Timmins High and Vocational School - Porcupine Quill Yearbook (Timmins, Ontario Canada)

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16 mmllmm The PORCUPINE QUILL l- 1 buildings near the site of the present Gold- iields Theatre. It was not ireproof or very comfortable, but contributed a great deal to the entertainment of the commtmity. In 1912. because of the high prices of food and low wages. the miners went on a strike. Dur- ing this time the mine brought the pictures up there and showed them in the machine shop which was turned into a cook camp, much to the enjoyment of the audience. One of the iirst pictures to be shown in Timmins was Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Althcugn not reaching the standard of present-day productions. these pictures were enjoyed as much by the early settlers, as the present-day pictures are enjoyed by the people of to-day. Out-of-doors sports played a great part in the amusement of the early settlers in Tim- mim. In summer. and fall, hunting and nsh- ing were enjoyed to a certain extent. Though the district of Timmins has never been an especially good hunting ground, many men enjoyed this sport. especially in duck-himt- ing. Fishing in those days was closer at hand than now, for Gillies Lake contained many fish in the early days. The mines had not then begun to dump into the lake, the cyanide which has killed the ish and destroyed the early nshing grounds of the Camp. Canoeing was also popular in those days. Much of this was done on Gillies Lake, though Miller Lake was also used until the Hollinger began to ill it in. In winter out-of-doors sports play- ed an even greater part in the life of the Camp. Although skiing was practically un- known in 1911. snow-shoeing took its place. To-day skiing is one of the greatest winter sports: then snow-shoeing was the greatest. If there was a party in South Porcupine, it was a general practice to put on moccasins, carry your shoes in you.r pocket. and go. No one thought anything of doing this and snow-shoeing from the Dome to Timmins and backg and then the men went to Work next day. Snow-shoeing parties were very popular. The guests usually assembled and tramped to a designated spot, where a bon- iire was built and coiiee and sandwiches were served. Around the bonnre they sang songs and played games. Perhaps one of the most amusing things they did at these parties was to try to dance the Virginia Reel on snow- shoes. These parties were enjoyed by every- one and most people took part in them. Sleighing as enjoyed to-day on bob-sleighs and toboggans was never very popular. Al- though there was a fair slide at Golden City, the lack of long, Steep hills and the depth of the snow prevented this sport from at- taining popularity. A more popular enter- tainment was to hire one or two teams cf work-horses and make up a party. Then, wrapped in buffalo robes, they might go to some point where a hot meal would be served, as is still done. Rinks were built in both Timmins and South Porcupine at a very early date. These provided skating, which became very popular. Many skating parties were Queen of the Carnival organized which provided enjoyment and amusement for everyone. One event of the winter which is no longer held was the annual Winter Carnival. This included dog-team races, snow-shoe races, carnival parade and the election of a queen. At the close of the day's fun, everyone re- paired to the town rink and took part in the Moccasin Dance. This dance was held on the ice. and all the dancers had to wear moc- casins. If you have ever attempted to stand up on ice in moccasins, you will understand the amusement this dance must have given both spectators and participants. The falls were numerous and often hardg but what of it? It was fun, and that is what these early settlers wanted. Various athletic clubs were organized early in the life of the Camp to provide competitive sport for the settlers. Baseball, almost un- known in Timmins to-day, was very popular in the early days. Football was also a popu- lar summer sport, as it still is. Both of these provided entertainment for the people, but the sport most enjoyed then as now was the

