoe shop, and blacksmith shop. By 1952, none of these businesses remained. Later, Stanley Lewis pro- spered with his beehive business. Because the hamlet is divided between two townships, school children who played together during the day were separated with those on the Ux- bridge side going to Glasgow and those on the Pickering side Abraham Ressor on Concession going to Altona school. 9, Pickering. In 1968, a Sunday There was no record of a school auditorium with base - church until 1834 when the little ment classrooms was added. log schoolhouse was built avid After celebrating 100 years, also used as a meeting house, the church is. no longer. After re - standing near the corner on maining empty for a year, the Concession 2 north of the pre- church became the Stouffville sent cemetery. Christian School. The first school was actual- In 1958, a 12-home subdivi- ly built on the townline where sion was built near the nor - the Missionary Church was thwest corner. eventually built. During the same period, After the second school . Fred Lewis opened a hardware burned down, a new brick store, 'visited 'by hockey building was constructed in 1911 superstar Bobby Hull. on the east side of Concession 2 This was the last period of where it stands today. growth for Altona. The school was closed in The announcement in 1972 1966 and bought by Art Lat- and subsequent expropriation of cham, who turned it into a com- land by the federal government munity centre. When the second school burned, the Temperance Hall, located on the northwest corner, was used for the children's education until the new brick building was built. The hall, torn down in 1926, was located on the Abijah Jones land and used for the first__ meetinbgs of the Women's Institute. The first minister in Altona was DanWl.Kreidex, who arriymc ed in 1825 and left in 1836. The first church, bult in 1852 by the Pennsylvanian Dutch, was the Mennonite Meeting House, wl, ch still stands by the cemetery on the south side of the townline on Concesion 9, Pickering. Services were held until 1960 once a year. According to the Tweedsmuir History compiled by the Altona Women's In- stitute, Elizabeth Stouffer, wife of Abraham, who attended the Altona church was the first Wried in the cemetery in 1835. The second church; Altona Christian Missionary, was built in 1875 on land donated by for the Pickering airport still leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of former residents. Although citizen groups successfully fought the airport scheme, the government still owns the land. Now, the Christian school is all that remains with a handful of original owners still leasing their property from the government. "It's not the way it used to be," said former resident Louella Lewis in a 1986 inter- view. *If I could buy my place back, we still wouldn't go back. "The community spirit is gone and the families are scat- tered. Altona was destroyed by the expropriation." ALTOM WO'.KEN'S LNSTU UU./ 6 �S Stouffville, Ont., Thursday, April 29, 1954 Searchers Find Boy Marooned l On Wednesday morning of ( — last week about fifty searchers scoured the Altona district for Kenny Tindall, 3-year-old son Of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Tindall when word was received that the young lad .had wandered away from home and had not returned. Hilker Brown, oper- ator of the Altona 'General Store organized a search party and an hour later Geo. ,Brown, George Brown 21, a farm employee on the farm, of Walter Carter discovered I the boy stuck waist -deep in a swamp about one mile from his Home. Mrs. Tindall said that she feared her son had eibher l been kidnapped or had drowned in a nearby stream. W, CA ime� �a R M. 92 Fox Bounties In Pickering Twp. More than 1,000 foxes were killed in Ontario County in 1953. In a report prepared by the !County Clerk William Man- ning it is shown that a total of 1,134 foxes were killed in the county during the year. Boun- ties totalling $3,402 were paid to the hunters. In Ontario County, as in many counties of the province a. bounty of $3 each is paid to fox hunters when they present their trophy to the municipal clerk. This bounty applies all year 'round but in some of the more thickly populated ar- eas, .fox hunting is prohibited during certain months of the year. The, greatest number of fox- es were killed in Peach Town ship with Brock Township, im- mediately north of Reach, run- . ning a close second. The least number were killed in the Town of Whitby, as would be expected. Here is the distribution of foxes killed. municipality No. Bounties Brock Twp------------------------- 173 East Whitby Twp--------- ------ 59 Mara Twp.---------------------------- 63 Pickering T'wp• ------ ---- ----- 92 Rama Twp---------------------------_-- 90 Reach Twp• --------------------- 180 Scott Twp- ---------------------- ---- 121 Scugog Twp----------------------------- 29 Thorah 'Twp-----------_-- ------ 116 Uxbridge Twp-------------- ------ 142 Whitby Twp- -------------------------- 63 Whitby Town --------------_--------- 6 Ontario County Tax Rate A �kx Up Four Mills 'ys� The Ontario County levy -for 1954 will be 11.6 mills. This is a r1se�of 4 .mills over last year's rate. The by-law confirming the rate for the current year was passed at the closing session of the Ontario Council in Whitby on Thursday afternoon. At the February session of the council, the mill -rate was almost agreed upon. But mem- bers, after viewing the pro- posed expenditures of the On- tario County Road Committee, decided that this budget should be trimmed although it would still amount to only five Mills, the same rate as in 1953. Ac- cordingly, the road committee was asked .to make alterations in the budget to bring the total expenditures down. This year sees the payment of certain grants to hospitals in the dist- rict, hence an increased county levy. For all purposes, the county will this year spend $515,302.87. This money is to be used for the general government of the county, the operation of Fair- view Lodge, County Roads and bridges and the Suburban Road. On an assessment in the coun- ty of $44,422;661 this amounts to the above mentioned levy. For general government of ,the county, $230,997.84 is re- quired: For Fairview Lodge, $88,845,32 is required and for County and Suburban Roads, $195,459.71. The total County Road expenditure this year has been set at $423,000. This fig- ure was arrived at when the Council ordered the Board to trim its expenditures this year to last year's figure of $405;000 and add to that the ($9,000 sur- plus from last year's operation. The surplus will be used on subsidized works and will therefore make a possible ex penditure of $18,000 to be add- ed to last year's figure. Heaviest contributor to the County treasury will be the Township of Pickering which will pay $94,992.48; second is the 'Town of Whitby which will this year be requested to pay $63,095:23; third comes the Im- provement District of Ajax, with $52,240.87. - ALTONA UNION CHURCH GREAT Missionary Service SUNDAY EVENING, MAY 2 7.30 p.m. REV. HAROLD HALLMAN, Missionary from Nigeria, West Africa, will speak. Mrs: Shirk Thirty Years on Central On Thursday, April 1st, Mrs. Edgar -Shirk, Claremont's well known switchboard operator at the B. & S. Exchange, for near- ly thirty years, passed away in the Stouffville Brierbush Hos- pital following a stroke. Mrs. Shirk was stricken on Tuesday and was discovered lying on the floor by one of the operat- ors. She was rushed to hospit- al but failed to, recover. Mr. Shirk passed away about three years ago. She leavers to mourn her' passing, one soa Elmer here in Stouffville, three brothers, Percy. in Port Arthur, Jacob of Stouffville, Harold in Flin Flon, Manitoba and four sisters, Mrs. Ira Rusnell of Stouffville, Mrs. Stanley Lewis, Altona, Mrs. V. Gambrill, Richmond Hill and Mrs. Frances Glover in Sask. Funeral service was held on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at O'Neill's Funeral Chapel and was conducted by Huson of theStouffville United Missionary Church. Interment was made at Heise Hill Ceme tery. The pallbearers were, Jas. Coates, -Howard Hockley, Fred Morley, Walter Ward, Judd Ward and ,Stewart Graham URSDAY, APRIL 1, 1954. 13 This is Luella Creighton kn sfe:(. Whose Novel (A McClelland and Sfeworf Cook) is proving even more popular than her earlier best seller, High Bright Buggy Wheels, Altona Grocery Store Business Marks Thirtieth Anniversary - A On Dec. 5, 1921, Mr. O. M. Madill ving, and reroofing a portion of purchased the property on the the building. The outbuildings on northeast corner at Altona known the premises were torn down and as the "Look See" Brown Hotel. the land high with underbrush at The property was badly in need of that time, was cleared up. repair when taken over by Mr. Mr. and Mrs. 'Madill entered the Madilk who hailed from Toronto. business at a time - when prices The place had been operated were dropping rapidly, and Mr. previously by an Italian family Madill tells us that they were and was only opened for a 'brief, forced to sell the goods bought one time each summer. The corngr week for -cost to keep up with the block was at ,one time, the Altoila slumping market. ,Hotel and was the last time oper- Today, the place is well -stocked, ated as such by Mr. Harry Well- the creek which traverses the pro. man. (Following the introduation perty to the east has been beauti- of local option in Pickering, the fied and , a bridge added. Water place was changed to a grocery. pressure is also available in the Mr. Madill was born near Broug- building. Mr. and Mrs. Madill wish ham, and Mrs. Madill was a to extend their appreciation to native of Woodstock. The couple I their customers and friends for were industrious and completely l the trade they have enjoyed over renovated the former hotel site the past thirty years on this their for grocery sales, installing shel- anniversary occasion. Chicken Thieves Active at Altunas 3 Provincial Police Constable Wilton of Uxbridge was sum- moned to the farm of Mr. Rob- ert Lewis at Altona on Wed- nesday morning when it was learned that thieves had stol- en between 50 and 75 chick-, ens from their pens. Mr. Fred l Lewis, a neighbour heard queer noises in the middle of the night and suspecting chicken thieves he began searching the area. However in spite of all efforts to track f! clown the burglars, the un- wanted callers made good their escape. Mr. Robert Lew is keeps about 500 chickens at his place. Mr. and Mrs. O. Madill of east -end Stouffville spent this Wednesday in Toronto with their daughters, Olive (Mrs. Gerald Pointon) and Marjorie (Mrs. Roy Law), this being the 45th wedding anniversary of the local couple. Mr. O. Madill is .not only the oldest of nine children, but the only one of the nine with no break as to man 'and wife. Of the remaining eiglit, Annie, Hazel, Ernie and .Earl have all passed away. I George of British Columbia and Henry of Lindsay, each have been married twice. Rhoda (Mrs. Zeller) of Stouffville and Odella (Mrs. Fossey) of Toronto have each lost their husbands. Mr. and Mrs. Madill moved to Stouff- ville five -years ago from Altona where they resided for thirty- two years. V,0 jf- l i f t fi-F. SNOW -ISOLATED YORK,VILLAGES Skiers Haul Food and Fuel to Many Centres Which Faced Famine PLOWS BUCK DRIFTS I upplies yesterday reached near y a score of villages in the Uxbridge and Sutton districts which have been snowbound for almost a week, and which faced a shortage of food and fuel. Bread, meat and other much -needed sup- plies , were hauled in on tobog- gans by skiers who travelled over roads buried in twelve to fifteen feet of snow. But while roads were opened to many places, several villages still remained entirely isolated. Rav- enshoe, near Sutton, and Leaskdale, north of Uxbridge, are still snowed in and the residents face the pros- pect of being shut off for another two or three days. Brownhill, Woodville and Burke - ton were all reached by snowplow late last night. Two bread trucks loaded with supplies followed the Plow into Brownhill, where resi- dents were completely out of bread, meat, butter and other foods. "If the plow hadn't reached us we were going to arrange to have the stuff flown in to us," declared David Hillis. "Things were getting pretty desperate. But everything is alright now." A team and sleigh broke through yesterday to Seagrave to relieve a serious shortage of bread there. There has been no mail for a week, and things were beginning to look bad, according to Wesley Crozier. Sonya and Cresswell are isolated, according to Mr. Crozier. A fuel shortage was still a serious concern in Woodville and Goodwood. The situation is expected to be somewhat relieved in Woodville to- day, since the plow broke through last night. Goodwood residents have resorted to burning what wood they can find, in the hope that they can hold out until the plow breaks through from Stouffville. It took i, from early mornTing—U71'r late last night for the plow to progress) three-quarters of a mile. Two huge plows from Uxbridge are among the victims of the snow- drifts, and lie abandoned some- where along the way. Gangs of thirty to fifty men were shovelling out the snow to allow the plows to make headway in most districts, as the snow became packed hard. Near Burketon the men and plow had to fight fifteen -foot drifts, according to H. G. Gill. Baldwin was reached yesterday after fifty villagers worked des- perately to meet a gang of 100 men shovelling their way in from Kes- wick. .' Q f�Wo N,ST—NNSTri1-TE 70 ALTONA STORE CHANGES HANDS AFTER 32 YEARS Jacob Meyer, 80, Recalls Early Life in Town On Friday of this week Mr. Jacob Meyer, a resident: of Church St. in Stouffville, w*l celebrate his 80th birthday. Born on the sixth concession of Markham in the vear 1873, the son of the lateEdward Meyer and Magdelina Wide- man, he moved at an early age to the ninth concession of Pickering and resided .on the present Fretz farm. He and his wife, the former Rosanna Byer, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary some sev- en .years ago. Mrs. Meyer pas- sed away six years ago. There is one son, Allan, on the 9th of Pickering and four grand- children. Mr. Meyer received his pub- lic school training at Altona and later was appointed a trus•° Long- Established Home Closes at Altona When the household effects in long-established home is pa the Ab. Davis home at Altona were from existence. "`But," said of finally moved out last Saturday the neighbors, `the Davis place always be such to we older p( afternoon, following the public because here we have come b auction sale, it was the final scene many years, always assured in closing out a household that had warm welcome and friendly been in existence there for about We have seen a large family to womanhood and manhood 45 years. The late Ab. Davis was from this single home many one-time drayman in Stouffville homes have sprung up heade and shortly after the turn of the the children, and so, such is century he settled in the house such is expansion." and lot at Altona which he pur- A white-haired old man nc chased at that time from the late approval of these sentiments Nelson Mowder. Here Mr. and nothing more was said, folks Mrs. Davis remained until the end about as though they were at of their days. ing a funeral, and somehow The family of five girls and three was a similarity. boys had grown up, and long since All unaware of the feeling married. Since the death of Mr. the old-timers who had come Davis some months ago, the only gone from that home over n member of the family left at home half a century, out in the was daughter Esther, who now is Auctioneer Farmer and a Mr. O.M. "011ie" Madill re- seldom equalled. Mr. and Mrs. tee at the Atha Public School taking tlp residence in Stouffville; small crowd were intent or centiy disposed of the Altona Madill will take up residence He moved to Stouffville twen• tv three ago and purchas where .h, will .be engaged as a clerk in k,4 Gc lden Clothing Store. business before them —the au eer urging for bids and the c General Store after carrying in Stouffville. .years ed the Truman hon on Church Old friends aril neighbors stood g dro m dropping in a quotte here and 1 on the business There for the e i Street, which has since been about at the auction'last Saturday, The scene soon passed bi past ears. The new owner p Y ecnverted into. an apartment and as is to be expected there is memory will never be efface is Mr. Hilker Brown of Tiber- The well known Asa }Millard � house. always a note of sadness when a some. ton, Ont. near Port Elgin. Mr. Brawn took over on Saturday farm at Altona belonging to Mrs. Wm. Reesor, has been sold to Mr. Mr. Meyer recalls much of the early life Here in the early and will operate the business Dudley White who 'lives south of 1900's. Wpere the present post - a thriving with his 21 year old son. Altona. This is a very desirable farm office na -stands, grist mill business once oper- Almost. 80 years old, this with fine buildings and an ideal 20 the has l aaed. The mill was replaced by country store at Altona was home. For years property an ice and roller skating arena ht one time a hotel operated by been tenanted by Mr. D. Crosier who Which was later wiped out by -Mr. Andrew Brown for nearly Y will take off this year's crop, when fire. From the site of the prey- _ fifty years. It was then taken he will move into Altona in a house ent Post Office west to O'Brien over by Mr. Ted Graves who now being . reconstructed for him Avenue, numerous sheds were dreamed of turning the est.ab- with modern plumbing, etc. The sale used by drivers to shelter, lishment into a summer resort price of the Millard farm is reported their horses. Tie posts were lo- - but nothing was ever develop- at $10,000. The property has a, The Millard's cameo cated at regular intervals al- ong the gravelled -Main St. Mr. ed along this line. The hotel historic setting. :Meyer recalls the two grocery was then taken over by Mr to Uxbridge Township from New-; stores operated by Mr. Fred -Marry Wellman, now a resi- market about 95 years ago. Timothy , Spofford and W. Sam Warrin- dent of Glasgow. Millard bought the 200 acres known er. Those were the days when, The old bar now serves as a as lot 3, concession 2. These farms although a man worked for counter where groceries and were first granted from the crown in fifty cents a day, he could pur- other goods have been passed 1805, the crown deed had the seal chase eggs at .10c a dozen. but - along to hundreds of country of George 3rd attached which is istill I ter at .12c a pound and :34: of sugar for $1.00. The customers during the past I the possession of Mrs. Reesor. pounds Grand Trunk Railway operated thirty-two years. Many awee -- -- - -- _— _ a wood -burning engine through ry traveller was given a Stouffville and was re -fuelled night's lodging during its fifty from a huge pile of cordwood years of operation as a hotel. which covered a five acre lot Mr. Madill had the unique BUNKER — Mr. and Mrs. Mer- near the station. Wood could helped erect in 1903. He serv- experience one day of serving vin Bunker, Altona, are hap- be purchased for $5.00 a cord. I ed as a trustee in the former his wares to four generations, py to announce the birth of a Going back a few years, Mr. I Mennonite Church for twenty the Tran families. Mr. George daughter on Tuesday, Jan.19, Meyer can recall the Fall Fair years. Mr. Meyer has always - Tran made a purchase, also 1960, at the Uxbridge Cottage which was held where a port- ion of the new Lloyd Avenue had very keen eyesight and for this reason he coached his son his son D.J. Tran and his son Hospital.iatfricia Saws, , subdivision is located. in many ploughing match Joe and his daughter then four' ---- __ _— Mr. Meyer still enioys very competitions. He also handled ,years of age. Such an event is! good health and during the the team on the cabbage plant - summer months he spends er for Brillinger Bros. a numb much of his spare time at his er of years ago. son's farm near Altona. He is a regular attendant at the Un-, The Tribune takes this op - portunity of wishing Mr. Mey- ited Missionary Church in er many more .years of good town, a building which he i health and prosperity. Stouffville Brigade To Serve Altona Fire Area o 65 Messrs. Ken Reesor Stanley Thompson, reprei ing some thirty farmers in north-west portion of - Pic ing 'Twp. appeared be council on Monday afters to request assistance in sl dering the $100 standby asked by the Stouffville Brigade for servicing t particular area. Council d, ed to spread the cost over municipality. The reside however will bear the ho rate involved should a fir( cur in their particular sec Mr. Ken Reesor, spokes for the delegation stated following a meeting of fart in the area it was decided remain under Stouffville protection rather than C mont because the majorit residents were on the St ville telephone exchange. I modern equipment, to hose and a chemical unit tended to support such a sion. The Stouffville bri, reduced their standby req from $160 to $100 HOOVER'S CANADIAN COUSINS LIVE MERE Stouffville holds the distinction of having a relative of President Herbert Hoover in our midst. Many persons do not know that the late Timothy (Millard, fptse-- of Mrs. Esther Robinson of t,C 1'lle, was a cousin to the mother of the President. Timothy (Millard was born in Newmarket but spent much of his 1'. on the farm at Altona where hk died 50 years ago. For st,me time considerable prom- inence has been given to biographi- cal sketches of the Hoover family, and the fact has been truly men- tioned in them that President Hoover's mother, whose maiden name was Hulda Randal Minthorn was left a poor wlaow in the year 1878 with three children. She was a Canadian. As a small child the president's mother attended a little school at Norwich, Ontario, and their is one very old lady there to this day who recalls Huldia, IMinthorn as a small child when they attended the little Quaker Church in the country distrilet. The Minthorn family trecked in 1858 to Towa taking with them their family a: six small children including llul a who was some day to be the u_ ter of a great president. We are proud to have in our midst one within the rang of relationship with the White House, and as Mrs. Robinson holds relationship in two widely known families—Millards anal Hoovers, a treck might possibly be organized from York Cot- ' to visit the White Hous > s.:'1 gLon We are sure the Presl,. ,c •id Ili, glad to see desctn(?a.,: = r''e ":irrdy Canadian stock tha, stayed in Canada. Atha gins Young Peoples' Hockey Crown Atli-Lt Flyers led by Don Dun- keid % ith three goals captured the Youth for Christ Hockey Championship in a sudden death game played in the Stouffville Arena on Friday night. Atha defeated Bethes- da 6-3. The Bethesda boys took a one goal lead early in the game on a goal by Ray Atkin- son but Atha stormed back led by Durikeid to tie the game and roll on to the Champion- ship. Other marksmen for the winners were Grant Hill and Noel Storry. Ray Atkinson with two and Dave Rateliff were the goal scorers for Be- thesda. Glenn Taun guarded the Bethesda net. In their six previous meetings in the reg- ular schedule Bethesda had captured four contests and were favourites to win the ho- nors. /?6-,t Signs New signs, provided by the Altona Feed and Supply com- pany will be erected on the Uxbridge -Pickering townline at; „Altona. They will act, as a warn- ing to motorists to take ex-' tra. precaution ' when ' passinE, through the school crossing zone. COMMEMORATES MARKHAM PION Cairn erected by the descendants of Christian Reesor, pioneer Markham, to commemorate his arrival there from Pennsylvania years ago. It stands on Highway No. 7, one mile west of Loc Hill, where several hundred of the Reesor clan will hold a reun on -June 23. Upward of five thousand of the pioneer's descends are now living. 141 �,9$47� 1 Times Have Changed The Site At Altona Corners It doesn't seem like too many year s ago that 011ie Madill operated the Gen- This is the same property as we know it today. The structure; recently eral Store on the north-east corner of Altona, renovated, is now up for sale. Widow of Ct A Madill 1, f• r�, J �, S • 'TRIBUNE Thursday, February 3, 1972 iuried at Stouffiffle Harry Wellman — 90th birthday Oliver Madill Altona storekeeper STOUFFVILLE — Fol- he spent his entire life in lowing a period of fail- the area. He was active ing health, Mr. Oliver Ma- in Richardson Lodge, A.F. dill, a well known and & A.M. and held the office highly respected resident of Master in 1939. He was of the Stouffville area, also a past Grand Lodge passed away in Brierbush Officer. A special Masonic Hospital, Sunday, Aug. 11. service was held at the He was 81. i" -ia; ,, O'Neill Funeral parlors, Mr. Madill, known as '011ie' to all his friends, operated the Altona store for a period of 32 vears, selling out in 1953 to take up residence in the east end of town. Mr. Madill was justifi- ably proud of his ancestral heritage which dated back through m a n y genera- tions. His great grand- mother, Ruth Wixon was the first white child born in Pickering Township. Mr. Madill was born near Brougham, the son of Joseph Wixson Madill and Martha Burnham. He attended school at Sand- ford and Mongolia. With the exception of a period spent in Toronto, STOUFFVILLE — The death occurred this week'half of Florence Ena Madill, house widow of the late run Altona s �� Madill, for many yearr pro, Helped prietor of the corner store at Altona. The couple had been living retired here GLASGOW - It's The Altona Hotel Later, he lived north for some years. Deceased been a good many was licenced, Mr. of Victoria Square, in was in her 79th year and years since Harry Wellman recalled and S t o u f f v i 11 a a n d was identified during her Wellman worked with. since Stouffville was Glasgow. Names like lifetime with the Mission• his parents, James and •dry' the site was a Christie Armstrong, ary Church. Sarah Wellman in the popular place, par- 'Shine' Davis and Surviving are three old hotel on the four ticularly at night. It George Storey are daughters, Olive (Mrs. too with corners of Altona. was popular Gerald Pointon), Hilda p p familiar to him. (Mrs. H. Baker) and Mar. The location was a travellers, usually "Christie and I used to jorie (Mrs. Roy Law); there kind of 'half -way- `landing in' around be -great pals," he said. are seven grandchildren house' - half way mealtime. An adjacent I `'Peg' Martin, son of and two great grandchil- between Stouffville shed could ac- the. one4ime operator dren as well as two sisters, and Claremont. Livery commodate up to ten - - Mrs. Mabel Baker, Scar- men with their horses horses. A gallon of oats of Stouffville's Mar- boro and Mrs. Edith Pled- and rigs would stop by i cost ten cents. tin's Hotel, is also a ger, Agincourt. on their way to and "We never had any resident at Fairview. The funeral, Tuesday, from the two com- trouble ," Mr. .Wellman Harry Wellman has was conducted from the f O'Neill Funeral Home by munities. said, they. were all a sister Mary. She is Rev. Frank Huson assisted On Sunday, Jan. 30, { real gentlemen". In 84. by Rev. John Hamilton. Harry Wellman, now a his time there, he only Without complaining The pallbearers were — •esident at,,,Fairview served one woman. about his present Messrs. B. Burnell, Earl ,odge in Whitby, " "Ladies didn't drink in residence, M r . Brillinger, Gordon Wagg, celebrated his 90th those days."