Here we are in June already and the longest day of the year is on its way, June 21.
Bumper crop
Looks like there will be a good hay crop so far. Back at the home place on the prairie we would be starting to get ready to hay. We were using horses and it seemed we were haying forever. With all the modern machinery it would be done in a quarter of the time. Haying was always hard on the horses in those old days.
Our family was very fortunate when we arrived here in 1941 as there were still some of the well known oldtimers still in the area. Jacob Henkel and Jack MacDougal were in the gold rush of 98’.
They both had some stores to tell. They were both real characters and what a life. Then there was Andy Ruddy who ran the Ford dealership in Burns Lake, I got to know him very well.
Then there was Archy Witherspoon who lived in Barney Mulvaney’s cottage on Barney’s lake. While he made his home there he walked down to the Francois Lake store and post office every mail day for a cup of tea and a visit. Then last but not least was Barney Mulvaney. He was very often a visitor to our home. Here was a walking and talking history book. There were many more of the oldtimers but these four that I got to know best of all. The Lakes District is just full of wonderful people and I am very proud to feel a part of them all, this includes my town of Burns Lake.
A person very new to the town asked why does the main street have so many bends and curves and this was the answer they got. The original trail was made by Barney Mulvaney’s cows and it’s never changed, just improved. No doubt a joke.
Ride for cancer
The ride for cancer on bikes last weekend was a success. This run was from Burns Lake to the landing at Francois Lake. The hard work really paid off. Margaret Neave would like to thank those who took part and helped make it a successful day. Folks are very generous when it comes to giving so that maybe someday these will be a cure for cancer.
Spring song
As I look out my window and see spring all around this little song came to my mind. We used to sing it as kids. I wonder how many of my readers will mind. “When it’s spring time in the Rockies I’m coming back to you, little sweetheart of the mountains with your bonny eyes of blue. Once again I’ll say I love you, while birds sing all the day. When spring time in the Rockies, in the Rockies far away.”
This old song was on one of those old records on one of those old windup gramophones. We had a whole bunch of those old records, they were fun to listen too. They were 98s. They are songs by the Carter family, Gene Autry, Wilf Carter, Roy Rogers and many more. Compared to the modern players they were pretty sad but we enjoyed them just the same.
I just wonder where those old records and windups got to, no doubt in someone’s attic and covered with dust. Even the music and the songs have changed but I would guess it’s history.
One thing I do miss is the musical times were used to have in our growing up years. Every home had a piano, a fiddle and the every popular guitar and banjo. Accordions, harp, mouth organ and must be some more. Every person big or little could play something and play it well.
Lots of those old singers were good and they had to be as there was so such things as amps and electrical boosters, or mics so you had to be good and we were. The first time I heard the song ‘you are my sunshine’ I was in a cafe in Smithers, a lifetime ago, and I have enjoyed it ever since. In all the eating joints there would be a machine, put in 25 cents and got you a song and I think Bill Durban and I wore out ‘You are my sunshine.’
Some say we are
As I was going through some old papers the other day and they were of interest to me. It was about Burns Lake. It’s located in the middle of the province, that’s something to remember. It’s the hub of such a huge area. Not only that but it has so many beautiful lakes. Most have parks on them waiting for us to enjoy. Also good roads… yes, we are so fortunate.
There have been some very serious setbacks as well but we have come out and ready to start again. It’s many years ago now but we lost both our hotel and our hall, this really was a loss. Then our last disaster the loss of the mill. This was a blow but things are starting to take shape and once more our economy will get back to normal.
One thing I don’t like to see and that’s these novelty stores closing out. They are so important to a small town. Not only a layoff of staff but folks will have to go out for their needs. This will make Walmart and all these big wholesale companies smile. To me this is sad news. We sure don’t need this. If folks go out to the larger centres for a variety that they can’t get here they will no doubt do the rest of their shopping as well.
Shame on you
In our last paper June 5, there is a letter from a lady from Fort St. James. This is a very good letter and it will pay everyone to take the time to ready it.
They had a nasty experience but it was very good of her to bring it our attention. I will find out who the man is in our district. I hope he is ashamed of himself and by now no doubt he is. We don’t need this kind of thing to happen. To this lady who took the time to write this letter we are sorry too. So please come back again as we are a very friendly community. As for the situation that happened in Burns Lake we have no control over this, sorry to say but these things do happen.
Have a safe week, traffic is getting heavy with the tourists so ease up on the gas pedal, tomorrow is another day.
Something to think on from an old cowboy; live a good and honourable life then when you get older and think back you’ll enjoy it a second time. Remember God loves you and so do I.