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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1977, PAGE 7 Brian Winter's .H istoriîcal g Whilýtby PETER PERRY (Part Two) With the Chamber of Commerce's Peter Perry Award Dinner corning up on July 22, we continue this week with the life story of Peter Perry, the man for whom the award is named. After his arrival in Whitby in 1836, Peter Perry began to devote his efforts toward de2eloping commercial trade routes for the farmers so they could get their produce to market easily. He persuaded the government to appropriate large sums Corridor Capers Dr. Robert Thornton School Graduation '77 Last Thursday was a very specia[ and exciting day for 80 plus graduating students. The teachers and students had invited parents to the graduation exercises at the school. Everyone had worked very hard in preparation for the big event. The gym was appropriately decorated, outlining the nine years of progress from kindergarten to the successful completion of Grade 8. One wall featured expertly drawn, individual silhouettes of each graduating student. The transformation from jean-clad school kids, to the beautiful young ladies and gentlemen who occupied the front rows of the gym, was sensational. Miss Bruce, principal of the school, summed it up beautifully - 'they look smashing'. Parents and guests were entertained with selec.lons by the senior choir and the guitar club. Both of Whitby's school trustees, Mr. Sears and Mr. Sims were on hand to speak to the graduation class. Mr. Karpiak, a former principal, also attended and presented his award to the two students who showed the best progress during the year. Awards for outstanding performance were presented as follows: - Science - Ross Weldon History - Kyu Lee Geography - Laurie Kirkton runner-up French Mathematics English Art Girl Boy - Lori Brimbecorn - Barbara Heaslip - Barbara Fry runner-up Music Public Speaking Best Progress,Spe Best Progress, Gr. --Irene Tenody - Reid Rtisonik Janda McEachern - Stephen Homne - Susan Bissel - Lee-Anne Petryshyn c. Ed. Julie Stoughton 8 Girl Karen Tummonds Boy Randy Taylor 'SOFFIT PANEL Continously vented. Fits any soffit width. Apply directly to framing or over old soff it. Soffit Faci and Evestroughs ALUMINUM SIDING Reduces rnaintenance & repainting costs. Lightweight. Cuts with hand saw. Call us for FREE ESTIMATES MITCHELL BROTHERS Building Supplies Ltd. Brooklin, 66-4991 of money to develop Whitby harbor in 1843 and 1844, and the harbor becaine second only to Toronto as a major commercial port in the 1840s and 1850s. Peter Perry had a vision of bringing the trade of New York State across Lake Ontario, through Whitby harbor and along a road to Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay. [n 1844-45, he labored tirelessly to get money from the government to build this road, but received opposition from both Oshawa and Toronto, who also wanted the noney so they could be the terminus from the road. lis early death prevented a full allotment of money being given to complete the road, which was known as the Centre Road. By 1848, Mr. Perry was pronoting the idea of building a railway from Whitby to Georgian Bay, but Toronto ended up getting the charter. Peter Perry acquired a considerable amount of land in Whitby and district and became very wealthy. His home is believed to be the large brick building beside St. Bernard's School, which has been considerably altered since his time. In the political arena, Peter Perry initiated the proceed- ings to separate the eastern portion of the old county of York as a new county. The old county was formed into the United Counties of York, Peel and Ontario in 1852, and two years later Ontario County was set off on its own. School Services - Peter Pipher Citizenship - Girl - Christa Wall - Boy Alex Laurie Girls' Athletics - Karen Mikula runner-up, Kara Pierson Boys' Athletics - Michael Chisholm General Proficiency - Kim MacDonald The formal exercises were completed and the students enjoyed the balance of the evening dance and generally enjoying themselves. This is an important turning point in their young lives. Next year the class will be attending different high schools and broadening their outlook on life. Congratulations to all, and may your future years be rewarding. Miss Bruce and the staff of Dr. Robert Thornton school have donc a tremendous job of trans- forming little children to young ladies and gentlemen. This will be my last column for the summer. Have a good vacation. See you in September. Thanks to all who have called with news items for the column. M. McEachern 725-8967. Canada Day Julyl 8 -12 yrs old SUMMER ACTIVITIES SPORTS TRIPS PUPPETS GAMES SWIMMING MOVIES STORIES Where: Whitby Senior Public School Garden Street Wher: July - August Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. INFORMATION CALL SHARON BAKER - CO-ORDINATOR' 668-4611 668-5228 * sponsored by The Whitby Pentecostal Church *TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED In 1848, Mr. Perry held a meeting at a hotel in Whitby to organize support for the separation of Ontario County, and travelled through the farming country to bring his message to the population of the proposed new county. It was his feeling that the county seat for the old County of York at Toronto was too far removed from the growing eastern townships, and a division of the old county was required. Although he died before the separation was completed, his influence led to Whitby being chosen as the county town of the new County of Ontario. On the local scene, Mr. Perry originated a library for "Perry's Corners" in 1842, and in 1846 he was one of several influential citizens who established a Grammar School at Whitby, the first in the townships east of Toronto. This would be the equivalent of today's high school or Collegiate Institute. Throughout his life, Peter Perry devoted his energy to turning a largely undeveloped portion of country into a thriving commercial area. He was constantly writing letters to Robert Baldwin, the head of the Government, asking for support of his projects, and those letters can be seen today in the Toronto Public Library. He was also a leading fighter for responsible government and Reform Party principles, and unlike Mackenzie, survived the turmoil of the Rebellion of 1837, largely because he chose not to participate in it. On June 19, 1814, Peter Perry married Mary Ham, a daughter of a United Empire Loyalist, who survived him by many years, living to the age of 86. Two of their sons achieved great prominence, one becoming one of the founders of Bracebridge and Warden of Victoria County, and the other being mayor of Whitby, and Registrar of Ontario County for 43 years. Peter Perry exerted himself so much that his health gave out on hin and early in 1851 he went to Saratoga Springs, a farnous health resort in New York State to recuperate. He died there on Aug. 24, 1851 at the age of 58. His body was brought back to Whitby by boat and he was buried at Union Cemetery. His funeral was one of the largest ever held in Whitby. brazie. Every Tuesday -5 p.m. to il p.m. FR and SOFI DRiNK! only with a.shake, $1.34 235 Simcoe Street S., OSHAWA 1003 Dundos Street E., WHITBY *Reg trademark Canadian tradecmark Of6 - Anerican tAit" ' UEEN Corporation.