You’re old like me when..

by R.A West.

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Remember reader if you please, these are not researched recollections. Add your corrections or own experiences at will.

Also having been written on and off over 3+ years somethings are not now timely as written.
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You’re old like me when:
You remember the three movie theater locations in Welland.The opening of the ‘Park theater’ I think a Tarzan movie the ‘Community Theater’ on South Main..aka King st.” I saw the original King Kong there. I think it has been a flower shop of late. Or, older yet when you remember when there was only one, the Capitol theater. I was told my Grandpa Banks did some of the plaster work in there. You may recall the rather ornate ceilings/walls.

When the swimming pools down Cross street to the canal were built,one being an old dock and slip closed off at the pier. The other the wading pool for beginners. Many of the ‘older’ kids swam at the pier in the canal.

When there was a Crowland township around part of Welland part way down main east and part way up King, and no Q.E. to Fort Erie. No arena either. No nothing really. We did our own thing playing on home made ball fields and outdoor rinks.

The original Canadian Tire on East Main? It was next to the Temple club, across from the former legion site where dad was once president. He was President of the Humane society once as well, and, organized one of the Rose Parades.

Remember, the Post Office (and I believe Customs ‘House’) on King street.

Remember the robbery at the Division Street post office when the police station was next door? Remember the fire at the fire hall ?
Remember when you couldn’t bowl or shop on a Sunday. “Blue laws.”
You couldn’t get a beer unless you ordered food and the same old cheese sandwich was servd to everyone. God forbid anyone would eat it.
Men and women had separate ‘beverage’ rooms to have a beer when out to hoist a few. There was a mandatory dinner break, “last call, lights flashed’ no more suds served for a couple of hours.

And, do you remember them digging the foundation for the original Atlas Personnel office that later became the previous City Hall on East Main street. Atlas main gate was originally on main street where men gathered to be picked for day work before WW2 , then the war, there was a shortage of man power and Atlas extended to Oxford road with the promise of war contracts.

The building of the brand spanking new Barclay Hotel, a gem for the city then ! It slowly aged as we have, and has also been torn down like Shady’s (Anderson?) was, the pub it replaced. Remember Shady’s ? I think the bar had swinging doors, not sure about spittoons.

The siren sounding for the bridge to rise, gates closing. Remember? The Lamoyne going through? Our swimming in in the canal at the pier in its wake.
Cops walking! Cop on a motor cycle? Can’t recall any specialty donut shops or pizza pie places..Few things were ‘take out’ except fish & chips and hamburgers maybe.

Painted on stockings during WW11. Those seams were damn hard to pencil on straight huh! 3 cent stamps then 5 cent stamps, two mail deliveries a day. Mail on Saturday. No T.V. just radio shows that we sat around to hear as a family. No real junk food, maybe an A&W and later a Dairy Queen on Niagara near what became the later Canadian Tire plaza. A KFC on Division near where J. Smith once had the grocery store.

War on, less to eat. Fruit shortage, sugar, meat ‘points’ and ration books. War saving stamps and bonds. We had some nuts only around Christmas. Had popcorn though. Got a tube like bag of colored popcorn from Reilly’s store near the school for 5 cents.. Chestnuts warming on the hot stove top.

Many dads and family off to war, sometimes again. Two of the Chalmers (Jack and Jim) boys in the Navy. Most WW2 service men and ladies now long gone if they survived the war and came home -occasionally with a war bride in tow.

Things now gone like Central school, the high walled Main Street Jail yard , horse drawn delivery wagons – bread, ice- milk, slowing the motorized vehicles, manure on the street collected for your rose garden, the old city hall on Division and King. The ‘new’ city hall, former Atlas office sold to the city for next to zero $ by the then productive Atlas, Specialty Steel maker of Canada. Atlas and many other local industries gone! Theaters gone. Street car gone. Founded in 1909 the Vaughan Seed Co. on Burger gone in a blaze, Diffin docks south of Lincoln street. Vaughan and Diffin both former mayors ?

The trolley line tracks and station near the ‘old’ hospital (Riverside Drive) that ran over the trestle (P.C. Drive), R. R. tracks went up main West and up King street. Waiting for a train occasionally on King st. (South Main .)

Horse races at the then Denistoun St Fair Grounds. Dr. Railton local politician (daughter Jane once a life guard with me), living on the corner across from the Painters residence they that had the Forge on Major street. The now defunct Welland High & Vocational School. Remember..Lux in Tenebris, in Latin, meaning “Light in Darkness,” the motto.

The fire that destroyed the gas station in Port Robinson. What a blaze that was. What a crowd. They had no idea that the Steelton disaster (and bridge destroyed forever splitting the town),was coming years later and the canal would be crossed there for years afterwards only by ferry.

When Atlas Steels factory ended at Major St. and the City of Welland ended at Crowland Township boundaries and the car line up waiting for the Main St. bridge that on occasion reached into Crowland. A good reason for the Welland amalgamation with Crowland. Then of course on getting past the bridge traffic you got stuck on the main street R.R. Crossing. Car horns blowing at the train and ^%$*^#@! Remember the cinders from the steam engines? Burning eyes? The gates and gate house.

And when Ms. Robinson was teaching me grade one at Memorial School and I walked from Southworth street. (#7 ), Chernish lived next door , Youngs, little Bobby. Plays a good game of golf, his wife even better. The Copes (Peggy) down the street. Copes lost a family member in that war also. Costello’s, Ray and Sonny, on the corner ( Crowland meets Southworth), where the road bend made their home a hazard to cars commin’ round the bend.. The next year my walking to Empire school and Ms. Barret teaching among others. Finished my jr. years there. Fond memories. It too (Empire) gone now in name. I shared an I.O.D.E. bursary with G. Collins for marks at Empire.

When the fields were bare and open across from the south end of Crowland Ave. past Lincoln corner and Southworth street with no ‘wartime’ housing’. Brocklebank’s barn (eggs for sale), was the highpoint on the Crowland Ave. With east Lincoln street not paved out to the Merritts (Chas.) place.

And you’re old when you remember the planting of the trees in front of Empire school in honor of the King and Queen’s visit to Niagara. They’re still there. And the “Queen Elizabeth Way”, dedication to commemorate the first Royal Visit to Canada by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother). Queen Elizabeth was delighted with the honor and agreed to attend a special dedication ceremony in St.Catharines on June 6, 1939. The dedication ceremony took place near the Henley Bridge in St. Catharine’s. I think the large commemorative concrete lion etc. may still not be replaced there ? We school kids also got bussed to Niagara Parks to see the Royal ‘them.’ and we got a medal keepsake. Where’s my medal?

I remember too our class being taken from Empire by the school to hear a professional singer at the public school on Niagara Street, Lawrence Tibbet?? Memories fade from the 40′s a bit. The recall of his voice hasn’t.

The later paving of the QE to Fort Erie when we rode our bikes to see (to Lyon’s Creek Road), passing by the old Dell farm where coincidentally I played golf (Willo-Dell).. (Dell farm Willoughby township.) I remember when there were no one way streets in Welland or St Catharines for that matter. No parking meters, no unemployment. 10,000 probably went to work daily at Atlas, Stelco, ‘the’ Page, Reliance Electric, Union Carbide, Stokes Rubber, The Empire Cotton Mill, Plymouth Cordage, Welland Iron & Brass, WelMet, John Deere, Canada Forge and several other forges and more. Women driving trucks, overhead cranes and running lathes, war time ‘Rosey’ the riveters.

I remember so many starlings on Hellems ave that citizens were allowed to blast the trees with shotguns!

I remember when a solitary Jew moved onto our street, Mr. Jacob, ‘Jake’ Lubins as I recall. Black clothes and payess. We were helped with things like butter from him when asked. I never heard a word on the street about Jews. We didn’t know about the ‘final solution’ of the Nazis. I doubt that Jake did then either. Dad was in the navy. Me? in the Sea Cadets R.C.S.C.C. Bellerophon, also gone now.

Hornby florist (still there) next to then Garner’s garage? Great burgers George. Next to Hornby’s on the corner house (now a 7-11) was P.Audet Insurance. He won awards for his sales.
The east side Welland’s Dairy at the end of Major street, with a very large milk bottle on the roof and some sort of gun target range at the corner where Major street was the end of the initial ‘Atlas Steels’, near Major-Patterson- corner area. We used to cut across the tracks there to Patterson Ave go to Empire school.

Speaking of dairy’s, I saw Al Pietz (2008) a few weeks ago, former Welland Mayor. Crowland Reeve and Dairyman. Good guy, looking good Al.

When a horse delivery wagon ran wild on Myrtle Ave. Wild stuff that to a wee lad!

When a building under construction collapsed at Atlas (newly built war time machine shop) and we in school worried about our family members working there. Principal James Allen attempting to assuage our fears. He introduced me to a love of poetry that I try writing to this day. I won/shared a bursary (G. ollins) from the I.OD.E. for my school grade that year.
Where Jones towing and garage sat on the corner of East main (later city Hall parking lot.) The grocery store on the Patterson Ave.. corner across the street. The one that took our empty pop bottle returns for 2 cents and conveniently placed the bottles outside on the back deck..What went round went round a couple times.

Smythe and Venebles (?) grocery down the street, pretty much across from the Martin family.

When There was an Ice plant on Empire street and ‘Tony’ (Dimartle?) delivered ice blocks to our house in the then called Orchard Grove near the north end of River Road (Almond Street.) White’s farm where we stood in Rev. Sayles garage and watched lightning ‘play’ on the barns lighting rods. ( Hi! Ralph-Don.) WoW! That’s entertainment.Most things were delivered then. Groceries, milk, bread, Watkins products and… the rent was often collected at the door too. A couple of us kids were taking guitar lessons for 25 cents a week. That didn’t work out, tin ear.And, recalling a blind piano tuner walking so far (to Almond st.) to tune our piano. Sorry I’ve forgotten his name, but I remember a blind man’s work ethic that taught me a lesson

We lost a young friend to some ailment then, an Alvin Defoe, lived on the corner of Oxford road and later another neighbor Alex in the first mainly Canadian WW11 invasion of France.

When we [borrowed] enough lumber from the Savanac’s future home (She a makeup artist for the little theaters group)to build a boat with Chas. Dixon and row it across the river to the Island (Merritt.) Saw Chas. at the closing of Empire School recently.

Boating down Chippawa and back on the Welland river. Amazed at the schools of gold fish and their size.

Rev. Sayles driving us to Maple Leaf Mission way over in Crowland for Basket Ball. Few Dads around, few cars, less gas.
And when Dew Drop School, north River Road and the sheep farm was about as far as we kids walked. Mayor Hardy had a spot much later in that area. I learned to drive on that road in 46-47.

Now a bit past that area is to be developed as a sports area at Woodlawn? Large box stores at the road end now.

Looking for and finding arrow heads in the freshly plowed ground at White’s Farm on the corner of Oxford road. . I finally got to buy a bike for $5 from paper route money. Wow! Now could I travel. We got a phone a couple of years before that. Party lines. My favorite number later in a few years was 38 ring 6. Hey Ruth! Out there at HillRust north west of Turner’s Corners. I still remember the apple cider and the tow out of the ditch with the horses that winter night. Names like Hillrust, Turner’s corners, Black Horse Corners, Claires Corners, White Pidgeon, Stop 19, Stop 17, Bitner’s corner or ‘Coyle’ are seldom heard anymore.

On southward then on River Road, past the brick house a teacher Ms. Simpson, lived in the house where I had been born and up the slight hill to the old Turnbull residence stately as was it’s artist owner a Ms. Frances Turnbull. Hmmm, pictured today in my mind not as I last saw her, but in her garden in the forties, wide brimmed sun hat, long spotless smock and garden gloves ..trimming, always it seemed outdoors trimming when she wasn’t painting I guess. I heard tell the large white pillared house was once a hospital but I doubt it. She who once had me capture a fish eating turtle from her fish pond. She who gave me a Xerox of a sketch when I visited her years and years later before the fire. Still have it.(Was a Turnbull not involved with the early years of Electro-Metals?)
We were all then collecting things for the war effort. Things like milk weed pods, aka kapok for life vests, old used cooking fats taken for collection to stores in cans, (used as grease??) and metals of all kinds…all were short of supply and the war wasn’t going well.

Rubber not available for domestic use. I remember crossing the bridge with my aunt who drove an overhead crane at Atlas. She made a grab at her waist, stopped briefly as something dropped from her nether regions to the ground. With a deft kick she caught her skivvies and tucked them into her hand bag. So quick only I probably noticed. Buttons aren’t always reliable.

As I said, we lost a neighbor in the invasion, Alex, he that had the first car thereabouts as a teen. Model T ? I remember him driving us kids to St. Catharines once. Well truth be told all I remember is pushing the car back up the hill. So sad his loss and all the other young people. Still leaves a sad memory to this day.

Up to East Main again and across the busy RR track crossing and there was McCrae’s sporting goods . Remember Alex? Remember Armour our mayor ? Good times for the City then. Busy, busy. Legion, Canadian Tire there too.
Further west, on the south side, the convenience store Joe Agro later owned. I knew Joe. He had once won both a car draw and another draw cash prize of perhaps $1,000 at the Welland fair the same night. NOT FAIR!

Then, The White House Restaurant and across the street Watts Hardware, bought our gold fish there. McDermott’s Confectionery with Bill or Loretta from Port Robinson selling us Superman comics. Wish I had those 40′s comics today.

Outdoor cooking? Why? Our ‘Bar-b- Q savvy was non existent. Neither the means, available food or had we ever heard of the likes. We did get corn from White’s farm, roll it in paper, soak it and toss it in a bonfire..tasted great when you’d had bread and milk to eat or fried toast made in bacon fat in the war years. We did cook weenies on a stick when we had any extra weenies to cook and were lucky to have a stick. (that’s a joke son.)

I remember picking up coal along the nearby RR tracks to burn in our family stove . Would any kid do that today I wonder. No I don’t really, why would they. I remember the coal fire stoked at night and rising to frozen water pipes. Hard to wash up then before school until the coal stove flared and the ever present kettle boiled.

Hamilton & Ferguson Grocery at the corner of River Road always gave credit. Always put a soup bone in our order. Grams Garage (?)corner across the street. The Tribune there now of course.
Across the main street at Burger was Appleton’s Drug store, behind it on Burger later I think the Argyle Coffee shop. Pacsuta eventually opened a Dentist office above there. I was one of his first customers. He’s recently retired from King street.

I still look for that killer tree on the west side of Burger Street which the car hit, before the present church was there I’m sure, and the sad deaths, tragic result.

I also lost a couple of high school contemporaries to a tree on the highway towards Turner’s Corners and well remember a young boy I knew drowning in the canal while in my public school years. (Michael .H.) While faded by the years, I still remember all of them on occasion.
The Fortner House so impressive on the corner of Burger. Nice ladies those.

Down Burger to Division street and Somerville’s or to the best carpenter shop guys in business, on Alexander. That would be the Atherton’s. Up to Burger Park and Sal ‘The Barber’ Maglie played ball pitching for the Atlas Steel team along with Wallace, Buntrok, Cam Picard and cigar, Bill Sherk catching and others with Tommy Jones behind the plate as ump. Ed. Runge ump too. He went on to major league fame as did Sal.Get a fly ball from over the fence…free admission when ball returned.

Down the East Main street a bit ‘Shorty’ Kimber working at Mason-Kells, Hudson- Terraplane sales and service. Kells owned our house, now Hick’s Lumber. After that we moved to Almond St.

English style Fish & Chips shop on the other side later “Louie’s Ideal ‘, none better EVER! with (?) McIver Paints next to I think two brother barbers , later (? Gabe’s) barber shop.
At the next corner Dorothy street.. was our Bellerophon Sea Cadet hall (also now gone!) and across on Main corner the Registry office and the wall enclosed prison where the hangings took place. (There have been 9 persons hanged at the Welland County Jail. The jail closed in 1972.) Now The Muse location.

Across the street a Chinese restaurant at the corner of Hellems Ave. , and next Ector’s Drug store. Sometimes they made the ice cream there as you waited impatiently.

Then The Four Square Gospel hall, formerly I was told a silent movie house(?) Mrs. R. Harper played piano there at one time or other I think.

Sam Tenant’s cigar store with the novel electric cigar lighter on the counter..McMaster’s Hardware, Tip Top Tailors..top floor, (Salterelli’s?),
Patterson’s Furniture, the Park Theater, opening a (?) Tarzan feature, Belcastro’s shoe repair and the nearby John R. Joyce, (our onetime mayor) men’s haberdashery. I delivered his Trib.)

Then cross Cross St. to the corner Woolworth’s, (and I still owe them eight cents for a lead soldier that apparently jumped into my pocket when I was buying ‘Big-Little Books’.)

Across the street again the good old Capitol Theater balcony and all. I first saw Kipling’s Jungle book with Sabu from that balcony, twelve cents! And later saw a Danny Kaye movie with my dad, he in his navy uniform, me in Sea Cadets. Only time he took me anywhere alone. Sometimes they gave out plate services with the price of admission to help war time attendance. Saturday matinée. We got to see two features, a serial like Flash Gordon, a cartoon, The March of Time, and previews all for 12 cents. Milk Duds extra. If you knew the usher sometimes the ticket didn’t get more than a token tear and was reused. (Hi Ruth!) Ruth worked there and married Jimmy.

The Dexter hotel cross the street( I helped dad do some plastering there.), C.L. Robins shoe store where I worked after school and learned how he got rich ..by what he paid, and Ross Stores on the corner at the bridge. Don Oliver worked there till opening his own drapery shop. He recently retired.

I remember how trusting people were then. The March of Dimes for instance had a line down the sidewalk where donations -coins were placed and stayed for the charity. Doors left unlocked, keys left in cars, clothes left in a pile at the swimming pools. A nickel in a shoe. Find something? It got returned if possible. Fights when they happened involved only fists. Not forgetting though Haist’s drug store, Frame’s drug store, Brady’s men’s wear (Dave and Percy), Harry John’s Jewely or the old grist mill in the alley through to the swimming pool where I was later a certified, and paid life guard. Jack Eiler was head life Guard. He later got us doing clown routines at Niagara swim meets where we were entered. Johnny Kaye (Insurance) and his wife oft times drove us.

Diving off the wall or riding bikes off the wall into the canal at the pier. Diving off the main bridge. Diving off the fence on the wood bridge..showing off for anyone that stopped to watch or just for fun. Mom would’ve killed me.
The old open flood of (sewer ?) water rushing through the open pipe below the wooden bridge to places unknown..likely the river before Merrit Island at the Aqueduct.

The Olympia and 35 cent hot beef, 10 cent pie 5 cents more ala mode and 5 cents for milk. Connie on the till and Bill probably just sketching , and their bothers (Normandy Restaurant), and sister ……another sad tale..

Lostraco’s cigar store with Mickey and Julie. Buying a pop, (Creme Soda, Orange Crush, Royal Krown cola, Root Beer), (?) Some said betting in the back, but that’s impossible it’s illegal, and while standing around outside with some of the guys from up King St.. (Bucky-Slug- Dom- ), being told to “Move along boys..move along” by the big cop guy named Nelson. My mother called him “pie face Nelson”, I never found out why.

‘Red’ Lampman, and the fire chief and Wilson the cop, everyone knew their names. The Wilson boys got razed a bit. One guy would yell when we saw Sonny or Jimmy, Hey, what’s your dad do?”
Another would yell, “Nothing, he’s a cop!”

Or Percy’s pool hall, contraceptives available there, certainly not available to us in a drug stores. As I have mentioned, Shady’s Tavern with swinging doors and sawdust floors next to The Tribune on Market Lane and King. The ‘Tribs’ Johnny Swords giving us what ever advice we needed.
Enns keys and Lock Repair at the market square. The confectionery store where Bill spent (temporarily I think), a dollar bill he’d drawn well enough on one side that it passed if not turned over. The place that made bleach around the corner.The market where I spent the money I won playing bingo with granny.

Paying one of the Tuft boys 5 cents for a ride on his newly motorized bicycle in the market square.
Merritt Park where I won $10.00 gift certificate for grabbing a flag at the end of a greased pole out over the canal.
Delivering papers up to apartments and the old city hall building at the corner of King and Division. (the only public washrooms in town?)

The United church where boy scouts met on King Street was great for kids.

The original Leon’s store(s) on King St. Yup, two of them in competition.

The King Street Library where I seemingly lived for years on varied reading subjects found daily, I passed by the library delivering the Toronto Star, newspaper, and returning the ‘read’ books.

I delivered the Saturday Evening Post, Liberty, The Star and The Tribune at one time or another. I remember being mugged once on Asher street, and one of the Tufts boys chasing the ‘robber’ boys down getting my paper route ‘collection’ money back.
Later our haunt du jour the Half Moon with Mrs. Roberto cooking up King street (boot legger) way, Bitondo’s and the Blue Star of course.

Across Main street bridge the day two cars met facing each other and neither would give way. No names divulged, but one had a stationary store as I recall.
The northern exit off Main street bridge before Niagara street where you could drive all the way up Aqueduct St.. behind the stores, across the other still existing bridge, past Bitner’s tea room and all the way to the Triangle (Lee’s) restaurant.

Morwood’s another of our three hardware store. Completely disorganized but the bros. knew exactly where everything was.

The Boston cream pie at the Astoria ? Aster? restaurant. Seems I can remember their having private curtained booths in their early existence? Of course neighboring A.P. Brown’s Jewelry and Healy’s studio, and the old flour and feed mill around the corner bottom of the hill.

Welland High School: Charlie singing black face, “Washington, woe is me” in the school musical. Another reciting Albert and the Lion in British ‘Lanc.” dialect, Liz doing her ‘double jointed’ acrobatic routine. Betty getting engaged. Going to Cats Cavern on Church St. and sometimes The Lion’s Den at Atlas to jitterbug and ‘hook up’ a term we’d never heard of. We were either ‘going steady’, ‘pinned’ or not. Wearing a guys WHVS sweater was a commitment too.

Another ‘Loretta’ was what the parrot yelled at the Rendezvous Restaurant. “Hello Loretta.” Next to Pupos original nearly across from the former hospital now the Annex.

Remember the trolley station office kitty across the corner of River Side Drive and West Main street. We took that trolley across the old timber bridge trestle, (we some time dared to walk across and fished beneath), over the river, through Stop 19, Hillrust, Thorold to eventually Port Dalhousie amusement park for Industry picnics etc.

Port Dalhousie; Remember the high water slide. Port Dalhousie midway gone Crystal beach the same. Erie Beach Park too long gone before either.

Remember August 25th, 1974. On that morning, you awoke to the news that Welland Canal Bridge 12 at Port Robinson lay in ruins in the canal after having been struck by a freighter, the Steelton. Port Robinson and traffic has never been quite the same. I heard the event on police scanner and called Buffalo ch. 7. What a site when I got there. No words, just heads shaking and “How?”

Payroll deductions for the new hospital and the same for Brock, and the same for the arena…yeh, we seniors paid from what we earned. No tax write offs then. No child care credit, no paid maternity leaves.

Remember The active Welland Kinsman Club now defunct. Raised funds for the Empress Ave. school and ARC. industries.To name just a few members then, Tenzen, Kozalka, Lee, Leon, De Smit, Bond, Dr.A. Paulson, Lynn, and certainly our late ‘Babe” Newman, Walsh, Wiseman, Fuss, Kostyk. Meeting at the very popular Rose Villa. I got to be club president in time.
The making of ‘that’ Marilyn Monroe movie “Niagara”. Hey that was 55 years ago and counting!

The submarine coming down the canal?
The canal diversion. The Main St. canal bridge final raising and lowering ?
Then, you too are getting old. Better than the alternative.

-R.A.West

Posted in MEMORIES

Comments (208)

On 16 August 2014, Allan Garner Said,
Thanks for the memories. I remember lots of what you have written about. I was born in December 1939 at 27 Myrtle Avenue. Later we moved to 41 Myrtle (which is now an empty lot.) I went to Empire School until grade 7. I to have written about Welland back in the day. For now it’s just for family to read.

Thanks, again
Al Garner – Vancouver, BC
On 17 August 2014, B Said,
Morning Allan

Thank you for writing. If ever you decide to share some of your Welland memories, we would be honored to put them on the site. B
On 17 January 2015, Stan Krysa Said,
A great account of the past. Well written. I was born in 1943 and recall most of it, including the 12 cents to see a movie or even a double feature. Thanks for the memories.
On 4 June 2015, Louise Mendola Said,
What a lovely tribute! I was born in 1935, went to Queen St school, then moved not too far from you on McArthur Ave. Knew Chernishes, Peggy etc. Do you recall Hargreaves store where we waited for the latest comic book arrivals? I also collected milk weed pods, fat in tins, whatever the Capitol was accepting for the war effort as Sat matinee entrance fare and my very fondest memory of sitting in the big paper and book collection barn at the Denistoun fair grounds and reading from books there when I was supposed to be helping. I still can close my eyes and smell those wonderful books by the thousands waiting to be processed for the war effort. Lived at the old/new/wading pools and end of pier near the waste runoff. My dad was in the army in England and I remember the air raid warden coming to my Grammas on Bald street to tell my uncle (home on leave) that his cigarette could be seen through a crack in the blackout curtains. Being oldest I dealt with meat tokens, sugar ration stamps etc. and knew where to be uptown first on Sat mornings to get a tiny portion of something rationed that was whispered to be coming in that day. I knew Jane Railton and also recall some of the tragedies you mentioned where high school kids were killed in car accidents. The hangings at the back of the courthouse near the big wading pool still haunt me sometimes. I helped make sandwiches for service men on leave at a temporary canteen near the west side of the Lincoln St bridge . The men played cards, darts etc and 78 rpms played constantly. Thank you so much for allowing me to revisit that very special world this morning. I will save your site and visit it again. L
On 7 June 2015, B Said,
Good Morning Louise

Your tribute was also extremely welcoming and we really appreciate your sending it to us. For me this is one of the most special parts of our site; the sharing of life stories. Thank you so much for that. B
On 10 June 2015, Anna Said,
Couple questions. Where was Bitner,s tea room? And what years was it there.
C.L.Robins Shoes. Was he related to the C Robins married to Jessie Doan? Thank you
On 14 October 2015, Rob Said,
A great site for area residents and very informative for others like me, with some great history and memories which have been very well captured. A couple of fire related events actually caught my eye, since I’m an Ontario fire buff who is interested in collecting and preserved these histories. You mention “Red Lampman and the fire chief” I was wonder if Bob Jolliffe (Port Robinson) was the chief during that period? If you or anyone else has information on the area fire stations and events in and around the Welland, Crowland area please contact me at trainingsupport@outlook.com Thanks Rob
On 30 January 2016, Stan V. Cepukas Said,
Great Site:
Brought back a lot of good memories. Was born June 18 1949 in the old Welland Hospital (now an apartment building-By the Welland River-near A&W)
We lived at 145 McApline Ave. . I went to Memorial Public School from kindergarden to grade 8 – then I started grade 9 at Eastdale in 1963 -school just opened-there was no grade 11, 12 or 13 when I started. Moved to 25 Golden Blvd next to the giant VW Dealership.
Have fond memories of the Park/Capital Theatres, Nicks Fish and Chips near Winnie’s confectionary store. Played with the Leon kids on McAlpine. On same street lived Archie(forgot last name) who worked at Morwoods Hardware-built me my 1st crystal radio set to pick CHOW AM Radio(now I have my advanced Ham Radio license -my call is VE3VAC
Worked in Canadian TV Broadcast industry – CKNX TV Wingham , CFTK TV Terrace BC and CBC Toronto as a film editor-total of 33 yrs
Will be at the 55th Eastdale reunion this summer 2016 -cant wait
cheers
Stan Cepukas
On 2 February 2016, B Said,
Thank you Stan for your personal tale. This is something we are encouraging our readers to offer. Helps knit the story of Welland together.
On 13 February 2016, Gerry kirk Said,
Great memories.

Welland was a great place for boys in the 40s. Saturdays we’d take in a movie if we could raise the 15 cents. I attended Notre Dame School, temporarily housed in the Cooper mansion on Niagara Street. Sister Angelina got me to sweep floors after school, and gave me a quarter on Fridays. That meant I could go to “the show” AND buy a treat.

