Milton Community Association, 1971
As written by Harley Walker for the Mersey Quarterly in 1971
The content on this page has been compiled by Linda Rafuse
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Several hundred mill employees, woods workers, and retired employees of Bowater Mersey Paper Company live in the Village of Milton. A large group of these are members of the Milton Community Association, and all are involved or directly affected in some way by the operations of this very strong organization.
This association is dedicated to community service, and in the past twenty-five years has accumulated assets worth $125,000, and has spent another $75,000 for other community activities. A few of the major assets are a community hall, two playgrounds, sports facilities, and a swimming pool. The club, which spends a considerable sum each year in operating its facilities, also assists other organizations financially. New projects are presently in the planning stage and will be carried out in the future.
The Village of Milton was founded 209 years ago in 1762. It was built along both sides of the Mersey River, above Liverpool, and around the sawmills using the three or four miles of the river where dams, such as The Falls, Potanoc, Cowie Falls, and the Guzzle, were built for waterpower to operate the mills. The mills and dams have disappeared and today Milton is a beautiful residential area. The homes are well kept and much sought after. Milton, which has a population of 2200 people, is one of the ten incorporated villages in Nova Scotia. It has a quiet down-east atmosphere and is a safe place for children.
In 1944, a group of citizens thought that with proper organization, the community would be improved if there were better sports facilities and an adequate hall built. Consequently, the Milton Community Club was formed and one of the first major projects was the construction of a new hall. When enough money was accumulated, the old Congregational Church, which had served as a hall, was torn down. This land was traded for a larger and more suitable piece on the east side of the river on Tupper Street. A.E. Priest of Halifax was engaged as architect, and publicity was given freely by Cecil Day, owner, and editor of the Liverpool Advance.
Mersey Paper donated standing timber and a group of woodsmen, led by Lawrence Coombs, donated their efforts in felling the trees and hauling the logs to the Taylor Mill in Brooklyn where they were sawn into boarding-in-lumber and finished lumber. Cement mixers, air compressors, and various tools were loaned by Mersey so that construction could start. The new building was 47 feet wide by 94 feet long and housed a rifle range, a club room for Guides, Scouts and similar groups, toilets and washrooms, a furnace room and storage space. The main level, containing an area suitable for sports such as basketball, volleyball, and badminton, had a hardwood floor, hardwood wainscotting eight feet high and an eighteen-foot ceiling. A full-width stage and dressing rooms were erected at one end, and a large kitchen, well equipped by the Ladies Auxiliary, at the other end. A balcony was built above the kitchen. The building, the Milton Memorial Hall, was dedicated to the people of Milton in memory of those who lost their lives in the two World Wars. During the dedication ceremony, suitable plaques were hung.
In 1955, in order to finish the hall, the committee borrowed $15,000 which was backed by special bonds from fifteen local residents and the hall was finished. The loans were paid off in 1960 and a special dedication service and mortgage burning was held in November 1960. It is interesting to note that many people were hesitant to back the $1000 bonds in 1955 because the gamble seemed too great. However, the procedure was repeated in 1969 to borrow $15,000 for a swimming pool, and there was no hesitation by those approached to back the loss – a sign that the organization had been built on firm lines.
The construction of the hall was considered an all-out effort at the time, but other projects have followed. One project was making a playground by Hollow Log Brook where softball and Little League baseball are played.
Bingo was started in 1956 to raise money to carry on many of these projects. Milton’s game has always been considered a well-run game and its staff are all volunteer workers from the community. This game has been a great help in fundraising, but has supplied only some of the money raised. Other methods used to finance the association’s projects have been bazaars, garden parties, dances, banquets, catering to special events, special shows, hall rentals and receptions.
The club has been generous to other community activities and organizations. Donations and assistance have been forthcoming to worthwhile self-help groups and other village needs. Financial assistance was given to the Centennial Park, created at the dam, while the Victorian Order of Nurses, the Cemetery Company, the Red Cross Swimming program, and many more, have often received donations.
Larger sports facilities were soon needed, so in 1961, the property on the next side of the river, belonging to the late Barny Seldon, was purchased. The house was torn down. The rolling fields behind the house, which appeared to be almost impossible to level, were conquered with hard work and little funds. A playground with diamonds for softball and Little League, an open air rink enclosure used for skating in the winter, and for lacrosse, floor or ground hockey in the spring and fall, has evolved.
