Greenfield Park and Marty North

Mad Cat

2011-12-16T16:26:00.001-06:00

123

Greenfield Park Centennial (UPDATE)

2011-07-11T16:11:00.009-05:00

March 24, 2011 Marks the 100th year of Greenfield Park. Summer time celebrations are being planned to celebrate this landmark of our little Town.

For more information, Please contact Bernie Constantini, Paul Boudreau, Wayne Brown, Fred Goodall or Harold Rye. Also check the GFPK Centennial Website in the left sidebar under Links. The Dates are: July 1/2011 to July 10/2011

Centenaire de Greenfield Park Centennial 2011

48 Regent St. Greenfield Park, Quebec, J4V 2T8

gpkcentennial2011@hotmail.com

Watch Doug Garrett travel from The Hat to The Park virtually!” http://www.gfpk100.myevent.com/3/myblog.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------

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/

Todays Animal

2010-05-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

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/

Todays Animal

2010-05-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

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/

Todays Animal

2010-05-21T07:00:00.002-05:00

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

Todays Animal

2010-05-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

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

Todays Animal

2010-05-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

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

Todays Animal

2010-05-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks Norman M

Reminder

2010-05-18T06:50:00.002-05:00

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

Todays Animal

2010-05-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks Norman M

Reminder

2010-05-17T06:50:00.004-05:00

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

Todays Animal

2010-05-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks Norman M

Reminder

2010-05-16T06:50:00.003-05:00

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

Todays Animal

2010-05-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks Helen Woods

Gone Partying

2010-05-15T06:58:00.002-05:00

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

2010-05-15T06:50:00.001-05:00

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

2010-05-15T05:40:00.000-05:00

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

2010-05-15T04:20:00.002-05:00

Todays Animal

2010-05-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

Thanks Margaret

3 W's response from Smoky Lake ALBERTA

2010-05-14T05:10:00.002-05:00

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

2010-05-14T04:10:00.003-05:00

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

Todays Animal

2010-05-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

Thanks Margaret

3 W's response from Kemptville ON

2010-05-13T06:50:00.002-05:00

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

2010-05-13T06:40:00.000-05:00

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

2010-05-13T04:20:00.001-05:00

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

2010-05-13T04:10:00.002-05:00

Thanks Norman

Todays Animal

2010-05-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks Norman

3 W's response from Bristol Connecticut

2010-05-12T06:50:00.001-05:00

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"

2010-05-12T06:48:00.001-05:00

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

2010-05-12T06:46:00.003-05:00

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

2010-05-12T06:40:00.001-05:00

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

2010-05-12T06:30:00.000-05:00

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

2010-05-12T04:20:00.002-05:00

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

2010-05-12T04:10:00.003-05:00

Thanks Norman

Todays Animal

2010-05-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

Thanks Margaret

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

2010-05-11T06:58:00.002-05:00

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

2010-05-11T06:56:00.002-05:00

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

2010-05-11T06:50:00.003-05:00

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

2010-05-11T06:48:00.002-05:00

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

Thanks for the wonderful trip down memory lane Dave.... its great to hear from you and I know many of our readers will be happy as well

Lena Horne on Tonight Show 1982 - Part 1

2010-05-11T06:40:00.005-05:00

In memory of a great artist Miss Lena Horne

Lena Horne - Stormy Weather (1943)

2010-05-11T06:38:00.003-05:00

Lena Horne - "I'd Do Anything"

2010-05-11T06:36:00.003-05:00

We Need Names - some results

2010-05-11T06:30:00.000-05:00

Hi Bob re Margaret's coalman heartthrob, after another look at the photo Brian Hall is #15 top right back row and the #17 in the front row is ??? Millichamp like Brian also from St Hubert(formerly East Greenfield) JMcC

Hi Marty,
Three fellows I recognize, 2nd row from the bottom

6th from the left J.McC
7th from the left Lloyd Murray
Coach or ass. coach-- Jerry Yukado spelling

Millie McG

Thanks John McC and Millie McG

When Autos Were Art

2010-05-11T04:20:00.003-05:00

Thanks Norman

Murder at WalMart

2010-05-11T04:10:00.002-05:00

Tired of constantly
being broke & stuck in an unhappy marriage, a young husband decided
to solve both problems by taking out a large insurance policy on his wife
with himself as the beneficiary, and then arranging to have her killed.

A 'friend of a friend'
put him in touch with a nefarious dark-side underworld figure who went by the
name of 'Artie.' Artie explained to the husband that his going price for
snuffing out a spouse was $5,000.

The
husband said he was willing to pay that amount, but that he wouldn't have any
cash on hand until he could collect his wife's insurance money. Artie
insisted on being paid at least something up front, so the man opened
his wallet, displaying the single dollar bill that rested inside.
Artie sighed, rolled his eyes, & reluctantly agreed to accept the
dollar as down payment for the dirty deed.

A few
days later, Artie followed the man's wife to the local Super Wal-Mart
store. There, he surprised her in the produce department & proceeded
to strangle her with his gloved hands. As the poor unsuspecting woman
drew her last breath & slumped to the floor, the manager of the produce
department stumbled unexpectedly onto the murder scene. Unwilling to
leave any living witnesses behind, ol' Artie had no choice but to
strangle the produce manager as well.

However,
unknown to Artie, the entire proceedings were captured by the hidden security
cameras & observed by the store's security guard, who immediately
called the police. Artie was caught and arrested before he could even leave
the store.

Under intense
questioning at the police station, Artie revealed the whole sordid plan,
including his unusual financial arrangements with the hapless husband
who was also quickly arrested.

