Souvenir History of Bruce Beach/1927-1933

1927

FOR beautiful weather and sunshine at the Beach this year has not been exceeded. The annual concert was unusually ,good and the Sports day one of the best in many years.

A new cottage was built by Rev. Gordon Rintoul of Forest. and enlargements made by Rev. C. A. Malcolm. Mr. W, H. Collins of Kitchener, who was transferred to Montreal. sold his cottage to Rev. J. W. McNamara. who returned to the Beach after a number of years absence. The Rev. D. G. Paton of Teeswater erected a cottage and Mr. J. F. Ross of Guelph purchased the Johnston Cottage. Mr. Ross is welcomed to the Beach as a valuable member of the fraternity.

The Cottagers who had formed themselves into a Joint Stock Company to take over the option of Messrs. Kennedy and Wilson received a Charter. The name inserted in the same was The McCosh-Grove Ltd.' At its first annual Executive meeting Rev. W. A. Bradley was elected President in the place of Me James S. Anderson, deceased.

Two Tennis courts were laid out on the property at the top of the hill, and surrounded by a wire fence. Mr. Bradley's garage at the entrance gate was taken over by the Company and moved to a convenient place as a house in which to store the golf horse-mower and other implements.

At the annual meeting of the Association there was some excitement over the notice that had come to one of the cottagers from the Government to pay up or his claim would be cancelled. The committee having the matter in charge were instructed to interview the Government and also to make them an offer for the property.

A representative from the Pyrene Fire Extinguisher manufacturing Company was present, and demonstrated the powers of their extinguisher, Several Cottagers gave orders for the contrivance.

Sorrow was expressed at the untimely taking away of Mr. James S. Anderson. who bad been one of the oldest and most active members of the Association, and a committee was appointed to convey the sympathies of the members to the bereaved wife and family. To beautify the surroundings of the 'Cottages, ,Mr. Kennedy procured 2000 pine trees to be planted on the Cottagers' lots and on the property of the McCosh-Grove Limited.

Officers: President, Mr. J. E. Robertson; Vice Pres., Dr. G. Wilson, Sec.-Treas., Rev. H. J. Harnwell.

1928

OLD Sol did his best this year to make the holidays of the beachers worth while. There were few hours of the days of July and August that he did not beam benignly upon the campers. The weather was delightful and throughout the season few fires needed to be kindled in the fire places. The cottages were ail filled throughout the season.

The McCosh Grove Limited made considerable improvement on their property. The hill road coming down to the cottages was greatly improved and made secure for drivers, by posts and cable, the latter donated by Me D. E. Kennedy.

A new road from near the pump to the Steve Tout property northward was cut through, and gravelled, making sites for garages and parking places for autos available.

At the annual meeting of the Association it was announced that the negotiations of the committee with the Government bad failed. That the Government refused to lower the rental, continuing the figure at S12.00 per annum for a lot 66 ft. wide. The committee was thanked for its efforts.

The Golf Tournament this year was of particular interest. Mr. C. W. Yates of New York presented the Club with a beautiful Gold watch to be contended for in the annual Tournament.. The contest was keen. It was won by Dr. C. L. Eaton, Mr. Fred Jackson was the runner up. A large gallery followed the players in the final contest.

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Mr. T. L. Hamliton, President 1928-30

During the year Mr. J. G. Archibald of Woodstock built a cottage and became a resident of the Beach. It was noticeable this year that the lake level was considerably higher than for a. number of years previous.

Officers: President, Mr. T. L. Hamilton; Vice Pres. Dr. W. H. Sedgewick; Sec-Treas., Rev. H. J. Harnwell.

1929

ANOTHER holiday season of delightful weather. The floods in April had endangered some cottages that stood near the mouths of the streams that come into the Lake but no serious damage was done.

At the annual concert Mr. D. E. Kennedy provided a piano, the first time this instrument figured at the Beach entertainment.

A feature worthy of notice at the Sports this year were the prizes in the contests. These were provided by the Merchants of Kincardine who felt that it was up to them to reciprocate for the patronage they had received from the Bruce Beach population.

At the annual meeting of the Golf Club steps were taken to re-arrange the course to prevent cross, driving, consequently the 9th tee was moved further to the west and trees and stumps taken out to make a new fairway.

The changes in property noted were the purchase of the Baird cottage by Dr. Earle McKenzie of Detroit. The purchase of the Mitchell cottage by Dr. J. Lovell Murray. Dr. Murray removed the cottage bought and erected a fine up-to-date cottage on its site, and the pur- chase of the McMullen cottage by Mrs. Annie Chilvers of Walkerville.

Officers: Same as previous year.

1930

THIS year the Lake levels were higher than for many years. Wells that had gone dry for some time were again in use with plenty of water.

The 8th concession hill was improved by the Huron Township Council so that autos could descend and return with safety.

Sports day was a great event this year. Many fine prizes were given to the contestants. These were provided by. the businessman of Kincardine and Ripley. The Concert In the evening was, as usual, well patronized by the outside public. The Glee Club rendered a number of popular songs all arranged by Dr. W. A. Bradley, to suit the occasion with local coloring. The first was adapted from "The Stein Song".

  Bruce Beachers greet the dear old shore,
  shout till the valleys ring
Chorus:
  more...

