In my last week viewpoint I mentioned how well the Francois Lake coffee house musical evening went over but there was something I did not mention due to lack of space. Norma Symes yodeling, it brought back so many memories for me.
Many years ago now, almost a lifetime, my bother Peter and I used to yodel and the songs we sang were those same songs as Norma sang. They were very popular during those years when we were singing. Norma did such a wonderful job of singing them. I only hope she will come back again and sing and yodel for us.
Measles
In our last issue of Lakes District News there was a notice regarding a measles outbreak. Measles can be dangerous. How well I remember when it hit our family on the prairie. It went through the school like wildfire. Big signs on the doors, isolation measles. Peter and I got it at the same time and were we sick.
We had to stay in a dark room for a week. Poor mom, we fought to pass the time as we were not to read as we could go blind. We were covered with spots and talk about itch, it was terrible. No sooner when the measles were over we got chicken pox. The whole school got it again.
Sad news
I noticed in the obituaries in loving memory of George Van Tine. This is a way to remember such a wonderful friend. The verse in itself says it all. As the old saying goes good friends are forever and this is so true. When we first came into the Lakes District the Van Tine family gave us a home until we could get back on our feet. They made us feel like family. This kindness has been always remembered.
As I stop and figure it’s been 73 years since all this happened, almost a lifetime of friendship with this wonderful family.
Important letter
There is a very important letter in the Feb. 26 issue of the Lakes District News. Everyone should take time to read it. It’s put in by Gordon McFee, he knows what he is talking about. Its headlined under the title ‘Comfor money should go to hospital.’ It goes on we need an equipped operating room in our new hospital to eventually attract physicians here. The rest of the letter is good sense. In his letter Gordon says he is willing to help who ever is willing to spearhead this project and that’s a wonderful offer.
Winter over?
I noticed a little article in our last issue of the Lakes District News and I will quote “Good bye winter hello spring.” Just because we have had the first day of spring we can still have some winter yet. I remember one spring when the lake, that’s Francois Lake, froze over in March, poor ice but it still froze over. I also remember having some cold weather minus 30 in April and all the swamp robins froze to death.
When our daughter Marie was May Queen, now a long time ago, we got four inches of snow on the 24 of May. This was quite a shock for us all. May Day still was celebrated regardless. My good friend the late Hoyt Burt, told me that in the old Hudson’s Bay records that he had seen the ice never all cleared out of Francois Lake one year. Lots of old-timers remember the ice not clearing out until mid May. After our mild winter maybe we will have an early spring, sure would be nice for a change. One of our noted bards had a quote that’s good news. “When winter comes can spring be far behind.”
During the early years the lake would freeze over so that folks could use the lake like a highway. Cars and trucks hauling lumber. The lake was the only way folks could get into Burns Lake. The trucks would haul half loads of lumber and unload on our side get another half load and pick up the other half load and head for town. Worked good.
Our next door neighbors Bob and Anne Eaton were just across the fence. Bob had a nice big team and he was also hauling lumber over on the ice four or five trips a day. One afternoon Bob was re-shoeing one of his team, a big roan stud. Anne came running over and told me Bob had torn up his hand with a nail that had not been clinched. It was a terrible cut into the whole palm of his hand. I went over and reset the nail and took Bob into doc Holmes and it was supper time. Dr. Holmes had a room in his living room for an emergency. As I walked up his front step he met me at the door. I remember his words “Hugh, I am tired and hungry and I see you are tired too.” And I was. “You and your friend go and get your supper then come back and I will fix him up.” So we did just what he said. We went into his house and the good doctor went to work. What a mess the whole inside of his palm was laid open. I watched the whole operation and low and behold in no time he had Bob’s hand stuffed in and sewed up like new. We had a cup of tea and home we went. In no time at all Bob’s hand healed up and Bob was back working. I was in the taxi business for almost 20 years and this was just one of the many times I had to see Dr. Holmes.
Dad’s story
Dad was a tough old boy and he was never sick but this time he was pretty sick so out came his good friend Dr. Holmes. Dad was laying on top of the bed. We went in with the doctor and he ran some tests etc.
So he asked Dad when did you have your last drink of water, Dad said I just drink tea I never drink water. So Dr. Holmes told Mom to bring in a jug of water and a glass and I will sit here and visit until it’s done. There is nothing wrong with you but you are suffering from dehydration. In a day or so dad was bright eyed and bushy tailed.
Take care and remember always God loves you and so do I.