The next day in the
newspaper, the headline declared...

'ARTIE CHOKES 2 for $1.00 @ WAL-MART!'

Thanks Win ....

Todays Animal

2010-05-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks Margaret

You have 2 more days to respond to the 3 W's

2010-05-10T06:58:00.000-05:00

Well Folks,

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

3 W's response from Terry Tomalty

2010-05-10T06:50:00.001-05:00

Hello Bob,

I,m a parker we moved to the Park in 1946 and lived on 3rd st between Empire and
Springfield I look at the site daily as it brings back many wonderful memories
my park was from 1946 to 1959 when I married and moved to St Lambert
then to Mt Bruno,have been here 40 years.
My dad Clarence was one of the founders of the GPAA and an alderman in
the1960,s my mother Kathleen was a long time member of St Pauls church and along with
another old parker Muriel Brown ran the original library on Empire/Churchill
The Park was and still is a magical place , to me in the 40,s it was
fields to roam ,creeks to fish, great friends(where are they now?)great places full of character Ma Caters, Kipps Store, Johnsons store, Mr Smiths Fish and Chips on Churchill (Any one remember that?)
The old rink shack,I can still smell Jess Bowbricks pork pies on the stove
I can go on and on keep up the good work folks maybe a column on old parkers where are they now the great old families
Boards,Barfoots Kipps Stones Smithmans (boy could "UNC" really dance!Holgates
Charles Fontaines Heavysides Wells Argues and The Tomalty’s

Thanks Terry..... wonderful memories of the Park... I took the liberty of highlighting your queries in the hopes of inspiring our readers to respond.... you are welcome to go on and on any time you wish...

3 W's response from Ottawa yet again

2010-05-10T06:46:00.002-05:00

- Who is viewing ? Are you a Parker or not
I'm definitely a Parker. Resided on Springfield Ave from 1948 until I left for university in 1962.

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

View the sites daily. Love all of the old photos and the stories of the Park. The site has allowed me to reconnect with my past and many of my old friends/classmates. The Park was a super place to grow up in the 50's. The more info about the Park both past & present the better. Thanks to you and Marty for doing a great job with the 2 sites. Thanks also to Normand for all of his interesting contributions. Keep up the good work.

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

Now located in Ottawa and married to the former Dorothy Bugera of the Park.

You may post my reply.

John Penney

Thanks John.... the comments a greatly appreciated..... I now only need the other 327 readers to respond.... wouldn't that jamb up my mailbox

3 W's response from the Park

2010-05-10T06:44:00.000-05:00

Hi Bob,

I have lived in the Park since 1950. I really enjoy reading your blog about what's happening, then and now, and I especially enjoy the old photos. Those were the days. My daughters grew up here and one still lives here and the other one is in Brossard.

Thanks for all that you do. It is a lot of work, I know. I just had to write to let you know how much I appreciate what you are doing.

Thank you!

Marilyn Hart Healy

Gene and/or Marilyn Healy

Thanks Marilyn... as a Johnny come lately to co-hosting the blog I appreciate you're taking the time to respond.... Marty North the originator and primary Host has spent 4 years running the blog and is now getting our other blog at www.martynorth.wordpress.com organized and I am sure he appreciates your kind comments as much as I do.... please be sure to drop by the other site as the pictures are larger and the old photos are much easier to view

OK Folks We Need Names

2010-05-10T06:40:00.005-05:00

Hi Bob,in reply to a few comments directed my way in recent postings (1) Yes Normand I do remember Claude St Jean and also remember having fine steak dinners at his establishment with some of my chums ,including my good buddy Winston(tire iron) Swinwood with the odd "cinquante" to wash it down (2) My condolences to Normand for his onset of dementia which causes him to forget that I was only born in GFPK app 10 years after Mr Murray was Mayor. (3) Yes I do remember Gil Jenkins, the Elmhurst Dairy delivery man, and if I am not mistaken he originally stabled his horse next to his house on Evelyn (4) Margaret's coalman heartthrob of years ago could have been Jim Hall's son Brian(he definitely had bright blue eyes and who was certainly a hit with our Colts Cheerleaders) and is # 17,front row, in the attached picture( Bob, lets see how many of the other people in the photo can be identified by your subscribers) (5) Ralph is correct about my wife Diane being one of the church group which went to Carleton Place and I will ask her to dig out the picture or two that she has of that group. Although the world-renown Findlay company has gone out of business, the corporate name and logo are still visible on the side of the building which was the company's headquarters on Bridge St,the main drag of Carleton Place. Yes we live within spitting distance, with a good tailwind(18 kms) from Carleton Place and just to bring you up-to-date Ralph, the Queensway(hwy 417) will shortly be a four laner from Kanata through to CP along the old Hwy # 7 route and the CP town leaders have just launched a daily bus service to transport the app 5000 commuters who live in Carleton Place and work in downtown Ottawa. Although the town has expanded a great deal (it is basically a bedroom suburb of Ottawa)much of the downtown is still as you might remember it JMcC

Thanks John McC.... I highlighted your challenge to see how many readers can name names in the Colts photo .... lets see how they do...... and by the way Swinny no longer goes or that high end beer..... now that Lakeport is gone he'll have to switch to Steelback.....

PARK UPDATE DIRECT FROM GORDIE'S CELLAR !!!!!

2010-05-10T06:30:00.003-05:00

HI BOB,

A BEAUTIFUL HOCKEY PIC FROM G.PK CA 1930 AND A PARK UPDATE FROM 1989.

