MERRITTON MATTERS Spring 2010 • Volume 7, Issue 2 • www.merrittonmatters.ca

An article on Goose Island, by John Wilkinson, can be found on Page 9.

Mailing The Merritton Community Group Merritton The Merritton Community Group, led by Chair Morag Enright, Secretary Sandy Burns and Treasurer Jean Westlake, publishes Merritton Matters four times a year. The Editor/Writer is Lorraine Giroux. Matters Contributions have been received, with much appreciation, from: Tom Barwell; Allison Bryson; Joseph Cassidy; Gary Cotnam; David Craig; Phyllis Thomson and John Wilkinson. Jean Westlake is Do you know people who live out of our main photographer. If you have an article or suggestions for articles, please send us an email to town who might like to receive the [email protected] or mail to 19 Wanda Rd, St Catharines, ON L2T 1S5. Merritton Matters? If so, please call Jean at 905-938-7178 to arrange for copies. Election Update Merritt Street Dairy At the time of this publication, there are only the two incumbents, Jeff Burch and Jennifer Stevens, nominated for the two ward councillor Queen Spartan Jr “B”s positions in the municipal election to be held on Monday October 25, 2010. Nominations close on September 9, 2010. 2010 Home Schedule To run for councillor, a person must own or rent in this Merritton Centennial Arena municipality or be the spouse of a person who does, be a Canadian citizen over the age of 18 and not be disqualified under any legislation. Saturday, April 24th vs. Sarnia Pacers 7:00pm A councillor is a part-time employee, paid $17,174.00 per year and is Sunday, May 2nd vs. 7:00pm required to attend all regular and special meetings of Council as well as meetings of any boards, commissions and/or committees as appointed. Sunday, May 16th vs. 7:00pm Attendance at various social and Council-related functions is also listed Friday, May 21st vs. Welland Warlords 8:00pm as a requirement on the Elections 2010 city website. Sunday, May 23rd vs. Regals 7:00pm The role of a councillor is as follows: Sunday, May 30th vs. 7:00pm · to represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality; Friday, June 4th vs. NOTL Thunderhawks 8:00pm · to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality; Friday, June 11th vs. Welland Warlords 8:00pm · to determine which services the municipality provides; Saturday, June 19th vs. Wallaceburg Red Devils 7:00pm · to ensure that administrative practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of council; Sunday, June 20th vs. 7:00pm · to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and · to carry out the duties of council under the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. c.25, Section 224.

 I MERRITTON MATTERS Passing of a Legend: Mr. C Editor’s Note: In the last issue, we included a very small tribute to a proud Merrittonian, the late Ron Cotnam. It was based on the information provided to us, which turned out to be incomplete. No slight was intended and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to provide the much richer story here. We offer our sincere thanks to Ron’s son Gary for writing this article.

