Al Nicholson Choir Fenelon Island, Centennial 1975
KAWARTHA LAKES-In 1968, Al Nicholson was hired to become Fenelon Falls Secondary School’s new music teacher, after Ruth Sims moved on to LCVI. Al soon became one of the school’s unforgettable personalities. He was great at listening to students and finding a way to tailor lessons to their interests, even when it meant including Elvis in music class. Many of his students will long remember his rule, “No Put Downs”—no one was allowed to make a derogatory comment about anything or anyone including themselves. Because of this, his classes were unusually polite.
Al had a sincere love of music and mathematics, which he shared with his community. When the time came to celebrate Fenelon Falls’ Centennial in 1975 (the celebrations were a year late due to main street sewer construction), Al conducted the choir performing on Fenelon Falls’ Island. At the time the village had a great amount of community spirit. A great many people dressed up in historic costume for events throughout the village, as everyone looked back on what Fenelon Falls was like when it was incorporated in 1874. One of the most popular events was a parade from the Sundial Motel (Ultramar) to the Rotary Ball Park (Russ Baptiste Park) on May 31, followed by a fashion show and a centennial dance at the arena (then at the corner of Bond and John Streets).
This year to celebrate the sesquicentennial, one of Al Nicholson’s former FFSS music students, Barbara Dunn-Prosser has written You Must Remember This?—a dramatic presentation about Fenelon Falls’ history. After graduating from FFSS, Barbara went on to perform at the Stratford Festival, Canadian Opera Company and with the Phantom of the Opera. She is well-known for her one-woman show as Anne Langton, one of the village’s founders. You Must Remember This? will be a very special commemorative moment for Fenelon Falls.
Fenelon Island Now
A lot has changed in downtown Fenelon Falls since this original picture was taken. It shows the second Fenelon Falls IGA in the background, which subsequently expanded north along Colborne Street (now Red Apple), before moving south of the bridge. Canadian Tire, has likewise transferred to the other side of town to have much more floor space and parking. Several shops, including Subway now occupy its former location. The Fenelon Dairy Bar once made its own ice cream, before becoming a Dixie Lee Fried Chicken restaurant. In summer, its successor, Slices and Scoops, continues to be a popular place to enjoy Kawartha Dairy ice cream with pizza, while watching boats on pass through the Fenelon Falls lock.
St. James Anglican Church hosts You Must Remember This? on Sunday, October 20 at 7 pm, at 19 Bond Street East, Fenelon Falls, with refreshments to follow in the church hall. See you there!
This story is part of our partnership with Maryboro Lodge, The Fenelon Falls Museum and was written by Glenn Walker.
If you want to make a donation to the museum, you can e-transfer to: [email protected]or mail a cheque to :
Maryboro Lodge Museum
Box 179
50 Oak Street
Fenelon Falls, ON
K0M 1N0
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