Memories & Musings
May, 2021

The Prest Family

By Leona Keraiff

Almost every article I have written this past year has contained the words “My highlight was Santa’s visit in the hall.” so I decided to check in with the Prest family as they have a very special connection to our favourite fella in the red suit!

My first phone call was to Louise Prest who said ”We called him Mr. Christmas because he loved everything about Christmas, especially lights and decorations.” 

Louise’s husband Richard probably became the community’s cherished Santa after having driven the school bus for an entire year when Rosanne Ballard was sick.(1985) “He enjoyed the kids so much.” Louise said. “Peggy Stocker may have asked him and it didn’t take much convincing at all. Lois Adams made him a fantastic suit as the old one was “tacky”. The Christmas Tree Committee paid for the beard and hair as well as the fabric.” 

Richard once told Louise that “a little girl told me she wanted me to bring a gift for her little brother, Travis”. “He was so impressed with how sweet and unselfish she was.” Louise added. “Yahoo Nicole Mackenzie,” I said! Louise loved being Santa’s helper. She told me that Richard took it very seriously; eating dinner on time so they could sneak home, dress and get back promptly. He looked forward all year to that Community celebration and “Ho Ho Ho ed” there for over 20 years.

Louise also shared her memories of Floyd Oliver’s retirement party, New Year’s Dances, (Richard loved to dance and I can attest to how smooth a dancer he was), daughter Dawn’s wedding, Christmas concerts, Mrs. Berg’s ballet classes, volunteering “in that  little library” with Doc and Mrs. Stewart, entering her roses in the Fall Fair once and helping with the Tea.

Louise spoke to her son Glenn for me who recalls Carmen & Ida’s wedding (Draper) and that he painted the trim during the 1983 reno.

I contacted Louise and Richard’s daughter Dawn who sent me the following via email:

My first memories of CB hall date back to when my family and I first moved to CB in 1974.  The fall fair was a pretty big deal back then and I participated by entering a handmade rag doll (it was quite creepy looking if I recall) and as I got older I would serve tea at the fair in the tiny room, behind what is now the kitchen.

Ballet – I remember ballet classes with Madame Berg in the hall, as well as recitals.  It was super drafty so we wore our dads wool socks with the toes and heels cut out to keep our muscles warm!

School concerts – I performed in many school plays in that ole hall.  It was really cool because there was a walkthrough behind the stage that you pass back and forth through.  We also used to hide there and freak people out (but that’s another story)

Sock hops _ Probably the first time I ever danced with a boy was at one of the sock hops in the hall, Roy Hawkins and Darren Stocker, who were my best buddies, come to mind.

Then there were various community functions over the years.  Dances with Gerry and Gerry playing (that was my old principal Gerry Schiavon’s band).  CB riding club meetings. News Years Eve used to be a fairly big shindig back in the day as well.  

My Mom volunteered at the little library there, so I remember going there and signing out books.  Such a cute little library it was.

I worked on the renovations in the summer of 1983, it was a government grant job (remember those?) I remember tripping down the stairs, spraining my ankle, and having to go on Workers Comp for the first and last time in my life.  I can’t really remember who I worked with, I think fellow classmates Doug Nickish and Norman Bainbridge, but don’t quote me on that, I am not totally sure.

My wedding was held there in 1985.  Family did all of the cooking and one of my husband’s friends played the music, records if you can believe it!  Lots of my husband’s family came from the Valley, so it was really fun!

I didn’t live in CB when my Dad played Santa in the hall, so I have no memories of that other than I know how much it meant to him. He was so excited when Lois Adams made him a custom Santa suit that he had to model it for us when we came over that Xmas.

My Dad’s celebration of life was held there.  It seemed very fitting, with our long background with the hall.

Louise found a photo showing Richard in fine form and added that he loved the suit so much he occasionally showed up at the park ”Christmas Tree Light Up” so he could wear it again!