On Labour Day weekend (September 6, 2009) Ron (Mr. C) Cotnam passed away. Mr. C is survived by his wife Joan and his children Gary, Shelley and step daughter Paula. He was predeceased by his first wife Audrey (Mrs. C). If anyone asked Mr. C what his most treasured gifts were, he would have told you his grandchildren: Andy, Kelsea, John, Kyle and Taylor. In the past, on Labour Day in Merritton you would have seen Mr. C walking down Seymour Street stopping at people’s houses, talking to everyone along the parade route, handing out draw tickets, smiling, joking, having a beer or two and just being Mr. C. Although Dad would have never agreed to an article about himself because as he said “I want nothing about me” there comes a time when we would like to acknowledge his contributions to the Merritton Community. Mr. C was heavily involved in the Merritton Athletic Association. He was past president, treasurer, baseball convener, involved in the building of the baseball fields behind Merritton Arena, and organized team bottle drives as a fund-raiser for his teams. He brought back the bottle drive to the MAA when he returned to coaching for 1 year in 2004 and this event still continues today. He also received the Jack Dempsey award for his many accomplishments. Most people in Merritton will remember him best as a coach of hockey and baseball which he did for numerous years. Ask any player who ever played for him and they will tell you what a dedicated and inspiring coach he was. Even after he stopped coaching he continued to go to the Merritton Arena on Tuesday and Thursday all-star nights where he could be seen in his ‘corner’ watching the kids play hockey. Later, many former players brought their kids to the rink where they would come over and chat with him. This brought him a great sense of pride as these players still remembered him after all that time had passed. Like who could forget such a great man? He also owned a tavern known as none other than Mr. C’s which was located in the plaza beside Food Basics on Hartzel Road. He continued to show his Merritton spirit by having barrels with Merritton written on them and the Merritton Bulldog trademark was clearly seen on the mirrors behind the bar and on the front entrance door. It became a place where anyone in the Merritton community would drop in to reminisce and see Mr. C. Mr. C touched many lives in Merrittton and here is what a few people had to say about him. Bill Buckle: “He got me my first job working with Mrs. C at K Mart. He got me involved in coaching after he coached me and he also got me hooked on betting the horses and losing all my money. I guess it can’t be all good. Seriously, Mr. C was a true community leader. If we had more people like Mr. C looking after the children in their communities I know this would be a better city.” Chad Turner: “I remember Mr. C doing the bottle drives, the fundraising, tournaments, Labour Day parade, bottle draws, coaching and leadership, I think there might even have been a party or two. He treated you as if you were family. Mr C was Merritton!” Doreen Green: “Mr. C was a caring, humble and gentle man who was an inspiration to know, who made caring, sharing and a tremendous support of others a part of his everyday life. His accomplishments in support of the Merritton community are too numerous to mention, for which the only payment he craved for his efforts, was the smile on a child’s face, or to ease another’s suffering. He was totally unselfish and giving during his lifetime.” Brenda Chabot-Piech: “My parents remember the blizzard of ‘77 when his hockey team was stranded near Woodstock and he bought sleeping bags for all the kids...I remember him bringing out the whole team at Christmas time to sing carols and stop at Lorraine Zalepa’s afterward. Your dad’s caring was infectious and anyone who spent any kind of time with him couldn’t help but rub off that he was there for the kids....teaching, helping, showing compassion...I’m sure any kid who was lucky enough to have played on a team he managed or coached will never forget him. Mr. C was a big part of growing up in Merritton!!! Mr. C had a presence, he did it out of love and we all remember!!!” Finally, Mr. C never looked for a pat on his back or to be acknowledged for any of his accomplishments. All he ever wanted was to see a smile on the children’s faces. It was always about the kids for Mr. C! He touched many lives as he was a father, grandfather, husband, mentor, leader, coach; a true legend and our Merritton Icon. He will be greatly missed!

Look for tributes to Ruth (Lindal) Lamothe and Jack McNaughton in the next issue.

MERRITTON MATTERS I  Business Education Council Rick Merritt of BEC’s Prosperity Initiative let us know about a research project concerning our neighbourhood. The research has centred on assessing supports and community resources for individuals living in poverty in certain neighbourhoods. The determinants include:

% of residents unemployed % of children with low EDI scores % of sole support parents % of individuals living below the poverty line % of renters who pay more than 30% of income on rent % of children living in homes on some form of government assistance % of adults who have not completed high school

The researchers have contacted organizations and individuals located in Merritton who were known to assist people who were affected by poverty. They contacted both ward councillors, Habitat for Humanity, Rotary, and Merritton Lions. The Merritton Community Group was also contacted.

We’ll keep you updated as the research results become available.

 I MERRITTON MATTERS Oakdale Avenue – As I See It. By Phyllis Thomson Well, the last vestiges of the Outlaw era have finally come tumbling down, and that’s certainly a good thing. Those of us old enough to remember Paul Brodeur’s grocery store will recall it as an attractive building, an asset to the area. And sadly, we will always remember the cement bunker that overtook it after the store closed in l976. I applaud the residents in that area who remained in their homes and continued to beautify them despite having to look at that apparition every day for so many years. Let’s hope that when something is eventually built in that particular space, it is something pleasant to look at – the residents deserve that much at least after living with the Outlaws’ presence in their midst. Time will tell. Up the street a couple of blocks, the old Hayes Steel office building has also fallen. Too bad it had to deteriorate to such an extent before it was torn down. I remember when it was built and it certainly was a nice looking building, well tended by the company as long as they occupied it. And it remained so while occupied by the local School Board and the Westview Church. Now, the empty lot is a rapidly deteriorating mess, and once again we have an awful eyesore in that area with waist-high weeds, discarded furniture and clutter, and the residents nearby can only sit and watch it get worse by the day. Not much of an incentive for the neighbourhood people to keep their own property in pristine state. Whose responsibility is this? Half a block up the street and I am looking at the old Hayes Steel parking lot. I am surprised to see town houses in the process of being built there – quite a few of them in fact. The sign indicates that it is an Affordable Housing Project and I have been told that it will be known as “Oakdale Landing”. I’m sure many families will be thrilled to have their own homes and I hope they have many happy years there. But I have to question if there is a plan in mind, or even a way, to enhance the area that surrounds these houses. As the residents down Oakdale have had to look at a big ungainly cement edifice for so many years, the town house residents will have some of the same in the old abandoned Hayes Steel plant sitting across the road from them, which isn’t exactly the Taj Mahal. Close beside these new homes, on Abbott Street, sits a busy garage with many homeless cars in various states of demise all around it. Behind the homes you see a rusting old railway tressle and tracks. I realize, or at least surmise, that some of these things are probably beyond the city’s control, but I do think that they have chosen an unfortunate location for homes despite the goodwill and good intentions that prompt them. At least that’s the way I see it. Hello and Goodbye

