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That statement bespeaks a fine record, but when we got to talking to "Pete" Tallman the other day he gave us a fuller account oi the origin and history of a village organization deserving of the highest respect and interest of every. citizen. Pete's sto_ry went something like thir. "The Beamsville Citizens' Band hasn't missed an Armistice Day ser- vice yet," Charles L. Tallman told the Village Council one night a couple of ,weeks ago when he was asking that Council provide a room in the new fire hall building for practice, and ac- commodation for storage of instru- ments, uniforms anal music. A Back in 1908, 38 years ago, Beams- ville, had no band. There was one once. but interest had waned and it disintegrated, leaving only a few old instruments behind. _ Origion of the Band The late Messrs. J. W. Buck and A. McAnteer headed a citizens' Commit- tee to revive the band and the late James Zimmerman agreed to act as leader until the organization was put on a sound financial footing. The committee purchased $2,000 worth oi Besson brass band instruments in England and the Beamsville Citizens' Band was launched, _ -- Pete Tallman and George Konkle are the only two originals still with the band, Pete now being bandmast- er. Pete was young and lacking sen- iority of any kind at the time the in- struments were apportioned out and he didn't get one, but digging up an old, cracked clarinet which had be- longed to the former band he became an enthusiastic, if rather untutored, bandsman about a month after prac- tices commenced. Music for the Beamsville Old Boys' Reunion of 1908 was to be the new band's first big assignment. Though 25 strong, they were a rather motley crew, and a fortuituous circumstance proved the means of outfitting them with uni- forms. The late M. F. Rittenhouse of Vineland, booked a room at the Cause House one day and the band seized its opportunity by serenading him on King street. The story,goes that Mr. Rittenhouse was much im- pressed, as mu.ch by the music as by the nondesrerrpt appearance, and shortly after he left a tailor appeared with orders to fit out the band from top to toe. Thirty uniforms were provided by Mr. Rittenhouse who became a sort of "father" to the or- ganization. Yearly Concerts It Vindand ONCE WENT TO PETAWAWA AS REGIMENTAL MOUNTED BAND OF 2ND DRAGOONS In grateful return, the band offered to place itself at the disposal of its benefactor and was asked to play three concerts yearly, in June, July and August at Vineland. Mr. Rit- tenllouse had a shell built there for the purpose and for the next six or seven years the ban.d played its series at Vineland. receiving an annual cheque {qr $100 from Mr. Ritten- house until his death. The bandshell ‘is still to be seen on the grounds of [Victoria Hall. _ =L., Luna unnlxlnrl Frs {urn BEAMSVILLE BAND HISTORY TOLD BY C. L. TALLMAN VlClUI-a A“...- Thus was the band enabled to turn out a smart appearance for the gala Old Boys' Reqnxon celebrations, meeting the trains, playing concerts :and providing musxe for all the joy- ous festivities. A picture of the band about that time shows FL N. Reid, now Village Clerk, with knee pants and a big alto hem Another orig- inal who deserves mention is the late John Konkle who served contin- uously with the band from it incep- tion until, his. death in 1944, l /7,I‘i% In 1912 came a digression from the usual routine of village band prac- tices and concerts. Through the in, fluence oi Lieut Arthur Stares of the 2nd Dragoons, Hamirtoa,_the Com- manding Officer of that unit invited the Beamsville band to play in the Hamilton Armouries. Col. Fraser was 4avourably impressed and he se- cured their appointment as the 2nd Dragoons' Regimental Band. In- cidental to this appointment was the fact that they became the only mounted band in Canada. - The Dragoous' annual camp of 1912, at Petawawa was a big occasion in the baad's life. The problem of horses was pressing, but somehow the requisite number was "scrounged" and.the steeds made up in enthusiasm what they lacked ‘in military deport- ment. Pete recollects that his "charger" was borrowed from some- where around St. Anns and the others came from various parts of the dis- trict. One trooper was required