IRONDALE NEWSLETTER Produced by the Bark Lake Cultural Developments JUNE 2016 Bark Lake Cultural The Irondale Community Garden – Returning to its Roots Developments Returning to Irondale from Saskatchewan in the fall of 1921, George and Ethel Mae Charitable No. 80487 0087 RR0001 Simmons moved into their first house in the community along with their 4 year old

9 member son Fred. Tragically the house burnt to the ground the day after the young family Board of Directors moved into it. Local resident Jim Hartin offered the Simmons family the Cherry

[email protected] Valley Methodist Church building to live in. In another example of the pioneer spirit, the former Methodist Church building was moved to a new site 200 yards from the Host your next function at 1887 Irondale Community Church. From the propagation of a transplanted Irondale Irondale’s heritage church family to the generosity of a local resident for another in the community, a seed - Rental Information - would be sown which yielded a lifetime of service to Irondale, & to King and Country 705-457-8438 by their son Fred Simmons.

It was Ethel Mae Simmons who first obtained permission from the Church to establish a vegetable garden on the grounds. Ethel Mae instilled in her son Fred a love Toe Tappin’ Time of gardening which he would in time, take to another level for Irondale and give back details page 5 to the community tenfold.

Fred Simmons served in the Canadian Forces, was at the landing in Normandy, France and VE Day in Haren, Germany. He returned to Irondale, married Pearl Woermke in 1948 and had 3 children Gary, Dennis and Brenda. Together with Pearl, Fred would take over not only the community garden his mother Ethel Mae had established, but he in time became the church’s dedicated caretaker for 63 years. $25 each See page 2 Visitors and residents to the Irondale Church over the years referred to the “huge garden” alongside the Church as ‘Fred’s Garden’. A veritable kitchen garden was established producing more food than Fred and Pearl could sell or give away to the

visitors of the Church he faithfully served. Fred plowed all proceeds from the garden back into the following years garden. Fred’s daughter Brenda came up with the idea to use the bounty of the garden as the decoration theme for the Church’s festive Thanksgiving Services. These decorations became renown in the community for residents and cottagers alike. Continued page two

I feel like Old Mother Hubbard! I’ve went to the cupboard and it was bare.

I lent my copy of the book titled “Report of the Royal When you want to make a Commission on the Mineral Resources of , and good impression! Measures for Their Development” to someone that 2158 Horseshoe Lake Road, attended the Iron Mine Tour last fall. Minden, ON K0M 2K0 (705) 286-1317 If it was you, can I have it back please? Fax: (705) 286-6305 PAGE 2 IRONDALE NEWSLETTER JUNE 2016

Community Garden continued from page one Fred decided to donate to the local food bank a portion of the fruits and vegetables he lovingly grew each season, so that others could benefit from the fruits of his labour. For those who knew Fred and Pearl Simmons of Irondale, their service to their community and the Church is still revered with great respect. The BLCD who owns the heritage site today has been fortunate to have the continued support of many who volunteer and share Ethel and her son Fred Simmons’ love of gardening and community spirit. To date many plants have been generously donated by Wendy Kidd, Kurt and Linda Christensen. Wendy has once again designed a planting scheme which will harvest wonderful vegetables. Given more funds, we would like to expand the Community Garden and carry on the tradition of Fred Simmons further. Starting in July, local residents Kurt and Linda Christensen will have a table in front of their home at 7057 Hwy 503 on Fridays and Saturdays. They will be selling vegetables harvested from the Community Garden, with all proceeds going back into developing the garden more in 2017. If you have an interest in buying fresh locally grown vegetables or would like to exchange your own fruit or vegetable ‘extras’ for produce from our Community Garden Project in order to help stretch a few dollars at home, we would love to hear from you!

Please stop by the Community Garden Buy or Exchange Table at the Christensen home or contact us.

If you have any of the following - fruit trees, rhubarb, berry bushes, strawberry plants or potatoes, tomatoes, leeks or other vegetables you have too much of - some cold/root cellar space you can donate - garden tools, spare time to help in the garden - assistance with preserving the excess fruits/vegs that we have.

All suggestions are welcome. We will consider any barter/trade you may wish to offer.

