EMO—Still sharp as a tack.
That’s what people were saying Saturday afternoon as Maurice MacMillan celebrated his 100th birthday at Knox United Church in Emo—and became the first centenarian to be born there.
Olive Earle turned 100 years old earlier this year, but since she was three months old when she moved to Emo, she wasn’t “born and bred” there.
MacMillan’s father had emigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1887 and met his mother. The family moved to Emo—Lot 6, Concession 3—in Carpenter Township, where MacMillan was born on Oct. 10, 1906.
He was the youngest of six children.
MacMillan spent most of his life in Emo, farming, attending nearly 90 Emo fall fairs, and serving on municipal council.
Proving both his memory and wit, MacMillan conveyed to those on hand for his birthday celebration a story of his 1965 nomination.
“I told of our work over the past year and said I wanted to be re-elected because we get paid and that keeps me in beer and cigarettes,” he recalled, adding everyone laughed at the joke.
But the reeve at the time took him seriously and wrote a letter to the taxpayers asking them not to vote for a man who only was there to get money for beer and cigarettes.
That was the only year MacMillan lost an election—and back then council members were elected for one-year terms only.
“Your generation has given us something to aspire to,” Dr. Ingrid Krampetz told MacMillan during her opening remarks at Saturday’s birthday party.
“And your wit and memory is something to look forward to.”
She noted when MacMillan was asked what his secret was for living so long, he replied, “Just keep living.”
“And we should,” Dr. Krampetz added. “We should just keep living, enjoying the community and the people in it.”
Musical tributes also were presented to MacMillan.
Dave Ogilvie sang “Blue Bells of Scotland,” Mark Barron played “What a Wonderful World” and “Barcarolle,” and Rev. Frances Flook performed “Only a Shadow.”
A quartet consisting of Flook, Janet Loney, June Winik, and Elaine Frazer, along with Janet Young on the piano, then presented a re-written version of “Early One Morning.”
Some of the new words were taken from the book MacMillan wrote about his life.
Jack Vandenbrand also performed two pieces, including “Amazing Grace.”
MacMillan even had a surprise “special guest” visit—Wendy Judson portrayed one of his Scottish relatives and staged a comedic routine with him.
He pulled out several witty lines to banter with Judson’s humorous spectacle.
As a gift, he received a tie made from the MacMillan tartan of Scotland.
Before a short luncheon of sandwiches and cake, MacMillan also was presented with cards and certificates from the Township of Emo, local MP Ken Boshcoff, local MPP Howard Hampton, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Queen Elizabeth II.
One card read: “May you look back on your rich life—your success, contribution, and knowledge—as a treasured gift.”
“Thank you singers, special guest, and helpers and thank you all for coming,” MacMillan said, adding he enjoyed his party and hopes to celebrate a couple more hundred years.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
