Sunday, February 25, 2007

Crawford Park Stuff

Here's a timeline from a Church on Clemenceau,.............
      I couldn't find any actual pictures of it yet,.( but I will) ,..so I thought I'd post this for Our Crawford Park members,......it may spark some memories???

The Early Days:

Although the actual structure that was to become Crawford Park United Church was not begun until 1947, the actual community of faith began to form much earlier.  This small group of people who met in the little red schoolhouse would eventually form the nucleus of Crawford Park United Church.

In the growing community of Crawford Park, a dozen or so faithful souls felt the need to gather together on Sundays to worship in some form of the Protestant faith.  Permission was secured to use the two classrooms of the little red schoolhouse then standing on the corner of Lloyd George and Churchill Avenues.  The Rev. Wilkinson came out to lead these services each Sunday beginning in the early 1940's and continuing until 1944.  As time went on about 34 to 45 hardy citizens braved the pioneer conditions prevailing in the schoolhouse and supplied the enthusiasm and fellowship that  more than made up for any lack of comfort.

In 1942 their Sunday collections amounted to $236.58 and in 1943 had swelled to $327.25.

As the word spread that a service was held each Sunday, the congregation sometimes filled all the desk seats and available chairs and those in charge at the door would hurriedly borrow kitchen chairs from the nearest homes to seat the overflow.

Begun as a joint community Church to serve the needs of the Protestant people of Crawford Park and neighboring environs, the present building of what is now Crawford Park United Church was begun in 1947.  With such funds as could be given or pledged by members, adherents and friends and with the help of the Home Mission Board of The United Church of Canada, the group meeting in the little red schoolhouse planned and prepared the basement of what was later to be completed as the splendid Church which now stands on Clemenceau Avenue.  A six roomed manse was constructed as well, and in February of 1948 the congregation began to hold its meetings in the basement hall of its own building.

After Mr. Wilkinson gave up the charge in the fall of 1944,the Rev. Meech carried on.  The Rev. J.K. Brown took overall responsibility for the Church and filled in when needed.  During the period from 1944 to 1947 the Rev. O. Stevens, Rev. Starkey and Rev. Williams supplied leadership briefly.  The Rev. Douglas Reed, the Rev. W. Morris and the Rev. R. Purvis Smith came for somewhat lengthier periods.  In 1947 Rev. J.C. Downing came from Greenfield Park and continued services in the schoolhouse and then took charge of the Church congregation preaching there in the morning and traveling to St. Jerome in the afternoon to hold evening services there.

Sunday School sessions began simultaneously with the Church services and continued diligently through the years offering leadership and training in Christian living to all children in the vicinity.  The first Sunday School party was held in 1942 in the schoolhouse, and these festivities became an annual event.  In 1948 the party was held in the present Church basement hall.

In 1944 the Women's Auxiliary (W.A.) was organized under the leadership of Mrs. Oke and Mrs. Hepworth and the group held regular monthly meetings in the homes.  Soon the membership and popularity of this organization made a larger  meeting place imperative, and in 1948 the basement hall made it possible to extend the hospitality and interests of this group.

Late in 1944, the Women's Missionary Society (W.M.S.) was begun under the leadership of Mrs. Maud Hall, gradually assuming responsibility for the extension of spiritual welfare in missionary work and younger groups.

C.G.I.T., Explorer and Mission Band groups were formed to service the needs of girls from ages 6 to 16.  Cubs and Boy scouts began to meet weekly in the hall.

Beginning with a piano and small group to lead the singing in the schoolhouse, the choir met faithfully and unceasingly to prepare music to enhance the atmosphere of worship as the congregation moved on from the schoolhouse to the basement hall.  It was very fortunate that upon completion of the Church and the gift of an electric organ from the Men's Club, a gifted and willing organist Mr. W. Hindle arrived in the district.  Under the leadership and training of Mr. Hindle the music of the services contributed much to the enjoyment of the congregation.

Early historical sketch by church member (Author unknown)

A Chronology of Significant Events :

1939 - 1944 Crawford Park began as a Home Mission Field in the fall of 1939 when Rev. J. Wilkinson arranged regular Church services and Sunday School in a two-room Protestant school building located on the corner of Churchill and Lloyd George.

1944-46 Rev. J. Wilkinson retired in the Fall of 1944, due to sickness.  Rev. J.K. Brown was appointed Supervisor of Pastoral Supply in February 1945.

