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Keeping the Connection  by Warren Mackenzie |
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On the left is Kay Rasmussen, wife of Flemming Rasmussen C-'52 and sister-in-law of Inge Vibe (Rasmussen) C-53, center and on right is Lorna Waymann (King) C-'53. Kay did not attend CCHS. Kay, Inge and Lorna all graduated from the Montreal General Hospital. Inge and Lorna have known each other since kindergarten....."almost 67 years ago." Lorna says: "When we married, we were each others maid of honour. Over the years, we lived in many different places but always kept in touch. I was at her place in Renfrew, ON this past weekend."
Lorna goes on, "I have just returned from spending a couple of days this week visiting Dr. Ian & Susan MacDonald at their summer cottage. I worked for Ian back in 1981 when he first set up medical practice in St Lambert. It would be difficult to find a better boss ( partner ) to work with. No matter how busy he is, he always finds time to send hand written notes with little up-dates and birthday cards. I'm very proud of him.......another BRAVO for CCHS."
Friends since school days and generally in close contact, the Ensio's from Tucson, AZ , escape the desert summer heat travelling to their family country home in Muskoka, ON, and enjoy visits from classmate Janis Cotter (Johnston) who lives in Penngrove, CA close to Napa, another very hot spot in summer. This photo shows Janis, with Marguerite (des Trois Maisons) and Paavo - all C-'58, getting together in August, 2007. |
| Alumni Photo of the Month |
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| Who's Who |
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We have an exciting group of candidates for 'Who's Who that have agreed to participate and have been approved by the Nominating Committee. Unfortunately the summer months are not an ideal time to contact people and collect all the biographical material, pictures, and memories material that goes into each entrant's web page. We hope that the Fall will see that change and we can introduce these outstanding alumni to you.
"Click" here to open on-line nomination form
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| New Photo Galleries |
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Many new photos have been added to " Alumni ... where are they now" section. Check your class gallery to see if we have found some old or recent picture of you and your classmates.
In both photo galleries you see Preview Pics. These are a gateway to many larger sized photos. To access simply "double click" on any preview pic.
Have any photos that you would like to share? Please send your photos via email or contact Warren Mackenzie for snail mail instructions: Photo Editor - Warren Mackenzie
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| Obituaries |
| View Memorial pages , and obituaries can be viewed here. |
| Alumni Association News |
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Notice to All Alumni Association Members:
A special meeting will be held Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at Chambly Academy, 675 Green Street, St. Lambert, Quebec at 7:00 PM.
The association is now officially registered in Ottawa (Federal Government) and in Quebec (Provincial Government) as a non-profit corporation. |
| GET A MEMBER SWEEPSTAKES |
| The Get A Member Sweepstakes ends September 30th
To enter check the Missing List for relatives, friends, neighbours, and former class-mates and submit an Entry Form. The more entries you submit the better the odds of winning.
- Every name you submit will be contacted and invited to join the association.
- Each invitee that joins earns you an entry in the sweepstakes.
- First Prize - Two Passports to Reunion 2010 or $200.00 CASH
- Second Prize - Life Membership in the association
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Third Prize - Three year Membership in the association.
"Click Here" for Entry Forms |
| St. Lambert in the 30's and 40's
by Lorne Perry  |
Global War
By September 1942, when I moved to the big school in the center of town, the world was in the depths of global war, but I cannot say it intruded much on school life. We saved
our pennies to donate to the Red Cross, and quarters went towards War Savings Certificates, but I don't remember being taught about the countries war was affecting so seriously, nor do I remember any reference to the frequent tragic events taking place all over the world. That kind of talk all took place at home where my parents kept a world map on the kitchen wall, updated with the lines of battle in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Far East. The line of the German advance into Russia provoked particularly solemn faces. On November 11 the Remembrance Day service at the war memorial across from the front of the school drew the entire student population. We watched the band play, the soldiers march, the wreaths being laid, the trumpet sounding and the flag being lowered. In some modest way we were touched, but mainly it was time away from our classes.
