This is the follow-up to yesterdays posting about the Harbour View Lodge. Hope you enjoy reading this as well. (October 10, 1965) 2,000 ATTEND OPENING OF HARBOUR VIEW LODGE (by Elaine Mont) sunny skies, a full tide in the harbour, the brilliance of the autumn foliage in the lovely little village, and the gaiety of the estimated 2,000 people who came from all over the province to visit the Lodge during the day, all combined to provide a wonderful setting for the official opening of Harbour View Lodge, Advocate Harbour, on Sunday afternoon, October 10th. the official opening was held in the front vestibule and steps of the Lodge. Platform guests with the hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Lent, included: William Wasson, Returning Officer for Cumb. Co in the coming federal election; Mr. Robert Coates, M.P., and Mrs. Coates; Mr.George Henley, M.L.A. and Mrs. Henley; Don Russell, Amherst, representing Mr. James Harding, Minister of Welfare; Tom Murray, Municipal Director of Welfare and Mrs. Murray; Mrs. Lorne C. Smith, soloist; Mrs. Georgie Small, Matron; Mrs. William Mont, Jr. of the Springhill and Parrsboro Recordwassons. Mr. Wasson, acting as chairman, welcomed the large gathering and introduced the platform guests, and the hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Lent. Mrs. Smith, a native of Advocate, who attended school in this building, sang the beautiful solo: Bless This House, and at the conclusion of the opening, the assembly joined her in singing a hymn that is a favorite with all denominations: Will Your Anchor Hold? Mrs. Smiths lovely voice, unaccompanied by instruments, rose in the warm autumn air in the true spirit of this Thanksgiving weekend, and her effect on her large audience was a tangible thing. Mr. Lent addressed the gathering briefly, expresing his heartfelt thanks to the large crowd for coming, and to all those who had made it possible for him to realize his dream of building this much-needed senior citizens home. This has been a terrific undertaking for an oardinary man, said Ron Lent, And I feel I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Nuttal and the other workmen who contributed so much of their skill. Contractors from Ontario, Quebec and Halifax have told me that the quality of the workmanship in this Lodge is second to none. Mr. Lent outlined his plans for landscaping in the spring and said: There are people here today who were never before in Advocate. My dream is that the day will come when the new paved road goes through to the Joggins, and thousands will discover this lovely section of our province. As Mrs. Mont has said, One has to see its beauty to appreciate it. My wife and I are deeply grateful to the hundreds who have come here today to share in this opening and we hope you will make coming to Advocate a habit. There are many things to see here -- Red Rocks, Cape DOr, Isle Haute, etc. Nowhere in the province, including beautiful Cape Breton, will you find more beautiful scenery or more things for families to enjoy together. Robert Coates, M.P., commended Mr. and Mrs. Lent for their initiative and foresight and said, this is an interesting example of how free enterprise can create needed facilities that most people think governments should provide. He concluded by saying, I have never see a nicer home for the aged -- its the kind of place wed like our own elder family members to be able to go if the need should arise. Mr. Henley said he first came to Advocate only two years ago but I have been impressed by the iniative of men like Mr. Lent who can make his dreams come true. My chief ambitiion is to see this road go through from Advocate to Joggins, thus allowing hundreds to use it and come to know the scenic beauty and possibilities of the area as they reall are. Mr. Tom Murray, Municipal director of Welfare, paid tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Lent and the people of Cumberland County. He said he was looking forward to a close association with the Lodge through his official duties Don Russell, representing Mr. James Harding, Minister of Welfare, spoke briefly, praising Mr. and Mrs. Lents vision and iniative in creating the attractive senior citizens home, this fulfilling a long-felt need in this area. He then declared the Lodge officially open, on behalf of the Minister of Welfare. Mrs. Small, the matron, spoke briefly, saying she felt the Lodge answered a great need in the County and would provide a happy, congenial home, away from the noise and bustle, for many senior citizens who enjoy everyday life with folks their own age and with the same interests. She said she was looking forward with happy anticipation to her work in the Lodge. William Wasson thanked everyone for attending the official opening and called upon Licentiate Roger Prentice to give the prayer and blessing. After the official opening, everyone enjoyed doughnuts, tea and coffee in the attractive diningroom. Keeping the service moving efficiently was the cook, Mrs. Lena MacAloney, New Salem, and her assistant for the day, Mrs. Victor Corbett, a native of Advocate who now lives in Prince Edward Island. Your reporter enjoyed a chat with the matron, Mrs. Georgie Small. Mrs. Small was bor and grew up in Parrsboro, but has lived in Moncton, N.B. for over 40 years, where she was employed as a switchboard operator and receptionist in the Moncton City Hospital. She has had a great deal of practical nursing off and on over the years and it has given her a keen insight into the hearts of senior citizens. The tall, attractive, silver-haired lady with the expressive hands and friendly eyes said, Older people respond to friendliness and honest affection. They are quick to welcome it and respond wonderfully. Mrs. Small, the mother of nine, has been a widow for eight years, and retired from her receptionists job in 1962. She came back to this area and eventually bought a home in Apple River. I had great fun fixing it up, but then time began to lag on my hands -- Im a person who has to be active. She speaks proudly of her grown children -- one is a registered nurse, three have business courses, one is a Lieutenant in the RCAF, etc. Mrs. Small says they are opening with a cook, Mrs. MacAloney; a laundryman, Arnold fields; and four helpers. she expects to have a staff of 10 or 11 eventually, maybe more. The Lodge is opening with seven or eight residents, but enquires are coming in daily and they expect their quota before winter. No one seemed to be sure of the rates -- probably due to all the excitement going on Sunday, but we were given to understand it will cost about $30 a week in the 4-bed ward, $40 per week for a single room and $35 per week for a double room. Mr. Lent said, These are tentative prices -- I may be able to do it cheaper, but I am not going to sacrifice quality. Members in his Lodge will also be served top quality food, have top quality surroundings and top quality service. I will do it as economically as possible, but I will not compromise on quality. Weve put the best of everything into this senior citizens home ans we want it to be the best home possible for those who choose to come and live here. All during the afternoon, we watched folks inspecting the Lodge, enjoying the food served and the opportunity to visit with friends and relatives. There were folks of all ages, sizes and interests. The youngest visitor was 15 months-old Stephen Lang of North Bay, Ont., and the oldest was 95 year-old Lester Dewis of Advocate, Everywhere we heard comments like: I wouldnt have believe this if I hadnt seen it for myself; Isnt it a sunny, cheerful place?; Isnt that matron a dear? -- Id like to have her look after me if I was old; To think this was once a schoolhouse -- it looks like an expensive motel, and so on -- everywhere enthusiasm and commendations. There were so many waiting to try the modern Esca-lift that they had to take turns, with one person going up and another one trying it coming down! We shared honors with Mr. Hubert Pettigrew of Springhill! The Record joins the citizens of Cumberland County in commending Mr. and Mrs. Lent, not only for their vision and iniative in providing such a lovely, much-needed senior citizens home, but also for focusing attention on this lovely area of our county, an area that we are sure will be one of the biggest tourist attractions Nova Scotia has to offer in the years ahead. Well done, Mr. and Mrs. Lent, and all best wishes for the success of Harbour View Lodge. . Picture # 1 ... Harbour View Lodge, Advocate Oct. 1965 # 2.... Harbour Lite Restaurant, Advocate Oct. 1965 Note: these pictures were scanned from the paper item therefore not really clear.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 20:31:04 +0000
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