More Georgetown Stories

38

1935-1982

town's principal streets. Led by parade marshall L.S. Batchilder and two pipers, the order of march was as follows: Standard Bearer, Howard Walker; Mayor, Town Council' Boy Scouts & Cubs; Legionnaires; Ladies' Auxiliary of the local branch of the Canadian Legion; school children and citizens. On return to the town hall a number of speakers delivered addresses including His Worship Andrew R. MacNeill and TJ. Kickharn, M.P., Films were shown and the children were treated to ice cream. The assembled crowd listened to the Queen's message on the radio. At night the Boy Scouts & Cubs under scoutmaster D. MacConnack held a council at a colorful ceremony in the park. A huge bonfire followed and the day's activities were closed with a free dance in the Town Hall. Kent Street and the interior of the Town Hall were decorated for the occasion, and at night colored lights strung across Kent Street and the illuminated homes added greatly in making the occasion a memorable one." [Georgetown natives Charles MacConnell and G.W. Stewart of the HMS. Magnificent. had the privilege of witnessing the coronation in person in London and Cpl. Herbert Stewart of the R.C.A.F. and Harold H. Dicks of The R.C.N.V.R. were awarded Coronation medals] (Guardian, June 1-3, 1953 & Jan. 6, 1954)

New War Memorial Erected

"This afternoon Georgetown will honor the dead who fell in the wars the foal point being on the unveiling of the new war memorial . The beautiful new memorial is of Rock of Ages — Barrie granite and its erection was made possible by of the veterans organizations of the town assisted by various town groups and citizens. It is eight feet in height and is mounted on a granite base. On the face of the monument close to the top is a crown which contains the rose, thistle, shamrock, fleur-de lis and Maple Leaf representing England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Canada. Below is an inscription in honor of those who paid the supreme sacrifice in the wars as appeared on the bronze plaque which was on the original monument erected in 1935. Below this is an inverted sword, the sign of peace, with the names of those who fell in 1914-1918 war on one side and those of 1939- 1945 on the other with the dates. Then follows this inscription: 'Also in everlasting gratitude to those who daring to die survived."I (Edited from Guardian Nov., 11, 1953)

Potato Shipping at Georgetown

"The Swedish M.V. Tunaholm, 2005 registered tons, which docked at Georgetown Thursday, Dec. 17th coming from Dalhousie, N.B., completed loading a cargo of 30,000 seed potatoes for Associated Shippers, Inc., and last night at midnight sailed for Havana, Cuba via Saint John. NB. under the command of N. O. Aronson with 32 officers and men, the ship's port being Gotenburg, Sweden. The ship is six years old, modernly equipped, and the largest ship ever to enter this port. On arrival at Georgetown she carried a part cargo of 2,000 tons of newsprint and in addition to the potatoes she took on a considerable quantity of powdered milk. The ship was taken into port by pilot Temple Gotell and co—pilot Victor Rafuse." (Edited from Guardian, Dec. 22, 1953) [On Jan 9, 1954, a potato boat of Norwegian registry loaded at Georgetown and sailed for South Carolina. On

Jan. 14th one from Iceland loaded and sailed for Norfolk, Virginia and shortly afterward a Barbadian boat loaded and sailed for Venezuela] (Guardian, Jan. 9, 14, 23, 1954)

Harbour Ice

“The heavy north—east wind on Thursday and Friday played havoc with the ice in Georgetown Harbour and today the harbour is as clear as it would be in summer. Last Sunday, Jan. 24th, a large crowd enjoyed themselves on the fine sheet of ice. It was reported that there were six inches of ice on that part of the harbour know as the Cove, but the fact did not deter the old—timers from predicting that it would break up soon. This reasoning was based on the age-old belief that the Cove must freeze over twice and break up and the third time the ice would last for the remainder of the winter. Despite the six inches of ice this belief has so far been borne out and the old-times who even went so far to predict that a dory could be rowed around the Cove in a few days were right again and not surprised at what happened.” (“Georgetown and Vicinity’, Guardian, Feb. 1, 1954) [The thaw in 1954 was followed a few days later by a huge snowstorm]

Hurricane Edna Hits Georgetown

" Hurricane Edna left a trail of damage in its wake in Southern Kings yesterday morning as winds of 70 to 80 mph. uprooted trees and tore off roofs. The increasing winds were noted after 10 pm. Saturday night and by 11.30 had reached gale force. Shortly after, power lines were broken and electricity cut off. Throughout the night, winds lashed the countryside. Small and large trees were broken or uprooted, some falling across roadways, smashing power and communication lines. At Georgetown, amidst other damage, the roof of James Llewellyn‘s house was blown off. Part of it was blown across the street, broke off a telephone pole which crashed into the home of Daniel Martell. Another portion of the roof blown across the street smashed into the front window of Fred Delory's store." (Mia; Sept, 13, 1954) [A further account of the storm (with pictures) adds "that the occupants of the Llewellyn and Martell homes as well as those in the home of P. J. Henry were taken to neighbors because of the danger of persons coming into contact with live wires. The town was cut off from

electric power all day Sunday until late at night." (Sept. 14, 1954)

Strange Bird Shot Down

“Having recently observed the feverish and unusual nest- making activities of a pair of large and strange birds in the area bordering on Brudenell River, John Walsh and Allan MacPhee were sure that the pair were of the eagle or hawk family and therefore likely to be destructive to certain species of wild animal and domestic animal bird life, They were successful in shooting down one of the strange invaders. It was found to measure two feet from beak to the tip of the tail and had a six-foot wing span. In color the bird was of two shades of brown on the back with a White breast and underside which at the neck was flecked with brown. The large hooked beak and long curved claws gave it a rather fierce appearance. The legs were