From the Archives - Tillsonburg News - 1964
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TILLSONBURG NEWS - 1964
(50 Years Ago)
Jan. 17
The proposed school would have accommodation for industrial arts classes, home economics, and a gymnasium. While the idea of an addition to one of the existing buildings has been considered, it was thought that a separate unite would better serve the needs as they now exist.
Location of the new building has not been definitely settled, but serious consideration is being given to placing it on the same property now used as a campus for Tillson Avenue Public School, which would face Maple Lane, directly across from the proposed future expansion of Annandale subdivision.
Present enrollment at the three Tillsonburg schools (30 classes, plus Tillson Avenue's auditorium which has been pressed into service) was 1,067 at the end of the year with 449 at Rolph Street, 414 at Tillson Avenue, and 204 at Elliott Fairbairn.
Jan. 22
Songwriter Johnny Cowell, formerly from Tillsonburg (son of Thomas Cowell on Simcoe Street), is in New York this week to receive a special award for his hit song 'Our Winter Love' (1963). This is the second time he has received such an award.
In 1957 Broadcast Music Inc. of New York awarded him a Citation of Achievement for his hit song 'Walk Hand in Hand.' Johnny has been trumpeter with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for the past 12 years. He left Tillsonburg when he was 15 years old to become soloist with the famous Toronto Symphony Band.
He played his first trumpet solo in the Tillsonburg Town Hall when he was six years old.
Jan. 31
Enlarging Langton School
A building program to expand Langton Sacred Heart Separate School was announced this week. The proposed $80,000 addition will add four new classrooms plus a combined staff/health room.
Present accommodations at the school are over-loaded, said board chairman Robert Causyn, and when the school opens next September the four rooms will be full.
"We have 287 pre-school children in the parish at present and are baptizing in the order of 75 per year."
It is expected that by 1967 it will be necessary to make further additions to the rapidly growing school.
Members of the board include chairman Robert Causyn, Celeste Spriet, Walter VanLaeken, Walter DeFreyne and Willie LeSage.
Feb. 12
Service Clubs Consider Combined Centre Project
Possibility of a new community centre for Tillsonburg as a joint service club project was discussed at the regular meeting of the Kinsmen Club Thursday.
President George Molnar, who brought the subject before the meeting, said the matter had been discussed tentatively with committees representing Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis clubs, and that the town council had been approached on the subject.
The project could be classed as a Centennial Project, thus eligible for government grants.
On a motion by Frank Rubie, photographer at the Tillsonburg News, a committee was formed to investigate the possibilities.
Feb. 21
Report Shows Town Growth
Want to buy a nice Southern Ontario town for $12,275,860?
That's what Tillsonburg is worth according to the assessor's report for 1963. The package would include 16 assorted churches, three public schools, one Roman Catholic school, two high schools, a hospital, and numerous other public buildings exempt from taxes, including the OPP office and Town Hall, parks, swimming pools, arena, library, band halls and sewage plant.
Of course, these figures represent only a fraction of the true market value of the land and buildings.
At year end, Tillsonburg had a population of 6,790 (an increase of 99 from the previous year). If Tillsonburg continues at this rate, the 'burg could be a roaring metropolis of 10,000 before the turn of the century.
There are 24 industries listed in Tillsonburg, the oldest being The Tillsonburg News. Largest employer is Livingston Wood Manufacturing Ltd., showing 256 males and 49 females on the payroll.
Where do people live? The report shows 1,362 single family dwelling units. Add 236 two-family dwellings, 45 three-family, 20 four-family, one five-family, two six-family, two eight-family, one 11-family and 12 farm units. Then there are 133 dwellings in commercial buildings, and 35 commercial businesses in residential units.
In total, we have 1,669 residential properties and 2,273 dwelling units.
There are also 195 vacant lots in town.
And 11 farms.
Feb. 26
Bomb Scare Clears Plant
Termed by OPP as "the work of some crack-pot," a bomb scare at Canadian Leaf Tobacco Co. plant Monday caused the plant to be shut down and workers evacuated for about 2.5 hours.
Police theorized the call was the work of a disgruntled employee, as it was placed to a pay phone in the plant canteen, which has an unlisted number. Only someone who had been in the plant would be able to secure the number, they said.
Police said the only area not extensively searched was the storage area containing about 250 tons of tobacco. The possibility of finding a bomb in the giant piles of tobacco was considered small.
Feb. 28
Ammo Taken Away
Ammunition used by cadet corps at Annandale and Glendale High Schools has been collected by the army. The .22 calibre ammunition used for target practice by the corps was taken to Wolsely Barracks in London where a 24-hour armed guard is maintained. Rifles used by the students were left at the schools, stored in locked cupboards. Bolts for the rifles are separately stored under lock and key.
The move is in line with increased military security following thefts from armouries in Quebec.
March 4
Five Leap Year Babies Here
Tillsonburg has five Leap Year babies – four girls and a boy born here on Feb. 29.
The only boy was the son of Mr and Mrs. John Davis, Otterville.
Parents of the girls are Mrs. and Mrs. Louis Viera, RR3 Norwich; Mr. and Mrs. Duane Hicks, RR1 Ostrander; Mr. and Mrs. A. Martins, RR1 Straffordville; and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Winegardner, Otterville, who named their daughter Diane Florence.
March 6
School Show To Feature 1,200 Students
Tillsonburg Home and School Association presents Kids and Kapers, March 11-12, featuring 1,200 pupils. The musical program will be held in the Annandale High School Auditorium. Performers will appear in playlets, skits, tumbling acts, square dancing, choral reading, May Pole dance, rhythm band, and singing. Proceeds go toward the Grade 8 banquet.
Area Homes Damaged By High Winds
A flat-roofed house west of Courtland on Hwy 3 lost its roof Tuesday morning. Occupied by Mr. and Mrs. John Lupson, and owned by Verne Armstrong, a temporary covering was put on Tuesday afternoon, but it took to the air Wednesday morning. Furnishings were damaged by the wind and rain.
Nick Steiner's attached garage in Courtland also lost its roof. Half the roof landed on the highway in front of his home.
The false front of a garage owned by R.F. Oldridge in Courtland was ripped loose. The false front of the Burnett Smallwares store in Courtland was noticed coming loose and workmen were able to anchor it in time. A tree at the Harris abattoir was reported blown against the house.
Minor damage was reported in Mount Elgin, Tillsonburg, and Straffordville.