_ together of new and old members did STRATFORD MiRRG Published Weekly by the Stratford Mirror Press, 123 Ontario St. BENSON JOHNSTON. EDITOR Vol. 23 Central Choir Climaxes Centennial Celebrations _ Central United Church, which has been celebrating its One Hundredth _ Anniversary, honored former mem- bers of the choir last Sunday in fine style, when all past and present mem- bers were invited to enjoy and be en- _joyed for the week-end. Dr. F. J. R. _ Forster, Centennial chairman, had a splendid group assisting him for the choir reunion, headed by Frank Mason, chairman Oldtime Choir Com- -_ mittee, who, with Harold Wreford, choir president, and a strong commit- _ tee of both ladies and men made the affair all that could be desired. It was a really jolly group which met on Saturday night when an old- time choir practice was held under the direction of the choirmaster, Tal- man Gotby. His good-natured leader- ship was much appreciated, especially by many who had some _ difficulty bringing back their former vigor in the singing of some of the anthems such as: "The Splendors of Thy Glory, Lord" and "The Hallelujah Chorus." We understand, however, that in spite of this, they were well rendered. Sunday afternoon was probably the highlight of this particular part of the Centennial celebration. After- noon tea, served with a liberal supply of sandwiches, cake and fruit, added much cordiality to the occasion. Many guests from out of town had an op- portunity of meeting old friends and recalling interesting incidents of ear- lier years. Among these out-of-town guests were Mr. and Mrs. George H. Maitland, Prof. Manly Baker, Mrs. Collier Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Wally Hern, Mr. and Mrs. George Dingman and Margaret, Miss Nellie Forman, 'Miss Margaret Francis, Mrs. Fanny Miner, Will Norfolk, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hollingsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Porter, Mrs. Marie Moderwell and daughters, Misses Ella and Kath- erine, Misses Ella and Bertha Barker, Mrs. C. W. DeMille, Mrs. Wilcox, Mr. and Mrs. White, Mrs. Simester. Included in these were Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Dingman, who easily claimed first place. Mr. Dingman's long and valued services to the choir and his present keen interest in its progress Was recognized in the hearty recep- tion he received over the week-end. It was through his energetic endeavors that the present organ was installed. He still considers the members of the choir during his leadership as "his boys and girls," and they are proud to have so qualified to claim this rela- tionship. _ Central Choir has been, and is, a strong musical organization and the committee who planned and carried out so successfully the week-end get- a real service not only to the church directly but to the city as a whole. It is functions like these that help to foster the loyalty of those who have taken up residence in other places and in retaining that warm spot in _ their hearts for the old home town. TOMORROW'E KITCHEN A PLAYGROUND In tomorrow's push-button paradise, a wonderful new helper, named "Elec- _ tronics," will cook, sweep, wash the dishes and never walk out on you or ask for a raise. Read more details _ about this dream kitchen, as told by Homer Croy in The American Weekly | with this Sunday's (Nov. 4) issue of STRATFORD, NOV. 2, 1945 Stratford pew Chit-Chat For Auld Lang Syne Many a white-haired person wan- dered through the rooms of Central United Church this week-end recalling memories of happy childhood days spent there, and then there were the many reunions of friends who for many years had not seen each other, and had much to tell of changes which the years brings to all of us. The choir of long ago greatly enjoyed tak- ing once again their places in the old choir-loft, though they would not have liked any music critics to comment on their efforts. We heard one old-timer remark that it was quite a help to see the present-day choir sitting just be- low them ready to replace any casual- ties, but we believe their services were not required and the Centennial Ser- vices will long be remmebered in memory's links of happy days long past. The committees who worked long and tirelessly to make this great day possible were well rewarded for the mravellous response given by so many, some of whom travelled many miles to be once again in the old home church. Home Town Girls Among Visiting Artists Musical appreciation, which greatly adds to the standards of any city, is very apparent here in Stratford. The first of a very fine series of concerts sponsored by Perth Music Teachers Federation, was greeted by a full house, and all present were well re- warded with the first