Photo Record
Images
![[Hamblin-Metcalfe staff party]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/pastperfectonline/images/museum_44/058/thumbs/2013067001019.jpg)
Metadata
Collection |
Waterloo Region Museum |
Object ID |
2013.067.001.019 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Title |
[Hamblin-Metcalfe staff party] |
Description |
Black and white photograph with a white border. Staff party held at the YMCA on Queen and Weber Streets in Kitchener according to the donor. Long tables covered with white paper are set up in a gymnasium. There is a basketball net in the background. Men and women are seated at the tables and are standing along the back wall of the room. The women are wearing dresses or blouses and skirts. The men have on suits and ties. Most people have cups and saucers on the table in front of them. A few people have booklets or programs on the table. There are windows on the left and back walls. A volleyball net is attached to the left wall. The following individuals have been identified - 2nd row from left, woman in polka dot dress is "Tony" Thoman Wesson, a secretary with the company. In the same row, the first man is Laverne Kennedy, the fifth man is Robert Hamblin. Third row from the left, the first woman is Jean Dunnington, a forelady, and the third man is Gordon Hamblin, owner of the company. The reverse of the photograph is blank. No photographer's mark. |
Date |
1940 |
Date |
1949 |
Copyright |
Expired |
History |
Edna (Stahle) Johnston (1918-2021) and Helen Stahle (1924-1964) were sisters of Bernice Stahle (1926-2017), who married Milton DeMeuleneare (1923-2013) in 1949. All three sisters were daughters of George H. Stahle (1873-1949) and Caroline Ruppel (1880-1950). Both Edna and Helen worked at the Smiles n' Chuckles factory in the 1940s and 1950s. Smiles 'n Chuckles candies/chocolates were made in Berlin/Kitchener beginning in 1916. The company was originally called the Metcalfe Candy Company, and it was founded by George R. Metcalfe (1865-1936). The company was located at 164 Weber Street East. George was a son of William Metcalfe (1823-1895) and Isabella Roy (1824-1903) who owned Wm. Metcalfe and Company, a grocery store at 43 King Street West in Berlin. William Henry Hamblin (1871-1953) began working for the candy company around 1918. By the early 1920s, William is listed as the president of the company. The company name was changed to Hamblin-Metcalfe Limited around 1927. William's son, Gordon Hamblin (1896-1979), joined the company in the late 1920s. He later becomes president of the company, followed by his son, Robert "Bob" Hamblin (1927-2010). The company was renamed Smiles 'n Chuckles around 1947, after their popular brand of chocolates. Smiles 'n Chuckles was purchased by Laura Secord in 1972 and production ceased in Kitchener. The factory at Cameron and Weber Street East in Kitchener was demolished in 1976. |
Search Terms |
Smiles 'n Chuckles Limited Hamblin-Metcalfe Limited YMCA |
People |
Dunnington, Jean Hamblin, Gordon Hamblin, Robert Kennedy, Laverne Wesson, Tony Thoman |