Dale Lambert Presents, Morden's History - Entrepreneur, Volunteer and Community Leader.
My first address was Beaver, Manitoba. My Father worked for a large farmer and eventually bought land 4 miles away near Westbourne, Man.
After completing my grade 12 in MacGregor, I took a Radio Electronics and Repair course and after working at a TV Repair shop in MacGregor, Manitoba I joined the Manitoba Telephone System Radio Division working in Portage la Prairie.
Six months later I married my wife Dianne and we moved to Treherne, Manitoba to service the Trans Canada Microwave Link.
In 1962 I was transferred to Morden to put up and maintain multiple radio systems for long-distance communication and thus began the last 62 years here in Morden.
The old saying “If you like what you are doing, you will never work a day in your life. Dale adds: I have to be having fun when I am doing it and I have fun on every project I do. Hockey and Baseball:
My first years in Morden I played Hockey for the Morden Bombers and for 2 years was the playing coach. I also coached 12 & under and 16 & under hockey.
3 Fathers asked me to coach because there was no discipline on the team they were always in the penalty box.
I also played and coached the Morden Senior Baseball Team - Morden Mohawks.
Coached 12 and under as well as 16 and under baseball.
Coached the Border Girls Softball League and won the League in 1987.
Quite an experience. Mothers thought I was treating their girls like boys – I told them I was treating them like ball players. How to: Block a hit ball, run bases, slide, hold a bat, stand at the plate and worry the pitcher.I had a hunting accident in 1971 with a 12 gauge shotgun. After that, my playing days were over but I still coached.
Kinsmen:
Joined the Kinsmen Club in 1966 and was involved in projects such as: Wading Pool in the Morden Park, Skatathons, Christmas Orange Sale, Peanut Blitz, travelling to Southeastern Manitoba to get Christmas Trees to sell, Kinsmen Rummage Sale – helped auctioneer Cornie Kehler.
I found an old Over and Under, Crown & Anchor Wheel, fixed it up and chaired the Wheel Games project for the Kinsmen Club at C & A.
I held many positions in the club as well as President of the Club in 1977, Deputy Governor of the District 1976 – 1979. On voting day I had 8 Kinettes dressed in red frilly short skirts, dancing and singing a campaign song – Dale For Governor – naturally I won.
I had to visit each club 3 times a year and report at the annual convention.
I received a Life Membership in 1983.
D & D Electronics:
In 1969, I decided to venture out on my own, so I retired from the MTS and started my own TV and Electronic Sales & repair business.
Involved in the Work Ed Program at Morden Collegiate and Trainex in Winkler.
Hired students through the Student Youth Employment program and received Employer of the Month in 2002.
The student I hired had a motorcycle accident lost the use of both legs and was in a wheelchair. I thought he was doing well with the knowledge I taught him but at the end of 5 months, he didn’t want to make a career of it.
In southern Manitoba D & D was the first private dealer to sell and service Fully solid state colour TVs. 2 second year sold more TVs than any other private dealer in rural Manitoba.
Reel to Reel Telephone Answering Machines,
Mobile telephones
10 ft dish Satellite systems
Farmers could sell cattle, and farm machinery by auction and anyone
could watch and bet on horse racing.Sold 25 microwaves in one day. I rented the Legion Hall and had our local Home Economist and the Hitachi Sales Rep demonstrate how to use a microwave. Also how to use the meat browning tray.
Cell phones
Artists paint, brushes and supplies
Model remote control flying airplane kits. These were used by the Flying Club to show off landings and take off and cargo doors that opened remotely to drop the cargo and have it hit a target on the ground.
The largest selection of music on 45 and long play records and cassettes..
Other D & D Projects:
Christmas music on all of Main Street – 3 speaker locations with amp.
Install TV service, base tower and distribution system in Tabor Home. Tabor Home had a taxi and I installed a base station and one mobile in the Taxi.
Both Hotels – Manitoba and Arlington and Star Motel and many apartments Blocks including Morden Legion #1.Live church service in all rooms at Tabor Home
Installed rental TV service to all rooms in the old Morden Hospital. Original cost of equipment subsidized by Royal Canadian Legion. 15 TVs on the wall extension arm.
When cable came to Morden, D & D was subcontracted to do home installs and erect a base tower and hook up to receiving equipment for distribution.
Alarm systems for private businesses that would alarm in owners' homes or dial Police.
Golf Club House:
In the first 3 years of business, I supplied Private Channel FM service for the Town of Morden, Town of Winkler, and Town of Carman including Fire Departments in all small towns plus about 30 farmers and all private businesses that required them.
