Item
St. Croix Courier
June 2/1949
Barbara Ann to arrive June 15.
Shiretown Items
Cabbage Juice
One day when I was in the Book Store my friend Bill handed me a magazine with an article to read. It had the intriguing title “Drink Your Ulcer Away!” The article was a cheat however as the drink proposed, far from being any of thos edelightful and uplifting beverages whch immediately came to mind, was the lowly cabbage juice! Who wants to drink cabbage juice? Especially at $1.20 a quart? Life is ful of disappointments.
Interesting Visitor
I had an interesting visitor the othe rday. He came to see a five-string banjo I have here. He is an old-timer, like myself,, and has been playing a banjo for about fifty years. He said he could play quite well about twenty years ago. I think he is still good. He plays entirely by ear but could pick off the Fihser’s Hornpipe and other difficult selections like nobody’s business. He played for an hour and said he hated to leave it—never saw a banjo to compare with it. My visitor earns his living by tieing twine. That is probably what keeps his fingers so nimble. I hope he will come again.
Algonquin Opening
The Algonquin hotel is to open on June 7 with a convention of the Canadian Manufacturer’s Association. This will be the 78th annual convention of the Association and their present visit to St. Andrews will be their second one, the first having been in 1922. Plans for their entertainment include golf matches and boating trips. A large attendance is expected and among the delegates will be the leading industrialists of Canada. Special CPR trains will bring the delegates to St. Andrews.
St. Croix Courier
June 16/1949
Shiretown Items: Quiet 600
Manufacturer’s Convention made very little stir in the town as they stayed around the hill most of the time. . . . The four day annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters opened here on Monday at the Algonquin Hotel.
St. Croix Courier
June 30/1949
Shiretown Items
China Chest
China Chest is dead. Long live China Chest! The oldchest has now become a depository for such commonplace articles as handsaws, files and nails. The new chest, built in simple modern style, contains all the real treasures of the old one and a thousand other articles in chinaware and porcelain to delight the eyes nd charm the hearts of gthe ladies and even, with such rare beauty, superb workmanship and novelty of design as to intrigue mere man, who professes to have no interest in such “trinkets.” I spent a pleasant hour with the genial proprietor, Mr. R. F. Keay, one evening as he showed me aroudn the new store and explained all the details of the layout. I was gretly taken with a piece of Belleek, made in Ireland, and inquired the price. Glancing at the price mark the proprietor replied “forty-four dollars.” I immediately decided not to buy it. This piece is so delicate and intricatee in design that it must have taken hours and hours of the most careful work to complete it. I am sure that the man who made it was not watching the clock but was putting his whole soul into his work. I was admiring some Old Englis pieces arranged in one of the window boxes. Mr. Keay said: “Tke one up and look at the picture on the other side.” I did so nd immediately the air was filled with music! The soft but lilting strains of “Daisy Bell,” “Daily, Daily, give me your answer do. . . you’ll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two,” brought back many delightful memories. I lifted he others in turn and heard “John Peel,” “Auld Lang Syne” and many more of the old favorites. Mr. Keay has a unique and original arrangment for his window display. The several boxes, built of panelled oak, are on wheels and can be rolled back from the windows for rearrangment of the articles or for cleanring the windows. Mr. Keay dinds that he has not as yet sufficient storage room and is now building an extensionon the ground floor. The second story, in time, is to be ffitted up as living quarters or as offices.
China Chest is now located at the corner of Frederick and Water Streets. It is over 65 years since there has been a building on that lot. The “Americna House” which formerly occupied this corner was burned in the early eighties—not later than ’84 but I have been unable to learn the exact date. It made some excietment at the time as it was supposed to have been set by he proprietress and an assistant in order to collect insurance on the furniture. The building was said to belong to Harris Hatch. The propreitoress skipped the country and the assistant, who stood trial, was sent up for 14 years, though he only served seven. All the argumetns of the defense, counsel, Mr. M. N. Cockburn, a very young man at the time but already a master in points of law, fluency of speech and eloquence of appeal, failed to convince the jury of the prisoner’s innocence in the face of the incriminating evidence produced by the prosecuting attorney.
Mr. keay is having pictures made, bothe of the exterior and interior which will appear in an early issue of the St. Croix Courier. The pictures will also be fiished on postcards which will be given away as souvenirs.
St. Croix Courier
July 14/1949
Shiretown items
“Geordie”
David Walker’s latest novel “Geordie” which is to be published by Houghton Mifflin, has also been purchased by Ladies Home Journal to run as a serial at a figure which would make all aspiring writers’ mouths water. I have had the privilege and pleasure of reading the manuscript. It is agood clean story of a Scottish youth who was successful in sport and eventually in love. It is told in Mr. Walker’s inimitable style and makes enjoyable reading. The characters are drawn true to life and the little incidents and pictures from nature interspersed throughout the story mark the author as lover of the great outdoors.
St. Croix Courier
July 21, 1949
Shiretown Items
Changing Times
One criticism of my remarks on graduation was tha tI was away behidn the times—living in another age. This, I hope, is not true, although I admit that it is difficult for one persons to keep changing with the times—difficult but not impossible. There were many things wrong with the world in our youth. We did not know it then but much is plain now. A little incident related in “the Roadmender” by Michael Fairless, illustrates what I mean. Asn old couple walked past on the long stright road, side by side, but never speaking a word. They had lived a long happy life together but their days of work and usefulness were ended and the time for separation had come. The mother was going back to lvie with her daughter after consigning the poor old man to the mercies and miseries of the Poor House. They paused on the top of the hill where the roadmender was at work. They did not speak nor embrace but simply shook hands in a final farewell. Such pathetic scenes no longer occur, thanks, not to our youth, but to older and wiser heads who have suffered and have seen suffering. Nothing is static in the world, least of all ur ideas. The interpretation fo one generation is seldom the same as that of the next but that does not prove that the most modern ideas are always correct. The present genration is not composed of youth alone but also of older men and women who have lived through two or three generations and who have gained knowledge and experience from the past, and many of our wisest and most useful laws, many of our finest books and poems, were composed by old persons living in the present bu tdrawing on their knowledge and experience of along and thoughtful life.
Jitterbug
I have never been much impressed by the crazy foxtrot which, I believe, is styled the jitterbug. In watching the street dance last week, however, I learned that this dance can be performed cleverly and grecefuly. A couple of our gests for the sumemr demonstrated how it should be done and thus brought us up to date inour ideas on dancing. Some of our local lads and lassie, who execute this dance with uncouth and inelegant antis and with awkward and unskilful contortions should take a look at a couple who can do it properly and strive to imitate their elegance and gracefulness.
