Mahone Bay Old School_A Life and Times_Bob Sayer

Mahone Bay Old School
A Life and Times
Bob Sayer

Mahone Bay Old School: A Life and Times
Bob Sayer
Mahone Bay Centre Society
2008

Published by Mahone Bay Centre Society ©
All rights reserved
Researched and Written by Bob Sayer ©
Design and Layout by Hot off the Press: Design
(Matthew Ernst, Susan Maroun)
Front Cover: Alex Bardon, Grade 8 student, age 14, 1996
Used by permission
For permission to reprint material from this book contact
Mahone Bay Centre Society
45 School Street, Box 489
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
B0J 2E0
Telephone (902) 624-0890
Fax (02) 624-0485
thecentre@mahonebay.com
First Printing April 2008
Printed by Printer’s Corner, Blockhouse, NS
ISBN 978-0-9809739-0-7
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
2008

Forew0rd
The Mahone Bay School Oral History Project was launched jointly in 2004
by Bob Sayer and the Mahone Bay Centre. Since then, Bob has interviewed
more than 50 former students, teachers, and officials to capture their stories
of the “life and times” of the old school. What started out as a fairly modest
enterprise, has grown into an extensive collection of historical record and
personal memories of people and events over almost a century. In addition,
Bob’s extensive research and personal contacts have led to a compilation of
a remarkable collection of photographs, documents, newspaper articles, and
other memorabilia. The large “coffee-table” format is designed to enable
easy access to the rich treasures. It should provide hours of information,
entertainment, and fun, perhaps around the kitchen table with family and
friends, for years to come.
The board wishes to express its appreciation to Bob Sayer for undertaking
this daunting enterprise and seeing it through to completion. He has produced
a richly documented account, and carried it off with flair. We see the
result as a major contribution to the life of our community.
We wish to express our thanks to the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism,
Culture, and Hereitage, the Town of Mahone Bay, and individual donors
for their generous financial support for this project. We are also grateful to
the civic-minded business leaders who contributed through paid advertisements.
Their support continues to enrich our community.
The old school was at the heart of the Mahone Bay community for almost a
century. The story of its foundation and perseverance through some tough
times is a testimony to the vision, courage, and determination of the people
of Mahone Bay. The accomplishments and many stories of the good times
and wonderful people speak to the strong sense of community that the
school inspired. It is our hope that the same spirit can be kept alive and
enriched through the many activities of the Mahone Bay Centre, “building at
the heart of the community”.
Paul Seltzer
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Mahone Bay Centre Society
i

The Author
Note From The Author
This is, deliberately, a “show and tell” history. It’s full of pictures of people,
places, and documents that accompany and illustrate the facts. It’s full of
oral history: quoting letters, personal journals and newspapers that I read,
and stories that were told.
It’s been a labour of love! Over the past two years of researching and writing,
I have met and interviewed many [I lost count at fifty] one-time students
and teachers who shared with me their memories and information about a
school and community they deeply cared for.
Bob Sayer and his wife Trish have lived
in Mahone Bay since 1973. Their three
children, Tracey, Steven and Louise, all
attended ‘The Old School’.
The Sayers emigrated from England to
Lockeport, N.S., in 1968. Bob has been a
social studies teacher in Lockeport and
Halifax, and a school administrator in
New Ross, Lunenburg and Hebbville.
He did postgraduate work in history at
Dalhousie University. Since retirement
he has been a movie reviewer for CKBW
and Lunenburg and King’s County
newspapers.
Bob has had a life-long passionate affair with the game of soccer as a player,
referee, coach and administrator. As vice-president of the Canadian Soccer
Association for six years, he travelled all over the world with various national
teams. He is known on the South Shore as “Soccer Bob”. He has been
bestowed Life Membership of the South Shore District Soccer Association,
Soccer Nova Scotia and the Canadian Soccer Association. Bob is an inductee
of the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame He has been board chairperson of
Harbour House, a local women’s shelter, and is an active member of the Mahone
Bay Centre Society.
Bob and Trish are proud of their citizenship of Canada and Mahone Bay.
A number of key personal contributors have died. I hope I have done justice
to Hope Hyson, Lucille Joudrey [Anderssen] and Johnny Whynott. I so enjoyed
their company.
With Hope Hyson [Bustin] and her friends, I celebrated her 103rd birthday.
I managed to visit Bea Hirtle in St. Petersburg, Florida and Ulrica Strum
[Davis] in St. Catherine’s, Ontario.
I take full responsibility for omissions and errors. In a work of this nature,
they have to exist.
There are folks that I have to thank:
• Bob Douglas: for first phoning me to ask if I’d be interested in the project.
He and the board of the Mahone Bay Centre have been totally supportive.
Ted Hobson was been particularly patient and persevering in preparing the
book, acting as editor, fundraiser and cheerleader.
• Bobby Mader and George Silver: for being constantly available to, literally,
guide me to the forgotten corners and secret spots of the town, and explaining
how old Mahone functioned.
• Bill Snyder: for being a constant source of technical help with computers,
for his knowledge of every corner of the old building, for his encouragement
in moments of exasperation. He was a key initiator of this project.
• For all those, too many to mention for fear of leaving out a name or two,
who shared their memories and loaned me treasures from family albums
and scrapbooks.
ii

• The staff of the Mahone Bay Settlers Museum and Cultural Centre, the
Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic [research department], the South Shore
Genealogical Society and the Nova Scotia Archives [in Halifax] : they share
a treasure trove of information with pirates like me.
• The staff at Printer’s Corner for the final printed edition, and for hours of
patience in dealing with my endless demands for instant copies of masses of
loaned material.
• Matthew Ernst and Susan Maroun for the marathon work of design and
layout of the book, particularly the cleaning up of photos and other documents.
• Finally for my wife, Trish: for encouraging a husband, often an absentee
in body and mind, as the book obsession grew. At least she had Coronation
Street!
A Note on Sources
Newspapers:
The Lunenburg County newspapers, particularly the Lunenburg Progress
Enterprise and the Bridgewater Bulletin are available on microfilm at the
Fisheries Museum [Lunenburg], and, just upstairs in the same building, the
South Shore Genealogical has a machine that photocopies from microfilm.
The South Shore Record, an invaluable Mahone Bay newspaper of the 1930s, is
also available on microfilm at the Fisheries Museum.
The provincial papers are available on microfilm at the Nova Scotia Archives
in Halifax.
School Board and Town Council Minutes
Thanks to David Hennigar for rescuing the School Board minutes. The
annual general meetings of the trustees, 1916-19, are preserved. So are the
monthly meetings, 1919 to 1981. David kindly gave me access to them. They
and the town council minutes are stored at the Town Hall. David has a fine
collection of Mahone Bay postcards and other memorabilia.
Documents
The Mahone Bay Settlers Museum has an invaluable collection of photos
and documents. The Inglis-Quinlan collection is quite outstanding.
The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and the South Shore Genealogical
Society have a huge assortment of primary and secondary sources. The latter
has school attendance registers from the late 1940s.
The Public Archives of Nova Scotia has all sorts of useful material, particularly
government records. For example, the department’s annual reports to the
legislature on education contain detailed regional reports from the inspectors.
Personal Journals, Memoirs, Letters etc
These sources make up the heart and soul of the book, and I indicate the
sources as I use them. These were the real, irreplaceable, treasures. I have to
mention the mass of letters written by Fred Mosher to Joan Foran. They give
an extraordinarily accurate and detailed account of the people of old Mahone,
1914 through to the late 1920s.
Yearbooks
I was lucky enough to find people who had old yearbooks. The most extensive
collections belong to Helen Dodge, who has near complete sets for the
1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, and Suzanne Demille who has a collection of the last
twenty years of the school.
The Report on Selected Buildings in Mahone Bay Nova Scotia, [Manuscript
Report No. 260 for Historical Research Section, CIHB] by Ronald McDonald,
1977, is the single best resource on Mahone Bay houses, property and land
transactions, and old maps. It is indispensable.
Style and Presentation
I have deliberately used a format that is part diary, part notes, part text
book, part scrap book.
I soon realized that people do not think, remember and reminisce in seamless
paragraphs.
Bob Sayer January 2008
iii

iv
Whole school photo 2000

Table of Contents
Foreword
Page i
The Author, Tributes, Sources
Page ii - iii
Table of Contents
Page v
Chapter One: 1914 Pages 01 - 21
Chapter Two: The School’s ‘Founding Fathers’ Pages 23 - 35
Chapter Three: The Building of the New School Pages 37 - 49
Chapter Four: The Early Years Pages 51 - 65
Chapter Five: The 1920s Pages 67 - 91
Chapter Six: The 1930s and 1940s Pages 93 - 131
Chapter Seven: The 1950s and1960s Pages 133 - 170
Chapter Eight: The 1970s, The End of an Era Pages 171 - 197
Chapter Nine: The Elementary-Junior High Decades Pages 199 - 225
Chapter Ten: The Closing and the Reunion, 2000 Pages 227 - 241
Chapter Eleven: New Life for an Old Building 2000- 07 Pages 243 - 258
Appendix: Index of Names Pages 259 - 271
Photo: courtesy Suzanne Lohnes - Croft
v

Chapter One: 1914
September
War had been declared against Germany. Young men in Mahone were joining
the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. Nobody was too worried. There was a
heady optimism. After all, it would be over by Christmas. Wouldn’t it?
The New School
In town the local students, their parents and other citizens were excited
about the new school. They had watched it being built, under the supervision
of Warren Eisenhauer, since the end of May. A good number of local
men had worked on the project and some boys, Fred Mosher tells us, ‘who
could drive a good nail had leave from their parents’ to get a temporary job. It
was a fine, tall, imposing building with a big new bell that had been ordered
through Sears. It was a building to be proud of. One that would rival the
Lunenburg Academy and the new school in Bridgewater. It was just about
finished. But one class, grades four and five combined, would have to go
down to C.U. Mader’s warehouse, now known as Mader’s Wharf, right under
school trustee Charlie Begin’s sail loft, until its classroom was ready. Fred
Mosher was in that class.
A Student’s View of Mahone, 1914
What were students thinking about in September 1914? What did they see
around town? What was there to do? What could they talk about to their
parents and each other? What were their favorite places? Where did they
hang out? What could they watch? Where might they earn a little pocket
money? Where could they buy ice cream and other treats?
• Families were large. Having three children was modestly small: five or more
children was the norm. Home heating was by wood stove, and lighting, except
for a select few, by kerosene lamp.
• It was a time of horses and oxen and cattle [particularly cows] and orchards.
Chickens were in the gardens. Maybe a turkey…maybe a pig. The
smell of animals lingered in the air. Animals, particularly horses and oxen,
were on the streets.
• Cars in Mahone Bay were still a rarity. The roads were unpaved and there
were no sidewalks.
• There were no supermarkets or hardware stores, T.V., radio, central heating
or refrigeration. Ice could be delivered.
The following notice appeared on page 4 of the Lunenburg
Progress Enterprise on Wednesday, January 25, 1915
Messrs. Penney Bros. of Mahone have decided to discontinue the Ice Business, and
their former customers will please note the fact and make other provisions for
getting their next season’s ice.
[The Penney brothers ran the Aberdeen Hotel].
• There was no town water or sewage system. It was a well in the basement
or garden, and a backyard outhouse with ‘septic systems’ [usually a removable
wooden box with lime: contents to be buried].
• Thanks to T.G. Nichol’s hydro power station, there was some street lighting.
There were telephones, mostly afforded by businesses.
• There were, to name just some: five active shipyards, two hotels, a pool hall,
a movie theatre, a concrete forms works, a wagon and sleigh factory, a livery
stable, a fish store, several mills and blacksmiths, a tannery, two millinery
shops, a railway station, a steam freight shipping service to Halifax, a telephone
and telegraph [Western Union] office, an exhibition building, a ball
field and outdoor hockey rink, an old disused racehorse trotting track, winter
horse racing on the harbour ice, and the Town Band.
Fred Mosher’s Tour of Main Street, From Hamm’s Shipyard to the
Bridge
Fortunately there is an extraordinarily detailed and accurate description of
‘Mahone’ -that’s what everybody called it in those days.
1

2
Fred Mosher’s Tour of ‘Mahone’ 1914-21
Courtesy Lighthouse Publishing Ltd.
Note: Map is not to scale

Fred Mosher, his ‘nana’, father, and two sisters, Juanita and Helen, lived in
what is now no. 131 Fairmont Street, ‘in the home on top of the third hill up
from Mader’s Wharf.’ Fred was just nine years old when the school opened.
He was to graduate in 1922 from grade 11, and leave for New York to seek
[and find] his fortune. He put his memories of the birthplace he loved in a
series of letters, one hundred and forty two pages worth, he wrote to local
historian, Joan Foran, in 1994-5. His sharp intelligence, knowing curiosity
and incredible memory have left a record that research has found to be accurate
in the extreme. What follows, in italics, is in Fred’s words, [except for
bracketed inserts by this writer]. The spelling and grammar are Fred’s. His
tour begins at the east end of main and concludes at the bridge. Then follow
his more general comments.
The map (page 2) was developed, after this writer’s research, that included
Fred Mosher’s letters and a number of old maps, by staff at Lighthouse Publishing.
It is not drawn to scale: the result of doing so would have been too
crowded.
The map has been drawn to clearly show locations and names used at that
time. Again, to avoid cluttering, not all commercial and domestic establishments
are shown. Buildings are represented symbolically: representations
are not architectural drawings.
Fred’s Hill: Courtesy Settlers Museum
Fred’s Mahone Bay
‘Everyone in town, in winter, came to the top of our hill to sleigh ride [Fred says
‘sleigh’ not ‘sled’-the distinction in those days was with a “drawn” [by pony
or horsehorse] sleigh and the man-child powered sleigh]] from our house down
to Mader’s wharf without stopping. No cars in 1914. What fun!…. The harbour
generally has 20-30 large Bank Fishing Vessels -22 men each...as years went on
that number shrank until only one ..Capt. Winn Wentzell…was anchored thru the
winter.’
Name-Calling
“Horned Cattle” …That was the Mahone name applied to the Indian Pointers. And
the town folk called us, up on the hill, “The Stove Pipers.” And we replied by naming
the Main Streeters “The Wharf Rats”
Obed Hamm’s
• ‘The first place we see is Obed Hamm’s shipyard in front of his beautiful home [now
number 794 Main St. Obed also played the violin with distinction] He had two
daughters….the younger one Dorothy [Doddie].
• The shipyard had only one “ways” and it was for the smaller size vessels.
Mr. Hamm’s[ note Fred’s use of double ‘m’] big business was his fancy yachts and
deluxe motorboats. A very fine citizen.’ [In the 1920s, he became a school board
member and wrote a fine letter of reference for Clara Quinlan: chapter 5]
Photo below: Courtesy Settlers Museum. Obed watched over his empire from his office on top
of the building.
3

Ernst Fishing and Shipyard, Kids Fishing, Hide and Seek-Doris Ernst,
Fast Runner
• ‘Next is the big [the biggest in Mahone] Ernst ship yard…. 2 big “Ways” and
four wharves, and they generally had two vessels under construction at one time.
• Across from the Fauxburg Road was the east side of Ernst #2 wharf. Then [moving
towards Maders Cove] open water for 70-80 feet then Ernst wharf #3, a large
store building wharf…This was our fishing wharf. Willis [Ernst] would buy the
flounders we caught…After this was an open dock space so vessels could dock at
the big Ernst 4th wharf. This wharf and large building was the heart of the Ernst
fishing and shipbuilding
• Then a large docking space. Then the long steam box where all the sidings were
steamed.’
The Mighty Ernst Family Dynasty
“The Heart” of Ernst shipbuilding and fishing.
Photo: Courtesy Eizabeth Ernst [Arthur’s daughter]
A wonderful Victorian-Edwardian pose of the family that ran the largest
shipbuilding and fishing enterprises in town, as well as the Ernst Store. They
traced their origins to the very first settlers. Abraham, son of John Jacob, sits
center with his newly wed third wife, Laura Jane Hughes-Ernst. Back Row
[left to right]: Willis, Genevieve, Arthur [later, the town’s first mayor and
school board chair], Florence. Front Row [left to right]: Millie, Selvyn and
Harvey are the children.
4
Photo: Courtesy Settlers Museum
The panoramic photo above gives some idea of Mahone with the fleet in.
• ‘Then slipway 1 then slipway 2…..There was no shipyard work done on the harbour
side, except the steaming. Across from the slipways was a big building. Fred
Burgoyne’s office. Blue prints. Zinc works. They galvanized a lot of material there.
• The door of that building was our home base for hide and seek…Piles of all shaped
timbers to hide in….the whole ground area was covered with 2 inches of chips which
was as slippery as hell for us kids to run on. Doris Ernst, youngest of Willis’s three
daughters, could run as fast as any of us boys.• The ships ribs…siding planks..were
carried over to the slipways for erection.’ See photo inside front cover.
Ernst Store, 4th Wharf, Running the Ice Cakes, Swimming
• ‘Ernst’s Store and fourth wharf was on what is now the Government Wharf area.
Abraham Ernst’s fine house [now street no. 688]..then lived in by the Willis Ernst
family..They had seven children…was across the street. Abraham was the son of
Jacob Ernst and the father of Arthur, Willis and Selvyn.
• That was the big store in town. Harry Hiltz was the manager…Selvyn and Willis
had offices..the bookkeeper was Mr. MacKenzie.. an excellent fancy skater.
• The only place where we got on the harbour ice was adjacent to the Ernst Store
and it was exciting [and dangerous?] for us to run [Dennis Zwicker remembers
the youngsters using a pole to propel the cakes and themselves] the ice cakes
at high tide …they built about 10 spaces for the town people to change clothes to go
swimming.’

• [Abraham’s sons, Willis and Selvyn Ernst, made a direct contribution to
the new school. They sold an important strip of land to the trustees so that
the school could be built facing School Street, in front of the old school
[which had faced Maple Street site].
Steam Freight Service to and from Halifax
• ‘….We had freight service from Halifax not only on the Hellish Slow &Weary
[The Halifax & South Western Railway] but by the S. S. Kinburn…In 1910…the
Ernst Yard…built the S. S. Kilburn…a steam freighter which ran a regular schedule
of freight deliveries from and to Halifax….I often saw it making deliveries...it
would stop at any Government Wharf. So the Cliff Thomas and A.G. Eisenhauer
stores in Indian Point could get their groceries etc that way, which for them was far
better than Mahone Station.’
• [Roads in 1914, before the age of the mass motorcar, on the south shore of
Nova Scotia, were in poor shape, especially in the winter. It was easier to
travel longer distances by rail or boat].
Zwicker Inn..Freeman Home
• ‘Next is what is now called the Zwicker Inn [now street no. 662 and a Candy
Store and Real Estate Agent]. But from 1910 to well after 1940 it always was
the John Freeman family home…Captain John Freeman was hit by a 1913 September
gale and all hands were lost…Their children were Lena..Claire…Ethel…
Amy…Mary [called Molly]….Crop…who later purchased the Smeltzer concrete
forms business and moved it to New Germany…Howard…Murray, always called
Happy…excellent hockey player...and Margaret’. [Margaret, born in 1908, was to
become a teacher at the school.]
Those who live on and by the sea know
tragedy. Fred Mosher was asked by his
grandmother never to go to sea. The large
Freeman family survived through hard
work and determination.]
The newspaper clipping and photo of Captain
John left are courtesy of the Margaret Freeman-
Kedy collection. The photographer was the grandfather
of Helen Dodge, Mahone Bay student and
year book collector.
C.U.Mader’s Store and Warehouse. C.U.
Celebrates a Provincial Liberal Victory,
1916, and Fred Gets Sick
• ‘What a nice man…I did a lot of visiting
at Charles Uniacke’s [the store, now ‘For
the Birds’ at no.647]……spent a lot of time
in the sail loft [the top floor of Mader’s
Wharf, at no.643]…they exported a lot of salt cod’ [the present pub in the
Mader’s Wharf building, The Mug& Anchor, has preserved the screw-press
that packed the barrels tightly with cod]
• [provincial election victory celebration, 1916] ‘…Mr. Mader was a Liberal….
I arrived at C.U’s after school…. Mr. Mader announced he was not going home
for supper and if anyone else wanted to stay we all could eat as much cheese and
Hartack [usually spelled hardtack?] Crackers as we wished….Well did I ever eat
a lot of that 8ft high cheese…he then brought out 2 wooden boxes of cigars..Perhaps
he thought I would take it home to Dad..No way…I lit up…Wow, did I get sick..
I couldn’t go home like that….So I went up town to the Billy King’s movie house…I
laid on the chairs and slept it off for a couple of hours.’
5

Photo at foot of previous page - Courtesy: Bill Meredith Collection
[A rare view of the waterfront from the bay! (pg. 5) Mader’s Warehouse is
center with the shop to its left. In 1914 one class had to start the year on the
second floor of the warehouse until their new classroom was finished. The
tower of the old Methodist Church [later used as a theatre and community
hall] can be seen on the left, and the spire of the Baptist is to the right. The
Freeman home [later, the location of the Zwicker Inn, now a candy shop] is
on the extreme left.]
Candy Shop
‘Next to Mader’s was a candy store, [street number 633] run by Emma Veinot
and Laura Kaiser’ [later, this candy shop moved to the other side of the road…
kids drooled at the candy, set out under large glass covered counters]
Fancy’s Blacksmith’s, “The Hot Place To Be!”
The Sunday School Superintendent & The Cusser
The Royal Hotel [also known as The Mader Hotel]
• ‘Opposite Fancy was the Royal Hotel [now the nursing home at street no.640].
I spent so much time with the Mader’s sons- Fred, Bill, George and Owen.
• The hotel was also used for salesmen’s sample display rooms. All salesmen arrived
in town by the R.R. [Railroad] and had large trunks of samples. The merchants
came there to see the merchandise and place orders.’
• An early photo, below, of the Royal [Mader] Hotel reminds us of the horse and
buggy age. Cars were still rare in 1914. The Royal was the number one hotel in
town. Guests who arrived in town by train were met at the station. Fred Ramsey,
who lives now on Pleasant Street, turned it into a nursing home in the mid
1960s. He kept a number of guest registers, and the signatures include
Wilfred Laurier, prime minister of Canada and Mrs. Fennimore Cooper. The
livery stables behind the hotel are clearly shown. The building to the left
housed the samples rooms, and upstairs a hall used regularly for dances.
• ‘Next to the candy shop, [in a space now vacant] was Mr. D. A. Fancy’s Blacksmith
Shop. That was the town’s hot spot for us youngsters. D.A was truly the village
smithy. Not Andrews or Harris Ham up town.
• D.A. shod all the horses and oxen. Or rather his son Cecil did, while dad made the
shoes and shipyard forms.
• Mr. Fancy was the Baptist Sunday School Supt. and knew only good Biblical
words [he never cussed]. But his son knew and used all the [cuss] words daily….
• The horses were no problem. Not so with the oxen…they had to be lifted off their
feet in a large canvass carrier [this process can still be seen at Ross Farm
Museum]...when he did the rear hoofs… somehow all oxen would get nervous and
without warning the flood would start flowing and run down Cecil’s neck, back and
arms. Anyone present would hear, very loudly, all the words.
• Mr. Fancy would just say, “Cecil! Cecil!” [D. A. was well respected in Mahone,
and was elected to the first Town Council in 1919].
• Cecil’s language was not quite the language for guests of the Mader Hotel across
the road to hear.’ [Maybe that was one reason why Mr. Fancy relocated later
to further up the other side of the street, present number 668, now the lot
occupied by Seawitch Gifts.
• ‘Cecil would take me deer hunting…only he carried a gun…Years later in W.W.
2 [Second World War] he walked with..Martin Allen up thru Italy when Cecil
dropped dead from a bullet.’
Courtesy: Bill Meredith collection (down stairs, left of photo was the office where men gathered
to “talk and drink” (Ulrica Strum). Will Mader is the man in white shirt sleeves.
Winter Horse Racing on the Harbour Ice
• ‘The hotel had a large livery stable and had many horses and wagons to rent…They
also had the only stallion in town. The name was Marshall M. It was a very fast runner
and Mr. Mader was often challenged by Mr. Ambrose Eisenhauer, who also had a
racer.
• The trotting track [see map ] was no longer used, so they would race in winter on
the harbour ice. They would start almost at Strum’s [see map] and race up to Ernst’s
Shipyard. What a crowd of people on the ice. They used regular trotting wagons.’
6

• [Winter horse racing on ice [harbour or lake] was a popular sport in the region.
Both county papers, Lunenburg and Bridgewater, regularly reported on them.
The sport had a history in Mahone. Joan Foran has possession of letters written
by W.H. Longley, principal at Mahone School, 1904-6. On March 25th 1904, he
noted, ‘There was a horse race Tuesday on the ice of the harbour.’]
Arthur Hiltz’s General Store
‘Next to the hotel was the Mills home [now street 630]. This was Mrs. Willis
Ernst’s home before their marriage. Next was Arthur Hiltz’s General Store [possibly
now the garage extension at no. 630. When Fred left for New York in
1922, he got an outfit and his suitcase there. He was unable to pay for it and
was going to send the money later. He did not get along with his step mother
and was going to leave secretly. But word got out!].
‘ Blanche Burgoyne of Oakland clerked for Arthur.’
Will McLean’s [some family members spelled it MacLean] Home
The fine old Blysteiner-McLean House with [left to right] inset of Charlie
McLean with spaniel ‘Spud’, Lena McLean, wife of Charles and mother
of Clyde [see chapter 4], John McLean snr., father of Charlie and William,
John’s mother [grandma Blysteiner], John’s wife Agnes, William Mclean, father
of Margaret, (outstanding teacher and vice principal of the 1930s).
• ‘Next to Fancy’s was a private home…then McLean’s Store [now Mom’s Buy and
Sell, street number 629]…where Mr. Will MacLean and his sister in law, Amy
Smeltzer, worked. It is hard to believe but between the store and the next building
[until a recent fire, The Salt Spray Cafe, at street no. 621], the McLeans had a
regular shipyard…During the war they also built at the neighbouring Zwicker yard
that had long been empty.
• The Will McLeans had a show piece home across the street laying back [now
street no 624]....A road, past Arthur Hiltz’s, ran round the house up to Charles
McLean his brother’s house on Pleasant St. [now street no. 59].
• Charles was the master boat builder-designer. Will ran the business and store.
Photo: Courtesy Margaret McLean-MacKay Collection
Photos: Courtesy the Margaret McLean-MacKay collection
7

Previous page, bottom right, an early picture of the Crofton McLeod being built
in the tightly spaced McLean Shipyard. John W. himself, the father of Will and
Charles, is posing in the foreground. The McLean store is on the left, offices and
storage on the right.
Students, like Fred Mosher, watched with keen interest and celebrated the
launchings. With the shipbuilding boom of the First World War, McLeans needed
to expand from their cramped location. The old Zwicker yard next door was
bought and the business greatly expanded, as per the 1918 launching (Below).
Mason’s Fish Store and theYounis Stores and Pool Room
• ‘Next to the McLean Building was a private home [now street number 619]…the
Borgel family lived there….Their oldest son was Stuart…a very good base ball pitcher.
• Next to the Borgal home was the town fish store. A huge man, Mr. Errol Mason..
whose home was on the street…there was a small road down the bank to the fish
store on the harbour water. No autos then.’
• [The Mason store and house have now gone. They were located in the area
now used for renting kayaks and bicycles, East Coast Outfitters. As was the
Younis store.]
• ‘Next was Charley Younis’s Store [with pool table[s], …A great place to hang
out…Later he married Goldie Wentzell.’ [Joe Younis had a clothing store just
further down on the other side of the street. Jim Younis had a store further
down Main Street, over the Anney bridge and on the left, opposite the Aberdeen
Hotel, at no. 492].
‘ Jim ...another nice person-later he was the town policeman. ... Jim and his wife
really enjoyed dandelion weeds. They ate them as a vegetable and paid me 10 cents
a bag to dig them up. I had fun and ice cream money.’
• [The story of the Younis [and Asaff] family, in 1914 recent immigrants, and
later the Ali family, from Syrian and Lebanese villages, arriving with no English,
and establishing themselves so successfully is a tale worth telling…another time].
Photo: Courtesy: Margaret McLean-MacKay Collection
Sammy Smeltzer’s Shoe Store
• ‘Next [to Will McLean’s home] was the town shoemaker, Sammy Smeltzer.
Sammy also [in addition to an older daughter] had two daughters who were
always together. We called them “Sammy’s Steers.”
• [The building has gone. It was replaced by the house, now number 618].
The Grays’ House
• ‘Next was the Gray house where their two daughters lived, Norah Ruggles and
Annie Gray.’
• [There is a nice story of how, much earlier, the Victorian medical Dr. Gray
was a very large man living in a very small house. To celebrate the birth of
the first daughter, he built the fine Victorian mansion, a Mahone Bay landmark
building, now street number 610, the long-time Hennigar residence].
Ozen Ernst’s Barber Shop
• ‘Next was a large white house [now a long-time chocolate shop and real estate
office, street number 605]….in this building was Mr Ozen Ernst’s barber shop
….June and I always stopped to see him on our way home and back………They had a
daughter Irene……..…Derrill Ernst who was taught by his dad went to Sussex N.B.
where he was very successful…He called his shop “Dutchies”…….next was the
large home-now street number 601, divided into condos- of property owner
and farmer, John Wesley Mason, who was the single biggest investor in the
bonds that paid for the new school construction.
Smeltzer’s-[Maders] Concrete Forms [now the Amos Pewter house-office,
street number 595 and Pewter Shop, number 589].
• ‘large concrete forms were later sold.. Next was Amy Smeltzer’s home also…
Capt Waldo Smeltzer…Mr Smeltzer’s large concrete works was later sold and
moved to New Germany’ [by one of the Freeman boys].
• [Fred calls it the Smeltzer works. The actual property was owned by John
Mader in 1914.
8

The Smeltzers [who rented] and Maders then shared this two family building,
and the Maders may have run the concrete business, now the Amos
Pewter site, together with the Smeltzers in 1914, or, a little later, bought the
business.
• Bobby Mader, as a small boy in the 1920s, often visited his great uncle
John’s home and works. Bobby describes how what is now the Pewter Shop
was [once a forge] used for casting. The business made concrete well crocks,
tombstones, birdbaths and any other concrete fittings or decorations for
home-including chimneys built in sections [see photo below of chimney
blocks made at the plant].
• George Silver pointed them out to this writer. They can be seen at the back
of 469 Main Street, a few feet from the fire hydrant on Cherry St.].
• Bobby still has a birdbath from the works. It can be seen in his front garden
at School St. From the late 1950s through to the early 70s the town school
would often borrow the birdbath and fill it with flowers for decorating the
stage at graduations.
George Silver observed: “If something could be made of concrete, the plant
could make it.”]
Sophie Smeltzer ‘Birch Beer’ Store
• ‘ Next [now the Yarn Shop at no. 583] was a nice little lady…Sophie Smeltzer…
with a small store. She always had Birch Beers.’
• [Dennis Zwicker, 86 years old when I spoke with him, and another veteran,
George Silver, remember it as spruce beer. These commercial and homemade
beers were non-alcoholic family soft drinks, like root beer-which was also
made in those days. Dennis told of the joke around Mahone one day when
the town drunk was seen leaving Mrs. Smeltzer’s. Had he changed his drinking
habits? Dennis and others also remember Mrs. Smeltzer got her main
living at the shop from baking bread and other goodies.]
Roggie Langille’s Teakettle Repair Place
‘Next to the Birch Beer place was Roggie Langille’s teakettle repair place [now the
Gazebo Café, street no. 567].
No one bought a new one…..Just take it to Roggie and he would sodder [Fred’s
spelling] it up…Roggie’s building housed [upstairs] the Rebecca Lodge [good cakes
at their monthly meeting].’
• [Roggie-Roger-was descended from Titus Langille, the ship builder whose
yard had been behind the shop. In 1914 the Langille Yard no longer produced.
Roggie was the town tinsmith. As old-timers like George Silver and Dennis
Zwicker pointed out, there was no all-purpose hardware store to pop into
in those days. Folks went to Roggie to make or repair household-workshop
items now taken for granted, like funnels, saucepans and pots as well as
more luxury tin ware. He also sold stoves and, later, fridges.
9

The Langille building (above) has been well preserved.
The old photo below shows a typical Sunday Parade as ‘The Orders,’ led by the
town band, march to church. The roads are unpaved and there are no sidewalks.
The church would be full. The upstairs meeting room is now an apartment.
Back to the other side of Main Street…‘Above the Grays was Mrs. Boehner’s
Store’ [now Law Offices and Real Estate, no. 596]. The building has the ornate
Italianate arches. This was a gift store. Mariah Boehner, widowed when
her husband John was killed in a lumber accident in Maine, and her daughter,
Florrie, specialized in quality glassware and china and other special
gifts. Magistrate Francis Holloway’s [now the Pottery Studio, at street no.
590] home and office was next.
• ‘..then the home of Magistrate Francis Holloway whose office was in his home..
He had two daughters…Minerva who was in my class…she married a good hockey
player from Chester, Cyril Houghton…the other sister was Dorothy.’
• Francis Holloway was the paid justice of the peace. He was also the Inspector
of the Municipality of Lunenburg, responsible for bringing charges under
the Temperance Act. Very interested in school matters, he was elected as
a member of the new school planning committee in 1913, and as one of the
three Mahone school trustees by the annual meeting of ratepayers in March
1915. In 1919 he swore into office the members of the first town council.
• The Lunenburg Progress Enterprise announced on Wednesday, March 3rd
1915, page 4: ‘ Mahone Bay…The annual school meeting was held in the Parish Hall
on Monday evening. Francis Holloway was elected trustee in place of retiring trustee
C.A. Lohnes.’
Charles Begin’s Home
[Now The Settlers Museum at street no. 578]
• ‘….Then the Sailmaker’s home, Mr. Charles Begin whose home is now a museum…Charlie
Begin had a daughter, Nora, who married Fred Penney, one of the two
brothers who owned the Aberdeen Hotel….also another daughter, and two sons,
Willoughby and Guerney.’
• [Charles Begin is one of the ‘heroes’ of this book. He was one of the school’s
‘founding fathers’-see chapter 2: one of the three trustees who worked
so hard throughout 1912, 1913 and 1914 to ensure that the new school got
planned, financed and built. He also worked on the rigging of the Bluenose.]
10
Photo above: Courtesy Settlers Museum
Mrs. MacDonald/Westhaver’s Home and The Bank of Montreal
• ‘Then Mrs. MacDonald’s home [now the art gallery at street no. 572] high on the
bank. Then she married Bob Westhaver’s brother…. Then the Bank of Montreal.’ [In
1914, the Bank, now no. 562, was a fine newly [1911] renovated and reconstructed
building, with its neo-classical features-pedimented portico, columns, and
all].

to get him to pay his bills, which he eventually would.
George Silver remembers one Halloween when some of the boys in town
waited for him to go to the outhouse. With him ensconced on the throne,
they tipped it over, door side down, until his wife heard his angry yells and
came to free him. The boys ran for their life.
• ‘In the same building was the barber shop owned by Mr. Cushing, a very dignified
man…later Chookie Ham [also] a barber shop.
• Next was the large W.H. Zwicker Store with tenants overhead.’
• [much later these two buildings were joined into one; for years well known
as Bill’s Store, now the Mahone Bay Trading Company, street no. 544]
In 1914, Mahone Bay was proud of its fine new bank. Across the road are the
Westhaver manufacturing businesses. The Westhaver house can be seen
next door to the bank. The Zwicker store and Chisholm’s/Hirtle’s are in the
distance on the left, and Joudrey’s Livery Stables on the right.
G.A Westhaver’s Home
• ‘Next the home of the G.A. Westhavers, owners of the big Oar and Blocks work
across the street.’
• [The Westhaver house is another Mahone Bay landmark building: street
no. 558 now. On the corner of Main and Pleasant, it is presently a bed and
breakfast, and, with its fine ornate gingerbread, one of the most photographed
houses in the Bay].
Town Post Office [now Eli’s coffee shop/gallery, no. 538]
• ‘Next was the Schnare home, the [downstairs] post office. Our box in 1914 was no.
167….David Mader was postmaster. His assistant was Johnny Duncan-he and his
sister Dora lived in and owned what is now The Teazer Shop….
• Next, but way back off the street was to be our first Town Hall’ [After the town
was incorporated in 1919]. And a bandstand was to be added. The site is now
occupied by the Federal Building-the Post Office].
Chisholm’s [Hirtle’s] Dry Good’s Store [now Ernst’s Dentist, street no. 530]
(Below) is a rare copy of a long lost photo of the young Reg Hyson [on left]
and Warren Hirtle, future mayor and school board chair [on right].
Photo: Courtesy Bill Meredith Collection
Wile’s Jewelry, Cushing’s Barber Shop and the Zwicker Store
• ‘Across Pleasant St., on the opposite corner from the Westhavers, was Ashel
Wile’s Jewelry Store. He had one of the first cars. He kept the brass radiator so
highly polished. Above the store lived the Nowe family.’
• [Mr. Wile was to be a major school bond buyer. He had a reputation for being
a penny pincher and being cranky. It was said of him, “When he spent a penny,
he pinched it so hard, the Queen or King said “Ouch.” Alfreda Zwicker used to
deliver milk to him before heading for school, and she recalls the battles trying
11

Clerk, Lois Nichols, is next to Mr. Hirtle. The two other women, probably clerks,
have not been identified. They appear to be celebrating: perhaps Warren Hirtle’s
1916 take-over of the Chisholm store where he had been an employee.
• ‘ Then the large Chisholm’s Dry Goods Store on the corner of Old Station Road.’
[Note the street name. The old station-on the Lunenburg to Middleton linewas
behind the present tennis courts. The street had been renamed, Clairmonte-after
the local MLA, Clairmonte Zwicker. Fred uses the old term, and
at some point the final ‘e’ on Clairmonte was dropped].
• Warren Hirtle was the store manager and Alton Smeltzer clerked there. Everyone could
see the large lettered sign on the building…CHISHOLMS. Later Mr. Hirtle became the
owner. He also become the Band Master’ [mayor and school board chairman].
12
Lohnes Meat Market and Ice House [across Clairmont[e] from Chisholms, on the
corner by the bridge and the river [now the Kinburn Pharmacy, street no. 522]
• ‘Lohnes Meat market… Charlie could hardly see but no one ever questioned his
prices. He ran the store…..brother Harris did the purchasing and butchering.
• Back of the butcher shop was a huge building-to store enough ice for a year. The
cakes were 1 foot thick, two feet wide and four long. All separated by 3 inches of
sawdust. Fresh Water ice from a lake.’
• [The ice house has gone, and the shop has been completely
rebuilt and expanded.]
• Charlie Lohnes is another of the outstanding ‘founding fathers’: see chapter 2.
Up Old Station Road….The Dam and Pond… Dr. Brent and Dr. Mitchener’s…
Warren Eisenhauer’s Workshop…The Parade Grounds….Spion Kop
• [Behind the Lohnes Ice House on the ‘Anney River’, also known as ‘Ernst’s
Brook’, and, in older maps ‘The Kinburn’ and ‘Mauger Mill Brook’] ‘ is the
beautiful dam… ...and the pond where we washed wagons in front of Dr. Brent’s
house…and enjoyed crowded ice-skating in the winter…’
• For the curious, the best place to see the site of the old dam is in the parking
lot behind the Calvary Temple. Look over the wall to the new Drug Store
opposite. The original granite wall can be seen: there are even splitting
marks visible from the tools of the masons who split the granite. Where the
old wall ends [a jumble of boulders mark the spot] was one end of the dam
and the site of a long gone planing mill.
Photo Courtesy: Settlers Museum
Fred Mosher calls it the beautiful dam. It was impressive. This winter photo,
with folks standing along the top of it gives an idea of its size. The old mill
building can be seen on the left.
• Directly across Clairmont/ Old Station Road from the dam was what Fred
and others called “the swamp”. It was later drained and the Legion and other
buildings were erected. ‘Swamp Creek’ was an overflow from the Anney and
the swampy area around the town pond-rink. It trickled past Chisholm’s/
Hirtle’s Store, under the road in a pre 1914 culvert, past Vaughn’s Photo to the
harbour. When the new sewer system was put in, the old stream and culvert
were re-discovered. To-day, if you go behind the Post Office parking lot [ at the
rear of the building] and go to the rough land between that and the Legion, you
will see part of the bed of the brook and an old retaining wall.
• Dr. Brent, who presided over Fred’s birth, lived in the large corner house
across from the pond, now number 35, on the corner of the old station road
[Clairmont[e]] and Pond. ‘The Brents had three children, crippled Charles, Scott
and Florence. Dr. Brent’s brother was the Anglican Bishop for the State of New York.
• The next house [no. 57]. was the big stone home… that was owned by the town dentist,
Dr. Mitchener. He was followed by Dr. Hayford [also a dentist] who married my school
teacher, Edith Young’ [and became a long serving school board member].
• ‘Across the street from the Mitcheners was Warren Eisenhauer’s big carpenter
shop’ [the building still stands, owned by Bob Douglas, who now lives in the

old Mitchener home]. ‘His home …was on the corner of the road [now no 75
Clairmont St.] leading to the entrance to the Parade Grounds-Band stand, Ball
park, [Hockey Rink] etc’ The bandstand was located near this entrance to the
Parade Grounds.
Courtesy: Settlers Museum
[Back to the other side of Main Street-the next five businesses all occupied
what is now the Save Easy Grocery Store and parking lot]
Warren Eisenhauer was carpenter, construction boss of the new school,
and later ship-builder. His workshop/storage area [photo above] still stands
on Clairmont. Warren became a school board member and his son became
mayor.
• Warren Eisenhauer had the key role of supervising the construction of the
new school.
• ‘Then the Spine Cup [the Spion Kop, named after a victory in the Boer War.]
It was located on a hill where, after much excavation, the Town Fire Hall now
stands]…for many years there was a large cannon on its top. We boy scouts would
go up by the Cannon and cook meals. What cooks! We wanted to warm a can of
peas. So we put it in the fire. And in a few minutes the can exploded. So we picked
some blueberries….’ [Some things never change!]
• The photo, above right shows the canon and the fine view that was available
from the Spion Kop. The Pond, the Inglis Store [on the left], and, either
side of the bridge, Reg Hyson’s Store and the tall Wagner’s Repairs, are clearly
seen. So are the spires of the three churches by the sea. The Presbyterian
[later United] Church still had its spire.
The Westhaver’s Perfect Spray and Duster Shop, and Oar and Block Works
• ‘Next [after Roggie Langille’s] a shop run by Robert Westhaver of the Oar and
Block Works. He invented the Perfect Spray and Duster machine.’ [The Halifax
Herald, Thursday September 24th 1925, page 5 wrote ‘…spray and dusting
machine, used by fruit growers…is the only business of its kind east of
Ontario..the brand name is “Perfect.”….The most recent development is the
adaption of the new spray blower…to the tractor…Another invention is a
portable elevator…for lifting barrels of apples…Mr. Westhaver’s machines
have been sent to South Africa, Australia, The West Indies and Florida.’
• ‘Next his dad’s Oar and Block Plant. This was an excellent factory. Danny Langille….
was an expert craftsman.’
• The Oar and Block Works was a major producer with a fine reputation. In
‘Sawpower’, a major study of the industry in the province, the author B.R.
Robertson, wrote [page 127], ‘ by 1911 they manufactured dory oars, ship’s
blocks and deadeyes’ [for the uninitiated, blocks are the wooden shells that
hold the pulleys used in a ship’s rigging, and deadeyes are the pierced round
or tear drop shaped pieces of wood used to tie off the shrouds and standing
lines that do not move] ..at the Nova Scotia Oar and Block Company.
13

They also did planing, sawing, turning, carving, gilding, galvanizing and
made a specialty of stairwork.’ The sheds and piles of sawdust and woodchips
made it a favorite spot for hiding booze during prohibition.
‘hide and seek’ in all corners of the mill yard, even on big belts that ran the saw
blades; we hid in piles of lumber stacked in triangles to ‘dry’….…we were running
along the double planks with a space between that made a walkway about the pond
where the logs were kept…my little foot went down-no amount of twisting and turning
would get it out again. So I sat there and cried until Dad came home....and sawed
a notch in the plank to allow my foot’s release….that notch was there until the pond
was taken away many years later……Robert Whynott, who lived next door, teased
me about it since my return to Nova Scotia.’
‘Smith and Schnare’s Painters & Paint Shop
• was next…Ray Hyson was their clerk…..Mr Schnare owned the building where
the post office was located….These men were very talented
Photo: Courtesy Irene Westhaver-Ungar
Top Left: Founder of the company, George Alfred Westhaver, Irene’s grandfather,
who was descended directly from original settler, Johan Michael Westhhoeffer.
Early on, George was the keeper of ‘Westhaver’s Light’ off Westhaver’s
Beach. Later, at the age of 20, he founded The Nova Scotia Oar and
Block Works. It was he who did the fine decorative woodwork on the house
at the corner of Pleasant and Main.
Top Right: G.A.’s oldest son by his first marriage, William, who died in 1924.
It was Robert Benjamin, inventor of the Perfect Spray & Duster Machine,
who was brought home from Ontario to manage and own until 1947, when it
closed. He was a councilor and school board member for a number of years
in the 1920s. Westerhavers was a town institution with a pond and several
busy buildings. For some 40 years, it was a favorite place for students to
watch and play.
W.F. Joudrey Livery Stables
• was next…..owned by Mr. William Joudrey….Everyone in town called him
“Pumpey”. He had all the freight business from the RR [railroad] Station. He had
all the mail-to and from the station and post office. He had all kinds of flat trucks
and wagons….He had a beautiful home [Pleasant Street, now no. 23]…three
children…Ray…also Carroll,.. and a daughter who married a minister and lived in
New Haven Conn.
Silent Movies Pelting the Pianist with Peanuts
• ‘Next to Pumpey’s was Billy King’s Movie Theatre [upstairs in the Zwicker
Hall]. The King family owned the King Hotel in Lunenburg….It was silent movies
and Mildred Winters played the piano during the show….the audience would throw
peanuts [in the shell] at her. Peanuts would be in her hair, on the key board and all
around. She was a good sport.
Band Hall
• ‘There was the practice hall [downstairs in The Zwicker Hall, also used for
meetings and other events, almost opposite the Zwicker Store] for our [Town]
Band. Harry Eisenhauer was the Band Master. When marching they always played
“From Greenland’s Icy Water’s to India’s Coral Sands.”’
Irene was a youngster in the 1930s and wrote, ‘The whole mill yard…was a play
ground once the mill shut down at 5pm. We played in great big sawdust piles in our
bare feet [because it was warm and damp from recently sawed logs]; we played
14

• The Zwicker store is in the right foreground. It has a fine balcony that was
sometimes used for VIPs to address a crowd.
• At the next building on the right Mr. Cushing’s barber’s pole can be seen.
He shared the building with Wile’s Jewelry.
• First on the left is the Zwicker Hall [meetings, band and movies]. • W.F. Joudrey’s
livery stables sign is clearly visible next door.
• The Westhaver house dominates the back ground on the right.
A View Across The Water. Postcard: Courtesy David Hennigar Collection
1-The corner of the Westhaver smithy
2-Roggie Langille’s Tinsmith
3-the new bank
4- the Spray & Duster shop
5-the main Westhaver Oar& Block Plant with steam engine
chimney
6-on the water’s edge, the galvanizing shed where the iron
work was zinc coated
7-on Main Street, Smith & Schnares Paint Shop
8 - Joudrey’s Livery Stables
9- Zwicker’s Hall
10-across the street, the house soon to be first Town Hall,
later the site of the present Post Office.
Towers in distance, left to right: the Methodist Church [now
gone], the Baptist Church, the School.
Photo: Courtesy the Settlers Museum
Mr.Vaughn’s Photography [Now the Cheesecake Gallery &
Restaurant, street no. 533]
• ‘ Next was Knott Burgoyne’s small home…[used by]..Mr. Vaughn’s Photography
[later Lemmy Zwicker’s shoe repair]
• Historians are indebted to Mr. Vaughn for his many contemporary photos,
including those of the school and students. Fred Mosher recalls that he left
town during the First World War and never returned.
On the far side of Main Street, from left to right, the following can clearly be
seen: The MacDonald/Westhaver home [opposite the smithy and tin shop],
the G.W. Westhaver home [next to the bank]. On the opposite corner of Pleasant
Street is the Wile’s Jewelry/Cushing barber building, then the Zwicker
Store building, the Schnare owned building with post office on ground floor,
and standing back, the white house soon to be the first town hall.
In the photo below, taken at the Good Friday Parade, 1910:
One of Mr. Vaughn’s Letterheads
Courtesy: Bill Meredith Collection
15

Reg. Hyson’s [now the Tea Brewery, street no. 525]
• ‘ Then Mr. Reggie Hyson’s High Class Groceries, Ice Cream Parlour, Insurance
Business. Orren Joudrey was the clerk until the town became incorporated, then
Orren left to become Town Clerk [and School Board Secretary].’ Both men were
to be key players in the development of the new school. Reggie Hyson as
school board member and financial advisor-later, he was also what is now
called an investment consultant, and he must certainly have helped with the
selling of the $18000 worth of bonds that financed the school’s construction.
Orren Joudrey was to advise and administer for the Town Council and School
Board for over twenty years.
A View From The Bridge, Repairs, Ladies Hats and Ice Cream
• ‘Almost touching the bridge is a huge building [now long gone] as tall as Chisholm’s
Dry Goods. This was the shop of Ward Millet and Ben Wagner.... They
would repair anything that needed fixing, including the new automobiles.
• Across the street where the gas station was [now the lot of The Old Station
shops] was Flo Mader’s hat store
• Across the street from Mader’s in that big building [no. 503, on the corner of
Orchard Street] was Mrs. Millet’s… ice cream parlour and she would give me the
ladle to lick off after I froze the ice cream by cranking it for half hour.’ Below is the
building that contained Millet’s ice cream parlour. A few years earlier it was
known as the American House and took boarders. Principal Longley stayed
there. The window of his room was front upstairs right.
Olive-Taylor Drug Store, Telephone and Telegram Office
• ‘Next [right by the bridge] is the Olive-Taylor Drug Store [Now gift store,
street number 523]…managed by Ray Crouse…In the rear of the Drug Store…we
had to walk between it and Reggie’s…...was the telephone office. The manager and
chief operator was Jessie Ernst…the night operator was Belle Slauenwhite…The
telephone office was also the Western Union office, and I and a neighbour of Jessie’s
would get 50 cents to deliver each W.U. telegram.’
So our walk with Fred Mosher ends at the bridge and the Anney River. Up
stream is a mill, the dam and the big mill pond. What can you see looking
towards Main Street West? Fred’s comments continue:
Photo: Courtesy Lucille Joudrey-Anderssen Collection
Above, an early photo of the building that was to contain Mrs. Millett’s Ice
Cream Parlour, where Fred Mosher worked to get his treats. In October 2007,
the building was demolished.
• Next…lived Ray Hyson who could run very fast. Ray was the clerk at Smith and
Schnare’s Paint Store.
‘Next [The Aberdeen Hotel could not be seen from the bridge] was Mrs. [Janet
Ward] Millet’s very large hat store [now the location of the Emergency Measures
Building, on the corner between the Town Hall and street no. 485]. She
could have put Flo Mader’s shop in her one window space.’
By 1914, the one-time Millett Hotel had become the Aberdeen Hotel, run by
the Penney brothers. On the next page is Mrs. Freeman Millett’s millinery
store. Hotel and store stood next to each other, separated by a narrow road.
16

In the 1930s the Town bought the hotel for use as Town Hall and offices.
And it is still used so today. For the first three decades of the century, the
Victorian convention continued: respectable women were expected to wear
hats outdoors. And women not bothered by the respectable tag wore them
for show. The special occasion hat [Sundays, weddings, Easter etc] was an
important fashion statement. Dail and Marilyn Millett live in Mader’s Cove
and still have samples of Mrs. Millett’s work. The January 6th 1938 South
Shore Record carried the advertisement below. Mrs. Millett was now running
the store. She and her hats were a Mahone Bay tradition.
Lifestyle and Food Church Going and Parades
Fred Mosher also tells us about lifestyle then. Perhaps one of the biggest
differences was the influence of the churches and their ministers. It was a
church going society. Ministers were influential, their word often the law.
The church played a large role in spiritual and social life. When times were
hard it was the congregation that were expected to help needy families.
Fred continues:
• ‘Each Sunday we went to S.S. [Sunday School] at 10 and Church at 11. In summer
most afternoons some church service and at 8pm Sunday Night Service
• On idle Sundays the “Orders” [Freemasons from town and surrounding areas]
would march to a Church for Service. It would be led by our Band dressed in Brilliant
Red.
• One Service stands out. The I.O.O.F order marched to the Baptist Church. The Band
had stopped playing and as the very large group of men entered the Church door they
began to sing ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’. By the time they stopped singing the Church
and balcony were packed.’
Foods and The Apple Barrel
• ‘No TV-no radio. But we had the time of our lives….No air conditioning…no refrigeration…No
Rhuland’s IGA [the grocery store, now The Save Easy],
• But we knew how to keep warm or cool, & to keep bread, milk, butter,
• Each fall the vessels would go to P.E.I. and return with full cargoes of White Potatoes,
…. Blue Potatoes, yellow turnip, carrots and onions…also some cabbage…
• Grandmother knew how much to order to last…They were all stored in our cellar….
no cement wall or floor, just moist ground…. in different wood bins…We [Fred and
his sisters] would bury apples in the sauerkraut just to have different apples. Also
stored there were various barrels of apples, salt pork and salt cod…..dry beans-yellow
eyed. The bread milk and butter were also stored there.
• Upstairs in the Rough Room we had poles where we strung our Pig’s pudding, Sausages
and the apple schnitzs-quarters of apples, peeled and cored
• We had no citrus fruit or green vegetables all winter.’
Photos: Courtesy Settlers Museum
Special Trips
• ‘Each fall we would take special trains to the Lunenburg Fisherman’s Picnic, The
Bridgewater Exhibition, and the big Lutheran Church Picnic at Wentzell Lake.
That was the big one. A Merry-go-Around and all.’
17

Photo Above: Courtesy Settlers Museum
As well as long distance steam trains, a single car, self propelled, ‘jitney’ was
developed for regular runs to Lunenburg and back.
Other Landmarks of Mahone: Fred describes other land marks in the town:
Ambrose Eisenhauer’s Wagon Works
• [Long gone, located just around the corner and along the water from Millet
& Wagner’s Repairs, near the present day Northern Sun Gifts. An outstanding
quality craft factory with a Maritimes-wide reputation and clientele].
• ‘This was a much larger factory….Wagons of all kinds, Buggies, Sleighs. One
could stay there all day and watch those talented craftsmen….large wooden
wheels…iron rims …..no nails or screws..…The paint room was another wonder…
the fancy work…the fringe on top…’
• Ambrose attended the annual meeting of the school trustees and always
wanted detailed disclosure of financial transactions. He was a stickler for
proper procedure. His wife had also been a teacher at Blockhouse.
• Above right, he and his granddaughter pose outside the factory that had a
fine reputation throughout the Maritimes.
• ‘In 1914 at Christmas dad made me happy when he gave me a five foot Oak Sled
he had Ambrose make…in big curved letters, green and red- ‘Hustler’…’
Photo: Courtesy Settlers Museum
Anglican Rectory, Rev. Harris Drills The Boys
• ‘What a spot for garden parties with candle lights hanging in trees. Different
colored tissue paper. In the backyard was the drill field. Canon Harris had us all
supplied with heavy rifles and he sure put us thru the paces…He never gave us any
bullets.’ Canon Harris was also active at annual school meetings, and was
elected to a new school planning committee in 1913.
Rev. Ned Harris takes a leisurely row. In the hectic time of the First World
War, he, normally a
peaceful man, enjoyed
drilling boys in the
Rectory gardens. The
Schnare Boatyard is
clearly shown on the
shoreline.
Photo: Courtesy Settlers
Museum
18

Schnare Shipyard, Burgoyne Shipyard
• ‘Across the Street from the Presbyterian Church and the Schnare home was the
Henry Schnare Shipyard. The big building was built at the very north borderline of
the Schnare property’. [Mr. Schnare, who built his fine home, with the lovely
twin gables, between the two churches, now street no. 79, was also a major
investor in school debentures]
• ‘Across the bay, …. at Oakland was the busy Burgoyne Shipyard.’
Burgoyne Shipyard: Courtesy Settlers Museum
She was a long time teacher at the town school. They looked after John A’s
second wife, Ellen, after he died. ‘June’s [Fred Mosher’s future wife] aunt Ellen
was a widow, next door to Gus…one day he walked in…he said “Woman let’s get
married.” She was in her 80s at the time. And she accepted.’
Kedy’s Bridge [see photo below for lay-out of Mill and Bridge]
• ‘At the saw mill was a very narrow steel bridge over the river. Only one buggy or
auto could cross at a time. To go to Halifax one made a 90 degrees turn to the left
and to go to Oakland a 90 degrees turn to the right. Even with a bicycle, coming
home from Martin’s River we would have to come to a complete stop to turn and
cross. Henry Schnare’s daughter Bessie could do it faster…the best bicycle rider in
town, male or female.’
Photo Below: Courtesy Margaret Freeman-Kedy Collection
The Gus Kedy Sawmill on the Mush-
A-Mush
“Let’s Get Married, Woman!”
• ‘Gus has built a large dam here and a lot
of logs were cut here, but not trimmed, for
the ship yards. This was a busy place.’
John Augustus, “Gus” Kedy and his
first wife, Edna Rhuland-Kedy are
shown in the photo. Their grandson,
Harold [“Bups”] Kedy was to marry
Captain Freeman’s daughter, Margaret.
The above poster/brochure was developed in the 1920s to entice tourism
and development. It gives a good view of the Kedy Mill complex and the old
bridge with its sharp turns- coming from town, left to Chester and Halifax,
right to Oakland. The Schnare shipyard can be seen in front of the churches,
and the Burgoyne yard is out of site, around the turn in the Oakland Road.
T. G. Nicol’s Power Plants
• T.G. Nicol was one of the town’s most extraordinary and wealthiest citizens.
He was a pioneer of hydro-electric power and had eight plants built
around the province.
19

• ‘ T.G. owned the two power plants. The one for Mahone Bay was located by the
harbour at Oakland [at the foot of Sleepy Hollow Road, across from the old
school house, now street no. 1347] the water supply came down from Oakland
Lake in a 15” [guess] pipe….T.G.’s other plant was at a dam at Clearland [on the
Mush-A-Mush River at the end of Power Dam Rd.] This plant lighted Lunenburg.
• T.G. had three daughters and two sons’ [and lived on Main Street, now no. 397,
and went on to serve a short term as mayor, 1921-’22].
young teacher and vice-principal.
• ‘Then the fine Peter B. Zwicker house’ [the Victorian shipbuilder, no. 436. Peter
B. was to be a major investor in school debentures-see chapter 2].
• ..then the home of ‘the lumber king,’ Edward Ernst [no. 430, boyhood home of Bill
Ernst-Rhodes Scholar, Athlete and Federal MP and Minister of Fisheries] ‘they
had five sons…then the home of Dr. Cochrane’ [T.G. Nicol’s son-in-law, at no. 398, a
school board member and father of Edward and Bruce, two future distinguished
graduates of the new school]…Then T.G. Nicol’s house [now no. 397]
Above Photo: Courtesy Settlers Museum
T.G. Nicol and female assistants [family members?] at part of the power
station at Oakland. Fred Mosher’s guess at the pipe size is not far off. One of
T.G.’s daughters married O.S. Maxner who was temporary school principal
in town in 1925, and went on to be regional inspector of schools.
WEST MAIN ST.
• ‘Aberdeen Hotel Owned by Will and Fred Penney [now the Town Hall, no 493]
• J. Albert Daurie- The School Janitor- Home[ now the residence at no. 482]
‘What a nice couple. Winter nights they always let me change my skates in their
warm kitchen. But be out by 10pm’ [Albert had to be up early to tend the school
furnace. The pond stretched almost to the Daurie backyard. It covered the
area that is now the water gardens. A photo of the Daurie house is on page
108
• Inglis Mansion and Shop [another landmark building, now Suttles and
Seawinds, no. 466] Clara Inglis-Quinlan was a student, soon to be a very
Photo: Courtesy Settlers Museum
The unusual view of the town above includes the old Exhibition Building. It
housed the first South Shore Exhibitions in the 1890s. By 1914 it was getting
in poor shape, and was demolished in 1922.
• Then [on the right] the Exhibition Grounds with the very large circular Exhibition
Building [a little up the road to Clearland, just behind the present carwash,
the building faced main Street.]…on the west corner of Main and exhibition
street was Mrs. Joudrey, seamstress [now no. 347, earlier a Mrs. Edward
Zwicker had a dress shop and a school for “girls to learn the trade.”]
• ‘Next [on left] the Charlie Lohnes home [no. 334]…James Ernst [no. 308] ‘Var
Tink’ had a tannery on the river and his mill [and dam] above the Railroad….We
swam at Var Tink’s dam.’
How James Ernst, ‘ Var Tink,’ Got His Nickname
‘ He was the only person that I heard of who had a tannery on the river and his mill
was above the railroad. He picked up his name due to his poor hearing. A customer
20

said, “Mr. Ernst you make good leather,” and he said “Var?” for What? The customer
repeated loudly and he said “Tink” for Thanks. So he became Var Tink.’
The following is a view of the Ernst complex from the old railway
track [now hiking path]. The gristmill [for grinding grain] is background left.
Under the roof was a large wheel set in the floor, powered by water flowing
from the upper dam. The channel and sluice are still there. The building,
moved several times, now stands on the property of Ronnie Nauss, at the
corner of Kinburn and Spur. ‘Var Tink’ is carved on one of the doors.
The building on the front right is the carding mill. Mrs. Ronnie
Nauss [Jean Aulenback] remembers her school friend, Pauline Burgoyne
and Pauline’s mother Marion , working at carding at the mill [then owned
by Evan Burgoyne and powered by an Old Model ‘A’ Ford] in the 1940s. The
building next to it [yes, there are two-look at the roofs] was part of the tannery,
used for storing and shaving the hides. The hair was used in making
building plaster. Some half dozen tanning pits still exist on the property, now
owned by Derek Wentzell.
David Allen, teacher and vice-principal at the school in the 1970s, lives in
the old Ernst house on Main. He found a number of old tannery tools
The area on the river was a favorite summer swimming hole [and “Friday
night bath”], picnic and strolling area for school students and adults.
From left to right below: the young Dawson Burgoyne, his grandfather
James Ernst [“Var Tink”], Guerney Ernst [also James’ grandson] and
Aubrey Joudrey.
Then the Alistair Lantz store [furniture, groceries and hardware: now the Amber
Inn and Antiques, no. 319.]
Photo above: Courtesy Settlers Museum
The Lantz Store was another long established Mahone institution. The
building is still intact, with extensions added. The newspaper ad is from
Mahone Bay’s The Signal [probably Mahone’s first regularly published newspaper]
of July 22 1903.
• ‘…Orren Joudrey [no.294]…..Harris Ham Blacksmith [on right corner, now
an antiques & collectibles]..Sun Hill [now Long Hill Road] towards The Trotting
Track.’[Completed in 1895 for the Kinburn Trotting Park Association, it
was successful for a few years before closing and being used for pasture. The
scouts used it for a hiking and camping area].
Such was life in Mahone in 1914! Characters, families, parents and children,
and folks who made, or were to make, notable contributions to the school!
And so to the ‘New School’ of 1914!
Photo: Courtesy Franklyn Burgoyne
21

Mahone Bay
Settlers Museum
Amos Pewter designs and handcrafts pewter gifts
and keepsakes in an open studio located in
Mahone Bay. Artisans began making pewter gifts
and keepsakes in 1974 in the vacant boat building
shop (circa 1880) that houses the workshop today.
From those modest beginnings, they have created
a year-round tourism based business, linked to the
history and craft of pewter-making, innovative
design, their coastal environment, and the very
best in customer service.
Today, the workshop within the store is designed
so that customers can interact with craftspeople.
Molten pewter is cast into jewelry, picture frames
and ornaments. Pewter discs are spun on a lathe
into vases and candlesticks. Exhibits and interpretive
panels tell the story of pewter. Careful renovation
has preserved the historical character of the
original building. Amos Pewter is a member of the
Economuseum network whose mission is to
showcase traditional trades and skills.
As a business rooted in a historic craft, Amos
Pewter is a unique place to visit. Free tours are
always available and customers quickly become
engaged in conversation with the friendly staff, who
will share their knowledge and skills of pewter
making as well as the best chowder in town.
578 Main Street, Mahone Bay
1-800-565-3369 www.amospewter.com
Open June to September
Tuesday to Sunday 10-5; Sunday 1-5
Want to know more about
Mahone Bay history?
Check out the Settlers Museum!
www.settlersmuseum.ns.ca
info@settlersmuseum.ns.ca
902-624-6263
ABE’S FURNITURE
644 Main Street, Mahone Bay
624-8512

