Old South Business Association Update by Ian Leishman It’s great to have the Black Walnut Café open once again as a cherished gathering spot. It’s been a long-awaited, and celebrated reopening by the entire community, including the Old South Business Association (OSBA). We also extend a special welcome to Virginia and her team at S&T Elite Events, who have transformed the former bridal shop on Wharncliffe Road into a premier destination for complete event and wedding planning services. Joining the neighborhood at 156 Wortley Road is Rokhsana and the Purdy Natural team. Many residents are excited they are now open in the former Westland Gallery location. They marked their 15th anniversary on March 21 with their Wortley Village grand opening where they now offer their self-produced skincare lines, natural products, jewelry, and gifts. Meanwhile, Westland Gallery fans can find their new home at the former Art Exchange building at 247 Wortley Road. It was a pleasure, as always, to connect with our local entre- preneurs at the March Old South Business Association meeting, with a special thanks to Sidetrack: A Wortley Café, for hosting. As we look forward to the arrival of warmer weather, the OSBA remains dedicated to growing this incredible business community for the benefit of our residents and the hardworking small business owners, who tirelessly pour their hearts into everything they do. Follow the Old South Business Association on Facebook for updates on events, new local businesses and more.
100 Years of Lions’ Pride: Honouring 150 Distinguished South Alumni by Connie Weir 150 profiles of South Collegiate alumni, including Charles (Chuck) Dalton (1946), were created for display at the South Collegiate Alumni Association’s 100th Reunion in May 2023. Charles (Chuck) Dalton (1946) Gifted Athlete & Olympic Competitor • Excelled in several sports at South, captaining the Senior Boys’ basketball team in 1945-46, as well as quarterbacking the Senior Lions’ football team • Studied business at Western where he played a pivotal role on the Mustang’s basketball team e Senior Lions ’ football team at Western where he played a e Mustang ’ s basketball team from UWO, he was recruited by to come to Tillsonburg and play team he was building, featuring nd the province. The ngstons won both the Ontario & Canadian nd the right to represent Canada at the Olympic ki, Finland in 1952 estern ’ s Sports Hall of Fame , Western ’ s Basketball Tillsonburg ’ s Athletic Hall of Fame • After graduation from UWO, he was recruited by Gerry Livingston, to come to Tillsonburg and play basketball for the team he was building, featuring players from around the province. The Tillsonburg Livingstons won both the Ontario & Canadian Championships and the right to represent Canada at the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland in 1952 • Inducted into Western’s Sports Hall of Fame, Western’s Bas- ketball Hall of Fame and Tillsonburg’s Athletic Hall of Fame • In addition to basketball, Chuck played for the London Majors baseball team for several years. Later on, he took up curling and served as president of the London Curling Club (1971-72) • An Honour Roll student, as well as the most successful basketball player in South’s history, Chuck Dalton was honoured at a special ceremony at the school on January 7, 2011. Prior to the Alumni Basketball Game, Chuck was presented with a replica of his #1 basketball jersey, embroidered with his name, as he stepped back on South’s gym floor for the first time in 55 years! • Remembered as “an outgoing and very caring guy”, Charles passed away January 12, 2013, age 85. ketball, Chuck played for the London Majors several years. Later on, he took up curling and nt of the London Curling Club (1971-72) student , as well as the asketball player in South ’ s lton was honoured at a S (CHUCK) DALTON (1946) & OLYMPIC COMPETITOR al sports at South, captaining the etball team in 1945-46, as well as N (1946) e
as
at the school on January 7, Alumni Basketball Game, nted with a replica of his #1 embroidered with his ped back on South ’ s gym time in 55 years! “ an outgoing & very caring rwood (“ Chuck ”) Dalton y Jan. 12, 2013, age 85
OSBA meeting at Sidetrack: A Wortley Café
Support the South Collegiate Bike Cage Project
In recent years, theft has become a real concern for students who would like to ride their bikes to school. The South Collegiate Bike Cage Project was created to install a secure, enclosed bike parking structure on the school grounds. As of mid-March, $18,000 of the $30,000 goal to fully fund the design, materials, installation and signage had been raised. Your support will directly help students choose a healthier, more sustainable way to get to school, while creating lasting infrastructure for the South Collegiate community. To contribute or learn more, please contact: Andrew Mc- Clenaghan, South Collegiate Alumni, Owner, London Bicycle Café at amcc@londonbicyclecafe.com or 519-860-9604. E-transfer donations may be made to DONATESCAA@gmail.com. Please name the recipient – South Collegiate Alumni Association and under ‘message’, please note: Bike Locker.
g & Canadian a at the Olympic
Proudly Printed By:
Western ’ s Basketball me
233 Edward Street, St. Thomas, ON phone: 519-633-1580 fax: 519-633-8531 impressions-printing.com
ondon Majors k up curling and
To advertise here, please contact Cathy@villagerpublications.com
Wortley Villager April 2026 • Page 13
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs