Results for ‘MEMORIES’
JOE BARKOVICH
GUEST COLUMNIST, THE WELLAND TRIBUNE
(DATE UNKNOWN)
Here in my neck of the woods, the college campus offers more than meets the eye.
It can be any time of the year, but especially right now. We come here to the campus grounds, Buddy the dog and I, early in morning or late in evening. Nowadays, in this season, sometimes both. These days, the campus is all but deserted. These evenings the air is clean, crisp and cold. Here we come for silence, serenity and solitude. They are all here for the finding.
So, no time to think about Christmas lists and last-minute additions, I am listless for presence of another kind. We are here with different purpose on our minds.
Buddy the dog finds joy in walking through the drifts of snow up to his chest. On occasion, he stops to stick his snout into a partially snow-covered clump of brush. Then he sniffs. He sniffs and sniffs and sniffs.
I wish I had a loonie for every scent he picks up. I might even force myself to say: “Gosh, it’s a wonderful life.” Me, the dog walker, I find joy in the interruptions.
Here is one example.
Just the other evening a choir of Canada geese flew overhead, their “honk, honk, honk” a harmonious chorus in their open-air cathedral for thought, thanksgiving and tryst.
Tryst?
I yearn for a meeting, an encounter, an experience-here, away from it all and far from it all. A little bit of imagination helps achieve such altered time and place. A little bit of faith is all it takes to make it real.
Me, I find warmth in the interruptions.
Here is another example.
In my mind’s eye, I see the handwritten message in a Christmas greeting card received a few years back.
Words, pain staking handwritten; words, rich in message.
Here on a cold December evening, no mind-numbing TV set in sight and no throngs of shoppers on site, I call the words to mind: “Hope you are able to simplify during this confused holiday season. We wish you peace with silence.”
Peace with silence. Elusive too many, these days.
Buddy the dog and I have found peace, but silence escapes us for the moment, just the moment.
Virgin snow crunch, crunch, crunches under my heavy winter boots, and brush snaps, crackles, snaps as Buddy bulldozes through.
We try to cut a swath through the still undisturbed woodchip trail, but snow cover hides ATV ruts that make this seekers’ footsteps treacherous. We double back to safer terrain.
From a distance I find our beacon, of sorts-the outdoor stairway leading from ground to peak of a berm. The stair way beams bright in the night because of its lights.
We quicken our pace through the snowy field heading closer and closer to them.
Excitement building, we climb the stairs, taking care not to lose footing.
On this snowy evening the top of the berm becomes the closest thing to a mountaintop-well, in these parts anyway.
Looking skyward, left breathless by the expanse of translucent ceiling as far as the eye can see, this was trysting time.
And in that simple, newfound silence, serenity, solitude-a sampling of the spiritual experience I’d come to find. Joy.
The message in this mid-December rendezvous on our make-do mountain top is pure and simple. Have faith in joy. It is yours for the finding.
“When I am a seeker, I seek both night and day; I seek the Lord to help me, and He shows me the way.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.” From Go, Tell It on The Mountain, American black spiritual.
[Welland Tribune, 11 March 1968]
By Murray Hurst
Crowland Township Area School Board is making a strong effort to preserve the township’s first school, SS7, as an historical site. Although the board has maintained this one-room school, even though not in use for the past four years, it fears the advent of a county school board may result in the property being sold, unless some concerted effort is made to perpetuate its historical value to the area through some proper authority able to maintain it indefinitely.
The school, originally known as the Buchner School, is located in the green belt, established on both sides of Lyon Creek when Crowland Township endorsed its official plan in 1957. The property, located at Argyle Rd., and East Main St. comprises about one acre.
The board has remained steadfast in it decision that the school remain an historic site despite many chances to sell the property and the building.
BUCHNER NAME
The board feel the site to be truly appropriate to erect a plaque to preserve the Buchner name and that family’s history of the first white settlers of Crowland Township and to preserve the site of the first school in the township and the last one room school remaining.
The building is in a reasonable good state of repair and the grounds are a good size.