St. Croix Courier
July 28/1949
Shiretown Items: Mrs. Blair Gordon of the Algonquin Golf Club has brought home the ladies Maritime Golf Championship. Cairine Wilson wins ladies NB-PEI tourney. Skinner holds pro and open.
Barbara Ann has left for summer.
Movies introduced at Andraeleo Hall, owner Paul Roy. (Marina still operating)
St. Croix Courier
Aug 11/1949
Shiretown Items: “A Guardsman’s Duty”: background of Ian Macmillan p. 2 and 7. To benefit Marilyn Noell, seriously injured at Katy's Cove few weeks back.
Shiretown items
The operetta “A Guardsman’s Duty,” will be presented in the Andraeleo Hall on August 22 and 23rd. Written by Ian A. Macmillan, a summer employee of the Algonquin, the operetta will be a presentation by a cast chosen from staff at the hotel. The Algonquin Hotel Orchestra, under the leadership of Clarence Sawyer, will provide the music.
Macmillan, who comes originally from Montreal, has been teaching music in the Sherbrooke area. He teaches wind instruments and plays 16 instruments, including the piano. He has been studying and playing for more than 15 years. He has already had several pieces of music published, and in the Fall he plans to attend the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston to continue his studies.
“A Guardsman’s Duty” is laid in Hungary in the late 1790’s and the early 1800’s and the story is built around a troupe of honor guards and their ladies. Macmillan’s music is melodic and tuneful. Some of the choruses are written for 8-part harmony with solo leads, and the whole scene is in keeping with the romantic area of the story.
The presentation will be under the patronage of His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. D. L. McLaren, Sir Montague Allan and lady Allen, and other distinguished summer residents.
The proceeds of the entertainment will be for the joint benefit of the District Nurse Fund and Miss Marilyn Noells, a university student and summer employee who was seriously injured at the Bathing Beach some weeks ago.
A committee consisting of Miss Cairine Wilson and Mrs. William Breeze is assisting the District Nurse Committee in a local arrangements, while matter of production are in the hands of the Algonquin Hotel staff. Tickets are now on sale.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 18/1949
Shiretown Items
Man Behind the Show. Ian Macmillan’s “A Guardsman’s Duty” at Andraeleo Hall Aug 22 and 23.
Following is the list, to date, of those who have graciously consented to act as patrons of the operetta “A Guardsman’s Duty,” to be presented in Andraeleo Hall on August 22 and 23, in aid of the district Nurse Fund and Miss Marilyn Noells: His Honour the Lieutenant governor and Mrs. McLaren; His Worship the mayor and Mrs. Hachey; Sir Montague and Lady Allan; Mrs. H. D. Burns; Sir James and Lady Dunn; Lady Davis; Edward McKay; Mrs. Frank Hall; Miss Olive Hosmer; Dr. Gavin and Mrs. Miller; Mr. Guy Murchie; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Pillow; Mr. Rene and the Hon. Mrs. Redmond; Miss Mona Prentice; The Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Struthers; Mr. and Mrs. Jules Timmons; Mrs. F. W. Thompson; Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Thorp; Mrs. Norman and Senator Cairine Wilson.
I had the privilege last Sunday evening of attending a rehearsal for the coming operetta “A Guardsman’s Duty,” and of meeting Ian Macmillan, the young composer and producer. What impressed me most was the beauty, brilliancy and high musical quality of the compositions. They appeared to me to be worthy of professional performers. The group of 60 amateur singers selected from the Algonquin hotel staff are doing a fine job, however, under the direction of Mr. Macmillan. It is surprising at first to see so young a director exercise such perfect control over the large chorus. The reason becomes plain, however, as the leader gradually, by some psychological means of transference of thought, makes you feel just what he feels and makes you strive to produce the exact effect which he wants. One of the must interesting features of the rehearsal was the recording of the rousing number which is to be used as the grand finale. Albert McQuoid did the recording and played it back so the singers might hear their own voices. By use of this record the director can point out any flaws and have them eliminated before the public performance. I didn’t see any of the dance numbers but have been told that they are excellent. The Algonquin orchestra is to provide the instrumental accompaniment for the operetta. The show is for a worthy cause, will be unique in many aspects and should draw a packed house on both nights--Aug 22 and 23.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 1/1949
Shiretown Items
A Great Show
It has been said that excessive indulgence in music, for those who are neither performers themselves nor musically gifted enough to take it in a purely intellectual way, has a relaxing effect upon one’s character. One becomes filled with emotions which are allowed to pass without prompting any deed, and so the inertly sentimental condition is kept bottled up. The remedy would be never to suffer one’s self to have an emotion at a concert without expressing it afterward, in some active way--if it be no more than speaking a kind word to one’s grandmother. If this suggestion is true and generally known to the people of St. Andrews it must have been a happy week for our grandmothers as the thousand or so persons who attended “A Guardsman’s Duty” on Monday and Tuesday evenings August 22 and 23 were stirred to the depths. Ian Macmillan, the young man who composed the operetta and who promoted and directed the show must have had the thrill of his life at the ovation he received. The tribute tendered him by the large attentive and enthusiastic audiences must have well repaid him for the long hours of toil he spent in preparation. The performance itself was excellent and was a credit to every individual who had a part in it. It would be impossible to mention any outstanding feature as it was all good, from the beginning straight through to the end. It was one of the best, perhaps the very best of amateur entertainments to be held in St. Andrews during the past 60 years. Rehearsed during off-hours by a hard working group of young people, all members of the staff at the Algonquin Hotel, it proves what can be accomplished by sufficient enthusiasm and with competent leadership. The costumes were attractive and the make-up had been applied by skilful hands. The spoken lines were well done, the acting was excellent, the dancing graceful and clever, the solos well rendered and the instrumental accompaniment by the Algonquin Orchestra, a delight to listen to. I am not stating that this was the best feature of the show but what impressed and thrilled me most was the scene at the by gypsy camp after capture by the Guardsman and the song which they sang. The beautiful background of fields and the woods, and campfires burning brightly, the group of handsome young men, bound in captivity and surrounded by a score or more of beautiful young women , and the haunting melody of the song which they sang, lamenting their captivity and telling of their former freedom, now ended forever, will linger in my memory as long as life shall last.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 15/1949
Shiretown Items: On Friendship. (Value of summer people as friends and benefactors.)