Goodbye The former Merritton Lawn Bowling building was demolished on the morning of Friday, April 23rd. The land that the building sat on is owned by Pinehurst, along with the surrounding property. Pinehurst students have begun planting an urban forest with a future goal of removing the fencing so that the site can be enjoyed by the public. The empty building was the target of vandals since the lawn bowling stopped several years ago.

Hello We’re encouraging you to keep watching 427 Merritt Street although Harris Turns 100 it may be a while before you actually see anything there. But, at least Congratulations to the Harris Sign you know that the creating has begun! An architect has been hired and is expected to finish the design for the new Merritton fire hall by Company Inc. at 340 Queenston Street August. Construction is scheduled to begin in November, after the tendering is awarded in October, and the building is to be erected by as they celebrate 100 years as a June 2011. This fire hall will replace the Walnut Street building. business in the community!

Just Around the Corner Hartzel Auto and Marine has left their Hartzel Road location but they haven’t gone too far! Their new location, at 96 Ormond St. in Thorold, has plenty of parking, quick oil change facilities, a cleaner, brighter shop and a new division for boat parts, repairs and service. They are now the “Home of the 20 Minute Oil Change”. Despite leaving our community, we know that you will always get a warm welcome and fair, knowledgeable service at Hartzel Auto & Marine. Dave, the owner, is and always will be a Merrittonian in our books.

MERRITTON MATTERS I  Merritton High School Reunion A Great There is reason for excitement for all former Merritton Skater Merritton High School staff and students. A reunion is being planned for October 22nd and October 23rd, 2010. The organizing committee has provided us with the following details. Go to http://merrittonreunion. myevent.com/ for a complete update including who’s coming, guest book comments and ways to contact the organizers.

Tickets Please order tickets online at www.merrittonreunion.com or call 905-680-6007. Don’t wait as tickets are selling quickly.

Friday Night What: Cocktail Party When: October 22nd - 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Each year the Merritton Figure Skating Club holds a Cara Taylor Where: Merritton Community Centre Interpretive Memorial Competition to honour a well-liked skater whose Details: Catered by Niagara Gourmet Caterers, Music by Flatbroke. life was tragically cut short in the early 1990’s. This year the 2009 Cara Taylor award was given to an inspiring man, highlighting that the club is Saturday Afternoon a place that firmly believes figure skating is for individuals of all ages and What: Pinehurst/MHS Open House abilities. Charlie’s first taste of figure skating came when he and his wife When: October 23rd - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. enrolled one of their daughters in the CanSkate program. After watching her progress over the next 12 years, Charlie wanted to give something Where: Pinehurst School (Formerly MHS) Seymour Avenue back to the sport. He began to work as a program assistant where he Details: This event is included when you purchase tickets to a night helped young skaters progress from barely walking on their skates to event. Come and see what Merritton High School looks like now. The fine finally skating across the ice. Charlie worked as a program assistant for 25 people at Pinehurst School will welcome back all Tiger Alumni with an years and many of the skaters he helped are now in high school and still Open House. Check out the ‘Decade Tables’ to find your class pictures and remember when Charlie taught them. memorabilia. See old friends and get a blast from the past as you, once Seven years ago, he decided to make the change from hockey again, walk the hallowed halls of the old Merritton High School! skates to figure skates and then began to take lessons himself. Charlie is currently working on ice dances and free skating skills, although learning jumps is not on the agenda! Besides being great exercise, he finds that Saturday Night accomplishing goals is rewarding and skating in the Merritton Skating What: Cocktail Party Club’s adult session is great fun. The skaters at the Merritton Skating When: Saturday October 23rd - 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Club are a great group, offering encouragement to each other and Where: Merritton Community Centre providing the chance for new friendships and camaraderie. Details: Catered by Niagara Gourmet Caterers, Music by Flatbroke. His coach, Amanda Maggetti, has been an integral part of his development and is very grateful to get the chance to work with such a dedicated, passionate and hard-working skater like Charlie.