At least three Buchner woman, Victoria, Mary Sarah and Henrietta taught in this school.
The Buchners settled in this township 30 years before Calvin and Noah Cook built their first mills on Lyons creek.
A recent letter from George Pearson, James W. Morris and Robert Miller to Ellis Morningstar, MPP for Welland, outlined in detail the important role the Buchner family played in this area’s early history. Mr. Morris was chairman of the former historical committee of the now disbanded Crowland Centennial Committee of which Mr. Pearson was chairman. Mr. Miller is chairman of Crowland Area School Board.
EARLY RECORDS
The name Buchner has all but disappeared, but the history of this family stands prominently in early records.
Among the German people who sought refuge in the British Colonies were the Von Boughners .In the intervening years this name was corrupted to many different spellings with Buchner being the most commonly used.
At the time of the American Revolution John Von Boughner, his wife Catherine and 10 children lived near newton in the state of New Jersey. Among the children were Henry, Jacob, Christopher, Peter and John.
Henry joined the British forces at the age of 16 and fought under Lt. James Moody. He was made sergeant, and subsequently, in 1809, he was made Captain pf the 3rd Lincoln Regiment.
While fighting in the revolutionary war he was wounded and sent to hospital on Staten Island. There he met Joanna Ainsley, daughter of Ensign Ozias Ainsley. She nursed him. They fell in love and eloped. They were married as soon as Captain Henry could travel.
FLED TO CROWLAND
Another Henry Boughner Sr. aided the British cause, and in doing so, put his life and that of his family in danger. For reasons of safety Captain Henry and Henry Sr., and families fled the country and after many hardships and privations, arrived in what became Crowland Township.
Captain Henry’s brothers, Jacob, Christopher and Peter, who were unmarried, joined the group. Accompanying Henry Sr., and his family of nine, were his brothers, John, Mathias and Martin.
When the group reached the Bay of Quinte area they made a stop of some duration and when they finally reached Fort Niagara they were faced with deplorable conditions.
The Buchners, being woodsmen, were adept with axe and gun and soon decided to quit the congestion of Fort Niagara.
They contacted a man named Lyons who told them of a beautiful stream he had explored which flowed southwest to enter the Chippawa River near the Niagara River. He reported game in it supper reaches to be plentiful and that the Indians were not hostile.
The Buchners travelled Indian trails, camping and exploring as they proceeded up the creek which was later to bear the name of their recent acquaintance, Lyons.
The spot they chose to build their cabins was located about a half mile east of an Indian village. This was in the year 1778, just a 190 years ago.
FIRST WHITES
They were the first white residents of Crowland, Captain Henry and Peter remained at Lyon’s., Creek. Christopher settled at Lundy’s Lane and Jacob moved on to Long Point. Henry Sr., stayed at Lyons Creek. Matthias, his brother, settled in Willoughby while John and Martin moved on later to Beamsville and Norfolk.
In 1779 the first white child Ozias was born in Crowland, the son of Henry and Joanna.
Captain Henry and Joanna lie in Lyons Creek cemetery, directly south of the huge oak tree which still stands.
On March 7, 1803, when Crowland was first admissible to a town meeting and came into being officially Captain Henry was appointed warden and Christopher, Pathmaster. From that day forward the Buchner name was prominent in any type of organization attempted both political and religious.
Prominently prominent among the descendants is Ellis Morningstar whose mother was a Buchner.
Crowland’s first church, first white cemetery, first school and first bridge over Lyon’s Creek were all Buchner property.
Mrs. Gertrude Smith (nee Buchner) still lives on the site where her great-great-grandfather built his cabin 190 years ago
Directly south was Buchner’s Bridge, west of Argyle rd. The school stood on the site of the present building, which, until it was closed four years ago, was known as SS 7 Crowland. The adjoining cemetery was located on the property of Captain Henry Buchner.
FIRST BRICK KILN
Later, the first brick kiln in the area was operated by Reuben Buchner, who sold brick at $5.50 per thousand. Many buildings still standing in Crowland are made of brick supplied by Reuben.
