Greenfield Park and Marty North: May 2010

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Todays Animal

Good morning folks,

A reminder to let our readers know that I am now posting primarily on WordPress along with Marty. Here is the link.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Todays Animal

Good morning folks,

A reminder to let our readers know that I am now posting primarily on WordPress along with Marty. Here is the link.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

Friday, May 21, 2010

Todays Animal

Good morning folks,

A reminder to let our readers know that I am now posting primarily on WordPress along with Marty. Here is the link.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

If you are on dial up service I suggest you do not go direct from this site to WordPress otherwise it will appear that your computer is slow. Put the link in your favorites and go to the site from there, it should be quicker.

Marty and I intend to allow this site to run until after the 2011 Centennial of Greenfield Park.

Please follow us over there.

Thank you for tagging along with us

Bob Hawkins

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Todays Animal

Good morning folks,

A reminder to let our readers know that I am now posting primarily on WordPress along with Marty. Here is the link.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

Marty and I intend to allow this site to run until after the 2011 Centennial of Greenfield Park.

Please follow us over there.

Thank you for tagging along with us

Bob Hawkins

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Todays Animal

Good morning folks,

A reminder to let our readers know that I am now posting primarily on WordPress along with Marty. Here is the link.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

Marty and I intend to allow this site to run until after the 2011 Centennial of Greenfield Park.

Please follow us over there.

Thank you for tagging along with us

Bob Hawkins

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Todays Animal

Thanks Norman M

Reminder

Good morning folks,

A reminder to let our readers know that I am now posting primarily on WordPress along with Marty. Here is the link.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

Marty and I intend to allow this site to run until after the 2011 Centennial of Greenfield Park.

Please follow us over there.

Thank you for tagging along with us

Bob Hawkins

Monday, May 17, 2010

Todays Animal

Thanks Norman M

Reminder

Good morning folks,

A reminder to let our readers know that I am now posting primarily on WordPress along with Marty. Here is the link.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

Marty and I intend to allow this site to run until after the 2011 Centennial of Greenfield Park.

Please follow us over there.

Thank you for tagging along with us

Bob Hawkins

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Todays Animal

Thanks Norman M

Reminder

Good morning folks,

A reminder to let our readers know that I am now posting primarily on WordPress along with Marty. Here is the link.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

Marty and I intend to allow this site to run until after the 2011 Centennial of Greenfield Park.

Please follow us over there.

Thank you for tagging along with us

Bob Hawkins

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Todays Animal

Thanks Helen Woods

Gone Partying

Good Morning People,

I have gone over to the dark side.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/ yes good friends I have decided that the grass is truly greener on the other side.

It has been one hell of a good time here on blogger, our readership is phenomenal but, and yes there is always a "but"..... reader contributions have not met my expectations nor have they met yours.

George Hollingdrake and John McC said it best in the past weeks... we need more individual input from Parkers ..... stories from our past .... there are humorous, happy and even sad stories that are worthy of posting.... they are your stories

Please folks, and I mean this in all sincerity, you have to stop relying on Normand. If it were not for his efforts we would not have old stories to post..... we need you.

If the blog fails it is because you failed the blog

Thank you for your readership and I'll see you on the dark side

Bob Hawkins

3 W's response from DDO

1. Married to Parker Alan Houle and lived there for eight years when we first married.

2. I visit the site to see old photos and recent photos of Parkers.

3. Montreal (Dollard-des-Ormeaux)

Thanks Gail D... much appreciated..... I do wonder where the other 300 or so readers are that did not take the time to respond

Small World

George and I must have been neighbours where I lived in Heckston Ontario was also outside of Kemptville - Parkers must gravitate to the same places. Keep up the good work with the blog. Barb Went

Thanks Barb....

GREYSON 97 ON ELLEN-LADY GAGA-PAPARAZZI

Friday, May 14, 2010

Todays Animal

Thanks Margaret

3 W's response from Smoky Lake ALBERTA

Hello Bob.

I am a parker .I was born in a house on Murray Avenue in 1942 . I am not sure of the address but it is the house the Normandeus later lived in. We moved from there to B.C., shortly after I was born, because my father was in the air force during the war and stationed at Comox. In about 1945 we returned to GFP and lived above Balangers store on the corner of Churchill and Murray , with my uncle ,aunt, and cousins (the Pratts), while our house was being built on Regent Street. I lived at 33 (later 115 ) Regent St. until I left to come to Alberta in 1960.

I came across this site accidently a couple of months ago and read it almost daily. It brings back many very fond memories of a wonderful town to grow up in and many childhood friends that I remember well. I don’t see any reason to change the site in any way.

My wife Sonia and retired to a small town in north eastern Alberta called Smoky Lake. We both retired from employment in Edmonton. Sonia retired from the Alberta Treasury Branch and I retired From the Edmonton Fire Department.