THANKS BOB AND GORDIE HAMBLIN

NORMAND SIMARD
Thanks Gordie and Normand... I am glad to hear you are doing your share while sleeping in Gordies basement, of course you are not too far from the sewers where you used to live.... does Gordie have a fire hydrant in front for you. Louise is a real Princess for letting stay away for so long.

Butt Measurements

2010-05-10T04:50:00.003-05:00

A man and his wife were working in their garden one day and the man looks over at his wife and says: "Your butt is getting really big, I mean really big. I bet your butt is bigger than the barbecue."

With that he proceeded to get a measuring tape and measure the grill and then went over to where his wife was working and measured his wife's bottom. "Yes, I was right; your butt is two inches wider than the barbecue!!!" The woman chose to ignore her husband.

Later that night in bed, the husband is feeling a little frisky. He makes some advances towards his wife who completely brushes him off. "What's wrong?" he asks.

She answers: "Do you really think I'm going to fire up this big-ass grill for one little weenie?"

Thanks Richard....

Rocket Scientist

2010-05-10T04:40:00.001-05:00

Sometimes it DOES take a Rocket Scientist!!

Scientists at NASA built a gun specifically to launch standard 4 pound dead chickens at the windshields of airliners, military jets and the space shuttle, all traveling at maximum velocity. The idea is to simulate the frequent incidents of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of the windshields.

British engineers heard about the gun and were eager to test it on the windshields of their new high speed trains. Arrangements were made, and a gun was sent to the British engineers. When the gun was fired, the engineers stood shocked as the chicken hurled out of the barrel, crashed into the shatterproof shield, smashed it to smithereens, blasted through the control console, snapped the engineer's back-rest in two, and embedded itself in the back wall of the cabin, like an arrow shot from a bow.

The horrified Brits sent NASA the disastrous results of the experiment, along with the designs of the windshield and begged the US scientists for suggestions.

You're gonna love this...

NASA responded with a one-line memo -- "Defrost the chicken."

Thanks Penny F

Golf 2010

2010-05-10T04:20:00.002-05:00

Let me know when U are available for Golf!!!!!

I can even get you on where I work.... Century Pines as my Guest.... Cart included.

We can Play any day of week ... I finish at 2:30 or Weekend afternoons.

Let Me Know...

Ralph

Thanks Ralph... guess that means you still kinda like me..... see Folks men can learn from women.... it's my mom who taught me how to lay a guilt trip on someone so you could get what you want..... she used to do this to get me to do windows or whatever

Burlington moves to the International Stage

2010-05-10T04:10:00.001-05:00

Uhhh would you believe the local stage...... clip from the local Burlington Post, not quite an International Paper yet, shows Ty Pennington of Extreme Makeover and Janette Ewen in Burlington last week.

Doug Landis Pencil Sketches

2010-05-10T04:00:00.000-05:00

Doug Landis has no arms or legs he sketches

holding the pencil in his mouth

Thanks Norman... really inspiration on how a person can overcome adversity

Todays Animal

2010-05-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

You have 3 more days to respond to the 3 W's

2010-05-09T06:58:00.001-05:00

Well Folks,

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

2010-05-09T06:56:00.001-05:00

3 W's response from Port Elgin

2010-05-09T06:50:00.004-05:00

1 - Who is viewing ? Heather Hubbard Cooper

Are you a Parker or not, Most definitely a Parker

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

I view the site to catch up and keep in touch with the many friends I have reconnected with since the blog came online, and the mini reunions started. I think Marston and Bob are doing a great job, keeping current and organized. I know it must be difficult and time consuming, but I know that it is appreciated. I, like many others, check the blog the first thing every morning, and it brings me back to a wonderful time of my life.

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

I live in Port Elgin, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Huron

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

You may post my replies and again appreciate all the hard work, you two make quite the tag team.

Hope to see as many as possible in September for another reunion.

Thanks Heather... always good to hear from you.....

3 W's response from the Park

2010-05-09T06:48:00.001-05:00

Hi Bob.

Great site you have here as it keeps me in touch with whats happening here in the park as we don't always get to see the old friends we grew up with here. And boy, there is a treasure trove of old photos out there in the park as we get to see more often now. Man, keep them coming. So really, don't change too much. It's great to see what some of our old friends are up too, their grandchildren, their travels. What better way to see that our old buddies are enjoying life to the fullest. I was born here in 1947 so this town means a lot. Seeing a lot of my old friends send in photos etc to the site is just great. Once a "parker" always a parker, aye. Sure you can post.

Ross Morley

Thanks Ross... much appreciated.... '47 ??? Holy crap you're young

PIC'S FROM G.PK

2010-05-09T06:40:00.002-05:00

HI BOB,

A FEW MORE PICS FROM G.PK. DOES ANYBODY REMEMBER CLAUDE ST-JEAN . I AM SURE JOHN Mc.EX MURRAY STREET RESIDENT, REMEMBERS EX MAYOR MURRAY, OUR FIRST G.PK. MAYOR. SEE PIC.

THANKS BOB AND GORDIE HAMBLIN

NORMAND SIMARD

PS 1- BOB ABOUT WHAT YOU WHERE SAYING YESTERDAY ME PAYING HALF THE GROCERY BILL @ GORDIE H., YES I AM PAYING, BUT I AM SLEEPING IN HIS BASEMENT BECAUSE I SNORE TOO MUCH, BUT I AM SO HAPPY ALL THE G.PK OLD PAPERS, PICS, AND G.PK. MEMORABILLIA ARE IN HIS BASEMENT. MY PILLOW IS OLD G.PK. NEWSPAPERS, IT IS SO COMFORTABLE, I LOOK @ OLD G.PK. PICS EVERY NIGHT BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP.