•he joked. Wellman readily M. Elson, Walter Atkinson birthday. I Harry Wellman was admits 'there's no and Mervin Bunker. Inter- born at Headford in the place like home'. ment was made in the former Twp. of Friends wish him a Stouffville Cemetery. Markham. He at- Happy Birthday. tended Headford r Public School, going out to work on district farms at an early age. He can recall earning $50 over a period of."f1�l �?l1+111'.i+I' i:` `'i;� �Ts seven months. - Oliver Madill 31 years Stouffville, Monday even- ing prior to a public ser- vice in the chapel, Tues- day afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Frank Huson of Altona United Missionary Church was in charge, with interment, Stouffville Cemetery. The pall bear- ers were: Millard Reesor, Roy Law, Earl Brillinger, Kenneth Madill, Norman Neal and Charles Hodg- son. Besides his wife, the former Florence Edna Mills, Mr. Madill is sur- vived by three daughters, Olive (Mrs. Gerald Poin- ton) Toronto; Hilda (Mrs. Grant Baker) Toronto and Marjorie (Mrs. Roy Law) Richmond Hill. There are also two sisters, Rhoda (Mrs. Oliver Z e I I e r) Stouffville; Della (Mrs. Tom Jackson) West Hill and two brothers, Henry of Lindsay and George of Vancouver. There are sev- en grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Ilarry Wellman, formerly of Glasgow, and now a resident of Fairview L )(19P, Whitby, celebrated his 911th birthday, Jan. all. r>7:L—Jas. Thomas. - 6 � AIR _ r , � �i - ----------------- 1 _ H;T_ .. j This is the little house across the road from the Altona Inn Hotel, on the Jones' farm over 100 years ago, where a cobbler made home-made boot:, at one tine, which has been torn down over fifty years ago. f I_ //f/S µJAB THE M 14 1_9A. D I c r j t Abijah Jones Sr., had this house erected on the north east corner of hisfa= near the line fence of the adjoining farm to the north which provided shelter and home for an old man named Johnny Herbert which he had rent free, it has also been demolished many, many years ago. i A Lot 13, Con. 21 Uxbridge. I,A Mr. Gordon lived in this same house about 65 years 'ago. He also operated a butcher shop which was built up to the left side of the house. It extended out at far as the sidewalk which came along by the house about four feet from the edge of the vetandah; not the present one but an old one7 before that a Mr. Forfar lived there and taught school. at Altona. The old butcher shop has been torn down for nearly fifty years. There has been a lot of remodelling inside and outside as well. The ground floor in the front part of this house is made of planks standing on their ends lathed and plastered on the planks. In 1865, this part of the house was moved on this ground from down the road farther and the back part built to it. So it is hard to say just how old this part of the house is, but is built with beams some which are in a barn, h", t!;e• b rneci This is the Morden house years ago. Several people have rented'. and owned it. The present owner is Mr. Loss Hill, Altona. (Many years ago this property belonged to a Mr. Fallas or Jim Coulter (not just sure which). At that time a log house stood herewhich was torn down and replaced by this one. - This is the Abram Lehman property somewhere around seventy years or more ago. This is not the same house, but was built with some of the material from the old house which was much larger. This is next to Mr. Loss Hills' which is pictured at the left corner below. - Likewise the same has had a number of tenants and owner and it now is owned by Elwood Elson, Altona. 4►1 AILTDIIIA P to/LORI EMMERSON The old fashioned way Volunteer Gladys Clarkson whips up a batch of Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum's annual pancake pancakes, 1800s style, last Sunday at the breakfast. f1;t htNr /' (for«: r'N Lillie Francis Smith turned the 100th-birthday corner with an open house at the Silver Jubilee Club on Sat- urday Aug. 10 and a large cake here held by niece Gladys Clarkson and Tara Clarkson, great -grand niece. Photo/SJOERD WITFEVEEN Bill Clarkson -- I_Ouiso- t (Orris) I I g}' �V I�T - C 1 I �`�Sm, i i � 1j I Sf`(lh Ru+� Lo's-hrctYx('' ph�l1(5 Yvt 4ady5 YYlearmail 0µgvMan� Ilve Itve F19 j RC. 13 re, W f17 x In M CLARi mem( father vvi,U ydsseu away on February 21,1984. There is someone who misses you sadly And find the days long since you went There is someone who misses you daly And tries to be brave and content So we shed a tear in silence And bresthe a sigh of regret For ,your were ours and we remember Th,)ugh all the world may forget In Stouffville Cemetery sweetly sleeping Where the flowers gently wave Lies the one we loved so dearly The one we could not save. — Sadly missed and lovingly remembered, Gladys & Family. Stouffville Real Estate Ltd., is pleased to welcome Alan Elson back from an extensive vacation. Alan is again looking forward to serving the real estate needs of his clients and friends and can be reached at 640-1200 or 649-2266. �N, Ale, rs -,lut-I�aCh 1�1 Mr, and Mrs. Elwood Elson recently celebrated their 45th wedding anni- versary with a family gath- ering at their sons, Mr. and Mrs. Mansell Elson in StouffvilIe- -Lu.Z /y G V ELSON - Wesley Ellwood, suddenly on Tuesday May 31, 1977, beloved husband of the late Isola Nighswander. Dear father of Mansel, Ar- nold, Lionel, Stanley, Nelda (Mrs. Wilfrid Morley); Allan, Shirley (Mrs. R. Bruce Leask); and Earl. Loving grandfather of 26 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Brother of Laura (Mrs. Fred Riddle), Nelda (Mrs. Wesley Shreeve), Kenneth, Lorne and Ella (Mrs. Victora Long). Funeral service was held in the chapel from Low & Low Funeral Home, Ux- bridge. Interment Uxbridge Cemetery. ALTONA WOMEN'S INSMUTE ! 1, 15t + I I THE TRIBUNE, STOUFFVILLE, THURSDAY JANUARY 5, 1956 Receive Messages from Queen and Prime Minister Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Clarkson Diamond Wedding Anniversary MR. AND MRS. CLARKSON Married 60 years AL 0NA Over forty sat down to New Year's Day dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Clarkson on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. A number, of friends and neighbours called' in the afternoon to wish them happiness on this special day. Mr, and Mrs. Ted Assinck en- tertained his parents, Mr, and Mrs. John Assinck Sr. and his brothers John, Bill, Joe and An- ton, their wives and families on New Year's Day. On Tuesday of this week Mr. and Mrs. Assinci Sr, left for their home in Hol- land. Mr. and Mrs. Al Jet,eman ara, Mr. and Mrs. Don Davis wel- comed in the New 1 ear at t.%o home of Mr, and Mrs. Merv. Bunker. On Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Harve Bunker and family were guests of his brother Merv. Mr, and Mrs. Levi Fretz and family entertained his parents and brothers and sisters on New Year's Day. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Lewis and boys, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lewis and family, Mr. and Mrs. Stan Lewis and Mr, and Mrs. Bert Lewis and Ernestine Cooper', were Monday guests of Mr. and j Mrs. Fred Lewis and family. Mr. and Mrs.. Ted Jones and family entertained her sister, Mr. and Mrs. Len Flowers and boys of Peterborough on New Year's Day. Cookirtg Respoitsborle For Happy Marriage Stouffville, Jan. 7—(Special)— wives can't even boil water to - Sixty years ago, 15-year-old day," she exclaimed. Mr. Clarkson Louisa Morris, a schoolgirl bride, at 79 is also hale and hearty. He was married to 19-year-old Wil- is loud in his praise of his wife's liam Clarkson of Stouffville. This baking ability and feels that her ,week Mt•• and Mrs. Clarkson cele- cooking is mainly responsible for brated their diamond wedding their happy marriage, Mrs. Clark - anniversary at their home in Al- son baked her own anniversary tona, two miles east of here. cake. More than 100 friends and Mr. Clarkson is well known for relatives called to extend /con- his sheep -shearing ability, a trade gratulations. which he gave up only last year. The celebrating couple have He has shorn "thousands" of one son, Arthur in Montreal, six sheep around the townships of grandchildren and 14 great grand- Pickering, Uxbridge, Whitchurch children. and Markham. Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson were Immediately after their mar- s4owered with cards and gifts, riage Mr. Clarkson worked as a their most treasured being a hired hand on various farms in cable from Queen Elizabeth and the district. His wages ranged a telegram from Prime Minister from $1.00 per day to $15.00 per St. Laurent. month. The couple first became At 75 years of age, Mrs. Clark- acquainted at Sunday School and son enjoys • excellent health. "I throughout their married life am certainly in favor of youthful have been regular church and marriages," says Mrs. Clarkson, Sunday School attendants. They "so long as the young bride is are members of the Altona able to cook. Too many teen-age United Missionary Church. Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Clarkson Married Sixty Years On Sunday, New Year's Day, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Clark- never owned a car but relied son, residents of Altona for the mainly on a horse and buggy past 24 years,, celebrated their for their transportation. diamond wedding anniversary. The celebrated couple have The well-known and highly re- always known hard work but spected couple were the recip- they both believe that manual ients of many cards, gifts, labour isn't a deterrent to long flowers and congratulatory mes- life. They regularly attend Sun - sages. A much treasured cable day School and morning service from Queen Elizabeth and a tel- at the Altona United Mission- egram from Prime Minister ary Church. Louis St. Laurent were also re- The Tribune takes .this op- ceived, During the day, dozens portunity of wishing Mr. and of friends and relatives extend- • Mrs. Clarkson of Altona many ed congratulations to the cele- more years of health and hap-, brated Altona couple. Close to piness together. I fifty visitors enjoyed the anni- versary dinner in the Clarkson home. Mrs. Clarkson is in excep- tionally fine health. At 75, she continues to do her usual house- ihold chores. She prides herself In her ability to cook and her many friends will vouch for her accomplishments in, this art. She baked her own anniversary cake. . Mrs. Clarkson was born east , of Stouffville, the daughter of the late Jane -Ann Stotts and Edward Morris. She attended both Glasgow and Stouffville Public Schools. Mr, Clarkson was born near Lincolnville on the farm now owned by Mr. S. Pollard. He was the son of the late Jane Swales and Robert Clarkson, He received his schooling at Bloomington. Looking back More than six- ty years, the happy couple re- call how they first met when attending Church and Sunday School at Bloomington. They were later 'married in Stouff- ville by Rev. Elder Percy and took up residence north of town on the Prof. Logan farm. To the union was born one son, Arthur of Montreal. They have six grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Mrs. Clar- kson has four sisters, Mrs. An- na Barkey of Tillsoniburg, Mrs. Herbert Burnett, Mrs, Arthur „Starry, and Mrs. Arthur Smith, all of Bloomington, and two brothers, Mr. Carman' Morris of Stouffville and Mr. Delos Morris of Tillsonburg. One sis- ter, Mrs. Herb Jarvis, is de- ceased, Mr. Clarkson has two sisters, Mrs. Herbert Southby and Mrs. Violet Stadelbauer, both of Orangeville. Mr, Clarkson will be 80 years old in October. He is noted for his knowledge of shearing sheep, an art that he practised up until last year. Over the years he has sheared literally "thousands" of sheep in Pick- ering, Uxbridge, Whitchurch and Markham .Townships. He also teamed gravel into Stouff- ville for the construction of many of • the town's present sidewalks. A man and team would draw three loads of gra- vel per day at a wage of $4.50. All the loads were shovelled on by hand. Both Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson recall seeing the first cars in this district. Dr, Walter ,Sangster owned one of the first horseless carriages in Stouff- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson JGUST 12, 1965 _ TWELVE PAGES Ai J k, ALL ru Vt'a(ci("Runkrr)�cne5 Icl L' Heart Seizure Fatal Jo Norman Bunker, Abu Resident. A heart seizure, suffered six- each year in the cultivation of teen days ago, proved fatal for a fine garden. Mr. Norman Bunker, a resident Besides -his wife, he is sur- of Altona more than fifty years. vived by three sons, Clarence Mr. Bunker passed away on and Harvey of Goodwood; Mer- Sunday, Aug. 8th, in the Ux- vyn of Altona, and two daugh- bridge Cottage Hospital. He was ters, Leta (Mrs. Vivian Carson) 76. of Toronto and Viola (Mrs. Born in Pickering Twp., the Richard Jones) of Buttonville. son of the late Frederick and A third daughter, Ethel ( Mrs. Elizabeth Bunker, he took up Arthur Wagg) is deceased. residence at Altona following There are five brothers, Har- his marriage in 1911 to the vey, Archie, Clarke, Thomas former Margaret Burnham. On and Lorne Bunker and three March 1st, 1961, they celebrat- sisters, Mrs. Fred Madill, Miss ed their 50th wedding annivers- Florence Bunker and Mrs. Mae ary. Mr. Bunker was a skilled Patterson. There are 18 grand - cement mason and contractor children and 13 great grand - by trade. He was a. member of children, Richardson Masonic Lodge in Stouffville and a Masonic ser- vice was conducted from the O'Neill Chapel on Tuesday I (BUNKER — in loving night. He was identified with memory of my dear husband Ethel and the Altona United Missionary and daughters, Leta, Ethel July 23, 1944, Church where the funeral was Leta, March 2, 1971 and held on Wednesday afternoon, beloved husband August 8, conducted by Rev. Frank Huson 1965. and Rev. Dow Sargent. The Time is swiftly passing, pallbearers were all grandsons, One by one the family chain Bruce Jones, Kenneth Wegg, is broken What a day that will be when Jack Bunker, Harold Bunker, our saviour we see Donald -Bunker and Thoinas And the tears are all wiped Bunker Jr. Interment was in away from our eyes. the Stouffville Cemetery. Loved too much to be Mr. Bunker enjoyed working forgotten. mm' Mother` outdoors and took much pride Beloved wife and Bunker wi. wtevn her r A „le r• i _ — 1 = _ice li I �OdOQ v elSOn ���-h f�(��' WIFE �f ar a � BL{I 1HUSBAND Born T eh ' (J �/ + Born o I A 1 1 1 q 0 Place 0i G kern w Place Residence Marriage date Occupation Place Religion Church Diedlkq -? I Died C, 3 1 � �7 /t Place Place Cemetery Cemetery Father rQ JGr� �k �1 Father L)m �t r n �1elm Mother I Zd Mother e-10 l e. rk-. -�o YI �,,S BE G �- 1 i 14 Other marriages Other marriages f CHILDREN Born Died Married I u �ze.(« Svth��� (Q1l ar:� t -71 � �s✓� �Iaf' �, (C113 CfgLel Pei)Y CSL 13 6I W jai,, �. f9�� 1:1 r ��t 17 I f 3�' G0itdie, 7 B 9 0 Sources & Other Information Former Goodwood resident was antique car buff , r, b� Back in the 60s, Harvey Bunker of Goodwood was re- nowned for his skill in refurbishing antique cars. Show entries won many awards all across Ontario. Twenty-five years have passed, (1963), since this photo was taken. Mr. Bunker moved from Goodwood to Lake Kushog twelve years ago and only recently took up residence at Minden. Pictures and trophies serve as memories of a day when a Harvey Bunker classic car, similar to the one above, was `king of the road'. Sun cs /t'trer��4rN 1` l3+�nke�- ''Jim Thomas ��rrner Alfrii« ��m��„be, I,VAN__' The Boothby Property, now owned by Fred Filkey. In the 1870's this property was the scene of a busy place. Mr. Boothby, a blacksmith by trade, operated a blacksmith shop down by the road, north of the driveway leading to the residence. His third eldest son, Freeman, operated a tailor shop in one of the large rooms upstairs in the house. He was assisted by his sister, Annie, now Mrs. George Hughes, who with her husband resides on Lloyd Ave., Stouffville.Many men folk for years had their suits and coats made to measure. This large house which is still there to -day, was built by Mr. Boothby. The woodshed attached was part of the old house previous. They had a large family of ten children, five boys and five girls; the three eldest childred, two boys and one girl died of typhoid fever when young. Around 1900 Freeman, the tailor, discontinued his trade, went west and became a minister until the time of his death a few years ago. The parents and those that were unmarried continued to live there several years longer, but the father gave 0 19 9!- Ninetieth birthday celebration On Saturday, Feb. 2, Mrs Elsie Pil- ters Irene Bacon. R.R. 4, Stouffville, key, a resident of Parkview Home, (left). Alma Timbers, Clarke Street, Stouffville, marked her 90th birth- Stouffville, (right) and sons Ken of day. The occasion was celebrated Holland Landing, (left) and Carl of with a family gathering, Saturday Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, (right). - evening. Mrs Pilkey, the guest of honor, is pictured here with daugh- Elsie Pilke93, TIMBERS — Mr. and Mrs Georg^ Timbers are happy to announce the birth of their up his trade and sold the property to a Mr. March in 1908. Mr. Boothby moved loved to Toronto where he died; his wife P survived him a number of years longer. gardening STOUFFVIIrLE — Service was life-long interest, first at Dick - They are both buried with their three oldest children in Glasgow cemetery held at the Stoluffville Missionary son's Hill, then Altona and later Church April 1,9 for Mrs. Elsie Pil- Stouffville Missionary. south of the school house.. Also Mr. and P'irs. Boothby, elderly parents lived with key following hier passing April 16 Mrs. Pilkey was close to her at Parkview Hlome. t yj', family including sons and daugh- She was 93. ters-in-law, Carl and Ann Pilkey them and died in the same house. The Boothb s were wonderful neighbors always Y g Y Mrs. Pilkey,, the former Elsie of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan; Raymer, was Iborn near Lemon- Ken and Maryann Pilkey, R.R. 1, ready to lend a helping hand when anyone was sick. They were also faithful ville, daughter of Abram and Newmarket; daughters and sons - Matilda Raynner. She attended in-law, Irene and Ken Bacon, Lemonville Pulbllc School. R.R. 4, Stouffville; Alma and church workers in Glasgow Methodist church and attended at Alton as well. Mrs. Pilkey, was associated George Timbers, Clarke St., with Dickson ,s Hill Missionary Stouffville. Church and later Altona Mission- There are 13 grandchildren and Mr. Boothby was a faithful Sunday school teacher of the Adult Bible class ary Church folllowing Ter mar- 10 great-grandchildren. in Altona Sunda School. There are just three of the family living to -day Y � Y g Y riage in 1925. Or. and Mrs. Pilkey Rev. Douglas Gray was in moved to Baker Ave., Stouffville, charge of the funeral service in 1955. assisted by Pastor Charles Mr. Pilkey dlied 10 years later Annie (Mrs Hughes of Stouffville) Charles of Mission City, U. S.A. and Mashit following a tralgic accident. ner. Rev. and Mrs. Gray rendered a beautiful duet. A Mrs. Pilkey nnoved to Parkview Home in 1983. grandson, Wayne Bacon, deli - Benjamin of Los Angeles 1954. An avid gardiener, Mrs. Pilkey vered the eulogy. "lived all winter for spring." She Pallbearers were six grandsons By Mrs. No Bunker, 1954. enjoyed working among, her flow- —Dale Pilkey, Evan Pilkey, Ter- ers. Her lawn vvas always beauti- ry Pilkey, Barry Pilkey, Bruce fully cut and trimmed. Bacon and Mark Timbers. Inter- Church assoc-iation remained a ment was in Stouffville Cemetery. `` 1' 1 PILKEY — In loving mem- ory of Frederick J. Pilkey, who passed away, Dec. 6, 65. 19We 4ii" little knew, when we > woke the morn. / The sorrow the day would bring. I For the call was sudden, 1 The shock severe. r , To part with one we loved so dear. Ever Remembered by -wife, Elsie and family. P14KEY, Elsia — At Parkview Home, Stouffville, on Saturday, April 16, 1988. Elsie Raymer, of Stouffville in her 94th year, beloved wife of the late Fred Pilkey, loving mother of Irene and her husband Ken Bacon of R.R. 4, Stouffville, Alma and her husband George Timbers of Stouffville, Carl and his wife Anne of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Ken and his wife Maryann of R.R. 1, Newmarket. Dear grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Resting at O'Neill Funeral Home, Stouffville on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Service from the Stouffville Missionary Church on Tuesday at 2 P.m. Interment Stouffville Cemetery. If so desired, memorial donations to Porkview Home or Stouffville Missionary Church M.W.I. would be appreciated. -` v `yeah Street home of Elsie Pilkey, ' ,i `W0MW5 V son Mark Douglas on May 9, 1970 at York County Hos pital, Newmarket. A brotl- for Becky, 1,2 70 � �-, - �;� Cam-• . lam, . �-�- 01 e77 �Z: zi 3 � , zze .41 / G i'l'✓y cot_ �(.�-GAO/ c �J.��'-t�-��L�• ., r. T3 � c �1�!�"��'.'.�,��w,G�zvi� Fourth Section A Metroland Community Newspaper Wednesday, April Retirement means he's still on call at Stouffville Co-op By BRUCE STAPLEY Ross Wideman has come in out of the cold. And at the age of 69, he's making a strong case for the _idea of seniors continuing on in the work force in a limited capac- ity once they have outgrown the rigours of the daily grind. The Altona resident, who drove an oil truck for the Stouffville ;Coop from 1952 until his `retire- ment' three years ago, has been ,on call' ever since. And as it turns out, the call just keeps on coming. "I guess I'm averaging around 20 hours a week since I retired" claims the fit looking gentleman with the contented approach to- wards life. "Some times, I'll work eight hours in one day, other times I'll work eight hours in a whole week." His oil truck driving days, however, are over, as he is now doing strictly inside work. "I finally decided to retire from oil delivery because the pressure got too great. There were some long hours, and a lot of time spent out in the cold. I had to start worrying about my health at my age." Does he miss the old routine? "I kind of wished I hadn't stop- ped for a while there afterwards", he admits, having gotten used to the routine after so many years. "It was an ideal job for someone like me." For Ross, driving the oil truck for the Coop meant he was able to have a certain amount of inde- pendence. He never minded the lone wolf aspect of the job, in fact he thrived on it. "I work best alone." he claims. "I spent a lot of time on my Dad's farm alone hoeing and the like when I was younger —People like to chat sometimes, but I always felt I had a job to do." Ross's relationship with his cus- tomers through the years has al- ways had special meaning to the man who believes in old time ser- vice. ".People come to trust you through the years," he says. "I like to feel that the customers are my friends, and I've always known that it was the customer WIDEMAN, Ross - Entered into the presence of his Lord on February 8, 2006 at home after a long, patient struggle with Lewy Body Dementia at the age of 86, surrounded by his family. Loving husband for 49 years to Ivy (Schneider). Adored and respected father to Paul (Vickie), Harold (Brenda), Lois (Ron) and Norman (Isola). Precious grand -* father to Holly Forrest (Matthew) and Sean Wideman, Amanda, Wes and Jared Wideman, Jesse, Nicholas, Bianca and their father Calude Maillet and Alex, Richard and Rose Wideman. Predeceased by brother Bruce. Missed by sister Betty Ballantyne- Brown (Tom), brothers Harley and Lloyd (predeceased by Margaret). Remembered by sisters-in-law Lena and Alice and sisters and brothers-in-law Jean (Jack) Hall, Mary (Stan) McMullen and Joyce Schneider. Friends may call at East Ridge Church (10th Line and Main Street) Sunday from 2-5 p.m. Service from the church Monday at 11 a.m. Interment Dickson Hill Cemetery. Special thanks to Dr. Patterson, Cindy, Vivien and staff at St. Elizabeth Health Care. Arrange- ments entrusted to O'Neill Funeral Home, Stouffville, (905)642-2855. 