The laying of a wreath at the war memorial in St. Lambert.
The memory is a bit vague but I'm sure I saw a troop of cavalry ride by the bottom of our street on smart black horses, probably in 1939 just before such demonstrations became purely decorative. The riders were wearing dark uniforms with a tall plume above their shiny helmets, and carried a staff held vertically with a pennant on top.
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St. Lambert restaurants  by Bob Wrigley (Class of '61) |
| The following were received in response to my article last month on St. Lambert restaurants.
I wanted to comment on Bob Wrigley's last article, as it appears he may have missed the most important restaurant in St Lambert back when we were young. The St Lambert Garden B B Q owned by the Spio family , every one remembers Gregory Spiro. He was the greatest of guys even after he was shipped off to Stanstead.
And one other little note, I doubt very much that Bob would have liked Benny's stuff if he knew where it was being prepared ....... in the beginning at least until they moved over to Jacques Cartier ( Longueuil). They first opened in St Lambert on the corner of Elm and St Denis , taking over the spot where Don's Marine and Sporting goods store was. That had been originally Rexall Drugs store ...The basement where Benny cooked their chickens and chips was not quite the restaurant facilities that we think of today, that basement which I helped clean up when my cousin Don Anderson took over the location from Rexall, was dark dingy and dirty. I do not think any thing could have been done to make it a safe clean place to cook food ......
Our family never ordered from Benny's ( even if they gave you more fries than the others ) knowing where things were being cooked we always ordered from the Garden B B Q , and were never disappointed .......There was no gyprock back then that the could have used to cover the basement walls, and if I remember correctly those exposed basement walls had the original stone (most likely field stone) as that was how old the building was .I do not believe there were many food inspectors back then, so every thing and I would imagine any thing was permitted back in the early days
As to the Chow Mien Gardens, well that was run by members of Mark Wong's family and I do believe his uncle is or cousin is still there ( the old fat jolly man who some times is at the front counter )
So not only did we have some fine eating places in St Lambert, these places have direct connection to students that were our classmates
Thanks Bob for a wonderful article, as you can see it did bring back memories
Douglas Macfie - Montreal - (1966)
Miss Italia:
Miss Italia is still going strong and has, for several years, been situated at the corner of Victoria and Clark, near the Lutheran Church.
The Pizza business must be good these days as they will soon be moving to brand new, larger premises almost directly across the street on the Greenfield Park side of Victoria.
I may be wrong about this but, I believe Miss Italia had its beginnings in the old Soda Bar which became La Palma around 1958 or 1959. Rick Lepine, the owner, hired an Italian chef and began serving pizza. The chef left a few years later and opened Miss Italia on Elm.
They still serve the same great chewy crust pizza considered by many the best on the South Shore. If you have a cholesterol problem, just remember to pop a couple of extra "lipitors" if you plan to indulge.
Chow Mein Gardens:
The principal owner of Chow Mein Gardens was Chung Mark, he immigrated to Canada form Hong Kong in 1955 and attended grade 7 at St. Lambert Elementary. He was 16 or 17 at the time and was put back to grade 7 so he could learn English. He didn't continue on to CCHS the following year but, instead, finished his schooling in Montreal.
He sold the business, which retains the Chow Mein Gardens name, 2 or 3 years ago . Undoubtedly the most popular Chinese food take-out restaurant in St. Lambert, you can still get a dinner for two, that feeds 3 or 4, for about $15.
Cory Mark, Chung's son, graduated from CCHS in 1995.
Harvey Carter - St. Lambert - (1960)
I'd like to thank Harvey and Douglas for the photos and updates on my favorite restaurants. It is remarkable that both Miss Italia and Chow Mein Gardens have survived to this day, evidence that they are still presenting great products and excellent service. It will be fun to visit both places again on my next trip home. I also had a chuckle over the behind-the-scenes comments about the BBQ restaurants.
