Sharole started with Conklin Shows in the early 1940s working in game concessions and later operated food. Sharole travelled on the Conklin Shows train in Western Canada to B and C circuit fairs and at the conclusion of the western tour would return to Ontario and the Canadian National Exhibition.
In the 1950s, Sharole was promoted to be the manager of the Conko Ice Cream Waffles stand, which was located at the east end of the Grandstand and remained at that location until 1999 when the Stadium was demolished. Sharole managed a very popular and huge operation with sometimes 30 staff working in the stand making fresh waffles or scooping ice cream. Over the years, the Conko Waffle stand became a Toronto landmark and I could only guess at the number of fresh made ice cream waffles came out of that stand.
In the early 1990s Sharole, very quietly, decided to call it a day and hung up her white apron for the last time.
On Labour Day, we closed the show and I was coming back from Kiddieland around 2:00 am when I passed the Conko Ice Cream Waffles stand where Sharole and her staff had finished cleaning and packing up the waffle irons for the year. There was Sharole closing the awning by herself and once everything was closed and locked up I followed her to car to see her drive off the Canadian National Exhibition grounds for the last time as an employee. After over 45 seasons and millions of waffles that was it – it was over – no fan fare, standing ovation or teary goodbyes. I stood there pondering for a few minutes with almost an empty feeling inside – for that was the end of an era and piece of history at the CNE.
