Category: N

Honoured by the North Bay Golden Age Club.

Leaf #2011 is dedicated to the many volunteers of the North Bay Golden Age Club.  The year 2011 is the celebration of 50 years of helping the seniors of North  Bay and area.   Without the many volunteers that have donated their time, knowledge and skills over the past, the club probably would not be in a position to celebrate its golden Anniversary.
The Golden Age club, with Mr. Bob Babcock, who in 1961 felt that there was no place for seniors in the age range of 50 years plus could belong.  Thus, with his wife Florence and 22 people gathered at his home on Algonquin Avenue, formed a club for the socializing of persons in that age group.  It did not take long and the club started to grow.  They soon had to move and find a new meeting place.

After much hard work, those early members soon found that by volunteering as well as having un,  raised money by having bake sales, card parties, dances and teas, right down to getting the beautiful home that we now have at: The Golden Age Towers, 135 Worthington St. West.  We can be thankful to all these great volunteers.  The North Bay Golden Age Club can boast of
doing many good things as well as serving our members and those seniors 50+, because through the many hours of volunteering, we were able to donate $25,000 to the new North Bay
Regional Hospital Building Fund,  along with providing a free service called the Are You OK telephone call service.

Volunteers are a rare commodity in this busy world,  but I am proud to say we can boast of donating many hours.  For the first six months of 2011, the hours logged for volunteering have
reached 3,859.25 hours.  In the year 2011, our club still hosts many of the same activities it did in the very beginning having volunteers working hard and having fun with even more
varied selection of things to do just about every day of the week.  There is pool, floor shuffle board, card games, Wii games, trump bowling, dances, teas, socials and a variety of other
things to do.  This would not be possible if it were not for our many dedicated volunteers.  By offering all this to seniors, we are able to keep many seniors active and out of nursing homes.

To close, the North Bay Golden Age club says a great big Thank You to the many
volunteers over the past 50 years.

Honoured by the Elk’s Lodge #25  ON, past, present and future members

Deputy Grand Organizer N.A. Talor instituted this Lodge on April 17, 1914.  There were 58 chartered applicants with the first E.R. being Fred H. Campbell and the Secretary being Richard Tyler.  Members of Sudbury, Cobalt and Lansdowne Elk Lodges were present to assist in the ceremony.

On May 1, 1922, the Elks purchased a building situated at 42 Worthington Street East in North Bay for the sum of $6,100.00.  It is remembered by residents as it had a large games room with an Elks trophy in the games room.  The Elks hired the Moores as caretakers and they and their
children lived in the back part of the house.

The Lodge operated until December 1934 when the effects of the Depression had reduced the membership to eight members and the Lodge voted for dissolution.  The last Lodge executive
members were E.R. Thomas Sale, Leading Knight; S.J. Gordon, Loyal Knight; A.J. Parr, Lecturing Knight; E. J. Normabell, Inner Guard; J. W. Holbrook, Tyler; G. E. Hay, Esquire; Tom Livsey, and Chaplain J. T. Wilson.  At that time, the Lodge was in arrears to the City and to the Grand Lodge.

The City took over the building and the Moores petitioned the City to lease it to them rather than close the building up.  The City removed the fixtures from the residence including the large pool table and auctioned them off to pay for the back taxes and then leased the building to the Moores for a sum of $10.00 a month.

The building was converted into a boarding house and Mr. Hay, Mr. Holbrook, and Mr. Ivsey became boarders at the residence.  Eleanor Moore, now wife of David Catton, recalls the Elks and Mr. Hay as a generous man who bought the neighbourhood kids ice cream.  She also recalls an old set of golf clubs that she and her siblings used to play mini-putt gold with in the dirt
basement.  She also recalls an airplane propeller in the rafter of the basement.  She has retained a photograph of the Elks building and of Mr. Hay.  She also has a gold box, which has ornate designs on it that she has returned.

At the outset of WWII, the armed forces took over the building and the Moores were ordered to
vacate.  The military had plans to make an Air Force Medical Clinic.  The Moores received no
compensation for their move nor what they had put into the house.

Mr. Hay was related to T.M. Palmer who lived just up the street.  Another Moore was Kevin who owned Railton studio in the early Sixties.  He is also the person who hand painted the picture of the Elks building.  Clint Moore was a conductor with the CPR.

The City resumed possession of the building and it was eventually sold and torn down.

Grand Organizer Mike Moran set about re-organization of the Lodge, which resulted in
the Lodge being re-instituted on August 21, 1953 with Murray Harris as E.R. The GER was Jim Dixon.  The Lodge quickly grew and in 1954 with upwards of seventy plus members applied for a Charter, which was granted by PGER Claude Howard.

The members were active in promoting Monster Bingoes from which they derived monies
to support charitable works.  Their first major commitment was to underwrite the salary of a teacher for the local Mentally Retarded and Handicapped Society.  After two years of support, they followed this by being the major donor of funds to build the first permanent school called the West Bayfield  School (now part of the Association for Community Living).