George Neal, a former major of cavalry became a Wesleyan minister and with, Captain Henry, started the first Methodist meetings in the Niagara Area at Lyons Creek. The first meetings were held in houses and barns. Later the meetings were held in enclosures of logs and brush. Neal’s converts built the first church in Crowland township.
During the 1812-1814 War wirh the United States, at least 10 Buchner’s fought under Captain Henry Buchner in the 3rd Regiment of the Lincoln Militia. Seven Buchners fought in the Battle of Cook’s Mills in Crowland.
The history of the Buchner family is unique in that unlike other settlers, they made no attempt to remain close to other white people. Instead, they entered deep into the wilderness to live off it with Indians for neighbors.
References and data are from early Crowland records, Crowland Township office, Case of Carroll,; pub. 1869; History of Welland County, Pub. 1869; Harriet Hagar, Welland Historian; United Church of Canada; Archives, Toronto; Dominion Archives, Ottawa; Mrs. Henrietta Sherk (nee Buchner), 1860 -1942; and Mrs. Gertrude Smith, (nee Buchner) born 1887.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 23 January 1923]
Welland, Ont., 17th, Jan. 1923
Editor Tribune-Telegraph
Dear Sir:
I noticed in your issue of the 16th inst., an account of the sleighing and dancing parties among the young people of sixty years ago, and it brings to my mind pleasant memories, as I was one of the youngsters at that time. As I am now past 85, and there is but one living person of my age left in our whole neighborhood, and that is an old lady. I have attended a number of parties in my younger days where Blind “Oliver” furnished the music and I have always understood that Oliver was not quite blind, from the fact that if there was any trouble or dispute, while the party were getting set on the floor, I have seen him get right up and in among set, and settle any dispute that may have happened and get to their places before he would start the music or leave the floor. The most of the dance music up to a few years ago was furnished by The Dean Brothers of Caistor Centre, of the late Calvin Lymburner, who lived in our school section, and about 25 years ago, I built a good sized store in our village with a hall overhead 22×24 with a stage, where many dances, shows, medicine men and political meetings were held, and where five townships and three counties met inside of an area of a few hundred yards, and where I have been D.R.O, the last 27 years in our division without a break. I intended to mention that the youngsters of today are practicing the old reels and hornpipes, including Money Musk, Devils Dream, Rocky Road to Dublin, Irish Jig, Sicilian Circle and Colitions.
I remember the old “Acorn” paper and the old “Niagara Mail.”
Yours truly
J.K. Tisdale
[People’s Press, 23 October 1900]
Stowed here, with old treasures and dresses,
Queer bonnets, gay ribbons and lace
The rose that once decked her dark tresses,
The picture of her winsome face,
I found-queerly fashioned with buckle and bow,
With jewels to sparkle and glance-
The quaint little shoes that grandmother wore,
The night that she learned to dance.
Oh! Gay, was my Grandmother, surely,
That night, as her feet flew along
In time to the orchestra music,
Her heart keeping time with a song;
Oh! Trim was her form and light were her feet,
And proud of her shoes was she,
The vain little girl, dancing at her first ball,
-Grandmother that was to be.
Like stars were her eyes in the lamplight,
And full were her lips, rich and red,
She looked like a bird in the sunshine,
As through the gay measures she sped;
I wish I could see her, as that night she looked,
Some power would be the gift to me give,
For the old people say that when she was young,
My Grandmother looked like me.
Quaint shoes, I will aye keep them sacred,
My grandmother’s feet are but dust,
No music will rouse them to dancing.
She sleeps the sweet sleep of the just,
But still-as a vision-I see gliding by,
A figure in gossamer dressed,
It fades-I recall that with slim feet unshod,
My grandmother lies at rest.
GRANDMOTHER’S DANCING SHOES
[People’s Press, 23 October 1900]
Stowed here, with old treasures and dresses,
Queer bonnets, gay ribbons and lace
The rose that once decked her dark tresses,
The picture of her winsome face,
I found-queerly fashioned with buckle and bow,
With jewels to sparkle and glance-
The quaint little shoes that grandmother wore,
The night that she learned to dance.