PS 2- MESSAGE TO MY DEAR LOUISE, I AM OK HONEY, I EAT WELL, DON'T WORRY I WILL MOVE BACK HOME SOON, BEFORE THE G.PK. CENTENNIAL IN 2011, I HOPE. I MIGHT STOP IN FOR A SHORT WHILE ON MOTHER'S DAY. XXX

Thanks Gordie and Normand

John Mc's Post of Saturday

2010-05-09T06:30:00.004-05:00

I just read todays blog and saw John's contribution.

Of particular interest was the referral to his Family's Findlay Wood Burning Furnace.

When we were in our early teens a group from the United Church Called " Christian Teeners" went on a weekend visit to Carleton Place Ontario.... If I remember correctly I think John's wife Diane was on that trip....

The Carleton Place Group that hosted us later returned the visit to the Park.

One of the " Kids" from Carleton Place was a Findlay ( George?? Dave?? ) and was a member of the Stove Making Family as Findlay Furnaces were manufactured in Carleton Place and shipped across the country.

In my later life I bought a fireplace insert for my Fireplace in Saskatoon that was a Findlay and was also made in Carleton Place.

I still use it in my back yard as a outdoor fireplace in the summer.

Ironically Carleton Place, the birth place of his old furnace, is within spitting distance of where John currently resides.

Small World.

Ralph

Thanks Ralph..... the 2009 golf season is coming to a close do you think we'll get out and play a round in 2010????

Coal delivery

2010-05-09T06:20:00.001-05:00

Hi Marston and Bob,

Just been reading about the Hall Bros. and coal delivery. The one thing I remember as a kid (15 years old, I guess I was at this particular time) was that sometimes the delivery boy was a young fellow who had the most beautiful clear blue eyes and his face was all black (coal black) from working with coal all day. I always hoped that he would be the one delivering when we ordered so that I could just stare at him and his eyes. I never knew who he was but his eyes were lovely. (maybe if his face were clean those eyes might not have been as striking). Am I the only one who noticed this guy and his blue eyes?

Margaret

Gee Thanks Margaret... I never thought you noticed.... I have since washed my face.... now my eyes are brown

AMAZING SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES THAT WORK!

2010-05-09T04:40:00.002-05:00

THESE REALLY WORK!!

AMAZING SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES:

1. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLESWHILE YOU CHOP.

2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.

4. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

5. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

6. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

7. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

DAILY THOUGHT:

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

Thanks Richard..... these sound like a list from my son-in-laws home repair manual.... I spent the week wiring his basement today...... he is a great computer analyst ... HUH! Now I understand... the first four letters in analyst are........

Computer Programmer

2010-05-09T04:10:00.002-05:00

HEMAis a Dutch department store. The first store opened on November 4, 1926, in Amsterdam. Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands
Take a look at HEMA's product page - just wait a couple of seconds and watch what happens...
DON'T click on any of the items in the picture, just wait...

This company has a sense of humour and agreat computer programmer, who has too much time on his hands...

http://producten.hema.nl/

Thanks Norman.... folks, even if your are not into computers in a big way you should see their online catalogue

Todays Animal

2010-05-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks Margaret

You have 4 more days to respond to the 3 W's

2010-05-08T06:58:00.003-05:00

Well Folks,

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

Response to the 3 W's from Oakville

2010-05-08T06:50:00.003-05:00

Hi Bob,
Happy Friday..
I have been a daily ( well almost daily ) viewer for some time now, can't remember who ( Mrs Patricia Hill I think ) told me about the site..

Survey
1- Allen Elson
Born and raised, left in '86

2- You can leave the Park, however the Park never leaves you. Never realized it growing up, but we come from a very special place with very special people.
can't say I would change a thing, sometimes while looking the pictures and reading the notes it makes me feel like I am still there.

3 - I now live in Oakville Ont

I can only speak for myself however thanks for allowing me to relive a sometimes wonderful childhood...

Thanks Bob,
best wishes,
Allen Elson

Thanks Allen..... good to hear from you... we are practically neighbors as I am in Burlington.... the nice thing about reliving ones past is the wonderful times we share with friends.... have a great weekend

John McC - Memories from his youth

2010-05-08T05:10:00.004-05:00

Hi Bob- some observations re recent postings. (1) I agree with Linda Laroche that the PM behind Albert Smith's signature signified that he was the town postmaster-- I remember taking mail from our house to his store for drop off. (2) Smith's store was also the local licencee for the coal oil that we used to burn in the oil stove in our foyer. We had no furnace in the forties and the oil stove(commonly called a space heater) supplemented the heat from the big Findlay wood and coal stove in the kitchen to keep our house warm in the winter. During the cold months either my brother Jim or I would take a container on a toboggan to the store where Mr Smith had a 45 gallon drum of the oil on the back deck of the store. Either Mr Smith Sr or his son Albert Jr would fill the container and we would then haul the filled container home to resupply the oil stove. (2) I do remember Jim Hall ,not as a bread delivery man but as the owner of the coal and oil delivery business that he ran with his brother Bert. Approximately twenty years later I had the pleasure of coaching Jim's son Brian who was the Quarterback of the South Shore Colts Juvenile Football team.(3) Our bread delivery man was an Irishman which I knew only as"Jim the Baker" who delivered for Canada Bread. Jim had the map of