'Absent from the body, present with the L ord" who was paying my salary." He has been equally comfort- able through the years with his fellow employees at the Coop, a business which prides itself on its family type unity, and the fact that employees tend to stay around for a long time. "Stability is a positive factor in a business," he maintains. "You learn to get along with people. I always bent over backwards to get along with my fellow em- ployees." As for his staying put for so long, Ross admits to not having a restless nature when it comes to seeking out other employment opportunities. "I don't care for a change. I'd have to be pretty' up- set to leave a job, and I was al- ways happy to stay. I'm not a gambler." In fact, he believed there were so many positive aspects to his job that it would have been almost im- possible to match the benefits anywhere else. "I liked every- thing about the job. The fresh air, the exercise, and the independ- ence." Ross was born and raised on his father's farm in Dickson's Hill, on what is now the site of the hotel. He was employed on the farm un- til the. age of 36. He married his wife Ivy in 1955, and bought the four -acre plot in Altona where they still live today. Ross and Ivy have four grown children and six grandchildren. He credits his placid attitude, and his overall contentedness to a strong Christian faith. "The Lord's been good to me," he in- sists. A keen Bible student, he claims that his beliefs have made it possible for him to keep an even keel throughout the years. Ross remembers the early days when he would make oi. de- liveries in the Coop's old Interna- tional truck. "Top speed was ab- out 40 miles per hour," he recalls. "It carried about 800 gallons, compared to today's trucks that will hold around 2,500." And it was a pretty rugged routine back then. "You'd often find yourself working til 9 p.m. or whenever the job was done. I re- member being on the job until past midnight one cold New Year's Eve." He was on call if a customer was to run dry of fuel oil in the middle of the night. He claims the introduction of the `degree day' system, whereby a card is kept for each customer's house which takes into accunt how cold the weather has been, went a long way towards elimi- nating the emergency fill ups at odd hours. That, plus Ross's own intuitive s,ense of which houses went through more fuel oil under the various winter conditions. As for how much longer he feels he will want to stay on as a part- time employee, Ross just shrugs and says he has no idea of what the future will bring. Although he's retired, Ross Wideman is still on the job 1955. Ross says the part-time arrangem part time at the Stouffville Coop where he's been a just fine. WO 93 familiar figure as an oil delivery truck driver since ALTO A, NIS ENSTULYTIF Ke,Kvv)0� r, MAY 3, 1973 Airport expropriations Airport land sale '► �\ could help Century City property owners UXBRIDGE TWP.— The federal government has in- dicated a willingness to pay approximately $2.6 million as total compensation for all in- terests in 1,100 acres of land owned by Century City Developments Limited. The greatest portion of this property is located in Uxbridge Township, and will be ex- propriated for the proposed Pickering International Airport. News of the offer was made public this week by Revenue Properties Limited. Century City is a 76.5 per cent subsidiary of the parent firm. A spokesman for Century City said the valuation figure is under study. Approximately $1.6 million of the monies offered by the Government must be used to pay encumbrances and real estate taxes on expropriated lands. The 1,100 acres represents part of 6,600 acres owned by Century City in the Uxbridge area. The Government has also offered to purchase an ad- ditional 500 acres at a price to be negotiated. UXBR IDGE TOWNSHIP yL EG1w►•1~D `SNERW001D GREEN c OSTA1r1 SVOUIVISION HOME SM%TH 3 ..SULLIVAN♦ ULLIVAN SuflO. �'kt*VR1.Mfit It GATE SUISD. Sti t`L' fR W E�OD E STATES of Tow N 0 V ^uRORA _+ pR0poSEo POPULATION 20,000 T.C.R«JON PLAN Advised, is PICKERING TWP. - "Sign nothing". This is the advice offered owners within the air- port expropriation area, by Ontario Riding M.P., Norm Cafik. "Sign no documents and accept no offers until I've had an opportunity to satisfy myself that you are being fairly treated," he directed. Ronald Huck, Mr. Cafik's executive assistant said the local Member was "extremely upset" over values established on some properties. He has arranged a public meeting for the auditorium of Pickering Dist. High School, Friday, at 8 P.M. "I'll fight with all my power to assure consituents affected by this expropriation, that justice will be done, and that they will ign nothing' . ; i 73 /t L° C & 1 v t' cl t�J i /7-� x e <� t' rx, c, �- C, 1 ram. ,4rr±1I, eX1,,4e4/ ,4 t h a. C. n d receive compensation to permit proper replacement value for properties," he concluded. Farm land appraisals vary from $1,600 per acre to $2,400. Buildings are included, however, with no breakdown between the two. Individual offers include, $30,750 for the Mt. Zion Com- munity Centre; $29,000 for the Alton Community Centre; $31,000 for the Missionary Church parsonage and $68,000 for the A_lto_na Missionary Church. A public meeting was held Tuesday, at the Altona Centre, to discuss individual appraisals and rules under the Ex- propriation Act. One caller summed up the feelings of many when he said: "It's a mess". /flC�Uc�P�1 Par? �t C�,�a5 C, :l� v /��ion2" /-lan C{G/ICL Many signs and slogans are located convincing than the message on the garage throughout the proposed Airport Area of door at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Monte Pickering Township. None, however, is more Dennis, Altona. � y 73 PICKERING TOWNSHIP DISTRICT Free Prizes Every Day New Modern Store and Warehouse Opening at Altona Next Week The modern new home of the Altona Feed and Supplies will be officially opened on Monday, April 18th. Mr. Fred Lewis, the owner and operator, will be giving away hundreds of dollars worth of valuable prizes to lucky winners who at- tend this three-day event. The draws will be made on Mon- day, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 9 o'clock. In addi- tion to the free gifts, there will be dozens of opening -day spe- cials on display. For the kiddies there will be free rides and re- freshments. The new store will be open weekly, Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. Work on the new construc- tion was started back in Octo- ber of last year. At the rear of the store is a giant ware. house capable of storing 250 tons of bagged feed and 150 tons of bulk feed. The estimat- ed value of . the products to be handled by Mr. Lewis will am- ount to $20,000. There is a 2,000-sq: foot basement under the front portion of the build- ing and two apartments will be completed above the store. On the second storey above the warehouse, 14 bins have been built, each to contain two tons of mixed feed. Four additional bins are to be installed very, soon. All the most modern mill- ing has been purchased includ- ing an oat roller, feed mixer, hammer mill and other pieces of machinery. A large garage is conveniently located on the west side of the building. The store and warehouse are separ- ated by a fireproof wall. The store is a spotless show- place-. Modern picture windows. in the front are most attractive to the country customer. The interior of the store is equally inviting with more than 3,000 different items on display. Whe- ther it be a chocolate -bar or a bottle of pop for the young lad, a chain saw or electric drill -for Dad or a mixing bowl set for Mother, they all may be seen at this new shopping centre. To the right, immediately in- side the door, is Mr. Lewis' own private office. Another desk is located nearby for the book- keeper or sales clerk. The con- i struction of this new building is a ten-year dream come true for Mr. Lewis. During the DastJ and meet him next week. He will be glad to see you. Nearly a thousand people at- tended the official opening of Altona Feed and Supplies new store on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week and 100 door prizes were given away during the three nights. Repre- sentatives of a number of firms, ` with which Fred Lewis deals, were on hand with displays of their products. In the evening, before the draws were made, a ; number of the salesmen con- gratulated Fred on his modern up-to-date, country store. Ev- eryone in the community also wishes Fred every success. _ Space For Hundreds of Tons of Feed New Home of Altona Feed and Supplies The Owner, Mr. Fred L ewis Apr: ,, , , y ,5Z , �x.�,o-C� �'t-�I..�.-C�.�2�� C�-�!�--c,c..Q..��L.-�l.�t.k... , •--�.rrh.,e�-� c:,CtJ•c eo*,-- 'New Idea' Proves Popular j e., /96L A spreader filled with popcorn, 35 bushels of it, attracted plenty of attention at the big. `Hay Day' event at Altona Feed and Supplies on Friday. The entire load was consumed by hungry children and adults too. — -- — - — — —_ —Cadieux Studio. � i> -I ALTOHA ,46ti Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Brown of Toronto, Mrs. Bertha Foster and Miss Vivian Foster of Osh- awa and Mrs. B. Valleau and Miss Viola Valleau of Welling- ton were visitors with Mr. and Mrs. W. Lord this week. An estimated 500 to 600 per. sons attended the "Hay Day" sponsored by Altona Feeds on Friday. An item of interest was a manure spreader full of pop- corn for everyone to munch on with free pop nearby. There must have been some full tum- mys the way the kids dug in. In the evening, the feed room was transformed into a dance hall with an overflow crowd dancing in the garage to the music of Art Celsie. After the big doings at the store, all of the Fred Lewis family and Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lewis went to the Markham Motel to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lewis' 45th wedding anni- versary and also Mr. and Mrs. Jim Harpers' anniversary. Con• gratulations! Hockey Star On or off the ice, Chicago's Friday at the Hay Day demonstrati Fred Lewis (left) receives one of hi TO ro — honor standing ALTONA - Anyone after the place is locked up thought. )�17 .1- 6j / 97Z) thinking of paying a visit to for the night should give Fred has employed the Fred Lewis' Altona Store the matter a second services of a 113 pound mm—� Moft policeman - underweight y human standards, but big when you consider the fact the guardian is a dog. `Toro' was purchased as prowler protection', a year and a half ago, but to increase his effectiveness, Mr. Lewis enrolled him in school. Following a ten week course in an Oshawa Obedience Course, `Toro' graduated third in his class Of 39, with a mark of 1.94 out of a possible 200 events. Only eight of the 39 dogs entered, graduated. `Toro' sits on the front keeping a on the earned not iut he will truders by - and he mtil help Hay Day Demonstration At Altona Attracts Large Crowd When Fred Lewis of Altona Feed and Supplies puts on an implement show and demonstration, it's worth travelling a few miles to see. On Friday, an estimated 1,000 persons attended both the afternoon and evening program that included a free dance, lucky lraws and all the popcorn and soft drinks you could eat or drink. Pictured here, a Ford tractor and forage harvester are displayed under actual field -working conditions. Staff Photo. 9 �, 1 ` 6 obby Hull Proves Popular Attraction Fred Lewis of Altona and his trained German Shepherd `Toro'. Doors to close soon on Altona Feed stor V , T_ribean,4k , i /97S— By TED WILCOX y other kinds of goods were emp ALTONA — Altona Feed and Supply opened its doors for the first time in 1946. On August 23, of this year, the store will be open for the last time. Owner Fred Lewis will retire from business and move to a new home near Barrie. Any remaining stock is to be sold in a final auction sale September 1. Mr. Lewis told The Tribune that he was forced to make the move due to airport expropriation. They couldn't operate ,the business on the kind of "short-term, high - price lease" that the government was of- fering, he said. The situatiori was also an insecure one for his employees, he added. Since first being confronted with the problem of moving, Mr. Lewis says that "a lot of things have fallen into place" and the loss of farming and rural customers in the area made his decision easier. Through the years, the store has always been one to adapt to new situations, however. A July, 1969 article in Canadian Farm Equipment Dealer magazine used the business as an example of one that had successfully changed with the community where it was located. One activity that put the store on the map was an annual "Hay Day," featuring dancing, refreshments, prizes and hay equipment demonstrations. The honored guest on more than one occasion was none other than Bobby Hull. The store began as a feed mix mill, dealing mainly in poultry feed. By 1968, that part of the business was dropped and NMI hasized instead. These included not only farm equip- ment, but also hardware items, motor- cycles and most recently, mo-peds. Chain saws, paint, garden tractors, tires, farm boots, nails, hammers, and dog food were all sold at Altona Feed and Supply. At one point in the store's evolution, the format ofrthe store was changed to more of a "supermarket" approach, with customers serving themselves. The store has also specialized in ser- vicing and supplying parts for both farm equipment and small engines. At the time the 1969 article was written, the store was % turning over $500,000 in business annually. And Fred Lewis had become a seemingly permanent part of the Altona community. But the Pickering airport plans changed that. "It gives us all mixed feelings," Mr. .Lewis commented. "There are thoughts we can't digest yet, but I'm sure we'll all keep close together and hope the end results are good." He expressed appreciation for the "customer support" and "employee contribution," over the years and especially singled out his wife, who "fit herself in with my heavy and irregular schedule." The Lewis family will take up retirement in a new home built on two acres of hardwood land about six miles west of Barrie. Mr. Lewis added that they will "certainly welcome friends and customers to call on us." Four auctioneers sell feed store down to the boards,� Vv BRIA,N i11ILNFR Star staff writer A L T 0 N A — Buyers carried off everything but the floor boards yesterday. when the Altona Feed and Supplies Store sold its way out of business in the big- gest auction ever seen here. Fred Lewis, who started the business "right from scratch" in 1946, said last night about 3.00) sales were made at the day -long, three- ring auction that attracted I more than 3,3JJ persons to I this small hamlet east of St:ouffville. The feed store property and a nearby house owned by Lewis were expropriated by the federal government for the, proposed Pickering i Airport. N o r in Faulkner, t h e! Stouffville auctioneer who j conducted the sale, said he had never seen a three-ring auction. Four auctioneers, including Faulkner, were employed to sell items ranging from small nails to tractors, snowmobiles and I equipment. Lewis said cars started arriping at 7:30 a.m., a]. most three hours before the auction's advertised start. ing time. BY mid -afternoon, the grounds were crowded With merchants, farmers and auction addicts from as far as Goderich. End of an era AL i Fred & Ruth Lewis TONA FEED & SUPPLIES CO. LTD R., R `( When the remaining stock is auctioned Sept. 1, a chapter in the life of Fred Lewis will close. The proprietor of Altona Feed and Supply will close the door after nearly alaE"3 RIO Altona Country Barn ON THE UXBRIDGE/PICKERING TOWNLINE OPEN 10:30 am TO 5:00 pm EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ANTIQUES ' ART ' CRAFTS CANADIANA OLD COINS DECORATOR ITEMS COLLECTABLES OIL PAINTINGS ' WATERCOLOURS POTTERY • PUPPETS " TOYS " EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE GIANT GARAGE SALE DEALER ENQUIRIES: Box 407 Stouffville, Ontario LOB ILO Phone 294-1533 30 years. A victim of airport expropriation, Mr. Lewis plans to live in Barrie. — Ted Wilcox —Star Ahate by Drew Bragg NAILS, ;TRACTORS and about 3,000 items in between were sold one of four auctioneers on duty, seeks a bid for tools held high by yesterday at the auction that disposed of the stock and property of Don Sear. The business and the home of its owner, Fred Lewis; the Altona Feed and Supplies store, east of Stouffvil)e. Earl Gauslin. were expropriated to make way for the proposed Pickering airport. e carat' Pr.r o Siou�tvellC 19 ryJU,.l SI�1 t!rJUtr u{Yristran Sc�ocl in 14P,2. abtttr.,.,j.,e[1 ��'. �:" ' � •-,,,;._. w� as "Mr OVERGROWN HOBBY Minesing collector displays roadside line-up of Fnrd trurks and tractors Farm Review Tuesday, September 12, 1995 M Fred Lewis (clock- wise from right) with restored Ford truck. Bruno Kuchar works full- time on restoring trucks and tractors for Fred Lewis. A 100 year old Oliver plow. Lewis with wife, Ruth and his tractor lineup. by Lesley Hain( pecial) The comment Fred Lewis most often hears from awestruck strangers is, "I've been passing by here for the past 10 years, but I just never stopped in." What amazes those strangers so much is the extensive collection of mint -condition classic Ford trucks and farm equipment that surround Lewis' home. Motorists often stop and wander over for a closer look, but Lewis doesn't mind. There's rarely any problem and he's had very few cases of vandalism. The only one that comes to mind is the mysterious disappearance of several small parts off of a tractor — someone probably used them on their own tractor, he guesses. The energetic 73-year-old describes his collec- tion as "an overgrown hobby" and says with a chuckle, "it keeps me off the streets". Lewis has always had a love of old vehicles, especially Fords. He and his wife Ruth operated Altona Feed and Supply Company, near Stouffville, for 30 years. They also had a Ford franchise there. The land was expropriated for an airport that was never built and about 20 years ago they moved to their home at the corner of County Rd. 28 (Minesing Road) and Seadon Side Road. Although he has a vast accumulation of trac- tors and farm implements, the core of his collec- tion is Ford trucks dating from 1949-52. The first truck he owned was of that vintage, and they are still his favorite. "That was before they started rolling the steel out so thin. They were really made of something back then." He brought a few working trucks north with him when the business closed. He currently has about 40 tractors and 20 trucks finished, and any- thing on display is for sale. They're stored to pro- tect them in the winter. He still uses some of his trucks, old and new, for working his sawmill, located across the road, and his 100-acre gravel pit, also located nearby. He's become so well-known as a Ford truck collector that Lewis no longer has to go looking for them. People call when they have a vehicle they think might interest him. Lewis and his wife make at least one or two trips a year out west to look at trucks. He buys trucks exclusively from the western provinces, from places such as Calgary, Medicine Hat, Regina and Prince Albert, as they don't use salt on the roads and the trucks have no rust. A few vehicles have been found in fantastic shape, and only need a polish, but most require lost of work. Many have been sitting in a bush for years. The trucks are dismantled for cleaning once Lewis gets them home. About 90 per cent have seized motors, so they are removed and sent away to be rebuilt. This often costs up to $3,500. Lewis has a full-time helper, Bronislaw (Bruno) Kuchar, who refurbishes the vehicles. New glass is often required, as well as rubber stripping , bolts, interiors and a variety of other parts. It's a challenge obtaining certain parts, but Lewis has discovered where to pick things up over the years. Lewis has four trucks on the go right now and he's been working on those for nearly a year. In the past five years, he's restored about 25 trucks to mint condition. When completed, the trucks sell for about $12,000 to $15,000. Urban profes- sionals such as doctors, lawyers and dentists are his biggest clients for both the trucks and the antique tractors, says Lewis. They drive the trucks in the big city during the week and the trac- tors on their small hobby farms on the weekends l Altona. tFro a our ovcn C.irresg�+ndent 1 (Held over from last week.) I SilrrmsE —Gn Tueslav evening. De,.ember `Gth, 1899, a number of { young people assembled and took possession of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Abram Reesor. 'It was the Sundry School class composed of 14 girls of { the Altona Christian Sunday School. E taught by _Mrs. Reesor, who had come to give their teacher a greeting. After all had fared sumptnonsly atl the repast, she young party engaged themselves daring the remainder of the evening in games, music, etc., un- til about 10 o'clock, when each ore was seated. Mrs. Reesor was then made the recipient of a beautiful AI - burn and a Glass Fruit Dish. .The presentation was made by bliss Ella Davis and Miss Pearl Boothby, after which Miss Olive Hoover read the following address, to which their most worthy teacher made ,a short but touching reply, saying, though she knew her efforts were feeble, yet she always tried to teach them what wculd be beneficial, and hoped they would live in the way of Trutb Dear Sunday School Teacher, — We, the pupils of your Sunday; School class, take this privilege of ex i� pressing our gratitude to you for the `` many kind words of instruction you have impa;ted to us. We can truly say we have received many blessings trout your teaching, and we feel it our %ury to bhcw you how it :;as been al,- preciated. You hates been very dili- geutand painstaking on our part, and we doubt whether we have been as diligent as we might have been to re-1 ceive the instruction you wished to impart to us. We ask you to accept this Album and Glass Fruit Dis'r as it were token of thb esteem in which you! are held by your class. We do not I wish you to look upsu it as any great value, brit, when using pit, you ni.,� bring to remembrance the many Sun- days we spent together in the Sunday School. We hope we shall have the, pleasure of listening to your kind teaching for many years, and tru-t' that your path will be strewn with blessings in so doint,. We all join in wishing you a prosperous and hap, y New Year. Signed in behalf of the class, ELLA DAVIS, PEARL BoorIIBY, OLIVE M. H000Ll:. Decembtr .2.66u 99. - - A SURPRISE PARTY On Wednesday night of last week the members and fe iends of the Altona Christian Church made their pastor, Rev. C. H, Hainer, anrd wife, a very pleasant and agreeable surprise. Be. tween sixty and seventy, withouttnv formal introduction, entered the par- i nonage and took ,possession, to whom the pastor and wife, for the time being, gave up all claim. Basket after basket was brought in filled with the rich biands of earth, until the table fairly groaned beneath its burden. After a mo=t snrnptuons tea, which was en- ;oyed by all, a very pleasant time was ,peat in singing a.nd conve,sation, after which Mr. Jacob Burkholder ,Called order by placing the pastor at,d wife at the head of the table. To whom Mr William Reesor read an address expressive of the high appre- ciation of The Altona Christian chur0i of the faithful service and untiring zeal of their pastor. Elder Hainer made an appropriate reply, tba.ni iug them for their presence in his home, for these tokens 4 their approval an# appreciation of his service. He spoke of the unity that exists ip the g:burch, an,l the strong ties that bind pastor and people together, and how it en- cour,iged him in his stork, after serv- in them as pastor for nine years, to know the bonds are still growing stronger that hind us togeth*r. The Pastor then led in prayer, after which the co"kpany left for their homes, leaving with tbeir pastor a parse cnn- twining 8� in money besides many other valuables, such as every cellar and home needs, and if the Elder's horse could speak we have no doubt brit he could express thanks for a well filled oat -bin. Thus an exceed- ingly pleasant evening was spent, and `{all went home feeling the better for hwving clicered the heart of their i pastor in his labor of love, leaving' him one richer by over $30. ALTONA UNION CHURCH The Christian Church was organ- ized at Altona on April 22, 1875 as a Community Church and a beautiful basement added in 1937 and officially opened on June 20th, of that year. Two congregations: Christian Church and Mennonite Brethren in Christ worship together in the great- est possible harmony. The Bible School numbers about 125 and the prayer meeting, held each Wednesday at 8.00 p.m. with about 30 present is a great blessing. The present pastor of the Chris- tian Church at Altona is Mr. S. H. Cockburn whose postal address is Ringwood, Ontario. 4 ALTONA By Mrs. Fred Byer On the twenty-second day of April, 1$71 a church was organized at Altona t7te known as the Altona Christian Church. 'The covenant read as follows: "To all to whom it may concern: This is to certify that we the under - .signed members of the Altona Christ- ian Church, do hereby agree to walk together in Christian love and sweet fellowship with the household of faith. We agree to watch over each other for good and in all respects to discharge faithfully the duties and obligations of a member of the body of Christ. We acknowledge no head but Christ, no creed but the Bible, and no name but Christian, and Christian character our only test of Christian fellowship." The place where this group met to worship for the first three years is not known. Land was donated by Mr. Abram Reesor and the present church was built in 1875 in union with the :Mennonites .