I believe I may have been in Chung Mark's class in grade seven at St. Lambert Elementary. I recall a Chinese student arriving for class, and was impressed by two things -- his remarkable facility with math, and his quiet, gentle and disciplined demeanour, quite unlike the other boisterous male members of our class. He was the first Chinese person I had ever met, and he left me with me with a positive attitude for Chinese people.
Bob Wrigley |
| Our teachers ..... where are they now? |
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 Retired these past 7 years, Brenda and I recently moved from rural Alexandria, ON to a townhouse at Commodore's Cove in Kingston and are now happily settled in. We miss the gardens and woods but not the mosquitoes and deerfly, and as a trade-off, we look out on Lake Ontario.
I have been active with CEONET, a not-for-profit organisation that supports Information Technology and broadband in Prescott-Russell and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. This may seem a far cry from teaching high school Physics or Geography, and so it is. On the other hand, my 30 years at McGill University took me from geographic education, to northern education, educational technology and distance education, so why not something entirely different?
After all these years, memories fade of faces and personalities at CCHS. Of course, my memory is of you in your youth. Would you still be recognisable to me today? When I look at the alumni pages, many names seem familiar, but not always the faces. Tempus fugit. Not that I am unchanged from the young teacher you once knew and now in his 70th year!
I have good memories of my years at CCHS, a fine school and a great community. For anyone wanting to contact me, Peter Burpee my email is pburpee@gmail.com.
My After Chambly Life:
I retired in July , 2005 after teaching PSD (included sex education - gave lots of homework) and mathematics for 29.5 years and being Principal of Chambly Academy for 5.5 years.
I am still organizing the school's trips to Europe (although we did go to China in 2005). I also organized an adult only trip to Vietnam and Cambodia this year.
I was hired by the Ministry to work on a committee (QEMSAP) to ensure a smooth transition for our students to CEGEP when the new science and math programs come into being two years from now. Very interesting work.
I have been a school commissioner for the defunct Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal (PSBGM) and am presently one for the English Montreal School Board (EMSB). I have had this position since 1990 and I am up for re-election this November.
We are constantly driving to Toronto to see two of our sons (youngest is still in Montreal) and our 2 grandsons.
Thank you Peter, and Bernie. I hope other former teachers will follow your lead and tell us what they are doing to these days. - The Editor |
| Welcome New Members: |
New Members:
Debbie Harlow (De Banks) (1956), Peter Rylander (1956)
Diane Bisson (Rattray) (1965), Beverley Bradley (1970), Chris Spearman (1971), Kathy Elliott (1972), Terry Legault (Barber) (1985), Judy Pan (1986)
New Life Members;
Andy Little (1953), John McNee (1954), Anne Lyttle (Young) (1957),
Sherrill Cameron (Wilson) (1957), John Bloxham (1958), Janis Cotter (Johnston) (1958), Murray Peney (1958), John Ernst (1958), Jennie Dienes (Hykawy) (1958)
Bill Stewart (1960), Gordon Richardson (1960), Dave Erskine (1963), Dave Crisp (1963), Barry Elder (1963), Kathleen Burchmore (Prymak) (1965), Trevor Burchmore (1966)
Will Arnold (1970), Leslie Keelty (1970), Daniel Thompson (1979)
Mary Stuart (1984), Bernie Praw (ex-staff)
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| Chambly Academy News |
| Over the summer there was considerable construction underway at the school. Unfortunately this fell behind schedule due mainly to an asbestos problem discovered just before construction started in mid-July. A special crew had to be brought in to remove all traces of the substance and, of course, no one else could work while this was going on.
Classes were supposed to start on August 28 but here was the situation facing Principal, Andy Nardozza on Aug.21st.
No doubt school was delayed a few days, even with some of the non-essential work being deferred for now. They will use some pedagogical days (we used to call them teachers work shop) later in the year to make up the time.