Chapter Two:
The School’s ‘Founding Fathers’
‘Conviction without action has no meaning’- John le Carre
1914 was a time of local self-help. Not like the time of writing, when the provincial
Department of Education approves and largely finances new school
construction, appoints the architect, and sets the specifications.
To build the New School of 1914, required local leadership and financing.
There needed to be men [emancipation for women was still embryonic: they
did not yet have the vote at Provincial and Federal elections. There were few
women in public office] with imagination, determination, salesmanship and
ambition. What was wanted, was men of action who set goals and followed
through. Those men, introduced in Chapter 1, were, in alphabetical order:
Charlie Begin
Sailmaker,
William [“Pumpey”] F. Joudrey Owner of the large
Livery Stables
Charlie Lohnes
Municipal Councilor,
Butcher and Politician
Had they been able to attend the big school reunion in 2000 they would have
deserved a standing ovation.
School Trustees
School Section 26 They Made It happen
They were the elected School Trustees for 1912, 1913 and 1914. They made it
happen. What was their ‘empire’?
• Mahone was a village, part of the Municipality of Lunenburg. Citizens elected
county councilors. There was no incorporated town, mayor or town council,
police or fire chief. But all that was to be changed in 1919.
• Mahone Bay was recognized by the provincial educational authorities as
School Section 26, District of Lunenburg and New Dublin-the ‘New Dublin’
term, even then, was an archaic hang-over from an earlier time. The District
[Nova Scotia had 33] had a Board of District School Commissioners.
• The Section was
1 the self-governing school territory administered by a board of three trustees
serving three years,
2 one of whom was elected in the place of the retiring trustee at the annual
meeting of the ratepayers-who vote supplies to be levied on the section.
The three ‘Founding Fathers’ were the risk-takers and the leaders. As trustees
they were responsible for signing off on each of the bonds: the income from
which built the new school. Their signatures are clearly visible.
Can you imagine going to neighbours and business folk and persuading them
to invest their savings and earnings in the local school! That’s how public
utilities [water and sewer; power and light; transportation etc] were financed
in the early twentieth century.
3 The Mahone ratepayers paid the major costs of local education, except for
teacher salaries. In his 1912-13 Annual Report to the Legislature, the Superintendent
of Education pointed out that:
‘Sectional Assessment denotes the amount voted for by the ratepayers of a school
section…The sectional assessment is the main support of the school, amounting
on average to about twice the provincial and municipal combined.’
*The bold print is this writer’s emphasis.
4 The annual meeting was required to approve by vote the school year report,
audited accounts and budget [which fixed the education rate], as well as to
elect a trustee.
• The Inspector of Schools for Lunenburg and Queen’s County [Division No.
2] was H.H. MacIntosh . The Inspector was appointed by the provincial department
of education as a supervisor and watchdog. He was secretary to the
Board of District Commissioners and made an annual report that was part of
the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Education to the Provincial Legislature
[these reports are available at the Provincial Archives].
23

• Old School Building
The Founding fathers also had an old school building being used, off School
Street. It was deteriorating and too small. It is clearly shown in the photo
below. It was behind, close to, and actually faced the United Baptist Church
and Church Hall on Maple Street. Following the establishment of free public
schools, it had been built in 1871-2, with a wing added later.
The minutes of the meetings have not been found. But the Lunenburg Progress
Enterprise reported on a course that was not clear sailing. The three
trustees must have had patience, persistence and the ability to compromise.
Public meetings of ratepayers to deal with new and expensive developments
usually have three main groups:
i the enthusiastic optimists, a minority, with a “Let’s Go For It” attitude,
ii the cautious and careful who want details and to make haste slowly,
iii the nay-sayers who “can’t afford it” and want to “make do with what
we’ve got.”
The Committee is a Wonderful Thing, Get People Involved
The Mahone column in The Progress Enterprise, 1913, reported as follows:
Wednesday, April 9, page 5
------------------------------
At an adjourned meeting of the ratepayers of this town held in the Parish House on
Wednesday evening last, Messrs. F. Holloway, H.S. Lane and T.G. Nicol and Revs.
H.T. Roe and E.A. Harris were appointed a committee to act with the trustees in
connection with the proposed new school building.
Wednesday, April 23, page 4
-------------------------------
Photo: Courtesy Settlers Museum
The old school with its west wing is clearly visible over the roof of the
Baptist Church manse.
The Tasks and Achievements of ‘The Founding Fathers’
To their great credit, Messrs. Begin, Joudrey and Lohnes achieved the following
five objectives. It was not an easy task. The labours of Hercules?
Objective 1
Obtain support and vote At Annual Meeting
At public meetings of ratepayers in 1913, they persuaded
the citizens to vote in support of a new school that the ratepayers
would have to support through their local property taxes.
Another meeting of the ratepayers of this school section was held at the Parish Hall
on Monday evening for the purpose of hearing the reports of the trustees and the
committee which had been appointed at a previous meeting to act with them in connection
with the proposed new school building. Reports were presented by both bodies,
but as a unanimous one was required, the meeting was further adjourned, to
be again called when this was prepared.
Wednesday, May 14, page 4
------------------------------
A meeting of the ratepayers of this school section to further consider the erection of
the proposed new school building was held in the Parish Hall on Monday evening. Dr.
Hamilton was appointed chair and Rev B. D. Knott secretary. The proposition to enlarge
the present site by the addition of the Ernst Property adjoining was carried
by a vote of 59-18. A sum not to exceed $13000.00 has been voted and a building
24

committee, composed of the following gentlemen, C.A.N. Langille, T.G. Nicol, F.
Holloway and Dr. Hamilton appointed to act with the trustees.
* The bold print in the above news reports was inserted by this writer
Mission accomplished.
“Ned” Harris
The politics is interesting. Three public meetings. A citizen’s committee that
included the respected Magistrate, Francis Holloway, the powerful entrepreneur,
T. G. Nicol, and two ministers, leaders of their flocks.
The Rev “Ned” Harris, the Church of England [as the Anglican Church of
Canada was called in those days] was a true Town Father. He loved Mahone
and devoted his whole pastoral life to it. The ratepayers nominated him to
the school building committee because they trusted him totally and knew he
had been closely involved in the building of the new church.
Appointed to the citizen’s committee in May, he had been the long-time curate
then minister at the Anglican Church, and later ordained Cannon: a liked and
very respected community leader in Mahone. He had been directly involved in
the planning and building of Mahone’s St. James Church, a provincial landmark
building, designed by his brother William. A study of his early life and
letters, written by his grandson, Cannon Robert Tuck, has been published: Ned
Harris’ Letters from Mahone Bay, 1884-89. Rev. Harris had earlier home educated
his two children and was closely interested in the development of the new school.
Two Reports. Then One. An Advisory Committee
• What went on behind close doors?
• A decisive majority to buy the additional land. $13,000 limit set to construction
costs [by a very necessary ‘political process,’ the figure was to be
raised to $18,000, see Act of the legislature, below].
• Was there a vote on that or was it unanimous? A huge turnout of 77 ratepayers!
• A building committee to assist the trustees.
All systems go! Inspector’s Report
Included in the Report of the Superintendent of Education to the Provincial
Legislature, in the Reports of Inspectors section, page 54, Inspector for Lunenburg-Queen’s,
H.H. MacIntosh, reported:
‘Mahone Bay has also [Bridgewater was also building a new school] arranged
to build during the coming year. There will be an eight room building of modern and
convenient plan, and well designed to meet the increasing demand for better school
accommodation.’
Photo: Courtesy Settlers Museum
25

Objective 2
Buying the Additional Land on the School Street Site to build in front of The Old
School.
Willis and Selvyn Ernst, the two brothers who had children at school, and also
owned and ran Ernst Shipbuilding were obliging in selling land recently inherited
from their father, Ambrose. A visit to the Registry of Deeds showed why
the trustees wanted more land. The old school stood on a narrow plot [some
2000 sq.ft.] bought in 1871 by earlier trustees from Henry and Sophia Kedy
[Registry Book 23, page 584]. The plot had narrow access to School St. and
the trustees wanted their fine new, bigger, building to sit square facing School
Street, with major frontage and land stretching 170 feet to the Rost property,
now no. 57. They wanted to build in front of the old school, not over it. So the
purchase, registered in November 1913, of $500 [Book 77, page 580] more than
doubled the lot size, and gave it the present frontage and access on School St.
[and room for a tennis court].
Objective 3
Enabling Provincial Legislation to dispose of Old School and sell Bonds
This required an Act of the Provincial Legislature in Halifax. No mean feat!
Objective 4
Sell $18 000 worth of bonds
To finance construction. A huge but necessary selling job!
Objective 5
Appoint a reputable Architect and Supervisor of Construction This is covered in
Chapter 3
As all those who have served in public office will know, such public projects
are watched closely and everybody has an expert opinion.
An Act to Borrow Money for School Purposes for the Village of Mahone
Bay, in the County of Lunenburg
[Passed the 14th day of May, A. D., 1914].
Section,
Section,
1, Authority to borrow 5, Interest and Sinking Fund
2, Debentures 6, Trustees authorised to sell
3, Debentures when redeemable school building
4, How issued 7, meeting not necessary
In summary, the sections did the following:
1. Authority to Borrow : On debentures a sum not exceeding $18000 for land
purchase, erection and completion of new school. * Note the figure of $18000!
How did it get bumped up from the $13000 approved at the May 1913 meeting?
2. Debentures: Trustees empowered to issue debentures at a rate not exceeding
6% per annum, payable half yearly.
3. Redeemable: Debentures redeemable in thirty years from date of issue.
4. How Issued Issued under the hand of the Trustees for the sum of one hundred
dollars or multiples thereof.
5. Interest and Sinking Fund: The sums necessary to pay the annual interest
shall be included in the annual rates and taxes for the school section. So
shall the sums needed to accumulate funds to pay when debentures shall be
redeemed-this amount to be placed in a Sinking Fund.
6. Old School Building: Trustees authorized to sell the present school building,
proceeds to be used at direction of annual ratepayers meeting.
7. Meeting not necessary: No further meeting of the ratepayers was necessary
to approve matters covered by this Act.
An Act does not get through the Provincial Legislature without good management
and influence. It has to get on a busy agenda, and be steered through
the various stages of legislation-readings and committee. The proceedings of
the House for 1914 are available at the provincial Archives. Much of the credit
would have to go to the two Lunenburg County MLAs :
Local Mahone Bay man………….A. Clairmonte Zwicker
From Bridgewater………………………J.W. Margeson
A copy of the Act can be found in Statutes of Nova Scotia for 1914, Chapter
109, starting at page 30. It proceeds as follows:
Both were Conservative MLAs serving under a Conservative Government.
Had they been Liberal, the Act would never have passed so quickly-if at all.
26

In fact it was local son, Clairmonte Zwicker, who introduced the Bill on the
floor of the Legislature on Thursday, March 12th 1914 [Proceedings of the
House of Assembly, 1914, page 719], and guided the process to an Act two
months later. Quick work!
Clairmonte Zwicker MLA
He was the ‘Political Godfather’ of the new school. Old Station Road had
been re-named after him.
Alfred Clairmonte Zwicker [1865-1949], called “Mont”, was brother to William
[“Bill”] Henry Schneider Zwicker who had the large store, and meeting hall opposite,
on Main Street. The family was ‘an old and original one.’ The brothers,
including Howard, James, the Rev. Harry and sisters Charlotte and Effie, were
direct descendents of Johan Peter Zwicker Snr., the first generation settler.
Claimonte narrowly lost in the 1916 provincial election, when Lunenburg
County returned one Conservative MLA [an incumbent, Joseph Willis Margeson]
and a newcomer Liberal [John J. Kinley of Lunenburg]. This was the
provincial change-of-government victory celebrated by C. U. Mader and the
young Fred Mosher [see chapter 1]. ‘Mont’ served as Mayor of Mahone Bay,
Chair of School Board, 1936-1940, and, later, he was a real estate agent.
The Fund Raising
$18000 Worth of Debentures
• The New School building [the design and construction], the new bell, the
needed land, and certainly some fittings and furniture had to be paid for. The
$13000 limit set by the public meeting in May 1914 had been unrealistic.
• Records show that the cost of the new Bridgewater Town School [completed
in 1913] was more than double the $18000 achieved by the founding fathers.
How they achieved the new figure approved in the Act is a matter of speculation.
Certainly through a process of persistent negotiation!
• It makes the last clause of the Act [a public meeting of the ratepayers was
not required to confirm proceedings] significant. The Founding Fathers were
smart politicians.
THERE WAS NO GOING BACK
The Debentures
Were sold by, or on behalf of, the trustees. No broker was hired. No broker fees
paid! Imagine trying that today! Knock! Knock! “ Can I interest you in investing
in our new school?”
• They were sold in three principal categories:
$100 $500 $1000
Photo: Courtesy Settlers Museum
27

• Issued 1914 Matured 1944 5% Interest Payable Half-Yearly
• This writer had the good fortune to find a number of the originals, and the
Town’s Bond and Coupon Register, dutifully and neatly recording the interest
payments, early redemptions and maturity payments. All paid. No problem!
The School and Town kept its promises on the ‘promissory notes.’
• Charlie Lohnes, Charlie Begin and ‘Pumpey’ Joudrey signed each one.
The $18000 raised in 1914 is equivalent to well over half a million today.
The Sale of the Old School: Extra funds came from the sale of the old
building. W.H.S. Zwicker’s tender of $3100.00 was accepted on condition
the building be removed ‘within a short time,’ and that he should ‘not
disturb the stone work of the old foundation.’ An interesting legal case was
to transpire!
28

Who Bought The Bonds?
The Town’s Bond and Coupon Register identifies the purchasers, their investment,
their community of residence, and the payments.
Name
Community $1000 $500 $100 Total Investment
Mason, John Wesley Mahone 3 - - 3000
[Farmer and property owner, lived at what is now 3 condos at 601 Main Street.]
Zwicker, P. B. Mahone 2 - - 2000
[Peter B. was the retired merchant and shipbuilder, living at the fine 436 Main.]
they had made considerable money from selling the sand on the island that was excellent
quality for all sorts of construction.
He went on the have a fine house built on Main Street, now number 686, where his school
teacher daughter, Vera, was to live for many years.
He had married Elizabeth Louise Petite and they had four children: Sadie, Elizabeth,
Harold [“Hack”] the celebrated athlete, and Vera-a long time teacher at Digby. Jean
Burgoyne-Nickerson is a granddaughter through her mother
Photo: Courtesy Jean Burgoyne-Nickerson
Brown, Mrs. Jessie Bridgewater 1 - - 1000
Mason, Christy Ann Bridgewater 1 1 - 1500
Mason, Charles Bridgewater 1 1 - 1500
Schnare, Henry Mahone 1 - - 1000
[Ship Builder and Shipyard Owner, see chapter one]
Wile, E. Ashel Mahone - 3 - 1500
[Owner of Jewelry Store, his home for over 40 yrs is now 68 Pleasant]
Eisenhaur, Eli Mahone - 1 - 500
Water Commissioners Mahone - 1 - 500
Inglis, Miss Clennie Mahone - 1 - 500
[Born in Mahone….Parents emigrated…American graduate nurse…Volunteer worker
in aftermath of Halifax Explosion, 1918…buried in Mahone Bay]
Brown, Miss Jessie Bridgewater - 1 - 500
Zinck, Mrs. Annie Lunenburg - 1 - 500
Municpality of Lunenburg - 4 - 2000
[see below]
Langille, John Oakland - 1 - 500
Ernst, Stannage Bridgewater - - 5 500
Ernst, Stanley Bridgewater - - 3 300
Ham, David Mahone - - 1 100
Winters, Miss Hazel Mahone - - 1 100
Winters, Charles Mahone - - 2 200
Lodge Onward I.O.O.F. Mahone - - 3 300
[The Freemasons invested in their own community. Charlie Lohnes was a member].
John Wesley Mason: The Single Biggest Investor in the New School
Mr. Mason’s $3000 investment, well over $100,000 by today’s values, was huge. He was
descended from one of the original families of Mason’s Island. When he bought the house
in town [now 601 Main Street] he listed himself as a farmer.
But he and his brother were much more than that. As well as buying and selling land,
Two Charming Photos: Above, on the left, youngest daughter, Vera, teases John
Wesley about his girth and old unbuttoned sweater. Parents try to conceal a grin. On
the right, Mr. & Mrs. Wesley all dressed up. Jean said her grandmother liked “to put
on the dog.”
J.W.’s obituary in the Progress Enterprise in February 1930 observed: While living
on the island, he and a brother Arthur carried on a farming business, also sand
transportation..He was a man of kindly disposition…..the essence of hospitality to all
who knew him.
29

The Icing On The Cake: The Municipality Buys The Last $2000’s Worth
In a final flourish, Councilor Charlie Lohnes persuaded the Municipality of
Lunenburg to complete the fundraising. It was a personal coup for Charlie.
Lunenburg Progress Enterprise, February 3rd 1915. page 8
reported on the recent Meeting
A Resolution of the Council Of the Municipality of Lunenburg in Session
Assembled at Lunenburg, N.S. January 13th A. D. 1915
WHEREAS the trustees of school Section N. 26 Mahone Bay Nova Scotia have been
authorized….to borrow money for school purposes and to issue debentures thereof;
AND WHEREAS certain of said debentures are yet unsold;
AND WHEREAS the Municipality…has established a sinking fund…now subsisting
and accumulating and is not required for some years to come; AND WHEREAS the
said trustees are desirous of borrowing from said sinking fund…the sum of Two
Thousand dollars upon the security of four certain debentures of Five Hundred
Dollars each;
AND WHEREAS it is deemed expedient that said loan be made and advanced……
THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED THAT …at this its regular January A. D. 1915
session as follows:
1 That there be paid out…to the said trustees…the sum of Two Thousand dollars…for
certain five per cent interest bearing debentures…
2 That the Clerk…be authorized to ..effectuate.. this resolution.
Moved by Councillor C. A. Lohnes Seconded by Councillor G. E. Romkey
Resolution was put and carried What they said:
Coun. Lohnes said that as was well known Mahone Bay was building a school which
would be a credit not only to the Town but to the County, and they had floated $16000
of the bonds, they wished to float the other $2000….by purchasing Mahone School
bonds they would increase their rate of interest…As a business proposition it was a
good one…you would be assisting the School Section in a good work….
Coun. Stephen Hebb-..The rate of interest was better…there appeared to be no
reason why it should not be granted... Coun. Knickle…the security was good, we
were getting better interest rates, and the people of Mahone greatly assisted.
Praise for the ‘Founding Fathers’
In hindsight the achievements of the three trustees are remarkable. Mahone was a
village in terms of resources. People and institutions had to be cajoled and persuaded.
A huge sum of money had to be raised. A World War started in 1914. What must have
been gratifying for the three men was the praise they received from contemporaries,
provincially and locally. The Bridgewater Bulletin of March 12 1915 reproduced
in full an article from the Chronicle [later to be merged with the Herald], one of the
leading provincial papers:
--------------------------------------------
Sold Debentures Well
‘Splendid financing’ A splendid bit of financing has been accomplished by the
trustees of the Mahone Bay school section.
No brokers! Wishing to sell $18000 worth of debentures to pay for the erection of
a school building, they received from brokers an offer of 92 per cent before the war
and 80 per cent after the war started. Not being satisfied with the offer they sold them
locally, sixteen thousand at par and two thousand at 98 per cent. The total receipts
after all expenses being paid was $17775. This perhaps is a record in Nova Scotia,
‘A record more especially in times of financial stress- Chronicle’
*the bold highlights used by the writer of this book.
Progress Enterprise March 10, 1915 Editorial
a new school building has been erected to pay for which
Debentures for $18000 bearing 5 per cent interest and No
maturing in 30 years were issued. The sale of these other Town!
constitute a financial record hard to equal. They were A
all sold locally. It is doubtful if any other town in Record!
these times has realized so much for their debentures,
and speaks well for the business acumen of the Trustees.
the bold highlights used by the writer of this book.
Charles Albert Lohnes 1875-1944
Charlie Lohnes looked the part: bulky, commanding, fierce. He was a tough politician
of the old style. When he made you an offer it was best not to refuse. He knew how
to wheel and deal. He got results. He had a number of children at the town’s old and
new school.
• By upbringing he was a butcher. He learned the trade from his father, Abel Lohnes,
who had moved from the Northfield area to set up shop in Mahone.
• In 1914, he was in business with his brother Harris at the location at the Anney
River bridge, on the corner of Old Station Road and Main St.
Fred Mosher describes the shop and large ice storage shed- see chapter one.
• Fred astutely sums the man up in a turn of phrase, “ Charlie could hardly see, but
nobody ever questioned his prices.”
• Mr. Lohnes moved in 1921 from what is now 463 Main St. to the larger home at
30

what is now no. 334. A picture of the house and large family is on the next page. He
actually had two families-an early and late one. There were natural children with both his
first and second wives, and stepchildren from his second wife’s previous marriage. Fred
Mosher joked: ‘Charlie Lohnes of, “Her children, my children, and our children” fame.’
Charlie Lohnes was a life-long [right from birth it appears] member of the Liberal
Party. He left butchering to his brother, and put his talents to work as a party organizer
and administrator. The local ‘Gaza Strip’ was between his house and the residence of
the staunchly Tory Whynott family across the Street. Johnny Whynott remembers lots
of fist waving and shouting across the road. Party politics was dirty and partisan, and
in those days: local jobs- on the highways and bridges, and postal deliveries- changed
as governments changed.
• Charlie Lohnes became very successful:
- Town Butcher and Business man
- County Councillor for many years, chaired important committees
- Mayor of Mahone Bay 1930-1934
- Member of School Trustees 1912-15
- Chairman of Town School Board, 1930-34, 1936-38 [in principal H.V
- Corkum’s most constructive years]
- Stipendiary Magistrate and Justice of the Peace
- Active member of Trinity United Church and the Masons of Charity Lodge
His granddaughter, “Roxie” supplied the photos on this page. She married
Ben Smith and lives in Lunenburg. Both
were strong supporters of the Lunenburg
school [Ben served on the school board, the
trustees and, with Roxie, in the Home and
School when this writer was Supervisor of
Town Schools and later, after amalgamation,
principal of the Junior-Senior High].
The photo shows the strength and
determination Of Charles Albert Lohnes
Photos: Courtesy Roxie Lohnes-Smith, his
granddaughter.
Below, the family house on Main Street. His second marriage brought together
her children, his children, and their children. His obituary in the Progress-
Enterprise described him as.... ‘well known in Western Nova Scotia for his capable
councillorship…..He possessed a splendid memory, clear cut delivery, and was a
welcome speaker on the political platform’ He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Abel Lohnes
of Northfield. Abel moved to Mahone in the 1890s to start the family butcher business.
Charles [Charlie] Benjamin Begin 1874-1959
School Trustees Member 1911- 1917. Charlie Begin had three children in school
in 1914. He had been obliged to leave school at twelve years old. Two good motivators
for this ‘founding father!’ His story is an interesting one…..roots dating back to
the founding of Mahone Bay …a respected sail maker…a family tragedy in the flu
pandemic of 1918…worked on the original Bluenose…had to adapt to a new career.
31

Original Settler Roots
• Charlie was a direct descendant of the French speaking Jacques Begin [Begein] from the
Montbeliard region of France. At the age of 25, Jacques and his first wife were among the
‘Foreign Protestants’ who immigrated to Nova Scotia, arriving in Halifax in 1752 and in
Lunenburg [to receive a grant of land] in 1754. Like so many early immigrants, the family
learned to turn their skills to the sea.
The Sail Making Tradition
• Charlie’s father Benjamin trained as a sail maker and prospered in Mahone Bay’s
golden age of wooden ships and sail, 1870-90. He married Sarah Louise Beck of
Lunenburg and, in 1874, they purchased the house on Main St. that is now The
Settlers Museum.
To left, a fine early family photo of sail-maker Charlie Begin:
• Charlie was only 12 yrs. old when his father died, and he was obliged to leave school
to support his mother and sister. He took up farming with his uncle, then turned to
successful sail making. He worked at home and at the sail loft on the top floor of the
C.U. Mader Building, now known as Mader’s Wharf.
Children, The School, Tragedy, The Bluenose
• In 1895, Charlie married Emily Louise Rhodenizer of First Peninsula. They had
five children: Nora-Belle, Anna Louise, Willoughby Charles Roy, Ellen Maude, and
Guerney Alden. The last three were still at school in 1914.
• With a classroom unfinished in the new building in September 1914, he would have
been instrumental in arranging the temporary use of part of the floor below him as the
classroom for the grades 4-5 class that included Fred Mosher. He would have seen
and heard them close at hand.
• In 1918, Nora Belle, less than a year after marrying Fred Penney of Penney’s Hotel on
Main, died of the flu pandemic that killed millions around the world.
• Charlie was a member of the crew of riggers, headed by Tom Mader, who stepped
the masts and fitted the sails of the original Bluenose in 1921.
• In later life Charlie took to interior and exterior decorating.
Courtesy of Settlers Museum
32

William [“Pumpey”] F. Joudrey, 1857-1936
Eight Consecutive Years a Trustee
His name and signature appear as Secretary on each Debenture
Fred Mosher introduced Pumpey Joudrey [see chapter 1], who ran, with his brother
Augustus, the largest livery stables in town. He had the mail and parcel business
between the railway and town.
“Pumpey” lived in the large house on Pleasant Street [now numbered 23]: built in the
Queen Ann Revival style with elegant spindle work on the front porch, and, on the right,
decorative shingles between the first and second storey windows.
• Lucille Joudrey [-Anderssen], 95 years old at the time of the writing of this history,
remembered her grandfather well. She suggested the nickname “Pumpey” came from
his forthright opinions and aggressiveness. “He was a short man but had no fear, and
was always ready to express his opinions. He was ‘pumped up.’….I marveled at the
Photo Above: Courtesy: Lucille Joudrey-Anderssen Collection
fact he became a sheriff in the county and was ready to take on the rum runners. He
had a very powerful voice and would sing loud and clear at church.”
All the qualities needed for A Founding Father! The Joudrey brothers were men of
the law. Augustus was appointed the Town’s first policeman. Bobby Mader remembers
his father, also a town policeman, saying you couldn’t have a quiet conversation with
“Pumpey.”
“W.F.” is probably sitting on the steps of his Pleasant Street home because his
wife was much taller and thinner than he. On the left stand his daughter and two
granddaughters.
The veteran of The Founding Fathers, Mr. Joudrey served as trustee 1911-14. Such was
the respect of the ratepayers that they re-elected him again in 1914: The Lunenburg
Progress Enterprise recorded in the March 14, 1914 edition, page 4:
Mahone Bay
‘ At the annual school meeting held in the Parish Hall on Monday evening, W.F.
Joudrey was re-elected trustee for the ensuing three years. ’
• He had the satisfaction of the seeing the projected new school built and in action.
Again, his contribution was recognized and the minutes of the March 5 1917 annual
meeting record that, ‘Mr. W.F. Joudrey was re-elected trustee.’
End of an Era: Trustees Replaced by School Board
• He presented the financial report and the building report at the very last meeting of
the trustees at the annual meeting of the ratepayers on March 3rd 1919. The town was
on the verge of being incorporated and the trustees were to be replaced, in June, by an
appointed Board of School Commissioners.
• “Pumpey’s” eldest daughter Edith had been a teacher at the school. She probably
kept him well informed. She later moved to Edmonton, Alberta, to continue her
profession there.
• The South Shore Record reported on
his death in the June 11th 1936 edition,
page 8: ‘Mr. Joudrey for years conducted
a livery business and was widely known by
the traveling public…His oldest daughter,
Miss Edith Joudrey, arrived from Edmonton
Sunday night….. The deceased was a
member of the Masonic, Forrester and
I.O.O.F Lodges [Lodges were in procession
at the funeral]….A Conservative in politics
and Anglican in religion.’
• “Pumpey” would have been proud of his
three granddaughters. They were the girls of
his son Leroy [“Roy”]-who died prematurely
in the 1920s, after suffering gas attacks and
shell shock in the First World War-and his
wife, Carrie [daughter of Oakland’s James W.
Zwicker, a long time school teacher who also
worked at the Oakland power station.].
33

The girls are shown. From left to right they are Helen, Fran and Lucille.
All three graduated from the new school. The photo was taken in 1930. The three
attractive Joudrey grandchildren pose playfully to wave goodbye to an aunt.
All three attended the school their grandfather hard worked hard to see built.
• This writer had the pleasure of talking with Lucille, well into her 90s, at the Mahone
Bay Nursing Home. Lucille went to Normal College and was to teach at Petite Riviere
and, later, Liverpool and Milton. Helen also went into teaching.
“Pumpey”’s great grandson , Mike Anderssen, [Lucille’s son] retired from a military
career and is a well known local dog trainer, and his great great grandson, Mike
Anderssen Jnr., went through Mahone Bay School in the 1980s, graduated from
Parkview Education Centre in 1992 and went on to a Business degree at St Mary’s
University. Mike’s sister is an award winning journalist.
Orren Snyder [“O.S.”] Joudrey, 1880-1966: ‘The Pilot:’
Town Clerk and School Board Secretary-Treasurer, 1919-1949
If there were three ‘Founding Fathers,’ O.S. Joudrey was the pilot who guided the
good ship, Mahone Bay School, safely. His influence is everywhere. Little happened
in Town business without him being close at hand. There is a fine old, pre 1914, photo
of the old wooden town bridge having its timbers replaced by steel girders. O.S., 82
A Close-Up
From left to right, Mr. Joudrey identified: I.L. Joudrey [his father], Howard Freeman,
Heber Zwicker, Charles Dorey, Harry Eisenhauer, Dr. Pickles [wearing white
overalls, owned the building], Frank Millett, Dr. Charles Hamilton, Mr. Ferguson
[boss of the job], Fred Langille, Robert Leopold [pushing the barrow]. Nathan Ham is
third from the right. Other men in the picture are William A. Kedy, Kenneth Langille
and Freeman D. Macler.
Clerk O.S. Joudrey stands in the entrance, holding the Pickles’ collie. The building
[previously located on the opposite side of the street] was the drug store. “…You were
expected to start early and work long after supper…. Hours were from 8 a.m. to 10
p.m. and pay worked out to be 43 cents per day.” He started at $100 per year, and
worked up to $200. Dr. Brent took over the store when Pickles died. It was also the
office and terminal for the telephone, and part of Mr. Joudrey’s job was to collect,
on a quarterly basis, the few telephone bills in town. He also acted as switchboard
operator when needed.
years old, supplied the information to the Progress Enterprise for its April 14, 1963
story.
In 1913, he went to work for Reg Hyson who operated a grocery and ice cream store.
In 1918, when the Town was incorporated, Joudrey became the first Town Clerk
and School Board Secretary-Treasurer. He held the positions for 30 years, until his
retirement.
“ The young people today wouldn’t want to live and work under the same conditions
we did, but it was good training and we learned to appreciate money.” were his final
words in the newspaper interview.
• In 1915, ‘16, ‘17 and ’18 he was appointed auditor at the school’s annual meeting
of ratepayers, and he presented his report the following year. He was constantly
moving or seconding major motions.
• As Town Clerk and Secretary-Treasurer of the school board, he prepared the
34

annual school budgets and the financial reports at each monthly meeting. His minutes
are beautifully written, concise and detailed with sub headings in the margin. The
finances were well managed.
• He was responsible for writing all the board’s letters, negotiating with the
county board and the provincial Department, and the various school suppliers, and
contractors for repairs and maintenance. He knew the price of a ton of coal and a load
of shingles
• He negotiated the loans from the Daurie family, the purchase of the school field,
teacher contracts, and himself made two loans to the board: In January 1941 he
loaned $600 at 5 % for the purchase and installation of copper tanks for the water
system. After spending an initial $200, the tanks proved defective, he made a second
loan of $100 at 5% for adequate tanks.
Photos below of O.S. Joudrey in his car [later in age he gave up driving]. Photo:
Courtesy, his granddaughter, Suzanne Riowerz. His grandson, Billy Burgoyne, is a
long-time Mahone Bay resident and business man.
His influence was everywhere. His pride in the achievements of the school and the
progress of the town are reflected in his letters and his annual reports. His daughter
Kathleen [“Kas”] was a member of the class of ’31, the first to have a formal graduation
service.
His grandchildren, Suzanne Burgoyne-Riowerz and Billy Burgoyne and people like
Betty Walsh, remember him as “a real old fashioned gentleman:” courteous, formal,
smart in appearance, frugal, well organized, with a sense of proper time and place.
Before his retirement, Betty Walsh remembers him walking to and from the town
office with the family bulldog, “Snooty,” who growled at everybody entering the
office.
The pillars of his life were family, church and community. For 43 years he was a member
of Charity Lodge; he was a Grand Steward of Masons of Nova Scotia; a long time
member and secretary of the I.O.O.F. As a “Charter Member” of the Mahone Bay Fire
Department, he was treasurer for over 35 years.
He was a member of St. James Church and sang in the choir for 60 years. He served
as a Parish Treasurer and was a delegate to Diocesan Synod for many years. After he
retired in 1949, he served as Justice of the Peace until shortly before his death.
He was also a historian, writing a Condensed History of Saint James Parish, based on
parish records. He and Hilda Burgoyne worked on a local history.
There is memorial window in the Anglican Parish Church in memory of Mr. and Mrs.
Joudrey.
35

O’REGAN’S
SOUTH SHORE SUBARU
2008 SUBARU
MODEL LINEUP
OUTBACK
FORESTER IMPREZA
IMPREZA 5 LEGACY
TRIBECA
Birdsall-Worthington Pottery Ltd.
is located at 590 S. Main Street in a
structure that was built in 1879.
Potters Pam Birdsall and Tim Worthington have specialized
in commemorative items of all kinds and have been creating
family heirlooms since 1977
www.pottery.ns.ca
bwpot@eastlink.ca 624-9447
Mahone Bay, NS
Gallery and Fine Gifts

Chapter Three:
The Building of the New School
The Progress Enterprise published a notice (left) in its Wednesday, March
23, 1914 edition:
The notice for tenders is informative:
I. Architects. The architects were to be Boehner Bros. of West LaHave Ferry.
2. Subcontracting. The notice [and the appointment of Warren Eisenhauer
to supervise the work], suggests that the trustees went with a number of
subcontractors.
3. Office. Lohnes Bros. was the office for pick-up and delivery of tenders.
Charlie Lohnes was closely involved.
4. Time line for Construction. All work was to be completed by September
30 1914. Given that tenders were to be received by April 6th, that meant a
late April/early May start. A five-month building construction time frame is
fast by present standards. But regulations, building codes and working hours
and conditions were different in those days. Large supplies of relative cheap
labour made construction quick.
5. ‘Lowest tender not necessarily accepted’. This meant that the trustees
and committee appointed at the public meeting would, ideally, pick the best
quality builders. It also may have meant some political and personal consideration.
Exactly how much is unknown: no detailed minutes or records exist.
37

The Architects: Boehner Bros., West LaHave
From McAlpine’s Phone Directory: Courtesy: Fisherman’s Museum of the Atlantic
Not only is the Boehner Bros. advertisement and number listed, but also the
number of school trustee and ‘Founding Father,’ Charles B. Begin.
The choice of architect was a good one. Boehner Bros. was a firm with a very
good reputation. The following is quoted from SAWPOWER: Making Lumber
in the Sawmills of Nova Scotia, by Barbara R. Robertson [published by Nimbus
and The Nova Scotia Museum], pages 112 and 113.
• ‘The company built the church in East LaHave and many public buildings
throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland’.
• Saint Anne’s Church in Glace Bay is a good example of their work, see picture,
middle right next page.
• ‘George W. Boehner began transferring his sash and door company from Liverpool to
LaHave in 1870 and it was to continue in business until the 1980s. George W. was one
of the first building contractors to manufacture his own materials’. When George W.
died it became Boehner Bros. [Fred A. and George A., sons of George W.]
‘Boehner Bros. advertised as contractors, builders and manufacturers of windows,
doors, moldings, blinds, newels, balusters, columns, flooring and sheathing, counters,
bank fittings, and church work [including pews] a specialty’
• ‘The company employed about 30 people at the factory in 1913, but many more
were kept busy seasonally in the woods’.
Bruce Boehner still lives in the family house [see next page, bottom right
corner]. He was pleased to offer information and found the photo of Warren
Eisenhauer and Fred A. Boehner. Fred stamped all his plans with ‘Fred Boehner-Architect.’
He corrected some errors that are in the book, and added some information
about some of the pictures on the next page:
• In the top left picture of Fred’s family, the tall lady is Grace and the little
girl on the right is Lavinia.
• In the top right photo of George’s family, daughter ‘Annie’ was actually Sophia.
• Fred William, Fred A.’s son is seated in the employees’ photo-front row,
third from right, wearing the white shirt.
• The factory in the bottom left photo was destroyed by fire in 1913, and replaced,
further up the hill, by the two-storey building pictured in the staff photo.
38

The Progress Enterprise, March 5, 1913, page 7 reported on the Municipal
Council Meeting as follows.
The Council had appointed him to chair a committee to investigate the economic
results of the fire:
Councilor Lohnes spoke on behalf of the committee… He was in favour of granting
the exemption of taxes to this industry for five years… He referred to Sydney and
other towns granting exemptions to encourage the growth of local industry….The
request from Boehner Bros. was a reasonable one…We should foster and encourage
in every reasonable manor all applications that might be put before us… Councillor
Knickle remarked….Coun. Lohnes had covered all the ground….Boehner Bros.
might remove their plant…some 40 families would follow….their doors, sashes,
windows were a great boon to men of moderate means…
Carried Unanimously.
A Favour to be Returned?
Again the power, influence and experience of Charlie Lohnes are
shown. It’s interesting to speculate. Boehner Bros. owed Charlie a favour.
Did he negotiate a good deal for the design and specifications? The arguments
used in favour of a tax exemption are used today. Think Michelin and
Bridgewater!
Building in Progress
It was the Mahone correspondent for the Bridgewater Bulletin who reported
on progress.
Courtesy: Nimbus & The Nova Scotia Museum, SAWPOWER, Making Lumber in the Saw
Mills of Nova Scotia by Barbara A. Robertson
The Connection Between Charlie Lohnes, Boehner Bros. and the 1913 Fire.
No, Charlie did not set the fire!
But he successfully persuaded the Municipal Council to grant Boehner
Brothers a property tax exemption to help them recover from the loss.
The Bridgewater Bulletin of June 9, 1914, page 4 reported:
……..The contractors for the Academy finished the
concrete foundations on Saturday, and the carpenters
will commence work the latter part of the week
The Bridgewater Bulletin of July 21, 1914, page 5 reported:
The new school building is nearing completion.
39

Subcontractors…Who Were They?
If the ledgers and records of builders and suppliers still exist, this writer
was unable to find them. Certainly Boehner Bros. would be expected to have
supplied parts. They did build items that they designed. When Bill Hirtle,
as a mature ex-navy student at Acadia in 1950, did research for his study
of Mahone Bay- see chapter 7- [and he wrote a general history at the same
time], he was informed that the Strums of Maritime Manufacturing in
Mader’s Cove were substantially involved. This makes sense. They were well
respected for their work and employed numbers of local men.
The Opening September 1914
• the Bridgewater Bulletin and the Progress Enterprise are strangely quiet
on the opening of the new school in September. There appears to have been
no official opening ceremony. The records of Fred Mosher, Hope Hyson and
Margaret Freeman make no reference to one.
• Fred Mosher twice tells of his class having to go under the sail loft at Mader’s
Wharf. It is clear that the students moved in while workmen were still there:
And everyone started singing
‘Our class was moved temporarily to Mader’s sail loft. The sail maker was Charles
Begin [trustee and school ‘Founding Father’] whose home is now the Mahone museum…They
had everything ready EXCEPT my room. Why are they always picking
on me! So the town set up a school room in C.U. Mader’s loft building for our room’s
two grades [4 & 5]. Before snow arrived we were in the new school. Our room was the
first to see snow flakes and we started singing. Other rooms joined in.’
The Inspector’s Description of the New School
H.H. MacIntosh, the very pleased Lunenburg-Queen’s Inspector of Schools,
described the new building in his report for 1913-14-page 53 of the section of
inspector’s reports of the Superintendent [A.H. MacKay] of Education’s Annual
Report to the Legislature.
A fine eight-room building is nearing completion in Mahone Bay, so designed that
two additional rooms can be added when required. The classrooms are large and well
lighted and the teacher’s room and laboratory are conveniently placed and well appointed.
The heating and sanitary arrangements are of the best. The cost will be about
$18,000.
The brand new building: taken in 1916 Courtesy: Margaret Freeman-Kedy Collection
What The School Had
• Seven large rooms were actually used for classrooms. There were not two
additional rooms as described by the inspector, unless the basement was
seen as room potential. There were a number of combined grades. Fred
Mosher noted that the one spare room was not used in his time.
• There was a multi-purpose general store room/laboratory. In fact the lab
was not really regularly used until H.V.Corkum upgraded it in the 1930s and
moved it to the basement.
• An open area on the second floor was used as a library.
• There were indoor toilets in the basement.
• Separate entrances to the building and classrooms for boys and girls [a
Victorian notion that was to linger for thirty years] was the procedure. Later
mayor, Philip Lohnes reported he was strapped on his first day of school for
using the girls’ entrance.
• An area between the school and the Rost property designated for use as a
tennis court.
• A fine new bell that could be heard far and wide.
• There was a small area for play, pick-up ball etc., but no real playground
equipment.
40

• The desks were doubles, seating two students-always either two boys or
two girls together!
Photo, above and following: Courtesy Margaret Freeman-Kedy Collection
What The School Didn’t Have
• Auditorium, The biggest limitation was the absence of a large auditorium
that could be used for a gymnasium and school assembly. Until 1963 the
school was obliged to use community resources for concerts, exhibitions,
public meetings, closings, and sports like badminton and basketball.
• Domestic/Manual Training, There were no Domestic Science or Manual
Training Departments. Lunenburg and Bridgewater had them and shared the
specialist teaching staff.
• Principal’s Office, There was no principal’s office. It was a full-time teaching
position.
• Heating, Despite the Inspector’s optimism, the heating system was old fashioned
hot air. The newfangled steam heating, favoured by the new Bridgewater
School was not installed. The school was soon in difficulties with heating.
• Electric lighting, was not installed. The trustees were soon obliged to install
it in the basement, so that the janitor could see to work, especially in winter.
It was not until 1944 that the school was fully wired for lighting.
• A Finished Attic, Bill Snyder, who has helped the Mahone Bay Centre with building
and furnace maintenance, and been a board member, gives an idea of the size
of the huge attic, still unfinished. Over the years there have been many unfulfilled
plans to finish it off and make it usable for offices, workshops and storage.
1916: one of the Freeman girls, daughter of Captain John Freeman of the December 1913
tragedy, poses prettily at one of the school’s window recesses. Note the smart coat, the wide
collar and the dress hat.
41

Frugal or Tight-Fisted ?
No records have been found of the discussions that must have taken place.
The key is the $18, 000 construction figure. It was a modest sum. Inspector
MacIntosh reported that the new Bridgewater school had cost $45, 000. The
founding fathers pulled off a minor miracle at less than half their neighbour’s
figure. Organized school sport in the school gym was a feature of the
second half of the twentieth century. The funds were simply not available for
what might have been deemed luxuries-nice to do, but not necessary. The
concept of a school open to community day and night is a new one.
Supervisor of Construction and
The Designer, The Beginning
of a Firm Friendship, Warren
Eisenhauer and Fred Boehner
With subcontractors and local
men and boys [Cecil Fancy
was one] being used, the trustees
appointed Warren. H. G.
Eisenhauer to coordinate and
supervise construction. He was
a natural choice [and maybe
his politics were right]. He was
a respected local builder with a
large carpenter shop on Clairmont
St. [see photo top left,
page 43].
Lunenburg Progress Enterprise, June 4 1913, page 4: Conflagration at The
Lohnes Home
Small communities are close. There is an interesting ‘human story’ to the
Warren Eisenhauer-Charlie Lohnes relationship. In its Wednesday, June
4/1913 edition the Lunenburg Progress Enterprise reported on near heroic
action at a house fire at the Charlie Lohnes residence.
Warren Eisenhauer Moves to LaHave and Back
• The supervisor and architect must have got on well. In 1917, with the wartime
boom in shipbuilding, Boehner Brothers offered Warren the position of superintendent
of their new shipyards. He accepted and moved his family to LaHave,
living in a company home. The photo below shows them together. With the
recession in shipbuilding after the war, Mr. Eisenhauer returned to Mahone Bay
in 1922. The two families remained friends, sharing house visits for years. Warren
was the fire hero on the story left.
Warren Eisenhauer-Fire Hero?
Rescue at Charlie Lohnes Home
Photo: Courtesy Bruce Boehner
42
Colleagues and Friends: center left, Warren Eisenhauer, supervisor of the
construction of the school, and, center right, Fred W. Boehner, architect,
Warren Eisenhauer’s Carpenter and Supplies Workshop still stands on
Clairmont St. It is still in fine condition with many original fixtures.

and founded Mahone Auto. His granddaughter, Patricia, Mrs. Errol Veinotte,
lives in Mahone Bay, and her two children, Barry and Bonnie, were grade nine
graduates [Parkview Education Centre had become the high school] of the
school their great grandfather made sure was built to be a monument. Photo
bottom left of “grampie” Eisenhauer and his wife [Louise Hirtle]: Courtesy:
Pat Eisenhauer-Veinotte
The School Bell
‘...And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.’
- John Donne
Warren continued to maintain close ties with the school, becoming a school
board member and carrying out a number of projects for the school.
His son, Basil, was to become mayor of the town and school board chairman,
American Bell Foundry of Michigan, #28
The bell would have been hauled into place, using a pulley system and a team
of oxen. Between 1914 and 1961 the school bell tolled for countless Mahone
Bay school children and their parents. Ex-students remember it well. For
thirty years it rang to summon them to school in the morning and at the end
of the long [one and a-one-half hours to walk home and back] lunch break.
In the early days, it was used to briefly announce recess and the end of the
school day. Then, during World War Two the first announcements-public
address system was installed. Later came the buzzer system .
43

The school bell was no longer needed to toll for the willing and the unwilling.
There had been an old bell in the pre-1914 building. It was kept, and there is
an interesting reference in the Town Council minutes of August 9th, 1921:
‘Fire Bell…Councilor Ernst and the Fire Chief offered to erect the old school bell
on the steel tower, free of charge’. The steel fire bell tower was just behind the
‘new’ [1919] Town Hall on Main Street. Bobby Mader and Ivan Westhaver
once rang it as a prank. As punishment, Bobby had to clean out the two town
jail cells for a month.
The ‘New’ Bell’s Origins and Resting Place: School Reunion 2000 Committee
• After wasting and rusting in the school tower for nearly forty years, the bell
was restored and resuscitated by the School Reunion 2000 Committee
• Suzanne Lohnes-Croft is the daughter of one-time Mahone student, Town
Mayor and school board member, Philip Lohnes. Her great uncle was Charlie
Lohnes, ‘founding father’. What goes around, comes around!. She was a
member of the reunion executive. She took a personal interest in the bell and
tells of the following research: Photo: Courtesy Jackie Whynot Collection.
The Lunenburg Foundry crane gently lowers the bell. The rest of the journey
would be by truck. Suzanne wrote:
‘The Old Bell has had quite a journey. In December 2000 the Town Council of
Mahone Bay agreed to allow the Reunion 2000 Committee to be the keepers of
the bell’ [the letter from Kyle R.Hiltz, Town Clerk and Treasurer-himself a
Mahone Bay School graduate-confirmed that at the November 10th 2000
Council meeting, ‘a motion was passed that if Bayview Community School
allows the bell to be put on display, it can be moved to its new location.’]
‘In April 2001 the bell left its home at the top of the Old Mahone Bay School. Being
witness to this event, I noted the name of the ‘American Bell Foundry Michigan
#28 on the bell. I jotted down the information. I don’t think I was home more than
10 minutes before I was searching the net for information.
My research brought me in contact through e-mail with a librarian, Alan Smitely,
whose City Library held the records of The American Bell Company. Through our
joint research we found that the bell was ordered through none other than Sears,
who were agents. The bell most likely traveled by train and freighter to Halifax,
then by train [or the freighter S.S. Kinburn?] to Mahone Bay. The bell, raised by
block and tackle, came down by crane.
Through the efforts of John Biebesheimer, Kevin Feindel and Darwin MacPhail the
bell has been physically restored and mounted with a time capsule sealed in the case’.
The Specifications: Bell & Time Capsule Case. Courtesy John Biebesheimer
44

John Biebesheimer The Cleaning and Refinishing
• John was chair of the School Advisory Council. He designed the case that
contains the time capsule and Darwin MacPhail built it.
• Through Kevin Feindel it was taken to Lunenburg Foundry for sand blasting.
Kevin had the Foundry’s 30-ton crane do the lifting and lowering job:
overkill in terms of weight [the bell weighs 500lbs] but perfect for reach and
safety. The surface of the bell had oxidized into a brown colour. But, with
sandblasting, the bell, made of cast iron, was found to be in remarkably good
shape when surface rust and grime was removed. The cast-iron gray was
restored. The clapper and wheel were, and are, still working. There is a fine,
clear, musical ring.
• John completed the refinishing process with wire brushing, applying Trem
Clad stain and brown boot polish, buffing and waxing. The bell is bolted on
the base that contains the time capsule. The base is on wheels so that the
bell can be wheeled to assemblies and other functions.
The Old and The New:
The new generations at Bayview School are regularly reminded of the Academy
heritage. The bell and time capsule sit proudly in the school library. Grade 5
Students, 2005-6, left to right: Hart Millett [Mrs. Millett the ice cream maker
and milliner was his great grandmother], Ashley Conrad, Simon Inniss, Robin
Knickle, Jacob Lohnes-Croft [Charlie Lohnes, the ‘Founding Father, was a great
uncle], Savannah Langille. The bell sits proudly and splendidly in the Bayview
Community School [the Town’s latest and newest academy] Library, on view to
the new generations of students and to interested visitors. The ‘founding fathers’
and their brethren would be pleased.
The ‘ Commissioning Of The Old School Bell’, May, 2004
An appropriate move was the commissioning of the bell for the town’s 250th
birthday anniversary in 2005. Invitations were sent out for the ceremony,
conducted by students and teachers at the old and new school. Ted Veinot,
who had also rung the bell in 2000 as part of the Reunion and Old School
Closing celebrations and activities, was to ring it again. Matt Whynot designed
the invitation card.
The school memorabilia [itemized in the article below] in the time capsule
includes the trophy for debating donated by “H. V.” in the early 1930s. This
writer plans to be there when it is opened!
45

Photo: Courtesy Jackie Whynot
Three Old School generations acted as greeters at the May 20, 2004 commissioning:
Jackie Whynot, son Norman and granddaughter Rachel.
Norman played a year of basketball at Acadia. Rachel follows the basketball
tradition.
Yarns about the School Bell: Memories and Pranks
The bell evokes many memories. It was a source of significant memories and
regular pranks.
The Bell was Quitting Time for Philip Smeltzer
• This writer spoke with Philip at the veteran wing of the Fisherman’s Memorial
Hospital in Lunenburg. He is the glum looking student second from
the left of the Tom Thumb Wedding group of Hope Hyson’s primary class of
1923-24, see chapter 5
• He used to set his rabbit snares on the way to and from school, and he
would hide his catch under his school coat.
• He admitted he had never liked the routine and work of school. At the age
of 15, he was in Miss Maclean’s [the vice principal] grade 10 class. A garbage
container was being surreptitiously pushed around. He gave it a good kick
46

and it crashed onto the teacher’s desk, making her jump. Angry and startled,
she approached him, yelling, and gave him a slap. Arriving home for lunch,
he decided to quit.
• The bell started ringing and his mother told him to get moving or he would
be late. He told her he was finished with school and was not going back. By
his sixteenth birthday he was in the merchant navy. The bell was his last
school memory.
The Bell was Mischief Time for Bobby Mader
Over the years the bell became a prime target for Halloween pranks, and the
school authorities kept the place under surveillance. The installation of the
metal exterior fire escape in 1945-6 gave a golden opportunity.
• Bobby and some friends crept up the steps in early darkness and from
the top of the fire escape were able to attach a rope to the bell. At midnight,
hidden at a safe distance from the building, the tricksters started tolling
the bell. The police, janitor and some teaching staff arrived at the double.
Lights were put on and the building was thoroughly searched. The security
forces were confounded by the fact the bell was ringing as they arrived. They
were sure nobody had escaped from the building, but the ringers could not
be found even after a search that included the roof. Phantoms of the night!
Bobby and friends were amazed the rope had not been spotted. They
had to go back in the early hours to retrieve it.
• On another Halloween, Bobby remembers a group of young adults plotted
successfully for the bells of the school and all the town churches to be rung
simultaneously.
The Battle to Remove The Old Pre 1914 School Building
Mr. W.H. S. Zwicker is Stubborn and Procrastinates. The New Town School
Board Threatens To Sue
No these are not newspaper headlines, but they might well have been.
• Under the powers granted in the 1914 Act, Section 6, the trustees had sold
the old school building to the powerful, wealthy and influential W. H. S.
Zwicker, owner of the big store, and hall across the road, on Main Street. He
was the brother of MLA Claimonte Zwicker.
• The trustees had removed what they wanted from the old building and sold off
bits and pieces. Warren Eisenhauer had purchased the old fire escape for $49.75.
Then Mr. Zwicker had been sold the old building on condition that he had it
removed. When the new school was completed, the old building was still there, encroaching
on the school’s limited lot. The building was still there two years later.
• The first signs of uneasiness and loss of patience are recorded in the minutes
of the March 6th 1917 annual meeting of the ratepayers of the school section:
‘Some discussion regarding the old building followed… the meeting was of the
opinion that forcible means were unnecessary as Mr. Zwicker was expected to
remove it or tear it down in a short time.’
•Good intentions proved fruitless. A year later, the building was still there.
The annual meeting of March 4th 1918 ‘directed the trustees to see that the
old school building be removed by Mr. W. Zwicker.’
• Trying to Get a Deadline: Another year’s delay and procrastination, led to
the new Board of School Commissioners passing the following motion at
its June 23, 1919 meeting: Moved by Comm. Nicol; sec. by Comm Begin: ‘The
Secretary interview W. H. S. Zwicker the owner of the Old School Building and get
from him a written statement that the building will be removed by Aug. 1st 1919’
It’s interesting to note that the movers of the motion were two ‘big guns,’
industrialist T.G. Nicol and ‘founding father,’ Charlie Begin
• There is no record of whether or not Orren Joudrey the new Town Clerk and
School Board Secretary was able to pin Mr. Zwicker down to a written commitment.
Probably not.
Moving The Wing of the Old School
• It is known that, later in 1919, Mr. Zwicker sold the wing [a west wing]
to James Younis, who had it removed down the hill to what is now 42 Pond
Street. The house [see photo on next page] still retains much of its original
design: Greek Revival style with its six over six windows, gabled front with
inward turns, hooded molding over the front door, and the lintel across the
second storey to carry the weight.
School Students Watch Master Mover-Rigger, “Tom” [Freeman] Mader
Fred Mosher and other students watched the moving process with fascination
and respect for master mover and rigger Freeman [“Tom”] Mader.
It’s an extraordinary story of oxen power, pulleys, jacks and blocks. The hill
was, and still is, steep with a small cliff on one side.
47

Heather Anne Getson in the
new [2006] Bluenose: The Ocean
Knows Her Name [Nimbus,
2006] pays tribute, page 25…
‘…they [the masts and rigging
and sails] had to be “stepped
mathematically perfect”..’
From Fred Mosher’s 1993 letter to the Editor of the Progess/Bulletin
‘It was moved from the yard over to the street facing the pond, then out over the
edge of that cliff like hill, into space, supported by thousands of huge wooden
blocks…Mr. Mader would not permit us children to be closer than Dr. Brent’s
house, by the pond on old station road [Clairmont St., the corner house, now
no.35]…Well we could sneak over back....and watch this huge building in the sky.
When it was out clear of the hill, the men would jack the school up, remove
one layer of blocks and lower the school to the set below. Then they’d jack it up
again, remove another layer and drop the school another foot. That took all day
and by evening it was off the road, onto its present foundations.’
Freeman D.-“Tom”- Mader [decked out in his Orders regalia]
Freeman was the father of Ossie Mader [ builder, town policeman for a while
in the 1930s, and school board member and chair in the late 1940s and most
of the ‘50s], and the grandfather of Bobby Mader [long time postmaster,
school badminton coach and Mahone Bay Lions Club activist]. Bobby lives
in his grandfather’s house on School Street.
Photo on left: Courtesy Bobby
Mader
His name was known
outside the province. He was
called to Saint John N.B. to
demonstrate how ships could
be launched sideways [a common
practice in the shallow
waters of Mahone Bay] into
the narrow river. The Bluenose
rigging crew was mostly from
Mahone, and included master
sail maker and school ‘Founding
Father,’ Charlie Begin.
‘Tom’ was a master mover,
hoister, launcher and rigger. The picture on the next page shows a celebrated
incident in May 1920 that would have been the talk of the school and the
town.
Tom Mader was head of the team that transported the biggest yet ship’s diesel
engine to the McLean shipyard from the railway station. It was put on the
wharf where he had devised an “A” frame and two tackles, one for each mast,
to raise then lower the engine into its position. No small feat in itself, but it
also had to be arranged in accordance to the high and low tides. The engine
was installed in the schooner Cote Nord, soon to be a noted rum-runner.
48
Tom had a fine reputation. His main claim to fame was as chief of the crew that
set up the sails and rigging of the original Bluenose. The rigging, done under the
pressure of time in five days, was crucial to the Bluenose’s racing success.

