Postal Staff Holds Picnic Thursday, August 1st, 1963 – The Oshawa Times
The annual picnic for employees of the Oshawa Post Office was held recently at Paulynne Park. Over 200 people attended and enjoyed a very fine afternoon.
Oshawa Times, August 1, 1963
Squires Have New Counsellor Thursday, August 1st, 1963 – The Oshawa Times
Jerry Powers, who has been appointed by the Oshawa Knights of Columbus as chief counsellor for the Columbian Squires, took over his duties last Sunday.
Mr. Powers comes to Oshawa from the Kingston Council of the Knights of Columbus where he was a member of
the executive and very active in teen age boys work. He was a counsellor for the Knights of Columbus boys’ camp at Buckhorn Lake and held various positions in the Kingston Council.
The Columbian Squires of Oshawa have extended sincere appreciation to their past counsellor, Bob Simcoe, who was outstanding in his year’s work.
Oshawa Times, August 1, 1963
Two-Car Collision Thursday, August 1st, 1963 – The Oshawa Times
Vehicles driven by Aileen Gibbs, 383 Mary street north and Ronald Robert Cyr, 567 Olive Avenue, collided Wednesday at Bond and Simcoe streets. Damage was estimated at $125 by Constable P. Mandryk.
Oshawa Times, August 2, 1963
Department Relaxes Friday, August 2nd, 1963 – The Oshawa Times
The Oshawa Fire Department reported that there were no fire calls or ambulance calls overnight.
Oshawa Couple Win Trophy
Friday, August 2nd, 1963 – The Oshawa Times
Mr. and Mrs. William Joyce of Oshawa captured the Carter Trophy for the second consecutive year in the mixed doubles lawn bowling tournament Wednesday at Bowmanville.
Gallagher and Mrs. R. Mann, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Morrison, all of Oshawa, won second and third prizes, respectively, for three wins.
Sam MacMillan and Mrs. MacMillan were high for two wins with G. Scott and his partner, of Peterborough, in second place. The prizes for high score with one win went to Mr. and Mrs. V. Highfield, of Port Hope.
Oshawa Times, August 3, 1963
Gets Six Months In Bigamy Case
Saturday, August 3rd, 1963 – The Oshawa Times
Sentence of six months’ imprisonment was imposed at Oshawa Magistrate’s Court Friday on William James Ward, 240 Ritson Road South, Oshawa, when he appeared for sentence on a charge of going through a form of marriage and committing bigamy at Downsview, County York, on April 14, 1962.
Magistrate H.W. Jermyn told Ward: “I don’t suppose I need emphasize the seriousness of a crime of this nature. It strikes at the very roots of society when it attacks the sanctity of the family unit.”
Underpass Open Saturday, August 3rd, 1963 – The Oshawa Times
The Farewell street underpass, Oshawa’s improved entrance to the city’s Industrial Park, is open to traffic today, the city engineer’s department reports. Ritson road north paving has been completed to Rossland road east.
With twelve words, Astronaut Neil Armstrong left his mark on 20th century history: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the surface of the moon, followed minutes later by Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin. The crew of the Apollo 11 mission was rounded out by pilot Michael Collins, who remained in lunar orbit during the moon landing.
Oshawa Times, 21 July 1969
The eight day mission of the Apollo crew was many years in the making. The ‘Space Race’ competition between the United States and the USSR began in the 1950s, ramped up with John F. Kennedy’s promise in 1961 to put an American on the moon by the end of that decade, and was essentially won with the landing of Apollo 11. The event was watched live by millions, the footage has been played and replayed countless times, and the events of this and other space missions have been dramatized through the years. The lunar landing captivated those in 1969 and continues to inspire today.
The people of Oshawa were naturally caught up in the events leading up to the launch, and the Oshawa Times from that week show how it was being reported. On July 14, along with an article about how the astronauts were feeling ahead of the mission, the Times reported how the mission was to be televised and what viewers could expect. “More people throughout the world are expected to watch the Apollo 11 moon flight on television than any previous single event,” the Times stated. “Virtually every country – including some Communist nations – has planned television, radio, and newspaper coverage of the event, and Venezuela has declared a public holiday because of the lunar landing’s ‘great importance for the history of mankind.’” The article further warned viewers not to expect high quality images from when Armstrong first steps on the surface. Another article which appeared later in that edition talked about the job for the medical doctor who was to monitor the health of the astronauts before, during, and after the mission, which included a 21 day quarantine after returning to earth, in case of ‘space germs.’
Oshawa Times, 15 July 1969
On July 15, the Times reprinted a message to the astronauts sent by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, reading “Man has reached out and touched the tranquil moon. Puisse ce haut fait permattre a l’homme de redecouvrir la terre et d’y trouver la paix (May this great feat permit man to rediscover the earth and to find peace there).”
