Norwood: Minaker’s made quality furniture in the early years of the village

Unlike today, with online shopping and overnight delivery where nearly everything is instantly available to those that can afford it, growing villages in the 1800s and early 1900s did not have such luxury.

Ordered items could take many weeks or months to arrive, so it was much easier to have such services and amenities made and available within the village.

Norwood did well at providing for its citizens with several industries that supplied work and goods as well as doctors, dentists, cobblers, blacksmiths and more. Amenities also included various well-stocked stores that provided residents with nearly everything they would need.

Setting up a home obviously required furnishing and to help meet this need the village of Norwood even had its own fine furniture factory at one point.

Around 1880 Norwood welcomed a gentleman by the name of William Minaker to the village. Minaker was a cabinet maker by trade and by all reports was highly skilled in his chosen field. He established a small furniture factory on Colborne Street on the lot where the Norwood Library sits today from his workshop he turned out a line of fine furnishings including cabinets, dining tables, chairs and bedroom furniture.

Although he is recorded as enjoying a good business and was highly respected for his excellent work, he was only in business for about 15 years; in 1895 a fire consumed the entire block of stores on the east side of Colborne Street including Minakers Furniture Factory. Minaker never rebuilt his workshop and this unique Norwood business ceased to exist.

In a testament to his skills, furniture with Minikar’s Stamp could still be found in homes within the village into the 1960s. It is quite possible that his cabinets, tables and chairs are still being enjoyed somewhere in someone’s home today.

Unfortunately there is little else recorded about Minaker and his furniture business. To date I have been unable to locate a single picture of this enterprising entrepreneur or his factory, however even without a picture it does not diminish his unique and lasting contribution in the development of the village.

Legion recognitions

The Norwood Legion held their Honour and Awards presentations on Sunday; normally an annual event, due to the pandemic this was the first time they have been able to host the event since 2019. The awards give the legion a special opportunity to acknowledge the years of service that their members have contributed as well as extend a special thank you to members that have gone above and beyond with their support for the local branch.

In the past the event was normally held in the evening with considerable pomp and pageantry, a buffet meal, guest speaker and so on, however circumstances being what they are, the awards ceremony was scaled back and members and guests enjoyed an equally respectable afternoon presentation that include a tasty lasagna and salad lunch followed by an informal yet heartfelt and personal awards ceremony.

As mentioned the pandemic forced the cancellation of the awards night for the last two years, so this year’s presentations include included both 2020 and 2021 recipients.

The first order of business was the presentation of years of service pins for ordinary, associate and affiliate members. Several 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 year pins were awarded; receiving recognition for 30 years of service was Robert and Pat Wilford and the legions Master of Arms Sam Johnston.

Pat Wilford was also presented with a life membership to Branch 300 in recognition for his leadership and involvement with the renovations and restorations in the club room and building that have taken place over the last two years. Kathy Tibbits was called forward to receive her 35 year pin. Nancy Drummond, Arlene Webster, and Denton Curry received their 40 year pins, followed by Arnie Patterson and Willis Fish with 45 years of service.

An extra-special presentation was made to John Fleming recognizing this ordinary member’s 55 years of service to the Norwood Legion.

The Worker of the Year award was presented to long time and dedicated volunteers Jenny Lyons for 2020 and Eric McFeetors for 2021

The final presentation for the afternoon was the Legionnaire of the Year, an accolade bestowed on Cindy Baker for 2020 recognizing her work during the renovations and Brenda Lamey for 2021 in recognition of her numerous contributions including membership chair. The Norwood Legion currently has over 200 members.

Butter Tart Fundraiser

St. George’s Anglican Church next door in Hastings is hosting another Butter Tart fundraiser just in time for Mother’s Day.

The butter tarts, made by the Kawartha Butter Tart Factory come in three flavours, plain, raisin and pecan. All you have to do is simply preorder your tarts (in multiples of six for $6) by calling 705-696-2451 or 705-696-1700 and then pick them up drive-through style at the church between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on May 5.

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