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Anita Thompson

Anita Thompson (nee Phyllis Anita Ross) was born on October 7, 1920 in Saint John, New Brunswick. She married Donald Rupert Thompson on November 14, 1940. They had two children, Carl Ross Thompson, (b. August 17, 1954) who never married, and daughter Dawn Anita Thompson (b. January 13, 1958) who married Patrick Joseph LaPierre and had four children.

Anita and her husband moved to Kirkland Lake after World War II. Her husband worked in the Upper Canada Mines until the mine closed in 1972. After living in Kirkland Lake for 23 years, the family moved to Falconbridge, Ontario where he worked at Falconbridge Nickel Mine.

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Anita Thompson was an icon in Kirkland Lake. She was the host of Canada's first phone-in radio show. It was here, at Kirkland Lake's own CJKL radio station, that she spent 18 years hosting "What's Your Problem", later named "Talk Back". Anita became the voice of Kirkland Lake during those years. She left behind many memories of her love and concern for the people of this town. Her job allowed her to interview many interesting townspeople as well as some famous dignitaries. She was also the secretary of the Kirkland Lake Community Chest, which had its offices at CJKL.

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Anita Thompson - CJKL Radio Personality
13 May 1972
Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Image from Museum of Northern History Collection
Original article from Northern Daily News, Kirkland Lake

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Anita was a member of the Teck Township Council for several years, from 1968-70. During that time she was Chair of the Welfare Committee, Chair of the Sanitation Committee, and a member of both the Recreation and Finance Committees. Anita was also Chair of the Civil Defence Committee and was a representative for the Children's Aid Society. She was also on the Board of Management for Teck Pioneer Residence. Anita was quoted in a news article in 1970 as saying, "I would love to see the women in Kirkland Lake and the surrounding area become more interested in civic affairs, not only in their own town's but in both the national and international scene."

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Council for Township of Teck
Circa 1969
Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Image loaned from Museum of Northern History's Collection

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Anita was a Charter Member of the Kirkland Lake Business and Professional Women's Club. She volunteered as Club Secretary of the YMCA for several years and was also Secretary for the fledgling Big Brothers group in Kirkland Lake. Anita was an active member and possibly the first female member of the Associated Canadian Travellers. Anita also sat on the Board of Directors for the Kirkland Lake Children's Aid Society and the Victorian Order of Nurses. She devoted many years to serving the community of Kirkland Lake through her volunteerism.