1944-1945 Mr. M.O. Stevens was student supply
1945-1946 Rev. W.A. Morris supplied until May 1946
1946-1947 Rev. R.Purvis Smith supplied until May 1947

February, 1945, the Board of Stewards was organized and the congregation was officially constituted in March of the same year.

1944 The W.A. was organized under the leadership of Mrs. Oke and Mrs. R. Hepworth

July, 1945 Lots on Clemenceau Street were purchased for the new church building

September, 1946 Registers of Civil Status were secured.

February 1947 Permission to erect a church hall in the form of a basement for a Church was granted by Presbytery.  In July permission to erect a manse was given.

1947 A properly constituted Official Board was formed.  A Board of Trustees was also formed.   The church decided on a seven year plan for the construction of the church basement and super-structure.  In the summer of 1947 Rev. J.C. Downing was appointed Minister  of Crawford Park  Church.  The cornerstone of the present building was laid on November 23, 1947.

November, 1952 the completed Church was dedicated in a special service and the first Sunday Service was held on Sunday, November 9, 1952 at 11 a.m.

1957 Crawford Park United Church moved from a mission to a fully independent status.

1967 The Centennial project was the reconstruction of the church basement.

1979 The burning of the mortgage took place on November 24, 1979

1972-73 Crawford Park became a shared pastoral charge with St. Paul United

1976 Crawford Park became a shared pastoral charge with Verdun United

1987 Crawford celebrated its 40th. Anniversary

1997 Crawford celebrated its 50th. Anniversary

based on the info from this chronologial timeline,.it looks like this Church will be celebrating it's 60th this year......................???

94 comments:

les__f MSN said...

Ok Here you go for Crawford Park United:     .................Shhhhhh  no laughing in Church,   1445 Clemenceau.............................................

les__f MSN said...

Here's one called All Saints ????   (I don't think they were talking about the parishoners)............hahahahahah   ,,,,,,,,,,says it's at  7325 Ouimet.........................???

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

Thanks for the history and photos!  I lived 3 houses down from Crawford Park United.  At the time, the church had a high thick cedar hedge around it. 

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

Crawford Park United as I remember it:

les__f MSN said...

That's a neat old picture ./Where'd you find that one? I must have missed one somewhere............................

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

I had it saved from one day when I was looking up things about Verdun.    It's from here: http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/pm.php?id=record_detail&fl=0&lg=Francais&ex=00000141&rd=87825&hs=0&alt=   There are lots of nice old pics there.

les__f MSN said...

Ahh Ok I have the same page bookmarked,.but I usually was posting the boardwalk,.or that stuff,.....the Church's used to escape my attention.....hahaha    Thanks for the memory prompt.......

laurie19540 MSN said...

Les    Great pictures of the two churches.  Brings back memories. This little sinner attended All Saints Anglican from childhood to my 30s.  Reverend Vokey was the best.   I always remember Friday Nights at the United Church.  For 25 cents you could see a movie, get a hot dog and drink.  Never once did the movie play to  the end and we had to go home early. 

laurie19540 MSN said...

Would you have any timeline information on Crawford Park School. There was the red brick school on Lloyd George and Churchill with playground facing Clemenceau. When I started  there in  mid-grade one and two we attended  "The Cottages". which were situated on Clemenceau, kind of a white clapboard place. It looked more like a Verdun flat  without the upper level. if that makes any sense.    They closed those cottages soon after I went into the "main" scool  and remained empty for ages.    Does anyone know if the school is still used by Peter Hall, or has it been torn down.   If anyone  ever  has some free time could  they  post  a picture of the school with the cottages.  I''d   love to see it again.   Laurie

laurie19540 MSN said...

Hi Shadow Mama Laura Could I ask you who you are.  I lived in Crawford Park from 60-83. I might have crossed paths with you.   I hung around with alot of kids on Clemenceau. Do you remember the Hulley's.  Donna Stewart.  ? Laurie Etienne

les__f MSN said...