Photo: Courtesy Margaret MacLean-MacKay Collection
Take Zwicker to Court
• In September, after the August deadline set by the Board, the main block was
still there, and the new School Board and Town Council had had enough. O.S.
Joudrey, was directed to inform Bridgewater’s Arthur Roberts K.C. , Barrister
and Solicitor, to initiate legal proceedings. The lawyer reported [in letter dated
October 13th 1919 to O.S. Joudrey] that he had initiated proceedings for:
‘a writ in the Supreme Court at the suit of the Town of Mahone Bay against
W.H.S. Zwicker for damages for trespass by refusing and neglecting to remove his
building on the lands of the Town … for a mandatory injunction to compel the
removal of the building’…….
• There was an ironic outcome. When finally moved in early 1920, the
building collapsed and disintegrated. Serves Mr. Zwicker right!
Judge Longley found against him-the tender did not include fittings. He was
fined a token $10 and ordered to pay costs. The school ‘Davids’ had taken on
a local ‘Goliath’ and won!
The case actually came to court in July 1921. Mr. Zwicker insisted he should
have received the bell [used as the Town Fire Bell], the fire escape [sold to
builder Eisenhauer] and some seats [moved to new school].
49

Chapter Four:
The Early Years
1917
• W.F.Joudrey re-elected to Trustees
Concerns raised about moving the
old school building
• G.V. [“Mad Dog”] Jacques
appointed principal
• Vimy Ridge: over 10,000 Canadian
casualties
• Charlie Chaplin brings relief
• McLean & Sons take over Zwicker Yard
• Halifax Explosion
1918
Date Educational/School Events
Town, National and World Events
• Mr. D.A.Fancy, the blacksmith,
elected to Trustees
• Annual meeting directed Trustees
to have old building removed
• Clara Quinlan appointed vice
principal
• End of World War One Pandemic.
• Influenza kills millions across world
• Tsar and family executed by Red
Guard in Russia.
• Oil Clothes’ factory converted into
Masonic Temple and Hall
1914
1919
• Principal Maxner resigns
• W.F. “Pumpey” Joudrey re-elected
to Trustees
• Claude Kedy appointed Principal
• Sept. New School Opens
• Rural Science Exhibition
• Canada enters World War 1
• Recruiting stations open.
• Belgian Relief Fund Established
• 100,000 Canadians under arms
• Funeral of Charles J. Inglis
• Heat and Furnace Problems
• Good crowds attend Boston
Comedy Company Xmas shows
in Mahone
• Mahone Bay becomes an
Incorporated Town with Council &
School Board
1915
The “Young Guns” Make Their Mark
• Student death on harbour ice
• Charlie Lohnes steps down from
Trustees. Magistrate
Holloway elected
• Clarence Bissett appointed Principal
• Rural Science Exhibition
• School Book Bureau established
• Clara Quinlan graduates at
Teachers College
• Rev. H.T. Roe makes his “Holy
Crusade” speech Series of Patriotic
Meetings in town
• ‘Boys of 219th Regiment’ stay in
Mahone
• Lusitania sunk by U-boat.
• U.S.public opinion turns to war
1916
• Anthony Langille elected to
Trustees
• Whole School observes Empire
Day, honoring 77 ex students who
enlisted
• Liberals win Provincial Election.
• Clairmonte Zwicker narrowly
defeated
• Battle of Somme-1 million
casualties
Photo: Courtesy Margaret McLean-MacKay Collection
left to right: Standing: Ralph Mader, Hilda Freeman, Pearl Hirtle, ? Reynolds,
Jessie Fancy, Hazel Joudrey, Frank Mader, ? Andrews, Win Eisenhauer, Muriel
Mason, Harold Smeltzer [principal], Claude Kedy, ? Hamm
Sitting: Byron Fancy, Bunny Smeltzer, Clara Quinlan, Pearl Hirtle, Katie
Whynot, Annie Schnare, Helen Nicol, Ira Mader, Oressa Ernst, Moyle Mosher
51

This is a remarkable photo of a 1908-9 group of senior students: a good number of
whom were to make their mark on the school or community in the early years or
in the 1920s.
Back Row: Frank Mader ,[7th from left], ran C.U. Mader family store/business.
Win Eisenhauer, [9th from left], became substitute principal at the school.
Muriel Mason, [10th from left], a daughter of J.W. Mason, largest investor
in school debentures, long-time teacher in Digby. Claude Keddy, [12th from
left], was the new schools first principal, later vice-principal at Pictou.
Front: Clara Quinlan, [3rd from left], Mahone Bay’s teacher, vice-principal,
shop owner Pearl Keddy, [4th from left], teacher Helen Nicol, [7th from left],
daughter of T. G. Oressa Ernst, [9th from left], teacher.
The Early Principals
Claude Kedy: Young and Inexperienced
• A Kedy, son of James William, from Kedy’s Landing, he stayed only a year.
With a brand new school to offer, why appoint this young man, twenty-two
years old? He had graduated just a few years earlier from the old school.
An enlargement from his class photo is included below. He was a native son
returning. He was descended directly from the original Alexander Kedy who
settled in Mahone in 1754.
The Bridgewater Bulletin, on April 23rd, page 4, reported his attendance at
his mother’s funeral: ‘Claude Keddy [notice the double ‘d’ spelling-Kedy and
Keddy versions were often used] arrived home from Truro on Tuesday….
..death of Mrs. Emma [Mader] Keddy…survived by three children…Claude Keddy
presently attending the Truro Academy [normal school/teachers’ college
student or high school teacher? His age suggests he may have taught for a
year or two, but the phrase ‘attending Truro Academy’ is ambiguous]…’
• The Provincial Superintendent and the Regional Inspector both refer
in their annual reports to the desperate shortage of qualified teachers in
general, and of men in particular. Not only was the pay poor, particularly for
a married man with family, but the able bodied were going to war in droves.
Women were still struggling to be recognized as potential principals.
Superintendent’s Annual Report to Legislature for 1912-13, pages XV-XVI
‘Teaching does not pay as well as others…this has led to relatively few males in the
profession.”
Same report, page 51, of Inspector [Lunenburg-Queens] MacIntosh’s report
‘..The scarcity of teachers was greater than ever and made it difficult to fill the schools.’
• The trustees spent valuable time trying to persuade the veteran Mr.
Maxner to stay on.
Staff Changes for September 1914
Bridgewater Bulletin, June 30th 1914, page 5
‘Principal Maxner and Misses Minnie Nicol and Lois Kennedy have resigned from
the teaching staff of the Academy, the latter after twenty years of service on the staff.
In the new Academy, the present primary will be divided into two rooms, Miss Jessie
Fancy the kindergarten and Miss Reta Hamm the primary…Miss Alice Veinotte
takes Miss Nicol’s room, Miss Muriel Bruhm becoming vice principal….. There has
been no principal engaged, the school board having asked Mr.. Maxner to reconsider
his resignation.’ The efforts to keep Mr. Maxner failed, and the Mahone News in
the August 4th edition of the Progress paper, page 4, announced:
‘The School Board have engaged the services of Claude Kedy to take charge of the
advanced department.’
He came from a local family and had been a student. He had little or no
teaching or administrative experience!
The circumstantial evidence of Claude
Kedy’s youth and inexperience, and the fact
that he was ‘engaged to take charge of the
advanced department’ (the notice does not
say he was engaged as principal) suggests
an interim, temporary appointment.
Muriel Bruhm, the vice-principal probably
helped hold the fort. Her family was to have
a long involvement with the school. [see
photo and story below]
Photo of the teenage Claude Kedy is an enlargement
from ‘Young Guns’
The Bruhms, Christmas 1914
The fine photo below - it really is a reflection of time, occasion and place
- was taken at Christmas, 1914. Harriet Bruhm had it taken to send to her
husband, Albert, who was with the Canadian forces overseas. Albert was the
brother of Sam Bruhm, grandfather of Fred Jnr. [the marathon runner], Bev
[the badminton player] and Jerome [ The Track Hall of Fame inductee].
Harriet’s niece, Muriel, was vice-principal at the school at the time of the
photo. Harriet, in conjunction with Rev “Ned” Harris wrote a history of
52

Mahone Bay, which still exists in manuscript form. Her daughter, Louise, seven
years old in the picture [and attending the new school] went on to Normal
College and taught at Mahone bay school in the late 1920s. Louise’s daughter,
Agnes [there is a photo of the two together on page 85] went on to become a
leading Mahone Bay student [including May Queen and regular school play
performer] in the late 1940s. She went on to marry Johnny Whynott [brother of
1940s Canadian boxing champ, Roger], long-time town councillor in the 1970s.
Agnes later became a teacher at the town school and the first female school
board member. These Bruhms really did sweep the school and community!
• Mr. Bissett served as Secretary of the 1916 and 1917 annual meetings. The
minutes are written and signed in his neat clear writing.
• No complaints about him appear in either record. He left, presumably for
greener pastures, in June 1917.
Gene Vernon Jacques Principal, 1917-21 “Mad Dog”
Contemporary accounts [the letters of Fred Mosher and the memory of Hope
Hyson-Bastin] tell of his unpopularity with the students. There may have
been some prejudice because of the French connection. But Fred Mosher,
consistently open minded and generous in his letters, refers to his sharp,
teasing, sense of humour. Fred [who had Mr.. Jacques as both principal and
classroom teacher in his grade 10 year, 1920-21] goes into specifics. They
touch on both attitude of both principal and student[s]:
German Remarks
‘ …The principal was “Mad Dog” Jacques. Why did the town bring a Frog as
principal..to teach us Ernsts, Hiltzs, Slauenwhites, Maders, Zincks, Smeltzers and
Zwickers etc etc…..
……Every day he would make cracks about all German people. And all I could see
was my self walking down the hall in 1914 with young Bruce Cameron and seeing
Bruce & George Veinot, Everett Wentzell and the Slauenwhite boy get on the train
and in a short time hearing they were all dead.
Clarence Bissett Principal, 1915-17 A Cape Bretoner!
The Progress Enterprise, Wednesday September 1st, page 4 announced his
coming: ‘Clarence Bissett of St.. Peter’s C.B. Arrived on Saturday to take up his
position as Principal of the school for the ensuing year…’
• It’s interesting to note that he was from Cape Breton. This was at a time
when locals were often given preference.
• He was thanked publicly for his hard work in supervising and coordinating
the School Rural Science Exhibition that September [see below]
• At the annual meeting of the trustees and ratepayers, March 5th 1917 he
was thanked on behalf of the boys hockey program:
‘It was then moved by Rev. Mr. Nelson and seconded by Mr. C.A. Lohnes [that man
again!] that a vote of thanks be tendered Principal C.W. Bissett for the interest
taken in the organization of the boys’ hockey team.
Personal Remarks
Jacques would see me coming to school thru Peter Westhaver’s pasture, and when
school would start he would say to the class, “I watched Fred coming to school
today, and climb the fence. I had to watch as when he reached the top of the fence I
was not sure if he would fall into the schoolyard or back into the pasture.”
A Student’s Revenge
But I evened things up outside the schoolroom. He was a good baseball pitcher and
was the town’s pitcher against other towns. He did as most pitchers, lean back on the
right leg and lift the left one high. This is when I got him. I would yell “You lift that
leg up just like a dog, but you must be careful should you lift it any higher, it might
get caught in a branch.” One day he threw a baseball right at me. But he missed.
Somehow I passed my provincial exams that year. And Mahone Bay threw him out
and gave us a local teacher, Emery Langille.’
In the above, Fred catches the passion and defiance and intolerance of youth.
53

• Mr.. Jacques is ‘Let Go.’ The Board did not renew Mr. Jacques application
for the principalship. There was no strong Teachers Union in those days, no
tenure, and no concept of ‘just cause’ dismissal. The Board could pretty well
hire and fire at will:
The Board minutes of May 5th 1921 read:
‘Applications for Principal
Jacques G.V. $1100
Wright D.B. $1200
Langille E.H. $1250
Moved by Comm. Mader/Begin: The application of E. H. Langille be accepted Carried’
Clara Quinlan Rumours?
Miss Quinlan was appointed classroom
teacher and vice-principal, starting in
September 1918. There is an interesting
story to tell later in chapter 5. There is also
an intriguing entry into the Board minutes
of June 4th 1919: ‘Miss Quinlan and Principal
Jacques both satisfactorily explained current
rumours.’ There is no detail or explanation.
The photo of the teenage Clara Quinlan is enlarged
from ‘Young Guns’ above.
Students and Teachers
Historic Photos, There are two fine photos of part of the 1914 generation of
students that moved into the new Academy, and a photo of the whole school
standing proudly in front of the new school. Fred Mosher [he and his future
wife are in them] indicates that Mr. Vaughn took the two class photos. They
were taken in the spring, probably May [notice in the second photo, some of
the girls have picked flowers on the way to school and are still holding them.]
The first one is of Fred Mosher’s class: the group that started off the year, in
September at C.U. Mader’s Warehouse.
The teacher and some students in the class photos are identified by Fred:
Photo: Courtesy Settlers Museum
Photo One ‘In my school picture…at Parade Grounds-our park with a Band
Stand-…Edith Young the teacher, later married Dr. Hayford the dentist [and longtime
School Board member]
On front left, boy in dark is George Ernst. By George, in white shirt, is George
Lohnes, son of Butcher Charlie. Back of George in white is Joy Oickle, lived
across the street from us. Her dad died at 6pm & mother died same night
at 1:30am………….. Girl at left is Minnie Zinck [in black and white check
dress]…………Next to her, Russell Daurie and I must be in a hole. I was not that
short. I was the same size as the two Georges. I still have that smile…. The thin
girl and dark, back of Geo Ernst is Goldie Wentzell who married Joe Younis………
At right, smiling, with all those girls is Edward Ernst, George’s brother. Note they
both have dark clothes and white collars…..both were my life long friends……… Dr.
Brent’s crippled son, Charlie Brent is leaning on his braces. Can you see him in
right rear [standing, second from right]-next to Vincent Burgoyne who was later
electrocuted…………
[Author’s note: Indeed, Vincent [brother of future School Board Member and
Town Mayor, Evan Burgoyne], was a lineman in later life and was tragically
killed while working on Main Street power line].
…‘Mr. Vaughn took this picture as he did the one with June and Helen.’
Photo Two
Lois Kennedy is the teacher for June [Fred’s future wife] and his younger sister,
Helen….. Helen is wearing a white hat in front left, by boy in white shirt and
tie……… and, by [behind and standing] Helen’s right ear, is June in V-shaped dress
54

and June always wore a white ribbon in her hair. June’s brother Maurice is to right
[at end of row behind June] of June. He has his hair pulled over his left eye.’
The Whole School Photo
Photo: Courtesy Settlers Museum
Photo Two: Courtesy Settlers Museum
Some Thoughts on the Photos: ‘Those Were The Days’
• In 1914 photos were solemn occasions, very formal. Students and teachers
were not used to them. Few students are smiling, particularly in photo two.
Miss Kennedy sets the tone-very stern. Edith Young has a sunnier look
[maybe that’s why Dr. Hayford was attracted]. So does her class.
• The students have been told to dress up. Some did and some didn’t: very
likely a reflection of families who could afford to and those who couldn’t.
Some boys are in shirt and tie, and look decidedly uncomfortable.
• Dresses, Braids, Ringlets and Bows-Pauline M. Veinot
A lot of girls are in white dresses and ribbons & bows are everywhere.
Veteran Lunenburg County newspaper columnist, Pauline M. Veinot, longtime
resident of Blockhouse and teacher, had her columns, Those Were The
Days, published. On page 252 she writes about special [the first day, photo
day, Empire Day etc] school days.
‘We dressed in almost our best. We did not wear our-Sunday-go-meeting-clothes
but we wore the next best. The girls wore dresses.. Hair was braided or put into rags
the night before; that is if you didn’t have natural curls. There were always one or
two who had ringlets. If you did not have a real ribbon bow you made one of crepe
paper, but a bow you had to have.’
Unfortunately, the whole school photo, next, is undated. It’s an early photo:
one to celebrate the new school. Hope Hyson-Bustin, a student in the photo
[who celebrated her 103rd birthday in May, 2006, believes the principal,
standing on the steps with the staff, is not Emery Langille. And the man in
the photo is certainly older than twenty two [Claude Keddy]. That leaves us
with Mr. Bissett or Mr. Jacques. Clara Quinlan always wore black, and only
one teacher sports that colour. It is tempting to speculate 1918-1919, but
there is no hard evidence. See the close up on the next page.
• It was a very special occasion. There is no other whole school photo
available from the early years, and they are rare for any time.
• There before us is the first generation of the brand new Mahone
Academy students.
A Student Death, January, 1915 Ray Knock Skating Accident
The Mahone News column in the Wednesday, January 18, 1915, edition of the
Progress Enterprise reported a death on the harbour ice:
‘On Saturday evening while skating on the harbour near his home, Ray Knock,
a thirteen year old son of Nathan Knock, met with what proved to be a fatal
accident. A number of boys were having a game of some kind, and, in swift skating,
young Knock and a companion came together with such force that a fall followed with
the result that he fractured his skull, and expired shortly after being taken to his home.’
There would have been no grief counselors called to the school in 1915.
The classroom teacher and family would have dealt with it quietly.
55

Classrooms, Teachers and Grades
• The eighth classroom was not used till the early 1930s, when principal H.V.
Corkum persuaded the Board to add a teacher as a step to establishing grade 12.
• The Library-Lab was actually a common, open, area upstairs, sometimes
used for partial assemblies.
Mixed Grades, Text Books, Tests and Examinations
From these early days, through to the 1950s and early 60s, teaching and
learning was rigidly text book-based with lots of tests, reading, memorizing
and regurgitating. From grade four and five upwards, the year was divided
into three or four terms with exams and marks at the end of each term.
Fred Mosher’s Letters give us a very precise layout of classroom locations,
grades and teachers in these early years. In 1914-15 he entered grade five,
and in 1921-22 he graduated from grade 11. He repeated grade nine. Grades
primary to four were on the first floor.
Grade[s] in Room Teacher Classroom Location
4 & 5 Pearl Keddy front left, first floor
6 & 7 Alice Veinotte front right, second
floor-“upstairs”
8 & 9 Muriel Bruhm front left, second floor
8 & 9 Clara Quinlan same room
10 & 11 G. V. Jacques/ E. H. Langille back left, second floor.
Spare Room
back right, second floor
Of the ‘ New School’ Fred wrote: ‘..My first room was on the left and bottom.
Teacher was Pearl Keddy….The grades were 4 & 5. From there we went upstairs
front right windows,..Teacher little Alice Veinotte…her home was the little home
west of Abdou Younis store….
Leaving Alice, we went across the hall, top left, to grades 8 & 9....teacher was
June’s [Fred future wife] cousin, Muriel Bruhm from Oakland.
Oh, but grade nine was dear Clara Quinlan!…Grades 10 & 11 were in back of 8 &
9…… The other room, back of 6 & 7 was never used in my time.’
• The tradition had started. The younger grades would be on the first floor,
And “going upstairs” to join the big kids was to be a big deal.
Mixed Grade Class Rooms
• At the new school there were 11 grades [grade 12 was not offered.] It was in
Lunenburg and Bridgewater]. Entrance to College/University with grade 11
was common.
• There were seven departments [classroom teachers, including the principal].
So most rooms had two grades. The principal taught grades 10 and 11.
The 1917 Annual Meeting Discusses “Double Grading”
Two grades [more in small rural schools] in one classroom was an
organizational challenge for the teacher and a concern for parents and
educators. At the March 5/1917 annual meeting of ratepayers, the minutes
record the following:
‘It was then moved by the Rev. Mr. Nelson and seconded by Mr. W. Zwicker that the
meeting direct the school board to inquire into the double grading system. After
some discussion in which the opinion of the meeting seemed pretty well divided,
the motion was carried.
Unfortunately, the details of the discussion are not recorded in principal
Bissett’s minutes. The problem was practical. Enrolment in some grades did
not justify one teacher per grade. So each year decisions were made based
on enrolments. Inevitably this meant lack of equity-some big classes, some
smaller. Some unhappy teachers and parents! Some much happier!
The ‘Departments’ for the following September were planned in June. The
following arrangement, with teachers salaries, was made for 1917 - ‘18.
56

Board minutes:
Primary/One A.M. Veinotte $250
Grade 11 Vera Hiltz $250
Grades 111/1V Clarice Zinck $261
Grades V/V1 Pearl L. Keddy $280
Grades V11[V111] Blanche R. Oxner $285 ‘
..to teach grade V11. Should the Board find it advisable to include grade V111
satisfactory arrangements will be made,’
Vice Principal [V111/1X] Clara Quinlan $411
Principal X & X1] G.V. Jacques $1050
The final combinations of grades 7-11 was left to the principal.
A sign of the times. Mr. Daurie, the janitor, was paid more than most teachers.
The new school in all its glory, dominating the town:
• The minimum scale set up certificates based on a teacher’s last high school
grade [10, 11 or 12], year at Normal College [teacher training institute at Truro]
or equivalent, university education, special courses [like Rural Science].
• ‘Permissive’ licenses could be granted by the regional inspector where
boards were obliged to hire a teacher straight from high school.
• There was no tenure. Teachers had to re-apply for their jobs each year.
• Pay was poor. Single women [who lived at home or boarded] were the
cornerstone of the profession.
The Provincial Examinations Experience
In the early years there were provincial exams for grades 9 thru 12. They
were written in June, and, to grade, the student had to pass. Pauline Veinot,
on page 212 of Those Were The Days writes of the ritual and tension:
‘June had come and with it the thought of final examinations. They were not called
exams then. You had to write provincials in grades IX, X, XI and XII. There were
not many who studied for the latter as you could enter College or Normal School
with your grade XI. In fact, you could go to the latter with a grade X certificate.
Above Photo; Courtesy Settlers Museum
An institution to be proud of! The Parade Grounds, the bandstand, the old
west wing [moved down the hill to continue as a residence] are clearly scene.
The photo was taken on Dominion Day 1919. The bandstand was soon to
move to Main Street, next to the first town hall. There is clearly some sort
of celebration going on. A crowd has gathered. There is entertainment. The
soldiers were officially thanked and welcomed back.
Teacher Pay and Job Tenure
• The minimum scale [paid in salary grants to Boards] set by the Provincial
Department of Education was usually the rate paid.
• Principals and vice-principals negotiated administrative allowances.
Just about everyone dreaded writing final examinations. If you lived far away and
had no transportation, you boarded in the town designated as a writing station
[Mahone Bay was a designated station and rural students came in to write].
…In a room you would get a number and a seat. You were seated so that you could
not copy. Every other seat was a different grade. The Deputy examiner was there
to watch that you didn’t cheat. You could not even pass a pencil, pen or paper…You
had to stay a certain length of time before leaving…the hour came and the deputy
opened the questions in front of you….
You went home and had to wait a month to get the results…You anxiously opened
the envelope to see if you passed or failed. In the latter case, the top was removed…’
An example of a provincial certificate is shown on next page. It is the 1920
grade ten certificate of Carey Linden Hiltz. She did not do well at Latin or
Physics, but did get the minimum requirement of passes. Carey’s parents
later bought the Charles McLean house on Pleasant Street. The certificate is
courtesy of her daughter, Mary Ann Smith.
Provincial Exams were Special Occasions “A Big Deal!”
Assistant examiners were hired to invigilate, notices appeared in the
57

Visiting Scholars Treated: Motor Boat Ride and Concert
Students from schools that were not designated examination centers came
to Mahone, often with their parents, and, if need be stayed in lodgings. The
Board made an effort to act as gracious hosts, being an exam center with a
fine school was a matter of pride:
Board minutes, June 9th, 1922 : Entertain Visiting Scholars Moved by Commissioners
Ham and Mader- a committee of three be appointed to arrange a motor boat ride and
band concert for those writing exams here the latter part of the month.
School Supplies, Textbooks and the New School Book Bureau
School Supplies
• The annual ritual of getting school supplies for the September start at
school is nothing new. For most parents in 1914-20 the budget was tight and
they would have shopped around. They would have compared the prices at
local stores, like Reg Hyson’s and compared them to those being advertised
in the county newspapers.
The Bridgewater Bulletin, September 15 1915,
contained the following ad:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Porter’s Blue Store at The Nyal Drug Store in Bridgewater phone 40 School
Opening is at Hand Books For all grades, from 1 to 12. There have not been
many changes, but we know them all and have stocked just what is required…..
School Supplies
Needed Scribblers [all prices], Pencils, Slates Crayons, Paper, Pens, Ink, Lock-
Boxes, Compasses, Rulers, School Bags, Scales….In fact everything you need.
Right Prices
Catch the Train
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
• Yes, slates were being used, usually in ‘department 1’-primary and one.
If scales were required, then that was praiseworthy hands on math. Yes,
parents had to pay for textbooks. There were likely plenty of family passdowns,
and used text sales.
58
newspapers, and results were published annually.
The Mahone column in the Progress Enterprise of July 28, 1914, page 4
announced: ‘It is with pleasure we announce that of a class of nine from this town
writing the B [grade 11] examination, everyone has been granted a certificate. Two
of the number studied at home, the balance being under the tutorship of Principal
Maxner. We extend congratulations to all parties concerned.’
The Provincial Government’s New Text Book Bureau, 1915
There had been growing concern about the prices being charged parents for
stipulated school textbooks. Questions were raised in the Legislature, and a
growing number of newspaper stories and letters to the editor deplored the price
of texts, especially compared with other provinces. The editor of the Bridgewater
Bulletin rallied the forces for change on page 6 of the January 31, 1912 edition:

High Price of Nova Scotia Books
‘…how many hundreds of dollars it has cost the parents of school children …more
than it should have done?…The Government has shielded the publishers and the
booksellers in despoiling the people….’
Then the page 1 story of March 5th reporting from MLA Mr. Margeson
‘………Turning to education, Mr. Margeson showed that Nova Scotia children were
paying more for their school books than the children of New Brunswick.’
The School Book Bureau
• Was established in 1915, The editorial of The Progress Enterprise, page
4, May 26, 1915: ‘….the establishment of the Book Bureau for the purpose
of purchase and distribution of books prescribed for use in the schools will be
observed with interest by all parents………The Bureau…will keep prices stable
and in 50% of cases actually reduce prices…..is committed to uniform prices
throughout the province…’
This writer was loaned Clyde’s 1918-19 History and English Grammar
textbooks. They were found by Mary Ann Smith, whose parents, the Veinots,
later bought the property from the McLeans.
• Left, Clyde as a 12 yr. old youngster all dressed up like a true gentleman
• Clyde’s texts [still covered in brown paper for better resale value],
contain his signature, some notes, several student doodles and the date,
August 26, 1918 [presumably when they were bought or given to him] in
his handwriting. • The inside page of the history text [‘A Brief History of
• Explanatory Public Notices appeared in provincial newspapers in June
• The School Book Bureau still exists. It still buys the prescribed books.
Over the years it has come to supply schools directly, bypassing private
booksellers. It has gone through various processes, including charging an
annual rental to students, to the present practice of supplying them free, with
schools ordering them through a formula
based on price of book and number of
students: a line of credit arrangement with
no money or interest charged.
Clyde McLean and his Textbooks, 1918
Clyde was a member of the shipbuilding
McLean family. He was the son of ship
designer Charles and he lived on Pleasant
Street, barely five minutes walk from
school. His uncle was William McLean,
whose daughter Margaret, Clyde’s cousin,
was to be the very respected classroom
teacher-vice principal of Mahone Bay
School throughout the 1930s
Photo: Courtesy Mary Elisabeth McLean-Fury.
She is Clyde’s daughter and lives in Bridgewater.
59

Canada’ by John B. Calkin, M.A., published by Nelson in 1908] can be seen
below.
• It includes the idle ditty about ‘Oh my how the money rolls in.’ The
text would horrify twenty-first century students. Its chapters are packed
with tightly knit facts, with no diversions. At the end of each chapter are
‘Questions For Further Study.’ They were clearly used for tests, and needed
memorization and regurgitation. Predicable but boring!
• Old Fashioned Grammar ‘The Elementary English Grammar’ by D.J. Coggin
M.A., D.C.L, published by Gage, would bring many modern day students
to the verge of tears. It expounds the rules of grammar and has hundreds
of exercises to practice the rules. Clyde’s notes on the verb matching its
subject, and the exercise on adjectives, adverbs and modifiers would be
foreign language at 2006 schools.
• Try them out on your children or grandchildren:
• Fred Mosher tells us about Clyde. He did not follow the family business.
‘After school Clyde went to Amherst and opened an Insurance Business.’
• His good grammar would have been a great help. As a young man he
learned electrical and power installations and worked for local and provincial
power corporations. He was a keen artist and sailor.
Mahone School: A Leader in Rural Science
The Rural Science Movement: The Buzz, Mr. DeWolfe, the Exhibitions.
The Buzz Rural Science was the new development, the cutting edge in
1913/14/15. The provincial superintendent, regional inspectors, principals
and teachers referred to it as ‘The Rural Science Movement.’
• The Provincial Department of Education was promoting it aggressively.
Additional grants were paid to teachers who majored in Rural Science at
Normal College, or who completed courses at summer schools.
L. A. DeWolfe
• The Director of Rural Science School at Truro was Prof. L. A. DeWolfe
He had the staff and plant and general resources of the Agricultural College
and Normal School at his disposal.
Content, Focus and Staff Involved
• Teachers chose from a number of elective courses: nature study, botany,
chemistry, soil physics, biology, horticulture, physics, entomology, bird study,
biology, bacteriology, agriculture, plant diseases
• The focus was hands-on: develop school gardens, beautify school grounds, and, in
the class rooms: study insects, birds and crops; grow flowers and vegetables, collect
and study actual specimens; study farming and cattle, pig and poultry raising.
• Pearl Keddy, Alice Veinotte, Jesse Dauphinee and Lois Kennedy [the lastnamed
left the school in the summer of 1914] took the summer courses. The
first two both received Rural Science Grants for outstanding achievements.
Mahone Bay School’s Rural Science Exhibition, September 1914
The first major item on the new school’s agenda was the Exhibition.
Students and teachers had been preparing since the spring.
• The Progress Enterprise, Wednesday, September 30 1914 gave unstinting
praise to the Exhibition, held at the Parish Hall.
60

• Praise from Prof. DeWolfe and a Photo in the Annual Report to The Legislature.
“Best First Exhibit in Province”
Prof. Dewolfe ‘pronounced it second only to one [a school with four years exhibit
experience] among the twelve exhibits he had visited this autumn....this was the
best first exhibit made in the province…’
• It must have been impressive. The photo of the Exhibition is the only one of an
exhibit included in the Superintendent of Education’s Annual Report for 1914-15,
opposite page 100.
Claude Kedy, the first new school principal, and Clara Quinlan, vice-Principal
at Mahone. Miss Kedy was young, energetic and committed. When she
resigned, because of poor health, in May 1923, the Board was full of praise.
Praise indeed for Miss Kedy.
‘Moved by Commissioners Mader and Davis: WHEREAS Miss P.L. Kedy, who
has been an efficient and Capable teacher in our school for years, has, through
strict attention to duty and earnest devotion to her pupils, reduced her physical
condition to such an extent as to cause her to extend her resignation,………..
Therefore RESOLVED this Board accept with reluctance and Regret said
resignation….and extend to Miss Kedy best wishes for a speedy return to health.
Carried’.
‘The pupils of the Town marched in a body to the to the Parish Hall, Parade
where the exhibition was formally opened. Prof Loran DeWolfe,
Principal McKitterick of the Lunenburg Academy, Inspector VIPs
McIntosh, and the clergymen of the town, addressed the children…
The Good Work Continues
The Exhibition of September 27, 1915 was a ‘Huge Success!’ A major story
appeared in the Progress Enterprise:
The Pearl Kedy [notice the paper spelt it with two ‘d’s] photo is an
enlargement from the ‘Young Guns’ photo left. Her classmates included
The exhibition included a very creditable collection of seeds,
pressed ferns, leaves, mosses and flowers,and plain sewing, the work
of pupils from grades 3-8……
As the outcome of a contest- growing geraniums from slips donated
in the Spring-there were some fine healthy stocks on view. Cut
From
Seeds
Geranium
Contest
61

flowers were in evidence, all grown in the children’s own gardens...
Of special interest was the exhibition of poultry… Some fine
specimens of White Wyandots and Rhode Island Reds show...the
result of patient and unremitting care on the part of the boys…
Good things to eat included bread, biscuits, muffins, cake, jellies
and candies. These were prepared by girls at home, as there is no
domestic science school in the town. Girls of the fifth grade to high
school participated in the cooking competition………
The Exhibition was under the able direction of Miss Alice
Veinotte…this energetic woman…and her Science associate
teachers, Miss Jesse Dauphinee and Miss Pearl Keddy (photo
below)…………………………………..’
Cut Flowers
Poultry Show
Cooking
Miss Alice
Veinotte and
teachers
thanked
The concepts and practices of Rural Science are exciting. The tradition has
been carried on by 4H Clubs and School Science and Heritage Fairs.
‘Thank You Everybody’ Including Principal Bissett
Some diplomatic soul had a note printed in the
October 13 Progress Enterprise, page 4. Perhaps the
Rural Science teachers had been given all the credit.
Teachers were ever sensitive souls.
‘The whole staff from Principal Bissett, entirely new at
the work but ready at every beck and call [and there were
many] and Miss M. Bruhm vice-principal, to the primary
teachers, Miss R. Hamm and Miss J. Fancy all heartily
entered into the work, thus bringing it to a successful issue.’
Praise from the Inspector: Mahone Bay Hosts Teachers’ Institute
In his report for 1915-16, page 62, Inspector McIntosh praised Mahone Bay’s
leadership.
‘ I felt there was a decided advance in Rural Science work…Mahone Bay did well and
its school exhibit was particularly good. A Rural Science Teachers Institute was held in
Mahone Bay on May 4th and 5th. Eighteen Rural Science teachers met with Director
DeWolfe the first day…..They were joined on the second day by about twenty-five
teachers from Lunenburg, Bridgewater and adjoining schools…all gained a better idea
of Rural Science…and how to associate such topics with the regular school work………
Unfortunately, as often happens with innovations in education, the movement
gradually ran out of steam. By 1920, individual teachers used some of what
they had learned. But the provincial stage and spotlight had dimmed.
The School and The First World War
“It is not a war, but a holy crusade against tyranny and oppression”
Who said this? George Bush? Osama bin Laden? A Muslim Mullah?
It was actually Reverend H.T. Roe, the Methodist minister of Mahone Bay,
reported in the Progress Enterprise, of Wednesday, August 18th 1915, page 2.
The battles at Ypres, poison gas included, were on. With its appalling casualties,
encouragement was, perhaps, needed.
Rev. Roe went on to say that the war “.. has the sanction of The Cross of Christ.’’
Today such language makes most Canadians wince. But that was the prevailing
atmosphere for most of the war. It was fought with patriotic nationalistic
fervour, encouraged by the established churches. Even the moderate Rev Harris
enjoyed drilling students.
The four “Mahone Boys” in the photo were typical of the eager young [some
fresh out of school] early recruits.
Left to right:
Standing: Fred Awalt and Gordon Daurie
[son of school janitor, Albert] Sitting:
Chester Millett and Edwin Zwicker
Most Canadians thought it really was the
war to end all wars. To-day’s generation
knows that was not true. Within twenty
years, the Second World War was to break
out, with the same principal enemy, and
wars continue today. The combination
of nationalism and religious fanaticism
is lethal. Howie Freeman, son of Captain
John, went straight from the classroom
to the Western Front. He joined at 16
years old and returned just in time for his
19th birthday. He later told his daughter,
Anne, that he once spent two days in ‘the slammer” for wearing spats with his
uniform. We live in a far more cynical and wary age. Between 1914 and 1918
there was an idealism which is hard for modern-day readers to appreciate.
Students and parents talked sacrifice for King and Country.
62

There were stories of ‘Hun Atrocities.’ Prime Minister Borden, head of the
coalition Union Government, pledged, December 1917: “ Canada’s Invincible
and Unalterable Determination.” to pursue the war.
Patriotic Parades
• As well as hearing the patriotic
talk from their ministers, parents
and teachers, Mahone Bay students
participated or watched the regular
patriotic parades and services that took
place in town. Harry Eisenhauer, Pat’s
great grandfather, the band master is
seated, with clarinet, on far left. Snyder
Slauenwhite, tall and with moustache,
is standing right with bass.
Photo of Howie Freeman: Courtesy
Anne Freeman-Mason
• The Town Band would play, the men’s
associations would march, flags waved,
hymns and songs sung, and appropriate
words preached.
• The Town band, also the Band of the 69th Regiment, was dressed
splendidly in red, and was known to enjoy a party. Veteran bandsman,
Snyder Slauenwhite, was convicted of bringing liquor into the Municipality
[Progress, February 03/1915]. It also reported 121 bottles of ale and a 2 gallon
jug of rum seized in Mahone Bay.
Band Photo: Courtesy Pat Eisenhauer-Veinotte The Town Band [Band of the 69th Regiment] 1915
• The July 21,1915, edition of the Progress Enterprise had a typical report:
‘The ninth of a series of Patriotic Services will be held at the Methodist Church on
Sunday evening. …Miss Amy Smeltzer will Sing ‘Land of Hope and Glory’…………..’
• Crowd Overflow at Patriotic Meeting The Wednesday, October 13th edition
reported:
‘The Patriotic Meeting on Monday evening was attended by such an immense
crowd that not more than half the people could gain admittance, and, on account
of this, addresses were delivered both in the Hall and on Zwicker’s balcony………
The speakers were the Recruiting Officer, Lieutenant Micklewright……Reverends
W. G. Nelson and H.T. Roe…The 69th band favoured the audience with a selection
of Patriotic airs’
• Empire Day in May always had a War Service at School The Progress, May
31st, 1916, page 5 reported:
‘Empire Day was observed by the High School Staff
Assembly
and pupils assembled in the large hall on the upper
floor. Excellent and appropriate addresses were delivered
by Rev. J McLean and Rev. E.A. Harris…and readings
Presentations
and recitations by the pupils…An Honour Roll
containing 77 names of former pupils… who have
responded to the call of their King and Country
Honour Roll
had been prepared..designed and executed by
Miss Gracie Mader…the large number of names speaks For King
well of patriotism…’
& Country
• Soldiers of the 219th Stay Two Weeks in Mahone Bay
Students would have been excited at the visit of 219th Regiment, to which
the Town Band was attached. The soldiers camped at the Parade Grounds. It
was a scene repeated several times during the war.
Progress, May 17 1916:
‘On Sunday morning the boys of the 219th paraded to the Presbyterian Church,
where service was conducted by Captain McKinnon, chaplain of the 219th.’
Progress, May 31st
‘..The boys have shown themselves gentlemen. The people of Mahone Bay have
tried to make their stay pleasant and they will take with them the well wishes of
the community…’
63

Photo: Courtesy: Magaret Freeman Keddy Collection
eager children to witness a matinee of “Bar
Haven..” a presentation of the Dramatic Club
of Lunenburg… It is needless to say the children
enjoyed themselves…In the evening The hall was
filled to its utmost capacity….John Knickle the
humourist was quite wonderful. The audience
was kept in continual uproar.. …The songs
interspersed between the acts elicited great
applause…’
Military detachments were regularly camped at the Parade Grounds during
the war. The photo above dates from 1914.
Teachers Directed: “Fight The War Against Dirt and Dust in The School Room”
At the school front local teachers were reminded by Inspector McIntosh:
Teachers are strongly enjoined to have carried out the regulation requiring all
rooms to be washed at least four times per year, and more frequently if necessary.
The war against “Dirt and Dust in the Schoolroom” is bearing fruit. Teachers
are encouraged to give practical talks on the sanitation of the schoolroom,
outbuildings and its bearing on the prevention of disease.
[Provincial Annual Report for 1915-16, Appendix, page 59]
Light Relief Entertainments
• Spirits needed to be kept up and were. Church groups, the Women’s
Institute, drama groups and other volunteer organisations put on shows.
Professional groups entertained either live or at the movie theatre.
• Progress December 23, 1914
‘The Boston Comedy Company, under the management of H. Price
Webber performed three plays……...good audiences greeted them at each
performance……………………………
Special Matinee for Youngsters Progress, January, 1918
‘Zwicker’s Hall was filled in the afternoon of New Year’s Day with bright and
Charlie Chaplin A Household Name : Favorite
of Soldiers, Students & Parents
Chaplin knew the healing value of laughter.
During the war he perfected the character of
the little tramp with a richness of character
and range of emotion that was unprecedented.
His movies were in huge demand at both
fronts, from soldiers and civilians.
In the 1914-18 period sixty-five of his films
were released. In ‘My Autobiography,’ 1964
he described his concept of humour:
‘It also heightens our sense of survival and preserves our sanity. Because of humor
we are less overwhelmed by the vicissitudes of life.’
Recruitment and Toll of Deaths
Local Recruitment began early and included boys just out of school.
Captain Andrews [who had children at the local school] of Indian Point, a
fishing and military captain, was a local leader.
• In Town and Country Notes, The Bridgewater Bulletin, August 11,1914
reported [page 5]: A company of 125 men is being recruited in Lunenburg
County….Lt. Colonel Andrews of Mahone will command
With the rank of Captain… And in the same edition The Mahone News
reported: Congratulations To Lieut. Col. C.A. Andrews…Already a number of town
boys have joined the ranks……………………’
The May 31st 1916 edition of The Progress Enterprise that described the
regiment’s visit, also announced ‘the death of corporal Charles Slauenwhite…
twenty four years of age, a son of Mr. and Mrs. James Slauenwhite, and is survived
64

y four brothers, three of whom are in “khaki.”...’
The War Memorial, designed by Rev. Harris, in the center of Town, at the
junction of Edgewater and Main, was erected in 1923 and inaugurated before
a large crowd of students and town folk. It contains the names of the twenty
four men killed in The Great War. Students and teachers would have known
them. The monument became a feature of every day life in Mahone, and
students have been present on many memorial events.
The Halifax Explosion, December 1917
The shocking news would have left an indelible
mark on the memory of Mahone Bay students,
teachers and parents. In the same way, later
generations would remember particular World
War Two events, or the assassination of John F.
Kennedy, or September 11th.
The devastation, the deaths and aftermath of
aid and reconstruction would have dominated
talk at school and home.
There would have been the immediate concern
for friends and acquaintances who were
visiting or living at Halifax. There would
have been the wait for news and discussion of
stories. Local, national and international aid
was galvanized into action. Local newspaper
headlines and stories give an inkling of the effects of the catastrophe.
Bridgewater Bulletin, December 17th
‘The devoted matron of the Protestant Orphanage,
Miss Mary Knaut, formally of Mahone Bay, and forty
children under her care, save one or two, are perished.
Matron &
Orphans
A window dedicated to her memory was unveiled at St. James Parish Church
in July 1920.
Lunenburg, Mahone and Chester have already done remarkable relief work
Some girls from Mount St. Vincent Academy and
Maritime Business Academy have come home…and all
have exciting experiences to tell…
The Boston Relief Train is on its way………………………..
[Clennie Inglis, native of Mahone, a graduate nurse,
and holder of $1000 School Bond, was part of the
help that came from the New England States]
Relief
Experiences
Boston Train
Progress Enterprise, January 9, 1918, Mahone News:
‘ Pte O. Lantz who had been seriously injured by the Mahone Soldier
explosion in Halifax spent last week in town.’
Recovers
Hang The Kaiser, 1918
As part of the peace/ victory celebration, The Kaiser was hanged in effigy
at the Spion Kop.
Incorporation: Mahone becomes the Town of Mahone Bay, 1919.
The war was finished. Then came another triumph: this time of local civic pride.
At the second try, the village became incorporated as the Town of Mahone Bay.
Town Council, a School Board, a Mayor, a Town Clerk, a Police Chief, a Fire Chief
and Fire Department became the order of the day. The old ‘Mahone’ lingered on
for a while. At its April 22nd meeting, 1922,
The Town Council resolved.
Maritime Telephone and Telegraph Company be asked to stop using the Name of
Mahone in their directories and for its exchange to list Mahone Bay.
Dominion Day, July 1st, 19919: ‘The biggest festival in the history
of the town’ [Bridgewater Bulletin, July 8th, 1919]
Four Thousand People in Town Three Thousand Fed Games,
Races, Entertainment A Tight-Rope Walk
This Dominion Day saw the biggest celebration the community has
seen, before or since. The Great War was over, soldiers were returning home,
and Mahone Bay had become a Town. Joy and civic pride was at its height.
Students, parents, citizens and visitors partied.
65

Obed Hamm, the boat builder, won the tight-rope walk. The rope was stretched
between the two Ernst wharves: what is now known as the Government Wharf across
to the Ernst lumber wharf on the opposite shore.
The county newspapers reported in detail. The Bridgewater Bulletin positvely
gushed:
It was a red letter day for the newly incorporated Town. Four Thousand people were
reported in town! Three thousand were fed [at the Parade Grounds].
In the evening the grounds were beautifully decorated with coloured lights....The
town, including houses and stores. were gaily decorated with bunting, flags and hemlock
In the morning were swimming races for ladies....men...tub races...a single rowing
race for ladies...men....walking tightrope and greasy pole
11:30 Dinner served at the parade grounds
1:30 Procession of returned soldiers led by the 69th Regiment Band
2;30 Baseball match with Liverpool....following this field sports....100yd dashes....
two mile race....broad jump....Fat Man Race.....spoon and egg races for girls....Tug
of War
Evening....Garden Party with band concert, vocal selections, duets etc
Dancing Pavilion afternoon and evening furnished amusement for all
Phew....What a day!!
So, What Else is New?
The Bridgewater Bulletin edition that reported the town’s great day, sported the following
headline:
Our Awful Roads
Lunenburg County Certainly Excels In
Bad, Rotten, Highways

Chapter Five:
The 1920s
A New Era
The 1920s was a new era for the School, the Town, Women and Technology.
All these developments were part of what students, parents and teachers saw,
read and talked about. The honeymoon period of the new school was over.
The School
• Teacher contracts would be developed. Teachers Concerns taken to Board.
Report Cards were introduced.
• There would be a first School Newspaper.
• Rules were consolidated into an approved set of School Rules
• New laws required Vaccination and Compulsory Attendance. The Town
Policeman was appointed School Truant Officer .
• A new School Board, with provincial government and Town Council
appointees, governed the school.
• A new heating system- the steam furnace and radiators had to be installed
The Town
• Mahone Bay officially became an incorporated Town on the last day of
March, 1919. An election of the first mayor and Town Council followed.
• The first Town Hall was established [see photo in this chapter], and the
bandstand was moved from the Parade Grounds to stand next to it.
• The first full time staff Town Clerk and School Board Secretary-Treasurer ,
Orren Joudrey, was appointed in 1919. A Town Policeman [the first was Augustus
Joudrey, “Pumpey”’s brother] and Fire Chief [Edward Ernst the “Lumber
King”] and Fire Brigade became part of local life.
• Women became more empowered and more assertive:
They had got the vote in 1918, and could now influence elections at all levels.
• The Women’s Institute in Mahone Bay, flexed its muscles, met with the
school board and made requests, passed resolutions concerning education,
established school prizes. And bought The Parade Grounds and donated
them to the Town as Jubilee Park in 1927.
• Canadian Girls in Training [CGIT] became a large organization for girls in
Town. Leadership and public speaking were high on the agenda.
• Women became freer in personal ways. By the end of the twenties, the
“Flappers” were dancing wildly to jazz and pop, wearing dresses that showed
the ankles, legs and arms, were smoking, drinking alcohol, and using makeup.
Hair was short and big ribbons, long skirts and voluminous petticoats
were old fashioned.
1920s Time Chart
School Events
1920
First formal school rules
30 min. max for detention
First and only “Academy Times”
1921
Emery Langille appt. Principal
Phonics encouraged
Religious Instruction Required
1922
New Steam Heating Installed
Board meets Teachers re concerns
Clara Quinlan Resigns
1923
1000 Report Cards Ordered. Hope
Hyson, Hazel Schnare, Elsie
Wentzell, Oressa Ernst appointed.
1925
Town, National & World Events
First Town Hall
Exhibition Hall Dismantled
Large Diesel Engine installed–Cape Nord
‘Fire Equipment’ purchased. Fire Department
with ‘Engine Room’ established
under Chief Ernst
Bluenose Launched
King ‘Tut’s’ Treasures Found in Egypt:
World amazed.
‘Soldiers Monument,’ designed by Rev.
Ned Harris, unveiled at centre of town
United Church founded
Methodist Church becomes community
hall. T.G. Nicol builds Knox Presbyterian
67

1926
Miss Dukeshire Incident
Emery Langille resigns
Murray E. Fitch appt. Principal
1927
Morris Maxner-
“Substitute Principal”
Harry Houdini dies: no escape
W. I. donates Jubilee Park to town
Lindburgh Flies Atlantic
Technology: The Age of The Motor Car
The world was changing. Wooden shipbuilding and fishing, the industries
that had made Mahone Bay prosper, were in steady decline in the ‘20s. So
was the age of working oxen and horses. In 1914, the motor car in Mahone
was rare. By 1930 it was commonplace. A sign of the times was the brand
new, top of the line, brick gas station built right at the center of town in 1929.
1928
J. Murdoch Fraser appt. Principal Babe Ruth-a North American Sport
Hero
1929
H.V. Corkum appt Principal
Wall Street Crash starts
The Depression
The photo is from a postcard:
Courtesy David Hennigar The
May 29th 1923 Bridgewater Bulletin
reported that ‘….a large crowd
was present…The procession formed
at the Academy grounds and proceeded
to the place of unveiling…the
69th Band… Veterans, Boy Scouts,
Cubs, Campfire Girls…some 600
school children, presenting a very
pretty appearance….Lieut. Governor
and Mrs. Grant arrived…. “I am
glad to see so many children present…They
will always remember
today”…. Cannon Harris…presented
the Memorial to the town and explained
its meaning….It was paid for,
with the exception of a liberal contribution
from the Women’s Institute,
by private subscription…………….’
Photo: Courtesy Bev... Ernst Collection
A Water Pump, a “New-Fangled” Steam Furnace and a Controversial Public
Meeting
On February 11th the Progress’s Mahone Bay column reported: The school
commissioners have placed an electric motor in the Academy for pumping water
into the tanks.
Until then, the aging but still mighty janitor, Mr. Daurie, had been obliged
to fill the tanks by bucket and hand from the school well. The new system
worked well, except in the depths of winter-when the pump or water line or
both would freeze.
The New Heating System
• By 1919 the school board realized the traditional style hot air system was
inadequate. It was a gravity system relying on hot air circulating from the
furnace, and cooler air being reheated. Air was supposed to circulate through
a system of grates and ducts. The building was too big, the classrooms too
huge, the ceilings too high. There was little or no insulation.
• Frank Powers of Powers Brothers, Lunenburg, and the Gurney Massey
Company were consulted. They recommended a new steam/hot water radia-
68

tor system, and, in August, the board passed a resolution to budget $4000
for a new system. A shocked town council told the board to try and fix the
old system.
• The Board had grates and cold air return shafts put in every room. The
traces of this work can still be clearly seen. They also had repairs done to the
furnace. There was little or no improvement.
Above: In-floor duct and grate systems of the hot air system
• First Public Meeting August 1st 1921 A Majority of One!
The town mayor and his fellow school board members felt they were pouring
good money after bad, and, authorized by the Town Council, called a public
meeting to vote on the issue. Secretary, Orren Joudrey, read out a list, totaling
$1150, of recent expenditures to try and make the system work.
Doctors Cochrane and Mitchener moved a motion to authorize ‘the installation
of a steam heating apparatus in the academy…’ Result of vote: 19 for,
18 against. It was obviously a steamy meeting! The Progress wrote an ode:
The Knockers....If you’re used to giving knocks, Change your style, Throw bouqets
instead of rocks, For a while, Let the fellows count on you, You’ll feel better when
it’s through, Don’t you know
•Second Public Meeting May 11th, 1922 A Solid Majority
Town Council was not prepared to endorse a controversial majority of one.
Mr. Harrington, a senior manager with Dominion Radiators was brought in
to explain the system. This time, the Town Council, led by Mayor Reg Hyson,
formally endorsed the proposal and it called a meeting of taxpayers.
The vote to spend a maximum of $3500 on installation was passed with
a vote of 20 For, 5 Against and 5 Abstentions. The tender [$3002.10] of G.W.
Crouse of Middleton was accepted, and the new system was installed in the
summer of 1922.
Aspects of the new “steam furnace system”
In September 1923 the Board directed ‘the radiators and pipes be painted by Allen
Eisenor with black engine paint….’
Albert Daurie, the janitor, had to adapt to the new system. The December
1924 board meeting discussed, ‘… keeping steam up in the radiators, and making
fire at an early hour …and asking the janitor to try heating the building by 7 a.m.’
Town Council, School Budget, Town/Board Staff and Town Hall
• Elected in the spring of 1919, the first Town Council was elected, consisting
of: councilors:
D. A. Fancy [the blacksmith], who had been elected to the school
trustees in 1918,
William D. McLean [the merchant and boat builder],
Charles B. Begin [the sail maker and one of the new school’s ‘founding fathers’],
Dr. W. N. Cochrane [medical doctor and parent of school children],
Fred A. Penney [owner of the hotel] and H.H. Smith.
• The Town Council had final authority over the School Budget.
In 1919 Orren S. Joudrey was appointed full-time Town Clerk Treasurer and
School Board Secretary. He served the town and school well until his retirement
in 1949.
The First Town School Board Met in June 1919 after the civic elections
Mayor Arthur L. Ernst, who had been elected to the school trustees in 1919,
was First Mayor and School Board Chairman.
Augustus Joudrey, brother of “Pumpey” was appointed the first town policeman,
just in time to enforce a new by-law: Bicycle riding on sidewalks is strictly
prohibited. $5 is the fine for the first offence.
69

Photo Below: Courtesy Settlers Museum
The new school board consisted of Chairman-Mayor Ernst, Councillors-D.A
Fancy and Charlie Begin, both of whom had been trustees, Provincial Appointee-Obed
Hamm, the shipbuilder, Secretary-Orren Joudrey.
Photo: Courtesy Elizabeth Ernst
Arthur Ernst: First Mayor and School Board Chairman
Arthur Ernst was one of the Ernst Shipbuilding dynasty. After serving as
mayor he left for the U.S.A. There was a friendly disagreement with his
brothers about involvement in Rum Running.
He worked in a store, and then had his own corner shop. He came back in
1935 with his daughter, Elizabeth.
The New Town Hall, 1920
The town bought the house and property that stood on Main Street, between
the Schnare home that contained the post office and the old Chisholm Store
that Warren Hirtle had acquired. It occupied the site of what is now the
brick Federal Building-the Post Office. The photo above shows it in all its
glory with the band stand [that had previously been, with the hockey rink,
part of the Parade Grounds].
The Women’s Institute was later to buy the Parade Grounds and present it to
the town as Jubilee Park.
70

The Old Exhibition Site and Building, 1920.
The beginning of the new and the end of the old! 1920 also saw the sale of the
old Exhibition site and building, just off Main St., on the road to Clearland.
The old exhibition building was in a sadly deteriorated condition, and was
torn down. Some money from the sale was passed on for school purposes.
The quotes wet the appetite. The page references were given-pages 6, 17, and
18 of Academy Times, Volume 1, Number 1, 1920. It was meant to be the first
of a series. But Jacques moved on. There were no more volumes, and copies of
number one have not been found by this writer or any of the people he interviewed.
Emery Langille, 1921-6:
Popular with Students: A Tribute from Fred Mosher
• Emery, who replaced “Mad Dog” Jacques, was a local man. The appointment
was initially popular, and both Fred Mosher and Hope Hyson confirmed that
the students liked him. Fred, in his final school year 1921-22, found him an
inspiration, and there is a warm tribute in Fred’s letters:
It was after a year of Jacques. Emery made us forget him in two weeks… every day
at 3:30pm the steam engined one car train from Lunenburg….would blow the steam
whistle four times to warn traffic…I would pick up my books and leave the front
row seat…Emery would call out, Fred you are too previous. I’ll tell you when class is
over…O.K. it’s over……… One day Emery said to the class: This July you will all be
going out in the world. I want you to remember this- Always try to tag onto a star’..
Principals of The 1920s
C. V. Jacques: “Mad Dog” “The Academy Times”
• Jacques was released by the Board at the end of the 1920-21 school year.
A profile can be found in chapter 3. His last year saw an interesting development.
The first and only issue of the Academy Times was published at the
School. Wayne Nauss quotes from it in an essay he did at Teachers College
in the early 1970s. He remembers getting the information from local residents,
particularly Hilda Burgoyne. He wrote: This was the first paper issued
from the Mahone Academy and he quoted the editor, ‘in fact from any Academy….Education
is the birthright of every child……… At the beginning of education
people only have a narrow view of things, but as they grow older their minds
become greatly developed. Education has a great deal to do with the pupil himself.’
Fred goes on the describe how he
agreed to be assistant to the respected
general manager of a New York
paper firm, and went on to become
vice president of America’s biggest
pulp and paper company. Then he
says, Thank you, Emery. Photo: Courtesy
Margaret McLean-MacKay
Collection Then came problems for
Emery Langille.
• He had a running battle over grade
assignment and the science curriculum
with the very headstrong
vice principal, Clara Quinlan. This is
detailed later.
71

Teachers Request Meeting with Board
• There were staff management issues, and, for the first time, the teachers,
as a group, asked to meet with the Board.
‘Lack of Coordination with Staff’ Access to Library
The teaching staff wrote requesting a meeting re their complaints. Mayor
Reg Hyson chaired the Board meeting on November 11th 1922. The minutes
read as:
Mayor explained that as correspondence showed lack of coordination with staff, he
deemed it advisable for them and the board to meet and endeavor to settle the differences
in an amicable manor. The teachers and board freely expressed their views
of the complaints submitted.
Moved by Commissioners Mader and O. A. Hamm [the well-known boat builder]
The Board provide each teacher with a key to the library door. Carried.
The problem of access to the Library is recorded and a curriculum problem was
recorded. There were certainly other complaints, particularly about class size and
teacher assignments.
Class Size and Teacher Assignments, 1922-23:
Need for an Additional Teacher
At the Board meeting of July 7th 1922, Principal Langille submitted the following
plan for the 1922-23 school year:
Grade 1 about 50 pupils Miss Smeltzer
Grade 11 about 27 pupils Miss Hiltz Large
Grade 111 about 31 pupils Miss Zinck Classes
Grades 1V & V about 46 students Miss Kedy And
Grades V1& V11 about 46 students Miss Oxner Inequitable
Grades V111& 1X about 45 students Miss Quinlan Distribution
Grades X & X1 no numbers given Mr. Langille
Extra Teacher Needed
At least one extra teacher was needed. There is no record of the teachers
specifically requesting this, and there is certainly no record of the principal
demanding additional staff. H.V. Corkum, appointed principal in 1929, immediately
campaigned for an additional teacher.
• Supervision of Teachers
An interesting innovation took place in April 1925. At the Board meeting of
April 4th the Principal was ordered to visit rooms on date set… Moved by Commissioners
Eisenhauer [the same Warren Eisenhauer who supervised the
building of the school] and Hamm: The Principal requested to dismiss his room
the afternoon of every Friday preceding the second Tuesday of each month, and devote
that afternoon in question to make an inspection of the various rooms, ascertaining
the standing of the grades and teachers, and report, in person, to the school
board meeting the same evening.
The concept was good. Part of a principal’s job is supervision and evaluation of
staff. But how to do it when the principal is a full-time teacher? The board had
been reactive. There was concern at exam results and teacher performance.
• Salary Increase Refused: The Writing On The Wall
Twice Mr. Langille asked the Board for a salary increase and was refused. On
the second occasion, April 9th 1925, the board minutes record that: Principal
Langille made a verbal application asking for an increase in salary, giving reasons
for his demand. Moved by Commissioners Crouse and Davis-We engage Principal
Langille at present salary. Carried
• Poor Results in Provincial Exams
The 1925-26 year did not start well. At the August 27 Board meeting, Showing
of Pupils was on the agenda. The chairman brought before the meeting the poor
showing of the pupils in the High School-thirty writing and only fifteen successful.
1925-26 was to be Mr. Langille’s last year.
Today, 2007, such large classes and inequitable distribution of class enrolment,
combined with mixed grades, would lead to a major crisis. Even for
1922-23 the picture was bleak. At least Mr. Langille could have redistributed
the numbers in the first three departments to make three classes of 32-34
students. Did Miss Smeltzer really have 50 students!
72

Murray E. Fitch, 1926-28-With Substitutes
Little is known about him, and, because of illness, he had a series of “substitute
principals”, in his first year. The Board had advertised in The Chronicle
Herald for both a principal and vice principal, and at the May 10th meeting
1926, the minutes record:
Murray B. Fitch having been phoned and agreed to accept a salary of twelve hundred
and fifty dollars, it was moved by Commissioners Cochrane and Millett: Mr.
Fitch be engaged. Carried.
A Miss Mabel Pugsley was appointed vice-principal. She remained a year.
Miss Mullock, already on staff, replaced for the 1927-28 year.
The Board liked his reporting style. The February 4th 1927 meeting recorded
Yearly Report of Principal. Principal Fitch submitted a report for the year. Each
member of the board expressed their appreciation of the work done by the holder.
Their pleasure was also recorded at the March 4th meeting: Quarterly report
of Principal submitted, and each member of the board highly commended Mr. Fitch
for his business methods and general showing for the quarter.
Lucille Joudrey [Anderssen], “Pumpey” Joudrey’s granddaughter, ninety-five
years old when I spoke with her at the Mahone Bay Nursing Home, remembered
Murray Fitch clearly. She graduated from grade 11 when he was principal.
She told this writer, “He came from Conqueral Mills, was a wonderful
teacher and well liked…He got very sick.”
Mr. Fitch took a leave of absence and the board hired two substitutes: the
first was earlier Mahone graduate, Wyn Eisenhauer, who had discipline
problems [see Margaret Freeman’s comments below]; then Morris Maxner.
Whether or not health problems were related to his resignation is not
known. Board minutes, May 4th 1928 record the passing of the motion:
Substitute Principals: 1927
1 Wyn Eisenhauer: Discipline Problems
Wyn [this photo is him as a teenager in the
pre-war ‘Young Guns’ group] had graduated
from Mahone’s old school before 1914. His
classmates, included Claude Keddy [the first
principal], Pearl Keddy [one of the Rural Studies’
leaders], Clara Quinlan and Oressa Ernst, who
went on to contribute as staff members of the
new school.
Wyn had been principal at Shelburne and went on to become teacher and
vice-principal at Pictou Academy. It’s not easy for a very young man to return
to his old school [where he is on familiar terms with a number of families
and students] in a position of authority. Claude Kedy had lasted a year
as first principal, and Wyn lasted weeks as acting principal. Margaret Freeman
[later-Kedy], daughter of Captain John Freeman, who had been lost with
his crew in December, 1913 wrote:
The first substitute was a very clever and well-educated person, but he was unable
to discipline the class. Shamefully, we took advantage of this. One day four of
us who sat in the back seats decided we would have a game of cards while he was
having a lesson with grade XI, which was in the room with grade X. We were getting
along fine and as the game progressed and I held excellent cards in my hand, being
a little excited, I whispered, “ I’ll go 30 for 60!”. The principal turned towards us
and said very quietly, “ Don’t go in the hole, Margaret!” which needless to say embarrassed
me a bit. My conscience started to bother me and I really felt sorry for
him that I had behaved in that manner, and decided as long as we had him I would
be a model student.
The Resignation of Principal Fitch be accepted, with regret.
73

Morris Maxner: Photo: Courtesy
Maxner Family
A Distinguished Career
Morris Maxner, from Lunenburg,
was the second substitute principal
for Mr. Fitch. It was only for a short
time but he had a lasting effect.
• He restored order immediately. Margaret
Freeman recorded the change
that came with Maxner: ‘The school
board relieved him [Eisenhauer] of his duties
and hired a principal whose name was
Morris Maxner. As soon as he walked into
the room you could hear a pin drop. We
had a feeling our fun was over and he was
in control. He was an excellent teacher
with good discipline, so we behaved our
selves for the remainder of the year.’
Morris, from Lunenburg, was married to Minnie Nicol, daughter of T.G., the
local industrial and financial magnate. A formidable father-in-law!
• Maxner went on to a distinguished career that included the principalship
at Lunenburg Academy and Liverpool, and many years as Inspector of
Schools for Lunenburg County. He continued to teach at local schools [including
Tancook] after his retirement from the Department.
J. Murdoch Fraser 1928-29 A Chaotic Year
• Murdoch Fraser was, according to the Board minutes of May 16th, 1928,
selected from the twenty-six applicants who had responded to the advertisement
in the Chronicle Herald. He had also been recommended to Dr. Hayford
[the town dentist, now a board member] by ‘W. A. Crielman of Sydney.’
• He had a bad time at the school. So much for ads, selections and recommendations!
Ex students like Ulrica Strum felt sorry for a man who simply
did not have the organizational and discipline skills to be school principal.
Ulrica [see below] describes how “He could not keep order..and two out of ten
passed grade 10 that year.”
Ulrica was in grade 10 and failed herself. Students took advantage and little
work got done. “The school,” Ulrica said, “was in a mess.”
• The Board lost confidence in him and upheld an appeal on one of his suspensions,
calling the misbehavior of the student a trivial matter.
• Mr.. Fraser lasted one year. But there was a happy ending for him. On staff he
met local woman Hazel Schnare, whom he courted and, in 1933, married. Mr.. Fraser
moved on to a church ministry, much more suited to his style and personality.
H. V. Corkum was appointed for 1929-30 and a New Era began
The Curious Case of Clara Quinlan: A Case Study
Clara Quinlan is a legend for those longterm
Mahoners over the age of forty.
• In the 1970s, elementary children would
run by her shop, the landmark Inglis
Store, now Suttles and Seawinds. Boys
were frightened at her appearance [facial
moles, seriously overweight, dressed in
black, fierce and unkept] and raced by
at top speed. Girls took a quick look and
told stories of a witch or somebody abandoned,
alone and abused. This writer’s
own children were among them. She
spent whole days and nights sitting in
her shop window.
• Adults knew her as an eccentric recluse
who left a fortune to the Anglican Church
[the parking lot and a beautiful stained
glass window are part of the legacy], and
antique treasures to the Province and
Town museum-where the Clara Quinlan
collection is proudly on display.
• An unhappy person for much of her life,
Clara was a Mahone Bay student up to grade 11. In her school picture, she
already looks serious and worn. She did her grade 12 at Mount St. Vincent
Academy, before going to Normal College in Truro. She was to be teacher and
vice-principal at Mahone Bay, and, after teaching in the U.S.A and Shelburne,
a long-time Dartmouth teacher, before returning home to be shopkeeper
and resident.
But as shopkeeper she was most interested in zealously guarding her trea-
74

sures from buyers.
Clara was a local celebrity growing up, and her comings and goings were dutifully
recorded in the Mahone columns of the county newspapers.
Lunenburg Progress, Wednesday March 31st 1915, page 4
Miss Clara Quinlan who has been attending Normal College at Truro Returned
home on Friday.
She was born into one of Mahone Bay’s wealthiest, most respected and influential
families.
• Her grandfather was Charles Inglis [often pronounced Ingles by old-timers],
the wealthy merchant, trader and collector who developed C.J. Inglis
and Son, the grandest store on Main Street, and, indeed, the whole town and
perhaps the county.
• Clara attended her grandfather’s funeral, the largest in living memory, in
April 1915. The Lunenburg paper reported:
INGLIS
The death occurred at noon on Friday last, at Mahone Bay, of Charles J. Inglis,
merchant, one of the most widely known and highly respected citizens of that
place. ……On March 11th, 47 years ago he started the business in which he has
been actively engaged until some weeks ago………………….. He was married in 1868
to Mary C. Zwicker of Mahone Bay who, with one daughter Mrs. Grace Quinlan
and one son Percy W. and one granddaughter Clara Quinlan, survive him. The
funeral was held….from St. James Church and the gathering was the largest seen
in years, not even standing room was obtainable….
• Scandal coloured Clara’s early life. Her mother, Grace Inglis, had been a
teacher at Mahone School, and married another staff member, John Quinlan.
In 1895 Clara Grace was born. Shortly after that John got involved with a
student and was run out of town with, as local legend has it, a bribe from
patriarch Charles.
• So Clara lived in the Inglis mansion with her grandparents, a very disappointed
mother, and her uncle Percy, an eccentric gay bachelor. Already, in
the teenage class photo, the trademark black that she always wore in later
years, appears. Clara did her grade 12 at Mount St. Vincent Academy in Bedford,
and the habit of black may have been reinforced by the nuns there.
She then went, 1914-15, for teacher training at the Normal College in Truro.
• In 1915 she took a position in Western Shore teaching grades 5-10, and the
following year went on to teach grades 6-11 at Blockhouse.
Clara Quinlan at Mahone Bay School, 1917-22:
Teacher and Vice-Principal
In September 1917 Clara, a determined 22 year old, started teaching grade 7
at Mahone Bay. Two years later she was appointed teaching vice principal
and remained in that position until her resignation in November 1922. The
distinguished local girl had come home. She was determined to make her
mark. She was smart and tough, with a streak of stubbornness. She was too
much her own person to be pushed around. An early feminist?
Clara was an avid writer and keeper of correspondence. The files at
the town museum have her letters [she kept beautifully hand written copies]
and notebooks. She also wrote extensively about the times of her childhood.
The Issues: Clara’s career at Mahone Bay School centered around issues that
were part of emerging modern education.
Issue 1: The Teacher’s Contract and Class Assignment
Photo [below] of young Clara: Courtesy of Settlers Museum.,
Her 1917 teacher’s scribbler is a kind gift to this author from David Hennigar.
Clara, dressed in her traditional black, was clearly a ‘handsome’ young
75

woman. She has a face of intelligence, determination and toughness. Her
class preparation scribbler contains the grade seven spellings to be examined.
The words include stratagem, commemorate, annihilate, malicious and appropriate.
There are also some English and history notes. All in her beautiful clear penmanship
of which she was proud. Her performance must have been very acceptable
because at the June 2nd 1919 meeting of the Board ,’it was Moved by
Commissioners Hamm and Begin: That Clara Quinlan be engaged for the year as
Vice Principal, subject to her appearance before “ The Board” at a salary of $411. ‘
• All went well apparently, and in May 1920 the Board renewed her appointment
with a grade eight and nine teaching assignment and an increase in
salary to $460. But the minutes record that Clara had written to the Board,
who directed that the Chairman interview her, explaining the board’s position.
The problem was almost certainly the teaching assignment with two grades in
the class. At the August 19th 1920 Board meeting, Principal Jacques was able
to recommend she have the grade nine class for 1920-21 and the Board was
careful to leave final assignments at his discretion: ‘If it is at all possible to do
so, grades be arranged as suggested; failing, the matter be left with the Principal.’
In June 1921 she asked for a guarantee of only grade eight teaching, and the
Board responded: ‘The Secretary notify Miss Quinlan that the School Board are
unable to guarantee her only grade v111 teaching…. owing to reasons set forth in
the phone message of May 5th, and request an answer by June 8th if she will accept
the Vice Principalship at a salary of Five hundred and fifty dollars.’
• Miss Quinlan clearly did not accept the outcome and asked the Board to
reconsider. The Board wobbled with a very strange resolution at a special
meeting on June 9th.
‘Providing space will not allow of seating of grades IX, X and XI in the Principal’s
room, either grades IX or X be placed with Miss Quinlan, and it is understood and
agreed, as per phone conversation, that Miss Quinlan supervise and assist the
grade so placed in any and all of their deskwork.’
Did the Board really think the new principal would have three grades to teach
and the vice-principal one? Did the Board seriously consider Miss Quinlan
supervising and assisting in deskwork of a second grade and not being responsible
for teaching it? Clara was pushing her influence and luck, making
the most of the decision-making vacuum before principal Langille arrived.
Langille soon took issue with the proposal. At a special meeting in July, the
new principal pointed out he had accepted the post and expected to teach
the same grades [ten and eleven] as occupied that room for the past few years.
He pointed out the obvious. Teaching three high school grades would mean
teaching twenty four classes [credit courses]…he could neither give the pupils the
care they should have, nor the school board satisfactory results. He was right and
the Board knew it.
• Clara was obliged to give way, but she didn’t give up easily and returned
to the same issue the next year when she had over forty students in grades
eight and nine.
The Board told her she would have to accept the assignments approved by
the principal and Board, and her salary would be decreased if she only had
one grade. It’s a key right that Board’s still maintain. If teachers chose the
assignment they wanted there would often be chaos. A copy of Clara’s contract
is included on page 77.
There are some signatures of significant historical value! They include T.G. Nicol,
mayor and celebrated entrepreneur and electric power pioneer, Reg Hyson, shopkeeper,
insurance agent and soon to be mayor, Obed Ham, distinguished boat
builder and designer and Charles Begin sailmaker and rigger of the Bluenose.
The contract or Memorandum Of Agreement requires: the teacher diligently
and faithfully to teach a public school under the authority of the said Commissioners
and their successors; the Board to pay a stipulated rate in TEN equal
monthly installments…; the teacher to strictly adhere to the Regulations Governing
Mahone Bay Academy.
The language of the contract became standard practice for decades. The
board carefully avoided reference to specific grade level assignment, giving
itself flexibility as needs arose. The agreement is included Courtesy of the
Settlers Museum:
76

