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King City and District Before Christmas Mr. and Mrs. R. C. G. Wilson, Eighth Line of King, entertained neighbors at a cocktail party at their home. Mrs. Wilson is now staying with her mother in Toronto, having suffered an attack of pneumonia. On New Year's Eve, holding open house at King City were Mr. and Mrs. John Dew, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Urquhart. At the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. D.P. Jarvis, Keele N., King City, some 58 guests were entertained at a formal supper dance on New Year's Eve. Guests were chiefly local and district friends and some from Toronto. Present was Lady Eaton of Eaton Hall, King; the host's aunt, Mrs. Aemilius Jarvis, Yonge St.; Mrs. E. E. Jarvis, Toronto, mother of Mr. Jarvis; Mr. Bob Jarvis, of TV fame Toronto, and a brother of the host; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Mulock, Newmarket; Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Hood, Toronto; Lieut. Peter Jarvis and his wife and his brother, Flying Officer Stephen Jarvis, who has recently returned home to King City from Germany. Mrs. Hooper accompanied Lady Eaton. Mr. and Mrs. Hood were visiting at the John C. Belknap's, King City, for the occasion. Rev. E. H. Costigan, rector of All Saints church and his warden, Mr. Ian Baxter attended "open house", held by Rt. Rev. F.H. Wilkinson, Bishop of Toronto, and his wife during New Years. Lt. Col. and Mrs. Frank McEachren, Toronto, Lady Eaton's daughter were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Walker, Eaton Hall Farm, on New Year's Day. Eric Cooke, 8-year old son of Flt. Lieut. Eric Cooke, Clearview Heights, shared his happiness with school chums on Christmas morning. Seated beneath a glowing tree in the recreation room, pictures of the young group were taken with gift parcels brightening the scene. Those attending were Bill Preston, Murray Rumbel, Stanley Janis, Frankie Janis, Bobby Morley and Danny Brooks. A week or so earlier, the young host's father returned home safely and in more than record time, after commanding the RCAF flying box car Christmas airdrop to the far north Artic regions. Mrs. Arthur Bovair, Aurora, suffered an attack of Angina pectoris as a result of the reaction on learning of the disastrous fire that almost destroyed their former residence, Third Concession of King at Eversley, now owned by John Turnbull. Her husband and brother other Scott Bovair, and the son Ross Bovair, Aurora, rushed to the scene of the old Bovair homestead which the father Peter Bovair had settled on 60 years ago. Inauguration of King City village trustees, R. G. Bolton, Mrs. P Mary Scott and the new member of the board, Warren McKendry will take place at the first meeting in the New Year, Monday evening, Jan. 11 in the municipal office, King City firehall. Mr. and Mrs. Norman MacMurchy, Sixth Line, Strange, entertained their daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Manley, and Mr. and Mrs. Tiefler, all of Toronto. In order to give the city guests a real rural New Year's Day, the party skated on the farm field pond and then walked in the woods on the MacMurchy 50 acres on the Seventh Line Concession. The heavily ice-coated branches glistening in brilliant sunshine was a sight to behold, only marred by the devastation caused by the ice-storm. Apple trees of the south orchard on the farm are not too bad but the north orchard is badly damaged. The top of a large elm tree and maple trees near the house are pitiful, says Mrs. MacMurchy who "hates to see a tree harmed". Mr. and Mrs. MacMurchy are planning a trip to Florida in January. Every Sunday evening when weather is favorable for motoring, Mr. Alfred McBride, his sisters and one of the Anglican church ladies, Mrs. Ray Burt or Mrs. Eleanor Scott pay a visit to Miss Margaret Winter at the Villa Nursing Home, Thornhill. Miss Winter is in excellent spirits and enjoys the company. A devoted member of All Saint's church all her life, she met the new rector, Rev. E. H. Costigan who administered communion at the Villa. She is up to date in the progress of the new church building and greatly interested in the new project. The McBride's and the Winter family have been neighbors at King City almost from the beginning of King City. Mr. and Mrs. William Hiltz, King St., were Christmas Day visitors, of their daughter at Thornton. For New Years, Mr. and Mrs. Harry McBride were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hiltz, Thornton. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Burt, King City as usual went to Toronto for the seasonal festivities. At the home of their daughter, Mrs. Channey, Scarborough, they were joined by the son, Mr. and Mrs. Terrance Burt and family, Toronto. The return gathering on New Years was at the Terrance Burt home. These occasions were filIed with interest from colored movies of the families on various occasions, taken by Terrance Burt. At the King City home, scenes were shown of the grandparents and their grandchildren, Linda, Joanne, Warren and Stephen Canney, Rosemary and Leslie Burt at work in the King City garden. There were also pictures of vacation travel. On Christmas Day there were pictures and tape recordings of the family in action at the Canney home. The children sang carols, and told what Santa Claus had brought to each. Young Stephen Canney, aged three said he wanted the King City garden movie repeated because hie wasn't very much in one of the pictures. Mr. James Patton and Mr. Andrew McClure, King City's oldest citizens fared very well during the hydro electric blackout. Both had coal stoves that kept them "nice and warm" and heated water and food. Christmas visitors of Mr. and. Mrs. Robert Ash, South Lake Wilcox Road, were son Mr. and Mrs. Lancerly Mills and five sons, and Mrs. Orville Mills, Canton, Ont., Mr. and Mrs. Don Ash, a son and their baby daughter Debbie, Mr. and Mrs. William Foster, neighbors of the hosts. