Big Al's Birthday

It was a night of bedlam and comedy as the Hastings County Historical Society hosted its annual banquet and celebration of local history on Saturday, October 27^th.   The Travelodge Hotel Ballroom was a sell-out for the comedy murder mystery dinner theatre, “Big Al Capone Celebrates his Birthday with Rumrunner Buddies from the Bay of Quinte”.  Professional actors from “It’s A Mystery To Me Productions” of Hamilton animated the evening.

As the evening began, one of Big Al’s gangster buddies, recently released from prison, showed up by surprise at the party.  However, he was electrocuted  as he took the microphone to make a speech.  For the rest of the evening, Big Al Capone and four of his gangsters were pursued by Detective Karumba, who bore a striking resemblance to TV’s Detective Colombo.  

Many of the audience dressed in 1920 costumes,
shady gangsters, sparkling molls, stylish
flappers delighted the audience and
added to the atmosphere of the 1920s.

The audience was fully drawn into the action, with loud “ohs” and “ahs” as the mobsters moved through the crowd avoiding the questions of the Detective.  As dessert was served, the decision on the guilty party was turned over to be voted on by the audience.  These votes were reviewed by Detective Karumba with hilarious results.  The final winner was . . .

The best male costume prize went
to John Lowry, a particularly sharp
underworld figure with his own
tommy gun in hand.

The best female costume went
to flapper, Judy Cleary.

 






 












  

The styles and times of the 1920s were also brought to life in a
display of historical photos and a video show of local scenes.

This evening was an important fund raising event for the Historical Society.  Twenty-five local businesses and individuals sponsored the event, raising funds for the new Community Archives.  

Door prizes were donated by several Prince Edward County wineries, brewery and cider maker.   Many thanks go to these generous local businesses. 

Story Donna Fano, pictures by various. . .

An album of pictures can be viewed at the link here. Thanks to Marney and Diane for all their work on this.

History Fair at St. Theresa's

The Society together with the Community Archives again participated in the History Fair organised by the Renaissance Society at St.Theresa Catholic Secondary School.



Seen here are Al Cleary and Lindi Pierce setting up the new display "Hastings County at War 1812 to 1814".


And of course, talking to the students.

 









 

But the stars of the show were definitely the redcoats.






 


Especially when you got to try on the uniforms.













 



After a very fine lunch provided by the school it was back to the classroom. Pictured below is Bill Kennedy talking to a history class on the Society's project "People of Hastings County in the Great War 1914 - 1918".

Pictures and story Bill Kennedy and Nick White, you can view more pictures in the album here.
 

A Royal Evening

Featuring Jane Ann Thompson McCaw (pictured right) as the guest speaker, the Society's October meeting was another "they're still coming, we'd better put out some more chairs" event.

One empty seat visible

The evening was opened by by our colourful and poetic Crier, Bruce Bedell (pictured in full cry to the left).










Followed by Sylvia French who took the attendees on an excursion back to times 100 (with a dash of 200) years ago.

Jane Ann Thompson McCaw holding a royal standard
with Katharine Mills on the right  

With the stage firmly set in the past, Jane Ann took the stage and entertained the crowd with stories and displays of memorabilia about our Queen and her family.


A lot of stories, some amusing, all interesting and a reminder of the Royal Family's connections with Canada and our area.


If you want to hear about those stories, like the one about the royal standard (being held by Jane Ann to the right) you will have to ask Jane Ann.

Perusing one of the the displays

Jane Ann and our Crier in the autumn leaves

Pictures and story Nick White an album of pictures from the evening can be viewed here

The Flavours of Fall

Celebrating the harvest has always been a feature of agricultural societies and Hastings County is no exception.




This year Belleville held it's "Flavours of Fall" festival with tasty $2 apple-themed snacks at many downtown restaurants, as well as pumpkin carving in Market Square, horse drawn wagon rides, free movies, balloon art, a hot dog and chili cook out, live music, street dancing and a lot more.


And the Society opened it's storefront office at 208 Front Street to visitors.


As usual, it got very busy and we lost track of how many visitors came in to look at the displays.  Our estimate is about 150, and we enjoyed meeting you all.




Some of the volunteers who helped at the storefront office on Saturday:

Pictured from left to right are Bill Kennedy (Outlook editor), Sharon White (Archivist for the Society, City, and Hastings County), Dick Hughes (President) and John Lowry (Director).








