Maryboro’s Magical Midnight Madness
Submitted by Glenn Walker
“A lot of people have told me that there are ghosts at Fenelon’s museum,” says Kawartha Heritage president Jenny Crawford. “At Midnight Madness, I guess we will find out.” Maryboro Lodge: the Fenelon Museum is planning an all-new event for all ages on July 8 embracing a mysterious take on Fenelon Falls. “You might say Fenelon Falls was built with magic,” recounts Museum Manager Bev Jeeves. “For so many years, Garnet Graham and his dog Bobby Bo performed their tricks keeping everyone entertained. In the process they raised the money that funded so many community projects and organizations. That is why the village’s beach park bears his name.” It is said that Bobby Bo could do math. Garnet would ask what is two plus three and his sidekick would bark five times. The pair were particularly remembered for their Yip Sticks, Fenelon’s famous magic toy. Garnet always had a yip stick on hand, was always happy to demonstrate, and on an annual basis distributed more yip sticks than there were people living in Fenelon. For many years it was the souvenir of visiting town. Jim Taggart, who worked with Garnet to make them says, “The secret was to find a Yip Tree growing on the north side of the Burnt River.” On July 8, the Fenelon Museum will give a free Yip Stick to the first 200 families who visit. There will be magic events for all ages, including a free shadow-puppet-making workshop for kids, and a puppet theatre projected on the building. The Museum will be premiering its new Little Cinema, with the showing of a classic film. There will be live music and ice cream floats served on the verandah and patio overlooking Cameron Lake. Festivities begin with an open mic at 4pm and will last until midnight. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to see the Museum by candlelight, which Jeeves says is when it’s really mysterious. For many years, the largest employer in Fenelon Falls was Allen Wood Products, who manufactured a wide range of children’s toys, including bowling sets, croquet, ring toss and the Tinkertoy. “This is a really neat part of the village’s history that brought a lot of joy to a lot of children. Everyone would order Tinkertoys for their kids from the Eaton’s catalogue, when the factory was just next door,” says Jim Taggart. Taggart, who worked at Allen Wood, recalls, “We were working there for next to nothing, 35 cents an
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June 30, 2017 - The Kawartha Promoter
hour. And if you got in there your family got in there, too. It was pretty well the only thing in town then. The special thing was there was all the equipment they brought in.” Fenelon’s famous Tinkertoys were just a wooden dowel with special birch hubs made on a machine designed by electrician Eric Leach and built by machinist John Demerling. “It was paraffin wax that made them all nice and shiny. I can still see Murray Robinson pushing around carts filled with the beads.” Taggart fondly remembers the pounding benches or ‘bingo beds’ as they were called locally. “They made such a racket that it would drive the parents nuts.” This year, Maryboro Lodge has a new feature exhibit on the toys that Allen Wood brought to the world. Another special feature at the Museum this year is the intriguing RetroSpectacle photographs. Maryboro has transformed notable historic photographs by combining them with modern digital photographs. In each image you can see how our landscape, culture and community have changed over the years. “It really is a unique view of the Kawarthas,” Jeeves observes. “There is something magical about Fenelon Falls,” remarks volunteer Glenys Kerr. “That’s why when I came here with my family, we fell in love with the area. With the Yip Stick, Allen Wood and the area’s natural beauty, it has made many lives wonderful.” On July 8, Maryboro Lodge presents a mystical take on the region’s history. And you never know, something mystical might happen at Maryboro’s Magical Midnight Madness.
MARQUEE MADNESS
By Lynn Ascott
The Fenelon Theatre building may be gone, but the iconic marquee sign will be back! A landmark since 1948, it will return to the village, as it has been adopted by a group of dedicated community members, together with Maryboro Lodge - The Fenelon Museum. This committee (Fenelon Theatre Marquee Group) has been diligently working to gather information on the restoration and future placement. While this process will take time, it will also require money. Being nearly 70 years old, the sign needs to be rewired, requires substantial repairs to its steel carcass and an engineered masonry base to support the structure. Some funding has been secured through the Legacy Chest Fund, however more funds are required. Through your donations we can make this happen! Donations can be accepted at Maryboro Lodge - The Fenelon Museum and at Stokes on Trent in Fenelon Falls. A Facebook page is also being created to allow everyone to follow along on this journey. At Midnight Madness on July 8, t-shirts with the Marquee logo will be available. We will also have the marquee itself onsite so everyone can see the work that will be required to restore this piece of our heritage.