 I MERRITTON MATTERS Bank of Nova Scotia By Joseph Cassidy It may be a brand-spanking-new Scotiabank building at 343 Glendale Avenue, but the staff inside is all the same-old friendly faces and well- known trusted smiles that have been taking care of customers’ banking needs in Merritton for almost 100 years. “We have gone full circle and it’s like coming home for everybody because so many of us have worked together throughout the years,” said Scotiabank 1912. It was remodeled in 1956 to provide both working and customer Personal Banking Manager Mary Petrusic. “It’s a great staff-customer dynamic space that was needed to accommodate increased employment at Alliance to be able to offer all these familiar faces and we are truly like a family.” Paper Mills and other industrial establishments. Usually, when two businesses close there are job cuts, but not in this “The customer base at Merritton branch is very, very loyal and very case. In a true example of a win-win situation, every single employee Merritton-minded, so it was a little bit difficult and sentimental to close, but was retained when the Pen Centre and Merritton Scotiabank branches customers recognized that we had outgrown the existing location and it was merged into their new location. time,” said Petrusic, a 20-year Scotiabank employee. “It was a good decision “It’s a great opportunity, and it’s great for the bank staff because nobody that the bank made to move us where they did and to merge us with the Pen lost their jobs because of the move,” Scotiabank Branch Manager Jackie Centre branch because we are very like-minded and service oriented.” Dumoulin said. “In fact, there are many more opportunities for the existing The Bank of Nova Scotia purchased the existing National Trust staff because we have more senior positions in the branch now and there is branch at the Pen Centre and then converted it to a Scotiabank in plenty of room for people to develop at the management level.” 1998. After spending 10 years at the Pen, present bank manager Jackie Both branches will be missed by staff and customers alike, but the Dumoulin has fond memories of the shopping mall. new Scotiabank location has some extra features that will accommodate “We were not at the Pen Centre nearly as long as the staff was at Merritton,” more customer needs in the fast-paced environment we now live in. she said. “We had a good run at the Pen and developed a good customer base “It is excellent for our customer base because we have many more by being there. Since we have moved, I have driven to the (Pen Centre) parking amenities, such as; wheelchair access, extended hours, ample parking and lot, looked straight ahead and realized I’m in the wrong spot.” a drive-thru banking machine.” Dumoulin said. “And, our customers can The management team encourages existing clientele to stop by and also access the Sobeys and LCBO location that are in this new plaza.” experience the same high level of service they always enjoy, and new The red brick building that housed the Merritton branch had been a clients are invited to come and be a part of the Glendale Scotiabank. landmark on Merritt Street since it opened as the Bank of Nova Scotia in

MERRITTON MATTERS I  Sarah Hipwell We’re just getting to know a great Merritton photographer. Sarah (Frausel) Hipwell grew up mostly in the Secord Woods area and now has made Merritton her home, moving back to the exact building where she had spent a large majority of her childhood. Sarah attended Applewood School with long-time teachers Mrs. Syri and Mrs. Veld counted among her favourites. Interestingly enough, her son Zachary currently attends JK at Applewood with the same teacher who taught her. Zachary is a very active four year old who loves hunting for bugs and hiking and son Carsen is a typical 2 year old boy, always in the dirt and never far behind his big brother. Although photography is now her passion, Sarah treasures the memories of her first devotion, skating at the Merritton Figure Skating Club where she entered several competitions, winning a bronze medal at one of them. Photography has always been something she has had a strong interest in and you could always find her at all the family get togethers taking photos of everyone. When she bought her first digital SLR a few years ago, she found herself photographing as many moments of her sons as possible and trying various editing techniques to enhance the impact of each photograph. Visitors to her home repeatedly encouraged her to take on photography as a profession, and offer her services to others. Her passion for photography is very evident on her Facebook page, ‘Sarah Hipwell’. Her ‘on location’ photographic style ensures that customers have pictures taken in a location that holds special meaning for them. Customers can also bring meaningful ‘props’ with them to personalize the images. People have taken advantage of her skill to book Zachary and Carsen at Wembley Park Sarah for photos of maternity, couples/engagement, family, children and wedding days. There are several ways to contact her. You can search her ads on kijiji.ca under ‘Sarah Hipwell Photography’, visit her blog at sarahhipwellphotography.blogspot.com or email her at sarahhipwellphotography@ gmail.com. We hope that Sarah gets the opportunity to further capture the memories of Merritton.

