Milton's New Year's Eve Bell-Ringing Tradition
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Milton Historical Society Winter Edition - 2017, Vol. 32, Issue 4 Milton’s New Year’s Eve 40th Anniversary Bell-Ringing Tradition he Town of Milton’s annual tradition of Nancy and Bob and their respective associ- the New Year’s Eve bell-ringing, by ations were recognized for their partner- T which Milton ushers in each New Year, ship, leadership, vision and effort in the was begun by Jim Dills, MHS member, histo- restoration of Victoria Park. The park resto- rian and retired publisher of the local Milton ration project improved the function of ex- newspaper, The Canadian Champion. In 1967, isting features, protected and enhanced the Jim originated the bell-ringing ceremony as a park’s heritage and it upgraded elements to special way to mark the 100th year of Cana- ensure continued enjoyment of the park for da’s confederation. generations to come. Milton’s Town bell hung in the original Town Residents and visitors are invited to join Hall from 1893 to 1985. It was the Town's Mayor Krantz on Sunday, December 31, third bell and was cast by Blimer Bell Compa- 2017, at 11:45pm, in Victoria Park, in front ny of Cincinnati. It was sounded three times of Hugh Foster Hall, for a festive gathering daily, at morning, noon and evening, on Sun- and a proud and enthusiastic bell-ringing to days it rang out as call to worship and it had celebrate 2018. The honorary bell-ringer also been used as the Town fire alarm. for 2018 is Kelly Scanlan, a Milton fire- In 1967, the Town bell remained installed at fighter and an Invictus Games medalist. the original Town Hall at 251 Main Street East. The first New Year’s Eve bell-ringing attracted a small gathering, but the ceremony grew in popularity over the years and Milton Mayor, Gordon Krantz, has continued the fes- tive tradition since 1981. After the Town Hall moved to the renovated courthouse and jail building in 1985, the bell was moved and in- stalled on a stone cairn in Victoria Park. Last year’s bell-ringing for 2017, the year in which we marked the 150th year of Canada’s confederation and also Milton’s 160th birth- day, was the first to take place in the newly- restored Victoria Park. Mayor Gord Krantz and Veterans Helping Veterans The honorary bell-ringers for 2017 were Nan- founder, Fred Smith, oil up the bell at Victoria Park in 2015, in preparation for the New Year’s Eve bell- cy Cuttle, Town Liaison for the MHS, and ringing that evening. -- Canadian Champion Bob Williams, President of the Royal Canadi- an Legion. 2017: Year In Review Page 2 by Sandy McInnes and Barbara Fitzsimons his year, 2017, has been a suc- Table of Contents cessful and active year for the Milton’s New Year’s Eve Page T members of the MHS. It began, Bell-Ringing Tradition 1 of course, with the Milton Town Coun- cil’s New Year’s Levee and the MHS Table of Contents Page Annual General Meeting in January. 2 Well-deserving MHS volunteers, 2017: Year In Review Page Bruce Carlin and Gloria Brown, were 2-4 honoured by Society President, Mandy 2018 Membership Fees, Page Sedgwick, and Milton Mayor, Gord Corporate Members, CFHN Krantz, at the Milton Walk of Fame In- 5 duction ceremony in February, just pri- Walking Historic Milton Page or to the kick-off of the tenth anniver- Books Now Available 6 sary of the Walk of Fame, a celebration that also acknowledged the 160th anni- Blacksmithing Classes Page versary of the founding of 2018 Schedule 7 the Corporation of the Town of Mil- ton, the 150th anniversary of MHS Gift Certificates Page the creation of the Dominion of Cana- 8 da and the 40th anniversary of the es- tablishment of the Society. The Heritage Corner: Page Milton Heritage Happenings 9 Milton and Area Churches, Page Carriage Room Rental, 10 Willow Grove Honey Molasses Ginger Cookies, Page 1903 Christmas Card 11 Sole Great War Soldier In Ebenezer Page United Church Cemetery 12-13 Calendar of Events Page 14 The MHS Monthly Meetings were well -attended and most engaging. Guest Membership Application Page speakers and topics included David 15 Hobden with Where’s Merton? Lost Villages of Halton, John Duignan with (Continued on page 3) Page 3 2017: Year In Review (continued) Milton Postcards, John and Laura Hughes with History of Springridge Farms, Nancy Cuttle with Milton Heritage Plan, Mark Ford with Ford Family History and Jennifer Smith with History of Film. The ever-popular MHS Annual Garage sale took place in April and was a great success, thanks to some generous donations and to all the hard work and co-ordination of our MHS volunteers. 