When all else failed, we weren’t above begging for change in front of the Park Theatre. We thought we were in heaven when they cut the price from 15 to 12 cents.
On 14 February 2016, Gerry kirk Said,
That’s Sister Angeline, of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
On 17 February 2016, B Said,
Thanks Gerry for sharing. I so often think of earlier and simpler times. When I was a teenager I often got teased for hanging out in front of the Bible Book Nook, one of my favorite spots.
On 13 March 2016, Gerry Kirk Said,
North Ward kids had a different geography to explore. We often went on hikes to the “dikes” north of Thorold Road, along the canal. Always an adventure, especially when we’d put out pheasants or rabbits.

We did a lot of hiking in the days before TVs appeared, and twice we trekked all the way to my mother’s cousin’s farm in Fonthill. That’s over 5 miles one way. Viewing Tarzan at the Park Theatre gave us a yearning to build a tree house in the forest and live the wild life. Finding no source of food spoiled the dream, and dad would have to drive out to pick us up.

Incidentally, my dad worked as a milkman. Milk was delivered by horse-drawn wagons at the time, and my dad’s day started around 5 a.m. The first task was backing the horse out of the stall, and hitching her to the wagon. Once the wagon was full, he’d go house to house dropping off milk, cream and butter. There were two types of milk: homogenized and pasteurized…the latter having cream at the top. Half way through the morning, he’d stop at a diner for toast and coffee. Once, while relaxing, the patrons informed him his horse had departed with the wagon. Momentary panic! His day would end around 2 p.m., after the day’s money was counted and turned in. A long hard day, especially in winter, there being no heat in the wagon save a kerosene lantern.
On 25 March 2016, Doug Melville Said,
I really enjoy your site. Having been born in 1941 I share many of your experiences and appreciate the time and effort you have invested in keeping them alive. As Bob Hope would say; ” Thanks for the memories.”
On 2 April 2016, B Said,
Thank you. We really enjoy the work invested in saving our counties history.
On 9 April 2016, Bob D'Amico Said,
Hi: I heard through the grapevine that someone had a photo of the Sunox Bleach factory in Welland. My father, Joe was the owner. We have no pictures of this building , and I would be happy to see any that you have. Thanks, in advance.
On 13 April 2016, B Said,
Morning Bob

Good luck on your search. Photos of this factory are not in our possession. Perhaps someone can help you in your search. B
On 24 April 2016, Paul L Gauthier Said,
I really enjoy your site. Arrived in Welland in 1942 to visit my Dad’s Cousin at 10 Cozy Street, can identify with many things that you posted, like swimming at the canal pool, riding the streetcar to Thorold and back, the collapse of the building at atlas south plant, and many other memories of Welland. Thank you .
On 28 April 2016, B Said,
Morning Paul

Glad you are enjoying the site. If you are interested you might write a memory and submit it. They are always welcome. B
On 18 May 2016, André Germain Said,
We moved from Quebec to Welland in May of 1951 when I was 8 years old. I have many fond memories of the Welland that was then. After living in apartments on Navy St. (upstairs of a wartime house), Morningstar Ave. (basement apartment that got flooded in the spring), Afton St., Hagar St. (upstairs of Mrs. Fazzari’s who had recently lost her husband and who later cooked pizzas at a local restaurant/pizzaria), we finally got our own house on Oakland Ave. near the Welland River. The following link is a book I wrote, a narrative of the exploits of “the River Rats” in the mid 1950s.
http://shogun555.vacau.com/toc.html
On 18 May 2016, Paul Gorman Said,
While I was having difficulty researching information on an old Welland Business called, Scales & Roberts, it was recommended that I visit this site on memories of Welland. Although there are many neat articles, I got caught up in this particular one. It just echoed so many familiar recollections. Of special interest ,it was written by R.A. West, a relative of our Uncle George Banks who was referred to in the article. I believe that R.A. was also one time owner of the Morgans Point Dance hall outside of Pot Colborne along Lake Erie, which was a Friday night summer hot spot in the late 50′s early 60′s. As a young lad, I remember Rick A. West visiting relatives on Riverside Drive. I was also impressed with having overheard that he was a mover and shaker of the time.The thought was, that if he could generate a fraction of the excitement in this article that I got as a teenager at his Morgans Point dances, this would be a great read. I wasn’t dissapointed,as so many of the references in this article hit home.

The following are just a few of the hilites from the article and my recollections, that took me back down memory lane.

-Uncle George Banks doing what he was a master of, articulate plaster work. He was an avid hockey fan and it was always a thrill to be invited to watch a game with the Detroit Red Wings playing on TV. Gordie Howe was his idol, and Uncle George, a normally reserved man, vociferously let it be known when Gordie had the puck. It was this love of the game that brought me into the fold.

-The Blind piano tuner that I recall coming to our house to tune the piano, during the years that my older twin brothers, Larry and Jerry, begrudgingly took piano lessons. I was in awe of his talent, and in fear of my mother when she was on the war path over missed lessons. You see, I was also behind on my clarinet practice.

-Reference to Coyle. This was a childhood playground and fishing spot off the Coyle bridge across the Welland River. The baby garter snakes that we would catch and put in our pockets as pets. Standing around the pot belly stove to warm our frozen fingers in the station in mid winter. The time my cousin Tony and I climbed the 50 foot light tower, and then were afraid to come back to earth. It was from that point on that I sympathized with cats that were afraid to back down a pole.

-The Fortner House and Fortner Spinsters. There history wrapped in the speculative rumour mill of two unmarried sisters. This beautiful historical Welland landmark altered beyond recognition with the building of new structures blocking the street view of its vintage architecture, situated on the corner of Division Street and Burger. The huge stately Chestnut trees that lined the property, and were cut down to accommodate change.

-Lou’s Ideal Fish & Chips on Main St. beside the old McLean Motors GMC Dealership building, which is now the Tribune. Mom & dad went there. I frequently stopped by to pick up take home dinner that was wrapped in old newspaper. The simplicity of this old unvarnished house and the out in the open preparation by lou of what was recognized as the finest fish & chips in the area. It was rustic charm without the bells and whistles. I never was one to put on the dog.

-John R. Joyce, who I as a carrier, delivered the Tribune at his home on the corner of Oakland & Maple.
He owned a clothier store on Main Street beside the Park theater. I can see him now, a tall distinguished grey haired figure, always in a well fit suit. Always with a warm smile, and soft spoken word. For some reason, in later years, I did most of my clothes shopping at Blakes Men’s Wear. Maybe it was because he was often not at home, and constantly in arrears with his paper boy. Now who could that be!

-Johnny Swords of the Tribune, his crackly voice, he oversaw we Carriers and our constant battle as preteens, to collect from so called adults who we were told to respect. The Tribune always got its share, while we often went penniless, but a pricless education. I recall putting my son Jeff into this stellar program with the Tribune, to acquire a recognized degree in the human condition. It continues to serve us both well as an object lesson in life 101.

-The NS&T and the hanging of the large banner “Bridge On The River Qwai” on the side of the wooden trolley bridge over the Welland River, while the movie played at the Capital Theater in 1957. The stars were Alec Guinness, and William Holden, two favorites of the era. Strange that I should remember a little known actor called Ann Sears, who played the nurse. Now there was a looker.

-The rendezvous and its Parrot, which as I remember said “Paulie wants a cracker”.

-The Pupo bros who ran Pupo’s out of a converted house on Riverside Drive, where I also delivered the daily Tribune, and periodically found an apple, that had strayed into my hand from the out front fruit & vegetable stand, while always in fear of being caught by stern faced tall Paul. Pupo’s has expanded, and is still going strong, but relocated to Maple avenue, directly behind its original location on Riverside Drive.

So many other familiar reminisces…. It’s remarkable how memories of the past travel such similar paths. As Jimmy Durante always sang in his closing weekly TV series of the mid 50′s, “thanks for the memories” Rick.

Paul Gorman
On 18 May 2016, Paul Gorman Said,
It was recommended that I visit this site on memories of Welland. Although there are many neat articles, I got caught up in this particular one. It just echoed so many familiar recollections. Of special interest ,it was written by R.A. West, a relative of my close Uncle George Banks who was referred to in the article. I believe that Rick was also an owner of the Morgans Point Dance hall outside of Port Colborne along Lake Erie, which was a Friday night summer hot spot in the late 50′s early 60′s. As a young lad, I remember Rick A. West visiting relatives on Riverside Drive, the home turf of my Gorman/Whelan family clan.

The following are just a few of the hi lights from the article, and my recollections, that took me back down memory lane.

-Uncle George Banks doing what he was a master of, working in plaster mosaic design. He was also an avid hockey fan and it was always a thrill to be invited to watch a game with the Detroit Red Wings playing on TV. Gordie Howe was his idol, and Uncle George, a normally reserved man, would rub his hands together and vociferously let it be known when Gordie had the puck. It was this love of the game that brought me into the fold.

-The Blind piano tuner that I recall coming to our house to tune the piano, during the years that my older twin brothers, Larry and Jerry, begrudgingly took piano lessons. I was in awe of his talent, and in fear of my mother when she was on the war path over missed lessons. You see, like my brothers, I was behind on my dreaded clarinet practice.

-Reference to the TH&B Coyle train station. Located along Riverside Drive, this was a childhood playground and fishing spot from the Coyle bridge across the Welland River. The baby garter snakes that we would catch and put in our pockets as pets. Standing around the pot belly stove to warm our frozen fingers in the Coyle station in mid winter. The time my cousin Tony and I climbed the 50 foot light tower, and then were afraid to come back to earth. It was from that point on that I sympathized with cats that were panic stricken to back down a pole and eventually had to be rescued.

-The Fortner House and Fortner Spinsters. There history wrapped in the speculative rumour mill of two unmarried sisters living out there lives single. This beautiful historical Welland landmark altered beyond recognition with the building of new structures blocking the street view of its vintage architecture, situated on the corner of Division and Burger streets. The huge stately Chestnut trees that lined the property, and were cut down to accommodate change.

-Lou’s Ideal Fish & Chips on Main St. beside the old McLean Motors GMC Dealership building, which is now the Tribune. Mom & dad went there. I frequently stopped by to pick up take home dinner that was wrapped in old newspaper. The simplicity of this old unvarnished house and the out in the open preparation by lou, of what was recognized as the finest fish & chips in the area. It was rustic charm without the bells and whistles. I never was one to put on the dog.

-John R. Joyce, who I as a carrier, delivered the Tribune at his home on the corner of Oakland & Maple avenues.
He owned a men’s clothier store called John R. Joyce, on Main Street beside the Park theater. I can see him now, a tall distinguished grey haired figure, always in a well tailored suit. Always with a warm smile, and soft spoken word. For some reason, in later years, I did most of my clothes shopping at Blakes Men’s Wear. Maybe it was because John R. was often not at home, and constantly in arrears with his paper boy. Now who could that be!

-Johnny Swords of the Tribune, and his crackly voice. He oversaw we Carriers and our constant battle as preteens, to collect from so called delinquent adults who we were told to respect. The Tribune always got its share, while we often went penniless, but received a priceless education. I recall putting my son Jeff into this stellar program with the Tribune, to acquire a family acclaimed degree in the human condition. The experience continues to this day to serve us both well as an object lesson in life 101.

-The ( NS&T) Niagara St Catharines & Toronto trolley crossing at Riverside Drive adjacent to Jerome’s ESSO and the old Welland Hospital, and the hanging of the large banner “Bridge On The River Qwai” on the side of the wooden trolley bridge over the Welland River, while the movie of the same name played at the Capital Theater in 1957. The stars were Alec Guinness, and William Holden, two favorites of the era. Strange that I should remember a little known actor called Ann Sears, who played the nurse. Now there was a looker.

-The rendezvous and its Parrot, which as I remember said “Paulie wants a cracker”.

-The Pupo bros who ran Pupo’s Supermarket out of a converted house on Riverside Drive, where I also delivered the daily Tribune, and periodically found an apple, that had strayed into my hand from the out front fruit & vegetable stand, while always in fear of being caught by stern faced tall Paul. Pupo’s has long since expanded. I believe it is still in the family, and going strong, while having relocated many years ago to Maple avenue, directly behind its original location on Riverside Drive.

So many other familiar reminisces…. It’s remarkable how memories of the past travel such similar paths. As Bob Hope sang in the closing act of all his TV Specials, “thanks for the memories” Rick.

Paul Gorman
On 19 May 2016, B Said,
Thank you Paul for the wonderful article of memories for our website.. Every personal memory helps to piece the history of Welland County together. We have so much more to offer in the way of articles etc, and appreciate the input of historians such as yourself. B
On 19 May 2016, B Said,
Hi Andre

What a great addition to our website. I will certainly be reading your work this weekend.

Thank you.B
On 21 May 2016, Paul Gorman Said,
Andr’e,

Great to see your articles on The River Rats, up on the Welland History
site. It prompted me to think of an article that brother Larry penned as his
University thesis while attending Mcmaster many years ago. He chose the
Welland River as his topic. The reason that I bring this up is because he
filed a copy with the Welland Library. As a young lad, I thought this to be
a novel idea. Perhaps this is another avenue in which to share your unique
early outdoor adventures. I think of your writings from time to time and
feel it a shame that they aren’t given more exposure. You obviously poured
your heart out in putting these memories to paper. They depict a time and a
place where dreams were created, not unlike Tom Sawyer and Huck Fin.
Preserving history is an honourable endeavour. Sharing it, is a labour of
love.

keep the journey going…

Paul Gorman
On 21 May 2016, B Said,
Thank you Paul. We really would love to have others share their memories. It is so important to honor our history. B
On 25 May 2016, Sharon Riley Said,
I am Paul Gorman’s cousin, and we were two of 17 cousins growing up along the Welland River on Riverside Drive between the old Welland Hospital and Coyle Railroad tracks. Our grandfather, Martin Ignatius Whelan, bought the strip of land between the road and the river in 1913, apparently for a song since no one wanted to live by the river in those days. He divided it into 36 tiny lots, and 100 years later its still called Whelan Plan 959 in the Land Registry records. That was pretty neat to see! He built (eleven we think) of the houses along the river, and I believe all but perhaps one of them is still standing and inhabited. His children and their wives (and us kids) lived out most of their lives in five of them. Having eagle-eyed aunts everywhere sure kept us kids out of too much trouble, but gave us a safe place to freely roam. I do have a question for you. On the 1921 census, the address for Martin and other residents who we know for a fact lived along that section, is ‘River Road’ rather than ‘Riverside Drive’.I’ve not been able to figure out what happened there. But I have a theory and I wonder if you know anything about it. My theory is that River Road was originally one long road following the river from end to end, running along past our houses, through down town to continue along the current day River Road on its way to what is now Walmart. Were the two sections cut off by the canal or the aquaduct or something, necessitating the re-naming of one section? I can’t think of any other reason, but for sure the 1921 census calls our section River Road, confusing many of my cousins. I hope you can add some wisdom to this issue. Thanks for your site, it was really fun to read through. Sharon
On 30 May 2016, B Said,
Hi Sharon
We are always happy when readers contribute information and personal stories to the building of Welland and surrounding areas. We hope others will follow your lead. I have no idea when Riverside Drive came into being. In early newspapers the long road was always referred to as River Road. I will try to find out for you or perhaps someone who reads this can answer your questions.
On 8 June 2016, Sharon Riley Said,
Regarding my question about River Road being renamed in part to Riverside Drive, I now think I can narrow the time frame down. The census in Aprl 1921 calls it River Road. But my father’s brother’s death certificate in September 1922 says he died at Riverside Drive. So the change will have occurred at some time in that 18 month period. I guess we’ll never know the reason for certainty, but I’m sure it must relate to the changes in the downtown section. Thanks for your offer to help satisfy my curiosity. Sharon
On 9 June 2016, B Said,
Morning Sharon

I have asked several of my historically minded friends and they do not have the answer you are looking for. I always put unanswered questions in my file so if I discover any clues I can let people know. B
On 16 July 2016, Ron West AKA R.A Said,
Hi Y’all. I’m the one that wrote the memory piece, Rich’s my slightly younger brother of Morgan’s Point dance hall fame. He had a restaurant on # hwy outside Port Colborne as well. Just setting things straight.
Bitner’s Tea Room was for awhile on the North East Corner at Aqueduct street and Thorold road.
I was born in ’32. My memory is pretty good and I recall things I didn’t write here or dwell on, not wanting to be overly verbose..I was anyway.;)
CL Robins Shoe store was on the South side of Main ,27 main Welland I think. His son Doug took it over later. Clarence..C.L had brothers with shoe stores too , in Fort Erie and maybe in N.F.
C.L. had horses and lived off west Thorold road. My first job after school… selling shoes which included polishing his riding boots and shoes.
The store later moved slightly easterly past the Olympia.

Funny how things still pop into the mind at a scent-sound or passing comment. I couldn’t write it all down in another life time, well, not the way it happened…maybe just maybe the way I remember ‘it’, which has a bit of idealism,rose coloured glasses and optimistic recall.
Glad those of you that liked my memory piece said so. I enjoyed your recollections as well.

Ron West
On 16 July 2016, Ron West AKA R.A Said,
Sharon Riley Said,

“I am Paul Gorman’s cousin, and we were two of 17 cousins growing up along the Welland River on Riverside Drive between the old Welland Hospital and Coyle Railroad tracks. Our grandfather, Martin Ignatius Whelan”

My Granny Banks lived near the Whelans. I remember them and the Zahody’s.. It struck me funny, I was born on River Road, and Granny lived there then moved to Riverside Drive..coincidence huh.
I likely ran into you two back in the day..

Ron West
On 17 July 2016, Ron West AKA R.A Said,
On 4 June 2015, Louise Mendola Said,

“What a lovely tribute! I was born in 1935, went to Queen St school, then moved not too far from you on McArthur Ave. Knew Chernishes, Peggy etc. Do you recall Hargreaves store where we waited for the latest comic book arrivals? ”

If that was the Hargreaves home on Southworth- # 7 , Hargreaves bought the house when we lived there and we moved to Bruce Street. Then ‘Orchard Grove, -Almond street. I knew his son well . We often swam at the pier With the swim crowd. Married a Violet—– as I recall and was a professional painter. Lenny (Wheezer) Harrison is but one I recall as a good swimmer. The Sykes were swimmers of repute, won medals as I recall.I went to Memorial school then Empire. Living on Almond Street, I remember the Wilson place a black family that lived at the North end of River Road near Oxford. Story was then that the gram-pa still had wrist scars. Don’t know where the house went. It was somewhere across the road from the White’s farm. Right on the river bank.I think they went to Dew Drop school north up River Road somewhere. Maybe someone remembers? I knew the Wilson’s from Welland off Niagara at Merritt Road. I don’t know if they were kin. I remember them as good people. Keith was about my age maybe younger and I knew another Wilson in the Sea Cadets. Any still around? They did Welland proud. Makes ya wonder about those early segregated days. Glad I missed them. Living out in the sicks had lots of advantages and we made good use of the time. The trap line the Cutler boy set along ‘pike stream’ that we delighted in messing with.
My Aunt lived on Asher Street and I stayed there a while. Knew the Jones’s and Dad ‘Tommy was an Umpire I believe at the Burgar street Ball Diamond. Those were the days of real base Ball in Welland with Sal ‘the barber’ Maglie even playing there. He went on to play in ‘The Show’,Major League Baseball.
Remember any auspicious Wellanders? Dorothy Rungeling female pilot, author and Order of Canada recipient. Didn’t she start out in a business at the south end of Niagara street? Golfers..well Fonthills Marlene and Anne.. Sharp I remember a birthday round of golf when I was around 19 at Lookout Point golf Course. The two of us, My good friend Blake Nicholls and I waved Anne Sharp and Marlene Stewart Streit through they made us look like the duffers we were. (Remember Gordy, her THE teacher?). … She is the most successful Canadian amateur female golfer, and a world beater.
I have had 4 hole in ones since though ..Ha Ha!
Blake my friend was murdered. Most of my contemporaries are gone. I could relate some to the ‘King Street Boys’since I hung with a couple for part of a summer back in the day..”Whadaya hear whadaya say” were the catch phrases if you were ‘in’. We bought what we called ‘Dago Red’ wine for 50 cents. We took pride in our dress and were cool before cool was cool. Seems everyone was trying to imitate the singers of the day, well that’s what I remember. Not that there was much else to do unless you were off to The Red Barn,Morgan’s point or Long Beach hangouts on Lake Erie.
Wrestling (so called),matches were the bigee event in Welland. The Black Mask or Gorgeous George or the midget wrestlers.
There were ‘ social event’ hangings in Welland though, at the Court house.. these gallows were the site of the last hanging in Canada, betcha didn’t know that.

Nuff fer now y’all Ron West
On 17 July 2016, B Said,
Welcome back Ron. I was really hoping you would reappear with some great memories. Anytime you want to add to the site, feel free to do so. It all adds up to saving this history for future generations. B
On 3 August 2016, Ron West AKA R.A Said,
It was June 7, 1939.
I recall our getting on a bus at Empire school and being told we’re off to see the King and Queen at Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls. The ride was uneventful and with kids of differing ages there was a ‘class’ system. We young’uns were rather subdued as I recall…vaguely. A bus ride was new to me and a King and a Queen were story book characters. Hardly real in our world.
I remember little of the day but the crowds. I couldn’t see anything much to remember but there was lots of yelling, sort of cheering I guess.
We were each given a metal coin about the size of a (?) Loonie, probably a bit smaller but pretty big to young hands.A brassy medal in commemoration of their royal visit.
I think the medal or at least one of them had ‘Kinsman’ stamped on it, but I’m not sure. One I saw think I did. Kids traded them around and mine got lost I guess.
We went slowly back to school, then home. I think I told Mom about the bus and the excitement but forgot it was a royal visit thing til she asked had I seen them..’Nope” I don’t think so, too many people there. The ride was fun though.”
Later that week, not exactly sure just when, two maple trees were planted in front of the school with a bit of a ceremony. One on each side of the Duncan Street front Main Entrance. We students used a side entrance to go into class though. I think I remember a fire drill using that front entrance.
I remember it took quite awhile with some old guys talking about the trees commemorating the royal visit. My teacher a Ms. Barret was there though. I sure remember her,
I seem to remember a shifting from leg to leg wanting to go pee while the ‘commemoration trees were set.
The trees were dinky things,and nothing special except by their historical meaning..In hindsight there should have been a plaque on them.I went by there today. sad-d-d-d-d-d.
The school is mostly a pile of bricks today in July 2016 and the ‘royal’ maple trees ….Well, I guess they never meant anything to anyone, not over time, certainly, not now today, ’cause they have cut them down for a parking lot. The large maple trees were nearly 80 years old and beautifully shaped. I have recent pictures of them in front of the school actually anyone can see them on Google map,,with a search for Empire School Duncan Street Welland. Least they could a week past,
There was some effort made to conserve them, but no historical proof or provenance of their ceremonial significance could be found.
. My thanks to those that tried.
So in the end the axe man got them, another parking lot as so often happens.

Ron West
On 23 August 2016, Jack Smith Said,
The car dealer, where the trib is today was the Chev dealer and was called HEBERT MOTORS. it had an elevator to take the new cars for storage up to the roof. Mclean Motors was on Hellems Ave and is still there opposite Murphy tire (long gone) Morgans Point Dance hall was built by “Pappy Kneff” from Port Colborne and was run by him till the late 40′s Then was operated by Andy LIPTAC who lived on main Street East next to WATT”S hardware . thank s for the GREAT!! sight. Born in 1933 at home on Grove Street
On 23 August 2016, Jack Smith Said,
Correction Mclean Motors is now Young’s Automotive I believe Sorry , memories fade
On 26 August 2016, B Said,
Hi Jack

Thanks for the great memory. I have an advertising brochure for Hebert’s Motors that I should post. Feel free to add any information as it all adds to the history of Welland County.
On 4 October 2016, Ron West AKA R.A Said,
I must have thrown the covers off around 5 a.m. this morning and awoke shivering since I sleep with a window open.

For some reason as I tried to get back to sleep I was induced dreamlike to thinking of the cold in our bedroom back in the days just before the war and beyond.

Things happen like that with a scent or a food or a déjà vu moment.

We had many a cold awakening back then. No heat in the bedroom other than a bit from the pipe running from the downstairs coal stove through to the roof. When that stove was banked as it always was at night, little radiated to our shared bedroom.

Our house had four rooms. Two bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. Nice veranda and we had screen doors and insert screens for a couple of side widows.

Cold…brrrrr Canada in the late thirties forties……Brrrr.

Sometimes the stove actually went out completely. When we got up for school, Da had stoked or restarted the coals but bare feet on Linoleum sheet flooring caused one to jump about preferably onto the sofa -daybed or chair as we dressed.

Often enough any water left in a glass was frozen solid. Washing waited for hot water to heat on the stove and then we used the basin put into the sink or passed til after school.

We did have indoor plumbing, but it sometimes froze up. Da had to use blow torch very carefully to thaw the pipes out.

In a bad winter, and many were then, that happened too often with no insulation in the old four room home.

Sometimes we were out of coal, bad years those. I was sent the few blocks to the RR tracks to pick up ‘spillage’. The trains stoking engines or what fell from car loads going to factories I suppose. I usually could get a metal bucket (no plastic then), near to full by a mile or so walk along the track. Heavy to lug back as I was a scrawny kid.

No thanks or ‘ta’ from Da, just a ‘what took ya so long?”

Yeah, we had indoor plumbing. There was a sink in the kitchen and a wash room of sorts upstairs next to the bed at the top of the stairs where mom and Da slept. We, the four kids, me the oldest, had to go up the stairs and through their bedroom to ‘our’ room. Two shared beds , one room.

Sis not yet born. We were then 11 -9-7-5 boys.

The washroom, well it had a sink and a commode, no tub or shower, those were luxuries I never enjoyed (unless at Aunties) until I married at 19.

Anyway the cold awakening took me back and I stayed awake for two hours reliving moments I’d forgotten through those years of meager living and war when Da was off in the navy for four years and I was ‘the man’ of the family. We went through the rationing and I can still see in my mind’s eye Mom darning socks. She used a light bulb inside the heel to stitch over. I remember her cutting out an insole of cardboard to stuff in my leaking shoe.

I remember getting the frozen bottle of milk in from the veranda, cream up an inch or more above the top with the cardboard top sitting like a jaunty cap.

Making breakfast. The toaster was a two sided flip open toasting two pieces at a time which you had to take out,turn over and do the other side.

Or– As we often might, make toast in a cast iron pan on the coal stove hopefully with a bit of our saved bacon grease.

I learned to cook basic things at an early age, not that we had much variety, but it was wholesome and good…well except for mom’s ‘shoe sole’ liver. She never did learn to cook that, and it was very cheap, often ‘thrown in’ to any order so we ate it a lot. The chewing strengthened our jaws I’m sure. Funny masticating just popped into my head..that happens a lot..