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Armstrong and twin boys, Parry Sound, spent New Year's holiday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Glass, Melrose Ave. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Patterson, Hollingsworth Cres., motored to Kitchener on Sunday to visit his brother, Frank Patterson and other friends. At the Patterson home for Christmas were daughter, Maureen 18, who flew from Port Author on her first visit from Lakehead since last June. Other holiday visitors were Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Affin and son Murray of Burlington, also the Frank Patterson's and four child- ren of Kitchener. Their twin daughters Janet and Judy, aged 7 remained over. The [arty remained at the Patterson home over the Christmas weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Walker, Eaton Hall Farm manager, who held open house New Year's Day, used other means of making coffee for guests from King Township and Richmond Hill. Mrs. Walker entertained the guests while Mr. Walker was helping at the house fire on the Turnbull property opposite Eaton Hall Farm. Apparently these inconveniences were just part of the ice-storm game and everyone took it as a matter of course, deriving lots of fun from the no-hydro power incident. Not one person can we find who grouched all through the hectic weekend. Even those without electricity pumped water, made the best of it both in King City and countrywide residents. The saving grace was fairly mild weather although many homes without heat put the pressure on sweatercoats and blankets, when thermometers got below 60 and 50 degrees. Disruption of telephone service was widespread. Fire Almost Destroys Remodelled Farm Home Kingâ€" On New Year's morning fire almost destroyed the pinoeer farm home owned by John Turnbull, Third Concession of King opposite Eaton Hall Farm. It was the former Bovair property, Eversley and was built 100 years ago. Nearly 40 firemen from King City, Aurora and Maple fire departments fought the blaze for over five hours trying to save the building. When Mrs. Turnbull opened a door leading to the back of the house, she was met by a wall of flames. Mr. Turnbull ordered his wife and children, John 10, Susan 8, Ramona 6 and Debbie 4, out of the house. Scantily clad the children were taken to the George Wilson home, their neighbors. The damage of over $25,000 was caused by an ember of an outdoor incinerator being used by Mr. Orville Sinclair, father of Mrs. Turnbull, was the opinion of the King City Fire Chief Dave Glass. The family lost all their winter clothing in the blaze. Mr. Turnbull had nothing saved but the clothes he was wearing. Also lost in the blaze that took the frame storage room was $3, 000 worth of camera supplies. Mr. Turnbull is Ontario sales manager of Precision Camera of Canada Ltd. He bought the farm in the spring and took occupancy in July, moving his family from Toronto. He had spent $7,000 remodelling the house with a new roof, heating unit, fire places, new kitchen units. The house was brick over uprights of wood. Firemen and neighbors removed the furniture, a freezer, electric stove and dryer. There was insurance on the house and contents. Mr. Turnbull wants to rebuild it if at all possible. The place is badly gutted as the fire was stubborn in the insulated roof of leather shavings and rock wool. Mrs. Turnbull saved her fur coat which she donned over her dress. Wearing no hose in a temperature of 20 degrees above zero, her neighbor, Jim Marshall gave her a pair of wool socks he was wearing. Muriel Roots handed her her wool mitts. Aurora Fire Dept. brought an auxiliary tank. Water was taken from Eaton Hall Farm hydrant and when the hydro electric power on the Third Concession failed water was drawn from Eaton's lake. Furniture was put in Eaton's van and hauled away. Other pieces were taken to Stan Roots. Through the generosity of neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. McLennan, the family moved on Sunday to a modernized five room cottage on the McLennan farm where they can "stay as long as they like". Fire Chief Glass expressed his appreciation of the help given by the neighboring fire departments. The incident stresses the fact that King City fire department should be provided with an auxiliary tank, he states. Fire Chiefs Harry Jones, Aurora and James Davidson of Vaughan were on hand. The Turnbulls were getting ready to spend New Year's day in Toronto when the blaze broke out. After the ice storm, electricity was only back about a day. Arthur Bovair, the former owner, his son Ross