MCG Garden Tour Lovely gardens in our community will be on display at the annual tour scheduled for June 27th. Tickets are available at Bloomin’ Busy. Don’t miss it!

Sheila Morra was recognized for her volunteer work at St. Catharines’ Volunteer Recognition Night held on Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Standing with Sheila are Joe Kushner, St. Andrew’s Ward, Mayor McMullen and Greg Washuta, St. George’s Ward.

 I MERRITTON MATTERS Merritton’s Goose Island By John Wilkinson People walking by our house in Merritton often ask “What is this place? Whatever the origin of this island’s name, since the 1829 opening of the First We’ve lived in Merritton all our lives and we didn’t know this was here - sort Canal, plenty of water and bullrushes as well as other natural things created a of a bit of the country in the city”. Even though the street sign says Ball Ave. lot of potential nesting sites. As a result, natural bonding has been going on for a West, long time residents, like our family, don’t think in terms of living on a long time and even today a few geese will land in early March, raise their goslings, street, to us it’s ‘the island’, Goose Island, that is! leave by midsummer and a handful will return again. You can count on it! A map appearing on the cover page of this Newsletter shows Goose Island Goose Island has been home to quite a few people too. Since 1921, tucked between a By Pass and Trace of the First Welland Canal which parallels close to a 100 people from a cluster of 24 families have lived here but it was today’s Merritt St., and the Second Welland Canal running alongside Bradley originally a sliver of the Ball farm which was land given to George Ball in Street (once known as Lock Street). Therefore, it was the two canals and their 1796 by a Crown Grant - hence the street name ‘ Ball’ Avenue. But there is feeder weirs which formed Goose Island between them. Today it’s difficult to this other tale that, during the mid 1800’s, the island was the place to go for see its outline because the First Canal was buried long ago and the weirs and ‘Chopin gigs’. So entertaining were these parties that a street just had to be By Pass are now dry, but it’s there. Enough original shape of the island’s edges named to commemorate the fun at all these ‘balls’. remain for a careful person to see its general outline. Maps from the 1850’s to Between 1796 and the 1950’s a score of jurisdictional changes occurred the early 1960’s show water on all sides and during this long period of time the which directly impacted canal lands and a handful of these changes put island’s size and shape didn’t change much, even though water levels had to go Goose Island in an odd relationship with the town of Merritton. Although up and down in response to the large and varying amounts of water needed to Goose Island was geographically within, serviced and taxed by Merritton, operate both canals and drive the canalside industries (only 2 shown on this it did not actually belong to Merritton because Goose Island was federal map). These industries were located behind the First Canal’s towpath, now property. Beginning in 1879 and continuing for 75 years, island residents buried beneath parts of Merritt Street, and the Second Canal’s towpath on annually leased their properties from ’s Department of Railways and Bradley Street which met the same fate in the early 1960’s. A finger-in-the-wind Canals. Then in the 1950s the Canadian Government offered to transfer guess of the area covered by the island was probably about 20-25 acres. these federal properties to Merritton with island residents being given the Why the name GOOSE Island? It’s a guess too. Some say the island’s opportunity to purchase the properties they had been renting for so long. shape looks like a goose and I suppose if you stare at a map long enough And so they did. a goose could emerge. I see a wood duck. Not a very precise process for Incidentally, the map is only a sketch map derived from a mixture of naming a place, much like pondering an ink blotch on paper. But there is lease and dimly recalled family information. It therefore, is not meant to be another story that old BlackJack used to tell the island kids ‘way back when. perfectly accurate. Furthermore, the buildings noted existed somewhere Before I forget, his nickname was one word. For full effect, we used to run between the 1860’s and the late 20th century and have now become mostly the two words quickly together and that’s what BlackJack liked ; he didn’t like vacant lands. Black (pause) Jack . BlackJack lived on the island his whole life, as did his So this is the end of this little discourse except to say this; even though it’s family before him, and he used to tell us how it got its name. He said that an certainly not the same as it was, it’s good to be back on what’s left of the island and old lady had a cottage near the Gate Yard, back amongst the trees. She loved good to be back in Merritton too. Both set rich memories in my mind especially birds of all kinds but her favourites were the geese, especially white ones that my growing up years on Goose Island - but that’s another story for another day! landed from time to time, and she kindly fed them grain from a nearby grist mill. As the years passed there got to be so many geese they’d sometimes blacken a fall sky. Excited young voices wanted to know the old lady’s name John Wilkinson’s ancestors came to live on Goose Island sometime but BlackJack’s answer was always the same; “She didn’t have a real name like before 1864 and his own family moved onto the Island when John you kids. Hers was a nickname like mine” he’d say. In my mind’s eye I can still was five years old. Now retired, he and his wife Linda have returned see him leaning our way, looking right through us, uttering “Don’t tell a soul”. to live there permanently. Following graduation from Merritton Then, so you could hardly hear his voice, he’d whisper “Mother Goose” and High School, John attended Brock University and then spent his our silence would crack as we’d all laugh together, even BlackJack laughed. entire career in the teaching profession. He is now working on a But, when some of us boys were in the Gate Yard looking for the natural follow-up article for the Newsletter about growing up on the island. order of the day, we’d spend some time searching around amongst the trees for proof of Mother Goose.