Some of the friends I remember are Harold Rye , Jimmy and Johnny Mc, Kenny Naylor , Leonard Davis , Trevor Mead , Teddy Charles and George Graham , just to name a few.

We are planning to come to the PARK in July 2011 for the festivities and hope to reunite with old friends then.

ART RATTRAY

Please post this if you wish.

Thanks Art..... glad to have you aboard..... just so you know we have been changing everything over to WordPress... the reason is it is a more powerful site and allows Marty and I to do more for you the reader. The site is.... http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

Len Davis was a close friend of my sisters until she passed away and of course I have some tales about Trev and Teddy..... as for George Graham I seem to remember him playing football with a "Wrong way Corrigan" helmet, you know the old leather style.

I have a feeling that there will be a lot of people happy to hear from you

Thanks again for the memories.... keep them coming

When Autos Were Art

Thanks Norman.... they are still works of art to this day

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Todays Animal

Thanks Margaret

3 W's response from Kemptville ON

Hi Bob,

George Hollingdrake here; in reply to your questions about the blog. After being born in the Home Hospital in St.Lambert, 1942, I grew up in the Park and our home was above the Hollingdrake Butcher Shop that my dad and my grandfather owned since the early 1900's. My family and I moved to Ontario in 1975 and Carol and I now live just outside of Kemptville.

As to the blog; you Marston and Normand do an excellent job. I especially enjoy articles that are about the Park and the stories about people that we grew up with. Current Events as depicted by Norman in his unique way are very creative, and adventures of Parkers' travels gives us insight into what people are up to these days.

From my recollection, Greenfield Parkers always had stories to tell and had some of the best practical jokers going. Wouldn't it be nice if these stories and tales could be submitted to the blog so everyone had the opportunity to laugh ( cry ) depending whether you were the joker, or the joke ). The stories could be about families,school,work, individuals, sports or really anything that would bring a laugh that is related to some one we know from our Park days. For example, John Mc. has related some of these tales already.

If this is of interest to others, I for one would like to contribute and attached is one of my stories ( family adventure ) that you may post if you wish.

Thanks, and keep up the good work

George

Thanks George..... I took the liberty of putting your paragraph on stories from our past in bold letters. I have poked, prodded and threatened to show up at the front door of our readers but to no avail. It seems that they are either shy or their life was boring. All kidding aside... many in our age group are not as skilled with todays technologies however those that are could submit something..... what they don't seem to realize is that the blog is about them as well as about you, I and the history of our great hometown. Bet nobody reads my rant.

PS George I am posting your "Family Adventure" on WordPress to motivate our readers to go over to that site as i plan on doing the majority of my postings there shortly.

http://martynorth.wordpress.com/ see you ovr there folks

Colts - we're getting closer Margaret

Hi Bob

The picture of the Colts football team # 17 looks like Terry Millichamp

Brian Halls # 15 cousin.

Also Brian's brother David use to work alot with his dad on the Hall Bros run

& I believe he has blue eyes.

Norman M

Thanks Norman... let me know when I can tell Margaret our secret

First Assembly Lines Ford Auto Plant

DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!!

"This is a great video showing the first assembly lines at the original Ford auto plant.

Neat to see those guys making the old wooden wheels, by hand mostly......

The places that car could go ...... is amazing !!"

Click here

http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=S4KrIMZpwCY

Thanks Carolyn D..... cool

When Autos Were Art

Thanks Norman

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Todays Animal

Thanks Norman

3 W's response from Bristol Connecticut

I am from Bristol, Connecticut, USA

I love your blog because I'll always find something interesting or funny.

Don't change anything, I love the way it is.

Thank you Maria Lacaille.... it's great to hear from our neighbors to the south.... I hope you realize that you are welcome to contribute should you wish..... while it is our town blog we are open to all.

I hope that you visit our WordPress site as well since it is a more powerful format. Please put the following link in your favorites www.martynorth@wordpress.com . By the end of this month the majority of my posting will be there and Marty and I will still be providing the same coffee time postings.

3 W's response from "The Boonies"

Hi Uncle Bob

Ivan Rhoades here. Look at the blog everyday. Like the banter and renewed friendship's the blog generates. Ex Parker all around South Shore guy. LOL.

Ville Lemoyne - 11 years

St-Lambert - 4 years

GFP 1959 till 1970

Married in 1970 to Odette. Lived across the street from POP's for a year.

Toronto 1971 - 1975. Hated the place. Square man. What culture shock.

Brossard 1976- 1978

GFP 1979 - 1981

Brossard 1982 - 1986

GFP 1987 - 1998

St-François du Lac QC ( in the boonies of QC) 1999 +

Went to school in St-Lambert (Elementary + CCHS). Used Grandfather's address in St-Lambert to get in. Didn't help. Still flunked .