Courtesy : Settler’s Museum
The “Regulations Governing Mahone Bay Academy”
had been formally approved by the Board at its meeting on February 16 1920.
Copies were to be passed to the staff. Unfortunately this writer was unable
to find a copy. It would have made interesting reading. By later amendments,
it is known that teachers were expected to vacate the building by 4pm, and
that detention was to last no longer than one half-hour after classes were
dismissed. The janitor was expected to tattle! Clara’s copy of the detention
notice is above.
Issue 2 Complaints About Miss Quinlan
There is an odd note in the May 1921 Board Minutes. Moved by Mader-Hyson,
clerk [the Town Clerk and Board Secretary, O.S. Joudrey] investigate
negligence re: getting out quarterly returns and hearing lessons by Miss
Quinlan. There is no explanation or follow up.
Had Principal Jacques complained about her not doing the quarterly returns [attendance
matters-part of the vice principal’s job?] or was the complaint about
principal Jacques. There was evidently a parent complaint about Miss Quinlan
not hearing a student’s or some students’ lessons. This concern was to reoccur.
“Political Strife in the School”
A more specific issue arose in November 1921. Following is a directive from
O.S. Joudrey. Miss Quinlan was directed by O.S. Joudrey,’ to remove any picture
of any government representative from the walls of her room. After several
ratepayers have complained to members of the council about political strife in the
school.’ Had Miss Quinlan been having an enlightened civics lesson or in-
77

dulging in some partisan politics? She was known as a staunch Tory.
Can Teachers Refuse to Teach a Student?
The next issue was a serious matter of principle. Is it the Teacher or the
Board who decides who may and who may not be taught? The letter below
contained a directive to Clara from the Board Secretary, ordering her to
reinstate a student. She was reminded of her contractual obligation to teach
“faithfully and diligently.”
Only Boards have the right to suspend or expel, and they usually delegate
this to The principal, with provisions for parental appeal.
78
Courtesy: Settlers Museum

3. Curriculum, The Principal’s Directives Insubordination
At the beginning of the 1922-23 school year, the final collision came with principal
Langille and the Board. It was over the grade nine science curriculum.
Technically, Clara had a point. The curriculum and provincial exam stipulated
that only two of three choices, Botany, Agriculture and Physics need
be taught. . The instructions at the top of the exam are quite specific: Only
two sections out of the three [A] -Botany, [B]-Agriculture, [C] - Physics are to be
answered. Clara wanted to teach Agriculture [a survivor of The Rural Science
Movement] and Physics. But principal Langille wanted Botany as one of the
two. He maintained:’ that Botany be taught…as it was not taught in grade 10,
and pupils intending to be teachers would be deficient in this subject.’
Miss Quinlan remained firm, maintaining that most students did not want
Botany. Langille took the matter to the Board. At first the Board supported
the principal and sent Miss Quinlan a letter, dated, September 23rd, directing
her to teach Botany and Agriculture. The letter was a directive to Miss
Quinlan and reminds her she is’ subordinate to the Principal.’ Miss Quinlan
remained defiant, claiming the students supported her preference for Physics
over Botany but that she: ‘had stated to my pupils that in their Science they
would take all three, Botany Physics and Agriculture, so that at the final examination
they might have their choice on which to write…’
Then on the question of subordination and the principal’s authority, she
protested: ‘I have never once shown any inclination to be either superior or even
co-ordinate ‘ [“co-ordinate”, what a turn of phrase!] She then overplayed her
hand by appealing to a higher authority than the principal and Board:
‘The Council of Public Instruction which is over us all has seen fit to make any
subject, with the exception of English, optional….I am ready and willing to include
Botany with my Science but every pupil refuses to take it….and in this their voice is
stronger than mine since they have the Council behind them…’
Clara had been clever, but the students would now have to study a third science
course instead of the normal two.
The Board Polled The Parents
In November, the Board decided on a parent referendum, sending a letter to
the parents, asking them to vote.
• Clara carefully kept the returns, duly signed and they can be found in the
Inglis–Quinlan files at the Settlers Museum.
• In a letter dated November 14th [see below] the Board made a final decision,
concluding: ‘As the parents of eight children have asked that Physics be
taught, the board have acceded to their wishes, and desire that Physics and Botany
be the two subjects, under Science, taught in Grade Nine.’
Ms. Quinlan’s Resignation, November 1922
• The battle of wills and words was over. She had been ordered to teach
Botany and Physics. In late November she submitted her resignation. It was
refused and she was asked to reconsider. But the Board would not budge on
the issue. She submitted it again and it was accepted.
• Miss A. M. Veinot replaced her till Christmas and Miss Letson was appointed
to then take over the classroom and the vice-principalship.
• Clara went on, with a good reference from the distinguished Board member,
Obed Hamm, to take a position at Glen Eden private school for girls in
Stanford, Connecticut, where she taught Latin, Math, Astronomy and-yes-
Botany. She had family, an uncle and cousins, nearby.
• In 1927 she returned to teach in Shelburne, the hometown of her father’s
family. Then she moved to Dartmouth and taught for many years at Hawthorne
Street School. The mother of Mahone Bay resident Bill Meredith was
one of her many students. She remembers an efficient, strict teacher, rather
eccentric with unkept appearance, particularly the hair.
• In 1950, when her uncle Percy died she retired to Mahone Bay to care for
her aging mother and mind the store. She died in 1983.
The copy of Obed Hamm’s letter of reference on the next page is Courtesy
the Settlers Museum, which has excellent resources on the Inglis-Quinlan
family.
There was general acceptance that she was a gifted classroom teacher, kept
good discipline and was very intelligent. She was probably more gifted than
the principal.
79

A Student’s Memory of Clara Quinlan
She was respected for being a good teacher. Her students did well at provincial
exams. Fred Mosher had failed grade nine and credited her with turning
him around and getting him through. He liked her and called her ‘dear Clara
Quinlan’, and spoke of their meetings after he moved to New York City and
she was teaching in Stanford ‘.. where she came from every month at least, on
Saturdays, to attend a Broadway Show with me.’
He said this happened after ‘.. Emery Langille fired Clara as a grade nine teacher.’
It’s an over-simplification, but the clash between the two, and Emery’s insistence on
Botany, when most principals would have let the teacher decide which two of the
three sciences to teach, were catalysts in the events.
He tells a story [when he was in grade nine] that indicates a unique woman and teacher:
‘Clara always told me-Fred you get by on your smile………When Clara was
my grade nine teacher she would invite the class up at evening and put us in one of
the rooms for a while. Then she would come in with paper, take us to another room
and tell us to write down what articles we saw there. The best report was given a
prize...They were generous. Each year when we [Fred and his wife] were home Clara
would give me a dish of some kind.’
There Was Only One Clara Quinlan!!
The Hope Hyson Interlude “As Good As You Could Get”
“God made crows as well as canaries.”
Hope Hyson [Bustin] was the oldest Mahone Bay Academy ex-student
and teacher that this writer had the privilege to meet. I attended her 103rd
birthday, just before her death in July 2006.
• Earle Langille grew up in Mahone Bay and went on to a distinguished
career as classroom teacher, principal [he opened Hebbville Junior- Senior
High School], became Sub-System Supervisor, then Assistant Superintendent
of The Municipality of Lunenburg Schools. He was the classroom
supervisor of many teachers. He remembered Hope with affection, and rated
her, “As good as you could get.” She was his primary teacher in 1925-26.
Her life and career are so typical of her time. Growing up in a large family of
modest means, with teaching and nursing being the prime career options.
‘I came from a very large family’ [Reuben Hyson and his wife, Phoebe Ham, had
six daughters-Hope, Hazel, Avora, Myrna, Rhea, Lela, and one son-Hugh.].
‘We lived in a house with eleven rooms which my dad built himself on a very large
property [now 27, Clearway, on corner of Hyland Lane. The initial ‘H’ still
stands proudly at the front door.]. We kept, a cow, a pig and hens.
80

We grew our own fruit, apple trees, pear, cherry and grapevine. I guess we didn’t go
hungry.
•Everyone in the family could sing but me. When we had singsongs I heard giggles
and laughter. When I sang I was as flat as a pancake. Someone consoled me by
saying-God made crows as well as canaries.
• Kids say the darndest things. One day a little girl wanted to go home with me. I said,
“What would your mother say?” and she said, “ She will be glad to get rid of me.”
• Growing up I swam, skated, sleigh coasted…I also played tennis.’
Student and Teacher
• Hope was eleven years old when the new
school opened.
• She remembered getting strapped by
teacher, Jessie Dauphinee: ‘I hated her…She
left the room and told the students not to look
at the test on her desk..Some of the boys looked,
so we all looked. She caught us and everyone in
the class got strapped.’
• She remembered the dislike for Mr. Jacques
and the opposite for Emery Langille, who
was to be, for her first year of teaching, her
principal
Hope, primary teacher, just out of Normal
College.
Photo: Courtesy: Hyson-Bustin collection
•She was a warm, witty, sharp-minded person, very modest and unassuming,
and was Guest Of Honour at the 2000 School Reunion
• Hope had obviously enjoyed her career as a teacher [at Mahone Bay, Truro
and Bridgewater] with the very young children, mostly primary or kindergarten.
She referred to them affectionately as “my babies”.
• When I graduated from high school, I wished I could have been a designer [of
clothes] but my sister Myrna talked me into going to Normal College [the provincial
teacher training institute at Truro-from where Myrna had graduated].
• When I graduated from College the Town Clerk [Orren Joudrey] of Mahone Bay
phoned me to ask me to teach the Primary Grade…I loved all the kids and can still
picture where some of them sat.
The situation of the hiring is recorded in the school board minute book for
the July 8th 1923 meeting. Miss A. M. Veinot had been appointed to start
primary in September but she wrote a withdrawal for health reasons.
Moved by Commissioners Eisener [interesting to note the flexible spelling, for
this was the building construction supervisor, Warren Eisenhauer] and Hirtle:
The Secretary [O.S. Joudrey, also the Town Clerk] endeavour to secure the services
of Miss Hope Hyson.. Hope agreed over the phone and remembers: I was so
pleased I didn’t have to apply or be interviewed. Her reputation went before her.
Mahone Bay Primary Teacher, 1924-27
• Hope remembers the students using slates and that the room had no blinds
The Tom Thumb Wedding: A Patriotic
Demonstration & Fund-raiser
This was the big memory of the year for Miss Hyson and a number of her students.
The Board had decided on a fundraiser and met with the teachers and
town council to enlist their support. The minutes of March 17th 1924 read:
• Mayor Zwicker thanked the teachers and council for attending and asked Comm.
Mader to explain the nature of the meeting….
Moved Mader and Davis: The School Board with the cooperation of the teachers
and general public, hold a patriotic demonstration on the school grounds May 23rd
for the purpose of raising funds for school purposes. Carried
Hope’s class took first prize at the parade. See photo on next page The combination
of idea, size, innocence and costume is irresistible. Hope believes she
may have taken the photo. Proud parents and grandparents look on.
Hope’s only regret was that , “I didn’t thank the parents enough for all their
preparation”. The prize was the presentation of a gramophone from the local
Member of Parliament.
A letter of thanks to the donor was sent by the Board in September [meeting
on the 4th]: “Vote of Thanks” be extended to Mr. Duff M.P. for the presentation
of a “gramophone” to the Primary Department. It came with the added
bonus of a suitable desk with drawers.
Even with her flat as a pancake voice, this writer is sure Hope enjoyed singing along
with her students and the gramophone.
81

•
‘The Wedding Party’, left to right, standing: Gerald Oickle, Philip Smeltzer [looking
glum], little girl peeking round his shoulder is unidentified, Curtis Hirtle [‘the
minister’], Ray Daniels, unidentified girl with huge bouquet, Laurence Whynot,
unidentified girl, Ross Johnson and Molly Mader [groom and bride]. Kneeling:
Isabel Crouse, a Ham girl, Herbie Hyson, another Ham girl, Jean McKay
I felt so bad I never strapped another student again....ever!
Hope remembers strapping Philip Lohnes [nephew of Charlie Lohnes the
founding father], later to be Town Mayor, that year for being rude.
I was nervous because I thought that his mother would complain, But she
didn’t….I felt so bad I never strapped another student again..ever….There was too
much strapping..
He’s a Nice Little Man Mr. Daurie
Albert Daurie, who lived by the Anney River pond on Main Street, was the
elderly Victorian school janitor. She says,’ He had to work so hard!’, and she
remembered precisely the ditty the students made up about him: it is printed
on page 108
•Hope Hyson did regret not making an effort to speak more to Gladys
Dukeshire, the vice-principal who got into some troubles that year.
• She recalls playing tennis, particularly with the town’s most eligible bachelor
Dr. Hayford, the dentist, at the school court before classes began. ‘ I used
to get up about seven a.m., walk down to the school courts, have a game, walk
82

home for breakfast, and down to the school again for class. That was about a mile
up and down two hills. I wonder what I ate for energy?’
Hope outlines the rest of her career: ‘I stayed there [Mahone Bay] for three
years and from there went to Bible Hill School for three years…Dr. Mosher, Superintendent
of Truro Schools, asked me to teach in Truro ‘ [where she became
a regular master teacher for the classroom training of Normal School students]…I
stayed about twelve years…Then I got married [now Mrs. Bustin] and
moved to Bridgewater…I kept house and then went teaching in Bridgewater for
sixteen years….When my husband passed away and I was left alone, I took four
year olds in my home and called it Little Red Hen Kindergarten.’
to be vaccinated before entering school. The directive which can be found in
the Quinlan files at the Settlers Museum, required teachers to ‘have the foregoing
read and explained to the scholars.’ ….No child may be admitted to attend
school who cannot present either a certificate of vaccination or a physician’s
certificate, that, being reason of the child’s health, vaccination is inadvisable.
Line ‘Em Up & Check ‘Em Out
Then in April 1925 came a directive to inspect hands for signs of infectious
disease.
• She was a good friend of Fred Mosher. Fred and Hope’s sister, Rhea [“Dolly”],
graduated together, a year after Hope [see photo inside front cover].
Aspects of Teaching: 1920s Style
Religious Instruction Vaccination and Disease The Strap
Report Cards Teachers & Classes
Daily Religious Instruction Ten Minutes per Day
Read from The Bible
The following directive was sent to Principal Jacques on April 9th 1921. It’s
remarkable in many ways: It shows the paternalistic authority of the Board.
No major consultation with the principal or teaching staff is recorded as
having taken place. No howls or letters of protest appear in later Board’s
minutes.
The directive is a sign of the times. There was no Teachers Union in a position
to react. It was church-going age and many teachers had been to Sunday
School, and some were Sunday School Teachers. The Board directive
resulted from some pressure from the Orange Lodge. The motion was passed
[April, 8/21 meeting] immediately after:
‘A committee from the Orange Lodge waited upon the Board, asking that the bible
be used daily in our Academy.’
Vaccination and Infectious Diseases Public Health was on the move in the
1920s. There were Public Health Officers and a few Public Health Nurses
[but no School Health Nurses, yet]. Teachers were expected to enforce health
regulations and even run health checks. It became compulsory for children
Moved Commissioners Eisenhauer [yes, the construction supervisor] and Davis:
Owing to the report of infectious diseases at the school the Secretary request the
Principal to call together the teachers Monday morning and have them make a
thorough examination of the hands of each, and continue said examination
for several days and any suspected cases be reported to the Principal, and he to the
School Board. Carried
At a later time the School Health Nurse would have done this job.
83

The Strap and Detention Miss Dukeshire Loses Her Cool
Discipline was rough and ready in the early decades of the school’s history.
• Physical punishment-a slap or grabbed by the collar or scruff of the neckwas
common. Some teachers, like the mighty Flo Mullock, had a reputation
for it. She could also shake a desk to “rattle your bones” says Earle Langille.
So was acceptance of such treatment. The Hirtle children of Warren [mayor
and school board chair] and his very caring wife, knew they would be summoned
to the porch, by mum, for the strap if they got out of line.
•The strap was used regularly- “Too much!” [in the words of Hope Hyson].
Philip Lohnes, the future mayor of Mahone Bay had been strapped on his
first day of school in 1923, when, as a primary student, he followed his sisters
through the girls only entrance. Students might be strapped for not having
work done. Mary Elizabeth Kedy[Smith] remembered being strapped for
not putting her hand up before approaching the teacher’s desk.
• There is one extreme story recorded in the minutes of the School Board.
Gladys Dukeshire, from Caledonia, was vice-principal for one year 1925-26.
The minutes record an extraordinary complaint and explanation at its April
23rd, 1926 meeting. Mr. Davis was present about a complaint that his son,
Llewelyn, had been strapped on the hands, back and face by Miss Dukeshire,
who had also told the boy that he behaved like “a cannibal” and that she
would not teach him again.
• Miss Dukeshire offered the following explanation, copied verbatim from
the minutes: The boy admitted throwing a board duster that [accidently]
broke a window. He had not tried to eat anybody:
You see my size and the boy’s: consider for yourself-am I capable of inflicting the
punishment Mr. Davis would have you believe I did?
I strapped him eight times on one hand, but when asked to hold out the other hand,
he refused. I then hit him, not over half a dozen times, on the back.
I consider Llewelyn a very poor pupil and disobedient. I have stayed after school
with him on a number of occasions to help him, and have done my best.
Today, in the new century, the teacher would have been suspended immediately,
until a full investigation, and would almost certainly not have taught
again. In 1925 no apologies were recorded, but Miss Dukeshire agreed to continue
to teach the boy. The minutes actually record Mr. Davis saying, “….he
was not complaining so much against the punishment as the refusal to teach the
child.’
In the 1930s H.V. Corkum insisted teachers record all administration of the
strap, then, later collected all the straps and administered the strapping himself.
This was very much the situation until the early 1980s when the new
South Shore District Board banned the strap and all corporal punishment.
Report Cards and Teachers
Courtesy: Earle Langille Collection
In September 1923, the Board passed a motion: We procure one thousand
“report cards.” The quotation marks are the secretary’s and, no doubt, were
used to illustrate the novelty of the idea and the item. This writer assumes
principal Langille should be given credit for the introduction of what is now
commonplace.
• Report Cards were a 1920s innovation. And they were exactly that: a
printed card that could be filled out both sides by the teacher. They reflect
the marks-tests-exams-pass-fail focus of the time. They were signed by the
teacher, sent out and returned [signed by a parent] at the end of each term. A
grading certificate was issued at the end of the year.
Earle Langille’s mother must have been proud of him. She kept every report
card. His marks and behaviour were good, and, appropriately he went on to
be a classroom teacher, school principal [he opened the new Hebbville Junior-Senior
High in [1960], Municipality of Lunenburg sub-system supervisor,
then assistant superintendent.]
He ran down the aisle. I followed, and as I caught hold of him he stumbled and fell.
I then hit him again over the back.
84

Some Elementary Teachers of the 1920s
Hope Hyson and Mrs. Byron Fancy [picture
left] Hope was Earle’s primary teacher and it
was a positive start. She was, as he said after
a career of evaluating and supervising teachers,
“As good as you could get.” When Hope
moved on in 1926, she was replaced by Mrs.
Byron Fancy who taught for many years and
made an outstanding contribution to dance,
music and singing. Teachers would take her
primary class so that Mrs. Fancy could teach
music to their students. She would give teachers
music instruction workshops.
Oressa Ernst was his grade one, two and three teacher. She was one of the
young guns from the 1910 photo (page 51 seated second from the left). She was
a tall commanding figure who was given much respect. She lived in Oakland,
and like many students from that side of the bay, came to school by boat in
decent weather and walked across the ice in winter. Good teachers do touch the
lives of their students. A picture of her with a future middle weight national
boxing champion is on page 128. Frances Theriault lived at the dwelling part
of Mahone Bay Railway Station from 1924-32. Her father, Frances, and Arthur
Merry shared shifts as station master-telegrapher. She idolized Oressa Ernst:
“The perfect teacher..She got you to pay attention.. she showed that she wanted
you to learn and didn’t let you get away with not knowing…She had good discipline
with a pleasant smile..comforting… I remember once..Karl Mader would copy off
my arithmetic …we both had the same mistakes and she accused me of copying
and gave me a light tap with the paddle [Oressa also strapped Earle Langille-
“Just a little tap”: the only teacher to do so]….My pride was hurt and I was
devastated…I ran out angry and crying to the front porch…She came looking for
me…I wanted to be a teacher just like her.” (Oressa’s photo, with a future boxing
champion, is on page 128)
Louise Bruhm-Croft
Photo: Courtesy, Agnes Croft-Whynott
Louise Bruhm was Earle’s grade four teacher: “A neat little teacher….her mother
was organist at one of the churches.” Louise suffered from nerve problems
and stopped teaching after a few years. Her daughter Agnes Croft-Whynott was
to be a leading Mahone Bay student, school May Queen in 1948, Mahone Bay
teacher and, later school board member[ later Mother-Daughter photo above].
Lela Hyson [-Reiser]was his grade five teacher.
Photo: Courtesy Frances Theriault[Doucette]
Frances moved on to junior-senior high in Yarmouth and Bridgewater when her dad
was transferred. Later, she taught a year at Fraxville [New Ross was her mother’s
home] straight from grade 12. She went to Normal College in 1942 and then to a long
teaching career, including 13 years in Bridgewater, where she became a close friend
of Hope Hyson-Bustin . She also became Mrs. Frances Doucette.
85

ing called her “hobble-de-gick”. Frances Theriault remembers Miss Schnare
teaching her students to waltz.
“We had to hold hands across the desks and waltz down the aisles.” There
was probably a shortage of space in the crowded classroom and it limited the
amount of physical contact! She was innovative in physical activities and
was to receive the Department of Education’s Strathcona Award for physical
education.
Lela Hyson
Lela Hyson’s grade 4-5 class, 1929-30 included: Johnny Whynott, Beatrice
Hirtle, Earle Langille, Bruce Joudrey, Mildred Burgoyne and Eleda Zwicker.
Left to right. Back Row: Teddy Begin, Linwood Wagner, “Pat” Vincent Veinot,
Lela Hyson, Ronald Joudrey, Billy Mader, Douglas Veinot, “Gunny” Russell
Hamm
Third Row: Johnny Whynott, Hughie Daniels, Helen Meisner, Maizie
Schoupe, Beatrice Hirtle, Freda Richardson, Alice Corkum, Joan Mercer,
George James.
Second Row: Carl Mader, Harvey Whynot, Murray Nauss, Dennis Rhuland,
Fred Ernst, Earle Langille, George Nauss, Bruce Joudrey.
Front Row: Barbara Mercer, Carolyn Mader, Frances Theriault, Mildred Burgoyne,
Esther Carter, Margaret Zwicker, Gwendolyn Begin, Eleda Zwicker.
The South Shore Record reported, at the same time as her resignation:
Miss Hazel Schnare, one of the Academy teachers, was lately awarded the Strathcona
School Prize. The inspector for each division awards the prizes to the teacher
showing the greatest proficiency in the conducting of the physical training exercises
in her school.
She left at Christmas 1933 to marry J. Murdoch Fraser who had had a bad
time as principal in 1928-29. He was later to move on to the greener pastures
of a church ministry. The following grade 7 class picture was taken at the end
of the 1920s. Miss Schnare is in the back row, two places away from Patty
Wentzell who was to become a New York Show Girl and Hollywood Starlet.
Photo: Courtesy Frances Theriault [Doucette]
Lela was Hope’s sister and was to have a long career at the school. She is
very well remembered and had the same good disposition as her sister.
Margaret Hirtle remarked that, “The kids loved her. She had a great sense of
humour.” And Frances Theriault said she “was lovely..kind and gentle.”
Hazel Schnare was his grade six teacher. She had been on staff since 1923.
Earle remembers her as being quite popular. She had a slight limp. The students
in their usual forthrightness sometimes, when no adults were listen-
86

Back Row: Hattie Parks, Elaine Slauenwhite, Lindsay Mills, Miss Doris
Schnare, Billie Himmelman, Patricia Wentzell, Mona Hamm
Third Row: Phil Joudrey, Robert Begin, Herbie Hyson, Bob Heustis, Percy
Young, Bernard Young, George Smeltzer
This was probably the exaggeration of fond memories. Certainly, no provincial
School championships were won. But some South Shore titles were won.
1921: South Shore School Champions
Photo Below: Courtesy Carolyn Kuhn
Second Row: Marion Keddy, Glen Parks, Winifred Eisnor, Doris Schnare,
Edith Joudrey, Charles Whynot, Doris Parks
Front: Philip Lohnes, Bruce Cochrane, Lloyd Joudrey, Dennis Zwicker, Buddy
Richardson, Ralph Lowe.
The boys in the front row include an interesting mixture: Philip Lohnes,
nephew of Charlie Lohnes, Founding Father, became a cub/scout master, and
Town Mayor. As a boy he worked in his father’s ‘Flyless Meat Shop’ and as a
man opened the brand new grocery store that is now Save Easy. Bruce Cochrane
went on to distinguished business and political [long term MLA and
provincial cabinet minister] careers. Dennis Zwicker grew up on the family
farm in Mader’s Cove and still lives nearby-in retirement. Ralph Lowe entered
the church ministry and is retired in Martins Point.
The Board, at the December 6th 1933 meeting, accepted her resignation with
regret and effusive praise, and wished her well in her forthcoming marriage.
This board highly appreciates the services rendered by Miss Hazel Schnare, a
valued member of the teaching staff for the past nine years; deplores the loss to the
town of a faithful servant and conscientious instructor; but extends hearty congratulations
on the coming event, with the expressed wish for a long life of contentment
and enjoyment.
Alas, they don’t write or say things like that anymore!
A Sporting Interlude
Females played largely recreational team sports in the 1920s, but they did
play tough competitive tennis at the school court. The 1930s brought competitive
team sports for girls. In the 1920s there was both high school and
Town hockey and ball. A number of very successful school teams played, and,
reminiscing back to this time, ex-mayor and school board chairman W.H.G.
Hirtle, told Wayne Nauss [page 3 of his Profile of Mahone Bay Consolidated
High School]…“We had the best baseball and hockey teams in the province.”
The team above was, left to right,
Back Row: Edward R. Ernst, Franklyn Zwicker, Arnold Keddy, George A.
Ernst, Lindsay Mader
Middle Row: Harold [“Hack] Mason, Hector Langille, Frank Ernst [coach],
Stewart Bogald, Maurice Joudrey
Front Row: Edward [“Buzz”] Barnett, Guerney Begin, Vincent Burgoyne, Connie
Hamilton.
Guerney was the son of Charles Begin, school ‘founding father and sail
maker.
In 1920-21 the high school teams were South Shore champions of hockey
and baseball. Harold “Hack” Mason, son of J.W. Mason [the sand merchant
and farmer who was the single biggest investor in school debentures] was a
distinguished local athlete for many years.
Fred Mosher mentions these athletic heroes several times in his letters. 1922
87

88
was the year he graduated, so they were his contemporaries. In a letter, written
1994, to Joan Foran, he names them with amazing accuracy and says, “Stuart
was a very good baseball pitcher…With him Mahone won the South Shore Championship
and went to Halifax to play the Halifax Academy at Sackville St….I went too…
They licked us… That year our hockey team also won the S. S. Championship.’
Photo: Courtesy Carolyn Kuhn
Edward Ernst
Athlete
Scholar
World Banker
Back Row, left of the ball team, stands
Edward Ernst [son of the “Lumber
King”]. At the age of 16, he graduated
from school to take a one year
banking course at Queen’s University.
He played for the university football
team and stayed on to graduate. After
New York University Graduate School
of Banking, he progressed through
the banking ranks rapidly. He was
promoted to the position of Executive
Vice president and General Manager
of the International Department of
the Bank of Montreal.
He became a bank Director, Chair of the Israeli-Canadian Chamber of Commerce
and President of the Export Finance Corporation of Canada. He was
an international banker of repute, leading delegations all over the world.
Above, Edward Ernst, Head of Delegation, meets with David Ben Gurion,
Israel’s Head of State. Carolyn Kuhn, Edward’s daughter, continues to live at
the family house on Main Street.
Media Coverage of School Sports
The Bridgewater Bulletin and Lunenburg Progress Enterprise regularly reported
on the town and school hockey and ball teams. There are even reports of the
grammar school ball team in Mahone Bay. Progress Enterprise, June 21, 1922:
The ball game between the grammar school teams of Mahone Bay and Bridgewater
on the parade grounds was interesting and amusing and resulted in another
victory for the local team. What was amusing? Presumably the term “grammar”
refers to a younger age group-junior high or elementary. Bobby Mader
remembers the term, believing it applied to grade seven and younger.
The paper also reported: …in a senior teams ball game against Chester, Joudrey,
the local star player, was hit over the ear by a pitched ball, rendered unconscious…
and is under doctor’s care.
Good sized crowds attended school hockey and ball. The county papers regularly
reported on the contests.
Tennis, Swings and Sand Pit
The same edition reported: At the regular monthly meeting of the School Board,
$50 received from the school lands commission was passed on to principal Langille
for repairs to the tennis court, a larger number of swings and a sand pit. Bobby
Mader remembers the swings and the sand pit. They were where the 1960s
extension was later built. He reports that the pit was topped up with sawdust
and shavings for pole vault.
The 1920s Come To A Close: Ulrica Strum
In 2000, Ulrica wrote to The Reunion Committee from St. Catherine’s, Ontario,
regretting that she could not attend. She sent some interesting comments
and some fine photos. Going to that province for Christmas, 2005,
this writer and his wife drove south and spent more than half a day with her.
Her school experience is very instructive:
An Out of Towner
She was born [1913] and raised in Mader’s Cove. So, like students from
Indian Point, Oakland, Clearland, Blockhouse and Fauxburg, she went to the
local multi-grade school for a number of years. On the next page is a photo
of the old school as it is to-day. The old toilet buildings, his and hers, are still
there. Ulrica walked up over the hill to the school. She finished grade eight
there before coming to Mahone for grades nine to eleven.

districts up to advanced grades, be admitted on FIVE Dollars tuition fees’.
Driven to School
Since she lived round the bend towards Westhaver’s Beach she usually
walked or biked to school and in very bad weather had to be driven by horse
and cart. She too came across the ice, when it was declared safe, in winter.
She remembers the weekly dish of ice cream treat at the tables at the back of
“the store,” Hyson’s.
Maritime Construction: Harris Strum- “The Hitching Post of Mader’s Cove”
Ulrica’s grandfather [Alex] and father [Harris], had built Maritime Manufacturers
& Construction into the largest employer in Mader’s Cove, and a
major construction company. The company had its own lumber, mill and
workshop.
“Dad had been born with cataracts in both eyes, and had to have one eye ball
removed..went through life with one eye. People said Harris Strum sees too
much with one eye…He helped people…He was the hitching post of Mader’s
Cove.”
The Bridgewater Bulletin also reported on June 10th 1919: Harris Strum..while
working in his mill on Friday, severed four fingers from his left hand. Dr. Cochrane
dressed the hand which is doing nicely.
Above, a later photo of Maritime Manufacturers
School Fees
So her parents paid school fees for her to finish school in Mahone. She was
one of the lucky ones. Her parents could afford it. The fees for visiting children
on short term stay had been set at $1 per month at the January 1928 Board
meeting, and in September 1933 the Board resolved, ‘for all scholars from outside
A Bought Lunch
Again she was lucky that her parents could afford to send her to a boarding
house for lunch. Other kids ‘from away’ had their lunch, usually in a tobacco
can, and ate lunch, usually unsupervised, upstairs in the school library.
Ulrica told an amusing story about Mrs. Veinot’s boarding house where she
went for a mid-day meal: Mrs. Arthur Veinot took in roomers and boarders,
young bankers ,a barber and a Sr. Mackenzie gentleman who was very deaf and a
noisy eater. The young chaps would remark-under their breath-“Mackenzie eats
his soup in eight different languages,” which made all but ‘Mac’ chuckle.
The United Church of Canada and CGIT
She and her parents were active in the Methodist Church and Sunday
School, and she was an enthusiastic member and leader of C.G.I.T-Canadian
Girls In Training . Her grandfather and father were both elders of the
Methodist Church, sang in the choir and were Sunday School Superintendents.
Both were closely involved in the establishment of the United Church of
Canada in 1925. The Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists
united nationally. In Mahone Bay the Presbyterian Church was chosen
as the centre of worship. Ulrica still remembers the solemn and symbolic
march of the whole Methodist Congregation [young and old], in a column,
two by two, to the “new” United Church.
The old Methodist Church became a community hall, used for movies,
meetings, scouts and guides, badminton and a host of other activities.
Ulrica remembered the solemn and symbolic march, in a column two
people abreast, to the “new” United Church.
T. G. Nicol , a traditionalist in religion, was so incensed he built his own
Presbyterian Church [now the Calvalry Temple] at his own expense.
89

C.G.I.T
Canadian Girls in Training was the leading girls organization in Town.
She had graduated in 1931 after having to repeat a disastrous grade ten year
with J. Murdoch Fraser before going on to grade 11.
“The poor man was hopeless. He could not keep order. Only two grade ten students
passed. I was not one of them. H.V. Corkum soon sorted things out.”
Photo: Courtesy Ulrica Strum-Davies
Photo: Courtesy Ulrica Strum [Davis]
It was inter-denominational and met once per week at the United Church. It
involved leadership skills, community projects, public speaking, social and
sports activities. There was non-denominational religious instruction and
discussion. It was popular and Mrs. Robert Westhaver was a leader. It was
for ages 12-17. The photo above was taken outside the Westhaver house on
Pleasant Street. Ulrica is standing, just left of centre, and wearing a headband.
Her sister is on her left.
Every summer CGIT had a series of provincial camps at Pinehurst on the
LaHave River. Ulrica was president of the local group and later spent many
years as a leader-organizer. In Mahone Bay the organization lasted ‘till the
1970s.
Graduation and Her Own Car
She was the first young woman [a teenager!] to have her own car. This made
her “very popular.” And it had a rumble seat!
‘.....My dad thought I was too young
to leave home and go to university. He
wanted me to stay home, help with
the business and learn ‘the culinary
arts’ from my mother. She was a
Mader from Mader’s Hotel and had
learned to cook well.
He said if I stayed home I could
have my own car. So I stayed home
for a year.
Aunt Louise Mader, a milliner
whose hat shop was opposite the War
Monument, made every bonnet I ever
wore…She was so homely....When a
young man once asked her how old
she was, she replied tartly, “I’m as old
as my little finger”......
My dad called me Tom.…I would do
things a boy would do..I played tennis, softball and basketball and, at University,
played women’s hockey… I remember building a radio with him..I remember we got
Harry Anderson’s 7:00pm Sunday Service from Boston.
My sister, Geraldine, and I had skiffs, a one seated rowing boat, air tight at
both ends-so never would sink.’
In her year off, Ulrica was appointed to assist with the supervision of provincial
examinations at Mahone School. “ Provincial Examinations a big deal?
You got that right! Everything had to be perfect!”
90

Hiking and Camping.
Summer fun was simple for students in the 1920s. There was swimming,
hiking [with friends, CGIT or a church group], bike riding, picnicking, and
most of all camping on Strum or Herman’s Island. Ulrica’s family owned
Strum Island and it was open for community use.
All Photos Below: Courtesy, Ulrica Strum-Davis Below left, girls on the
school roof and, right, the Strum sisters, Ulrica and Geraldine in skiffs
The Girls Enjoy the School Tower and Ulrica’s Car
The school bell tower posers, (bottom left), left to right: first two unidentified,
Eve Eisener, Ulrica Strum, Margaret Eisenhauer, Irene Ernst,
Brenda Lohnes, Kathleen [“Kas/“Kay”] Joudrey, the daughter of Orren Joudrey
is on far right of the roof top photo. Irene, Ulrica, Margaret, Brenda and
Kathleen were part of the first class to have public graduation ceremonies,
1931.
Picture left is Marjorie Ernst, Mahone
student and Annapolis Valley Apple
Blossom Queen. Ulrica wrote her main
competition speech, and still has Marjorie’s
thank-you note.
Business Degree: Ulrica was part of
the new breed and went to Mount Allison
University to take Business. She
worked in Halifax and later married a
United Church minister, Walter Davis,
serving in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia,
New Brunswick and Ontario.
A New Era: From a school history
point of view, a new era was marked
by the appointment of H. V. Corkum as
principal, starting in September 1929.
91

HOTOFFTHEPRESS:DESIGN
BRANDING
5
FISHERMEN
R E S T A U R A N T
STATIONARY
BANDAGE
Matthew Ernst: matt@adogsline.ca
Susan Maroun: susan@adogsline.ca
INTERNATIONAL
Comfortable, Affordable Functional Dog Apparel
BANDAGE INTERNATIONAL
Belize Emergency Project
We are in the process of seeking new clients who want to develop their branding,
advertising, print materials, and online presence. Please visit our website for more info.
John M. Gillis, MD, CCFP(EM)
Medical Director and External Relations
2025 North Park St., Halifax, NS B3K 4B2
902 488 5445 Johnmgi lis@hotmail.com
ADVERTISING
MENU DESIGN
Bar
& Grill
www.hotoffthepress.ca
WEBSITES

Chapter Six:
The 1930s and 1940s
• They both wanted to make a difference. And they did!
- Both had distinguishing features.
- H.V.’s moustache and thick thatch of wiry hair.
- Margaret’s rosy cheeks and high colour
- Photos from ’36 High Light are below
Opinions on H.V. and His Era
‘A Renaissance’
The H.V. Corkum Years and The Second World War
H.V. Corkum, Principal 1929-39, 1946-49
• For the first time the school had an ambitious, dynamic principal who stayed to see
things through.
• Margaret McLean [MacLean spelling was also used. The older generation used
McLean] was his vice-principal for the 1930s. She was a fine teacher, hardworking,
an academic [she was an examiner and marker for provincial examinations], a leader
and very principled. They both taught the senior high students. Together they formed
formidable leadership. They were totally different in temperament.
Hilda Nauss-Burgoyne, who made her long teaching career at Mahone Bay, and
became a respected local historian, wrote in her notes for Joan Foran and others:
Mr. H. V. Corkum remained for ten years, at which time the school benefited
greatly….And so the little school went through a Renaissance in the 1930s and 1940sfrom
getting away from mere book learning to having more physical activities which
added greatly to their [the students’] interest in
school.’
‘A Great Principal’
Earle Langille graduated from Mahone Bay
School in 1939. His whole school life had been
at the school and his senior high years were as a
student and observer of H.V.
‘He was an outstanding teacher and great
principal, a real disciplinarian, and very efficient
administrator and organizer.’
Earle’s life was in education, as a teacher, school
principal, area supervisor of schools and, finally,
assistant superintendent for the Municipality
of Lunenburg Board. He knew teaching and
administration.
Photo of “H.V.” as school scoutmaster at
1937 school-town celebration’s of George VI
Coronation.
Photo: Courtesy Margaret MacLean-MacKay
Collection
93

‘A Rascal’
Lucille Joudrey [Anderssen] and Bea Hirtle, two very astute ladies, and others,
particularly women, acknowledged his abilities but also saw him as something of a
“rascal” and, at times, “a bit of a bully.”
He was all of these things. And he could be pompous and opinionated. He was
aggressive, loud [in voice and temperament], up for a challenge, and controversial.
He was a mover-and-shaker. Leaders need to be all these things if they are to make a
difference.
A Golden Age
In reviewing the history of the school, there is no doubt that the Corkum Years were
something of a golden age in terms of innovation, progress, academic achievement,
and social, curricular and extra-curricular activity. There was an energy and
enthusiasm that jumps off the school board minutes, the newspapers, the school
publications, even the memories and stories from veterans of the time.
The Achievements are Measurable
• An extra teacher and extra room were brought on line.
• Grade 12 was introduced partially, then fully.
• Graduation Ceremonies were introduced, staring in June 1931.
• Excellent Provincial Exam Results become the norm.
• School Discipline and Attendance were excellent.
• Student Government was introduced with a council, president and class
representatives, and committees for sports and school print.
• The HighLight, a top quality school newspaper and yearbook was established
• School Print, with printing press, was established with shares held by the
principal and students council. It printed yearbooks and took commercial orders.
• The curriculum was expanded to include drama, music, dance, singing,
debating and sewing.
• School Sports Teams became a regular part of school life; and for the first
time they included girls teams.
• A School Cadet Corps flourished. “H.V.” was Commanding Officer and
Chief Instructor.
• A School Scout Troop was founded [Corkum was scoutmaster], and Miss
McLean led the Town Guides.
• The Science Lab was moved downstairs where there was in-classroom
electricity, light and water. The equipment was upgraded and the school
finally had a real, rather than token, lab.
• A Sports Field, right behind the school, was added to school property.
• Media Reports: Regular ‘ High School Notes’ appeared in the town’s weekly
paper, The South Shore Record.
• Semi-Annual School Reports were presented to the School Board with
detailed accomplishments, needs and goals.
• Classroom Supplies: improvements were included in every budget.
• Maintenance Improvements, including beautification of the school
grounds, major water supply improvements and the automatic stoker, went aheaddespite
The Depression.
• Manual Arts Instruction and A School Hall were two goals that H.V. Corkum
struggled to reach, unsuccessfully. He got Board support but factors beyond his
control defeated him.
No other Mahone Bay ‘Old School’ Principal could or would surpass such a list of
achievements.
A New Room and an Additional Teacher and A Principal’s Office
Arriving for the 1929-30 school year, Mr. Corkum immediately organized a student
group to clean up the empty classroom that had been there since 1914, serving
mainly as a storeroom. Then he went to the Board for furniture and equipment and,
pointing out that an ‘Academic Teacher’ with a degree would bring extra funding and
grants, got them to approve an additional senior teacher to help with grades ten and
eleven and a future grade 12. This allowed some specialization in teaching and some
administrative time for him. A principal’s office was built on the top floor.
The letter from Board Secretary, Orren Joudrey, catches the pleasure:
94

New room, new additional teacher, school office and excellent exam results.
“Elated!” One of H.V.’s skills was knowing the regulations and getting maximum
grants from the County and the Province.
The First Graduation Ceremonies, 1931 Earlier that same year, in June 1931, the
very first graduation ceremonies were held for the senior class. Hilda Burgoyne noted
that Mahone Bay was the very first school in the region to have a formal closing for
students and public.
The Class of 1930-31 Photo: Courtesy Betty Walsh Collection
Rows: bottom, 2nd, 3rd and top: left= l right = r
The students look very smart and well-dressed. The photo may have been taken prior
to the very first ceremony. The Bridgewater Bulletin of June 30th reported, ‘a large
and interested audience at Knox Hall’ and a program that included, Reading of History
Essay by Margaret Eisenhauer[2nd row, 3rd from l], Class History by Lindon Nicol[top
l], Address by Mayor Lohnes, Solo by Brenda Lohnes, Class Prophecy by Kathleen
Joudrey [daughter of Orren Joudrey, 3rd row, 2nd from r], Speech, ‘Present Day
Education’ by Edward Cochrane[bottom l], Valedictory, Miss Marjorie Hirtle, ‘Class
Will’ by Irene Ernst[2nd row, 2nd from l].’ Ulrica Strum is 2nd row, 1st on l. Claire
Marriott sits next to Edward.
The Knox Hall, the hall of the new Presbyterian Church, was to become the usual site
of the graduations. It was literally built over the Anney River [by the bridge where the
Calvary Temple is now], with an entrance from the church and one where the flower beds
are now. The Knox Hall was also used for movies.
Notice from the June 1st edition of the South Shore Record, 1934 with photo of church and hall
(courtesy, of Alex Mc Donald)
Pipe smokers were charged an extra ‘second hand smoke tax’ of 10 cents!
And the theatre had not converted to “talkies.” That was to come in the mid-thirties
when the building became The Duke Theatre. It burned down, never to be replaced, in
February, 1963.
Did These Students get a Theatre Treat?
The delightful photo on the next page is the only one of its kind found by this writer.
Class and individual composite photos were taken in the 1930s, but most parents
could not afford the class photo, let alone the composite. The classroom teacher was
Hilda Nauss [later Burgoyne] and the composite found its way to Bruce Joudrey
[whose sister is in the picture] through Franklyn Burgoyne [Hilda’s son]
Cigrid Joudrey, proud of her lovely locks, was Bruce’s sister.
Bradford Lohnes, was Philip’s brother, a nephew to ‘Founding Father’ Charles Lohnes
Ivan Westhaver of the ‘Oar and Block’ works, was Irene’s brother.
Rowena and Isabel Crossland, sisters, still share the same smiles in Town.
Billy Hirtle [W.H.G.’s son] is smiling [planning his controversial 1950-51 report on
the Town?].
95

Margaret McLean, Vice-Principal
• Margaret McLean arrived in 1931 and stayed until 1939 when she resigned to teach
in Montreal and, later, get married. Her new husband, Harold B Mackay, who was
also H.V. Corkum’s brother-in-law, had become principal for a year, 1939-40.
• Miss McLean had taught in a prestigious private school in Quebec. She was a real
attribute to her new school. She was from the respected McLean shipbuilding family
in town. Will McLean’s daughter, had gone to the town school, was liked, and had
done well academically, going on to a degree at Dalhousie-majoring in math and
science. The South Shore Record noted on July 13 1933, Miss Margaret McLean, B.A.
is at Wolfville where she is one of the examination markers in Mathematics.
• Debating was a particular interest of hers, and she
was a key organizer at school. She got Board permission
to form a ‘Girls Club’ and became a guide leader.
Elizabeth Ernst remembered guides was such fun
nobody wanted to leave
• A Favourite Teacher for a good number of students,
particularly girls, she was a major contributor to good
exam results.
This photo of Miss McLean in guide uniform at the
1936 George VI Coronation Ceremony at the school and
Jubilee Park.
Photo: Courtesy Margaret McLean-MacKay Collection
Alan Langille was Earle’s younger brother, and was to be Fire Chief for years.
Frances and Roy Knickle were twins.
Five girls are in sailor tops. Seven boys wear a winged emblem on their sweater.
• Elizabeth Ernst and Margaret Hirtle-Mader, both, at the time of writing this
book, residents of Mahonne Manor both declared Margaret to be their favourite
teacher. They described her as “a nice lady…good teacher….fair…interested in her
students.” They both remembered her rosy cheeks. Elizabeth is the daughter of Arthur
Ernst, of the boat building brothers, first mayor and school board chairman. Margaret
was from Oakland [her parents were Sarah Fancy and Clarence Hirtle, fisherman]
and went to the local school ‘til grade 8. She came to town for grades 9-11, was on
the debating team, won a county scholarship and had a teaching career in Lunenburg
County from 1939-50. She and her sister rowed across the bay to school whenever
possible, and came across the ice in winter.
96

Margaret Hirtle was Valedictorian of the 1936 Class
Patricia Wentzell stayed on for her grade 12 and later became a New York Show
Girl and Hollywood Starlet.
Edith Ernst, the daughter of shopkeeper/boat builder Selvyn, was Elizabeth’s [see
above] cousin.
It was this class that adopted the school motto:
Laborare Verrus Seccussus Est
The motto is the latin form of the last part of Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous
dictum:
‘To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive,………....
………and TRUE SUCCESS IS TO LABOUR.’
The motto fit the times. This was the hungry depressed ‘30s .The two notices, one
superimposed over the other, in The Record are a reminder.
Photo: Courtesy Hilda Wynot Collection: Hilda was Gordon’s sister
Left to Right, Back: Ross Johnson [stooping at back]
Herbert Hyson, Ray Daniels, Bruce Cochrane, Miss MacLean, Bill Himmelman,
Gordon Whynot, H.V. Corkum
Left to Right, Middle: Elaine Slauenwhite, Margaret Hirtle, Winifred Eisenhauer,
Marion Keddy, Doris Schnare, Genevive Nicol, Brenda Smeltzer, Prudence Floyd,
Phyllis Hiltz
Left to Right, Front: Madalane Joudrey, Edith Ernst, Kathleen Begin, Madeline
Whynot, Mona Ham, Dorothy Spidle, Ada Rhuland, Patricia Wentzell, Helen
Nonamaker
Margaret Hirtle, Valedictorian, is in the middle row, second from left. She went on
to Normal College and teaching.
Herbert Hyson was the son of Reg Hyson, the shopkeeper who served as mayor,
school board member and was on the County Board that allowed grants to buy the school
field. Bruce Cochrane went on to become an MLA and provincial cabinet minister.
Genevive Nicol was the granddaughter of T. G. Nicol
97

98

Part of Margaret’s Valedictory is in the
right hand column on the previous page.
The existence of The Depression makes the
school’s advances of the 1930s even more
admirable. Student interviews with town
folk on boosting the local economy through
tourism is also on the left page.
Debating
Both Margaret and Elizabeth were debaters.
Debating had been introduced and fostered by
Mr. Corkum and Miss McLean. The skills and
format were introduced in grade 9 and there
was inter-class debating for The Principal’s
Trophy. One of Elizabeth’s debates is recorded
left: Elizabeth and the two teams debating are
mentioned in the fifth paragraph. Although
winning a county scholarship, Elizabeth could
not afford university. She went to Secretarial
College in Bridgewater and one of her first
jobs was with Inspector of Schools, Maxner,
who had been interim principal at Mahone
Bay in 1926. The Debating Trophy is in the
time capsule underneath the old bell in the
library of the new Bayview School. It was
awarded at the newly introduced High School
Graduation service each year.
The following is The Record’s Report of
the 1933 Closing with the announcements
including the trophy and THE
INTRODUCTION OF GRADE 12. It was
an interesting introduction. Students were to
study on their own with supervision, help and part time classes. Those who wanted
full-time grade 12 still had to catch the daily “Jitney” [a one carriage train with its
own motor] to Lunenburg Academy. It was a matter of numbers to justify the class.
But a start had been made and by ‘37-‘38 the grade 12 class was established.
99

1937: A Banner Year Grade 12 Full-Time Instruction Established
Great Exam Results Main Street Paved & A Sidewalk
Best Year Since 1919
Main St. Paved
Side Walks
Grade 12
Best Exam Marks In N.S.
O. S. Joudrey, the Town Clerk
and School Board Secretary
could hardly contain his joy in
his annual message, [left], in The
Record. And the previous year,
1936, The new Post Office had
been built!
• Increased enrolment was a
result of establishing grade 12.
The figures for March, 1938
were: Beginner/grade 1-27,
grades 2/3-33, grades 4/5-28,
grades
• 5/6-27, grade 7-28, grades
8/9-29, grade 10-14, grades
11/12-33 =TOTAL 219
• Good provincial exam results
were a constant feature of the
1930s. Mahone Bay students earned a high reputation. Teaching was solid throughout,
and the principal and v.p. prepared the 10s, 11s and 12 extremely well.
The Acquisition of The School Field, 1934
• This was one of the great achievements of the Corkum era. He constantly prodded
the Board in the direction of a sport field with playground and athletic space, and of a
school auditorium-gymnasium. He was successful in the first and had a near miss in
the second
• Farmer Peter Westhaver’s pasture and woods stretched right from the back of the
school to Fairmont Street. Could Mr. Westhaver be persuaded to sell? He could: The
Depression was on and he needed cash. But where could the Board get the money:
in such times raising a loan or asking for more in the budget was out of the question
for folks who classed the project ‘nice to do, but hardly necessary…we’ve got along
without one so far’.
• The answer came in County School Board Grants negotiated by the Town Reps on
the Board, Reg. Hyson and Warren Hirtle, both of whom had served as mayor and
school board chairman. The details of how they secured the grants are not known. But
their skills in negotiating resulted in the commitment of grants of $50 per year until
the amount, including 4% interest, was paid. Westhaver was willing to let the school
use the land on receiving the first $50 payment.
• The Board proudly announced that the two acres had been added to school property
“at no cost to the local ratepayers.”
Reg. Hyson was shopkeeper, investment
consultant, and president of the South
Shore Publishing Company that printed
the South Shore Record and sold magazine
subscriptions. He was the father of student
Herbie Hyson.
He had served as mayor in 1922-23, and had
been a school board member.
Warren Hirtle, also a store owner, was
mayor and board chair, 1928-29 and 1934-5.
They and mayor Charlie Lohnes [the
‘founding father’] formed a formidable trio
in negotiating the purchase of the school
field.
• In his end of year report in December 1934 , H.V. Corkum recorded, ‘Our showing
in [provincial examinations] the high school last year placed the school in the upper
four of the province’
Photo: South Shore Record, Dec.16/37
100

The field was rough: part pasture, part wooded, part swampy, part hard rock.
In the summer of 1934 it was partially grades and a track and jumping pits were put
in. The long/high jump pit is still there!
Track and Field Athletics
Field sports were immediately boosted. There had been individual student athletes
before, but now track became a regular part of school life. And by good fortune there
were two avid runners to lead and coach by example: the Bruhms, one of whom, Fred
was to become an international class long distance and marathon runner. The other,
Fred’s son Jerome, was to be inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame as a
builder of the sport.
Each year there were efforts to improve the field and the grounds: clearing bushes and
trees, draining, grading, filling in [often with ash] and planting flowers and shrubs
[the Women’s Institute was particularly active in this].
Mahone Bay School Festival and Field Day, 1934-38
• He chaired the event, which started modestly in 1934 and exploded thereafter. All
the schools in the neighboring area, from Lunenburg to Chester and New Ross area,
were invited to participate, including Oakland, Gold River, Western Shore, Martins
Point, Martins River and Indian Point
• There were V.I.P.s, a band, a parade and great media coverage. There were prizes and
awards. The Town Council
built the wooden stands on
the ball field.
• The athletics contests
were a true meet. There
were male and female
categories and age
groups. Today’s district,
regional and provincial
championships are run in
the same way. Not only
were there the standard
running events, but also
broad and high jump, shot
put, and, surprisingly, the
pole vault-a sophisticated
event.
• The conception was very
advanced for the time, and
Mahone Bay has never
hosted such events since.
Nor has any other South
Shore School. There have
been major gatherings
for single events, like the
Terry Fox Run, but never
a festival the included
athletics, music, dance,
singing, and a boxing
match.
H.V. Corkum took advantage of the new potential to inaugurate the annual Mahone
Bay School Festival, with athletics at the new field, and singing, folk dancing, band
and special events, like boxing, at Jubilee Park.
101

Verda Bruhm: Girls Cup for Highest
Individual Score, 1935, went to Verda.
Verda was the younger sister of Fred Bruhm.
She had come from Blockhouse school to take
high school at Mahone. She later went to
Normal College and then taught for 40 years,
including many years at the new Blockhouse
school when it opened in 1962.
Her “boyfriend” in the photo was unable to
catch her. She married Percy Zinck in 1942.
She modestly told her children that the only
race she ever won was a walking race: and that
was because everybody else was disqualified.
photo: Courtesy Bruhm Family Collection
102
• Unfortunately, 1939 was the end of the Festivals. H.V. Corkum left for the War, and
Margaret McLean for Montreal. But individuals and small groups continued their
interest in track. Bob Mader would practice pole vault on a pit alongside the school.
Unfortunately, the field was then neglected until the 1970s.
The Boxing Match: John “Kid” Whynott
At the bottom right of the fourth column above, “An interesting boxing match” is
mentioned. John “Kid” Whynott had recently left Mahone Bay school to work. His
kid brother, Roger, was still in school and just over ten years later was to become
Middle Weight Champion of Canada. Johnny was later to become a town councilor
and was largely responsible for building the fine field that is at the old school now. He
would be pleased to turn H.V.’s dream into reality.
The High Light
The school newspaper-magazine-yearbook was another legacy of the Corkum years.
It was initially produced twice per year. The first edition was Christmas 1933, and it,
later renamed several times, has been part of
school life ever since
The Very First High Light, Dec/1933
The quality of work in The High Light of the
1930s has never been equaled. It was school
journalism at its best, with quality writing
from all grades.
‘High’ came from high school, ‘Light’
from the symbol of knowledge and
enlightenment.
And it was actually printed and published
at the school by a print shop owned by
the school, with the principal and student
council having shares. In the 1940s and
50s inferior books were produced from
a Gestetner machine. Later books were
usually Picture Memory Books without
the reporting or creative writing. A good
example is The High Light of 1936.

Frank Parker Day [whose book, Rockbound, has had a new lease of best seller
life after being promoted by CBC Radio, winning the ‘Listeners Read’ competition]
submitted the article above reminiscing about his early days in Mahone Bay.
Captain Bill McCoy, a household name whose rum running booze was “The Real
McCoy” [not watered down] did likewise.
Captain Angus Walters
was interviewed on, What
Is Fate of Bluenose?
And there were the
responses to local
interviews on the question
of improving tourism
in Mahone Bay, part of
which is produced below:
‘To The Class of ‘36: the
face is H. V. Corkum,
but the message is from
Margaret MacLean.
The responses on the left
make interesting reading.
Students had sought out
locals and visitors to ask
what would make Mahone
bay more appealing. They
are apt today.
They simply don’t make
yearbooks like this any
more.
103

The same edition explained the origin of the name High Light. High from High
School. Light from the ancient symbol for learning and enlightenment.
Francis Whynot , the namer, was later to become Town Post Master
Cadets, Music, Voice and Choir, Dance, Drama and Sewing.
Worked into the Curricular and Extra-Curricular Activities
When cadet practices were on, the other junior-senior high student [mostly girls, since
‘it was expected” the boys went to cadets] had choices of activity.
Betty Walsh spent her life at the school as student and teacher, and, in the 1970s,
became the first teacher with regular daily class music assignments. She paid tribute
to those pioneer classroom teachers who worked music into their classroom schedule,
helped with concerts and special programs and motivated and helped other to teach
music. She told this writer that long time early grades teacher Mrs. Byron Fancy was
a leader, “who actually gave lessons on how to teach music in the classroom.”
• H.V. was a military man in style and disposition. He liked the instituted authority, the order
of things and the action. He was the Major/Scout Leader type.
• Cadets had made a minor start before his arrival. He made it big time.
Cadet activities ware approved by the Department of Education. There was a
curriculum to follow. There was a Cadet Movement in the 1920s and 30s.
• The meetings were usually held for an hour a week. Then there were special events
and parades.
• The Cadet Regulations said: Discipline, individual and collective is essential,
and drill of an elementary character is to be encouraged, but gymnastic exercises,
physical drill, signaling, scouting, despatch riding, bridge building, map reading…
self-reliance and resourcefulness in emergencies….are to be regarded as of not less
value…
• Uniforms were worn. Shooting was done with the .22” rifles in indoor ranges. One
was developed in the basement of the school.
• Cadets was popular. A large number of boys joined and the summer camp, with
Major Corkum, at the Aldershot military camp, was looked forward to.
• Many young men benefited from Cadet experience when World War Two came.
• When the boys went to Cadets [initially on a Friday afternoon, later on Mondays
and Wednesdays], the girls could choose from drama, or sewing/home economics
activities, or choir and voice or drama.
• Plays and concerts were regular, and raised money for school activities.
• Choir and voice training were respected activities, and the Board and administration
were always looking for volunteer and professional help.
In October 1936 it was reported to the Board that six students were taking Voice
Instruction at Mrs. W. M. Mader’s Studio.
Pearl Oxner: Choir/Voice Director
The most successful of the early instructors was Pearl Oxner from Lunenburg. It
was agreed in 1938 that girls could join her voice and choir sessions for 10 cents a
session [usually one session per week]. She was to visit school for many years.
• She was immediately successful. The
school took two first places, solo and choir,
at the Provincial Music Festival in Halifax
in May.
‘EYES AND EARS’ ran in the Progress
Enterprise through the 1938-39 school year.
The South Shore Record had been taken
over by the Bridgewater Bulletin. The
students were determined to have a school
news column, and the style was definitely
tongue in cheek: news with humour. They
took it in turns to write, and Elizabeth Ernst,
who was a Glee Club member, wrote this
one, on left.
It told of the trip to Halifax, the fun and the
success. Mrs. Oxner was duly thanked. She
was to consistently develop quality singing
programs. Mrs. W. H. G. Hirtle, mother
of Beatrice [“Bea”] was an accomplished
accompanist. Bea was the soloist who ‘also
heads list.’ Bea won the soloist trophy three
years in a row so she earned the right to keep
it.
The photo on the next page shows the award
winning glee club. Elizabeth Ernst is front
left, Eileen McKay second from right in
front. Doris Nauss is behind Elizabeth’s
right shoulder. The girls are dressed rather
somberly. They have choir-girl type collars
104

Boys: Front Row- Earl Langille and Jessen Wentzell
Girls: Front Row- Helen Meisner, Freda Richardson, Beatrice Hirtle, Elizabeth
Ernst. Second Row-Mona Hamm, Maddie Whynot, Jean McKay.
Not in Photo, but returned or started:Mildred Aulenback, Barbara Begin, Mary
Church, Thelma Hiltz, Ruby Joudrey, Jean Nicol, Elaine Slauenwhite.
and little string bows.
The girls were on ‘Uncle Mel’s Radio Show.’
Winners at The Provincial Music Festival, 1939
Bea Hirtle won individual honours.
Photo: Courtesy Elizabeth Ernst
An Experiment in Student Government
• The grade 12 students of 1938-9 led a unique experiment in Student Government.
Student Council was not new but Student Government was. This writer, a long time
social studies teacher and school administrator, has not heard or read anything quite
like H. V Corkum’s initiative.
• The Assembly [grades 10, 11 and 12]: debated and approved a number of school
rules [which were pasted on the walls] with consequences for breaking them. The
rules included disturbing the library, biking on school grounds, being late for school
and for classes.
• A Magistrate [Earle Langille] was appointed to judge if there was sufficient evidence
and, if so, to conduct hearings and appoint a prosecuting counsel.
• A Constable [ John Meisner] was appointed to collect evidence, including witnesses,
and bring law-breakers to court.
• The Law-Breaker could plead guilty or appoint a defense counsel
• Hearings were attended by students.
• It was an exercise in responsible self government. It was Rousseau who suggested
that true freedom comes from obeying laws you have made yourself.
Here’s what the Eyes
and Ears column had
to say about some of
the cases.
Class of 1937 [grades 10-1l]
Back Row: Bruce Cochrane, Ray Daniels, Gordon Whynot, Herbie Hyson, Dave
Burgoyne, Harvey Whynot, Bruce Joudrey, Donald MacKay
Middle Row: Doris Strum, Marion Keddy, Mona Hamm, Maddie Whynot,
Carolyn Mader, Winnie Eisener, Gwen Begin, Jean Mackay, Mildred Burgoyne.
Front Row: [standing left] Billy Mader, [standing right] Teddy Begin, Earle
Langille, Margaret Zwicker, Helen Meisner, Freda Richardson, Maddie Joudrey,
Bea Hirtle, Elizabeth Ernst, Warren Strum, Jessen Wentzell.
Those who went on to the grade 12 of 1938-9 were
Elizabeth Ernst
supplied the
newspaper cuttings of
Eyes and Ears.
It was a brilliantly
original experiment in
practical civics.
105

Cooking Classes and Home Economics
Earlier in the 1930s there had been another interesting experience which reflected
innovation in curriculum and flexible scheduling. A professional cooking instructor
was invited in from the Valley to give cooking demonstrations for female students
with the girls taking turns, under direction, to participate and demonstrate.
School Cooking Club: Early 1930s
Discipline, Attendance and The Strap
Discipline was not a problem in the 1930s. The leadership was strong and the staff
solid with no real weak link.
Attendance improved dramatically. Principal Corkum insisted on good teacher
record keeping and reporting. And he chased down the absentees.
The Attendance Officer was the Town Policeman, and Corkum and his Board
[which always included the mayor and at least one councilor] instituted the practice
of:
1- the Town Policeman checking with the principal every day and
2- The Town Policeman reporting in person to the school board at each monthly
meeting. Recalcitrant students were hauled in front of the Board. Parents were visited
and, if necessary, threatened with legal action.
At the Board meeting of November 1932, ‘Principal Corkum reported that there had
been 97% attendance for all departments for Month of October.’
Photo: courtesy Alfreda [“Freda”] Zwicker-Mossman
Freda Zwicker is the student demonstrator, stirring, and Evelyn Schnare is her
partner. Freda married a fisherman and lives in Upper Kingsburg. She remembers the
name of Miss Blair, the cooking instructor from the Valley.
The girls demonstrating clearly had to dress properly and the observers are taking
notes. The Women’s Institute continued the good work by sending girls to short Home
Economics courses each summer at Normal College.
The photo was supplied by Freda Zwicker, whose brother and sister, Elwood and
Eleda live on the old family home [a farm in their youth] in Mahone Bay, on the
road to Mader’s Cover, with other brother Dennis and a younger sister close by. As
youngsters, they took turns in driving the horse and cart to deliver milk in town.
Before going to school! Chores were chores in those days, the 1920s and 30s. She
remembers the battle to get jeweller Wile to pay his bills....which he did.
Again, immediate results were spectacular. The November 1932 Board minutes record:
‘ Mayor Lohnes expressed appreciation of the success of the Misses Viola Thomas and
Mildred Mader, a demonstration team selected from The Cooking Club of the High
School, who won the Kiwanis Cup at the Provincial Exhibition; with further honors to
Miss Mader for individual work.’
Oswald [“Ossie”] Mader was Town Policeman in the mid 1930s. He was the son of
Freeman [“Tom”] Mader, the celebrated rigger, and the father of Bobby Mader, student,
badminton coach and, later, Town Post Master. Oswald was to become a School Board
member in 1943, and started a term as chairman in 1954.
Town Policeman and Attendance Officer, Oswald
[Ossie] Mader, with police hat. He rounded up the stray
and lost sheep.
1934 photo left supplied by Bobby Mader.
did.” Them were the days!!
Bobby tells a good story of his father as Attendance
Officer. “Ossie” checked in with H.V. one Friday. “Not
a single high school Boy in school this afternoon, Ossie.
Ossie reckoned he knew where to find ‘em. There they
were in the woods….laughing and carrying on….back
of the Park…He taught ‘em a lesson. He lined ‘em up
in twos and paraded them down Main Street to shame
them. Everybody could see them and knew what they
• Use of The Strap At first H.V. required teachers to keep records of strappings
they gave. Then, in October 1936 he called in the straps, and only the principal
could give a strapping. This certainly didn’t stop physical punishment, but it did stop
indiscriminate use of the strap.
106

