Barbara A. Martindale- For What It's Worth March 26, 2013
For some, these happenings in Caledonia will bring back memories. For others, it is another bit of Caledonia history.
Albert Emerson retired in 1966 as a 50-year employee of the Grand Trunk Railway and later CN. He began working on May 1, 1916, under the direction of his father at Cook's Station. In April 1923, he was promoted to section foreman, a position he held until he retired. Albert remembered when the men worked a 60-hour week and took home $35 per month in pay.
The Caledonia and District Community Projects Association, an important Caledonia organization of a number of local organizations, first got underway in April 1955. They held their first big community bingo in June 1956 at the fairgrounds arena. Preparing for 1,000 people, the grand prize was worth $200.
Refreshment booths by the Legion Ladies and the Women's Institute were on hand and at the conclusion of the evening, a ticket for a 1956 Deluxe Station Wagon was drawn.
It was known as the GLA (Gypsum Lime and Alabastine) in 1956, today's Georgia-Pacific. On February 1, 1956, ten valuable employees of the GLA retired on pension, the first group to retire under the company's retirement plan.
Remember the GLA sub-division of 16 homes that was located where the building now being leased to new business (Bud Searles building) stands today. Only GLA employees and their families were eligible to live there. Many have wonderful memories of their residency at the GLA Subdivision built in 1947 and torn down in 1982.
The Caledonia Victory Club, formed in 1940, was held dear by residents and by those serving overseas during WWII who received great quantities of needs such as knitted socks, blankets and many other items.
On June 27, 1946, the Victory Club had its final meeting with a treasurer's report showing $242.91 on hand. The group unanimously agreed the funds should be used for the furnishing of a room in "the community building.”
St. Andrew's Lodge Hall, as it is known today, was the venue for many canteen nights. Canteen was a night of teen town dancing, organized by students at Caledonia High School. In fact, a canteen night initiated the "new hall" on March 5, 1955 with the theme ‘A Bootless Ball.’
An evening of cards and old-time dancing was a popular once-a-month entertainment in the 1930s. The Sachem carried the news of each event. Greens Community Hall was one venue for such parties with large crowds in those days. Winners at euchre and lucky prizes given out to dancers were reported. too.
In 1938, Reeve A.G. Emerson, planted 200 elm trees on Caithness Street, east of Grace United Church to Seneca Bridge (today's Seneca Park). All trees were living a year later, except for six. No doubt, many are still living today?
"Lifebuoy Debonaires" under the auspices of Lever Brothers who manufactured Lifebuoy Soap, were well known and had been playing all over Canada before the Men's Club had this "coloured orchestra" play for a dance in the high school auditorium in the summer of 1946. Admission to the dance was a Lifebuoy soap box and 35 cents. The evening drew a large crowd.
On April 12, 1955, the Salk vaccine to eradicate polio was announced to the world. Later that same month, Grade 1 student Barbara Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Clark, received the Salk vaccine at Caledonia Public School from Dr. K.C.W. Dean, assisted by school nurse, Ruth Anne Hyde.
In June 1964, Silverwood Dairies Limited, Caledonia Branch, was awarded first place for more accident free mileage in Ontario of any small fleet operator. Six drivers, all under the management of C.D. Johnson, were honoured at Fisher's Hotel in Hamilton in recognition.
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