A "hay ride" passing in front of the Society's storefront office.












Exhibit panels and a few of the many visitors.

Looking north up front street towards the Main stage.  And the Quinte Twirlers showing their stuff.



Pictures and story Nick White an album of pictures can be viewed here

An Evening to Remember

The evening began with Minus 100.  Gerry Boyce, the Society's Historian, took the audience back 100 years, both in Belleville and to the wider stage where the storm clouds of the, as yet unforeseen, Great War were gathering. 

But that was only the beginning.  Bruce Bedell, the Society's esteemed Crier and Poet moved us (poetically) back another 200 years to the reign of Queen Anne and the times of the establishment of the first chapel at Fort Hunter.

Then Anne Rector, the Society's Vice-President, formally introduced the topic for the evening's talk, “The 300th Anniversary of the Founding of Queen Anne’s Chapel” and guest speaker, the Venerable Bradley Smith.

Father Brad, a graduate of Queen's University, Kingston, and Trinity College, Toronto, a Priest of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archdeacon of Ontario, Chaplain of the Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment and Rector of Tyendinaga and Chaplain of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal of the Mohawk. And a passionate historian.

Father Brad took us through not just the history of the Chapel Royal itself, but through the background of European exploration and then settlement of Turtle Island (North America) that led to establishment of the Chapel.

A story that spanned 500 years, two continents, clashes of Empires and the revolt that led to the formation of the United States. 

A story of heroes and heroines and of loyalty and alliances that have spanned the centuries.

A story that returns to a place that has captured the interest and patronage of Kings and Queens, Emperors and Empresses: Her Majesty's Chapel Royal of the Mohawk in Tyendinaga.

A lot of history in one evening, and much appreciated by the audience. You can read about Brad Smith's presentation in the October Outlook.

Stepping into the Breach

It wasn't another American invasion but rather a horrific collision on the 401 Highway that caused our scheduled speaker to get trapped in a traffic snarl near Nappanee.

But, just as disaster loomed, our Canadian Militia stepped forward to fill the gap in the line.

John Bradshaw, Infantryman

John Bradshaw described life as an infantryman in the home forces including the care and handling of your musket.

Mike Janssens, a Pioneer

 Mike Janssens described how a Pioneer had (and still does) to do just about any job, from cutting paths, preparing and guarding defensive positions and handling sensitive stores such as fuel and ammunition, to bricklaying and carpentry.

Peter Johnson, Fife Player

 Peter Johnson talked about the life as a drummer and fifer.  A position that made you a prime target for the enemy.

Bruce Bedell, our Crier

And in finale, Bruce Bedell cried the news from Michilimackinac in fine poetic form.

And there were lots of questions and discussion...

The full story will be in September's issue of Outlook.

Story and pictures Nick White

My Mother

There are interesting finds everywhere in an archives.

This hand written copy of a poem entitled "My Mother" was found tucked into the front cover of the 1912-1921 Fire Log Book for the Moira Fire Company N^o1.

The words written by poet Ann Taylor (1782-1866) must have resonated with the firefighters in the early part of the last century and are an interesting addendum to the list of fires and events in the log.

Research by Al Cleary, digital images by Kieren Delany, Belleville and Hastings County Community Archives file number 3398-1


My Mother

The log is a handsome embossed book

Who fed me from her gentle breast,
And hushed me in her arms to rest,
And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?
            My Mother.

When sleep forsook my open eye,
Who was it sung sweet lullaby,
And rocked me that I should not cry?
            My Mother.

Who sat and watched my infant head,
When sleeping in my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed?
            My Mother.

When pain and sickness made me cry,
Who gazed upon my heavy eye,
And wept for fear that I should die?
            My Mother.

Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the part to make it well?
            My Mother.

Who taught my infant lips to pray,
To love God's holy word and day,
And walk in wisdom's pleasant way?
            My Mother.

And can I ever cease to be,
Affectionate and kind to thee,
Who wast so very kind to me?
            My Mother.

Oh no! the thought I cannot bear,
And if God please my life to spare,
I hope I shall reward thy care,
            My Mother.

When thou art feeble, old, and gray,
My healthy arm shall be thy stay,
And I will soothe thy pains away,
            My Mother.

And when I see thee hang thy head,
'Twill be my turn to watch thy bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed,
            My Mother.