Another interesting article, specifically the names of people with whom I have met and or Known
for many years.
1. John Bell I briefly met Years ago at some gathering in Almonte, when I asked "Would you happen to
be related to Alexander G.Bell ?" He looked slightly surprised, then answered "maybe a couple of
hundred years ago " ! I seem to remember saying " he was my Grand-Father's first Cousin. We had
a brief chuckle realising we were not related
2. Keith and Penny Blades, who now live on Parkview Crescent, a few minutes walk from here;
Penny ,I have known for many years with A.G.H.association organising many House Tours, the money
received goes towards purchasing new necessary items (inside all hospitals),for which the Government
does not pay.
3. The Thompson family has produced Maple Syrup for almost 100years ! Glen THompson was the
Head of the Almonte Hospital Ambulance Association, Now taken over by Lanark County.
4 Rose Mary Sarsfield
I have a copy of her Book " Whispers from the Past " which she kindly signed for me in 2018 @ a special
meeting in Clayton,to hopefully sell her first number of books. The picture on the front cover is the first
wooden building where Maple Syrup was made and sold in Clayton. It was carefully renovated a
number of years ago, right opposite Our property on Bellamy Mills Rd. When gardening ,I could hear the
saw squeaking and nails being banged into the wood !
As a child Rose Mary grew up in an old log house a short distance around the bend on Bellamy Mills Rd.
She attended the small school closer to Clayton General Store,and remembers sliding down the steep slope
at the side of School during Icy cold winter days.
The McIntosh Family home on the edge of the lake, always has a large brightly coloured Christmas Tree,
that everyone can enjoy. Personally I have not met them, but Tony and I were good friends with their next
door neighbours across the small unpaved lane. The names of whom I cannot remember at this moment.
The wife (Brigit?)was a well known artist, who travelled around the world, painting amazing pictures. We celebrated the New year 2000, at Mary and Jim Huguesson's home with them all. Unfortunately the artist died, her
husband stayed alone in Clayton for a year, then decided to join his son in Sydney, Vancouver Island. He spent
his last Clayton evening at our house and drove through the USA to The Island. We kept in touch for many
years; another interesting story !
Re: Mollie P-W, I brought My Mother to Almonte December 3,1979, She had stayed alone in the delightful old cottage in Melplash, Dorset U K, for 5 years after my Father, Ronald died, August 12, 1974. I realised she was
no longer able to manage many everyday items; She would telephone me in the middle of our night because she had forgotten how to turn off her electric kitchen stove. It would take me 2 or three times to tell her " There is a large black plug on the wall above the stove and next to it , there is a large black knob that you must pull down".
About a week later, the same kind of confusion with her washing machine. I telephoned one of her cousins,
who lived in another small village about 5 miles away. Thankfully she and her husband were able to mention to
Mollie that it was probably time to sell the cottage. That was the start of the whole procedure of Mollie coming
to Canada ! She stayed with my family and I, in our rented old Farmhouse at the base of Gemmill Park, owned
by Brig: General Don Stewart. At that time he was still Head of NATO in Syracuse, N.Y.
Unfortunately Mollie's memory was identified as Alshiermer disease. Exactly one year
and one day later, Dr.Frank Murphy authorised her removal from AGH, to The Almonte
Nursing Home on Country St, with your knowledge as her lawyer.
A few months later, you had a phone call at your office,from a friend of mine, with whom
my family and I had briefly stayed in their new bungalow in Clayton upon our return
from living in Calgary, Alberta; Mrs Audrey Baran questioned you re; "the unnecessary
removal of Mollie to such a place as a nursing home." In your own words , you told her
"It was none of her business and to leave her daughter alone." Immediately you phoned
me, to tell me the whole present situation and that as a lawyer, you felt you should not
have done such a thing. My response: Thank you Bill, it was the correct way in which to
treat an unwanted "busybody".
The only time Mollie actually went to Clayton, Mrs.A.B. took her to Clayton for tea, on
Mollie's return She said "The countryside is lovely, but the house, awkward, cold and
uninviting; please give me a hot cup of REAL tea !
Naturally, I did not see the Baran's again.
Post Scriptum:
Thanks Bill, but am I reading some of your words incorrectly ?My eldest son Ian, has told me on many occasions, that he does not want
any of my "Things", furniture, glass,china,silver,Paintings, photos, etc: ect:
However, my younger son, Graham, has told me he would like all of my furniture
and Family items. Once retired he will repair, polish ect; read books. He will rent
a large Van and drive everything home to Vancouver Island.
All that spacing on my "monologue" is by this computer, not as I sent it to you !!
Editorial Note:
September 6, 2025
I can no longer withstand the grimace of having to ignore the tales I frequently receive from Mrs. Jonsen. Previously I had abandoned the record keeping because she had dismissed the effort of any interest to her children. In view of the limited expectancy of amusement I have however foregone the necessity to correct the appearance of the monologues.
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