Vokey for you ..................................................................... Joseph Vokey Jr., a pilot in the Army during World War I, married Olive Bradshaw on June 12th, 1918 in England. He became the Rev. Joseph Vokey. In March, 1949, he was ordained to the priesthood and became the first Incumbent of the church that he would become Rector of in the year 1957. The name of the church was All Saints Church, Crawford Park, Montreal. He retired on November 16th, 1968. Joseph and Olive were the parents of 4 children, Joyce Vokey born 1920, Amy Vokey who was born in 1921 and is the mother of 4 children, Arnold Vokey who was born in 1923 and died at the age of 10 years on February 5th, 1933 and is buried in Mount Royal Cemetery with his grandmother, and Roy Vokey. ..........Here also for those with an interest in  Rev Vokey,.is a story of the History of their family: http://www.rvokey.ca/Vokey/History.html ...............................................................

les__f MSN said...

There's a couple of Crawford PArk 'Grads' ?   listed on the following site
All Grads
= New Member     = Recently Updated     = Married     = Has Child(ren)
Barraclough, Beryl           class of 1959   Ingraham, Jim           class of 1963                 ................Here's a link to give you access to all the schools in Verdun,.....  if you haven't already been there,.check it out: http://www.graduates.com/ls.asp?city=Verdun&pid=5&cid=39&cn=Canada&pn=Quebec   ..................................You can check out many of the schools around Quebec too(as well as elsewhere),.......................

laurie19540 MSN said...

Thanks LesF  for the Vokey stuff.  Quite a large family. I remember leaving All Saints Church  after my girls auxiliary  meeting.  I saw a dead squirrel  in front of his house on the road I rmember going to his house next tothe church and told him about what I saw.  He took the time to  go out and look, and  dig a hole to bury it. He took the time to explain to a little kid - the realities of life.  That is special.   And  while we are talking about realities of life.   Would you have any ideas why I can't post the regular way. AOL then Verdun Connections.   Right now I have to go to Internet Explorer and Google Verdun Connections  to post.      Laurie 

les__f MSN said...

I'm not sure Laurie,..(I'm not sure either if I understand the question),.if there is a problem 'signing in from AOL'.....then I would 'guess' that AOL is not a rcognised server by MSN,. I will see if I can find out something for you ,. my suggestion at this point would be 'bookmark' Verdun Connections' once you've sought it out,.ie: say in Google you type in Verdun Connections,.......there will be plenty of immediate links to us,..then click the 'Sign In' button,....and you should be off & running,.....once you've reached the site ,.just add it to your favourites(same as bookmark),.....and then anytime you want to check in,.just go into your favourites,click on the Verdun Connections link,...and then 'Sign In' and as far as I can see you should not have any problem,...............

laurie19540 MSN said...

Hi Les  Thanks for trying to help.  I know that sometimes I  confuse people when I am trying  to explain things.    Here we go. I will try again.   First of all I  get my coffee and  start thinking about what to say   Ok Ok   I'll cut it short.    HA HA. Turn on AOL.  Get AOLs newspage. Go to My favourites Press Verdun Connections. See VCs  front page. Press Message board Get into the topic I want  Press reply What happens is that I get either White page wth  arrow glass and arrow  which just stays. OR   HTTP 500  Internal server error,   Computers are a conundrum. I am lost.  Laurie

mom1945-linda MSN said...

Laurie~~ I'm having a real problem this morning, and it seems to be only on MSN.  But when I bookmarked VC, I saved it from the message board, not the welcoming page.  If I need to see the welcome page, I just press "What's New" and it takes me to that page.  I dunno.....but I operate on the KISS principle.   And btw, my routine is I sit here in my jammies, have a coffee, etc.......lol   Cheers.

les__f MSN said...

Ok Laurie ,...........firsdt thing I see is this See VCs  front page. RIGHT IN BETWEEN THESE MOVES   .........I think you should 'Sign In' Press Message board     ,that's the only thing I see all the other steps seem to be OK ,.but you didn't mention that you Signed In,......if You do 'Sign In' first then you can go to Messages Boards ,..and you should be able to Reply to any post,..otherwise if you go directly to Message Boards,.you'll be able to read them ,.but not Reply and / or Post.......  Try That see what happens ,..good luck   Btw :  the 'Sign In' button is right at the top of the VC page ,just above the MSN ad...............

les__f MSN said...

Laurie here's what you posted Turn on AOL.  Get AOLs newspage. Go to My favourites Press Verdun Connections. See VCs  front page. THIS is the spot to do the 'Sign In' thing   Press Message board Get into the topic I want  Press reply What happens is that I get either White page wth  arrow glass and arrow  which just stays. OR   HTTP 500  Internal server error,   Sorry just thought the other Msg. may not have been clear enough,??

laurie19540 MSN said...

