Memories & Musings
September, 2020

My Family

By Leona Keraiff

Due to the “busyness” that is Summertime, I found myself unable and unwilling to track down an interview for this month’s column so ... I decided to tap into the memory banks of my loving family who have spent countless hours in our Community Hall.

Amanda‘s response to my query “What do you remember about the Hall?”:

“Christmas community potluck dinners and Maureen Draper’s chicken wings.The metal grate where the heat would pump out of, that always had a piece or two of tinsel struck in it and how it would waver and move around while the heat was on.The brown metal railings on the steps going to the Hall: great for swinging on! Band with Mrs.Verhoeven. Going to watch performances by the Drama class, directed by Doreen Zaiss. The Hall kitchen, and the old pool table that used to be in the back of the hall where we could mess around. My little sister Ali getting stuck in the bathroom because the doors were so heavy and hard to open! My brother’s wedding reception and dance.”

Ali’s reply arrived next: “Stretching on old blue gym mats at the start of Doreen Zaiss’ drama class: she taught me how to breathe. Acting in and watching Drama performances. Ping Pong at Christmas time when the gym was closed for concerts. Xmas Cbay potlucks. The metal grate blowing warm air up my pants. Ty and Stacey’s wedding and my speech to Ty. Band practices with Jimmy D. Playing drums in Band performances.”

Tyler wrote: “ Stacey & I’s wedding reception and dance. Performing our play in Acting 12 and kissing Jane Bradley on stage for three nights in a row. Christmas Hall parties. Ping Pong.  Community Sports Day. Swinging on the metal railings on the stairs. The huge heat vent. School assemblies/concerts. The ramp out back...running up and down it. Exploring the upstairs in the back.”

Larry’s notes on the kitchen table: “P.E. classes doing table tennis, Christmas Food Hampers, Tyler & Stacey’s wedding, Friends’ weddings; Darren & Shilpa Stocker {Ty was the ring bearer}, Curtis and Tara Gallinger, Christmas potlucks and Santa visits, Bevy of Angels, Grad Breakfasts! Bingos, Cultural performances; specifically the MIME with the floating suitcase, also the Equadorian Music.”

My images: The snowflakes gracing the Hall for Lara Draper’s wedding {1985?}, Belonging to the “Christmas Tree Committee”, Dominique Johnson and Karol Draper decorating all the “goodie bags” for Santa to hand out. Calling Bingos to raise funds for Santa gifts, { I actually declared one time that smoking was on the LEFT side ONLY!”}, the Draper girls’ idea to start Food Hampers, watching and admiring Johnny & Peggy Stocker’s jive and waltz steps, Peggy’s farewell: Gerry Schiavon leading us in singing “ Wasn’t that a party?”,  waltzing with Richard Prest one New Year’s Dance; he was so smooth! hearing “Howlin’Dan” for the first time, Rudy Lauritzen’s Farewell: Peggy Tugwell describing herself as “One of Rudy’s old Ladies“! 

I was “That Teacher’s Wife” and Jim Reimer was ”that Preacher” when we started the move to have the Hall maintained by tax dollars. We lost that first attempt. The excitement in 2004 when we formed the Community Facilities Committee because the new school REALLY was becoming a reality.  Standing room only at Johnny Oliver’s farewell-many of us gals still have sore ribs from his hugs, the food and amazing attendance at Alvin Dunic’s reception is unforgettable, Ali playing Marimbas and leading the group in a performance in 2005, our family table tennis tourneys, that first dance with Tyler at his wedding, my girls in Christmas dresses standing over that grate, Santa holding our kids, the one time I attended the Fall Fair, Al George’s painting of Larry {resembling a cigarette smoking Tibetan Monk} won first prize, I marvel at the impressive displays and successes of the many Silent Auctions housed in our Hall and lastly, the joyful noises we all make when we participate in “community”.

If you would like to share your memories of our Hall please email: lkeraiff@cbhall.ca