Looking Back - 1988: Fascination with clocks leads to lifelong hobby
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Jessica Morton
Neepawa Banner & Press
80 years ago
Tuesday, March 22, 1938
A couple of inches of heavy snow blanketed the country side Monday morning, but as the temperature did not go down but a few degrees below freezing, there was no indication that a March cold spell was in the offing. The sunny days during the previous week caused most of the snow to disappear but now there will be another run of rivulets.
70 years ago
Thursday, March 25, 1948
March 17th was a great day for the Irish, particularly for the large crowd of Hibernians at the Blarney Ball held in the arcade under auspices of the Girls Auxiliary of the Hospital Aid. The Blackhawks Orchestra played all the old favourites from the Emerald Isle. A course of high school girls appeared in Irish dances that were cleverly and artistically executed.
60 years ago
Friday, March 21, 1958
Gib Burton, a Franklin district farmer, won the conservation “Progress Award” for the Springhill Save the Soil Club for 1957. Presentation was made at the Watershed meeting in Neepawa on Thursday. The award, a large (20”x40”) gate sign with his name on it, was presented by Art Dilworth, Fieldman for Manitoba Pool Elevators. Farms in the district are judged annually, with points awarded in various categories for measures employed to conserve the soil. Mr. Burton’s markings showed the greatest increase over the previous year. His 807 points paced him, second in the overall judging. Jack McKee of Neepawa received a total of 852 points, and both will receive certificates for the achievements.
50 years ago
Tuesday, March 19, 1968
The annual drive for patrons for the Neepawa Fine Arts Festival is now underway and the finance committee has set a target of 200 patrons to provide support for the 1968 festival, to be held April 30 to May 3. The goal is an increase from the 140 patrons listed for the festival here last year and Gerald Murray, chairman of the finance committee, points out the financing of the festival is dependant entirely on the co-operation of Neepawa and area residents. The Neepawa Fine Arts Festival is becoming one of the outstanding festivals in Manitoba, Mr. Murray pointed out as he urged residents to support the campaign.
40 years ago
Thursday, March 23, 1978
For the second time in the history of the Neepawa Independent Order of Oddfellows, a local lodge member has been installed as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. Robert A. Newton of Neepawa was installed last Wednesday, March 15, at the public installation of Grand Lodge and Rebekah officers at the International Inn in Winnipeg. The last time the local lodge was so honoured was in 1902, when John Wemyss held the Grand Masters office. Mr. Newton brings so many years of experience to the office. He was initiated in the Order in Reliance Lodge No. 69 at Kelwood in January of 1943, and became a Past Grand in 1947. In 1951 he became District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 13 and through the years has held the offices of Grand Herald in 1958, Grand Conductor in 1974, Grand Warden in 1976 and Deputy Grand Master in 1977. Mr. Newton was elected to the Joint Jurisdictional Youth Committee in 1963 and served until 1967. He also served as elected rural representative on the Home Board from 1972 until 1976.
30 years ago
Tuesday, March 22, 1988
“My grandfather clock was too tall for the shelf, so it stood 90 years on the floor.” In the year 2078, Jack Thomas’ great grandchildren may be saying exactly that about the grandfather clock which Thomas built in January 1988. The stately oak clock, towering seven feet high, is one of several that Thomas has constructed. “Ever since I was 10 years old, I’ve been interested in watches and clocks,” says the soft spoken Thomas, who also restores old clocks. “Its my hobby.” Woodworking has been a part of his life since he was a young boy. “It’s in my family,” he comments. “All my ancestors on both sides of the family, back as far as we can trace, were master tradesmen in England.” The impressive grandfather clock, Sir John A. MacDonald model, is a cable driven clock. Beside the grandfather clock sits, appropriately, a grandmother clock. Built from an old canary wood settlers chest, the grandmother clock stands six feet tall. “When I was a boy, I used to visit Mr. Ferris, the jeweller here in Neepawa. He was a good watch maker, a very interesting man who always had time to stop and talk. He showed me the ‘tricks of the trade’, and for over 30 years I’ve been repairing clocks and watches.”
20 years ago
Monday, March 23, 1998
Twenty skaters of all ages participated in the Sunday, March 8, skate-a-thon in the Glenella arena. Skaters brought in a total of $820 in pledge money. Josh McDonald was presented with a trophy for the youngest skater while Velma Knoll received a trophy for the oldest skater. Velma was also awarded with a certificate from Laurette’s Restaurant for bringing in the most pledges, totalling $135. Everyone enjoyed hot dogs, drinks and ice cream cones.
10 years ago
Friday, March 28, 2008
On March 18 and 19, students at Neepawa Nursery School participated in a “hop-a-thon.” The event called “hopping for those who can’t,” was a fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC). The event raised $627.50. All funds raised through the hop for Muscular Dystrophy will be used to fund research and programs to provide much needed services to the tens of thousands of people across Canada living with, or affected by, neuromuscular disorders. This is the seventh year that Neepawa Nursery School has participated.
