I have been working on this article since I first began writing this column nearly five years ago, looking back at some of the memories associated with Newmarket’s Teen Town that are still so strong after all these years.
My sincere thanks need to go out to all those who have participated in quite a few oral history interviews over the years in preparation. In addition, several of you have sent me clippings and copies of the official reunion program for which I am most grateful.
The first hurdle I had to overcome was the determination of exactly when Teen Town was first organized and the names of those who were involved. It seemed that every time I interviewed someone new, a new version regarding the who and when would arise. It is my sincere hope that I have finally arrived at a generally accepted version of the facts, but I am sure that some of you will correct me where needed.
The concept of Teen Town may have originated with a chance meeting between three local teens - Jack Cain, Rosalie Ross and Maureen West - and local councillor Clare Salisbury and his wife. It seems Salisbury casually inquired as to why three young people were sitting on the side steps of the Old Town Hall on a Saturday night all alone and he was told that there was absolutely nothing of interest happening in Newmarket worth attending.
Salisbury promised there and then that he would propose to council the idea of a youth gathering utilizing the town hall as the venue. The idea was soon adopted and in October 1953 Teen Town was officially born.
In the early days, every Friday night was designated Teen Town Night in Newmarket when more than 200 young people from Newmarket and area would gather to enjoy a dance party on the second floor of the Old Town Hall. Teen Town Night would eventually move permanently to Saturdays.
Over the years, Teen Town would have several adult liaisons through the town’s recreation department, starting with George Knapton who was subsequently replaced by Salisbury in 1962. Tom Surgeoner would serve in that capacity after Salisbury.
Some of the names mentioned in the early days of Teen Town as founders were Ken Bell, Helen White, Gary Buglar, Ken Cassavoy (who would serve as the first president), Jack Austin, Betty Ann Driscoll, Jean Sheridan, Nanette Stankiewicz, Peter Fry, Terry McGowan and Sanga Wilson.
The event initially amounted to a record player playing borrowed records until the group were able to contract their first band, The Manhattans, made up of Rod West, Don Langford, Bruce Smith, Doug Bilbrough, Don Budd, Harvey Burling, Doug Hines, Don (Mickey) Barker and Vic Langford, in January 1954. West indicated that he remembers they performed weekly except for the summer months right through until June 1955.
I have posted a copy of that original contract for you to see. The ticket prices were set at 25 cents and the door crew selling tickets at the door were Jack Cain, Rosalie Ross, Brad Walker, and Maureen West. I wonder if they realized back then that they had started an event that would go on well into the 1970s and provide vivid memories for so many.
A music circuit existed back then with several of the top recording stars making the rounds and Newmarket’s Teen Town was a stop on that circuit. Teen Town, right from the beginning, was dedicated to bringing in one live act a month. Al Noble specifically remembered the various Toronto area bands who were just getting started graced our stage, along with rising stars David Clayton Thomas and the Supremes. The house band was the local group The Emeralds.
Just as in the movies, you had the boys on one side of the dance floor and the girls on the other. If you were a couple, then you were free to mingle.
This event was to be an extremely successful endeavour and, most importantly, was entirely organize for and by our youth. The organization enjoyed the full support of our council and the many important sponsors over the many years. I can vaguely remember my cousins proudly displaying their maroon and white Teen Town card a symbol of belonging to a very special group. Early entertainment included the Manhattans, the required bunny hop sessions and all the wonderful companionship that abounded.
In 1958, the Town of Newmarket asked the local Newmarket Lions Club to provide members to work with the committee of teenagers who were running Teen Town dances every Saturday night. The club also provided chaperones for the dances.
No matter who I spoke to in my pursuit of this story, the underlying theme of their memories was of a well-organized and trouble-free event, a credit to all involved. I remember in the 1960s, the security detail that ran the events. One very large man seemed to reign supreme at the door, enforcing the club rules. I am hopeful that someone out there will remember his name and let me know.
