Mahone Bay Old School_A Life and Times_Bob Sayer

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
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