Just for fun, and just because at this cold and dark time of year we look for ways to entertain ourselves, the Chestermere Historical Foundation has mounted a display of ‘olden days’ items that were used for fun back before our iDevices and the TV were here to amuse us. Thanks to Kay Clarke, Audrey McDonald, Joyce Hodgson, and Lori Nielsen for loan of adult and child activities. One toy that fills two cabinets is a very special doll and her wardrobe, won in 1967 by Lori Nielsen when she lived in Grand Centre. As a Centennial Project the women of the Kinettes in Grand Centre raffled a doll. The initiative was spearheaded by fabric store owner Marg Huluz, and the bin of clothes handmade by the Kinettes. Note on the lovely peach silk quilt, the seamstress has stitched the logo for Canada’s 100th birthday in 1967, ‘The Centennial’. On another shelf, some special children’s cookbooks from the 50s, a mysterious looking container that would hang on the wall–to hold wooden matches to light your stove, flavouring bottles, a hand mixer, bowl and cupcake tin from the same era. On another shelf, some games and toys; a harmonica to play a tune, toy truck, View Master (slides would click past as you looked into the eyepieces), pick up sticks ( still played it seems!), a set of Tinker Toy ( LEGO® fore-runner), and a bag of marbles including some very old opaque ones–my favourites! And electronics were part of the life of kids back then, but in a different way. You will see a copy of the movie Tarzan, to be shown on a home movie projector; a little record player on which the kids played 45 rpm records such as Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer–sometimes with a story book to go along. And the family radio to gather round and listen on Christmas morning to the Queen’s address to the Commonwealth of Nations ( now there’s something to explain to little ones!) While you are at the display use the QR code to give your kids the full story of the items on display.
Thank you so much to the Chestermere Library for providing this new cabinet for the display. And before the year is out, one last reminder that ‘A Home for All Seasons’ is on sale for the 10th Anniversary price of $10 both at the library and through www.chestermerehistory.org until Dec 31st or while quantities last. Two weeks ago the CHF asked for your stories. One of the biggest, and saddest, events in Chestermere’s history was the recent flood. This is a painful memory for many, but is important to be documented as part of the city’s history. Send your story via the webpage above.
