Ray (Bozo) Steele was born in New Waterford, the son of Charles & Elizabeth (Campbell) Steele. "Bozo" has 5 brothers - Ronnie, Frank, Harry, Greg, & Peter. He has 2 sisters-Peggy and Ann Marie.

"Bozo" attended Mount Carmel Elementary and Secondary Schools. While attending high school, he excelled in the sports-rugby, baseball and basketball, helping Mount Carmel to the Cape Breton Rugby Championship in both 1952 and 1953, playing in the fullback position. During this time "Bozo" played on the CB. Champion New Waterford Cubs Juvenile Baseball Team. In 1956 he was a member of the Nova Scotia Champion Junior Baseball Team from New Waterford. After leaving high school, "Bozo" played both baseball and basketball until 1967, helping New Waterford win Maritime senior titles in both sports.

"Bozo" is also an active community worker - a member of the Knights of Columbus, acting on various committees. He was treasurer and statistician of the New Waterford dart and bowling leagues. Ray was involved in both minor and senior baseball as both coach and organizer. He served also on the Mount Carmel Parish Council for 3 years and he was a lector for 2 years. "Bozo" was named Citizen Of The Year in 1985 for his community work. For 11 years, Ray was the announcer and program organizer for the Coal Bowl Classic, and served as a member of the executive. Although absent from the community a good portion of the year, he remains a valuable member of the Coal Bowl Board of Directors.

"Bozo" is married to the former Mary (Fahey) and they have 2 children Charles and Helen, and grandchildren Jonathan and Joshua. Ray is retired from the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission, where he spent over 30 years of service, retiring as manager of the New Waterford outlet.

It is with great pleasure that the Board of Directors of the New Waterford Coal Bowl Classic honor Ray "Bozo" Steele as a divisional chairman for the 1995 Coal Bowl Classic.

Hazel Neville Durdle was born in New Waterford to Melena (Thorne) Durdle and George Durdle. She was born on Sept. 18, 1939, and after a long illness, her life was cut short in the prime of her existence on Jan. 8, 1979. Hazel had 6 brothers Len, Eddie, Norman, Allister, Ches, and Earl. She had 3 sisters - Winnie, Myrtle, and Belle, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She attended Central Elementary and Secondary Schools, graduating in 1955 with her senior matriculation. During the time that Hazel attended high school, she was very active in all phases of school life. She was an excellent student athlete. A familiar figure at Central, Hazel was vice-president of the Students' Council and a valuable guard on the high school girls' basketball team. Hazel played basketball for four years from grade 9 through to grade 12, excelling in all phases of the sport. It was during the 1954-55 year that Hazel played her best basketball. She helped the team to the Cape Breton Championship, only to lose in the Nova Scotia Championship played in Lockeport by 3 points in a hard fought series.

Hazel was also actively involved with her church and was a member of the Canadian Girls in Training (C.G.I.T.). After graduating from high school, Hazel studied to be a nurse at the Sydney City Hospital, where she worked for 17 years. During this time she was actively involved in the Nova Scotia Nurses Union and continued a keen interest in high school sports in New Waterford.

It is with great pleasure that the Board of Directors of the New Waterford Coal Bowl Classic honor Hazel Durdle as a divisional chairperson for the 1995 Coal Bowl Classic.