What a party!

Ken Johnston
Editor

It was one big party!
The citizens of Morley Township both past and present did themselves proud this past weekend when they marked their 100th anniversary as an incorporated township.
Good crowds were on hand all weekend which was indicative of how big the party was! Nothing was done small and the parade, perhaps the largest one of its kind in the district for years, was over two miles long.
About 1,500 people lined the parade route which started on the north end of Stratton and and travelled all the way to Highway 11. It was lead by Reeve Gary Gamsby and Councillor George Heyens carrying a banner marking the 100th anniversary.
They were followed by bagpipes and drums, about 50 floats and just as many tractors and old farm equipment. Many families entered floats as did several businesses including Ken McDonald’s Stratton Community Store and John Gavel Construction. McDonald himself was garbed in historical shopkeeper’s attire. His float was a fantastic rendition of the community store of yesteryear.
After the parade, which lasted for about 45 minutes, the official opening ceremonies for the centennial celebration were held just outside the Millennium Hall.
Town Crier Doug Hodge decreed the event officially open and made special notation of the efforts of all those past councillors and reeves that made Morley the great community it is today. Hodge also said, “I encourage the citizens of today to stay the course and make this the place to be beyond 2003.”
Jodi Brown sang O’ Canada and Carolyn (nee Morken) Kreger gave the opening prayer.
Reeve Gary Gamsby offered welcoming remarks to the crowd and congratulated the centennial committee and all others who made the event possible.
Rick Neilson of Chapple, Gordon Prost of Rainy River, Dennis Brown of Atikokan, Ken McKinnon of LaVallee, Glen Witherspoon of Fort Frances, John Amundsen of Dawson and Russ Fortier of Emo all offered their best wishes and congratulations to Morley.
Ontario New Democratic Party Leader and Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton brought greetings and congratulations from the Ontario government. “This is truly a community where people realize what you can do as a community rather than as individuals,” said Hampton.
Federal M.P. Bob Nault sent his regrets for not being able to make it. Centennial co-chair Moe Henry presented the township with a certificate from Nault.
Three of the oldest residents of Morley were recognized. Ethel Shrumm, Florence Watts and Dennis Armstrong were given special seats right in front of the stage and received a round of applause from the crowd. The youngest resident is Micalya Jolicouer.
Moe Henry also dedicated some special commemorative stones in the flower bed on the southwest corner of the Stratton Curling club. Ken and Cindy Noble donated them in memory of pioneers that helped make Morley the great community it is today.
Elder citizen Florence Watts has been writing poems and songs for years. Some of her poetry is posted at www.poetry.com. Her granddaughter Jolayne (nee Advent) Davidson read a poem Florence wrote about Stratton.
Carolyn (nee Morken) Kreger and Renee Martin then lead the crowd in a song Kreger wrote. “Stratton–A Town to Sing About” was sang to the tune “Something to Sing About, This Land of Ours.”
Reeve Gamsby thanked the ladies for the song saying, “It so beautifully captured the history of our town.”
The rest of the weekend featured an antique tractor show, a music jamboree that saw the Whalens reunite on stage, magic and hypnotist shows, clowns, historical displays, an old time baseball game, a loggers/farmers competition and many, many family and school reunions.
Everyone said they had a great time and co-chair Telford Advent was very pleased with the way things went.