Diverse music — Eclectic programming Training opportunities for volunteers www.facebook.com/Bark-Lake-Cultural-Developments Call or text to 705-457-1009 www.canoefm.com Male and Female Housing Rules Announced At New Volunteer Community Radio for the Haliburton Highlands Seniors Centre

On the first day at the new Seniors Centre, the manager addressed all the new seniors pointing out some of the rules: "The female sleeping quarters will be out-of-bounds for all males, and the male dormitory to the females. Anybody caught breaking this rule will be fined $20 the first time."

He continued, "Anybody caught breaking this rule the second time NATURE’S HEALING TOUCH will be fined $60. Being caught a third time will cost you a fine of Usui/Holy Fire Reiki Master 705-286-6596 $180. Are there any questions?" Michelle M. Lewis B.A., B.Ed 46 Anson Street Minden, On [email protected] Nature’s Healing Touch is on Face Book At this point, an older gentleman stood up in the crowd inquired: "How much for a season pass?" JUNE 2016 IRONDALE NEWSLETTER PAGE 3

The Orphanage In 1926 Violet and Sid Fairfield bought Lot 30, Con XV where Mrs. Fairfield established an orphanage. Mr. Fairfield grew cash crops: corn, pumpkins and turnips and in an April 8 2005 interview, Jim Fairfield, their son, recalled that there were 27 stone piles on that 27 acres.

Jim recalls too, that when he was 6 years old, he really needed some nails for a project he was working on and, not able to find any, he got some paper and matches and burned down the outhouse to get the nails he needed. He says, “My father wasn’t much of a carpenter and I can still remember the lopsided outhouse he built (to replace the one Jim had burned).”

Mr. Fairfield also cut and sold cordwood and employed a few Scandinavians The house on Lot 30, Con XV, perhaps to help him. According to Jim, these men did not handle their liquor very well. built by Henry Holbrook, which later On one memorable day when Mrs. Fairfield had driven to Haliburton, the men served as The Orphanage. took a holiday in the Fairfield’s living room. The more liquor they consumed Photo courtesy Jim Fairfield the more boisterous they became. They started throwing Mrs. Fairfield’s

dishes around and overturned a stove.

Jimmy and a friend encourage them of course, but they said something to the men that annoyed them and the men chased them up and down the road threatening dire consequences. When they came to the Johnston Smith farm, Mr. Smith was standing at the gate with a shotgun in his hands and told the men to go home; he kept the two boys at his house for the night. When Mrs. Fairfield returned the next day, she turned the buggy Around, drove back to Haliburton and brought the police. Her daughter-in-

Another of Fairfield’s wards was Gladys Titus law, Jean, says that Mrs. Fairfield told her that everything was paid for and who married James (Jim) Main; this is their that she wound up with some better dishes than those that had been broken. wedding picture. L.to R.: James (Jim) Main, Unknown, Gladys My parents moved to this house in 1935 with their two children; my (Titus) Main, Minnie Titus, Unknown, Pearl brother Harry and me; my sister Mabel was born in this house. I remember Titus; Minnie and Pearl are sisters of the bride. that it had a kitchen and a living room, with a sliding door between them, Photo courtesy Jim Fairfield downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs. The stairs, situated between the kitchen and the living room, were a dark wood; the ceilings of the bedrooms were sloped, i.e., it was a storey -and-a- half house. All of the rooms ere wallpapered. There was a ‘summer kitchen’ at the back of the house where Russell and Margaret Warner and their daughter Marjorie lived. We moved from here to a house that my parents owned along the Buckhorn Road three miles south of Haliburton on December 14, 1936. The table cutlery was inadvert- ently left behind for the next day’s load so my father carved a little wooden spoon for me so I could eat my por-

ridge; that was my birthday present.

The above was copied by permission from Mrs. Elva Bates, author of ‘A Journey Through Glamorgan’s Past’ and ‘Goodroom, Eh?’

