2014
Jean-Paul Claude | Glengarry Curling Club (Maxville) | Phoebe Hay | Beth Koggel | Peter McLeod
He excelled in broom ball as a forward and played right wing for many years. He was a hit on the ball diamond as a back fielder due to his incredible speed. He won trophy after trophy as most valuable player and top scorer. At the age of 26, he left the farm to work at Carnation Milk in Alexandria but continued his life as a star athlete helping his teams to win many championships.
In 1947, he met his wife Cathy who owned Cathy’s Pine Inn in North Lancaster. Together they worked at the tavern while he continued in sports, adding touch football and soft-puck to his list of sports he excelled at. “There were so many trophies in the basement,” says Cathy who’s been a strong supporter of her multi-talented husband. They bought Cathy’s BBQ restaurant in Alexandria and both worked back and forth between the two establishments while he continued to pursue his athletic passions. They eventually sold both restaurants and in 1987 began a real estate business known as Alexandria Reality Ltd. Both retired from the work world in 2004, but the sporting world continues to remain a big part of Claude’s life. He participated in and won many times the Raisin River Canoe Race in classes that have included some of the best in North America. He has claimed titles in duathlons and triathlons, a sport their daughter has also participated in. He has been in many cross-country ski competitions, Terry Fox runs, and would even consider another arm wrestling competition. “Arm wrestling used to be a big sport,” he says enthusiastically as his biceps twitch in memory of their wrestling days in local bars and restaurants. “And it’s coming back.” Claude won titles in the area as well as in Dorion and Valleyfield. “There was a competition at the Atlantic a while ago,” he beams. “I should have entered.” Claude explains that there are no age categories in arm wrestling. “It’s all about your size, your weight.” Today he works out a bit by lifting weights and cycles three times a week. “He just goes around the block,” states Cathy swinging her arm around in a huge circle. She explains that the block is 70 kilometres long and can take him up to two and a half hours to complete. “I bike at least 4000 kilometres a summer,” he says. When asked what he feels was his greatest contribution to Glengarry sports, he hesitates, but decides on broom ball. Peter McLeod of North Lancaster played the game with Claude. “He was the Gordie Howe of broom ball,” says MacLeod with a gleam in his eye. “He was amazing!” |
The first curling club in Maxville was organized in 1931 when the Jubilee Rink was built. Membership was $6.00 and a set of ‘granites’ cost $15.00. Rent for the year was $40.00.
Members of the club included; Wm. Morrison, E. S. Winter, R. G. Jamieson, Duncan Macdonald, Jas A. Ross, B.F. Villeneuve, A. A. Badnage, Wm. Dousett, Dr. W. B. MacDiarmid, Rev. J. Hamilton, Myles MacMillan, D. J. Kippen, T.W. Dingwall, E. L. Bronskill, Christopher MacRae, D. S. Ferguson, Joe Armstrong, W.A. MacEwen, Dr. Duncan McEwen, and Dr. Ed MacMillan. The total receipts for the season were $162.00 and the expenses were $161.80. The granites were paid for, but the season wasn’t successful because the ice was always too sticky and heavy. At the annual meeting on Nov. 3 1032, it was decided to suspend operations. Twenty years later in 1952 at a director’s meeting of the Maxville Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Don Gamble brought up the idea of a curling club for Maxville. President of the C.C., Hubert and all members were in agreement. The next morning, plans began to find a building. Eventually two church sheds from St. Raphel’s that were about to be torn down were secured for $700. A bee was held to tear down the sheds and rebuild them as the new curling rink in Maxville.Rev. M. Langer, a retired United Church Minister, donated an old barn that became the clubhouse. The club and rink went through the usual ups and down of curling clubs… mild winters and bad ice, not enough money, collapsing roofs, frost heaving, grant money denied, zoning by-law issues. In 1986, a building committee was formed and in 1987 a grant for $208,000.00 was received. Construction began, problems ensued but eventually the first curling club bonspiel took place on January 6, 1989 at the MacLeod Bonspiel. According to curling club director Catherine Kippen who takes club bookings, membership is string. “We have over a hundred members,” she comments, “and we have a lot of fun.” Curling is still a big part of Maxville life and the club is clearly deserving of the respected award. |
Hay excelled as defence on one of the original soccer teams with Barbie (Hay) McCormick and was coached by Hubert Hay, Harry Best and Ann-Margaret Hay.
She went out west to work as a nanny at 16 years old, but was drawn back to Glengarry two years later. She married Edwin Hay and together they started their farm with eight milk cows and eventually four children. A member of a large Lochiel family himself, Edwin also played in farm fields, but does not recall playing against the woman he would eventually marry. “She did it all,” says Wendy. “She drove us to all our soccer and hockey games, cheered us on, helped in the barn, was a member of the hockey board, was involved in different sports and even suited up in full hockey gear to face off with brothers during minor hockey week in 1973.” But that wasn't all. Hay started playing broom ball in the early 70s and won most valuable player (MVP) after helping her team win the Ottawa House trophy. She curled and golfed from 18975 to 2000 and enjoyed many championships in both sports. Hay participated in the Wilfred Menard Memorial, several Ladies Challenges, the Stanley Gauthier competition, the Glengarry Curling Cup and the Joe Roy Memorial where she won the Ryan Armature Trophy. She was presented with the closest to the pin award in the twilight golf league in 1984, club championship in 1985, placed second in the Angus H. MacDonald tourney, was handicap champion in 1990 and 1991 and went on to win and excel in both sports for many years, as well as being vice-president for the entertainment and publicity board of the golf club. There seems to be nothing this athlete couldn't do. According to grandson Tyler Hay, she’s as good in the kitchen as she is on the field. Wendy remembers her nephew coming to the house just for the food. “Grandma, you’re a good cook!” he said on many occasions. According to Wendy, there wasn't much her mom wouldn't do, except for one thing. “She didn't like horses,” says Wendy who now keeps four ponies and two paint horses on the family farm that is still operated by her two brothers, Darryl and Glen. Other brother Scott lives near Alexandria. And to top off the list of incredible contributions Phoebe Hay has made to the community, she was a member and strong supporter of the United Church at Kirk Hill for many years. “She loved her sports,” comments Wendy. “Golf was her favourite, but what she loved the most was the people she played with.” Phoebe passed away years ago of cancer, but her legacy lives on. All four children and seven grandchildren are avid athletes and carry on their mother and grandmother’s love of Glengarry sport. |
Beth was a lifeguard for Charlan at Charlottenburgh and Raisin River Parks. She taught swimming lessons in Glengarry and life guarded while at university. Upon her return to the area, she led the Girl Guide troop in Green Valley, competed in various Arabian horse shows including Williamstown, and played soccer and baseball in Alexandria and North Lancaster. A hard worker to the core, she had several jobs before starting with DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association).
