Fiftieth anniversary of Rosseau Community Hall - the community's war memorial

One of the handsome community memorials honoring the fallen in World War I is the Community Hall at Rosseau. It is interesting that this week, when the Ontario Historic Site marker for the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was unveiled (the scene at the time of the ceremony is pictured above), that it is also the fiftieth anniversary week for this splendid community hall.
Speaking with Rosseau people who have enjoyed the use of the building over half a century, we were told on Sunday afternoon that no structural changes have been made over the years. Reeve Ariss said that all panelling has been added in the downstairs rooms, which have been carpeted, and in the hall the ceiling was lowered and insulated in order to ensure better heating in the winter. The Community Hall is well used by all community associations, including the new Lions Club, and the church organizations.
Because of the 50th anniversary, we are reproducing below the account of the official opening of Rosseau Community Hall in this week of August, 1924:
(Reprinted from our newspaper files of 1924)
Rosseau Memorial Community Hall was opened by the unveiling of the Memorial Tablets, placed on the front wall of the building, on Wednesday, August 27th, at 2.30 p.m. in the presence of a large crowd of residents and summer visitors.
This solid stone and cement building is 40 feet by 70 feet, one story, with basement, and is fireproof, costing about $12,000.00, secured by public subscription.
It is built of a rustic Gothic style, of rough grey Muskoka stone, faced with black mortar, and has a red tile roof and plastered throughout. The first floor will seat 400 and has a stage and dressing rooms at one end, and is well lighted by numerous long windows.
The bugle played the "Last Post" and one minute's silence was observed after the audience sang "God Save the King."
Mrs. (Dr.) Foote, received a silver key, carried on a cushion, from a little girl, and formally opened the door of the Hall, which the crowd soon filled to listen the speakers who had come to extend congratulations, some of whom were Colonel James Arthurs, M.P. Parry Sound; W. J. Hammell, M.P. Muskoka; Dr. Harcourt, M.P.P. Parry Sound; Rev. Mr. Lee, Parry Sound. The local speakers were Dr. Foote, Rev. William Hankinson, and Rev. Mr. Conning. Mr. Stewart told them how it was done and Mr. Peterson, of Beaverton, told how he had build from his early training in Norway.
The basement has a dining room to seat about 100 a kitchen, furnace room, and a board room, where all kinds of meetings can be held.
The tablet is of red granite and has inscribed on it the names of all those who served, and those who fell, who had been residents of Humprey and Cardwell and part of Watt Township.
Those Who Fell in Flanders Fields: William Ariss, Alf. Clubbe, George Draycott, Thomas Goodman, David Gower, William Jones, John Knowles, Stanley Short, John Topp.
Those Who Also Served: Fred and Tom Ariss, Manly Anderson, T. Bierness, Robert, John and Ed. Crawford, F. Coate, H. and A. Cooke, E.D Cousins, R. Clements, R. Crowder, William Cubitt, J. Cryer, P. Dubly, A. Dixon, R. Dickson, Joseph Ditchburn, Einar Einarson, C. Emes, Clarence, Walter and George Foote, G. R. Fleming, Bert Fry, Ernie
and Emil Grenke, H. and G. Goodman, Gregory Hall, Alex and Archie Helonkay, Afonso Hall, John and James Huffman, Hector Wilfrid, Norman and Cecil Hatherly, John and Thomas Jones, Prosper and Arthur Jean Marie, Hugh and James Jackson, J. Lawson, N. Lambert, W. McGary, W. Morden, Harper Mid-dlebrook, Embert and Arthur Meinsenheimer, A. Muritt, F. F. Peeler, Lee and M. Presley, R. Pepper, James Ruxton, E. Stonemen, Joe Size, T. Smith. V. Shaw, A. and H. Turner, H. Taylor, H. Todd, Beresford Topp, W. West, Frank Wood, T. and Henry Wilson, Thomas Webster, A. Wilson, W. Wager, F. Young.
Programme of unveiling consisted of Bugle Call; prayer by Rev. Mr.
Hankinson, hymn "Lest We Forget," Bible reading by Rev, Mr. Conning, and reading by Rev. Mr. Lee, of Parry Sound, address by Col. Arthurs, M.P. Parry Sound District, who raised the flag from the tablet and as the flag went up to half-mast the bugle played the "Last Post."
The evening of August 28th, a concert and dance was held, to an overflow house, and the program was given by the Muskoka Assembly Entertainers, assisted by local talent. The hall was beautifully decorated inside and outside by flowers and flags.
Archdeacon Gilmore came all the way from Sault Ste. Marie to be present, as well as a number of old boys from other parts of the province.
CIVIC HOLIDAY
Acting on the authority of a resolution passed by the Area Municipal Council I hereby proclaim
Monday September 16th, 1974
A Civic Holiday for the Town of Gravenhurst
and request all citizens to observe the same
Hugh A. Bishop Mayor
29-8-lL
INSURANCE
C. ALMA PEACOCK
PHONE 645-2302 78 KIMBERLEY AVE.—
Fire, theft, burglary, outboard motors, boats, personal property, accident, automobile and other lines. 
Lloyd E. Leeder
29.7.TN PLUMBING and HEATING
P.O. BOX 485, Bracebridge	645-2451
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