Ireland

in blue lines on a red background face due to his love of the demon grog which he enjoyed very much. Generally Jim hit our house at about 10:00-10:30 in the morning but on the 24th of Dec and March 17th(complete with a sprig of shamrocks on his company cap) we would most likely not see him until app 4:00, because of the number of tipples that were offered him on his route. It's a good thing that his horse knew not only the route in GFPK but also the road back to the company stable in Montreal (4) The picture of Jim Grant in the photo of Jim Naylor and his trophy reminded me that I had at one time or other caddied for both Johnny Patton and Jim's father Kenny Grant. Kenny Grant if memory serves was the partner of Pean Bennett as owners of MacNieces Sporting Goods Store on Mansfield Street in Montreal. Bennett was also a Country Club of Montreal member. JMcC PS Kudos to the Hamblin-Simard team for the new/old material that they are supplying to the blog. Keep it coming Gentlemen

Thanks John McC..... my grandmother had a space heater in her 3rd floor flat in Verdun and coal oil fired burners on the kitchen stove combined with wood burning oven and a warmer over top. The oil man would haul the hose up 3 flights of stairs at the back of the building and fill her tank in the back shed. We, my uncle or I, would fill the glass bottle (similar to todays 5 gallon water jugs) it had a screw on spring loaded spigot. The bottle would be turned upside down in the feeder to supply the space heater. Again John thank you for the reminder of our youth, they were great times.

G.PK. STUFF

2010-05-08T05:00:00.006-05:00

HI BOB,

SEE ADVERTISING IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BULLETIN, AND CHURCHILL CORNER VERCHERES, WE SEE HARRY DEVEY'S OLD HOUSE AND GARAGE, AND THE LADY WALKING IS RAE MORLEY.

THANKS BOB, AND GORDIE HAMBLIN

NORMAND SIMARD

Thanks Norman and Gordie..... what I want to know Normand is..... Have you moved in with Gordie????

Quads

2010-05-08T04:50:00.003-05:00

Thanks Pat H...... if this doesn't make your day nothing will.... really cute

Chinese Train Innovation

2010-05-08T04:40:00.003-05:00

Thanks Penny...... now that is one cool idea..... my Mandarin isn't the best folks but I'll try and interpret what the are saying below...... Read before viewing

The bullet train will soon never have to stop at a station. How to get on and off the non-stop high speed train!
A new Chinese train innovation, i.e. how to get on and off the bullet train without stopping. It's a very cool concept. Read the note first, then watch the attached animated video clip.

No time is wasted. The bullet train is moving all the time. If there are 30 stations between Beijing and Guangzhou, just stopping and accelerating at each station wastes energy and time. A mere 5 minute stop per station (elderly passengers cannot be hurried) results in a total loss of 5 min x 30 stations or 2.5 hours of train journey time.

The Chinese are innovative enough to come up with a non-stopping train concept. Now when the train arrives at a station, it will not stop at all. The passengers at a station will embark onto to a connector cabin way before the train arrives at the station. When the train approaches, it does not stop at all. It just slows down a little to couple with the connector cabin which will move with the train on its roof.
While the train is far away from the station, those passengers will board the train from the connector cabin mounted on the train's roof. After fully unloading its passengers, the connector cabin will move to the back of the train so that the next batch of outgoing passengers who want to alight at the next station will board the connector cabin at the rear of the train roof.
When the train arrives at the next station, it simply disengages with the connector cabin and leaves it behind at the station. The outgoing passengers can leisurely disembark at the station while the train had already left. At the same time, the train picks up the incoming embarking passengers on another connector cabin in the front of the train's roof. So the train will always drop one connector cabin at the rear of its roof and pick up a new connector cabin in the front part of the train's roof at each station.

Now, I say, that's pretty intelligent.

What if there isn't anymore?

2010-05-08T04:20:00.005-05:00

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say"I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage......And old cars... And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special... And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way.... Now it's your turn to send this to all those people who are "keepers" in your life, including the person who sent it, if you feel that way. Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.
Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile J can do. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow.

I LOVE YA!!!

Live today because tomorrow is not promised

Thanks be to God, There will be "anymore" in heaven because of His unspeakable gift!

Thanks Graham K..... Love you back buddy....

Today's Inspirational Lesson

2010-05-08T04:10:00.004-05:00

Never irritate a woman,who can operate a backhoe...

Thus endeth the lesson.

Women are Angels...And when someone breaks our wings...We simply continue to fly....on a broomstick...We are flexible like that...

Thanks Joe.... I don't write them ladies... I only post them

Todays Animal

2010-05-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks Norman M

Curious Bob and the 3 W's

2010-05-07T06:58:00.001-05:00

Morning Folks,

As of late the blog has been generating some 2400 hits per week and it has me wondering... is it just people from the Park? Or is it other people as well who just find the postings interesting?

So I thought I would pose or propose a survey of sorts.... what I would like to know is....

1 - Who is viewing ? Are you a Parker or not ... I'm curious

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

3 W's response from Ottawa - relax Jean

2010-05-07T06:50:00.005-05:00

Hi Bob,

My parents lived in the Park since the twenties.When my Mom and Dad got married they lived on the corner of Springfield and third in a duplex for several years.

We moved to 89 Empire Ave now 439 in 1940.When I got married n 1959 we lived in a couple of places for the first two years and ended up on Beck Terrace.We moved to Ottawa in 1973.Sam's work in the elevator trade brought us here.

I love the blog and read it every day.I love hearing about original families and where they are today.I love everyone's stories.The stories about different changes in our beautiful town.

The work you and Marty do is very much appreciated.

Ellen McCourt Stone

Thanks Ellen.... the responses I have received to date, such as yours, are everything I hoped they would be. We have all lived in our little circles of life and lost contact with one another, the blog has changed that to some degree as have our mini reunions. Now if I can inspire more of our 340 or so readers per day to contribute something my life will be complete.... well not really but I'm trying the sympathy approach now.

