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Pa ge 1 2 T hu rs da y, M ay 1 4, 2 01 5 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a • Supplying nursery stock for beautiful gardens everywhere. Our horticulturalists are ready to help you! • Growers, Wholesalers, and Retaiers of Quality Nursery Stock • Visit our 20-acre Robson Sales Yard for the largest selection anywhere! Open to the public at 11am SALES & PRODUCTION YARD 656 Robson Rd. Waterdown ON tel : 905 689 7433 THE GARDEN CENTRE 383 Dundas St. E. Waterdown ON tel : 905 689 4631 www.connon.ca - S INCE 1906 - FOR SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS ASK US ABOUT OUR GROWER DIRECT PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL & KNOWLEDGEABLE - GROWERS OF QUAL ITY PLANTS & TREES - Every week I open The Independent & Free Press, looking for the little op-ed photo feature, 'The Way We Were.' Last week's image, a July 13, 1961 shot of the Orange Parade, was right out of my era, taken when I was the ripe old age of 10. The old McGibbon Hotel is still there, but Cotton's clothing store is long gone. Studying that photo, I re- alized how much Georgetown's Main Street has been a huge part of my life all these years. Going back 50 odd years, when I was a little boy, downtown was the centre of activity. It was the only place in town one could shop. The Guelph St. strip was nonexistent-- no plazas or supermarkets. The only thing lining Guelph St. was Dominion Seeds' fields of gladiolus. In those days, Main Street had no centre median. Georgetown Police constable Ted Scott walked the beat, and the town's one police cruiser was parked behind the Georgetown Munic- ipal Building, now a dance studio. We bought our clothes at Silver's Department Store (now Young's Phar- macy) or from Cotton Brothers (where the Royal Bank now stands). Merv Cook cut everyone's hair in his barber shop, which had a commanding view of Main St. Georgetown had two banks; the Royal, located in the Old Bank build- ing and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, in an older style building on the same location. We had Thompson's Hardware store for nails and cut glass, and Crest Hardware, where one attended the yearly skate exchange. Wray's "five to a dollar" store and Holmes' Dollar store kept local kids supplied with toys and games. Every boy in Georgetown stared into the window of Joe's Tuck Shop, ey- ing the "Matchbox Toys" which Joe and Marg McClintock sold alongside their newspapers, tobacco and magazines. Goodlet's looked after all of George- town's appliance needs, from the now Shepherd's Crook location. Perhaps the most unique building on Main Street at the time was Fred Maveal's White Rose service station, at the corner of James and Main. The ga- rage featured a chalet style roof, with shutters on the windows of the upper stories. Don Herrington's Paint Shop (now Accountants on Main) supplied most homes in Georgetown with paint in those days. If McCormack's drug store didn't have what you needed, Bud Kentner or Stu Young probably did. Bud also sold photographic equipment in his drug store, outfitting me with my first 35 mm camera. Around the corner, on Mill St., one could attend a movie at the Roxy The- atre, and many a young fellow spent an afternoon absent from school at Ab William's billiards hall, across the street. Before Georgetown IGA was built, Main St. boasted two grocery stores; Superior Store, and Buck's Fine Foods on Mill. Last week I had an appointment downtown, and found myself looking for a parking spot. I felt a bit like some prodigal son returning home. When I started at the newspaper, The Indepen- dent & Free Press was located at 30 Main St. South, where Ollie's Cycle is located today. It was a great location-- every thing I needed was on Main St. I could step out of the office, mail a letter, do my banking, pick up prescrip- tions, and grab lunch numerous loca- tions. Today, the pace is different, a bit more relaxed, since its days as the bus- tling economic centre of town. Yet in some ways, little has changed. You can still mail a letter, do your banking, pick up prescriptions, and grab lunch. And for longtime residents of the town like me, one aspect will always remain alive. It's the memories. A Ted Bit They way we were, the way we are now... By Ted Brown tedbit@hotmail.com FRIDAY, MAY 15 The BelleRegards perform: 9 p.m. at Uncorked on Main, 72 Main St. S., Georgetown. No cover. The BelleRegards are a roots band known for their high- energy live shows with a mix of pretty ballads and fun folk tunes that'll get you moving. Info: www.BelleRegards.com. May Madness youth event: 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Acton Town Hall Centre. Come join us for an evening of mingling, pizza and inspirational performances and speeches, followed by a dance that you can't miss! Admission: $12/person $20 for 2 or $15 at door. Info: events@ inspirehalton.ca Georgetown Musictown Open Mic: 8:30 p.m. Fridays, at The Silvercreek Cafe, 112 Main St. S. in Georgetown. Share your musical talents. Info: www.George- townMusictown.com Acton Legion euchre: 7:15-9:45 p.m. Admission $2. Georgetown Legion euchre: 7 p.m. Admission $2. SATURDAY, MAY 16 Annual Plant Sale: 9 a.m. at the Acton Arena, 415 Queen St. Get some great deals on an excellent selection of perennials and shrubs for sun and shade including: ground covers, herbs, hostas, day lilies, iris and much more. Hosted by the Acton Horticultural Society. Norval Community Association Annual Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to noon at the 'Four Corners' in Norval. Plant sale in Glen Williams: Beauti- ful 10-inch mixed hanging baskets and geranium baskets will be on sale at St John's United Church, Glen Williams, at the annual plant and shrub sale. Deli- COMMUNITY CALENDAR cious muffins and coffee will be avail- able. SUNDAY, MAY 17 Bruce Trail Halton Hills Chapter Hike: Medium pace, moderate terrain, south of Hockley Valley approximately 10 km loop hike Depart at 10 a.m. from the Georgetown Market Place parking lot, south of the medical building, east of Walmart. Dropout points along the way. Dress for the weather, hiking boots required, bring adequate water/snacks/ lunch and bug repellent. Hike leader: Sara, 289-890-0439 saramaedel@hot- mail.com. Rising Stars concert: Tyler Brown (pianist) and Juliette Pomeroy (singer songwriter) will perform 2:30 p.m. at St. John's United Church, 11 Guelph St., Georgetown.For tickets call 905-877- 2531 or office@stjohnsuc.ca TUESDAY, MAY 19 TIFF Film Circuit: The Trip to Italy at the John Elliott Theatre. $10. Info: www. haltonhills.ca/theatre WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 The Inuit Outreach Project is col- lecting donations of new or gently used clothing and non-perishable food, which will be shipped to northern Inuit communities in need. Items will be ac- cepted each Wednesday until June 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the St. Paul's Anglican Parish Hall, 16 Ad- amson St. S., Norval. Bruce Trail Halton Hills Chapter Hike: Leisurely to medium pace, easy terrain, 5-6 km local hike. Depart at 9:30 a.m. from the Georgetown Market Place parking lot (usual spot). Afterwards, we'll stop for lunch at a local eatery (optional). Bring adequate water/snacks and bug repellent. Hike Leader: Angelika, 905- 877-7805 asgk.canada@sympatico.ca The North Halton Retired Teachers potluck: at 12 noon on Wednesday May 20 at Acton Town Hall Centre. A charge of $7 Will be collected. Newcomers call Cindy at 519-853-0133. Georgetown Horticultural Society meets 7:30 p.m. at St. George's Church, 60 Guelph St. with speaker Fiona Reid on Night Pollinators. Also Spring Flower Show. Info: www.geohort.com Youth Movie Night: 7:30 p.m. at the John Elliott Theatre. Movie details at www.haltonhills.ca/theatre. Cost $5.