(now known as United Missionary church). Church services were held alternately, but other ser- vices were united. The same proced- ure exists to -day. Outside of the organization meeting and covenant which had been copied into the present minute book, there are no records availably, except the list i of members and by whom and when baptized, until 1901. 'The record of members is complete to present date but there is no indica- tion of who the charter members were. These first minutes mention Elder C. H. Hainer tendering his resignation after eleven years of faithful service. From the list of members and by whom they were baptized names such as Elder Wm. Percy and Elder Wit- loughby precede Rev. C. H. H-ainer, so it is thought they may have been form- er pastors. In 1903 one of the members, a Mr. Jacob Burkholder, who lived in Stouff- ville felt the need of a Christian Church in Stouffville, as others had moved in to retire, so he purchased the present Stouffville Memorial Church which was then an inactive Congregational Church. Altona Christian Church went through some lean years after this migration of members. In 1937 a basement was added to the church to accommodate the needs of the Sunday [School. Present member- ship is 42 and Rev. G. Brown is in his thirteenth year as pastor. L2 Pastor's Wife Was Born At Atha Alma Hoover, wife of that Reverend Alfred T. Mercer, died at the Park Manor Nurs- ing Home, Bloomfield, New Jersey 'on May 9th. She had been seriously ill for the past year. She was born October 7, 1884 at Atha, and was the daughter o"2r. and Mrs. Sa- muel B. Hoover. Mr. and Mrs. Mercer were married in 1910 and moved to the United States where Mr. Mercer was Pastor of a church near Rochester, New York. They spent most of their marri- ed life in the vicinity of Roches. ter, N.Y. and East Orange, N.J. For several years he was pastor of Central Baptist Church, East Orange. N.J. Upon his retirement from the active ministry, they went to live with their son Charles, who 'has written several books, at Glen Ridge, N.J. The funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 12 at the Weat.herhead. Funeral Home in Orange, N.J. Mrs. Mercer is survived by her older sister Olive. wife of the Rev. Fred I: Hainer, of Bogota, N.J. U U`t Gr„L -vL CL e OFFICERS President, Mr. George Ferrier Green River Vice -President, ..Mr. Barkis Reesor ona See'v-Treasurer,.. Mr. J. H. Michell Claremont R. R. No. 2 Superintendent, Adult Departmt. nAndrew Allison Elementary Grades. Mrs. Frank Hall Secondary Division, Mr. E. L. Chapman Tkiiwher Training, Airs. Roach Missionary Department, Mrs. Frank Turner ' Temperance Department, Mr. David Annis ' Home Department. Mr. W. J. Turner Visitors -Mr. C. Todd and Mr, E. Wilson. The Local Committee extend a hearty welcome to all delegates and friends. Programme MORNING SESSION = 10.00-Devotional Exercises, led by the President, Mr. George Ferrier. 10.15-Song Service. 10.25-President's Address. 10.40-MuAc. 10.45-Delegate's Report of each school lf).(5-Report of School Visitors. 11.10-Music. 11.15-Ronnd Table Talk, by Provin- cial worker. 11.45-Appointment of Nominating Committee and Closing Exer- cises'. = AFTERNOON SESSION = 2 00-Devotional Exercises, led by Rev• AtiyeEnituerson, - 1.15-1Vords of Welcome. by Elder E. _Sievenp'per: VY2 OFFICE[ W'h¢ yEnnrcQl John Phil]` ps, Brougham cc,President--- 'donuention of the Eli Lehman, Claremont R. R. No, 2 �c.-Treasurer-,. ieker�ng 5'ownship juJ. H. Michell, Claremont R. R. No. 2perintendent-Girls' Division, Mrs. G. M. Forsyth, Claremont Boys' Division, �. �..�ss6��'l�itl�n p� Gerald Cowan, Roseban]< �@ Young Pe,. Division, � E. L. C` ;man, Pickering \YELL. BE HELD IN Adults' D," .:.,on, R. W. 1,, ^nn. Myrtle R. R. No, 1 THE UNION CHURCH `ham Home' M. n :)n, Locust: Hill R.MAO " Teache. Department Miss t. a, ,3rown, Locust Hill R. F. 1 ALTONA Missionary Mrs•. Ralph Mowbray, Brut,.. , R. R. 1 On Wednesday, the " T-rnpe .e Department, V. j. 'urner, Clarem(`- R. R. 2 1916 Children's Department 26th of January, Miss Maud Miller litevale �wat.mt al Committee extend a hea.. e sTNc NEWi' PAINT IK to all delegates and friends. 4 2 30-Provincial Convention Report, - by Rea, D. V. Van Norman. 3.00-Music, - 3.05-Reports of Departments, by the Superintendents. 3.20-Music and Roll �`+P,il. 3.20=Discussion of Del, par•tments,led by Provincial worker. 4.00=Music. 4.05-Offering. 4 15-Nominating Committee's Report and Closing Exercises. = EVENING S.1psION = 7.00--Devotiomd Exercises.led by Rev. A. McLellan. 7.15-Secretary-Tre;;sur•er's Retort. 7.25=Address: "Relation of the Sab- bath School to the Nation," by Rev. J. 0. Totton.' 7.55-Music. 8.00-Address by Pros incial Worker. 8 30-01(fering.' 8,35=Add: ess by Rev. John Mutch, 9.05-Introdtiction of 'new President ane Closing Exercises. PROGRAMME -MORNING SESSION 10.30-Devotional Exercises, led by the President, Mr. John. Phillips 10.50-Singing 11.00--Conference, led by the Provincial Worker, Dr. Fletcher 11.40-Appointment of Nominating Com- mittee and Closing Exercises • APTER'NOON SESSION' ' 2.00-Devotional Exercises, led by Rev. Mr. Rackham 2.15-Words of Welcome by Rev. E. Morton 2.25-Music 2.30-Report of Provincial ,Convention, by Mrs. Norman White .3 1.4 Annual Convention of the iekeriffg 5owmAip 6 6. Association WILL Ia; II1"T-I1 IN THE UNION CHURCH ALTONA Can Thursday, January the 13th, 1927 3.00-Selection by Quartette 3.10-Report of Departments 3.25 - Congregational Singing and Offier- ing 3.35 -Address by Dr. Fletcher 4.05-Roll Call 4.15-Conference, led by Mr. J. Todd 4 30- .-Nominating Committeels Report and Closing Exercises EVENING SESSION 7.00- Devotional :Exercises, led by Rev. A. G. Warder 7.15-Secretary-Tr .asurer's Report 7.:30-Address by Pi ^. McLellan,"A Talk to Yw* , . eople" 8.00-Congregatio. .l Singing and Offier- ing 8.10-Music by Quartette 820-Addressby Provincial'Worker, Dr. Fletcher 8.50-Special Music 9,00-Introduction of New Officers and Closing Exercises r�Y AlAll �:'Y" 4 1 1 °'-�l 1R 90 ryy�c.. -�Q r�na 7 i- i b 4 ri LilVViiW IJKiaaawJ lb C v , I/ A photo of the Altona Church Sunday School Class of 1927 McNair, Ross Stover, Fred Byer. Third Row (left to right) was loaned to The Tribune by Mrs. Jean White, Mill Street, — Fred Draper, Earl McNair, Duncan Spang, Aubrey Stouffville. Members are: Rear Row (left to right) —Ernie Spang, Willis McNair, Murray Dunkeld, Tony Spang, Carruthers, Arthur Lehman, Elgin Wagg, George Byer, Arthur Wagg, Allan Meyer, Blake Reesor. Front Row (left Gerald Pointen. Second Row (left to right) — Kenneth Betz, to right) — Roy Wagg, Jack Parr, Kenneth Reesor, Sammy Walter Carter, Lorne Wagg, Wm. Reesor (teacher); Fred Renfrew and Wray Bielby. 1 Former PAstor of Mennonite Church Passes in 68th Year Rev. Isaac Brubacher passed) away at hishome on Main St. East Saturday, ,Sept. 2nd, at 3 a.m. He had not enjoyed good health since suffering a stroke 5 years ago. The late Mr. Brubacher was born in Waterloo County near Kitchener, the son of Isaac Brubacher and Mary Ann Betzner Brubacher 67 years ago. Thirty-eight years ago he was united in marriage with Cora May Sider, who survives him. To them were born two sons, Elgin G. who died in Nigeria, Africa, while engaged in missionary work, -and M. John of Stouffville. Mrs. Elgin G. Brubacher is still in Africa. There are three grand- children surviving, as is a sister, Mrs. H. W. Brown (Lillie) of Kitchener. �i��i/w�j7%irr% • �aG�'� Altona Union Sunday School is proud to boast of one of the largest country schools in the district. There. are two hun- dred on the roll, with over one hundred and. fifty .in attend- ance each Sunday. ,This Thurs. day, July. I5th, is the Annual Sunday School picnic in Stouff- ville Memorial Park. Altona S.S. Rally And Anniversary "H I i The rural church at Altona. On - On Sunday morning, Sept. tario, broke all records on anniversary 19, Altona S.S. had its Annual Sunday, October 14, when 227 jam - Rally with a record attendance med the building for Sunday school. of 203. Rev. Arthur Lehman, Mrs. Lehrman, Faith and Rosa- This former union congregation line, and Lawrence Lehman joined the United Missionary Church were present from Muncey In ithe spring n e s p g and since then has paid dian Reserve, near London, all conference funds, fully supported Ont. A little Indian girl, Donna its pastor, and raised over $3,300 on Snake, accompanied them. the indebtedness of its new parson - Rev. Lehman gave the mes- age. sage and the family provided This wideawake Sunday school is the vocal numbers, accompa- the largest in the township. The pas- nied by the pianist, Miss Doro- thy Meyer of Altona. Their se- for W. D. Sar eant aims at visiting g , g lections were surely of great every home in the community and inspiration to all. has been in 94 of them since confer - There was also a large attend- ence. Your editor had the privilege ante at the evening Annivers• of being the speaker for the anniver- ary service. Rev: Arthur Leh- sary. man gave the sermon based on James 4:14. The musical numbers were SC GOSPEL BANNER provided by the Lehrman Quar- tette again, and the • Stouffville "Youth For Christ Banc)". Altona Congregation Votes to Join the �=s- Local United Missionary Tile Altona Union Church, clays. The Sunday School ha- just east of town, hats voted been a united effort. I almost unanimausLy to affiliate Tire new congregation wild ,N ith the St.ouffvllle United Mis have a menvbers4vvp of about SO sionary Church. This mural church has a goad congrega- menvbers. About habf of these Lion and a Sunday School at- are already memba s of the tendance of more than a hun- United Missionary Church. dred, The final change -aver will be For many years this has been made in June of next ,yeam a union church with some of when bath denominations hold Rhe members belanging to the their annual Coniference. At United Missionary Church and rthat time Altona will become a s.cme helotging to the Chris� separa'P appointment, oe the tian Church. FaStcrs ,from the. Lnited .14i,sionary Church and taro denx-�minatio,rs have served %vill be given a pastor of its the church on alternate Sun awn. ^1 TOC 1 _ fi'17 t,e'�n -'(]; �.�,, �." ^ Foy✓Y�.� c�,�� - '1.j_c�, (1 ,'I1 P- l I. et;�-ilL ll;e8 `'el?(;� -fie = ,or TT tT 7 ^1tc'r "'re tn toT7rf'Z''..�7.e noT:7) s �'',(�r� r? ^� L1 ^j n� l 'beL - '- �. T tr't^^ter;e, O-r o11e„-,i-,�r TTT �' TT'�r T-3T P, r �.- �O, ,i,� �,.,1� - s +s _ T r, rh A? rh — 1.?Llr r�, Y rlt l ;l �► T�1i.-_.e._ TV - ra - to , Ta^ .c Leh!n^n, Joe Dyer, o l nd.-y School Curt. ) ^teeo^sd, church ',-:!ec't. Ll OU T'_: - Ml ,�e, -id r.eO r:. e ,vex, V rr ,ustees a cl 01-lurcl,. '=o-nO w th the Trustee^ t^''_fin t_-e 9_--nit ^tive, Wednesday, June 13th PROGRAMME The One Hundred and Thirty-first Sessions of the CONGREGATIONAL - CHRISTIAN CHURCHES in Ontario To be held in ALTONA CHRISTIAN CHURCH Wednesday, June 13th, to Sunday, June 17th, 19 56 8.00 p.m. Service in charge of Christian Endeavour Union. Speaker - Rev. William Hiltz Music by the Wideman Male Quartette. Thursday, June 14th 10.00 a.m. President in charge Devotions - Rev. E. Morton Address of Welcome Roll Call Approval of Conference Program Report on Foreign Missions - Mrs. C. Hodgson Report on Churches & Church Property - Mr.E.Davis Report on Christian Endeavour - Airs. Walter Vague Report on Tidings - Mrs. Herb. Yakeley Report on Ministry - Mr. Jacob Grove Report on Social & Moral Reform - Mrs. Jack Wright 12.30 Dinner 2.30 President in Charge 01 Devotions - Air. Kenny Edwards Address - Rev. F. G. Huson Women's Missionary Sessions 5.30 P.M. Supper 8.00 p.m. President in Charge Friday, June 15th Speaker - Rev. D. C. Percy 10.00 a.m. President in Charge Music by Crawford Street Church Group Devotions - Rev. F. A. Dearmond Roll Call Minutes of Previous Sessions Treasurer's and Auditor's Report W. M. S. Financial Report Minutes of Executive Board Meetings 12.30 Dinner (Nomination Committee will meet during the noon recess) 2.30 President in Charge Report of Nominating Committee Election of Officers Unfinished Business Report on Resolutions - Miss Nora Stapleton Address and Communion Service - Rev. D. C. Percy 5.30 Supper 8.00 Service in charge of Women's Missionary Society Speaker - Rev Horace Bradin - Missionary from Ethiopia Music by the Altona Trio Sunday, June 17th 11.00 a.m. Speaker - Rev. D. C. Percy Music by the yyS��touffville Christian Church Choir 30 %tom ii( KC'v • D. C. Percy G� Vol 67, No. 5 131st Conference of the Congregational Christian Churches at Altona �6-r, .: On Wednesday evening, June i evil is prayer. "The effectual fer. 13,the annual conference of, the ' vent prayer of a righteous man local Christian Churches was availeth much." We are too opened in the Altona Church prone to attempt to solve our N- with the Christian Endeavour problems by ourselves. Let us Union conducting the service. avail ourselves of His promise l Rev. Wm. Hiltz was the guest to help us, for of our own selves speaker, taking as his theme, we can do nothing. Let us pray "Ye are the salt of the Earth." without ceasing that we as a 1 The Wideman male quartet nation might not be overcome brought the message in song. with evil, but that we might The business sessions were overcome evil with " good. opened on Thursday morning by Rev. Morton with Rev. R. W. Serrick in charge: As the var- ious reports were read, it was 1 shown that the Conference had progressed financially during the year, contributing nearly $1700 to the foreign mission project in addition to many smaller do- nations to Home Mission efforts. Rev,. F. Huson brought the message on Thursday after- Are we aware of the tre noon. The Thursday evening ser- dous amount of drinking vice was addressed by Rev. D. smoking among our teen-age C. Percy who made the point Recently I sat in a restaur that we are saved to serve. at the noon hour, where m On Friday afternoon Rev. Per- high school students gathered cy admonished the gathering to � eat their lunch. I was horri "bear fruit" and let God's good-' to note how many of these ness flow through us. Rev. Percy. boys and girls were smoking ?� assisted by Rev. F. Dearmond Then there is the nation and Mr. Kenny Edwards, admin- disregard for the Lord's istered the sacraments of the which we have been comman Lord's Supper. to keep holy. The Friday evening service Glance over the book was in charge of the Women's magazine stands of today fi Missionary Society and Rev. with questionable reading Horace Bradin, a missionary terial. Listen to the horrid from Ethiopia, told of the great sensuous so-called music, work being carried on in that popular with our young peo country under the leadership of All these are working in native workers. His pictures of subtle and deadly way to to the field illustrated his points. our moral standards. Sur Rev. Percy brought the mes- there is a great,need for so sages at both services on Sun- and moral reform in this day with Mrs. Percy and their in which we live: daughters Dorothy and Janet Paul in his epistle to the G assisting musically. Mr. Percy tians lists some of the fr continued the thought of the of the flesh. Is not our pres Conferenr„e that, although the social and moral condition numbers are few, we still have result of seeking after the fie a great responsibility to those We are reaping the fruits of around us. flesh, and we must , realize One highlight of the business seriousness of the situation. T sessions* was the presentation may seem a dark picture, of the Report on Social and we must face up to the tr Moral Reform by Mrs. Jack Things will inevitably gr Wright of Keswick. The follow- worse with each succeeding g ing is the text of the report: eration unless we get at the r The social and lx>oxal prob- of these evils. Then what is the answer lems . ,ir pre-zent generation our problem. What can we give -ious concert We ° eek to er to stem the tide of evil? _ our c1.. .very possible pre le our cn must remember that out of from the evils tii� tectworld heart proceedeth good and e today by guiding them .zd These things cannot the things of the Lord, and s'inc alone a sla more severe lter we do not expose ourselves and provision for greater pe o p the evils around us, I cam ties for infractions. If it w help but wonder if we are a, possible to banish trashy lite fully awake as we ought to be, ture from our magazine stan _ — to the appalling evils that exist do away with alcoholic bev in our towns and cities, and even ages and tobacco, and com In our own communities. people to "Remember the S - bath day to keep it holy " the men - and rs? ant any to fied fine . wide Day ded and lled ma - and so ple. a wer ely cial age ala- uits ent the sh? the the Ihis but uth. OW en- oot to do We the vil. ght tion ra- ds, er- pel' ab- de- sire to sin would still be in the heart, and we would have ac- complished very little. In Paul's writings to Timothy we are exhorted to be an exam- ple to those around us: Are we as a church doing that? Are we standing firm against the things we know are evil? May we as His children never be guilty of causing our brother to stumble. It seems to me our greatest weapon against the forces of MOTHERS AND CHILDREN from Mrs. Sargeant's Sunday School class in Altona pose in this 1960's photograph. Shown from left are (rear row) Mrs. Sergeant's Sunday School class in Altona pose in this 1960's photograph. Shown are ( rear I to r) Mrs. Sergeant, Dorothy Jones with Yvonne, Mrs. Don Dunkeld with Bernice, T2 9 , /%/v6 SUn School Picnic Friday ALTONA — Altona Sun- day School picnic is this Friday, July 8th, at Bruce's Mill Conservation Park. Bring your own dis tomes an& picnic basket for supper at 6 o'clock. Beverage will be provided. Mr. and Mrs. George Har- rison and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Harrison of . Owen Sound were Saturday visitors with Rev. and Mrs. Frank Huson. Sunday callers with Mrs. Norman Bunker were Mr. and Mrs. Ken Pilkey and family of Stouffville, Mrs. Delos Graham of Stouffville, Mrs. Mac Patterson of Markham, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Jones of Buttonville, and Mr. and Mrs. Harve Bunker and Don of Good- wood. On Tuesday. Mrs. Bunker left to spend a week with � her daughter, Mrs. Viviau Carson and Ondine in Toronto. Janice Goudie left on the holiday weekend to spend part of the summer with her Aunt Kathy in St. John, N.B. Please phone 640-1427 with your news for this column. Ernestine Melton with Marion, Marion Myers and Paulett and Mrs. Pew; (front 1 to r) Joyce McDowell with Sheila, Marg Lewis with Shirley, Adelaide Kerr with Diane, Louella Lewis with Alan, Alice Baker with Philip, Glenda Dunkeld with Susan and Heather and Laura May Boake with Dawn. Mrs. Allan Meyer Named Presided ALTONA — The Wom- en's Missionary Society of Altona United Missionary Church held its organiza- tional meeting Nov. 1, at the home of Mrs. Arthur Wideman. President Mrs. Allen Meyer was in charge. Prayer was offered by Mrs. Albert Foster and Mrs. Mel. Johnson. Letters from Mr. and Mrs. John Blosser, India, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Knights and Miss Esther Cressman, Nigeria, were read by Mrs. Allen Jones. Mrs. Frank Huson took charge of the program. The study course was taken by Mrs. Albert Fos- ter on the life of Mr. and Mrs. Ford Barker, who served as missionaries in Turkey and Armenia. A duct was rendered by Mrs. Bruce McDowell and Mrs. Clifford Dunkeld. Officers elected for 1967 are Honorary President, Mrs. Frank Huson; Presi- dent, Mrs. Allen Meyer; 1st Vice-president, Mrs. Mel. Jdhrison; 2nd Vice- president, Mrs. Ellis Mel- ton; Secretary, Mrs. Bruce McDowell; Assistant Sec- retary, Mrs. Cliff. Dunkeld; Treasurer, Mrs. Stan Thompson; Missionary Re- porter, Mrs. Allen Jones. photos courtesy Mang Lewis Sewing committee, Mrs. Mel Jones, Mrs. Frank Biel - by, Mrs. Harold Lewis, Mrs. Albert Foster. Pianist, Mrs. Allen Jones. Program committee, the executive and Mrs. Fred Byer and Mrs. Murray Johnson. Social committee, Mrs. Bob Lewis, Mrs. Norman Lehman, Mrs. Fred Mc. Nair, Mrs. Murray John- son. Nominating committee, the executive and Mrs. Frank Bielby, Mrs. Ross Wideman. Press reporter, Mrs. Nor- mN� Approve Altona Church Addition ByELEANOR BUNKER ALTONA — At a congre- gational -meeting of the Altona United Missionary Church, Monday evening it was decided to build an addition to the church. The tender of Harold Lew- is, an Altona contractor, was accepted. Dave and Vera Francis and boys and Bob and Margaret Lewis and Shir- ley spent the weekend at South River with 'Vera's brothers Milford and Mel- vin McLaren. Thev en inyed seeing maple syrup in the making. While you are at your spring housecleaning keep in mind the W.M.S. paper drive. if you have papers and magazines, phone Mrs. Allan Mever at 640-2147 by April 2_1. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mc- Nair and Mrs. Flossie Thompson visited on Fri- Altona Church School Names Officers, '66-67 ALTONA — The Sun- day School of Altona Uni- ted Missionary Church held its organizational mee- ting Sept. 22 and elected officA*e TffG teachers for the 1966-67 season. Supt: Paul Meyer; Asst., Des Kerr. Secretary -Treasurer Clif- ford Dunkeld; Asst., Allan McBride. Missionary Treasurer Lin- da Foster. Departmental Supts. Cradle Roll Mrs. Albert Foster; Asst., Mrs. Robert Lewis. Junior Church Mrs. Mur- ray Johnson; Helpers - Mrs. Des Kerr, Mrs. Geo. Neal, Mrs. Ellis Melton, Mrs. Clif- ford Dunkeld, Mrs. David Francis. Home Dept. Mrs. Fred McNair; Asst., Mrs. Frank Bielby. Temperance Supt. Albert Foster. Missionary Supt. Mrs. Al- lan Meyer. Pianist Mrs. Donald Bo- ake; Asst. Mrs. Frank Biel - by. Ushers Geo. Neal, Bruce McDowell, Allan Jones, Do- nald Boake, Glen Byer. Song Leader Donald Bo- ake; Asst. Allan Wellman. Librarian Isaac Lehman; Asst. Carl Lehman. Teachers Cradle Roll Teacher - Mrs. Des Kerr Asst. - Mrs. Ellis Melton Beginners Teacher - Alene Meyer Teacher - Mrs. Fred Byer Asst. Mrs. Donald Boake Asst. - Mrs. Allan Jones Primary Teacher -Mrs. Albert Foster Teacher Helen Johnson Teacher - Mrs. Paul Meyer Asst. Linda Foster day evening with Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Jones of Brook - fin. Several carloads of Women's Institute ladies and friends attended the Hatenanny at Uxbridge, Tuesday afternoon. The Altona group modelled their new spring creations. Mr. and Mrs. Stanlev Lewis, Mrs. Norman Bun- ker and Mrs. Walter Davis called on Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Wallace at their new home in Stouffville, Mon- day afternoon to extend best wishes from the Alto- na community. They pre- sented them with a chaise lounge, a matching lawn chair and a pot of mums. Our loss is Stouffville's gain but we hope to keep in close touch by having Mrs. Wallace as one of our Altona Institute membb� 9 *" S AL f Ur4A:.,.... Asst. - Mrs. Clifford Dun keld" Asst. - John Gilham Junior Girls Teacher - Joyce Reynolds,, Asst. - Mrs. Chas Reynolds Junior Boys Teacher - Mrs. Murray Johnson Asst. - Ronald Sargeant Junior High Girls Teacher -Mrs. Robert Lewis Asst. - Mrs. Fred McNair Junior High Boys Teacher - Murray Johnson Asst. - Des Kerr Young Ladies Class Teacher - Mrs. F. Huson Asst. - Mrs. Fred Byer Young Mens Class Teacher - Robert Lewis Asst. • Paul Wellman Mothers Class Teacher -Mrs. Frank Bielby Asst. - Mrs. Harold Lewis Married Couples Class Teacher = R oss Wideman Asst. - Rev. F. Huson Bible Class #1 Teacher - Millard Reesor Teacher - Norman Lehman Asst. - Ellis Melton Asst. - Fred McNair Mrs. Rebecca A. Ritchie talented musician who plays a variety of musical Instruments including 424 sleigh bell, 32 hand bells, 28 musical glasses and a set of silver chord bells, and who will be heard with Rev. Thomas. Ritch- ie, wellknown Irish evan- gelist, in the Altona Unit- ed Missionary Church, commencing Tuesday,' Feb. 28, and continuing each night except Satur- day until Sunday, March 12. Services will be held on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., and on week nights at 8 o'clock. In addition to the musical program and the dynamic preaching of Rev. Ritchie, a number of outstanding Gospel films will be shown during the meet. Open new $27,000 Altona church sunclay school, March 17 04 V The new $27,000 Sunday School addition to the Altona United Missionary Church, will be officially opened, March at 2:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Ward M. Shantz of Kitchener. The church school enrollment is 175. The Superintendent is Mr ' Meyer. —Staff Photo et -V our light s o thine be- fore tuen, that r�SENTATION OF KEYS AND CUTTING OF RIBBON iervice of Dedication Ik-arch I7th.I968 2:30 p.m. ?iano Prelude Doxology Invocation Prayer Hymn 2I `Come ,Thou Almighty King" Scripture reading and Prayer Rev.D.Sargeant Sol o-Mr. LeRoy Soper Greetings -Remarks -The 1astor Rev.F.G.Huson Offering Dedicatory address-Rev.T'ard A�.Shantz Prayer-Rev.?"ard 117.Shantz Presentation of Keys and Cutting of Ribbon Dedication Solo-Mr.LeRoy Soper Dedication of Sunday School Auditorium and Class Rooms Rev.71ard hrl.Shantz Hymn "To God Be The Glory(one verse) Benediction D �iC� H�S�f��11Jf01 The Builder : —fir. Harold Lewis �1 het the b eautu ofi the Lovo oiir Goa tie upon ii6 :and establish thou tl� work of our fifluth upon us. »_LV ,0 ,. they ulav .... work. adg gee vou�� good ori- . �v vou� atlwr whichis i1i heaven. Iv:ATIHE JJ A. P. H. "As the one representing those who have given material form to the plans for this Sunday School Auditorium I present the keys to the Chairman of the Building Committee, to the end that this building may be dedicated to the service of God" The Chairman of the Building Committee Mr.Ellis Yelton "Representing the Building Committee of this Auditorium,we accept this sacred respon sibility and yield the keys to the minister of this Church to proceed with the Dedication" The 1inister:-Rev.F.G.Huson We rejoice that God has put it into the hearts of His people to accomplish this pro ject for His Glory. We will now enter -and Rev.Shantz shall conduct the Dedication. Centennial Service By ELEANOR BUNKER ALTONA — A special centennial. service was con- ducted at the Altona Unit- ed Missionary Church, Sun- day evening. Numbers by the centennial choir were enjoyed in addition to a mouth organ selection by Mrs. Norman Bunker. Sev- eral in the congregation gave their testimony and Mrs. Fred Byer presented a reading. Many wore cen- tennial costumes. !