Pelham Continuation School - Pelham Pnyx (Fenwick, Ontario Canada)

Page 61 text:

42 THE. PELHAM PNYX It might be interesting to note that the Fall Fair was held at one time at the Township Hall in Pelham Centre. There was also a post oflice in this building at one time. Although Ridgeville's industries are less numerous than of old, its pop- ulation has increased. Most of the houses have been built in comparatively late years. Ridgeville is to-day by no means large, but, owing to its suitable situation, a very delightful and beautiful village. Time has made no vast difference in it in the past and probably will not in the future. MODEL SAIL BOAT-Designed and built by Capt. John Thurston, photographed in Leppert's Pond. The Influence of Radio on Public Opinion B11 June Whan, GRADE XIII TWO HUNDRED years ago, the idea that man would one day catch sound and music from the air would have been scoffed at as utterly foolish and rid- iculous. And vet to-day there are thousands, yes millions, whose lives are affected by this marvellous inventionfthe radio. Reaching vast audiences, the radio challenges even the press as one of the most effective instruments for moulding public opinion and creating buying habits. . . . And so you see, ladies, you just can't afford to let your big op- portunity slip by. Get the new Sure-Mis Crisco from your grocer . . . And so it goes. Through the means of commercial advertising by radio, the large manufacturer makes his wav into the homeAand perhaps the purse-of the average housewife. It would be futile to suggest that programs supported thus by advertising do not influence the listener's opinion. They do, indeed, and what better way is there to introduce their products than by dramatic serials?

Page 60 text:

THE. PEL!-IAM PNYX 4l THE HISTORY OF RIDGEVILLE By john L. Savigny, GRADE xi WHEN one motors through any part of our country he will see nestled here and there small villages such as Ridgeville. Most people take these for granted, as if they had 1ust happened, without any sweat or toil on the part of our fathers. They do not realize that where a dozen houses stand to-day possibly only one stood seventy years ago. Ridgeville is no exce tion to this. Before 1879 it was known as Steele's Corners, and consisted ofja general store, built and operated by Mr. Jonah Steele. Mr. Steele lived on what is now the property of Mr. XV. Herbert. A grocery store and post orhce was owned and operated by Mr. John Thompson where the Bell Telephone Ollice stands to-day. Two hotels were also in existence, the one operated by Mr. George Hold- itch, on the present property of Mr. George Berg. The other hotel was op- erated by a Mr. Tunnacliffe, the father of Mr. Frank Tunnacliffe, the present postmaster of Fenwick. This hotel was on the White property across the road. Although it was in the days of horses, one might be surprised to find that four blacksmith shops were once to be found in the village. One was con- ducted by a Mr. Clark Ward on the present property of Mr. Peter Hoover. Peter and Bob Brown, brothers, also ran a blacksmithing and wagon-making business just across the lane from Mr. Ward, on the corner now vacant. Mr. A. Nelson had a blacksmith shop on the Isaac Erion property. As well, a blacksmithing business was carried on by a Mr. Anderson in the old garage of Mr. Eli Weller, which was destroyed by fire a few years ago. The general store was destroyed by fire twice. It was rebuilt by George Townsend, Jr., who planned another store. He sold it, however, to his bro- ther, Sanford Townsend, who converted it into a gristmill. It was later sold to Mr. Frank XVilliams, who left his grocery store, situated where Mr. Hallet now lives, to operate it as a general store until his death, when our present merchant and postmaster, Mr. McClellan, took over. The place now owned by Mr. George Robinson was first owned by a Cohoe family. The daughter of Mr. Cohoe married Mr. George Townsend Sr., who purchased the property now owned by Mr. Frank Misener. Some two hundred acres of land now owned by the Fonthill Nurseries, and operated by Mr. C. M. Haist, was allegedly bought by Samuel Neckett for a pair of boots and an old grey mare. During its history, Ridgeville has had four sawmills. One was operated by John Goodwillie, the remains of which, a couple of broken down shacks, can still be found in the lower part of the nursery property mentioned above. Another was operated by Mr. John Crow on the present property of Mr. Lewis Morgan. The third was maintained by Mr. E. E. Morse on the present property of Mr. John Metler. This he moved to the place formerly operated as a canning factory by Mr. W. Crow. The present sawmill is now owned and operated by the Lindsay Lumber Company. Ridgeville's telephone system was installed about 1900. It was first man- aged in the house now owned by Mr. S. B. Brush, by Mr. George Arnold. At one time there was an abservatory on Mr. J. L. Haist's place, one of the highest parts of Ontario. Ridgeville appears to be a peaceful and contented community, which in- deed it is, but nevertheless, it has experienced four suicides and a murder. In 1912. the Bishop Vault and Memorial Works was established. This along with the sawmill, several nurseries and the farms now comprises Ridge- ville's industry. Probably the first industry was a brewery, later changed into an earthenware establishment. This was located to the east of the vil- lage.