MERRITTON MATTERS I  PAST TRIVIA: We've received lots of information on the Merritton Post so New Trivia stay tuned!

We need help from our historians. Take a look at this house, located on Merritt Street near St. Andrew’s Church. Do you have any information about it? The current owner purchased it in 1965 and is very curious about the years before she owned it. Please email the editor at [email protected] or call 905-680-4023.

10 I MERRITTON MATTERS Krsul’s Farm By David Craig (Henderson, Texas) Growing up on Maple St. (now Maplecrest Ave.) in Merritton in baseball either at the diamond at Maple St. School, in the 1950s I, as did every other kid who grew up on the “hill”, or at the downtown park, with the Bird League teams, was familiar with Krsul’s farm. Maple Street was then and is and later with organized MAA baseball. On hot summer now a dead-end street. If you stand at the end of the street and nights, we would all gather on Maple St. for games of look east, the scene is similar today to what it was 50 years ago. “kick the can” or “hide and seek”, or, if you were brave A grassy hill slopes down to a set of railway tracks, which once enough, “nicky nicky ninedoors”. In the winter, we would connected Thorold with Port Dalhousie. Beyond the tracks is all either play road hockey on Maple St., or real hockey a flat open meadow, maybe 75 yards wide, which then rises on Krsul’s pond, weather permitting! to street level, on which sat Krsul’s farm. Beyond the small The Old Krsul Farm House There are 3 amusing stories I have to tell about my farm was a steep cut (“the cliffs”), where another set of railway (Now the Astley Residence) friendship with George Krsul. We were very young, when tracks ran. Beyond that, you could then, and still can, see the super-structure of Joe apparently traveled to visit Mary in Chicago, and brought back one or more ships “climbing the mountain” in locks 4 and 5 of the Welland Ship Canal. cartons of Old Gold cigarettes. Like all kids then, we thought we’d like to smoke The farm was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Krsul Sr. (Mr. and Mrs. like grownups did. So George swiped some cigarettes from Joe’s stash---not a Tom Astley now own it.) As best as I can recall, the Krsul children, from few, not a package (which might not have been missed), but a whole carton of oldest to youngest, were Mary, Joe, Frank, George, and Katie. The farm Old Golds!! We took them to a clump of trees in a bare lot behind our house, consisted of a large 2 or 3 story house, a long stone gravel driveway and proceeded to smoke them, one by one. As we got tired of them or sick opening onto Townline Rd. at the south end of the property, a large from them, we would light one, take a puff, and then deposit it in a can we had vineyard south of the house, a large 2 story barn north of the house, a large for butts. I can’t remember the consequences—nor do I want to think about vegetable garden, and some fruit trees. Mr. Krsul had a Massey-Harris the consequences--- that accrued to George once Joe discovered what had tractor and a pickup truck which, at that time, was not as common as happened! pickups are today. They also owned a milk cow and I remember seeing I was also very young when I noticed that George had developed a pails of milk up by the house, and I know Mrs. Krsul used to make cheese habit of rhythmically hitting both wrists against his hips, for no reason at from the milk—a fact which forms part of a story that I will relate later. all. It was just a childhood nervous habit he’d picked up somewhere. Before I was George Krsul’s age. Mary had already married and lived in I knew it, I found myself doing the same thing. My mother asked me Chicago. Joe was next in age, and worked at GM. Frank was my sister why I was doing this because it was getting on her nerves, and I honestly Sheila’s age. Katie was a couple of years younger than George and I. answered “I don’t know why I’m doing it—I caught it from George.” We lived in an immigrant neighborhood. I knew early on that Mr. and The third story has to do with the homemade cheese that Mrs. Krsul Mrs. Krsul were immigrants from Yugoslavia. They were Roman Catholic, used to make from the cow’s milk. It was white, and when he had some, so were probably Croatian. My parents were immigrants too, from George would share it with me. I loved it! I would always encourage Scotland. I remember when I started 1st grade, in 1948, at Maple St. School George to get some cheese for us. One day, I suggested that George get (South Ward) that my friend, George Krsul, wasn’t part of my class. I recall some, and his mother said no. I suggested he sneak in and get some out of asking my mother about this, and her telling me that he was probably the fridge. I waited, sitting on the back steps, beside a large bushel basket attending St. Patrick’s school, because they were Catholic. At age 6, I never full of large recently dug-up potatoes. Suddenly, George came bursting really understood why my best friend and I needed to be separated. out the door, bounded down the steps, and was running full tilt toward Mr. and Mrs. Krsul were very hard working people. In addition to the barn, with a piece of cheese in each hand. I was right behind him, as working a regular job at a paper mill, Mr. Krsul worked the farm, doing I could hear his mother yelling angrily in Croatian as she emerged from everything from pruning, weeding and harvesting the grapes, to cutting the house. As we ran for our lives, it began to rain potatoes around us, like hay, and tending to the vegetables and fruit crops. Plus caring for the cow! mortar shells. Mrs. Krsul couldn’t run with us, but she had a strong arm, Mrs. Krsul, I’m sure, helped with all of this, plus tending to her duties as and was very accurate with the potato barrage! a mother and keeper of the house. Add canning and cheese-making to all Growing up in Merritton was a great small town experience. Having of this and one can see how very hard she worked as well. Mr. Krsul spoke a farm at the end of my street also allowed me to have the experience of a good English, but Mrs. Krsul spoke Serbo-Croatian to the children. country or farm life. The Krsuls were great neighbors and good citizens. Frank and George, whom I knew best, were both good students and Krsul’s farm and the Krsul family enriched my childhood and contributed good athletes. In the summer, they and the other hill boys would participate to who I am. I shall always be grateful. Merritton does matter!