The first verse and chorus were again repeated.

A tune from the C.G.I.T. Song Book and accompanying words were made to do duty in naming some of the prominent Beachers.

  O Mr. King we'll sing a ling a ling
  With all our hearts from you

The Ladies' Glee Club also provided some excellent numbers. At the annual Meeting of the Association the question of bringing in Hydro electric light to the Beach was discussed and a committee was appointed to look into the matter and bring a report to a special meeting to be called by the President before the cottagers left the Beach. During the year Mr. C. W. Yates erected a beautiful cottage. Minor improvements were made in other cottages.

The salary of the Sec.-Treas. was advanced to $75 00 per annum.

Officers: Pres. Mr. T. L. Hamilton; Vice Pres, Rev. J W. Gordon; Sec.-Treas.. Rev H J Harnwell.

1931

OLD Father Time in his speedy flight brongs round again the holiday season, and July and August find us once more upon the Beach prepared to make the best of all too short a holiday outing.

The Golf and Tennis Tournaments were well contested. Golf becomes more popular every year. The annual Sports Day and evening Concert were largely attended. The song composed by Dr. Bradley that caused some amusement was a parody on Alouette as follows:

Don't relate. O Johnnie, what you ate
What you ate for dinner just today

Each verse took on a different part of the menu.

Ham and eggs; Pork and beans;
Fish and chips; Onion pie; Bologna sausage.
 

The Pie Eaters

At the annual meeting of the Association Dr. J. F. McKenzie resigned the convenership of the Sports Committee which he had held tor 15 years. During that time he bad been intiring in his efforts to make the sports a success and on motion at Dr. W. A. Bradley, seconded by Dr. J. W. McNamara, the Association took steps to have his name perpetuated in connection with the Sports by giving annually a prize to be known as the Dr. McKenzie award. The money for the purchase of this prize to be taken from the funds of the Association.

A representative from the Provincial Hydro Electric Commission was present at the meeting and steps were taken to secure Hydro for the cottagers.

Officers: President, Rev. J. W. Gordon; Vice Pres., Rev. Dr. ]. W. McNamara; Sec.-Treas., Rev. H. J. Harnwell.

1932

BRUCE BEACH as a summer resort still grows in interest and popularity. In this year of depression while other Summer Resorts had many vacant cottages Bruce Beach had not one.

Throughout the season the social activities were well maintained. Sports Day brings its usual large crowd of interested spectators, and the Sunday Services are well attended by reverent worshippers.

Hydro has not yet reached the Beach, but a movement is to be made by the Kincardine commission to circularize the cottagers, and request them to sign blank forms, in order that they may ascertain how many will become subscribers.

In no year thus far have the waters of the Lake so far receded as in 1932.

And the annual meeting of the Golf Club articles of furniture comprised the gift given the successful winners in the Tournament. Mr. Fred Yates was elected president.

For the first time since his appointment as Sec.- Treas., Mr. Harnwell was absent through sickness. Many good wishes were expressed for his speedy recovery. Dr. J. F. McKenzie and Dr. W. A. Bradley acted in his place at the annual meeting.

Officers of 1931 were all re-elected.

1933

THE year 1933 was. a year of pleasure and progress at the Beach. The cottages were all filled by tenants or their owners throughout the holiday season. The weather was exceptional fine during the months of July and August.

Sports day, while threatening rain in the forenoon, cleared up, and a delightful afternoon was spent. The concert in the evening had a record attendance, and the programme was up to its usual quality.

The Tennis Tournament was of particular interest tIm year. All the divisions met on No. 1 courts. Refreshments were served to more than 100 guests.. The club was invited to a friendly game with Kincardine and sent 12 players.

At the annual meeting of the Association a petition was presented by tenants and owners of cottages asking the Association to take steps to prevent or regulate the motor traffic on the shore.

After much discussion in which the legal phases of the matter were explained by Mr. McCrae-president of the Law School, Toronto, and His Honor Judge West the following resolution was adopted.

Whereas Bruce Beach has been long noted as a quiet retreat where the lakefront has been a playground for the children, The Bruce Beach Campers' Association would respectfully request every cottage owner, renter or tenant, to use motor cars on the Beach only when necessary, and then to exercise care and consideration for children."

The secretary was instructed to procure cards for distribution in all the cottages calling attention to this matter, and also to have signs erected along the shore calling attention to the shore speed limit.

It is a long call from the early days when the Beachers went begging for some merchant in Ripley or Kincardine to bring supplies to the Beach, without success until 1933. when canvassers from both Ripley and Kin- the Beach soliciting orders for their firms, and the Dominion Store, Kincardine, holding an afternoon tea on the Golf grounds and inviting all cottagers to attend.

But 1933 will be remembered as the year in which the Golf Club erected a beautiful little club house at the first tee, also the presentation of two handsome cups to the Club. One by Mr. C. W. Yates to be contested for by our own club and one by Mr. C. R. Miller to be contested for by the Kincardine and Bruce Beach Clubs, and also the presentation by the Kincardine Club of a nice flag to be flown from the flagstaff of the Bruce Beach Club at the first Tee.

Officers: President, Dr. J. W. McNamara; Vice Pres., His Hon. Judge West; Sec-Treas., Rev. H. J. Harnwell.

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Dr. J. W. McNamara President 1933-34