Here’s an article from the Barry’s Bay Review of 60 years ago that accompanied the photo above:
Considerable ado was made over the sod shovelling as reported in last week’s Review. But there were doings previous to that, someone had to build the platform.
The above activity followed a telephone blast from President Henry. “We need a platform, you’ll find lumber and poles in my back yard,” and a click in the receiver indicated that the voice had spoken.
That’s the way we young board members like it. Right now we are a few jumps behind our president. We, however, don’t intend to alow this condition to continue for too long.
We will get on even footing and the only way to do it is by hard work. Petty bickering or jealousies have no place in a project so important as the building of our hospital.
The above enthusiasm resulted in the job finished far ahead of schedule. In the scramble we see members Max Mintha, Chris Corrigan, F.J. Ritza, and slightly hidden from view of the post-master Eddie Shalla.
F.J.R.
Note from the author:
The Henry in question is Henry Chapeskie while the writer of the article, F.J.R., is Frank Ritza. I believe that F.J.R. was a cousin of Art Ritza, the owner of the Review, and Frank wrote many articles for Barry’s Bay’s first newspaper. Maxie Mintha is the only surviving person from that article. (Photo submitted)
If you are interested in having a picture and story featured in The Madawaska Valley Current, please submit the information to Bob Corrigan c/o The Current, PO Box 1097, Barry’s Bay K0J 1B0. Originals will be returned.