And, if you are wonder why I added the little poke at Jean... well..... Jean Gardner and I have been poking fun at each other on Facebook... she lives in Harpers riding and I live in the 3rd best City in Canada... Burlington.... and yes I know you live in the number 1 City.... so I'll shut up now.

G.PK. STUFF

2010-05-07T06:40:00.001-05:00

HI BOB,

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYBODY IN 1987, THE OTHER PIC THE LITTLE BOY IS GORDIE HAMBLIN IN 1942 , IN FRONT OF 103 GREENFIELD.

THANKS BOB AND GORDIE HAMBLIN

NORMAND SIMARD

Thanks Gordie and Normand

And now the rest of the story - Dave Rye will be OK

2010-05-07T06:20:00.006-05:00

HELLOOOO THERE CATHERINE & GARTH !!

I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS ARE KEEPING WELL !! GOOD HEALTH TO YOU !!

THOUGHT THAT YOU MAY LIKE TO SEE ,,,

A BEAUTIFUL NEW FIRE TRUCK,,,

A BEAUTIFUL HARLEY,,,

AND 4 OLD FARTZZZZ !!

BY THE WAY DAVE CAME FOR SMOKED MEAT AT LA BELLE PROVINCE !!

IN THE FIRST PICTURE DAVE IS RE-ENACTING THE TIME ( 1963-4 ? ),,,A LADY CUT OFF DON ON HIS TRIUMPH BONVILLE,,,AND WACKED HIM WITH HER FENDER,,,DAVE WAS ON THE BACK,,

AND WENT OVER HER HOOD ,,THEN LANDED ON THE STREET,,ON HIS BACK,,,

DAVE OPENED HIS EYES TO SEE A CHAMBLY BUS COME TO A SCREACHING STOP ABOUT

ONE AND A HALF FEET FROM HIS HEAD,,,( DAVE WAS SLIMMER THEN ,,BUT BOUNCED QUITE WELL ! ) NOTE,,I BELIEVE THERE WAS MORE GRUNTING AND GROANING THIS TIME

WHEN HE GOT UP !!

NEXT TIME YOU SEE DAVE ASK HIM FOR THE FINER DETAILS !!

P.S.,,JIM YOUNG ( GPFD ) IS THE 4TH OLD FART !!

P.P.S.,MERCI & THANK YOU NORMAND FOR THE GREAT SHOTS !!

Thanks Normand and John G...... you always inject a little frivolity and humour to the stories John.. Thanks for letting us know the story behind the story... keep on truckin'

PRIDE OF MONTREAL (((( POM ))))

2010-05-07T06:10:00.003-05:00

HI BOB,

EVERY BODY REMEMBERS POM BAKERS, POM WAS FOR PRIDE OF MONTREAL, SEE THE THE LITTLE AD OUR MOTHERS WOULD PUT IN THE WINDOW SO HE WOULD STOP. THERE WAS ALSO INTERCITY BAKERS THE MOTHER'S BREAD SEE PIC IN THE PARK UPDATE BY GORDON HAMBLIN IN 1988. DOES ANYBODY REMEMBER JIMMY HALL.

THANKS BOB AND GORDIE HAMBLIN

PS WE HAD OUR OWN PRIDE OF GREENFIELD PARK IN THE EIGHTIES, WE HAD THE VERY POPULAR PARK UPDATE COLUMN IN THE G.PK. JOURNAL BY GORDON HAMBLIN.

Thanks Normand and Gordie.... we all appreciate that Gordie had the forethought to save all this memorabilia.

The Urine Test

2010-05-07T04:40:00.002-05:00

The Urine test
THIS GUY MAKES A GOOD POINT
This was written by a construction worker in Fort MacMurray- he sure makes a lot of sense.

I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to earn that pay cheque, I work on a rig site for a Fort Mac construction project. I am required to pass a random urine test, with which I have no problem.
What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare cheque because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand that I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do on the other hand have a problem with helping someone sit on their ass drinking beer and smoking dope.
Could you imagine how much money the provinces would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance cheque? Please pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you don't.
Hope you will pass it along though, because something has to change in this country, and soon!!!

Thanks Darlene.... sure makes sense to me

1906 San Francisco before the Earthquake - Original Movie

2010-05-07T04:20:00.004-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NINOxRxze9k

1906 San Francisco Street Car film - AMAZING...

4 DAYS BEFORE THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE THAT DESTROYED THE CITY !

Going back in time! This film was "lost" for many years. It was the first 35mm film ever.

It was taken by a camera mounted on the front of a cable car.

The number of automobiles is staggering for 1906. Absolutely amazing!

The clock tower at the end of Market Street at the Embarcadero wharf is still there.

No traffic lights, no cross walks, no painted lanes, no road signs, no cell phones (!) AND NO RULES - yet folks seem to survive okay...!

Great historical film.

This film, originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot. From New York trade papers announcing the film showing to the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall & shadows indicating time of year & actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!). It was filmed only four days before the quake and shipped by train to NY for processing. Amazing but true!

Thanks Ivan.... while the authenticity of this film is unverified it is a great watch..... note that the streetcars are not powered by overhead cables but rather a center track... kids taunt the driver which was typical of the era.... my dad told me stories of how the narrow tires of the day would get stuck in the tracks of the Montreal streetcars I imagine the same would happen in San Francisco.