“An aura of Buck Rogers surrounds the big news story of the week – probably the biggest news story of the century,” the Times reported in their editorial on July 15. “Never before have men set out on a more hazardous or complex mission… As we marvel at the courage and skill of the astronauts the wish can only be God speed and a safe return.”
When Apollo 11 launched on the morning of Wednesday, July 16, it dominated the front page of the Oshawa Times including one picture of the rocket taking off and one of Neil Armstrong. An article also featured on the front page highlights a Canadian connection to the mission, “Apollo Astronauts to Land with Made-In Quebec Legs.” Heroux Machine Shops of Longueuil, Quebec manufactured the landing gear for the lunar module. Further in the paper was an amusing addition of tips for the astronauts from Edmonton Grade 4 students. Anecdotes included: “If I go to the moon I would surely bring my records because there is a lot of dancing on the moon because there is no gravity,” and “I would bring a flag of Canada. And make a flag of the moon. And the designs will be a moon and me sitting on it. The moon would be yellow. I would be a stick lady and the sides would be black.”
Oshawa Times, 16 July 1969
On July 18, a small article ran on the front page under the headline “62 Would Go on Moon Trip,” and the article reads as follows:
Montreal (CP) – Air Canada is accepting reservations for its first flight to the moon.
Sixty-two have been made so far, a spokesman said Thursday.
No price is quoted and no down payment requested but the airline is serious about the matter, the spokesman said.
All you have to do is make a reservation for the flight and let Air Canada know where you can be reached. If you are high enough on the reservations list, the airline will contact you when the details of the inaugural moon flight are known to find out whether you still want to go at the price you will have to pay.
With 20/20 hindsight, we know that the mission was successful, but on July 18, the outcome of Apollo 11 was still unfolding; “Death Waits if Astronauts Become Marooned,” a headline on page 3, bleakly spelled out the worst case scenario for the mission. “Death awaits the Apollo astronauts of they become marooned on the moon – and they know it for theses is no rescue vehicle that could save them.”
In that same edition, many notable Oshawa citizens shared their thoughts on the moon landing. MPP Clifford Pilkey said “The tremendous technical repercussions should reflect a better life for all people; I hope that this much scientific know-how can be generated to attack problems in other areas too.” A 97-year-old Col R.S. McLaughlin, although “keenly interested in the whole thing” didn’t think he should stay up after 2am to watch the landing happen live. Ald. Ruth Bestwick said, “I’m not against the moon landing, but I think the money could be put to better use,” while fellow Ald. Gordon Attersley said “The walk will prove to man that nothing is impossible. Many of us place too many limitations on ourselves.”
The landmark event took place in the early hours of Sunday, July 20; the Oshawa Times did not put out a paper on Sundays in 1969, so the following day was filled with coverage of the landing. In fact, the Times suggested its readers “file this copy of The Oshawa Times for reference in the years to come… Really, what else is in news today?” They included photos from the surface of the moon, the entire transcript of the landing, reactions of Canadians to the event, local reactions, and more.
Said Mayor Hayward Murdoch: “Fantastic. Thrilling. The human aspect as well as the technological evolution that has gone on to bring this about is almost beyond the average person’s comprehension. The next big thrill is to see them get off there today.”
Finally, Oshawa was one of countless communities who sent congratulations to Washington. Mayor Murdoch sent a telegram to President Richard Nixon, the text of which was printed in the Times on July 22. “We respectfully ask that you accept our congratulations for the tremendous human and technical accomplishments of Mr. Neil Armstrong, Col. Edwin Aldrin and Col. Michael Collins and their back-up crew. Their contribution to world history has thrilled many thousands and we request you convey our gratitude for a job well done and a safe and speedy return home.”
The following article was originally written by Jo Aldwinkle and was published Mar 6, 1967, in the Oshawa Times. We have annotated the article to provide reference and make connections to the OM collection.
Attractive Bungalow Built in 1854 Withstands Inroads of Commerce and One-Way Traffic
The leaded, bevelled glass panel in the front door beams a welcome and a mellow atmosphere of gentle living enfolds you as you step over the threshold of one of Oshawa’s oldest houses.
Inside the Ellis home, c. 1970; photo from the Oshawa Museum archival collection (AX010.70.12)
Situated on the corner of Centre and Athol streets, the charming, bungalow-type house with its long French window and dark yellow shutters is owned and occupied by Miss Greta Ellis whose parents purchased the property at the turn of the century.
Greta Ellis was born 1888 in Oshawa, a daughter of Frederick E. Ellis and Mary Myrtle Henry (1866-1962); her maternal grandparents were Albert Henry (1837-1917) & Harriet Guy (1843-1866), making her great-grandparents Thomas Henry, Lurenda Henry, and Thomas Guy and Harriet Cock Guy.
