Wednesday, August 23, 2006 · Page 10 Apple Bowl to raise funds for Community Living The Ruthven Apple Festival Steering Committee has announced the 14th annual Apple Bowl as the kick-off to the annual Ruthven Apple Festival. The Apple Bowl, a fundraising bowling tournament, will be held at Empire Lanes in Ruthven on Sunday, Sept. 24. Start times are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Community Living Essex County in support of people with an intellectual disability. Everyone is invited to participate in a couple of hours of fun and charity. Simply put together your own group(s) of four friends, collect pledges and bowl. It's that simple! Participants can look forward to door prizes, individual and team prizes, and refreshments. For more information, or to register a team, contact Tony DeSantis at 776-6483, extension 246. The 27th Annual Ruthven Apple Festival is being held on Sat., Sept. 30 and Sun., Oct. 1 at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens in Ruthven. For information go to www.communityliving essex.org/applefest. BY HERITAGE MOMENTS The early days of education in Essex EUNICE HENDERSON The southeast corner of Russell and Centre Streets was the site of the first Roman Catholic church in Essex. The corner stone was laid in August of 1887 and the structure was blessed on January 1, 1888 by Rev. John Walsh, the second bishop of the Diocese of London. The seating capacity was 138. The little church was damaged in 1907 by the rail car nitroglycerine explosion but continued to serve the congregation until 1942. That year, land at the corner of Fairview and Talbot was purchased by the parish through the generosity of Sir Harry Gignac. The church at the corner of Russell and Centre was demolished and the bricks and timbers of the demolished church were used in the construction of a temporary church at the new site. This was replaced at least twice. The present lovely modern church was dedicated on June 2, 1975 by Bishop Carter. Seating capacity is 475. In the early 1930's a tworoom school was built on Russell Street next to the church. About a dozen families transferred from the Alice Street Public School to the new Roman Catholic School. These included the McCloskeys, O'Connors, Billings, Ashtons, Markets, O'Hallorans and Simons. There was a deep divide, and those attending the public school never saw those Catholic kids again till we all went to the same high school. Thank goodness relationships have improved. Around 1942 Father O'Neil's concern for the education of the Catholic children in the area prompted him to buy a used bus from Stokely Van Camp canning factory. Father O'Neil drove the bus picking up anyone who needed a rise to school - - high school, public Catholic or school, Protestant. Phyllis Armstrong tells of paying 10 cents a ride from the 8th Concession of Gosfield North to Essex where she caught the Greyhound bus to go to work in Windsor. Father O'Neil also picked up a passenger from Colchester North to catch the Greyhound in Essex. Eventually it became evident that the Catholic school facilities were inadequate and a new school was constructed on Talbot St. S. consisting of five rooms. This was expanded at least twice. In September of 2004 the new Holy Name of Jesus Separate School was opened on Fairview Avenue. There are 24 class rooms and an auditorium. The capacity is 600 pupils. The public board of education also needed extra space to a accommodate the baby boomers. The board purchased the Holy Name property on Russell St. and in 1950 the present building was opened. It was named after J.A. Dowswell who was principal of the old Alice Street School for many years. It served as a junior school, teaching kindergarten to Grade 4. The declining birth rate had its effect and eventually the students were transferred to Maplewood school. The building was then used as an administration office for the Essex County Board of Education and the kindergarten room became a computer lab. The Essex Retirees Social Club was looking for a new home and approached the board about buying the building and were told it was not for sale. After the amalgamation of the Essex County and the Windsor Boards of Education, the administration staff were all moved to Windsor. The computer lab which was used for teacher training sessions remained in Essex. After these transactions, the Greater Essex County District School Board approached the Retirees Club offering to sell the Club the J.A. Dowswell school. After various meetings and endless negotiations, the deed to the property was signed, sealed and delivered to the Essex Retirees Social Club on May 3, 2000. The purchase price was $350,000 paid in full. Many changes have occurred since 2000. Holy Name Parish disposed of their hall, the convent, the house north of the church and the Knights of Columbus hall at the west end of town. Renovations to the church office had been made in previous years. PIZZA For your convenience NOW SERVING... · COFFEE · TOAST · BAGELS · MUFFINS OPEN AT 7 A.M. 776-6414 Southland Plaza - Essex Help sustain your local economy... Pristine Cleaning & Services 259-2918 Father Mike Parent was the driving force behind all these moves with his dream of uniting the parish into one central facility. All this resulted in a large new hall, new kitchen, a large greeting area, and a new office, all handicapped accessible. To quote Father Parent, "I know that the facility serves the parish well. I sincerely hope that the community is also well served and can join us in taking pride in this beautiful piece of Essex." Changes have also happened at the Essex Retirees Club. Through the generosity of a government grant, the building has become completely handicapped accessible. Programs have expanded. The Meals On Wheels program is administered by the Club. Meals are cooked at the centre and delivered by community volunteers. There is also a diners' club for meals at the Centre. The V.O.N. provides a nurse one afternoon a week for consultation. There is an exercise program three mornings a week, a choir, drama club and various card groups. The club has a computer available for use by members, a library and a pool table open for use any time. The latest activity started is horseshoe pits - all players welcome. The building is used by various community groups. The Board of Education now rents the computer lab. The garden in the front received honourable mention in the Essex In Bloom contest. The club tries to serve its members and the community well. It has a vital place in making Essex a good place to live. 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