Anyway I won’t attempt to regale you with any more of my recall unless …well…unless I awake shivering and think of…..never mind…

Ron
On 4 October 2016, B Said,
Your articles are always welcome Ron. Love this.B
On 21 February 2017, Sharon Pylypiw Said,
I lived in the Wartime Housing on EXETER AVE. where we would get carbon dust on our windowsill from the plant.
Now Welland is like a GHOST TOWN with all of the HUGE INDUSTRIAL PLANTS GONE!!!
Welland was the HUB of the NIAGARA’S WORK FORCE.
Union Carbide Christmas party @ the Capitol Theatre. – GONE
Union Carbide & Atlas Steel CRYSTAL BEACH PICNIC
CROWLAND HOTEL Separate rooms/ WOMEN NEEDED TO BE ESCORTED BY A MAN
Going for shoes @ HARRY HOKUMS @ the corner of Main St. & River Rd /Burger St. where you got a box of pink popcorn and play on thee rocking horse.
The horse drawn milk wagon with the NO MILK SIGN placed in the window!
RACING to beat the BRIDGES going UP!
BUILDING the MAIN STREET TUNNEL!
Walking uptown to get a cone of fries @ Louise IDEAL Fish & Chip. BUTTERED BREAD on the Tables.- FIRE – GONE
Great burger @ the MAJESTIC RESTAURANT on Main Street.- GONE
THE OLD FAIR GROUNDS! – GONE
WELLAND HIGH & VOCATIONAL SCHOOL W. MAIN STREET – GONE
RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT
ATLAS HOTEL – GONE
SUNSET HAVEN the POOR HOUSE!! – GONE?
MAIN STREET POOL – GONE with some REMNANTS are VISIBLE
KRESGE & WOOLWORTH LUNCH COUNTER
STILL shop @ PUPO’S
Niagara Farms grocery store MAIN & RIVER RD.
GOTTA LOVE the TONS OF SNOW!!!
A MUCH SIMPLER LIFE!!! NO AIR CONDITIONER or LOCKED DOORS!!!!
On 23 February 2017, B Said,
What a great message. I too have fond memories of these wonderful spots that are now gone. Very happy times spent in Welland. Thank you Sharon. Some sad ones also. Like the time the Cisco Kid came to the fair. Imagine my excitement as a kid when I met him behind the bleachers talking to someone. However was traumatized when he jumped into a limousine and drove off. Where was his horse!!!!!!
On 24 March 2017, André Germai Said,
I too have a vivid recollection of seeing the Cisco Kid (Duncan Renaldo) at the Welland Fair. The Sheriff of Cochise (John Bromfield) also appeared there at the grandstand around that time and dazzled us with his mastery of his Colts, twirling those handguns with his index fingers and then “fanning” one of them, getting off 6 shots faster than you could count ‘em. And who can forget the Wild West Rodeos and the Helldrivers who also appeared there and thrilled audiences? And for the record, I think that the shoe store referred to by Sharon Pylypiw was Harry Holcomb’s.
Requiescat in pace, Rick West…
On 24 March 2017, ron west Said,
Harry Holcomb was manager of C.L.Robins shoes on Main Street when I started there after school and Saturday. Roy Staley, Ross Howell, (sp) and others worked there then. Some started their own shoe businesses as did Harry and Mac. McBride, his on St Paul -end of James street.in St Kitts,…’Tots for Teens.’ I worked there with Mac for a while in my teens..Harry opened his store where Hamilton & Ferguson Grocery once was on the corner of Main and River Road as memory has it.
Interesting fact? We were taught us to take a customers shoe away ‘looking at the size…’ and leave it at the shelves so they had trouble leaving and to ‘always’ transfer to a more senior salesman if the customer got antsy and were about to leave.
I once asked why they had a shoe box with one left shoe in it. I was told a man with one leg had bought the other and C.L. wouldn’t throw the pother out hoping another one legged man might come in and buy the other. Sounds like a tall tale? You didn’t know C.L.
Thanks for the thought on my brother’s passing. We have lost Rick and Jean of the siblings. Jim Dean and I go on…

Ron West
On 28 March 2017, B Said,
Love these memories. Always feel free to add them, Ron and Andre. Big Smile.

Sorry about your loss Ron.
On 28 March 2017, ron west Said,
I have many memories of my teen years in shoe stores as I worked some ….in St. Kitts/Niagara Falls(2), and Welland(2). I learned a lot about selling and of life. Once sold a pair of kids brown and white shoes to a circus midget.
Two pairs to a pretty young lady in …two differing sizes, a polio victim with two sizes of leg/feet. Polio a curse in those years.
When C.L’s (Store owner’s) son flew his plane under the Peace Bridge. When he hit a cow with his new Olds. 88. When nylons were scarce as hen’s teeth at end of WW2. When I won a chain store’s company stock as second best sales person in Canada. When I was offered a managers job while sitting in Goldie’s place off South King..bootleg beer late after the shoe store closed, (Harry Gone.)
Didn’t take it .Worked at Atlas Steels like my Dad, 2 brothers, then wife in the N.P finishing,Bro in law – main office and my Aunt in the earlier war years driving a crane. Nephew and son there too for a short time.Mom for a while at the Atlas ‘canteen -bowling allies’, That adds up to a pretty good size family connection.
Thanks Atlas.

Ron West
On 29 March 2017, B Said,
Once again thank you Ron. Your articles are an extremely important addition to the history of Welland. B
On 17 May 2017, Marc Wilson Said,
Living on Almond Street, I remember the Wilson place a black family that lived at the North end of River Road near Oxford. Story was then that the gram-pa still had wrist scars. Don’t know where the house went. It was somewhere across the road from the White’s farm. Right on the river bank.I think they went to Dew Drop school north up River Road somewhere. Maybe someone remembers? I knew the Wilson’s from Welland off Niagara at Merritt Road. I don’t know if they were kin. I remember them as good people. Keith was about my age maybe younger and I knew another Wilson in the Sea Cadets. Any still around? They did Welland proud. Makes ya wonder about those early segregated days. Glad I missed them.

Hi
I came upon this blog out of a need to fill in my early years to my curious children
I’m Marc Wilson my father was Paul Wilson brother of Keith of the black family mentioned by Ron above
My great grandfather did have the wrist scars and the segregated days carried on I have vague memories(as are most of my recollections)of him dying at a great age in a housefire
My grandfather William married my grandmother an Englishwoman from Leeds and had Thelma,Paul,Keith,Marie Jenny and Willa I always remember the address as Stop 19
Keith was married to Freda an Italian and I have cousins with whom I have lost touch
Paul met my mother Peggy when serving overseas and had 5 children living in UK and Ireland They divorced when I was 16 and Dad came back to Welland I was in Welland in 1974 with my brother Jason I worked in Union Carbide as a summer job and used to drink with him in the legion and Paul worked in Atlas or maybe Newman Steel as a crane driver but in 1955/6 worked on the ship canal
We moved to Fenwick and lived in the top of a massive(I was 4/5 years old!)farmhouse owned by Mr and Mrs Stirtzinger a kindly decent family with 2 daughters Nancy and Linda
I remember falling off Mr S’s tractor and falling down the unplanned woodenstairs(splinters!) and getting severe tummy ache from eating not quite ripe pears and cherries.!Not all on the same day I had some good strong childhood memories of Fenwick
We lost touch with Dad after 1974 and my mother passed away 2 years ago in Northern Ireland hence the vagueness
I do have some photographs but would really welcome and appreciate any other information please
Many thanks and regards
On 20 May 2017, André Germain Said,
For those interested in reading of the exploits of the River Rats referred to in one of my previous posts, the website URL has migrated to:
https://wulfblue.000webhostapp.com/index.html/toc.html
cheers.
On 20 May 2017, B Said,
Morning Marc

Thank you for sharing your story and hopefully someone can add to your collection of memories. B
On 20 May 2017, R West Said,
RE: (“My grandfather William married my grandmother an Englishwoman from Leeds and had Thelma,Paul,Keith,Marie Jenny and Willa I always remember the address as Stop 19″”)
The Wilson house of William I believe was at the West corner of Niagara/Merritt Road as I recall. Keith had me take my Buick to his dad’s to see about fixing the tranny. Nice man.
I seem to remember two Wilson’s at Atlas ? Maybe a Roy? But I worked with Keith for years. I still wonder about the Wilson house on River Road, maybe that was the fire that Marc references. ( “My great grandfather did have the wrist scars and the segregated days carried on I have vague memories(as are most of my recollections)of him dying at a great age in a house fire”),There was no longer a house there in the late 40′s though. Still apple trees there then though at the river bank that someone must have planted…Russet apples as I remember. Can’t remember who or which was in the Sea Cadets with me in or around 1945-6.
So hi Marc, never met a Wilson I didn’t like
Stop 19 was the trolley stop at the N-W corner (of the now) Thorold Rd. Rice Road intersection. Hamre’s once had the West corner building a street over…Geraldine the daughter, a pretty girl with a beautiful singing voice Married a George….Never mind, I do tend to go on…

Ron West
On 20 May 2017, R West Said,
Sorry, the ‘Roy’ at Atlas I now recall was a Roy [u]Jameieson.[/u]
On 21 May 2017, Marc Wilson Said,
Many thanks Ron
Keith was a lovely man and he and Paul had a hard time..
As did all the family not least my grandmother since inter racial marriage was at best frowned upon and even as a 4/5 year old I remember incidents of what I now recognise as obvious discrimination
Grandpa Wilson was a motor mechanic so he would have looked at your transmission
My father Paul I guess was in the sea cadets. I know he had a conflicted relationship with my grandpa and ran away from home and joined the army only for it to be discovered that he was underage so he was sent back home
Not sure what steel plant he worked at but I have photos of him working with heavy plant on the ship canal and of him standing on logs and of us standing in front of a large floral clock? Perhaps that was on a holiday with my mother.I.think we drove to Nova Scotia in an old Studebaker and I cherished a tiny penknife which was a souvenir of Cape Breton Island
This would be 1955/6/7 ?
Will post some photos and try to find my mothers photo album
Thanks
Marc
On 21 May 2017, Marc Wilson Said,
Ron
Thanks for that…

So hi Marc, never met a Wilson I didn’t like
On 21 May 2017, B Said,
Great messages. Thank you all for bringing such wonderful and thoughtful memories to our site. Where would history be if not to share.our stories.
On 22 May 2017, R West Said,
Well Yes I guess it was Paul with me in the sea cadets then on the approximate corner of Dorothy and Main streets. 141 Bellerophon was the oldest sea cadet unit in the country! I remember went to get fish chips with him a couple of times around the corner from the Sea Cadet Hall at the place that eventually became Louie Elia’s Ideal Fish and Chips on Main street across from Mason – Kells Auto sales and service.Paul was quiet ‘course we were kids with a war on and short of cash.
We were pretty proud of our uniforms and ‘pea’ coats. Paul was pretty good at basket ball at our ‘breaks’ in the Sea Cadet knot tying (etc.) classes. I never put Paul and Keith together as Bros for some reason till now.
On 19 November 2017, Marc Wilson Said,
Hi
Just trying to gather any further information on the Wilson family as mentioned above
Keith and Paul
Also,the old Stirtzinger family farm in Fenwick and their daughters..Nancy and Linda
Anyone able to fill in the gaps I would appreciate it
Many thanks
On 22 November 2017, B Said,
Hello Marc

i do hope someone has the information you are seeking and will share. Good luck on your search.

B
On 22 November 2017, B Said,
Marc I should have mentioned that the library in Fenwick has a valuable research section. They will be very helpful in your search of the Stirtzinger family.B
On 22 November 2017, jack smith Said,
Looking for memories on T. Harry Lewis. Contractor in the city 1930/ 50 Lived on Margery Road
On 22 November 2017, ra West Said,
Ran for Mayor…often?

Ron West
On 23 November 2017, ra West Said,
T.H. Lewis, 1940–45 Mayor of Welland.

I was delivering his Tribune then and remember a celebration at his home the day after the election that flowed out onto the front porch. I believe the Richard family lived next door, Jim the son I was a couple of years behind at WHVS as I recall.

Ron
On 14 January 2018, Geraldine Richards Said,
Yes, my father Bill Richards purchased the home previously owned by Bob Armour at 37 Margery Road. My brother Jim was born in 1930 and died Oct 2011. We both attended WHVS. during the late 1940′s.
On 24 January 2018, Ron West Said,
Hmmm,He was dating a MacPherson, Elaine? Did they marry?
Had a sister Ruth MacPherson.
Maried an Alex Demeter, ?
Mac Pherons lived at then called Hillrust out north of stop 19, cross Hwy 20.
Were you younger than Jim?
I probably delivered your Tribune…after Neville Glandfield did ..;) I took his route.
I remember McFarlands and others on Mafery Road.
Ron
On 24 January 2018, Ron West Said,
Sorry, my bad, Margery road..of course. My fingers are not as sharp as my mind..

? Did Frances Turnbull live across the little ravine from you? On River Road.
On 24 January 2018, Geraldine Richards Said,
I do not recall the paper being delivered but I remember Neville Glanfield from River Rd. and also the large white house Frances Turnbull lived in. There was a ravine in our backyards where we enjoyed toboganing in winter .We were always welcome at the Smith home on Margery Road. Bud’s mother Olive played the piano and provided munchies for us; Yes, Jim married Arlene MacPherson. Arlene lives in Thorold . Arlene & her sister both divorced and remarried.. Ruth had married Alex Demeter.who is a deceased and Ruth lives in the USA. MacPhersons did have a farm on Cataract Rd off Hwy#20 in. Fonthill , Their older brother Maurice lived on the homestead and was well known for his apple orchard.
I remember the MacFarlands well and walked to Welland High with her and June Current who lived with her aunt Mrs. Austin on Evan Street. There was a boy name Albie/Alvie (?) who chummed with my brother Jim. G.R.
On 24 January 2018, Ron West Said,
Wonder did Jim ever tell anyone of our, (Ruth-me, Arlene -Jim, I think, ),-car being pulled out of the ditch in front of their farm on Cataract road?
Maurice hooked up a team and the horses had us out in the wag of a sheep’s tail. They had some good cider there too.

I often saw Frances Turnbull working in her gardens, dressed to the 9′s. Her pond, back of her house..must have been across from yours..had fish and she collard me to get a snapping turtle out, that was eating her fish. It was a shame what happened to that house. I still have a sketch she gave me.
Good to hear from you, though I can’t place you, just Jim.

Ron
On 25 January 2018, Geraldine Richards Said,
No I do not recall hearing about the car in the ditch but Arlene said Jim had his father’s car and was worried abt the outcome. She also advised me Ruth had not remarried and was living in Conneticutt . Ruth was a close friend of MaryLou Coulson from Maple Ave.
We lived further down Margery and I seem to recall that Harry Cox lived behind us on River Rd. I recall a River Rd. family named Turner who had a son who used to visit us??
On 26 January 2018, Ron West Said,
Turners, the ones I knew lived on Almond Street, ‘Orchard Grove’, away down River Road near the Rev. Sayles, ( Son Ralph my contemporary). Charlie Turner might be the referenced one. A brother Pete. Jake Lubin bought that house as I recall.

Re the ditch event. Seems I recall it being a pick up, but that was long ago. Still had Party-Lines with numbers like the MacPhersons had (Theirs was 38-ring 6 as I yet recall. ask Arlene?) Party lines were a gas,those listening in were the source of all the local gossip. Then there was the Exchange prefix, a friend of mine on North Niagara street, was DU-49319, (DUdley). Phones to day are a bigger part of life, for some. Cells are everywhere including vehicle crashes. We had one color forever, black.

Ben Burgess lived a few doors from the MacPhersons, Elaine A/K/A ‘Sparky’ was part of ‘our’ then short lived crowd. I later worked with Ben, a very erudite gentleman.His wife made great bread pudding.
Sorry to learn of Jim and the divorces of Ruth and Arlene. Last I’d heard she’d moved to the USA, ? California? Alex was a whiz at school.Sisters Helen and ? Liz I think. Liz was ‘double jointed’. She put on a display at a WH&VS talent show. Got my attention.
Margery Road is a relatively long street. I had many Tribune customers along the way.

You seem to have a very good memory, mostly good I hope.

Ron
On 20 May 2018, Rick Lapointe Said,
Hi
Great site, can any one remember the last year the horse drawn buggies were used by Sunny Side dairy
And what was the name of the Army Surplus store that was were the Division St. Bridge stands that burnt down.
Thanks
On 21 May 2018, Ron West Said,
Hi Rick
I Knew an Yvan ..relative?

Horse drawn buggies. That goes way back. I do remember one, when the horse ran wild on Myrtle ave.
I don’t recall any Division street bridge at all though.

I see where De Smits Lumber is now a Rona. Abe would be tossing around a bit I’m sure. I remember his starting the store.
So many local places now gone, along with those horse drawn buggies.
Kids have things so different today. The good and the bad. Good thing to keep busy though, so I published a book. Imagine that, at my age.
Hope someone answers your questions.

Ron A West
On 22 May 2018, B Said,
Hi Rick

I believe the horse drawn buggies were still delivering milk in the late 60s’ Possibly to 1967. I do not have confirmation on an actual date as yet but will keep looking. B
On 22 May 2018, Geraldine Richards Said,
Sorry I cant be of help. My brother Jim Richards did deliver milk with horse and wagon but it was much earlier abt. 1950-55.
On 15 July 2018, JoanneM Said,
My dad delivered milk for Sunnyside in a motorized truck in the mid-fifties but I can remember horses in the 60s because our next door neighbour gathered the manure for her garden.
I was three when the fire hall was on fire. We had come out of our doctor’s office, I think on Division, and my older brother pointed it out. We watched the smoke for a few minutes then left. The crew had left the stove on when they went to answer another call, apparently.
On 15 July 2018, B Said,
Thank you all for your great memories. I really enjoy reading them. B
On 7 August 2018, Gerry Kirk Said,
Who’s left who remembers WWII in Welland? Specifically, a big crowd gathering at the corner of Lincoln Street and Crowland Avenue to watch Hitler being hung in effigy.

When the war ended in the summer of ’45 the front entrance to my house was festooned with strings of small flags. I still remember our family parking on Elizabeth Street to watch a teen party in the backyard of Boys’ Town.

A year or two later, a German family came to live in Welland. The son wore lederhosen, a sight not easily forgotten. Couldn’t speak a word of English. My teacher recruited me to see him home his first day of school.
On 7 August 2018, B Said,
Thank you Gerry for this contribution to Welland history. Hopefully someone will add to this memory. B
On 7 August 2018, Ron West Said,
I recall a Dave Kirk, who, I believe had a brother, a policeman.

Gerry, there are many yet around that remember the war ending. I in fact, recall the WW11 starting. I remember the ‘March Of Time’ news at the Capitol Theater, over the war years. Much we found later was propaganda to keep up our spirits and to raise funds for ‘the war drive’. War stamps sold at schools. Points for rationing.
There were many celebrations and many waiting for dads/moms to come home. I remember the rationing even more than the celebration of Germany’s defeat.

Ahhh yes..! Boys Town, next to the cemetery.. Church street. Site of the mid & late 40′s Kat’s Kavern. Many the date from there after listening to ‘The Big Bands’. I can still name a few that went there, to jitter bug….if I cared to. A few names come to mind. Lampman, Cutler, Zatezich, Morwood,…nuff of that..;)

(Did I mention that I now have a book published? ‘Dragon Quests’. I concede, rank advertising, but really, at my age!)
R.A West
On 8 August 2018, B Said,
Thanks Ron. Must look for “Dragon Quests.” B
On 8 August 2018, Ron West Said,
available @ Barnes and Noble probably under fantasy. Also from Lulu and Amazon.com. (NOTE from WH: ..and now available at Amazon.ca)
I suggest Barnes & Noble. (NOTE from WH: Prices are in USD)
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragon-quests-ron-a-west/1128518130

Not a (young) kids book. Written for those of us that like magic and dragons and hidden gold, plus ++++ Takes place in Canada-Scotland-Israel etc. There’s a murder, thieves, a lost Christian relic, and involves,Excalibur/Merlin and a contemporary search of an old castle, by our eclectic band of characters.

Those I’ve heard from really-really-liked it.
Ron.
On 8 August 2018, Ron West Said,
“Specifically, a big crowd gathering at the corner of Lincoln Street and Crowland Avenue to watch Hitler being hung in effigy.”
That was a lively event that I somehow missed. But Papps Garage was on the north East Corner, where Crowland became Southworth, next to the Copes (?) and The Costellos, I believe lived across the street.
Many celebrations took place including the occasional shot gun blast. No fire works available, but we sure needed them. The signs around buildings all refereed to the war. “Walls Have Ears” etc. War Bond Posters…”Lips Sink Ships”,
Hard to believe now the Germans -Japanese-Italians are our friends with all that hate directed at their countries then.

Much ‘we’ never knew about, like German prisoners in our neighborhood. I wonder if they celebrated too? Bet they did Gerry. (Gerry being a term for the German ‘enemy then.)

“Once upon a time there was a German prisoner of war camp at the end of Erie Peat Rd. in the wilds of wonderful Wainfleet Township. The estimates of how many prisoners were kept there have ranged from 30 to 60 and the official count from Ottawa was unavailable because Ottawa likes to keep things secret especially during wars like the Second World War, 1939-1945.”
Detention camp for German prisoners Port Colborne, https://www.niagarathisweek.com/community-story/4188716-remembering-wainfleet-s-war-history/
On 8 August 2018, B Said,
Wonderful addition Ron. I have seen the remnants of the camp in Wainfleet at one time and am thrilled you shared some of its story. B
On 8 August 2018, Gerry Kirk Said,
Dave Kirk and Earl Kirk, the policeman, were my uncles.

My grandfather was David Kirk, who immigrated from Dundee, Scotland, around 1900. In total he fathered 14 kids. He worked at the foundry on Niagara Street. We lived near the foundry, and as a very young lad I approached a worker and asked for my grandfather. The fellow didn’t know who I was talking about. I didn’t realize my grand-dad had passed away a few weeks before I was born. Obviously I’d only gotten part of the story!
On 8 August 2018, Gerry Kirk Said,
St. Mary’s Church had some great music going on in the late 40s and early 50s. Stella O’Brien was the organist, and later I would silently chuckle to find her organ music signed “SOB”. Flav Botari skillfully directed the choir at the Sunday High Masses, and his taste was excellent. Worshippers would hear Gregorian Chant and 16th century Latin motets like “O Bone Jesu”. For a small town that was extraordinary. Some of Flav’s singers were Vic Kerr, Mary Calarco (Raso), and Tony Mancuso. Subscribers may be able to supply other names.

Before leaving the subject, I have to mention Stella coming to church Monday to Saturday to provide music for the early morning Masses. The first Mass was at 7 a.m. Summer, fall, winter and spring…and every morning praying the bridge was down.
On 10 August 2018, R West Said,
St. Mary’s Church had loud bells that pealed getting the attention of any in the area. Living then, with an aunt on Asher Street.
They had well attended bingo’s too. One of my chores working part time hen as a student at C.L. Robins shoe store, was to redeem the vouchers that were given out to bingo winners and used at local merchants.I took them back to St. Mary’s Church.
I was dating a Catholic girl that would not walk up Hellems Ave., past St. Mary’s Church while wearing shorts, lest the priest saw her. My how times have changed
The Dave Kirk I knew was at Atlas Steels. The policeman brother I think was called (?) ‘Pappy’ Kirk.
A friend and I, J.Fuss), poured a set of concrete steps at the rear of Dave’s house, just because he was a good guy. I borrowed a small cement mixer from ‘Da’. It was later lost in a fire at Bachinsky’s, where I had loaned it. Da wasn’t too happy, but then, he seldom was.

R.A West
On 17 August 2018, Rick Said,
Great memories to read !
I grew up in Welland during the 60s & 70s .. some fond memories include:
- The horse & buggy milk delivery .. i remember on cold winter days the poor horse with the big blanket tarp around its back to keep it warm; And the trailing manure ! It was just part of daily life !
-Kresge’s Dept store downtown .. i remember it was just jam packed with toys .. the floors were not so level but always had a great time. I also remember there was a downstairs section with even more toys !!
- Downtown Post Office . going with my father to get important mail .. while i waited in the large marble hallway.
- The Welland Hospital .. the waiting room was a large open space with ’60s style retro chairs and i always remember the water fountain near the entrance. My brothers and i used to like sitting beside it looking at the coins at the bottom; Occasionally asking Dad for another to throw in. The fountain itself was a brass man in a sitting position holding its head.
- The Dickie Dee ice cream bike with the famous dingling bell .. Orange 10 cents. Chocolate covered ice cream 15 cents. Fudgesicle 15 cents.
-Towers Dept. store at Main E & Wellington. I used to go in and near the entrance they had these large bins of candy. I remember i took one and just ate it without paying. Boy was i in trouble for that !! Also remember one day they had Fred Flinstone character visit the store with the authentic Flinstone car
- I remember the man who used to walk down our street pulling a wooden equipment rack and ringing a bell he held in his hands to sharpen tools.
- Chippawa Park pool .. fishing for carp in the pond. Skating on the pond in the winter playing hockey. And the City even installed chain link fencing right on the ice. Imagine doing that now ? It would last maybe a day.
On 17 August 2018, Rick Said,
-driving to Pelham to pick your own cherries at Mathias Farms .. boy was that fun !
-a friend of our family owned an old pickup truck (probably late 40s, 50s?) and he had
a farm out on Foss Rd. He used to drive my father and us kids to the farm and we sat
in the back bed of the truck !! Man was that fun !! Exploring the farm was an adventure !
- Can’t forget driving down Burger Street after church (St.Mary’s) and stopping by the International Bakery to buy fresh donuts ! The place was on the corner of Burger & Hagar, just a small place with a long corridor .. we knew the lady who worked there (her name was Rose) Very pretty lady always smiling and so nice to us. The donuts were simple, long john type donuts with a strip of chocolate on the top, but the fresh smell of bread permeated the entire area. Those were the best donuts i ever had. You just can’t get the same anymore.
On 4 September 2018, R.A.West Said,
The DeChambeau’s building a house and moving in changed our neighborhood dramatically.
We, as kids, had a city block sized, old apple orchard across from our house. It became our ‘Sherwood Forest’, haunt for villains and such at play. There was also, a ‘run-up tree, easy to scale, where our ‘pirate’ escapades were played out, on its limbs.
This was at Welland’s extreme North -East limits, on Almond Street, A.K.A. as ‘Orchard Grove’. It being the last Northerly housed street , and set several blocks from other streets or homes on River Road. We as kids had limited pals to choose from. Being distant from amenities like school yards,pools and such, we had to be creative. Of course then, during the early war years and through, war games were big too.

The orchard was ours to fantasize. Then came the destructive (to us), DeChambeau’s . As construction began, trees came down, even my friend, the run up tree.
Of course, in fronting much of our access to ‘Sherwood Forest’, it became off limits. Ah well, we we’re getting older, and finding other pursuits than Red Rover, or Simon Says,Robin Hood, Black Beard, or The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Into each life rain must fall, but, sometimes there’s a silver lining.
While once, commiserating on our loss, a slightly older neighborhood boy,encouraged our scouting of the partly erected home when the builders weren’t about. Slivers and cuts were occasioned in the play, and, I still have one protruding nail scar to prove it. Heck, kids did what kids did then, running on R.R. cars and such. Climbing into unfinished rafters was no big deal.
Carlie D, had an idea that he put to us. “Hey, those boards would be ok for building a boat!” We scouted out the resources, and as possible, surreptitiously hauled a half dozen or so to the back of his house along with a couple of 2″x 4″‘s.
It took a while for our industry to accomplish our goal, but accomplish we did, using melted roofing tar waterproofing between the joints. We even had seats and home made paddles.
I’ve failed to mention that our street crossed River Road at the Rev. Sayles yard to the the Chippawa Creek,
[center] An aside seems indicated.Rev. Harvey G. Forster and the All Peoples’ Mission in Welland, Ontario. Instrumental in organizing the Welland Industrial Mission which ministered to the (kids). Reverend Fern Sayles came to join Harvey Forster at the All. Peoples’ Mission…
https://historicalpapers.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/historicalpapers/article/…/35966
by B Anderson –
[/center]

There were several locations where we might launch,and we did. Now we had ready access to the ‘Island’, between the river and Ship Canal. A stretch of land from Welland City center at the Aqueduct or Pump House, all the way to Port Robinson by land or river! We made many foray’s and ferried friends across. I don’t know if the parents knew or not, but none stopped us. That was I’m sure a game changer. We lost our Sherwood, but gained so much ‘new’ in that summer.

BTW, the DeChambeau’s turned out to be our friends with their cat Bijou. Mrs DeChambeau was the make up artist for the Welland Little Theaters Group, and on Halloween she did me up proud a a sheik. I walked about town main street that evening into ‘Babes’ Shoe Shine parlor where we sometimes ‘hung out’, with none guessing who the dark Arab could be…I remember the DeChambeau’s quite fondly now, they indirectly opened a chapter in our lives, of which they never knew.

Ron

*The Welland River is a river in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario which flows from its headwaters south of Hamilton, Ontario to empty into the Niagara River near the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. It drains an area of 880 square kilometres (340 sq mi). The river was originally called the Chippawa Creek
On 16 September 2018, Ron West Said,
I remember…in the vernacular.

in the vernacular of the day, we commonly used without much thought, terms for our neighbors that would today raise eyebrows or the ire of the P.C. society, and rightly so.
Shameful as it was and is,it was the vernacular of the day in those quite probably unintended,( by kids),bigoted and prejudiced times. I use such here, only as a historical reference, knowing full well that such are as unpleasant to some as is the ‘N’ word. Continue with that apology in mind.

But back in my preteen years, we were at war. At war with those nasty Nazis, the Jerrie’s. With Fritz, the Heinies, the Krauts and the Boche. And of course with those Iti’s and Japs.