Many trips from Ville Lemoyne to the Swinwood's when I was young. 2 father's (Derek + Alfie ) = molson fans.

Skate in the woods to the Park.

Many memories about the Shore as my Son and his friends call it today.

2 Kids = Kevin 32. Josée = 36 . 2 Grandkids. Olivia and Eric.

Life is good.

IvanR

Thanks nephew.... I guess it's a family trait to wear out ones welcome in a town.... I wouldn't worry about failing at St. Lambert Elementary.... I had Miss Sheppard in grade 7.... she finally passed me after driving me home in her little red MGA ... as for CCHS I was only there for a few hours when my parents informed me we had to move.... at least they let me know.... thats when we moved to the barracks on Campbell.... where I was adopted by Royal George as the mascot for failure..... and the rest is history

3 W's response from London ON

1 - Who is viewing ? Are you a Parker or not

Carolyn COBB Dalgard - Most definitely a Parker. We lived on Devonshire Rd near Smith's store/Churchill & then moved to Queen Street. I'm sure some of your readers will remember my 3 brothers.

2- Why do you view the site ? and would you like to see changes

I try to view both Greenfield Park blogs daily to see what's happening in the Park, & to read updates of long lost friends & neighbours from Greenfield Park. As a result of your blog & the original blog by Mike Rilstone + the relentless detective work of Sandra Snow, we now have a group of approx 20 ex-Parkers who gather occasionally in London ON for evenings of fun & reminiscing. A wonderful bunch of friends to have in my life. Don't see any reason for changes to your site.

3 - Where are you located ? Country/City ... what ever

After marriage, I resided on Regent; Place Bruno in Brossard; then transferred to London ON in 1978.

'Thank you' to Marston & you, Bob, for putting so much time & effort into this blog.

Carolyn

Thanks Carolyn.... I appreciate the thoughts.... as Marty and I learn more about the WordPress blog site the more impressed I am becoming... I have resisted leaving blogger only because of how slow it was to upload a series of photos on WordPress.... slideshow is not available on blogger and now that we have discovered it on WordPress we are like kids in a candy store.... of course as you can see I screwed up yesterdays presentation but todays photo's of Nashville from Win should be much better

Critic report from the Park

Morning Bob

Nice improvement to the blog I'm sure it will make it even

more interesting. Keep up the good work.

Norman

Thanks Norman..... Folks Norman is referring to the changes on WordPress... try it and enjoy

Bob & Norman Morley

Hi Bob

This is Bob & Norman Morley, I believe on Springfield Ave

probably 1946 / 47. The horse might have belonged

to Terry Beal who also lived on Springfield next to

Mr. & Mrs. Anyon nearly across from the Reeves. I also think

his father use to cut hair although we use to go to Bud Hollingdrake

for our cut. Bob use to love horses & trains when he young. Always

wanting to go Jettys out St.Bruno way to ride.

I like the new way of posting on the blog,

Take care

Norman M

Thanks Norman a great picture and a wonderful memory of your brother.

Blue Eyes

Hi Bob,

I know you guys tried, but I don't believe that #15 or #17 is the blue eyed guy that I remember. #15 has not got the same shape of face as the delivery boy had. (don't forget, I did a lot of staring) Maybe they hired someone else at times to deliver their coal. It could be too, that he was from Smiley's instead, but somehow I remember him from Hall's.
I'll just take this opportunity to say thanks for all the work you and Marston do to keep this blog running and to Normand (our undercover reporter) and everyone else who really make it interesting each day. Lot's of fun! Thanks.......

Margaret

Thanks Margaret..... in an attempt to help you decide which one is "Old Blue Eyes" I have cropped the picture and added coal dust to their faces as well as given them blue eyes.... hope this helps

When Autos Were Art

Thanks Norman

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Todays Animal

Thanks Margaret

Last chance, well not quite, to respond to the 3 W's

Well Folks,

I had expected a flurry of responses to my mini survey however it would seem that many of you are shy about letting us all know the answers to my questions. That is unfortunate since the main purpose was to stimulate responses that would not only entertain our readers but to let them know where you are today.

I will run the request until Tuesday the 11th of May, 2010 in the hopes that more of you will take the time to respond.... don't forget, this is your blog about your home town, for you .....your input is not only helpful but essential to its success.

1 - Who is viewing ? Are you a Parker or not

2- Why do you view the site ? and would you like to see changes

3 - Where are you located ? Country/City ... what ever

Now lets keep it simple... email me a brief note and state whether I may post it...

Thank you in advance

bob dot hawkins44 at gmail dot com

Keep it clean

Bulletin

Good Morning Parkers,

I am ecstatic at the moment.... why? Well Marty and I just found a way to post slide presentations on WordPress.