H.V. Corkum, Union Man, Negotiates A “Volunteer’ Teacher Pay Cut
• H. V. was a committed ‘Union Man.’
• He served on the provincial and local executive.
• He edited the provincial and Lunenburg- Queens BULLETIN of the Nova Scotia
Teachers’ Union.
• Norman Ferguson’s The Story Of The Nova Scotia Teacher Union credits him
with being a leader for compulsory membership, praises his election as second vicepresident
of The Canadian Teachers Federation in 1935 and his work on committees
and delegations to the Minister to negotiate a provincial salary scale.
• So when The Depression was deep in 1934, and The Town and Board could not
meet its teacher salary obligations, it was Corkum who worked out a ‘’voluntary
contribution’ from his teachers.
A Revolution: The Age of Radio and ‘The Talkies’
The 1930s [as was the 1940s and early 50s] was the Age of Radio. They came into every
home, as common as TV today.
For the first time folks got immediate news and entertainment from around the world. News,
sports, music, comedy drama: every day students and parents listened to the radio and talked
about it. School Programs were developed by the Department of Education: classes at all
levels listened to them in their classroom.
Everybody Had One: Ads from the South Shore Record
“The Talkies” were well established at Mahone Bay’s own movie theatre, the
Knox Hall over the river, attached to the Presbyterian Church. To catch the newer
movies there was The Empire in Bridgewater and The Capitol in Lunenburg.
The minutes of the March 1934 Board meeting read:
Principal reported that teachers had met in conference and considered a voluntary
contribution from their salaries as financial assistance in the present crisis, and agreed
upon: the sum of Three Hundred Dollars from total salary or $30 per month as follows:
$25 from teacher receiving $400 per year
$50 from Vice Principal $100 from Principal
Monthly reduction to be effective April 1st
The 1930s: A Review
The Eyes and Ears catches the excitement of parties, sports, concerts and
presentations, Education Week, spelling matches.
There was a buzz of excitement about the school in the 1930s. There was action and
innovation: a sense of pride, well being and achievement.
The teaching staff had its characters but was solid, active and supportive: there were
very few changes. There was a team spirit.
Parties [for High School] and School Concerts were regular [two or three times a
year, usually Christmas and Spring ] events. They were a mixture of games, music,
dancing and entertainment. They were great for school spirit.
Education Week was introduced and the students found it exciting with ‘Open
House’ for parents throughout the school.
Team Sports for boys and girls, plus badminton and tennis had a freshness and novelty.
107

Girls Teams for First Time: Softball and Basketball became well established
• The Mahone High Light of December 1933, page 5 recorded, ‘The M.H.S. girls never
had the experience of playing games in competition with other schools ...
Through a very bright idea of Mr. Corkum, who furnished a bat and ball, the girls of
1933 formed a softball league with Bridgewater and Chester….The first game was
at home with Bridgewater…..when we saw Nellie [Skipper] Daurie, our star 3rd
baseman, peg the ball to first and hit the ball to the pines, we were encouraged. The
game resulted in a 11-8 win for Mahone.’
• The team only lost one game that season. It was coached by Gilbert Ritcey and the
manager was Mr. Corkum.
• Freda Zwicker was the short-stop on that team and was able to provide this
historic photo.
A Sporting Footnote: Hockey Champions, 1931
The December, 1933 High Light talks admiringly of the boys Mahone High School
team of 1931: ‘This team won the South Shore School Championship and went to
Halifax to play off for the Halifax Herald and Mail Trophy. They played against the
St. Pats’s hockey team which won the league in Halifax. Mahone High lost by a very
slight margin. The team was coached by Murray [Happy] Freeman and our principal,
Mr. Corkum, was manager. Extensive research by this writer has been unable to
discover further information about this team.
J. Albert Daurie: The School Janitor, An Institution
Janitors can become institutions. One such was Albert Daurie. Teachers came and
went, but he stayed. He became indispensable and a legend. He was janitor when
the school opened in 1914 and had the job until his death in December 1933. Born
in 1860, he was venerable Victorian in 1914. One of the first things the hundred year
old Hope Hyson told this writer was a jingle made up and repeated by students in the
1920s.
He’s a nice little man, Mr. Daurie
Always a Grit, never a Tory
When the furnaces work
Roasts us out like a Turk
But he’s working for us
So why worry!
108
• In 1933 an interdenominational softball league, with Dr. Skinner as president, was
formed to include church and school teams, boys and girls.
• In 1934 the girls were South Shore School Champions.
• Basketball teams for boys and girls followed with the church halls, including the old
Methodist Church Hall on Fairmont, being used. The girls were South Shore Champs
in 1936.
The South Shore Record of March 18th, 1937, noted, ‘On Tuesday night, …two
interesting games of basketball were witnessed in the United Church Hall, when the
Baptist teams played the High School teams. The High School girls carried off a
crushing victory…while the Baptist boys reversed the boys’ game.’
• Girls hockey was started. The December 1933 High Light, page 6, recorded,
‘Through the interest of our principal, Mr. Corkum, the girls of Mahone High started
hockey and they formed teams with Upper and Lower Town and played a great many
hotly-contested and exciting games.’
• Then came badminton as a school club with inter-school and club games. Added to the
existing tennis [the school court was maintained throughout the 1930s and early ‘40s], a full
athletics program gave equity to both boys and girls.
And he would dress up as Santa at Christmas and take treats to the classrooms!
The old family house, (above) still in fine condition, owned presently by Tom and
Roxanne Lindsay

Albert and Fannie Daurie
Photo: Courtesy Dora
McAlpine.
Albert was small of stature, but
mighty of spirit.
• He was a pillar of the church,
the Masons and the fire brigade.
• Fred Mosher mentioned him
kindly as allowing students to
use their back porch to change
for skating on the pond-as long
as they were gone by 10pm.
•He was the stoker who
tended tons of coal, kept the
coal furnaces burning and the
pressure up for the new fangled steam furnace. Did he cough up lumps of coke? “The
fire” in the furnace had to be set by 7am.
• He was the trucker who had to dispose [mostly on the field behind the school] of the
mountains of ash that accumulated.
• He tended the school outdoor well, kept the drinking water tanks full and clean.
• He was the plumber who tended the broken toilets and the frozen pipes. He even
installed the new disinfectant soap machines.
• His lair was the basement, but he had to clean the whole building, top to bottom,
twice a year: ‘To have walls and ceilings dry cleaned before school re-opens’
• He was the fixer of broken gutters, doors and windows.
• Soon after the school opened, he insisted on lighting in the basement. Not a man to
be kept in the dark!
• On occasion he was asked to be a policeman: report to the principal on teachers
who lingered too late after school; ‘remove and report loiterers and smokers from the
basement.’
• A janitor’s lot in life is not an easy one!
• He regularly petitioned the school board for higher wages. He was successful. By
the mid-1920s, at the princely sum of $525 per year, he was, after the principal, the
next best paid member of staff.
• Twice the Board dared to put the job up for tender. Both times he was re-appointed,
his supremacy never to be challenged again. In 1932 there were complaints about a
dirty basement. Chairman Charle Lohnes reported ‘Interviewing janitor, he claimed
all complaints unfounded and contended that THE coal was nothing but dust, and it
was impossible to keep the basement floor clean.’
The Triumph of The Dauries: Loans to the School Board
In 1931, the Town and Board were cash poor and desperately needed money
for school repairs and improvements, particularly for excavating, replacing and
insulating water pipes and pumps. To the rescue came the Dauries-with a loan of
$932, repayable over 10 years at 5%. The best was yet to come. Lunenburg Foundry
had perfected the Automatic Stoker for homes and institutions. It was a best seller:
much more efficient in heating and a huge saving in labour. Albert had died in late
December 1933 and his son Gordan had been appointed to succeed him. Fannie came
forward with a second loan to buy and install the Automatic Stoker.
Poetic Justice
Photo Courtesy Lunenburg Foundry
109

Teaching Staff: Summer of 1936
we indulged quite frequently. Three of our classmates, one of whom is now overseas,
at various times provided us with instrumental selections.
Elsie Wentzell and her Grade 6 Class, 1941-2
Photo: Courtesy of Margaret McLean-MacKay Collection
Staff Stability was a factor in the strong school of the 1930s. There was very little
coming and going. The Depression did make people hang on to their jobs. But morale
was high and the staff dedicated.
Back Row: Mrs. [Loretta] Fancy, Mrs. [Elsie] Wentzell, Miss [Flo] Mullock
Front Row: Miss [Lela] Hyson, Miss [Margaret] Freeman, ‘H.V.’ Miss [Dot]
Slauenwhite, Miss [Marg] MacLean
•Elsie Wentzell was one such teacher. She was a Wentzell from Indian Point and
married Arch Wentzell, no relation, from Indian Point. She and her husband moved
into town and lived in the house on the corner of Hedge Row. She had been on staff
since 1923 and resigned in 1946.
•She was popular with the students, was very professional in her manner and her
appearance. She taught grade 6 or 7 or 8 or a combination. As grade 7/8 teacher she
was responsible for introducing Latin and French.
•She was a lot of fun and very flexible. The ‘Mahone Bay Notes’ in the February
5th 1930 Lunenburg Progress Enterprise noted: Mrs Arch Wentzell, one of the
Academy teacher, took her school pupils on a sleigh ride to Lunenburg on Wednesday
afternoon.
•She loved to tell stories and read aloud. She had a flair for drama and entertainment.
That’s where her daughter Patricia [who became a New York Show Girl and
Hollywood Starlet] got it from.
•She encouraged sing-songs and students to bring their guitars and other instruments
to school. In the Highlight Yearbook for 1941-2, Class History writers, Jean Nicol
and Murray Hirtle recalled:
Despite our fears the big moment [moving upstairs where the big kids were] arrivedliterally
and figuratively we ascended the stairs to Mrs. Wentzell’s room. From this
elevated status we looked toward new horizons, French and Latin. The cloud in our
sky was a gruesome geography text, but the shining light a lusty sing-song in which
110
Photo: Courtesy Irene Nauss [Whynott]
Back Row: Gwen Ernst, Iris Tanner, Irene Nauss, Agnes Croft, Muriel Hirtle, Evelyn
Fray, Dorothy Ernst.
Middle Row: Earl Nauss, Erma Inglis, Elsie Wentzell, Joan Joudrey, Eric Heisler,
Reggie Carter.
Front Row: Lawrence Holman, Merlin Ernst, Bruce Hamm, Burton Levy,
Jummah Younis.
Another popular, committed, teacher was Miss “Dot” Slaunwhite who was the
brownie leader as well as having the grade four or four-five class. She had a loud
voice and the girls called her “Screech Owl.”
With Irene Ernst and
Margaret McLean
leading guides, and
“H.V.” the scouts, they
were often called the
school troop.

Miss Slaunwhite’s brownies are shown
on the previous page. Anne Freeman,
granddaughter of Captain John [1913
tragedy] supplied the photo, and is
front row, far right and her best friend ,
Rosamund Mader [daughter of William
at the Mader/Royal Hotel] is in front of
the leader’s left shoulder
The New Bearcat. The must-have
scribbler of the era. The cover was bright
orange. The bear was cool and tough.
They were made by T.S.P. & C., Truro.
Two Failed Initiatives
There were two failed initiatives of Principal Corkum and the Board.
• A School Assembly/Gym/Special Events Hall
It appeared in December-January 1933-34 that the Board had pulled off a major coup. At
the initiative of the Board, the United Church Council and members had agreed to donate
the old Methodist Church, then the United Hall, to the town for school purposes. It was
to be moved to the newly purchased school field. The excitement in the Board minutes
is tangible. But the plan was suddenly dropped. It appears the old hall was in very poor
shape, might not survive the move, and would require endless maintenance expenditures.
• Manual Training Room and Teacher Approved by Board, Rejected by Town
Council In March 1939, Corkum pushed the Board towards establishing a manual training
[industrial arts] teacher and program. He was directed ‘to prepare and have published in the
local paper a “write up” of same, to ascertain public opinion.’
At the April meeting, the Board agreed to ‘ask the town council for permission
to borrow Five Hundred dollars to meet our part in placing manual training in
the school…provisional on our securing a teacher at $800 per year..’ War came,
and H.V. Corkum, took a leave of absence and enlisted, leaving the matter to his
successors. The delay lasted thirty-five years!
The War Years, 1939-45
The Second World War brought turmoil and dislocation to all aspects of domestic
life. The involvement in total war, the focus of news and resources, the enlistment
and absence of so many men [fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins], the imminence of
death and maiming, the boom in the local manufacturing and job market, the absence
of eligible young men to teach and administer all added to a rare interlude from
normalcy.
There was an amazing commitment of board, teaching staff and students to support
the war effort and ‘carry on as usual’. And there were important additions and
changes.
Change and ‘The Horrors of War’
• Ruby Joudrey, editor of The High Light for 1939-41, writing her Editorial for the
December edition spoke of the combination of change and tension that was new:
‘….This year has brought unusual changes for the students. In the place of Miss
Freeman[now Mrs. Harold Kedy] we have Miss Mader. In the High School, instead of
Miss McLean and Mr. Corkum we have Miss Strum*** and Mr. MacKay..
In previous years we studied from tests, the horrors of war, but at present, to our
regret, we are learning some of that history at first hand. Although the war will likely
bring to us events which will be hard for us to face….I am sure we will meet with
success if we keep to our motto, “True Success is to Labor”.’
• ***Miss Strum, the new vice-principal was a very competent teacher. The
Bridgewater Bulletin and South Shore Record [the two had been merged] recorded
that July, ‘Miss Mona Strum is on the Examining Board of The Maritime Provinces
and Newfoundland, examining papers written by provincial students….Miss Strum is
assistant reader in English.’
• Administrative Problems: The stable leadership of the 1930s disappeared
in the summer of 1939. H.V. Corkum took a leave of absence and became Major
Corkum of the West Nova Scotia Regiment. Margaret McLean resigned to take up a
teaching position in Montreal. In five years there were four principals. Continuity of
leadership was simply not there.
• H. B. “Harry” MacKay was principal 1939-40. His sister, Lillian, had married H.V.
Corkum and he was to suffer in comparison with his brother-in-law. He was the total
opposite. He had been a quiet classroom teacher, sensitive and philosophical. He wrote
quality poetry. A kind and gentle man, he disliked confrontation and found management
of discipline difficult. By mutual consent he quickly left. He left the province and
married Margaret McLean in June 1941. It was the case of a good and talented man in
the wrong position.
111

Clinton. H. Havey, 1940-41 came and left, fast, leaving little mark
on the school.
The photo is from the
Margaret McLean-
MacKay collection.
Mr. and Mrs MacKay
returned to the Will
McLean house later, with
a daughter, Judith. Harry
went on to sell insurance.
William. C. Hankinson, 1941-43, who had been working for the
Halifax system, brought two years of stability, pleased the Board
with his energy, reporting and recommendations. He was a good
administrator, teacher and disciplinarian. He reported regularly to the
Board, keeping the members well informed. He and Miss Strum made a
strong team. The Board was reluctant to accept his resignation when he
moved on to greener pastures.
He had an interesting case to deal with early in his first year:
Miss Mulock
Who Flew Miss Mulock’s Bloomers from the Flag Pole?
• There are more stories about Flo Mulock then any other early teacher.
• She was eccentric in behavior and looks. She was very tall [some
six feet] and ungainly. One ex-student described her as “homely as a
hedge fence.” She was tough, aggressive and had a sharp tongue.
• She was a disciplinarian and hard taskmaster. She could give a desk
and its inhabitants a good rattling. She believed in hands on discipline.
Most students feared her on reputation alone.
• She was the grade 9 teacher
• Some remember her hawking and spitting in the garbage can. Others
remember her snapping her girdle.
• She is remembered for her: 1-love of poetry. She would make
students memorize and take turns and recite to the class. Even now
students remember some of the lines.
2-making students copy over their work until a quality work was
produced.
3-introducing students to the magic of algebra.
Photo: Courtesy Bobby Mader
Bobby Mader became her student in September 1939
• In the early introductions, Bobby was reminded of his older brother,
Alfred’s legacy.
• Alfred had put a snake under Miss Mulock’s desk bell and she threw
a fit. One day she asked him to get her keys from her coat pocket and
get her mail from the post office box. He did and also left an egg in her
pocket: the egg was duly smashed. One Halloween she had some boys
paint some green on her garden decorations. Alfred was one of them.
Next day her classroom desk was daubed with green. A “show your
hands!” test by Miss Mulock and the principal came up clean.
Bobby described their encounter:
“Did you have a brother? Yes… Alfred Mader?…..Yes……You’re a
hoodlum..worthless like him..…..For three days in a row she gave me
a ‘donkey ride’ [grabbed by the collar and twisted]…I went home each
day with torn collar or buttons missing…..mum and dad said that’s
enough and went to the school board.”
112

Ossie Mader [ex Town Policeman and son of Tom Mader, the rigger] went to the
board meeting of October 10th 1941. The minutes read:
Mr. Mader explained certain trouble as between his son…and his teacher Miss
Mulock. …..in the classroom…had accused Bobbie of being a hoodlum..worthless like
his brother Alfred….He named a number of students to substantiate his claim…Mr.
Mader called upon Miss Mulock at her home to present his case…but had the door
closed in his face…he decided to appeal to the Board.
The Principal was asked by the Board if any complaints had been made against Miss
Mulock… Principal [Mr. Hankinson] stated there had been several which he then
reported.
• A committee of the chair Mr. Hagen, the secretary Mr. Joudrey and the principal was
appointed to meet with Miss Mulock. Then a letter of reprimand was sent her.
• A little later, Bobby felt threatened again and waved his fist at the teacher. “You
want a whiff of this?” Bobby was sent to the principal. Mr. Hankinson said, “I’ll strap
the desk and you holler.” The principal strapped and the student hollered.
• But nobody, including Bobby and his dad, complained about Miss Mulock the
instructor. Students learned and did well.
• There was definitely another side to her character. She was asked to chaperone at
school parties and she did.
• In the late 1920s, Lucille Joudrey, Margaret McLean [the future vice-principal]
and friends wanted to go overnight to Strum’s Island. They needed a chaperone and
reluctantly asked Miss Mulock. “She turned out to be a lot of fun…she even let us
chew gum….In those days we thought that was very daring,” explained Lucille.
(Who is seated behind Mrs Mulock’s left shoulder.)
Miss Mulock, the chaperone, was a lot of fun
on Strum’s Island. The girls, including Lucille
Joudrey and Margaret McLean acted and
dressed crazy.
Who Flew Bloomers from the Flag Pole?
Flo Mulock’s bloomers were flown from
the school flag pole one morning, causing a
sensation. Is this man smiling at the memory
of taking them from the washing line and
hoisting them? He says he’ll deny it! But
Lawrence H., we know!
So, after the Flo Muluck interlude, life
continued for Mr. Hankinson. Students
remember him as a quiet, studious man, a
good teacher.
Absenteeism and Work By 1942 large numbers of boys were leaving school to work
in the booming war economy. Mr. Hankinson singled out Lawrence for special mention:
‘He makes the most of how at home “they boast that they have a whole bureau-drawer”
of departmental [absence] warnings..but just laugh at them.’
Photo: Courtesy Marion Wynacht-Langille
The Gum Chewers
Photo: Courtesy Lucille Joudrey-Anderssen Collection
A strong administrative team: Mr. Hankinson and Miss Strum from a 1943 class
photo. Marion Wynacht, who came from Mader’s Cove school to complete grade 10
and 11, remembers Miss Strum’s very professional, no-nonsense, “to-the point” style
and greatly respected her for it. And for Mr. Hankinson, there were lots “who had to
stay after school.” His reports indicate a fussy, some times fuddy-duddy manner.
113

He lived with his parents until a late marriage. He was meticulous about his appearance,
particularly his wavy hair. Jean Burgoyne remembers when nobody would own up
to throwing an eraser, he kept the whole class in until after dark. Lantern in hand, her
mother met her on the way home to Oakland.
Town Council Rejects Manual Training
Mr. Hankinson did pursue the manual training initiative of H.V. Corkum. He priced
the work needed to partition the basement and equip the new room and hire a
teacher. He had a trained teacher available, Anthony A. Hiltz. In October 1942, the
Board gave him the go ahead to start work on the room and meet with the Education
Department to discuss the provincial grant and the tools needed. The Department’s
Inspector of Manual Training came to the school to assist in planning. Then came the
hammer blow. The December meeting of Town Council would not support the startup
expenditures. The writing was on the wall, and a majority of councilors refused to
support the project, mostly because of costs.
An opportunity lost. It was to be thirty-five years later that industrial arts and home
economics belatedly came to the school. Disappointment may have been a factor in
Hankinson’s resignation in March.
C. W. Spencer, 1943-5 was an administrative disaster in organization and
discipline, provoking a revolt among the teachers. Agnes Croft-Whynott remembers it
was a common sight to see him out of school with his young children when he should
have been working. The staff sweated out the first year, but moved when the principal
planned to come back in September. At the September 29th Board meeting, Percy
Mosher and Miss Campbell represented the teachers as “ Principal Spencer read a
lengthy report on reasons why he had incurred the displeasure of Vice Principal [Miss
Campbell], Mr. Mosher, Chairman Burgoyne and Secretary Joudrey [a formidable
combination to upset!]. After ‘lengthy discussion’ Commissioners Eisenhauer and
Mader [“Ossie Mader”] were directed to ‘..interview each member of the staff
individually as to any grievance and to report to the Board at next meeting.’
Lack of discipline and follow through with teacher concerns was the problem. The
committee reported teachers “found it impossible to get any cooperation from the
principal…students took the matter of being sent to principal for disciplining..as a
joke.” The Board lost confidence and Percy Mosher was instructed to sit in on all
further Board meetings. Mr. Spencer duly submitted his resignation and left in June of
1945.
Photo: Courtesy Irene Westhaver-Unger
The Grade 11 [grade 12 had been discontinued] Class of 1944
Left to Right: Back Row: Mr. Percy Mosher, Mr. C. W. Spencer, Marcus Eichel.
Middle: Ruth Delong, Marion Wynacht, Shirley Vaughn, Jean & Gwen Ernst. Front:
Irene Westhaver, Jean Mader, Isabel Ramey.
Mr. Spencer Loses His Car Bumper on Halloween While talking with Irene
Westhaver [-Unger] and Anne Freeman [daughter of Howie and grand daughter
of Captain John] Anne confessed to a group of girls tying the principals car to a
telegraph pole. The bumper was ripped off!!
The staff of 1944-
5: Courtesy Helen
Holman-Dares
Standing: Mr. Spencer,
Mrs. Byron Fancy, Mrs.
Arch Wentzell, Mr. Percy
Mosher.
Seated: Miss Irene Ernst,
Miss A. Jacquelin, Miss E.
Mosher [Percy’s sister]
114

Helen Holman felt sorry for Mr. Spencer: “calm, gentle, but no organization or
discipline.” Her favourite was Miss Jacquelin: “a beautiful all-round person, an
encourager..built you up..”
A fine photo of the school in 1945: Courtesy Helen Holman-Dares
The photo was used on the cover of the yearbook through to 1954.
Photo: Courtesy Muriel Hirtle
Percy Mosher, Teacher, 1943-44, Vice-Principal 1944-5,
Principal 1945-6:
• Percy was a local lad, born in 1915. His father was killed while mining in Ontario
when Percy was quite young.
• His mother was left poor and Percy and his sister Elsie had a very
frugal upbringing.
• In adolescence he got very sick with appendicitis and following complications. He
was hospitalized for long periods and lost three years of schooling. He had to make
them up and graduated in 1938.
• He borrowed the needed money and went to Normal College and did so well
academically that he started his degree part-time at Mount Allison while he was
teacher and principal at Mahone Bay.
• He was a strong supporter of scouts and cubs and started a cub pack at the school
• he was appointed to grade 8 in 1942. Percy had two tough years: one as viceprincipal
with C. W. Spencer, and his year as principal, 1945-6, was miserable. Not
because of his class, but because of his vice-principal, Mr. Matheson.
• Mr. Mathieson had been appointed vice principal and the man just could not
survive in the classroom. Agnes Croft [Whynott], Betty Walsh and others felt sorry
for the man. “He even dressed oddly.. He could keep no order..even the girls gave him
a hard time.” Irene Nauss and Agnes Croft remembered how poorly he dressed [holes
and patches, shirts that needed buttons, shoes you could see his toes through], an old
battered trilby hat, and how difficult he was to understand: “He was tormented. What
a sin!”
• Bad Girls
In January of 1946, Mr. Mathieson complained to the Board “ that he did not get the respect
he should’ and he named the girls who were particularly rude: Gertrude Rooke, Betty
Hamm, Anna Hirtle and Doris Fancy. Girls, where are you now?
• It was agreed that Mr. Mathieson would teach with his classroom door open so that
Mr. Mosher could go to his assistance. Such arrangements do not work. One teacher
cannot keep another’s discipline. Mr. Matheson had a section of his class leave to go
to the library and he was always sending ‘excessive talkers’ out of his room.
• Finally Percy, a man with a short temper, got exasperated, stomped into the other
room and manhandled Mr. Matheson to sit in a desk while he spoke to the students.
Agnes witnessed the incident and Mr. Matheson shouted, “I will not be treated like a
prisoner in my own country.”
• The Board accepted Mr. Mathieson’s resignation with relief.
Grade eight September 1943: Irene had made a mess of Iris’s hair
Back Row: Mildred Knickle, Violet Nauss, Muriel Hirtle, Shirley Hirtle, Gwen Ernst,
Edith Veinotte, Betty Langille. Front Row: Mr. Mosher, Agnes Croft, Evelyn Fraye,
Iris Crossland, Irene Nauss, Joyce Crossland, Sylvia Hiltz
115

Mr. Mosher’s Senior Classes, 1946 Photo Courtesy Agnes Croft-Whynott
Back Row: Verbina Langille, Mergarite Dogget, Viola Veinot, Dorothy Eisnor,
Esther DeLong, Doris Fancy, Betty Walsh.
Middle Row: Phyllis Whynacht, Betty Hamm, Anne Hirtle, Helen Mader
Margarite Knickle, Theresa Deveau, Grace Young.
Front Row: Richard Monroe, Vernon Hirtle, Unknown, Alec Hirtle, Mr. Mosher.
Esther DeLong [from New Germany] and Theresa Deveau [from the French Shore,
near Barrington] had come to town with parents attracted by the wartime boom.
Betty Walsh [top row, far right] would stay on another year to graduate, go to Normal
College and come back to teach at the school. She stayed in Mahone Bay for a long
and distinguished career as classroom teacher, reading specialist and music teacher
[taking over the Glee Club when Mrs. Oxner retired.] She was a student council
leader, active in drama and glee club
Their graduation ceremony, June 22/46 was outdoors, and their party-reception-dance
was on the upper floor of Ali Minard’s Store: the building, next to Mader’s Wharf,
was later Dorothy’s Hair Salon for years.
When the Board accepted H.V. Corkum’s desire to return for September 1946, Percy
was probably quite content.
• He had an original sense of humor as well as a fiery temper. Irene Nauss [Whynott]
remembers the smokers being caught once by Percy. They denied smoking.
• He went on to a successful career with the Municipality of Lunenburg, being a
principal and then Sub-System Supervisor. A colleague was Earl Langille. Two Bay
Boys running the system!
• He lived in Mahone Bay and was a devoted Lion, serving in many capacities,
including the presidency of the Mahone Bay and Area Lions Club.
The School Supports The War Effort
The immersion of the students and staff into the war effort was extraordinary. The
focus was daily. There was a home front camaraderie that made people work hard to
support the was effort.
A page from the Highlight of 1940-41 gives an indication:
Canadian Fund for Air Raid Victims, The Spitfire Fund, Knitting Scarves and
Sweaters for Red Cross, Buying V-Crests. Sale of 15000 Bookmarks by High
School Print for the Queens’ Canadian Fund.
The effort was endless. Shortly after graduating Bill Hirtle, [son of Warren, the
ex school board member and mayor and owner of Hirtle’s Store, and Merna, the
Women’s Institute and Home and School activist], proudly bought a War Bond for
which he had worked hard.
116
Principal Mosher said he knew they were and had come to have a cigarette with them.
And he did!

In his report to the Board for 1942-3, page 10, Principal Hankinson wrote:
‘The High School Grades listened to Churchill’s speech in the United States House of
Representatives this spring. They were most attentive.’
School Cadets on Parade during Wartime
Front: Eric Whynot, Gerald Joudrey, ? , ? , William Joudrey, Vernon Hirtle
Back: Richard Monroe, Merlin Ernst, Ted Young, Frank Mader, Roseville Burgoyne,
Marcus Eichel, Dail Millett
117

Trying to Keep Life as Normal
The teaching staff tried to keep life as normal as possible:
• Music and Folk Dancing: Mrs. Fancy led the elementary section teachers in
continuing special singing and folk dancing in the “extra curricular” period each
Wednesday.
• Cadets, Drama, Knitting and Sewing were the options for grades 7-11. The
Junior Sewing class, led by Elsie Mosher and helped by Mrs. Orren Joudrey produced
160 articles for display. The seniors knitted sailors’ ditty bags.
Mrs. Eddie Joudrey, from the sewing shop, helped.
• Drama Class and School Dramatic Entertainment
Mr. Hankinson reported that, Enrolled in the Drama Class were ten girls of Grades X
and X1…This class which met weekly for an hour, followed a course adapted from the
Drama and Dramatics by Helen Randle Fish. Productions were held as fund raisers.
Glee Club was continued by Mrs. Oxner, then Miss Jacquelin
• The Principal even recorded the mumps epidemic, visits of the health nurse [Miss
Pitts], first aid administered and Fire and Air-Raid Drill.
Yes, there was an Air Raid Shelter built in the basement. A section of floor was
excavated deeper and the roof reinforced with beams.
Cadets: Boom and Die Initially cadets thrived with, in 1940-41, fifty-eight boys
enrolled [it was compulsory]: forty-six regulars and twelve juniors.
Then a drastic decline in enrolment of boys took place as they left in droves to walk into
readily available jobs in the shipbuilding and supply boom of the war.
There were also jobs for women.
Enrolment Decline, Grade 12 Cut One Teaching Position Dropped
Enrolment in grades nine, ten and eleven dropped. Jobs were available to school
leavers, even under age ones. The grade 12 program was cut. Numbers did not justify
it. With the loss of so many senior boys, cadets declined and was dropped in 1947.
With the climate of opinion after The War even H.V. Corkum could not revive it.
Photos: Courtesy Irene Nauss [Whynott]
Photo above: On the Post Office Steps
What is it about Uniforms?
Standing: Muriel Hirtle, Mary Rhodenizer, cadets Jnr. [“Frank”] Mader, Roseville
Burgoyne, Ted Young, Evelyn Fray, Irene Nauss
Sitting: Faye Whynott, Ray Zwicker, Phyllis Whynot Child unidentified
Photo above: At Hirtle’s Store
Evelyn, Irene, Muriel and Phyllis move down to Muriel’s father’s store [W.H.G.
Hirtle’s] to pose and admire the latest fashions.
Empire Day, May 23rd, 1941
An example of the energy and talent fostered by the staff and the activities classes
is this day. The celebrations were organized and presented by the staff and students.
There were folk dances, music, songs, a demonstration by the cadets and a collection
for Air Raid Victims. The following page is from the Highlight, Graduation Number
1941, page 10. Beverley Reiser [Eisen0r], daughter of Lela Hyson and niece of Hope
Hyson has it in her collection.
118

Mrs. Byron Fancy was the key leader of dance music and song in the elementary
division. Teachers helped, particularly Irene Ernst.
The Bridgewater paper on July 2, ’41 noted parents and students gave Mrs. Fancy a
‘ very gracious’ letter of thanks, ‘a very nice white purse and a pair of silk hose’ in
‘appreciation for the splendid instruction given in music..to her music class during
the school year.’
School Sports, Rifle Club-Girls Too
School sports continued, but increasingly at an in-school level. The new sport was
Rifle Club: The club met in the basement of the school, and shot from the prone
position along the length of it. Nobody was injured. Girls participated. When I asked
about her score, Jean Burgoyne [Nickerson] laughed and retorted, “Oh, don’t remind
me of that.”
The 1941-42 Highlight recorded some scores.
The Highlight
The Highlight continued to be printed, but only once or twice a year. And the
published quality was more modest. It was produced on a Gestetner and stapled
together. Miraculously Grace Elliott [her father, Rev Elliott had been Anglican
minister in the mid and late 1930’s] and Bev Reiser [Eisenor], whose mother, Lela
Hyson [Reiser] had taught at the school, and was the sister of Hope Hyson, preserved
some.
One delightful feature of the 1941-42 edition was the clever and perceptive pen
portraits/caricatures of the graduates, drawn by Staff Artist Jean Burgoyne and shown
on the next page.
119

still lives in Bridgetown.
Jean did twelve highly distinctive portraits for the yearbook. She and her husband
have retired to the old Burgoyne family home, across the Bay in Oakland across
the road from the site of the old Burgoyne shipyard. All three finished school the
following year, 1942-3. In the 1943 photo below, Jean Burgoyne is to be found in the
third row, Bill Hirtle in the front and Murray Hirtle at the back. Marion Wynacht is in
the second. Carl Westhaver, from Mader’s Covenow lives in Bedford, Nova Scotia.
The seniors of 1943. Photo: Courtesy Marion Wynacht-Langille
Back Row: Raymond Zwicker, Murray Hirtle, Principal Hankinson, Miss Strum
Fourth Row: Shirley Vaughn, Rosamund Mader, Marjorie Smeltzer, Beulah Veno
Third Row: Gwen Ernst, Anne Freeman, Katherine Wentzell, Jean Burgoyne, ? ,
Mildred Saltzman. Second Row: Jean Mader, Ermine Hiltz, Christine Mader, Irene
Westhaver, Marion Wynacht, Doris Burgoyne. Front Row: Charles Andrews, Jnr
[Frank] Mader, Orville Freda, Rex Parkes, Billy Hirtle, Carl Westhaver. Charles
Andrews [bottom left], from Indian Point, became a teacher and long-time viceprincipal
at Lunenburg Jr.-Sr. High.
120
Jean [“Juanita”] includes herself on the page. Murray was the crack shot of Rifle
Club. Bill, “Egg”, a keen student of Mahone Bay history [two historical essays are
in this Highlight], went on to write the study of Mahone Bay that is used in the next
chapter and be a long time teacher, administrator and coach at Bridgetown Junior-
Senior High, as well as a prodigious worker for the Nova Scotia Teachers Union. He
The Print Shop
The best account of the Print Shop, established in 1933 by H.V. Corkum, is in the
1941-42 Highlight. It truly was a print shop: a press with a block of type; set up as a
stock company [H.V.Corkum had passed on his controlling shares to his successors];
type cases; blue, green and black inks; 100 separate jobs; handbills..report cards..
Christmas cards…15000 bookmarks; 30000 impressions.

It was a business.
Ivan Westhaver loved the print shop. He stayed three years to get his grade 12. He
didn’t want to leave.
Some War Time Improvements
Iron Fire Escape Built: 1940-45, Sneak Preview of Tests, Mischief
New Fire and Fire Insurance Regulations required the building of a massive fire
escape system, front and back of the school. In October 1939 the Board was obliged
to initiate costs of installing. Provincial Fire Marshall, Mr. Rudland, was involved in
the planning. With exterior and interior work [exit doors to the fire escape] it became
a long drawn out process. It was not until 1945 that the bulk of the work was done-by
Leaman H. Hirtle, from West Dublin, a boss at Industrial Shipping.
The monumental exterior iron stairs were a feature of the school for many years.
Some remember the first hand-holding, some the first kiss. George Silver remembers
when the boys figured out that, with a flashlight, at night you could mount the steps,
shine the light through classroom windows and read the next day’s tests the teachers
had written on the boards.
Mischief makers, Bobby Mader recalls, soon realized the new potential for climbing to
the tower and ringing the bell, and escaping, without entering the school building. See
photos on page 153
Classroom and Hall Lighting Installed: 1943-5
Lighting was finally and belatedly installed. In his Principal’s Report for the year
1942-3, Mr. Hankinson wrote, ‘Many of the children are going to have trouble with
their eyes due to having to work during dark weather by insufficient light. This is
a very serious matter. The Board of School Commissioners should take the earliest
opportunity to have the school wired for electric lights.
To their credit, the Board members, led by chair Evan Burgoyne, took immediate
action. In December 1943, Donald Langille, who did electrical work for the Town and
had a daughter, Donna, in school, did the project, working at night. $250 was put in
the 1944-5 budget to complete the installation. The student council added $60 to the
funds. The classroom lights hung down five or six feet from the ceiling
In the 1950s students like Franklyn Burgoyne carried on the work. The shop was
later moved up under the bell in the tower. The aging equipment was eventually sold
off.
So the war came to a close. There had been a number of improvements not previously
mentioned:
Religious Instruction Course: Bible Study: 1942-3
The piecemeal practice of teachers doing their own thing was replaced by a
curriculum set by school representatives and a committee of local clergy. In his
annual report, Mr. Hankinson noted: Bible Study: ‘The courses outlined and adopted
in 1942 were followed this year. Memory work and other knowledge of the material
covered were tested along with English and History examinations.’ The Bible Study
period usually came first in the morning, following prayers.
121

Home and School Association Formed: 1945
In the spring of 1945, the Mahone Bay Home and School Association was formed, and the
Board gave permission for the executive to meet in the principal’s office and membership
to meet in a classroom. It was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship. The prime
mover was Mrs.[W.H.G.] Merna Hirtle.
The Star Weekly, Toronto, September 15 1962
‘Loud Speaker System’ Installed: December-January 1946-7
One of the early major Home and School projects was to pay for a public
address system for the school. Office and classroom could now make contact.
“Announcements” arrived. The Association was also busy improving the school
grounds, setting up a book exchange, and adding books and new shelves to the
library.
Principal’s Phone and Back-Stop
• In April 1942 a phone was placed in the principal’s office.
• In April 1945 a back stop for ball games was erected on the school field
The Faces of Progress are Numerous!
Adult Education Classes Started: Pottery Craze Hits Town, Alice
Hagen
The first steps to support adult education classes were taken during the war. In March
1940, Mr. E. D. Ford who had been with the N.S. Technical College and was then
with the Department of Education met with the Board, telling them of successful
pottery classes that had taken place in the town the last two summers.
He pointed out they could only continue if the Board subsidized provincial
grants [from the Technical Education Branch]. The Board would have to budget $200
and that would cover a summer course and “Night Classes in Pottery” from October
to April 1940-41.
The summer class worked but the night school did not have sufficient registration, but
it did for 1942-3. after the Board had been petitioned by fourteen ladies in October. The
following winter the class contributed $60 to costs.
Demonstrations were given to students and students were allowed to use the clay. For a
year different classes went to the school basement to practice pottery.
Even in the early 1950s, Agnes Croft [Whynott] remembered taking students to the
basement to use left over clay. For several years in the 1940s there was a blossoming
of interest and activity in pottery in Mahone Bay. The inspiration was Alice Hagen.
She was an award and medal winning potter with a national and international
reputation for her work and studies.
Mrs. Hagen and her husband had lived in Mahone Bay since 1930. In Dr. Mitchener’s
old stone house on Clairmont, Bob Douglas’s present home, she built a studio. She
attracted the attention of the Department of Education in 1938 and classes were
sponsored throughout the province in the following years. Samples of her work and
her students can be seen at Mahone Bay’s Settlers Museum.
122

Her husband, John “Jack” Hagen was mayor and school board chairman
from 1940-1944.
The Bridgewater Bulletin and South Shore Record recorded on July 2 1941: Misses
Marion Keddy and Carolyn Mader have gone to Antigonish to receive instruction in
the pottery class of Mrs. Alice M. Hagan. This summer fifty students will be enrolled
in the classes. Marion Keddy became Mrs. George Lutes and taught at the town
school for many years.
Miss Jacklyn Makes a Good Impression, 1943-46
Miss Jacklyn’s appointment from September 1943 ‘til her resignation in 1946
links the war and post war years. Principal Hankinson had visited her classroom at
New Ross and reported he was so impressed that he highly recommended her. He was
moving on and his successor, C.W. Spencer, from Chester, was at the meeting.
• Junior Singing Club: ‘Blue Bay’ and The First Lunenburg County Music
Festival, Wednesday June 1945 (see photo next page)
Adrienne Jacklyn and Pearl Oxner were responsible for Mahone Bay School being
involved in the very first Festival. One hundred and fifty boys and girls from
Bridgewater, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg gathered at the Lunenburg Academy.
Courtesy of Josephine Skinner’s
fine collection of information on the
Music Festival.
Sylvia Hiltz, Gertrude Rooke
and Agnes Croft are mentioned
for solo parts, and so is a trio of
Gertrude, Betty Walsh and Irene
Nauss.
A later paragraph, not in the
copy opposite, praises Marcus
Eickle:…of the Mahone Bay
High School…the lone male in
the evening program delighted
the audience with his fine tenor
voice…
Betty Walsh remembers him
well. He was a leading church
choir member, too. He is in
group photos on page 123.
Miss Jacklyn’s grade 7 Students 1943-4 Photo: Photo Courtesy Muriel Hirtle
• The students above are, left to right:
Back Row: ?, Schwartz, Agnes Croft, Miss Jacklyn, Gwen Ernst, Muriel Hirtle,
Bruce Hamm. Front Row: Evelyn Fray, Irene Nauss, Sylvia Hiltz, Irene Crossland,
Shirley Hiltz.
• Miss Jacklyn, from Shelburne, was appointed to grade 7-8 position. She was a big
hit with the students. She was bright, energetic and imaginative, both in the classroom
and outside. Betty Walsh described her as excellent with teenage girls. She could sing,
sew and even encouraged conversational French in the classroom.
The delightful photo below
shows Blue Bay in all their glory:
banners, white blouses and skirts,
and hands delicately clasped in
performance style. The paper
wrote: The Blue Bay singers of
Mahone Bay under the direction
of Miss A. Jacklyn rendered a
group of numbers well done.
123

Left to right. Back Row: Gwen Ernst, Betty Walsh, Muriel Hirtle, Agnes Croft, Helen
Mader, Faye Whynot, Mary Dauphinee, Lucille Whynot
Front Row: Irene Nauss, Phyllis Whynot, Betty Hamm, Gertrude Rooke, Anne
Hirtle, Joyce Crossland, Evelyn Fraye, Lorna Fancy.
Photo Courtesy: Betty Walsh Collection. Note the shoes and the nonchalant bicycle
Photo: Courtesy Muriel Hirtle-Webber
End of Line, near camera: 1 2 3 4 5 6
1-Christine Mader, 2-Jean Aulenback, 3-Ruth Delong, 4-Jean Mader,
5-Marion Wynacht, 6-Irene Westhaver.
With the controversy during Mr. Spencer’s principalship, she and Percy Mosher
submitted their resignations. The Board interviewed both of them and persuaded them
to stay on. Never had a teacher made such a positive impact in so short of time. This
writer found the ex students really admired and liked her.
• Miss Jacklyn is also remembered for her Girls P.T. Club. School teams had
declined to the point of non-existence. Girls from grades 7-11 flocked to join.
It was a mixture of physical training, gymnastics and drills. Agnes Croft Whynott
remembers going by bus to Bridgewater to perform a routine. An added attraction was
they were required to wear slacks, which were forbidden under the school’s normal
dress code.
• Miss Jacklyn moved on in 1946. There was no problem with a teacher of her ability
to get a job. She was an example of a teacher whose passion motivates students. She
was highly regarded, and Muriel Hirtle was one of a number who got her autograph
and photo before she left. Betty Walsh, an admiring student, joined the teaching staff in
1949-50 and learned Miss Jacklyn’s trademark phrase in moments of exasperation had
been, “Hells Bells &Buckets of Blood!!?!!” Miss J. was also remembered as a great
story teller.
124

Three Celebrities of the 1940s: Home Town Heroes
Three ‘Mahoners’ who had finished school in the 1930s achieved some extraordinary
fame in the 1940s. They became household names locally and had a much wider
celebrity status. They were champions in their fields.
Fred Bruhm, Circuit Athlete, International
Marathon Runner
The Boston Marathon: Fred ran the Boston in 1943, representing Maritime Canada.
He had dominated Maritime Canadian running and the Boston papers said he ‘was
second only to Johnny Miles in Halifax.’ Those were the days when only the elite
ran. He finished 15th, beating two marathon legends and former Boston Marathon
champs, Clarence H. Demar and Ellison ‘Tarzan’ Brown. Fred, below, trains in the
army vest he wore at Boston. Below, second from left, at New Glasgow.
Photos: Courtesy Bruhm Family.
Fred was an all-round athlete, winning trophies for cycling, boxing and other sports. Some
samples are below: on right, “Feff” spars with his sister, Verda,
who won the Girls MVP Trophy at the 1935 Schools Festival meet. She became a longtime
teacher [Verda Zinck] at Blockhouse Elementary.
Fred had graduated from Mahone Bay school in 1934, and, in his grade 11
year, wrote a Nova Scotia Track and Field article for the May Highlight. He wrote
about Empire Games prospects and empathized with Lunenburg sprinter, Fred Fox,
who, like himself had no track and no official trainer. It was not ‘til he went into the
army that he got professional coaching. Fred, who was also a fine musician in the
Town and military band, died, tragically young, at the age of 30. His daughter, Bev.,
became a South Shore Champion and provincial silver medal badminton player in the
late 1950s and early 1960s. His son, Fred Jnr. ran the 1993 Boston Marathon as an
anniversary tribute to his father, and is one of only three Nova Scotians inducted into
the Canadian Road Running Hall of Fame. Both Bev [Ernst] and Fred Jnr. were also
Mahone Bay Old School graduates.
Above, Fred at 16 years and part of his Highlight 1934 Article.
125

Patricia Wentzell[ Patti Morgan], Copacabana
Dancer, Hollywood Starlet
The 1948 poster says and shows it all. The glamour look of the 1940s. Local girl
fulfills the dream: a Hollywood contract. Patricia’s folks were from Indian Point and
the old family house is still there. Her parents moved into Town, at the house at the
corner of Hedge and Maple Streets..
• Her mother Mrs. Arch Wentzell was a long time teacher at the Old School, from
the mid 1920s to the early 1940s. It was from her mother she inherited the theatrical
flair and the determined ambition Even in the early class photos she has the pose, the
flashing smile, the plucked eyebrows.
• She graduated from grade 11 in 1936, composing the ‘Class Prophecy’ [see page
103]. She stayed on for grade 12, graduating in ‘38 and delivering ‘The Class Will
and Testament.’ She moved to New York to attend dance and drama school in 1939,
and got her first professional engagements in Montreal. • When the Copacabana club
opened in New York, she auditioned and was selected as one of the elite ‘Copa Girls’
at America’s most famous nightclub. They were beautiful, extravagantly dressed, very
well paid and not allowed to mix with the customers. It was there that she was offered
a Hollywood contract with Universal Studios.
• She never made it big, but she had tasted “the celebrity life.” She finished her career
as head of the Elisabeth Arden cosmetics department at a large New York store. Max
Zwicker remembers her constantly blowing fuses with her “latest American gadgets”
at the old home in Indian Point.
126

‘Sultriest of Samba Sirens’
Life Magazine, a North American leader, visited
the world famous Copacabana Club. Luckily,
Elsie Mosher, Mahone teacher, cut out the feature
and glued it into her scrap book.
Patti’s full length pose in the famous Copa outfit
was accompanied with, ‘Patti Morgan, sultriest of
the Samba Sirens….
Now in her second review, Patti is 21, a native
of Nova Scotia.’ In a later era, would she have
posed for Playboy? Probably not!
She is front dancer left in photo.
Patti had a son who died tragically young.
127

Roger Whynott, Canadian Middleweight Champion
An original program, well framed, can be found on the mantelpiece over the fireplace
at the Mug & Anchor. Present owner, Ronnie Himmelman [himself an Old School
Most Valuable Athlete trophy winner] will be proud to show it.
• Roger was Mahone Bay, born and bred and educated on Main Street and the
Old School. The Whynott family was full of sportsmen. Brother Johnny was ‘Kid
Whynott’ in the boxing match at the 1935 Festival, later CBL coach, long time town
councillor in the 1970s, and builder of the Old School field. Brother Robert was “Mr.
Play-Ball,” coach and organizer, for decades.
• Johnny was in Roger’s corner on the famous February 28th, 1947 night. “The
Doc had had to inject Roger’s hand with pain-killer because of a training accident.”
Johnny regretted his brother’s easy going lifestyle. “He didn’t have the dedication to
keep working at his conditioning.”
• Roger was popular. He was good looking and charismatic. Everybody liked
him. Buzz Hines, presently a local resident, grew up a self-confessed “gym rat” in
Charlottetown. “Roger was a favorite…he would take time to wave and talk…Hi yer,
Red, how you doin?’…”
• At the time of the fight, Roger was Maritime welterweight champion and had been
based for two years in the U.S.A.
• The Halifax Herald wrote that the man who wins the fight, ‘is always assured of plenty
of lucrative purses in the United States…The Windsor Ontario veteran has held the title
since 1938….The South Shore puncher has a large and vociferous following…Whynott is
very popular with Maritime fans…..’
• As predicted, a near record crowd watched Roger’s victory. Below, victory headlines
and, inset, young Roger with elementary grade teacher, Oressa Ernst, on school steps.
Did she sense she had a champion sitting next to her?
Courtesy: Whynott Family and Mug & Anchor Pub
128

The Return and Resignation of H.V. Corkum: 1946-49
The Return: ‘Was it the Board’s Wish?’
• Major Corkum met with the school Board in March 1946. He was expecting to
be discharged that spring. His leave of absence gave him the right to return, but he
wanted to know if he was wanted, and he wanted an increase in salary to $2400.
The minutes read:
…Chairman stated he was expressing the unanimous decision of the board when he
stated yes….. The Board also agreed to pay him $200 per month.
• There’s an old Chinese proverb that says you can’t enter the same river twice.
Mr. Corkum returned as principal. Almost exactly three years after the unanimous
approval, the Board asked for and received his resignation.
The Buzz of Action Returned
• Reinstatement of Additional Teacher: in March 1947 the Board agreed to have Mr.
Corkum draft a letter to the Department, ‘re replacement of the teacher dropped in
1943-4.’ With the war over, enrolment was back at the 200+ mark [204 in February,
1946]. The response was positive, and the salary and room preparations were made.
fourth from left and Muriel Hirtle, seventh from left; Betty Walsh [with eyes closed],
third row, third from right. There are the two Ernst sisters: Jackie (top left) and
Dorothea (extreme right) The girls had lightened up, wearing white blouses rather
than the dark ones of the 1941 photo.
• Drama Flourished with Full-Scale Productions
Ruth Campbell, “H.V”s vice-principal was an excellent teacher of English and
History.” She made the subjects alive…She made me want to be a teacher,” recalls
Betty Walsh who graduated and spent her whole teaching career at Mahone Bay.
Ruth Campbell was the director and moving spirit in these costumed full-length
productions. She moved on to other schools after 1949. Her picture can be found on
next page: in the ‘This Being Yours’ cast and the May Day preparations.
left to right:
Etoile Ernst, Verona Langille, Arthur Mader, Agnes, and Alice Mossman
Photo: Courtesy Betty Walsh
• Glee Club continued to flourish under Mrs. Oxner’s direction.
Taken at Lunenburg in 1946, the popular girls choir or glee club was still led by the
indomitable Pearl Oxner. The girls include, in second row, Irene Nauss [Whynott],
129

Helen Mader, Vernon Hirtle, Agnes Croft, Richard Munro, Gwen Ernst, Ted Young,
Betty Walsh, Vernon Mossman, Evelyn Fray, Betty Langille, Roseville Burgoyne.
Seated- Ruth Campbell [Director], Vi Veinot.
Photo Courtesy Helen Holman-
Dares: ‘Everything Nice,’ Baptist
Church, 1948
Courtesy: Betty Walsh Collection:
Left to right:
Lynette Wambolt, Viola
Veinot, Gwen Ernst, Roseville
Burgoyne, Betty Walsh, Helen
Holman, Lawrence Veinotte
• The Consolidated Schools Movement’ “Unless you are considered in this
matter, you are done for.”, Vision of the Future
Consolidation was the word and policy of the Department in the brave new word
after the war. The proposed consolidation of small school units had been nurtured for
some time. In June 1942, the board had received and discussed, ‘..a treatise prepared
by Boyd Barteaux [Dept. of Education] re this matter.’ A committee was established
to, make preliminary arrangements for consolidation of adjoining school sections.
Shades of things to come!
• In April 1947, Chief School Inspector Weir, and Inspectors Harold Nason [soon to
be Director of Education] and local Inspector M.O. Maxner met with the Board. The
Department was leading the way in the consolidation of small schools and helping
finance construction across the province. Lunenburg County was being studied and
Mahone Bay, the Board was told, had better get involved or it was done for.
• The Board, taking note of earlier political announcements, had already been active.
They had met with the Feaubeaux and Blockhouse school trustees. They went on to
meet with the trustees of Oakland, Indian Point, Clearland and Mader’s Cove.
• The object was to encourage and arrange as many as possible of the rural students,
from grade seven up, to attend the town school. It would boost enrolment and
Department grants, and make Mahone Bay the natural center for consolidation.
• Blockhouse Agreement The meetings had some success, particularly with
Blockhouse-where it was agreed that students from grade seven and up would
attend Mahone Bay for $2 a year tuition each. And that fee was dropped in 1948 on
recommendation of Inspector Maxner.
• Taxi Transportation was set up for some of the rural students and Bobby Mader
was a driver for a while. Laurel Burgoyne had the taxis.
• In April 1949 the Mahone Bay Home and School Association adopted a
resolution asking for action to have a Consolidated High School in Mahone Bay. The
Board approved and referred it to Town Council.
130
‘Everything Nice’ top left and ‘This Being Yours’ below, both produced and directed
by Ruth Campbell.
Cast of ‘This Being Yours’ Left to Right: [staged at the Anglican Church Hall]
• Far Reaching Consequences. The consolidation movement was to have
far reaching consequences. New Ross, Centre, Hebbville and New Germany
Consolidated schools were to be built; Mahone Bay became a partially consolidated
school in the early 1960s; Parkview took Mahone Bay’s senior high students from

1979 on, and Bayview, a consolidated elementary and junior high, was built in
town in 2000.
collected May flowers and other materials for making decorations, a crown and a
throne. Standing: Betty Walsh, “H. V.” Ruth Campbell [V.P.], Mr Geoffrey Moore.
Sitting: Gwen Ernst, Violet Nauss, Agnes Croft, Lewis Carter There were celebrations
and a party.
Two Final Flourishes of Administrative Innovation
South Shore Students Society
To encourage student leaders to get together to arrange events of mutual interest,
H.V.Corkum used his influence with other administrators to bring together student council
leaders. An executive was formed and the South Shore Student Society established. The
aim was to coordinate inter school activities like sports, drama, debating and social events.
It was an organization that could only flourish with school administrator encouragement
and interest. No sooner had he founded it, than Mr. Corkum was gone.
Photos:
Courtesy Agnes
Croft-Whynott
• Study of Mahone Bay School by Dalhousie University Education, 1949
This was a typical H.V. Corkum initiative that few principals would bother with
or risk. In November 1948, he arranged for Professor Mowat and twelve students from
the Education Department of Dalhousie University to do an ‘educational survey’ of the
school. The survey was financed by the local Kiwanis Club, of which Mr. Corkum was
President. In January 1949 the School Board was invited to the Kiwanis dinner to hear the
report. Unfortunately, the details are not known and this writer has been unable to find the
report.
Mr. Corkum’s Resignation: Sudden and Shocking
The end of twelve years of distinguished administration came suddenly in April,
1949. Reverend George Arnold appeared before an emergency meeting of the Board
to present a written statement, signed by a student, accusing Mr. Corkum of ‘improper
advances’ during a trip to Bridgewater.
• May Day and May Queen Festival Revived, 1948
“H.V.” instigated major May Day Celebrations. The whole school was involved.
Classes, grades 7-12 elected their princesses: and voted for the Queen, Agnes Croft
There were two May Poles for dancing, The student committee (Centre Left) had
Oswald Mader, the ex-town policeman, was made part of a Board committee to
investigate, meet with Mr. Corkum and Mr. Coughlan, the Town Solicitor. The
outcome was that Mr. Corkum was asked to submit his immediate resignation. And he
did. Mr. Byron F.Willis was appointed principal ‘til June. H.V. Corkum continued his
career elsewhere. It was an unfortunate ending to his service at the school. But not his
leadership in the town. He was elected Town Mayor for seven consecutive two-year
terms, serving from January 1960 to his death in May 1975. He had the distinction of
appearing in a small speaking part in major Hollywood motion picture, Run Stranger
Run, which appeared shortly after his death. John Whynott said “Council continued like
a ship without a rudder.”
131

A Footnote to the Forties
The Pirate Seagull that Raided the School Yard!
The story made the county and provincial newspapers. It was
wartime, and playground balls were precious: they did not show on the
list of production priorities. They were luxuries. So, when “Gully” started
raiding and carrying off priceless balls, there was great consternation.
From Elsie Mosher’s Scrapbook
132
Betty Walsh remembers the bird: “Gully was no nine-day-wonder…
was around for some time…very popular with the students, and particularly
with Amy Smeltzer [Capt. Smeltzer’s wife] who encouraged him with
treats.”
The story, top left, tells of Mrs Oxner’s return to the Glee Club, after
Ms. Jacquelin’s departure. It also describes the Wednesday afternoon extracurricular
activities [including brownies] at the school.