► t. ToAb i_ wo=49S LNST91" � dtona Missionary Church, Arthur Lehman ceremonies for the evening. Present pastor left) was on hand for sacred music night Donald Pugh greets Mr. Lehman. Unqualified success f )5 Altona church turns 100 - - - - ------------ REV. DON PUGH of Palmerston Passed away very peacefully at Port Loring, Ont. on Saturday, August 26, 1989 in his 68th year. Beloved husband of Dorothy Bramhill. Dear i father of Paul & his wife Joan of Plattsville, Don Jr. & his wife Lois of Richmond Hill and Barb and her husband Dirk Loose of Mississ- auga. Fondly remembered by his 5 grand- children, Brigette and Barbara Pugh, Deanne and Emily Pugh and Jennine Loose. Brother of Phyllis (Mrs, Elroy Schneider) of Kitchener and Jean (Mrs. John Colley) of Florida. Pre- deceased by his parents, Fred & Fanny Pugh. Over his 42 years of ministry, Don pastored in the communities of Palmerston, Aylmer, Manitoulin, Port Elgin, Plattsville, Altona, South Buxton, Gorrie and most recently in Leamington. THE family of the late Fred Pugh wish to express t eir to friends, deep appreciation relatives and neighbours for their many acts of kindness during the sudden passing of a beloved husband and father. Special thanks to Rev. A. Walsh and Rev. F. G. Huson for their consol- ing words, also to the W.M.S. ladies for lunch provided. Thanks also to Dr. Brodie and the O'Neil Funeral Di- THE ALTONA CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY CHURCH rectors for their kind and efficient service. 4--e.194,1 Fannie Pugh, invites you to celebrate wit.: us Donald and Dorothy Pugh, John and Jean Colley, Elroy and Phyllis Schneider for our ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY ALTONA CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY CHURCH N M . M.. on the week -end of SEPTEMBER 19, 20, 21, 1975 You have had a share in our fellowship in the past, and we would like you to share in our anniversary services. Friday,_ __September 19 8.00 P.M. Youth Night - at the church with Mr. Eric Strachan �" Saturda Se tember 20 7.30 p.m. Musical Evening at the church Sunday, September 21 Morning Service 10.30 - Rev. Dow Sargent Afternoon 2.00 - Rev. Frank Huson Refreshments provided Evening 7.30 - Rev. Gibson Brown The Church doors will be open from 11. a.m. on Friday until 11 p.m. on Sunday Anyone wishing to drop in will be most welcome ,A,1,TOKA WOMENsS'L":STI'rm- - 1875 - 1975 Altona Christian - Missionary Church Altona Christian -Missionary Church 1875 -1975 - - Holding Forth The Word Of Life For A Century - This history of the Altona, now Missionary, Church has been compiled to commemorate its 100th Anniversary. The real Church is the body of believers in Christ. This building of brick and mortar was erected in 1875 to be a meeting place for the "believers" in this area. Three years prior to the building of the Church, a group of Evangelical believers formed a congregation at Altona as members of the "Christian Church" denomination. On April 22, 1872, Elders Tatton and Sholtz came up from the Brougham Christian Church to organize the group. They held their services in a building known as the Temperance Hall which was just north of the Altona crossroads. Prior to this, these folk worshipped either at the Brougham Church or at their homes. This congregation started with sixteen members. Likewise, there were those in the Altona area who were members and adherants of the "Mennonite Brethren In Christ" denomination. They attended services at the Dickson Hill Church or in local homes until the Altona Church was built. Mr. Abram Reesor donated the land for this Church. We have the original copy of the subscribed donations for the building fund. Each has written his own name and the amount that he wished to give. There are ninetytwo names on the document. The heading paragraph is beautifully written in a type of penmanship rarely seen to -day. It reads as follows - "We the undersigned hereby agree to give the sums opposite our respective names for the purpose of building a "Union Church" at Altona, to be built east of the creek and on property of Abram Reesor, and to be opened for the use of Congregationalists Christians, Mennonites and other Orthodox denominations, and for Sunday School. Sums to be payable on the 1st. of November next 1875. Provisional committee Daniel Barkey Abram Reesor Menno Nighswander It is presumed the reason the "Congregational" denomination is mentioned here is that they also held meetings in the Tem- perance Hall. However, this group built a Church in Stouffville, now known as the Stouffville Christian Church. The largest donation given toward the building of Altona Church was $ 200, next largest was $ 50. Four pledged $ 25 each. The rest are in amounts of $ 20 down to 80 cents. A number of the names are those of women and no doubt the amount they pledged, though small, had been saved out of their "pin money". Two ladies have signed their names as Widow Wideman and Widow Ramer. All donations on the document total $867.80. Preserved in a small book are the recorded pledges as they were paid off. It shows further donations from some of the original donors. As the Lord prospered them, they were able to give more. Records state that there was a fi second day of dedication. The first of sod was turned or whatever they did one at the opening. However, we are that the choir gave $ 5 at the second this that the Christian denomination three years in the Temperance Hall. rst day of dedication and a ie may have been when the at that time, and the second not sure on this. We learn dedication. We presume by had a choir during their A Mr. Wm. Feaster did the mason work on the Church. It is said that while working on it he caught a cold which resulted in his death. One statement says that Mr. Henry B. Reesor insured the Church at the time of its opening for "a risk of one thousand dollars". The earliest minutes to be found re administration are dated Feb. 10, 1876. It reads, "Meeting of the Stockholders of Altona Union Church to elect a trustee. A Rev. Mr. Day was appointed Chairman. At that meeting, Mr. Y. Millard was the elected trustee. It appears that there were three trustees. One new one was elected each year or the retiring one re-elected for another three year term. These trustees looked after the business of the Church building, re up -keep, heat, light etc. They were elected from both denominations. Each denomination paid half of the yearly ex- penses. In 1895, twenty years after the Church was built, a record shows the expenses for upkeep to be $ 16.60 for the year. Mr. Daniel Barkey was the first "Mennonite Brethren In Christ" minister. His son Wilmot also was a local preacher at Altona. It is not known who the above Rev. Mr. Day was nor where he resided. Altona Union Church 1875 The Sunday School was a union effort of the two congregations. It was the only Sunday morning meeting. Sunday School super- intendents were alternated at yearly business meetings. No pastor was in attendance at these Sunday School services because they were fulfilling duties at their other charges. The Sunday evening services were alternated and a pastor came from a sister denomination. Each denomination had its own executive to deal with business within its own group. This arrangement worked very well. The two denominations wor- shipped together in harmony. Proof of this is the fact that the arrangement continued for 80 years. In Nov., 1955, the "Christian" denomination members asked to join with the "United Missionary" denomination members. By this time the name "Brethren In Christ" had changed to "United Missionary". Still later the word "United" was omitted and the denomination became "The Missionary Church" on July 19, 1968. At the time of the decision to unite, Rev. F. Huson was the "United Missionary" pastor and Rev. G. Brown was the "Christian" pastor. In 1955, Rev. Brown moved to Wheatly and Mr. Kenyon Edwards filled in the remaining months as the "Christian" pastor. Quoting from a remark made by Rev. Huson at the time, "The two congregations have had a long and wonderful courtship and have now decided to be married". The final decision was made in Nov., 1955. The change took place in June 1956 which was conference month for both denominations. Altona was the host Church for the "Christian" denominational conference that year. The uniting of the two had no real problems. Both were evangelical and had few doctrinal differences. Many of the members on both sides were relatives. All were friends and neighbors and had worshipped together in each other's services for many years. In June, 1956, this united body of believers started out with about eighty members, each having had about forty before. At this time, "Altona Christian United Missionary Church" became a separate appointment with its own pastor appointed by the conference. The congregation purchased the former Mervin Bunker home for a parsonage. Rev. Dow Sargeant was the first resident pastor and stayed eight years. In 1964, Rev. F. Huson was posted to the Altona Church. The Husons said that it was like coming home as he had been a previous pastor here. In 1970, Rev. Donald Pugh came to pastor the flock. He was a local boy and to him it, too, was like coming home, although he had attended the "Missionary" Church at Stouffville. 3 An 1894 report mentions the Sunday School having a library. We have a book in which the librarian kept a record of books loaned from 1893 - 1899. Also preserved is the library card of one, Edward White. At present time there is a goodly number of books for loan. In earlier years, The "Christian" denomination used a foot pedal organ to accompany the singing of the hymns. The "Brethren In Christ" denomination preferred to sing without an instrument for their services. There was an appointed song leader. In these early days, one of the outings looked forward to by the young people was the singing classes held in the homes. Folk learned to sing by note without an instrument. The blending of voices in the singing of the hymns in the Sunday services was a joy to hear. The earliest minutes to be found of the Sunday School is for the year 1892. Mr. E. Reesor was elected superintendent. Mr. P. Stouffer was assistant superintendent and Mr. F. J. Reesor elected Secretary -Treasurer. Teachers were elected for nine classes and until the basement was built all classes were held in the auditorium. The secretary's report was "read" each Sunday at the close of the session. It told the number of officers, teachers and scholars present, number of verses memorized and the amount of offering. A clipping, preserved from a newspaper dated Dec. 16, 1899, states that fourteen girls of the young ladies' class paid a surprise visit to their teacher, Mrs. Abram Reesor. They had met to present her with a gift. It reads as follows - "We the pupils of your Sunday School class take this privilege of expressing our gratitude to you for the many kind words of instruction you have imparted to us. We can truly say we have received many blessings from your teaching. You have been very diligent and painstaking on our part and we doubt wether we have been as diligent as we might have been to receive the instruction you wished to impart to us. (At this time they asked her to accept their gift) We hope we and others shall have the pleasure of listening to your kind of teaching for many years and trust that your path will be strewn with blessing in so doing. We all join in wishing you a prosperous and happy New Year and we'll all be back again next Sunday, and we hope every Sunday to hear more of the Lord's Word as we study it together''. It is signed by Ella Davis (who was Fred Byer's Mother) and Pearl Boothby (who lived where Ross Wideman lives). No doubt the same heartfelt tribute has been felt but not spoken in word to many dedicated teachers over the years. May the Lord reward them for their many labors. 4 When Mrs. Barkis Reesor was teacher, the young ladies' Sunday School group organized the "Twinkling Star Class". In addition to their Sunday morning classes, they met once a month in their homes for Christian education and fellowship. In 1930, these girls saved their "pennies" for one year to buy a piano for the Church. This piano is still used in the main auditorium. Mrs. Walter Carter followed Mrs. Reesor as teacher of this active class. Two photos of this class, one when Mrs. Reesor was teacher and another when Mrs. F. Byer was teacher, show twenty-one members. A photo of Mr. Wm. Reesor's class of young men shows a group of 26 in number. Mr. Wm. Reesor, born the same year as the Church was built, was a dedicated Sunday School teacher. He taught the young married class for a number of years as well. His son Millard Reesor has followed in his father's footsteps as a teacher. Another father and son team of Sunday School teachers at Altona was Isaac Lehman and his son Norman Lehman. Sometime about 1952, the "Twinkling Star" class invited the young men's class to join their monthly fellowship meetings and became a young people's group. The Young People's organization began under the leadership of the Christian Church pastor, Rev. G. Brown, plus the two class teachers, Mrs. F. Byer and Mr. N. Lehman. Their first project was the gift of the present communion table to the Church. At the time of the union of the two denomi- nations in 1956, this group became the "Young People's Missionary Fellowship". At present Mr. and Mrs. John Gilham are their adult leaders. Around 1932, the young, married ladies organized for monthly meetings in their homes, using the undenominational "Christian Endeavour Society's" name and program for their meetings. Missions was their main interest. At the time of union, this group became the Altona "Women's Missionary Society". Mrs. A. Foster is the present president. A men's "Missionary Fellowship" was organized in 1958. They meet once a month, usually at the Church. Mr. Albert Foster is the current president. The attendance at the weekly Bible study and prayer meeting increased and benefited in recent years under the arrangement of different age groups. The Sunday School at Altona has always been well attended. There have been classes for all ages from cradle roll to seniors. In some places, Sunday School seems to be thought of as mostly for the young - not so at Altona. There has always been a goodly number of adults in the Sunday School. 5 The Altona Sunday School had been an active unit of the Pickering Sunday School Convention during the lifetime of the township Sunday School organization. Many times Altona Sunday School had the highest enrollment and attendance of Sunday Schools affiliated with the township convention. It was named the "Banner Sunday School of Pickering Township". In the year 1961 quoting from an article in the "Gospel Banner", "Altona Sunday School broke all records on Rally Sunday for Sunday Schools in Class C within the denomination when 227 attended". A shield was received for the honor. After Rev. Sargeant came, a morning preaching service was begun following the Sunday School hour. At this time, Mrs. Sargeant started a primary worship service at the same hour in the basement. It closed out due to inadequate space, lack of facilities and sound carrying to the auditorium above. With the new addition, a primary group known as "Junior Church" has met in the Sunday School auditorium following the Sunday School session. Mrs. F. Huson organized a Happy Hour for juniors. They met on Fridays at 4 p.m, in the Church, with Mrs. Huson as leader. This group continued to meet while the Husons were at Altona. In 1973, Mrs. Robert Ellsmore organized a pre -teens group which was under her leadership. They meet every two weeks in the Community Centre. RENOVATIONS In 1937, the Church was renovated to some extent. A basement was put under it and a new heating system installed. The basement provided much needed Sunday School classroom space. Some changes in the entrance and pulpit area were made at this time. Volunteer labour of members and neighbours under the guidance of contractor, Mr. Norman Bunker, lessened the cost of the improvements. Mr. Stan. Thompson was the contractor when the new roof was put on in 1952. The new Sunday School auditorium with basement classrooms was built by contractor Mr. Harold Lewis. The dedication service for this was held March 17, 1968. At the same time there were improvements to the main auditorium and a new foyer entrance stretching across the south end was added with washrooms below. This resulted in the original entrance being closed and a new entrance between the new addition and the rear west side of the original structure put in. The main sanctuary arrangement was reversed. A sizable legacy left to the Church by the late Mr. Fred Ramer was the nucleus for the new addition and renovations. The entire cost was paid off by 1971. R The pews and the windows are the original ones. At renovation time, Mrs. F. Beilby made the gift of an electric organ in memory of her parents - Mr. and Mrs. Eli Lehman. The new pulpit Bible, open on the communion table, is a memorial to the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Byer. A well was dug and given at this time in memory of Clifford Reynolds. The members are grateful for the many other gifts that have been made to the Church by individuals at the time of renovation and since. One young man from the Altona Church felt the call of God to train for the ministry. Rev. Arthur Lehman studied at the Chicago Evangelistic Institute and was ordained by the Mennonite Brethren In Christ denomination. He is now pastoring at Rosemont, Ontario. The first wedding conducted in the Church was in 1935 when Miss Beatrice Carter was married to Mr. Arthur Wideman. A Bible was presented to them at the close of the ceremony. Since then, many couples have said their marriage vows before the altar. The Sunday School, for a number of years now, presents each newly married couple of this Church or of the community, with a copy of God's Holy Word. The Church believes in and has evangelistic services, usually once a year, lasting a week. In former years, these services generally lasted two weeks. As well as souls being saved, others were and are built up in the faith through these services. The Ordinance of the Lord's Supper is open to all "believers". In former years, the communion wine was taken from two, glass goblets. Later individual cups were purchased and are now used. The unit, donated anonymously to the "Christian" members was given to the Stouffville Missionary Church at time of union. The unit, now used at Altona, was a gift to the "United Missionary" group by Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Lehman, as also were the present offering plates. Our belief is that baptism be by immersion. In previous years it took place in local, outdoor waters but more recently in a sister church's baptistry. At the time of recording this history, the Church has a membership of sixty-six. The Sunday School has an enrollment of one hundred seventy-four. There has always been a wealth of talent at Altona which has resulted in manifold blessings. Just as the members have been /1 diligent, maintaining and refurbishing their place of worship, so have they been diligent in their worship, in their teaching, in prayer and Bible study and in their Christian living - thus giving witness to the entire neighbourhood. This Church has had scrip- tural preaching by their ministers and Bible -based teaching in the Sunday School. Because it is impossible to mention all of the names, we salute, as did Paul, those who are "helpers". Quoting from an article written by the late Mrs. B. Reesor, "The Bible is the greatest book in the world. You will also find the greatest things in life can be traced back to God and the Church. In any generation, the Church stands above all other organizations in the community for the good of the community." The Altona Church family offers their praise and thanks to God for His goodness to them, having cared for and watched over this part of His Church for 100 years. We would say, "May we ever be worthy of it and seek to pass it on in our time and to those who come after." We remember in gratitude the pioneering members and all who have gone before, for bequeathing to us a spiritual heritage. With the song writer we can sing, "Many things about to- morrow we don't seem to understand but we know who holds tomorrow and we know who holds our hand". The Church and parsonage property was expropriated in March 1973 for the "proposed" new Pickering Airport. A number of the members and adherents of the Church have, by this time of vyriting, already found new homes for themselves in other areas. The Conference is holding the expropriated monies in trust for, if and when, the Altona congregation decide to re -locate. This history is dedicated to all those who have given of them- selves to build, to maintain, to project and forward the Lord's work in His vineyard at Altona through 100 years. The Stouffville Sun, Wed., October 11, 1989 efo„ZpiLJ Gy 1AT1. -'i ll ian O yE,L 8 Airport expropriation didn't kill couples' club A couples' club in a small rural hamlet still keeps in touch -- despite the fact its home base is in the hands of the federal government. The Altona Couples' Group started in the early 1950s, meeting at the Altona Mis- sionary Church, just east of Stouffville, once each month. With Altona lands ex- propriated for the propsed Pickering airport, the group continues to meet once each year either in the Kitchener or Stouffille area. The group is spread across Ontario from Ot- tawa in the east to the Stratford area in the west and north to North Bay. Most recenty, Latcham Hall in Stouffville was the meeting place for 50 group members. THE ALTONA COUPLES GROUP got together for its annual reunion recently at Stouffville's Latcham Hall. Pictured are: Front, from left -- Marjorie and Orval Fretz, Albert and Edna Foster, Ross and Ivy Wideman, Rev. and Mrs. Dow Sargeant, Bob and Mary Lewis, and Joyce MacDowell. Centre -- Adelaide Kerr, Francine Wideman, Shirley Gilham, Harold and Louella Lewis, Gord and Marg Pearce, Vera and Dave Francis, Ron Sargeant, Alene and Herb Hoover, Dorothy and Allen Jones, Glenda and Cliff Dunkeld, and Beverly Smith. Back -- Des Kerr, Ken Wideman, John Gilham, Glen and Pat Byer, Shirley and Don Dunkeld, Allen McBride, Elwood and Audrey Pattenden, Donna and Doug Ap- pleton, Elwood and Marie Johnston, Laura -May and Don Boake, Ruth and Gord Johnson, Ruth and Winston King, A,i,"A WOM"I's n STTM� 0 0 Rev. Ken Smith and Bruce MacDowell. 4 ALTONA — The century -old Altona Missionary Church will hold its final services, Sunday. The decision to close it was made several months ago, after attendance dropped to a point where it was no longer practical to carry on. Most in the congregation are transferring their membership to the Missionary Church in Stouff- ville, Ross Wideman, a member of the Board told The Tribune. Changing community closes church Like so many country churches, the century -old chapel at Altona will soon close to regular worship. Once boasting the largest Sunday School attendance in the area, the changing community, due to the once -planned Some have already made the move, he said. The Altona Church, under management by Stouffville, will be kept open for at least a year since coffee hours, organized by a group of women in the area, have proved popular. The situation will then be re- assessed. Worship times this Sunday are unchanged, 11 a.m. and 7: 30 p.m., with Sunday School at ten. Bob Kennedy, the presiding pastor, will be in charge. Mr. Kennedy is planning on retur- ning to McMaster University in Pickering Airport, rapidly depleted the ranks of the congregation. Most members are ex- pected to align themselves with the Missionary Church in Stouffville. JoAnn Thompson St-anIey)LeWi's eut-s th e of tk;Y a_et-x+enrn;, I eeIebra4-)'on Serfi- 147 ir C- F-fe e- N- ci r The Altona W oiiv s Institute turned back the clock, last week, when members and friends of members presented fashions "through the years". The bathing beauties (above) are -Linda Wagg (right) and Sarah Stoner. June 19 P ---Jim Holt r-hi's %U" fi►-iez-I m eef;nii of ChuK Imal Ri b!r s Tc,C_ er AI:T�NIA6 W�Ar[Tf.