35 Hearts and Clubs Traditional Cache
Bullfrog Eh-Team: This property has been sold, and is now a 'private residence'. The owner expressed his interest in no longer providing 'public' access to his property, basically because of personal liability. implications; and hence, the cache was removed by the CO on July 17th 2017; thus terminating a placement of about 9 years.
Dave of the Bullfrog Eh-Team
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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ABOUT THIS CACHE:
This is an easy road-side cache, on municipally owned property,
with public access. Please respect any organized activity that may
be in progress at the time of your visit, as many are private
affairs. The cache is a 2 kg. PB jar. It is well camouflaged; but,
suitably identified, and contains the usual swag for trading. The
cache is winter accessible and child friendly. Enjoy your
visit.
35 Hearts and Clubs
The Halls Lake area was first opened to settlement in the mid to
latter 1800s, with pioneer homesteading by the Cooper, Oliver,
Deacon, Mason, Johnson and other families. In the 1930's depression
era "road gangs" had extended Highway 35 north to Cedar Narrows
(Dorset), enhancing the area to seasonal visitors. Such progress
led local homesteaders to consider breaking up their marginal farm
lands to the more lucrative "cottage property" development. As in
many rural communities, meeting halls such as this structure
provided a social atmosphere for the population. Thus was born the
"Club 35" of permanent residents, seasonal cottagers and visitors
alike.
An early reference to this organization occurs in the Stanhope
School Board Minutes of June 15th, 1941; which indicates that The
Halls Lake Guild may have the use of the Halls Lake School (closed
in 1939), providing they furnish their own fuel and also leave
things in good condition, the door to be kept locked. Community
dances, games, dinners, quilting bees, and socials enhanced the
rural life of the area, and the "Club" atmosphere flourished.
Regular evenings of card and board games have survived to this
date.
For over 75 years, the atmosphere of Club 35 has steadily
developed. Hydro electricity had not been available to the school
until December of 1949, when the School Board Minutes attest to
granting permission for Club 35 to wire the school house at their
own expense. In 1950, Club 35 offered to purchase the aging
building. When refused, this challenge was followed by a fund
raising campaign that eventually led to the construction of the
club's first building. Club 35 minutes of November 1953 indicate
enough community support to establish a parallel "Junior Club 35",
and an adjoining outdoor skating rink for the local youth. Club 35
flourished under the private subscription of cottagers and
residents through the next 40 years, including several renovations
and even a new structure. When the ownership and maintenance costs
escalated, the continued operation of the building was assumed by
the Township Municipality, and it was further enhanced with modern
kitchen facilities, a larger activity room, and ample
parking.
˜Club 35" continues to provide a warm "community social
atmosphere".
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Zhygvcyr Gehax