Chapter Seven:
The 1950s and ‘60s
The ‘50s then settled down to routine business as usual at the school. There wasn’t the
excitement, innovation and bold leadership of the ‘30s and 40’s. The problem, with
a few exceptions, was mostly leadership from administration, staff and school board.
The students helped themselves and it was the age of school parties and socials.
The School is Changed for Ever, 1962 Mahone Bay Consolidated School
Then, in the early ‘60s, the new extension, including a gymnasium-assembly-special
events hall was built.
• The numbers of teaching staff and students more than doubled.
•For the first time, Town students in grades 9-12 were outnumbered by students
living in the Municipality. The age of the school bus arrived in town.
•The amount and variety of school activities expanded enormously.
The 1950s started with a bang. Bill Hirtle, school graduate, researched and published
‘A Study of Mahone Bay.’ It upset a lot of locals. Some even asked for their money
back after buying it. Criticism from a native son can be hard to take. And this native
son was well informed and connected. His father, shopkeeper W.H.G. Hirtle, had
been a town councillor, mayor and was an active school board member and chair for
many years. His mother was an activist in town and school affairs, played the piano at
school functions, and was a founder of Mahone Bay’s Home and School Association.
His brother, Curtis, was to be a very successful insurance businessman, winning
national awards, and sisters Muriel and Beatrice had been successful and popular
students.
The Hirtles at a later anniversary of the parents: Bill, Muriel, Mrs..& Mr. W H.G.,
Beatrice, Curtis
Photo: Courtesy of Muriel Hirtle-Webber
A Study of Mahone Bay, by William W. Hirtle, 1950-51
Bill had graduated during the War and, at age 18, joined the navy. After the War, like
a lot of ex-servicemen, he took advantage of special educational programs and went
to Acadia, getting his business degree, and then, in 1951, his B. Ed. He went on to a
distinguished teaching and coaching career at Bridgetown. He was also a leader in the
Nova Scotia Teachers Union.
The study was dedicated as follows:
DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to Dr. M. V.
Marshall, Head of the Department
of Education, Acadia University, in
grateful dedication to his help and
inspiration to me making this work
possible and also as a teacher in my
student days.
Bill’s work was a sociological,
economic and historical survey of the
town. He was critical of the lack of
constructive leadership in the town and
the air of “defeatism” that had come
with the long years of depression and
recession in the town’s economy.
In the context of the newly installed
water system operating at a loss, he
wrote:
133

‘This further impresses on the mind of all the defeatist attitude that nothing will work
in this town [p.14]. The political history...has helped foster a defeatist attitude, an era
of non-cooperation, and above all a craving for retreat [for the young generation]
to get out of town as soon as possible.’ [p.15]…except for the period during World
War 11 the size of the community has been slowly decreasing...the chief cause..is the
economic stagnation and its effect on the people........The trend...has produced an
atmosphere of pessimism and defeatism. Nothing will work.......A spirit of antagonism
is very prevalent among the town folk, especially in institutions where it should be last
seen. [p.18-19]’
Half the staff are from Mahone Bay. Three have a University degree. There were 244
students, including 22 from out of town, mostly Blockhouse and Big Lots
Table 11 below gives a complete picture of the pupils’ grade, age and gender
• The pupil teacher ratio is 30.5 pupils per teacher, but class numbers in the
Of The School Board, he observed:
• ‘A few citizens do the work while the remainder sit back and take it easy. Not only do
they do this, but they criticize the work of those who have ambition enough to do some
good, or at least try to do some good for the school.
• The School Board, which is made up of people who appear to have very little
knowledge of school affairs, and which is at times very rigid when funds are required to
make some improvement, is more of a handicap at times.’[p.16].
Author’s note: principals came and went rapidly in the 1950s and early 1960s. The
board was not prepared to innovate and delegate.
The principal even had to get Board approval to buy Gestetner ink and stencils.
Clearly these words did not endear Bill to many folks in town. But analysis shows
he was very much correct. The 1950s were uninspired years in town and school
leadership. The town was poor indeed, but no poorer than in the 1930s, which was a
decade of innovation and expansion at the school. Hirtle’s research gives an accurate
snap shot of the school for the 1949-50 year.
The following information is taken from the book’s section on ‘ EDUCATION’:
• The Mahone Bay Town population is 1,025. The public school has 244 students
and has eight teachers from the first to the eighth department. Table 1 below shows
years of teaching experience, license held, gender, hometown and name of every staff
member.
elementary and grade 7 are far larger than grades 8-12.
• There are 3 students in grade 12, where split grade classes are often held with
grade 11.
Table V below shows the actual number of students in each class:
134

Pity the teachers in the younger age groups, especially primary/one [49 students] and
VI and VII [45 students]!
Hirtle identified ‘approximately 12 students who are definitely retarded [not
politically incorrect term in those days] or behind the group as a whole,’ And at that
time there were not the special needs staff of the present era. Students with learning
problems had a tough time and usually dropped out.
His TABLE IX shows repeats and failures
Emmigration from the Town
‘I will use my own High School as an example....Out of approximately 26 students in
Grade XI and XII[1943], there are only about one third remaining at home.’
Physical Training and Sports
‘There is practically no physical training program or community centre for
young people to benefit from. There are no coaches in the town to train them. ……….
What is needed in the school in particular...is a physical education
program...to give those really interested in sport as well as all others the training
necessary for competition and solid body building.
What chance do the present students of Mahone Bay to develop along the
line of athletics?...comparatively small...there is a need for facilities and adequate
coaching. In such sports as hockey, basketball, track and field etc. Mahone Bay youth
do not have an equal opportunity that the youth of other towns have.’
Books and Library
‘ The lack of good books is a grave handicap to any community, especially
the school...I believe that the library facilities are below a reasonable standard in
the school. An effort should be made through donations and purchase to bolster the
present library collection.’
• He wrote, ‘Grades XI1 and X11 are the only grades.....where the standard of the
school can be graded with other schools in the province...It appears to be on the weak
side....Out of the 17 pupils in grade XI, there were 7 failures, or over 41%, and 2
partials.[p41-2].
• Attendance was good, with the school average % monthly attendance being better
than the average provincial figure of 91.7% Bill Hirtle made some useful general
observations.
Home and School
‘The Home and School Association, established some five years ago, has
done much to improve the school and relations between the home and school. The
organization has been responsible for securing...a piano, loud speaker system, hot
lunches a success.’
The idea of vocational training, dear to the hearts of H.V. Corkum, his school
Board and their immediate successors, made no progress in the 1950 and ‘60s. It was
not until the mid 1970s that home economics and industrial arts were established-thanks
to the leadership and initiative of Home and School.
School Sports in the 1950s: Except Badminton, a
Decline and Fall
Bill Hirtle’s fears about the future school sports were realized.
• There was no physical education specialist and there were no passionately
dedicated coaches on staff. But Bobby Mader put the energy and organization into
badminton.
• The team sports that had been so popular: hockey, basketball and softball,
spluttered and died as school sports.
• Even the old, beloved, tennis court beside the school became a car park and
was not replaced.
• The old Methodist Church Hall sometimes referred to as the Scout Hall or
the old United Hall, on the corner of Maple and Fairmont [where house no. 75
is now] which had housed sporting [badminton and basketball] and social events
[school dances and parties] was in disrepair and pulled down. The next photo shows it
decorated for a 1940s school Valentine’s Dance. Notice the comfy chairs, lighting and
coffee table for the chaperones.
135

Four Consecutive South Shore Championships
And it was a very successful program. The 1956-7 yearbook, ‘The Mahonian’
reported:
Photo courtesy: Jenine Bruhm-Croft
There was some hope that the New Legion Hall would become a sports-community
centre. But it didn’t happen, except for school dances, parties, closings and
badminton.
•The school Board minutes record no concern about this general state of school sports
affairs. This had not been the case in the 1920s, ‘30s and early ‘40s. Typical is an item
in the Board minutes of March 31, 1959:
‘Moved by Commissioner W. H. G. Hirtle and Mayor Marryat that Commissioner
Croft be appointed a representative the Amateur Athletic Association to attend a
meeting to be held in the Legion Hall.’
There was no report back to the Board or any reported further action.
Student comments in yearbooks reflect the disappointment. 1949-50 was the last year
a concerted effort was made at hockey [although no games were played] and softball.
Basketball was dead.
Badminton: The School Sport of the 1950s
The school badminton club became the sports organization. It met regularly. Games
and practice were at church halls then the new Legion Hall. Bobby Mader was the
inspiration and coach. There was a school and adult club. Bobby told this writer that,
“Because of the low ceiling at the Legion, we had to concentrate on the low game.
Other schools weren’t used to this,”
The championship team’s photo is on page 141.
Provincial Silver Medal Winners, 1961
A highlight of the badminton program was the ladies doubles pair of Bev. Bruhm
[daughter of Fred Bruhm jnr, the marathoner and all round athlete] and Mary Kedy
[daughter of Margaret Freeman-Kedy], who went to the provincials as South Shore
Champions and took the silver medals.
Both had gone to the new Centre School for grade 12. They both saw themselves as
the products of the Mahone Bay School program. Bobby Mader was unable to get
time off work to coach. He reminded them to play ‘the low game’. In the previous
year Bev. had been President and Mary Elizabeth the Treasurer of the school club.
The 1959-60 report is on the next page, with the 1961 Chronicle Herald coverage of
the provincial championship.
136

Articles: left and above are from the Chronicle Herald.
Lloyd Langille went on to graduate from Mahone Bay in 1964, and was to return as a
popular and successful physical education teacher and coach.
Unfortunately, other than badminton, there were not the same opportunities
for girls. There were glee club, Red Cross and canteen at school, CGIT [Canadian
Girls In Training], brownies and guides.
Little League and Church Boys League [C.B.L.] Fill The Gap
Thankfully, Little League and CBL, scouts and cubs filled the gap-for boys. Tom
Ernst was involved in the first two. They started in the mid-1950s and by the ‘60s
were going strong. Ball had its top days in the ‘60s and early ‘70s and has since
faded. CBL is still going strong. So is Tom Ernst.
Principals, Students, Teachers and Activities
Principal: Joe Campbell
Joe Campbell was the permanent replacement for H. V. Corkum. He was young,
energetic, had good discipline at the school, and was popular with students and
townsfolk. Betty Walsh said, “He was a great help to me as a new teacher.”
Unfortunately, he only stayed two years. He had recently married and had a young
daughter. His wife died suddenly and he was distraught. He boarded with Mrs. Phyllis
Nauss, finished his second year, and left to rebuild his life.
He went to the States, got his Masters degree, returned, improved still further his
academic qualifications, and joined the teaching staff of St. Francis Xavier University.
137

Grade 12
Had been re-instituted by H.V. Corkum and it continued ‘til 1957. After that, students who
wanted a full grade 12 went to the new Centre Consolidated [Mary Elizabeth Kedy and
Bev. Bruhm, for example] or to Bridgewater High [Milton Dorey, for example]. Great
credit must be given to the students who stayed on for grade 12 at the school. They were
jointly taught with the grade elevens and had to do a lot of independent work at their desk,
in the school library and at home.
They usually numbered 3 to 7 students.
The First Grade 12 Graduates of the 1950s: Marie Ernst, Agnes Croft, Helen
Holman
Photos on right: Courtesy Helen Holman-Dares “Chicken” “Aggie” “Blondie”
• Agnes did train as a teacher and returned to Mahone Bay as parent, teacher, and
school board member. She did marry that certain someone from the North end of
town, Johnny Whynott. Marie and Helen both went to the Victoria General Hospital
for training, after writing supplementary examinations in physics and chemistry.
• The Class Will mentions Helen’s ‘ability of snapping gum in class’ and ‘of sending
a softball to the pines.’ She admitted: “I really did snap gum in class when I could get
away with it, which you could with some teachers.….I loved to play ball…and was
pretty good at it….Yes, I did hit a few home runs [Helen was on the last girls’ ball team
of the era]…Yes, I did wait and marry ‘that certain Lunenburg boy’ and have been Mrs.
Clyde Dares for over 50 years.”
• Marie and Agnes were in a number of school play productions. Helen later became
The V.G. Hospital’s Director of Nursing Administration for 11 years.
The South Shore Students Society: Drama Festival & Field Day
One of H.V. Corkum’s innovations was an organization of students from South Shore
Schools to coordinate joint school activities, enabling students to meet from various
schools, elect their own executive and organise events. It was an extraordinary
farsighted venture in leadership and responsibility. Just how much teacheradministration
supervision there was is unclear.
With Mr. Campbell’s support, it survived through 1950 and ’51-‘52 before
dying without him to breathe life into it. Below, the 1950 yearbook gives an
impressive account. Douglas Romkey and Gilbert Mader were grade ten, students
elected to lead the society for the next year.
The 1950 Yearbook Account that follows, details a Drama Festival with
Vernon Mossman best male performer.
138

The Yearbook Becomes The Mahonian, 1954-55: The Town’s 200th Anniversary
After twenty two years of The Highlight, the bold change to a new name and to
show the Town’s Coat of Arms
was brought about by the 200th
anniversary celebration of the
town’s founding.
In his Foreword, principal Francis
Mauzar wrote, ‘Very appropriately
the Mahone Bay Coat of Arms has
replaced the rather faded design
of the school. The name has been
changed…to The Mahonian.
The year book name The
Mahonian was to last through to
1961-62. There was no yearbook
in’62-3. Then in 1964, the trad-
-itional Highlight returned.
Town’s 200th Birthday
Philip Lohnes wrote in his regular
flyer, ‘one of the most historical
events in our town is to take place
at the Town Hall on Wednesday,
June 16th...The Mayor will receive
the Coat of Arms,.. also the stone
on which it will be……….erected…
presents from the Board of Trade
and the boy scouts.
The stone....is one of the original stones used by Harris Hamm’s [the
blacksmith] grandfather, and is almost 165 years old…
The Coat of Arms...should be used on the town flag…outside the City Hall, behind
the Mayor’s chair, on the cap badge of the town police and fire department…on the
letterhead of the town.’
The special Bi-Centenary Celebration was held at 3:30pm. The school students,
guides, brownies, scouts and cubs were assembled. The school chorus/glee club sang.
Mrs.W. H. G. Hirtle played and sang, with Warren Eisenhauer, whose son, Basil was
now mayor. Obed Ham’s song, Dear Old Mahone. The Coat of Arms remains alive
and well, but where is the stone upon which it was once mounted? The whole school
was present and , ‘Fifty voices sang under the direction of Betty Walsh.’ The Chronicle
139

Herald clippings are mounted on a plaque which hangs on the back wall of the Council
Chambers at the Town Hall.
The 1955-56 Yearbook A Landmark The First Yearbook with Photos
In her Editorial, Barbara Webber, wrote, ‘This year, changes have been made and new
material has been added. For example, we have seen fit to have pictures for the first time.
Then we have added an ‘A’ Class History and have printed our Valedictory…
Dedication: The new look yearbook opened with a dedication
With due respect, we would like to dedicate our book to our teachers, Mr. Mouzer, Mr.
Churchill and Mrs. Burgoyne, who, we are sorry to hear, are leaving us….’
Information on these teachers is included later in this chapter.
140

Audrey V. Shirley E. Marilyn L. John D. Douglas W. Gail T.
In their Class Will, the grade 12 bequeathed the following:
Audrey Veinotte… ‘my sides of arguments in French Class to Lee Langille,
hoping he is as persuasive as I was.’
Gail Thomas…….. ‘my two extra subjects to Robert Wilneff’
Douglas Wentzell…‘my ability to play “tic-tac-toe” instead of studying history to
Everette Barry.
Barbara Webber……’ my hips to Elaine Ernst, who hasn’t any.’
The Grade 11s That Year .
The First Yearbook Sports Photo: South Shore Badminton Champions
SOUTH SHORE BADMINTON WINNERS - Back Row, Left to Right - Russel Rhuland, George James,
Burdette Hiltz, Ronald Rhuland. Front Row - Sylvia Rhuland, Audrey Veinott, Louise Hiltz, Lucille Zinck.
The “Famous Seven” of 1955-6: The Largest Grade 12 of the 1950s
It was the largest grade 12 class of the 1950s: hence “The Famous Seven.”
In the Class History, Audrey Veinotte wrote that she and Gail Thomas had gone
through the school from elementary, and went on:
‘..to where the rest of “The Famous Seven” had come from and when… Marilyn
Langille came to us from Blockhouse in grade 11, and Shirley Ernst arrived a
year later from Mader’s Cove. Douglas Wentzell, from Oakland, arrived in Grade
IX. Barbara Webber joined us this term from Bridgetown School. John David
Donaldson...having come here from Moncton in grade 3, decided to leave after Grade
X. However, he changed his mind….and came back to take his grade XII…’
141

The Staff Leavers 1955-56
Hilda Burgoyne was to return to the school a little later. John Donaldson
[a future teacher and principal himself] recalls, “She may have been the best
teacher I ever had…a firm disciplinarian who could tear the skin off you with
-out saying a word….but could she teach!” He and Barbara Webber [Miller]
both remember her dedication. She broke her foot and was unable to get to
school, so, until she recovered, math classes were held at her home.
The innovative editor and seventh graduate was Barbara Webber who arrived that
year from the Valley. She must have impressed because she was immediately made
yearbook editor. She says, “It was probably because no-one else wanted to do it, and
I was too shy to say ‘no’.” She remembers, “Moments of regret….with piles of pages
everywhere waiting to be put together.”
Her parents had started what was to become a Mahone Bay/South
Shore Institution…Bill’s Store
The same year, 1955-56, saw all three senior high teachers, including the
principal, leave. It was becoming increasingly difficult to recruit and keep staff. There
was a shortage of teachers. Jobs were available everywhere.
Randolph Churchill was a different case. He was a kind, well meaning man
with fine science knowledge. But students remember he had no discipline.
The keen science students learned and appreciated him, but it was in the midst of
chaos. There were times when Hilda Burgoyne appeared at his classroom door to
restore order. Mr. Mouzar and the board discussed the problem a number of times.
He was asked to move on. Mr. Churchill joined H.V. Corkum’s staff at Shatford
Memorial School, Hubbards. His daughter,
Margaret, who had graduated from the school in 1952, became a respected
family physician.
Francis Mouzar was a steady respected administrator, and, like many others,
Mahone Bay was a stepping-stone upwards. He went on to become supervisor of
schools in the Town of Liverpool. His last year of two, 1954-56, was high lighted by a
drama revival. He produced Lavender and Old Lace.
It was a huge success: making money and having performances in New
Germany and Riverport, as well as the Mahone Bay Legion Hall. The yearbook called
it, ….Of all our activities this past year, the most memorable…
142

The School Ghost Rings the Bell on Halloween
John Donaldson recalled a funny incident from that year. The new town police chief,
determined to flex his authority, visited the school and told the older students there
would be no ringing the bell that Halloween. It ain’t gonna happen on my beat!
He should have known better! On Halloween Day, a group of students arranged a
surprise school fire drill. As teachers and students filed out in orderly fashion, a nylon
fish line was attached to the clapper, and later that afternoon [when most folks had gone
home] the line was lowered over the side of the school and tied surreptitiously to a tree.
At midnight…a crowd gathered at school…the word had got out…the school bell rang.
The police chief was ready. Within a minute the school was surrounded…no escape…
and Timmy Langille was dispatched to bring the culprit down to the large audience.
An amazed Timmy-you could see his flashlight as he had searched the buildingleaned
over the edge of the tower and shouted that there was no one there. Barely
were the words out of his mouth, than the bell rang again…
A startled and horrified Timmy ran for it and left the building in record time, pursued,
in his mind, by the fiends that haunted the tower.
H. V. Corkum Is Offered The Principalship
The school board was desperate to find a well qualified principal who would stay for
more than a year or two. At the March 21st 1956 school board meeting, the minutes
record,…‘Mr. H. V. Corkum was called by telephone and offered the position of
principal. Mr. Corkum asked for a few days to consider.’ He turned the offer down.
The offer was a well kept secret. But the school board lucked out. A new immigrant
became principal.
An “Aussie” Becomes School Principal:
Patrick Mason, 1956-8
Mr. Mason, newly arrived via London, England, from his native Australia was to be an
immensely popular teacher and administrator. Betty Walsh, who experienced some eight
principals during her teaching career at the school, remembered
he kept good discipline with humour. He was a favourite of
Marilyn Millett’s. He entertained the staff with stories of his
experiences of teaching in the tough schools of London. He
did not mind looking after classes for teachers who were called
away. Once when Betty returned to her room, he had been
entertaining the students with sounds of Australia. There were
fits of appreciative laughter at his imitation of the laughing
jackass sound of the kookaburra.
The 1956-57 yearbook printed Verlene Jeanette Veinotte’s
poem, dedicated
to him.
1956-7 was also the last year for grade 12, until its restoration
in 1962-3.
143

144
The students were Judy Kedy, student council president, Nancy Lee Wood, yearbook
Editor and May Queen [and future Mahone Bay teacher after Normal College], and
Peggy Joy Ernst, student council member and bound for the armed forces.
“The Big Three” The Last Grade 12 Grads of the 1950s Nancy Lee
remembers Mr. Mason “as just about as laid back and good-natured as any teacher or
principal I can remember….He used to pick at girls who came to class with their hair
up in curlers….I used to baby sit for him.”
He went on to pursue his career in Ontario and kept a summer house in
Mahone Bay for a while. She said the elite trio of three were left to do much study
independently. They were set assignments and would go for help as needed. The
yearbook was dedicated to Brigadier Roy and his Industrial Shipping Company for
their contribution to the town and the school.
A good historical survey and analysis was included, written by Judith Kedy:
• “Paceships” had gained an international reputation: selling well in the U.S.A. and
Europe, as well as Canada.
• Free water skiing was established: a Maritime Champions Trophy won
• 200 men were employed.
• Grants were made to Home and School for book prizes, and Grade 11 Trophies
for Valor, Truth and Duty, including a copper plate and cash, were awarded.
Industrial Shipping turned out to be the last wooden boat building yard in the town.
They started in 1946, building leisure boats, with moulded hulls made out of laminated
veneer. Arthur Roy was the plant manager. By the mid ‘50s they were up to 15000
shells per year shipped out for finishing, and they were completing over 1000
themselves. A disastrous fire wiped them out later in 1956. They rebuilt the plant after
the fire, as in the above photo, but the business never recovered and stopped production
in 1962. Fibreglass yachts were built for a while. Then ABCO Plastics switched to
industrial plastics.
The Drop Out Who Did Well: George Silver: “Very fortunate to have a man of
his type.”
In Industrial Shipping’s heyday, George Silver [pictured below] was foreman. Later,
when he resigned from the company, Superintendent and designer M. L. Robar [who
went on to experiment with outboats with a wooden plastic impregnated hull] paid
George a tribute in an interview with the Bridgewater Bulletin of May 10th, 1961.
‘During the [Industrial Shipping] peak days of moulding outboard boats and hulls…
quota set by the company directors was 75 units daily of which Mr. Silver played a
very important part as foreman. Mr. Robar states he is very lucky to have had a man
of this type working in the plant.’
Photo: Courtesy, Silver Family
George, along with Lawrence Holman, Bobby Mader, Ronald
Crossland and others, were the boys principal Hankinson
complained about in his 1942-3 Principal’s Report to the Board.
They had lost interest in school and left to work. He and Lawrence
were chased for non-attendance, and he reported George as lazy.
George wanted to work and left. He remembers Mr. Hankinson
with a wry smile and comments, “ If Mr. Hankinson wanted

to know part of the problem, he needed only to look in the mirror.” After Industrial
Shipping, George went to install engines, fit pipes, and weld at McLeans’s Shipping,
and finished his career with 20 years as a mechanic at Michelin. He attributes his
success to, “A lively and inquiring mind.” Bobby Mader, Lawrence Holman and
Ronnie Crossland all did well.
The Springhill Mining Disasters and “Miracle”
The two disasters, November 1956 and October 1958 were the talk of the school,
the town, the province and the world. Both received modern media coverage of film,
radio and the new media of the masses-TV. In 1956 the town of Springhill was rocked
by a terrible explosion in No.4 colliery. Thirtynine miners were killed and seventy
four were brought out alive in the days of anxious waiting at the pithead.
Cecilia Hatcher’s poem was in that year’s yearbook.
Then came the even worse explosion of 1958 and the “miracle” of the miners saved
after days underground. There was no yearbook in ’59 so no reaction is recorded.
The staff in Mr. Mason’s second year, 1957-58
Mrs. Millett, just 20 years old, had joined the staff. She had graduated in Mahone
Bay, 1955, as Marilyn Ann Whynot [“Shorty” in the ‘54 yearbook]. She taught a
grade 5-6 class of 47 students and then other elementary levels before leaving for
a short stay at Centre and then to raise a family. In the 1960s she was persuaded to
return. For many years she was a highly respected primary teacher.
She described Mr. Mason as, “wonderful, good to everybody…he also had great parties
Images of the two disasters
for teachers.” Another outstanding teacher left that year. Mrs. Connie Olsen had also been
on staff for two years. Students described her as very intelligent, professional, very smart
in appearance, and an excellent teacher.
145

Do You Remember and Can you imagine?’ from ’57-’58, 58-59 yearbooks:
‘Mrs. Olsen’s love for dancing practice?
‘Mrs. Olsen not worried about calories’
‘Mr. Mason driving a Cadillac’
Mr. W. F. Garth, Principal 1958-9: A One Year Hiatus
Mr. Garth came and went very quickly. He appears not to have been very comfortable
with the position. Students and teachers described him as a worrier and a ditherer.
There was always a problem. Because he was worried the students would hurt
themselves, he ruled that children should not run on the playground. Teachers were
obliged to turn a blind eye or try to enforce the unenforceable. But there were two
innovations that year. One, unfortunately, a flash in the pan. The other, fortunately,
was to be a long-term asset.
German is Taught for a Year
Given the German origins and culture of the town-in the very early days there was
more German than English-it is logical that there might be an interest in adding
German to the curriculum. Mr. Bauer came to the staff at the last moment for the
school and his stay was as brief as Mr. Garth’s. His resignation was accepted with
regret. Mary Elizabeth Kedy, badminton star, took the opportunity to take a credit in
German.
The First School Secretary: Miss Gail Thomas
Present day principals marvel at the fact that Mahone Bay [and many other schools]
up ‘til 1968-9 had no school secretary. How did all the paper work get done? Who
minded the office when the principal was away or was teaching [the V.P. position was
full time teaching]? Who acted as receptionist? And so on and so on!
Mr. Garth rushed in where angels feared to tread. He just went ahead and hired Gail
Thomas, and sent the bills to the Board. The frugal board was shocked. They wanted
to put Mr. Garth in his place, but he won the battle.
The Board minutes of October 14 1958 record:
‘…that Mr. Garth be notified that the services of Miss Gail Thomas be dispensed with
and to be re-engaged as required by notifying the Secretary.’
It was agreed she be hired for Monday and Wednesday mornings, Thursday
afternoon and all day Friday for a total of 13 hours per week. Then in August, with the new
principal, Burton Robinson insisting, the Board agreed she be engaged at no more the $35
per month. And so began a school institution: The School Secretary.
Gail had graduated from grade 12 in 1956 [her photo, one of the “Famous Seven,” is on
page 141]. She had been on the yearbook staff and with the new job she was often asked to
help type the yearbooks of the ‘60s.
“Thomas” went to Commercial School in Bridgewater, and was driven there by Hilda
Burgoyne who taught for a while in that town. The position was to remain a part-time
one ‘til the late ‘60s. When it was made full-time and it was required to move around
the whole school, Gail, who has multiple sclerosis, called it a day. She was a pioneer
at the school of night school classes in typing and bookkeeping for adults.
146

Gail Thomas: Gail and her adult education class at The Old School
Morning Devotions
• In 1954-5, the yearbook reported, ‘morning devotions were held every morning at nine
o’clock over the P.A. system. The pupils of grades IX to XII took turns….a psalm was
read, the Lord’s Prayer repeated, and a hymn played.
Laurie Mader, School Janitor
• In February 1956 Mr. Mader was ‘reprimanded for having school girls work
for him..’ He was told to desist from the practice and was informed he could
hire mature assistants for 3 whole-school cleanings per year.
• In September, the Board advised him to, ‘show more interest in his janitor
work, and to be less critical of the school board….’
Photos: Courtesy Gail Thomas
Footnotes of the ‘50s
The Debating Tradition
• Debating continued throughout the 1950s with Mahone Bay winning the South
Shore Championship three years in succession, 1950-53.
Sewer and Water
• In 1948, after a plebiscite, the town began to build a water and sewer system. By
1951, one hundred and fifty homes and the school were connected.
• The two school wells were ordered to be filled in.
No Slacks, Girls!!
• At its October 1950 meeting, the Board, went ‘on record of backing up Principal
Campbell and the teachers on the matter of girls wearing slacks in the classrooms.’
Nuclear War Shelter
• With the Soviet Union developing its own nuclear weapons, the Cold War
was heating up. At a special meeting on September 4th 1951, the Board, ‘….decided
that a definite need for a shelter against warfare existed and that work should begin
on it as soon as possible.’
• Some sort of shelter was built. In September 1958, the Board ordered, ‘..the so
called “Bomb Shelter” at the school’ to be removed.
Substitute Teachers List: Clara Quinlan
• In October 1951, the Board agreed there should be such a list. The first two names
were Mrs. Enos Veino and Miss Clara Quinlan. This writer could find no record of
Clara being called upon.
Florescent Classroom Lighting
• In May 1955, D. A. Burgoyne was given the contract to ‘install rapid-start florescent
lighting’ in the school.
147

1957-58 School Debating Team: Very Smart, No Slacks!
Canteen
• Regular canteen reports started in 1954-5. It provided snacks and raised money. It
was run by students from the senior classes, grades 9-12, with a general manager.
Managers included Marilyn Whynot, Milton Dorey, Franklyn Burgoyne and Russell
Rhuland. It became a school fixture.
Sewing Classes
• The practice, begun in the 1930s and continued in the ‘40s, was revived in
in 1954-5 and stayed for the ‘50s, sponsored by the Board [through adult
education] and organizations like the Women’s Institute.
The ‘54-‘55 the yearbook reported:
‘ This was the first year for a sewing class…held on Wednesdays at four o’clock in
the Town Hall. About fifteen regular members attended… Girls of Grades IX to XII…
every student has completed some article of clothing.’
Glee Club: A Constant in the 1950s
• Glee Club continued firm and strong under the eyes and ears of accompanist Mrs.
W.H.G. [Merna] Hirtle and directors Mrs. Oxner, then Betty Walsh.
• It was popular with the girls and led to annual performances at the County Music
Festival, school concerts and special occasions. The photo below is from the later
‘50s.
Photo: Courtesy Betty Walsh [find her in the centre]
Back Row: Janet Veinotte, Erma Conrad, Beverley Bruhm, Mary Elizabeth Kedy
3rd Row: Sheila Richardson, Cecelia Hatcher, Janet Andrews, Linda Cook, Joan Mason
Judith MacKay, Edith Hirtle, Patricia Sawler, Carolyn Kedy, Linda Nowe
2nd Row: Betty Lou Awalt, Carolyn Hubley, Helen Walker, June Conrad, Betty
Walsh, Judy Burgoyne, Valerie Lowe, Arlene Rost, Brenda Hubley, Veronica Hamm
Front Row: Linda Bruhm, Paulette Cross, Betty Joudrey, Patsy Cook, Elmore
Veinotte, Erica Bauer, Beverley Reiser, Pauline Rhodenizer
The 1950s look!... Admire the hair, the dresses and skirts, the modest neckline!
Still no pants allowed! Erica in the front row was daughter of Mr. Bauer, teacher of
German.
“The New Building:” Mahone Bay Consolidated School
The Consolidated School: A Long Time Coming
• The Consolidated School Movement, initiated by the Department of Education,
moved from conception in the late 1940s to birth in the 1950s.
• The Department wanted bigger and better schools with improved facilities,
more teachers and a broader curriculum. The Department was willing to match dollar
for dollar or better for Municipalities to take the initiative.
• The Municipality of Lunenburg got on Board with an ambitious building program.
New Germany was opened in 1954, Centre in 1958, and Hebbville in 1960. Earle
Langille was on the staff of the first two, and opened Hebbville as principal.
• Centre Consolidated was The Writing On The Wall for the Mahone Bay
Board. By then the town school was dependent on students from the municipality to
make numbers viable. There was an established tradition of Blockhouse, Clearland,
Oakland, Indian Point, Mader’s Cove and Fauxberg area students coming to the town,
particularly for junior-senior high.
• After 1958 those students could be required to go to the vastly better facilities at
Centre. And grade 11 Mahone Bay town students now opted to go to Centre for grade
12: the Town had to pay their tuition fees.
• W. H.G. Hirtle and H.V. Corkum take the lead The Board was jolted out of
its lethargy. There had been no ‘Founding Father’ spirit of initiative, imagination
and determination. Thankfully, W.H.G. Hirtle [ex-mayor and school board member
of the 1930s and Bill’s father] came out of semi retirement and joined the Board.
H.V.Corkum went on town council in 1959, and became Mayor in January, 1960. The
other key support came from councillors K. M. Beasley and W.M. Freeman.
• Public Meeting of Ratepayers and Plebiscite, 1960 The Town Council finally
committed to capital start up and operational costs and additional teacher salaries, and
arranged for the required public meeting and plebiscite to approve the construction
and the borrowing of funds.
148

Public Meeting Of Ratepayers, July 25th, 1960
The Town Council minutes record that, ‘approximately 40 ratepayers attended…
Councillor Beazley explained in detail the proposed plans for a new addition…and also
the cost involved…several questions were asked….answered by Councillor Beazley.
The Cornerstone Ceremony
Plebiscite, July 28th, 1960
The plebiscite was duly approved, and the wording gives an exact idea of proposed
costs and of what the extension would comprise: Do you approve of the proposed
borrowing…of a sum not to exceed…$180,000 for the purpose of erecting an
addition to the present school building consisting of six academic classrooms,
administration block, auditorium, chemistry laboratory, provision for Home
Economics and Industrial Arts.
Good Intentions and Under Budgeting
The bold letters have been inserted by this writer because the good intentions to resolve a long
time deficiency of the school were there. Unfortunately the construction went way over budget,
and the provisions for industrial arts and home economics were cut. A room designated for
the latter was to be used as a general classroom. The Town was obliged to pay an additional
$60,000 to meet the bill.
April 1961 Major Yuri Gagarin of Soviet Union is First Man to Orbit Earth
The Cornerstone Laying Ceremony, November 5th 1961
Mayor H.V. Corkum and other VIPs get ready for the ceremony, covered by CKBW.
• The Glee Club, under the direction of Miss Betty Walsh sang “ O, Canada” and
“God Save The Queen.”
• Secrets of the Time Capsule. Art Deckman, Acadia Construction, presented a box
to be placed behind the stone. It contained: Edition of Halifax Herald for November
4th and the Bridgewater Bulletin and Progress Enterprise for November 1st; tape
recording of CKBW news for November 4th; Mahone Bay School Yearbook for
1961; 1961 Silver Dollar. The box was placed behind the stone by Mr. Francis S.
Whynot, President of Home and School.
• Warden Walters of the Municipality, Mayor R.G.A. Wood of Lunenburg and Mayor
George Crouse of Bridgewater were among the honoured guests.
The Official Opening Ceremony, Monday December 18th and The First
School Dance in the new Gym
The Opening Ceremony was delayed because the building had not been ready for the
opening of school. There was severe overcrowding for several months as the rooms
were completed and taken over. The Board had to rent [for the princely sum of $125]
the neighboring United Baptist Church Hall for the primary class, and grades 4, 5,
and 6 went part time.
Bridgewater Bulletin Front Page
The architect was Mr. J. Philip Dumeresque of Dumeresque & Associates, Halifax.
The builders were Acadia Construction Ltd. of Bridgewater.
149

The Town would educate students, grades seven to twelve, from ‘...Oakhill, Whynot’s
Settlement, Indian Point, Martins River, Blockhouse , Lower, Middle and Upper
Cornwall, Maitland, Sweetland, Clearland, Big Lots and Farmville.. The big break
from tradition was that Maders Cove students would go to Centre.
The Town was ‘....to provide… a program of studies…equal to those existing in the
High Schools in the Municipality of Lunenburg..’
The Report on School
Buildings carried out in
1984 by W. N. Horner
& Associates described
the new addition as,
‘… basically of timber
construction with a rigid
frame type brick veneer
gymnasium, The classroom
wing has concrete floors
and built-up timber trusses,
wood deck and asphalt
shingle roof systems…
windows are single glazed
wood, double-hung type
with aluminium storm
sashes. The doors are
wood, with delaminating
veneers. ‘
The floor plans below are
from the 1984 report but
black arrows and notes
show 1960s usage:
The Agreement, The Construction, The Plans
The Agreement with The Municipality
The document is dated October 11th, 1960. It worked the financial details, particularly
the costs of bus transportation, and the amount of tuition per student the Municipality
would pay.
Over-Crowding, The
Moving Days, The New
Rooms
The events of 1961-2 were
clearly exciting, and who
better to tell the story than
the students themselves.
150

Berton Robinson, Respected Principal Retires
Berton Robinson was principal from 1959-62. He was a quietly spoken academic
type. His mother had been a teacher and his father, Prof. E.W. Robinson, was, for
over 60 years, a well known figure in education.
Students remember him as a particularly good teacher of English and history. Males
in particular said he had the knack of grabbing and keeping their attention. Teachers
remember him as a man of firm opinions. He was respected academically.
The Chronicle Herald carried an article about him, headed MAHONE BAY
PRINCIPAL SAYS Liberal Education Important. The Nova Scotia Teachers
Union had him write the text of a Centennial Project, THREE HUNDRED YEARS
IN EDUCATION.
In the Principal’s Message in the 1962 Yearbook, he wrote:
‘So many things have happened to us at Mahone Bay High School this year that
catching our breath seems a little hard…..Our junior and senior high schools have
tripled in number; we now have a new….classroom wing; a new, well-equipped
science lab…a fine new gymnasium and auditorium ....An article
Joan Mason and Douglas Joudrey, Yearbook Staff: The 1961-2 Highlight
in this year’s yearbook tells of the exciting days…of how crowded we were, and how
difficult a time we had…A good deal of the burden of these trying times…fell on your
school administration. What was the best to do under the circumstances…’
151

It had been a tough year for Mr. Robinson. In addition to the new opening, there were
to be serious discipline problems in 1962-3 with two teachers who could not keep
order. He was not in good health and decided to call it a day.
The First Grades Twelve and Eleven of the “New” Consolidated School, 1961-2
July 1962American, Neil Armstrong, becomes First Man On The Moon
“Small step for a man but one giant leap for mankind.”
November, 1962, President John F. Kennedy Assassinated
A Missed Opportunity: The Gym, Home Economics and Industrial Arts
The New Gym
There was to be a huge burst of activity in the new gym. The generation of the 1970s
and later regretted that the basketball court was not regulation size and that the floor
was tiled. The floors at Centre, Hebbville, Bridgewater, Chester and New Ross had
been the much more preferable wood, and only New Germany had the tile.
In 1961-2 there had been no school basketball for over a decade. So there was no
knowledgeable vested interest to push the case. And the new gym was better than
anything previously available.
Home Economics and Industrial Arts
The town council and school board had planned for both. But their financial
planning had been wildly optimistic or poorly informed. Probably both! It was to be
a determined Home and School
Association that led the charge for
these facilities in the mid 1970s.
So, for nearly 15 years Mahone
Bay was the only junior-senior
high school in the South Shore and
most of the province without these
programs.
152

Images of the ‘60s
The new wing under construction
Photos courtesy Gregg Lantz
The old fire escape can be seen in the background.
Two More Rooms Added to the New Wing: 1966
The planners had also miscalculated numbers and space.
Two more rooms were added.
153

154

The Yearbook of 1964: A Turning Point Charles Uhlman, Principal
“Beatlemania” Like the Yearbook of 1955-56, the Highlight of 1964 set new
trends. It was the first of the contemporary style record books-with pictures of classes
and activities. The journalistic reporting and literary sections were gone. It was also
bigger and had individually sponsored pages. It was also a comeback: there had been
no ’62-3 book. Editor and Assistant Editor, Derek Wentzell and Karen Crossland, and
Business Managers, Gary Burgoyne and Richard Joudrey, explained the changes in a
page sponsored by Maritime Manufacturers and Contractors Ltd.
The principal was Charles Uhlman. Charles stayed for a year. He was an
outstanding administrator, bursting with energy. He led by example, and also coached
girls soccer and volleyball, senior girls basketball, and was yearbook advisor. It was,
as he recalls, “a recipe for burn-out” because there was also a full teaching load of
economics and science.
from Alberta, she too made her mark, becoming one of the first elected school board
members in the town, a long-time councillor, deputy mayor and mayor.
The Board had struggled to find a satisfactory applicant for the position of
“Supervisor” of the town school, a senior high teacher with a degree, and a physical
education specialist. There was a shortage of able qualified staff. Late in the previous
school year the Board lucked out with Charles and Virginia Uhlman and Mike van der
Toorn. Charles and Mike were both graduates of the Lunenburg Town schools.
Charles Uhlman, principal 1963-4 Virginia Uhlman
This helps explain why principals of the 1950s and early ‘60s did not stay
long. There was not enough administrative time allowed principals. The school was
a good starting and jumping off place. Charles left to return to Alberta [where he had
been a teacher and principal until a call from Mayor H.V. Corkum persuaded him
come to Mahone Bay] to take his masters degree. He later become principal of the
New Ross Consolidated School.
He went on to get his doctorate degree at the University of Alberta, and returned to be
Superintendent of the Chester Municipality Schools. Then, following amalgamation,
Assistant Superintendent of The Lunenburg County Board. He remains a citizen of
Mahone Bay and is well known for his work and leadership in Lions. Also on staff
was his wife, Virginia Uhlman, who taught senior English and History. After returning
155

1964 Innovations Mike Van der Toorn and The Sports Council
A young Mike Van der Toorn appeared on staff that year. He was to become an
institution at the school. After one year, he left for Lunenburg, his hometown, then
returned to become a long-term leader. In 1964 The Sports Council [sometimes
called The Student Leader Corps] was established to boost sports activities at school,
particularly to raise funds for team uniforms and transportation. It became a key
institution for many years, critical to the huge expansion of activities that was to come
in the late ‘60s and throughout the 1970s. Mr. Van der Toorn was its founder.
Cross-Country: A New Sport, 1963-4
That year, as well as teaching and being staff adviser to the Council, Mike
coached cross country [to a notable 5th place out of 17 schools at the Headmasters’,
as it was called then, Provincial Schools Championship in Dartmouth], boys soccer
[Mike was a keen player] and volleyball, senior girls basketball and boys and girls
junior basketball.
Soccer: Another New Sport
The School’s First Senior Boys Soccer Team
156
In 1963-64 the school fielded both boys and girls senior soccer teams. The
girls had made a tentative start the year before. The problem was no proper field: most
games were played away because the school field was too uneven, rocky and bumpy.
By the end of the decade games were being played on the outfield at the ballpark.

Staff and Class Photos
For the first time the whole staff [junior-senior high and elementary] photos were
included in the yearbook and so were class photos grade 12 to primary. Below are the
staff photos and the very first primary class photo to appear in a yearbook.
1964: “Beatlemania”
And, yes, 1964 was the year that Beatlemania, cemented by their triumphal first visit
to the USA, swept North America and Mahone Bay. Suits, haircuts, pin-ups, and pop
music would never be the same.
The First Full Staff Photos to appear in a Yearbook, 1963-4
In the elementary staff photo is Mrs. Kedy, formally Margaret Freeman [daughter of
Captain Freeman of the December 1913 tragedy], who had been coaxed back into
teaching, after staying home to raise her family of two daughters, Mary Elizabeth
[the outstanding badminton player] and Carolyn [who went on to a Masters of Social
Work degree]. She moved up to teach grade seven for fifteen years.
1963-64 Yearbook included elementary class photos for first time.
157

A Tribute to Merna Frank-Mrs. W. H. G. Hirtle
The 1964-5 Highlight was dedicated to Mrs. Hirtle. She was an extraordinary woman
whose connection with the school had lasted over thirty years.
She was an untiring volunteer who made two outstanding contributions to the school.
Glee Club: She was a gifted piano player, played at special occasions, and
accompanied the Glee Club for literally decades: from 1938 to 1963!!
• She was there at the foundation of The Glee Club in 1938. She led the group of
parents that persuaded the Board to have Pearl Oxner come from Lunenburg to train
and lead the group. She accompanied the group that went to Halifax Music Festival
that year ‘ and won the shield-mark of 91…Mrs. Oxner deserves credit. She is a
wonderful teacher.’ The quote is from her personal diary, courtesy Bill Hirtle.
• Betty Walsh-student, teacher and glee club director after Pearl Oxner, paid Merna a
tribute Merna would have appreciated: “She played for us, encouraged us, and, yes, when
it was necessary, she bullied us. She was always there!”
Home and School
• She was the founder of The Mahone Bay Home and School Association in 1944,
leading the way in fund-raising for the school library, paying for the school’s first
p.a. system, contributing to the installation of the first school electric light system,
and donating scholarships. She was on the committee that supplied books to the new
library in 1962-3.
• She went on to a distinguished career in Home and School, becoming president of
the Lunenburg County Home and School Council in 1947, and was bestowed Life
Membership of the Nova Scotia Federation of Home and Schools in 1954.
The Chronicle Herald records Mrs. Hirtle’s Life Membership
158

• She was a pioneer of the movement provincially and locally. It was action, carried
out in the spirit that she had inspired, that led the Mahone Bay Association to drive
for the introduction of Home Economics and Industrial Arts and the completion of the
school field in the mid 1970s.
• She had also been a long-term member of the Mahone Bay Women’s Institute, serving
as president from 1945-48. She had been part of that group that bought the old parade
grounds and donated them, as Jubilee Park, to the Town in 1927.
• She was a woman of strong and respected character. A number of women told this
writer that girls went to her for advice. Betty Walsh, who spent her student and teaching
life at Mahone Bay wrote, ‘The boys and girls remember how she loved to work with
them….encouraged them…was a true friend to them….The book Young Peoples Concerts
by Leonard Bernstein….will be placed in the school library…inscribed in her memory.’
Betty Walsh, spoke for many when she wrote to the family… ‘I also feel a deep sense of
gratitude for her guidance when I was growing up..’
Mr. Lloyd Langille’s extraordinary contribution to school sports from 1966-69.
He was the first specialist physical education to stay a while. Mike van der
Toorn had stayed a year before being lured home to Lunenburg. Mike’s successor,
who took on a similar workload, Mike Pelham, also stayed one year, 1964-5 and the
Board was not able to find a replacement until January 1966 [there were only two
School teams that year]. He single-handedly ran the school teams. He coached crosscountry,
boys and girls soccer, gym club, girls and boys volleyball and basketball. He
also coached the first county championship to be won since the opening of the new
school gym: boys volleyball, 1967.
The Mid & Late 1960s
The late 1960s saw:
Mr. Richard Mullins. The 1964 arrival of Mr. Mullins and his wife as principal and
teacher respectively. Mr. Mullins was to stay until 1970 and bring some needed stability
and permanence to the principalship. Mrs Mullins taught English and social studies
and immediately became yearbook advisor.
Noel Dexter and Mike O’ Connor The same year,’ 64, saw the arrival on staff
of two men who were to give long term service to the school. Both would be future
principals at Mahone Bay, Noel Dexter and Mike O’Connor.
159

County Champions
It wasn’t until his final year that Mr Langille got help from the newly arrived Mr.
Swim and Mr. Lowell Ritcey. No wonder the students paid special tribute to him
when he moved on at the end of the 1968-9 school year. He was from Blockhouse
and had graduated from Mahone Bay School in 1964. The Highlight recorded the
A Dedication to Mrs. Carey Veinot and Mrs. Erema Mader: 1965-6 Highlight
Both teachers had retired in June 1965
following:
The students paid tribute to Mr. Langille in the 1968-9 Yearbook
Little League and Boy Scouts as well!
A School Trip to Expo, September 1967
It was Canada’s massive birthday celebration: “Expo 67” The World Exhibition at
Montreal. The ‘boisterous and jubilant party of Mahone Bay’s younger citizens’ visited
both Ottawa and Montreal…. The flamboyant sixty, with sombreros and ponchos, were
soon paying unforgettable visits to the world’s pavilions.’
160

1965-66: Life after the Ideal Maternity Home: Lila Young
In one of those peculiar footnotes to history, Lila Young came to Mahone Bay to teach
grade five. Lila, from Fox Point, had gained notoriety as the co-owner, manager and
obstetrician of the “Butterbox Babies” scandal at the ironically named Ideal Maternity
Home for ‘unwed mothers’ in East Chester.
Lila Gladys Coolen, who had taken teacher training, had married William Peach
Young and moved to Chicago, where in 1927, William, a medical evangelist,
graduated from the National College of Chiropractic, and Lila graduated from the
National College of Obstetrics and Midwifery. Their return to East Chester and
establishment of the Ideal Maternity Home, specialising in maternity and adoption
services, largely for unwed mothers, has become the subject of bestselling books, TV
documentaries and folklore [particularly about unreported baby deaths and their burials
in butterboxes from LaHave Creamery ]. Concerns about criminal negligence and the
legality of adoptions led to criminal investigations, court cases and fines. After over
twenty years of operation, the business was finally closed in the 1950s.
Bonnie Veinotte, one of her students, remembers her as big-bosomed and gushing,
and her report card reflects that. Betty Walsh taught with her and remembers there
was awareness and tolerance, that Lila was “a strange woman who developed no close
relationships.” Karl Nauss, presently a town councillor, remembers an elderly lady, with
a wart on her nose, who did a lot of sitting, and was always getting Robin Dunham, who
had a sweet voice, to sing.
cdc
Lila Young’s Grade 5 Class
161

Number of Firsts
The 60’s are remembered as being, more idealistic, wilder and less inhibited. It was
a time of party and rock. It was a time of energy and innovation at the school. The
late ‘60s saw the introduction of School Band, School Newspaper, Reach for The
Top, Driver Education, Winter Carnival, a new name for yearbook-The Bay Window,
Cheer Leaders and Weight Lifting. All except the newspaper were to become part of
the fabric of school life.
‘A Proud Day for Mahone Bay School’: Progress Enterprise, February 23/1966
Below is a poor quality original on micro film, but it catches the moment.
The information on numbers and instruments is instructive. The four guitars were
replaced by drums when on parade. The newspaper report included a photo under the
heading:
Two Typical Student Cards of the 1960s
Contribution To Mahone High Band.
Philip Lohnes presented a cheque to Mr. O’Connor. The local newspaper caption
read: Mr. Lohnes gave a percentage of the sales of the Mahone Save Easy
Supermarket. Students had to collect cash register slips to qualify. Mr. O’Connor
teaches math in grades eight and nine.
Mahone Bay’s was the first school band in the region.
Band has a long tradition in the Town, but by the 1960s the once mighty town band
was no more. The tradition was revived by Mike O’ Connor. School band was
established in 1965-6 and continues today, strong as ever in Bayview School.
162

School Newspaper, 1966-68
Producing a regular school newspaper is an ambitious project. It requires continuous
collection, preparation and production. For two years, ’66-68, a group of energetic
students did just this. Again, it shows the energy produced at the school in the 1960s.
163

Reach for The Top
The phenomenally successful CBC TV show hit the tube in the late 1960s. School teams
appeared in competition, answering questions from the academic to trivia. Questions
ranged from fine art, science, literature, geography to pop music and current and old TV
shows. Students would go through elimination tests at school to vie for the privilege and
prestige of representing their school on TV, watched by large audiences of viewers. As a
Cheer Leaders
With the fine school spirit of the 1960s, organized, formal cheer-leading
appeared in 1968. It lasted on and off for a decade. Cheerleaders expanded to junior
and senior in 1968-9
164
The First Reach For The Top Team, 1967-68
coach of the Lockeport School team, this writer can vouch for the hours of swatting and
memorization needed, and the gruelling time students had under the lights in front of the
cameras. Reach for The Top went on through the 1970s.

Driver Education, 1969
One of the best initiatives by the Department of Education, “Driver Ed.” was started
in 1969. As long as the local School Board could find a dealer to supply a car with
dual controls, and a sponsor to cover maintenance, insurance and running costs , the
School’s First Winter Carnival, 1969
And so started what was to become a new tradition. In fact winter carnival, and its
queen, was to take the place of a tradition dating back to the late 1940s and H.V.
Corkum’s principalship: the May Festival and Queen.
Department would train and pay an instructor. The talented Mr. Langille was willing
and so was The Legion and Mahone Auto. Driver Education would continue while
Mahone Bay School had high school students.
165

Red Cross
Remained a well-established organization annually at the school. This was largely due
to long time staff member Mrs. Luana Wentzell who committed herself to the activity.
Typical projects included adopting a special care child [sending presents and clothes],
stamp collections to raise funds for needy children, fund-raising for special projects:
like a Wheel Chair Campaign, health kits and grants for third world countries…….
agricultural project in the Sudan, for example. To Mrs. Wentzell’s credit she was able to get
boys involved in what in many schools was a girls activity. Red Cross for 1966-7 is below.
Glee Club and Red Cross and Canteen Continued Throughout the 1960s
Glee Club
• In the early 1960s, Miss Betty Walsh and Mrs.W.H.G. Hirtle continued their good
work of the 1950s.
• In 1960, thirty four girls sang in a series of CKBW broadcasts sponsored by Mahone
Auto Service. But the highlight of the year was the presentation of the Cantata
“Cinderella.”
• In 1962, David R. Publicover, with student pianists Evangeline Zwicker and Karen
Crossland, took over for three years, and had senior and junior clubs in 1964. In 1969,
the Club with twenty five members was under the direction
of Mrs. George McVay, whose son David was graduating that year, and husband
directed McVay Fibre Glass Yachts Ltd. Mrs. McVay also typed the year book for the
year.
• In the 1970s Glee Club was largely replaced by preparing students [individually,
small groups and choirs] for The Lunenburg County Music Festival.
166

Canteen “An army marches on its stomach” [Napoleon]
Canteen for snacks, light lunches and junk food had developed in the late 1950s. With
the new extension, it had a place to call home: storage, shelving, and a counter next
to the entrance to the gym.. It became a business and senior students were selected to
staff and run it. It was a popular spot for students!
The boys did well at the Maritime Championship in New Glasgow, finishing third
school overall.
Canteen Staff 1968-69
Weight lifting, 1969
An interesting new development in 1969 was the introduction of weight lifting. Mr.
Roland Swim from Lockeport, who was only on staff for a year, introduced it in
the spring of 1969. It was immediately popular with a dedicated group of boys and
successful in winning trophies immediately.
The boys were encouraged by the Rev Keith Crouse of the Lutheran Church, a body
builder of national competition level. He had a workout space in the barn behind the
parsonage on Main Street. He introduced boys like Eddie Aulenback and Richard
Haugen to the sport.
Eddie told this writer the boys practised on the gym stage at lunchtime. They drew an
audience, especially Eddie who put on quite a show when psyching up.
167

and Herbie Hyson were the unofficial town historians.
The Yearbook Becomes ‘The
Bay Window’
The name ‘HighLight’ used for
so many years following the
first yearbook in 1933 finally
passed away in 1969. A bright
young yearbook staff came up
with a metaphor for a look at
school life. And the use of the
word ‘Bay’ fit appropriately.
Hilda Burgoyne Retires
One of the staff’s real
characters retired in 1969. She
was old school: conscientious,
hard working, gave lots of help,
and was a tough disciplinarian.
She was a regular adviser to the
student council and a reliable
stalwart for chaperoning [see
photo below] school dances.
Her historical knowledge and
notes, about the town and
especially the school, have
been a source of great help. She
A Conclusion
So the ‘60s ended with a school totally different from the early 1950s:
There was a large extension to the original old school: it was now Mahone Bay
Consolidated School-the small local schools in Mader’s Cove, Oakland, Indian Point,
Clearland and Fauxburg had long gone.
The number of students and staff had doubled.
Students living outside the Town, in the Municipality, outnumbered the locals.
There was a school gym-auditorium.
Grade 12 was well established.
There was a huge range of extra-curricular activities.
There was a physical education specialist on staff.
There was a well-stocked library.
Much of what Bill Hirtle recommended had indeed arrived.
168
The Beat of the ‘60s and some Tragedies
The 60s were upbeat. It was the Golden Age of Rock and Roll: of the Beatles,
Elvis, The Stones and The Doors. It was an age of idealism: protest, civil action and
civil disobedience; the young thought the world could be changed; the civil rights
movement won battles against discrimination; the Anti Vietnam War Movement
began to take shape.
But there was the dark lining: John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Bobby
Kennedy, all heroes of the young generation, were assassinated.

The Dances The Bands The Chevelles and The Citations
The School Dances came into their own in the 1960s. There were usually at least three
or four: Halloween and/or Valentine’s, Christmas and the May Queen and/or June Prom.
They were big deals. The auditorium was decorated, the chaperones appointed and the
live band hired. There was The Twist....The Frog....and Good Old Rock and Roll. The two
favourite local bands were, ‘The Chevelles’ and the ‘Citations.’ The former dominated
the new gym in 1964. The latter became the band to get and attracted a good crowd as the
‘60s progressed. The following are extracts from Party Time pages of the yearbooks:
Halloween Party, October 25, 1963
‘The social events of the year opened with a bang....The local band, “The
Chevelles” supplied music with a little help by our own singer, David Oickle.
Everyone in the large turnout seemed to enjoy themselves, while “Oscar” our large
pet bat crowned the decorative Halloween scene.
The principal and his wife “party”. The Chevelles play. David Oickle: school talent
Photo: Courtesy: Greg Lantz
The Chevelles, 1963-4, included three Mahone Bay students. Jerome Bruhm, son of the
legendary marathon runner, and brother of badminton medal winner Bev., graduated in
1965. He and Dave Oickle, who graduated in ’66, both played while still at school. Doug
Joudrey had graduated in 1962. Dave who gave the school report on Saturday CKBW,
went on to be a DJ/announcer with CKBW, manager of South Shore Twin Cinemas,
technician and projectionist.
Christmas Dance, December 18th, 1964
‘The Christmas Dance sprang to life on the frosty night...” The Citations”
supplied the music which swayed around the huge, twinkling,
Christmas Tree and our four watchful snowmen [chaperones], Dick[Mullins],
Laurie[Mullins], Hilda[Burgoyne] and Noel[Dexter]. That old fashioned Christmas
spirit stimulated warm feelings for everyone.’
Spring Prom., April 30 1965
‘...every student and adult was filled with excitement......our auditorium decorated with
lovely roses and a huge rocket....our May Queen, Miss June Ernst, ascended to the throne
on the arm of her escort, Charles Ernst. The pages, Beth McMullin and Peter Millett..led
the royal party....Immediately following the ceremony..the dance..The Citations provided
the music to which everyone danced happily. The entire evening still stands today as a
treasured moment.
169

Spring May
Queen
Dance, and
Hallowe’en
1966
“Paris in the
Springtime” was
the theme of the
May dance. The
auditorium
was decorated
with silver
butterflies,
flowered trees
and a Parisian
sidewalk
cafe... After
the ceremony..
everyone spent
an enjoyable
evening dancing
to the music provided by The Temptations. On October 28th...Around the scarecrows
and steer skull, the students danced to the music of the Citations.’
The Halloween, Christmas and Valentine Dances, 1967-68
‘..a big “boo”… October 22..In the centre of the gym stood our huge but friendly spider,
Blob,..in addition to witches, black cats and pumpkins..an eerie graveyard cast its shadow...
The large turnout, from both our own and invited schools, , is attributed to the best band in
Nova Scotia beating out the music- ‘The Citations.’
‘Stars twinkled through the gym windows on the Christmas spirited dancers as they
as they swung to the music of the Citations who have become permanent hits with the
Mahone Bay students.’
On February 9th Red Cross sponsored the annual Valentine Dance.. ...The Citations,
although handicapped by a hospitalized player, beat out the music for the enthusiastic
students and chaperones.
May Dance 1968: ‘The courtly atmosphere of the coronation was soon replaced by
the groovy music of the Citations’. Halloween 1968: ‘ Appropriate decorations
including a graveyard transfigured the gym into a web of horror. The music was
supplied by the ‘Citations.’ A 1968-9 yearbook photo of the Citations playing to
an admiring crowd at Mahone Bay Consolidated. The students loved them. Greg
Lantz, and other students who played a bit, told this writer they were hot. “The group
was from Lunenburg, won The Battle of the Bands at Kentville a number of times
could’ve gone professional.”
170

Mahone Bay SaveEasy
Kinburn Pharmasave understands
its commitment to quality service for the
Mahone Bay community, focusing on
meeting the needs of the people of the
community it has called home for
more than 100 years.
So quick, so good!
522 Main St, Mahone Bay
P:624-8347 • F:624-9720
kinburn@macquarries.com
Your local
market
On the site of the old
Zwicker Hall & Movie House 1914
www.kinburnpharmasave.com

Chapter Eight:
The 1970s, The End of an Era
brain. He was very persuasive and knew how to go to the board and get results.” By
1970 the position of principal was full time administration with a full time secretary.
Mr. Dexter was responsible for introducing general credits in senior high
and the setting up the long-awaited Home Economics and Industrial Arts.
A credit to him was the “team culture” that developed in the school. There was no rush to
go home. Teachers stayed to talk with him and each other in the staffroom. He had a knack of
finding funding and getting good scholarships. He left in 1978
to be guidance counsellor, then principal, of Parkview Education Centre.
The Last Decade for Senior High
When school opened in September 1970, there was no awareness that this was to be the
last decade for senior high students at Mahone Bay. A tradition over a hundred years old
was to finish. When the Municipality of Lunenburg decided to build Parkview, a splendid
new comprehensive school, in Bridgewater and send all its students there in September
1979, Mahone Bay town students went too. There was no alternative. Except for the
elementary section, the Municipality students heavily outnumbered those of the town.
There could be no viable senior high programs without them. The winds of change were
to bring large comprehensive schools everywhere [only Lunenburg and Bridgewater
Town and New Germany have kept the senior grades; Centre, Hebbville and New Ross
lost theirs], and there was to be school board amalgamation in the 1980s.
The Staff Was Stable
Compared with the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s there was very little coming and going of
staff. This meant teachers were committed. They stayed to see things through.
The Jnr-Snr High Teachers, 1970
The 70s Went with a Bang!
The 70s were very good years for the school. A fine school spirit developed. There
was always something going on. The school had “a buzz.” There was a burst of
school activities: academic, social and extra-curricular. The sports age of the 70s was
unprecedented in numbers of teams, participation and success.
The Supervising Principal: Noel Dexter
Mr.Dexter had become a popular staff member in the
1960s. He was to be principal for the new decade. Not
since H.V. Corkum had there been such stability of
leadership at the school. He was liked and respected by
the students. They spoke of him as fair, somebody you
could talk to, who would listen and good at discipline.
The big man was very visible at the building and at
school events.
Teachers and school board members found him
“approachable and supportive. “
He often adopted a laid back style but had a shrewd
171

All, except Miss Pamenter, were to stay a number of years, and Messrs. Dexter,
Wentzell, Gray, O’Connor, Mills, Oxner, Ritcey, Kedy, Gardner, Murphy and
Vandertoorn were to stay for the whole decade or most of it.
The Elementary school staff showed the same ‘stick-to-it-iveness’.
Elementary School Staff, 1975-6
The Student Leader Corps
Introduced by Mr. Vandertoorn in the 1960s came into its own. The group
brainstormed ideas for activities [from sock-hops to carnivals] and, most important,
raised thousands of dollars to fund extracurricular programs particularly sports teams.
Just how big the task and organization became is shown in the 1975-6 yearbook
report.
Student Activities
The activities from the 1960s mostly continued and expanded: student council,
yearbook, canteen, cheerleaders, driver education [Mr. Ritcey remained the brave and
loyal instructor], band, red cross, drama club, student police an intramural activities
and huge team sports program.
172
Student police [photo from 1974-5] helped patrol at student dances.

The organization stimulated much participation and school spirit. Events were well
attended and well organized. There was a large percentage of participation. There was
something for just about everybody. Lunchtime intramural sports offered a spot for the
fun-seeking, not particularly athletic, student.
By 1977 The Winter Carnival was huge: “the best seen in years,” the yearbook
claimed modestly.
Winter Carnival 1977
Winter Carnival
Winter carnival became the social whole-school-have fun event of the year.
It superseded the May Queen/ Dance as the main event. For a year or two, May
Queens were elected, but then Winter Carnival and The Carnival Queen took its
place.
The First Winter Carnival Queen, 1971: Suzette Joudrey
By 1974 there were judges The
yearbook recorded: ‘ The judges were
Rev. Mr. [Bill, not Bob] Dye, Mrs.
Hennigar and Mrs.Dunham…..…Irma
Langille was crowned 1974 Winter
Carnival Queen…… The Dance
was most successful../The Band was
“Silver” and there was also the
“Starlite” show, which added to the
lively atmosphere..’
173

Dapper Del Dupperon and Drama
‘Del’ Dupperon was a character. One of those unique teachers that students fondly
remember. He was a gay [in the old sense of the word] bachelor. He was uninhibited
and dramatic and a poser. His English and social studies classes were popular. He was
an entertainer with style and lots of knowledge.
He immersed himself in student activities: yearbook adviser, coach of Reach For The
Top, but most all he was passionate about drama.
Mr. Dupperon and the 1970-71 Reach For The Top Team
Mr. Dupperon produced and directed lavish and ambitious productions that were of high
quality and drew large audiences. The quality of the staging and costuming alone are
reflected in the following photos. The Drama Club raised funds and organized the
Mardi Gras Night at Winter Carnival. Debbie Oickle was sent to a 1971 summer drama
workshop at Mount Allison.
Mr. Dupperon was at the school from 1968-1972. He left for personal reasons.
“It was a sad day for students, when Mr. Dupperon left.” Scott Ritchie’s comments are
typical. “Even the so called “bad” and “tough” paid attention to him and learned…Best
English teacher ever…fond, fond, memories…funny, could be outrageous…vain,
impeccably dressed” Debbie Oickle-Thompson went on to become a schoolteacher. She
described him as “a catalyst,” who inspired a life-long love of literature and drama.
174

175

176

Douglas Cox: French Teacher
As the French curriculum changed to more focus on the oral, Mahone Bay School
was lucky to get the services of Douglas Cox, who arrived in 1970 and stayed ‘til the
end of the high school years, 1978. He took a turn at grade 12 home room teacher,
led a trip to Quebec and one year led a group of Mahone Bay and New Germany
students on a “Floating School” summer, learning, and visiting Mediterranean
countries. In those days there was no sophisticated language lab equipment. A regular
classroom had to do. The students who wrote the 1971 yearbook welcome got some
impressive material on him, but didn’t know that during World War 11, he was
shot down when flying over France, was found and smuggled back by the French
Resistance.
Mr. Cox was involved in two innovations:
International School On Board Ship in The Mediterranean
He was instrumental in arranging for a number of Mahone Bay and New Germany
students to take part in a new education project, where students spent part of
November 1971 cruising and visiting Greece and Turkey.
Quebec Trip, February, 1976
Helped by fund raising and the new special grants for French instruction, he
organized the first ‘Quebec Trip’ to immerse thirty six Mahone Bay students in
French Canadian Culture at Quebec’s Winter Carnival.
A 1978 farewell photo and caricature
177

A Tribute to H.V.Corkum
Mahone Bay School Principal, 1929-39, 1946-49
Town Councillor, 1958-60
Mayor and School Board Chairman 1960-1975
In the opinion of this writer nobody contributed more to ‘The Old School’
Below is a tribute from the 1971 yearbook. “H.V.” died in office in May 1975
A Tribute to H.V. Corkum from The Nova School Boards Association
The objective tributes sometimes come best from those who are not too close. “H.V.”
had personal faults, but Mahone Bay had no equal to him as an educational or civic
administrator:
178

Curriculum Innovations, General Courses, Industrial Arts And Home Economics
By the beginning of the 1970s provincial examinations were gone. Schools were
responsible for academic standards. The Department of Education was encouraging
large senior high schools with wide choices in curriculum: ‘the comprehensive
school’ was in.
The academic program was aimed at preparing students for university.
Many students did not want that route. There were large numbers of drop-outs after grade
10. The general program as approved by the Department and developed by Mr. Dexter
and Mr.Don Gray, teacher-guidance counsellor, was for students who did not need
academic courses, and most important of all, were more interested in Vocational School.
There they could learn a trade or employable skill. And Vocational Schools accepted
general courses for entrance. The program was for grade 11 from where students would
graduate. So students who often previously dropped out, could stay on in high school and
graduate. The success of the program can be seen in the students destination-FUTURE.
179

180
Home Economics and Industrial Arts………..Finally, 1977
It had been a dream of H.V. Corkum and his ambitious school board of the 1930s, but
the Town Council had squashed it. The Second World War years had been distracted.
The school board of the 1950s just didn’t have the ambition. The new addition had
planned to include them, but budget over-runs led to their being cut back. The relief
and pleasure of Mr. Dexter rings out in this Bridgewater Bulletin article.
• Four years of rejection, followed by a “yes.”
• Nancy Cornish, the new home
Economics teacher remembered
getting the phone call. “ I was in
the middle of cooking supper. The
two kids were yelling, the dog was
barking. It was August, and there was
Mr. Dexter on the phone asking me if
I was interested in the job. He was to
be the best principal I ever had…
• There were eight kitchen units to
stock with cutlery, pots and pans
and dishes. He told me I had a
$1000 to spend at Gow’s. I’m proud
to say I managed it.
• New equipment was arriving right
up ‘til the day school opened.
• And I was in school band, too.
Mike O’Connor knew I played. He
dropped a flute on my lap, and told
me I was in the band.”
• There were no industrial arts
teachers available at such notice.
• Dave Allen was drafted in from
math and history to do the job for a
year.
• The renovations [basement for
i.a. and classroom for home ec.]
and equipment were expensive.
The Town, even with Department
sharing, had to float a loan.
What Made The Difference in
Getting Department Approval?
…Home and School
A very determined Home and
School got involved and led the
charge. After four rejections by bureaucrats, it was decided a Home and School
delegation would go and talk to the man himself, the Minister of Education.
The intrepid group was led by Barb Stevens [president], Bertha Douglas [secretary],
Bob Sayer [at the time this writer had three children at the school. As principal at
New Ross School-which had both programs- he wrote the brief to be presented], and
Joan Levy.
The presentation was very much based on the principle of equity. Why should
Mahone Bay students be deprived of programs available to just about all other
students in the province? Mahone Bay wasn’t asking for something extra, just
something every other school already had!
Roberta Douglas:
Bertha Douglas, wife of Bob Douglas, was the long-time secretary of Home and
School in the 1970s. The request to meet with the
Minister of Education, the Honourable George Mitchell,
was in her name. He astonished the rest of the delegation
by greeting her warmly, and having her sit right next to
him in his office. The rest of us teased her on the way
home. The delegation was received well, and shortly
afterwards the announcement came that the application
was approved in principle by the minister: the Department
would share in capital costs [renovations], equipment,
and the salaries of the two teachers. There is no doubt that
the direct approach to the top made the critical difference.
The was an interesting exchange in the provincial legislature between the local
MLA, Bruce Cochrane [himself a Mahone Bay school graduate] and the Minister on
Tuesday April 5th.
Mr. Bruce Cochrane ….Is your Department now prepared for an approval for an
Industrial Arts program and Home Economics program for Mahone bay Consolidated
School….I should ask whether you know…that this is the only school in Lunenburg
County not able to offer…..
Hon. G. M. Mitchell …..I certainly did receive a brief
and a group of people did come to my office…they made
some valid points…..I am fully aware of the situation
and a very capable brief was presented to me….the
school should have that kind of program…we are very
hopeful…that it will work out.
It took until August for all the financial details to be
worked out, agreed upon and signed off. This meant
a huge rush to be ready for when school opened in
September.