The glorious summer is over and past and one by one our friends are leaving. it is only within recent years that many of us have come to realize what genuine friends we have among these Summer folks. We confess that for a long time we were a little afraid of them. They had education, wealth, social position and worldly experience while many of us had little or nothing. One thing, however, they had in common with us—an undying love for SA—and gradually, through their personal charm, honesty of purpose and persistency they have broken down the barrier between us. They have shown us, time and time again, that when any townsfolk are in need they stand ready to help. they have shown us in every possible way that it is their earnest wish “to belong.” From our friends among our own people we expect acts of kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity, and they never fail us. They are our first and oldest friends and it is natural, and right, that we should love them most of all. Like ourselves, they keep changing with the years, but we love them for what they are and do not love them less because they are not what they were. But our Summer friends, as we are accustomed to call the, although the term is not correct when speaking of those who have proven themselves year-round friends, have won a definite place in our lives and for all the blessings which they bring we feel the deepest gratitude. After all, I believe, it is not what we do, nor what we say that makes us friends, but what we think! We meet a new friend and mutually we seek to find each other by the roads of thought. We talk or remain silent. We laugh or become serious but always building up between us is that road of thought by which, as we become more and more intimate, we can always reach each other. A true friend is the greatest blessing of life—someone to whom we can go in our times of trouble, even if he had nothing to offer us except a sympathetic hearing, a kind word and a hearty shake of the hand. Greater than wealth, greater than fame or power, greater even than the blessing of health, it is love that dwells in the heart of a friend. In a time of trial when life is being difficult, even, perhaps, bordering on distress when, suddenly and unexpectedly, we have had a practical demonstration of true friendship, the experience seems to quicken our soul and give us a momentary vision of wider realms beyond our understanding and makes us feel that some mysterious, nameless and ethereal joy circling in some vast orbit, has touched us in its passing.
“Rossmount,” the former home of the late Dr. and Mrs. Henry Phipps Ross at Chamcook, has been purchased from the executors of the estate by a Saint John barrister, George. E. McIerney, in trust, and is being made ready for use as a tourist motel. (more on incorporation, etc.)
SA in Painting and Poetry, by Dr. Samuel Davies. Painting by Innes, Horne, Horne-Russell and William Hope listed.
St. Croix Courier
October 6, 1949
Shiretown Items
Frank O’Halloran
Frank O’Halloran, a kind-hearted, unassuming and lovable friend, has gone to his long home and the mourners go about the streets. The silver cod of life has been loosed, the pitcher brokena t the fountain and nothing reamisn to us but a golden bowl of happy memories. These memories take us back to the time when Frank, a sturdy youth of 18, was a star at cricket, and rugby footfall, the favortie sports here in those days. I have often spent a pleasant half hour with him, talking of those old times, especially of our cricket games with Woodstock and our football games with St. Stephen, and all the amusing incidents connected with thoswe events. Although in poor health all summer, Frank rarely missed his daily visit to the Men’s Club. To all oldtimers he was affectionately known as “Carrigan” and he was the type of person, having ahost of friends an dno enemies, who will be greatly missed.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 27/1949
Shiretown Items
“The Storm and the Silence”
This is not a review. I wouldn’t know how to write a review but I want to make a few comments on the book whthe the above title, written by my good friend David Walker, who was kind enough to give me an autographed copy. Of necessity, my personal library is quite limited, but I have some books that I prize very highly and read over and over with much enjoyment. Borrowed books never seem to give as much pleasure and satisfaction as one that is owned, and a book tha tiw worth owning is worth reading many times. I have no hesitation inpatting “the Storm and the Silence” in this class of books. Having already read two stores by mr. Walekr, the one in “Atlantic Monthly” last April, and the one which is to appear in “Ladies Home Journal” next January, I believed I was going to like this longer story and was not disappointed. In my opinion it is far superior to the others. It not only has much literary merit but has that “human interest” touch which makes a story linger in our memory for a long time. Compared with most modern books it is clean and wholesome, the few intrusions of sex matters being handled with a delicate skill unknown to, or at least unpracticed by, many modern writers. To most reades a story most have some appearl behyond its liteary merits. To some the plot is everything, to otehrs plenty of action. Some enjoy living throug the story with the characters, if they are real and life-like while others like to have their emotions stirred, fear, anger, grief, joy, surprise, yearning, and so forth. It is the element of suspense, chiefly, running though “The Storm and the Silence” which intrigues the reade and induces him to drop all other reading till the book is finished. We wonder how it can b emade to end satisfactorily. And yet we must read slowly as we live through the mental and physical struggle of the chief character. Mr. Walker has a fresh and original style and tells his story in such a simple and interesting manner that it is difficult to believe that he is not a writer of long experience.e The scene of the story is laid in Scotland, that rugged land wher ethe author spent his boyhood. Without laborious descriptons but with short sentence sna paragrahs througout the book we are givena vivid picture of the mors and fens and murky hills where once we wandered in the happy hours of our youth with the sterling and lovable characters of Sir Walter Scott. The appropriateness of the title and the brauty of the prologue will be appreciated when you have finished the book. In my opinion “the Storm and the Silence” is a fine book and worthy of a place in an library. The book, printed in excellent type and with fine quality of paper, is published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, and is now on sale at all bookstores. The best I can wish the author is that it may sell a million copies.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 15, 1949
Shiretown items
Sixty Years Ago Today
I am sure there will be few reades who can look back and say that they definitely remember Dec 10, 1889. To me, however, that is one of the outstanding dates in history. It was the day on which my father and mother, with my brother, my sister and myself moved to St. Andrews from Debec June, Carleton County. We talk much abou the seasons changing and abou the old fashioned winters we used to have. Today the groudn is covered with snow and the temperature away below the freezing point. I have a clear recollection fo the same date 60 years ago. The strets were bare, the sun was bright nd the day was mild. This new world with all its unfamiliar surroundings made a deep and lasting impression on my youthful mind. I had never seen the sea before but loved it at first sight. We moved into a hosue on the immediate harbour front and I used to stand on the bank b the hour watchign the rise and fall of the tides and listening to the wild cry of the seagulls. When the tide was out I filled my pockets with curious seashells. I had a great admiration for the larger ones with the delicate coils and spirals and their variegated colors. To the native boy tey were just common periwinkesl but to me they were works of art and a never endign coause for wonder. I would hold them ot my ear and listen for aht message from some far off land which I had been told could thus be heard. No message was ever heard in a physical sense but to my receptive mood, prhaps, there may have come some communication anot realized nor understood, which gave me my first glimplse of truth and realit and fille dme with a lassting respect and reverence for that great First Cause. St. Andrws, which seemed a big town to me then, had many other features so different from the small inalnd village from which I had come. I marvelled at the long streets, wide and stright, and with their coat of red sandstone from the nearby beach, glowing brightly in the sunshine. I loved the smell of burning driftwood with its salty tang. I enjoyed standing in the door of the smoked filled room across the street where herring and haddock were being cured for local and foeign markets, I admired the proud ships riding in the harbor and sailed with them in my imagination to the far corners of the earth. Many changes, some for the better, some for the worse, have occurred in life here durign the past sixty years, bu the natural and many other attractions have remained. These allurements, so difficult to expalin or even to undersnd, have so affeced my life, that, rather than to go elsewhere wher meoney is to be made in my chosen vocation, I have elected to remain here to eke out a precious existence, exposed to the hazards of poverty and the consequent insecurities of old age. On gloomy days I hafve consoled myself with the thought that prosperity and security are not the highest aims in life. As to what thes aims are, how closely we may have approached them or how greatly we may have failed, it is not for us as individuals to say, but I an say this-that, in spite of its vicissitudes I can look back on afull and happy life and tha tI would not exdhange St. Andrews, as it is, for any spot on the face of the earth.