presentation by the University Conservative String Orchestra, (University of Western On- tario, London) under the very capable leadership of Bruce Sharpe. Kathleen Busby, of Toronto, and formerly of Edmonton, and Miss Mary Flanigan, who claims Stratford as home, were the guest artists and their solos were very specially enjoyed. Mr. Harvey Robb, Director of Music, was the accompanist. © Mr. H. W. Strudley, president of the Board of Directors, was rightfully proud and happy over the success of the first performance of the orchestra, which we might term his pet protege. He was naturally greatly pleased to have his own granddaughter, Miss Marian Dempsey, of Stratford, a mem- ber of the orchestra. We join in wishing for this orches- tra continued success in the season of concerts into which they are just en- tering, and specially to our own Strat- fordites, of whom we are all quite proud. They're Doing Their Share; Have You Done Yours? A great deal of the success of the present 9th Victory Loan campaign we feel is due to the splendid person- nel of the men who are in charge. Mr. A. E. Barron, of Fry and Co., Toronto, is unit organizer; Mr. T. B. Wilson, of Lampard and Frances, To- ronto, is payroll organizer; H. W. Hatch, of Hatch and McCarthy, (Continued on page 8) We have not all siz-s in ev CHILDREN'S SHOES AT BOYD'S is the best place to try first. erything but usually Boyd's Se e-7% 8 - 10)4 11 - 12 3 ' 6-8 8% -12 12% -3 ow boots}: 44 Boots| Low Boots Low Research...... Jack & Jill... SAVAGE + <50. ds Health ....2-..; 1.50 2.00 1.65 DOW Skipalong ..... 1.50 3.00 3.50 £25 2:49 NSTAIRS 2.29 2.49 4.00| 4.50 5.00 3.50 4.00 3.00 2.45 2.75 5.50 4.00 3.50 2.75 Lg 219 Hewetson ..... 1.291 1.99 2.19} 1.79 1.99 2.45 Good Shoes 99 Properly ONTARIO Fitted. ST. Detroit Sunday Times. iz 44° ----- 9 No. Our Capital Correspondent By Dean WILSON National Feeling One of the strangest reports to be heard out of this first peacetime ses- sion of Parliament is the apparent. strong opinion on all sides that World War I and II have served to increase: greatly national feeling in Ottawa so that evidence of this feeling is ap--- pearing more and more in the open. When several members addressed. the House of Commons urging that Canada shall be in a position to amend her own constitution without refer-- ence to the Parliament of Great Bri-- tain, it was most noteworthy that loud, sustained applause greeted the: words of the speakers, especially when: one member used the word "absurd'" and another the expressoin "it irks me." The "Canadian Citizenship Act," as presented in the House of Commons, has a very strong symptom of this national feeling since there are con-- crete indications of what the people are thinking through this action of many of their representatives. It is: quite evident that, as a direct result of World Wars I and II Canada's: whole status as a nation amongs na- tions has made great strides forward in many ways. Small Percentage The chairman of the Board of Re--- view of the War Service Grants Act,. Brig. C. B. Topp, has revealed in Ot- tawa that, at a minimum estimate,. only about three per cent. of all ser- vices personnel forfeited their gratu~ ities on account of dishonorable dis~ charges. Not Often Used Tt can be reported that, when an Administrator of the Government of Canada was named in the person of Chief Justice Thibadeau Rinfret dur- ing the short absence abroad of. the Earl of Athlone, there was an uncom- mon event in this capital. Usually the Chief Justice of Canada becomes the representative of the Governor-Gen- eral whenever the latter is absent from this capital for a short time, even in another part of the country, though it must be emphasized that, if this absence exceeds 30 days, then the Chief Justice must be sworn in as the Administrator and direct representa- tive of the Crown, with this being the case in the recent absence of the Eart of Athlone during his visit abroad. Of course, this has not happened often in the past. Many Canadians did not know this reason for swearing in the Chief Justice as Administrator of the Government of Canada instead of his carrying on his duties as the usual deputy governor for the duration of the absence of the Governor-General. Money and More Money There has been an increase during the fiscal year ended in Canada's net debt of no less than $2,558,000,000 and the total unmatured funded debt was $13,984,000,000, with the gross liabil- ities totalling $15,712,000,000. More- over, it is most enlightening to dis- close that the annual interest charges on the funded debt has amounted to $351,590,000 and the average rate of in- terest was 2.51 per cent. as contrasted with 2.54 per cent. at that time in 1944. (Continued on page 8)