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22- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 30, 1995 £0th Anniversary Town Hall 1873... in the beginning By Wm. Brock The Town Hall was built in 1873, one of the first acts of the first coun- cil of the newly incorporat- ed village. For 70 years it was to be the centre for cultural and recreational rr ES ST aX ( Rh oD activities in the communi- ty. The high school built at Rosa and Queen Streets was built in the same year without gymnasium or au- ditorium, so that the new hall downtown was used Congratulations to Town Hall 1873 4 i = 2 UE vo ERE ! Settlement House Shops 183 Queen St., Port Perry 985-8234 Town Hall 1873 for all school commence- ments, dances, plays and variety programs. The stu- dents enjoyed this ar- rangement, for they were able to make one school dance last out three even- ings - the night before a party to decorate, the big night itself, and a clean up party the "following eve- ning. In those early years many parents also attend- ed, and after dutifully par- ticipating in the opening reel, they would retreat to card tables arranged at the back for Euchre or Whist. Occasionally a masked ball would be held, and on one occasion, all of the girls secretly exchanged dresses before the big night so that the confusion of the boys was doubted as they sought out their fa- vorite partners. Before the turn of the century, rollerskating was a popular pastime, and the Town Hall's flooring was laid especially for this purpose. A fan-shaped sec- tion was inserted in both ends of the floor so that at no point would you have to turn off a plank and risk being upset in the crack between the boards. This floor is still there, and it is worn in an oval shape, tes- timony to the many miles the young people skated over its surface. The skates themselves had wooden rollers and one local lady can remem- ber the constable, Mr. Thank you Town Hall 1873 for yet another 20 years of successful involvement within the community. Brian fordan CCOor ating INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATING Painting, Paperhanging, Faux Finishes, Stenciling. Call for a free initial consultation 1-800-361-101 5 your 20th Anniversary in the Township of Scugog As Mayor, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the initiative of many ° "individuals that have contributed to this very important and necessary cultural facility. The success of any entertainment centre is measured by its ability to meet the people and the Town Hall Board of Directors have responded positively to those needs. In recognition of the dedication of all associated, I believe it is very fitting for the Council of the Township of Scugog to celébrate with appropriate observances. I - would like to extend to all the members of 'Town Hall 1873, best wishes for a memorable & successful anniversary. | W. Howard Hall Mayor "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" 20th Anniversary Robert McKnight, giving the skates away when skating went out of fash- ion. Another can remember rummaging in a box in the balcony in about 1912 and finding a few old broken skates which had been left there. The Town Hall was the scene of musical and dra- matic events in bewilder- ing variety. There was great excitement when Miss Drake would come to town. She would stay for two weeks, and at the end of the time everyone would crowd in for the play she had produced in that time using purely local talent. Around 1900, the now- famous Indian poetess Pauline Johnson would come in with a troup of musicians and elocution- ists. Dressed in a beautiful beaded leather costume, feather and head-band, and with a neck-lace of ea- gle claws, she could hold the audience spellbound as she recited her own works. Every year the Guy Brothers came with their travelling minstrel show, and inspired many acts in the amateur minstrel shows which were pro- duced locally later in the season. We extend congratulations on your 20th Anniversary. We are proud of your heritage in the community. Court sessions were a regular feature of life in the Town Hall. The judge had an immense wooden chair from which he pre- sided. It was always used in dramatics to enthrone a king or queen should the script call for it. The chair was at some point re- moved to the Memorial Li- brary, from which it disap- peared. (Does anyone know where?) Court sessions were as formal as could be expect- ed under the circumstanc- es. One local character was known for some time by the nick-name 'Hello Ed! On being led into the court by the constable to appear before the August figure of Magistrate Pur- dy, he broke into smiles and hauled the judge with 'Hello Ed!" It broke up the court temporarily, but did not lessen the penalty in- curred for the misdemean- or. When war came in 1914, the Town Hall played its part as the scene of many fundraising balls, concerts and meetings. One of the concerts was given by the local branch of the Edith Cavell Society, a women's patriotic society whose lo- cal members were given medals by the Belgian Turnto Page 23 2 BR@CK'S 168 Queen St., Port Perry (905) 985-2521 BR@CK'S for Kids 178 Queen St., Port Perry (905) 985-8797