2017 has seen a huge growth in the popular- The MHS thanks Diane and Mons Jensen ity of the MHS blacksmithing program. and their niece, Samantha, for an evening of Bruce Carlin, MHS Blacksmithing Co- history and hospitality as they graciously ordinator, increased the number of instruc- hosted the MHS Annual June Members’ tors and expanded the class schedule. Potluck Dinner at their home, which is the Blacksmiths, Mike Armstrong and Megan historic Craiglea House, located on Third Carter, have joined MHS blacksmithing in- Line, just north of the Boston Church in structors, Darwyne Hourie and Larry Halton Hills. Maughan, to accommodate the larger num- ber of students. Jim Dills’ twice monthly Milton Memories Roundtable series was a resounding suc- cess. It was a great opportunity for individ- uals to share their stories and pictures and to listen to others report on aspects of Milton’s fascinating history. The house was built by prominent pioneer, John Stewart, and it can be boasted that William Lyon Mackenzie held a meeting there for his Reform party on August 12, 1837, where he spoke to the voters of Esquesing from the steps of Craiglea House. In fact, he dined in the same dining room in which we dined and spent the night in one of the bedrooms overhead. (Continued on page 4) Page 4 2017: Year In Review (continued) The summer brought Canada Day celebra- The fall saw the MHS and Waldie’s Black- tions (and cake) to the Waldie Blacksmith smith Shop participate in the Fine Arts So- Shop, MHS members dressed in period cos- ciety of Milton’s (FASM) 19th Annual Mil- tume at both Milton's 150 Celebration at ton & Area Studio Tour and Doors Open Victoria Park and at the MHS Ancestors’ Halton – both on the same day! MHS Day at Milton Evergreen Cemetery, the members also participated in Doors Open MHS Childrens’ Summer Colouring Con- Halton activities at the Milton Town Hall. test and the continuation of the monthly Also in the fall, the MHS hosted several MHS Milton Farmers’ Market book table. guided Historic Milton Walking Tours. The The MHS Members’ Fall Harvest Supper accompanying Walking Historic Milton was held in September at the beautiful her- guide books are newly published and now itage home of Mirella and Jim Marshall. on sale. The official launch of the guide We wish to thank Mirella and Jim for their books will take place in April, 2018, when generous hospitality and we also thank more Historic Milton Walking Tours are Richard Brown, who slaved over a hot planned to take place. BBQ, for all the tasty burgers and sausages. In mid-December, the MHS held a Holiday Sale at the Waldie Blacksmith Shop and Carriage Room, with all proceeds going to the Society. Thanks go to Jim Dills for con- tributing books from his personal collec- tion, to Mark Ford for contributing his won- derful birch bark candle sets and thanks to all the MHS volunteers for their hard work in making the day fun and successful. The year will finish, of course, with the MHS Members’ Annual Christmas Potluck Dinner, just before Christmas, at the Waldie Blacksmith Shop and Carriage Room and then the traditional Bell-Ringing in Victoria Park will take place on New Year’s Eve. Page 5 It is time to renew your MHS Membership for 2018 Annual Individual Fee is $25 Annual Family Fee is $40 Annual Corporate Fee is $100 (10 or fewer employees) Annual Corporate Fee is $200 (11 or more employees) Membership fees can be remitted: In person every Wednesday and Saturday morning, from 9:30am to 12:00pm, at the Waldie Blacksmith Shop. By mail to MHS, 16 James Street, Milton, Ontario, L9T 2P4 By PayPal online at www.miltonhistoricalsociety.ca MHS Acknowledges Our Corporate Members The Milton Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the generous sup- port of our Corporate Members: Laughton Management Corporation – since 2016 J. Scott Early Funeral Home – since 2017 Andrews Crops Incorporated – since 2017 Through their support, organizations and their employees have the oppor- tunity to participate in the preservation of the history of the Town of Milton and surrounding area and to learn more about the origins of our Town. In recognition of their contributions, their company information is posted on the MHS website and in the MHS Journal newsletter. Thank you! Community Foundation of Halton North (CFHN) This past year the Milton Historical Society has set up a foundation under Community Foundation of Halton North (CFHN). One can donate to the foundation on behalf of the Milton Historical Society and CFHN invests that money on our behalf. Each year, from the donations that have been invested on behalf of the MHS, we will re- ceive an annual grant of 3.5% of interest made. If you would like to make a donation or would like more information please contact us.