Men of Song serenade during pancake supper

Congratulations to Ken and Louise Moore who celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Jan. 29. The happy couple was married in the Anglican Church Rectory in Botwood, Newfoundland.

Kenneth, 22, was serving in the Algonquin Regiment of the Canadian Army. Louise, at age 20, had just left her home in Gander Bay and was living with her married sister Sadie in Botwood.

One week after their wedding, Ken’s regiment moved to Debert, Nova Scotia to prepare for overseas. In May 1943 Louise travelled to Truro, N.S. where she rented an apartment to be close to Debert. This was her first trip away from Newfoundland.

On June 11, 1943, the Algonquin Regiment left for England on the Empress of Scotland. Louise moved back to Botwood and again moved in with Sadie. In July, Ken and Louise’s first child was born, John Albert.

Ken returned from overseas in October 1945 to his mother’s home in Port Carling. In late November Ken was given a medical discharge from the army. He was admitted to the Muskoka Sanatorium in Gravenhurst in January 1946.

When it became apparent that Ken’s stay would be a long one, Louise and John returned to Botwood and on Oct. 6, 1946 a second son, Kenneth Paul was born there.

In December 1948 Ken obtained a job in the research lab of the Rubberset Brush Company and family life was good. He left Rubberset and went to work for the town of Gravenhurst as assistant town clerk. In January 1952 Louise had a daughter, Nancy Ruth. In March 1959 a third son, William David was born.

Ken obtained a job as part-time postal clerk in December 1954 and in June of the following year be became full-time. He remained with the post office for 27 years. In June 1970 he became postmaster.

During these years Ken was active in Gravenhurst. He was elected to the town council for two terms, to the board of education for 12 successive years and appointed a commissioner to the public utilities commission for two terms.

Ken retired from the post office in December 1981. These days they enjoy their family, John and Judy of Gravenhurst, Ken and Mary of Brockville, Nancy and Paul Quesnelle of Gravenhurst and Bill and Tammi of Barrie. They have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A family gathering was held on Sunday, where the happy couple received congratulations from all levels of government, as well as Queen Elizabeth II. Congratulations on your special anniversary.

Congratulations to John and Eileen Taverner of Barkway who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Jan. 31. John and Eileen were presented with plaques from the Town of Gravenhurst, MPP Norm Miller, MP Tony Clement and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Congratulations to you both.

St. James Anglican Church Pancake Supper takes place Tuesday, Feb. 5 with sittings at 5 and 6:30 p.m. The Muskoka Men of Song will entertain at 6 p.m. sharp. Book your seating by calling Helen at 684-9103 or the church office at 687-4624. Freewill offering.

Also at St. James, The Friends Inviting Friends dinner takes place Monday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $2 each or $5 for a family. Everyone is welcome.

The Men’s Christian Fellowship Breakfast takes place Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8 a.m. at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church Hall. The guest speaker will be Rob Knighton, pastor from Bracebridge .

February is Heart Month. The annual Ryde Heart and Stroke Auction will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. sharp in the Fellowship Hall at Ryde Free Methodist Church. Tea, coffee and lunch will be served by the Houseys Rapids ladies. Come early to preview the items and bring an item to be donated to the auction.

The Valentine’s Day Luncheon hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary, Gravenhurst Royal Canadian Legion takes place Thursday, Feb. 14 from noon to 2 p.m. Advance tickets for soup, sandwiches and dessert are available for $6 at the branch or through Linda Courtney at 687-7882.

Until next week, remember: The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears.

Happy Groundhog Day on Feb. 2.