After months of planning, our Anne of Green Gables Night arrived with one of the first blizzards of the season. Linda & Jack Hutton, our presenters and creators of the recreation of the original Anne silent movie from 1919 arrived from Bala, Ontario in a flurry of snow but all was ready for the 7:00 p.m. opening. We could not have ordered worse weather, and about the only good thing that might be said about it was that the roads in the area did not close. Never the less, some 60-70 enthusiastic and hardy souls made it through the storm and were well rewarded for their efforts.

Jack, who is an accomplished pianist, warmed up the audience with an impromptu concert of silent movie music and started the show with a short history of silent movie music. He then called for the house lights to dim and for the audience to transport themselves back to at time at the turn of the century when silent movies were king. Linda narrated the ensuing show and Jack played the grand piano in accompaniment as we relived this long lost movie.

It all ended too soon, but at the conclusion of the performance and after many questions from the audience, everyone adjourned to the church hall where we enjoyed some treats arranged by June Holroyd, Shirlie Milsap and they helpers. Despite the stormy weather, the evening turned out to be a great success and everyone went home happy.

See also: It's movie night in Stayner
(Stayner Sun article by Mike Gennings telling the story of the movie and its recreation)

Related Link: Bala Museum
(Visit the museum online)

Submitted by Dorothy-Anne Millsap

Since 1997, each year in early July, the Stayner Heritage Society has been greeted by perfect weather. And, more amazingly, each year, Catherine Walker, as Master of Ceremonies, has greeted the many who have attended with a top-rate show. This year was no exception. Kudos to her for a wonderful show each year.

Following the pancake breakfast put on by the Jubilee Pres. Choir, and the parade, organized by Manfred Leimgardt, once again, the Beinn Gorm Highlanders , and the Classic Country Memories Band set the tone for the show. The high quality was continued with the “exhortation” by Roy Wilson, Town Crier, and his wife, Kay and the Georgian Girls with their rendition of “O Canada”.

Mayor Ken Ferguson, Mike Gennings, chair of Stayner Chamber of Commerce, and Stayner Heritage Society chair, Jeff Parton, all brought greetings.

The abundance of talent continued with The Clearview Community Theatre Travelling Group (led by Gren Bray), Bob Gunns on the harmonica ( a Roy Thompson Hall Act) and Colin Orr (veteran keyboard artist with candlelight dinner-type music). Joe Bothwell, former winner in the Clearview Idols Contest, sang a few favourites. All of the performers presented a wide variety of music to the delight of the crowd. One reason the show is so well received each year, is the Sound System, operated by Gren Bray and his helpers.

The sponsors who made the entertainment possible were: Reinhart Foods, Wheeler/Spriggs Insurance, Stayner Legion, Branch #457, Stayner Chamber of Commerce, Helen Hanna, and Re/Max Clearview Inc.

Elsewhere, there was lots of activity. Shirlie Millsap, June Holroyd and the ladies of various Stayner Churches sold pies from their stand; Murray Lowe, Goldie Hendry and their helpers, entertained the crowd while they sold hotdogs and drinks; and Marlene and Tyler Davidson ranthe popcorn and candy floss stand. Edythe Philipps, Barb Starnsky and Carolyn Muir gave information and sold merchandise, including the new DVD’s from the “Heritage Booth” situated at the entrance to the park. Many signed the guest book!!!

Throughout the park, the children found several activities. Diane Millsap with Eleri, Cam, and Adam looked after the playland games for little children. The Colouring Contest(operated by Gayle Favalaro and Jill Ruppert) winners were: 5 and under, 1st-Claire Diana-Gonsalves; 2nd -Philip O’Brien; 6 - 8 Years, 1st-Keegan Seddon, 2nd-Kyanna Bell; 9 and over, 1st-Madeleine Jerry, 2nd-Shelby Rolling. The picture this year was “Stayner Public Library”, drawn by Anson Finlay.

The Kiddie Tractor Pull

(donated by Stayner Rental and operated by Jamie Thurman and her daughter, Katrina) engraved medal winners were: 30-40 lbs, 1st-Danlel Miller, 2nd-William Wager, 3rd-Holly Lemieux; 40-50 lbs, 1st -Oliver Ward, 2nd-Adam Millsap, 3rd-Ava Bell; 50-60 lbs, 1st-Nathan Wager, 2nd-Kyle Bell, 3rd-Adelaide Bouchard.

Participants in the Scavenger Hunt (organized by Pete Millsap) all won Dairy Queen certificates.

A new feature this year, “Meet U-Gene”, designed to instigate in children an interest in Family History, was conducted by Ferne Allen and Michelle McKenzie.

Darci-Que and Emily entertained children with balloon animals and button painting, while Jennifer Dutka did face painiting.

Gretta Leighton won $300. in the 50-50 draw, conducted by Mile & April Gennings., and Ethel Sharpe’s daughter, Catherine, won the prize for coming the greatest distance from Alabama.

SHS thanks all those named above and many more, not named, who volunteered to help make this day such a success. Clearview Firefighters helped set up and take down, an invaluable service. It was a wonderful day in the Friendly Town.

The following photos from Jeff Parton & June Holroyd:

Some 85 people attended our second annual celebration of Black History Month. This year's guest speaker was, Karolyn Smardz Frost, winner of the 2007 Governor General's Literary Award (Non-Ficton) who had the audience completely captivated.

Karolyn Smardz Frost, an animated and enthusiastic story teller, relates some of the amazing story of finding the remains of the Toronto home of Thornton and Lucy Blackburn, during an archeological dig in the playground of Toronto's Sackville Street School in 1985. The Blackburn's were African American slaves who escaped via the Underground Railway. After 20 years of research and study, what has emerged is book, I've Got a Home in Glory Land in which the author brings to life an incredible story of the Blackburn's family history, their escape from slavery and their life in Canada. Interwoven in the tale are an amazing number of circumstances, coincidences and historical.


Karolyn Smardz Frost autographing copies of her award winning book for appreciative fans.


"I’ve Got a Home in Glory Land is a triumphant blend of archaeological and historical research with literary story-telling. Karolyn Smardz Frost uses the flight of Thornton and Lucie Blackburn from slavery in Kentucky to freedom in Toronto to bring the Underground Railroad and its passengers to life in remarkably rich detail. Moving and informative in the best sense, the book will become an instant classic."