St. Croix Courier
Jan 26/1950
Shiretown Items
Men’s Club
The members of the Men’s Club are much concerned over the proposed sale fo the building in which their room is situated. It is an ideal location for a club-room being on the main street in the centre of the tow and the room which is occupied by the club being on the ground floor. During the tenancy of the club, Mr.s Handy ahd frequent chances to rent the room at a higher figure but aways said that as long as she live th emen could hold the room. Now hat she is gone things are different. The heirs wish to sellthe building an the men will have to get out. The club has a lease extending to the end of 1950. Just how this lease will be affected by the sale of the property is a qustion for the lawyers. Five different parties are desirous of purchasing the propoerty. Owing to to lakc of funds the club has made no bid. The sad feature of the matter is that the club will have to disband as there is not anotehr suitable place in town available. This club has been an untold blessing to a few and a source of great enjoyment to many. It has been a common meeting ground for men of all stations in life. It has been a boon to strangers who see the “welcome” sign and drop in for a game of cards, checkers or chess. It has been one fo the fine institutions of this small town, a meeting-place where, by rules of the club, ano gambling, no liquor, and no profanity were permitted If it is soon to become nothing but a memory, to many of us it will be one of our fondest.
St. Croix Courier
Feb 2/1950
Shiretown items: Picture Houses
The Marina Theatre is closed to undergo re-modelling. Double, insulated floors have been put down, the very latest in seats installed, a new screen hung, lighting arrangements improved, and the hall is now being redecorated. The town will now have 2 excellent up-to-date picture houses. Andraeleo Hall, which was remodelled and made beautiful by Paul Roy, the present owner, introduced pictures about six months ago being equipped with everything in modern style. If both these houses can make a profit on their investment, it will proved the old adage that the easiest way to make money is to sell the public something they don’t need.
St. Croix Courier
Feb 9/1950
Shiretown items
Two Prominent Citizens
In the deaths of James McDowell and Hans Hansen, both of which occurred suddenly last week, the town of St. Andrews has lost two of its most highly regarded and valuable citizens. . . . Mr. Hansen was a native of Denmark. He came to Canada at the age of 16 and lived for a time with his parents on a farm in Alberta. He afterward studied electrical engineering and joined the staff of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company in 1929. He caem to St. Andrews as chief engineer fo the Algonquin hotel in 1931. Of a quiet and unassuming disposition he did not make intimtae friends quickkly but me made them for life. He could speak several languages fluently and had an exceptionally brilliant mind. He kept well posted on currrent world events and could alk intelligently and interestingly on such difficult subjects as political economy, history, philosophy and science. Ot all who knew him well, expecially to the members of the staff at the Algonquin, he was a man of sterling character, outstanding ability, honest friendship and possessed of those qualities which make for the best in life.
St. Croix Courier
April 6, 1950
Shiretown Items
[Senators to play Halifax for Maritime Intermediate Championships]
Champions All
It may be of interest to readers to review the names of the individual players on the Senators’ hockey team in their four provincial championships.
1933: Frank Haughn, Bob Love, Loren McQuoid, Cicil Williamson, henry Holmes, Leigh Williamson, John O’Neill, Jim Graham, Jed Stinson, Joe Finigan, bill O’Neill
1937: Vernon Stinson, Frank Haughn, Cicil Williamson, Jim Graham, Bill O’Neill, Raymond Mcquoid, Joe Finigan, jed Stinson, Tommy McNichol, John O’Neill, Allison McNichol
1947: Kent Ross, Earl Thomas, Barney McFarlane, Frank Haughn, Jim Graham, Bud Stuart, Doug Henderson, Harry McNichol, Sandy Miller, John McFarlane, Peter McFarlane, Tommy McNichol.
1950: Kent Ross, Tommy McNichol, Richard Ross, Harry McNichol, Cyril Spear, Frank Haughn, Bud Stuart, Allison McNichol, Doug Henderson, Sandy Miller, G. Dryden, John McFarlane, Peter McFarlane, Reginard Sharkey, Bob Annning.
[Senators lose to Halifax for the 1950 championship[
St. Croix Courier
April 27, 1950
Shiretown Items
Drainage
The two day deluge of rain last week seerved to remind us onece again of the inadeuate drainage system in St. Andrews. Half of the cellars in town were flooded. Through the years we have destroyed the oriignal system and have not properly replaced it by modern methods of drainage. When the town was laid out by our forefathers every street had deep ditches with numerous culverts to ake care of surface drainage. Allt he side strees had wooden box sewers to carry the cellar drains. Off and on, during the past 50 years various town councils have allowed householders to fill up the kitches to make lawns on the street. These look nice in summer when properlty edged, mowed and dtimmed, but they cost the town a lot of money in street repair as heavy storms wash out the streets because of no kitches and the rains of autumn soak into the street to make deeper rost in the winte and a worse break-up in the spring. Followin he introduction of a modern sewer system about 30 years ago, variou scouncils have added more and more catchbasins to get rid of surface water anot realizing at the time that they wer thus introducing amore serious evil—the flooding of many cellars. The sewers were built to handle household drainage only with just enough catch basins to keep them clean. Now, durign heavy storms, they cannot carry away all the water with which the are flooded nd consequently much of the overflow is backed up into cellars causing much damage and inconvenience. The solution would seem to be either to pen up all the kitches amid cries of dismay or to install a secondary sewer system for surface drainage, thus addinga further burden to an already over-taxed community. A third solution, and one which probably will be adopted by the presen and future councils, will be to do nothing. The complaints of householdes with flooded cellars, vociferous 15 years ago, clamorous 10 years ago, still noisy 5 years ago, have at length faded to a low whine and in anotehr five or ten eyars probably will have diminished to a simple grunt. All governing bodies must offtimes thank the gods fo a long-suffering public.
