Stories and Memories by John McC.

Marty ,

Thanks to John Riley and his photos and to Ellen MCourt for her shot of "Doc" Perras house. Although there were many stories circulating about"Doc" , almost all blown out of proportion, as I understand it the man was a regular MD. who suffered a mental breakdown and after that became very reclusive and just wanted to be left alone in his little house at the top of that long lane.

And to be very realistic he was of such small physical proportions that he couldn't have hurt anyone if he had tried, but the myth prevailed. We of the Third Street gang used to have a fort in the old barn just behind "Doc's" house which we used when "Doc" was away on his daily jaunt.

Some further comments brought on by John's photos.

(1) If I remember correctly Mr. Normandeau worked at Dominion Seeds on McGill Street just up from the Mtl and Southern Counties terminus and as Bev said he was an avid gardener. Anybody who was into gardening, as my Dad was ,especially on Murray Ave.,knew Mr Normandeau and in fact sought his advice on many gardening issues.

My Dad raised Canaries as well and he and Mr. Normandeau frequently traded stock for breeding purposes.

(2) The Chamaillard house next to Foster's was the home of Josee and Bobby and to us kids that hung around Cater's/ Beck's /Chalmers the house was definitely upper class with it's wrought Iron fencing all around the house. (Home Pic #610)

Unfortunately Bobby Chamaillard thought and acted the same way and consequently was not liked by many people and more importantly received a few rough-ups from those that he looked down on.

(3) Ernie Board's house , home to children Norma, Howard and Michael brought back memories of many a card game, in the early sixties hosted by Howard when his parents were out . Melvin Stone Red Drummond and Len Davis were regular participants in the rotating poker tourney(depending on who's parents were out) and I was mostly a bystander who went along, with a few others, to watch and drink beer. (Home pic #482)

Well one evening I decided to become a participant. I was working full time prior to going to university and taking home about $55-$60 dollars a week--extremely good money in 1961. Well the long and short of it was that I lost three weeks pay in two nights of playing In-Between and I have not played cards for money since that week-end.

The houses across the street from Ernie Board belonged to, Ernie's mother and next to that Ernie's brother Bill, father to Wendy and Cliff and who was sec'y/ treas of the RGHS school board about as long as Ernie Nightingale was town manager/treasurer.

(4) The woman in the bowling photo between my-late mother-in-law and Mrs Bennett is Carol Kerr ,older sister of Allan. (SEE GUESS WHO Sun. Post)

(5) To Terry Tomalty : your cupid's arrow worked, I went out with Brenda Hollingdrake, a neighbour of yours for three years and please say hello to Eddie Chapman for me. JMcC

Thanks John McC