and brother Scott came from Aurora to the scene of disaster on their old homestead. Eaton Hall farm employees with Jerry Walker, the manager gave assistance. King City firemen were at the scene six hours and went back in the evening to see everything was under control. Mrs. Don McCallum and Mrs. Len Robb made sandwiches and coffee and Mrs. Dave Glass drove the supplies to the weary firemen at the scene. . King: Family Destitute After Home Burns Out King â€" Mr. and Mrs. Harold Edwards, with their four sons, 15 to 9 years, escaped with their pets from a rented pioneer dwelling on the Eighth Concession of King, built 90 years ago by the MacMurchy family. Breaking out on the evening of Dec. 28, the fire caused from an overheated furnace, resulted in the family losing their clothing; personal belongings and furniture. All that was saved were a TV set, electric toaster, kettle, a kitchen table and four chairs. David and Geoffrey, the older boys ran some distance to the home of John Benedictus for help. Edwards got his wife from a sick bed and drove her the Benedictus home. With no telephone useable there, Mr. Benedictus drove nearly a mile to a neighbor's to telephone Aurora fire department. Owing to the ice storm the King City fire department could not be reached by telephone but followed the Aurora truck with a water supply. The field stone and cement house, which could not be saved, was owned by Mrs W. D. Bates, Willowdale. The family is staying with Mr. and Mrs. Benedictus until a house-can be found. The Toronto Red Cross has supplied clothing and a shower will be held at Nobleton as soon as they are settled. Mr. Edwards had no insurance on the contents of the house and those wishing to aid the rehabilitation of the family may send their contributions to the Era. In the loss estimated at $25,000 by fire chief Harry Jones, was valuable antique furniture owned by Mrs. Bates. Mr. Edwards is in real estate work with Mr. Arthur MaGee, King City. Dedicate New School ln SS 4 King King â€" Rev. Martin Jenkinson pronounced the prayer of dedication for the new modern two-room school erected in Strange school section, SS 4 King, following the introduction of the new building to nearly 60 ratepayers by trustee board chairman, Earle Lowe, December, 16. Only two percent of Ontario elementary children are attending a one-room school, indicating the decline of the "little red schoolhouse" in the midst of population growth in the province was the remark of guest speaker, W. J. McLeod, school inspector. This is the fourth school erected in 100 years for the children of this section. While the third one-room building, still in good condition, built in 1941, remains on the site, trustees R. A. Stubbs, George Forester and Mr. Lowe chose to erect a new building to accommodate over 50 students. With the consent of ratepayers the cost of the building, opened in September this year, was $36,550. There was complete harmony among, trustees, said Mr. Lowe, paying tribute to the "overworked, underpaid" secretary-treasurer, Marvin Hunter. The architect was Irving D. Boigan Associates and the contractors were Model Builders, Arora, John Dol and Joe VanRooyen. Principal is Miss Betty Arbuckle, former student of SS 4. Her assistant is Mrs. Frank Gardener, who replaces Miss Shirley Gibson who has resigned because of an accident that will keep her in hospital until February. "The co-operation of the people and the board is manifested in this educational centre, one of the finest in acoustics, heating and surroundings, providing comfort for the teacher and the pupils. The tools have been provided and it is up to the educators to give the kind of education the children enjoy," said Mr. McLeod, bringing greetings from the Minister of Education. Mr. Hunter introduced special guests, Earl Cook and Blyth Langdon, King Township councilors-elect; Fred Boys, Norman MacMurchy, Norman Johnson, principal of Aurora and District High School; Dr. J.L. Urquhart, chairman of the high school finance committee; Mr. Boigan, architect, the contractors; Mrs. Whatley Finch and Mrs. Laura Rolling, former teachers/. Mr. McLeod reminded parents to consider the kind of world we live in, which is presenting problems to our children. He said we can't give too much good education in this quickly changing world. Mrs. Pearson Smeltzer traced the history of SS 4 and gave some interesting facts about school life in the last century or more. When inspector McLeod spoke of of the changes in 50 years and the differences in outlook between then and now, he referred to such modern problems as what use to make of atomic power; will radioactive fallout affect us?; will ground missiles affect the preservation of society?; what will be the effect of modern drugs in the development of medicine?; what to do with the shorter work week?; the problem of mental health; what about people in other lands and how far and how long can racial problems continue?; what to do about communism. It was said that things have changed in 100 years but the calibre of teachers and the quality of pupils and parent interest come out equal. Investors syndicate ROY LANGFORD LIFE INSURANCE Jeffery Fuels CO-OP EVANS FUELS HARRY'S CUT-RATE MEAT - MARKET VANDORF GARAGE ROXY JEFF SMITH PLUMBING - HEATING Brad Walker Motors Ltd.