The Lodge met for many years at the MacPherson Plumbing building on Algonquin Avenue.  They also met at the Merlin Hotel at Main Street and Fraser Street which was owned by Brother Merle Dickerson.  When it burned, meetings were held at the Manor Motel on Algonquin, at High Street which was owned by Brother Mike Zaversenuk.  Meetings were also held over top of
Cheechaw’s on Algonquin Avenue.

In the mid 1950s, the Elks obtained a piece of property and commenced a building fund which culminated in their permanent Lodge building being completed in 1960.

The building has had many renovations but basically sits today as it did when built.  Central air was added in 2000 to complete the renovations.

In 1961, they hosted the 49^th Grand Lodge Convention. GER Stan Otto dedicated the building.  It was at this convention that Brother Ken Gooding was elected Grand Tyler and he progressed
on to become GER at the Winnipeg Convention in 1969.

Brother Merle Dickerson, now deceased, was a Charter member and served the City of North Bay as Mayor over a period of 25 years.

The Ontario Elks Association was born in North Bay and its first President was Eugene Souliere of North Bay who was a driving force being the Association.  Brother Gene served as President from 1966 to 1969.

Brother Ron Witherell of Espanola Elks #346 served as the second Ontario Elks
President. Brother Ron was installed as GER in 1982 in Sault Ste. Marie.

Brother Romeo Renaud was also active with Eugene and also served as an Association President from 1971-1973.

North Bay has further hosted the 72^nd National Convention in 1992 where Jack Blinston of Sherwood Park Lodge #481 was installed as GER. They also hosted the 79^th National Convention in 1999 which saw Paul Clendenning of Sarnia #503 installed as GER.

Brother Dan Bastien has served for a number of years on national committees and was awarded Honorary Life Membership in Grand Lodge at the 1999 Convention. Brother Dan is a PDDGER and a Past Provincial President.

Brother Mark Montgomery was elected to Grand Lodge as Chaplain at the 78^th Convention in Whistler, BC, and served as Grand Exalted Ruler for 2005-2006. He was installed at the 93^rd Convention hosted by North Bay Elks #25.  His theme was “4 the Kids – Pour les Enfants”.
Brother Mark is also a Past District Deputy and a Past Provincial President.

A very active Royal Purple Lodge no. 170 was organized in November of 1953 and they
continue to actively serve the community and the Order.

Also at this Convention in North Bay, Enola Mathieu of North Bay Royal Purple #170 was elected as Supreme Honoured Royal Lady.  This marked the first time that the GER and the SHRL were both from the same community at the same time.

Honoured by Christian and Christine Fortin.

There is no limit to Jean Nadeau’s (born Haggarty) love for family, friends and delicious food prepared from the heart! Today, she is also affectionately called Nanny by her 20 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Throughout her life Jean continually demonstrates the benefit of deep faith, true persistence and the value of hard work. In 1927, during the great depression, her parents emigrated from Scotland to Matheson in Northern Ontario.

Unfortunately a job-related accident killed her father when she was only 6 months old. This left her mother, Catherine, to raise 4 young children on her own; which meant everybody had to pitch-in to help. By age 12 Jean was already making extra money delivering newspapers.

At 18 she married her childhood sweetheart, Dave Dupont, and moved to Timmins. But only a few years later, at 22 years old, Jean became a widow due to a fatal car accident. This is when she decided to move to Kapuskasing and open her own hairdressing shop.

By the time Jean was 24 she had fallen in love and married a young entrepreneur called Richard Nadeau.  Over the next 9 years they had 6 healthy children together. They would remain happily married for the next 25 years sharing a mutually loving and strong relationship built on respect, love of the outdoors and travel.

A tragic hunting accident took Richard’s life in 1979. This caused Jean to move to Toronto where she worked at Holt Renfrew before deciding to study real estate and begin a new career at age 51. After completing the program she moved back to Kapuskasing to work at her son-in-law’s firm, for the next 10 years. Before retiring Jean also worked in her eldest son’s legal office for some time.

In 2004, Jean moved to North Bay, another new start, remaining as active as can be.  Jean has inspired many with her courage and independence when macular degeneration set in, restricting her vision.  Jean shares her laughter and kindness, enjoying long-held precious friendships and visits from family and friends.

The Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw famously wrote: “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”  Jean, daily, finds joy and satisfaction in her preparation of homemade healthy gourmet food.  Hence, love and peace abound as each day passes.

Honoured by Lauri  Mainville

On July 29, 1926 Phyllis Dora was born to Frank and Dora Smith.  From a very young age, Phyllis wanted to participate fully in life and be physically active.  Growing up in the 1930s there were no school buses so Phyllis walked or rode her bike everywhere; to school, Sunday school, mission band and to CGIT.   In high school she placed second in the junior ski championship slalom event at Laurentian Ski Hill.  Phyllis was also a great gymnast; cartwheels were effortless for her.  She was very adventurous and enjoyed nature and spending time outdoors.