St. Croix Courier
May 4/1950
Shiretown Items: Men’s Club
The building in which the Men’s Club has been located for several years has been purchased by Ross Brothers, Charlotte County Cottage Craft, and extensive repairs are being made. The ground floor has been rented to Mr. Taylor who will live in the rear and dispense antiques in the front. The large room upstairs formerly occupied by Rose McKay, public stenographer, has been re-decorated and will become the new home for the Men’s Club. One of the smaller rooms has been fitted up for Miss McKay, and the third room upstairs will also be for rent. In some ways the club members find the new quarters superior to the old. The room is larger and has more windows and more light with a fine view of the harbor and an excellent outlook on the doings of the street. its disadvantages are more pronounced, however. In addition to a raise of 50 percent in the rent there will be the expense of installing and operating a lift to provide accommodation for the members whose “legs is all gone.” We have the design for this contraption but it will not be built until Mr. Pillow arrives to supervise operations. His own model, being the first machine of its kind in the world, is a clumsy affair and requires too much gasoline to run it. it is hoped that after a long winter spent in serious and profound thought he will have developed some improvements which will afford greater facility of operation, and reduction in costs. The greatest disadvantage of all however is that our summer friends passing along the street may not drop in for a game or a chat as formerly. At any rate we are thankful that we still have a place to meet and we are grateful to our landlords for fixing the room up so nicely for us.
St. Croix Courier
May 11/1950
Shiretown Items: Early Visitors
The first summer visitors to appear in St. Andrews were two elderly gentlemen this summer with helmets, dark glasses and very large noses. They have their names as Mr. Rosenberg and Mr. Livingstone. They visited several stores and talked like wealthy customers but were most exacting in their demands and bought nothing. They engaged Wiltie Cline to boat them off to a weir being built but failed to keep their appointment. Wiltie is still looking for them. He says Mr. Rosenberg is very deaf. The gentlemen’s real names were Fraser Keay and Robert Cockburn.
St. Croix Courier
June 15/1950
Shiretown Items: Narrow Escape (description of fire of 1930 and buildings destroyed)
On June 4, 1930 occurred one of the worst fires in the history of St. Andrews when several building were destroyed including the historic Charlotte Country Grammar School, which at time was being used as a warehouse near the waterfront; the old Coffee House, which was brought here from Castine, Maine, during the American revolution; and the Edwin Odell dry goods store which was built of brick. The N. B. Liquor Control store was badly gutted and the stock of fine liquors sadly depleted. One June 10, 1950, almost 20 years later, a similar or worse disaster was narrowly avoided. In the late afternoon a faint odor of wood smoke was noticed by persons around the public square. They were curious but not alarmed. Suddenly, during the early evening, while Harold Greenlaw and Mrs. Greenlaw were sitting on their balcony overlooking the harbor, they noticed the north-west wall on Keay’s smaller warehouse burst into flame. Two or three minutes later, when the siren sounded a huge volume of black smoke was reaching skyward and drifting over the town. There was a strong south-west wind a the time, making conditions perilous. The three saving factors of the situation were that the disaster occurred at a time when plenty of help was immediately available, the tide was high to provide plenty of water, and the larger adjoining warehouse was clad with steel. In less than an hour the fire was total extinguished and the hundreds of apprehensive citizens returned to their homes feeling that the Fates are not always unkind. The supposed causes of the fire are mere speculation, theories and conjectures without sufficient evidence. It seemed to have started under the building near the wall to burn through the floor and get into a stock of tar-paper and like combustibles.
St. Croix Courier
June 22/1950
Worrell: Sea Captain’s Loft: “The Sea Captain’s Loft, carrying English China, antiques and crafts, is attracting many visitors and, no doubt, some of them are making purchases. The store, which is opposite the Commodore Hotel, in the room formerly occupied by the Men’s Club, is well stocked with goods attractively displayed. A bay-window built into the wall facing the public square greatly improves the appearance of the building. The proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, seem to be well liked by those who have visited the store.
St. Croix Courier
June 29/1950
Shiretown Items: The Sunday train is on again for the summer. Travel is usually light on this train but it is an accommodation for Montrealers making a weekend visit and for the up-the-line folks who like to spend an afternoon in St. Andrews.
St. Croix Courier
July 12, 1950
Shiretown items
Douglas Cowans, a former annual summer visitor, has been looking up old friends afer an absence of 20 years. He remarked tha the retest change he noticed in St. Andrws was the growth of the trees and hedges. Howard and bert were alittle peeved bedause Doug didn’t mention their growth in circumference. They are both rpoud of their embonpoint. [Mr. Cowans back because of the purchase of the old T. T. O’Dell house from Billy Van Horne?]
St. Croix Courier
July 20/1950
Shiretown items
A Smelly Incident
A gentleman who had been enjoying himself at a street dance, no wisely but too well, found his right of way disputed when he entered his own back yard. His oponent was a little black and white animal commony calld skunk. The delightful exhiliration of the past couple of hours had by this time faded and, as so often happens in such circumstance,s the gentleman was in a fighting mood. Who is afraid of alittle bad skunk? No sir, not me, he thought. He advanced boldly to the attack but as usual happens when man pits his wit nd skill and weapons agaisnt those of the skunk the gentleman got the worse of the combat. Compelled to admit an inglorious defeat he undressed and hung his clothes on the line. He entered his back door completely nude hoping for the best. This would have to be one of the few nights his wife waited up for him! His elaborate explantions sounded unconvcing. How could anything a nude man might say carry conviction? So many women judge a man byhis clothes. The gentleman was obliged to take his wife out to the lien to get whiiff of his clothing before she would allow him to retirie for a bath and a night’s repose. He still says he had a wonderful time at the dance.
St. Croix Courier
July 27/1950
Shiretown items
Mrs. Blair Gordon wins Maritime Ladies Golf Championship, adding to NB Ladies Championship. Opponent in final round Cairine Wilson, also of Algonquin Club. Dramatic description by Worrell.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 3/1950
Shiretown Items
Worrell compliments Sir James And Lady Dunn on $1,000 donation to arena: “One thousand dollars is a lot of money in this little town and the gift made quite a stir among the townsfolk. . . . This handsome gift proves what we have for some time believed that Sir James and lady Dunn, though among the more recent of our summer folks, are also among the best.”