We also used pejoratives commonly even about our varied neighborhoods where ethnics had settled in communities.
There was the district up Empire street, past the church that we called ‘French’ Town. Pea-Soopers,Frogs, lived around there, to Hagar and such streets. Audet’s bowling Alley and dance hall were in French Town. We thought nothing wrong nor did we hesitate mingling with any ethnic group. In fact many of our ‘gang’, might well be as diverse as was the city, or of neighboring Crowland. (annexed by Welland.*) Kids had no real discriminatory thoughts about their friends, heck, it was just what we heard from adults. Even hearing a foreign language on the street or a bus, drew up adult pinched faces and rebuff or snub..We learned.
Up South Main, or King Street were the Hunkies, Pollacks and Dagos. Bootleggers then common, one might buy at a back door, some homemade red wine at .25 cents a glass. Unfamiliar sounding names we were unsure of pronunciation. Certainly couldn’t spell. But, they now sat next to us in class as well.

They had through immigration, become small communities with ethnic halls and churches. We mingled and ‘joined’ with everyone…as kids. The adults, well not so much. What we heard we accepted. The Limey’s ran the city. Greeks and Chinks the restaurants. And so it went.

Went indeed and in deed. Some today are still falling into that mind thought. It was more innocent then though, I sincerely believe.
The names, the ethnicity changes. Names do as well.
Somethings have innocuous name changes, like North Main Welland, changing to Niagara Street, without harm. Disparaging a differing people with names such as Towel Head and the like, is not innocuous, it’s still racist and discriminatory.
Remember, the kids are listening.

*
http://www.canada150inwelland.com/site/150-welland-historical-facts

“In 1961,Welland expanded to include all of urban Crowland, part of Humberstone, Pelham, and Thorold.”

https://www.welland.ca/Heritage/pdfs/ReminiscingAboutWelland.pdf

BTW. In earlier contributions I referenced both the Savanac’s and the DeChambeau’s as the source for our ‘boat’ building enterprise. The fact is, I don’t remember which of the two homes caused the demise of our orchard. AKA Sherwood Forest.
On 26 October 2018, Ron West Said,
As a young lad, I found myself near twilight hurrying along Hellems Ave., heading for home. I was thinking nothing but of dinner as I passed St Mary’s church at Griffith and Hellems Avenue. Then, slowed my pace as I noticed some unusual commotion about a block or so down the street. As I got closer I could see men, moving about under the tree canopies. They were many more trees then as I recall.
A raucous cacophony of bird sounds rose from the trees lining the street, and that seemed the focus of the assembled men. I now could see they all carried what looked to my eye as shot guns .
I hesitated, then stopped, not understanding the goings on,till I was waved over by one. He pointed a finger upwards, with not a word, with then finger to lips in a shhhhsh! Not that it would have mattered, for you could barely hear a word above the din. Following his gaze in looking down I saw the street white from bird poop, and he pointed again to the sky,this time with gun barrel jabs.
Looking puzzled I suppose, he drew closer and got up to my ear, saying, the birds had been flocking here nightly. That the mess and noise had driven residents to distraction. Motioning around, to the others, he said they were going to blast the trees in a minute or so, and I should make myself scarce. He pointed across the corner, to the front of of a large house, where as I recall, now think, a Dr. Renaud had a practice. I believe he had a son Robert but I never met him.

I do though recall a boy with stump arms around there about that time, maybe from a block or two away, at Grove street. Thalidomide victim, I was to later find out. I’d been but curious and asked about him because he reacted aggressively one day as I spoke to him. My trying to be friendly was badly misunderstood. He took my innocent question about his arms as an insult I guess, and actually swung at me.
I certainly hadn’t intended to offend, rather, to befriend, alas that was not to be.

But I digress. The men spread about, one took to motioning with a finger..sending, someone here, – there, and he pointed to locations.
A few residents watched on verandas preparing to block their ears. The street was blocked by several men standing on either end. Unarmed, I took them to be but local home residents. A man scurried about,and they agreed to fire on the three count. He took the lead moving arm,once,twice,thrice and there were explosions from shot gun blasts over a block of the street and to both sides.
I had neglected the sensible move to plug my ears, so I jumped of course, then, stood witness to a wide spread deluge of leaves,twigs, feathers and smoke followed in moments by birds flapping and falling to the ground. Now white bird droppings were being stained with red. Blood! Injured birds were dispatched as they flopped on the ground.
I will not picture that scene more vividly to you at this point nearing three quarter century past, for it still comes alive to me these years later. The rest of the birds flew off, screaming their horror I thought.
“We’ll be back tomorrow if need be” the lead shooter said, “But I doubt they’ll be back to roost here.”

I thought,that I sure wouldn’t be around, whatever the case, and moved off again for home. The sad scene had been indelibly engraved in my mind’s eye. I couldn’t help thinking, perhaps St Mary’s loud church bell might have served the same purpose, wouldn’t you think..Would’ve been worth a try. Or why not blanks? How was such allowed? Never answered.

Ron -aka Peeves- West
On 22 November 2018, Michael D'Amico Said,
Someone must know the answer to my question. What was the Star Rose Garden Restaurant on East Main at Patterson called before. Part of the old sign can be seen underneath.
On 26 November 2018, Rick Said,
I believe it was a small grocery store ?
On 26 November 2018, B Said,
Thanks Rick

Have yet to check on this.
On 28 December 2018, Flavio Said,
The china court was once Welland Fish and Chips, I think. 15 or so years ago there was a sign out back they were throwing out but was crudely painted from
The 70s although I still wish I took it but was concerned it would be stealing. Maybe its still back there and I remember it was Fish and Chips and almost certain it was Welland Fish and Chips. This was before everyone had a cell phone or I would have taken a pic.
On 29 December 2018, Ron West Said,
Far back in my original entry, I referred to that store, (see excerpt below.) I couldn’t remember the name, but back in the early 40′s it was a grocery store where we bought penny candy with the money from the ‘returned’ pop bottles, bottles gleaned,( some might say pilfered), from the back deck of the store where we had learned they were stored.
Not much help I guess, but a Grocery then it was.

Ron

“Where Jones towing and garage sat on the corner of East main (later city Hall parking lot.) The grocery store on the Patterson Ave.. corner across the street. The one that took our empty pop bottle returns for 2 cents and conveniently placed the bottles outside on the back deck..What went round went round a couple times.”
On 29 December 2018, Flavio Said,
Sorry Ron, I was born in ’69 and didn’t read your whole entry. I love reading old stories about Welland.
Do you know about the building at the corner of Aqueduct and Thorold? I heard the store was once called Osiloche and had 3 smaller shed sized bldgs out back and recently I seen old hitch post rings out back there along with signs of old foundations.
I want to ask hundreds of questions about Welland but will stop for now.
On 30 December 2018, Ron Said,
I recall the corner building in the 40′s to be ‘Bitner’s Tea Room.’.
Aqueduct Road then, and for many years, ran right through,connecting to Main St. at the bridge.
Many used it instead of Niagara street to go North.

Ron
On 30 December 2018, Gerry Kirk Said,
About the Aqueduct/Thorold Road store, around 1950 we kids at Notre Dame Elementary School would sometimes go there to buy hamburgers for lunch . My buddy got two. I could afford one. They couldn’t have cost more than a quarter each.

On the property were three-or-so cabins from what had once been Welland’s version of a motel. One was occupied by a gentle soul with a long gray beard who looked like Santa Claus. We could never comprehend how anyone could live in such a small space.

Another resident was a fellow who was master of the harmonica. He’d come walking down Aqueduct Street heading for downtown, playing music that sounded like a full band. Honest.
On 30 December 2018, Gerry Kirk Said,
It was the Oslach family that ran the store/burger joint. Can’t trust my memory, but there may have been a small lunch room attached to the store.
On 30 December 2018, Ron Said,
In the 40′s it was Bitner’s tea room as I recall.
.

I mentioned it in my original entry, near the end.

“Across Main street bridge the day two cars met facing each other and neither would give way. No names divulged, but one had a stationary store as I recall.
The northern exit off Main street bridge before Niagara street where you could drive all the way up Aqueduct St.. behind the stores, across the other still existing bridge, past Bitner’s tea room and all the way to the Triangle (Lee’s) restaurant.”
On 2 January 2019, R. West Said,
The number of small Grocery/ Convenience business have been impacted by Malls over the years. I remember a few that existed back ‘then’.
The recent post on the business at Aqueduct stirred my mind.
Some might add others, but these were in my sphere over the early years.
Pupos near Riverside Drive, Hamilton Ferguson, corner of River Road & Main, Bitondos, South Main (King),Izets, later (?) Vogels, I think on Margery Road. Jimmy Smith’s on Division street, Smythe & Venables on Main street East,near the now gone Empire School.
Agros,near the then Welland Legion and across from the Early Canadian tire. (mid East) Main street.
I’ve forgotten names, A ‘Market’ on Asher Street, One on Market Square, another on John Street, One at the bottom of Hill on Niagara..? Silienzies, and others oldsters may recall.
Now, we have 7-11 and the like. Most corner markets can’t compete with chains, but, we still, we have remaining from those days, a busy Pupos and, good Butcher shops.
I recall the hullabaloo when Towers Dept. Store came to town, (East Main)…do you?

Ron
On 2 January 2019, Flavio Said,
Did you ever use the history-slider on google earth while looking at the Niagara region?
It will let you slide it back to 1933/34 giving the viewer a b&w birds eye view taken from planes back at the time.
We’re lucky that they photographed the entire region, the only other birds eye views from that era are over large cities like Toronto. It is a wonderful tool for any local historian but unfortunately works on a laptop or home computer and will not work on cell phone.
On 2 January 2019, Flavio Said,
I dont know any hulabaloo butor I remember the grocery bag roller system at Towers like thea ones across the street at the A&P.
My dad was good friends with Bitondo and I went to school with the son of Joe Agro.
I remember a variety store on Niagara st that doubled as a bus terminal for Greyhound and Cardinal.
How about Tony’s store next to the old hardware store on theNiagara corner of Southworth and Sutherland.
Tony’s store was half variety store and the other half was his barber shop.
I also remember an Italian lady whose house on Beatrice was also a small variety store.
Dans variety was close by on Ontario rd.
There was a variety store behind the carwash on McCabe as well.
The tribune had a column about people remembering old variety stores and is easy to find online.
Silenzi Grocery was on top of Niagara st. before moving to King.
On 2 January 2019, Flavio Said,
Sorry about mispellings in last comment.
There shouldnt be a niagara on the corner of southworth and sutherland.
On 3 January 2019, Richard Said,
I also remember Bitondo’s (family friends). Also used to be a variety store beside the old YMCA on Main East ? How about Fisher’s Variety on Thorold Rd. ? That was the go-to place for us as kids where we bought our hockey cards and matchbox toy cars. Always remember the feeling of getting a fresh pack of hockey cards with that hard piece of bubble gum inside, and anxiously going through the cards. Fisher’s had a large cylinder ‘glass’ display on top of the counter with little compartments which held a matchbox car. You would select the one you want, and the attendant would get the little box under the counter. Ah yes, memories. If anyone has a photograph of Fisher’s would love to see it.
On 9 January 2019, B Said,
I want to thank you all for contributing to the stories that shaped Welland’s history. Love this contribution to our website. B
On 10 January 2019, Richard Said,
Thanks B. Will we be able to add photos to these postings ? Or are you considering a forum format at all ? Thanks.
On 15 January 2019, Ron West Said,
Tempus Fugit and as is like Welland’s disappearing smoke.

Factories and smoking stacks once dominated the skylines of Welland/Crowland.
Most are gone now. The list of the missing is long and depressing, especially if your families once held good paying jobs, over a generation or three.
I knew many from other industries that served as volunteers with agencies, like I.A.P.A , Society of Safety Engineers, Red Cross etc. Volunteer employees served our communities in other capacities too at the pleasure of their companies. We served, sometimes with granted time off and often on our own time. I met on committee, with the likes of Vic Kerlow, Walt Vlasic, Len Keenan,Aubrey Foley, Don Buchanan from other companies, often from industries such as,El Met, Stelco, Page, Reliance, Stokes, Welland Iron & Brass, John Deer, Cotton Mill, Cordage, Forges,General-Haun, Atlas and more. Companies too,set up payroll deductions to help fund things like the ‘new ’Welland Hospital, and the Arena, and Brock. We forget ‘those’ contribution from companies most long gone.
Welland has many industrial ghosts, contributors to our city in forgotten ways. Welland’s citizens raised their families on the benefits accruing from mostly forgotten industries. The names remain, the contribution not so much.
Atlas once held the record for Red Cross Blood donations in one day. Companies provided sites and often time off, ‘to give’.
Atlas was my work place. My families work place. Thinking back, I wonder how many had so many family members in one company as did mine?
Dad, AKA, Austin, started the family employment at Atlas Specialty Steels. He told of originally standing outside the gate on East Main, near the R.R. tracks that serves many local companies then. They, the aspiring, stood then, waiting to be picked for work as was needed.
Atlas then just a few blocks long, from East Main to John street, paralleling Patterson ave, butting up to Haun Drop Forge on Major street.
Those of us from the west of the tracks like me then from Bruce street, or Almond, crossed the tracks at John street passing the dairy, thence up Patterson to Empire school. Atlas was soon building a new office then as the plant expanded northerly, (eventually it seemed a mile long if you had to go from Main street to the Oxford road terminus.) And so we lost our short cut, though traveling on ‘shank’s mare’ up the tracks to Main was still an option. Balancing our walk on a RR track per chance while listening for a coal fired,cinder belching Main Street crossing, blocking train. Waiting pedestrians then fought eye burning smoke and cinders.
Tempus fugit implicit in my recalling, but, not so when in Welland waiting for a long passing train, or, a ship or two creeeeeping through our canal while we cursed the raised bridge. Line ups sometimes from the bridge filling East Main all the way, to then Crowland, even passing Crowland Avenue. Reportedly that got so embarrassing to council, they annexed Crowland. At least the line up now was through just the one city. (Might be a folk tale)

WW2 grew Atlas to a one time employment of thousands that included over time, a number of kin & kith.
There was Dad, father to four boys and a girl, that sponsored me in as a ‘pin boy’ in the large plant’s, large Employee Recreation Hall, which included a bowling alley. There was a ‘Tuck’ shop (canteen),for sustenance- for those playing pool,bowling etc.. Mom got to run the Tuck shop. Aunt Gladys drove Crane in the ‘South Plant’ during the war years.
I was hired in 1950 to work in a Mill machine shop where equipment was machined for the ‘Bar Mills’. Archie Finlay was boss, reporting to Al Cameron. Archie was an admirer of making rice wine as I recall, rather strange that we thought. Who knew from rice wine? Stranger still his habit of hanging his used paper towels to dry for reuse. The first of the environmentalists? Or simply …well? (((shrug implied)))
My soon to be wife Shirley, was hired for the ‘Cold Draw’ , Bro. Jim, to the ‘Chem. Lab’, Dean to the Cold Draw, Harold ‘Short’ Harwood, to Finance, in the next ‘new’ office now further central and north. Rick though, (birth unnoticed as much as were the Dionne Quints on the same day), was at Reliance, thence to Marsh Engineering with dallies into resteraunts-Morgan’s Point etc.
Eventually my son was hired, making us a three generation Atlas employee family. Then Jim’s son, Dean’s son.If I missed one..sorry, I think that’s plenty anyway. In time, my dad presented me a ‘25 year’ watch which companies like Atlas gave out for service.There were clubs at Atlas too like the ‘retired club’, that had their own events.

Tales of Atlas abound, some bear repeating, others not so much.
One time when the 26″ mill had a break, a few took to sitting on a makeshift bench up against the wall. One of the crew snuck around the wall, and on the other side. He was going to shake up those lunching.
He swung a large hammer striking the corrugated tin wall with a resounding ‘clang’. What he didn’t know was one of them was relaxing, leaning back, head against the wall. That was where the hammer hit, knocking out, ( I was told), the unfortunate victim of ‘horseplay’.
Another employee had taken a monkey into the Main Office, reportedly just to show their work mates. Unfortunately, the monkey bit a women through her blouse, on a rather unfortunate spot, (So I’m told.)Difficult to report ‘that’ work related injury.I’ll leave the rest of the monkeying around and such at that. At least for now and, to other contributors should there be..
An event often told and retold was of the happenings around our’ police chief- Yes we had our own security force that had at one time carried guns when cash payrolls were distributed throughout the plant departments. We had a fire dept. as well. Our own splendid Fire Truck!
Anyhow. Bert Russell, our security boss was relaxing on a Sunday Afternoon and since only an occasional dept. head was entering/exiting, the horizontal gate was left up.

Atlas had streets too. The street leading to the gate continued into the plant. With the gate up and no traffic, the police staff were apparently inattentive, read what you will. ((((shrug ))))
Startled they were, to see a horse drawn buggy with an old couple sitting relaxed, drive through the open gate and away down the continuing road passed the Recreation Hall.

Soon a faux keystone cops scene followed which I will leave to your imagination.

Sad it is for me to drive by the Atlas site, the Empire school site, the Atlas office no longer the City Hall. But, I’m happy to recall the journey.

Ron West
On 19 January 2019, Tina Said,
I remember the Welland Canal Tug-O-War I believe around the year of 1976. I was so excited to watch the people on either side of the canal to pull that rope that was larger than the circumference of my leg. As they pulled, one by one, the further side began to fall into the canal. For years after, we would go by that spot in the canal (by main street, prior to the second one-way bridge being built) and I would point it out to my mother. Around the 15th time she told me that I didn’t need to remind her every time so I held my tongue as we passed by but even today, some 35 years later, I can still picture each side standing – and I haven’t been to Welland since around 1984. My how times pass.
On 19 January 2019, B Said,
Thank you Tina. Time does pass quickly and we need to record those special times. B
On 20 January 2019, ron west Said,
Was that the Fire Dept vs Police Dept event?

Ron
On 23 January 2019, Janice Said,
My mother is Shirley Demers, (maiden name Tufts) younger sister to the Tufts boys you where friends with. She grew up on Almond St. She remembers playing in the apple orchard. When I told my mother about your stories about her older brothers, she said it was Don and Owen Tufts. Don was the one with the motorized bike and Owen was the one who retrieved your money.
On 25 January 2019, ron west Said,
Hi Janice. Know Roger well, from Atlas and the old ‘Red Barn’ days at the beach. Hope that’s right.
Know Shirley slightly too. She was with Roger, a ‘biker’ as I recall.The Tufts lived on Garner, around the corner from my Aunt (Bishops) on Asher in the time I referenced.
Any former Almond Street resident (Orchard Grove), is from a select crowd of special people. Fond memories.

Ron
On 30 January 2019, ron west Said,
What’s in a name?

Names. People’s names, place names, street names, names in the vernacular of the times.
When we moved about in our youth, then, as today, there was ‘our’ lingo, idiolect, or more simply put, our familiar name usage.
To the young group, gang or clique we traveled with, we were never just ‘Ron’. Nope, Ron, wellll, … he was Westy. There were those others, as Bucky, and Slug, (Demers). Dom, Whitey, Owney, Sonny,Nick and Fifth. Wheezer, (Harrison), Hank (Goss), Babe, Butch (Kimber), and so on.
Ever wonder where such noms de guerre originated? Or, our city street names? Who were they, those that were labeled such?
When we youths, met usually around the pier, or the Olympia and such, it was always with a greet, “Whatta ya hear, whatta ya say”. (Shades of Cagney or later, the Sopranos). I can see Cagney’s shoulder hitch and Paulie’s imitation. We knew the names not to use. You’d never say Fellahs. Fellahs would be a Jimmy Stewart’s term, never out of the mouth of a Jimmy Cagney. We might say, whatta the boys doin tonight? We were ‘cool’ things were ‘jazzy’, ‘hip’, or ‘neat’. Some were ‘square’. Dean, was cool, Sinatra jazzy,Sammy, hip, and Arthur Godfrey- Welk…definitely square.
We’d be often moved along by a cop from our main street haunt in front of the Olympia restaurant, where our attempts were made to imitate a current vocalist, whichever he with the hit at the time. No boom boxes or portable phones/radios, we had to personally croon to the passing gals. That ‘hanging out’ was often stopped by a shout….”Here comes ORRRRVIE.”
Orville Rounds was the motorcycle cop that patrolled the main sections of town and who took pure delight put-putting up to the curb with an ordered yell at us…, “OK! OK! GUYS BREAK IT UP, GET MOVING! MOVE ALONG NOW.” Like we five or six ‘cool teen cats’ were causing any trouble. Orville had an imposing military bearing and dress, with high boots, leather jacket and khaki attire. The other,walking, beat cops seldom bothered us. Nelson, AKA, ‘Pie Face’, gave us a cautionary glance but just walked past swinging a sorta billy club, like a swagger stick.
We might refer to the (canal), pier, north east of the bridge, ‘Audet’s’, or ‘Kats’,(dance halls), or to ‘Percy’s’ (pool room).
Other common names we might hear en passant, the Coyle, O’Reilly’s (bridge), the Trestle, Triangle, Clare’s corners, Stop 19, Turner’s, Black Horse, Hillrust, White Pigeon, Cook’s Mills, Orchard Grove, Welland south, The Trib, (newspaper) the,Square, (market) or even French Town. ‘The Park’, Merritt Park , was the focus of the week -end especially if there was a ‘band concert’. Good place to meet the gals.
Names as such, were fixed by your associations and territory. Cooks Mills, Dain City, AKA earlier as ,Welland Junction as we then knew it.* Probably those names in many/most cases are now forgotten, at least their origin.

* A ‘company town. started by Marshall Dain Manufacturing Company ( eventually known as John Deere)

Where they came from originally hardly matters now. Must have meant something once though. Perhaps our street names and such did … Wonder if any ever think of that. Who was that Guy,… Asher? Or Perenack, or Pietz,(I know that one.) Morwood, Morningstar*,? Some remember, *(‘Let Me Call You Sweetheart” reference needed here. Vaughn road? Sure it, Vaughn, has burned, but seeds it sold. Mill Street? Lots of us bought product there.
Heck, I bet most don’t have a clue where names originated, yet, some were named for notable citizens…in their time. There should be a Duff, and a other honorees from our history used for streets. They deserve the recognition. But then, in a few years they mean naught. C’est la vie.
Many names relate to our regional foundings, to the British Isles-U.K. Those like Crowland? Possibly from Croyland, Lincolnshire, England. The Welland city name origin ? Wayland, Waylen, Weyland, and Welland, this is an English locational surname from Welland, a parish in Worcestershire. Who knew? Who cares?
King street, Queen ,Victoria, Empire, Prince Charles and more are obvious. The same goes for what we call the War Time Housing streets, named in many cases for WW2.
E.G., Dunkirk, Corvete, Dieppe, McNaughton, Bishop,Churchill and Roosevelt.
Who thinks of that now? Why would they?
The Normandy restaurant, surely named as a war reference, was just off the bridge on West Main. One of our ‘to go’ places in the mid 40′s, was opened/named patriotically (I assume), by Jimmy Zarfonitis (kin to the Olympians). I remember a Valentine’s day raffle held there for a huge chocolate rabbit. I bought more than half of the draw tickets thinking to win (impress), my date, a lovely Maureen Flannery, as I recall. I didn’t win.I still think about that chocolate “pesky wabbit” and the Normandy, et al.
There were too, the Victory Grills, Queen Street School,Empire School and more U.K. and war referenced locations. Who remembers why. Who thinks now of such names as anything more than just nomenclature.

I do. So, Whatta ya hear,whatta ya say?

Ron
On 21 March 2019, Shane Davis Said,
Wrote a bunch, but have to go out now! Will add later. Knew Gerry Kirk in Notre Dame. Knew Archie Finlay on Achilles Av in West Wartime (Beaverbrook Subdivision). Knew Maureen and the Flannery’s from Dunkirk Court.
Didn’t drill down to see the CAPTCHA coding requirement!!!!
On 23 March 2019, Gerry Kirk Said,
Thanks for the mention, Shane. I was at ND as a “mature student”, thanks to the hospitality of the principal, Fr Ken Burns. I had been working as a music supervisor for the St Catharines RCSS Board…until the Department of Education noticed I only comleted Grade 10! So back to school. In those days most teachers had only Grade 13. The first day I showed up for classes one of the teachers thought I was the inspector. Shane Davis and all the other ND students made me feel welcome.
On 23 March 2019, Shane Davis Said,
Hate one aspect of this blog – if the Captcha doesn’t work properly, you lose the post! Can’t get back to it!!
On 23 March 2019, Shane Davis Said,
Gerry – you acted sooooo young!! Enjoyed your music though.

Ugo ‘Spink’ Speranzini (94) died this week, he was an honoured, long time teacher, fixture at Notre Dame; always enjoyed running into him on visits back to Welland from wherever I was at the time. Spink was the original owner/builder of the Rose Villa Motel (Rosie Villa) before starting at Notre Dame.

Fr. Joe Ingrao (90) also passed and he always had a wise word for us.

Got a reply from Carrhartt – reached out to them a few days ago when remembering other industries. They had a six or seven storey manufacturing plant behind Burgar St, just south of Division:
“Thank you for your interest in Carhartt. We reached out to our Archive team for assistance about this factory. Here is their reply. “We had sold the rights to our name in Canada when the Great Depression hit, and didn’t get them back until the late 1990s. The factory/product would have bore the name “Carhartt” but we as a company actually weren’t involved.”

Anyone else remember that plant!!??

Was a kid when the old building that once was the Opera House on south side of East Main burnt. At the time there was the Welland Winery (Zing ‘crap’ at 99 Cents/Bottle), the Agnew-Surpass Shoe Store, and the Olympia. Remember the amount of wine that came out of the back and all the shoes and everyone trying to help!! Part of the west wall collapsed into the Woolworth building and brought its roof down on their lunch counter. All missed.

If I was more of an author type I would be in Seasons et al with a tape recorder – digital recorder – asking all the residents for their stories; there are and have been some great, sad, happy, lively, fun, memories and stories in each of those residences and lots of their guests love listening to them. Someone should get their stories. Heck, Allen Pietz is in there and has a sharp mind.

Even the older residents of the city that are still home should be recorded – good, bad, and indifferent.

The Legions and the Veterans and their stories. They all have a story. During their service and after returning/retiring to Welland/Niagara.

C’est la vie!!
On 23 March 2019, ron west Said,
Hey Shane Davis.

Spink ran a good restaurant. We held our Atlas, Christmas parties there for some years. Had the local Barbershop Group there for entertainment. Remember them? Richard Macie, Dwight Moffat et al….

Also our Kinsman/Kinette clubs met there for years. Members among many, Arney Paulson, Bond,De Smit, Kozalka, Tenzen, Leon, and, Beccario, Kostyk. (the poker players), and Lenny Lee,Babe Newman, Crowthers,…so many…gone or mayhap forgotten.

I do remember the Atherton’s Wood shop on Alexander, great guys, the brothers.
Off Division behind, Burger st.

…Hmmm? Can’t place Carrhartt, which is puzzling since I knew the area pretty well, as I did much of central Welland/Crowland.
course, now pushing 90 Y.O.A, there probably are memory lapses, but, I don’t encounter many.

Good to read your recollections.

Ron
On 24 March 2019, ron west Said,
On musing about the above posts and to what technical advances my grandchildren and millennials enjoy over ‘our’ era, it struck me…

There are of course many businesses,schools and such long gone that they’ll probably never miss, but, Welland was, as some may recall:

Live with delivery horses and wagons daily on our streets. Sometime bell pealing with rag collector or knife sharpener,ice cream seller. Door to door sales of ‘snake oil’ medicines and such goodies as Watkins Products.

Where you might encounter and wait for a train crossing on King street, no, not up at 6th-7th streets, but before you got to Lincoln street..
And tram-R.R. tracks tracks too on East/West main and even South Main..AKA Niagara St.
When a Street car, à la San Francisco , might take you from West Main/Riverside Drive, to the amusement park at Port Dalhousie for a boat ride to Toronto.

Where Main Street was flooded with shopping patrons and especially so, when the Capitol Theatre discharged hundreds of movie attendees.

Where the two swimming pools at the north end of Cross street accommodate hundreds of
city kids.
Where ‘beat’ cops on foot patrolled our city streets.
Where the public bathroom sat below the City Hall, corner of Division and South Main, (King street).

When you could drive Aqueduct street from the ‘Triangle restaurant at it’s northern terminus, over the ‘other’ Aqueduct bridge behind Niagara Street stores right onto Main St. at the bridge (# 13, wider than most since it was designed to carry a streetcar track down the middle).

When your neighbor raised,chickens,hogs and there were outdoor ‘necessaries’ and wells.
(I do.)

When Welland streets,were ALL two way.
When they hanged criminals at the Welland Courthouse-Jail.
You couldn’t buy contraceptives, go bowling on Sunday, and had never heard of gays,trannies or such. Never knew anyone with a food allergy. Had few vaccination opportunities, and there were NO donut shops, pizza parlors or malls! No Q E to Fort Erie.

