SOCIAL LIFE IN EARLY DAYS

By Liz Donaldson

Life at the turn of the century was filled with hard work for the settlers, as they were concerned with pushing back the wilderness to be able to make a living from the good rich soil of the Rainy River District. Sheer constant physical labour and perseverance made this a reality. Sometimes, though, even a difficult task could be coupled with some entertainment. Barn raisings provided a chance for the whole community to come together and prove that "many hands make work light." When all was ready there was often "a race for the rafters" to see which team of stalwart workers could get their rafters in place first.

The whole family came to these barn raisings as the men worked at the building and the women gathered to cook vast amounts of food to feed men, women and children. No doubt the children found these occasions very exciting. A report of one of these raisings said that the workers "wallowed in hospitality and lemon pie." Sometimes a dance followed the hard day's work.

Many social events took place in the days when there was no radio or television and transportation was of the horse and buggy type. These people made their own entertainment and according to the Fort Frances Times news correspondents from the different communities had a very good time. These are some of the activities reported before 1920 in the LaVallee Municipality.

Big Fork: A very successful dance and supper was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Daw on Friday evening last. It was really a marvel where all the young people came from but in spite of the crush all succeeded in enjoying themselves.

LaVallee: The LaVallee Social Service League convened with President Aiken in the chair. Joe Ganton furnished the motto for the league "Pull and if you can't pull, push. If you can't push get put of the way."

Devlin: Devlin Dramatic Club under the auspices of the WI will present the three-act farce "Bride and Groom." The Victory quilt will be auctioned off after the performance. Proceeds are to be used for the bronze memorial tablet the Institute is presenting to the town in honour of our fallen heroes.

Big Fork: The hockey boys have invitations out for an oyster supper to be held at George Tattrie's on April 14th.

LaVallee: Our popular station agent and lady Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Bouchard gave a garden party and dispensed ice cream for the benefit of our soldier boys in France.

Box Alder: A Bible class social on Wednesday evening and on the following evening an ice cream social will be given in Grace Church. A good program of music and a foot ball match at 7 p.m. Come out and meet your friends.

Unknown: Our church has secured a male organist. You should have seen the flock of young ladies present on Sunday evening.

LaVallee: The Memberry pool hall is still on the boom and vast concourses assemble nightly up to the wee sma' hours.

Burriss: Last Saturday the Community Club met for their Leap Year dance. It was the best and orderly dance they have had. To crown it Mr. Bear came not with his dogs but to preside at the piano with Archie Topham on the violin. Mr. Bear gave two selections which were encored and appreciated by the audience.

Box Alder: Several crowds of young people journeyed to Mud Lake at Tummey's corner to take in the excellent skating during the past week. The ice was in ideal condition and as many as 50 were in some of the parties.

Burriss: Last Friday night a Christmas tree concert was held in the church for the school children. The scholars did their parts well which speaks well for the schoolteacher Miss Wright who has been working hard.

We may be sure that the school children would play to a packed church as the parents were eager to see and hear how well their children could perform. The Christmas concert in each community was one of the major social events of the year. Teachers who could put on a good concert were thought of highly.

The pioneers held many gatherings. They attended dances, house parties and concerts with musical numbers, recitations and readings. They set up debates and lectures. Sports events often ended with a dance. Plays that were put on by each community were looked forward to with pleasure. There were church socials and suppers and the annual school picnic was another special affair. The oyster suppers that were held sound rather intriguing. We are a long way from any oyster beds and refrigeration was limited then. Where did they get the oysters and how did they cook and serve them? Did they fry or boil them or serve them on the half shell? How did they keep them cold before cooking? Did they abide by the old saying to serve shellfish only in months with an "r" in them?

Those pioneers were a versatile group when it came to entertainment and finding time for fun and socializing. It was a simpler time and unsophisticated activities that took in all age groups gave pleasure to the whole community.