Mary Myrtle Henry (1866-1962), photo from the Oshawa Museum archival collection (A017.20.77); of note, the photographer was Oshawa based C.L. Lewis
Records show that the house was built in 1854 for a Doctor Joseph Clark and his wife, the former Elizabeth Cameron of Toronto. The house stood on an eighth of an acre of land which was neatly landscaped with winding walks, arbors and shrubberies.
The address for this home was 31 Centre Street South, NE corner of Centre and Athol. Today, this is the location of Michael Starr Building/parking; the Clark-Ellis house is no longer standing.
Clark-Ellis House, c. 1970, from the Oshawa Museum archival collection (AX010.70.3)
At that time a wide verandah encompassed the house on all sides. Built of mud and straw bricks and covered with stucco inches thick and the gleaming outer walls are twenty inches thick and the gleaming floors are made of pegged pine.
In a day when a finished basement was almost unknown, Dr. Clark’s house was unique. His spacious basement was completely finished and divided to include a consulting room and office, approached by a side door, down a few steps; a large kitchen and laundry and sleeping quarters for the domestic held. A dumb waiter transported food and dishes to a pantry above.
Oshawa’s eternal problem of mud and slush was even more aggravating in the days of board-walks than it is today and Miss Ellis recalled a story that she had heard in this regard concerning Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Clark.
“It was told,” Miss Ellis said, “that when the doctor and his wife walked out after dark and you must remember, there were no street lights, they had a maid carrying a lantern walking backwards before them to light their footsteps.”
About the turn of the century, Mr. And Mrs. Ellis purchased the property and added to it without changing the original plans.
The wide central hall gives a sense of spaciousness and the 33 foot long living room is well proportioned with a marble mantelpiece set between the French windows. The doors are wide and heavily bordered and the skirting around the walls is 24 inches high.
Inside the Ellis home, c. 1970; photo from the Oshawa Museum archival collection (AX010.70.9)
A portrait of Elder Thomas Henry, Miss Ellis’ great-grandfather, dominates the room and portraits of her grandmother, the former Harriet Guy and great-great-grandmother, bear him company.
The portrait of Thomas Henry was donated to the Oshawa Museum as part of the Ellis estate. The portrait included with the original article is the same one now on display in the Henry House study. The OM does not have any portraits of Harriet Guy Henry in its collection; we have a digital copy of Harriet Cock Guy (her great-grandmother), and we have the life-sized Harriet Trevithick Cock portrait on display in the Verna Conant Gallery. If this is the same portrait being referred to in the article, it is unclear.
Thomas Henry, as displayed in the Henry House study, Oshawa Museum collection (A973.13.1)
From these gentle women, the late Mrs. Ellis inherited her skill in needle craft. Her daughter treasures a patchwork quilt, composed of pieces of silk, satin, and velvet, joined by fancy feather-stitching that her mother made for her trousseau.
Again, the artefact photographed for the article was donated to the OM as part of the Ellis Estate. This quilt is in fragile condition and is not always on exhibit. The needlework is indeed impressive.
Henry family quilt, in the collection of the Oshawa Museum (973.13.2)
Most beautiful of all are her decorative pieces of raised embroidery on crimson velvet. The examples shown depict white velvet roses with calyx, stems and leaves in shaded green chenille and a cluster of hydrangea, the flowers mounded high and each floret applied separately.
All articles originally appeared in the Oshawa Times
March 1, 1967 Starr’s Early Campaign to be in low key
By Ken Clark
It’s the low-key approach for Michael Starr in his slow starting bid for the Conservative leadership to be decided at a Sept 6-9 convention in Toronto
“There’s plenty of time to get into high key,” the former labor minister told a reporter in his office Tuesday. “that will be done in the last two months before the convention”
Mr. Starr, Conservative floor leader in the Commons, eased into the race where others dramatically jumped. He finally committed himself last weekend in Oshawa, core city of Ontario riding which he has represented in the Commons since 1952. …
Mr. Starr says he’s moving slowly on his campaign but has stepped up his public appearances in the last two weeks. He has just completed an Ontario swing.
Asked how he would appeal to youth, a big voting bloc at the convention, the 56 year old MP said
“I’ve never had any problems appealing to youth. I think young. I’m interested in today, tomorrow, and the future. What has gone on in the past is history.”
March 2, 1967 War of 1812 Was Brewing Long Before it Broke Out
By Bob Bowman
The War of 1812 was brewing for a long time before it actually broke out. There was more reason for war in 1807 than there was in 1812. The Americans who wanted to fight Britain, with Canada the most important objective, were known as the “war hawks.” They finally got their way when it was learned that a Capt. John Henry had been spying for Britain in the New England states.
Henry had been engaged by Sir James Craig who was Governor of Canada from 1807-1811. He was given “most secret” instructions to learn if the Federalists in New England would side with Britain in case of war and break away from the USA.
