Memories & Musings
April, 2021

The Romano Family

By Leona Keraiff

Almost 50 years ago, the Romano family arrived in Crawford Bay, taking up residence  on the old Haverstock property, where Don & Donna Sussums presently live. Cliff, Ginny, Pam, Debbie, Chris and their horses quickly settled into their life here on the Best Shore.

Because of their love of horses, Cliff became involved with the Kokanee Karnival of Sports which held regular meetings in the Crawford Bay Community Hall. Tom Lymbery organized the Logger Sports while Cliff was involved with the Gymkana and dreamt of having a riding ring at the local Park.

In order to make the “Ring” a reality, Cliff joined the Parks Board (separate from the Hall Board back then) eventually becoming the President, taking over from Irv Green.  AGMs were in existence in the seventies too with the same small number of folks attending, therefore Cliff decided to “drum up business” by spreading the word while reading meters for West Kootenay Power. Controversial topics like the riding ring and a land swap with Kokanee Springs (park land for the parcel where the new school sits) brought folks in droves to meetings. Needless to say, the ring existed for a few years but the park land stayed in its present location (originally donated by Lloyd Johnson, Cliff thinks). Cliff’s term as President ended when “city folks” wanted the park for dog walks, benches, walking trails and streetlights. Cliff stated “People won’t participate but will beak off AND won’t step up to the plate when someone has ideas they don’t like.”

Cliff proudly recalls the protest march with 300 strong in attendance, starting at the hall/school area in defense of the school possibly closing. He remembers the “firewall” which was installed to stop the passage through double doors (after going up four or five steps) between the school & the hall. He volunteered to coach boys basketball in the hall although they never got beyond practises as the boys preferred to “laugh, joke, elbow, kick and generally not take seriously anything I tried to tell them! It was brutal.”  The Van Ruyskenveldes, Hawkins, Drapers & Stockers were some boys that Cliff remembered.

There was quite a rivalry between the Crawford Bay loggers and the Riondel miners which frequently revealed itself at community dances in the hall. Gerry Schiavon’s band would play but Ginny told me “once the clock struck midnight the fights would start.”

Cliff & Ginny’s son Chris won a prize at the Fall Fair one year for his ”tee time”’ creation aptly named by judge, Myrna Strom. He assembled golf tees, moss and sand eventually winning first place.

Ginny also fondly remembers Mrs. Berg’s ballet class which Pam & Deb attended.

Ginny called me recently to relay her memory of “vet” clinics that she arranged with Dr. David Perrin from Creston. He and his team made multiple trips up the lake to use our small hall.

Cliff & Ginny’s daughter Deb remembers being in Alanda Greene’s class when Alanda introduced them to other cultures. They prepped some meals in the hall kitchen representing international fare. “Mrs. Greene was way before her time” Deb said.

Eldest daughter Pam was not overly fond of school however she did love the day she dressed as a member of the rock band ”KISS” for her initiation to eighth grade.

Cliff’s parting words; ”Crawford Bay is a great place to raise kids!”