Hopefully never to not know of the war time ration books, buying war saving stamps. Of we kids collecting, scrap metal,kapock (milkweed),and fats for the war effort. Or the curse of Polio and such that we faced.

But still, who today, or in any future, will ever have ‘our’ experience(s), such as, that of lining up at a raised bridge…. waiting as a ……submarine !!! crosses our main street? I ask you.

R.A. West
On 25 March 2019, WellandHistory.ca Said,
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On 25 March 2019, B Said,
What great information you are sharing to the public. We are thrilled to see this interaction between fellow historians. Thank you. B
On 27 March 2019, Shane Davis Said,
Anyone remember the two English brothers, house painters, always walked to home, to whatever work place. They would work for cash or other things – food, groceries, beer, etc. Later on, they took jobs for the ‘refreshment’ and money. They were to paint our East Wartime (Beaverbrook Subdivision) home but dad paid them off with a couple cases of beer and some cash but he gave them the beer before the job!! They only paid half!!!!! I as a kid, climbed up on the roof and finished painting the rest. Just the times.

What teachers do we remember:
Miss Ashley
Miss Bell
Mrs Cross
Miss Skye
Mr. Charlton
Mr. Burwell – First St Principal
Mr. Croft
M. LeBlanc
Miss Fairfield
Miss Campion
Mr. Allen – Plymouth Principal

Friends were split up at school when the Separate Board started. One of the first was St Mary School. At the young age in Grade 3, most of us paid sparse attention what religion each of were until that happened. We did know the various Churches each of us either attended or were supposed to attend but then, who cared!!

Remember when city voters had to 21, a citizen, competent, AND responsible!!

Shane
On 27 March 2019, Shane Davis Said,
Other teachers et al:
Mr Huck at Riverview – now the Croation Community Hall and Church.
Miss Moffat
Miss Root
Miss Muise

Doing the family tree, I found out that by marriage Mr. Charlton (now dead) was a relative from St Thomas originally.

The School Crossing Guard on Lincoln and Gardner – Mr. Seranaise; he wore a most proficient uniform with a John Brown Belt and blue shirt.

He was busy, as Maddelena’s Grocery Store was on corner as well. Later Serafini’s bought it; later Fischer’s bought it then another family and now closed. Serafini moved to Niagara St beside the later Pioneer location. Fischer built his place on Thorold and its now Kay’s Variety.

Saw mention of the tracks on various streets but didn’t see mention of the tracks down Lincoln St from the United Steel factory and its joining the north/south line between the Wartime Housing subdivisions. It was also used by Manley Strawn’s Tank Fuel Station – home fuel and other types in those tall vertical tanks. I got paid a buck/truck as a kid to wash and clean till Mr. Strawn found out and gave me a big raise and razed the employees about cheating me – it was all good in the end. They fessed up and all chipped in and bought me a new bike. Naïve, hell no; I enjoyed being busy – probably had what today is medicated but Mrs Butterfield (a newspaper woman and cub scout leader) recognized first was – “Just keep him busy and he won’t get into mischief.” She tried and I meant not to….

Remember the ‘dikes’ north of Thorold Rd – excavated canal material overgrown and marshy; as cubs a campout was a day trip or even a night out there – snapping turtles in the ponds were are first lesson when skinny dipping – lucky it was only a toe or two!!! HA!!
On 1 April 2019, Flavio Said,
Excellent stories from Mr. West. I can read your Welland memories for hours. I wonder if you can tell me about the different pop makers in Welland.
I also wonder if you recall seeing any glass dumps in the area.
On 1 April 2019, B Said,
You are so right about the wonderful memories written up by Ron West and others who have contributed to our Welland site. The interaction is a valuable tool for many on learning about living in Welland in a earlier time. Thank you for this Flavio.
On 2 April 2019, Flavio Said,
Can anyone tell me if this site has a section for uploading pics. I have screenshots of old Welland pics I find on ebay and a few of my own.
On 2 April 2019, ron west Said,
Ciao Flavio

Interesting questions re pop bottles -glass dumps. Sorry, not much help, the last ones I located
were in South Carolina..LOL. Got some old Coke and a Pepsi bottle Still around here somewhere.
I do recall a couple of peripheral matters.
There once was a dump, cotton mill I believe, in the field top of Crowland ave, before Lincoln street. “Course there weren’t houses there then, that was in 1937-8.
Then, there was the car dump from Mason-Kells (Hudson -Terraplane dealer on East Main) back of the house (now Hick’s Lumber), on Bruce street. Lots and lots of old cars he’d taken and dumped. We played in them, wish I had those hood ornaments now. Suspect they’re long gone, that was early 40′s.
There was a dump of sorts out by Dew Drop School, North End of Brown Road @ Cambridge Road. before you get to Woodlawn.
Strange ‘stuff’ there, back of the house. I think the house is still there .Things looking like internal parts and shell casing of hand grenades. Plastic or Bakelite I’d guess. We put some parts together and played like they were real . ‘Course that stuff unlikely to be there now, that was around 1943 or thereabouts.
Then there was the river bank sites of dwellings. I think one off River Road at Oxford, once mayb site of the Wilson house. Stuff was tossed out along the welland river..inculing arrow heads and succh on White Farm at Oxford.Road.
The Atlas dump was huge. On the site of the new ‘mountain’ going up off Woodlawn at the river. Everything was dumped there. Covered up now though.
Last dump site I ‘played about was off Willodell road. Site of the old Dell farm. Teacher I think she was. We picked up a lot of old letters and an old 30′s ? (I think Sears or Simpson’s) catalogue. Wish we had kept them.
Lots of old bottles and such in the ditch there then too. Of course that’s all gone. We rode there on our bikes, out by the Q. E. That’s all gone too, since they built a golf course along the road. Willodell, named after the road and Willoughby (Township) as I recall. Of course I was later,much,much, later a member. Had four hole in ones there.

So, That’s about all I can say of any personal experiences on dumps,or bottles.
Never much wrote so about dumps before…;)

Ron
On 3 April 2019, Gerry Kirk Said,
Seems the museum is doing a salute to Atlas Steels. My dad worked there a short time around 1946. A memory is his habit of exclaiming “Oh, my drawbench nerves!” when things really bothered him. I now realize the noise must have been brutal.
On 3 April 2019, B Said,
My friend Brian told me he had his hearing comprised due to the brutal noise. B
On 3 April 2019, B Said,
Flavio

Mr. Jacob Wise, the East End grocer, has bought out Garner’s business in soft drinks and aerated waters. Jake’s motto is: “Be wise and drink Wise’s pop.”

Welland Tribune
22 October 1909

Jacob and his son Charles William operated the Jacob Wise & Son Mineral Water Manufacturers 1909-1912. The stucco house is still standing at 67 Ross at the corner of Evan.

C.W. (William) Wise operated the Jacob & Son Mineral Water Manufacturers 1913-1942. He later worked at the Brewer’s Warehouse Welland.

The Welland Museum had or has a bottle from the company.
On 5 April 2019, Antholtweby Said,
Hello my name is Ann Russell the youngest grand daughter of Alfred Leslie one of the men tragically killed in the elevator explosion Thank you for this piece of History These 10 men are all heroes I would like to meet the families of the other men killed along with my grandfather sadly I never met him I would love to see a copy of the actual newspaper article if anyone has one or if there are any other photos My parents are both gone so I don t know alot of the accident but I would be interested to talk to anyone who is still around and knows about it Hello Welland History! Would it be possible to reply to Barbara Ceply (Hanham) and Sue Beck (Cephly) on my behalf and give them my email address? They have indicated that they want to get in touch with me. My grandmother Zella Hanham Dougherty was Joseph and Vern Hanham s brother and nephew. Thank you.
On 20 April 2019, WellandHistory.ca Said,
Hello Ann. We have been unable to reach you with the email address you provided. The error we received is: “This message was created automatically by mail delivery software. A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its recipients. This is a permanent error. The following address(es) failed:
longe35307@gmail.com“
On 24 April 2019, Flavio D'Innocenzo Said,
Thanks again Ron for your wonderful stories that always makes me envision what Welland was like. The Riverbank settlements you referred to, is that the site where Walmart & friends are? Where there is still a silo standing next to the old foundation in the back awaiting their doom? In the 80s as a teen I loved walking up that decrepit weed filled road where the weeds became bush. I thought the houses and farm were abandoned in the 40s but I had no idea. That place was like a lost city to me. I must go back to document what is left and do more research on the people living there. A shame there is not a plaque or something. I thought the same 40 yrs ago.

I also like the Wise pop bottle info. Thanks. B
I had a couple myself digging out in cook’s mills years ago. I wonder how those old pops tasted compared to today’s.
On 28 April 2019, B Said,
Morning Flavio

I am sure Ron will be pleased to see your grateful post. He and others have certainly added to the life of this blog. B
On 28 April 2019, ron west Said,
G’day Flavio
I locally made ‘pop’, and it was pretty much sugary water, very sugary back in the thirties before the war. There were more of the mixes though then, with powder to stir. Watkins Products, (I think) sold a grape powder door to door. Seems to me there were what they referred to as flavouring extracts.
Kool Aid powder types existed early in my life time, more affordable than Pop, but alas, no bottle to return for a two cent refund.
My Granny Banks (Charlie,) on Riverside Drive, made ginger beer for us. I think she bought the root from the drug store on Main Street. (?) Frames Pharmacy, then or later, where my brother Rick worked, after school. I still love ginger.
Vernors was an early ginger ale favourite, Hires Root Beer, and A&W’s, will always have a place in my memory along with their Cream Soda I think Fanta sold a Creme Soda, here too. I usually had a bottle at the Cigar Store (Mick & Julies), next to where I was working at C.L. Robins Shoe store.
The local Pop I remember best in my early years was a Niagara Dry Ginger Ale, I think ,made somewhere nearby, probably Niagara Falls, lol.
But Crystal Beach drinks ( and suckers), were strongly burned into our memories, ‘specially Loganberry.
But we drank lots of milk and plain water then, pop was a treat of sorts, not an easy alternative choice as it is today. Sometimes I recall a glass of OXO as my meal….. And at one time there seemed to be water fountains everywhere. Never seem to see as many today.

Ron
On 28 April 2019, Flavio D'Innocenzo Said,
Are you familiar with Fred Spoelstra? He is an avid bottle collector and local historian and like yourself has many great stories of Welland and the region.
He told me the site of Merritt park was Welland’s dump in the 1800s in a teardrop shape when it was much swampier then but closer to the Welland House that burned down like so many other historical landmarks.
He also showed me the house that once belonged to L.V. Garner around Aqueduct and Lock st. He was an auctioneer and a pop maker in the late 19th & early 20th century.
He tried to talk to many old timers since the 1950s for their stories that would have otherwise faded away. One story I will always remember was with a 100 yr old man from Grimsby who recalled riding on the back of a delivery wagon when he was very young in the 1800s. The wagon belonged to a grungy proprietor named Jack whose beard was so long one can tell what he ate that day. He was known as Pine Apple Jack and bottled apple juice with pine needles. He used the cold Jordan caves to store his grog which must have not been very popular since Fred has only found a partial bottle bearing that same name.
Once Fred gingerly took out one of his prized bottles and passed it to me. It was a mid 19th cent stone bottle. He then said, you have in your hand the first ginger ale made in this region.
The maker was an escaped slave in St. Catharines that had the southern family recipe in his memory. Fred has the only bottle in existence.
I started collecting bottles in ’84 from my grandparents cold cellar they found years before using them for tomato sauce. There were Nesbitts, Kik, Kist, Niagara Dry(with the horseshoe falls paper label), 4 leaf clover, an orange pop in the shape of an orange, to a of Mio, Evangeline and many others I forgot about and wished I still had.
I had a Crystal beach pop bottle but Fred had one sold inside that park and was called St. Joseph’s. So many pops back then. I still remember as a kid in the 70s on a hot summer day opening those chest fridges and seeing all those various caps making my mouth water.
Hey, you mentioned a powder pop mix. Didn’t an actress invent the formula for powdered coca cola mix for the soldiers in WW2?
On 28 April 2019, B Said,
Evening Falvio

A wonderful tribune to Fred’s memory. He passed away a couple of weeks ago. We spent many hours chatting while sitting at the microfilm machines. A true historian.
On 29 April 2019, Flavio Said,
I am sad to hear this news. I was told he was sick a few months ago. He was a great guy and I will never forget him, his stories and his strong faith.
I remember years ago he told me you can’t take it with you. You can’t have a uhaul following the precession filled with collectables. The last time I seen him was when I was clearing out my parents house. I found a 1950s Peter March Carnival cardboard poster with a bit of damage. I just gave it to him as a thank you for all those wonderful stories and for inviting me to see his collections in his basement that was like a museum.
RIP Fred.
On 29 April 2019, B Said,
Thank you Flavio for this. He was quite a fellow. B
On 3 July 2019, ron west Said,
A true turtle tale about a doggy . And a wave of the hat to our city departments and humane Societies.

Once upon a time, weeks ago now, my Linda spoke to me in a recall that; ” I saw something yesterday that I thought about telling you, but, I hesitated because you like turtles so much.”

Family and people know that about me and turtles btw.
Since my pre teens I was collecting painted terrapins to have a guy we knew, ship them to the USA in exchange for credit to buy S.C. soft shell turtles and snakes,salamanders and such. We’d then sell them here. Not proud of that, but hey, we were kids.
I still have Granny Banks big copper tub, must be over 100 years old now, which served as my ‘Zoo’.

“So”, I said,” So tell me.”

“Well ” she said, “At the corner of Towpath Road and Grisdale where the culvert is and the drain is stopped by a grate, there’s what looks like a turtle stuck behind the grate, maybe it’s wedged there? I wasn’t sure that I should tell you.”

“Why wouldn’t you tell me, if it’s caught I might get it out?”

She. “Well it’s quite a ways down in the ditch and a long way to climb down from the road. (with an unspoken …and you’re old. )”

Me. “Ok, so take me to see, maybe I can do something.”

She. “O.K. bring your binoculars…can’t see it clearly from the roads corner.”

We drove the short distance to the intersecting corner, parked across from the distant culvert and with waving,wiggling wandering binoculars I just made out a lump, an object, I wasn’t sure of what. Finally by resting the binoculars on her shoulder I saw that the object didn’t belong where it was. Looked like the rains had washed something to the grate where it lodged. Eventually I determined that it didn’t appear to be a dead turtle. Moving to a better advantage point and re setting the Linda base and focus, I determined that it was sadly a dead dog.
Somehow it was either trapped by the grate or washed down to the grate apparently some time ago.

We went rather sadly home. In a few minutes Linda was determined to follow up on our finding. After calling our Welland city dept., a long discussion with a helpful lady,she was told that the location was Thorold’s
Then more calls and transfers connecting to Thorold’s appropriate dept., a 10 minute discussion with someone about where,what and when, and Linda had officially reported the poor dead dog. Most would probably just given up?

The next day,the dog was gone. So naturally she called them again. “Yes the dog had been moved by the Lincoln County Humane Society, yes it had a collar. Yes it had been reported lost by the owners, and the owners had now been advised. ”

Sad tale? Not completely, really I guess. It wasn’t a turtle. The owners had closure in sadly finding found out about their missing dog. People came through on a perhaps minor issue to most.

Kudos to Linda, the cities and Humane society, we sometimes ignore or walk past a responsibility or duty, A dead dog is sometimes simply to be ignored. This one wasn’t. Not a happy result but a kindness had been done.

Ron
On 10 July 2019, phil Said,
Any stories about the welland hotel or morwood store fire?
On 23 September 2019, ron west Said,
Cotton wool and such things as that.

Back in my young days in the 19 30′s-40′s ,we had things locally and far and wide that we didn’t want like infectious diseases. Along with wars and a depression. There were things we DID want, many of which we have today. There was little in the way of a welfare umbrella, OR, for treatment of disease with shots.
Do those millennial here today have any idea what we then faced?

The list of needs then was long and most ravaging diseases not treatable. Most everything we needed we paid for with cash. Doctors-dentists-baby sitters ,child care and the like was our responsibility with help from family,friends, the church charity.
I certainly recall, hardships, but mostly, fear of , Diphtheria, Malaria, Polio, Scarlet fever, Mumps, Measles, Flu, Rabies, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Smallpox,Tetanus, T.B.,Typhoid, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough), to name a few we faced then. We can get treatment for most now, though some foolish and ignorant chose to expose their kids and selves to the unnecessary exposure.
Of course we’re still faced with new threats, like Aids,the Opioid crisis and other sexually transmitted diseases etc.

We can be cautious with insect transmitted disease and can get shots for others.
We didn’t have that choice those years ago. Many died or were crippled by their contraction.

I recall as a boy of 11 years , (1943) , on my delivery route, being startled and concerned on seeing a large red sign on a house door on Margery Road, a customer. It stated in no uncertain terms that the premises boldly signed as QUARANTINED for disease, ( polio, scarlet fever and such).

The sign was >>>>”Quarantine Scarlet Fever. No one shall enter or leave these premises except as provided by the State Department of Health or Local Board of Health.”

I was shocked , not having seen such before.

We maybe don’t realise how well off we are today in Welland, in the present century.

We’re “Wrapped in cotton wool”, so to speak as a John Michael used to say on the radio.

The Welfare State Cometh.
Today we have much in the way of social assistance programs, well beyond the ability to just prevent diseases. Advantages many take as their due, and, for granted. Our families had to survive through disease,depression and war without the umbrella of the welfare state we now enjoy.`

A few examples that you may never think about, but I do, especially when I read about someone demanding more help from our city fathers or,from the government agencies.

We lived to see the many ‘acts’ that eased our lives, such as a few many today take for granted.

*The federal Unemployment Insurance Act was passed in 1940, after agreement with the provinces.

* Under the postwar (WW2),government of Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, public housing, federal hospital grants and assistance programs for disabled and blind persons were initiated.

*A trade union campaign for changes in pensions led to the creation of universal old-age pensions for those over 70, and means-tested old-age security for those between 65 and 70 in 1951–52.
The new legislation required agreement from the provinces for a constitutional amendment. For the first time, cash benefits were extended to Aboriginal people.

*The Diefenbaker government introduced Canada’s first federal human rights legislation in 1960, and extended voting rights to Aboriginal people living on reserve.

*Canada’s first medical care insurance program in 1961 — led to a challenge to the program in 1962. The resulting “doctors’ strike” did not succeed and medicare survived.

*Pearson presided over the introduction of three major pieces of social legislation which constituted the last building blocks of the Canadian welfare state: The Canada (and Québec) Pension Plan, (1965) — which established a national compulsory contributory pension plan; the Canada Assistance Plan, (1966) — which consolidated the federal Unemployment Assistance Act, and assistance programs for persons who were physically disabled, together with provincial programs for single parents and people who were unemployed. It also made federal cost-sharing available for a range of social services including day care; and Medicare — which established a national system of personal health insurance administered by the provinces.

*added the Guaranteed Income Supplement, (1965) and the gradual reduction over the subsequent five years of the age of receipt of the universal pension to the age of 65. Also added were an increase in post-secondary education funding, and the consolidation of hospital, Medicare and post-secondary education funding in the Established Programs Financing Act, 1964, 1967.

*The National Housing Act was also amended in 1964 to provide loans on favourable terms to provincial housing corporations, clearing the way for more public housing. In the same year, the Indian ration system was transformed into a parallel system of Aboriginal social assistance, based on provincial legislation in each of the provinces. Only Ontario had an agreement, signed in 1965, to cover 100 per cent of on-reserve costs of social assistance and services. The point system was also introduced into the Immigration Act during the 1960s, paving the way for a substantial increase in immigration, particularly from Asia and the Caribbean.

*In 1971, the government substantially expanded the coverage and benefits of Unemployment Insurance. Seasonal workers were included for the first time. With the support of the NDP, a Trudeau minority (1972–74) introduced some reorganization of Income Tax, the expansion of the National Housing Act to cover co-operative and non-profit assistance, and the first significant increase in Family Allowance since 1945.

*further reform to appear was the child tax credit, in 1978 — an innovation that for the first time used the tax system to provide a social benefit, although the funds for it came from an equivalent reduction in the value of the Family Allowance.

*as a result of the expansion of the range and number of social programs between 1964 and 1973. Increased funding made it possible to improve income security, particularly for the elderly as a result of the Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement, for persons with disabilities, for single parents, and for the unemployed. Parents received a larger degree of income support for their children with additional funding for the federal Family Allowance.

*in 1993. A discussion paper, Improving Social Security in Canada, was released in October 1994. It provided recommendations in four different areas: employment services, unemployment insurance, student loans and the Canada Assistance Plan.

Child Care allowance;In 2006, the Government introduced the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), which provides all families with up to $1,200 per year for each child under the age of 6. The UCCB currently provides direct federal support to approximately 1.7 million families with young children.

Starting in July 2019, the Canada Child Benefit has been increased once again to keep pace with the cost of living. The maximum annual benefit has increased to $6,639 per child under age 6 and to $5,602 per child age 6 through 17

Maternity leave; Employment Insurance maternity and parental benefits provide financial assistance to:
people who are away from work because they’re pregnant or have recently given birth
parents who are away from work to care for their newborn or newly adopted child
You could receive up to 55% of your earnings, to a maximum of $562 a week.

I could go on, there are other welfare funding I’m skipping, and I’m not suggesting that social assistance/welfare/benefits is wrong, it’s a G-d send for many as are the disease shots , only that every time someone gets something that ‘WE” never had, someone has to pay. It doesn’t come FROM government, IT comes through government. These things developed over time. There is and was a price to pay in taxes,plastic waste,global effects and probably the stress this has all brought on.

Times they are changing. Shorter work weeks,more benefits both contractual and those increasingly Government funded.

We-then- had little to cushion our sometimes desperate lives.

Do we appreciate the difference of life advantages now over those challenges then ? If your old as me, you at least note the differences, and, I think how lucky we are and possibly how unlucky we are at the same time.

Sorry if the facts may be boring, but, we have it pretty good compared to those ,’Good Old Days”.
Eh !
Ron West
On 16 November 2019, ron west Said,
Well, someone did it!

Once upon a time a generation or three and more ago, things were done,built, accomplished which served, and do yet.

In times past:

Wars were fought for freedom from tyranny and to achieve and spread our taken for granted human rights.

And, things we walk casually past, personsally use, but probably never give thought to, are ‘there’ and there and there as we pass.

Much before ‘US”. Before Boomers, Before our generations and to be fair, during the last century too, well, I frequently think, , somebody did ‘that’ !

Railroads were built to further industry,development and better travel.
Roads too. Highways to accommodate trade, traffic and pleasure travel. Cars-trucks-cycles and planes were developed. So too energy sources of oil, natural gas, and Hydro Power developed.

Electric lights, then electric household conveniences.

Airships and planes,trucks and buses, batteries and ball points, radio and Telly,
Rubber,tires,and medicine cures. Fire stations and police and hospitals. Canned goods,bottled liquids,farming on scales –that reduced prices.

Banks, department stores, fuel stations and subways.
Bridges, road tunnels, water purification plants.
Garbage pick up, ambulances and varied delivery of product.

Food inspection, workplace safety, the 40 hour week and insurance plans. Health plans,medical plans, and vehicular and road safety innovation.

Snow removal, traffic signals and established speed limits.

Street lights, building codes and sewers.

Now we have these things that we simply accept as ours to use without a thought as to how they came about.
Someone did it and because ‘it’ is just there for our use, it’s just taken for granted.

The past couple of generations don’t perhaps understand that some earlier citizens built and paid for these rather mundane things that are still serving us, or that those earlier paid for them one way or another.

When you make toast,flush a toilet, use a flashlight , go to a hospital or drive to your intended point, give a thought to who provided these now common ubiquitous services.

In our locale, we cross a bridge, or aqueduct over a man made canal or river without thought. We don’t think about the earlier canals or industry on the river. We travel the Q.E. with nary a thought of it’s construction.
So many ‘ordinary’ but exceptional things exist in our lives that someone built,that improved our lives.
Wear the poppy, donate to causes,appreciate what has been done and left for us, ’cause somebody did it.
On 18 December 2019, David McMaster Said,
Would you know about the Huckleberry Hound Club in the early 1960′s? I use to take my sisters there but can’t find any info. Love your blog. Dave
On 22 December 2019, ron west Said,
Dave, I do just remember that club, but sorry I can’t provide any information on same. Surely someone here might.

Ron
On 22 December 2019, ron west Said,
Winter feathered friends and furry intruders.

I have several bird feeders and enjoy watching them from my window. I put out corn an wild bird seed, sun flower, suet etc., and get many varieties to my three feeders.

I recently saw a mouse run across from under a water pan to my patio.

Hmmmm.

I looked around and found a nest starting on one side of our covered double BBQ grill. I supposed there might be a family in residence for the winter break.

Got a trap. Got it loaded. Got 6 mice so far in just over two weeks. Can’t beat an old fashioned trap when baited properly.

Just caught a finger once…’OUCH!”

I expect that I’ll be catching them all winter. But, I can’t deprive the feathered friends, and can’t abide the furry intruders.

Ron
On 22 December 2019, ron west Said,
I’ve recently been lobbying our city Councillor (Green), to keep the section between Towpath Road along from East Quaker road, as it is as a preserve for wildlife and walking trails.
With the enormous amount of building about this area, we never see the deer or herons etc. that once moved through along the hill between the road and the Old Canal, Flat water.
I’d seen a mink and the odd coyote,muskrat and deer quite often up until a couple of years ago. Much of the ‘wild’ land is now gone to housing.
The ‘hill’ that runs parallel to Map Towpath- Quaker runs to the 406 at Merit Street exit

I don’t want to see this now wild location, that is a perfect break for wild life and peaceful strolls to become just another housing site.

If you have a voice of support please use it. We are losing any and all of our country side to humans. Give a thought to our animal friends!

http://welland.street-map.ca/towpath-road/

Ron West
On 25 January 2020, John McAllister Said,
Hi Ron,
You remember buying Superman comics from McDermotts Confectionery from Bill and Loretta McDermott, my uncle and mother. Can you tell me more?
John
On 28 January 2020, ron west Said,
Hey John., a bunch of us paper carriers met there daily to fold papers for delivery. We were lucky enough to have people like Bill and Loretta that would allow us in from the elements. The paper bundles were delivered to their store.
I saw much of them as I bought candy, comics, and even sundry items after Sea Cadet meetings and such. The comic book rack was in the front near the window.
They were both good people. Bill went out of his way to be more than a store keep. I remember one time, I must have been about 12 with a sore throat. He gave me some Aspirgum to help.

Kids, in general, hung out there especially when the new comic editions came in.

With Hamilton & Ferguson’s Red & White grocery (good guys too), next door and a hardware store a couple of lots away, it was a busy corner. The hardware store sold lead soldiers and goldfish that we stopped in to watch.
Loretta was a kind, quiet lady. She, as I recall, was at the store less than Bill. Somehow I seem to remember they (?) lived out at Port Robinson??

If I remember more I’ll add it, but that was about 75 years ago…;)

Ron
On 28 January 2020, John McAllister Said,
Hi Ron,
Thank you so much for your response. It’s the hindsight is 20/20 dilemma. I wish I had asked my parents so many more questions when they were alive.
My family did live in Port Robinson. My grandfather William (Billy) McDermott came from Pittsburgh to open the Standard Steel Company where he served as Superintendent for many years.
My mother was a Saint, a wonderful person and anyone from Port Robinson who knew her would attest to that. There was also another brother, Edwin who joined the RCAF and was lost over Holland in 1943. Also a sister Geraldine (my Aunt Gerry) who died at a young age leaving my Uncle Doug Crawford with 2 young children. They lived on Evans Street.
I have a photo of the storefront that I could pass your way if I could figure out how to send it.
Once again, thank you.
John
On 28 January 2020, ron west Said,
I knew the Youngs, Baily’s and a few others in Port Robinson. We lived on Almond street and went down the Island, or by boat to Port on occasion. I saw a big garage fire near the bridge there as a child, probably around 1938-9.

The only other McAllister I knew was a Jack that was a musician (?) and lived on River Road in the late 1940′s or so..
I remember your mother fondly, always nice to the ‘kids’ as was Bill.
I remember the storefront and the inside counter and all.
I once found a $5.00 bill outside in the alley on the East side of the store. Bill had no idea who might have lost it, so I was a rich kid! Helped me buy an old used bike.
I think William Natranski bought the hardware store and ran a music store there.