Elva has very generously donated a box of her books to BLCD. Please contact me (705-457-8438) should you wish to buy one. Back row L to R; Unknown, Mary Hubbel, Wilda Hubbel, Jim Fairfield Front: Maggie Barclie $25 no tax . Photo courtesy Jim Fair- PAGE 4 IRONDALE NEWSLETTER JUNE 2016 Esther Graham wins big in Toronto! I started quilting in the 70’s. I went to my aunts house in Campbellford. I learned to quilt with my Grandmother, a Great Aunt and two Aunts. When I left there that day I brought the quilt home with me (I didn’t do much).

In the 1980’s I started entering the Fair, then over the years I added 7 more. There are 15 districts in Ontario and I seem to be in the middle of 4 of them so I have had many quilts that have won the fair I entered in and won the district the fair is in.

In 2003, I won second for a quilt from Bracebridge, that was the first time I placed in Toronto at the Fair Convention. It is held at the Royal York every year in February. I have won 2 other seconds for different years.

Feb 2014, I had 3 quilts from different districts go to the Fair Convention and came home with a second—this is the fair year of 2013. In 2015 - I sent one quilt and got second for 2014 fair year.

So for the fair year of 2015, I once again sent 3 quilts from different Fair Districts and in Feb 2016 I finally won - Best Quilt, second Best Quilt and Viewers Choice. I was very happy to say the least when I got the phone call.

two of Esther’s winning quilts from the 2015 Fair Districts

The evening of April 9 was a busy one for BLCD. Many thanks to those that helped to prepare the meal, gather auction items, cleaning Where oh up and especially to those that bought tickets and enjoyed the evening. A where has surprise item, last on the list, a box of DeWalt tools garnered $731! Bidding my was fierce among the men and some of the women. A gift certificate for 30 mining bottles of wine was popular with most bidders. Special thanks to Doug book Pearson, auctioneer and our own Vanna White, Mike Toye! gone. Where or where can it be? JUNE 2016 IRONDALE NEWSLETTER PAGE 5

3,000 ACRES BURN RAIN MAY HELP 400 WEARY MEN - This was the Toronto Daily Star newspapers headline Monday August 22, 1949

With the wild fires raging in Fort McMurray, Alberta this past month, and a couple forest fires in this past couple weeks, thought a bit of fire history was appropriate.

Special to The Star Haliburton, Aug 23—Ontario’s biggest forest fire in 129 outbreaks continued to ravage 3.000 acres of Snowdon township woodlands today as conscription of combat crews remained in force and tired men found hope in rain forecasts. Throughout the province, more than 1.300 men were working desperately to hold the fires in check.

In this resort district, 50 summer cottages were threatened by the Bark Lake blaze. But forecasts of scattered showers today promised aid for 400 firefighters. Showers are expected to sprinkle the Haliburton region, where bulldozers, aircraft and radios have been thrown into the all-out struggle.

Effective today, a three –week ban on bush travel in this district was ordered by the Hon. Harold Scott, lands and forest minister. Similar regulations already cover Temiskaming and the Timmins division of the Cochrane fire district. Minden enforced conscription for the first time yesterday, sending 30 men into the battle. The over-all picture showed little change. Fog blankets at night retarded spread of flames.

Forest department officials believed the Snowdon blaze could be retained within its present limits. From Haliburton, Irondale, Lochlin and other settlements on the fire’s fringe all able- bodied men over 16 were under the conscription order. More than 250 men, the largest single group, were rushed to the threatened Gelert dam, 42 miles from Haliburton. Yesterday flames advance to within a mile of Minden and Lochlin.

Shovellers work to quell the fiery inferno. Ground crews were fighting the Bark Lake outbreak from a defense line drawn at dirt road running south from lake to Irondale river. Bulldozers and backfires cut away a clearing to act as a barrier but hard shovel work was still needed. Fighting Fire is Keith Cameron of Wilberforce, Conscription came to Haliburton in the wake of formerly of Toronto. Battle fires Sunday. All able-bodied men, 16 yrs & up, is being co-ordinated by were stopped Chief of Police Billy Dovell, 72, Lands and Forests Dept. see getting names on main street. Lawyers, aircraft hovering over the merchants, farmers, labourers all standing by for duty. burning area. From the plan instructions are Please be mindful of the dry conditions when you radioed to short-wave barbeque and campfire. ground stations . Do not flick you cigarette butts out the car window — the cause of recent local fires. PAGE 6 IRONDALE NEWSLETTER JUNE 2016