MERRITTON MATTERS I 11 Merritton High School Merritton Legion Girls’ Group Update By Allison Bryson Here are the new officers for Branch 138: On the last Monday of each month, a group of former Merritton High School President - Mike Gander Past President - Jack Gemmell ladies, who attended the school in the 60’s, meet for dinner and a social get- 1st Vice - Bob Weir 2nd Vice - George Goff together at Ricki-Jo’s restaurant on Bunting Road. The group varies in size from Treasurer - Karen Downes Membership - Ron Tuckwell 12 to 30 on any one night. Most have retired from their jobs but the odd one is Sgt-At-Arms - Mary Novaro still employed. Of course, all of them look exactly like they did in high school. Executive Committee - Al Follick, Frances Cowan, Stu Murray, Conversations revolve around vacations, grandchildren, highlights Barb Finch, Sharon Richards, Brian Tibbs and Bill Borden from their days in the hallowed halls of Merritton High, former friends and teachers and future plans. Occasionally, they are joined by a favourite former teacher. Once, the late and entertaining Merritton alderman, Mike Collins, stopped by to reminisce. (Note: Men are not part of the group.) Morag Enright from the Merritton Community Group regularly joins the event and distributes copies of the Merritton Matters. After dinner, in a designated alcove of the restaurant, the ladies sing “Happy Birthday” to those who celebrated a birthday that month. The celebrants also receive a birthday card signed by each of the ladies. Then, everyone enjoys some delicious birthday cake for dessert. No dinner is held in December; however, a Christmas dinner complete with gift exchange is held in November. These adventurous ladies contribute to a common lottery ticket purchase. The plan is that if they win, they will build a retirement home to house them when they are “old”. Any ladies who graduated from Merritton High School in 1964, 65 or 66 are welcome to join us for dinner at Ricki-Jo’s on the last Monday of every month (except December) at 5:00 p.m. Help keep the group growing and the group will help keep your memories alive.

