Brian Winter'%s H istori*cal eÀWhietby 1897 JUBILEE (Continued from last week) After the participants had marched onto the track at the exhibition grounds, in front of the grandstand, Charles King of Whitby, Warden of Ontario County, opened the official proceedings. He could not seem to avoid bringing politics into his speech, suggesting the Jubilee could be comnemorated by the county building a home for the poor in Whitby, He was followed by William Ross, Reeve of Port Perry, who read Queen Victoria's Coronation oath from a 1837 which was owned by the wife of one of the former county council members. A speech outlining the life and deeds of Queen Victoria was delivered by John Dryden MPP, who repre- sented Ontario Soutli in the Legisiature and was Ontario's Minister of Agriculture. Mr. Dryden owned a farm near Brooklin. The official ceremonies concluded with Capt. A. G. Henderson of the 34th Battalion (now Ontario Regiment) reading a telegram of greeting fron Queen Victoria to her Gnadian subjects. The program at the exhibition grounds continued with demonstrations of gymnastics and field exercises by the school children, and the Boys' Brigades from St. John's Anglican Church at Port Whitby, and from Oshawa pre- sented a marching drill. Each child who participated in the Jubilee festivities was presented with a flag and a souvenir hankerchief. This week we continue our account of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Whitby, held on June 22, 1897. The afternoon program at the exhibition grounds on the east side of Garden Street opposite the present Whitby Senior Public School, continued with a grand bicycle display on the track, with 25 entries *of decorated bicycles,. Cyclists from Brooklin, Port Perry, Oshawa and Picker- ing, as well as Whitby, entered and competed for prizes in men's and ladies' categories. There were also prizes of $10, $6 and $4 for the rural school making the best aisplay in the parade. After the bicycle display, the remainder ot the atternoon was taken up withl sports and games including toot races and bike races. The cannon boomed out a signal to halt the proceedings at 6:15 p.m., with still several events left to go. Decorated trains had brought huidreds of visitors in from Oshawa and from the northern rural communities, and Oshawa had put off its Jubilee celebrations to July i in order that they would not conflict with Whitby's. The entire Jubilee celebrations cost between $500 and $600 and to recoup some of these costs, admission fees to the exhibition grounds were 15 cents per person for men and 10 cents for ladies and children. The Ontario County Council contributed $50 toward the military parade, and the councillors were much in evidence in the parade. At 9 p.m. a crowd of 2,000 people marshalled in a field near the town to watch a bonfire arranged by the Sons of Scotland, Whitby Highland Club and the St. Andrew's Society of Whitby and Pickering. The 34th Regiment Band and Citizens' Band attended, along with a parade of illurninated bicycles. As the bonfire of old boxes burst into flames, the people formed a circle around it and sang "God Save the Queen" and "Auld Lang Syne". This was followed by a fireworks display. The main streets of Whitby were decorated like they 1IITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1977, PAGE 7 had never been betore, in honor~of the Jubilee. Evergreen trees were planted along Brock Street and flags hung from the buildings along the parade route. The decoration committee sold flags at wholesale prices at Andrew M. Ross's dry goods store. Many homes in Whitby were decorated for the Aibilee, and Dr. Frank Warren's home and the Court House were illuminated at night. The Royal Hotel, one of the most fashionable in the town, was well decorated. The newspapers of the day reported that the roads were very dusty on Jubilee day, but there were few cases of dr.unkenness at the celebrations. It was pointed out to all who cared to take note, that anyone attending the Queen's Jubilee would not live to see a Diamond Jubilee against in their lifetime. Since 1897 there has been only one other Royal Jubilee, the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935, prior to Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee this year. The Victorians had a way of overstating things, and one quotation from the Whitby Chronicle of 1897 sums up what they thought of the Queen's Jubilee. The paper stated: "Next to the advent of Jesus Christ and His great salvation, the diamond jubilee of Good Queen Victoria is the most auspicious event of ail historý"'. Registration is next week for summer programs Registrations will be taken next week for a number of recreation depa rtmnn tsummer programs. Registration for summer tennis instruction at beginner and continuing levels will be June 20 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the south entrance of the new municipal building on Rossland Road. Registration for summer swiimning instruction will be June 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Whitney Hall in the iroquois Park complex for July and August sessions. Addîtional registration where room permits for the August program will be accepted on July 26 at Whitney Hall from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration for summer ball hockey, (a new program) will be June 20 at the Iroquois Park Arena. This program for boys aged 10to 14 willfeature two ganes per week, Monday to Friday at 6 p.m., starting June 27. There will be 10 games to the league champion- ships, with playoffs during the County Town Carnival Weekend. IHigh School students or adults interested in coaching or officiating may call the arena at 668-7765 or 668-7766. Roller skat ing programs are already proceeding Thursday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for ages 14 and over. This program is held in the iroquois Park Arena. Summer teen disco dances Great grandfather aged 75 wins A 75-year-old great grand- father who resides in Whitby, won the grand prize at a "Gong Show" held June 1 at the Holiday Inn in Oshawa. AI Living, of 409 Centre St. S., Apt. 205; won ah all- expense-paid weekend for two at the Holiday Inn when he competed against five other performers in the Gong Show. Mr. Living played a medley of tunes by AI Jolson, on the harmonica. His competition included three rock bands, a comedian and a girl singer. 'I Mr. Living is a volunteer who entertains patients at the Whitby Psychiatric Hospi- tal with his music, along with Michael Rogers, a mem- will be held at the Iroquois Park Arena from 8 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 24, July 8, Aug. 1 2 and Aug. 26. Record- ed nmusic will be provided by a disc jockey. For further information on any of these programs, call the recreation department on Gong Show ber of the rock band at the Holiday Inn. Mr. Rogers suggested that Mr. Living enter the Gong Show at the Inn. braziet Every Tuesday - 5 p.m. to il p.. BMFJt FRIES and wr DINK! only 235 Simcoe Street S., OSHAWA 1003 Dundas Street E., WHITBY -Reg. trademark Canadian Trademark Office - American DAIRY QUEEN Corporation.