Canasta tournament at Casino netted 900.00 for District Nurse Fund. “It was just another example of the great interest these good people have in the welfare of the town and their willingness to help and their constant generosity are much appreciated both by the committee in charge of district nurse affairs and by the townsfolk in general.” Worrell.
St. Croix Courier
August 10, 1950
Shiretown Items
A Tucker car was parked on Water Street last Saturday and aroused much interest as it carries the motor in the rear with direct drive. It would seem to have some advantages over the usual type of car, with no apparent disadvantages. It hailed from Illnois.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 24/1950
Shiretown Items: Water Situation Serious
The water supply system of St. Andrews is no longer adequate at the peak of the summer season. Last year during the month of August it was difficult to keep the reservoir filled above the danger point and at time during the present month the danger point has been reached. Several time, had a fire occurred, there was little water except what was in the pipes. In order to build up a supply it has been necessary at times to shut off the town. This contingency has given us a jolt and made us realize the value of this commodity which we have learned to use so freely. Having heard the Town Council criticized for not having taken some action before the situation became serious, I went to the town office and read over the contract between the Town and the Hotel Company, suppliers of the water. there is a clause in the contract which gives the company authority, without consulting the town, to increase their equipment at any time the daily supply to the town has passed 80,000 gallons and to increase the rates to a figure that will give them 8 percent on their required outlay. Even in winter the town is now using over 80,000 gallons daily and much more during summer months. The daily average for last December was 87,000 gallons. When the system was installed the water flowed by gravity from Chamcook Lake to the pumping station. Later the Company installed a force pump at the lake and also added an electric motor at the pumping station, absorbing the costs themselves without raising the rates to the Town as they were entitled to do. I have been told on good authority that several methods of improving the supply system are being considered by the Company and that the plan which appears most feasible will be adopted and carried out this Fall. One plan which we head and which we hope has been abandoned was to drill a number of artesian wells on the hill where the reservoir is located. The water from such source, even if adequate in supply, would probably be hard and brackish and would ruin the fine water we now have if the two were mixed. About 40 years ago, before the present system was installed, a test well was sunk on this hill with the plan for a town water system in view. The results proved unfavorable and the idea was abandoned. The plan likely to be adopted to remedy the present situation is to lay a larger main from the lake to the pumping station and install more powerful pumps. This will mean a considerable expense to the Company and a substantial increase in water rates to the Town but present conditions seem to warrant the measure.
Geordie
David Walker’s novel “Geordie” for several months on sale in United States and Canada, was published in London, England, July 31, and sold 20,000 copies on the first day! If you haven’t read this story the second time yo should do so, as you are sure to iss much in the first reading. The true meaning of the story escapes you if you taek it oo seriously. It is only a fable, a sort of fairy-story. Read in this light it wil give you a few delightful hours. It also contains many beautifully expressed descriptive sentence sand paragrpahs which you may have missed in yoru first reading. Mr. Walker has sold two more stories to the Post, one to be published shorlty which he says is no good and anotehr written since his reurn from the north which he considers one of his best.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 31/1950
Shiretown Items: “In spite of wars, strikes, and threatened gasoline rationing, the tourists have kept pouring in. The Algonquin and Commodore Hotels and other tourist homes were full to capacity last week. To the casual observer it seems to have been the best season in the history of St. Andrews.”
St. Croix Courier
Sept 21/1950
Shiretown items: Time to Relax
(Reflective piece by Worrell on St. Andrews’ two seasons--the busy and the dull)
Another summer is gone and we can now relax for a long time. In St. Andrews we have but two seasons—the busy and the dull. It is rather a desperate undertaking, this matter of trying to earn a year’s income in a short three or four months. In the long dull season we have to live by passing around through mutual service the money that has been accumulated from outside during the summer. In consequence you may suppose that we love the short summers and hate the long winters. A man who has lived here only a few years said to me the other day: “I’ll be glad when it’s all over and things quiet down.”
Without realizing it he was expressing the sentiments of us all. In the spring our funds are low but our hopes are high. After a long rest we have a surplus of stored-up energy and are eager for a busy season. We also look forward again to seeing our good friends among the summer residents. The latter come here ostensibly for a rest but, with few exceptions, become engaged in a round of social activities which require constant planning for every hour of every day. In the summer time we townsfolk wear too much expression on our faces. When we meet, which is seldom, we have no time to talk. We have absurd feelings of hurry and having no time, of breathlessness and tension, which prohibit a few moments spent in friendly conversation. And, perhaps you have noticed it, whether acquired from us or caught from the social atmosphere in which they find themselves, this anxiety of feature, this apparent lack of inner harmony and ease, is beginning to show among our summer friends. Perhaps, though they may love it even as we do, they are glad “when it’s all over and things quiet down.” They return to their homes to take up the regular routine of life and we settle down for a long restful period when we can meet an chat with our friends with voices that no longer have a tired and plaintive sound.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 2/1950
Shiretown Items
Interesting People
I paid a visit yesterday to St. Andrews Woolen, Ltd., for the general purpose of having a chat with the genial proprietor, Boyd Merrill, and for the particular purpose of meeting Julijs Berzins, who is employed here as a tailor. When Julijs arrived in St. Andrews about three months ago he knew notign of the Englsih language. He is a native of latvia but also speaks German as he spent five years in Germany. He is learing English rapidly and already can express himself fairly well in our language. He is an attractive young man with a friendly smile and pleasing personalit and is eager to be accepted as a real Canadian. He likes St. Andrews now but was very lonely at firt. He was caught in Germany at the close of the war and sine that time has heard nothing from his wife and child or parents who were stil in Latvia when the Russians took over. He is a cultured person, ell ecucated in his native tongue, has a fine voie of superiorrange and can sing most fo the operas from emeory. He is an excellent railor and already is drawing many customers, not only from St. Andrws, but from neighbouring towns and from qite distant points in Maine. His ready-made coasts for men and women are works of art and durign the past summer sold as fas as he could make them. Also employed as a taior at S. Andrews Woolens is Josef Zemana, an older man who came from Vienna, Austria. He as yet speks no English. His wife, however, being born in the States, knows English quite well alghouth at an early age she returned with her parent to Czechoslovakia. The Zemans have a son who has been in Toronto for two years. The latter recently lost his wife, a Canadian girl, and the parent are considering moving to Toronto to be with their won. Mr. Berzins plans to remain here permanently if conditions continue to his liking. There is a young Ukranian girl employed in St. andrws also who, I am told, has an interesting story which I hope to get later. These people have all had a tough break in their homeland. If we can show ourselves cordial to them, not onlynonce but always, and try to meet them more than half way, they should soon become worth and contented citizens and learn to lvoe this great free country even as we do.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 7/1950
Shiretown Items: Landmarks disappearing. (Stories about well-known homes being sold and torn down in SA, with an amusing piece about a party in one in particular and how the liquor was obtained.)