Allister Duncan – Designed a combine header for harvesting field peas. I filmed the making and the actual operation in the field while he was combining. He used this to promote his design and patent.
Although on a much smaller scale, my wife and I continue to operate an Electronic repair business 55 years later.
Morden Chamber:
Have been a member since 1969 and served 2 terms as President.
Member three Business Improvements Associations. All of these help to improve Morden in many areas. Metal street lamps for downtown lighting and extra Xmas Lighting. Street lamps also had electrical outlets for booths at C & A.
I found used 45-gallon wooden barrels from Seagram’s Distillery in Gimli for street flower pots and also tree planting. 12 cut in half so I had 24.
In the early 70s as Santa Claus, I was flown in by Helicopter, landing at the old Railway Station which was in the vicinity of Giant Tiger where we had “Meet Santa” and then whisked me away.
Travelled to Langdon, North Dakota to talk to the Mayor, who I had met when he had his float in the C & A Parade. I asked him about his Crazy Daze sale that was going on at the time. Got lots of recommendations and started Crazy Daze Sale in Morden that ran for many successful years.
In the 1970s Art Best, a local businessman/pilot flew all 4 of us – Art, Jack Dunbar, Peter Enns, and Dale Lambert to Grand Forks for Manitoba Days. Art had a broken arm which proved interesting at the Customs Crossing when the Customs officer asked him how he could fly with one arm. His comment was “ I use the wings of the plane to fly, not my arms”.
Their local radio station interviewed us and I gave them a rundown on Morden C & A Festival, Morris Stampede, Dauphin Ukrainian Festival.
Manitoba Crime Stoppers:
While President of Chamber I became the founding Chairman of the Manitoba Crime Stoppers and on the board from 1985 to 1992.
RCMP was in favor of the program so a member - Garry Murphy was at my disposal to take me anywhere in Manitoba to assist me in promoting this new concept and getting the RCMP involved anywhere they had a detachment.
We had one meeting a month in Winnipeg at the RCMP headquarters of all my newly acquired Board Members to keep everyone up to date.
We paid out money for good tips and to keep everything anonymous they were given a number to call and where to pick up the money. Each town or area had to make its own money. Remember – I said I like to have fun. I organized a fundraiser and had the local RCMP put me in a pretend jail cell, 5’ x 5’, with a chair, desk and working phone located in the new Winkler Mall. I then had people pay money to get me out – the goal being $5,000 before I was released.
Corn & Apple Festival:
I was involved for a total of 34 years from 1967 to 2000. During this time I was chair of the Free Corn.
Many people and organizations were involved.
1. Land, - local farmer and Town of Morden.
2. Seed – Grain dealer
3. Fertilizer – Fertilizer dealer
4. Tractor, cultivator and seeder – International Dealer.
5. Harvester and husker - Morden Cannery
6. Equipment operator – Frank Unruh - Morden Cannery.Everything was great until the year the Corn Borer ruined the entire crop. Realizing there would not be any corn for the Festival I contacted Don Kroeker in Winkler and they supplied the much-needed corn. I worked hard to build up a relationship with Kroekers and supplied good quality corn at the same price as their biggest customer. The corn would be picked a day ahead, air-cooled and delivered at no extra cost. Also had extra corn on hand that we could have delivered immediately if we were running short at any time.
I delivered free corn to older shut-ins and Tabor Home.
Made sure every Shriner received 6 cobs of corn and hosted their after-parade gathering at my home and yard.
Festival Chairman in 1981:
To create more awareness for the Festival I travelled to the Winnipeg radio and television stations along with 3 C &A Committee members and two 3 ft apple pies made by John’s Bakery that were distributed to the workers at the stations.
Provided the sound system for many years for the original main stage which was in the current Applet's parking lot. When it rained it was a mad scramble to cover everything up.
Everything got bigger so organized the purchase as well as putting up and take down of the Canopy and stage area in the current location for many years
Arranged to get the Piano from the United Church for the stage.
Acquired a Steam Engine and operator from Pembina Thresherman’s Museum.
The huge trough-type boiler was supplied by Hank Wiens
Acquired the Corn Husker from Johnny Buhler ( Had 2 working units and 1 for parts)
Acquired trailers for the main stage change rooms
Hosted a 40th birthday party for Gary Filmon in 1982 - Conservative Leader Gary would become the future Premier and attended the Corn & Apple Festival. Also at this gathering were MLA - Don Orchard and MP - Jack Murta.
Brennavin from Iceland. A special alcoholic drink for the upper class. Only men of good stature were allowed to drink it. We went through 2 bottles.
