by Glen Cotter
We had Alf Fulford's dry goods store, one of a kind,
For curtain or dress material you had in mind,
With the help of clerks you would certainly find.
In the middle of town we had Thompson's 5 and 10 cent Selrite store,
With long aisles and items galore.
At Rutter's Barber Shop on John Street you could get in the chair.
And when you left you had that smelly green lotion in your hair,
And you wondered why people you passed would give you a stare.
Elliott's Insurance on Queen Street has been around for a long time.
There was Grandfather Elliott, then Ross, and now Peter keeping business in line.
Jack Record was the plumber in town.
Plus as our fire chief, he was always making the rounds.
There was Hyne's Drug Store with the soda fountain and swivel seats.
Dwayne Cuff was across the street sending your telegrams off to the Morse Code beat.
Now Stuart Smart was a man you'd like to know.
His look to the future gave us the Capitol show.
The numerous donations he gave to the town you'll never know.
Rosevear's Jewelry Store always displayed some 'class',
And it was hard not to look into the window as you passed.
Whetsone's had the men's shirts and clothes to buy,
With Doney and Giddy's down the street near by.
While Lyle Carr would sell you a suit and throw in a tie.
Now, 'Guidey' Wilson was in charge of the local news.
There was a column called 'Heard on the street'.
And some of the gossip was hard to beat.
When Guidey Wilson died it was a mystery to some they say,
He seemed to be in good health from day to day.
Now, the Evening Guide was delivered folded in a square,
And when passing the house you would give it a fling and throw it in the air,
Hoping that it landed in the spot you aimed,
If the roof or bushes it hit, you would try again.
Now, for mail the old post office on Queen was the only source,
Or Mr May would deliver the rural by cart and horse,
You received your mail by box or at the wicket,
If you had a parcel you would get a ticket.
Now Madeleine Leuty or John Wickett knew most by name,
No need to say anything at the wicket for your mail to claim,
They would look up and might say 'nothing today',
Have a little chat and send you on your way.
The town tennis courts stood by the town hall
And you would hear the players 'in' or 'out' calls.
They usually played in twos and fours,
And suddenly you would hear one call 'yours'.
In time the council voted to sell the land,
In the year '42 they got the money in their hand.
In closing it sorta made me glad
To think we survived the historical past,
But determined those days are not our last.
However, when you go to the local cemetery, have a look around.
You will find the names of men and women that made our town,
There will be names there to lay claim to fame.
So take your time and go down memory lane.