Thanks  Les and Linda   Ok    The  page was there with  sign out. Pressed it.  Sign in appeared. Little box  with
Connect to groups>> password>> sign me in automatically    Blue button switches back to sign out. Laurie

laurie19540 MSN said...

I forgot to mention in last entry - that the page still shows up white with hourglass and doesn' t budge.    

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

Hi Laurie - I was born in 1966 and we lived in Crawford Park until 1983.  I lived next door to the Stuarts, and Donna used to babysit my sister and me sometimes.  The Brackens (Peter and Brian) were on the other side of us.   I don't remember the Hulleys.  I was friends with Elizabeth Byrne, the youngest Mees boy (I forget his first name), Sue Remmele, Tracey Erickson.  We were bused in to St. Thomas More School.  Crawford Park School closed the year my sister was to start.   Laura

laurie19540 MSN said...

Hi    Im glad you wrote back.   I remember you, as  a little kid  next door to the Stewarts on Clemenceau.     There was a boy Grant.  I am 12 years older than you. I was sort-of friends with Susan Byrne - Elizabeth's sister. The Mees  boys.   There was the  eldest Ted, Robert who works for Westmount as a mechanic.  Barry was the youngest.    Tracey Erickson lived on Churchill if I remember correctly, a couple of doors down from my sister in laws parents house.   She had a brother   Their mother was very ill.   Wow its a small world. Laurie  

les__f MSN said...

Hi Shadow Mam Laurie,........   I knew a Harold Bracken ,he was a Fire Chief in the point for many years,......coul;d this be te father of your friends,.. His name was Harlod Bracken,.and as I say he was a fire chief or Capt. something like that in Montreal (Point area),.....Was a friend of my Dads  

les__f MSN said...

Ok we'll have to try & figure that out for you,. I did have a little trouble just trying to post this msg,.as the white page did show a few times ,before allowing me this one,.. Is your problem intermittent?? if so it may be what I was experiencing a few weeks ago ,.not being able to reply at all,.then couldn't even open the site,.then all returned to normal..........   MSN works in mysterious ways,........................hahahahahaha                oh yea that's right ,.that's just the other guy isn't it?.....hahahaha

laurie19540 MSN said...

Les F    Hey Doc  (Ha Ha) The problem is continuous since Friday night.   For about one hour Saturday night   "the power"  returned, then Saturday morning back to square zero and unable to post,   Two weeks ago I could not even get into VC via the usual channels.   Now I can get in but can not post.
Laurie .    

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

The dad's name was Terrence (Terry) Bracken, so it's not the same person you knew, Les.  I suppose it could be a relative, though.   They all moved out to BC in the late 70's or early 80's.

les__f MSN said...

Yup definetly not Harold anyway ,unless he moved out here in an Urn, his family though I do believe lived in Verdun,........I don't knkow why but the Brown Blvd area or maybe Beaurling comes to mind,...Although I was never at his house,...................but he was often at my oldmans shop in Point St Charles,..............................but Thanks for clarifying that for me.........

laurie19540 MSN said...

Shadowmama Hi - just yesterday we were chatting about Crawford Park folks. You had mentionned Tracy Erickson.  Its strange that a person doesn't even think of a name or a family for years and years.   I checked into the Montreal Gazette Obits  this morning - and saw that her grandmother - Mrs. Alderly died age 95 -yesterday - formerly of Crawford Park.   Just thought I would tell you-perhaps you knew her. Kids usually show off their grandparents  especially if they live close by.   Laurie    

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

Hi Laurie - I did know Mrs. Alderley.  Thank you for letting me know about her passing.  I would not have thought she was still with us at such a great age.  She was a really nice lady and was good to all us kids.  We were talking about them at Christmas because my mother had out the photo albums to show my daughter and my sister's children what we looked like as kids.  Several of the birthday party photos had Tracey in them.   Are you still in  touch with Donna Stewart?   I remember she was working in PR (I think) at the Olympic Stadium back when the Olympics were there in 75 and she was able to get tickets to a few of the events and my mother went with Donna's mother. 

edbro68 MSN said...

