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Curler's Carnival Was A Great Success

Article from The Commercial, 22 January 1924

The Curler's Carnival, the first of its kind held under the auspices of the local club, was held in the Exhibition Rink on Thursday evening and was attended by skaters and spectators numbering well over 1200 persons. The large attendance was doubtless due in no small measure to the fact that it had been announced that at this event a "Miss Chatham" for 1924 would be selected from among the numerous graceful and popular local young lady skaters; and possibly the success of the members of the club who arrived home from Bathurst that morning bearing with them the emblem of curling superiority in the Maritimes — The McLellan Cup — causing the merchants in the business section to decorate their premises, and the general public to ask why the gala attire, increased the interest in the event which was so liberally patronized.

Despite the very mild weather of Thursday, Iceman Crosbie provided a splendid sheet of ice, and the fourteen excellent numbers by the Loggieville Band were much enjoyed both by skaters and spectators.

Three black gowned judges, who looked like members of the Klu Klux Klan who had strayed into the festivities, strolled around among the spectators, mingled with the skaters in costume, and viewed the contestants for the coveted title from the many vantage points afforded by the Exhibition Building. After the tenth band, the official announcer, Arthur Leggatt, took command and held the breathless attention of the big crowd while he made known the decision of the judges; making every other possible announcement in connection with the Carnival, etc., before receiving the marked tension of his audience as to the choice of the young lady upon whom the title of Miss Chatham had been conferred.

The prize winners were announced as follows, each one as their name was given, skating forward and receiving from Mayor Hickey, first and second prizes of $5.00 and $2.50, respectively, in gold.

Best Ladies' Costume — Miss Dora Johnston

2nd Ladies' Costume — Miss Mayme Haley

Most Original Costume Ladies' — Miss Mayme Hay

Most Comical Costume Ladies' — Mrs. Kennedy

Best Gent's Costume — Robert Currie

The presentation of prizes was followed by the announcement by Mr. Leggatt of a number of gifts to "Miss Chatham" (whoever she might be) and any and other information he could impart before relieving the suspense enjoyed (?) by all as to who the recipient of the gifts would be. Finally, and just in time to escape a mauling, the all important words came through the megaphone that Miss Hazel Dower had been awarded the title of "Miss Chatham." The announcement was received with vociferous cheering and hand clapping by the large audience, showing that the judge's decision had been a most popular one. "Miss Chatham" accompanied by Allan McDonald, one of the club's youngest members, skated to where Mayor Hickey stood, who in a few appropriate words conferred upon Miss Dower the title of "Miss Chatham" for 1924.

During the evening, hot drinks, sandwiches, doughnuts, etc. were served by the ladies of the Red Cross, and their booth near the entrance was generously patronized. Ample dressing room accommodation had been provided with reliable parties in charge to prevent possible pilfering. The committee in charge of the Carnival are to be congratulated upon the very successful and satisfactory manner in which the Carnival was conducted; and the Chatham Curling Club, whose object in holding the event was to raise funds to help defray the costs of the North Shore Bonspiel to be held here on Thursday and Friday of this week, January 24th and 25th, desire to extend thanks to all who contributed in any way to the success of the Carnival.

"Miss Chatham's" Gifts

Among the numerous gifts received on the night of her selection as "Miss Chatham" and later, were the following:

Pearl Necklace — Aube Bros.

White Wool Costume — J.D. Creaghan Co.

Choice of Dress — L. Hoffman

Silk Hose — W.S. Loggie Co.

Gold Mounted Waterman's Pencil — F.E. Jordan

Fur Choker — D. Sadler

Box Chocolates — Watling & Malley

Box Chocolates — V.A. Danville

Box Chocolates — F.R. Maher

$10.00 in Gold — Chatham Curlers

Miss Dower is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dower, Queen Street, Chatham. She has been for some years a popular and efficient member of the J.B. Snowball Co.'s Grocery Store staff, and since its closing has continued her work with the successors — Watling & Malley. As evidenced by her selection as "Miss Chatham" she is most popular in her home town, and her host of friends here and elsewhere wish her a most enjoyable and successful year in 1924 as Chatham's Queen.

Caroline Daley's weekly history column provides readers a look back at the history our area through old newspaper articles.