Mary's Memoirs

Mary and Blanche spend all of this week in Canada.

Sunday, Aug. 7, 1949

We arose early after a hot restless night and got ready for church. Went down on the streetcar with a group from New Brunswick and Pennsylvania. Just before we got to the church, we saw Waggoners and Douglas of Wenatchee and were they surprised. Then after a few words we went into church where we saw our friends from the train, the Tomlinsons. There were over 1,800 people at the services which were splendid. Afterward we walked with the Washington delegates to the King Edward Hotel where we registered and got our badges. What a jam and shoving there and oh it was hot! Then back to our hotel and cleaned up. We bought tickets for a two-hour tour of the city so we can have a nice ride. Had breakfast and will not eat here again. It was $1.70 for 2 slices of bacon and scrambled eggs. The eggs were last year’s model. We were able to move to Room 220 just before our sightseeing tour came and oh were we glad. Took us about 10 minutes to get all our stuff over to the other room where we have a private bath and 2 beds. On our tour we rode for 2 hours. We saw the parks, the universities, Casa Loma (a giant castle built by Sir Henry Pellatt.) We passed by Lake Ontario which means “beautiful water” and Toronto itself means “meeting place.” Most people who go down to Lake Ontario go for a sun bath as the lake is always about 68 degrees. Most homes are made of brick on account of a city ordinance made some years ago forbidding use of wood due to a tragic fire some years back.

Monday, Aug. 8, 1949

We ate a light breakfast at the depot then got our reservations to Quebec and everything is taken care of except my berth west. Up to Eatons and saw the store. We had lunch there and oh it was nice. Lovely salad, nice surroundings, got a picture of the lunchroom. To Simpsons where I bought 2 candleholders and a gift for Betty’s baby, Idena. Also bought earrings, a pin and 2 toothpick holders. To Foster Travel Bureau where we are making contacts for our hotel in Montreal. Home and had a cold drink at the hotel coffee shop and in came the ladies from New Brunswick who gave us pictures and copy of New Brunswick O.E.S. paper. They were so nice to us. Cleaned up at our rooms and got ready to go to Chapter at 6. To Chapter and it was most exciting. The magnitude of the whole affair was such that was almost like a dream instead of a living program. The tribute to the American flag was wonderful beyond words. Tears came to the eyes of many who sat near us.

Tuesday, Aug. 9, 1949

Today we got up early and went to the depot where we got our breakfast. No news on our hotel at Montreal or berth to Vancouver yet. To Chapter where we saw the officers march in. It was very lovely. Got my berth on the train reserved so I know when I’ll get home. We ate at one of the Honey Dew Cafés and it was very cool and restful. Then up to Maple Leaf Gardens where we saw the pageant put on by the members from Hawaii. It was the most wonderful spectacle we’ve ever seen. At the close of the pageant the 16 princesses came down on the floor and marched so we could see their gowns and returned to the stage. A modest estimate of the cost of presenting such a pageant in Toronto would be $5,000 so you can see on what an enormous scale things are carried on at Q. Gen. Chapter. The dining room was next to the conservatory and very lovely. The corridor between the conservatory and the entrance was the exact replica of the one in Windsor Castle.

Wednesday, Aug. 10, 1949

Today was very warm and we slept late. To Simpsons for lunch and got our hotel reservations. Then up to the Temple. Talked to Francis Kerr and she said she was going to stay a short time longer as it was so warm. It was all business about the secretary’s salary and after an hour still was not settled so we left. To a Honey Dew Café where we ate and drank honeydew for an hour. Then to Casa Loma by streetcar. It was lovely and a visit I’m glad I went on. To our hotel and bathed and rested. Did not go out in the eve.

Thursday, Aug. 11, 1949

Today was another 99 in the shade affair. We were up early and by the time I was ready to go uptown I was so warm I did not feel clean. To the Commerce for breakfast and to Eaton’s at 10:30 where I had a shampoo and finger wave. It surely felt good to be in a cool store and to get my hair clean again. Met Blanche at 1 o’clock and we ate lunch. I had beef steak and kidney pie (which they make very well up here) and Blanche had a lovely fruit salad. Afterward Blanche bought a pale blue jersey dress, and we went to the show. Saw “Neptune’s Daughter” very funny and we enjoyed it. It was raining when we came out. Later we ate some salad and rolls at a Honey Dew Café and cooled off some more. Then to the temple where we found out that Installation would not begin until 8:45 and it was only 6 o’clock. Back to our hotel. Very hot and went to sleep with just a sheet over us. It’s been a wonderful experience and I would not have missed it for the world but if I ever go again I hope it is cooler.

Friday, Aug. 12, 1949

To make matters more interesting Blanche got a blister on her left heel and a pimple on her chin. I developed a stye on my right eye and got sick from something I ate. A good time was had by all. We saw our Grand officers several times and it seemed good to see someone from home. They were always in the Washington section so we could see them from wherever we sat. We got up at 7 o’clock standard time and were out of the hotel early. To the depot checked our bags and ate a leisurely breakfast. We were on our train at 8:45 and at 9:15 we left the station. The seats were lovely, and the car was cool and extremely pleasant. Ate lunch on the train and killed some time that way. They had red roses on the tables. Passed thru some wonderful farming country and followed Lake Ontario for a long way. It was perfect. Then at 4:30 we entered Montreal where we taxied to the Windsor Station. Blanche called her folks in Vermont, and she was happy about that. At 6 p.m. we left Montreal for Quebec and most of the ride was in darkness on account of our waiting in line in the diner so long. We arrived in Quebec at 10 p.m. and taxied to the Chateau Frontenac where we have reservations. Our room is 2409 on the 4th floor and the whole thing is perfect. Our window opens on the view toward the St. Lawrence River with the courtyard and fountain directly below. I am so glad we came here as this is a most interesting place. The building has 886 rooms. The oak paneling and the beamed ceilings are very lovely and there are bronze jardinières everywhere filled with ferns growing in them. The dining room was beautiful with gladiolas on every table. The service is perfect and the food delicious. We should gain pounds there.

Saturday, Aug. 13, 1949

Today we awoke completely refreshed after a good night’s sleep. To the dining room where we had a lovely breakfast. Outside the window was a box of lovely flowers all in bloom. After breakfast we walked downtown to St. John’s Street which is the uptown shopping area and full of small shops like in Victoria. Blanche was getting tired so we came home on the No. 4 Chateau Frontenac Car. To our rooms where we freshened up a bit and I put on a hair net to control my flying hair. My finger wave is all gone! Then we walked out to where the horses and carriages stood waiting. Blanche chose one with a black silk hat and black coat with cerise collar and buttons. He had a wonderful collie dog with him named Bonnie. The carriage was made in England and called Victorian carriage as it was so low. There are 60 of these horse-drawn carriages in Quebec. None of them the same. The driver’s name was Jean Couturier, and he was very interesting. We surely enjoyed it all. The sun was warm and bright, and a wind was blowing. It was very relaxing to ride along so slowly and see different parts of the city. Then home to our hotel and rested. Have our purchases all written up for the border. The charm of this old city is very great and one only have I visited somewhat like it and that is New Orleans which is also dominated by the French. The spire of churches are seen from all directions and in the morning we are awakened by the bells of those near us. To bed at 11. Very quiet here although there is a wedding and ball going on downstairs.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now lives on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She has been researching Mary Theler’s life for the past 17 years. She can be emailed at [email protected].