Interesting Les, That you mention Reverend Vokey of All Saints. He was in a way responsible for the growth of the CPYA (Crawford Park Youth Association) I had a Tuesday night Scout Troop at All Saints and was told that the Friday night Scout group had closed down for lack of members. I used the Friday night space to form a young people's group. When Rev.d. Vokey found out that some members were R.C. he hit the ceiling. He said they could stay if the whole executive was Anglican. Since the President (Brian Connely) and Vice President (Paul Nowlan were both R.C I said no way. We spoke to Bryce Mackasey and got space in the old stone house (Dizier) and shared with the Crawford Park Legion. There was a lot of discontent between the members of both groups so we moved to the Verdun-LaSalle Y. Jack Hopkins who went on to be Dean at Sir George Williams was the executive director and welcomed the group warmly. They stayed for ten years but I only stayed on as their advisor for about two years then took a job out of town. My daughter Kim was their last President. The CPYA ran some great, well controlled dances for over a decade and several kids found their future mate there.  Ed

happydi2 MSN said...

Ed... My husband Paul Nowlan, who you know from those days, speaks fondly of those days! We had a lot of fun at those dances!   Dianne

les__f MSN said...

Now that's some interesting history,......................Seems there is or always has been some division from the authority figures........Nice to see it get resoved,with the 'more clear' plan of helping kds get together & learn some things,rather than dividing them to start with.............. One of the things you mentioned was the scout group being held in Maison D izier (not sure of that spelling ,sorry),.....but Ed do you recall what years you are referring to? the reason I ask is ,I had heard of the same building being used (Dizier house) for sea cadets in the 50's ( I don't know for how long ,or exact years ,.I'll see if I can find out) I think you should get together with someone like Guy (for instance) and write a book of things you know of Verdun,..........You always have some interesting elements to ad to make us 'think' about our old hometown,....   Speaking of something like that,..i wonder if  Joey-Verdun,.is making progress with his project (re: book of story's & characters) from Verdun/Montreal...............that will be an interesting read as well:   I think it's important to listen to the many story's that can come from People around us...........................                                        Again Thanks for the input......edbro

happydi2 MSN said...

Where is Joey-Verdun? He hasn't been here for some time!   Dianne

edbro68 MSN said...

Les, We stayed in that building for only a few months. The Legion members were coming in on our nights and opening the bar. Some actually offered the kids drinks. I knew we had to get out of there fast. As advisor of the group I was only about ten years older than some of the members. Getting the group into the Y was a great relief for me. We could ask Dianne. I remember Paul was 16 when we started at All Saints. She could do the Arithmetic for us. Paul and Brian were the ones who organized the danced and dick jockeyed them. If there is there such a word?  Ed  

happydi2 MSN said...

Ah...Ed.....I think the word is disk jockey or DJ...LOL!!!   I didn't go out with Paul during those days....we met a few years later. He was friends with my cousin Peter or Pierre StAmour and I met Paul at my aunt and uncles 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1969. By that time he wasn't DJ'ing the dances but he was on the board of directors for the Y.   Dianne

edbro68 MSN said...

Ah yes Dianne, The Board of Directors. I sat on it for two years. My best buddy loved practical jokes. He told once me not to take a coffee during the break that evening. When they discovered that some one put pinholes in the cups, guess who was the only one without a coffee. People like Doctor Skitch (Director of Douglas Hospital and Ron Bailey (Principal of Verdun High) were wiping off their ties and blaming me. My good buddy sat grinning at me. Naturally, I had to keep quiet. It comes from an old maxim that says if you can't take the heat don't pee in the pool, or something like that. Anyway we still meet for coffee and one day..........                       Ed

edbro68 MSN said...

One more quick post and I gotta go. Not there, to the Doctor. Someone mentioned the Bowes-Lyon family in Crawford Park. the Father, I believe was a cousin of the Queen Mum. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. The son Douglas was troop leader at Crawford United. They had a great troop. Jim Jack and Jim Lowson were the Scouters. Jim Jack died suddenly at the age of 30 in Atwater Park.    Ed

laurie19540 MSN said...

Hi EdBro You are correct on that.  I remember  Lottie - his wife telling me that eons ago. Laurie

laurie19540 MSN said...

Happi Di  Paul Nowlan you mentionned is your husband.  I knew of a Paul Nowlan who lived on Foch in Crawford Park.  It wouldn't be him.   This Paul Nowlan  was about 20 when I was about 8.  He was involved in the summer school program at Queen Elizabeth Park,  exercising crafts swimming.  This fella taught me how to walk on stilts.   Would the real Paul Nowlan come on down.   No, Seriously. They wouldn't be the same people. would they ? Laurie

rainy day man MSN said...

i think it is laurie, the same paul..   but what i'd like to know is...   what he taught happy di to do on stilts!!!!

laurie19540 MSN said...