�i'S Nsmx�+� S c! m o„ I C I J I S,-f j Volker Klaue "It was then my life took a different direc- tion," recounts Mr. Klaue. "I recognized I was a sinner and needed God to bring purpose, order and direction into my life. del ! IRev. Gibson Brown and Mrs. Brown from Wheatly, .were renewing acquaintances in the community on Sunday. Rev. Brown was a former minister here and at Stouffville. w p /-f-c rt n, New Pastor I Rev. W. D. Sargeant of Stay ner has been appointed to the Pastoral charge of the Altona Christian United Missionary Church. Rev. Sargeant will take the new post on July 1st. Among other jobs he held in Toronto during the 1960's were garbage collector, hospital or- derly, bank computer operator and clerk. Mrs. Frank Huson, the widoN of a former minister at Gormle, Missionary Church, passed awa; in St. Catharines on Dec. 18 in hei 85th year. She is survived by het son, Ronald, of St. Catharines She was buried in Mount Plea sant Cemetery in Toronto on Fri- day, Dec. 22. t el b� y Rev. Huson retiring On June the 25th Rev. F. G. Huson will have completed 5a years in the Ministry. After serving as an officer in the Salvation army for some years, Mr. Huson resigned and entered the Ministry in the Missionary Church in the year 1935, serving in Collingwood, Stratford, Gorm- ley, Banfield Church, Toronto, Stauffvilee, Owen Sound, Altona, and the past 5 years here in Paisley. On July 20th Mr. Huron with Mrs. Huson terminate their ministry in the Immanual Mis- sionary Church in Paisley, and are planning on retiring from active ministry, they will be residing in St. Catharines, On- tario. On Sunday, July 27th Rev. Henry Runhart with Mrs. Run - hart and their young son and daughter will commence his ministry in the Immanual Mis- sionary Church here in Paisley. Austrian minister became Efle Christian in this ALTONA — The new pastor of Altona Missionary Church, Volker Klaue, comes here via Austria. He and his wife, the former Mae Summerfeldt of Stouffville, have spent the last two years working with a home Bible study group in that country. Mr. Klaue, a student pastor, was born in Austria and raised in West Germany, but emigrated to Canada in 1960. He is a 1969 Later, as part of Operation Mobilization, an evangelistic organization, Mr. Klaue spent two summers working in his native Austria and a half year in Turkey. graduate of Ontario Bible College. After his father died in 1960, Mr. Klaue said "for a long time I had no certainty about God or life after death.. I was interested in all kinds of philosophies, but I did not find any certainty." He became a Christian after coming to Canada, when a German friend of his in Toronto invited him to evangelistic meetings being held at Ontario Bible College. Mr. Klaue points out that both the church building and the par- sonage of the church in Altona are owned by the country federal government, as it is located on land slated for the now -defunct Pickering airport. The church recently passed its 101st anniversary. He said the church has sponsored some neighborhood coffee hours to help long-time residents of the com- munity get to know newcomers, and vice - versa. Regarding the people (if the congregation, Mr. Klaue remarked, "I am pleased with the way People in Altona have opened up their hearts to I t. v, /ti'So►� do n-- Altona pastor returns 'home' The congregation of Altona Missionary Church welcomed their new pastor, July 26 — new to the pulpit but not to the community. Rev. Donald Pugh is a native of the area, son of Mrs. Pugh and the late Fred Pugh of Stouffville. Previous charges include — Palmerston, Aylmer, Manitoulin Island, Port Elgin and Plattsville.t —Peter Harris. 40 k C�._,A,,,, t,/V i Christian environment School opens in f all STOUFFVILLI — A Christian school, to erve the area, will open here Sk pt. 8. A possible location is the Altona Mission Church. Information pe taining to the venture was made r,,ublic at a dinner meeting, April 23. Guest speaker was Rev. Grover Crosby of the Nc-wmarket and District Christian Academy. Based on a minimum enrollment of 40 students and a tuiuon fee of $1,2500.00, a deficit of $21,000 is anticipated. If the Stouffville's new Christian School, located in the former Altona Missionary Church, was dedicated at a ceremony Monday night. Introduced to the audience were members of the staff (left to right) - tuition is increased to $1,400.00, the year's loss will be cut to $15,000. The more students at- tending, the greater the income and the less sizeable the short- fall. A start-up capital of $16,000 will be required in preparation for the opening this fall. For the fiscal year of 1981-82, operating costs (based on 40 students), have been estimated. at $71,000. This figure, broken down, in- cludes $62,000 for salaries; Ruth Herbert (Room 9 and 10); Melodie Potter (Secretary and Music); Karen Pike (Room 7 and 8); Elenor Paisley (French); Nancy Stover (Librarian) and Robert Stover (Principal). Greg Coates. Christian School Extend grades STOUFFVILLE — The and of directors of Stouffville ristian School, have voted animously to extend the ade levels from one to 11, for academic year, beginning September, (c! V z The decision was made h "the proviso that class- im facilities and the number acceptable student ap- /9s;i—.3 5 Christian School students do well in speaking contest plicants are adequate," ac- cording to a press release from the school. Present grade levels are from five to 10, with class sizes ranging up to 14 students. Total school enrolment is 47. For further information, call the school principal, Bob Stover, at 640-3297, or 640-2483. $5,000 for supplies; $2,500 for rent and $1,500 for utilities. As the enrollment goes up, only the cost of supplies increase. David Ianuzzo, a member of the Founding Committee, said many questions would remain unanswered until the hiring of a principal is confirmed. Two full- time teachers and one half-time teacher are anticipated with classes extending from Grade 5 to 10. He described the school as providing "a high quality of education within a Christian Dedication c eremon STOUFFVILLE — a great job finishing A full house was on hand around 6 p.m. the night to witness a special before classes were to Dedication Service begin." Monday night for The school's senior Stouffville's new Christian School. and junior choirs a presented selections. Ceremonies for the Guest speaker Rev. William Hiltz addressed evening was Stewart the gathering on the Wideman. He expressed need for Christian appreciation to Schools. everyone involved in making the school a "I believe the reality. opening of this school is He introduced the the most significant School Board Members. event of the year for the They include Dennis Stouffville area," said Alsop, Rev. J.R. Rev. Hiltz, "and Clubine, Peter Fernie, possibly this decade." Dr. David Ianuzzo He expressed the (Chairman), John importance of the role of Montgomery and Carl education. "God en- Reesor. trusts us to teach our An historical children the right way," synopsis of the school's he said, "and we, as founding was provided parents, allow the by David Ianuzzo. He schools to assist us in explained how public this instruction." interest first came The dedications about back in 1976. He ceremony was con - then mentioned the ducted by Rev. Jim various groups and Clubine. committees involved in The teaching staff getting the school un- includes Ruth Herbert, derway. Elenor Paisley, Karen "Once we received Pike and Melodie the go ahead, we then Potter. The principal is had the task of Robert Stover. organizing the The large crowd facilities," said Mr. was invited to tour the ianuzzo. "Carl Reesor school and enjoy took on this task and did refreshments. environment". The committee, he said, is not optimistic con- cerning government support but said academic instruction would comply with Ministry guidelines. Preliminary registrations will be accepted this month, he said, with a final sign-up later this summer. With respect to a statement on need, an information booklet made available at the meeting set forth the following goal: "We wish to provide an environment of sound Christian ethics and moral principles, also a com- prehensive academic program which will challenge the students to achieve their fullest potential". Standard courses will include language arts, social studies, science and mathematics --- all taught with a Biblical perspective by fully qualified Christian teachers, certified in Ontario. The courses will be fully accredited by the Ministry with options added as the school expands. Six students enrolled in the Stouffville Christian chool enjoyed excellent success in a recent public peaking contest held at the People's Church, Toronto. 'ive of the winning participants are shown here (left to ight)-Sherry Yeates, 14, Goodwood (second); Tricia :11is,11, Stouffville (first); Jeni Montgomerv. 9. Stouff- j� ville (third); Debbie Stem, 16, Ballantrae (second) and Maria Wood, 14, R.R. 2, Markham (first). Absent is Rachel Lewis who placed first. In recent competition sponsored by the Stouffville Lions Club, Tricia Ellis was second. In all, 15 schools were represented. ---Tim Thnmac AMM W0119" U4511"s 1 �' -7 Christian School 19 keeps on growing By Jim Holt ALTONA — After only one year of opera- tion, the Stouffville Christian School at Altona has outgrown it- self. The fall term has been launched with a property addition ---the former Altona Feed and Supplies building, directly opposite the original site. All summer, the old structure, last used as pfurniture storage de- ot, reverberated to the sound of hammers, drills and saws as pa- found as far distant as rents. pupils and Ringwood or Glasgow. teachers gave of their The addition could spare time and energy not have come at a bet - to transform it into a ter time. This year's five -classroom com- enrolment is up nearly plex 90%, from 49 to 88 stu- According to Prin- dents, and shows no c i p a l Bob Stover, signs of slowing. although expansion One of the new clas- was discussed and srooms will be used as approved by the Board a science laboratory, back in February, it with two being held in was fortuitous that the reserve for future ex - old store became avail- pansion. able when it did, other- With the new build - wise accommodation ing operational, the might have had to be school now -offers clas- ses from Grades 1 through 10, with the addition of Grade 11 and Kindergarten scheduled for next year. The original teaching staff has grown from four to ten, keeping classes down to a manageable size One of the main reasons for the school's success, according to Mr. Stover, is the fact 75% of parents contri- bute their own evalua- tion of the system, along with construc- tive criticism and ideas. Also, parents de- liver and pick up their children every day. This practise, he says, keeps them in close contact with staff. Some idea of the spir- it that prevails is the fact that during the Labor Day weekend, no less than 47 people worked on the new addition and, through- out the summer, a con- tinuous stream of hel- pers turned up to assist in whatever way they could. Enthusiasm is un- bounded and coopera- tion between staff and parents is exceptional, Principal Stover claims. Parents have a say in what they want for their children while the teachers practice and enforce many of the old-fashioned prin- cipals--- a certain for- mula for success. mencement Exercises, Sunday, with eight students re- Stover, Diana McNelley. Rear Row, (left to right)- ceiving Grade 12 diplomas. The ceremony was held in Jonathan Butcher, Erik Ianuzzo, Jeff Smith, Jeff the Stouffville Missionary Church. Members of the gra- Young, David Wakeford and John D'Amato. - Stouffville Christian School Where the Bible 1S By Lynn Kelly ALTONA — Fac- ing each other across the Picker- ing -Uxbridge Town - line in Altona are the two campuses of a dream come true for the founders of the Stouffville Christian School. It took four years for a group of pa- rents to crystallize their idea of a school where young Christ- ians could receive a quality spiritual and academic educa- tion. But in 1981, forty- nine students from Grades 5 through 10 became academic pioneers when they filled three clas- srooms in the con- verted Altona Mis- sionary Church. Just two years la- ter, more than 135 students in Kinder- garten through Grade 11 will begin the 1983-84 school year. The south cam- pus, as that building is known today, is lo- cated on six country acres that serve as a unique playground complete with a field, a stream and trees. A track and baseball diamond will be complete for the new school year. S e v e r a l elementary clas- srooms share the building with a lib- rary containing more than 3,000 ti- tles, and a gymna- sium adorned by stained glass win- dows. Grades 7 through 10 occupy a new north campus, the former Altona Feed and Supply Store. Principal Bob Stover is proud of the school's rapid expansion, and anti- cipates the addition of Grades 12 and 13 within the next cou- the success of the Stouffville Christian School. The credit, he says, belongs to the Lord along with the help of dedicated conventional schools. Mr. Stover noted that small classes are popular with pa- rents because "they struction for guitar, recorder and accor- dion. SCS will introduce a new computer pilot project this c,irat � considering a larger i accommodate the students. as collecting and preparing maple syrup. Annual tuition fees are $1;650'fbr elementary grades; summer renovated. the old Altona Feed Stcire to keep expan-- sion costs down. S 'Mr. Stover says the school's facili / 04 pie of years. He cites several reasons for SCS's success, noting that while about 70 per cent of the students are from Stouffville, others arrive from Markham, Union- ville, Uxbridge and other outlying areas. "We have a well- defined value base, and the Christian component of our program is a strong force," said M•r. Stover, who left the York Region Board of Education after 19 years as both teacher and princip- al in several schools. He explained that since one of the school's objectives is to povide a prog- ram that has a strong Biblical base, a Bible credit course is taught at each grade level. "We wanted this school because we recognized that the base of truth is God's truth," said Mr. Stover. "We recognize that a per- son who is in fel- lowship with Christ is usually going to fulfill the expecta- tions that Christ would have for us, so our value base comes from scrip- ture." Students attend weekly chapel periods, and in the coming school year, regular staff will teach Bible studies that previously had been taught by au- xilliary pastors and full-time Christian workers. Additional full- time staff will per- mit a redistribution of work loads, so that regular teachers can share the Biblical instruc- tion, explained Mr. Stover. "Each of the teachers is totally committed to that philosophy of educa- tion," he stated. And with eight full-time teachers, the school's pupil - teacher ratio is still small enough to attract students in- terested in a more personalized educa- tion than they might receive in larger allow a deeper and more meaningful relationship wth the kids. " While admitting that the program is "somewhat struc- tured," he empha- sized that discipline is firm but fair. "And we don't forget the student — we follow him up," he said. "We sepa- rate the behavior from the behaver." The Ministry of Education inspects the school's study courses each year to ensure they con- form with curricu- lum guidelines fol- lowed by public schools. Both of the inspections to date have been favor- able, according to Mr. Stover. "We have endea- vored to build bridges between our school and the pub- lic school system," he stated. He noted that public school teachers and prin- cipals were invited to evaluate the school's first scien- ce fair conducted last year. He admitted that many people credit him with the school's success, but he's uncomfort- able with that assessment. It bothers me when people say `that's Bob Stover's school'," he said. "It's not my school. It's the Lord's and a group of parents who conceived of the concept. I would hope parents make their choice on the program and its purposes, and whether it accom- plishes its objec tives." One aspect of the school's curriculum that might fairly be credited to the prin- cipal is the physical education and sports program. Physical educa- tion has a high pro- file in our school," stated Mr. Stover. "I feel very strongly about that. We par- ticipate in the Cana- da Fitness Program." And the school offers a full arts program, including drama and music, and user -pay in - September as a re- medial tool to assist instruction, ex- plained Mr Stover. Students will likely become involved in programming by next year. "There is not as much isolation here as some people might think," he claimed. "That stu- dents are sheltered here is a myth." Although he feels the curriculum is "quite traditional," Mr. Stover noted that longer school days and more flex- ibility because of its small size disting- uishes the school from most. Each instruction- al day is about a half-hour longer than the standard, and classes end in mid -June. As well, several "school spirit" days are organized through- out the year by the student council, in- cluding field trips, western days, and special events such $1,800 for secondary grades and $900 for kindergarten. A dis- count is offered to families with two or more children en- rolled. Because tuition income is insuffi- cient to cover day- to-day and expan- sionary expenses, the school relies on gifts and fundrais- ing to help defray costs. A successful fun- draiser that has so far netted $950 is "Hot Dog Day", held every Friday during the school year. Students pay $1 for a hot dog (pre - ordered and pre- pared by mothers), desert and drink. As well, car pools rather than buses, are arranged in September to trans- port students. An example of the co-operative ,com- munity effort that has built SCS is the new north campus. Students, teachers and parents last ties are adequate for the current en- rolment, "but it's going to be tight." He expects growth to continue as it has, so the board is look- ing at new property. SCS has a five- year lease with the federal government on its present prop- erty, which is in the Pickering Airport zone. Until a new site is found, port- ables can be ac- quired to accommo- date a growing en- rolment. "This is definitely a stop -gap to get us going," stated Mr. Stover. "But it has ; served our purposel well." And SCS appears to be serving the purpose of its Board of Directors: "The l Christian school: seeks to be an in- 11 stitution that will j contribute to the• lives of students to realize and develop ` their God-given i potential." i Tr, b V n e Fe- Photo/JIM THOMAS ,• n,t?V, Multi -purpose principal 1414,n e- C' Ifuee h Wally Robinson, principal at Stouffville Christian School often finds him- self filling in for teaching and maintenance staff along with his responsi- bilities as the school's administrator. �� e /I f'cI-cne isslene..6_ rus weignt toss means Christian School awains STOUFFVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL honored its Grade & graduates at a ceremony a week ago Tuesday at Parkview Village. Teacher Ken Benson, who its leaving the school for the ministry, addressed the graduates and posed with (from left) acacdemic award winners Laura Chmara, Stephen Groat, Jakob deBoer and Jerq y_Wid=an. 014 0 & `� 01 ' . (jr6lfidsvr) 4 (Corm s+ HtXrjIla,h WIdEmart 0Vmt1r A jonat rep # dP*k Keith Lewis, (right), of William Street, Stouffville, is a mem- ber of the Markham Fire Department. About four months ago, he decided to take off thirty pounds. At the same time, he wanted to help the Stouffville Christian School. So he accepted pledges and earned in excess of $1,500. At the same time, he shed; not 30 pounds, but 42.On Saturday, board chairman John Montgomery, (left), presented Keith with an engraved plaque in appmetation of his accomplishment. A similar Apprecia- tion Plaque will go to Pat Montgomery, John's wife, for her volunteer work at the , chool, including operation of the school store and management of hot-dog days. --Jim Thomas ALVWA WoW0'S MTffVM C) 3- iV (.3 LlX. 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Was �ee[r 4nr/ Nord 7Free/ W 4 re buS,nPss Fre d ,Ce N. r f was h srd e , � Sore P c Sr e /4I4vn2 [MuICA . owners anc{ ren'ier, hi do lived in fhls 17U4$P�ss hrcc.11P d by s,LPw7s /9sa) ���rg1m Leh""? jas, T,ne4a11 J2c,lc k 1'n SN yf L'has. stlsc/� Los rye Wr1 JQs, wh;,tPg Mullen Arliiur k:lT'rfeheacl t�re� LPKHsI Moved to Min Ps,nS 4 7r Pr optPrl'�- `,' 1 11u3e WES'r citUx.P,cic,%Gw,1117e Pn,ri Icy 29 Ccn.9, P,,Ckerins *r&me- barn and hou37e acre 1o't S'o f-, e c—,, rn a r.s 2 n d/ r• r e 1, /- a rs L.Nhmnn f`lars ha, it kes ter and sjc' <&r DQVicl Mo/er 1 recl 24 , e r Cy pr cnr PO fed P,&b. l%93 � } , 3tc% RaUS'�. We ¢�- ��•f� Corner c S'lcicrc+:ri;(d'anal LI 1 1 Pcr)L i lcrl Can l 1�,'ck, (t� / 1 rrarme C'CnSfruC•llon l o-.0II11 r,it,nr's Sept:,&f-e bcr/i! I L acres beLi9il+• q t 0.uCT16n S�ie 1'GY �/-/aro/cl Leµ,,S cl4Ty /g•✓P, .3 P;tCd over nn d �I�s'fair can,Plefed r l�eaftcl h/r ccok i><ovP itrl cil sp,t he.,Ier,balhrer.-., arcl 1,,,<ier s/sAem S cl 11 Ile, Ch rtclded fa )tile Fro Sc•mP fwllErS andlor Y'el,4e,r5(c} k-ecaIle rl by s, Lew.'s /S'721 rien Leh man rr. 11 13er--f' LP,,,Is - when i1rS'rnC.rl"eJ,-/-FNn 011Ll'Pd fu i¢rm a,'YoS� /hP l clef. IIV 51 Muss-tl-uvrr - ne4 moihrr Tenedec. IYY4 Nrtrulci Lew+'S / 1 9/f9 -f /yS-7,w:>,?'s 6, IL17 r ,/can Lew<s ck /44ns0n Son bcn M. .S/t,'rla�/ iCew'S N� ,r Cl 14 rn . Ph' l Go„+h i er X l),-o, rIA eel rP b / 7y t Vi11Ea ci nFX f /7 oLISe west Ln U><. Prelc.T,,�llne �Cr� lct2Y['or19 * ra Pael Prrnq me em,'rs�ruC'f l'un /ola c el /Ii,q S l J rSt'�,C. rafB ,j t[rnI Cre /,t. �LTF :vnPrf !nM�c•, henfori Fla v i e s irir Jas. Stew,:rf Wm Tin�q 11 rtile l T r n !� cc / I h)�pr./ Tinrla/1 /M4,bP{ w.�,MeTbcr� X �ru��rrc�er{� Feb./c73. G �eXf house WI-s+, nexf t,, f1J+onc ('hurch or, ti)t, pick. +0tv n II;n a, petY- /of 24 c,.n.4 P,ekering- Lind y2raIe cucre 10f-. .5Or7,e owners OLI-d/cIr rentPrl Lelrn,an F 1 av 1 us {het 5or Jo,. Surkl�order gS,'rAer John kufchlsan Fred glsoP 154ec LL. �rncn JQCk �'4r7`Pr ' !�"O rC'ci i o 3a Ilr;ntraN L x j�rol,rlci%PC% Feb, 1973 KA" Mark Diamond Anniversary Mr, and Mrs. Isaac Lehman, well-known and highly respected residents of Altona, celebrated their diamond wadding annivi!rsary on Saturday and Sunday. The local couple received many cards aqd telegrams, including a message from the Queen. The story appears on page 3. ,Staff Photo. Mr. and Mrs. 1. Lehman-'.,�,, Of Altona Celehrate' I 60th Wedding Anniversary "The Lord's been good to us," Reside at Altona she smiled. "We have lots to be With the children gone; Isaac thankful for." and Emma were alone again, ` "Yes," he agreed, "we have a and in 1941 sold their farm and grown family and if I had it to moved to a house in Altona. do all over again, I wouldn't They have been there ever change a thing." since. Isaac was a farmer and Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Lehman being no exception to any other of Altona were musing how farmer, , he found the depres- they have spent the last sixty sion years very hard. years. They were quite satisfied Mr. Lehman recalls the era of that everything had gone so mechanized farm equipment well, and that they are both and how it modernized farm - still together to celebrate their ing. Farmers had a better 60th Wedding Anniversary. chance of survival when the Over 200 persons helped the tractors and combines were in-l Lehman's celebrate their 'big troduced. day. On Saturday evening a Mrs. Lehman wasn't quite as family banquet was held at, the sure about the age of automa- Masonic Hall in Stouffville. tion. "When I first saw a car," The couple also have friends she said, "I moved out of the they weren't even aware of. way.,, Such as the Queen, Prime Min- "It went about 10 miles an ister Pearson, Premier Robarts, hour, and that was pretty Dr. Dymond, Mr. Thompson swift." and Mr. Starr. These people i As automobiles became a sent their congratulations ! common sight, Mr. Lehman re - through the mail in forms of I telegrams and letters. ( However, this celebration _ members a friend asking him to all go for a spin in his new car. S, • could not have been possible if ; "It was the fastest car on` it weren't for Mr. Lehman's un- the road, 45 miles per hour. daunted perseverance. Scared me silly." Attended Same School He and Emma Davis had at- The couple recall sleigh rides tended school together at Atha sing -songs and croquet as main for a number of years. They li- forms of entertainment. Of ved one concession apart in course, when they were teens, Pickering Township. But at the they had to be home at 10 p.m. age of 17 Emma and her family A Good Cook moved to a small hamlet north Isaac is 84, and Emma is 81. —{ of Barrie. That could have been He claims the only reason he is f the end of a `teenage romance' still alive today is the food Em- f except Isaac wasn't going to ma cooked. let Emma get away with it. "She's a great cook. When we "I moved, and he followed," i lived on the farm, she made her she said. own bread and 28 pies a week." "With my horse and buggy," "I had to,,, she claimed, ["there he smiled, "I would `commute' were eight of us plus our back and forth to see her. Took hired help. I also had my sis- me all day to get there, but it ter's boy for nine years." was worth it." Mrs. Lehman has two sisters, j Emma lived for a year in To- Mrs. Aida Nupp of High River, 1 ronto, a small city on Lake On- Alberta and Mrs. Beatrice tario, and worked as a house- Campbell of Hellier, Ontario. keeper for about $16 a month. Mr. Lehman is the brother of i Isaac was always around to Mrs. Ella Smith, 92, Altona; make sure she didn't leave Mrs. Tillie Dunkeld, 86, Atha, without his knowing it. ! and Mrs. David Nighswander, Then on January loth, 1905, 80, of Altona. Isaac and Emma tied the knot He and his three sisters rep - in a simple ceremony in Bar- resent in total 342 years of life. rie. Reverend Kean was the Isaac and Emma brag about man that started sixty years of their family. "We have never, in. joy and happiness for the cou- all our lives, had a quarrel." ple. How many couples of today Isaac had purchased a farm can make that statement? in 1900 on the 8th concession, south of his former home. He had it in full operation