Oh! Gay, was my Grandmother, surely,
That night, as her feet flew along
In time to the orchestra music,
Her heart keeping time with a song;
Oh! Trim was her form and light were her feet,
And proud of her shoes was she,
The vain little girl, dancing at her first ball,
-Grandmother that was to be.
Like stars were her eyes in the lamplight,
And full were her lips, rich and red,
She looked like a bird in the sunshine,
As through the gay measures she sped;
I wish I could see her, as that night she looked,
Some power would be the gift to me give,
For the old people say that when she was young,
My Grandmother looked like me.
Quaint shoes, I will aye keep them sacred,
My grandmother’s feet are but dust,
No music will rouse them to dancing.
She sleeps the sweet sleep of the just,
But still-as a vision-I see gliding by,
A figure in gossamer dressed,
It fades-I recall that with slim feet unshod,
My grandmother lies at rest.
[St. Catharines Standard, 26 August 1974]
Tons of steel from a lift block the Welland Canal near Niagara Falls after the structure was struck by an empty ore carrier early Sunday. Officials said the canal – a crucial link in the St. Lawrence Seaway-might be closed for two weeks while workers clear the debris. Damage to the canal was estimated at millions of dollars. The bridge, about five miles north of Welland, Ontario, rose 120 feet into the air. When the oar boat Steelton struck, one of the lift’s 300-ton counterweights plunged through the roadway and the other disappeared into the water.
Running Water Began to Flow in 1888
By George Foss
[Welland Tribune]
Except for a few senior citizens, the Welland Raceway represents a forgotten part of Welland’s history.
But members of the Welland Historical Society relived the past recently when Dr. Purdon discussed the raceway.
The Welland Raceway was completed between 1887-88 giving Welland electricity and water power.
All evidence of the old raceway has since disappeared. It originated from the Feeder Canal, where Prince Charles Drive intersects with Broadway Avenue. From this point it proceeded directly to the west side of the canal until it reached Lincoln Street.
Here, it turned westward, just south of the old fair grounds, at a parallel to Prince Charles Drive where it intersects Main Street West. It then turned east, striking a parallel to the Welland River, where it empties near Denistoun Street.
With a drop of 12 to 16 feet, the raceway was a stream about four feet deep and ten feet wide, moving with enough current to discourage swimming.
The Welland Electric Light Company was formed and a power plant was built just east of Prince Charles Drive. Power was obtained from two water powered turbines. Power lines were extended through parts of Welland and eight street lights were installed. Private homes could have electricity at a cost of $1 per month.
The arrival of electricity into the town of Welland provided the spark for the construction of a water works. The source of water was the canal, not the raceway on which it was built.
A.G. Kennedy of Owen Sound developed plans and supervised the construction of the water works. The Welland Water Works commenced operation in November 1888. With 5 ½ miles of pipe, 33 hydrants, and nearly every house being supplied by running water, the system was adequate until 1898.
As the population of the town increased, a new plant on Merritt Island gradually replaced the old facility. Sometime in 1920, both the old generating station and the old pumping station were demolished, ending an important part of Welland’s early history.
At no time during the operation of the water works on the raceway was the water purified. Water went directly from the canal to the homes. No wonder Welland was to face a problem of typhoid fever.
A chlorination system was added to the new water works on Merritt Island in 1912. There was still the problem with turbidity.
It was a long time, 37 years to be exact, before Welland was provided with an adequately treated water supply.
[Welland Tribune, 16 July 1985]
By Florence Koabel
Flowers are the Hornby’s Business
Hornby’s Florist is a family firm and has been since its inception in 1924 when the present Mr. Hornsby was just a lad.
Back in those days Thomas and his wife, Elizabeth, had their greenhouses just outside of Welland to the west and for the next few years rented a series of stores in downtown Welland.
