HE STRATFORD Published Weekly by the Stratford Mirror Press, 125 Ontario St. BENSON JOHNSTON. EDITOR 8S Vol. 23 STRATFORD, == OCT. 26. 1945 A Live Hobby That's Profitable, Too! "Way back when Stratford had con- Siderable difficulty in coming up to the required qualifications as a city of 10,000 inhabitants, there was a large population of animals in the back yards. It was quite common for the householder to produce his own eggs, milk, butter and some even enjoyed their own pork. "Them was the days" when each member of the family had his or her own chore to do: collecting the eggs, bringing. home the cow from a nearby lot and the dozen and one things necessary to maintain the miniature farm. Fortunately, or unfortunately, those days have gone and our eggs, milk and butter are regularly delivered, without any effort on our part, to the house each day, so that it is no longer necessary for the whole family to be employed in providing for the table. In many respects this is a vast im- provement over the haphazard meth- ods of bygone days and more especial- ly from a health standpoint, as un- doubtedly many back yards were any- thing but sanitary under the condi- tions existing at that time. Then, too, in this connection, it was frequent- ly very disagreeable to the more par- ticular neighbor who was helpless to have any improvement effected. Out of all this, however, a number of people have provided themselves with a live hobby and a profitable one at that. Sixty years ago when these miniature city farms were all the vogue there came into being The Strat- ford and Perth County Poultry Associ- ation which, by the way, is holding its annual show in the Market Building on November 19, 20, 21, 1945. It is interesting, even now, to note the names of some of those who were responsible for the creation of this organization. The first officers were: president, J. B. Woods; vice-presidents, Dr. Hanavan and A. Johnston; secre- tary, E. Woodcock; treasurer, G. W. Lawrence; directors, W. Sanderson, G. Horne, J. lL. Corcoran, James O'Loane, John Stewart, C. F. Field, M. Swift, C. Pitcher and H. Kalb- fleisch. One of the pioneer makers of the incubator was Dr. E. H. Eidt and Wm. Eckert introduced the first Rhode Island Red into the district. The Stratford and Perth County Poultry Association is a very healthy organization under the able presidency of Roy Capling, with J. A. Bonfonte as the inspiring and capable secre- tary and the honorary presidents A. J. Bradshaw, Fred Edwards and Mayor Monteith. This live hobby has not only given these private poultry fan- ciers an interesting and profitable oc- cupation, but it has considerably re- lieved the shortage in chickens and eggs during the acute war years, and in addition saved those hobbyists ten to twenty cents a pound on their chicken dimmers and a me amount for a dozen eggs. Several good exhibitors ee keep poultry valued as high as ten to twenty and thirty dollars each, among them being: John Douglas, who raises Hampshires; Roy Butson, Leghorns and Anconas; and Wilbur Doer, Buff Orpingtons. The Stratford Association is doing a splendid work and deserves our heartiest support which can best be demonstrated by our attendance at their poultry show Nov. ingens: Stratford eA Chit-Chat M. HAMILTON LOSES STRATFORD GAINS A city is not measured by its build- ings, factories and banks, desir able as they may be, but in the type of people who comprise its citizenship, and Stratford stands pretty close to the top when measured by the stand- ard of its citizenship. Carl R. Linkert, who has taken over Gillies & Emm's business, is a young man who will be a valuable asset to our city. He was brought up in a good Hamilton home. Carl was an active member of the Y.M.C.A. Busi- nessmen's Club; being an enthusiast in Volley Ball and a past president of Hamilton Rosedale Tennis Club. Mrs. Linkert and their two children, a son and daughter, six and three, will move to Stratford if, and when, they can procure a house. The family are members of the Anglican Church. Mr. Linkert has been in the jewel- lery business for many years with A. G. Gauld in Hamilton, and is well qualified to conduct a high class busi- ness in Diamonds, Watches, Rings and Cut Glass. Fortunately he has a good connection in the trade and is adding new lines to the already well equipped stock. We are glad indeed to welcome him into Stratford's business circle and can commend him to our readers as a good citizen and reliable jeweller. Another Milestone Passed We wish to offer congratulations and Birthday Greetings to Northway's Store on having marked their sixty- ninth year in business. -Little can or need be said about a firm which has continued in business over such a lengthy period; this record speaks ably for itself. Mrs. Simmons, who so _ capably manages the local branch, tells us that the store in Stratford was open- ed in September of 1927 in the present location. We can only wish for all branches of this store many more successful years in business. Dare We Offend These Little Ones? No child asks to be brought into the world ,but once here surely they de- serve a fair chance; yet were it not for organizations such as the Chil- dren's Aid Society many would never have a chance to get love and care. The war was not all fought over there, but it left it's dread mark on many hearts and homes here in the homeland. We who have been for- tunate enough to have all the privi- lleges of home sometimes forget those less fortunate but from time to time we are reminded of those who are working tirelessly night and day to help those who cannot help them- selves. Mr. Keith, superintendent of this so- ciety, is very pleased with the results of the drive just drawing to a close, but if you have not yet done your bit, however small, won't you do it now and warm two hearts--yours and an- other's. The drive for funds for this worthy (Continued on page 8) Good Shoes Properly Fitted. 'BiOlY|D/'S) 1 Good Shoes properly fitted! L 99 ONTARIO ST. No. 43°! --= You Soon Won't Know The Place Repairs and improvements are con- stantly required to keep the Y.M.C.A.. building up to the required status for meeting the needs of the men and boys which it is intended to serve. Like all else, the war has greatly changed the requirements, so ever since Mr. R. A. Shanks took over the secretaryship last year he has beem trying to get things in shape to give 100% value to those whom it serves. One of the club rooms has_ been» leased by the C.N.R.A. and they have fully undertaken the task of making it comfortable, attractive and homelike for the C. N. Veterans who are honor- ary members of this . organization. They have done a most praiseworthy job and we do not doubt that the ap- preciation of those by whom it is used. will fully repay their efforts. What is best known as "The Duck: Club Room" has.been so completely transformed by use of paint, varnish, new upholstery, etc., that anyone not seeing it for awhile would scarcley re-- cognize the place. A much-needed new washroom has. been installed in the basement; the pool is repainted and new ladders in- stalled. Plans are being considered for modernizing the showers and some: tiling may be aone if suitable arrange- ments can be made for doing it. The only dingy Locker Room is now™ bright and clean as paint can make it, fro mtop to bottom. It has been di- vided so that part can be reserved for the use of the Business Men who will avail themselves of the use of the Pe All this and more has been accom- plished despite the fact that they have been working shorthanded. Alan Raegele, an old Stratford boy, who for some time was on the part-time staff, took a course at Lake Couchi- ching and gained very high standing, and last August he assumed full time service. He is doing splendid work and proving a wonderful helper to Mr. Shanks, who is missing him greatly these last weeks while he's been off with an attack of pneumonia. We are glad to report that he is making a splendid recovery and hope he will very soon be back on deck. The Fall and Winter work program, of which he is secretary, is being delayed by his. absence. The dining room has not been over- looked while changes were the order of the day, and its new drapes, fresh paint, varnish, etc., make it a much. more homelike place to eat. New fire escapes have been built to meet the regulations of the Fire De- partment and offer further safe--- guards. New eavetroughing solves some of the drainage problems which had been troublesome. The gymna- sium is taking on a new appearance, with apparatus, walls and floor all freshly painted. As a fitting climax for these many renovations we like to tell you of a dream about to be fulfilled in the form of a splendid new Kraft Shop in the basement. Stratford may well feel proud of the job that is making her "Y" stand high on the list of the most complete land modern buildings of its kind.