12 I MERRITTON MATTERS Habitat for Humanity Way to Go Ferndale! The newly constructed home on Birch Lane isn’t really the Habitat for Humanity home anymore because it truly has become the home Did you have a chance to see Ferndale School’s wonderful for the Schott family. The official dedication ceremony was held performances of Oz on April 20th, 21st or 22nd? Oz is the on February 25, 2010. We at the Merritton Community Group are stage version of the classic tale of The Wizard of Oz. It’s proud of the part we played in the process and proud of the work of true to the original, with the same characters, but with the Rotary Club of St. Catharines, Habitat for Humanity, Merritton some minor differences. Lioness and Merritton Lions Club as the major donors. It’s also because of the six months of hard work by the District All students from grades 1 - 8 had the opportunity to School Board of Niagara students that a very deserving family can participate. Auditions were held for students from Grades call it home. Beyond this satisfaction, the students involved in the 4 - 8 for cast roles before Christmas. In the new year, any Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Regional Construction program interested students were able to join the chorus. They had get numerous benefits. They get to work in a real world environment and explore their future career options while receiving secondary a marvellous cast of 24 students and the chorus numbered school credits. They work at all aspects of home building so they over 60! Students from every grade were represented. can figure out what they enjoy doing and then start focussing on The staff is to be commended for their boundless that trade. They also receive various certifications that are valued energy and time devoted to the production. Another great by the construction sector such as First Aid/CPR, Fall protection, Electrical Safety, Energy efficiency training, scaffold safety etc. Once contribution was made by Dan Elder, a former Ferndale they complete the SHSM program they will receive a specialized parent, who volunteered his time as set designer. He had Ontario Secondary School Diploma with an official SHSM red seal prepared the sets for Oliver, their production in 2008, in and an Official SHSM record card which lists all of the sector specific which his daughter was Oliver. courses and certifications they have received. All this is a tremendous benefit to students and the community.

Lions Bowling Trophy Among the many memories of Merritton housed at the St. Catharines Museum, there’s a very interesting one that relates to Merritton Lions Bowling. It’s a trophy awarded to Fred Astley, a player on the Alliance Pulp and Paper Bowling team, in 1962. Fred bowled at both the Merritton Lions Bowling Club and Dorado Lanes and won this for having the highest average that year. This unusual trophy is made from red oak in a curved dorsal shape. On the right of the sculpture stands a brass figure poised to swing a bowling ball.

MERRITTON MATTERS I 13 Altar Boy By Tom Barwell

When in my early teens, I loved to go to church. Sometimes on a Sunday, I would attend three different services - early communion, regular morning service and again in the evening. Our family’s church of choice was St. James Anglican on the corner of Oakdale and Merritt. There I sang in the choir and served as an altar boy. Of course it had nothing to do with the fact that the minister at the time, Rev. Nowe, had a very cute daughter who was also in the choir. I just couldn’t imagine myself being involved in a seriously religious environment as one would have to grow up too quickly. And, even then, if I did make a little advance, the Reverend’s eyes would warn me away. He must have sensed a flaw in my character. A favourite task was being an altar boy. Sometimes there would be three of us as congregations were a lot larger in those days. We even practiced by putting chalk marks on the floor showing where we should be positioned at critical moments to avoid bumping into one another. It could get a little congested in such a small area. Our teacher in all of this was ‘Prynce Nesbitt’. He was a rather large imposing man and played the organ as well as leading the choir. Needless to say, we listened when he talked. So here we were. Three of us one Sunday morning gathered in a little room behind the organ, putting on our garments in preparation for the 11 a.m. service. There were Bill, Berg and myself. I felt a sudden tug on my sleeve. Bill was pointing to an open cupboard above a small sink. There inside, were a number of wine bottles. This was the communion wine. Ever curious, we brought a bottle down. It was red of course and even had the church’s name on it. Seeing the bottle had been opened, we popped the cork for a sniff. Next thing you know, each of us had a swig. It was the wrong thing to do as it hit us like a ton of bricks and a period of giggling and mock jousting took place. Suddenly the door slammed open and there was Prynce, looking even larger in his robes. He glowered at us and suggested that we quit fooling around and get ready for the service. He stared at us for a moment rather suspiciously then, with a grunt closed the door. A very close call. There was only a single glitch. One of us had to lead the choir up from the back of the church towards the altar to signal the beginning of the service. This meant carrying a large cross mounted on a staff at the head of the procession. It was a very important task and it was Bill’s turn. As the organ sounded and he raised the cross, there was a loud clanging noise. For a split second I thought it might have been the crash of doom for our transgressions. He had hit an overhead chandelier. A cloud of dust came down and everyone ducked. We only barely held our laughter and our stomachs ached after from the effort. Nevertheless, our duties were carried out in perfection and it was probably one of our better efforts as we floated around like the angels we were. Drinking the wine was rather a silly thing to do, but boys will be boys. I did notice on our return for the evening service that the cupboard was locked. After my voice cracked and a shadow of a mustache appeared on my upper lip, I thought it was about time I moved on. Church was a wonderful experience but it just seemed to get too serious for me. My partners had scattered and their replacements were too immature. Maybe I was growing up. But I hoped not.

14 I MERRITTON MATTERS MERRITTON MATTERS I 15