By 1926 it was time to move the greenhouses, so land was purchased in the open country east of town on what was to become Main Street. The Great Depression did not hurt the little business; on the contrary, the need for a permanent shop was felt and so a place on Hellems Avenue was bought in 1934.
The business flourished and young Leslie just naturally joined the firm never even considering any other occupation. When Thomas passed away in 1956 his son took over and with his wife, Gertrude’s help has run it ever since.
Over the years it has become unnecessary to grow all the flowers needed. For quite a while the train could be counted on, most of the time, to express what was required for next day’s business. Several years ago the greenhouses started sending their wares out by truck. This proved a most efficient service and made it impractical for the individual florist to grow his own blossoms. Of course the airplane has also been a real boom to the flower trade with blooms coming from such places as Holland, Columbia and even Israel.
The time has come to dismantle the greenhouses, after all the city has not only come to them but had grown well beyond the shop at 505 East Main St. and the taxes had raised accordingly. At the same time the shop on Hellems Avenue became redundant so the business was consolidated at the Main Street location.
There have been many changes over the years-Mother’s Day was nearly unheard of in the beginning but has grown into the most important day of the florist’s year. For many years New Year’s Eve was a very busy time with every available hand making corsages, and Valentine’s Day meant very little in the way of extra business. Things are different now and New Year’s Eve is not so special anymore while Valentine’s Day is an equal to Mother’s Day.
While fresh flowers are the mainstay of the business, silk is making great inroads with colors and even blossoms that Mother Nature never created. They can be used in the same way that the more traditional blooms can be used and are so beautifully made as to be almost indistinguishable from their real counterparts.
Times change but Leslie Hornsby and his wife continue to run the shop, though their two children Maxine and Don do most of the floral arrangements now. When the day comes that the senior Hornby’s decide to retire their children will take over the reins of the business ensuring the continuity of this family firm.
By Sophie Homenuck
St. Catharines Standard Correspondent
[St. Catharines Standard, 25 February 1966]
FONTHILL-The Welland Canal was the all-important topic of discussion in the year 1828, as it is today.
Mr. and Mrs. David Elliot, of Highway 20, Fonthill, discovered a copy of the Canal Intelligencer, dated May 14, 1828, in a family bible. It tells of the “historic happenings in the village of St. Catharines on the Welland Canal,” on May 10, when the first steam powered vessel navigated the five-mile canal to Lake Ontario.
Four Pages
The newspaper, of which very little is known, was published by a Hiram Leavenworth of St. Catharines, Upper Canada and is a four-page offering, with interesting advertisements on front and back pages, selling grain, books, wares of craftsmen, announcing that produce and cargo can be shipped by vessel to Montreal, and notices of auction sales and strayed cattle, and it seems to cover the entire Niagara Frontier.
This copy was the 122nd issue of presumably a weekly paper. The size is approximately four-fifths of today’s Standard and is in well-preserved condition. Although it is deeply yellowed with age and crumbly on the edges, the print is still very legible.
Joyous
The departure of the first vessel on Saturday, May 10, was a joyous celebration as the report tells of “Plans of internal improvement now in progress in this section of the Colony, where a free and uninterrupted passage of the first loaded vessel that ever floated on the waters of the Welland Canal,” shall be witnessed.
“From this village where it was built to Lake Ontario, a distance of 5 miles of artificial steamboat navigation constructed up the valley of the Twelve Mile Creek, directly into the interior of the country” is the fascinating feat viewed by the colonists.
Seeking Support
It was recorded that the instigator of the great work, William Hamilton Merritt, was not present at the official ceremony as he was in London, Eng., at the time trying to get the money for completion of the waterway to Lake Erie. The writer noted there was “no doubt that the effort would be crowned with success.”
The day before the great event, the dignitaries toured the area including a trip to the “Deep Cut.” Among them were the Lieutenant-Governor Sir Peregrine Maitland, the directors of the Welland Canal as well as the receiver-general, the attorney-general and the solicitor-general.