The Association had helped the Milton Red Cross in its sponsorship of swimming lessons in the Mersey River. In 1969, the Milton Community Association suggested a swimming pool was needed. The decision was made at a public meeting in May, and the pool was ready for swimming in August. It was built adjacent to the ballfields at the playground and cost about $30,000 plus $10,000 for land fill, a well and sanitary services. This has been a popular project, enjoys much use and strong emphasis has been placed on water safety, proper swimming methods, and well qualified instructors supervise all phases of the training.
A fun day has been sponsored by the Milton Community Association for many years. Milton Days had its beginning, some senior citizens say, seventy-five years ago. It is celebrated during the third week of July and serves as an old home week (days), where many activities are carried out and old friends renew acquaintances. Milton Days usually includes sports and a children’s parade, where all the children get prizes. This year a western style horse show was added and was very successful. There have been canoe events for many years but recently emphasis was placed on “run over the dam”, organized by Vernon Fraser, and draws large crowds. The Ladies Auxiliary serve a special supper at the Hall and a Garden Party is held on the grounds. A dance is held at the Hall to complete the festivities.
All Milton residents are eligible for membership in the Association, and several hundred each year purchase $1.00 membership cards to show their support. Many people donate their time and effort. The original club President was Harold Arthur, elected in 1944, and following him were Mrs. Roland Kempton, Lyall Vaughn, Case Mulhall, Roland Kempton, William Dexter and Willard Minard.
By 1954 the Organization had grown to such an extent that it was incorporated as the Milton Community Association, and a new set of by-laws was prepared. Presidents of this association have been Everett Hatt (1954, 55, 56); Otto Wilson (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 64); and Hallet Cole (1965 to the present). Directors over the years have included Burke Douglas, Vic Kempton, Eph Woodsworth, Irwin Cameron, Buzz Neilson, Ray Mansfield, Earle Moses, Gordon Higgins, Otis Beck, John Legge, Lawrence Smith, Perry Oliver, Ray Wentzell, Harley Walker, “Bish” Connolly, J. Walker, and Jack Hatt.
The Ladies Auxiliary has played a major part in the development of the club. They have developed a well-stocked kitchen, ample dishes, a large gas range, meat slicer and other kitchen necessities. The ladies are very efficient, have become well known for the quality of the food and the service which they have provided to the hundreds of banquets, receptions, and special occasions to which they have catered. The hall facilities are clean and pleasant, the tables well laid out, and all events are well organized.
The ladies, since 1957, have had their own club, and make their own decisions on the use of any money earned. They have added to the strength of the whole organization and have donated such things as a piano, drapes, curtains, as well as giving money to other organizations requiring assistance. Mrs. Otto Wilson was the first President and served 1957, 58 and 59. Mrs. Eph Woodsworth carried on a President from 1960 to 1969, and Mrs. John Roblee became President in 1970.
The atmosphere of co-operation among the residents of Milton has enabled the Association to be successful. The residents have recognized the need for close community co-operation and participation in working towards providing recreational facilities and other community needs.
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Source: Article and photos taken from the Mersey Quarterly – Winter 1971
As an added note from Linda Rafuse: Going through the minute books of the Milton Village Commission, contained in the QCHS collection at the Queens County Museum, beyond 1971, there were many more Milton locals who gave of their time for their community. To name a few and I will miss many, I know, Fred Gordon, Diane Coombs, Mervin Hartlen, Judy Minard, Ken Minard, Richard Hatt, Robbie Brown, Harry Hartlen, Shirley Smith, Harley Walker, John Chute, Roy Mansfield, Wayne Wentzell, Sandy Brown, Brian Purdy, Marion Gardner, Earle Moses, Paul Oliver, and John Toplis. Now beyond where those minute books end in 1996 after amalgamation between the Town of Liverpool and the Municipality of Queens, there are still today many amazing volunteers giving many hours to the Milton Community Association and the Milton Hall, still hosting their suppers, their bingos, their children’s events, and their historic annual Garden Party.