You won’t

want to miss the music this Call/Text year. 705-457-8438

Whisky Jack Aug 6 New property owners Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar the Kays on Chimo Rd, the Kavanaghs on Nogies Lake Aug 27 New addresses on our mailing list Ryan VanLieshout the Ewarts, Collins, and Petrie families Sept 24 and the Algonquin Gateway Business Association members Fundraisers for Irondale’s History

Refreshments are given fire fighters, at At least six settlements are endangered

Bark Lake in Haliburton area by Penny Hay, in the Haliburton Highlands of Central En Route Towing nurse at Board of Education camp. Irondale Ontario, today and families are frantically in most danger from flames. evacuating as swift moving forest fires roar through district, fought by man but aided and abetted by nature. Thousands of woodland acres have been destroyed and other thousands are threatened by the blazes.

En Route Towing 705-286-6934 705-457-7793 24 Hr Service Damage-free local & long Blake Barnes, centre, with hose, is one distance towing Towing for cars, trucks, motorcycles & RVs of the hundreds of men fighting the fire Flatbed Towing Radio-equipped planes are flown in Fuel Delivery from Sudbury, North Bay and Sault Ste. Tilt & Load Service Marie. Tourists summering in the area Lockout Service have joined in battling the blaze. Roadside Assistance Car Battery Boosts JUNE 2016 IRONDALE NEWSLETTER PAGE 7 Here we GROW again — For most people a new year signals a fresh start; a chance to make New Years resolutions, set new personal goals, tackle those projects that didn’t get finished in 2015, or push the reset button in life and move on in a new positive direction. Change can be daunting to some folks, but change with a well thought out plan can be a recipe for success.

In January 2016, the Board of the BLCD welcomed some new blood to their table to help further grow this not-for- profit charity into a viable, sustainable historical society. With so much enthusiasm, rich cultural history, family traditions and social events happening on behalf of the Irondale community, the Board recognizes that all this energy needs to be focused into a collective blueprint.

We have been able to gather more data on the actual demographics of the community which helps us reach out to more people. The actual hamlet of Irondale today may appear at first glance to be a very small community, but hundreds of property owners in the Greater Irondale area have been sent our newsletter; made aware of our Facebook page; and have been invited to our events. Our current mailing list (mostly supporters & attendees) has doubled over the last few months. It is expected to increase twofold again by the end of the year.

What is most interesting about the new data we are gaining on the Greater Irondale area is how far people are willing to travel to support our events and see the BLCD accomplish its goals of preserving, protecting and promoting the extraordinary history and scenic beauty of the community for future generations.

One of our supporters wrote in recently, “I didn’t really know where Irondale. I kept hearing about all the concerts, community dinners, and other events going on in the area from a friend. We drove up for one of your events and can’t believe our luck in finding this special place. The church, the railway history, the mines, its fascinating.”

We sometimes take for granted living and cottaging in this beautiful area, how special it really is until visitors remind us. When Charles and Ruth Pusey built the 1887 historic church, now owned by BLCD, it was to be the centre of the community. 129 years later it still is.

Tell us what you think. Contact us with your comments about preserving the history of Irondale. Subscribe to our newsletter. Check us out on Facebook. Support our fundraising events. Together we can ensure the history of the Greater Irondale Area is viable and sustainable for future generations to discover.

The Spirit of Volunteering – Reaching Out to a New Generation According to Census Canada, 88% of all Canadians now live in urban areas. For those of us fortunate enough to live or cottage in such a beautiful area like Irondale, we know despite job commitments, family obligations or economic needs, while our minds and work life may require some of us be urban based, our hearts are forever securely planted in the Irondale area.

Researching the life of early residents to the area always uncovers a common theme. And that is a pioneer spirit and a sense of duty to contribute to the betterment to the community they lived in. For most of us who volunteer for any organization in todays world, we tend to be a 2 nd or 3 rd generation volunteer, following a family example. One of our parents or grandparents donated their time or energy towards some good cause, therefore we in time made an effort to do the same.