“Foot of Village”
The story related that “the schooner-Welland Canal of St.Catharines-left her dock at the foot of the village opposite Mr. Monson’s store-house, under Captain Northup. The lieutenant-governor and officers of the company became partakers of the heartfelt satisfaction of being among the first to be borne upon the bosom of these miniature seas-they have been by untiring perseverance and assiduity, the instruments of bringing this into existence.”
“The vessel moved off majestically” says the eye witness report “upon this channel of her native element-thus artificially formed by human power, with her stately masts towering above the trees of the forest on either bank, through a tract of country which scarcely two score years ago was howling wilderness, but now abounded with highly cultivated farms and flourishing villages.
Multitudes
“Amid the grateful and hearty cheers of the passengers aboard and the mighty multitudes of hardy pioneers, and sons of the soil assembled on the shores and surrounding highlands, mingled as they viewed the novel scene. The vessel was hailed on the entrance and exit of each lock, down to Port Dalhousie, people lined the banks of the canal from one village to the next, discharging musketry and cheering mightily.” It was further recorded “that it took six and one-half minutes to draw off the water at lock 2, and the vessel glided smoothly and silently along the artificial channel, affording a most pleasing sensation.”
[Editor, Evening Tribune]
Nostalgia forces me to write these few lines, after a walk I took through the streets of the city of Welland. I preface my remarks with the title:
“La rentree des classes”
Each year I watch the young boys and girls filing back to school again, I cannot help but feel the tug of memories deep within me. Indeed, as Anatole, France, so vividly recounted a similar experience. I also feel as he did while life silently by, that life slips silently by, that: c’est pourquoi a mesure que je viellist. Je m’interesse de plus en plus a la rentree des classes.”
Fond memory recalls those halcyon days of the late ‘30s when I too as a youth went busily along to my studies at the local schools in the City of Welland. Having shared personally, today, a little of what constitutes present day school life, I can almost assuredly state that I would never exchange the experiences of my youth, as a student, with those of the youth of today.
How well I remember the High School campus near the winding Welland River, where we fished and swam and played. Yes, I even had my own basswood canoe and often, with a faithful friend, we paddled to O”Reilly’s and Beckett’s bridges. How could I forget those frosty days of skating for miles and miles along the rush-rimmed fun-giving river. My childhood friends and I spent many happy hours at the Coyle’s station, Pike’s stream, the Welland Canal, the Welland River, and even daring each other at the approaching trolley on the old NS and T bridge tracks behind the former Welland Hospital.
Today’s drug ridden culture extant among our youth brings to light the great unhappiness that has become part and parcel of their heritage. This I believe is the price that society hs paid for ushering in the age of technology-the transition from a rural-like community to full and final modern urbanization.
Philosophy, ethics, morality, even religion have failed to keep pace with the rapid advances of our computer age. Our children are too far removed from the simple pleasures of the simple life that can be that can be found in the God given natural beauty of the surrounding country. This generation, it appears, in order to escape the vicissitudes of life, find their escape in drugs, rebellion and diffidence.
Our schools at one time were institutions of learning and with no frills. We had respect for our parents and teachers, we had respect for authority and discipline, for the police and the laws of the land. Our value systems and our value judgements are under brutal attack. Too many of us could care less; we welcome the welfare state. The quest and drive for the second car, the summer home, a larger swimming pool, along with the concomitant subtleties of “credit card,” financing have destroyed our abilities to live the simpler life. We have lost the art of entertaining, rather today, we must be entertained by the gadgetry of materialism,
As I lay in my bed that night, tossing and turning, there came to my mind that beautiful poem:
“Off in the stilly night,
‘Ere slumbers chain has bound me
Sad Memory brings the light
Of other days around me.
The friends that shone, now dimmed and gone
And all but be departed.”
It was then that I started to think of my teachers.
Let this, my letter, serve as a fitting tribute. To the memory of some of the truly fine teachers that have guided be in the days of my youth.
I remember Mr. Ponting, principal of First St.School and Miss Mathieson, Miss Ball and others. And Mr. Pirine, janitor, bless him.
I remember Mr. Lang from Queen St. School, he was good with the strap.
