January 2024
So begins another year, but a very special year for the Rideau Township Historical Society. The Society will celebrate 50 years as an organization this year. It was in 1974 when a group of likeminded individuals established RTHS based on the newly-established municipality of Rideau Township.
While Rideau Township lasted until amalgamation with the city of Ottawa, Rideau Township Historical Society continues to this day. Happy Society Year RTHS!
Each new year brings the Society administrative activity required by our constitution and the fulfillment of our responsibilities as a non-profit organization in the province of Ontario. First will be the Annual General Meeting to be held on January 17 th at 7:30 pm at the City of Ottawa Client Centre on Roger Stevens Drive. The AGM agenda includes a summary of activities and programs for the upcoming year along with an approval of a budget and a report from the Nominating Committee for positions on the RTHS Board.
This meeting will also be the annual “Bring and Brag”. If you have something that you think might be of interest, bring it along — others would love to hear about it. Last year there was not enough time to hear from everyone. Those I missed will be first this year.
This year will see the Society transition to meet the requirements of the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA). The legislation requires that all Not-for-Profit Organizations submit "corporate" information to standardize their governance structures by October 2024. RTHS is well positioned to respond to this requirement, although it is likely that a special meeting of the membership will be required before submitting our information to the province.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the AGM.
Doug Culham
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A New Year ~ and a New Style
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As mentioned in our December newsletter, this month marks the beginning of a new format for the RTHS newsletter. Rather than coming to you as an email attachment, the "new" newsletter is an online publication, meaning you will no longer have to click on a link to open the newsletter; it will display in the body of the email itself.
Also a reminder that beginning in February, the newsletter will only be sent to members in good standing with RTHS: life members, honorary members from the current year and paid-up annual members. You are encouraged to ensure your membership is up to date.
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Keith and Pat Ramsay
In 2023 our Society lost two of its early members. Keith Ramsay died on February 13th, and Pat passed away on December 7th . Both were in their 93rd year.
Keith and Pat were longtime residents on Church Street in North Gower. Pat is perhaps best remembered as the head of North Gower Public Library for many years in the former Rideau Township. Keith was a staff member at the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Detention Centre until his retirement, but was best known locally as a Scout leader of the North Gower – Kars troop.
Pat was the second Secretary of our Society, 1976-1978 and continued as a member of the executive well into the next decade.
We extend our sympathies to their children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
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Report on Our December Event
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RTHS Christmas Dinner Event
On Sunday December 10th, RTHS held their annual Christmas “dinner” event at the Manotick Legion. The dinner was held this year at midday which worked out well and was very well attended. The meal was provided by a catering firm called Leatherworks from Almonte who did an exceptional job of giving us a scrumptious full turkey dinner with all the trimmings and a delicious selection of desserts.
Brian Earl presented a very interesting informative history of the Manotick Legion describing how over the years it has been an integral part of the community.
After the meal, Chris Rodgers provided us with a variety of Christmas musical entertainment including some little known histories and origins of some well-known Christmas carols, such as “Silent Night, Holy Night”.
All in all, an entertaining afternoon of good fellowship, excellent food, and a variety of Christmas music for all who attended.
A Big Thank You to all who helped with the organizing and putting on of our Annual Christmas Party. Well Done!!!
Sandy McNiece
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We are pleased to announce the addition of a new column to the RTHS Newsletter: "Rideau Recipes".
This column will feature a recipe from the various cookbooks published by community organizations in Rideau Township in years past.
I hope you enjoy this exciting new feature! If you have a long-standing family recipe you would like to submit for consideration, please call 692-4036.
Happy Cooking!
CJ Rooney - RTHS
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SAUSAGE DINNER IN A DISH
Courtesy of Mrs. Sadie Payne
Heritage Harvest Cookbook - Manotick United Church,1978
Raw potatoes, thinly sliced
Raw onions, thinly sliced
Raw carrots, thinly sliced
1/4 cup uncooked rice
1 can peas, with liquid
1 Lb. pork sausages
1 10 oz. can tomato soup
1/2 soup can water
In deep 9" casserole, place layer of potatoes, onions, then carrots. Sprinkle rice over, then add peas and liquid. Top with soup and water. Layer sausages on top of peas. Season and cover.
Bake at 350°F for 1 hour, then turn sausages and bake uncovered for another 1/2 hour.
Good served with sliced cucumbers. Makes 6-8 servings.
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RTHS Website
Be sure to stop by the RTHS website to keep up-to-date on RTHS activities and browse new content.
December's feature article was entitled, "Restrictions on Christmas Goods in Wartime"
RTHS Facebook Page
The RTHS Facebook page continues to add new posts daily (Monday to Friday). A sampling of posts in December include:
- S.S.#5 North Gower (Arbourdale) (ca.1955)
- The Presence of the Past in Rideau Township:
- 5630 Prince of Wales Drive: The McEwen Residence
- 6699 Rideau Valley Drive South: St. John's Anglican Church, Kars
- 2372 Church Street, North Gower: Holy Trinity Anglican Church
- North Gower man cycles for MS awareness (1985)
- End of an era:Sale of Pierce's Corners school buildings (1968)
- Fire damages school at Todd's Corners, Carsonby (1964)
- S.S.#4 North Gower (Todd's Corners) (circa 1945)
- Rideau Township's "Corners" communities
- Combatting hooliganism in Manotick (1962)
- North Gower's Rideau Rally (1997)
- S.S.#2 North Gower (Watterson's Corners) (1914)
- Reader not impressed with "new" Christmas music (1954)
- Christmas week activities around Rideau township (1939)
- Seniors visit Grade 4 classes for Christmas concert (1973)
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The Rideau Township Historical Society always welcomes new members, as individuals or families. Monthly meetings and newsletters (September to June) are just the beginning of how members can participate in the activities of the Society. Opportunities are available to engage with like-minded people in all aspects of the pursuit of our purpose, which is to preserve and promote the history of the former Rideau Township. Whether your interests tend toward research, writing, communications, event planning, technology, artistic expression, historical interpretation or simply lending a hand, they can find expression with RTHS.
Click on the link below to view and download the RTHS Membership form on the RTHS website.
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Our mailing address is:
PO Box 56, North Gower, Ont. K0A 2T0
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The RTHS gratefully acknowledges the financial support received from the City of Ottawa.
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