What this will do for you and for us is allow us to post multiple photos in slideshow format thus reducing the length of a post. It will require less of our time to insert the photos as well. For you the reader, well if you are not interested in that subject just scroll on by to the next post. No more scrolling past 5, 6, 7 or more pictures to get to the post you want.

So folks be sure to add the following link to your favorites because over time I will be posting more and more on WordPress.

http://martynorth.wordpress.com/

Check it out... I have posted a slideshow of photos from the Park as well as some pictures of a fire in Cornwall sent to me from Norman Morley. Marty has posted a slideshow of photos of Las Vegas for you to try.... let me know what you think of the format I am sure you will find it entertaining.

Enjoy

3 W's response from the Park

Hi Bob ,

Helen and I check out the blog everyday. I have lived in the Park since 1947. I lived at 245 Churchill until 1961( when you could leave your front door unlocked at night ) My parents, then bought a house from George Parker and I lived there until 1969, I have had many great memories. The Park to me ,was always very special and even with all B.S. from the merger , it still is .I remember dropping my books and changing cloths at home and getting down to the rink and playing hockey before supper and then back after supper until it was time to come home and do home work. I remeber Keith Benner ,who if he had taken life seriously, would probably have played in the NHL, there was Causey and Graham McDonald, Tony ,Percy and Allan Lacerino ,whose are many memories , I will never forget .

Regarding the picture of the Colts, Is that the second or third year Colts? I played with many of the guys in that picture and others the first year , that we had a riot with the Jarry Lords , Pat Hickey was smashed into the front door of the bus as the lords were still trying to get at us,even after we were safely in the bus. I remember Jackie Fletcher hitting some guy over the head with his own helmet.I remember, when someone from the Lords gave Barry Hollingdrake a cheap shot and that was it, the whole team came to Barry"s rescue.. I don't see myself, Bob Meldrum, or Bob McFetridge and a few other guys , that I played with the year (That had to be the dirtiest football I ever play) and that was the game ,that Steve Kemper decided to quit and I had to play center ,the rest of the year.It brings back many memories.

In October last year , I had a hip replacement and fusion of 3 vertebras, I have a lot of free time on my hands .

I hope , that you and Marty and Norman keep up the great work

Best regards

Wayne ( Tiny ) Robins

Thanks Wayne.... there sure was a lot of animosity between the teams in those days... lots of tough guys in the Jarry area.... none the less they left us with fond memories.... if we knew back then how much our bodies would hurt when we got older we may not have been so foolish

3 W's response from Embro Ontario

Well hey Bob.

1 - Who is viewing ? Are you a Parker or not

David Walsh. I am a parker from the time the family moved into the house my dad was building at 27 Miller, now 705, a few days before I was born in late June 1948.

Mother Betty, father George, older sister Linda (Married Frank Parkinson) and younger brothers Gary & Ken.

Like Barbara Went, Big Creek was a defining thing in my life. It was a natural barrier and I never really knew the kids from the top end until now. And they ain't kids no more. Sad to see Rye get run over by his own fire truck the other day.

I remember wearing jodhpurs to school and wool socks, skating all the way up Miller and Empire to the rink on Churchill and crawling back from Alain's store to home. Blasting to put in sewers and water. Paving the street. Oiling the street in summer before the paving. Hopping bumpers. Flight boots where you had to keep the flap down with elastic bands so it would form to the toe. Flight boots that developed a leak in the heal for some reason. Caterpillars dropping off the trees down your neck. Learning not to irritate Davis' pigs. They were fat but they moved quick. Quicks barn, grass fires in the late spring. water in the early spring. Older kids floating, out to sea?, on Big Creek ice flows. Bonfires at Regent park. Firecrackers going off in your hand (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10). OK. Climbing trees falling out of trees. Sticking the tip of your tongue to the Miller bridge railing in February. Thats still there too (not the bridge).

2- Why do you view the site ? and would you like to see changes

I view this sight, the back up as well as Mikes blog, daily.

You can take the boy out of the park but I have found that you can't take the park out of the boy.

I see old friends. O.M.G... Is that Marilyn Hart! Wow so many more names are coming back.

I tune in for likes of John McC, Normand S & John R and others who's contributions are greatly appreciated. Not to mention yourself, Bob, and Marston.

Whats to change? Keep up the good work.

Are there any 30 somethings in the park who could get involved?

3 - Where are you located ? Country/City ... what ever
I live in a little enclave called Happy Hills Resort, Embro Ontario. Twenty clicks north of down town Ingersoll.
I am Married to Cheryl Reynard (Anyon). Was married to Evelyn Sopko (Fairfield) now London.
Sister Linda Parkinson is in Prince George, Gary is in Kitchener and Ken is in Apex NC.

I suppose thats it for now.

Thanks again.

Dave Walsh