Who remembers the “Victorian Age” spinster, Miss McVicker, from Aqueduct St. School. How beautiful her history lessons on the past glory of the British Empire.
My high school days I recall most vividly. We all looked forward to visits from John Flowers, superintendent of schools.
There was Guy E. Johnson, principal, who took over a class occasionally. No finer teachers existed than Jennie Brennan, teacher of Latin, Miss Keeler, teacher of French; that handsome fatherly white-haired Mr. Cameron, teacher of Botany. There were also Miss Head, teacher of Chemistry; and who could forget “Baldy” Robbins for Upper School Math, and Physics. There were other I could also name.
Hot tears flow past my cheeks and I yearned to go back to those happy days –but I know cannot be.
Ou sont lead neiges d’antan?
By Eileen Zarafonitis
[Evening Tribune, 25 May 1979]
Extra-circular activities have always played a major part on the education scene, and Welland High is no exception.
The Literary Society, believed to have started in the Bald Street Grammar School, in the 1870s is the oldest such establishment. The school yearbook was published under it several different names since the 1890s but it was a four-page collection of short stories, essays, school news and original poems published in 1910, which first bore the title The Student.
A boys’ hockey team also existed at this time and it was in 1913 the High School Board received an application signed by 35 students to form a Cadet Corps. The request was granted.
By 1930 a great number of student activities had been established such s sports clubs and inter-scholastic athletic competitions. It was a great day in 1938 when the playing field was finally completed.
An article published in the October 21, 1930 edition of the Tribune told of the interest in high school sports and stated….”Rugby, one of the “big” sports of the school, is progressing with leaps and bounds. It is the newest sport in the school being started only in recent years but now holds a permanent place.”
GLEE CLUB
Despite numerous hardships during the depression of the 30’s Welland High continued to add a variety of activities beginning with the Glee Club in 1932. 1934, 1935 and 1936 saw the establishment of the Science Club, the Student Council and the Literary Club respectively. The revival of the school orchestra in 1937 also met with much enthusiasm.
The school’s activities were highly praised in the 1936 Valedictory Address of Julius Enushevsky {Dr. J.M. Ennis) when he said….”In what are called extra-circular activities but what are very much a part of the curriculum, we have found a great scope for development. Guided by our principal Mr. Johnson, in a fair democratic spirit, these activities tend more and more, by laying on us certain responsibilities, to develop us so in the problems we shall experience in the immediate and remote future.”
MAGAZINE
The 1940s at Welland High got off to a successful start with the publication of the magazine The Student Weekly, begun in 1941. The same year saw the establishment of the WHVS Swing Band and introduced a new type of music to the students.
In 1945, when everyone was recovering from the war years, the Poster Club was formed and The Student Weekly became the weekly Tiger. Girls tumbling and mixed bowling clubs were introduced in 1947 followed by the organization of the Photography Club in 1948, The decade came to an end with the formation of the Stamp Club in 1949.
The Fabulous Fifties arrived and a Boys Curling Club was announced, followed six years later with a similar club for the girls. As interests broadened, a United Nations Club, was established in 1958 while 1959 saw the introduction of Radio, Badminton and Chess Clubs.
THE 1960s
B the time the 60s’ arrived on the scene it might have appeared there were enough extra-curricular activities to interest all the students, but such was not the case. The Drama Club got off to a rousing start in 1963 followed a year later by the Modern Language Club. The year 1967 saw the inauguration of the Arm-Chair Travellers Club while the outdoors set were excited over the formation of the Fur, Feather and Fin Club in ’68. This was also the year the Usher’s Club was established. The debut of the Debating Club in 1969 saw this decade draw to a close.
Many of these clubs are still going strong today.
The present decade appears to focus on the feats of WHVS athletes. 1973 was the year of tumultuous celebrations as Welland High cheered the senior boys’ basketball team to victory over its arch rival Notre Dame-for the first time.
As the 70s progressed so did the school’s various teams, by capturing a number of SOSSA championships on the field, in the gym and on the golf course.
May all these extra circular activities continue to function for many more years.
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