Principal, School Board Chairman and his Wife Paint over Labour Day Weekend
The Board chair recounted how he found Noel Dexter painting the new rooms over
the weekend before school opened. He went home to get his wife, Elsie-a much better
painter than he and they returned to help.
In the above Bridgewater Bulletin story the weekend painting and the rush to get
ready and the program are recounted. Principals and board chairs and wives don’t do
this any more.
home economics on the floor above, required major renovations to the rooms:
physically, plumbing and wiring. The Town had to float a lone of $18000, in addition
to Departmental funding and money already in the school board budget, to set up the
new programmes.
Pre-schoolers Enjoy The New “Home Ec.” Room
The photo below shows part of the wide ranging effects of the program. Childcare
was part of the grade nine program and students had to entertain and observe
preschoolers and work with them over a period of time.
Photo: Courtesy Nancy Cornish
Bill Anderson was a town councillor and school board member throughout the 1970s.
Later in the decade, he served as vice-chairman, then chairman of the board. He was
an accomplished accountant. He had two
nieces, Jane and Jo-ann Ramsey at school in the ‘70s. Bill’s wife, Elsie, was the sister
of Fred Ramsey. The two families lived next door to each
other on Pleasant
Street. Fred and Jean Ramsey had bought the old Royal/
Mader hotel in 1964, and opened it in 1965 as the nursing
home. They continue to live on Pleasant. The bottom left
photo of Bill is courtesy of his daughter, Sandra.
Teacher, Nancy Cornish and grade nine students, Janet Nauss and Melinda Ernst work
with play dough and two of their pre-school guests.
David Allen still remembers being at his summer cottage when Noel Dexter arrived
to say he couldn’t find an industrial arts teacher. By the time Noel left, Mr. Allen had
been persuaded to fill the breach for a year.
The two rooms, both in the old building, industrial arts in the
basement with
the double wooden doors leading to the soccer field, and
181

Michelle Stevens: The Girl Who Took Industrial Arts and Became an
Internationally Acclaimed Sail Maker
Echoes of Charlie Begin, School Founding Father, sail maker and rigger of the Bluenose!
Nancy Cornish still remembers the confident junior high student who told her
she had learned to sew and cook, and was going to take Industrial Arts. Michelle was
or is the daughter of Home and School President, Barb and her husband Robert. Her
great grand father, Randolph, was a sail maker and boat builder, and raced as a crew
member [he was the sail trimmer] of the original Bluenose, under Captain Angus
Walters. Randolph’s father, Amos, had built Tancook schooners. It was Randolph who
moved the sail loft to Second Peninsula. She said sail making, “is in my blood.” She
tried self-employment early, opening a quilt shop in Mahone Bay, then concentrated
on the sail-loft. Her list of major coups is impressive:
• The sails for the tall ships Concordia, Bounty and Picton Castle.
• The 28 sail panels billowing backdrop for nationally televised East Coast Music
Awards, 1999., The mainsail and gaff for Bluenose 2.
• 950-square-foot foresail for the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic flagship,
The Theresa E. Connor.
Industrial Arts
In the basement was a large open area used as an audio-visual room, with a janitor’s store
room off of it. The latter became a finishing room and the open space was revamped
with benches and shelves and four work areas. For the first month and a half Mr. Allen
did drafting as the equipment arrived and was set up. A table saw, a jointer, a drill press, a
scroll saw and a thickness planer were major equipment in addition to the tools. Slater’s in
town was a chief supplier.
Boys and girls were free to choose which program they took. Michelle Stevens, the
future master sail maker, chose industrial arts.
The photo below is from 1980-81, when Mr. Cress had taken over instruction
Michelle [on right] and class mates at the old school
182

The Other New Addition of 1977: The Covered Porch Entrance to the
Gymnasium, The Final Structural Addition to The Old School
Entering and exiting the school gym had become a problem, especially in winter.
Basketball and volleyball games were getting good sized crowds. How to make it
easy for visitors and student to enter [and leave] the gym without bringing in mud,
slush and snow to the main building? And how to decrease the crush on big event
nights? An additional, covered porch exit, directly from the gym, with room to stamp
and brush off winter dirt!
Peter Horne, a local building contractor with a daughter, Nita, in the senior high was
asked to submit some sketches. The mayor, Philip Lohnes, got the local fire chief,
Allan Langille, to make changes and approve, and the project went ahead with some
partial Departmental funding. A working sketch with notes from Messrs. Lohnes and
Langille is included below.
The work involved: removing the existing pipe railings on the concrete wall;
installing a row of 8 inch concrete blocks each side to a height of approximately 8
feet; constructing a wall of 2 by 4 rafters and joists; sheathed in with plywood and
shingled with asphalt roofing.
This was the last exterior addition to “The Old School.”
Long- Time School Board Secretary- Treasurer and Town Clerk Retires
Laurel Burgoyne had held the above positions since 1951. He had guided the Board
through periods of huge change, including the new extension and home economics
and industrial arts and the negotiations with the Department of Education and the
Municipality of Lunenburg. He retired in October 1977. Below is part of a Progress
Enterprise article: headed ‘Veteran Clerk looks back on 26 years.’ Mr. Burgoyne
produced figures for the newspaper, showing the growth of expenditure on education.
With the growth of a strong union and with the battle won for provincial negotiations,
teachers were now well paid.
The total expenditure for the school had
increased 20 fold since 1951. When the
amalgamation of school boards came in
Lunenburg County, the Town breathed a
sigh of financial relief.
Teacher Cut-Back Victory, 1966
Mr. Burgoyne and chair, Dr. David
Keddy, were the negotiators for the
Board in the fight against a Department
initiated teacher cut- back in 1976. There
is a nice letter from the teachers saying,
‘We are proud of our school board. It
is rewarding to know you have fully
supported us.’
183

Margaret Freeman-Kedy Retires, 1977
A bouquet of roses from the grade 11 class, an engraved silver tray from the
Board and golf clubs from the teachers
She taught in the 1920s and the 1970s
The popular Mrs. Kedy had an extraordinary teaching career. She taught two totally
different generations. She had gone to the new Mahone school in 1914 as a six year
old, was strapped by Blanch Oxner in grade VI for deliberately breaking her desk
mate’s [Louise Bruhm] pencil point, and went straight from grade 11 to teaching in
Blandford [one room with pot belly stove] in 1925, then went to Teacher College in
Truro.
As a young woman she had been a regular on H.V. Corkum’s staff of the 1930s. In
1939 she resigned to get married and raise a family, two daughters-Mary Elizabeth
and Carolyn. She was coaxed out of retirement in 1960 when teachers were hard to
get and good retired teachers were desperately needed.
In her perceptive, honest and charming autobiographical notes, she wrote, ‘I decided
to go back to teaching as “Bups” [her husband] was not very well…I did some
substituting the previous year…was accepted for grades V and VI in September 1960.
After two years, I was transferred to grade VII…I enjoyed teaching but had a few
problems [but don’t we all]...I liked the students very much…I remained in grade VII
for fifteen years, retiring in June 1977 ….I received many lovely gifts from the students
including a bouquet of roses from the grade XI class…The School Board presented
me with a beautiful engraved silver tray…the teachers gave me a set of golf clubs…so
I started to learn to play and I thoroughly enjoy the game…’ [ author’s note: the
Freemans were good athletes].
Photos: Courtesy Mary Elizabeth and Carolyn Kedy
184
Home and School’s Other Triumph: The Building of the School Field
The School Field had been bought from farmer Westhaver by the Town in the mid
1930s It was H.V. Corkum’s dream to have it developed into a true sports field.
But over the years only bits and pieces of work were done. By the early 1970s, the
field was still poorly drained, with areas of swamp and areas of hard rock or rubble.
It had only patches of grass surface and was very uneven. There was a jumping pit,
used for practice. The school had abandoned soccer: the field was too rough and the
outfield at the ball park too small. Even track practice was dangerous on the school
field and it couldn’t be used for physical education classes.
Three Years of Pressure from Home and School, 1974-77
The Home and School Association, led by president Barb Stevens and secretary
Roberta Douglas, with informed support from this writer, Dr. David Dowse and his wife
Heather and Al Leslie [the last four had good soccer knowledge from their European
background, had children in school and wanted a soccer programme], had motions
passed and presented to Town Councilors and School Board members.
• Fighting Words. A start was made in 1974. In 1975 the Home and School asked
the Town to ‘create a Recreation Committee so that provincial
grants may be obtained, and, hopefully the playing field
completed at the earliest possible date…it seems a great pity
to have the partly finished field lying useless, and deteriorating
with each week that passes.’
• The Recreation Committee was formed with Bob Sayer,
the Home and School rep., Rev. Bill Dye, Bobby Mader and the
Whynott brothers, Robert and Johnny.
• The Architect and The Builder: Darryl Spidle and
Johnny Whynott John Wynott, the town council rep. on
the Committee took the project and ran with it. Without him it
would never have been completed. He had access to all the town
equipment and ensured it was made available. His business was
in excavation. He had his own backhoe and truck. He got good
prices or gifts on fill and soil from contacts, like Merryl Langille.
He got his son-in-law, surveyor Darryl Spidle, to donate his time
in surveying and drawing up the plans, particularly for the vital
drainage. They were presented, and approved by council.
• Drainage pipes were laid, there was a huge amount of filling and
levelling, then topsoil and seeding. Johnny personally supervised
the work and built a roller out of a 500 gallon tank that could be
filled with water. The field was ready for the summer of 1978.
The field was immediately used extensively by both school and
community. The school now had a large, grassy, safe play area for
recess and noon hour. Many spring and summer physical education
classes were outside. Soccer became a major school and town
sport, and the field was used for ball and track and field practice.

David and Heather Dowse organized the BayShore Soccer club, and, at the time of writing
this book, the Mahone Bay Youth Soccer Association, with nearly two hundred registered
players, is the largest youth organization in the area.
The Teaching, Secretarial and Maintenance Staff of Last Primary to Grade
12 Year [from the ’77-78 Yearbook
The Sewer Bowl at The New Field…On National TV.
The community went crazy and, in the 1980s, organized the New Year’s Day Sewer
Bowl, a parody of the Super Bowl. For two or three years the event, played between The
‘Flushers’ and ‘The Plungers’, made national and provincial news casts. The new field was
screened on national news. There were parades, a Sewer Bowl Queen, a Hole of Fame
and parties. This writer, after catching three interceptions, had the dubious honour of being
inducted into the Hole of Fame. He was flushed with success.
Parent, Anna Davison &“Hot Dog” Referees [spot the one time principal….the
graduate]
185

Johanna Hancock Brings Back First Class Drama and Introduces “Wordcards”
Since the departure of Mr. Dupperon, there had been little or no real theatre at school. In
fact, there was a danger, with all the sports, of Mahone Bay becoming ‘A Jock School’.
Ms. Hancock changed all that, and, with appearances and praise at The Nova Scotia High
School Drama Festivals [hosted by Dalhousie University], the school earned a provincial
reputation for its drama.
She built up a large drama club, not only of actors, but stage crew and set design,
make up and wardrobe departments. She was a professional with theatre education,
acting with Mermaid and Neptune, and prop management experience at Neptune
Theatre.
Her work not only attracted the drama types, many of whom were not particularly
athletic, but also boys and girls who found a role in support crew. She was as Joann
Ramsey described, “A breath of fresh air.” In class too, she became infamous
for her word cards, where students had to build up and learn and use more difficult
vocabulary. She was a “one off ”: artsy, academic and charismatic. Even ‘the
generals’ took to her. She was passionate about English and drama and passion is
infectious with students.
Noel Dexter found her late in the year, in August 1977. He phoned an Acadia prof. he
knew, asking for leads. She had graduated from Acadia and had decided to travel for
a while, rather than teach immediately. As usual, Mr. Dexter was very persuasive. She
travelled later, after retirement, as a volunteer sailor on the Picton Castle, threatening
to beat up any young crew member who called her “mom.”
Drama Club, 1977
186

In an interview with Lucine Toomey, reported in the March 2 Bridgewater Bulletin,
when asked what they got out of drama, Jo-ann replied, “ A lot of fun. I am not
athletic and this is one way I can participate….It’s like being someone else for a
while….giving up of yourself and being rewarded with the applause.” Joyce Wentzell,
who looked after the props, replied, “I enjoy being part of the group. It is hard work,
but very rewarding.” Jo-ann went off to study Radio and TV Arts at Ryerson. She
later returned to set up a Mahone Bay institution, Jo-ann’s Market, where she also
carves dramatic pumpkins.
I Remember Mama, the modern American classic was the first production and it
hugely impressed the school, the local audience and The High School Drama Festival.
In the photos, left to right, are Susanne Dowse as Katrin, Tracey Sayer as Christine,
Greg Lowe as Nels, and, far right, Jo-ann Ramsey as Mama. The cast was joined by
Mr. Allen from staff, and parent, Jean Ramsey.
The whole cast went to Halifax overnight, got a tour of Dalhousie University and
participated in The High School Drama Festival. This was to be repeated.
1978: February: Scenes from The Importance of Being Ernest, The Glass
Menagerie, The Happy Journey. May: Inside a Kid’s Head
Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams and Thornton Wilder all in one year! The idea was
to involve even more students The newspaper called it a pot purri of theatrical events.
Inside a Kid’s Head, written by Ms. Hancock, was a fusion of live theatre and film
shot on local location. The kid imagined he was a knight, a boxing champ, etc etc and
the film played on stage. Ms. Hancock moved on to Parkview and Greg Lowe to a
career at CKBW.
187

Inside a Kid’s Head
Curtain Call Line-Up [l. to r.] Belinda Ernst, Irene Zwicker, Tessa Mendel, Michael
Young, Greg Lowe, David Dutrizack, Tom Paisley, Gwendolyn Parker, Michael
Joudrey, Kathryn Stevens, Paul Whynacht.
Belinda Ernst, now principal at New Germany Elementary, paid Miss Hancock
a tribute.“ She made me want to be a teacher like her, passionate, involved,
committed.”
188

The Golden Age of Sport: The Vandertoorn and Murphy Years
Mike Vandertoorn and Jack Murphy were phenomenal. They took the sports program by the
scruff of the neck and turned Mahone Bay into one of the top schools in the province. They
committed huge amounts of time into leadership, coaching and fund-raising. They didn’t go
the extra yard: they went the extra mile.
Initially they had to do just about all the coaching themselves. But they soon attracted
other coaches to a high profile program: Don Gray, Lowell Ritcey, Murray Barkhouse,
Chris Lenahan, Dave Allen, Carl Hennebury, and Ivan Carey [a passionate volleyball
coach]. And they set standards for future coaches to follow.
Sport was big. Funding came from the Leaders Corps and, for special events, the
school board even kicked in funds. School Spirit was on fire. Crowds came to watch.
Championships came rolling in. Maybe, their inspiration was Santa. Here, with
“Murph.” in the middle, they share a ‘Ho…Ho.. Ho!’ with him.
Bluenose Classic and the County Championship. The junior girls finished second in
the county. The senior girls enjoyed their most successful year, and all other teams had
winning seasons.
Intramural Sports:
It was not only about winning. In the yearbook, Douglas Frank reported students
‘having noon hour enjoyment throughout the week with fastball, volleyball, basketball,
soccer, German baseball, badminton, table tennis, gymnastics and weight lifting spread
over the year…The object is to provide fun and enjoyment.’
County Champions, 1973
Mr. V. had gone to Mahone Bay for a year in, 1963-4, set up the student leader corps,
then went to Liverpool before being tempted home to Lunenburg. He returned in
September 1969. At the same time he was joined by Jack Murphy, straight out of
Teachers College, who had done his teaching practice in Mahone Bay.
By 1973 the yearbook cover [below], the scoreboard, the banners and the students
themselves, were proudly announcing that Mahone Bay School was, ‘The Home
of the Hawks.’ A tradition of outstanding achievement was being established in
badminton, volleyball and basketball.
In 1973, the junior boys basketball team
were county champs. They won the
Mahone Bay Invitational, The Junior
The yearbook recorded, ‘Thanks are extended to Mr. Michael Vandertoorn and Mr.
Jack Murphy for their timeless work to make the sports program of 1973 a huge
success.’
189

1973-4:
The junior and senior badminton clubs were outstanding in many tournaments
with Pamela Nowe, Kathy Nowe, Anne Benedict, Ed Mader, Eric Himmelman,
Kenneth Croft, Ian MacDonald, Wendy Boyd and Susan Pyle all winners at major
tournaments. The Junior Girls were county champions in basketball [Mr. Ritcey,
coach] and volleyball [Mr. Gray, coach].
The Program for the 7th Annual Banquet, 1977
left to right: Tim Baglole
[president], Martha Ritchie
[treasurer] and Nita Horn [vicepresident]
of the Sports Leader
Corps.
190
Sports were high profile. Programs for events were prepared. The school hosted and
went to many tournaments.
The Sports Athletic Banquet
Introduced in 1971, it became a major end of year event, with trophies, awards, guest
speakers and a head table for VIPs.
• Dr. Gib Chapman, Director of Athletics and Head Basketball Coach at Acadia was
the Guest speaker in 1977.
• Mayor Philip Lohnes, a major school booster was at head table.
• What is noticeable is the large number of involved teachers.
• And the leaders of The Student Sports Leader Corps were among the VIPs.
Dr. David Keddy, who sponsored the ‘Home of the Hawks’ yearbook photo (see next
page) was the acting chairman of the school board in its fight against teacher cut-backs
in 1976. He was an enthusiastic and farsighted board member and town councillor from
1973-6, before moving to the U.S.A to continue his profession.
The Banner Year 1976, The Year of The Double
Girls Provincial Champions Volleyball and Basketball, Ivan Carey coached the girls
teams to both championships.
He had joined the staff in September 1974. Noel Dexter had discussed his
application with Vandertoorn and Murphy. They were always on the look out to
add to the “school staff team” He had played for the Mount Allison varsity team,
and was a passionate dedicated coach. Immediately the school teams continued to
improve.

‘Mahone Bay Girls ‘B’ Champions’ [Chronicle Herald, March 8/76]
And Later That Same Year: Provincial ‘B’ Volleyball Champions
The omens were good. In 1976, all
school volleyball teams were county
champs, the junior A girls for the third
straight year. And the senior girls had
done well at provincials.
The Year of The Double: 1976 Girls ‘B’ Basketball in March Girls ‘B’
Volleyball in November
The Progress Enterprise of March 10, 1976 reported on the euphoria of the first ever
provincial championship for the school. As the basketball Girls arrived home, they were
met by a police escort, noise and sirens and led to a reception: ‘Through the flashing red
lights, horns and a convoy of 40 screaming cars the people of Mahone Bay knew their
team had brought home the provincial title…’
191

The Senior Boys Lost a Heartbreaker-Last Shot of Game- In Provincial Final,
1978: Their third successive year at the ‘final four’
Chris Lenahan Revives Hockey, The ‘Hot Doggers League’ 1976-8
Mr. Lenahan made a special contribution in reviving school hockey. Two squads were
made up and played on Sundays, against each other and combined to play exhibition
games. And none other than old time great Murray Freeman turned out to act as time
keeper. Mr. Gray was a reliable referee.
‘Hot Doggers’ 1978
1977-8 Student Leader Corps Buy A School Van “Operation Transportation”
The high level of student spirit and organization was amazing. With the permission
of the school board, Student Leader Corps raised enough money to buy a school van
to help with transportation. It was essentially a contribution to the new elementaryjunior
high.
A 1979 Yearbook Photo Showing The School Van
192

Messrs. Vandertoorn and Murphy’s Big Trip: Louisiana, 1979
In the second year of the elementary-junior high, 1978-79, the two teachers took on
the enormous-once in a life time trip- project of taking the boys basketball team to
New Orleans. As Basketball Nova Scotia President, Mr. Murphy had received an
invitation from Mr. Tom Bissell in Louisiana. The trip was to include hosting by the
City of Baton Rouge, games [including the preliminary game to a Louisiana State
University game], a visit to the Superdome, a tour of new Orleans, Mardi Gras, and
crawfish treats.
Both Jack Murphy and Mike Vandertoorn moved
on in the early 1980s. They had seen a fine athletics
system they developed ended with the exodus of high
school students. They needed new challenges in new
schools.
A particularly charming tribute was paid to Mr.
Murphy in the 1981 Yearbook. ‘…During laps he
encourages the stragglers….At the rings..a group are
trying their hardest but doing the worst ..The teacher
is a man of understanding “…Some people just don’t
have the physical build for it and I’m one of those
unfortunates. Just keep trying” he encourages….’
We would like to dedicate this yearbook to a kind instructor..to the students you
are an understanding and competent phys. ed instructor. You are notorious for the
hardest geography tests…you also mark fairly and honestly .…To the sportsmen
you are known as a talented coach To the students with mediocre ability you are
understanding….to the well below average you eliminated the pain of last pick…..You
are renowned as the fastest fundraiser…an efficient business man….as well as having
a penchant for ….FUN...we will miss you’
Sammy Ali’s Story Watches Harlem Globe Trotters in Body Cast
Sam now runs Printers Corner [and printed this history] and Ali’s General Store at
Blockhouse. He was a keen athlete and ‘A’ team basketball player.
In grade 9, he was on the county championship team.
In September 1976, He entered grade 10, eager to play
senior ball. As the season opened, he was in a motor
bike accident, was rushed to The Children’s Hospital in
Halifax with a broken femur, and put in a body cast. Just
about every Thursday he was visited by Mike or Jack or
both with a group of school friends. His grade ten class
won a school fund raising competition. The prize was a
class visit to see the Harlem Globe Trotters at the Metro
Centre.
‘On the very day I was released from hospital…still in a
body cast…Mike picked me up and threw me in the back
of his old station wagon…At The Metro Centre they had
arranged a stretcher and a space on the front row….
I got carried down [remember with a body cast, I could
not sit in a wheel chair]…I got to see the show.’
193

The End of Mahone Bay’s Senior High Came With a Bang, Not A Whimper, 1978
• And that’s the way it should have been. School Spirit was strong. The school was
active and successful. There had been innovation and action. The place had a good
“Buzz.” There was regret, heartache, and public meetings. It was the end of a tradition
dating back to the turn of the century.
• Once The Municipality of Lunenburg had determined to build Parkview Education
Centre [the initial decision was taken in 1976] for all its senior high students in the
Mahone Bay, Centre and Hebbville subsystems, there was no viable alternative.
It took a convincing public relations campaign by Mahone Bay, David Pottie and Mrs.
Pauline Himmelman, Municipal Superintendent of Schools and Board Chair, and even
the Provincial Fire Marshal to calm the waters.
• The Figures Spoke For Themselves
In correspondence with the Municipality in ’77-’78 the Town Board reported the
following enrolment: Grade Town Municipality
10 20 55
11 20 40
12 15 38
Totals 55 133
Mahone Bay could not run a viable senior high with some 50 students
• The number of pupils Grades 7 to 12 inclusive 388 The number of pupils from the
Municipality 279-75% of students.
• The Elementary [Town only] Enrolment was Gloomy Primary-15, Grade 1-17,
Grade 2-25, Grade 3-15 Grade 4-18, Grade 5-19, Grade 6-22. The Town needed
Municipality children to sustain viable classes. So the Town Board entered into
negotiations to: (1) keep a viable school for elementary and junior high (2) get proper
bussing for senior high students to Parkview (3) to keep out of capital costs for
Parkview (4) house elementary students east of town.
A Petition from Municipality Residents
It was not all smooth sailing. Fifty Municipal residents signed a petition saying they did not
want their children to go to Mahone Bay elementary because… ‘…the elementary portion is
outdated and nothing but a fire hazard…it is impossible to keep it clean and sanitary..……of
the contaminated water supply system….not enough supervisory personnel…not the same
educational standard as Blockhouse Elementary
Above: The Last Grade 12’s From the 1978 Yearbook
194

The last Junior-Senior High School Student Council and a
Word from the President
So Began A New Era
Mike O’Connor, the new supervisor, and Dave Allen, vice-principal & guidance,
had the difficult job of organizing the transition to Elementary-Junior High
From the teaching staff, Messrs. Dexter, Gray, Barkhouse, Lenahan and Carey moved
to Parkview. Ms.Hancock took a leave of absence, returned briefly, and then moved to
Parkview.
Above: Mike O’Connor, left. Dave Allen, right
195

The Year of The Junior Hawks, 1978-79
The Yearbook staff picked the title that
fitted the new era. The staff, led by editor,
Paul Whynacht [left], Barry Veinotte [great
grandson of 1914 construction supervisor,
Warren Eisenhauer] continued the traditions
of the past. Dances, Winter Carnival
and graduations [now of grade nine],
stayed. Temporarily, the ‘Student Activity
Personnel’ organized by Mr. Murphy and
Mr. Allen took the place of student council
and leader corps. Barry Veinotte was
president and Paula Wilkie vice-president.
There was school band, glee club, Red
Cross, chess and the usual huge array of
sports programmes.
The yearbook crew included staff advisors,
Messrs. O’Connor and Mason, the
indispensable typist, Mrs. De Mille [the
school secretary] and students Wendy
Feindel, Paula Wilkie, Kim Hiltz, Blair
Burgoyne, Cheryl Robar, Rhonda Hirtle,
Tracey Sayer, Emberlea Dunham, Jake
Wheeler and Lisa Rhuland. As business
manager, Lynn Hennigar got valuable
experience.
Two Veteran Teachers Retire,
June 1979: olive Gardner and
Luana Wentzell.
Gordon Stewart was Acting
Board Chair.
Lynn became president of the Canadian
Community Newspapers Association in
2005.
196

School and Town Celebrate, Mahone Bay’s 225th
Anniversary, May 1979
It was a wonderful weekend with hundreds involved and
many more watching. The school hosted a Gala Garden
Party and Barbershop Concert.
The school band, under the direction of principal
Michael O’Connor, played the vice-regal salute for The
Governor General, Mr. Schreyer and his wife, welcoming
music for Lt. Governor John Shaffner and his wife, and
participated in the parades, led the march of some 200
costumed ‘settlers’ from Kedy’s Bridge. Their costumes
were designed, and often made, by Nancy Cornish.
Events went on all weekend. The school was used for
parking and a resource Centre. A concert of Barbershop
Groups from all over the province was put on.
A fine way to end the 1970s!
197

Serving Lunenburg & Surrounding Area Since 1923
Home Heating & Marine Fuels
PO Box 39, 140 Pelham Street, Lunenburg N.S. B0J 2C0
Phone 902.634.4487
THE GARAGE AT THE CORNER OF
MAIN & CLEARWAY STREETS.
In the 1950’s Imperial Oil purchased the property,
formerly known as part of the Exhibition Grounds.
Ray Tanner operated the first service station until
Ernest (Ikey) Eisner purchased the property in
1962. In later years the car wash and garage
was taken over by Ernest’s Son, Donald. In 2001,
the property sold to Marilyn & Brom Hart who
opened a seasonal antiques & collectibles shop -
The Eclectic Garage.

Chapter Nine:
The Elementary-Junior High Decades
Board meeting. At the July meeting the board made funds available for three
paid supervisors to assist three paid teachers at noon hour. By September,
Principal O’Connor was able to report four hired supervisors [Mrs. Marilyn
Saunders, Mrs. P. Carver, Mrs. Monica Meisner, and Mrs. Elizabeth Paradis]
to assist the teachers, who were volunteers. The paid noon hour supervisor
became a way of life, and still is.
Ruth Herridge is the hardy supervisor on the far right. She’s been there since
1981, But not standing in the same place
Political Change Noon Hour Supervisors Elected Board Members
School Board Amalgamation
Political change came fast in the early 1980s. The Nova Scotia Teachers
Union, now a powerful provincial force, succeeded in getting noon hour supervision
written out of the list of teachers’ duties. School boards had to go
to the community for paid staff to do this work. The Provincial Government
decided to go with partially elected school boards, and after a number of
commissions and studies, rationalized the bewildering, over-lapping, intersecting,
jurisdictions of local school boards.
Noon Hour Supervisors: Home and School Asserts Itself Again
In late 1977, the new NSTU/Department of Education agreement led to legislation
that read as follows: Teachers shall not be required to carry out supervision
of students during the total period of time that students are on lunch and
noon hour break. Boards were given time to prepare. The Mahone Bay Board
had to provide extra supervision for the additional number of bus students,
particularly at the elementary levels, that followed the exodus of older students
to Parkview. The 1978 petition of out-of-town parents rightly pointed
out that there were not adequate numbers of supervisors.
The problem was complicated by some 40 Town parents regularly sending
their children to school for the lunch period. In May 1979, principal
O’Connor invited all parents to a special meeting to discuss ‘lunch hour
regulations’ at the school. A Home and School Association presentation,
signed by parents and the whole teaching staff, was then made at the June
Elected Board Members Bill 85
Bill 85: An Act To Consolidate and Amend The Law Respecting The Membership
of School Boards passed in 1978 and set up elections for September
1979. The act, left municipal units to continue to appoint a majority of
members and allowed one third to be elected.
So 1980 ended the first year for the Town’s first elected board members since
the pre 1919 board of trustees.
They were Virginia Uhlman and David Wright. Virginia had taught at the
school in 1963-64 when her husband Charles was supervising principal. She
went on to become chair of the board before amalgamation.
David Wright was a teacher-guidance counsellor at Centre School.
Charles Uhlman, one time Mahone Bay principal, long time town resident and
Lion activist, had been chief administrator of the Chester Municipal School
System and was appointed assistant superintendent of the new Lunenburg
County School District.
199

Virginia and Charles Uhlman
School Board Amalgamation: 1981-2, The Mahone Bay School Board’s Last Year
200
Lunenburg District School Board
The amalgamation movement had started back
in the 1940s. The early 1980s saw its logical
working out. There had been far too many
boards, and far too many of those struggled to
offer complete services to students. So the tradition
that had existed since the Town’s incorporation
in 1919 came to an end. The final
meetings of the town board were 1981-82. The
members were: Philip Lohnes, David Wright and
Chair Virginia Uhlman [elected members], Jenny Watson, Lindy Guild and
Bob Douglas [appointed members]. One of their last actions was to appoint
Edward Mader [photo on left] head custodian. Eddie, [son of Bobby of badminton
coach fame, grandson of policeman and school board chair, and great
grandson of Bluenose rigger, Tom Mader], still leads the maintenance crew
at BayView School. He lived and breathed the old school air as student and
now continued as the building’s chief caregiver.

The Last Graduation Under The Town Board, June 1982
H.V. Corkum had started formal graduation services in 1931 and the tradition
had survived, including the Second World War Years. It was to continue
until 2000, but the last town system graduation was in 1982. Virginia Uhlman
represented the town board. Percy Mosher, who had been classroom
teacher, vice-principal, and principal in the 1940s, represented the Lions.
Mrs. Ruth Stacey was president of Home and School.
The congratulations page in the 1984 yearbook reflected the change in board
structure. The signatures include board members [Jennifer Watson and
Ralph Hennigar from Mahone Bay] and senior management.
Student Council Leadership
Rosalie Dowse, the Valedictorian, went on to be student council president
at Parkview, before going on to university. The new elementary-junior high
continued to seek and train a tradition of leaders and initiators.
Philip Watson : From Class Captain to
Captain of the Bluenose
Philip was in the graduating grade nine
class of 1981: he had been at the school
since primary. That year, he had been
class captain [a student council experiment],
school band member, drama club
actor [in Lilly Comes To Town], on the
yearbook staff [the tongue in cheek Can
You Imagine section posed the question
‘……Philip Watson aspiring to be a mortician??], singer and guitarist in the
Music festival, and he had played ‘A’ soccer, basketball [alongside future Hall
of Famer, Kevin Veinot] and volleyball. He was to keep up the tradition of
Mahone Bay’s close connection to the Bluenose.
Jenny Watson and Bob Douglas became the Mahone Bay members of the
new Lunenburg County District Board. They held the delicate political balance
between the evenly pitched Municipality of Lunenburg representatives
and the block from the towns and villages of Lunenburg, Bridgewater and
Chester. Ralph Hennigar replaced Mr. Douglas.
“I’m responsible for the trust to Lunenburg, to Nova Scotia, to Canada.”
Chronicle Herald, Feb., 2001
It’s remarkable that just three years ahead of him in school was Michelle
Stevens who went on to make the new main sail for Bluenose II.
201

Globe and Mail Award Winner…Michener Award [top journalist] Nominee
Another interesting example is Erin Anderssen, student council president,
1985-6. Erin is the great, great, granddaughter of ‘Founding Father, W.F.
“Pumpey” Joudrey. She is now on the staff of the Globe and Mail.
The Administrators of the 1980s
Mike O’Connor and Dave Allen moved on in 1982. For a year, K. Ian MacKinnon
was principal and Wayne Veno was vice-principal. Mr. MacKinnon left
after one year for personal reasons and the rest of the 1980s was administered
by Wayne Veno, principal [left below] and Chris Anderson, vice principal
[right below]. They complemented each other, and brought stability
and action to the school. Mr.Veno was solid and conservative, Mr. Anderson
radical and activist. Mr. Anderson was at the school for ten years.
202

He was an actor who got involved in drama, an athletic outdoors man who
loved hiking and skiing, a man who believed in participation and was ready
to coach a ‘C’ team that just wanted to play. With Mr. Veno having a background
in physical education, activities at the school proliferated. Ski Club
became a school fixture. Ski Crew [1988] were the trained helpers and
instructors. They worked with the students who were bussed regularly to
Martock. A decade of students were introduced to skiing at Martock
Administrators of the 1990s
As Mr. Veno and Mr. Anderson moved on, administrators were appointed with
elementary school background, or in the case of Gerry Goodine, guidance.
Peter C. Oickle, the principal (above right), who arrived in 1993, had been the
School Board’s Elementary Curriculum Supervisor and Gerald C. Goodine
(above left), appointed in 1994, had been the long-time guidance counsellor
at Lunenburg Junior-Senior High. They brought a different kind of focus to
the school. Mr. Goodine stayed for two years before moving to New Germany,
and Mr. Oickle was at Mahone Bay until 1996.
The Staff of The Mid-‘80s
Ann Moore
Susan Taylor-Foley
203

Ann Moore and Susan Taylor-Foley, previous page, were the next administrative
team. In Ann’s first year, 1996-7, the yearbook’s slogan was, ‘Imagination
is more important than knowledge [Albert Einstein], which reflected the
child centred philosophy they both shared. Ann, joined by Craig Pottie in
1997, was to take the school to its closing and the opening of the new Bay-
View Community School. Mr. Pottie is now principal there, and his views are
well reflected in his 1999 yearbook comments.
Below: Elementary music groups in 1982. Recorder and Choir
The Increased Elementary School Focus
A ‘middle school’ has a different focus from a junior-senior high and from
an all-grades [primary-12] community school. The last twenty years saw all
sorts of action at the elementary level.
Elementary Music, Choir and Instrument
Betty Walsh was constantly re-inventing herself as a teacher. Having started
off as a regular classroom teacher in the late 1940s, she went to summer
schools, taking reading specialist and music courses so that in the 1980s she
was teaching classroom music in the elementary and junior high. Wendy
Boyd-Fraser, a Mahone Bay graduate as well, and Ms. Betty Walsh developed
a whole musical program at the elementary levels that continued through
2000 ‘til the present.
204

Dawn Hartlen, [above, Left] and her predecessor, Brian Fogelson, carried on
the band tradition. After Mike O’Connor left in 1982, the benefits of amalgamation
were felt when Brian Fogelson and then Dawn Hartlen, both trained
band specialists who worked both town schools, Lunenburg and Mahone
Bay, took hold of the band program and developed both junior/ intermediate
[which included elementary students] and senior band through the 1980s
and ‘90s. The proud band tradition continues; at present conducted by Gail
Lohnes.
Senior and Junior Band, 1988, with Brian Fogelson
By 1999 Gail Lohnes had three bands with 67 participants.
Lghthouse Log, November 1999
The Mahone Bay band tradition, so carefully nurtured by Mike O’Connor,
remains high profile and popular.
205

Always Room and a Coach for another team….’P’ for Participation
Ted Veinot and the ‘C’ Boys
Elementary Sports Teams
Similarly, in the 1980s and 1990s, the school fielded elementary soccer and basketball
teams, boys and girls and co-ed, sometimes ‘A’, ‘B’ and even ‘C’ teams
206
The team members top right were girls county champions in 1991. Under
the coaching of Ted Veinot, Mahone Bay girls, with a whole string of county
championships, became the team to beat in the late ‘80s and 1990s. They were
Lunenburg-Queen’s champions nine out of twelve years, the last time in 1999.
The elementary boys were three times district champions under his coaching.
No other coach has such an elementary school basketball record. He
also coached soccer when needed, and coached various junior high teams.

Elementary Boys Soccer Team, 1991
Bottom right previous page, coach was teacher Sharon Knickle, with inset on left,
Shelly Eichel, student council president, 1984-5 and university athlete.
For fifteen years, Sharon Knickle was a force on staff as physical education and
math teacher as well as coach.
District Elementary Champions
The Tradition of Both Athletic Excellence and Participation .The 1990-91
County Elementary Champs., and Jr High County Regional Champs.
It was an extraordinary undefeated year, for the junior boys winning the county
and regional championships well as the following tournaments: Mahone
Bay Invitational, Shelburne County Classic, Mahone Bay Lions Invitational,
Middleton Heart of the Valley Classic, and Centre Junior Bluenose.
Regional Champions
207

Some Extraordinary Mahone Bay Athletes from the ‘80s and ‘90s
The tradition of athletic excellence that grew in the 1970s blossomed in
the last two decades of the old school. Staff commitment was the envy of
many schools and was widespread through Ted Veinot, Sharon Knickle, Carl
Henebury, Tony Saurasky, Lowell Ritcey, Gary Mason, Harold Uhlman, Eric
Dolliver, Mike Sangster, Jonathan Chiasson, Fred Forsyth, Craig Pottie, Liz
Clark. There was “buzz” and ambition. The coaching load was shared. No
other school of similar size could boast of a pedigree to match the following:
Steven Sayer: Provincial Soccer Player
Steven was awarded the school’s Top Male Athlete Award in 1980. (Pictured
below) with Cheryl Whynot . (Female MVP)
• He represented the school at ‘A’ soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton
and track.
• He was selected male most valuable player when Mahone Bay won the provincial
co-ed water polo championships in 1980.
• He went on to play for Team Nova Scotia at the U-16 and U-18 National
All-Star Soccer Championships.
• His local club teams won provincial club soccer championships and went to
National Club Championships at U-16 and U-18.
Kevin Veinot
University Basketball Star
Canada Games Gold Hall of Fame
Two-Time All-Canadian
3 Time AUAA Champ with Acadia
Kevin Veinot, wearing glasses, jumps and shoots in photo from 1981 yearbook
He learned his basketball at Mahone Bay Old School, Elementary and
Junior High
His younger sister Louise, had the distinction of being school MVP while still
in grade 7
208

In the Bulletin-Progress article on this page, Kevin referred to Tony Sarausky
[shown inset, top right, on page 208], Blockhouse teacher but Mahone Bay coach,
as a catalyst. Tony played football for Acadia, and had to battle devastating injury.
Kevin had to recover from melanoma.
The ….‘heart of Axemen’ article is from the Chronicle Herald.
Leslie Duncan: Co-Captain of the Mahone Bay Hawks, Canada Games,
2001 Basketball Nova Scotia Female Player of Year, University All-Star
209

210
Alex Legge:
‘Roars with Dalhousie’ Co-Captain of
Bronze Medal Winners at 2005 Canada
Games, Atlantic University Basketball
Rookie of the Year, 2007. Top Scholar
Alex started her basketball and
learned the all- important fundamentals
on the old tiled gym floor, beginning
in grade three and going through
grade six before she headed for Bayview
in September 2000. Ted Veinot
and Craig Pottie were her coaches in
Mahone Bay.
The Hawks team photo has Alex in
grade 4 at the old school. County Champs! She is middle
row, first left.

Chess and Weight lifting
From the cerebral to physical, brain and brawn. Over simplifications are a
history writer’s indulgence! The old school found a place for both in the last
twenty years. The Horner & Associates 1984 report on District School Board
buildings included the weight room in its schematics of Mahone Bay. It was
an institution! Probably no other school had a room of the type. It’s tucked
away in the basement, and this writer found the old metric/ imperial weights
conversion still posted on the wall.
In the 1980s and 1990s the weight lifting club was very much the child of town
police force constable, Neil Cleveland. Neil remembers one strenuous night
when the weight lifting crew literally went through the floor. They had put the
foot through the floor and found the old Second World War air raid shelter
floor.
Whereas chess club was new. There had never been one before. Dave Allen,
Lowell Ritcey and Harold Uhlman were staff members who kept it going.
Early Days, 1980.
Later Days: 1998
New Age Stuff: Computers, Peer Helpers and Conflict Resolution
Computers: At first it was simply word processing. But the whole matter
grew until a computer room was established.
Left, from the 1982 yearbook,
and, below, Todd Ernst’s poem
from the 1987 yearbook. Progress
was in the air and a computer
room was established. Gary
Mason and then Craig Pottie
were the whiz kids on staff for
computers. The computer labclassroom
was opened 1995-6
It was Craig Pottie who did the
organizational work for ‘ The
Grand Opening’ on April 17th,
The Bulletin Progress report, on the next page, explains the ‘what and how.’
211

Other New Problem Solving Methods: Peer Helpers and Peer Mediators
The 1990s were years of experiment in student-centred problem solving. Can
students help each other academically and can they effectively mediate in
conflict resolution between students?
In 1994-5 Peer Helpers were set up at grades 7,8 and 9 and a junior high Peer
Mediators team was trained. Much of the training and preparation was done by
Miss McCrindle, the guidance counsellor. Throughout the province in-service
sessions were held and experiments were tried.
H.V. Corkum had worked on the same notion in the late 1930s. Can students
effectively help and mediate each other? He even experimented with court
sessions run by the students themselves.
212
Peer Helpers were available as academic mentors and tutors. Peer Mediators
worked at conflict resolution, particularly on the playground. The Lions
Club, very strong initiators and supporters of school programs, supplied the
Conflict Management kit for the elementary levels.

Public Speaking: Lions Speak-Out
The Lions Club was also responsible for encouraging a return to the old tradition
of public speaking. “H.V.” would have been delighted. The Speak-Out
program still continues.
Above: The 1995-6 Peer Mediators and Grade Nine Helpers. Ms. McCrindle
[inset]
213

The Terry Fox Marathon of Hope
It is impossible to write of Mahone Bay School, and many others, in these
two decades, without acknowledging the extraordinary growth of what came
to be the annual Terry Fox run.
Terry Fox is an icon for young people. The image of his run inspires them:
ordinary young man…running on one good leg…being sick but fighting the
odds… commitment….success in making everybody hope…hope for the
miracle. The staff and students got behind the program and the whole school
eventually ran, and still does each year. The run started in 1980 and became
a major school event each year.
Teachers Prepare The Students
Three Old School Musical Institutions
The Whole School Runs: With Banner: Great for School Spirit
Students push those that can’t run or walk
County Music Festival Betty Walsh School Band
Betty Walsh was part of it all:
• She was a junior high student in Miss Jacklin’s Blue Bay group
that sang in the very first Festival in 1944.
• In the mid 1950s she took over the school Glee Club when Mrs. Oxner
re tired, and had the pleasure of working closely with accompanist, Mrs.
[W.H.G.] Merna Hirtle.
• She went to summer school in the ‘60s and became a certified music
teacher in 1970, and was the school’s first designated ‘classroom music
teacher’ teaching primary to six, with additional assignment of remedial
reading. She initiated the age of recorders, ukuleles and percussion rhythm
instruments.
• For the decade of the 1970s she was Mahone Bay’s representative on the interschools
committee that coordinated the Music Festival. She prepared students
for the festival, organized school concerts and coordinated the music
at the annual Christmas Concert.
214

• She played on Mike O’Connor’s school band as soon as it started. So did other
teachers like Nancy Cornish, Gary Mason and the school secretary, Susanne
DeMille.
Above, Mike O’Connor, pioneer of school band, Betty Walsh, Betty & Nancy
Cornish
• 1972, logistics were so difficult that Festival split in two, East and West of
Lahave River. Lunenburg & District includes Mahone Bay Centre, Lunenburg,
Blockhouse, Chester and New Ross systems.
• In 1957 the school had hosted the Festival of the Legion Hall. (See programme
cover below)
• In 1962, Mahone Bay School, proud of its new extension. Played host to
what had become a multi-day, multi-venue Festival. Betty Walsh worked closely
with The Home and School Association to make sure all went smoothly.
• In 1978-9, Miss Walsh went back to regular elementary classroom teaching,
but stayed with music and band as a helper.
• Wendy Boyd-Fraser, photo bottom right, a Mahone Bay graduate herself, took
over and taught classroom music through elementary and junior high.
• Betty spent over 50 years at the Old School, first as a student and then
from 1950 to 1985 as a teacher. No other teacher put in more then 35 years
at the Old School.
• A principal wrote in a little verse of farewell to another institution, Mike
Vandertoorn, and included: ‘Betty Walsh works so very hard Loves them so much
and with very much pride’ Betty had
a knack of getting boys involved,
even in singing; no mean feat!
She nurtured four male Stars
of The Festival: Louis Zwicker,
Philip Watson, David Aulenbach
and Mike Meredith. They are in
the group photo on next page.
Above, Miss Walsh conducts at the 1977 Festival. Her chorus won The Junior
Rose Bowl for Outstanding choirs Festival Landmarks:
• Began as a one day event, 1944
• 1967, debut of ‘Stars of the Festival.’
• By 1969 was a five day event with over 1000 students participating
215

On left below, the school band just before the school closed. Band specialists,
first Brian Fogelson then Dawn Hartlen took over and expanded the
band program. Then along came Gail Lohnes; The salute above, left, is Betty
Walsh’s.
The Old School chorus/glee club were Rose Bowl winners at the Music
Festival in 1979, ’80 and ‘81. Louis, David, Mike, Philip, Belinda and Rosalie
were all ‘Stars Of The Festival.’
Frank von Possel was also one of ‘Betty’s Boys.’
Home and School Association Passes 50th Anniversary
In the mid 1990s, the Mahone Bay Home and School Association passed its
50th birthday. Back in 1944, under the leadership of Mrs. W. H. G. Hirtle it
had been a pioneer of the movement. Its contribution over the years made
a real positive input: from paying for the school’s first p.a. announcements
system, through stocking the library in the new extension, to scholarships.
And Home and School made an indispensable contribution to
getting home economic and industrial arts established, the building of the
school field, and adequate noon hour supervision.
Above, Audrey Corkum [vice-president] and Kathi Fickes [president]. Both
served in mid 1990s. Kathi remembers the annual Penny Parade that split
the funds between the school and a good cause [like the Children’s Hospital,
, and Teacher Appreciation Week was always fun. “An Army Marches on its
Stomach” [Napoleon]. See the teachers smile in photos on next page!
Some Outstanding Teachers Retire in the 1990s
In the 1990s, a number of teachers who had made outstanding contributions
retired or moved on. Marilyn Millett, and teachers like Magreta Burton were at
the heart of the Elementary staff for years.
216

Marilyn Millett,
Primary Teacher for 26 Years
Marilyn still remembers Laurel Burgoyne,
secretary to the town school
board begging her to leave her own
home nursery school and return to
the classroom. She had started in
1955 and then left to raise a family.
But a few years later, good teachers
were desperately hard to find. She
came back. She retired, in 1993, and
was at the reunion in 2000 to open
her time capsule [see story on left].
After other grades, she taught primary
in the Old School for twenty- six
years. She became a well-loved institution.
Youngsters got a great start to school. She was, as they said of Hope
Hyson, as good as you could get. Marilyn had gone to the town school for her
grades 5 to 12. She remembers two principals with great affection: the supportive
Australian; Patrick Mason and Noel Dexter who “often wandered by
my open door.”
Nancy Mills
Nancy Mills was a character with an
infectious love of social studies, particularly
history. She taught at the old
school for thirty four years, retiring in
1995. She had a crazy sense of humour
and was a wonderful storyteller.
She was a cheerleader on staff and in
the school. Full of spirit, she would be
a major contributor to winter carnival,
dress-up days, all-nighters and school
dances. She was a long time advisor
to student council and made herself
available to coach when needed. She,
too, had been a student May Queen,
and president of student council.
217

Lowell Ritcey
Lowell Ritcey taught twenty five
years at the Old School, retiring in
1993. He, too, was a character who
didn’t mind joining in the fun. His
favourite entertainment for the
students was to mime smoking a
piece of board chalk like a Cuban
cigar. His contributions were many
and varied. He coached in the golden
age of the 1970s: particularly junior
basketball and won a number
of county championships. He was
a builder of the chess club and for
many years was a yearbook advisor.
Mrs. Janet Burgoyne: A Lifetime at the Old School: A Student and Teacher
[32 Years]
Joe Feeney Mayor of Mahone Bay and School District Assistant Director: “I
think she has added…To the lives of many children who have passed through
the school over many years.”
Harold Uhlman
Yearbooks in the ‘80s and ‘90s did very few dedications. So the 1997-8 was a
significant exception. Mr. Uhlman came to finish his career [that had included
administration] at the Old School. But his energy and commitment was still
overflowing. A good classroom teacher, he was an active coach and school
booster. He could coach anything and well. Basketball was his speciality, but
he also did volleyball, cross-country, soccer and chess. He was remembered
for his wry sense of humour and the photo above catches that smile. Nicholas
Nowe was typical when he told this writer, “Mr. Uhlman was my favourite
teacher: “He could make you laugh and he could make you learn.”
218

Neil Cleveland: The Real Town Policeman Retired 1997
Ted Veinot: “It’s been a real pleasure to know Neil. He’s been a real comrade to
many kids in our school.” Neil was the last of the old school: the town policeman
who made himself available at all times. Every student in school knew
liked and respected him. He was always around. Weight lifting club [for some
20 years] in the basement was his special skill. But it was all the other things
that made him special: classroom appearances to talk about drug awareness,
road safety, the law and the adolescent; special appearances at Winter Carnival
or Activity Night. He was also the top fund-raiser for Big Brothers/Big
Sisters for ten years. No matter their reputation, Neil treated all with respect.
Neil left a mark on the Old School that few policemen could hope to emulate.
Suzanne DeMille: Super Secretary
“In 1974, Noel Dexter, who I didn’t know from Adam, told me to report to the
school the next morning.” Good secretaries are indispensable. They have to
be the soul of discretion and the fount of information; both stern guardians of
the door and welcoming greeters; able to say a firm no and hearty yes; able to
fix, demonstrate and repair all the office equipment; able to meet and remind of
deadlines; be prepared to knock off newsletters and yearbooks; lend an empathetic
ear to the world of teachers, students, janitors, parents and salesmen who
stream to the building. Susanne DeMille was one such secretary from 1974 to
the new school. She worked for some thirty plus years for, “Seven principals,
eight vice-principals four school boards, plus the Town of Mahone Bay.” She
knows the Old School intimately.
She has a full set off yearbooks for all the years she was at the school, and did
the typing-word processing for most of them. She knows and remembers names
and faces, and has kept newspaper clippings of school events and items on students
from adolescence and younger to adulthood. Mrs. DeMille has witnessed
three generations of students pass through the doors.
219

“... In my yearbooks ... I have felt sadness, happiness, challenges and personal
awards [so many ‘thank yous’] ... ... her inclusion as clarinet player in the school
band was one of the highlights…’
Ted Veinot:
A Man for All Season: Mahone Bay
Teacher 1984-2006: The last person to
ring the bell in the Old School
Ted went on to teach at Bayview, but the
bulk of his career was at the Old School.
For years, the grade sixes passed through
his classroom on the top floor in the right
corner, and loved him. Mr. Veinot was
alive and bright, passionate and caring.
And very approachable: kids got in early
to have a chat. He was involved in coaching
multi-sports [soccer, track and field,
cross-country, badminton, volleyball and
basketball] at all levels, elementary and junior high: the champs like Lindsey
Duncan and Alex Legge learned their first basketball from him. He was “Mr.
Terry Fox Run” at the school. He also had a streak of mischief: “one day I took
all of [teacher] Dawn Fehr’s chairs and tied them to the rafters of the old school.”
During the official closing of the old Mahone Bay school in 2000, he was selected
to be the last person to ring the huge bell that hung in the tower. : “One of
the high points was ringing the bell for the last time…..it was the end of something, but
it was an end that I felt part of.” Principal [v.p. at the old School] Craig Pottie said,
“Mr. Veinot never failed to make himself available to help out…There isn’t anything
he won’t do for kids….and he’s so strong in connecting, finding out where they’re coming
from and what things interest them…he was willing to work with kids that had issues,
kids that didn’t particularly
enjoy school.” Although accomplished
as a coach, Teddy’s
true success “is the bond he
makes with kids,” said his
principal. In 1996, Mr., Veinot
started an annual grade 6 trip
to Ottawa
220

The School Plant in the 1980s and 1990s
The field, finally completed in 1978, became a major part of the school plant. Not
only was it used as an extensive play area at recess and noon, but it was used for
physical education classes in good weather, soccer, track and field, special events
like Winter Carnival and Terry Fox run, field and activity days. Around it developed
improved playground equipment and an outdoor basketball court.
Outdoor Physical Education Class with basketball and soccer
The Exterior
The plant from the south-east with field and three sections of playground
equipment
The quiet, shaded north-east corner
Mr. Amos is checking in to make sure they’re skipping rope..…not school
Soccer game on one of the best surfaces in the county
221

The Gym: well loved and well used, but no proper locker-shower rooms,
stage too small, old fashioned tile floor and court not regulation size. A
physical education class is shown below.
The elementary students line up after a recess work-out
The State of the Building: The Horner Report, January, 1984
Problems with: water damage, floor systems and stairs, toilets, ventilation,
decay and decomposition, roofing, windows, moisture
A detailed report on the condition of the old school and all the others in the
county] was prepared by W. N. Horner & Associates Ltd., Consulting Professional
Engineers of Truro, N.S. during December 1983 and January 1984 and
presented to their clients, the Lunenburg County District School Board. The
purpose of the Report On Building Condition And Replacement Cost Appraisal,
was to produce:
1. an organized report on the condition of each building
2. a prioritized repair and maintenance schedule for each building
3. an appraisal of insurance needs for replacement costs of buildings and
equipment
It was extremely thorough: the general comments and major problem areas
for the Old School were:
Building Statistics
Fun in the Gym
222

First Floor Plan
223

Basement Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Floor area 17, 120 sq. feet
224

The Writing On The Wall: A New School Needed
It was clear that the old school just was not able to supply adequate facilities for
400 students needing a new millennium education. There were fundamental
old-building problems of roofing, ventilation and heating. There wasn’t the
room or structure for enough toilets with the proper ventilation. There were
deep-seated problems of water and decay damage. Old roofs and windows
were leaking. Old walls, particularly in the “new” wing and toilet floors [in old
wing] were permanently damaged. Ancient pipes were corroding. Floor tiles
were constantly lifting.
The school was extremely expensive and uneconomic to maintain and heat,
particularly the old wing, with its high ceilings and huge open attic. There was
inadequate storage space, everywhere.
There was a constant battle to meet modern regulations for fire [stairwells]
and public health [lighting and sanitation]. There was no room for a modern
cafeteria, gym, stage, library-resource, computer, music/band and other specialist
areas.
The school had plenty of life in it, but not for four hundred students and modern
requirements. It had been designed for 1914 and the 1960s, not the 21st
century.
So Mahone Bay old school continued with Vim and Vigour until the district
school board was able to take advantage of the burst in new school building of
the late 1990s when the provincial government committed itself to P3 schools,
where the enormous capital costs were undertaken by private companies-who
then leased the schools to the government.
The district board and the provincial government agreed the Mahone Bay-
Blockhouse area was top priority for a new school.
Thus Bayview Community school was conceived and born.
225

Chapter Ten:
The Closing and the Reunion, 2000
That was the year that was. The students teachers and other staff members
will be able to show they were there in the last year of the Old School. The
adults are in the back row.
In 1914 there had been seven teachers and less than 200 students, and one
support staff the janitor, Mr. Dorey. In 1999-2000 there were 23 teachers and
400 students, a school secretary, a maintenance and canteen staff and noon
hour supervisors.
The Millennium
It was to be expected that the fates would conspire to arrange a special year for
the Old School to close. Any old year would not have been appropriate. But the
millennium, yes! The end of the old and the beginning of the new. The significance
was not lost on students and staff.
Principal Ann Moore, vice-principal Craig Pottie and the staff went out of
their way to make it a special year for the students, reminding them of their
proud heritage.
“When we began this year, the staff resolved to bring MBS to an honorable
and strong closing: Ann Moore, principal
A Whole School Photo for the Last Old School Yearbook (Below)
‘This building gets the send off that it deserves’
In his year book message, Craig Pottie wrote, ‘….The grade nine class has the
distinction of being the last one to leave Mahone Bay….One of my main goals this year
was to try to ensure that this building gets the send off that it deserves. You, the graduating
class of 200, have made the building proud.’
227

The Last School Year in Pictures: the secretary and head of maintenance.
Below: The Last Teaching Staff: For the first sixty years shorts would
not have been allowed
228

Special Elementary Grades Events
229

230
Dress-ups and special day activities had always been part of the year. The grade
5/6 science class is a faint echo of the Rural Science movement when the school
first opened: even more so, The Environment Club.
The purchase of the field in the 1930s had been a major stimulus to track and
field. The upgrading and finishing made track and field, field sports and outdoor
gym classes part of the regular school year.

Lockers & Pop Machine:
The Early Generations Would Have Been Amazed!
A Class Tip to Quebec would have been an Impossible Dream
They would have Known Town Band, Not School Band!
Nor Cafeteria Staff!
And Dancing That Close Would Just Not Have Been Allowed!
Nor the Bare Flesh!
231

June 2000: The Last Graduation
From Kaleigh Heide’s Tribute: ‘….Who doesn’t feel the past coming through
everywhere
….remember the people they have shared time with out of the hundreds
of occupants in the 86 years that MBS has been open….we thank the
building itself, it may be old and tired but it served us well.’
A Final Yearbook Tribute: ‘As the sun sets on Mahone Bay School….’
232

The Media Covers The Closing
From May onwards the press, both provincially and locally,
took an interest in the closing of the Old School.
Joel Jacobson, of the Chronicle Herald showed real
sympathy for that awareness of heritage and that
mixture of joy and sadness that is part of nostalgia.
‘There’s nothing like an old school, with its wooden
exterior, plaster walls, wainscoting
’Three generations of Hiltz:
• Margaret Hiltz recalls H.V. Corkum and Flo Muluck •
Kyle remembers coming home from SMU to join the ‘70s
basketball hype
• Son, Ethan, thinks it’s neat to sit in the same classroom
as his dad.
• “the old building will always give its students, teachers
and staff great memories.”
• Suzanne DeMille: “There are very strong feelings for this
building.”
‘Everyone Knows Her. Few Want Her To Go’
• Memories and quotes from Hope Hyson- Bustin, Ann Moore and
Eddie Mader
• Ann Moore: “This one [building] has character!” And characters!
• Eddie remembers Kirk Douglas shooting the movie, “The Secret” at
the school.
233

Reunion[s]
There were actually two reunions. Ted Veinot and his grade six class hosted
a mini reunion of some twenty teachers in May 1999. It was part of a student
project on the old school’s heritage.
Hope Hyson-Bustin was the oldest teacher attending. She reported, “Earl
Langille, one of my former pupils [and a former teacher and supervisor at
Hebbville School] picked me up and took me. It was a wonderful event.”
Photo: Courtesy, Mary Elizabeth Kedy-Smith
Mary Elizabeth Kedy[Smith] & mother, Margaret Freeman [Kedy] chat with
Jack Murphy
The Reunion Takes Shape, 1999
Co-Chairs. Lila O’Connor and Suzanne Lohnes-Croft
“People started talking about doing something when the school closed, but they
couldn’t find a chairperson….I have a granddaughter Meghan Fischback, there, so I
got involved. Suzanne Lohnes-Croft and I are co-chairs. The quotation was from
the Mahone Bay Schools 86 years of memories, Chronicle Herald Article. Both
had the qualifications and, more important, the heart for the job.
• Lila’s husband, Mike O’Connor had been teacher, vice-principal and principal
for 30 years at the school. Her children had gone to the Old Building, and
so were some grandchildren.
• Suzanne was daughter of school student, school board member and chair,
and Town Mayor, Philip Lohnes.
Her great, great uncle was Charlie Lohnes, one of the school’s founding fathers.
234

Suzanne was also a member of the basketball-volley ball double provincial
champs of 1977.
• Other ex-students and teachers joined the committee for what was to be a
huge success with over 500 participants.
Copy of Early Information Letter
Walk Down memory Lane
The modest notice in the paper got the ball
rolling. An e-mail address was set up. Contact
people designated. An all-important mailing
list was developed. Teachers and ex-teachers
[a good number of whom had been students]
joined the committee. They included: Janet
Burgoyne, Rebecca Rock, Ted Veinot, and
Betty Walsh. Ex-students joined, including:
Isobel Crossland, Pat Eisenhauer-Veinot
[granddaughter of Old School construction
supervisor, Warren Eisenhauer] and Bev Bruhm
-Ernst [daughter of the Boston Marathon
runner], Joan Levy, Jackie Whynot, and Shirley
Burgoyne.
‘We expect more than 300 people for a very exciting weekend of parties, sports,
dances, concerts, last-walk tours of the school, a community supper, a car rally,
golf tournament, church service, and sharing of fond memories.’
The vision was huge and the final schedule was not far off the vision. Would
they come?-the question that haunts the dark moments of every event
organiser’s thoughts. Yes they did, from as far away as Florida, Pennsylvania
and British Columbia. There were also letters of regret from those unable to
travel. Ulrica Strum-Davis wrote regrets from St. Catherine’s, Ontario, but
sent memories and pictures. A collection of memorabilia was assembled for
viewing and sharing.
235

Commemorative T-shirts were to be a big hit, so were the registration kits,
decorated by students, and a school replica pendant, designed and produced
by Birdsall-Worthington [whose children attended the school].
Media Coverage Was Good To The End
‘Suzanne Lohnes-Croft can’t look at Mahone Bay School these days with dry eyes..
“You know what’s really going to be the best for me-when I see old friends hugging.’’
The Final Schedule of Events
School Tours, Sports Events, Meet & Greet, Street Dance, Scavenger Hunt, Pool
Party, Tea & Supper, Pub Night & Beer Garden, Church Service, Outdoor Entertainment,
Barbecue, Variety Concert
236

Meet and Greet The School Band Plays The Hugging Begins
The Sun Shines all Weekend Photos: Courtesy Alice Mossman
An Awesome Celebration Cake was cut by the oldest [Hope Hyson, guest of
honour] was 97] and youngest. The name tags had a coloured orb: the colour
designated the main decade that the wearer attended school. A banner welcomed
one and all.
237

238
Shared Memories The Walls and Stairs Echo The Past The Variety Show Was Packed and A Huge Success
On the left, top and bottom, Suzanne Lohnes-Croft and Ted Veinot had the
crowd in fits of laughter with three scenes of stages in the lives of students,
two of which are shown: early years and a reunion in old age. Top right,
students relive Pearl Oxner’s Glee Club from the 1940s and ’50s. They even
used original sheet music and sang some of her ‘oldies’, like Come to the Fair.
Previous page, bottom right, Vern Mossman is the lucky man in The Farmer
Picks a Wife.