Grandad

2010-05-07T04:10:00.005-05:00

A woman in a supermarket is following a grandfather and his badly behaved 3 year-old grandson. It's obvious to her that he has his hands full with the child screaming for sweets in the sweet aisle, biscuits in the biscuit aisle; and for fruit, cereal and pop in the other aisles. Meanwhile, Gramps is working his way around, saying in a controlled voice, "Easy, William, we won't be long . . . easy, boy." Another outburst, and she hears the granddad calmly say, "It's okay, William, just a couple more minutes and we'll be out of here.
Hang in there, boy."

At the checkout, the little terror is throwing items out of the cart, and Gramps says again in a controlled voice,
"William, relax buddy, don't get upset. We'll be home in five minutes; stay cool, William."
Very impressed, the woman goes outside where the grandfather is loading his groceries and the boy into the car. She said to the elderly gentleman, "It's none of my business, but you were amazing in there. I don't know how you did it. That whole time, you kept your composure, and no matter how loud and disruptive he got, you just calmly kept saying things would be okay.
William is very lucky to have you as his grandpa."

"Thanks, lady," said the grandfather, "but I'm William ...... the little b@$#@&d's name is Steve."

Thanks Richard

School Warning in GPK

2010-05-07T04:05:00.000-05:00

Hello Marston,

I am not sure if this is something you would want to put on your blog, but there was an attempted kidnapping of a student at Greenfield Park International school ( the old Jubilee). I am sending you the release that was sent home from that school. I think the attempt happened near the child's home in St. Hubert, but forewarned is forearmed I say and parents can be on the lookout for the man described and have the stranger danger talk with their kids once again. I live in Greenfield Park and i only have to go a few streets away to be in St. Hubert.

Thanks for all the hard work

Sherri Rattray

Thanks Sherri

Chers parents,

École internationale primaire de Greenfield Park Greenfield Park Primary International School

Avril 2010

Au début de la semaine, nous avons été mis au courant que l’un de nos élèves habitant l’arrondissement de Saint-Hubert avait été victime d’une tentative d’enlèvement pendant la fin de semaine. L’agresseur présumé serait un homme au teint basané dans la jeune vingtaine. Il arborait un tatouage sur tout le bras gauche ainsi qu’une cicatrice sur le front. Heureusement, cette histoire n’a pas eu de répercussion fâcheuse et la police fait enquête pour trouver l’auteur de ce geste.

Une des raisons pour laquelle l’histoire n’a pas eu de conséquence grave tient au fait que l’enfant ait gardé son calme afin de profiter de l’opportunité de s’enfuir. À titre préventif, nous vous faisons parvenir un dépliant de la police de Longueuil qui résume les façons de réagir en de telles situations. De plus, monsieur Benoît Robert, policier communautaire rattaché à notre école et son équipe, rencontreront les élèves afin de leur rappeler les mesures de sécurité de base et, par la même occasion, ils répondront aux questions des élèves.

Ensemble, chers parents, nous arriverons à assurer la sécurité de nos élèves, à l’école comme dans leurs quartiers.

April 2010

Dear Parents,

Early this week, we were made aware that one of our students living in the Saint-Hubert borough was the victim of a kidnapping attempt during the weekend. The alleged aggressor was a suntanned man in the early twenties. He had a tattoo on the entire length of his left arm as well as a scar on his forehead. Fortunately, this story ended well for the child and the police is investigating the case.

One of the reasons why this event ended positively is due to the fact that the child did not panic and seized the opportunity to escape. As a preventative measure, we are forwarding a flyer to you from the Longueuil Police Department reviewing appropriate ways to react in such situations. Furthermore, Mr. Benoît Robert, our community police officer and his team, will meet with our students to review safety measures pertaining to this situation. Mr.Robert and his team will also answer students’ questions.

Together, dear parents, we will ensure the safety of our students, at school as well as in their neighbourhood.

Todays Animal

2010-05-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks Margaret

Curious Bob and the 3 W's

2010-05-06T06:58:00.001-05:00

Morning Folks,

As of late the blog has been generating some 2400 hits per week and it has me wondering... is it just people from the Park? Or is it other people as well who just find the postings interesting?

So I thought I would pose or propose a survey of sorts.... what I would like to know is....

1 - Who is viewing ? Are you a Parker or not ... I'm curious

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

3 W's response from Colorado

2010-05-06T06:50:00.002-05:00

Hi Bob,

1 - Who is viewing ? Are you a Parker or not ... I'm curious
Not a Parker, age 67.
2- Why do you view the site ? and would you like to see changes
I ran across the site a few years ago by accident and liked it. Don't change it.
3 - Where are you located ? Country/City ... what ever
I live in the Colorado Rockies and you can post this.

Pete

Thanks Pete.... our readers will enjoy knowing that it is not just people from our hometown that read and enjoy the blog.... hope you are a hockey fan.... we old goats up here in Canada grew up on the game

3 W's response - from Harper Country

2010-05-06T06:48:00.006-05:00

1. Jean, ex-parker

2. I sit down with my morning coffee and read the blog. It has become a habit. I enjoy the variety, i.e. videos, old pics, jokes, what's new in GPK.

3. Calgary

You can post it.

Thanks for your hard work.

Jean

Thanks Jean... your comments are always appreciated in spite of your affection for you know who.... as you can tell I enjoy the banter

3 W's response from the Park

2010-05-06T06:46:00.006-05:00

I am a Gpker since May 1956 when we moved into a Greenberg house and moved in 1986 to our present location on Allan St. near Victoria. I would agree with Gary ? about focusing on GPk. past and present, and John McC. that one can sift through other stuff of interest. I would suggest that people put both first and last name (and in the case of some females, maiden names) when they submit items (e.g. for the longest time I thought Doug Garrett was Doug Gregory). Also, I just looked at the archives of GPKers e-mails and there hasn't been an update since January 2008. I would urge those who want to to send in their e-mails for posting on the list.