RDM  Better stll- he also taught me to roller skate on those nasty-ass skates that the had in the early 60s. The ones that strapped onto the shoes. and no way of stopping yourself on those typical Crawford Park sidewalks.   There was the driveway dip at every house.   It is a wonder I have knees.   Anyway,  if it is the same Paul,  I used to stop and talk  and  he would supply  the bandaids. Laurie     

happydi2 MSN said...

Laurie...Yes, it is one and the same.....Paul's laughing his head off...he says " Oh my god, I hope we taught her something of real value at the park besides walking on stilts !   And Shayne.....that's my secret!!!!   Dianne

happydi2 MSN said...

Laurie here is an old photo from those days...that's Paul and the Mayor George O'Reilly    

happydi2 MSN said...

Laurie...do you have a picture from those days that you can post?   Dianne

laurie19540 MSN said...

Happy Di That is him 100% without a doubt. Its a small world. Laurie   I will try to dig out a picture of myself at that age.  I don't have many. Laurie  

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

My friends and I in front of Don's (aka Bud's) in about 1975 - I'm in the red...see Crawford Park School in the background   Me in our back yard on Clemenceau, about 1982 - you can see the side of Crawford Park United Church   Me in front of our house on Clemenceau, 1983   My mother in front of our house just before we left Crawford Park (and Quebec).  I still miss that house.   The St. Lawrence at the foot of Clemenceau, taken in January 1983     I hope some of you like these   Laura

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

sorry, some of my captions turned out funny with the last word of the sentence down below the pic....

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

a couple more.....   Me, my mother and my sister Cathy on our porch in about 1970     Anyone remember the good old St. Thomas More tunic?  This is me in 1972.    

edbro68 MSN said...

Les, I will try to find out the year and more about the sea cadets when I get back. Right now I have a Doctor's appointment. I had to take a cold shower as the tank needs renewal. We've waited for Hydre for a week.  I could not shave and I swear I have little Irish Spring icicles on my testicles. Besides that I still have green hair from the trick the kids played on Sunday. It won't wash out. It's been hell, I swear if he puts on the rubber glove................       Ed

happydi2 MSN said...

Laura...Beautiful pictures...thanks for sharing with us.   Dianne

les__f MSN said...

now those are nice old pictures,.........Neat to see real life shots,.with familair Verdun spots in the background,.........   Good stuff,.  Shadow mama Laura.............................................   Thanks for the input

les__f MSN said...

Cute cowgirl hats.........................hahaha typical for little kids ,..Looks like your a happy bunch,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,   Again great pics,...........

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

We got the hats at Frontier Town!  Do you remember that place?

les__f MSN said...

Yes I do sort of recall something like that................any pics from there?  

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

I apologize for the extra junk on the side but you can still read the article

laurie19540 MSN said...

 Hi Dianne - This is the only picture I have of myself at that age.  Hmm.  Grade four - about 9 or 10.  the age that I would be going independantly to the park's activities.  Tell Paul I lived at 1291 Foch. in Boyles old house, next door was Vachon - he might have known Gordie and Leonard. Down from that  was Dade's.    Laurie

laurie19540 MSN said...

Shadowmama Great pictures of Crawford Park.  Would you know if Crawford Park School is still standing,. Did you know Kim and Karen Maliff - The kids in the picture looked like them. They woul have gone to St Thomas Moore.   If you knew Barry Mees did you know the Chatterton kids - Deborah Stephanie and Jennifer  my nieces.  The Oldest Deborah used to be friends with Barry. Just curious. Laurie

rainy day man MSN said...

Wow..   frontier town..   that's what's great about this group..   postings that bring out wonderful memories that are stored deep in your mind...   when i was a kid it was the highlight of one summer...   our visit to frontier town..

laurie19540 MSN said...

That's too bad about  Frontier Town. I didn't even know it  closed. Land of Make believe was a pretty good place. Upper Canada Village, another. Granby Zoo  I wander if it is still running.  Laurie

happydi2 MSN said...

Laurie I just showed Paul your picture and he says he can't recall you but asked what was your maiden name? He remembers the Boyles and Vachon's.   Small world, eh?   Dianne

laurie19540 MSN said...

