Port Williams News

The Section #61 Comeback, a reunion of students and teachers from the one-room (later two-room) Church Street School was held at the old school grounds and at the St. John’s Parish Hall Aug. 18.

Former teacher Mildred (Illsley) Levy from 1946-47 and over 50 former students gathered at the Hall and started the day with a Meet and Greet.

At noon, a sign marking the location of the school - now a picnic park maintained by the P.W. Lions - was dedicated by Canon Sid Davies. Made possible by donations from Janette (Sutton) Morfee, the Kidston family, Glen Kynock and MLAs Mark Parent and Leo Glavine, the front of the sign has a picture of the school while on the reverse is listed the names of the 65 teachers who taught at the school from 1878 to its closing in 1962 (one of whom was my grandmother Alma Russell).

It joins the stone marker, which had been erected at the time of the first reunion in 1997 to mark the site of the school. Former student, and one of the organizers, John Sutton was very pleased that the school, which had been so important in the life of the community, now has a sign that expanded on the history of the school.

The school was one of the first Christian Grammar schools in Nova Scotia and had a long and close relationship with St. John’s Anglican Church, located across the street. Sutton remembers over the years all the students going to the church every Wednesday morning for religion lesson with the ministers Col. Bullock, Rev. E.B. M Cochrane and Rev. Harold Graven.

In the early 1940s, $125 was given to the school for the purchase of equipment so that Domestic Science could be taught to the girls. Manual Training (mostly woodworking) was taught to the boys by means of a specially equipped bus that traveled from school to school called the Shopmobile.

In the 1950s, the school was divided into two rooms so students could be separated into primary and advanced classes.

The showing of the Roy Rogers movie, Bells of Colorado, in the early afternoon brought back fond memories for many participants of one of the highlights of the school year; the annual winter trip to the Paramount Theatre in Kentville by Joe Healy.

Healy, once there was enough snow on the ground, would hitch up his team of black horses to a series of sleds hooked together and transport the entire school to a Saturday matinee.

A very spirited auction, with items donated by many local businesses, provided fun and raised money to assist in renovations at the Parish Hall. The day concluded with a variety show with lots of area talent and door prizes. Those that didn’t come missed a good show and a good time was the feeling for many people who attended.

Sutton hopes it will someday be possible to have the Church St. School ledgers and records come home to the community so the school’s history can be better known and shared.

Softball was a game played frequently by students at the school, so it was only fitting that part of the reunion would be the inaugural game of the Section 61 Invitational Baseball Championship.

Inclement weather forced a postponement of the game until Sunday, when the Port Williams Warriors and the Canning Eagles played to an 11-11 draw in front of an enthusiastic crowd on the old school grounds. The tie will result in the trophy, donated by Porter’s Custom Trophy and Engraving, being displayed at PWES for six months and then at Glooscap Elementary School for the rest of the year.

Afterwards, the players, children ages 6-8, each received a medallion and the over 40-member audience was awarded some nice spectator prizes before heading to the Parish Hall for refreshments.

Kevin Veinot, coach of the Port Williams team, said that the Section 61 Championship will be continued in future years as “a wonderful opportunity to continue the friendly competition between Port Williams and Canning.”

Kids, come to Prescott House for games, ice cream and good old-fashioned splishy-spashy fun. Water guns are welcome! Dress appropriately and please wear sunscreen. The event, for kids from 5-12, runs from 1-3:30 p.m. Wed., Aug. 29. The cost is $5. Space is limited, so call the museum at 542-3984 to pre-register. A snack of cookies and lemonade will be provided.

On Sat., Sept. 8 the Baptist church invites everyone to a Corn Boil in Lockwood Hall from 5-6:30 p.m. The meal will consist of corn, hot dogs and cake. There will be a freewill donation with all monies going toward church work.

There will be a Variety Show at the Community Centre Sat., Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Chet Brown, J.C. and Company, Connie Strokes, Lucas Munroe and Friends and Harold Hunt. Sound by Harold Hunt. Admission is $5. There will be a canteen, 50/50 draw and tickets available on a hand-painted picture valued at $400. Everyone welcome! Proceeds for the P.W. T.O.P.S.

The Port Williams playgroup will resume Tues., Sept. 11. Open to all parents/caregivers and children from birth to pre-school, playgroup meets every Tuesday morning from 10:30-12:00.

This free playgroup is held at the Port Williams United Baptist Church. Snack is provided. For more information, e-mail lauracd@ns.sympatico.ca or phone the church office at 542-3495.

St. John’s Anglican: Sunday School teachers will meet Thurs., Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. at the rectory and the Sunday School registration and barbecue will be held Sept. 9.

Baptist Church: The WMA will begin their year Tues., Sept. 4 with program on the Cloverdale Centre, a Home Mission project supported by the Atlantic Baptist Women. For further information call Elinor Miller at 542-5312.