Games Day Stag [?!] Night at the Pub Friends and Daughters
The Scavenger Hunt The Ending A letter of Congratulation
Below: Dad and boys test skills. Right: Helen Dodge and Nancy Mills on stilts!
Bottom left: What is Bev doing with that stag? Joan Levy laughs. Irene
Whynott pretends not to notice. Right: best friends from school, using their
school day names, Alice Mossman [the actress from a number of school productions,
coming to the reunion from Philadelphia] and Jackie Ernst-Whynot,
with their respective daughters, Susan and Debra.
Alice Mossman-Bachman took all these reunion photos.
The scavenger hunt reported above was actually part of the school closing in
2000.
Above some organizing committee members relax with friends
Photo on steps, above: Top Row: Alice Backman, Jackie Whynot, Janet Burgoyne.
? ?
Middle: Isabel Crossland, Bev Eisner, Shirley Burgoyne,
Front: Lila O’Connor, Betty Walsh
Bottom Right: The two co-chairs share a hug.
The Old School Had the Retirement Party It Well Deserved. Not Quite The
End of the Story: A Reunion Gift to the New School and the Commissioning
of the School Bell
With funds left over from the reunion, mostly money from the sale of T-
shirts and the building souvenir, the organizing committee was able to pur-
239

chase and donate [next page] a fine new printer to Bayview Community
School. A fine gesture, bridging the old and new!
The Commissioning Ceremony was a fine one. It followed two school assemblies
in which the bell had been used. A School Song composed by the class
of 1938 was included, along with Obed Ham ‘s Dear Old Mahone
The Commissioning of The Old School Bell
This story has been dealt with in Chapter 3. The context of the removal of
the bell is important. Throughout 2000 and early 2001, the fate of the Old
School was in question. The Town Council was by no means committed to
preserving the Old School, and tenders for development were called. The Reunion
Committee was concerned that the building might be demolished, bell
and all. So their initiative was a worthy one. Below, a good shot of the old
bell before it was cleaned.
Photo: Courtesy: Jackie Whynot Collection.
240

241

Chapter Eleven:
New Life for an Old Building 2000-2007
The Establishment of The Mahone Bay Centre
The Fate of the Old School, 2000
The fate of the Old School hung in a delicate balance throughout the year
2000. There appeared to be three alternatives:
1 Sell the Property for Commercial Development of the Site
Once it reverted to town property, the town council planned to re-zone the
property so that the school could be sold, restructured or demolished, along
with the school land, and possibly developed commercially (see Lisa Brown’s
report on right), with a view to increasing the tax base. In December 2000,
council called for development proposals. Councillor Chris Heide voted
against the motion to ‘proceed with the disposal of the old school properties.’
2 Preserve the Building as some sort of Community Centre
There was some general talk of this alternative, but in June 2000, no substantial
organization had been formed to pursue the matter. Mayor Uhlman
spoke for council when she reported that maintaining the property was ‘absolutely
beyond our capabilities’.
3 The Old School be left Empty and Derelict
This is what had happened to a number of old buildings, particularly schools
and hospitals. The old Dawson Hospital in Bridgewater was a case in point.
And the Old School was left vacant for over a year. The third alternative
was the worst, but may well have been the reality had not the Mahone Bay
Centre Society emerged. For the Town received no serious proposals for the
development of the site.
243

Opinions had been split about the Community Centre project. Some, including
a majority of Town Council, have always been less than enthusiastic:
believing the project not viable financially.
On left, July, 2000 Town Council Proposal to amend by-laws to allow Commercial
and Light Industrial of Old School property.
A public information meeting and a public hearing meeting were called for
August 1st & 8th respectively.
The list of potential uses the Council and its planning advisory committee
[PAC] had in mind included tourist establishments, offices, studios and galleries,
theatres, craft workshops and restaurants, health services and information
technology services as well as light industry and industrial workshops.
Mayor Virginia Uhlman said PAC included a wide variety of potential uses
because it didn’t want to create too many restrictions. However, public pressure-concerned
about noise, odour, pollution and traffic- led the council to
agree on more restrictive changes.
Councillor Chris Heide fought a battle on the Old School issue. He was one
who was committed, unreservedly, to preserving the cultural heritage of the
building both as an historical structure and as a community centre for education
and artistic, cultural and social benefits.
Some councillors were implacably opposed to a heritage project, seeing it as
a fiscal risk and unprofitable. Others wavered.
In the end there was to be no option. The Mahone Bay Centre Society was
the only group that made a proposal worth pursuing.
By October, The Mahone Bay Centre Society had been formed and, supported
by a Youth action team, made a major presentation to both a public meeting
and Council. ‘The Society wants a chance to prove the plan they’ve developed
for the old school can work,’ reported The Bulletin and the Progress Enterprise,
October 25, 2000.
244

Progress-Bulletin Report, August 16, 200
The Issues
• Selling the Property for a Substantial Amount
Some area residents believed the property could generate a lot of money for
the town if sold.The council had hoped this would be the case, but no substantial
offer was made.
245

The notion that a developer would appear and pay big money for the building
and/or the land has not been realized.
The Case for the Doubters
The cartoon is purely coincidental but appropriate.
• A Community Centre Not Viable and would Cause Debt for the
Town “Mahone Bay resident, Barry Gallant expressed concern about the size and
scope of the project, “It is beyond the capacity of a volunteer organization to run
and operate.” This view expressed in the October 25th news report continued
to received support from some observers.
Marg Hennigar’s Editorial of December 8, 2004 [when tax payment was
overdue and the Society was asking for a tax break: to move the property
from commercial to residential assessment]. commented: We applaud society
members... but we think it’s time they stopped investing in a project that is not
financially viable.
• A Centre is Viable, The Council can negotiate a Low-Risk Agreement
The October 26th Article on page 245 contains the society’s case:
Society members…believe the Centre would provide a focal point for community
activity by providing programs and services…Our vision is that the centre will
become a catalyst for community development…
That building has a lot of life in it…The community needs that building as much
as the building needs the community ...
The town will not have lost anything if the centre is not self-sustaining…we’ll have
failed and the town will own the building and they will sell it ...
The town has taken what it has-its beauty and heritage- and built on it… we have
chosen to follow that trend and take something old and of value and increase it
value by turning it into something new.’
Society members also point to the success of the Oakdene Centre in Bear River [
the North Woodside Community Centre in Dartmouth] as proof the project can
succeed.
246

For Over a Year: an Empty Building
And so began months of protracted and, at times, mutually frustrating negotiations.
The Town Council did not want the town to be lumbered with a
millstone round its neck, debt, and a rapidly deteriorating building. It insisted
on conditions of improvement and that the Centre pay taxes. The Society
was concerned the Town was driving a hard bargain with a not-for-profit,
volunteer registered Society.
The Document’s Opening and Closing
Finally, The Good News
The facts in the June 13, 2001 story were detailed and accurate. But the negotiations
continued and it wasn’t until September that the agreement was signed.
247

The Main Points of the Agreement
The Deed
• Sale for $1: the building and parking lot and land immediately adjacent,
not including the school field and its extensions north and south. Vacant
possession as of September 17th.
• No commitment of Town to spend tax dollars to support Society.
• Society to place a letter of guarantee to the amount of $50,000, with the
Town to ensure performance of required maintenance and repair provisions.
• Society to expend $25,000 per year [including labour and materials donated] on
maintenance and capital repairs until 2006: then obligation becomes null and void.
• Society to place fire insurance in the amount of $300,000.
• In the event Society files for bankruptcy, ceases to exist or vacates the
building, it will revert to the Town for $1.
It was also understood that the Society would pay the assessed taxes on the
property at the commercial rate. The Society moved in, started the clean up,
and began the negotiations for tenants. A ceremonial grand opening took
place on December 16th. New life invigorated the Old School once more.
All Smiles at the Signing of the Agreement and the Loonie is Paid
Photos: Courtesy Bill Snyder
Mayor Joe Fenney watches as Deborah Hickman [Society Chair] signs. Helen
Opie [Society Secretary] leans over to give encouragement. In behind are Society
Board Members, lawyer Derrick Wickstrom, on the left and businessman,
Bob Douglas, on right. The loonie is handed over.
248

The Centre’s Logo, Designed by Sue Martin and Grand Opening Notice But First The Clean-Up Then the Opening
249

Left
Deputy Mayor, Virginia Uhlman, cuts
the tape at the official ‘launching.’ It
was December, 16th and goodwill and
celebration were in the air. There was
a good turn out to toast the success of
the new venture. The old School was
decorated and the ghosts of the past
must have been content.
The Hard Work Begins By its very
nature a not-for-profit Community
Centre Project has its ups and downs.
• Volunteer Board members get worn
out. They come and go.
• There are cash flow shortages.
• Tenants come and go.
• There’s a constant need for new members and fund raising.
• Some projects succeed, some fail, and there’s a whole range in between.
• Critics look for failures.
• Some tenants don’t pay the rent.
• There’s a constant search for new ideas and funding sources.
The Success After six and a half years, The Mahone Bay Centre has defied the
gloomy predictions, met the terms of the agreement with the Town, and paid taxes.
The Spirit of the Old School Continues: A Centre for The Fine Arts
The Old School hosts resident, and tenants, artists, a second floor gallery,
art workshops and special events. Kate Church and Scott MacLeod have had
their studios at the Old School.
250

A Place for Dance for Children and Adults
Dance Gymnastics, Exercise
The Shambala Meditation Centre
Twisters Gymnastics, were residents of the Old School Gym for five years.
Now the gym is free for parties, dances, movies, theatrical productions, touring
shows, conferences and sports.
Dance
Dance and movement are a recurring activity at the Centre, with the River of
Life Studios leading the way.
251

A Peek into Take 30s Two Fitness Club Rooms in The 1960s Wing
South Shore Council of Canadians, Café Canada, meets regularly at the Old
School. There was Standing Room Only for the discussion on Local Bus Services.
And it’s “cool” that the building is still be used as a school, by the District Board
Above, left, the old school office serves the same function for The Alternative
School. Above, right, students work in their classroom. Below, right, the old
home economics room is now The Community Kitchen.
Special Events Tsunami Relief, 2005: “It was an extraordinary sense of community
252

A Youth Centre, 2003, followed by diverse Youth Activity Groups
The basement of the school was completely remodelled for the Youth Studio
as it came to be called. A comfortable lounge area and an activity were included.
For a year the centre operated until volunteers and numbers of regular
youth users declined: a cycle that has affected the youth clubs in Bridgewater,
Lunenburg and Chester. Its time will come again. However, the Global
Mission Youth Group meets there on Monday nights, and a drama club, a
satellite of Mermaid Theatre meets there on Tuesdays. The drama group is
going to England in the summer of 2007 to be part of a number of Mermaid
presentations.
The Skateboard Park That Came and Went, 2002
The Old School Skateboard Association had the active support of The Mahone
Bay Centre Society when it set up on Town Council property on the old basketball
court at the Old School field. But local residents complained about
lack of structure and supervision, late hours, noise, bad language and there
was talk of illicit drug use. The Town Council refused to cover the cost of liability
insurance and ordered the skateboard park closed.
In the summer Mermaid Theatre School takes place there. The three weeks
school is followed by a local production.
The Mahone Bay Youth Soccer Club uses the field and building throughout
the summer as a centre for games, meetings and fund-raising activities and
for washroom access.
253

Not in my backyard ran the headline of Marg Hennigar’s
editorial in the county papers on January 29/03. She cited the problems of
the unregulated, unsupervised park, the difficulty getting liability insurance
and observed, Council has turned down sites because most citizens now consider
skateboarding a “not in my backyard activity”….If the taxpayers don’t want skateboarding
in their neighbourhoods, then so be it…. It’s up to that association to take
the initiative for the park…Finding a suitable site……supervise and regulate….
provisions for fencing and security measures…use the park only during daylight
hours…on-site toilets
And the Annual Drive for Membership, Fund-raising and Kitchen Party
Major Renovations and the ACOA Grant
By 2003 The Mahone Bay Centre had identified four major renovations needed:
1. Major roof repairs and replacement to stop the leaking that was taking place
when the building was a school, and was getting worse.
2. Major exterior maintenance, including a paint job.
3. Heating reorganization, including insulating the attic, and rezoning the
heating system that was costing over $20,000 per year.
4. The creation of an additional 2,500 square feet of rental space in the attic.
Renovation funding from ACOA was available with a feasibility study and
acceptable business plan.
The whole matter makes an interesting case study in the politics of youth
recreation.
254

The long running saga….appears heading for a happy ending,
wrote the reporter.
The business plan was positive and a Letter of Support was needed from the
Town to pursue the ACOA funding. Unfortunately the Town was owed $14,
000 in back taxes and the Council was not inclined to cooperate. It gave notice
of a tax sale if the monies owing were not quickly paid. The money was
quickly raised and a cheque written.
‘ACOA approves Centre’s funding ‘ was The Chester Clipper’s headline
January 31st, 2006
Details of the ACOA Grant
• $286,000 grant to repair and renovate.
• Society must raise similar funds to access the ACOA grant.
• Society plans, eventually to spend over $400,000., including own funds
and ACOA “We have to fix the roof, it has too many leaks in it for our comfort.”
• During the winter of 2006-7 two roof sections have been rebuilt.
• Work and expenditures will be done incrementally.
The Fund Raising Campaigns
Paul Seltzer, new chairman of the Mahone Bay Centre Society reports that
the R.I.T.E. fund-raising program, has already led to re-shingling and repairing
two large sections of the roof and insulating the attic, which will greatly
reduce heating costs.
Mr. Seltzer reported a 40% increase over 2005 in occasional users: “ We are
financially viable for the daily operational costs….The big problems are the
major improvements.”
255

Bulletin-Progress Story, October 11, 2006
The List of Tenants of Early 2007 is Impressive: The Old School is near Full
Chairman welcomes contributor
A February, 2006, Spruce-up for The Old Academy Building
65 volunteers combined for over 1000 hours of scraping, patching, painting
and cleaning to give the interior of the 1914 section a bright new look. The
Founding Fathers would have been delighted at the smart, bright, interior.
Photos of the spruce-up are shown on the next page.
256

Bulletin-Progress Reports Spruce-up, in February 26/06 Edition
Building At The Heart Of The Community
There are three issues to be resolved about the preservation of Mahone Bay
Old School.
It’s been a central part of the town’s landscape for over 90 years. In style and
form it is monumental and irreplaceable. Does the community want to preserve
that landscape?
It was built and maintained by an enormous effort, as a symbol of pride in
the town and hope for the community. Is it a symbol so unique, it deserves to
be preserved?
Below, part of the May, 2007, Centre Activities & Events Guide
The Old School housed the aspirations and activities of generations of people
from the area, young and adult. It was here they laughed and cried, sat,
walked, marched and ran, dreamed and studied, learned to read, write and
calculate, worked and played, sang, acted, danced and made music, played
the hero, the fool, the villain, went to the teacher’s desk, to the office and to
the toilet. We can literally walk in their footsteps, lean on the same walls.
Does preservation of the Old School keep alive their history in an irreplaceable
tangible way?
Financing Large Scale Improvements
On November 1st 2007, members of the Society met and approved the
Boards efforts to seek financing for substantial renovations.
Battle for the Old school Field
Controversy adds spice to life. In 2007 the Town Council announced an
agreement in principle to sell the Old School Lands (not the building) and
adjoining woodland to a developer. (Save our soccer field) Immediately an
alliance of ‘jocks’ and ‘greens’ and those who believe in preserving public
lands, led spirited opposition in a debate that has split opinion in the town.
Community Food Bank, February, 2008
The very latest success of the Centre is the opening of The Community Food
Bank in the Old School basement. The ‘Founding Fathers’ would approve!
The Old School continues to serve the community.
257

258

And Now ? ? ?
What’s Next For These Dear Old Memory-making Buildings?
We celebrate the heritage of these heart-warming stories, and pictures of people
in the process of being “community” for the past hundred years – so many of us
have been shaped and nurtured here.
We are about more than relishing a past. We are about making a future. As we
move into the next hundred years, we get to decide on our legacy. We will create
the stories that will be told, and plant the seeds of ideas that will bloom within
these walls for the benefit of our entire community.
We have choices now:
1. We can let our ideas and energies take root here, and experience the satisfactions
that come from VOLUNTEERING our leadership and skills, and inviting
others to join us.
2. We can leave a lasting mark on our community and make a significant improvement
in this facility now, by choosing a RECOGNITION GIFT. We can
dedicate an important part of the Mahone Bay Centre, e.g., in our family name,
as a memorial to a loved one, an important figure in our community’s history, or
in the name of our organization or business.
Opportunities are available at various levels of tax-deductible donations:
• East or West Wings: $100,000
• Gymnasium: $50,000
• Individual rooms: $5000
• Windows: $1000
• Steps: $500
• Tables: $100
• Chairs: $50
• Tiles for a new gymnasium floor: $50 (per bundle of six)
We Get To Choose ! ! !

Index of People
A
Aberdeen Hotel, 10,16
Abriel, Katie 206
Abriel, Paige 230
Acker, Miss 157
Agger, Helen 254
Ali, Leena 230
Ali, Sam 172,193
Allen, David 21,180-81,185-87,195-96, 202,211
Allen, Janet&Jennifer 204-6
Allen, Jonathon 207
Allen, Keith 152[photo]
Alternative School, The 252
Amos, Stewart 221
Anderson, Bill&Elsie, Sandra 181
Anderson, Chris 202-03
Anderssen, Erin 202
Anderssen, Mike 203
Andrews, C.A. Lt-Colonel 64
Andrews, Charles 120
Andrews, Janet 148[photo],152[photo]
Andrews, Karl, 152[photo]l
Armstrong, Neil 152
Arnold, George Rev. 131
Atherton, R.C. [N.S.S.B.A.]178
Aulenback, Brenton 169[photo]
Aulenback, David 211,215
Aulenback, Eddie 167
Aulenback, Faye 157
Aulenback, Franklyn 96[photo]
Aulenback, Freddie 96[photo]
Aulenback, Jean 124[photo]
Aulenback, Milded 105
Aulenback, Shirley 152[photo]
Aulenback, Tim 204
Awalt, Betty Lou 148[photo]
Awalt, Fred 62[photo]
Awalt, Patricia 161[photo]
B
Backman, Alice 239
Baglole, Nancy 163
Baglole, Richard 195
Baglole, Terri-Lynn 205
Baglole, Tim, 172,189-90,192
Baker, Michael MLA 253
Baker, Robert 204
Balcome, Eileen 152[photo]
Balcome, Martin 205
Band, 1965-66 162-3[photo]
Banfield, Cecelia 161[photo]
Banfield, M 213
Bardon, Alex-front cover
Bardon, Alma 213
Barkhouse, Daphne 204
Barkhouse, Murray, 177,184-86
Barkhouse, Ruby 152[photo]
Barkhouse, Scott 202
Barnett, Edward [“Buzz”] 87[photo]
Barrett, Shirley 179
Barry, A. 167
Barry, David 206
Barry, Everette 141[photo]
Barry, Gregory 167
Barry, Jean 173
Barss, Sarah 209
Barteaux, Boyd 130
Bauer, H.C. Mr.& Erica 146, 148[photo]
Beatlemania, 157
Beaton, Herbert 157
Beazley, Ken, M. Councillor 148-9
Begin, Barbara 105
Begin, C.B.“Charlie”&Family 1,10,ch.2-partic 31-
32,40,47,69-70,76-7,
Begin, Charles 87[photo]
Begin, Guerney 87[photo]
Begin, Gwendoline 86[photo], 105[photo],
Begin, Kathleen 97[photo]
Begin, Robert 86-7[photo]
Begin, Teddy 86[photo],105[photo]
Benedict, Ann 190
Ben Gurion, David[P.M.of Israel] 88
Benoit, Colin 207
Benoit, Kala 234
Benoit, Michelle 204
Berry, Chris 197
Bezanson, Debbie 204
Biebesheimer, John 44-5
Birdsall-Worthington 236
Bissett, Clarence 51,53,62
Blair, Mrs. 228
Blanche, Phyliss 161 [photo]
Bobbitt, Claudia 204
Bobbitt, Jill&Sheila 206
Boehner, Bobby 207
Boehner Bros. Fred, Bruce &family, 37-42
Boehner, Dorothea 230
Boehner, Mariah, John&Florrie 10
Boehner, Robert 172
Boehner, Stephen 206
Boliver, Andrew 230
Bollivar, Kendall 205
Booth, Dougie 207
Booth, Kriss 206
Booth, Melodie 204
Borgel[Bogald] Family&Stewart, 8,87[photo]
Borgerson, Brett 204
Boutellier, Bobby 163
Bowen, Peter 194
259

260
Boyd-Fraser, Wendy 190,204,215
Boyd, Tony 204
Brent, Dr.&Family 12,54{photo]
Brimmer, John 205
Brinson, Shane 204,206
Brown, Annie Mrs. 29
Brown, Jeffrey 206
Browne, Darlene 190
Bruhm, Agnes 52
Bruhm, Chris 194
Bruhm[Ernst], Bev. 124,136-8, 148[photo],235,239
Bruhm, Fred[“Feff”],125, Fred Jnr. 125
Bruhm, Harriet & Family, 52-3
Bruhm, Jerome 169
Bruhm, Linda 148[photo], 152[photo]
Bruhm, Louise 52,85,184
Bruhm, Muriel 52,56,62
Bruhm-Zinck, Verda, 102,125
Bruschett, Shelby 230
Burbury, Peter 142-43
Burgoyne, Billy 152[photo]
Burgoyne, Blair 195-96
Burgoyne, Blanche 7
Burgoyne Boatyard, 6,19
Burgoyne, Dave 105[photo]
Burgoyne, Doris 119-20
Burgoyne, Evan 54[photo]
Burgoyne, Franklyn 95,121,148,185
Burgoyne, Fred 4
Burgoyne, Gary 152[photo],154
Burgoyne, Hilda[Nauss] 71,93,95,140,
142,146,157,159,168
Burgoyne, Janet 172,185,218,235,239
Burgoyne, Judy 148[photo]
Burgoyne, Julie 190
Burgoyne, Knott 15
Burgoyne, Laurel 130,183,217
Burgoyne, Marjorie 96[photo]
Burgoyne, Mildred 86[photo], 105[photo],
Burgoyne, Mrs. 228
Burgoyne[Nickerson], Jean 113,119-20
Burgoyne, Rick 192, 194-95
Burgoyne, Roseville 117[photo],118,130
Burgoyne, Shelley 186-87,195
Burgoyne, Shirley 235,239-41
Burgoyne, Vincent 54[photo], 87[photo]
Burris, Mrs.228
Burton, Mrs. Magreta 172,185,216
Busshoff, Nadine 209
C
Café Canada,252
Caines, Tammy 219
Campbell, Joe 137-8
Campbell, Ruth Miss 114-15,129-31
Carey, Ivan 184-86,190-91
Carey, Sherry 191
Carter, Esther 86[photo]
Carter, Lewis 131
Carter, Reggie 110[photo]
Carver, Karen & Sharon 205
Carver, P.Mrs. 199
CGIT, 89-90
Chaplin, Charlie 64
Chapman, Gib Dr. 190
Cheerleaders 1968 164
Chestney, Mark 174
Chevelles The 169-70
Chicoine, Emanuel,206
Child, Frank 161[photo]
Chisholm Store 11,
Church, Kate 250,254
Church, Mary 105
Churchill, Margaret 139
Churchill, Randolph 139-40,142-43
Churchill, Winston 117
Citations The 169-70
Clark, Liz 208,228
Clarke, Debbie 172
Cleveland, Alva 179
Cleveland, Lianne 230
Cleveland, Lorrie 204
Cleveland, Neil 211,219
Clitheroe, Bonnie 157, 174-75
Clitheroe, Geraldine 161[photo]
Clothier, Crystal 202
Cochrane, Bruce 86-7[photo],97, 105[photo],180,197
Cochrane, Dr.W.N. 20,69,
Cochrane, Edward 95
Conners Mr.185
Connery, Sean, 153
Conrad, Chad 197
Conrad, Erma 148[photo]
Conrad, J. 195
Conrad, June 148[photo]
Conrad, R. 186
Conrad, Wayne 137
Cook Linda 148[photo]
Cook, Patsy 148[photo]
Cooper, Mrs. 202
Cooper, Tracey 204
Coote, Bob 170[photo]
Corkum, Alice 86[photo]
Corkum, Audrey 216-17
Corkum, H.V.40,45,56,72,74,84,91,ch.6-93-
111,129-131,143,148-9,154,178
Corkum, Janet 194
Corkum, Lisa,Michael&Peggy 204-5
Corkum, Megan 230
Cornish, Nancy 180-82,185-86, 197[Vernon],215
Costen, Nancy 152[photo]
Coughlan, Mr. 131
Cox, Douglas, 177,185
Cress, Dan 182
Crnec, Sarah 206
Crocker, Karen 194
Croft, Judy & Kenneth 157,190
Croft V. 186
Croft-Whynott, Agnes 85,110,115 [photo],122-
4,129-31,138

Cross, Paulette 148[photo]
Crossland, Dwight 155,159,167
Crossland, Evelyn 172
Crossland, Irene 123[photo]
Crossland, Iris 115[photo
Crossland, Isabel & Rowenna 95 6[photo],235,239-40
Crossland, Joyce 115[photo],124[photo]
Crossland, Karen 154,166
Crossland, Ronnie 112[photo],145
Crossland, Ruth 204
Crouse, G.W. 69
Crouse, Isobel 82
Crouse, Keith, Rev 167
Crouse, Ray 16
Crouse, Sheldon 152[photo]
Crouse, Vernon 137
Crowell, Sherry 157
Crowhurst, Mason 230,253
Cruickshank, Belinda 172
Cruickshank, John 253-54
Curil, Juanita 152[photo]
Cushing, Mr. 11,15
D
Daglish, Paticia 157
Daniels, Hughie 86[photo]
Daniels, Ray 82,97[photo],105[photo],
Darnell, Laurel & daughter 253
Dauphinee, Jessie 62,81,
Dauphinee, Mary 124[photo]
Daurie, Barbara 96[photo]
Daurie, Gordon 62[photo],109
Daurie, J. Albert[& Fannie] 20,57,69,108-9
Daurie, Kevin 157
Daurie, Nellie[“Skipper”] 108
Daurie, Russell 54[photo]
Day, Frank P[Rockbound],103
Davis, Mr.&Llewelyn 84
Davison, Alysson 206
Davison, Anna 185
Davison, Mark 205
Deal, D. 167
Deal, Matthew 206
Deamond, C. 195
Delaney, Jessica 206
Delong, Esther, 116[photo]
Delong, Ruth 114[photo]
Demille, Suzanne iii,186,196,215,219-20,228,233
Demone, Jamie 186
Demone, Robert 186
Demont, Carolyn 172,185
Dennis, Scott 205
Deveau, Theresa 116[photo]
DeWolfe, L.A. 60-2
Dexter, Noel ch.8, partic.159,171,179-82 186, 217
Dickinson, Charlotte 230
Dimmell, Mabel 152[photo]
Dimmell, Trevor 205
Doane, Beth Ann 205
Dodge, Helen iii,5,239
Dogget, Mergarite 116[photo]
Dolliver, Eric 207
Donaldson, John D. 141-3
Doody, Patricia 157
Dorey, Gina 172,194
Dorey, Jason 213
Dorey, Milton 138,141[photo],143,148
Dorey, Richard 207
Douglas, Bob ii, 12,122,200-02,247-8, 253
Douglas, Kirk 233
Douglas, Roberta [“Bertha”],180
Dowse, David & Heather 184-5
Dowse, Peter 203,205
Dowse, Rosalie 200-01,216
Dowse, Susanne 186-88
Drennan, Jimmy 152[photo]
Drew, Jamie&Robert 202
Duffney, Chris & Troy 206
Duffney, Lisa 202
Duffney, Troy 207
Dukeshire, Gladys 82,84
Duncan, Heather 161[photo]
Duncan, Leslie 209-10
Duncan, Lindsey 205,220
Duncan, Nancy 170[photo]
Dunham, Darrell,156
Dunham, Debbie & Robynne 175
Dunham, Emberlea 196
Dunham, Lei-Valli 164
Dunham, Mrs. 173
Dunham, Robin 160,175
Dupperon, “Del” Mr. 171,174-76
Dutrizack, David 188,194
Dye, Allison 197, &Robert 216
Dye, Bill Rev. 184
Dye, Bruce 204
E
Earthsea River of Life Studio 251
Eichel, Shelley 206-07
Eichel, Susan 197
Eickle, Debbie 175
Eickle, Marcus 114[photo],117[photo], 123
Eikle, Greg 230
Eisener, Allen 69
Eisenor, Dorothy 116[photo]
Eisenor, Eve 91[photo]
Eisenor, Winnie 105[photo]
Eisenhauer, A.G. 5
Eisenhauer, Ambrose & Waggon Works 6, 18,
Eisenhauer, Basil, Pat, see Eisenhauer, Warren
Eisenhauer, Eli 29
Eisenhauer, Harry 14,63
Eisenhauer, Margaret 91[photo],95
Eisenhauer, Robert 96[photo]
Eisenhauer[Veinot], Pat 235,240-41
Eisenhauer, Warren 1,13,37-8,42-
3[Family],47,83,140
Eisenhauer, Win 51[photo],73
Eisner, Brittany 230
261

Eisner, Gordon 147
Eisner, John 205
Eisner[Eisenhauer ?]Winifred 86
7[photo],97[photo]
Eisnor, David 195
Eisnor, Frank 156
Eisnor, Kim 203
Eisnor, Leonard, 257
Eisnor, Melita 152[photo]
Eisnor, Shannon 213
Eisnor, Shondalee 205
Eisnor, Tammy 204-05
Eisnor, Viola 172
Elkatab, Celwa 194
Elliott, Grace 119
Ernst, Abraham, Laura Jane, Willis,
Genevieve, Arthur, Florence,, Millie, Selvyn and
Harvey-family photo 4
Ernst, Alexander 230
Ernst, Andrew 159
Ernst, Arthur 69-70
Ernst, Belinda 188
Ernst, C. 213
Ernst, Charles, 157,169-70
Ernst, Doris 4
Ernst, Dorothy, 110[photo]
Ernst, Edith 97[photo]
Ernst, Edward 54[photo]
Ernst, Edward “Lumber King” 20,67
Ernst, Edward R. 87-8
Ernst, Elaine 141[photo], 142-3
Ernst, Elizabeth, 70,96-99,104-5[photo],
Ernst, Etoile 129
Ernst, Frank 87[photo]
Ernst, Fred 86[photo]
Ernst, George 206-7
Ernst, George A. 54, 87[photo]
Ernst, Gwen 110[photo],114[photo],120, 123-
24,130-31
Ernst, Irene 91[photo], 95,114[photo], 115[photo],11
9,145[photo]
Ernst, James [“Var Tink”]& Family 20-21
Ernst, Jean 114[photo]
Ernst, Jessie 16
Ernst, June 154,169-70
Ernst, Lawrence 152[photo]
Ernst, M. 195
Ernst, Margaret 96[photo]
Ernst, Marie 138
Ernst, Marjorie, 91[photo]
Ernst, Melinda 181,216
Ernst, Merlin 110[photo],117[photo]
Ernst, Michael 154-56
Ernst, Oressa 51[photo],85,128
Ernst, Ozen, Derill&Irene, 8
Ernst, Paula 216
Ernst, Peggy 141[photo],144
Ernst, Richard 204
Ernst, Roger 187
Ernst, Selvyn 26
Ernst, Sheila 205
Ernst Shipyard 4
Ernst, Shirley 141,143
Ernst, Stannage & Stanley 29
Ernst, Todd 204,211
Ernst, Tom 136
Ernst, Tracey 204-5
Ernst, Troy 206-7
Ernst, Willis 4,26
Ervin, Madelyn 213
Ervin, Terah. 213,219
Expo ’67 Group 162
F
Fancy, Byron 51[photo]
Fancy, Ceddie 112[photo]
Fancy, D.A [& Cecil] 6,42,69-70
Fancy, Doris, 115, 116[photo]
Fancy, Jessie 51[photo],52,62
Fancy, [Loretta],Mrs.Byron 85,104, 110,
114[photo],118-19
Fancy, Lorna 124[photo]
Faulkenham, L. 167
Feener, Andrew 179
Feener, Debbie 194
Feeney, Jody 204
Feeney, Joe 218,241,247-48
Feeney, Tim 204-6
Fehr, Dawn 220
Feindel, Ann 203,205
Feindel, Darren 194
Feindel, Kevin 44,241
Feindel, L. 213
Feindel, Stephen 230
Feindel, Wendy 196
Fickes, Kathi 214
Field, Lynn 157,175
Fielding, Art. 217, 228-29
Fischback, Megan 234
Fitch, Murray E. 73
Floyd, Prudence 97[photo]
Fogelson, Brian 205
Foran, Joan, iii, 7
Foran, Tim 187
Ford, E.D. 122
Forsyth, Fred 208,228,230
Fox, Terry Run 214
Fralick, Dan 203
Frank, Carla 216
Frank, Doug 175,189
Fraser, J. Murdoch 74-5,90
Fray, Evelyn 110[photo],115[photo], 118, 123-
4[photos],130
Freda, Orville 120
Freeman, Anne, 110-111,114,120,124
Freeman, Hilda 51[photo]
Freeman, Howard 62
Freeman, John Capt. & family 5,41
Freeman, John Jnr. 96[photo],119
Freeman-Kedy, Margaret 19,73-4,110,157,159,171,
262

184,234
Freeman, Murray[“Happy”] 108
Freeman, W.M. Councillor 148-9
Furguson, Norman[NSTU], 106
G
Gagarin, Yuri 149
Gallant, Barry, 245-6
Gardner, Beth 157,163
Gardner, Olive Mrs 157,159,171,185-86, 196
Garrett, Mrs, 228
Garth, W.F. 146
Glee Club late ‘60s 166[photo]
Godfrey, Rebecca & Suzanne 204-5
Goodine, Gerry 203
Goulden, Cynthia 161[photo]
Graduates, Grade 9, 1982 200
Graduates, Grade 9, 2000 232
Grammer, Gage 230
Grandy, Linda 161[photo]
Grant, Lieut.Gov. & Mrs 68
Graven, Stephanie 203
Gray, Don 171,179,192
Gray Dr.& Family 8
Greek, Mrs. 171
Greek, Ms. 228
Green, Daniel 207
Guild, Lindy 200
Guild, Sara 204
H
Hagen, Alice 122-23,135
Hagen, Jack 113,123
Ham, “Chook”, 11
Ham, David 29
Ham, Harris 6,21
Ham, Mona 97[photo]
Hamilton, Connie 87[photo]
Hamilton, Dr. Charles, 24-25,34
Hamm, Betty 115,116[photo], 124[photo]
Hamm, Bruce 110[photo],123[photo]
Hamm, Doddie 3
Hamm, “Gunney” Russell 86[photo]
Hamm, Mona 86-7[photo],105[photo],
Hamm, Obed 3,70-1,76-7,79-80,140
Hamm, Rita 52,62
Hamm, Veronica 148[photo]
Hancock, Johanna 174,185-88,195
Hankinson, Mr.113-14,117-18,120-21, 123,145
Harrington, Mr.[Dominion Radiator] 69
Harris, Bradley 207
Harris, E. Rev.“Ned” 18,24-5,52,62-3,65,67-8
Hartlen, Dawn 205
Hartman, Dawn 204
Hassin. Ali 157
Hatcher, Cecelia 145,148[photo]
Hatcher, Mike 192,194
Haugen, Richard 167
Havey, Clinton 112
Hayford, Dr.[dentist] 54,74,83
Haysom, Leitha 206
Hebb, Catherine 157,161[photo]
Hebb, Stephen[Councillor] 30
Heide, Chris 243-45,253
Heide, Kaleigh 232,253
Heisler, Beth 204-5
Heisler, Carman 194
Heisler, Eric 110[photo]
Heisler, M 213
Heisler, Richard 207,214
Heisler, Robert 156
Heisler, Shirley 112[photo]
Henebury, Carl 208
Hennigar, David 76
Hennigar, Lynn 195-96
Hennigar, Marg 173,246,254
Hennigar, Ralph 201
Herberg, Sonia 152[photo]
Herridge, B. 167
Herridge, Christine 206
Herridge, Elizabeth 161[photo]
Herridge, Ruth 199
Hessenauer, Anita 217
Heustis, Bob 86-7[photo]
Hickman, Debra 245-50,254
Hiltz, Arthur,7
Hiltz, Barry 174-75
Hiltz, Carey Lindon 57-58
Hiltz, Devin 205
Hiltz, Ermine 120
Hiltz, Harry 4
Hiltz, John 167
Hiltz, Kim 196
Hiltz, Kyle R. 44,192,233,247
Hiltz, Louise 143
Hiltz, Lyndsay 230
Hiltz, Margaret &Ethan 233,240
Hiltz, Phyllis 97[photo]
Hiltz, R. 213
Hiltz, Ricky 203
Hiltz, Shirley 123[photo]
Hiltz, Sylvia 115[photo],123
Hiltz, Thelma, 105
Hiltz, Vera 56
Himmelman, Bill 97[photo]
Himmelman, Eric 190
Himmelman, Frank 190
Himmelman, Gerry 194
Himmelman, Helen 230
Himmelman, Pauline 194
Himmelman, Ronnie 128,172
Himmelman, Sandra 161[photo],173
Himmelman, Shirley 173,190
Hinch, Ron 202
Hinds, Derrick 211,216
Hirtle, Alec 116[photo]
Hirtle, Anne 115-16[photo],124[photo]
Hirtle, Beatrice 86[photo],94,104-5[photo],,
Hirtle, Bill 40,95-6[photo], 116-17,119-20,133-35
Hirtle, Curtis 82,133
263

264
Hirtle, Edith 148[photo]
Hirtle, Hugh 194
Hirtle, Leaman H. 121
Hirtle, Margaret 86,97-8
Hirtle, Marjorie 95
Hirtle, Merna[Frank], Mrs,WHG. Hirtle, 104-5,
122,133,140,148,158-59
Hirtle, Muriel 110[photo], 115[photo], 118[photo],
23[photo],124,129133
Hirtle, Murray 119-20
Hirtle, Pearl 51[photo]
Hirtle, Rhonda 196
Hirtle, Richard 161[photo]
Hirtle, Ruth 214
Hirtle, Shirley 115[photo]
Hirtle, Tara 186,195
Hirtle, Vernon 116-17[photos],130
Hirtle, Warren H.G. 11,70,87,100-1, 133[family
photo],136,148-9,151,216
Holder, Mr. 159
Holloway, Francis&Family,10,24, Holman[Dares],
Helen 130
Holman, Judy 173
Holman, Lawrence 110[photo],112,145
Home & School Association, 122,135, 151,216
Horn, Lisa, Katie, Mitchell 239
Horn, Nita 172-73,190-91,194
Horn, Peter 183
Horner Report: School Buildings 150, 211,222-25
HotDoggers Hockey 192
Hubley, Brenda 148[photo]
Hubley, Caroline 148[photo]
Hubley, Valerie 157
Hubley, Walter 205
Hughes, John 194
Hyson[Bustin], Hope ii, 46,55,80-3,85, 233-34,237
Hyson, Carl 172
Hyson, Craig 195
Hyson, D 213
Hyson, Daphinee 173
Hyson, Darlene 194
Hyson, Herbie 82,86[photo],97[photo],
105[photo],126[photo]
Hyson, Ian 172
Hyson, Lela 86,110
Hyson, Nadine 194-95
Hyson, Ray 14,16
Hyson, Reg &[Hyson’s Store, 16,58,69,71,76-
7,89,100
Hyson, Rhonda 205
Hyson, Robert 155-56,159
Hyson, Terri-lee 203
I
Inglis, Charles, Family, Shop&Mansion 20,75
Inglis, Clennie 29,65
Inglis, Erma 110[photo]
Isenor, Chris 207
J
Jackson, Celeste 175
Jacquelin, A,A. 114[photo]-15,123-4, 118,123-24
Jacques, C.V.[“Mad Dog”] 51, 53-7, 71,76
Jacobson, Joel 233
James, George 86[photo]
James, Jonathan, 253
Jesso, Lisa 204
Jewett, Mac 136
Job, Brian 217
Johnson, Holly 216
Johnson, Ross 82,97[photo]
Jollymore, Justin 253
Jones, Vicki 205
Joudrey-Anderssen, Lucille 33-4,73,94,113
Joudrey, Audrey 96[photo]
Joudrey, Augustus 67
Joudrey, Betty 148[photo]
Joudrey, Bruce 86-7[photo],105[photo],
Joudrey, Cigrid 95-6[photo]
Joudrey, Cynthia 160[photo]
Joudrey, Donald 119
Joudrey, Douglas 151-2[photo],169
Joudrey, Edith 86-7[photo]
Joudrey, Gerald 117[photo]
Joudrey, Hazel 51[photo]
Joudrey, Joan 110[photo]
Joudrey, Joy 96[photo]
Joudrey, Kathleen[“Kas/Kay”] 91[photo],95
Joudrey, Kathy 212
Joudrey, Kirk 161[photo]
Joudrey, Lloyd, 86-7[photo]
Joudrey, Lucille see Joudrey-Anderssen
Joudrey, Madalane 97[photo], 105[photo],
Joudrey, Maurice 87[photo
Joudrey, Michael 187-88
Joudrey, Michelle 172
Joudrey, Miss 228
Joudrey, Mrs., seamstress, 20,118
Joudrey, O[Orren].S. 16,21,34-
5[&Family],47,49,67,69-70,77-8,
81,91,94,97,100,113
Joudrey, Paulette 157,164
Joudrey, Phil 86-7[photo]
Joudrey, Richard 96[photo],154
Joudrey, Ronald 86[photo]
Joudrey, Rosemary 173
Joudrey, Ruby 105,111
Joudrey, Suzette, 157,172
Joudrey, W.F [“Pumpey]. 14-15,ch.2-partic-32-
4[&Family],37
Joudrey, William 117[photo]
K
Kaiser, Emma 6
Kaulback, Jeff 190
Kaulback, Justin 206
Kaulback, Mrs. 171
Keddy, Arnold 87{photo]
Keddy, David Dr. 172,183,190
Keddy, Harris 96[photo]

Keddy, John 159
Keddy, Judith 157
Keddy[Lutes], Marion 86-7[photo], 105[photo],123
Keddy, Pearl 56,61-2
Keddy, Steve 195
Keddy, Susan 172-73
Kedy, Carolyn 137,148[photo],157
Kedy, Claude 51[photo],52
Kedy, “Gus”,“Bups”& Ellen 19,184
Kedy, Henry&Sophia 26
Kedy, Judy 141[photo]-44
Kedy, Margaret-see Freeman-Kedy
Kedy[Smith], Mary Elizabeth 84,136-38,146,148[
photo],157,234
Kennedy Alisa 204
Kennedy, John F. President 152-3
Kennedy, Lois 52,55
Kenney, Gerald 172
Kenney, Joel 214
Kerwin, Bonnie 194
King, Billy 5,14
Kinley, John J. 27
Kirkpatrick, Mrs. 228
Knaut, Mary 65
Knickle, Councillor 30
Knickle, Darrell 189
Knickle, Frances & Roy 96[photo]
Knickle, Margarite, 116[photo]
Knickle, Mildred 115[photo]
Knickle, Norman 189
Knickle, Sharon 206-07,228
Knickle, Susan 205
Knickle, Terry 159
Knickle, Tommy 159
Knock, Ray&Nathan 55
Knott, R.D., 24
Kuhn, Carolyn, 88
L
Lane, H.S., 24,
Langille, Allan 95-6[photo],183
Langille, Andy 194
Langille, Anice 205
Langille, Ann M. 186
Langille, Betty 115[photo],130
Langille, Beverly 152[photo]
Langille, Brian 154-56
Langille, C.A.N., 25
Langille, Craig 211
Langille, Danny 13
Langille, Donna & Donald 112[photo] 121
Langille, Earl 80,84-9,93, 105[photo], 148,233-34
Langille, Emery 53-6,71-2,76-9,88
Langille, Gary 152[photo],154,249
Langille, Hailey,253
Langille, Hector 87[photo]
Langille, John 29
Langille, Judy 155
Langille, Kyle 204-5
Langille, Lee 141[photo]
Langille, Lloyd E., 137,152[photo],155-56, 159-
60,165
Langille, Marilyn 141
Langille, Margo 174-75
Langille, Matthew 253
Langille, Merryl 184
Langille, Peter 156
Langille, Roger[Roggie],tinsmith 9
Langille, Roger 161[photo]
Langille, Tammy 205
Langille, Timmy 143
Langille, V. 195
Langille, Verbina 116[photo]
Langille, Verona 129
Langille, Wade 211
Lantz, Alistair [Store] 21
Lantz, Beulah 96[photo]
Lantz, Chris 205
Lantz, Debbie 173
Lantz, Diane 175
Lantz, Donna 157,161[photo]
Lantz, Greg 167,170
Lantz, Lloyd 96[photo],119
Lantz, O. Pte 63
Laurence, Bradley 207
LeBlanc Jon 206
LeBlanc, Mr, 228
Legge, Alex 210,220,230
Legge, Nicholas 207
Leitold, Meg 205,230
Lenahan, Chris 173,185,192
Leslie, Al 184
Leslie, Allison 172
Leslie, Bruce 177
Letson, Miss 79
Levy, Burton 110[photo]
Levy, Darryl&Heather 197,216
Levy, Joan 180,235,239
Lingley, Mr. 157
Lipton, Krista 216
Lohnes, Bradford 95-6[photo],
112[photo],118[cadets]
Lohnes, Brenda 91[photo],95
Lohnes, C.A.“ Charlie”12,20,ch2-partic 30-
31,Family-31,37, 39,42,44,99-101,109,
Lohnes[Croft], Suzanne 44-5,234-41,253
Lohnes, Debra 160[photo]
Lohnes, Derrick 189,192
Lohnes, Gail 205,216,241
Lohnes, Garry 161[photo]
Lohnes, George 54[photo]
Lohnes, Harris12
Lohnes, Margaret 161[photo]
Lohnes, Mrs. 228
Lohnes, Nancy 179
Lohnes, Philip 44,82,84,86-7[photo],139
162,183,190,197,200
Lohnes, Philip Jnr. 189
Lohnes, Susanne 191
Longley, W.H. 7, 16
265

Louisiana Trip 193
Lowe, Gordon 141[photo]
Lowe, Greg 186-88,195
Lowe, Pauline 155
Lowe, Ralph 86-7[photo]
Lowe, Yvonne 161[photo]
Lunenburg Foundry, 109
Lutes, Michael 175
Lutes, Mrs. 172,185
M
MacDonald, James 194
MacDonald, Mrs. 10
MacDonald, Paul 212
MacIntosh, H.H. 23,25,40,52,61-2
MacIsaac, Michael 206
MacKay, A.H. 40
MacKay, Donald 105[photo]
MacKay, Harold 111-112
MacKay, Judith 148[photo]
MacKenzie, Derrick 214
Mackenzie Mr. 4,89
MacKinnon, Ian 202
MacLeod, Scott 250
MacMullen-see McMullen
MacPhail, Darwin 44
MacPherson, Ian 152[photo],190
MacPherson, Marilyn 137,152[photo]
MacPherson, Peter 156,164,170[photo]
MacPherson, Roy & Russell 205
Mader, Alfred 112
Mader, Alice 112
Mader, Arthur 129,138
Mader, Billy 86[photo]
Mader, Bobby, ii,9,44,47-8,88,102,112-13,
118[cadets],130,135-6,145,197[& Mrs.],213
Mader, Bruce 96[photo],119
Mader, Carl 86[photo]
Mader, Carolyn 86[photo],105[photo], 123
Mader, Christine 112[photo],119-20, 124
Mader, C.U. 5-6,27,40
Mader, Darlene 194
Mader, Donnie 194,254
Mader, Eddy 186,200,228,233
Mader, Erema Mrs 145[photo],157,159, 160
Mader, Flo 16
Mader, Frank 51[photo],52,112[photo],
117[photo],118,120
Mader, Freeman [“Tom”] 32,47-9
Mader, Gilbert 138-39
Mader, Gracie 63
Mader, Helen 116[photo],124[photo], 130
Mader Hotel-Family, 6,90
Mader, Ira 51[photo]
Mader, Jean 112[photo],119-20,124
Mader, John, 8-9
Mader, Judy 173
Mader, Karl 85
Mader, Laurie 147
Mader, Lindsay 87[photo]
Mader, Molly 81
Mader, Nancy 172
Mader,Oswald[“Ossie”] 48,106,112-13, 131
Mader, Ralph 51[photo]
Mader, Rosamund 110-111,120
Mader,“Tom”-see Mader, Freeman
Mader, W.M.Mrs. 104
Mahone Bay Centre Society, 245-58
Mahonian, The 1954-5 Staff 139
Margeson, Joseph W., 26-7,59
Marriott, Claire 95
Maritime ManufacturingseeStrum,Harris
Martel, Tammy 202
Martin, Bobby 205
Mason, Charles & Christy Anne 29
Mason, Errol 8
Mason, Gary 196,208,211
Mason, Harold[“Hack”],29,87[photo]
Mason, Joan 151-2[photo]
Mason, John Wesley, 8,29[&family],
Mason, Harold[“Hack”], 29
Mason, Vera 29
Mason, Judith 48[photo]
Mason, Michael & Scott 206
Mason, Mrs. 228
Mason, Muriel 51[photo]
Mason Patrick 143-46,217
Matheson, Mr. 115
Maugham, Ian 150,152[photo]
Mauzar, Francis,139-40,142-43
Maxner,M.O. 51-2,57,130
Maxner, Morris 73-4
Maxner, O.S. 20,
McCarthy, Patrick 205
McCoy, Bill Capt.[“The Real McCoy”]103
McCrindle Ms. 212-13
McDonald, Rosa 206
McGinnis, J. 213
McKay, Eileen, 104
McKay, Jean 82,105[photo]
McKearney, Emily 230
McKinnon Capt. 63
McIntosh Inspector 6
McLean, Family, Store&Shipyard 7-8
Charles, 7-8.57,59
Clyde 59-60
William, 7-8,59,69
McLean-MacKay, Margaret 47,59,93-112,
McMullin, Beth 169-70,191,195
McMullin, Billy 290
McMullin, Blair “Skippy” 163-64
McMullin, Ian 174:
McVay, Billy 156
McVay, David 164,170[photo]
McVay, Mrs. George 166,168
McWhirter, Shane 207
Meisner, Helen 86[photo],105[photo]
Meisner, John 105
Meisner, M. 213
Meisner, Monica Mrs. 199
266

Melvin, Terri Lyn 231
Mendl, Carla & Toby 197,216
Mendl, Tessa 188,197
Mercer, Barbara&Joan 86[photo]
Meredith, Mike 215-16
Merry, Arthur 85
Middleton, Bill 206
Millet, John, Julia, Mathew 239
Millett, Chester 62[photo]
Millett, Dail 17,112[photo],117[photo]-18
Millett, J.W.[Mrs. D.F.], Millinery &
Ice cream 16-17
Millett, Lisa 197
Millett, Marilyn 143-46,172,185-86,216-17
Millett, Peter 169-70,243
Millett&Wagner Repairs, 16
Mills, Greg 172
Mills, Lindsay 86[photo]
Minard, Ali 116
Miner, Graham 189
Mitchell, G.M. Hon. 180
Mitchener, Dr.&Family 12,69
Monroe, Richard 116-17[photos]
Moore, Ann 203,213,227-28,233
Moore, Geoffrey, 131
Morgan, Patty-see Patricia Wentzell
Morgan, Zach 207
Morrison, Jimmy 206
Morton, R.F.[Inspector of Schools] 94[letter]
Mosher, Dr[Truro Schools] 83
Mosher, Elsie 114[photo],118,127
Mosher, Fred ch.1,40,47-8,53-6,60,71,80,83,88
Mosher, Jeff & Lori 203
Mosher, Juanita & Helen 3,55[photo]
Mosher, Moyle 51[photo]
Mosher, Percy 114-16,124,201
Mosher, Terran 205
Mossman, Alice 129,139,237,239
Mossman, Vernon 130,138,238
Mowat, Prof. 131
Mullins, Richard Mr&Mrs 159,169-70
Mullock, Flo 73,84,110,112-13
Murphy, Jack 171,184-86,189-93,234
Muskic, Amel 230
Myra, T. 213
N
Nason, Harold 130
Naugler, S. 213
Nauss, Cynthia 157
Nauss, Dana 205
Nauss, Diane 163
Nauss, Doris 104
Nauss, Earl 110[photo]
Nauss, Gail 195
Nauss, George 86[photo]
Nauss, Jane
Nauss, Judith 157
Nauss, Karl 161
Nauss, Keith 154
Nauss, Linda 190
Nauss, Murray 86[photo]
Nauss, Nic 230
Nauss, Susan 157
Nauss, Richard 156
Nauss, Ronnie and Jean 21
Nauss, Susan 157
Nauss, Violet 115[photo]
Nauss, Wayne 71,87
Nauss, Wayne 156
Nauss-Whynott, Irene 110[photo],115[photo],116,1
18,123,129,239
Nelson, Rev. 56,63
Newell, Kelly 204
Nicol, Genevive 97[photo]
Nicol, Helen 51[photo],52
Nicol, Jean 105,110, 112[photo]
Nicol, Lindon 95
Nicol, Minnie 52,74
Nicol, T.G. 1,19-21,24-25,47,67,76-7,89
Nichols, Lois, 12
Nicholson, John 189
Nonamaker, Helen 97[photo]
Norse, Robert 152[photo]
Nowe, Linda 148[photo],152[photo]
Nowe, Mr. 186
Nowe, Nicolas 213,218
Nowe, Pam 190
Nowe, Richard 156
O
O’Connor, Kathleen&Tim 197
O’Connor, Lila 234-241
O’Connor, Mike 159,162-63,171,180,
184-86,195-97,199,202,205,215,234,257
Oickle, David 169
Oickle, Debbie 174-6
Oickle, Douglas 156,159
Oickle, Joy 54[photo]
Oickle, Kathy 173
Oickle, Pam 216
Oickle, Peter C.203
Oickle, Robert 192
Old School Skate Board Association 253-54
Olive-Taylor Drug Store, 16
Olsen, M. Connie. Mrs 145[photo]-46
Opie, Helen 247-49
O’Quinn, Alfie 161[photo],167
Osborne, Courtney 205
Oxner, Blanche R. 56
Oxner, Pearl 104,123,129,148,158,238
P
Paisley,Tom 188
Pamenter, Mrs 171
Paradis, Elizabeth Mrs. 199
Parker, Gwendolyn 188
Parkes, Rex 120
Parks, Doris 86-7[photo]
Parks, Glen 86-7[photo]
267

Parks, Hattie 86[photo]
Parnell, D. 167
Pearson, Jackie 217,228
Pelham, Mike 159,171
Pemberton, A. 167
Penney Bros.[Fred&Will] 1,16,20
Penney, Fred 10,69
Penney, Scott 206
Perrin, John 204
Pickles, Dr. 34
Pittman, Jerry 211
Pottie, Craig 204,208,210-11,220,227-28
Pottie, J. David 194
Powers Bros., Frank 68
Powers, Julia 253
Presidents, Student Council 1967-’78 195
Prince, Billy 189
Publicover, Chad 205
Publicover, David R. 157,166
Pugsley, Mabel 73
Purcell, Derek 194
Puxley, David 249,253-54
Pyle, Susan 190
Q
Quinlan, Clara 3,51[photo],52,54,55-7,71,74-
80,147
Quinlan, John &Grace[Inglis] 75
R
Rafuse, Dale 194-95
Rafuse, Jeremy 206
Ramey, Isobel 114[photo]
Ramsey, Fred 6,181
Ramsey, Jane 171,181
Ramsey, Jean 181,187
Ramsey, Jo-ann 181,186-87,195
Rattray, David 204
Rattray, Debbie 172
Red Cross 1966-67 166
Reiser[Eisnor] Bev 119,148[photo],152[photo],239
Rhodenizer, B 167
Rhodenizer, Greg 192,195
Rhodenizer, Janet 175
Rhodenizer, Janice 173
Rhodenizer, Mary 118
Rhodenizer, Pauline 148[photo], 152[photo]
Rhodenizer, Richard 157
Rhuland, Ada 97[photo]
Rhuland, Alan 179
Rhuland, Christine 194
Rhuland, Dennis 86[photo]
Rhuland, Lisa 196
Rhuland, Marion 112[photo]
Rhuland, Ronnie 136
Rhuland, Russell,136,148
Rhuland, Sylvia 136
Rhuland, Walter 136
Richardson, Buddy 86-7[photo]
Richardson, Freda 86[photo],105[photo],
Richardson, Kevin 161[photo]
Richardson, Mrs. 228
Richardson, Sheila 48[photo]
Richardson, Tammy 204-5
Ring, Kevin 194
Ring, Pat 216
Ringling, Matt[Youth Action Team] 245, 253
Ritcey, Gilbert 108
Ritcey, Lowell 160,171-72,185-86,211, 218
Ritchey, Bonnie 163
Ritchey, David 174
Ritchey, Martha 172,190-91
Ritchey, Scott 174-76,195
Robar, David 194
Robar, Cheryl 196
Robar, Courtney 205,219
Robar, Jessica[Youth Action Team] 245
Robar, M.L. 144
Roberts, Arthur[K.C.] 49
Roblee, Laura 228,230
Robinson, Burton 151
Roe, H.T. Rev., 24,51,62-3,
Rooke, Gertrude 115,123-4[photo]
Romkey, Douglas 138-39
Romkey, G.E.[Councillor] 30
Rost, Arlene 148[photo]
Rotin, Lynn 247
Roy, Brigadier &Industrial Shipping 144
Russell, Derrick 157
Russell, Gregory 163
Russell, J. Mrs 217
Russell, Keith 179
Russell, Trudy 172,177
S
Saltzman, Mildred 120
Sampson, Jazmine 206
Sanford, Aaron 230
Sangster, Mike 208
Saunders, Brian 187
Saunders, Marilyn Mrs. 199
Saurasky, Tony 208-9
Sawler, Patricia 148[photo]
Sayer, Bob& Trish ii, 180,184
Sayer, Louise 208
Sayer, Steven, 208
Sayer, Tracey,187,195-96
Sayger, Arthur 247
Schnare, Annie 51[photo]
Schnare, Bessie 19
Schnare, Billy 137
Schnare, Doris 86-7[photo],97[photo],
Schnare[Fraser], Hazel 74,86-7
Schnare, Henry & Boatyard 2 [map],19,29,
Schnare Home-Post Office, 11
Schoupe, Maizie 86[photo]
Scobie-Sutherland, Joanne 249
Selig, Michael 207
Seltzer, Paul i, 255-57
Seney, Stephanie 202
268

Sewer Bowl, 185
Shaffner, John Gov. Gen. &Mrs. 197
Shambala Meditation Centre 251
Sheaves, Skyler 230
Silver, Faye 154
Silver, George, ii, 9,11,144-45
Skate Board Association: see under Old School
Skate Board Association
Skinner, B.W. Dr, & Betty 96[photo], 108,
119[Empire Day]
Skinner, Josephine 123
Slauenwhite, Belle 16
Slauenwhite, Charles 64
Slauenwhite, Dorothy[Dot] 110
Slauenwhite, Elaine 87[photo], 97[photo],105
Slauenwhite, Mabel 112[photo],119
Slauenwhite, Sharon 173
Slauenwhite, Snyder 63
Slauenwhite, Sterling 156
Smeltzer, Alton 12
Smeltzer, Amy 63
Smeltzer, Brenda 97[photo]
Smeltzer, Bunny 51[photo]
Smeltzer, George 86-7[photo]
Smeltzer, Harold[principal] 51[photo]
Smeltzer, Joyce 112[photo]
Smeltzer, Marjorie, 119-20
Smeltzer, Philip 46-7
Smeltzer, Sammy 8
Smeltzer, Sophie 9
Smeltzer, Waldo/Amy,ConcreteWorks 8
Smitely, Alan 44
Smith, Gary 175
Smith, Kendall 186
Smith, Krista 190,195
Smith, Miss 206
Smith&Schnare Painters 14
Snyder, Bill ii,41,253
Snyder, Jordan 253
Spencer, C.W. 114-15,123-24
Spencer, Diane 202
Spencer, Trevor 204-5
Spidle, Cheryl 161[photo],173
Spidle, Darryl
Spidle, Debbie 190
Spidle, Dorothy 97[photo]
Spidle, Jason 230
Spidle, Wayne 175
Springhill Disasters 145
Stacey, Dennis 204,206
Stacey, Ruth Mrs. 201
Stevens, Barb& Robert 180,184
Stevens, Beth 204
Stevens, Kathryn 187-88
Stevens, Michelle & Stevens family,
172,182,186,201
Stevenson, Robert Louis, 97
Stewart, Gordon 196
Strickland, Carla 204
Strople, Becky Ms. 228
Strum[Davis], Ulrica 74, 88-91,95,235
Strum, Donna Lee 154
Strum, Doris 105[photo]
Strum, Harris,Alex,Geraldine [Maritime
Manufacturing] 40,88,91
Strum, Mona 111-13,120
Strum’s Island, 2[map], 6,91
Strum, W 167
Strum, Warren 105[photo]
Suederick, Josie 155
Surrette, Tiffany 205
Sutton, Wayland 152[photo]
Swim, Bonnie 194
Swim, Roland Mr. 160,167
Swinamer, Darlene 173
Swinamer, Krista 204
Swinamer, Melissa 206
Swinimer, Michael161[photo]
T
Taha, Mohammed, 230
Take 30 Fitness,252
Tanner, Cathy 157
Tanner, Chad 204
Tanner, Iris 110[photo]
Tanner, Mrs 157,172,185
Taylor-Foley, Susan 203,213
Theriault[Doucette], Frances 85-6[photo]
Theriault, Lucien 187
Thibeau, Dennis 192
Thomas, Billy 155-56,159,170
Thomas, Cliff 5
Thomas, Gail 141,146-47
Thomas, Sally 175
Thomas, Sandra 155
Thoms, Jeff 207
Thoms, Joel 204,206
Thoms, Sheree 213
Thomson, Curtis 212
Thorsen, Jeff 206
Tipert, Matthew 205
Towse, Keith 245,255
Towse, Scarlett 230
Tremere, Kathy 216
U
Uhlman, Charles, 154-57, 169,185,199-200,213
Uhlman, Harold 208,211,218
Uhlman, Virginia 155-57,169,199-201, 219,243-
45,250
V
Van der Toorn, Mike 155-57,171-72, 185-86,189-93
VanKessel, Donna 172
VanKessel, Dorothy 172,191
VanKessel, Jenette 172,191
Vaughn, Jason 206
Vaughn, Shirley 114[photo],120
Vaughn’s Photography, 15,54
Veinot, Arthur, Mrs. 88
269

Veinot, Carrie Mrs. 157,160
Veinot, Christie 230
Veinot, Denise 204
Veinot, Douglas 86[photo]
Veinot, Emma 6
Veinot, Janet 152[photo]
Veinot, Kevin 208-9
Veinot, Lawrence 130
Veinot, “Pat” Vincent 86[photo]
Veinot, Pauline M. 55,57
Veinot, Ted 45,205,207,210,214,219,
220,228,234239
Veinot, Viola 116[photo],130
Veinotte, Alice 52,56,62,79,81
Veinotte, Amanda 219
Veinotte, Ann 167
Veinotte, Arthur 156,159
Veinotte, Audrey 141
Veinotte, Barry 43,196
Veinotte, Bonnie Jean 43,161
Veinotte, Darlene 179
Veinotte, Edith 115[photo]
Veinotte, Elmore 148[photo]
Veinotte, Jane 187
Veinotte, Janet 148[photo]
Veinotte, Joel 204
Veinotte, Kim 170[photo]
Veinotte, Laslie
Veinotte, Michael 189
Veinotte, Peter 179
Veinotte, Scott 207
Veinotte, Sue Mrs 157
Veinotte, Susan 175
Veinotte, Tabatha 204,206
Veinotte, Varlene 144
Veinotte, Veronica 191
Veinotte, Wayne
Veno, Beulah 120
Veno, Wayne 202-03
Viel, Jackie 204
Von Possel, Frank 216
W
Wagner, Aubrey 147
Wagner, Bernard 152[photo]
Wagner, Carman 179
Wagner, Linwood 86[photo]
Wagner, Raymond, 156
Wagner, S 186
Wagner, W. 167
Walker, Helen 148[photo]
Walker, Marie 217
Walmark, David 257
Walsh, Betty 35,104,115-16, 123-4,129-
30,140,143,145[photo],148-9,157-60, 185,
166,172,197,204,214-15, 235,239-40
Walsh, William 78
Walters, Angus Capt. 103
Wamboldt, Lynette 130
Wamboldt, Russell 163
Watson, David 216
Watson, Jenny 200-01
Watson, Philip 201-02,215-16
Wawin, Jonathon 212
Wawin, Josh 206
Wawin, Ruth 230
Webb Wyman 190
Webber, Barbara 140-42
Webber, Bill & Barbara 142
Webber, Joan 136,147
Webber, Trena 204
Welland, Raymond 96[photo]
Wentzell, Arnold 159
Wentzell, Cynthia 167
Wentzell, Derek 21,154
Wentzell, Donald 192
Wentzell, Donaly 172
Wentzell, Douglas 141
Wentzell, Elsie[Mrs. Arch. Wentzell]
110,114[photo],126
Wentzell, Goldie 8,54
Wentzell. Jessen 105[photo]
Wentzelle, Joyce 187
Wentzell, Katherine 120
Wentzell, Luana 145[photo],157,159, 166[photo
with Red Cross],171,185-86, 196
Wentzell, Lynn 147
Wentzell, Margaret, 167,175
Wentzell, Michael 161[photo]
Wentzell, Patricia[Patty Morgan] 86[photo],87,97[
photo],110,126-27
Wentzell, Winn Capt. 3
Westhaver, Anne 147
Westhaver, Carl 120
Westhaver, G.A. home and business 11,13-15,
Westhaver, Irene 14,112[photo], 114 [photo], 120,124
Westhaver, Ivan 44,95-6[photo],121
Westhaver, Norma 152[photo]
Westhaver, Peter 53
Westhaver, Robert 13-15
Westhaver, Robert Mrs. 89
Wheeler, Jake 195-96
Wheeler, Owen 179,189,192
White, Adam 213
Whitman, Harry 187
Whynacht, Paul 188,196
Whynacht, Phyliss 116[photo]
Whynot, Andrew 192,195
Whynot, Bradley 207
Whynot, Brent 172
Whynot, Charles 86-7[photo]
Whynot, Cheryl 208
Whynot, Debra 161 [photo]
Whynot, Diane 164
Whynot, Eric 112[photo],117[photo]
Whynot, Francis 103
Whynot,Gordon 97[photo]
Whynot, Harvey 86[photo],105[photo],
Whynot, Jackie[Ernst], Norman,Rachel, Matt 44-
6[Dorothea],172,189,230,235,237-39,241
270

Whynot, Katie 51[photo]
Whynot, Laurence 82
Whynot, Lucille 124[photo]
Whynot, Madeline 97[photo],105[photo]
Whynot, Marilyn 148
Whynot, Mike 205
Whynot, Norman 189
Whynot, Phyliss 118,124[photo]
Whynot, Robert 204
Whynot, Theda 96[photo]
Whynott, Agnes: see Croft-Whynott
Whynott, Debbie 191
Whynott, Elaine 76[photo]
Whynott, Ernest, 177.
Whynott, Faye 118,124[photo]
Whynott, Johnny 86[photo], 102,128, 131,184
Whynott, Kerry 172
Whynott, P. 186
Whynott, Roger 128
Whynott, Robert 14,128,184
Wickstum, Derrick 248
Wile, Ashel 11,15,29
Wile,Victor 211
Wilkie, Paula 196
Wilkie, Tina 179
Willis, Byron, F. 131
Wilneff, Belinda 200,216
Wilneff, Robert 141[photo]-43
Wilson, Michael 206
Wimmer, Kurt 205
Winters, Charles & Hazel 29
Winters, Mildred 14
Winters, Scott 207
Women’s Institute 70
Wood, Ethel 214
Wood-Mills, Nancy Lee 141[photo],144,
157,159[photo],171,184-85,217,239
Worthington, Sam 213
Wright, David 199
Wynacht, Marion 113-14[photo],120 124
Y
Young, Bernard 86-7[photo]
Young, Edith 54[photo], 55
Young, Grace 116[photo]
Young, Lila 161
Young, Michael 186
Young, Paul 192
Young, Percy 86-7[photo]
Young, Ted, 130
Young, Yvonne 172,185-86
Younis, Charlie 8
Younis, Joe 8
Younis, Jim 8
Younis, Juma 110
Younis, Marion 112[photo]
Z
Zinck, Cassandra 253
Zinck, Cheryl 157,160,170
Zinck, Christine 179
Zinck, Clarice 56
Zinck, Gail 155
Zinck, Lucille 136,147
Zinck, Minnie 54[photo]
Zinck, Rodney 179
Zitto, Toni 179
Zwicker, C. 167
Zwicker, Claimonte 12,26-7,
Zwicker, Clifford 190
Zwicker, Clifton 177
Zwicker, Darren 207
Zwicker, Dennis 4, 9,86-7[photo], 106[family]
Zwicker, Edwin 62[photo]
Zwicker, Eleda 86[photo],106
Zwicker, Evangeline 152[photo],166
Zwicker, Franklyn 87[photo]
Zwicker, Freda 11
Zwicker, Gloria 96[photo]
Zwicker, Irene 188
Zwicker, John H.
Zwicker, Lemmy 15
Zwicker, Louis 215-16
Zwicker, Margaret 86[photo],105[photo]
Zwicker, Max 126
Zwicker , Peter B. & Shipyard, 8,20,29
Zwicker, Ray 118-20
Zwicker, Stephen 205
Zwicker, Thelma 141[photo]
Zwicker, Trina 173
Zwicker, W.H.S., 11,27[&family], 47-9
271