With the change of Central, the Lemp family was inlisted by the father to give 24-hour service. By 1924 the directory had grown to 100; in 1934 new quarters for the exchange were provided in what is now Ken Lichti’s barber shop. Managership passed from father to daughters Anna and later Jeanne; under the latter’s guidance from 1942 - 1961, the number of subscribers rose rapidly; 1948 - over 200, 1956 - over 300, 1961 - over 396.

On the last date, April 9, 1961 the whole system became dial-operated and except for occasional checking the local operators were unemployed, unless they wished to join the Bell Company in some other capacity. Thus ended an era of “hello girls” that could be counted on to ring the fire siren when needed, or keep tab on people in case you wished to get in touch with them. Among this fine corps were Martha & Christine Wilker, Doris Schliuse, Emma Baechler, Ida Schmidt, Martha Preiss, Lovina Seltzer, Ida Seltzer, Edythe Yausie, Francis Aiken, Ida Pfaff, Ernest Piehl, Wm. Schaefer, Fred Schaefer, Florence Diehl, Elsie Schaefer, Ruth Wiederhold, Joyce Wagler, Robert Krug, Anna Pauline Lemp, Lucille (Babs) Lemp, Ruth Eifert, Mary McDermot, Ruth Barber, Florence Berger, In 1961 at the time of the change over, the staff consisted of: Mrs. Ronald (Jeanne Lemp) Wettlaufer, Mrs. Edna (Berger) Brodrecht, Mrs. Mary Lemp, Mrs Ruth (Eifert) Seltzer, Mrs, Florence (Berger) Sippel, Mrs. Geoline (Hermann) Merklinger.

In the 1910 period, rural telephone lines were being strung by the North Easthope Company and by the Innerkip group, each competing for the privilege of erecting their poles thourgh out East Zorra. On June 22, 1911, Dr. Phillip Herold circulated a petition to establish a rural telephone in Tavistock. If you lived on opposite sides of the Town Line, it would cost you 35 cents to call across the road to your neighbour, with the Bell Company acting as intermediary to the two systems. Soon after, a "free zone" was declared from Tavistock north to Amulree, east to the 19th Line, south to 1 mile below Hickson, west to Maplewood. This was a good beginning for the privilege we now have of dialing direct and free of toll to New Hamburg, Stratford, and Hickson.

TRANSPORTATION
*Date unknown, but before 1912, for on April 12 of that year the wooden fence was replaced by a new wire one. Note the turn-stile to keep cattle out; the red shed just to the left of the coaches, the station-master's residence just at the end of the last coach, the man in the plug hat just stepping off the train, the Union Jack and crowned banner, the freight sheds and loading chute in the background, the band stand and seeder in the right foreground.

* In September of 1896, Tavistock residents entertained royalty when they held a brief reception at the Tavistock station for Lord and Lady Aberdeen. The station was beautifully decorated and a large assemblage of scholars and citizens gathered. The Vice-Regal party was conducted to the platform, around which the school children stood, each waving a flag. (Photo by A. O. Murray)