“Dad was present as a young lad at the laying of the cornerstone at VUC,” wrote Eileen Morrow in a recent email. “He did not have a very happy family life, so the church became his second home.”
If the church gave Harold Morrow a place to belong, Harold over the years gave a great deal to the church, in particular his musical talents.
“He had a beautiful baritone voice and was a member of the choir, and often sang solos at many wedding ceremonies,” Eileen told me.
Harold Morrow also directed and performed in the annual YAG Revue, named after the Young Adult Group at Verdun United Church. Thanks to fellow performer, the late Ed Chaffey, we have quite a few photos from those shows in our collection at SouthWest. I was delighted to find there pictures of Harold, his wife Meta, and even one of their young daughter!
“The picture of me I think was from 1962,” wrote Eileen after I shared it with her. “I ‘opened’ the show by running from one side of the stage, then to the other, blowing kisses, back to centre stage saying ‘Welcome to the YAG Review of '62 - and away we go!’ (Jackie Gleason's line at the time!).”
The Morrow family also contributed to the church in other ways.
“During the sixties, my family were the ‘caretakers’ of the church,” wrote Eileen. “I can still remember vacuuming the long red-carpeted church aisle with the old upright Hoover!”
“On May 5, 1984,” Eileen recalled, “a reunion of the Young Adult Group was organized by my parents, Edie & Dave Jones, Sue Mercer and Joyce Weippert Ryner, and held in the old church hall at VUC. Close to 100 members of the group attended from near and far - it was quite the soiree, with lots of music, laughs and memories. I was so happy that my Dad was able to reconnect with so many from the group that were so dear to him - he passed away later that year in December.”
Eileen shared some photos she had of the shows, as well as the programme from 1959. The slideshow below combines both photo sources. I have kept Ed Chaffey’s captions on his photos, as they identify most of the people.
Text of the newspaper clipping:
Pictured above are experts in the dance department going over a few fine points with Choreographer Bernice Marvin and Director Harold Morrow of the YAG REVUE of ‘59, which will be held Thursday and Friday, April 2nd and 3rd at 8:15p.m. in the Verdun United Church Hall, 650 Woodland Ave., Verdun. From left to right are Marilyn Knight, Don Peddar, Dorothy Johnston, Ed Chaffey, Miss Marvin and Mr. Morrow.The Revue plans a departure in programme this year: In addition to the usual variety numbers, a half-hour comedy entitled “Why I am a Bachelor” by Conrad Seiler will be presented depicting, in a lighter vein, the proverbial contrast between the days of the Belle and the Beau and those of the Husband and Wife.
“Gai Paree”, the musical highlight of this year’s show, has a realistic French atmosphere created by material generously contributed by the Tourism and Cultural Attache of the French Government Consulate in Montreal, who will be in attendance, with party, the opening night.
The YAG Revue will run for two days — April 2nd and 3rd — before travelling. Any Service Club or Charitable organization wishing to have the show, or any individual wanting tickets, should contact Mr. Harvey Mercer, P.O. 7-6425.