Three landmarks of the old town have been torn down this Fall. To enlarge their grounds Mr. and Mrs. Thorp purchased the neighbouring properties owned and occupied by Warren Stinson and Archie Skinner. The latter is known to old folks as the Friar place, built over 100 years ago and occupied by members of the Friar family for many years. No one living seems to know when or by whom the other house was built. My first recollection of it was in 1890 when the O’Halloran family lived there. About 40 years ago an old-timer of that day told me of a party held in the house when he was a young man. I don’t recall the name of the family living there at the time but there were two beautiful and upright daughters who were giving the party. Things were pretty dull, so thought the young men who had been invited, so they made plans to liven up the party. Two of them slipped out the back door collecting two water buckets in their passage. They commandeered a dinghy found on the beach near McConvey’s blacksmith shop. They rowed down the Street and Forster’s wholesale liquor store, manoeuvred the boat beneath the building (present Quoddy Coal location) bored a hole through the floor and through the bottom of a cask of whiskey. Having filled the buckets they returned to the party and from this point on we can leave events which followed to the reader’s imagination. Another landmark gone is the barn behind the Minnie Keay house recently purchased by Evan Ross. The barn was built in 1847 according to a workman who left his name within. the interesting feature of this barn, especially to tourists, was the collection of ship models Craig Burns had displayed on the side facing his drive-way. He had about three dozen models of all varieties of ships from the schooners which plied our waters in more recent years to the square-riggers of more romantic days. So passes time and romance.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 28/1950
Shiretown Items: Sir James Dunn (Piece on Dunn’s philanthropy, esp. donation to Dal for law students, also CC Hospital, Maritimes in general.)
Sir James Dunn, Bart., K. C., L.L.D., one of Canada’s leading financiers, a native citizen of NB and one her most distinguished sons, is becoming noted for his generosity and philanthropy, especially in the Maritime provinces, where during the past few years he has given large sums of money for the furtherance of education. His latest gift, in the name of Algoma Steel Corporation of which he is president, and in which he hold a controlling interest, is for the purpose of established a Chair of Law at Dalhousie University to provide post-graduate work leading to a Master’s degree in law. Since 1947 he has been giving scholarships at the University of NB amounting to $5,000 a year. His gift to the Charlotte County Hospital was outstanding, as also his donation to the St. Andrews Arena. These noted gifts make Sir James honored and respected by all men. But best of all are the gifts placed where he has knowledge of a personal need. These gifts inspire love and affection, and although they receive no publicity among men they are written in letters of gold, in the great book of life. Sir James was born in Bathurst, where he still owns a home and other property. He now spends most of the year in St. Andrews where he owns a lovely home near the Algonquin hotel. he keeps in daily tough by telephone with his interests in Sault. Ste. Marie, Ontario, and makes flying trips to the plant several times each year. He is a graduate of Dalhousie law school and after graduation practised in Nova Scotia, North West Territories and Quebec. He afterwards went to London, England, where he founded an influential firm of investment bankers and embarked on a notable career in finance and industry. A baronetcy was conferred on him in 1921 for his services in the First World War. He has been awarded honorary degrees from Dalhousie, UNB, and Bishop’s University. Although Sir James has passed the allotted age of three score and ten he still enjoys excellent and vigorous health and performs a daily round of duties which might well prove insuperable to many a younger man.
St. Croix Courier
Jan 11/1951
Shiretown Items: increasing traffic has made it harder to keep St. Andrews streets in good repair. Repeated layers of “asphalt” (tar) to keep dust down proving insufficient.
St. Croix Courier
Feb 6, 1951
Shiretown Items
Dr. Gordon Higgins, (above) has been awaredd a fellowship in New England Deaconness Hospital, Boston. Dr. Higgins is the youngest son of Mrs. Georgia and the later Herbert Higgins, of St. andrews. He received his degree in medicine last May at Dalhousie University, Halifax, and is at present interning at he Saint John General Hospital. The fellowship is for three years and is worth $1800 in cash. Dr. Higgins will be working under Dr. H. F. Root and his associates, who are recognized as world authorities in the study of diabetes. His appointment begins July 1, 1951.
St. Croix Courier
Feb 22/1951
Shiretown Items: Barbara Ann coming to St. Andrews again. March 26 and 27. Only appearance in Maritimes this year. “The redoubtable, unpredictable and amusing Dick Nutter will be here again.”
St. Croix Courier
March 1/1951
Shiretown items
I have been interested in looking over the remains of an issue of the St. Andrews Courant for “God and the People,” dated Feb 3, 1832. It was found by Ted Johnston wrapped around a beam in a shed he war tearing down on the property recently purchased by Hon. C. D. Howe. The paper was in so a ragged and worn condition as to make an intelligent study ipossible. By vote of the Legislative Assembly a member was expelled for libel. He was editor of the Advocate and evidently held his seat in opposition to the government. In St. Andrews Thomas Sime had just received an assortment of ladies’ boot with cork soles. Another haberdasher had four cases of gentlemen’s fashionable WP hats, whatever they might be, andsome ladies’ prunela shoes. “Prunella” so my dictionary states, is a smooth woolen stuff. They would be grand for the sleigh rides of those far-off days.
St. Croix Courier
March 23, 1951
Samuel Worrell of Saint John has been a recent guest of his brother, Dr. J. F. Worrell.
[he has had a hemmorhage, probably]
Rural Cemetery Burial
Dr. J. F. Worrell, Dentist
Age 74
Lot 122B
May 5, 1951
St. Croix Courier
May 10/1951
Dr. J. F. Worrell Claimed by Death in St. Andrews. Photo. History of column.
The death of Dr. James Frederick Worrell, dentist and a former mayor of SA, occurred at this home on Montague Street in the early hours of Thursday, May 3, after a recurrence of an old illness which had confined him to bed for several weeks.
Dr. Worrell for many years past had written one of the most widely read features of The Saint Croix Courier, a column of news and comment brightened by his keen sense of humor, insight into human nature and broad knowledge of many fields of learning. His last column was published March 8.
A native of Charlotte county, he was a son of the late Robert and Martha (McCartney) Worrell and received his education at the Charlotte County Grammar School here and the Provincial Normal School in Fredericton. After graduating he taught in the public schools of the Province for a number of years.
