NEW ADVENTURES - PART 1

Marion returned to Waterloo Lutheran College in 1950 graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951 whereupon she entered the Ontario College of Education in Toronto. In 1952, she accepted a teaching position at Oak Park Junior High School in East York. (now absorbed by the High School)

Meanwhile, Doug worked dutifully at Huron College assisting at the chapel organ and helping out at St. John’s Anglican Church in Kitchener, especially in the summer months. The summer association was rather interesting. Thanks to brother Jim, Doug worked as a “brewery inspector” in the summer months at Carling’s Brewery. It was a night job requiring a careful examination of the brewery trucks before they set out on their destination. The job required that the inspector verify that the number of cases on the trucks matched the paper order! This left Doug with a fair amount of free time in his office which he used usually to prepare sermons for Sunday morning.

Doug finally finished his degree requirements at Huron College, changed his vocational direction, and headed for OCE in Toronto to follow in Marion’s footsteps.

After a 6 -7 year “pursuit”, Marion finally said, “yes” during the year and on Easter Monday on April 6, 1953, Doug and Marion Eckel were married at Zion Evangelical Church on Weber Street in Kitchener by the Rev. Emerson Hallman. Dr. Glen Kruspe provided suitable music. Afterward, a lovely reception was hosted by Eileen and Stan Eckel (Marion’s parents) at the Preston Hotel. The bride and groom did not stay for the evening party but from all reports it was a “zinger”. One guest was reported to have outdone herself as she danced on the kitchen table!

School was still in session and Marion was still working but the couple settled comfortably in their basement apartment on Pleasant Boulevard in Toronto. For the summer, Doug was hired by the C.N.R. to be a waiter between Toronto and Winnipeg. He learned a lot about the practical concerns of train restaurant service including the fact that the regular pros always stood at the First Class end while the lowly students were assigned the economy end. The tips matched!

In March of 1953, Doug was interviewed for a teaching position. The interview with Board members took place at the Park Plaza Hotel. Those were days when the supply of teachers was in short supply and 3 -4 pages of the Globe and Mail were filled with advertisements each day. Toronto was a prime destination. However, Doug was offered and accepted a position in Almonte teaching English and Music. When he got home, Marion promptly asked, “Where is Almonte”. He replied, “I don’t know. Let’s find the Atlas”!

For their honeymoon, the newly married couple headed for the Ottawa Valley region on April 8 and had their first look at their new home in Almonte