The McAllister store changed hands, the last that I recall there was “the Copp[er Kettle” coffee shop operated by a Doug (?) Frost.
Harry Holcom opened a shoe store in the grocery location. The ? Wileys were in the house a lot over from your family store. I believe he was an amateur magician??
Down the street Easterly was the Temple Club and next to that was the original Canadian Tire. The Welland Legion across the street, my dad once the president.

I delivered the ‘Trib.” on Evan Street, maybe to your kin…;)

How old are you?

Ron
On 28 January 2020, ron west Said,
Sorry, the McDermott store not the McAllister. Got the Mc’s mixed up.

I do that more often now

Ron
On 28 January 2020, john McAllister Said,
I’m 67
On 29 January 2020, Shane Davis Said,
John/Ron – wow, the memories from just being a kid near there. My ‘uncle’, Alex Love lived in an apartment that may have been Ferguson’s home originally – connected via closed-in back alley, right behind Harry Holcomb’s Dack’s Shoe Store and my buddy and neighbour worked in the original Canadian Tire with a Mr. White or Wilson (forgot for the moment). Even remember going in the old Legion in basement where the pool table was. My grandparents – Davis’ – lived across the street where the Credit Union now is. Later on, I used to get a free donut from Bluthner’s Bakery (later Goodall’s) when I visited me Uncle Billy and his family when they lived in the upstairs apartment. Even got tours of the Tribune printing plant by ‘Fibber’ Taylor.
Ron, did you deliver papers to the artist, Miss Turnbull, with the big home on River Rd. You may have delivered papers on ‘old’ Major Street to Davis’ (at least 3 addresses), Christie’s, Colquhoun’s.
Ron’s sister, Patsy, married a Christie; I went to school with Terry Crawford at Notre Dame.
Small world!!
On 29 January 2020, Shane Davis Said,
Ron, do you remember a Sally Delaney (forgot her maiden name – may be Law); she still lives in Port Robinson.
On 29 January 2020, ron west Said,
Mr. White had the Can. Tire and when they wanted to expand it was taken over by Grant Adams and expanded to the Niagara street location, ( Grant and Mickey became friends) Grant transformed the first Canadian Tire store to the self-serve model we know everywhere today.
I worked with Harry Holcomb at C.L. Robins before he opened his own store.
I knew Miss Turnbull and have a sketch that she personally gave me. She once had me catch a snapping turtle from her pond back of the house. I went to see her a year or so before the fire.

I Knew an Ernie Christie, and the Colquhoun’s that I knew were Ron and Ken. kin to the Bishops, and distantly thus to me by marriage.
The only ‘Sally’ I knew was a Sally Kimber, (Bro. George, and Father ‘Shorty’ that worked for Mason-Kells Hudson – Terraplane across from the English style fish and chip shop ‘Ideal” as I recall then later ‘Lou’ took it over.

‘If’ the Credit Union site was the site of a white house with a veranda, I recall it once becoming a restaurant named The White House. I might be thinking of some other place?

I only delivered the Trib. on the West side of Major street from Margery road/John street. Francis Ganley, the teacher lived on the corner who a long time later married a Bill Jacobs.
I remember only one girl named ‘Law’, a Mary Anne. as I recall.
I dated a Donna McGrath from Notre Dame in my teens. Took her to a movie, ‘Red Shoes’ on my birthday.
I think the Isherwood’s and Mills lived around Major street? We used to cross the tracks there going to Empire school before Atlas was expanded and closed it off.
How time flies. Enough for now.
My daughter Beth passed on this past week in B.C. Such a shock, @ 67.
Ron
On 29 January 2020, Shane Davis Said,
Condolences on the your daughter’s passing. Such a distance.

Ernie was my Uncle. Colquhoun’s, was Uncle Allan, Aunt Peg and son Allan. Was 1st home on bottom of Major, north side by the today’s Kids Park.

My bad, question was for John on Sally (Law) Delaney.

Yes, Mr White – he used to discount parts to Murdie and I for work there; Murdie ended up working for Grant and then had 3 Canadian Tire Stores himself after.

John’s is an extended rellie; Patsy married cousin Bob Christie (Ernie’s son).

I retired back to Welland and do enjoy the various ‘recent’ history notes between people.

Do you remember anything on the Welland Cross St Pool development and/or the Welland Swim League as I am doing research on Jack Davis for the Sports Wall.

Stay in touch, Shane
On 30 January 2020, ron west Said,
The Kid’s Park as I recall is at the West end of McMaster? I was born around that corner 180 I think, River Road attached to that (now) park. Granny and Charlie Banks, My Mom was Jean, Aunt Gladys..A High School teacher a Miss Simpson was living there in the mid-late 1940′s.

As I recall the Davis boys? Evan Street, were medal winners at swimming.
The cross street pools, one wading with a shower in the center was my early ‘paddle days at or around the age of 9-10. I graduated to the ‘pier pool, got my senior badge and was a lifeguard there. Jack Eiler managed the pool and taught us diving. I was in the swim league, in competition @ Thorold pool-Merriton, etc. Won medals and wth Eiler and Bill Mills did a clown shtick between events with tricks in diving and in clown garb, routines we’d worked out.

Don’t know what I can add except that I recall the Welland diving board was removed so we couldn’t practice there. &^*$%#! If you have any questions that I might answer, shoot…;)

Nice guy Ernie. Retired from Atlas didn’t he?
Who is/was Murdie?

Ron
On 30 January 2020, Shane Davis Said,
Damn I hate the order of the ‘Post’ and ‘Captch Code’ at bottom; just hit Post and lost all typed response. Can the Administrator flip positions???? When typing/entering comments, you only see the ‘Post’ on screen as you’re completing and if you don’t scroll down a bit…

Will respond to Ron later as committed to a few others now.

Thanks (if you can)

Shane
On 30 January 2020, ron west Said,
Those old-timers here always ‘copy’ before using the captcha, but we can usually trackback to our message when we get that “Wrong Captcha” notice” with the lost message.

At least then we can Paste it back…

ron
On 30 January 2020, Shane Davis Said,
YEA!!! Gotcha-Captcha!! If I remembered to Copy would’ve remembered the Catcha before Post. Even more cumbersome on cellphone.
On 31 January 2020, Shane Davis Said,
Ron, back in after midnight.
Yes, west end of McMaster (was Major).
I guess that the Miss Simpson that taught at First School Public may have been a relative of your noted Miss Simpson.
There were 4 Davis boys, Jack was the first to marry and moved across tracks to Myrtle Av (house torn down where Hodgson Steel has yard now). Jim lived across from Christie’s. Grandpa George and family lived on now empty lot at corner or Ross and then Major. Peggy Davis married Allan Colquhoun and they built house beside that park.
Murdoch “Murdie” Lawton was an older friend but a mechanic ‘genius’; left high school to work at White’s Canadian Tire Store full time. His Dad worked at Atlas. Murdie stayed when Grant came in and grew with his store. He married a local lawyer’s daughter, can’t remember name, and they together got their first store in Madoc and their third store was the largest at time in Canada located in Georgetown.
Was telling a friend, Tullio Piluso, tonight about this blog and he chatted about you for awhile.
Shane
On 31 January 2020, ron west Said,
I knew a Gord Lawton at Atlas, don’t ever recall a Murdoch in my little gray cells, probably a younger guy moving in different circles. There was a Pilosi in Welland High, a girl I knew, a relative of Tullio?
The memory is still pretty good for my age, but, I seldom see any that I know about the town. Moved back to Welland going on 16 yrs. now, from a long stint in St Catharines. I like Welland better!
This blog got started when I was asked a question and grew like Topsy. Before that I was into forums on the ‘net’, wrote/and still write poetry and letters to editor and such. The administrators here have been very kind and accommodating.
I did get around town a lot as a youngster. Delivering papers/magazines from State street, North to Bruce Street.
Frequented Maple Leaf Mission located in the War Time houses that weren’t even there when I lived on Southworth street.
I loved swimming, diving events, and the canal./river regions from O’reilly’s bridge to Port Robinson.
I liked people too, probably why I remember so many.

Funny ‘our’ connection to Canadian Tire. I knew Clyde Knoll that had the St Catharines store played golf with him. Probably peed in his pool. Remember going to races with Grant and Mickey. Usually, Fred Robins was thereabouts Grant’s pool.

Backatcha when there’s a mindful memory about Welland and such.
On 22 February 2020, Jimmy Hope Said,
Mr. Bill Dennis had many stories about Welland. Many the same as here, this is an add on to one I read here…. he said on the corner of King street and Division (back then King street was called South Main and Niagara street was North Main) there was a bar called Shady Anderson’s and they had a hitching post “because back in those days not everyone had a car.”
On 23 February 2020, ron west Said,
I’m old enough to actually have looked through Shady Anderson’s pub doors as I mentioned in my lead post.

“The building of the brand spanking new Barclay Hotel, a gem for the city then! It slowly aged as we have, and has also been torn down like Shady’s (Anderson?) was, the pub it replaced. Remember Shady’s? I think the bar had swinging doors, not sure about spittoons.”

Shady’s was on the corner of Market Lane fronting on South Main, (King St.)
We kids were close by interested spectators of any leaving or entering, nosey whilst folding our papers for delivery at the Tribune across the street.

Bill Lewis wrote much about Welland’s history, he was a contemporary of mine. Lewis of Lewis & Krall.
On 15 March 2020, ron west Said,
School Days.

I attended Empire school on East main, now gone and WHVS West Main, now gone. I do remember some teachers though and some fellow students too. Actually one of them, a D. Cullen has been in touch after a span of near 70 years.
Teachers were a major factor in my life as in many others, but we often forget that until something stirs the memories. A recent comment in a local paper did just that, and, I’m always looking for reasons to write, here or elsewhere. I sent the following to a paper, don’t know if it will be printed, but what the hey, I’ll pass my thoughts on this great site in case someone is watching…;)

A Teacher’s Job.

A recent letter to a paper pointed out that teachers/students face a different curriculum today then they did in the WW2 era. In our present technological age that is certainly true, though computers, calculators and visual aids are now available for assistance as are reference materials and some additional staff.

The generation of those schooled during and following the WW2 era and afterword, built and developed everything technological now being used by the students and their teachers. It seems instructions and schooling back then worked pretty well!

However, if comparing, then compare all conditions. How much ‘work’ time is now spent in hours and in what conditions and for what pay-benefits by comparison?

In my experience, larger class size was handled well by dedicated and underpaid teachers, through war rationing and hardships not faced by teachers today. The ‘work’ assigned for teaching was then and is now by the term and work period of a ‘school day’. Is a teacher’s school day longer now? Does a school term have more hours, days now? Are today’s teachers spending more time at their ‘work’? An employee can only do an hour’s work in an hour or a day’s work in a day, and time itself has not changed.

.

It seems to me that teachers in my day, in the ’40s..usually had larger, often mixed-grade classes, fewer statutory holidays, and less time off ‘work’ over a school year. There were very limited resources (chalk and blackboards, white glue and liquid ink nibbed pens), and with a rationing war on. Teachers received much less recompense for hours worked and had few to no benefits.

Teachers, for the most part, do a great job now as then, but comparing apples and oranges of work time does not really compare fairly. To be fair compare eras to the time worked, the benefits and the responsibilities totally, not piecemeal nor by cherry-picking factors.

So do today’s teachers have it so bad? I for one think not.

I remember my good teachers yet today. They had it tougher and an even less appreciated job.

R.A. West
On 15 March 2020, Shane Davis Said,
Many of yours and my generation will heartly agree with you. They have shorter terms, longer ‘meetings’, way better pension and other benefits, more money, few students and more prepared papers and tests – what do they do for themselves.

Went to Empire myself – had to taxi several of us over each day as First St (also gone) was too crowded. Wartime housing was full of kids – virtually every house. You wanted to play a sport, just step out the front door with a piece of equipment and they’d show up. Great coaches – our fathers. Fixed our own cars; repaired and sharpened our own lawn mowers (push da thing!!).

Was supposed to go to Eastdale (was just built a year or so before) but Mom thought Notre Dame would be better for me – it was. But, now, no more School Sisters of Notre Dame and they’re even digging them up in Waterdown to move to another cemetery – development taking over the Mother House. Don’t think there any more teaching Father’s there.

Teachers at First St and Notre Dame or any school back then were more dedicated. Remember the old rule where most were females and weren’t supposedly married – everyone was Miss!! A few males and they wore suits/jackets and ties.

We were more afraid of getting sent home for discipline then getting the strap (and we usually deserved it) but what happened at home will never be reported!!!!

Still fondly remember virtually all my teachers to this ‘ancient’ day; even attended funerals for a couple when I was back here in Welland.

Yoi, the memories. Still practising the non-academic lessons taught by many of them.

Anyway, the coffee klatch agrees with you.

Shane
On 17 March 2020, ron west Said,
Hi Shane. Glad I’m not off track on MY opinion.
RE: ” Was supposed to go to Eastdale (was just built a year or so before) ”

I recall the school being built since I lived a block over on Golden Blvd E. then. There were only fields behind me when I moved into our newly built home. My kids went there. I have ‘touched’ on Empire earlier in my notes here. James Allen was the principal then. Miss Barret was one of the teachers. No male teachers at the time until I reached High school.
Your “ancient” day is well past my own.

Who owned the store across the street from Empire? I think Reilly’s did in my time.
I dedicated my book to teachers, so I respect those that are dedicated to teaching kids to learn.
On 10 April 2020, ron west Said,
Nurse Miss Bell

Today at 09:38:57 AM
or was it Miss Ball?

When I was attending Empire Elementary School after transferring from as a child of 6 years from Memorial school in Crowland, we had a visiting nurse Health teacher. I think her name was Ms. Bell. This was before and into the war years from 1937–.
A very commanding ‘no-nonsense’ lady that was very determined to instruct us, on classes,of hygiene and other common daily matters.
I really liked her manner and still recall her words of wisdom these 80+ years later.
“Do you know how to tell time and read a calendar dates? “Show of hands, please..” Well you that don’t can see me for a few minutes after this class, ok?”
“Don’t put anything in your ear bigger smaller than your elbow.”
” Wash thoroughly including behind your ears or other places you might miss”
“Cover your face if you cough or sneeze”
“Watch for head fleas, there are special combs to pick them from your hair and soap to treat for them.”
” Don’t run in hallways or places of business.”
“Don’t bite your nails or touch your nose, that spreads germs.”

As I recall Ms. Bell made twice a year visits. Attended other classrooms and schools with age-appropriate messages I assume. I only recall her visits when I was 7-8, I think they may be stopped with the war need for nurses? We looked forward to her visits, often hearing pearls of wisdom not conveyed at home.

I remember ‘To” walk on the street always facing traffic. Cross the street at corners. Don’t walk from between parked cars. Look both ways and pay attention. Stay off the R.R. tracks. (good luck with that one)
Don’t try to beat a car or steam locomotive at a crossing.
If you don’t know or are unsure ASK!

Do they have Health Nurse visits anymore? I see kids walking the wrong way, even adults, so somebody needs to take
Ms. Bell’s place I think.

I have a flea comb for our cat. I do cover my face and if I encounter a steam locomotive I’ll certainly not try to beat it at a crossing. Thanks, Nurse Bell, you did well.

Ron
On 20 June 2020, RONALD A WEST Said,
Can anyone today REALLY imagine that we had troublesome things that we took for granted! Imagine!
There were actually seeds in our grapes! Pips in our oranges and occasional wormholes or blemishes on our apples! Disastrous. )))shrug((( Had an old abandoned orchard across the street with lotsa apples. There was a Russet apple tree still bearing fruit at the river bank below where the old Wilson house sat. They must of planted it?
Couldn’t afford them anyway. but there were abandoned apple or pear orchards around for the picking.
Other fruits were delicacies and strange to us some appearing on our tables only on holidays like Christmas.
And topping that off we had to buy unhomogenized milk delivered in glass bottles and had to hand whip our whip cream from the top cream on the milk. Imagine!

We actually cooked on coal-burning stoves. Heated water on the stove for coffee-tea.
Had to eat off actual dishes, no paper plates- that we had to wash in the sink!
Tea came loose with a strainer and coffee was iffy from cans.
We had to clean and dump the ash from our stove.
We actually had to put a block of ice into a cabinet thing designed to keep things cold.
No instant food no microwave,no drugs to speak of but near useless Mercurochrome, or tincture of iodine.

Sore throat? I recall a Victory V cough drop that I’m sure had ether as a component.
Some goods bought at the door from the traveling ‘Watkins” man.
Everything was closed on Sunday!!! Really. Couldn’t buy contraceptives anywhere. but in a pool room.
Police used to come into ‘Percy’s’ to get stand-ins for any lineup.
There were hardly more than a handful of cereal choices and sugar was often in cubes. Aside..Cubed sugar led to my first poem as a just married teen..

See the ungainly dromedary,
stinky spitting ugly hairy..
And yet, I always think of you
when someone asks, “one lump or two?”
Sorry I digress.
I remember things gone missing. Where went the Atlas plaque from over their old office entrance?

The large lion?-ship sculpture at the QE Hwy,, St Catharines, gone when the lanes were increased.
Seed stores Like Vaugn, Icehouse, swimming pools, schools and industries that many oldsters will recall. Crowland…Merrillville, Ships at our Main Street. The Aqueduct alternative road and bridge behind the stores running along the canal to Church street and beyond..closed off now forever.
The Welland Fairgrounds on with horse races. I recall much more now gone, you too?
The old Welland City Hall with police station below and..the public washroom.The streetcar to..Port Dalhousie.
The common things of entertainment. Kite flying, never see one anymore. Of course the ‘blue laws’ Sundays and such limited opportunity to shop,bowl and sports. Sundays were for worship.
Shopping stopped on weekdays at usually 5 -6 p.m, often noon on Wednesday 9 till 5-6 on Saturday and never on Sunday.

Going to the liquor store was puritanically controlled by the complexity of unbelievable proportions. You had to fill out a form of your intended purchases, sign your name etc.etc. give it to a checkout clerk, be served, pay, and leave, often under the suspicious eye of the manager.

” Those what has gits”

Bowling alleys closed Sunday’s. Golf course men’s clubs open for business (unless you were Black or a Jew.

“Things that become icons and aint”

Strangely..to me.. things deemed ‘iconic’ ‘heritage’ and such that are often dated in construction to those of my age, become landmarks.
I can see several like bridges on the Welland canal so how is one unique. I , am near as old as ‘THE Bridge”.

I think I read where a local businessman with ‘political pull’ had the canal diverted offline to pass through Welland, when the natural, more efficient path would have been responsible for constructing as it is now.
So our bridge iconic as it is considered celebrates political pork-barreling. (or is it just so to me)

Well, I guess I’ve provoked enough for today.

Ron
On 16 September 2020, Sherry Barna Said,
Hello and thanks for these remember whens. I read them to my Dad, Rolly Belaire, as his eye sight is not what it used to be and he remembered so many of the same things in this post with fondness. He told me he used to deliver for Ector Drug store as a kid and remembered the bicycle he used with a sign “ECTOR DRUG STORE” on the carrier. I never knew that.

I will read more to him the next time I visit, and, hopefully, post some memories of his own. He too went to Empire School and grew up in French Town.

Thanks again.
On 19 September 2020, Shane Davis Said,
Ron, I’ve been off this blog for a bit. Aside from Covid, been busy with family visits, children visiting from afar (they’re worried about the ‘rents as they call us!! I am doing a great deal of the family genealogy (have over 34,000 profiles) and try to do a bit of history/bios on each as I find schtuff!! Some of my generation have passed as I am one of the younger cousins and we love the memories we share when together.
There a Miss Bell that was still teaching at First St when I was in Gr 3; don’t know if she was a Nurse but she had taught at Empire as well. She live up on a small street connecting Carlton and Niagara North. There was also a Miss Campbell that taught at Empire and lived on Dunkirk Rd.
I think Ector’s was gone by my teens.
Sherry, where is your Dad today??
‘French Town’ wasn’t as French when Empire Cotton started (from whence Empire School got it’s name) and many of the folks that lived in the area where Scots and Northern English. I had uncles that worked there and one was a Superintendent and they were encouraged to emigrate from Ayrshire, Scotland due to their experience and the depression in their own mills, etc. My own fire got a job right off the ship on the roof as an ‘air conditioning unit’ (I teased him on that. Young lads of 14 – 17 would be up on the roof with other filling pails with water and hauling them up there to continuously water the roof for cooling and fire protection. Most of them when they got enough weight (honest or with metal in the pockets went to work in one of the still mills or Reliance Electric (you had to weigh a minimum of 150 lbs even when I was young)..
Ron, there was no argument of following the lowlands of the Welland River in parallel for the 1st – 4th Canals as save on cost of excavation (remembering playing in the ‘dykes’?? There was an argument on the Aqueduct; the farmers upriver did not want the Canal and River to be the same level as they river-side low acreage would get flooded. There is 6 ft difference on surface elevations (Canal is higher) but I personally think they should have gone for the same level and we would have a great commerce and later pleasure craft channel from the say a dam/lock/lift at the Hydro-Canal or other engineering options. Think of the commerce lost. Anyway, food for thought!! Also wish a heritage concept could have kept the Feeder Canal system open to Port Maitland. C’est la vie!!
On 19 September 2020, ron west Said,
HI, Sherry Barna.

I remember Rolly.
Thought he worked in parts dept. at Mason -Kells at one time ? I might have him mixed with someone else but I seem to recall he did nice sketches ?
I remember some of his class mates I think. Try these on him.
Eddy Guzda
Dorothy Cunningham
Mike Bendick
Dorothy Whitaker
Jack Fowler
Wm. Natranski
Bob Lees
Doug Cullen. (we’re in touch)
Mike Palgut
Shirley Shepard

Just a few I thinl of his class?
I remember Elanor Ector much clearer than Rolly’s bike
I used to wath her make their ice cream.

Say ‘Hey ” to Rolly for me.

Ron
On 23 September 2020, rbarna@cogeco.ca Said,
Hello Ron West

I said hello to my Dad and he remembers you too. He did work at Mason Kells and Sommervilles at one time.

I recognize the name of Eddy Guzda. I think I met him once when I was a child. My Dad played hockey so the name Doug Cullen leapt out at me… is this the hockey Cullen?

Thanks again for replying.
On 25 September 2020, Ron A Said,
Hey Shane, “I am doing a great deal of the family genealogy (have over 34,000 profiles)” You posted. That indeed must keep you busy and sonds interesting.

I in my dotage have restricted myself to my wring and the occasional sojurn to my yard and house maintenance and I often over do and pay the price.

Your referances to regional geography is always apreciated, Aqueduct and feeder system history is little known to most. Part of the feeder system exists I believe West of the canal . Leastwise it was 50 + years ago when Blake Nicholls * and I were exploring same.
My brother Rick worked at Reliance Electric til they closed shop as most local industry has.
Who ever imagined the canal through Welland would become a recreasion site with no canal traffic.
Keep on adding thoughts,always enjoy them.

* Blake was murdered in his Fort Erie home in 2013.
On 25 September 2020, Ron A Said,
HI, Sherry Barna.. No I don’t think it’s the same Cullen.
Doug was a machinist. Did Rolly ever do drawings. I see one in my minds eye like a wood cut.

Empire school now gone, was about the only formal education that I got. As an avid reader-good memory- I’m pretty much am self educated. Teachers were wonderfull then. School was fun for most . No wearing caps,chewing gum or the ause given y some to teachers today. Of course teachers then dressed as professionals,did’ sit on theier desks and allow calculators and other devices to distract. No A/C no fans even as I recal, and of course the stresses of parents away at ‘the war’ or crime(s) as today. Doors left unlocked.

Kids never dared cross their teacher,show disrepect or misbehave without the expectation of corporal punishment> I got the strap a couple of times for acting up. Never hear of such a thing now.

We didn’t seem to have the cliques as they do now, at least not to harass others.
The internet has changed all that.

My memories of school years and teachers and classmates (Like Roll), are fond memories of good times. We learned ! With large classes,underpaid teachers and few convenieces of
of those enjoyed by students and teachers today.

Is that for the better? ll I know is that whatever today’s citizens enjoy, past generations developed.
On 26 September 2020, denysedavis@hotmail.com Said,
Sherry, I expect the Cullen you’re thinking about is the Cullen brothers. Brian Cullen owns Brian Cullen Chev/Cadillac dealership in St. Catharines.
On 26 September 2020, denysedavis@hotmail.com Said,
Ron and I touched base on thiis blog; it’s been going from some time and many memories.
On 29 September 2020, Ron A Said,
A bit about moi. To strain your patience.

I’ve lived around Welland most of my life and spent a few years also in the South/North ends of St. Catharines.
My vague recollections * were of our rented home on Cahoe St, Welland then to 7 Southworth street where, at 5 years old I started school (Miss Robinson), in what was then Crowland Township.
I soon was transferred to Empire School where I attended until 13-14 then briefly to WHVS on West Main.
In those years, my brother(s) Richard, Jim, Dean then sister Jean were to arrive
I left High School after a year and worked at C.L. Robins shoe store, then to McBrides Tots and Teens on St Paul St. Catharines.
Harry Holcomb, Ernie Chellie, Allan McBride and others that worked at Robins started their own Shoe Stores about town and elsewhere Jimmy Calarco worked at a chain, Agnew -Surpass and opened J.V. Clarks Shoe store in Welland

Over the years I lived at (as I recall house numbers) after Cahoe, 7 Southworth St., 11 Bruce St., 21 Almond Street, before getting maried to Shirley Wright of Port Colborne, having met her at “Morgan’s Point dance Hall”, in 1949. (Which my brothe Rick eventually purchased and ran, years later.)

Over the early married years we lived on Garner Ave. , Margery Road, (1952 King George VI died, I could post similar anecdotal tales from each residence, but hesitate for probable boredom…) Lived for a while in rural Fenwick, then back to North Aqueduct Street
We eventualy built a home on Golden Blvd East in Welland a couple of years after I started working at Atlas in 1950. I retired from there in 1992.
I was to end my Atlas employee career, to retire at age 62 in the personnel office as ‘Superintendent of Safety.’
I had several clients on the side as a consultant. (Cities of Welland, Port Colborne, several Forges and others on safety and Workers’ Comp which I continued as self employed into age 70+
I had served in Service Clubs, President of the Kinsman *, I.A.P.A safety agency, Metal Trades, Canadian Society of Safety Engineers and the founding of The Employers Advocacy Council. I had also been an honarary member in the Welland Legion where my Dad Austin West once was president.
So, I had many aquintances and contemporaries in industry. A few I might mention are Walt Vlasic, Don Buchanan, Aubrey Foley, Bob Young …many more.

* Kinsmen members are to numerous to mention, but a few like Babe Newman musician and some of those some may remember were C. Beccario, Abe De Smit, Al Kozak, G. Leon.

We moved from St. Catharines (with spouse Linda A, a South Carolina belle I had met and introduced to Canada’s winters) , back to Welland over a decade ago to the proximity of the 406 Hwy.

I write poetry and short stories pretty much for my own or family. I’m really proud to have written and published a book in my 80′s. ( ‘Dragon Quest’s, on Amazon.)We have shared our lives with many pets that have crossed the rainbow bridge.We now have a cat named Puddin’ and miss dining out.

Not going to get into familly matters.

Thanks for listening, more on request.

* I do recall putting a water hose through the unscreened window on Cahoe street, and playing on a stack of ladders in the back yard of a painter, and my dad digging a small pool in the back yard, but I was but 3-4 and who can trust those accounts of recall?

Forgive typos and such, I’m old
Ron A
On 3 October 2020, denysedavis@hotmail.com Said,
Ron, sorry for not calling; family concern in Toronto came up. Will catch up this M – W. Thanks
On 30 October 2020, Ron A Said,
No dearth of entertainment devices today.

Even with the level of lockdown. Electronic devices alone provide for boredom at least to a degree.

When my generation as children, we had but, IMAGINATION and little else.

There were ‘things’ that we might construe as objects to use. I once lived in a house on Bruce street Welland where Mason-Kells trade-in car -truck wrecks were stored in the field behind what is now Hick’s Lumber.
We sat behind the steering wheel in imaginary operative vehicles and ‘drove’ to wherever. Or we flew in our imaginary plane or airship.. .
Wish I had some of those hood ornaments now.

We had games, crossword puzzles, things like slingshots that we made. Kites, penny pitch, marbles, model planes, and such.