to hold each bandsman's horse when the order was given to mount but after a few practices most of the horses became resigned tq riders armed with saE9phqnes instead of sabres. . . The band went to camp only the one year, for the Canadian militia was already preparing itself for its first struggle against the Boche. Lieut. Art Stares died Tand J. w. Shadwick, (who subsequently went to the 80th Battalion Band at Belleville and is now leading a band near Chi- cagp), became bandmaster. . During its long history the Beams. ville band has had many leaders. The late Mr. Zimmerman carried on for a few years, until Lieut. Stares took over. Harry Stares, brother of Art and leader of the 9lst Highlanders, wasl bandmaster for a short time. Then came John Holden, St. Catharines,’ and three Hamilton men, now dead, Charles Wanklin, Arthur Darrow andi Thomas Andrews. Fred Timms former director of music in the local schools, was leader for a time, as also was L. E. Turney, formerly of. Beamsville. Then came Harold Cum-f mings of Hamilton, present band-l master of the Argyll and Sutherland) Highlanders Band. Dave Nelligan,; Hamilton, took the band to Toronto! on three occasions as also did Gerald Marks, St. Catharines, Joe Lamas, Hamilton, who is now leader of a band at McIntyre Mines, was the bandmaster when the local band won the Conn Trophy, which is in Pete Tallman's shop. Other leaders were Robert Edmunds, Grimsby, Harold Rowbottom, Toronto, and W. I. Bax- The war years saw a struggle to keep the band together, since many of its members joined the colours, but it managed to play its quota of concerts and provide music for all special occasions. After the Armis- tice some military members returned and the twenty years that followed were some of the most successful. Won Conn Tmphy _ For It of those year the Beams, ville Citizens' Band travelled to the Canadian National Exhibition at To- ronto and played in open competition against some of the best bands in the country. Four prizes were given an- nually and never once was the band out of the money. On several oc- casions they took third and second prizes, and in 1935 were presented with the C. G. Conn Trophy as the best in their class. Throughout the second Great War the band has provided music for all sorts of patriotic and fund-raising oc- casions and last year played for eight special functions, including the VE and VJ Day celebrations. They also played their regular series of seven Sunday evening concerts on the Pub- lic School grounds. In 1944 they purchased new uniforms, having wen .the original ones for.36 _years. Become: Mounted Band 7,..- v. blrl' yum] torical interest in Beamsvil vile further suggestions on ject. Mr. Hixon may be an an: we warty-bu! prices in Das pare very favourably with local shops. Meat is just i same, bacon is cheaper in D: there are many things c" (which are Improcurable " gladly trade him a half p butter for a horth, nf rntTrt wt: warm-but prices in Dayt'on com- rpare very favourably with those in local shops. Meat is just about the same, bacon is cheaper in Dayton and there are many things advertised (which are unprncurable here. We'd gladly trade him a half pound pf butter for a bottle of our favourite mayonnaise, of which they seem to have plenty. terv_For_t Erie Mr. Rowbottom fostered a junior band about five years ago but since that time the members have graduat- ‘edRintg the. parent oIiranizatiyo. _ During its long history, the band has had its headquarters in several different locations. For some time it practiced in the old Town Hall, then in the Oddfellows Lodge and over Thompson's Dairy. At present it uses the kitchenette at the High School but its equipment and music is stored in various places. Accord- Mg to Pete Tallman, some new music (was ruined by mice last winter, owing to lack of proper storage facilities and for this and other reasons, the band is now looking for a new loca.. tion. It believes its claims to a room of its own are well substantiated by 38 years of faithful service to the people of Beamsville and District. Under Pete Tallman it hopes to en- hance that recurd.