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18 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 11, 1992 ject By Gladys Thompson For many years Lake Scugog was a real barrier dividing set- tlers in Cartwright from their neighbors in Reach Township. It was not until 1890 that a much dreamed of roadway con- necting the two was built. Previous to this, a bridge had joined Scugog Island and Reach, this being built by Onta- rio County at a cost of $25,000. This bridge was only about half the length of the proposed road on the east side of the Island, so itis a small wonder that the pro- had been repeatedly shelved for 20 years. But it had been a real hard- ship for Cartwright citizens having cause to visit or do busi- ness in Port Perry to have to travel around the south end of the lake in order to do so. The leader in this project was Joseph Bigelow, then the Reeve of Port Perry. He had many ob- stacles to overcome and for a year spent most of his time over- seeing the work personally to make sure that it would be a well-executed and permanent job. In this he was successful, for both Grand Trunk Railway and government engineers attested to the excellence of the struc- ture, which in those days was considered an engineering feat. However, Mr. Bigelow was not the only one who worked for this roadway, as many resi- dents of Port Perry, Cartwright, Reach, and Scugog subscribed to the funds used, in addition to grants from the Ontario govern- ment, Ontario County, Durham County, Grand Trunk Railway and the Corporation of Port Perry. A company was formed and the road began. The water not being deep, cedar posts 12 feet long were driven down through holes cut in the ice, and a road bed three to five feet deep and 24 feet wide, was put down around them, consisting of brush and timber. This was covered with three to four feet of earth with 10inch- es of gravel forming the final surface. It required one acre of cedar and tamarac swamp to supply timber for every 10 rods of road and 27 acres in all were used. A fence was built along each side using 18,000 feet of lumber. Luckily the cedar and tamarac were close at hand. I have been told that the bea- ver caused a lot of trouble when the road was first built and that a Mr. Davidson, living east of the lake, used to pull their dams apart with two long-handled forks or hooks. The completion of this cause- way really swelled the business of Port Perry merchants, for not only did their new customers come from Cartwright but from the west part of Manvers as well. Farmers there must have been just as pleased to be able to deal in Port Perry so easily in- stead of going to Bowmanville or Lindsay or driving around the head of the lake. In winter the roads were quite passable and comfortable to travel, but in summer they were quite rough. In 1925 the causeway became a good gravel road and in the early 1930s it was paved. This causeway was to become in our time a part of Provincial Highway 7A. Our own Dr. M. Dymond was responsible for its last face-lifting and to him we are very grateful. But I wonder what Mr. Bige- low would have thought when he was so zealously building a good roadway, if he had dreamed that he was laying the foundation for a section of pro- vincial highway. This article, written by Gla- dys Thompson, is part of the ar- tifacts at the Scugog Shores Mu- seum. Photos are also courtesy of the museum. outg Stay in shape with A etting bored! For over 1,000 years, the martial arts have been helping people stay in shape through a unique blend of stretching, cardiovascular conditioning and fun. The martial arts are ! the best way to help you stay in shape. BRT RRA 2 ots A § SMC San ) ADRIANA Lo 47 (Our programs include: ~ MW Great stretches lo maintain and increase flexibility. Fun cardiovascular workouts to improve your lilness and stamina. Relaxation techniques to reduce you of stress. (Drills to improve your balance, coordination and self control. Self defense skills. cam ov anly N br Wea ha. WA ADA Come in today and find out how good a martial arts program can make you feel! Ang | = TTT Call 985-0205 Today | HIRYU BUSHIDO KAI Martial Arts Centre 15258 Simcoe St., Port Perry / BER Community News Ideas?) _ Call The Port Perry Star 985-7383 Local singers seeking stage job A local group has a'chance of winning a role in the upcoming production of "Joseph's Amaz- ing Technicolor Dream Coat." "Northern Explosion", a group of 25 girls from R. H. Cor- nish Public School and Port Perry High School have been re- hearsing for sometime in the hopes of winning one of a few spots in this new musical set for the stage beginningin May. Under the direction of Dawn Taylor, Port Perry High School's vocal music teacher, and Harvey Friede R.H. Cor- nish's choirmaster, the group presented two selections by tape for arecent try out. Last week the group received Alaska King Crab Legs Small Surf-N-Turf OFFER VALID SUNDAY - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16-MARCH 20,1992 * All meals served with Caesar Salad. Seafood and Steak House Amadeus would like to thank their customers for their patronage over the past years by offering a new Special. *14.95 *12.95 EVERY DAY DINNER SPECIALS » Roast Prime Beef « New York Steak & Shrimps » Seafood Plate Open 7 days a week Lunch Served Monday-Iriday. Banquet Facilities Available. 1180 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa 436-9333 or 436-9065 *9.99 a call back to perform at a fur- ther audition on Feb. 18 at the Pantages Theatre in Toronto. Another audition could follow that appearance. If the group passes all the au- ditions, it will perform during the play's summer run in Toron- to at Elgin Theatre from May 20 to Sept. 7 as part of a chorus. "It's a lot of work, but it would be a real honor if we could be in this," Ms. Taylorsaid. Bridge results Feb. 5 - Afternoon 6 Table Mitchell - Avg. 60 North/South First - Hoppy Carnwith and Bea Chapman 7115. Second - Joyce Heard and Helen Mathieson 70. Third - Georgia Brock and Ed Clark 681%. Fourth - Doris Phinney and Judy Atkinson 67%. East/West First - Marie Carnegie and Gwen Rennie 811%. Second - Grace Love and Minnie Fisher 69. Third - Illene Wilton and Joan McNab 66. Fourth - Gord Carnegie and Harry Carnegie 50. Evening 4, Table Howell - Avg. 36 First - Judy and Don Atkinson 5015. Second - Doreen Bernhardt and Bev Sefton 46. Third - Leslie Brown and Harry Tripp 39. Fourth - Miriam and Charles Labanovich 3815.