Linda Alexander-LaRoche

P.S. You all are doing a great job! Many thanks -- it is a part of my daily routine.

Thanks Linda... your comments are appreciated as for myself I have reservations about posting to much personal information on an open site such as this one. It would be an individual decision to allow us to post full names. We abbreviate them simply to allow some anonymity.

3 W's response from Ottawa - No not Harper, Jean

2010-05-06T06:44:00.003-05:00

I was born in the Park - Grove Street 1953, moved to Dorothy Street in 1957 and then to White Crescent in 1966 the boondocks of the Park at the time - Capital Homes. My parents left and brothers were off to Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver by 1970, I stayed in Montreal until 77 been in Ottawa ever since except for 23 years in a place called Heckston near Kemptville

Love the blog to get in touch with old friends, read jokes and see pictures of the place that will always be home

Barb Carver * nee Went.

Thanks Barb... I really appreciate the responses I am receiving... it makes it fun for me to hear from people and I hope it is just as much fun for our readers.... your sentiments are the same as others from the Park... it will always be home... Like John McC said... he is not an ex-Parker but rather a boy from Greenfield Park who happens to live in the Ottawa region..... on that note I shall stop using the phrase Ex-Parker in anything I write and will encourage others to do the same

Pigeon Impossible

2010-05-06T06:10:00.001-05:00

...an Excellent short Animation!

Pigeon Impossible

The Best Animation I have seen on YouTube, a takeoff on "Mission Impossible".

Click HERE _popup?v=jEjUAnPc2VA>

Thanks Norman M

ALBERT SMITH LETTER IN 1941 - PM Designation answered

2010-05-06T05:50:00.004-05:00

I think the P.M. after his signature stands for Postmaster. Most general stores had branch post offices in them at that time.

Thanks Linda LaR..... that sure makes sense... as you can tell the thought never entered my mind but you are right it was a common practice at the time and Postmasters were considered to be an acceptable signatories for all types of documentation

ART HOLDEN ON A MOTORCYCLE BIKE 70 YEARS LATER

2010-05-06T05:40:00.003-05:00

HI BOB,

HERE WE HAVE 2 PICS OR ART HOLDEN 70 YEARS DIFFERENCE . WOW , ART HOLDEN WILL BE 88 YEARS ON THE 17TH OF MAY.

THANKS BOB

NORMAND SIMARD

PS HE DID NOT GO VERY FAR WITH THE MOTORCYCLE, THE LONGUEUIL POLICE ARE VERY STRICT, ART HOLDEN DID NOT HAVE A HELMET ON, THE LAW IS THE LAW ART, THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

Thanks Normand and Art... great pictures... times sure have changed haven't they... you have a wonderful birthday on the 17th Art... and many more

Skinny Dipping

2010-05-06T05:00:00.003-05:00

Skinny Dipping

An elderly man in Florida had owned a large farm for several years. He had a large pond in the back.

It was properly shaped for swimming, so he fixed it up nice with picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some orange, and lime trees.

One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over.

He grabbed a five-gallon bucket to bring back some fruit. As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee.

As he came closer, he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond.

He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end.

One of the women shouted to him, 'we're not coming out until you leave!'

The old man frowned, 'I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond naked..'

Holding the bucket up he said, 'I'm here to feed the alligator.'

Some old men can still think fast.

Thanks Norman M.

Grandkids

2010-05-06T04:50:00.004-05:00

Connor with Unca Brad

Jenia with her Angel wings

Now don't they look sweet and innocent?

Ha!

The Tag Team of Trouble

These pictures were taken in our backyard. The other morning Mom (our daughter Megan)was getting them ready for day care. Now Connor is allowed to bring 2 "Hot Wheel" cars with him.... he had 4.... Megan said "No Connor only 2 cars to day care"..... he looks at the cars in his hands... you can see the wheels turning in his head ..... he turns to Jenia and says.... "here Jenia, 2 cars for you"

Great story

2010-05-06T04:40:00.003-05:00

The sharing of marriage....

The old man placed an order for one hamburger, French fries and a drink. He unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in half, placing one half in front of his wife. He then carefully counted out the French fries, dividing them into two piles and neatly placed one pile in front of his wife. He took a sip of the drink, his wife took a sip and then set the cup down between them.

As he began to eat his few bites of hamburger, the people around them were looking over and whispering. Obviously they were thinking, 'That poor old couple - all they can afford is one meal for the two of them.

'As the man began to eat his fries a young man came to the table and politely offered to buy another meal for the old couple. The old man said, they were just fine - they were used to sharing everything.

People closer to the table noticed the little old lady hadn't eaten a bite. She sat there watching her husband eat and occasionally taking turns sipping the drink. Again, the young man came over and begged them to let him buy another meal for them. This time the old woman said 'No, thank you, we are used to sharing everything.

'Finally, as the old man finished and was wiping his face neatly with the napkin, the young man again came over to the little old lady who had yet to eat a single bite of food and asked 'What is it you are waiting for?'

She answered

(Continue below - This is great)

'THE TEETH.'

Thanks Joe J.

You've never seen an elephant do this

2010-05-06T04:20:00.001-05:00

Thanks Win

A short story

2010-05-06T04:10:00.004-05:00

A man who was watching a hockey game on TV kept switching channels to a dirty movie featuring a lusty couple.

"I don't know whether to watch them or the game," he said to his wife.

"For heaven's sake, watch them," his wife said.

"You already know how to play Hockey!"

Thanks Ivan.... I don't dare send this one to Pat...... I can't skate