Etienne is my maiden name. In Quebec anyone married after 1981 keeps their name.  Paul used to stop andtalk  to Errol because he had a purebred  afghan  show dog which was the conversation piece on the street. That dog was sooooo stupid it  S#8@ on the floors,  chewed sheets off the clothesline,  chewed a hole into a tent we had airing out. Many a morning my mother would be running along Foch avenue up to Lasalle boulevard in her nightie trying to catch the dog.     It used to attack people.   My brother sent it out to a boarding training joint in Ile Bizard and it came back mangie and vicious so he  ended up giving the dog away to two vets.

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

Good eye, Laurie - those are Kim and Karen Maliff.  I am still good friends with Kim; she lives in Lasalle,  Karen's in Dorval.  I did know the Chattertons.  We used to play with them a lot in the laneway behind the houses on Foch.  What are they up to now?    I live in Mississauga, Ontario now but the last time I went by Crawford Park (about a year and half ago now) the school was still there.

laurie19540 MSN said...

Shadowmama This is incredible.  I am finding out about alot of stuff today on VC. We used to live at one point before I moved out on my own  on Lasalle Boul between Foch and Fayolle. There was a lane there that all the kids would congregate.   The Chatterton girls are all in BC. now.  

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

Granby Zoo and Upper Canada Village are still there.  We took our daughter in July 2006 to Upper Canada Village.   A few of my husband's sisters and brothers still live in Verdun and they take their families to Granby Zoo.    Laurie, I wonder if you knew my cousins from Crawford Park:  Heather and Brent Graham and Anne Bowker?

rainy day man MSN said...

i knew anne bowker and i believe heather graham

shadowmama-laura MSN said...

wow, small world here today!    Anne lived on Crawford Bridge, their house was demolished to build the hospital there.  Then they moved to Fayolle.   Anne is a professor at Carleton University in Ottawa.   Brent is older than Heather.  They lived on Clemenceau just above Churchill.  Brent is now a very esteemed orthopedic surgeon here in Toronto.  Heather lives in London,ON. 

laurie19540 MSN said...

Brent Graham  Of course.  He was so sweet.  Graduated the same year as I.  I believe he went out with Sharon Robertson from Fayolle. I remember he was interested in Botany then medicine.   He is a doctor at Toronto General.I saw him on one of those medcal programs.    Heather was a few years younger. They bought the  Bottomleys House  on Clemenceau  right next to the lane.  I think the address was 1291 C. Laurie

edbro68 MSN said...

Thanks Laurie, Now I know whose dog that was. I'm going to sue you for the price of one Argyle sock. My parents lived on Foch Crescent and I'm sur that I once met that dog. You can save court costs by mailing me one argyle pattern sock for the left foot. If used please wash.      Ed

laurie19540 MSN said...

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laurie19540 MSN said...

EdBro - I looked up in the Lovells directory where my husbands grandparents The Thomases  lived on Foch Crescent - It was  1652 Foch Cr.  Did you know the West Family   I used to play with  Lynn Laurie .

edbro68 MSN said...

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edbro68 MSN said...

Laurie, You have hit the nail on the head. My sister still lives at 1652 Foch Crescent. My Father bought the house from Mr.Thomas when he remarried. Will give more information when sock is completed.                       Ed

laurie19540 MSN said...

  Hi EdBro This is incredible. In the past couple of days I have "dug up" so many people from my past.   When my husbands gf  remarried Winnie Bray they lived in a house on Crawford Bridge. near Churchill. and Winnie died about 15 years ago.   This is a great way of  having a social life - getting to chat with people about familiar stuff.    Life gets pretty lonely out here in  Kingston.    

happydi2 MSN said...

Laurie I feel the same over here in Nova Scotia!!   Dianne

edbro68 MSN said...

Laurie, I remember thw West family. Barry West was Editor of the Verdun Guardian. When a heart attack took him his wife took over. She was also Secretary for Bryce Mackasey. Lyn was very young when her Father died. The family moved to California where her Mother had a job.                   Ed

laurie19540 MSN said...

Ed Bro Thanks for the news on the West family.  I always wandered where they went.  Did you know the Nicolls -   one son George  and one Robbie. They did the Montreal Star  Route    It's funny when you were joking about our family dog, it brought back a memory to me     Mayor O'Reilly's dogs. He had a boxer - so help me G*d.   If that beast connected with anyone it would have taken the legs off them.  Anyone that passed the house was greated by a growling and barking chorus.    I was scared to death. Laurie 

edbro68 MSN said...