That is not to say that everything went according to plan each week. The dance would be visited by a motorcycle group who were quickly sent on their way, multiple fuses blew and then, of course, there was that sloping stage that threatened to send the drummer and his kit into the front row.
At Christmas 1958, the organization presented a Christmas Teen Town Dance, which would make the front page of The Era. It seems they had a draw for an oversized teddy bear and the proud winner was David Beer. In the photo I have attached with this article, you will see Elizabeth Giovanelli, treasurer; Dianne Mason, Ken Ball, the current president; Mayor Belugin; and David Beer, the proud teddy bear owner.
There were many special events put on by the executive over the years. In my oral history interviews, the New Year's bash on Jan. 18, 1964 seemed to stand out. It featured The Emeralds.
Teen Town was to be featured in many local newspaper articles, which always portrayed Teen Town and its executives as socially responsible, constructive and productive members of their community. Each article spoke of the amazing environment provided by the weekly dance, emphasizing the fact that the success of this organization was very much a tribute to the youth who attended, handled all the organizational duties, security and financial responsibilities; it was in every way an unofficial town youth department.
The charity efforts of the organization were often highlighted. In a 1962 article, we learned of a $100 donation from Teen Town toward mental health initiatives and a $25 donation to the local seniors club. A donation for $1,300 was made to the hospital and a Secret Santa program was established to the benefit of local children and their families. That was big money back then and it demonstrated the commitment that those involved with Teen Town had for their community. Similar articles appeared on the front page throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
I always asked participants whom I interviewed for this article what their favourite act was that appeared during Teen Town's heyday. In my second article about Teen Town, scheduled for the new year, I will look at some of their memories.
During my preparation for a series of presentations on the local entertainment scene in the 1950s and 1960s and the established music circuit of which Newmarket was a prominent stop, I had the opportunity to do a telephone interview with Bobby Curtola. He reminisced about appearing here in the early days, playing the Old Town Hall venue with its sloping stage. He seemed to feel certain that he had performed Three Rows Over locally, which was always a favourite of mine. In my interviews, I was unable to confirm his performance, but it is interesting that he knew about that sloping stage at the town hall.
Trying to get a handle on all those who served on the various boards over the years was a bit challenging. The more I inquired, the more confused I got. I have provided a brief listing here and in my second article I shall attempt to provide a more comprehensive list.
On Aug. 22, 1998, all those who had grown up with Teen Town, were called once again to gather for a Teen Town reunion here in Newmarket. I think that it is fair to say that all those teenagers who had made Teen Town so special dating right back to the early 1950s came together again as adults to make this event just as special. Here is a brief list of the organizing committee involved and to whom we are all still so grateful after all these years.
- Scott Stevenson – committee chairman
- Mary-Anne (Leeder) Stevenson
- Mary (Service) Agresti
- Viv Agresti
- Nancy (Frampton) Colefield
- David McCaffrey
- Trudy (Greenfield) Montgomery
- Fred Walsh
- Anne Young,
- Lynn (Pollock) Walker
- Doug Toombs
- David Smalley
- Al Noble
- Sandra (Osborne) Noble
For those of you who were fortunate enough to attend, I hope that I have conjured up some precious memories and for those of you who were not fortunate enough to experience those years, I hope it has enticed you to look back at those early days of the local sock hop and enjoy again the best music in the world.
Sources: The Newmarket Era and Express; Newmarket Lions Club website; Official Teen Town Reunion Program August 22, 1998; special thanks to Malcolm Watts, Rod West, Maureen West, Don Budd, David McCaffrey, Linda Spaulding Middleton Wright, and Al Noble
Newmarket resident Richard MacLeod — the History Hound — has been a local historian for more than 40 years. He writes a weekly feature about our town's history in partnership with Newmarket Today, conducts heritage lectures and walking tours of local interest, and leads local oral history interviews
