Stayner Heritage Society News & Views

15th Annual Stayner Heritage Day

2011-08-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

Fabulous weather, great crowd, exciting program and entertaining parade marked the 15th Annual Stayner Heritage Day on July 9, 2011.

Included in the parade were the participants in the 1st Stayner Heritage Classic Car Event. They cars were on display at the Municipal parking lot.

Station Park was packed with onlookers, and ringed with food booths, crafters and kid’s events.

The Beinn Gorm Highlanders set the traditional tone befitting the Scottish/Irish heritage of Stayner.

The Ballagh Bunch entertains at Heritage Day
Click photo to enlarge.

The Ballagh Bunch exceeded all expectations. This talented family from Teeswater did not disappoint. Gary and Janice and Devan, 19, Michael, 17, Paige, 16, and Matthew, 11 fiddled, sang and step-danced right into everyone’s heart. Many times they were doing two things at once. What a performance! Following a tour to the East Coast, you can see them at the Shelburne Fiddle Contest!

Darci Que and Emily were busy all afternoon surrounded by children making buttons, balloon animals, etc. The library also offered crafts and entertainment. Thanks to the staff. The Colouring Contest, this year featuring a drawing of “Fountain Park”, was well attended. The winners of the prizes were: 5 & under - Cole Robinson and Jacob Miller; 6 to 8 - Ava Bell, Kyle, and Emily Forester; 9 and over - Grace Squire and Rebecca Patton.

The Heritage Booth was busy selling Stayner-notes, postcards and prints of Stayner Heritage buildings and raffle tickets.

This year’s raffle will finish in December where winners will choose from: (1) a night at Dave Huskinson’s Caboose B&B; (2) a sketch of Stayner Co-op Building by John Hindle; and (3) an acrylic painting of the Bell Tower, also by John Hindle. Tickets will be on sale at various places during the Fall, including the GNE.

Larry Culham, representing the Chamber of Commerce, sold 50-50 tickets throughout and the winner was Lynn Butler who was pleased to receive $175.50.

During the program, Catherine Walker gave several prizes: the longest married - Dale & Stan Nixon (62 years!); The oldest person attending - Marjorie Gorden at 96 years; the person travelling the farthest - Anna Maria Tiemans (Texas); and the person having the closest birthday - Catherine Allen.

This day would not be possible without the over 100 volunteers who planned, set up, worked throughout, and took down. Thanks to all, especially to the Clearview Firefighters.

Some members of the Heritage Society: Barb Stransky, Caroline Muir, Susan Brockwell, Jacqueline Poretti, D.A. Millsap and Feerne Allen. Click photo to enlarge.

And finally, we thank the many sponsors who helped make it all possible:

Stayner Chamber of Commerce, Wheeler/Spriggs Insurance, Canadian Legion Branch 457, Stayner Lions Club, Reinhart Foods, Hanna Motors, Aarden Chocolates, Walker Aggregates, Rexall Drugs, Helen Hanna, Dairy Queen

And the Silent Auction sponsors:

The Coffee Shop, Forget-Me-Not Flowers, Georgian Bay Family Restaurant, Niftys, Barb's Clothes Closet, Blue Water Fish & Chips, Creemore Springs, Hanna Motors, McKee Tire, Stayner Burger, Collingwood Toyota, Stayner Home Hardware, The Tire Guys, Hair by Sue, GNE , Trinket or 2, Bob Perry Car Quest, Canadian Tire, Knit’N Kaboodle, V&S - Stedmans, Blue Mountain Chrysler, Stayner Auto Parts, Ken Jorgenson, Marta's Greenhouses, Lafreniere's Auto Sales, Lewis Motors, Collingwood Fuels

More Photos

Click on any photo to view larger

First In - Last Out

2011-03-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

On November 6, 2010, the Stayner Heritage Society hosted a very successful event. We were privileged to have as our guest speaker, Glad Bryce, author of the recently published book, “First In-Last Out”. This documentary of the Women’s Division of the R.C.A.F. serving during World War 11 contains personal stories of these courageous women as well as numerous photos. It has been very well received – especially by Queen Elizabeth, who, after receiving a copy - sent a personal note of congratulations to Glad Bryce!

Click on photos to view larger.

The author, Glad Bryce, second from the left facing the camera chats with a WW ll veteran of the Woman's Division

The Georgian Girls entertained the gathering with a selection of popular songs from the WW II era.

Well over 175 people were treated to a continental breakfast, the Georgian Girls and their medley of war-time songs, and, of course, Glad Bryce with her very emotional and thought-provoking presentation. We were also very pleased to have with us several members of the Women’s Division who served during WW11, as well present day Air Force personnel.

About the Book

This book is first and foremost, the story of the contribution of women to the success of the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War. It is filled with the history of the WDs from them being admitted to the RCAF as the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force (renamed the RCAF, Women's Division in 1942) to the end of WW ll. But perhaps the most interesting part of the book are the interviews with the veterans themselves where they tell their own personal stories. Many of the photos in the book were from the albums of the women interviewed.

An illustration from the book showing the Women's Division volunteers taking Drill Instruction.

The author writes: "These were willingly shared for the purpose of getting their stories told. The honest, sense of fun, and willingness to share their innermost thoughts make for thought-provoking reading. Without these women who took on the work traditionally done by men, we would not be living in a free Canada today. The war years produced many new and innovative paths for women to follow, and the way in which the WDs met the challenges of Serving So Men Could May Fly deserves everlasting gratitude."

For information on purchasing this book please email: glad@muskoka.com

Nursing Sisters relaxing between shifts. Note the helmets close at hand.

Anne of Green Gables Night

2008-11-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

Photos by Jeff Parton (insets) and Robert Charlton (Light Collector)

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)

The 12th Annual Heritage Day

2008-09-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

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:

Karolyn Smardz Frost

2008-03-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Bob Charlton

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."

Links of Interest:

The Thornton and Lucie Blackburn House