Lawn bowling has a long history in the Highlands. A photo exists from 1918 depicting a happy group of lawn bowlers on William Magrath’s lawn on Ada Boulevard. Magrath was co-owner of the Magrath-Holgate & Co. Ltd., the developer and builder of the Highlands subdivision in the early 20th century. Magrath was an avid sportsman, with particular interest in lawn bowling, curling and baseball.
The club recently celebrated 100 years of lawn bowling in Highlands.
The above photo shows a symbolic moment – the moment just before the celebration was to officially begin. Long time resident and board member of the Highlands Historical Society, Cathy Chalmers, attended with her mom, a past resident of the Highlands.
Cathy reported that the lawn bowling club had a display of old photographs, trophies and even a plaque that her mom’s family had donated to the clubhouse in the 1930’s! A formal program was held with Kerry Diotte (MP) and Brian Mason (MLA) (seen in above photo) providing congratulations from the city and the province. Wine and cheese followed.
HHS president laurel Erickson with HHS member Helen Gillespie.
The event was well attended and current members encouraged any of those attending to try their hand at throwing a ball or two. They are working hard to get younger players involved in the sport. Hopefully they are successful and that there’s lawn bowling in the Highlands for another 100 years!
My mother Sophia Scheffer was a long time member 1980 to 1990? and even got her husband Jake Scheffer bowling and surprise surprise he actually enjoyed it but was never as good as mother so I was told.
I believe she served as president for several years and diplomatically coerced those in the neighborhood to join.
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The very best leaders know how to do just that, don’t they?
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