However according to Census Canada, while most of us technically live in a city in todays world, volunteerism for those urban dwellers between the ages of 30 – 50 is 60% less than a generation ago whilst volunteering of people ages 50 -75 in rural areas is significantly higher.

Why is that? It would seem that people who enjoy a part of their life in rural areas seasonally or permanently are more exposed to the example of others to serve their community and volunteer in some capacity, and the benefits of giving back your time or talents. If you have some time this summer we have several projects that volunteers are greatly appreciated to work on! Projects like our community garden, heritage church renovations, and event set up and clean up are ongoing. Whether you can give an afternoon or a few days of time and talent to share this summer, we look after our volunteers!

The rewards of volunteering are too numerous to mention, but paying it forward by sharing some of your time or talents to a worthy cause is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. If you would like to try a bit of volunteering for the BLCD, we would love to hear from you! PAGE 8 IRONDALE NEWSLETTER JUNE 2016

~ Irondale Calendar of Events ~ Hang this page on your refrigerator or next to your calendar so you don’t miss out!

June 11 152nd Annual Haliburton County Fair - new date this year. Complete list of events at www.haliburtoncountyfair.ca Irondale will be there with baked goods and tickets to events. Carl Dixon of Coney Hatch, April Wine & The Guess Who fame will be on stage at 5pm. The Leahy family preform at noon. Gates open 9 am.

June 18 Highlands Food & Beverage Showcase . Outdoor venue—Wintergreen Pancake Barn, 3325 Gelert Rd, Minden. See advert on page 7 July 16 Wild Game Dinner & Auction . Doors open 5pm. Buffet served at 6pm. Loonie auction action follows dessert. Galway Hall, Galway Rd, south of Kinmount $25 per person Ticket information below.

July 23 & 24 Irondale’s Ball Tournament . Teams are a mix of men & women. 15 to 20 people on each team. $150 fee per team. BBQ and Cash Bar on site. Besides bragging rights, the winning team gets fabulous prize. August 6 Whisky Jack - Stompin’ Tom Tribute . We are excited to host Stompin Tom’s band members for an evening remembering the man through stories and song. Music starts at 9pm. at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Centre in Wilberforce. $25 per person. Cash Bar. Ticket information below. Make it an evening - enjoy the Wilberforce Fair’s roast beef dinner before the music. August 27 Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar entertain us in Irondale’s heritage church. Doors open at 6pm, Music at 7pm $25 per person. Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar have been nominated for 4 awards already in 2016! You will enjoy a roots/blues/gospel sound. Ticket information below. September 24 Hike to the Iron Mine is back by popular demand. Join George for a romp through the bush, hear history as only George can tell it. Hike will go rain or shine. Sturdy footwear and bug repellent a must. Free admission. Meet at the historic Irondale Church at 10:30 sharp. Approx 1 1/2 hrs

September 24 Community Corn Roast & Country Concert . He opened for the August 2015 concert, now enjoy Haliburton’s own country star Ryan VanLieshout for the entire evening. “Ryan proved exactly why we call him ‘the next big thing” Hollywood Jamboree. Ryan entertains at 7pm inside Irondale’s heritage church. Ticket information below. October 9 Thanksgiving Service - 7pm at Irondale’s Community Church. Join the community for the traditional service of thanks. Join us between your main course and dessert, you will feel better! November 12 Hunter’s Dinner served at the Irondale Community Centre, offered from 5pm. Menu to be announced at a later date.

THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE Tickets For All Events ASSISTED WITH THE POSTAGE Can Be Purchased Online at FOR THIS ISSUE OF THE www.IrondaleOntario.ca IRONDALE NEWSLETTER ~ or call/text 705-457-8438 Thank You … Dan Wilson Troy Miles Wilberforce Fair’s Roast Carol Simmons Beef Dinner tickets Pat Miller Ethan Keefer must be purchased through Joyce Wright Looking for more information at 705-457-541 (cell) or on a healthier diet? There is still room. We would love to see [email protected] Monica Keefer your name here in the August issue. 705-455-2253 Donate towards postage - that’s all it takes. http://mkeefer.canada.juiceplus.com JUNE 2016 IRONDALE NEWSLETTER PAGE 9 Puseyville Mill The fascinating ruins of the Puseyville Mill. A 2.5 story stone merchant grist mill, constructed in 1795 by Samuel Pusey. A merchant mill ground grain mainly for sale to flour merchants, as opposed to grinding for local farmers.