It seems to me that young Danny O Rielly used to bring that boxer up to Queen Elizabeth Park. It was friendly away from the house where it probably didn't need to feel protective. I did not know the Nickle family.                 Ed

laurie19540 MSN said...

EdBro The Nicoll family lived at 1735 Foch Crescent. Laurie

happydi2 MSN said...

Laurie...did you know Alison Hart? The Hart's lived on Foch, too...don't know the address.   Dianne

laurie19540 MSN said...

Dianne The name sounds a little bit familar. There were alot of new families moving in and out on that Street.   Where abouts can y ou   remember. like below Churchill,  above,  or on the Crescent ?  Laurie

laurie19540 MSN said...

Hi Dianne Looked Hart up in the Lovells - 1215 Foch. The name is familiar as mentioned before.  I guess they lived near Duggans at 1220. Does Paul remember a rather rotund individual who walked around the street shirtless and was extremely  inquisitive about stuff.   He used to yell alot at kids.  His name was Tony.  I think he lived at the duplexes at the end of Foch just before the lane. Laurie

happydi2 MSN said...

Hi Laurie...when Paul gets up I'll ask him about Tony.   Paul lived at 1203 Foch.   When he was about 11 or so he and another friend were playing cowboys and Indians (I know that isn't politically correct these days but it was the 50's) in the back lane and Alison wanted to play and she bugged and bugged them so finally they gave in and they said she would have to be the bad guy. So the bad guy got caught and they tied her to a telephone pole and ran off still playing the game but then they forgot her being tied to the pole and I guess she was there for a long time before someone found her and set her free! Paul said she never bugged them again after that!!   I met Alison a few years later. She dated my cousin Pierre (Pete) StAmour and he played foot ball for the Black and Gold team in Verdun in those days.   This is a lot of fun remembering these stories!   Dianne

edbro68 MSN said...

Laurie, I did not actually live on Foch Crescent. My family lived there. By the time they moved there I had moved on. I knew more people through my involvement with organizing hockey and dances in the Park.                Ed

edbro68 MSN said...

Dianne, I remember Pete St.Amour. Ask him if he remembers the dances at the old rec hall on Church. It was the dorm where the firemen used to sleep. Made a great dance hall, no poles. I used to get the kids doing the 'Grand March' ending in a circle where they'd do the 'Hokey Pokey and 'Mexican Hat Dance'. I used to get Pete to lead off.                           Ed 

happydi2 MSN said...

LOL...Ed....I can just see my cousin Pete doing that...he hasn't changed, well, like all of us, older and grayer...LOL!!! Next time I see him I'll mention it to him!!!   He lives in Moncton, N.B.   Dianne

mom1945-linda MSN said...

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happydi2 MSN said...

Linda...will do!   Dianne

edbro68 MSN said...

Dianne, get Peter on the site. Ed

happydi2 MSN said...

Ed....Peter  has told me he has no use for computers...but next time I see him I'll tell him about you being on VC and coachbim.....maybe that will make him curious! But , btween you and me, Peter can be pretty stubborn.   BTW...I don't see him very often, the last time was last summer in Moncton.   Dianne

laurie19540 MSN said...

Edbro,   You will never guess who sent me an e mail.  Lynn West, an "old" friend. Apparently, some fellow John (you know who you are) sent your  entry to Lynn who contacted me after alllllllll thooooose yeaaaars.  Pretty nice to be re-acquainted. Laurie   ( and thankyou    )

edbro68 MSN said...

Laurie, At our age, watch who you call 'old'.        Ed

laurie19540 MSN said...

EdBro I didn't use "OLD"  in a detrimental way.  Don't  forget....Wine gets better with age, so does cheese, antiques get more valuable,  antique cars,  old toys,  you name it. This site thrives on nostalgia - old stuff. So  I am peacefully sitting here at my age,  cursing my failing mind, with my female pattern  baldness,   cursing my  aching bones,  wishing I had my youth back knowing what I know now !!   Does this make sense.  (How's your green hair by the way)
Old - Yes.   Have a great day  Laurie

edbro68 MSN said...

Laurie, Personally I don't mind being called old but I resent being called an adult. Ed

laurie19540 MSN said...

EdBro   Here is  a toast to eternal youth.         Laurie