On a positive note It will look so much better when its finished. The school board spent over $600,000 on the repairs - not including what had to be put out for the asbestos clean-up - and have pledged an even greater amount to complete the work next summer. It is heartening to see there is a real commitment to keep the old school going.
I also hear positive news on the land sale front and if this happens it could mean construction of a new double size gym starting next summer. This would be super for our upcoming Reunion 2010.
Harvey Carter
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Chambly Academy Update  by Michael Supino |
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Wow! Oh Wow! Oh Wow!
What a difference 3 months can make and what wonders a mere one and half million dollars can do. The school has finally received some much needed renovations. The work started the first of June this year and continued all summer long.
The start of the school year was delayed by a week, but what a difference! The floors of the front and middle halls were removed, a sealant laid out and a new floor installed. The lockers in the front hall were ripped out and replaced with brand new modern ones; the science labs were totally gutted and three new, larger and state of the art ones were installed. All the students' four washrooms were demolished and replaced with modern equipment and facilities. New teacher work rooms have been created and made "respectable". The school's offices have also been transformed, made larger and brought up to modern standards.
A new security system with special door locks to all the school's entrances and cameras have been installed. New tiles will be installed in the library and the teachers' staff room by the middle of September. The old "technology and wood working" labs have been revamped and a drama room created next door. All in all, it is a fantastic and marvelous improvement.
The remaining renovations will be done in two phases.
Phase 2, summer 2008 will entail the replacement of the flooring in the back hall along with the replacement of the lockers located there
Phase 3, in the near future (we hope): will involve the construction of the much needed and desired new and modern gymnasium and cafeteria. This phase will only occur if and when the land behind the school, on Tiffin St, is sold so that a much needed geriatric hospital can be built for St Lambert. This proposal has been in the works for the past 11 years; but has been "stopped" by some local neighbours who are fighting to preserve the green spaces located there even though the land belongs to the school. There is "promise" (again) that this time the city will purchase this parcel of land and thus Chambly will be able to spend the millions of dollars required to construct new facilities. The school has been waiting all these many years to have this situation resolved and the gym and cafe built, only to have our hopes squashed time and time again. It appears that this fall is the make or break time for this proposal. If the city expropriates the land this November we may have these new facilities available by the next all year's class reunion in 2010.
Speaking from personal experience, of the many ups and downs of this situation, I can only think of that old phrase, "Don't hold your breath". The students who were in grade one when this proposal was first presented to the Chambly community are now in grade eleven and still the land has not been sold and the situation still not resolved.
It was absolutely great to see the students come into the school this year and stare in awe at these improvements. They deserve it.
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New book "Saint-Lambert Through the Years" |
| This 264 page 9" x 12" hardcover book has now been published by the Mouillepied Historical Society (Mouillepied was the 1600's name for the marshland that would become St.Lambert) and includes at least 300 photos of old St. Lambert and 17 articles about the history of the town. The book commemorates the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of St. Lambert. Most of the articles are in French with English subtitles for all photographs, but several of the articles are in English only. The articles include: the Residential Architecture of St. Lambert, the Montreal and Southern Counties Railway in St. Lambert, The story of the English Schools, the Mayors of St. Lambert, St. Lambert Sports, the stores and services of the town, and memories of the town.
Available from Zodiac Photo Plus Inc. at 563 Victoria St., St. Lambert, QC, J4P 3A2 telephone 450-465-7946 fax 450-465-9386 They will mail the book anywhere and will provide a quote on the mail cost before shipping. The book costs $40 plus tax= $42.40 plus postage.
Editors Note: I attempted to have the book available for on-line sales through our chamblycounty.com website but was unable to come to an agreement that would be of fiscal benefit to either the association or it's members, |
| Letters to the Editor |
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We encourage you to e-mail us with your photos, comments, suggestions or contributions, possible story topics, news items, and whatever you think would help us make further improvements to bring you the information you want most.
Contact the Editor
mailto:angus@hfx.eastlink.ca |
| Thanks to all the members who recently renewed their membership. Your continued support of the association is much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Angus Cross
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