130th Anniversary Charles J. Pusey and his brother Joseph arrived at Alexander’s Fording prior to the fall of 1859; the year he built a dam on Clearfield Creek, also a grist mill and saw mill at the same location. Mr. Pusey applied for permission to open his own post office. The on sight location required the application to select a name when written would not resemble the name of any other post office in the state. Mr. Pusey’s request was that his office be called “Madera.” The request Directions: From Quarryville, go south from Pa 372/State was granted. The Madera Post Office was officially Street on Pa 472/S. Lime Street/Kirkwood Pike for about 4 established Jan 31 1861. C. J. Pusey was appointed miles. Turn right on Wesley Road and go about 2 miles. Postmaster. Just past the junction with Blackburn Road on the right,

In the summer of 1861 he organized the Madera look for the mill ruins on the left prior to reaching Bridge Co. The bridge was built upstream from the Puseyville Rd. dam and was finished in Dec. of that year. Within a week it was badly damaged by high water. It was repaired & made ready for crossing by Jan 15, 1862. Mr. Pusey’s village was opposite Alexandersburg and above the ford. When the bridge brought the three villages together, the name “Madera” became the official name of the community made up of the three settlements, Alexander’s Fording, Alexandersburg and Puseyville. Alexanders Fording: The Madera Chronology c1990 by David W. Hill Please support our on www.IrondaleOntario.ca and Advertisers.

Let them know where you For Event Ticket Purchases saw their advertisement. and Cash/Cheque/Credit Cards We Certainly Appreciate their Support with

our Events and Newsletter Advertisements. for Donations PAGE 10 IRONDALE NEWSLETTER JUNE 2016

Small but Mighty - Irondale Community Centre

“Small churches are positively tiny, with fewer than 10 showing up Advisory Committee of on Sunday. But that often means closer friendships & the flexibility Minden Hills Council needed to thrive.” These are the words of Mike Milne, in his article [email protected] in the March 2016 issue of The United Church Observer. Excerpts of the article here fit any religious denomination. ~Rentals~ Rentals for the centre can be booked thru “After worship ends, everyone is invited … No one is ever asked to Barry Simmons bring food, but it always appears…. another hour of laughter and 705-447-2380 conversation.”

“Todays small congregations have some valuable lessons to share with the wider denomination. First, its all about community. Being part of a community is a big thing. Your identity, who you are, is all wrapped up in that. Caring also has to be part of community. Tiny churches get that, always begin with some kind of ‘check-in time’. You have to be supportive in each other’s life. If someone isn’t at worship, either someone else will know where they are or someone will be off to check, make sure all is okay.”

“Ministry personnel in small congregations … lay people are also taking more ministry leadership roles.”

“Many area cottagers, worship during the summer ... When summer A A A adherents arrive, says Faulkner, the community ‘just knits itself by together. There’s no ‘us’ or ‘them’.” M & S Affordable

“Perhaps more than building, rituals and traditions hold small Arborist Associated churches together and maintain a shared sense of community.” Tree Service

His article finishes with “We’ve often dismissed and devalued Safe, Reliable, and Insured “small’ and ‘tiny’. But that’s where a lot of good things happen.” Paul Mintz 705-447-1177 I found the article very interesting, almost as if they were talking of Satisfaction Guaranteed the Irondale Community Church. Be sure to check out the complete article on our website. www.IrondaleOntario.ca

Refurbish Update ~ Thank You to all that donated to our “ Help Refurbish the Hall ” Campaign $5,565 was raised through your Christmas donations.

Erin Templeton has launched a GoFundMe campaign. Please share the

website gofundme.com/25qy3qqk All donations receive a receipt that can be used for income tax purposes. Thank You For Your Support. 2490 Marsdale Peterborough, ON K9L 1R4 705-741-3922