Thinking on ‘it’, we did have Parcheesi, snakes and ladders Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Crokano, Monopoly, and books!
We read, we interacted with others. Battleship was one of my favorites. We had Kick the can, Ringolevio, come over come over, Simon Says, or Blindman’s bluff. And books!

We had paper cutouts, Balsa wood model for cars/planes. Train sets and water guns, and Books!

We blew bubbles from soap liquid and played darts and horseshoes, and Hide and Seek.

Our electronics consisted of, maybe, a flashlight, (To read books in bed under the covers.)

A flint lighter or Jackknife was special like having a magnifying glass or compass.
We might have a chemistry set, Tinkertoy, Mechano set, or building block set.

I kept things in a large copper tub, (still have it 80 years later.)
I had turtles and things to study and feed. Sometimes snakes.

We carved things. Made swords and wooden guns. We made go-carts from orange crates, rode bikes and played ‘pick-up sports, B.B. football, played tag, and… read books.

We raided local farms and ‘borrowed’ corn and grapes and apples. We tossed the corn, husk and all on our campfires, wrapped in wet newspapers.

Collected pop bottles to turn in for a penny or two, for…penny candy of course.
We swam and fished and hiked and made forts.

Come to think on it, we had lots. We had imagination. We had books.

I could live with that and did. Did I mention books?

Ron
On 8 November 2020, Ron A Said,
The sounds smell and all that stuff.

Welland was a source for pleasant odors pleasant to the memory, yet too, a cacophony sounds and, NOISE.
How we as kids at the swimming pier y the ‘large’ swimming pool, loved the wail of the bridge siren. Maybe it would be the wavemaker? The Lemoyne? * We could swim out into the canal and her wake. The thump of the diving board and whistle from the lifeguard.
How we as adults hated that sound when on our way cross town to work or to home. The sound of the ship’s whistle a frequent interruption in our lives.
The Wig-Wag DING DING DING -ing of the Rail Road warnings that a train would soon block the crossing, gates coming down and the approaching trains eerie whistle. Then in passing the click click click of the wheel on rail and the huff puff huff puff of the steam engine ejecting and turning the propelling wheel crank. A vision in passing.

Yet cars lined up from the East main crossing to passing into Crowland and past Crowland Ave. Past Sidey’s Flowers. Past Garner’s garage,
HONK HONK went the car horns after what seemed an eternity of steam and cinders. Then with the bridge up and the crossing closed cars and pedestrians became pretty much statues at the mercy of technology and advances in transportation.
Hard to get past that infringement to realize those delays in our lives built factories and—- Welland.

I pleasantly remember the hum of the Tribune’s press and John Swords. The clatter and rack up of billiard balls at Percy’s pool room.
The smell of Olympia as we loafed on Main street watching the girls leaving the class from the teaching ‘academy above the drug store.

The cackle of the starlings flocking on Hellems Ave across from Dr. Renauds, and the sometimes startling sound from St. Mary’s Church bells.. Especially poignant when I was a young child living at my aunt Bishop on Asher street.

The roars and crack of bat hitting ball at the park on Burger st.
Tommy Jones umpire and the team, names I still remember. Sounds I still smile at.

The kid noises in the ‘Big’ pool and from under the shower in the ‘Little’ pool down below the Court House a Cross street.

The smell of popcorn in the movie houses. The Capitol and later the Park.
Weekend band tunes from the Bandshell at Merrit park**

A clop clop clop of horse-drawn delivery wagons for bread-milk.
A clinking of shaking milk bottles en passant.
The calling bells of the ice cream cart.and kids yell of ” Here comes the iceman!’ A chip off a block from the back of the truck was soooo satisfying in our summertime. The ice is gone but the memory lingers on. A good Joe was iceman Joe.,
The rumble of ball and clatter of the pins at the Division st bowling alley.

Occasional siren and clang from the fire hall and trucks leaving to keep us safe.
A roaring of the motor cycle cop patrolling his beat.
Kitchen odours emanating from the Astoria, Normandy, Blue Star, Half Moon, and others.

A ring ring ring, “Knives sharpened’ from the cart pusher coming down the street.

The whistle of ‘shift start’ from a steel maker like Atlas.

.Another thing I never hear today is the startling BANG! of a car backfire or a whirr from a hand pushed grass cutter.
The smells from back yard garbage fires, (not cookouts).
The THUMP __ THUMP of the plant forges, and occasional din from Welland Iron & Brass.

I remember the noise when I unloaded lumber from boxcars at the East Main train station, the sweat too. The broom sweep or snow scrape of Main street stores and squeak of window cleaning. Bin dere done that too.

.Ahh but we have leaf blowers, gas grass cutters and so much more..;) sometimes I think mores the pity.

It’s nice to lay back and remember that those weren’t necessarily the ‘good old days’.

People today would call them stinky, smelly, noisy, smokey times.

Ron A

* Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter

http://tales.wellandhistory.ca/2012/06/18/youre-old-like-me-when/
Built at Midland ON by Midland Shipbuilding Co., Hull 16
Longest vessel on the Great Lakes (until Carl D. Bradley of 1927 – superseded W. Grant

Morden of 1914)
Built for Great Lakes Transportation Co., Midland ON, James Playfair, Mgr. Fleet sold while she was on the ways (March 10, 1926) to Canada Steamship Lines
Launched June 23, 1926 as Glenmhor. Name changed to Glenmohr before lake trials.
Completed lake trials late June as Glenmohr, renamed Lemoine and later Lemoyne before entering service.

** https://fromareportersnotebook.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/its-my-life-sort-of-sound-of-silence/
On 12 December 2020, Gerry Kirk Said,
Anybody remember a character who became a believable Santa Claus at Christmas time? I’m talking the mid to late 40s. Can’t be sure, but I think his name was O’Sullivan. He showed up at our house twice, once to bring me a Lionel electric train. One year the Welland police, with nothing better to do, arrested him in costume, and put him in a cell at the police station on Division Street. All in fun.
On 12 December 2020, Gerry Kirk Said,
Welland had a lot of “colour” in the day. A real live mill on Mill Street, and a farm animal auction on Lincoln, to name just two. Chippawa park had a stream flowing through a long tunnel. “Crabs” and garter snakes. A house on Elgin Street still had a stable long after the last horse perished. And a barn and stable at Northside Dairy, begging for exploration. Always somewhere to go in an age when there wasn’t much to do at home.
On 16 December 2020, Ron A Said,
Re “Chippawa park had a stream flowing through a long tunnel. “Crabs” and garter snakes.” That I recall.

Welland’s history is interesting as are most older cities.
Where else can you go out for a drive, say from West Pelham to Welland West end and cross a river, then cross over a old canal ( once sailed a submarine and the Calypso of Jacques Cousteau), and in doing, cross the river under it, and then cross the old canal and the river again or alternatively then pass under a canal, (Sea sick I am..;)

..and yes indeed we had much to explore.
I spent time, hours, on or waiting for Welland’s Bridge 13 which was opened in 1927 which makes it just a bit older than me by 5 years. It’s a historic sight… me, not so much.
So as a child there were things foreign ships , Rail Road cars, swimming pools, ponds, creeks and even hangings. Parks, bandstands, and even picketing and Union strikes.

The street car and station, and many other places/buildings long gone that were our haunts or histories.

Welland has grown from the old boundaries that I recall from the early forties and yet…diminished with the loss of structures and industry.

Some of us recall horse carts on our streets. Manure on our roads. (‘Road Apples’ per my Granny).

My recollections are quite vivid and likely enhanced by time.
There’s that:

CHILD WITHIN (us)

There’s a warm mental conduit betwixt our heart and our brain that summons up that like film clips from our past when something,of odor,music or a visual recall can trigger a time or event..at least for me.

Memories may come at the strangest moment. Sitting in a doctor’s office and noticing someone’s unique shoe lacing might, as it has, brought a flash back to the praise on one’s first managing the tying of a bow in my laced up shoe.

Seeing a butt crack exposed with a shorts hanging WalMart shopper brings a recall of the young child within yearnings for long pants.

That silver dual motor plane flying in an old film brings an instant recall of the aluminum toy plane from a long ago Christmas, and the hurt when told to “share” with your brothers..till it was broken. The plane is gone, the memory vague and the long diminished hurt still recallable.

A particular commercial recalls a long gone pet the, one I named ‘Tinker’

Walking back on a country road from a local industrial dump I- we sometimes as youngsters explored, a ratty looking young kitten came out from the paralleling ditch up to the road crying pitifully as it ran to me. Possibly deserted by someone out here in the country near the north end of River Road. Crying pitifully I could not resist picking her up and comforting her. When ever I drive by the water treatment plant now at that sight, I think..ahhh Tinker, my Tinker. I had to take her home and with slight pleading she was my kitten. She followed me as if she considered me hers. Tinker alas long gone Tinker. We’ve had many pets, but that little wailing scraggy waif will always come to mind with any trigger.

A super hero film of today suddenly brings a recall of the first Superman comic book I bought in the early 40′s, still a memory. I still see me lifting it from the rack of magazines that I picked it from. Don’t we all wish we’d kept some of those things of our memories? A particular item that was of little value or interest but now…
That Superman comic book was looked at a few times, passed around then,then? Who knows. What I’d give to have the comic as well as the memory today. On thinking about ‘that’ not that it would matter I suppose, better the memory of spending ‘MY’ fist coins. By then I was selling magazines door to door.

I see an ad in the newspaper for ‘We By Coins of all — ___ — yada yada, and I have a flash back to my finding that ‘little Canadian silver nickel coin.* Now I’d never seen one before, nor since. I probably spent it on Superman comic.
I’d been walking home on River Road from Empire school, now gone, and as I reached the top of the hill to ‘Orchard Grove’ nearing the first house for a few blocks, with but an empty field next to the sidewalk I saw a glint. A youngish boy would never ignore such a beacon of mystery so I bent to the call for investigation. There on the field side lay a coin of a size unfamiliar. How it came to be there will always remain a mystery as does its present whereabouts. I’ve never seen another.

Some things seem unrelated, but none the less trigger a recall sad or glad. One time I saw a The Rifleman Show, and the kid- son had a rifle. That brought me back to when Alvin was showing off his new air rifle. We were standing near Mac Donald’s elderberry bush and the dropped berries had stained the sidewalk blue/red. Alvin accidentally shot himself in the finger with a B.B.
Blood dropped to the walk into the other stains. I liked Alvin. I never remember seeing his rifle again though.

Once I saw a dinosaur show on T.V. Somehow my mind moved to the first time that I saw a snapping turtle. Quite an ugly thing compared to the painted terrapins I was used to seeing about, living as we did but a block from the Welland River,
(originally called the Chippawa Creek btw).
The ugly thing I recall of the time had a saw tooth shell and a nasty temper. Pretty much destroyed a branch we poked at it. I’ve seen many since that day, but old ‘nasty’ is the one in a recall.
A loud conversation on a cell phone took me back to our first phone. We were probably the last on the street to get the heavy black device.
I found out that if you dialed 1191 and hung up your phone rang..good for playing tricks.
Things trigger such fragmented flashes for no particular rhyme or reason.
Watching a highway chase brought me thoughtfully to the first time I saw a real highway, the Fort Erie bound Q.E. then just opened. I was sitting on my bike with other kids, watching as cars and trucks flitted by at seemingly racing speeds. I think we watched for quite a while being a first such experience. Imagine, a lane separated for each direction!

Kids today going to school with back packs have brought to mind my paper delivery bag. Why? Don’t really know, but it’s a trigger.

I saw an old Western on TV and suddenly I was back in the Capitol theatre ** The movie playing was Sabu in Kipling’s, Jungle Book circa 1942. We sneaked passed the red velvet ropes closing off the balcony. Thinking back now that I was around 11-12 years of age, and I recall that I was mesmerized. No swearing, little what would be considered violence..ah the days of yesterday. Each week a new serial continuing..The Iron Claw, Buck Rogers.

A kid today has so many entertaining electronic choices, but the my child within.. given a trigger I remember fondly ..the radio! Jack Armstrong the all American Boy, The Shadow, Inner Sanctum, The Little Theatre off Times Square. Fibber and Molly and Jack and Fred and …Oh so many not of dreams but of and from the kid within. Sighhhhh

Seeing Queen mom I get a foggy picture of Niagara Falls ,a bus ride to see the Royal couple and tree planting. That long ride was the furthest I got from home until likely my teens, so of course it’s a recollection from long ago, from the child within.

A cut, a bleeding injury recalls events. A seriously bleeding knee from a fall onto a piece of glass while walking the R.R. tracks. My rubber boot was full of blood. Another flash back was a badly cut leg sliding down the 2×4 in a home under construction. A protruding nail said..” No you don’t.” Boys will be boys.

No doubt there will continue to be flashes from the child within. Good or bad today and as I age,the bad get more benign and the good more clear. Probably imagination enhances those memories.
On 25 May 2021, Ron A Said,
En Passant

I shan’t pass this way again for were I too, the path taken would have changed by and in my passing. I would have left matters,altered matters and taken or altered the way. None pass the way, or the course we take without an effect. An impact. We better or worsen matters in our traverse. We in time think of our choice of path(s), of where we stumbled, of where we failed in the course of the journey.

Did we leave sorrows or regret by imperfect navigation? Of course, for the way, the course was not ordained. There was no map or compass. There were only choices as to the route that was sometimes clouded by hazy thoughts of alternatives. Self serving ways taken. Selfish decisions made for the easy course or the shortest or the most pleasant and appealing.

The early steps were often misguided. The path(s) were encumbered with impediments and challenges at times overlooked and with seldom accepted advice. We struggled often seemingly uphill and facing the winds of fortune.Seldom to look back for we knew there was no back, no second chance. Frequently looking ahead over the path’s hopefully distant horizon to where, when, the path ends. Were there better ways ahead? Fewer obstacles? Less challenges to test our mettle? We encountered many others on their own travels that met often simply serendipitously with ours. Some we choose to walk with, some we left behind. Some we even knowingly hurt in taking our own deviated choice of path. Some gave us pleasure or trouble and some left no mark on our path. Leaving now our thought of contrition or joy.
The path was unmarked. The choices of which path or fork,undesigned, unsigned of direction. We are left to our own moral compass. Our choice. One which we may wander from or ignore, and, of course we do for we are not perfect, but human with frailties.

No I shan’t take that path again. It will remain as I left it. The foot marks in dry dust or on muddy slippery slopes are well behind and any disturbances from my passing will remain… or not, as others see them.
I could not take that path again. It no longer is my path it is now a path for others to choose. I would not even would I could for I lack the time or ability to face life’s challenges. But, now had I the option, I know the hazards and temptations. I know and well recall the forks, the false leads and the dead ends of the path. Those that lead to misfortune,regret and heartache, mine and others. No I shan’t take that path again, but I now know the paths I should have taken were there second chances and health and….. time.

The short path remaining is foreshadowed by the knowledge of that which all aged face for we are but human with remorse, with fond memories and life span that will end that path through life hopefully with a peace that is the paths finality.

Many I travelled with in times past are gone. I miss the journey and friendships but still have my helpmate Linda that puts up with me. (quid pro quo ) We share a good life.

R.A West
(Written for my birthday, May 9th. Now 89 years young and counting.)
On 25 May 2021, Michael D Said,
Hello, R.A. West. I enjoyed your recent post about the path of life. You have 21 years on me so, if you have been in Welland all your life as I have, you probably have a clearer memory than I do of the 1950′s and 1960′s. I remember the wigwag signals at Southworth (2 crossings), Ontario, and East Main (the old crossing which was where the 140 meets East Main now), but only recently did I find an old railroad document online which shows there were a lot of other wigwags before I was old enough to take note. Niedels (before the bridge (Miller)), Plymouth, King, Raceway (behind the Best Western), and even Broadway and Lincoln (where the new canal is now). I have a 1950 map of Welland County. There was a road extending from Humberstone Road north-northeast along Lyons Creek along what would now be the East Side Canal Trail and ending around what is now the west end of Ridge Road (formerly Ontario Road or Welland County 9). Did this road have a name, or even exist? There is no million dollar prize if someone knows , but it’s something to be curious about, Eh? Take care.
On 26 May 2021, Shane Davis Said,
Ron, a very Happy Birthday to you!!

I posted a comment on the “If you grew up in Welland, Remember when…” Facebook page about your ‘little’ blog here.

You may like to visit that site as well, there are many different ages by my recollection of names on that site but the pictures and stories there are enjoyable and would bring up many comments by yourself.

Either click on this link or copy and paste to your search bar and it should come up:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/196118977114127

Sure Gerry Kirk would appreciate it as well.

My Facebook name in Harcourt Mudd; long story short, when working in Iraq and Kuwait we had to shut off our GSP’s on equipment and it was suggested to not use our real names (same for Nigeria but different circumstances). Bad guys could track or locate us, etc.

We still need to meet up some time; Covid fall in to our last coffee moment and I went out to Calgary for some time.

My friend, I enjoy the notes herein and will continue. You’re quite interesting.

Shane
On 26 May 2021, Ron A Said,
Well Hellooo Shane. RE: “I posted a comment on the “If you grew up in Welland, Remember when…” Facebook page about your ‘little’ blog here.”
Thanks in deed. the more here on Welland and region the better. I don’t do any social media sites as Facebook. I write poetry snappily some enjoy and a couple published and have a book published, and occasionally here were I have been a bit of license which I sincerely appreciate.
BTW why choose Mudd a doc. that treated Lincolns assassin as I recall Or is it the Star Trek Mudd you honour?

You seem to had interesting life experiences, so I’m much pleased that my ‘little’ undertaking is of any interest to you. Ta again.
I’m writing another post about friends and places. It will be up here soon.
On 27 May 2021, Shane Davis Said,
Of course, the Star Tree Mudd!! Wonder if he’s still on that little planet with his wivesssss!!

Be glad when the 2nd shot comes so we may sit and have a coffee!!
On 10 June 2021, Bev Said,
Everyone a BIG THANK YOU for being such an important part of Welland History and sharing memories with us. Ron West has been a champion contributor and we heartily embrace his wonderful additions to the site.
On 21 July 2021, Ron A Said,
THE ‘Nick’ AND ME

Back in the day, our day, Nick and me, as mid to late teens, often did our ‘thing’ together over a wide range of local outdoor ‘spots’. We had similar likes. Nick and me were compatible in most cerebral matters often in debate and, we had fun. Most of those places we frequented are now long gone.

The then empty field at the corner of Niagara street and Quaker road was one of our regular haunts, when we were nature explorers. Searching for critters in the pond as bait or to trade. More on this to come. That corner now is filled with car lots,pizza places,restaurants and a lumber yard. No pizza pie about then. Burgers, fried chicken, Chinese food and fish and chips were the cuisine.The Dairy Queen, once near the corner of Thorold Road and Niagara street is still around but different. I think it was somewhat saucer shaped and maybe had curb service even then..;) …Well I and others still have the memories ))(( Shrug.
As far as our interests went, Niagara /Quaker was the end of our interests, nothing much for us past that corner but the odd home, unless you were headed to St Kitts or Turner’s Corner restaurant for a quick meal.
We both loved to argue facts,science, and ‘our’ theories. To swim, skin dive,shoot fish with the Hawaiian sling spears that we made from surgical rubber, a tube and our barbed fish arrows. Life was simple and good in that time not long after the long war that had impacted all our young lives growing up. Those of such an age now would kindly note, no expensive electronic games,cell phones, ‘puters or expensive ‘runners’, and we were outside and active. Matter of a fact,very little expense at all. Nick did like to buy Planter’s Peanuts washed down with Coke or chewed along with caramel candies. Me, a 5 or 10- cent bag of potato chips suited me fine. Neither of us had much to spend, working at shoe stores on Main Street part time after school and week ends I think Nick worked at O’Reillys and me at Robins.
Welland Canal Pier
In my youth I was often swimming off the canal at ‘the pier’ a short distance from the east side of the main street bridge where the big’ pool had been constructed at the canal end of Cross street . I had been a life guard there when Jack Eiler (sp), was in charge of the pool. Working with ‘Bubbles ‘ and Jane Railton, Bill Chalmers and a few other that had passed the Red Cross tests,as senior swimmers. Some of us competed in the Welland swimming club at cities /towns around us. I recall the city took the diving board out for ‘safety reasons’..What goes round….
A few us us dared to ride expropriated bikes off the south side of the wall at the pier into the water, a drop of, I would estimate of 12 to 15′ feet. Foolish? Sure but none were hurt,…well maybe a bike or two was scraped up when hauling them back up over the wall by rope. We ran and dove off the canal bridge as well. and loved to swim out to catch the passing ships wake..the big Lemoyne in particular. (The S.S. Lemoyne was the first ship through the Welland Ship Canal following the official opening of the canal in August of 1932), and did so regularly over the years.
(BTW the Welland bridge # 13 built and opened in circa 1930 is designated now as a heritage site of sorts … is but 2 years my senior. All of the structural high steel was done by the Mohawks.)

Lake Erie
(Newts,salamanders,turtles & the Lake Erie blue walleye )

As later teen explorers we graduated to the waters of Lake Erie. Nick’s canoe was used for fishing along the shore line near Reebs Bay. I recently gave my ancient tackle box/lures to our son in law Paul McIntyre. Hated to part with that keepsake. We spent some of our time in the summer paddling on lake Erie, **’jigging’ for yellow or blue walleye with bait of soft shelled crabs. We often went skin diving from a rented boat from the Port Colborne boat rental sites. From Ray’s (Prophet) Boat Livery, I think near where Marlon Marine is/was as I recall, or from Schofields to the west or farther off yet from the old Erie beach amusement park pier in west Fort Erie. ****** . I was once spooked there when swimming down in about 8′ of water by two large sturgeon coming up from the bottom I thought, for me.Well they were pretty big,maybe 4 foot long and at a quick glance through goggles even shark like.
Fishing in a lake Erie from a canoe was a delicate dance with the waves,between our moves and of reeling in if there was a catch on the line.
We spent a good deal of time summers one way or another in or around Lake Erie. Some times at the Morgan’s Point dance hall, or Mini-Putt
We heard there was a wrecked ship in the waters somewhere off the point but never found it
We shot fish with our spears, or just enjoyed the piscatorial marine life. As our time for the boat rental was nearing,we hunted for the snagged lures on the bottom which we could sell to Ray to cover the cost of our boat. He was happy to get them in exchange.
I got a hook/line snagged in my wrist while down in about 8′ of water. I was caught on a lure hook that I was trying to salvage . Fortunately we carried knives that would float if dropped and I managed to cut myself free and remove the hook. Lake Erie is prone to sudden storms and we were caught in one and had to beach at the closest shore and walk back to Ray’s. Wasn’t he from Florida originally ?

(Remember the Long Beach dance Hall and the “Red Barn dance hall nearby I’m pretty sure later owned by Roger-Shirley Demers? ).
Reebs Bay- Morgans Polint area was a popular summer spot. Nick’s parents the Nichols had a summer home there. (Got it now..? Nick , Nichols ? Thought you might). Morgans Point dance Hall and a mini golf put-put were just up the road a piece from the cottages. (BTW my brother Rick bought the dance hall years later and also later still, had a restaurant just outside Port Colborne on # 3 Hwy.).Lost Rick a while back Jean gone too. Jim, me and Dean sticking around
Many hookups were made at the dance hall. ‘Bobby Sock’ jump and jivers” from ‘Port’, and Welland to as far away as St. Catharines were often in attendance. Never saw an unruly crowd or problem , just happy energetic Teens with energy to burn.

Welland ‘our’ Homes

Blake, aka Nick, lived at his home on Aqueduct street. (Aqueduct street that is now blocked off, once ran from the main street bridge through to a juncture with Niagara street at the ‘triangle’. Several stores businesses backed onto the road. It was frequently used as an alternate route over another aqueduct bridge bridge as an alternate route to Niagara Street). I lived across the Welland River, AKA Chippewa Creek, on Almond street , which ran off River Road, not too far off from Aqueduct as the crow flies,. but some distance on bikes or by shanks mare . Later Blake got a car. He liked to throw a word at me to stump me…gave me three guesses. The last challenge as I still recall was spelunker. I played stymied and but on the third answer I came up with it and he banged the steering wheel in that little yellow Brit car he was diving. Life was good when I won.
I was born on River Road near where the Atlas Pump House stands. High School teacher Miss Simpson later on lived in that corner house as I recall.
(Quite logically this settlement was named Aqueduct, then assumed the name Merrittsville in the 1840s, before becoming Welland in 1858. Originally East Main was called Chippawa Road. Information is courtesy of Welland Public Library and Welland Museum archives. )

Nick knew the region well and lead me to parts unknown. Old canals, feeder cuts and streams and water falls hereabouts from Effingham *** to a stream just located left off the road at the bottom of Youngbloods curve on the Merrittville highway Fonthill.
Those spots were our source of crayfish, aka soft shelled crabs bait for the Walleyes.
I well recall that over grown wet land at the open corner of Niagara street where the pond gave up turtles,frogs and crayfish for my trading enterprises. A contemporary, name of Ted Teachout. Ted gave me a lead into trading with a Southern USA co. that accepted snakes or turtles in trade for their chameleons,snakes and such that we could sell to kids here. I kept them til sold in a large copper tub that came from my Granny Banks ( Husband Charlie who did much of the Capitol Theaters wall-ceiling fancy plaster work), to my mom Jean, nee Speedie, sis Gladys. The coper tub a memento which I still have Some 70 years on!
I digress..
That Niagara Street corner pretty much was the commercial northern end of Welland then. There was a home built there set back off the corner once I think by the community, for a burned out family. Then Abe DeSmit opened his lumber yard which is a Rona now. Johnny Fuss, ( Family owned International bakery on Hellems Ave as I recall.) and I were friendly with Abe through the Welland Kinsman Club, now defunct. (I was The Kinsman President when the club opened the Pauline McGibbon, Avenue school on Empress Ave **** (intellectually challenged students school), mainly from the fund raising by the Welland Kinsman and Kinettes clubs.)
I do ramble…;)
Almond street in my early haunts were ‘the’ pike stream across from White’s farm and where I believe the Wilson family origins started in Welland til the home burnt down? There were russet apple trees on the bank of the Welland River at the site ( originally called the Chippawa Creek by uss’ens), which we plundered as kids. Remember? WW2 was on and food was scarce unless supplemented by foraging grape crops,corn fields or orchards. Also salvaged coal from the RR tracks that had dropped from passing trains.
On a lone hike I once found a pond to explore at the end of Oxford Road off River Road at the RR tracks end of the White Farm property. Atlas Steels had extended to there by then and had a truck gate entrance across he tracks. There was a cement plant there too that we found and used as a play site.
I liked ponds-wild life and discovered that there were several spotted turtles inhabiting the pond. Spotted turtles the like of which I’d never seen before. *****. I left them alone and told no-one. Sometime later I was to visit the pond again. It was only a few blocks from our home on Almond Street, aka Orchard Grove. To my dismay there were three dead spotted turtles with their carapace crushed. Now there were pastured cows thereabouts but I thought them to be the unlikely cause. Never found the culprit nor any other spotted turtles again in my life time.
OK, ok, back to continuity.
Now businesses have filled Niagara street. No ponds, no turtles, lots of car lots and fast food, and let’s not forget ‘our’ unique Aqueduct sooo taken for granted. Remember when, before the 406, Niagara Street and beyond was the way to the Merrittville Highway and THE route to Lake Gibson, St Catharines , and all points north,south or west.
Once I was called on to dive in Lake Gibson for Roger’s dropped fishing pole…found it too, like I did the outboard motor in Rice Lake that the Paul bros lost off their boat. Like I said I was a swimmer When I found the motor, I was asked could I find the diamond ring lost when grabbing for the falling motor, lol, that in a lake with two to three feet of grass reaching for the surface and completely hiding the bottom..Uh Uh ! Said Ron.
Ah my swimming friend ‘Nick’ alas is gone, as too are our old club members Walt Fruen who married Shirley and moved to the USA , Dennis Charbonneau who moved to Cleveland and George Bott who married Blake’s sis. But only three of us members left including me. We did get to meet as a group a few times- Dunville- Cleveland – before the loss of those we once had shared so many experiences.

Ignore errors or the rambling, I’m past old and approaching my best b4 date.

Ron A West

Footnotes

*
Fort Erie, ON, CA
Death Ruled a Homicide: An 81 year old retired businessman, Blake Nichols was found dead inside his home. After an autopsy was completed, police ruled that it was a homicide and a 66 year old suspect was arrested.