Later he studied dentistry at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery where he graduated with honors in 1909, and returning home opened practice in St. Andrews which he had carried on for more than 40 years.
Dr. Worrell was formerly a member of the St. Andrews Town Council and served for five and one-half years as mayor, but there were few community interests in which he did not have a hand. He was a member of St. marks’ Lodge, F &AM, vice-president of the Men’s Club, a member and former officer of Wesley United Church, a leading spirit in the St. Andrews Band, and active in the Knights of Pythias. He was in addition a sports enthusiast who played basketball and other games when a youth and in later years became a keen follower of hockey and baseball. Well versed in nature study, he loved the out-of-doors.
No citizen could have been more enthusiastically loyal to the community and all its activities; he loved SA, was proud of it, and was tireless in his efforts to promote what he considered its best interests. Dr. Worrell is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Charlotte Hartt, a daughter of the late T. A. Hartt of SA, a member of parliament for Charlotte County in past years, and Mrs. Hartt; a son, Donald Worrell; a brother, Dr. S. A. Worrell, retired superintendent of schools of Saint John ; and a granddaughter, Mary. An only sister, Mrs. R. D. Rigby, died in 1942. (desc of funeral service)
News Notes of St. Andrews
A Farewell Tribute to Dr. J. F. Worrell
[each section below is from a separate contributor]
In the early hours before the deawn of Thursday, May 3, while most of the world was sleeping, there passed from the life of this community one whose place can never be filled.
Dr. J. F. Worrell, more affectionatley known as “Doc,” and the author of Shiretown Items, went quietly and peacefully to his eternal reward. Sincere sorrow was felt by the peope of St. Andrews at his passing and keen regret over his loss will be expressed by the unnumerable friends in far flung plces of the land, when the sad news reaches them in the columns of this week’s Courier.
Shiretown Items was th ecolumn through which the genial Doctor made a host of friends far and near, and the news items contained in his column were extremely interesting, not only to the many who summer here, but expecially to all former residents who will always claim St. Andrews their home.
His desire to help others became evident in early life when Dr. Worrell enterered teaching for a time. Apart from devoting mch of his tiem to his family and his chosen profession, dentistry, Dr. Worrell followed up many ambitions to the fullest extent.
Endowed with a rugged physique, he excelled in many forms of athletics. Probably his greatest achievement along hese lines was his basketball prowess when he was a star of the famous St. Andrws Shamrock teams in the early nineteen hundreds. These teams were acclaimed superior to all clubs in Eastern Canada and the New England States at that time.
Baseball, golf, track and gymnastics found him at his best. His love for baseball never diminished even to the last. He became an extremely ardent hockey fan in hthe later years of his life when that sport developed in St. Andrews. It can be truthfully said he was the staunchest supporter of the movment which built the two arenas here and installed artificial ice. To the Senators down through the years he endeared himself as their most loyal friend.
A great lover of the outdoors, he was a recognized authority on bird life and wild flwoers as well as delviering more than lightly into astrology. [sic]
Dr. Worrell was exceptionall well read on many subject and possessed a keen intellect and a mind given to serious thoughts. Often he could be found enjoying the engrossing game of chess, at which he was a past master.
Taking an active part in civic affairs, he filled he office so alderman and mayor for a number of years, during which time he lent untiring energy and thoughts to many efforts which would benefit his fellow citizens and prove a beterment to his beloved St. Andrws. Music, too, was in his soul. He was fond of the classics as well as the old songs and ballads that never grow old. An accomplished violinist and pianist, he was also a baritone player of the first order in the St. Andrews Band, of which he was a lifteimemember.
The St. Andrews Band of tody owes its existence to Dr. Worrell. In the late years of the First World War the Band was composed of men who were nearing the time of retirement. Sensing this situation, he undertood the raining of a number of young boys, then in their teens, to become future bandsmen. Many long and tiresome hours were spent in the proces by the ever patien and understaing Doctor, but his efforts were finally rewarded. In thre or four years these young boys succeeded the older men, who gradually dropped out. Some of those boys have moved away, othes have passed on to the next world. Those who remain now form the nucleus of the present band.
As a parting tribute to the memory of the late Dr. Worell, beloved eacher and friend, may we the boys of the band, expressto his sorrowign family our feeling of sincere gratitude for his teachign and guidance and for the realization that ife has been more complete and more deeply appreciaed by us all for having known im so well. May he rest in peace.
Carrying On
Realizing that the splendid efforts of the late Dr. Worrell in writing a weekly column gave untold pleasure to its many eaders at home and aborad, we will endeavor, for the time being, in our own way to continue uder a new heading the good work, which as many of you may not realize, was first started by Dr. Worrel’s son Donald. Illness foreced Don to give up this work and his father then took up the task and continued on down through the years. It is only fitting tha tour first ofering should be a last farewell to the late Dr. Worrell andit is with this tought in mind tha twe have contributed this simle tribute which heads this column. Our work willnot, by any means reach the high degree of excellence attainted by our predecessor, nor will there be any scholarly dissertations such as he was quite capable of giving. Rather, we shall try to report and comment on only such events and incidents that may prove of some interest and pleasan readin to those swith enduring memories.
Calais Briefs
One who Loved His Fellowmen
For several days I’ve been trying to think of the right words to describe my sense of loss in the death of my good friend, Dr. Worrell. His passing was a shock to me in spite of the fac tha tI ealzied that he was a sick man and that his malady was one tha tmight prove fatal. We saw little of each other in the flesh, but his column each week brought him near to me and I felt his kindly, vital presence as I read the words wrought by his facile pen. As the cdlergyman who fficiated so simply yet so effectively at his funeral eservices said, “He was a man of parts.” He had a gift bestowed on few personsw of expressing himself in writing and his passional love of his native town and his country, his friendlienss for people and his affection for all Gods’ creatures as evinced inhis stories of birds and other forms of wilf life wer revealed in the items he penned from week to week for the Courier. Our friendly wrangles on sports that were a source of amusement and entertainment to many readers are no more now. We probably enjoyed them as much as anybody who read them. I know tha this column wa soften the first thing I read in the paper each week. Now that the opportunity is past I will always regreat not having seen ore of him and talked with him more. His was a mellow philosophy of life although I am sure his own lot had been charged with its share of vicissitudes and sorrows. His bereaved widow and other relative heave my deepest sympathy. Ye hey may find consolation in the knowledge that his Creator will deal generously with man who found so much that was lovable and endearing in his fellow men and the life with which God blessed him.