Memories & Musings
July, 2020

Alex Martin Hall Memories

By Leona Keraiff

Happily, more recent memories are also arriving, from residents who have enjoyed numerous activities in our Community Hall...Judi & Alec Martin of Cochrane Alberta shared the following with us:

The Crawford Bay Hall has always been the heart of the community. Generations of families have shared many times and tales involving “the hall”. During the years 1980 through 1989, our family of Alec, Judi and Chris Martin were one of the fortunate families to be involved with the many activities of the community.

At that point, the library was located in the hall and manned mostly by volunteers. The kitchen was long and narrow and outdated and in approximately 1985, Rosanne Ballard and the Hall Board worked hard at getting a grant and the “new” kitchen was built, which was appreciated by all.

The hall was home for a few years to a Boy Scout Troupe, led by Susan Hulland, the first female Scout leader in Canada. Many fun events were held for and by the Scouts in the hall. In 1985, funds were raised by the Scouts and parents to allow the troupe to attend the Canadian Scouting Jamboree held in Ontario. Many a snowy roof was shovelled by Boy Scouts and their parents in the fund raising effort, all survived the winter unscathed, and the Scouts enjoyed the Jamboree.

Many bingos were held in the winter months. Our son, Chris, was quite lucky at bingo so the older ladies all wanted to sit with him for luck, much to his chagrin.

The dances were frequent and always memorable. Gerry Schiavon (aka Crawford Bay School Principal) and his band were very popular. The crowds were enthusiastic and the dance floor was always full. The interesting people of the Bay and area made sure each and every dance night was a Crawford Bay original…

The Fall Fair, then as now I assume, brought many to exhibit and judge and socialize and it was always a colorful, entertaining  gathering of young and old. The Boy Scouts would serve the tea and goodies in the small hall and The Christmas Tree Society would raffle off some prize to assist with funds for the Christmas potluck and gifts for the children from Santa Claus. The Christmas potluck was always a grand affair with the decorated tree, many lights, cedar boughs, and turkey, stuffing and gravy, usually prepared by Leanne Wastrodowski. Santa Claus was always the highlight!

So many showers, wedding receptions and dances, auctions for  various fundraising events,  lunches and teas were held in the Hall.

So many daily, weekly, monthly and annual meetings were held at the hall to keep life progressing for the people of Crawford Bay and area. Volunteers have always been the backbone of the community, always willing to step up in times of happiness, sorrow or any other  occasion that arose.

We were blessed to have shared those ten special years in beautiful Crawford Bay. Life is lived in the here and now but great memories of the Special People and Times in Crawford Bay will last forever.

If you have fond memories of our Community Hall please send them to: lkeraiff@cbhall.ca.  We will gratefully publish them in this fine paper { with your permission } as well as post them on our FB page: @crawfordbayhall.  We appreciate hearing from you...