when I he proposed to Emma four years later. They settled together in their i private little world, never dreaming that sixty years later, they would still have that world and would share it with six children, 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. "A boy was first, and a boy was last," related Mrs. Lehman speaking of her children. "In between there were four girls." The girls are now Mrs. Rita Meyer; Mrs. Annie Neal, Ors. Verna Ramer and Mrs. Mary Kennedy. The boys, Arthur and Norman grew up and set out on life on _their own. Arthur is a minister in BlenheimA WOMB.N'S INSTITUTE �7 0 / iwe0- F�pr,l I' 1ti,y Mrs. 1no. Pallister Buried Here Tuesday The funeral was conducted from the Dixon Funeral Home in Markham on Tuesday of this week for the late Mrs. Jane Pallister, formerly of Altona. Interment was made in the Stouffville Cemetery. Mrs. Pallister passed away at the Claremont Rest Home on Sunday. Mr. John Pallister, her husband, passed away several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Pallister farmed on the Pickering -Uxbridge town - line for many years prior to re- tiring to Altona. Surviving is one daughter Mabel (Mrs. Alex Hughes) of Toronto. Robert Roy Alsop Mr. Jam Pallistet Passes In 89th Year in_.. his niversary. The deceased was an active member of the Altona Union Church where he conducted the chair for a number of ,years. He was a member of the Claremont and Kinsale bands. Besides his wife he is sur- long vived by one daughter Mabel Iwav (furs. Alex Hughes) of Toron- mer Jane fJnzaipetn r;mmerson whQ_ suryives. On Peb�bl , 1VMr. and Mrs. Pallister cele- brated their 60th wedding an - ALSOP — Robert Roy — Oft Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1966, at. the Toronto Western Hos- pital, Roy Alsop, son of the late Hiram and Ellen Alsop, of 305 Windermere Ave., Toronto, formerly of Altona, in his 77th year; dearly be- loved husband of Gertrude Nesbitt; loving father of l red of Stouffville, Drusilla (Mrs. John Macko), Joy (Mrs. Raymond Rines), Audrey (Mrs. Kaarlo Mus- tonen), all of Toronto; lov- ing grandfather of Denny Alsop, Jeffrey Macko, Chris- topher Rines and Larry Al - sop, deceased. Service was held in the Chapel of the O'Neill Funeral Home on Friday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m, Interment Stouffville Ceme- tery. Pallbearers were Har old Dickinson, Grant Hill, Murray Nesbitt, George Al - top, Walter Baker, Allen Meyer. I � SL3� ers were golden day" Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Reesor, Main Street North, Markham, welcomed more than 150 neighbors, friends and relatives on the occasion of their Golden Wedding Anniversary, March 3. j 1 7 0 Markham Fair encore for Ballantrae sisters They've done it again! The Carter sis- ters, Ann and Susan, are champions in two divisions at Markham Fair --- Ann in the Eighteen and Under Class and Susan in the Top Student category. They are the daughters of John and Marjorie Car- ter, Ballantrae. Ann,16, is a Grade 1 student at Stouff- ville Dist. Secon- dary School. She had 23 winners in her 33 exhibits. She retains the K.J. Beamish Trophy he won in '82. The presentation was made Sunday. In addition to the rand Cham- pionship, she also won two specials --- the best apple pie, presented by Ursula O'Connor and best liquid embroidered T-shirt. Ann was most pleased with the first prize she re- ceived on her Dres- sed Doll. It took over three months to complete. Several of her entries were started as early as last spring. Ann says she plans to enter again next year, maybe even two more years, until she's eighteen. Her sister, Susan, 12, received the Travelways Li- mited Trophy, Fri- day. She's a Grade 7 student at Ballan- MARKHAM — The Reesor family name is well-known and highly respected in Markham and community. It was no less popular in 1920. In fact, pretty Eva, d ugghter of Flavius and 9Vnie Reesor, liked it ,--well enough to keep it. The decision was just fine for Joseph. Because he liked Eva too. On March 3 - fifty years ago, Eva Reesor and Joseph Reesor were married at her parent's home, cone. 5, Scarboro. Rev. Eltherington, then the pastor at Markham United Missionary Church and Dickson's Hill, performed the ceremony. Their honeymoon was a trip by train from Locust Hill to Toronto. trae Public School. She, like Ann, is a repeat winner from 1982. Donna Chil- vers, representing the Travelways' firm, made the tro- phy presentation. Susan placed 32 exhibits in the School Children's Section. She also re- ceived four prizes in the Eighteen and Under Class. The elementary school with the high- est number of points was Milliken Mills. The Howard Cos - burn Memorial Tro- phy was presented by Mary Cosburn. In the Eighteen and Under Class, Thornhill Secon- dary School was the high -point winner, receiving the Sterl- ing Trust Award. Recipients of other Specials in.- cluded --- Lisa Weatherill, Stouff- ville, (Decorated Cake -Christmas Theme); Amy Wil- liams, Altona, (De- corated Flower Pot); Tina Smith, Markham, (Hand Puppet); Glen De - Geer, Beer Road, Scarborough, (Stuf- fed Farm Animal); Amy Britton, Stouf- fer Street North, Stouffville, (Best Scarecrow); Shaw- na McGregor, R.R. 1, Gormley, (Best in Show, Grades 5 to 8) and Matthew Priestley, Mar- kham, (Best in Show, Nursery .o Grade 4). Sixteen -year -old Ann Carter of Ballantrae was a repeat win- ner in the Eighteen and Under Class at Markham Fair. Her proudest of 33 exhibits was a beautifully dressed doll. Ann is a Grade 11 student at Stouffville Dist. Secondary School. ---Jim Thomas * 0"'e, -*''t Roy Tindall Dies �m �b On Fishing Trip STOUFFVILLE — Fish- Ing near his cottage resi- dence on Lake St. Nora, was A pastime enjoyed most by Roy Tindall of Stouffville. It was while out on such a trip on Sunday that he was stricken with a heart attack and died in his boat. He was found by Harry Noble and and his son, Gerald on Mon- day morning after an earlier search with the aid of police had been called off at night. The ,boat had drifted into a protected cove. The fishing pole was still held in his hands. Mr. Tindall was born in Pickering Township, the son of Mrs. Mabel and the late Melvin Tindall, He resided at Altona for a time, moving to his residence in the east end of Stouffville, 20 years ago. -He was 46. Mr. Tindall displayed great pride in his home and the grounds were always kept in immaculate condition. He operated a successful trucking business until ill health prompted him to sell out to Arthur Wideman and Son. He was a member of the Oddfellows' Lodge. Besides his wife, the for. mer Frances Forfar, he is survived by two sons, Nor- man of Claremont, Tom•"-- -t home and one daughter, Carolyn, a nurse ill at Western Hospital. There are two brothers, Harry of Altona, Murray of Sandford and three sisters, Florence, (Mrs. Joe Symes) of Stouff- ville; Ruby, -(Mrs. Stanley Reesor) of Altona and Elsie, (Mrs. Aylmer Carter) of Stouffville. There is one granddaughter, Darlene Tin- dall. Rev. Douglas Davis is in charge of the service from the O'Neill Funeral Home, Stouffville on Thursday afternoon (today) at two o'clock, with interment in Stouffville Cemetery. The pall bearers are — Aylmer Hood, Dr. Ron Smith, Jack Beach, Ralph Boyd, George Alsop and Harry Madden. WE wish to thank relatives, friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindness, beautiful floral tributes and sympathy shown during our bereavement. t=or Reesor : Stanley, c Ruby Joyce and Glen; Ree{ot- Mrs. Mabel Tindall. Heart attack fatal to Sandford trucker %Z SANDFORD� A and his death came as leart attack, suffered a great shock, not only .)y well-known Sand- in the Sandford ord trucker, Murray community, but in all Tindall, Aug. 8, proved areas where he was alal, despite all ef- known so well. orts to revive him. Besides his wife, the The seizure occurred former Nora Harman, m the farm of Paul he leaves two sons, Xhitehead, R.R.1, Melvin, R.R.1, Ux- �xbridge, only bridge; Bruce at minutes after he had home; his mother, oaded an animal into Mrs. Mabel Tindall, he vehicle. He was Altona; a brother, itricken as he walked Harry, also of Altona ip the ramp to close and two sisters, Mrs. down the racks. He Florence Symes, was only 45. Stouffville and Mrs. Born at Altona, the Aylmer Carter, R.R.1, son of Melvin and Claremont. Mabel Tindall, he Hundreds of people moved to Sandford, called at the Low and north-west of Ux- Low Funeral Home, bridge, in 1956. Uxbridge, to express Murray Tindall was their sympathy. The an ambitious, hard- floral tributes were working man and his beautiful. Interment business showed the was made in Stouff- success of his efforts. ville Cemetery. Only recently, he had Pall bearers were - added to it, purchasing Donald Boyd, George the Morley Leek Geelink, Wilbert Transport operating in Welsh, Harvey Meek, Uxbridge. Wm. Hackner and It was eleven years Dennis Kerr. ago that the deceased had anv indication of fmnat L — In to ving memory of a dear son-in-law Murray who passed away August 8, 1972. We cannot hail the hands of time Or live again the past Within our hearts are memories That will forever last. Sadly missed by George and Flossie Harman and families. 50th anniversar Sr Trl by ne Y 445 . r>Ys_ JOE AND FLORENCE SYMES celebrated their 50th anniversary last Saturday afternoon at the Goodwood Community Centre. Symes worked as a farmer for many years before moving to Stouff- ville 30 years ago. Symes grew up north of Claremont while his wife grew up in AIF to, na. Symes also worked for Canadian Lines for many years and for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville for eight years before his retirement. Late Harry Tindall A skmed C,airpenter � e ALTONA — Harry Tindall, well-known and O'Neill Funeral Chapel w i t h interment, highly respected Altona Claremont Union area resident, died in his Cemetery. sleep, Sunday, Nov. 2, the ,;• result of a heart attack. ; Besides his wife Mr. Tindall was a skilled carpenter, ap- Blanche, he is survived by `Iltree sons, Kenneth, plying his trade at Tam o- Ross and Harvey all of. Shanter, Agincourt and Brougham; one daughter, later with Bob Lewis, Marie, in Scarborough Claremont, RR 3. He'd and one grandson, Steven been retired for the past Tindall. There are two two years. sisters, Florence Symes He was only 55. of Stouffville and Elsie Rev. Donald Pugh, Carter, Coppins Corners. former minister at Altona Pall bearers were six Missionary Church and nephews, Melvin, Bruce now at Plattsville, was in and Norman Tindall; charge of the service, Earl and Ray Carter and held Nov. 5 from the Glen Reesor. ' Now In My Day, Son - - - Tmutern ypAr nitl >"arl T,PWIA of Altona it alway8 Willing to li.Nen 1,n a ktii of friendly rfl,•i,•p frmrr hie ,antlfather, }Seri I,r�,is, eQpp1•ia.11y When ii CnmPS In lcP�n rlm�in': r'nn,pFtitiona lit<a M. rntcrnalionel. In the 1Z tra 1,% yenr ()w ,Mars, ynting Earl more than held his own as he topped a field of eight entries far a 1st prize award of $3& T L9 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis, Altona, will 1 eave Dec. 8 on an expense -paid trip to Ha- waii. Mr. Lewis and son Roy of Altona Feed and Supplies, topped their sales quota of Ford tractors. They sold fifteen in a period of fifteen days. —Cadieux Studio /lqt ! %•• Dealer W ALTONA — Winning I rips to foreign lands, is becoming a habit for Fred Lewis, owner of Altona Heed and Supplies Ltd. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lew- is will leave Dec. 8 for a ten-day vacation in Ha- waii. Mr. Lewis told the Tribune that he had won the trip for beating the sales target of tractors set by Ford of Canada. The competition was in celebration of Ford's 50th Anniversary and had over 304 participating dealers. Fred said that the deal- ers had to beat a sales tar- Stouffville TOPS Queen, Mrs. Ruth Lewis (centre) is pictured here with runner-up, Mrs. Ruth Smith (left), also of Altona and last year's winner, Mrs. Ruby Mansfield, Stouffville. —Staff Photo 0 ns Trip get for the first 15 days in November. His sales for this period were 15, which works out to one a day. In one single day, he sold five. Much of the credit goes to his son, Roy, who made many of the sales on the road, for which he rec:eiv- To Hawaii ed a prize of $1,000. Mr. Lewis said this is the third time he has won a prize from Ford. Six years ago, he won a trip for his wife and him- self to the British Isles and last year his son Earl and he,.went to England, France and Belgium. Former Algona Girl Agricultural Mrs. David, Johnson, 21, the former Joyce Lewis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis of Altona, has been chosen Milverton Centennial Agricultural Queen.. The selection was based on personality, appear- ance, agricultural back- ground and knowledge. Joyce has been extreme- ly active in 4-11 Club work, acquiring both County and Provincial certificates and pins. She was selected to take part in conferences and judging at both the University of Guelph and the Canadian National Ex- hibition. She is President of the Milverton 4-H Club. Joyce is a busy girl. In addition to these activities she is a full-time sales - Queen er 1.3, 1410 clerk, a omestic engineer press reported for the Kit- chener -Waterloo Record and The London Free Press and holds a member- ship in the Milverton Rod and Gun Club. She sews all her own :dresses and made her own wedding dress. The Centennial Queen ceremony took place fol- lowing a parade at Milver- ton Fair. She received a crown, a banner and a cor- sage from the runner-up to the Title, Yvonne Crum- mer of Linwood, Ont. The win entitled Joyce to compete -at Fordwich for the Centennial Queen championship of Huron and Perth Counties and the finalist then advances to the Provincial Title in Toronto. Birthday gathering :tea.,, ! ► 3.1Z By Blanche Tindall ALTONA - A party was held at the home of Don and Shirley Hansen, March 29, to celebrate Tammy's first, Troy's third, and Bert Lewis' 75th birthdays. Grandparents, parents, sisters, brothers and their families at- tended. The W.M.S. will meet at the home of Mrs. David Francis, April 7 at 8. p.m. farm, Claremont, Idly 2, on Saturday. Earl Lewis, 1.4, 4 Altona topped his class.—Sta.ft' Photo. Earl Levis Tops 11-15 Yr. Class Fourloon .year old Earl Lewis of. Altcrt a won out over seven other Tries in the tractor •and mount plow class (2 or'•rnore furrows), for boys 12 to 15 X�e,ars of age, 'at .Ilip InternationC on Wednesda\%. He receiv $35 Earl B. Lewis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis, Altona, has graduated with a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo. He has accepted a position with the accounting firm of Dunwoody and Company, Toronto, and is completing his articling requirements to obtain his Chartered Ac- countancy. Earl, his wife Susan (nee Britton), and daughter Stacey, will take up residence at Agincourt, where Susan spent her childhood years. A Centennial Project With Meaning �W A most unique centennial project has been completed by Mr. David John. ►rmerly of Claremont and now of Milverton. It is in honor of his wife's 22nd ay on May 22 and also their third wedding anniversary. It contains 22 rnial dollar bills and 22 centennial coins. Their first anniversary is desig- by the paper money; their 2nd anniversary by a cotton background and lyd anniversary by the emblem made out of leather. Mrs. Johnson, shown' ".e--- .er Joyce Lewis of Altona. —Staff . Photot Mr. and Mrs. Gordon C. Powell are pictured here following their recent marriage in the Stouffville United Missionary Church. The bride is the former June Audrey. Lewis, daughter of Mr, and Mrs. Fred Lewis, Altona. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Powell, Unionville R.R.A. —Cadieux Studio. train circled out from the back of the dress and was caught by a butterfly bow with two large satin un- derlays. The front of the dress was enriched with a wide band of pearl en- crusted lace that fell from each shoulder to a V at the Empire waist and continu- ed to the floor in an A -line style. Matching lace and tiny pearls also outlined the train. Her circular bouffant veil fell from tiers of petals, each petal outlined with pearls and sparkling crystals. The bri- dal bouquet was a cascade of deep sweetheart roses, with stephanotis and pink and rose carnations with Leather Fern. The Maid of Honor, Miss Marline Brooks, and the Bridesmaids, Mrs. Shirley Hanson and Mrs. Joyce Johnson, sisters of the bride, Miss Sharon Wide- man, Miss Janice Egoroff, and Miss Noreen Powell, sister of the groom, all wore similar full-length gowns of Emerald Green velvet with a matching peau de soie band around the Empire waistline and detailed with a butterfly bow and long ties at the back. The circular ruffle on the elbow -length sleeves was completed with a peau de soie underlay and match- ing bow. Their matching headpieces were bands of the same material as their dresses. They carried cas- cades of light pink carna- tions and Leather Fern and wore matching drop pearl necklaces, gifts of the bride. The little flower girl, Miss Valerie Pickering, cousin of the groom, wore a "miniature replica" of the bridesmaids' dresses. Her headband was of light pink carnations the same as her cascade. She also wore a pearl neck- lace, gift of the bride. Master Richard Harper, nephew of the bride, acted as ring -bearer wearing a black tuxedo similar to the ushers, with a white bou- tonniere, and carried a white satin and lace heart - shaped cushion. The best man was Mr. Bill Powell, brother of the groom and the ushers were, Mr. Roy Lewis, brother of th bride, 'Mr. Leonard Powell, and Mr. Lloyd Gayman. They wore black tuxedos and white boutonnieres. Messrs. Dave and John Hisey sang "The Lord's Prayer" before the double - ring ceremony and "O Perfect Love" during the signing of the register. ac- companied by Mrs. Floyd Ratcliff at the organ. At the reception, tollow- ing the •ceremony, the bride's mother received the guests wearing a brown brocade dress and matching waist - length jacket with brown and gold accessories and a cor- sage of roses and mums in fall colours. She was as- sisted by the groom's mother who chose a plum lace dress, three-quarter length jacket and match- ing velvet hat with beige and black accessories. Her corsage was of white mums and stephanotis. Leaving for a honey- moon, the bride wore a three - piece multi - colour tweed walking suit trim- med with a small white Fox collar and cuffs and tan accessories. She car- ried a white orchid on her tan envelope purse. On their return from a trip to Vancouver, B.C., they will reside in Bethesda. / i f r - -J1 cr-ctT t v!7 a or- r.. 00%AI ir-ra . Thcs. �.Lew:s John Lewis r�J (bro+h e r of 7-h as, A•) i-her SfanleyG kew's Mrs. Jonas Lewis Thbe, A,Lewit Jre4 Jelarid tr%ai-h'r g#-aJlfa}her. Jo r, a,* f' e.w i s m . /'�- n, ana..0 %4�w,ry� G cfwt'a11...�Tk'.+. o-aY yam. "'WA 17417 19i(4g«�9 (ir/c� •26)/Yr/-9,.w,r/,/kf6 3c�,� Lr,aa con's- mco-khthm -tF (lueko-f. si'da Main st�1[nr'onv!'Ile) /. 'rifher (i P ls) W + {ea rn ts�) cleave nodrlwrh,eq 10 l= r r d S . M a ry nt -b— . %, , Cro.n4c � 3 . Thomas N . . ,,, (A� S.*, n le y ie� Ha roId G;e, hi Thongs je, -ra m •+}R,aRj 4114 ess¢Q''`Flaipw ()3) 13 ertrtn, �,n, �� d%�„-fer.� Mesa i-I. pc-n lrl Jean Rlck; n,'rIP C-4, wa....L (14B1wfi.tj4 ku—. - 3'+epah;lclren /�'lar/hw, a.nd /.J� n�,�ers � KS aer t 9.C. as f3ruee i•,�J,c�..Ql„¢t.ef AIdene� Da1�on/ flaroicJ 3. �h, man uel N . A 699-3-igro) (1900-146�) ri o rt'trn ; l y (s) Rob e r Rachel 12o6ar-I Gerald ,.,...J9-ian.e Mark Odri PA !Cy/e /d L i n d S ay.(17a.,.•�r.(`Ctr ne, ley 2.wr.w ae A w;l)rs j;,r„e5 C�c�jrvr r�5 _/ r -� f Farm- w. n�ia A ��N17t>iii� rrf /.,J�Z �NItJtS (house $.o-PAIic/iQ, / Schcol Jr_ n cr .. f ewiy slanle� w �.n, et 4tr once l-¢WJf }1ztG�c lrv.,'JrY TO I'm 1 R e r 1 LeW.rl5 /4I; Ilee 134,r} Ethel Mon k.f,oure Lewis (r r) joke Pm. ( v';',) 14 a le . �r.?Z( /3-u�� Shlela,i G (v;;i) Term r. . G,,y1c (is) Lo the, . '4A rn b r ° s e / `IP,y,-)417) (8) V e ra ke) A-rlan n Ate-. Y a /War„ -.. . r 6rf + 14 ir/ (p' gi leer, f"wiq Jars -John brize-, ;iren+s of Hv,�,Thcmas 4, Lewis, ran r!i�(4re+ s �f iii�lei ���rf 1 w'Is Died The Funeral Vdd In Altona, on Friday, April 27th, 1923 Thomas A. Lewis In his 89th year Grana�a+ker 0¢ Bar-- * Stanley LeW _s A mailbox with a message 1,V1, A unique mailbox has been erected on the roadside near Altona Feed and Supplies. It is made from the front of a Ford tractor, with Bert Lewis, Fred's father, doing the work. The box serves two purposes - a convenience to the country mail carrier and an excellent advertisement for the Lewis Ford dealership. —Jas. Thomas. Will take place from the late residence, 2nd Con., Uxbridge; on Mondav afternoon, 30th inst., and proceed to Stouffville cemetery for interment. Service at the house at 2 p.m. . Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation. :43irb At Altona, on Monday, February 12th, 1934 Elizabeth Howard Rrtirt of Or late 04111'. Erwin In her 88th year Lewis Family Gathering ALTONA — Thirty-nine members of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Lew- is enjoyed a New Year's Day reunion at the Altona Community Centre. Pres- ent were Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Lewis; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lewis, Patsy, Tom and Allen; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lewis, Keith, Gerald, David and Shirley; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lewis; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Harper, Ricky and Darlene; Mr. and Mrs. Don Hanson and L� Troy; Mr. and Mrs. David -- Johnson; Mr. Roy — Lewis and Steven; Mr. and y- Mrs. Gordon Powell; Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Bradley and Sheila; Earl, Terry and Lorne Lewis; Susan Cyr Britton; Mrs. Ellis Melton, Marion, Lloyd and Glenn. From the residence of her son, Arthur Lewis, Altona, on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m - Interment SStouffville Cemetery Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation. r--r Lewis lqi4 1_ "I / C . Z Q x h,-i cl j e T"w/,• :ZVOacre prvller%l 2V C lrcins ,.;de iY ,<es a.nel ✓ r; c h a i in S JCL qrf T rorrr G S J 07- n, W il 1 sI r7 A e n fC, J o h n £, w; 1 J s o P1 ct n el M4 r y fR / ' ZS� G r1c( D<vrc� s-o:, se; id ,2c�:acre5 fc J h n M r'd cd ecu J k+ i,, 1 rr y/. Irt Seems �-1,�� -pvom horn tSe lots were cl,✓,44 c4P fi It e LA" � q s 1-e j *.S+&V Pei 'n -t Rdleso;- P&n cfird`) Sane nrcr,2�5 on these. (a7s 4,ere Ga,nrld /3✓ery,Jecrt _ --+ �osrph �3ro:vn 3ecres Abr._hc_m Aneler;cn /ccre,.Jetmes pch,'e _ A1ex�•nd" liEft,e,2 4cres. Thcs. is r'ewn (`1P62) taJehrt snd ,.� _ J�EJrn[Ic LFw,S S`D/d i-o �obc r1 Al C F1r/c n e �T his is ,fig; teen Lyncu's rn, I/) 4 .�uSNPh %3re�„n's Pre f�Pr'��l wR5 Selei wn,, 6', bsc,� r, 17 , �/so This• Man,�,s bc4 Jc It1L `i3_TcheS ,n Wr, osc 1 w JQ / nP l�, s•cl4 Gaccr&s "fo bah hell I n l iD Sr �'ortrz!r�c Th �s w �s �cfer beu�hf byTh�s. Lek„s purcheLSNc1 1'/3acres M-Qd1 /3r-ker rr7 I c // "'Vc ned bcvgh+ fretm Jcc. h sfo.,ffrr. 1 7h r s e z P J`- oP a rt7 PS were f +fi e n r✓ ci r eel I, / 13 7 b, t w e e n tcc / n l & \/ cz d 1serf f4 m l,V w:'S / circa 192 ~�� lv h o t c✓ n Nc/ /hen, / urr><, a,chrerri'atic„ Ice b,/y7.3, Wall /n enP c{eeel Jacob Me •• s �r�Per>< yEh(scn cf' Henri/ Meer) scicf /ccr� 1� • / +►� y cc r, S,S1c,' Al+o,,,Q usPrph� `f 1oty/l ✓2,/i3,/5e A1,5i e. Mainst.er "1► �` \ , fIr / 1�e ofel ShP� Sb4rreJ n,aker�, /tne wQ5 wnen S'.nley T s U r,d ; A t Id any yn q 6vq mears �s fhe s ILLu9hfer_huUs,�lacy J Ii�E�rin/ Irjr; /` - '� �• •'• LEWIS In loving" , �. memory of a dear wife y y and mother ElizabethAltona'home whopassed Tway January 9, 1976. Many limes your name is spoken Many happy days 1 , recalled Never will you be -a� forgotten By those who loved you to eceased most of all. Sadly massed by Bert, Fred and Ruth rr ALTONA — Despite major His family and his farm -- changes within the community meant a great deal to him. He k over the past ten years, Altona was extremely proud of his nine t was always looked on as `home' grandchildren including - Jean by Bertram Lewis. He spent (Mrs. Jim Harper), Peter - most of his life in the area. 4n 3 cborough; Shirley (Mrs. Don Mr. Lewis died Saturday In "Hanson), Ashburn; Roy of hospital at Barrie. He had been Glasgow; Joyce (Mrs. David living near there with his son Johnson), Stratford; June (Mrs. y and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Gordon Powell), Leaskdale; Mrs. Fred Lewis, since the Helen (Mrs. Wilfred Bradley), ` passing of wife Elizabeth in Altona; Earl of Calgary; Terry �•� 1976. and Lorne, Altona. " One brother, Stanley, lives Bert Lewis was born at at R.R. 3, Stouffville. There are Glasgow in Uxbridge Township 22 great-grandchildren. 86 years ago, the son of Thomas Rev. Donald Pugh, formerly and Jane Lewis. During World of Altona Missionary Church "p War I he served overseas with and now at Plattsville, con - the Canadian Arm and only ducted the service Tuesday, Mr. and Mrs.v Bert Lewis, Altona, celebrated their Y Y Y, g last November was a guest at from the O'Neill Chapel, Golden Wedding anniversary, June 11, with 300 friends P , the annual veterans dinner in Stouffville with interment, and relatives attending reception in their honor. (Q- the Stouffville Legion Hall. Stouffville Cemetery. I . i Ids Nr7 )- dtrn LNwis Fit r-n, Lcf / Ccn. L Uxlir, 10- TownSh:p '`-(d 6Mrs. Jane (ThcS) Monkl7cus� f� pan fla!/ In Iqo� — boat $' b hes '�cr 2frcc. elot\,� S , �'e r`ther ,n !