--W.F.R. Editor's Note -. Mr. Hixois kind letter stamps him as a true Beams: ville "Old Boy" and giv'es us a chance to say in print how much we apprec- iate the unusual kindness shown to us by everyone in this community, We intend to print, as often as poS~ sible, reviews of the points of his- torical interest in Beari1sviite and in- yite further suggestions on this sob- ttwry To those who were raised in; .Bearnsviire, and I feel sure to the', large percentage of new families who: have chosen that community for theirl home, stories similar to the one in thel issue of April 17 on the Beamsvillel Band should be enjoyed. There are! many stories. of historical interest; around Beamsville and there come to! my mind the Baptist Church and that Masonic Lodge, as examples. ', When I spent a few days in Beams-l ville last year after an abertce.tof several years, the Old Boys Reunion of 1908 was spoken of many times, and our good friend Jim Sinclair had in mind an idea that a similar eventi in connection with some kind of rc-i cognition to the boys who returned,' from the war might be in order. Hi such an event was held in connection: with the Fair it would surely give the'; old boys and girls,. who would be sure'! to come, an opportunity to once more; attend the Fair which was an event; they recall whenever they meet. 's, -It occurred to me that the food ad- vertisement taken from a Dayton', paper might be of interest to compare) prices in Canada with those over' here. It will be noted that butter: does not appear, and we rarely have, butter at home, and in some of the better restaurants we see it about one ', day a week. ' I In the early days oi The Express! 'the writer sold it on the street oni, Thursday afternoon as I recall in! and now over fifty years after its ap- pearance it is still going strong. May I convey sincere good wishes' to the new management. l\- hUV 516 Brookside Orive, Dayton, l Ohio. "OLD BOY" WRITES d Editor, czeuu- l , . The Beunsville Exprou. tttr' Degr Sir: __ .. _.. “was uvcl It will be noted that butter to: appear, and we rarely have at home, and in some of the restaurants we see it about one NHL yours "vers, truly, t 1' ANN. _ \L5Wfff'mxon a: summer! I 71% New Airmail Service ”from Beam§ville P. O. Improved airmail service from Beamsviile to Malton airport was an- nounced by the Postmaster General late last week, effective July l. Earlier deliveries will be made be- cause of a new motor vehicle service between Hamilton and Manon Air- port. Mail leaving Beamsvillc at 8.50 p.m., D.S.T., will arrive at Malian at 11.45 p.m., connecting with wéstbound T.C.A. planes at midnight and with early morning eastbound planes. Mail thus sent will be delivered the following morning in Ottawa, North Bay, Winnipeg, Regina, Moose Jaw and Chicago, and the following afternoon at Halifax, Mormon, Saint John, Montreal, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, orth Battleford, Lethbridge, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Vic- toria and New York City. Incoming airmail will leave Malian Airport at 2.00 am. tD.S.T. and arrive ,in Beamsville l0.51 DS.T. has 5. H and 1331911 .-ur; Roland finishes Mill his modcrmzahons plyns it will have tsro apartments. ypstmrs, adding some 1r1'uu,'i?t'(rc.1l,1li:i1y accomodation to "iiiiiis'irifle's living space. Cleaning. Plant In “160202111” 5mm? "jd barn al the rear' , proper y, the Cleanin plant of Top Hat Cleaners will If: located. N 1)r_csent Mr. Roland is using it for hi? Pfcssmg machinery and EVentually It will lysuse his clean., ing plant as well. .Thie equipment is Presently .located {11 St. Catharines, New 2,'fwiniyyry,1Tr, costing some $12,000 is expected to arrive in a lcouple of nfonths, . l Prior to in..stylatioy of the cleaning plant the building will be fireproofed. T When Top Hat Cleaners commence full iii/ttj,'",?, here, Beamsville will be serve!J by.itsfir.st.modern cleaning, pressing pd Yapaxru'xg establishment and local tseopie will not have to send all this type of work out of town. The ol' Street j5 iiiriiiiviti the new CI propriety, With il ' has I05t and who? his may: TOP HAT CLEANERS LOGQI‘FF WERE. 7M'Kcnncrly properly on King is taking shape as one of oje's good looking houses under , ownership of Claude Roland 'ar of the Top Hat Cleaners. il new coat of paint, the house t that "vacant" appearance, co Mr. Roland finishes with 1crnizations plans it will have t 51777