Addendum #1
"THE COUNTRY COMMUNITY CLUB"
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
In 1947, several of the women in the Otter Lake and James Bay Junction areas of Foley Township met at each other's homes twice a month to discuss local problems and work to raise money to erect a community hall. Some of those women were Phoebe Morrow, Mary Whitfield, Isobel Whitfield, Julia Smith, Clara Hamilton, Gladys Brook, Eileen Cargill, Hazel Cargill, Ida Cargill, Bertha Clare, Dora Scriver, Mabel McConnell, Margaret Stoneburgh, and Hilda Stoneburgh. They called themselves the Country Community Club, or the 3 C's, Bertha Clare was the first president.
Eventually, when the new Foley Central School was built and opened in 1953, the C.C.CIub purchased the S.S. #2 School House and property on James Bay Junction Road to be used for a community hall and club house. Some repairs were made to the building and in the front yard a memorial was erected by Ed. Badger to commemorate all the local men and women who had served in the two World Wars. Each November a memorial service was held at the Foley Memorial Hall. Circumstance eventually saw the monument moved to the Foley township office and then finally to the Seguin Pioneer (Otter Lake) United Church all with the help of the C.C. club. Remembrance Day services continue to be held every year with the Canadian legion participation when possible.
Many parties, dances, concerts, dinners and meetings of various kinds where held in this hall, including the Cubs and Scouts, which flourished in the 50's and 60's. When the Foley Ratepayers' Association and the Foley Historical Society were first formed, they met in this hall. Then for a number of years the C.C. Club women made for sale very attractive Christmas wreaths from freshly cut evergreen boughs.
The C.C. Club also ran the Wednesday night bingos at the Foley Agricultural Hall for many years. With funds raised from their various activities they contributed to many projects and charities in Foley and the surrounding communities. The youth in skating clubs, minor hockey, scouting, and guiding all received financial support over the years.
The support of the C.C. Club may be seen whenever you pass the Foley Cemetery as evidenced by the black wrought iron fence and gates that enclose the final resting place of our pioneers and their families.
Years ago there had been fairs in the Town of Parry Sound held at the attractive Fair Hall that graced the property where the High School now stands.
Three local Foley Township women - members of the C.C. Club - reminiscing over coffee, came up with the idea that a Fall Fair was again needed in this area. Then they talked to all their friends and neighbours. Thus after much planning, many meetings and canvassing and searching for information, the Foley Fall Fair was born with the first Fair being held on the grounds and in the Foley Central School on Labour Day weekend, August 29 -31,1963.
The original Foley Fall Fair Committee members were Bonnie and Arnold Home; Fred and Winifred Wood; Elinor Wolfenden, Roma Wynn, Bertha Clare, Helen Smith, Douglas Mortson, Charles Church, Peg and Bud Shunk, Reg Brint, Freda Bush and Pearl Shoebottom, with many others assisting them on the membership committee.
There continued commitment led a few years later to the construction of the present Foley Agricultural Hall and grounds and on September 1, 1972, the Foley Fall Fair was officially opened at this new site
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