Murals
#7 - Community Centre/Town Office (south wall) - 116 Vincent Ave. W.
Commemorative Stamps
#7a - Yesteryear
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
Memories of yesteryear are hidden in the long grass with parts of wheels, wagons, and a shed that depicts the hard life of those who came before us to break, tame and settle this land. We, the following generations, owe them our undying thanks and appreciation for the terrible hardships they endured.
Artist: Pat Miller-McNeil
#7b - Saturday Night Suds
As the title explains, Saturday night was the night to bathe. The artist recalls home life with a similar stove, woodbox, chairs and mat, and of course the tin tub.
Artist: Phyllis Cornelius
#7c - Pond Hockey
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
Hockey has been around for a long time but the equipment has changed. Seen here, the boys have cleared off the water hole or pond and are using frozen horse manure for a puck. Old brooms or sticks were hockey sticks, and a cream can and milk pails were goal posts – much more fun than milking cows!
Artist: Janet Scholz (1999)
#7d - Memories
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
The spinning wheel was an essential part of pioneer culture. Wool from sheep was washed, carded and then fed into the spinning wheel. The wheel formed the skeins of wool which were then knitted into clothing for all members of the family. Needless to say, this was a time consuming job!
Artist: Sheila Vickers (1999)
#7e - Barn Dancing
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
Barn Dancing was a popular form of entertainment in pioneer years, when dancing was held in lofts of hip-roofed barns. The orchestra sat in the hay and played for hours on end, usually receiving under $2 for a night’s entertainment.
Artist: Ruth Swanson (1996)
#7f - Witching Water
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
Pioneers often relied on the skills of men who could “witch for water”. Using their skills to find the underground stream, when the forked willow branch would twist in his hands until the bark was stripped of willow, this would indicate an underground stream.
Artist: Rita Swanson, Janet Scholz, Phyllis Cornelius (1996)
#7g - Farm Pets
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
As a child, having the chance to raise your own pet was very exciting, as depicted by the artist in this scene. There are many fond memories of baby chicks, kept warm in a box behind the wood stove. “Setting a hen” was very common during the depression.
Artist: Verna Chyz (1996)
#7h - Childhood Chores
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
Butter making often fell to chores for children. The big wooden churn was filled to the top with milk and little arms often tired out from turning or stomping the handle. Mother usually finished the job of washing and salting the butter.
Artist: June Scobie, Rita Swanson
#7i - Washday Blues
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
Wash day meant heating up water on a wood stove, which may have been rain water or melted snow water to begin with. The wash was done by hand, and home-made soap was used to make the suds which cleaned everything from delicate doilies to grease-stained overalls. Everything was hung on the line or fence to dry.
Artist: Peggy Barker McLean (1996)
#7j - Richardson Homestead
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
Potatoes were a staple food item, requiring diligent up-keep. The artist, Lucille, depicts herself riding a horse while her husband George guides the one-furrow plow between the rows of potatoes. Large bins in cellars held a huge supply of potatoes which fed the family and threshing gang for the year.
Artist: Irene Vaughan (1996)
#7k - Hauling Water
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
Often water was not available at the farm site, or the well was dry which necessitated hauling water for both the family and livestock. This job was also shared by women, sometimes accompanied by children of various ages and sizes.
Artist: Pat Miller-McNeil
#7l - Early Snow Plane
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
(It provided a way for doctors to race to patients and where roads were unavailable.)
Artist: Gerald Dressler
#7m - Our School
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
(Built of brick in 1914 and provided education for Grades 1-12. All tought in three or four rooms.)
Artist: June Scobie (2000)
#7n - Garbe General Store
Community Centre/Town Office – 116 Vincent Ave. W. (south wall)
(J.G. Garbe, a merchant who provided necessities for settlers – a daunting task.)
Artist: Ruth Swanson