Page 62 text:

THE PELHAM PNYX 43 Serials heard daily in many homes are but one of the many types of drama which radio has to offer. By the turning of the dial we are able to hear any- thing from the great Shakespearean Hamlet to a Gracie Allen murder mys- tery. ln this way public opinion in the dramatic world is formulated to a very large extent by means of radio. Drama of a rather different type was displayed quite recently during the visit of our gracious sovereign and his queen. National sentiment through- out the country was intensified by the varied broadcasts and commentaries, particularly those in which their majesties took part. Surely no one would foolishly deny that public opinion was influenced, as the hearts of all were stirred. N Regardless of what other programs may hold his interest, the average man derives much benefit from news broadcasts. Into the home the newscaster brings his commentaries, at the same time, by means of his personality, exert- ing an influence upon the listener. There occurs an earthquake in Japan, a flood in China, war breaks out. In the flash of an eye the world can be advised of any catastrophy by radio. War is truly a much-dreaded state, and yet it is made somewhat more tolerable by the widespread influence of radio, which keeps us up-tc-the-minute on all angles of the situation. ln the realm of politics, the opinions of the man in the street may be swayed by political broadcasts and this means of campaigning exerts perhaps as great an influence as any other. Politicians must educate the people to agree with their views, else their labour is in vain. Our education is never complete, and the educational features afforded by radio must not be lightly overlooked. Radio classes in spelling and English are one example of the many ways we are influenced by the air-waves. And so, by means of radio, the opinion of the general public is affected perhaps more than anyone realizes. We can listen to our greatest statesmen- or pick up a new recipe for noodle soup. However, the radio is knitting people closer together, giving us common viewpoints on both local and international affairs, creating common interests in our everyday life. The fullest develop- ments of radio have not been reached and what its future possibilities are, nobody can rightly say. OLD FORT ERIE ,, By Betty Aldrey, GRADE x ONE SUNDAY this summer we visited the Old Fort. After first seeing other points of interest we arrived at the Old Fort and bought our tickets. The Old Fort is situated south-west of the Peace Bridge and is now being reconstructed as it was in 1811 by the Niagara Parks Commission, The Fort is surrounded by a moat and in order to cross we had to go over a drawbridgeg it was here that we met a guard. We then passed from the Ravelin to the Sal- ie'nt by way of a wooden door studded by iron bolts to make it strong. The door is in a stone wall which is connected to the two barracks. Up on both the north-east and south-east bastions there are three can- nons-one of iron and two of brass. The barracks were then shown to us. Vwfe entered first the powder mag- azine in which the handpikes and powder were stored. There is a window in this room which is protected by copper wire. As we entered the door of the recreation room, we noticed a large bed about twelve feet long and six feet wide all made of wood. In a corner there is a fire-place and hanging on a crance is a large iron pot, which was used to cook the soldiers' victuals. In the Officers' quarters there was an old rope bed with a few old quilts on it. In this room was also an old oak table, a rocking chair and a fire-place.