It was after a blind date set up by Lawrence St. Denis to the Holstein Banquet in 1986 that she married Danny Koggel originally from Laggan. Together they had four children; Ashley, Kalica, Hayleigh and Desiree, all while running a farm of 1500 pigs near Bainsville. The girls remember their mother fondly and attribute their love of sports to her. “She taught us to be the best we could be,” reminisces oldest daughter Ashley. “We started playing co-ed soccer when we were five years old.” Koggel was not only a soccer mom who took the girls to every practice and game, she also coached in the Glengarry Soccer League for over ten years, coached the Glengarry Hearts for four years, coached the Cornwall Blazers for two years, and she played herself. On top of that she helped out in the barn, competed with her purebred Arabains, taught horse back riding at Forever Green Stables in Glen Robertson and ran their summer camp there for years. The energetic mom cause quite a stir when she coached in North Lancaster as she was the only lady coach around at the time. She believed strongly in improving athletic ability and was instrumental in starting travelling teams in hopes of advancing children’s soccer skills. “They went to tournaments everywhere,” says widower Danny who supported her love of sports. “They won many games for years, including premier travelling divisions!” The busy mom never seemed to quit. “She was always there for us,” recalls Ashley. “Even at school where she helped teach, coach and even drove school buses for a while.” Beth was also involved in sports activities at S. J. MacLeod Public School. She coached and refereed soccer, baseball, and was monitor for skating. She was active in both the track and field programs and as well as the Parent Teaching Association. “She was an amazing mom,” states Ashley who is thrilled that grandmother Sharon Davidson Nominated her. “She would be honoured for this tribute in the world of sports,” Danny Koggel agrees. “She was so busy working and coaching that I had to learn how to cook for myself. I learned a lot from her. She was my best friend,” he says. Beth passed away nearly five years after a bout with uterine cancer, but will be proudly remembered while her memory lives on in the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame. |
I guess they thought I was quick enough because I became a running back right away.” His coached offered suggestions. “If there’s an open hole, just take it,” said Jeaurond. “If not there’ll always be another.” McLeod said, “Hey, I just keep running and don’t open my eyes until people stop hitting me!” Speed was McLeod’s claim to dame. He won top place in sprints and long jumps, and helped take his team to many top place finishes. A shoulder injury sustained in high school football unfortunately re-emerged during an infamous tackle against Hawkesbury. “I got the guy, but my shoulder was badly dislocated,” says McLeod who explains how sever the injury was. “I’ve had to put it back into place many times.” But that didn’t deter the star athlete from sports. McLeod went on to university in Windsor to study kinesiology in 1969, and joined track and field where he placed in every event. When asked to play soccer in university, McLeod was hesitant because of previous ankle injuries, yet could not resist the tug to soccer and speed. “I wanted to play,” he says, “so I put on my high top basketball shoes, taped my ankles that were wrecked in a Glengarry game and didn’t care if people laughed at me.”
A barn accident that did further damage to his shoulder caused him to quit university sports and head to the oil rigs of the west. He was later hired to run recreation leisure centres for oil companies because of his knowledge of sports. Upon his return to Glengarry, McLeod played soccer in yet another pair of customized shoes that would support his ankles and then claimed the rookie of the year title. McLeod added a teaching certificate from Ottawa University to his credentials and went on to teach education, special ed., agriculture and became a council at GDHS for several years. He pursued his love sports and passed it to many young students while re-uniting and coaching football with one of his mentors, Jean-Yves Jeaurond. On the side, McLeod continued to play sports, often competing against some of his students. “It was awkward at first,” he says, “but eventually we all learned from it.” McLeod retired from teaching in 1985 after taking the junior girls soccer team to EOSSA in 1984. He’s gone back to farming full time and has had some of those injuries repaired. He’s started biking and continues to golf with his wife. “My most horrible sports moment has actually been in golf,” he says with a smile. During his last year teaching, the avid athlete and some of his colleagues went out for a round of golf. He rented clubs and said at one point he hit the ground instead of the ball with his club. “I hit the ground so hard the club broke in two,” he comments. “One half ended up at the club house rood. You should have seen the look I got when I returned half a club!” McLeod was also instrumental in helping to enlarge the soccer field in North Lancaster, starting girls soccer in the area, was chairperson of the Glengarry Soccer League and helped start the Tournament of Hearts, as well as raising awareness about Glengarry soccer. “We have a unique style of play here in Glengarry,” he says holding up his ankle high soccer shoes. “We play no matter what!” |