�� fo Da r� resid ed here & nd,. /1rHtuv- SmA u i5 JI vPci here Er boug(Zf- bl/ 7'hos, �eu•'isi9wl•t� ci-;deb + �o the I=ar7� rs ncf �y3 ac a ncl rt�;l)Pcl ;t f 13c 0 �rom 191Z r ram �Nu�tS k)Ezo 0 7 ,a , ro 3y"q- ,u; ll � ' �rPci �N wrsr 1n,as ra�seCi h n c� l3eri�izz;e �in+hen Nr� y tXPPcPricied by the 1`ecler�J Gci.'C jn /y73 TPrr y L ew, s /3rrt� // � s �rarrdsa/> tack c�'Nrancl renf�xt �rc m the Sc✓ern InNn�. taken at Stanley Lewis Farm about 1925 James 9o_Vper-- bo"J�i lcf -prom Je"nLOW ;s, A;., grand Father Bert Lewis in house buff by Narcld Lew;;S I,is brother-�n-lcw In , Jir ~..lean'$ *c.hilciren born here Garage Mov*cj e'ro i„ li5ea s a repair business for veh,cles, &J-c. iFkpl-aphiatecd Ir4 Mc.y 1973, Owner rhove.l to 13r,'ciy�noYi /► in A0W&'WQM+.ti' i4 Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Lewis Altona cutep le A L T O N A— If a Saskatchewan and Mrs. ' pleasant smile and a Pearl Gambrill, Rich - pleasing personality are mond Hill. secrets to a long and During their courting happy married 1 i f e , days the motor car was then Mr. and Mrs. a rather unreliable lux - Stanley Lewis of Altona ury so Mr. Lewis would are assured of many pedal over to see his more wonderful years best girl on his more together. The w e l I dependable two -wheel - known and highly re er. But riding on the �, spected couple cele- cross -bar of a bike was Y brated their 50th wed- neither lady -like or � x ding anniversary, Jan. comfortable so as their 22 and welcomed doz- friendship grew, Stan - ens of neighbors ley switched to a horse friends and relatives to and buggy. They were their home during the married Jan. 22, 1919 at afternoon. In the even- the home of her broth- ing, they were honored er, Jacob Reesor, now at a family gathering in the residence of Dr. the Altona Community and Mrs. Donald Petrie Centre. i n Stouffville. R e v. Mr. Lewis, at 76, but Ephram Sievenpiper, a former pastor of the looking many years Altona United Mission - younger, was handsome ary Church, performed in a dark suit and white the ceremony. carnation boutonniere. Following a honey - Mrs. Lewis, 70, looked moon trip to Toronto lovely, smiling all the by train, Mr. and Mrs. while as steady Lewis returned to Al - stream of well-wishers tow the same farm filed into the reception now operated by a son, room. Bob. A new house was Beautiful cards and built on the property flowers were appropri- 16 years ago where they ately arranged and a de- reside today. A second corative anniversary son, Harold, also lives cake, perfected by Mrs. in Altona. There are Grant Drewery, was ad- seven grandchildren; mired by everyone. Patricia -Ann, Shirley, Mr. Lewis, a native of Keith, Gerald, David, the area, was born at Tom and Allan. has `g olden day' flu 11 4hau. A1sl- Glasgow, the son of Mr. Lewis possesses Thomas Lewis and Jane a keen sense of humor , , _..,.. I : 135 Grice. He has one bro and his wife's friendly b9 ther, Bert, Stouffville, smile lights up a room. - " �� '� R.R. 3. Both enjoy excellent Mr, and Mrs, Stanley Lewis, Altona, marred fifty years, Jan. 22, 1969. 34 ql Mrs. Lewis, the for- health. —Staff Photo _ afsL 9 [ mer Adah Reesor was When not working mired as a product of ier John Robarts, Hon. received from c I o s e ro} (-ZI born at Box Grove, one with his sons, in the her handiwork. John Diefenbaker, Gov: friends, Mr. and Mrs. of a family of eight, the carpentry t r a d e or Among the many mes- Gen. and Mrs. Michen- John Jory of Toronto, Ivil b +7o�z daughter of Martin Ree- trucking cauliflower to sages of congratulations Gov. W. Ross er, Lt.-Gov. now in Trinidad. 0'. no b-)t sor and Sophia Fretz. Toronto, Mr. Lewis were telegrams from MacDonald and M.P. The Tribune is pleas- g ",rr_.,s s There are now three brothers; Jacob, Stouff- likes nothing better than sitting down in Prime Minister Pierre William G. Newman. ed to add its congratu- o , . rrf3 •11 P P t A h' f h ' Elliott Trudeau, Prem- Good wishes were also lations vi e, ercy, or r- is avoriLe easy c air thur; Harold, Flin Flon, with a good book. Manitoba and three sis- Mrs. Lewis loves to ters: Mrs. Lovina Rus- crochet and knit. A nell, Stouffville; Mrs. beautiful tablecloth in Joseph Glover, Redvers, the dining room was ad- ME i Stanley Lewis recently celebrated his 82nd birthday. He still enjoys working in the field and last week did his share in harvesting cauliflower. Stanley Lewis At 82 years old Celebrate 65th wedding anniversary work is a habit CLAREMONT — Retiring at 65, or earlier, is the rule today. At that stage either you decide it's time for a rest, or you're forced to quit. Stanley Lewis, 82, of R. R. 3, Claremont, is an exception to the trend. Last week we talked with him as he harvested cauliflower in the field of the farm operated by his son Bob. "I'm no different from anybody else; I just always had to work, that's all," he said. Working "just gets to be a habit, I guess," he added. Stanley's father was a farmer, and Mr. Lewis has done farm work all his life. He figures reaching 80 is no reason to stop now. When asked how long he thought he would keep going, Mr. Lewis replied, "I swear off it every year," but then ends up working anyway. "I don't work very hard now," he said. "I keep at it, but I don't do very much `til fall." This year Mr. Lewis has ploughed about 85 acres and plans to do another couple hundred. He also helps out whenever help is needed for chopping cauliflower. Hundreds of family friends and re- anniversary. Mr and Mrs Lewis of latives called at the Stouffville M}s- R.R. 3, Mount Albert, have two sons, iionary Church, Saturday, to con- Harold and Bob and thirteen grand- ;ratulate Mr and Mrs Stanley Lewis chilliren. 1n the occasion of their 65th wedding J a, n AL*rm wowls 14, 11.5 Stanley Lewis raised a family of two boys, Harold (1921) and Robert (1929). Robert took over the farm and in 1953 Stanley and Adah (Reesor) Lewis moved to a new frame house just to the west of the older farm house. This house cost $6,000. to build at that time. An addition of a breezeway and single garage was added in 1964. The farm minus the new house and lot was sold to Nelson Davis in 1962 and he in turn sold to Revenue Properties and then was expropriated in Feb., 1973. FAKH HowsE Late Adah Lewis Her memory will live on On March 16,1984, Adah Lewis passed away in York Coun- ty Hospital New- market, following a short illness. Mrs. Lewis, the former Adah Eli- zabeth Reesor, was born Dec. 10, 1898 in Markham Twp., the daughter of Martin and Sophia Reesor. As a young girl she attended public school at Cedar Grove, Mon olia and Al ona: While working for Mr. and Mrs. Barkis Reesor, she met and later married Stan- ley Lewis and re- sided on the home farm at Alton_a for nearly 60 years. Fol- lowing the Airport Expropriation they relocated to an apartment in their son Harold's home, R.R. 3 Mount Albert. Besides her hus- band, Stanley, with whom she cele- brated their 65th w e d d i n g anniversary in January,1984, Adah is survived by two sons, Harold of Mount Albert and Robert of Flin Flon, Manitoba. She was predeceased by four sisters, Edna Shirk, Lavina Rusnell Wright, Frances Glover and Pearl Gambrill and two brothers Jacob and Percy. She also leaves to mourn her loss seven grand- children and their spouses along with fourteen great- grandchildren. Countless others re- ferred to her as "Grandma" or Aunt Adah. Adah was very de- voted to her family and her church. She had been a member of the Stouffville Missionary con- gregation since her early teens. She loved to visit and to entertain and few people left empty- handed, for her hand -work with crochet hook and needle will provide fond memories for years to come. Her gardens and win- dow sills showed her love for growing things. The service was conducted on Mon- day, March 19 by Rev. Walter Gawa of Vivian McCor- mack Church and assisted by Rev. Douglas Gray of Stouffville Mission- ary Church. A spe- cial tribute was given by a grandson Rev. Jerry Lewis, Church of the Good Shepherd, Agin- court with spring in- terment, Stouffville Cemetery. Magic hands The following poem is a tribute to the life of Mrs Stanley (Adak) Lewis, written by a grandchild at her bedside, prior to her passing, March 16, 1984. These magic hands lie idle now, These hands so soft and good. These gentle hands that stroked our brows, And cooked our favorite food. They held us gently to a breast, And soothed us off to sleep. And wiped away our fretful tears, Whenever we might weep. We saw them fly with nimble skill, With needle, thread and hook. And saw them lovingly leaf through. That precious Holy Book. All things responded to their touch, Green plants would sprout and grow. When it was time to say our prayers, They'd place wee hands just so. Hard work has aged them through the years, They gave us all their best. And now with such despair and grief, We see them lie at rest. One thing we know with all our hearts, These hands that we adore. Have got a place in Heaven, On that far-off Golden Shore. Fine start to a new year ierine Bass are two of the arrived at 6:21 a.m., at York Central H in the Region of Durham. On Richmond Hill. Cliff, Catherine and fa ►med their first child, Jeremy side in Altona. I r� h;XX� g 7 pounds,12 ounces. Jeremy I i Ye- i n forme,— 54n n I fY 1, Fcv� S Late Stanley Lewis sense of humor t folks smiling through the years 19 vIL STOUFFVILLE — An overflow crowd filled the chapel of the O'Neill Funeral Home, March 17, to pay their last respects to the memory of a grand old man, Stan- ley Grice Lewis. Rev. Douglas Gray of the Stouffville Missionary Church, assisted by Rev. Walter Gawa of the Vivian McCormack Memorial Church, were in charge of the ser- vice. Mr Lewis was a life-long resi- dent farmer in the Apia area. He was also a bee'- eeper for many years. Following the air- port expropriation, Stanley and his late wife, the former Adah Reesor, relocated in a ao Tt- ment of their elder son,aro�d's home at R.R. 3, Mount Albert. Stanley Lewis was the first- born son of the late Thomas and Jane (Grice) Lewis. He was born Oct. 16, 1892, at Glasgaw, Ont. He passed away peacefully at home Just two years less two days after the death of his wife. Stanley and Adah were married Jan. 22, 1919 in Stouffville. They had a full life and enjoyed family and friends up to and celebrating 65 years of marriage. Although in declining health, Mr Lewis still pursued his retire- ment hobby of working with wood in the shop where he created novelties and interesting pieces of furniture. Many of the homes of this area items of his handiwork. He also took great delight in visiting the sick and shut-ins, bringing sunshine into their lives with his quick wit and stories. He passed the test for his driv- er's licence at 93 years of age. He was privileged to have his capacity to keep up with the news of the day and was an avid reader. Gardening was also a hobby. He was rewarded with potatoes suffi- cient to keep a number of houses supplied for the winter. Even though spending three of the last four months in York Coun- ty Hospital, Newmarket, he was at home for the last two weeks of his life. Right to the end, he had a knack of making friends as the long lineup of mourners and the num- ber of floral tributes attested. Stanley Lewis was a man of in- tegrity, honest to the core, a generous -hearted giving person; one who always showed a concern for others. As a patient through his bout with cancer, he was un- complaining and appreciative. He will be missed by all who knew him. Mr Lewis leaves to mourn his passing, two devoted sons, Harold and Bob and their wives; seven grandchildren and sixteen great- grandchildren. He was prede- ceased by an only brother, Bert. 116 LEWIS - Keith and Edith (nee Hildebrandt) are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Rachel Helen, at 6 lbs. 12 oz. on May 19, 1977. Rachel is the first grandchild of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lewis of Altona, and the sixth grandchild of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hildebrandt of Vineland. Special thanks to Dr. Petrie and the staff of Scarborough Centenary Hospital. Marl At. et ��v✓ �ts Rev Oa w 5 a r3e- r pc, be r 1 Le W �6 p p r. 9 1 C, Fairest of the fair 1011—.1 Heidi Wilson, centre, was crowned Markl:-m Fair Queen last Saturday. Join- ing her as ambassadors to this year's fair are princesses Rachel Lewis, left, and Jennifer Kelly. See our fair section inside. Photo/CHERYL JOHNSON •ivy 'mint, , v"M,'M M, 'Maui. UUM Quinnell, David, Gerald and his wife Shirley, and Keith and his wife Edith, Dear grandmother of 9. Sister of Luella Logan. Friends may call at the Stouffville Missionary Church, 6500 Main St., Monday 24 and 7.9 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m. until service time at 1 p.m. Interment Altona Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. At home with the Lord. O'NEILL FUNERAL HOME IS V 'On'the lolith aneii%,e sar'v of the Ontario Historical Societv�. Rachel LevOs of Stouffville vvas honored he C'athv: Feiahraro, Young Ontario Co-ordinator. Rachel's Special Design Button %%aa Y Homegrown writer e eve�yday..ve.., ikes ths-fi, � k �+ Ir z 3 He's Stouffville's Stephen Leacock and Robert Browning rolled into one. He's an author and poet so skilled, his genius can no longer be ignored. For want of a better word, Bob Lewis is brilliant. Born in Stouffville 74 years ago, the son of Stanley and Ada Lewis, Bob received his early education, both academic and religious, at Altona Public School and Altona Missionary Church. I've had the same address all my life," he says, "I'm one of the few originals left." He shares his beautiful property, called Misty Meadows, with son Keith and family. He has two other sons, David in Kitchener, Jerry at Oak Ridges and a daughter Shirley Quinnell in Stouffville. A brother Harold lives in Mount Albert. Wife Margaret (Wideman) died three years ago. Bob's interest in story -writing began in the 1980s, starting with a true tale about, of all things, a neighbour's cat. Since then, he's completed close to 2,000 books, all beautifully illustrated by Adelaide Kerr, formerly of Altona and now of Huntsville. Ruth Herbert of Stouffville is his editor. Dave Clubine, also of Stouffville, assembles the pages and son Jerry completes the Roaming Around printing sell for $8 apiece. with Jim Thomas Much the same proce- dure goes into his poems. Bob Lewis' children's ��p3 stories sprang from a familybedtimeEMNEEWMM� tradition By KATE GILDERDALE Correspondent "Uncle Bob" Lewis has been creating his own children's stories for close to 18 years, but until recently they were strictly a family affair. "The grandkids started coming along and I began making up these sto- ries about the neighbors' cat and the German shepherd I had at the time. The stories evolved from there, and branched out to include any animals and birds you would find on the fences and roads, in the woods and along the banks of the stream," explained Lewis, who has lived in the Claremont area all his life. The neighbors' farm was Misty Meadows, and when Lewis began putting his stories into print recently, he called the series `Adventures in Misty Meadows.' His understanding of his young audience was hardly surprising : as well bringing up a family of their own, he and his wife, Marg, provided foster care for many years "and during that time we would have any- thing from one to four kids to put to bed every night." His stories quickly became a treasured feature of the bedtime ritual. "You cry because you have to go to bed when you're that age and when you're older, you cry because you can't," he noted with a chuckle. "They really Heywould ask the children toed the stories, so I gan to suggest xa title, fromitwhich h would weave one of his magical tales. ) 0�" The Flying Lesson Most have a Christian slant. - `£ Many of them are handsomely framed, with artwork by daughter Shirley. They sell for $49. Bob has the uncanny ability of taking an everyday common _ occurrence and transforming it into a thought -provoking statement of fact. Like Tell Them Now, a framed masterpiece now on display in the lobby of Stouffvillds O'Neill Funeral Home. It's been read by hundreds, each person displaying a reverence it deserves. This piece of penned brilliance concludes with the _'M�ter a while, someone said I should put them words: "Don't hesitate to encourage a friend along the way. down, but I decided not to bother at the time." Don't wait until his funeral and he has passed away." The more he thought about it, however, the more Solemn advice. the idea appealed to him, "but because it was com- So is another, aptly entitled A Christmas Lament It goes: "I pletely new, we didn't know where to begin. We found went to a concert, but no carols were sung. You see, we must a retired English teacher who edited them for us and not offend anyone. I drove past a school where the Bible once another friend did the typing, but I couldn't afford to read, is replaced by police in the hall, instead. I stopped to pur- hire an illustrator." chase a holiday tree. It used to be called a Christmas tree." Luck was with them again, however, when a good This should hang above the door of every educator's office. friend who had moved away 25 years ago came back Another, The Kitchen Stove, tells how Bob placed a frost- for a visit and inquired about Lewis's stories. "I told coated suit of underwear in the oven, concluding with: "I her we didn't have an illustrator and she said, `I'll do jumped up and pulled it out, oh wow! It just looked like a it for you."' Adelaide Kerr's delightful and whimsical Holstein cow!" illustrations provide the perfect complement to Many poems are so deeply entrenched in his memory, he Lewis's tales and with the help of commercial artist can repeat verses verbatim. Bob says ideas often spring to mind in the middle of the 1 1I excerpt night "I should get up and put them down on paper," he says, "but they usually stay with me till morning." from The WEDDING PRESENT One heart-warming selection was written especially for granddaughter Rachel in honour of her wedding. She had to fight back the tears. Through prose and poems, Bob expresses his feelings. In doing so, he brings readers' emotions to the fore, especially those who remember similar experiences like The Coal -Oil Lamp, The Kitchen Chum and Grandmas Gooseberry Tarts. Bob describes this interest as a "seven -day -a -week thing", always remembering that, at age age 74 "I have more yester- days than tomorrows". Bob enjoys art also, but leaves this skill to Unionville's Murray Pipher. Treasured photographs have been trans- formed into life -like portraits from the past. While one woman purchased 46 books, Bob admits his hobby will never make him a millionaire. "I'd rather see one poem framed and hanging on a wall then a dozen unframed, under piles of paper," he says. Samples of Bob Lewis' handiwork will be displayed Nov 2E from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Misty Meadow Christmas Tea and Craft Sale,17 Cemetery Lane, Stouffville. Come see for yourself. Flying Lesson "Day after day, while Rusty sat on the nest, he watched Henry Hawk soaring high in the blue sky over Misty Meadows. And every day he became more and more envious of Henry's effortless glide. Finally, one day when -Ruth had taken over the egss, (without saying a word to her), Rusty flew higher and higher until he was right alongside Henry Hawk." Dave Clubine, who is a fellow member of the Missionary Church, the first book in the series was completed and ready for printing. The first two in the series, The Flying Lesson and Ears for Sale, are now in print and the third, The Homework, should be avail- able before Christmas, said Lewis, who has approximately 40 more stories which could be put into book form. "I haven't made a busi- ness out of it and it's a slow process (to produce each one), but so far we've sold 200." While each story contains "a gentle lesson to be learned," there is plenty of humor and empathy for his young audience, which is hardly surprising from a man who, as a young boy, decided to baptize his cat. "He was a good cat, but he had- n't been baptized and I thought it was time someone did something about it," said Lewis. The cat was less than delighted to be immersed in water and Lewis's mother punished him for his ill -directed, if well-intentioned action, "but she was laughing so hard, the whacks she gave me did- n't really hurt at all." Lewis has sold his books through the church and at craft sales and they can also be purchased by call- ing him at 640-1297. I17 W.I. Members Over Forty Years The 5011 A; `niversary of A special tribute was paid to are shown here from left to (Standing) Mrs. A. Ca.rruth- the Alton -n's Institute six ladies who have been mem- right (Seated) Mrs. Milt Har. ers, Mrs. Frank Wagg and as mar June 1.5th in bers of the organization for ris, Mrs. T. Dunkeld, Mrs. D. Mrs. L. Hill. Mai'+ Stouffville. more than forty years. They oCrosie�r and Mrs. N. Bunker. —Jones & Mprr;^ 7'r►�.o H �Nh�/ -�� �a�ez� �f L�2- ,ice,, `lei i]-✓T .2� , ! r o w Gladys IiuTt1 Ma►pret �jrey �5lc�ck kewis kewis Raa6br `�~Midd(e Row ViOLL / CcC eto�hf Jessie ► I1io n (�oro'% Y -Ford. Bye r` k9eesor feanor E Is le Bunker Chu nkeld T Altona man goes mobile with portable saw em'- l M"61y BRUCE STAPLEY Correspondent At a time in life when most people are thinking about lessening the rigors of physical labor, Altona's Bob Lewis is taking to the great outdoors with a chain saw, a tractor and a portable saw mill. A farmer from the age of 14, the 61-year-old work horse had given his life to growing cauliflowers, raising bees and breeding minks on the 25-acre property next to the Altona homestead on which he was born. It's the same land the federal government would take over in the Pickering Airport land grab of the early 1970's. But like so many farmers, Mr. Lewis decided two years ago that he couldn't continue any longer at a type of work which was beginning to threaten his retirement income. Especially without the option of eventually selling the land to developers, and reaping one final abundant financial harvest. He noticed that the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources had started marking wood lots for thinning in properties near his, and decided to look into the possibility of taking on the job of clearing the trees for firewood, with the help of friends and relatives. And what started out as a small cutting and splitting operation has blossomed into a mini -milling business, as Mr. Lewis acquired a portable mill, a band saw apparatus that allows him to trim dogs as wide as 30 inches. He now makes deals with owners of bushes which need thinning, moves in with his saw mill on wheels, and converts maple, ash, oak, and basswood trees into lumber, to be either sold to do-it-yourselfers and small shops, or used for his own personal projects. He's happy to be his own boss, relieved to be out of the uncertain farming business, and glad to have something to apply himself towards. "I'm my own man, I don't have to punch a clock," Mr. Lewis says. "And unlike farming, you're not affected by the weather, and you know your prices in advance. I'll never get rich, but I can be as busy as I want, and if I want to just put it down and go fishing for a week, I can." He claims he could never hope to find the time to look after all the requests of both friends and customers for the custom milling his operation allows him to perform. "I could spend most of my day just doing milling jobs for other people. Friends bring in logs from black walnut trees, and what have you, for me to mill." Mr. Lewis maintains that there have been lessons to learn with regard to felling many of the trees he feeds into his milling machine. But the job is not without its perils. "I had to learn that with ash trees, for instance, you have to put a bear trap around the trunk to keep them from splitting when you are cutting them. There are a lot of potential dangers, and you have to be very careful. "It would scare the wits out of me to just send someone out into the bush to cut down the big trees. You should never go alone." Mr. Lewis has taken advantage of his new-found interest to help him defray the costs of several projects at his cottage at Lake Altona resident Bob Lewis keeps himself busy these days with this portable saw mill. A man with a varied past (he's grown cauliflower, raised bees and breeded minks), Mr. Lewis is always willing to try something new. He enjoys being his own boss, but continues to work hard at his new trade. Temegami. He has milled lumber for docks, and if he goes through with his plans to sell the northern property, he says he will build a new cottage using his own wood. He says he is able to mill his lumber accurately and efficiently with his machine. "It's really amazing. I can cut boards for board and batten that almost look like they've been planed. I'm certainly not an industrial miller, but I'm not your average homeowner either," he says. However, he admits there.i' s one aspect of his labor that always causes him a little sadness. "You walk up to some of these old trees and you almost feel like apologizing to them for cutting them down. They've been there for such a long time. But you've got to thin them out or they'll rot." Whatta whopper! "" '' S When Bob Lewis of Altona goes fishing, he brings home the big ones. This whopper, a Lake trout, tips the scales at 21 L z pounds with a girth of 22 inches and 41 inches long. Bob hauled it through the ice on Lake Timagami and its measurements have been entered in that community's Fish Derby, Feb. 22. To help him haul it home were — Don Dunkeld, Jim Harper and Frank Bielby. The four had been visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Don Boake, formerly of Altona and took a little time out to try their luck. —Jas. Thomas Reg McKay and Keith Lewis sort recyclables at the Stouffville recycling depot.. � ��1?17C: 1,'c_'SI i1NiZrSp lilpi, t, 2 /, At AMA WOMMS INST"UTE / 19