Stayner’s Old Town Hall
Thanks for the Memories
by Mary Burkholder
Some weeks ago, there was a picture of our old Town Hall in the Stayner Sun with the caption “Thanks for the Memories”.
I have been surprised that there wasn’t a flood of stories from the readers of this paper sharing their memories of this wonderful old building.
In the Fall of the year (November), I have many memories of the Remembrance Day Services that used to take place in the upper floor. Just a small child at my first service, I watched the veterans, so straight and tall, marching to their place. This memory has stayed with me all these years.
Then came the Christmas Season with the Christmas Farmer’s Market and Bazaar. A person could buy Christmas Dinner downstairs and the gifts and baking upstairs. The sights and smells were truly wonderful. (Mary’s job was to wash the feet of the chickens that her father had brought to sell!)
Who could forget the great concerts and plays that were put on by local talent. I remember one in particular-especially the music and comedy put on by Norman Oliver, Harry Hawkins, Jim Wheeler, Howard Besse and Russ Somerville.
Another time, the program had a soliloquy by Beulah Brownridge. It was about a shy young girl out with her shy beau. All I remember is that at the very end when he kisses her goodnight, she says ”I liked it real well”! This was followed by a very tender love scene mimed by Bill Hawkins with a table, chair and an old photograph as his only props.
The seating plan for these concerts was in Jones & Clemence’s grocery store window (where Noble Insurance is today). When you purchased your ticket, your seat was marked on the plan with an “x”.
Our High School Commencements were held in the Town Hall. The High School consisted of only three rooms and a lab on the second floor of Byng School. I had the honour of being the valedictorian the year I graduated, before I went on to Business College in Toronto.
There are so many more stories to tell and I just know that there are many ghosts hovering over Stayner’s newest parking lot.
And There’s More!
Coincidentally, as Mary was writing her story, we received a letter from Elizabeth Brown, whose grandfather, Thomas McKechnie, was station agent during the years 1914-1921. She sent us some wonderful family pictures taken around Stayner and a copy of the prize list of “Stayner School Fair” held in the Town Hall about 1916. Our readers will recognize many of the names of the prizewinners.
Was this a forerunner of our Heritage Day?
(An excerpt from the Stayner Sun, June 2, 1921, sent by Elizabeth Brown)VICTORIAN DAY
CELEBRATION
LARGE ATTENDANCE AT THE PARK
A GOOD PROGRAM OF SPORTS PULLED OFF
“Stayner’s celebration of the
24th of May was a decided success. The committee of the
Town Council that had charge worked hard and got something
into shape, and the weather being gloriously bright crowds
turned out from all around.”
A description of baseball tournament between Collingwood
and Stayner follows.
“About 11:00 o’clock a number gathered in front of the Town
Hall and Mayor Sullivan said a few words as to the
celebration of the day and the flag was raised on the
flagpole given by the members of the Stayner Women’s
Institute amid cheers.
“Shortly after noon the crowd began to arrive and under the
direction of Mr. James Peattie, the Calathumpianse were
lined up in the school grounds. Many of the school children
forming up, some being in costume. The procession proceeded
at once to the ground led by 2 pipers in highland costume
discoursing martial music. Autos in numbers joined in the
parade decorated with flags and it was like old times
seeing a regular mob trying to get tickets to enter.
“Mr. W.A. Groves had an auto arranged with blacksmith’s
forge and bellows and a pony undergoing the process of
being fitted for horse shoes.
“A second auto was arranged for a wedding - the parson, the
groomsman, and bride and assistants in suitable costumes.
These were both prize winners...”
After the greater portion had obtained admission and there
must have been 1400 the games began (baseball and
football)...
“The fat-man’s race brought out four and W.A. Groves was
the winner with Frank Nevil, second...
“The committee in charge were: Mayor Sullivan, Reeve
Lambert and Councillors Wheeler and McRae who appointed
other committees to help out...”
“The entertainment in the evening was also a decided
success. The committee had made arrangements with Mr. D.
Solomon of Toronto to put on “The Silver Horde” by Rex
Beach, one of the best films ever seen in Stayner. He also
put on Charlie Chaplin in the “Emigrant” which brought
forth much laughter. Miss Henderson of Toronto, pianist of
the evening, sang a song “Where Do Flies Go” in a very
pleasing manner. There was also a juggler who did some very
wonderful feats with balls, plates, hats, etc. adding still
more enjoyment to the evening.
(These stories appeared in the spring 2005 issue of our
newsletter)