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Newspaper
Acton Free Press
Location
Acton, Ontario, Canada
Date
Dec 29, 1955
Page
9
The new stamping machine entered service at the post office on Thursday but missed the Christmas rush. Workers still stamp by hand for out-of-town cards, though the device will save hours by reducing hand stamping on future mail.
Santa Claus handed out 27 mystery gifts as merchants held a weekly draw on Mill Street. H. Kaminga, holder of a 10 percent coupon, won $19.58 and identified the merchant of the week. Twenty-seven named locals received prizes, with Frank Fowke and N. Hurst receiving vouchers. Next week’s pot reaches $197 and a coupon holder may win close to $100.
Local police reported a quiet Christmas weekend with no disturbances or accidents. Police urge car owners not to park on town streets overnight to allow sanding and snow removal when needed.
The United Church held three Christmas Eve services with a candlelit choir performance supervised by George Elliott. Rev Gordon Adams read scripture while soloists Dorothy Simmons Nancy Lambert Frank Bean and Randy Lidken performed. About 200 attended each service.
Pilot Officer Ron Rolston, home for Christmas, has passed his jet flying course at Gimli Manitoba and is assigned to McDonald Manitoba for a six week gunnery course. He is among four to pass and will receive an extra set of wings and a scroll. Rolston joined the Air Force last June and grew up locally. He returns to training after a brief Christmas visit.
A magistrate's court adjourned on Wednesday with several dismissals. Two Highway Traffic Act charges and one Liquor Control Act charge were dismissed. An Acton man was convicted of creating a disturbance, fined $10 and costs, and given six months probation for an incident at a local taxi stand last Thursday morning.
Two Masses will be celebrated at St Josephs church each Sunday starting New Year’s Day. Rev Father W J Morgan announced the arrangement due to constant overcrowding. Masses set for 9 00 and 9 30 a m. Georgetown also holds two Masses each Sunday. Father MacDougall of Guelph celebrated Christmas midnight Mass as St Josephs was crowded. Father Mor gan’s nephew Father Francis Morgan of Hamilton preached at Georgetown Midnight Mass and said Mass in Acton on Christmas day. Christmas trees lit and altars decorated with special music by the choir. The pastor wished parishioners and Acton citizens a holy holiday season. An alarm was turned in for the fire on Church Street Friday afternoon but firemen were not needed.
The Free Press extends best wishes for happiness and prosperity to all readers as the new year 1956 begins, expressing warm regards and communal goodwill.
The Munt family from near Silvercreek lost their home and belongings in a pre Christmas fire. Georgetown businessmen organized a fundraiser raising about 365 dollars. The Salvation Army provided clothing and Rev. Fred Flretcher led donations and offers of shelter and work. The family accepted a temporary home in Campbellville and an employer offered a job after the blaze. Donations continue through Zion Tabernacle in Georgetown.
A surprise gathering was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Davidson on Friday evening to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Nearly 30 friends arrived about 9:30 after the couple were at a committee meeting for the Acton Fair Board. A social evening followed with a luncheon gift of a cameo locket chain cuff links and tie clip set presented to the couple.
Howard Caine former Oakville councillor and CKFH station manager confirms plans for a local radio station. He says financing is under way and will apply for a license to the department of transport early in 1956 with a CBC board appearance in February.
Two cars collided near the intersection of Highway No. 25 and the Campbellville sideroad last Thursday due to icy roads. Jared Taylor of Milton turned onto the highway from Campbellville while Dieter Claer of Milton, driving south on No. 25, skidded on ice and struck Taylor’s rear.
A dozen Halton Junior Farmers and Junior Institute members appeared on television Christmas Day singing and laughing during an impromptu party filmed the prior Thursday in Toronto. Three members were interviewed, and the segment aired on Country Calendar with a related radio recording broadcast Saturday noon. Congratulations were offered for the group’s excellent performance in a new medium.
Three residential developments drove a 1955 Acton building boom with an estimated 1,755,100 spent on construction. Glenlea and Lakeview led the surge with hundreds of homes and winter work continuing. Cobble Hill was finished earlier, while plans for a 12 lot area by E Braida progressed.
Firemen were awakened early Monday to a blaze at the Mill Street home of Ss Brunelle. Heavy smoke filled the house but damage was limited after investigators traced the fire to an air foam mattress in a basement room occupied by a roomer. Some bedding also suffered smoke and fire damage.
The Acton Pentecostal Sunday school and morning service combined for a Christmas program on December 25. Performances included recitations, solos, a skit, and songs such as A Christmas Time Welcome and Away in a Manger, with Rev. Reid delivering Guided by a Star and a heartfelt closing verse. Presents and candy bags were given to all Sunday school members.
New plates for 1956 go on sale January 3 and must be purchased by January 31 giving Ontario motorists a month’s grace on their 1955 plates. The same extension applies to operator and chauffeur licenses and trailer permits.
Halton TB Association reports Christmas seal receipts are 15 percent higher than last year, per president R F Bean. He urges donations, notes a planned mass county survey next fall that will strain resources. The group distributed Christmas packages to residents in sanatoria and a credit was added to their canteen fund. About 17 Halton County residents are in sanatoria for treatment.
A year in review shows Acton’s 1955 growth with new subdivisions Cobble Hill and Glenlea, annexation adding 465 acres and about 400 000 in assessment, ongoing planning, tax rate rise to 7 mills, and multiple municipal projects from hydro to sewer work, reported by the Free Press.
A photo story on Acton's 1955 expansion notes two large subdivisions in progress and a growth chart from annexations. It covers council UE tensions, planning board leadership change, natural gas talks, and major building activity including Lakeview and Glenlea projects along with water and infrastructure issues.
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