Henry was told that he might insinuate, though with the greatest caution, that if any of the Federalist leaders wished to enter into communication with the British government through Sir James Craig, that he (Henry) was authorized to receive any communications and deliver them.
His first report to Governor Craig was on March 2, 1808 and he claimed that New England was ripe for secession and would form an alliance with Britain in the event of war.
After making a number of similar reports, Henry tried to get a permanent job with the British government but was rejected. He was so angry that he sold copies of his correspondence with Governor Craig to the US State Department for $50,000.
They were read to Congress and declared to be “an act of still greater malignity than any other outrage against the United States.” War soon followed and although the New England States did not secede they did as little as possible. In fact part of the State of Maine was captured by the British and its citizens took the oath of allegiance. Money earned from a customs office there was used later to found Dalhousie University in Halifax.
Arrested in Conspiracy: Clay Shaw (center) is led away from the New Orleans district attorney’s office after he was arrested and accused of taking part “in a conspiracy to assassinate President John F. Kennedy.” Shaw was taken from the office in handcuffs by district attorney assistants.
Murder Conspiracy Charge Laid Against Clay L. Shaw
New Orleans (AP) – Clay L. Shaw, wealthy retired director of the International Trade Mart, has been booked on a charge of “conspiracy to commit murder” in the District Attorney Jim Garrison’s first arrest in the Kennedy assassination investigation.
“There will be more arrests, a considerable number of them,” said Garrison, who has been conducting an investigation of the assassination of the President John F. Kennedy for the last five months.
Shaw, 54, a decorated army major in the Second World War, was released on $10,000 bond after his arrest Wednesday night. His luxurious French quarter home was searched for nearly three hours by Garrison’s agents…
March 3, 1967 – City Centennial Project One-Third Completed: George Price, right, Sunnyside Park Neighborhood Association treasurer, looks out on the construction of the Civic Auditorium addition. Explaining some of the features of the city’s centennial project is Robert E. Wilson, a director of the auditorium. Mr. Price made a donation to the building fund on behalf of Sunnyside Park, located at Stacey and McKim Streets for the new recreation complex. The addition is one-third finished according to Harry Gay, building committee chairman. “We are progressing well,” said Mr. Gay, “and we expect to complete the building before Sept. 1.”
March 6, 1967 Vanier Always Had Plenty of Time For All Oshawa School Children
Governor General Georges Philias Vanier, who died peacefully at Rideau Hall, Ottawa, Sunday, was cheered by thousands of Oshawa people during his 1965 visit here. His great warmth, dignity and vice-regal elegance impressed those who saw and met him.
He was a special way of quickly integrating himself with those with whom he came in contact, regardless of their position in life.
He gave a good demonstration of this Sept. 24, 1965 when he addressed thousands of city school children in Memorial Park who had been given a special holiday for the occasion. They were cheering and applauding him with courteous concern from the outset. He didn’t diminish his stock with them when he announced that they would have a special holiday on the following Friday.
During their 20 mile auto tour of the city, the governor-general and Mrs. Vanier stopped several times to chat with school children grouped alongside the route. Their excellencies also made an unscheduled stop at Hillsdale Manor to shake hands with some senior citizens seated in front of the building.
Lyman Gifford, then mayor, presented the distinguished guests with four replicas of Oshawa-made autos, at a civic luncheon.
The governor-general constantly made references to “the happy, well-nourished children he saw here and added “They are a guarantee of what our future will be:
The governor-general also paid tribute to RS McLaughlin on that visit. He pointed out that Col. McLaughlin’s imagination and genius made his name famous throughout the country, but that “Mr. Sam’s” love for the Motor City had never diminished…
Before their departure, the governor-general said he was much impressed with the “beauty and friendliness of the Motor City.”
March 7, 1967 200 Students May Attend New College
“Community colleges are going to help make Canada more competitive in world markets and, at the same time, provide new paths in enjoyment of a rewarding life,” Dr. Gordon F. Willey, president of the new Ontario Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology, said at the Rotary Club of Oshawa Monday
Dr. Willey said the college will offer technological courses similar to those offered by the Ryerson Institute of Technology: technical and trade courses as well as business courses and applied arts subjects.
It will take care of those who cannot afford to go to a university as well as those who fail at these institutions of higher learning, he said.
It is planned to start classes this fall with an enrollment of about 200 students in the technology and business centres. The college at first will occupy temporary or converted buildings, but that it is hoped by the end of the third year to have permanent facilities.
“We are planning a market survey to ascertain what the community wants and to visit industries to find out what skills are needed in the area,” Dr. Willey said.
He explained that the community colleges are institutions of continued learning past the secondary school level where courses in skills and occupational work will be geared to the needs of the community and meet the needs of the students. Some students, after completing their course, may go on to university…
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