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15 The PORCUPINE QUILL Stores were built along Third Avenue and Pine Street. Various doctors, dentists and lawyers established their offices in the busi- ness section. Chain stores -opened branches until, in 1935, Timmins has many business places. The population of one thousand in 1912 has increased to over sixteen thousand. From virgin forest Timmins has become a beautiful town with a fine hospital, good and adequate educational institutions, and a business dis- trict that in this time of depresson is the mecca of travelling salesmen. JACK BROVENDEER Scene IV: FUN AND FROLIC A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Fun When The Camp was New When the little settlement of Pottsville, now South Porcupine, and the site of what is now Timmins were being surveyed, Schumacher was non-existent, though it began to be settled a few years later. At the various mines and alleged mines small camps had grown up and, as the general manager, en- gineers, and other mining men had brought their wives with them, social activities began. Although the roads were merely wide trails oorduroyed in the worst places, which made it far more comfortable to walk than to ride in summer, the ladies were able to organize tea parties. dinner parties, and card parties much as they do now. One of the most popular social activities was dancing. A great many dances were held in the early days, usually in the halls of fraternal organi- zatizns or in the Miners' Union. Both round and square dancing were popular then. The music for these dances was usually provided by a single person playing the piano, some- times accompanied by a violin. The most popular team of those days was that of Scotty Wilson and 'Gene Colombo, and they were much in demand. One of the most impor- tant events in the early days of the Camp was the annual Firemen's Ball. This was considered a great social event. The Church societies were always giving dances or card parties to augment their funds. These all contributed to the enjoyment of the com- munity. In the first days of the Camp, an amateur theatrical company was formed. This com- pany performed with homemade scenery and costumes and even homemade plays, and provided entertainment and amusement, pro- bably more amusement than entertainment, when the actors forgot their lines or made mistakes. The lines in these plays other often caused laughter by reference to local people and aifairs. On one occasion a string quartette composed of some of the well-known men of the community appeared on the stage to play, accompanied by a piano and violin in the pit. As neither group could hear the other: the result was a musical disaster. The audience enjoyed it more than the musicians and from the standpoint of amusement, it was a success. A moving picture theatre made its ap- pearance in Timmins in the early days of the Camp. This was situated in one of the Snowshoeing Party

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17 'iillm The PORCUPINE QUILL f greatest winter sport, ice-hockey. In the first days of the Camp Mine teams and Town teams were organized and provided very good hockey In fact some of the early teams were far better than those produced by local clubs in the last few years. The matches were al- ways hard-fought, both as hockey matches and pugilistic encounters. The early settlers in Timmins did not have the comfort and choice of amusements that we haveg but they enjoyed themselves as much if not more than we do. Though their amusements were simpler, they were much more picturesque. The pioneers of the camp should not be pitied for what they lacked in the way of amusemenrs and good times generally: rather they should be envied by a generation that has never known the fun of the Moccasin Dance or of home made' dramatic evenings. CA QILLY Scene V: CHRISTMAS foward Men The Christmas Tree of 1923 This Kiwanis Christmas Tree party took place on December the Twentieth, 1923. The da? was cool, the air still. and fluffy white clouds moved slowly across the sky. On a platform that had been erected near the railway station a huge Christmas Tree had been set up. It was decorated with elec- tric lights of all colours, imitation snow and icicles, small Santa Clauses, and bright silver bells joined together with red or green tinsel- covered string: and tied to the very top of the tree was a large, silver. shining Star. Here and there were hung brightly-coloured par- cels and toys. Around the base of the tree were piled larger and heavier Christmas pre- sents. But the thing that drew cne's atten- tion first was a wide band of white, gold- edged, velvety cloth. inscribed: Peace And Goodwill To Menl' Early in the afternoon children of all ages began to arrive. The two or three-year-old tots were escorted by their parents, and the older boys were running here and there ex- citedly. pointing out the diiierent toys and other presents on the Christmas Tree. Suddenly, there was a hush! Then all the children yelled delightedly: for there. by the Christmas Tree, all clothed in red and white, stood Santa Claus! Many prominent men of the camp stood nearby. The band struck up O Canada! and everybody sang. Then on behalf of the people. a number of speakers praised the Kiwanis Club for its kind action. Among the speakers that Christmas Day were Rev. Father Theriault and Dr. Mclnnis who are still prominent members of the Porcupine Camp, . The childrens good behavior during the speeches was then rewarded. for Santa hand- ed out the toys and other presents to the accompaniment of delighted exclamations from the children. Once more the band played and everybody sang. All the songs were and still are well- known: 'The Alouette : Tipperary g Auld Lang Syne'g and Jingle Bells' were the songs that helped to brighten this day still more for everyone. A few more words of thanks were addressed to the Kiwanis Club. and then everybody left happy. after the singing of 'God Save the This Christmas Tree of eleven years ago is still remembered by many in the camp as one ofthemanygooddeedsofthe'IimminsKi- wanis Club. GERGE A. ROY The winds are blowing all around. They blow the leaves and trees: Theyblowthekiteshighinthesky, And do just as they please. IIURIEL THOMPSON