In 1942 at the age of 16, Phyllis and three of her friends worked for Coles catering at the munitions plant in Ajax.  In 1945, she started her nursing training at the Toronto East General Hospital and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1948.  Phyllis worked at a hospital in Ajax and at the Toronto East General Hospital.   On April 14^th, 1950 Patrick Nicholson and Phyllis Dora Smith were united in marriage.  After Phyllis was married she left her nursing career to stay at home and raise her three children Mike, Tim and Laurie.

Phyllis was mutli-talented, and would take on any task.  She loved refinishing antique furniture, planting flower gardens with beautiful beds of begonias, partridge hunting, playing bridge, and bowling.  Phyllis loved to read and was very interested in history.  She loved animals, especially cats.  Her hands were also a gift.  She learned to knit as a young girl and during the summer she would unwind a previous sweater and make a new one for school.  She knit beautiful sweaters for many people.  Phyllis sewed most of her daughter’s school clothes and also hand smocked dresses for her.  She made beautiful drapes, handmade quilts and needle point pieces.

When Phyllis moved to Premier Road in 1979 it was her dream come true to have built a home on the family lot that her Dad had purchased in 1926 and where she had spent her summers.  She was affectionately known on Premier Road as the “Lady of the Lake”.  She had a passion for every aspect of lake-living especially swimming in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter.

Phyllis enjoyed traveling.  She and her sister Fran went on a trip to England where they spent time sightseeing and exploring.  Phyllis was invited to vacation with her friend Scotty and Scotty’s daughter Susan in 1983.  They went to Disneyland and screamed and yelled on every ride.  They roamed the beach on Treasure Island, collected shells and swam in the Gulf.  For several years to follow, Phyllis and Pat joined Scotty, Susan and a group of friends on Treasure Island and enjoyed wonderful vacations.

The smallest things in life pleased Phyllis.  Her laugh was infectious and she was full of life.  She lived her life with a sense of humour.  She was a good sport, and intelligent lady and she learned how to manage life’s challenges.  She was loyal to her friends.  She, Scotty and Hilda were lifelong friends for 76 years.  Phyllis was generous and giving of herself and her time.  She had a very special spirit and we will forever cherish many fond memories of her and her love of life’s simple pleasures.

In 1893, at a meeting in Hamilton, the seeds were sown for the establishment of a movement to be called The Canadian Club. Its objective would be the study of the history, literature and resources of Canada, the recognition of native worth and talent and the fostering of a patriotic Canadian sentiment.

In 1907 an organizational meeting was held at the Town Hall in North Bay to plan for a Women’s Canadian Club. The inaugural meeting was in October 1908. Starting in 1909 meetings were held in the newly built Normal School.

A men’s club was also established but records regarding its activities do not exist. However in 1932 there was a motion that men and out-of-town visitors be admitted to any meeting of the Women’s Canadian Club for a fee of 50cents. In 1972 men’s names first appeared on the membership lists. At a later date the name was changed to The North Bay and District Canadian Club. In 1992 the club had its 1st male president.

During the formative years the programs were comprised of local speakers on timely topics. The first out of town speaker was in 1913.

In 1924 L.M.Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, spoke to the members. The club arranged for her to speak at the secondary schools. Nelly McClung, noted author, politician, feminist and activist was a speaker in 1935.

1961 was the year that the club donated the cairn that can be found in Champlain Park. On the plaque was the following inscription “From this point the Canadian explorers and early fur traders caught their first glimpse of Lake Nipissing as they paddled westward on their journey from Montreal by way of the Ottawa, Mattawa and French Rivers to the Great Lakes”. Samuel de Champlain viewed this scene in 1615.

The club’s association with schools began in 1910 when seeds were distributed to the public school. The resulting flowers were displayed by the children and prizes were awarded. In more recent years essay contests have been sponsored. The winning students presented their efforts at club meetings.

In 2001 arrangements were made for our speakers, Tim and Deanna Treadway (Pioneer Quest Participants), to give a visual presentation of “Pioneering in Manitoba in 1875-1876” to all the students of the appropriate grade who had gathered in the public and separate schools. During recent years our club has taken a keen interest in the activities of the Historica Fairs which are for elementary students. In addition, each year two complimentary memberships are given to all secondary and post secondary schools for the use of interested students.

For many years our Canadian Club was invited to participate in Citizenship Courts. The club presented each New Canadian with a table sized Canadian flag and a complimentary year’s membership.

The tour Committee was formed in 1972. Over the years it has provided interesting and educational excursions to all parts of Canada and selected areas of the United States. In recent years there have also been overseas tours.

In 2008 the North Bay and District Canadian Club celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a gala dinner. To mark the occasion the club replaced and rededicated the missing plaque on the cairn in Champlain Park.

The North Bay and District Canadian Club continues to foster the aims and objectives of the original founders.

The club meets eight times a year, presenting a variety of informative speakers and interesting tours. All are welcome as members!