Vivian (Murdoch) Clarke
February 11th 2021
From “My Memories of Clive – by Vivian (Murdoch) Clarke”
Gleanings After Pioneers and Progress, Alix-Clive Historical Club, 1981
Who could forget the Village of Clive and the people who lived there during the Nineteen Thirties? The events that took place at the Community Hall, the School Fair, the movies, plays, dances, and the Christmas Concerts? The skating, the carnival, and hockey in the winter at the rink? Ditzler’s ingenious toboggan on runners that was pulled behind the car. The opening of the baseball season every 24th of May, with the parade and the Maypole dance. The Strawberry Socials, the Swedish Picnics, the Chicken Suppers, the Box Socials, when the ladies’ decorated lunch boxes went to the highest bidder.
Septembers, with Arbor Day cleanup and tree planning ceremony at the school. George Vanderzyl, our Principal from the year I started school until the year I graduated. Vic McCormack, jumping on his bike at recess, and racing to his Dad’s barber shop for the score during the World Series. The school picnics at “the spring” on Grose’s Hill.
Mrs. Brereton’s Mission Band, Mrs. Allison and the United Church Sunday School, with its small church replica to receive our birthday pennies; the Baptist Church’s summer Bible School, and their annual Christmas Concert.
The trains, with their steam engines, that flattened small objects we placed on the tracks; and the dray that was always waiting at the station for trains to arrive; in winter; hitching our small sleighs behind the dray or the farmers’ sleighs that were hauling grain to the elevators.
Watching Mr. Shore at work in his blacksmith shop; the Minstrel Shows, piano recitals, and chivarees. The list is endless….
I can’t think of anywhere I would rather have gone to school or spent my childhood.
Gleanings After Pioneers and Progress, Alix-Clive Historical Club, 1981
Who could forget the Village of Clive and the people who lived there during the Nineteen Thirties? The events that took place at the Community Hall, the School Fair, the movies, plays, dances, and the Christmas Concerts? The skating, the carnival, and hockey in the winter at the rink? Ditzler’s ingenious toboggan on runners that was pulled behind the car. The opening of the baseball season every 24th of May, with the parade and the Maypole dance. The Strawberry Socials, the Swedish Picnics, the Chicken Suppers, the Box Socials, when the ladies’ decorated lunch boxes went to the highest bidder.
Septembers, with Arbor Day cleanup and tree planning ceremony at the school. George Vanderzyl, our Principal from the year I started school until the year I graduated. Vic McCormack, jumping on his bike at recess, and racing to his Dad’s barber shop for the score during the World Series. The school picnics at “the spring” on Grose’s Hill.
Mrs. Brereton’s Mission Band, Mrs. Allison and the United Church Sunday School, with its small church replica to receive our birthday pennies; the Baptist Church’s summer Bible School, and their annual Christmas Concert.
The trains, with their steam engines, that flattened small objects we placed on the tracks; and the dray that was always waiting at the station for trains to arrive; in winter; hitching our small sleighs behind the dray or the farmers’ sleighs that were hauling grain to the elevators.
Watching Mr. Shore at work in his blacksmith shop; the Minstrel Shows, piano recitals, and chivarees. The list is endless….
I can’t think of anywhere I would rather have gone to school or spent my childhood.