** “The Campbell Status Report of 1985 officially declared the Blue Walleye extinct. The last Blue Walleye to be officially recognized as a Blue Walleye by the MNR was caught in Lake Erie in 1965. MNR is an acronym for Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

*** in the Short Hills of Pelham . Town pretty much gone since the mid 1930′s. Originally developed by David Secord, brother-in-law to Laura Secord.

**** https://www.pressreader.com/

*****The Spotted turtle is one of Ontario’s smallest turtles with a shell that is rarely more than 13 centimetres long. It is easily recognized by its smooth black shell, which is spattered with bright yellow-orange spots. The head and limbs are also black with yellow-orange markings.

Ron> It’s an endangered species.

****** http://www.specialtystudio.com/erie.htm
On 30 September 2021, Ron A Said,
Iconic film memories.

Recalling here moments of and from scenes remembered from our local film houses the Capitol, The Park, and the for a short time, The Community theatre on King Street. I was a regular in all as long as they lasted. All long gone now but for an escape to past moments.
The movie serials like Buck Rogers or The Iron Claw, The News of the World reporting on WW2 news, which was hardly ‘news’ by the time shown in the Capitol Theatre.

Movies were one of the few entertainments available for us then, besides bowling(Not on Sunday), or the swimming pools.

I recall many scenes or lines in some films that have become part of our lives or that might stand out for some reason or other. At least for me.
Some reading here might as well ?
Now I must admit that I saw many of these movies from that time period in re-run or on late night T.V. since they predated my birth in ’32 . Still, they left their mark.

The earliest movie line that I recall ??, “Oh Beulah, peel me a grape.” Mae West in “I’m No Angel”, Paramount, 1933.
Or ‘She Done Him Wrong’, (1933) the movie’s line “Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?”
“My Little Chickadee” W.C. Fields 1940.
“Wanna buy a duck?” Nah, none of you will remember that, but I recall Joe Penner’s 1930s-40′s radio and film audiences tag line that made it into films as in the animated in the Disney cartoon, “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood” (1938).

The oldest that I saw as released?
Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book (1942) Mowgli declares that he wants a “man tooth” to keep him safe from the tiger. The first colour film I saw on the balcony of the Capitol Theatre. I think that I was 11 years old. I well recall the film as quite engrossing with thieves and treasure and animals galore. Sabu was someone that kids could relate to. Disney film cartoons were also big at the time. Snow White et al.

“Alright Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up” Sunset BLVD (1950)Didn’t like the film, love the line for some reason???

“King Kong (1933) Quote: “Oh, no, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast.” I have watched that film, my absolute favorite, over 20 times. Faye Ray and Kong still live on in memory as do the Tarzan movies of the time.

Who hasn’t said or mimicked “I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog too! – “The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
…and
“Henry… Henry Aldrich! Coming Mother!” the movies of the 1940s

“I’m Spartacus!” ..film Spartacus..1960 goes back a mite too, but the line lingers.

“You talkin’ to me?” – Taxi Driver, 1976

“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” – The Godfather, 1972

One of the latest? Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981 Indiana Jones shoots the sword fighter. Harrison Ford ended up getting really sick on set and could barely stand long enough to film it. It was an easy out in the circumstance

…and of course Forrest Gump (1994)
“My mama always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates.” —”Stupid is as stupid does.”

But being a long-time film buff I recall many of those iconic moments with fondness and later, with whoever I took as a date, like ‘The Red Shoes’ a 1948 British drama film, on my 16th birthday. I remember that film and Donna.
The Danny Kaye movie my dad took me to.” Wonder Man” (1945) Dad was in the Navy. Danny Kaye movies always had tongue twisters. I used to try saying them.

“I’m walking here”..Midnight Cowboy, A spontaneous line.
As Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight attempt to cross the street, a New York City taxi cab comes near hitting both actors. The car was not part of the film but the reaction was unplanned.

One of the most famous lines is, “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli,” from the first Godfather movie — a line that was improvised

Good Will Hunting and Robin Williams making up the entire “dog farting” speech. Robin created more amazing improved scenes than anyone else that I know of in films.

“Frankly My Dear, I Don’t Give a Damn” – Gone with the Wind ..1939 . I’ve used that one.

” “I’ll have what she’s having.” The ‘Climax’. Meg Ryan’s orgasm scene in “When Harry Met Sally” lasts only three minutes and that has lasted for the past 30 years.

Jaws (1975) – “You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat”. Still hear that damn shark warning background sound/music.

“I’m a baaaad boy.” Very few readers now were probably yet alive when Lou Costello frequently mewled this on-screen apology, and we heard the “Who’s on First” or the “Slowly he turned” routine, comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, of the 1940s and early 1950s

There are many many more that I can recall…but do you too have a recall from a film that has stuck in your head?

I’ll never forget the shower scene from Psycho, or the rhyme ” Even a man who is pure in heart/and says his prayers by night/may become a wolf when the wolfs-bane blooms/and the autumn moon is bright.” Maria Ouspenskaya as Maleva You guess the film…

R.A West
On 1 October 2021, Bev Said,
Once again you have contributed such valuable information to our Welland and area readers. You are a treasure Ron West and we thank you. B
On 21 October 2021, Ron A Said,
Tempus Fugit

None today or of the last generation will ever understand the limited means ‘we’ had for entertainment.

We had movies, many yet in black and white. We could go bowling, but not on Sunday. There was a pool room and a swimming pool.

No need to list the available choices of today. So we went hiking, rode our bikes, played games of sorts and sports of sorts.
Some may recall, ‘Red Rover’, ‘Kick the can’ , ‘Mumbletypeg’,’ Penny pitch’ ‘Come overcome over’, Simon says’.
‘Marbles’ (Cats Eyes), sooo simple. How To Play Marbles – Basic Rules. 1. Two players compete against each other. Both players have to use marbles of a different colour. The goal of the game is to place all own marbles into the hole first. The game begins by throwing one marble from the throwing line and aiming it into the hole.
Relievo is a team-based hide-and-seek style game, where the first team, the “seekers,” tries to catch all members of the second team, the “hiders.”. If a seeker finds a hider, the chase begins. The seeker must grab hold of the hider and yell “Caught!” three times. If successful, the victim must go to a predefined waiting zone. Girls mostly played Rope skip or Hop Scotch.

In team games, none liked to be last chosen, stigma forever!

We had darts and board games like Snakes and ladders, Monopoly, Sink the battleship, Parcheesi, Chinese checkers, Crokinole , Checkers, and Chess. Several card games like Chase the ace, Go fish, etc. But our pre-teens included our movie heroes. Cops and robbers with Dillinger, Cagney, Robin Hood, and any pirate we could imagine..Har! Har! Always an eye patch and pretend sword. We made a couple of different kinds of paper planes to throw into the air sometimes achieving long flights of yards.
A pocket knife and maybe a magnifying glass, a harmonica, or Jew’s Harp also called a jaws harp.
A ‘Bull Roarer’ was a novelty for a while. Known by ancient Greeks as the rhombos. A simple shingle-like piece of wood on a string whirled to make a roaring sound. There were a lucky few with Cap guns, or quite an ineffective bow and Arrows. Older kids got B.B. guns and they were always a threat with usual careless abuse.

Different games evolved in varied locations. One we played was to ‘king’ a chestnut on a string a ‘Knockers’ game played by in turn attempting to break another’s chestnut as they held it still and we swung ours at it.
We had hand-made slingshots from fork branched tree cuts and Pea Shooters. Cutting rings off an old rubber tire worked for the slingshot or the gun made to fire the stretched ring. We made soapbox cars that we called Doodlebugs, Scooters, bikes with a spoke flapper to get a motor noise, and kites to fly.
During the WW11 days, there was always ‘war’ to be played often with rolled-up hand-built snow ‘forts’ with Snowball grenades.

We could rush to follow a fire or police siren and any building going up was a point of interest and sometimes..a source for,, something we could build.
I sometimes hitched rides on slow passing trains and played dangerously jumping from one box car top to another car.

Then for me, the library, books and books, and books. I used to lock myself away in the old ambulance my dad had when he was attending the first aid at the plant or working with the Red Cross blood clinic. Comic books I bought from paper route earnings that now I wish that I’d kept.

Skating in winter, fishing, in summer, and exploring places. These and more filled our young halcyon days

Hmm? On reflection, we had lots to entertain us if we had a will away and our imagination. Lucky us!

Ron, then called ‘Westy’
On 8 November 2021, Steve M Said,
Hi All,

I happened upon this page as I was doing some research into my family history in Welland. My mother was born in Welland in 1932 and has recently passed away, and since then I have started looking into her past.

My mother has told us bits and pieces of stories about her childhood in Welland but never really got into the details. One tragic story we have heard over the years is that her grandfather was murdered in his farmhouse. I never really knew what happened until I started my research with the help of The Welland Historical Museum and The Welland Public Library.

I learned that my great grandfather who’s name was Gabor Baksa owned some farmland on the west bank of the Welland Canal south of Lincoln Street and adjacent to what is referred to as The Welland Canal Bridge 15 (railroad bridge). The land now appears to be a park with a walking path and a small boat dock where The Welland Float Fest is held. The road that once led to the property off of Lincoln Street was called Viau.

In what was a very publicized murder investigation at the time I have learned that my great grandfather was murdered in his home on May 30,1945 along with a longtime friend and roommate of his named Frank Szuch. It appears that robbery was the motive as they kept large sums of money in the home. I have read numerous newspaper clippings from the time that covered the story but unfortunately the crime was never solved.

I learned that my great grandfather, great grandmother, and grandmother are all buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Welland. Sadly, after inquiring with the cemetery, they confirmed that they are all there but their graves are unmarked and the locations are unknown due to lack of record keeping. I would have liked to have visited them someday and provided them proper markers.

I plan on visiting the area at some point to see where my mother spent her early years. I live down in the USA in New Jersey so I am not that far away but the border restrictions are keeping me away at the moment.

In reading some of the posts it seems like there may be some people here that may have been around the area during that time period. If anyone remembers hearing any stories about those murders please let me know. I am trying to fit together many pieces of an unknown puzzle when it comes to my long lost Welland family.

Thanks,
Steve M.
On 13 November 2021, Bev Said,
Hello Steve

I have never heard of this murder as I was born after 1945 and many of the early citizens around that time have passed.. I will keep my eyes open for any information. B
On 24 January 2022, Ron A Said,
Hi Steve.
I was born in May 1932 so though I recall vaguely the May 30, 1945 murder, (the name of Frank Szuch only), I can’t add any detail.
Where did your mom go to school, or live ? We lived at 7 Southworth just a few homes south of Lincoln. It was a dirt road then.
I recall that a Charlie Merritt lived on Lincoln in that area. Few homes there then that I recall. We walked Lincoln easterly but never to the end.

R.A West
On 24 January 2022, Ron A Said,
Christmas,1979, I mailed a get well card to ‘ “Inka Dinka Doo”, Jimmy Durate, the Schnoz. who was hospitalized and died a few weeks or so later .

The obit column in the paper brings back memories of the times and activities. Some I met in my young working life in Niagara Falls (Agnew Surpass), St Catharines, McBride’s (‘Tots & Teens, across from Laura Secord Chocolates on Saint Paul Street.), and Robin’s Shoes Main Street Welland. I worked part-time for Jimmy Calarco-Agnew Surpass Welland while working full-time as a machinist at Atlas.
Over a lifetime of workplaces and membership in several organized social clubs, NGOs, the I.A.P.A the Society of Safety Engineers etc. There are names I sometimes see that recall mostly good, but sometimes bad, memories of the obit name.
Recently Lincoln Alexander’s name was in the news as ‘would have been one hundred. I recall luncheon meetings with Lincoln when associated with the Worker’s Compensation Board. He was such a nice guy and I regretted his passing The news story brought back memories.
Carl Beccario was one lawyer I respected. As a Kinsman club member, he was one of those that played poker after our dinner meetings.
As one time Kinsman Club President, I chaired an interservice club meeting at the Rose Villa Restaurant on Riverside Drive. Anna Kostyk Walter’s wife and owner then of Rose villa just passed. Really a nice couple..
The guest speaker was, Ellen Fairclough PC CC Ont a Canadian politician. A member of the House of Commons of Canada from 1950 to 1963. Some obits stick.
Attending was then Welland mayor G.J. Macoomb, 1958–60. I introduced him as Armour McCrae, 1953–58[ and got a laugh with the nudge and stage whisper between a member as the act played out.
I recall thinking at the time of ‘Let Me Call You Sweetheart’ Ellis Morningstar (Welland Riding in the provincial legislature through six elections in a 24-year career,) was missing. A great guy, a great politician!.
So many others I met and recall at times thinking Good Guys like Walt Vlasic “a proud employee of Dofasco for 34 years, a member of the Croatian National Home for over 50 years whose funeral I will always regret missing through an illness loved & respected the guy for a decade and more. Some, a few are really an impact. Many from Atlas Steels. Miss ya Rodney, Fred Robins.(.Ph. # DU 49-319 in the early days) and others too many to … Ah shucks, getting maudlin.
Why the tales? I also sometimes think …as I read an obit…HA! I outlived you ya SOB..then bite my tongue.

By the way, my ramble is incomplete without a “Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.” Durante’s catchphrase.

R. A
On 25 January 2022, Bev Said,
Morning Ron

So happy to see this latest write-up. My late father would have known many of these people and spoken highly of them. Thank you for this acknowledgement of there having been wonderful Wellanders. B
On 25 January 2022, Steve M Said,
Hi Ron,

I’m not sure where my mom went to school in Welland, but I know that she lived in the house on what was then called Viau St along the west bank of the canal on the property that is now a park. She also lived at a house on Lincoln St on the east bank of the canal right across from the new McDonald’s is and next to the Petro station. Looks like an empty field now.

Steve
On 26 January 2022, Ron A Said,
Hey Steve

As a contemporary of your mom, I wonder if we ever crossed paths Welland having a pretty localized by then population.
I started school at Memorial School (miss Robinson) in the East end walking there from Lincoln Street for a year’s term then to Empire School (Miss Barret,), on East main. All the schools I attended are gone now, a are many of my contemporaries so I appreciate making contact with any of them or their kin.
There are of course several sites where old ‘cronies discuss or meet or opine,
Lifelong Welland resident Joe Barkovich’s reminiscences are probably the best known other than here…of course. Then, some are interested only in the sphere of their present. I on the other hand lacking much future, often dwell in the past. Things were so much simpler. I.E. I made three phone calls this week to businesses. On one after holding for 5 minutes at a party’s request, I was disconnected. One automatic response put me on hold..forever and I eventually hung up. One gave me incorrect info in a rather off side and bored manner. I remember when I dialed the phone that I sometimes knew ‘Glady’s the operator…”OK, I’ll put you through..” No elevator music for an eternity while awaiting a human’s voice.

R.A

Another’srecollection of the education system circa

1940.https://historicalstudiesineducation.ca/index.php/edu_hse-rhe/article/view/424/563
On 26 January 2022, Steve M Said,
Hi Ron,

My mom’s name at the time was Helen Baksa, It is very possible that your paths crossed at some point. Her mother at some point married a guy named Albert “Bert” Armstrong and they lived on Lincoln. Apparently he was a delivery driver for Sunnyside Dairy. I do know that when she was a little older she went to Saint Mary’s school in Toronto and then eventually moved to the states and married. I’ve learned a lot about my great grandfather in doing research on his murder. He had a train yard that was in back of his house by the canal, and at one point used to work for the railroad and clean out the train cars while they were parked. I found out that the reason why his land is now a city park is because he failed to pay his taxes and ended up a squatter on the property until his death. After that the city of Welland took possession of the property and has been some sort of open space or park ever since. I can still see the remnants of where the train yard and tracks used to be looking at a satellite view of the area.

Steve
On 26 January 2022, Ron A Said,
Huh! I remember a horse-drawn delivery cart-car accident on Crowland Avenue. That’s a bit from the corner and with a connection to Lincoln on our way home from school, where a guy named Burt was pleading with the car driver to save his job…Noone hurt. Collected a crowd. I was 6 I think. That would be in 1938 or so.
I later knew Sunyside’s owner, Al Pietz. Saw him a couple of years ago at a horticultural nursery. Talked for a while. He recently died in April 2021. A former Mayor of Welland and I’m sure he was at the Interservice Club meeting I earlier discussed here.
“Deputy Reeve, Mayor, MP under Brian Mulroney, and Regional Councillor. He served on numerous committees, including the Police Board, Niagara College Board of Governors, Conservation Authority, Arena Board, Airport Commission, Industrial Commission, Fair Board, and Social Services to name a few and chairing many of them. As MP he served on 2 royal committees one for fur industry and the other for women’s rights. He was part of the planning committee regarding the location of the 406, the 140, the Industrial Park on the now highway 140, making an east-west corridor on Lincoln Street, improving Wellington Street which opened up the whole east end and the sewer project. His proudest moment of local political life was being Mayor of Welland when the Welland Canal by-pass project was announced and then completed.

Quite a contributor to Welland’s history.
Their slogan, Sunnyside Dairy, wagons -trucks were painted with the slogan “you can whip our cream but you can’t beat our milk.”

One thing leads me to another. Sorry if I go on….
On 17 February 2022, Ron A Said,
I wrote for the children on animals and such. Always loved animals sometimes more so than hypocritical people
I offer that if so inclined you pass to children or—have a giggle.
Sometimes whimsical. Sometimes with a bit of learnin stuff.

Winged Winter Boarders

Colors flash red, blue-black, and white.
Hues of those that tumble and flock in flight.
From seed feeder thence suet balls
they flit about with strident calls.
In unruly unmanaged pecking orders,
cacophonous feeding winter boarders.
Except for the timorous chickadee,
cautious, courteous, polite is he.

********************* ********************

Slap!

It’s irritating them ‘skeeters’ things

They don’t nary bite nor even sting

But buzzzzz around and hummm about

Suckin up with that mosquito snout

Smack one here,

smack one there

Scrathin Itchy spots what makes ya swear

How they know to take their feastin

In spots that we find hardest reachin?

Dad blame things, who needs the species,

Eradicate them wee pesky beasties.

BbbbbZZZZ SLAP SLAP SLAP

********************* ********************

Our Family Picnic

To a picnic, our family went
though no invitation had been sent
many sweets and pickles to spare
Even fruit of peach and pear
Several choices of salads galore
One couldn’t wish for more.
Did not get to enjoy the fare
For hosts were far from fair
for sprays will spoil the meal
leaving little dining zeal
When that nasty ant off spray
fouled up our free picnic day
We ants deplore such tactic
with such food about eclectic
Our cupboards may as well be bare
When those human things are there.

********************* ********************

The Sandman

Young’un listen to tale once told me
by an oldster known hereabout as ‘old Loki.
Told of a naughty sprite name of Sprinkle
long ago, to me ‘neath stars that twinkle
It’s about children that lay in bed and yawn,
who just won’t sleep perhaps till dawn.
Long ago on a certain night of day,
a mischievous sprite would not stop their play.
He teased the children, kept them awake
they got no sleep! for heaven’s sake.
This naughty sprite had a magic coat
that changed its color and made him float.
He could fly around the restless child abed
and sprinkle itchy sand on their little head.
He had an umbrella with magic power
When it opened he’d make a sandy shower
Now the Elf king saw this naughty sprite
Keeping kids awake the long long night.
For acting like a nasty trickster goblin
the elfin king needs to solve the problem.
He called in Sprinkle and made him ‘Sandman’
to protect sleeping children from the Boogieman
For growing children’s health, for goodness sake!
Now he’d help them sleep instead of staying awake.
He left him a bag of ‘sleepy sand’
loaded into his magic umbrella, and,
his invisible cloak to let him fly.
Putting sleeping dust in each children’s eye,
a few grains to make them fall fast asleep.
With pleasant dreams in the sleep of deep
When morning dawns and you rub your eye,
there are sandy bits left from that Sandman guy.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I WENT TO THE ANIMAL FAIR.

Giraffe

A great long tongue and legs sooooo strong.
A set of short horns, with a neck sooo long,
Well;
One would think it might just suffer from sciatica!
Aha!
You’ve guessed, It’s that tall quadruped from Africa.
It roams the savannahs in the sooo hot tropics
and has a unique coat with those spotted flecks.
A strange quiet animal that makes me laugh.
Is the word’s tallest animal, of course, the giraffe!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lion

He’s the jungle king with no need to hide.
His Mrs. is boss but sits quietly at his side.
He may roar and bellow at his lioness bride,
But she’s smart enough to save his pride.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Elephant

When an elephant packs his trunk.
It ain’t what you may’ve thunk.
He’s not gettin ready for moving,
but quite simply just proving,
That he’s thirsty and in need of a drink.
Though he’s got quite a snout full
It’s still very doubtful
That he’s going to get drunk and turn pink.

His trunk is just full up of water,
and of course, you hadn’t oughter,
get too close and tease em
for, it certainly won’t please him
And he’ll soak you like some old used blotter.

********************* ********************

Penguin

See that little penguin strut,
a tuxedo on all dressed up.
Does he have a formal date someplace?
Or possibly simply attired so, just in case?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Koala

Koala’s dine on the eucalyptus tree
To which they’ve carefully clung
They pick its leaves with both hands-free
Cause they’ve a pouch to carry young.
They’ve become quite scarce down under
Hopefully, you’ll see more than one.
We watch it in childish wonder
and hope there’s never none.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ostrich

The ostrich is often seen to stand
head buried completely in the sand
The ‘camel’ bird attempts to sight
even into sand, for its long lost flight

********************* ********************
Camel.

Lo! the humpy dromedary
Ugly, clumsy, smelly, hairy
Yet when at tea I think of you,
When asked politely,” one lump ..or two”?

********************* ********************
Firefly.

A clumsy none too brilliant firefly
bumped into a fan while passing by.
She has good care and is now on the mend,
When asked, responds “I’m delighted, no end”.

********************* ********************

Nauga Hides?

While I’ve never seen a Nauga.
I’ve tried and tried and tried.
I’ve searched throughout Sumatra.
But only found its hyde.

As colorful as a chameleon.
It makes a darling pet.
I’ve offered fair compensation
But haven’t bought one yet.

Hired big game, Nauga hunters.
They’ve traveled far and wide,
They’ve found many varied colors,
Of well-tanned Nauga hyde.

I followed a persistent rumor,
One had recently been born.
In a misty place called Camelot
Naught but a common unicorn.

I have ofttimes sat and pondered.
The Nauga beast’s demise.
While relaxing on vinyl-covered
faux leather seats that underlies

********************* ********************

The Horse

A friend of man is the noble horse
They serve us in many ways of course.
Not least is that of farming chores,
and, riding, pulling, or serving in wars.
So if you have a sugar lump or pear,
an apple, carrot or such to spare
you want to avoid some bitten grief,
offer carefully, avoid those big teeth!

********************* ********************

Zebra

Occam’s razor will tell you thus
A zebra is never heard by us.
While hoof beats sound upon the street,
the simplest explanation is just at your feet.
For that animal in horse PJ’s
Is always at the place it stays.
What hoofs we hear from any source
Is more likely a horse of course.

********************* ********************

Kangaroo

The Aussies call them Roo
I think that I would too.
They seem to be motherly patient and able
to carry a joey 235 days in mother’s cradle
For marsupials have a pouch
and hop about to keep in touch
They look so cute but that tails no slouch
it can knock you flying with an OUCH!

********************* ********************

Platypus

A strange creature this thing I see
A Ducks bill and beaver tail have he.
Webbed feet to aid in the water
swimming nearly as an otter
It Is really a strangely wonder?
Well maybe here but not ‘down under.’

********************* ********************
Butterfly

A fragile thing that flutterby.
Colorful wings embrace our sky
Fluttering hither and thither to and fro
A long journey to face we know
Millions of migrants passing by
a wondrous thing and that’s no lie
Miles of challenges the Monarch butterfly

********************* ********************

Rabbit

Once I caught a rabbit sneaking through our wire fence
It was awfully hard to grab it, though it having no defense
But hop hop it could
and it did that good
Through my vegies growing dense.
Having missed him many times
On my greens, he often dines
but this time AHA! I had my net
Thinking I haven’t caught him yet
My lettuce is for you and me,
not ryctolagus cuniculus*, you see.
You may call it coney ** if you’re wishin,
but to me, he’s a near magician.

* Latin
** Common name Europe
******************** ********************

Dog-gedly Cat-erwauling

A pet is the rubbing at your knees
A floating hair that makes you sneeze.
Licking tongue, liquid eyes …..
‘say’….. puleeeease?
‘Mistakes’ and surprises and …
sometimes fleas.
A clawed up chair, a gnawed on shoe
A chewed-up sweater, litter box.
.. Oh, pee yew!
A lump of fur invades the bed,
A purring thing besides your head.
Constantly wanting out or in
Woofing or mewing-a raucous din
Pleading and whining for a walk
or,
Patiently waiting a bird to stalk
“Not that again” she seems to say
Though gobbled down the other day.
What a job that dreaded bathing
and,
then he rolls in something rotting
Hairballs gagged on carpet floors
Scent glands used on exit doors
But then……..
Years by 7’s pass so quickly
Beloved pets become old and sickly
Sad consultation with the ‘Vet’
Consider though the suffering pet

……..Ah geez….. the ache, tears flood the eyes
……Alas, our heartbreaks…
……….and In part too …..dies.

More yet to come from my scrapbook.
Ron A
On 18 February 2022, Ron A Said,
I think I saw— A
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Skunk!

You can smell me afore ya can see.
Malodorous odours follow me.
A Polecat I ain’t and ‘Flower’ won’t do.
Neither would I answer to ‘Pepé Le Pew’.
Not a purring stripped black kitty,
I’m a stinky skunk more’s the pity.
and
Iffen I can,
such be my plan,
I’ll avoid any argument with you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Beaver

I’m often seen to wave a Canuck flag,
and I have every right to brag.
I can build a good strong dam,
without any formal drawn plan,
and most any stream It will span.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Wolf

That distant howling in the night
has given many a bone-chilling fright.
It’s just a call out to the pack,
to call him their location back.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kitty Cat

A pussy cat thinks she runs our home,
or sometimes just wants to be alone.
Deigning to get upon our laps
mewing for treats or little snacks.
She sleeps away most of the day
when we’re set for bed, want’s to play.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Chip Monk

NO! Not a fish Friar nor a chip frying Monk
The name belies as one may have thunk.
A squirrel I call a relative,
though here that isn’t, uh, relative
I’m stripped with pouch in cheek.
Rather bashful and quite meek.
In cartoons, I’m often shown,
as larger than in reality known.
Cute as a button and quick am I.
In formal name, a Sciuridae.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Milch Cow

Why a big hello to you!
I give ya a welcoming mo0000O
So nice ta again see youoo000.
for my time is now nigh past due,
for that handy thing what you do.
I was a wondering when
’cause I’m full up again
Was ready to moo a boohoo.

Now I’ll puzzle you a child’s query
hurry yer answer don’t long tarry

Just which hand will you be ussin to milk me today?
The right or left hand, or, done in some other way

(insert laughing mooo00 appropriately here
for cow’s giggling and shaking you dear).

Well, I knows its confusion,
and might be somewhat amusin,
But my answer is, (Uh wait for it )
Just put both hands on my teat

For it ain’t right or left
You just might have guessed
the UDDER hand’s the answer you twit!

Oh Mooo0000
and boohoo!
All that laughing done seized up my udder
jiggling about so has turned my milk into butter!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On 18 February 2022, Ron A Said,
I think I saw— A

Bull

I stand in the field often all alone
a mighty beast of muscle and bone.
Don’t you cross me or wave a red flag
For I’m not just a gentle deer or stag
With a fearsome snort no warning retort,
I’ll hook ya on my horn iffen you lag.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Seal

Oh, I do like my fish
and no need for a dish.
In a zoo,
any way will do.
Toss it up in the air
Serve anywhere
for I just don’t care.
At sea, we thrive prolifically
In multitudes geographically
We seals are almost everywhere
North to south temps that we can bare.
We play as though we are frivolous
but actually we’re quite vigorous
Avoiding those things carnivorous,
bears, and sharks that live on us.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Squirrel

That furry tail up in the tree
is so intent on watching me
It pokes its head from out the branches
Even upside down, it dances.
Up or down a trunk it moves
Flicking tail shows it disapproves
of my attending sites it chooses.
I'll leave it to the nuts it's gatherred
planting those that trees have scattered
A buried nut is oft-forgotten, then
So up grows another tree again.

©

This is fun for me. Hope you have a smile.
BTW all are copyrighted in case I do another book.

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