Memories & Musings
November, 2021

The Draper Family

By Leona Keraiff

This month’s family being featured has a long history here in the Bay. Frank and Madge Draper arrived in 1929. Madge belonged to the Women’s Institute and according to grandson Eddy Draper “Gran held tea parties where the hens got together to chit chat”. These hens? “Connie Miller, the sister of Mrs. Dobie (who ran the church) Lorna Lytle and Mrs. Jones.”

When I asked Eddy’s kids to send their memories of the Crawford Bay Hall, Ezreena was the first to respond. I said ”If I can get your Dad to talk to me I would like to write about your family”. She emailed this reply.

“Dad is pretty modest about these things so you likely won’t get formal permission but I think he would be honoured to be mentioned. I remember my parents having a lot of fun hosting the D3 Christmas parties there with tons of music and dancing and exceptional food made by my Mom.

I also remember the annual Fall Fairs. Mrs. Green entered a rock that looked exactly like a potato. For some reason I remember that. I also remember Christine Draper and I singing La Bamba with the teachers as our band. One of my favourite experiences was in grade 10, in home economics class, Mr. Dunic arranged for us to put on a community restaurant. The community was SO supportive! I loved serving my parents. They ate our Mexican food!

Of course my love of sports has fond memories in the hall also. I especially remember basketball and dodgeball.”

Daughter Ruby Draper was next to share her memories:

“Growing up in Crawford Bay, the hall always seemed to have some sort of function going on. As a child I remember attending the community potluck at Christmas, and hiding under the table once while Santa called the kids’ names. Once attending the Crawford Bay school, I remember using the hall to display all our proud works of art for the annual Fall Fair. 

Through high school we used the hall for band, drama class, and even once it served as a small cafeteria. In grade 12, our class performed our play presented to the community by the one and only Doreen Zaiss as our fearless leader. 

Even after high school, the Crawford Bay Hall was still a popular place. I was old enough to hold a liquor license and that's where my parents held their logging crew parties for many years. The hall holds many memories for me over the 22 years I lived there. It certainly holds true to the term "Community" hall. It's a piece of history that should remain in place for many more years.”

Daughter Lara called me one afternoon. Happily, she chatted with Eddy, so was able to relay his thoughts and stories as well as her own.

Lara’s highlights included “Elementary lunchtime sports in the hall: floor hockey in particular. “Bandits” with Nando, getting checked into the boards by staff. The bag of candy from Santa! The musty, old smell of the library in the hall but the excitement of new books. Mrs. Berg’s ballet lessons and performances on the stage. Mom made our beautiful ballet costumes. Gymnastics with Karen Johnston teaching. The back of the stage “spooked up” for Halloween. Christmas concerts, but I was too shy & didn’t participate. 

“Mom taught us embroidery and the stuffed cat face I made won the second place ribbon at the Fall Fair. My brother Troy got First. We were 8 and 10 I think. I remember gardening, food, baking and the bake sale at the Fall Fair. Dad remembers Bill Fraser brought animals to the fair: hens, chicks, ducks, cows, roosters and lambs.” Eddy also added “I got caught running in the halls to see the animals!” 

Lara’s favourite events in the hall were the D3 Logging Christmas parties hosted by her parents, Maureen & Eddy. “ Mom & Dad had an “open door” policy, Lara told me, “so even though the party was for the crew and their families everyone was welcome.” Mom cooked all the food, we danced and Santa brought presents. Lastly, Lara recalls vividly “a cultural celebration where we kids researched a country, cooked that country’s food then fed the community in the hall. Mom made my outfit which was from Morocco or North Africa. Kevin Grove did Iran. Grade eight initiations were hilarious but Troy’s class was the last year that had those.”

Eddy had a few additions: “Tried cub scouts as an 8 year old - didn’t last long. Played badminton and volleyball in the hall, also “track” was housed out of the hall. (Lara was shocked to learn her Dad played sports!) I remember a display under glass of the list of men who went to war and didn’t return”. Eddy also recalls making and taking dinner to community potlucks.

Eddy mentioned the following names from his school years and hall experiences: Coaches: Ray Selby and Pat Rooney (volleyball, badminton, basketball  and track - all played against Riondel). Pals he remembers playing sports/gym class with in the hall: Sally Anne and Robert Humble, Cynthia and Kenny Oster, Jimmy Hellman, Marv Syfchuck, Howie Piete, Dan Derbyshire, Clifford Elgie, Melvyn and Lorraine King, Leona, Jean and Mickey Draper (his siblings), Sharron Johnson, “Spike” Draper, Ashley and Gervine Draper, Peter Danielson, Mark Adams and lastly, Richard and Delores Adams.

Daughter Malena was next to contact me: ”I remember all the wonderful, “full of fun” times at the hall. It has always been a popular place, a place for gatherings and many functions. From ballet lessons with Mrs.Berg to Christmas concerts, Christmas community potluck followed by Santa arriving, New Years dances to annual Fall Fairs. But...Most of all, my fondest memory was the “D3” Christmas parties Mom and Dad held for their crews and families. Starting with “Happy Hour” then followed by an amazing dinner (as always) Mom created. “Dear” Santa then arrived and after all the excitement, we put on our “Happy Feet” and danced the night away. A Fun Filled event!!” The “D3” event was Melanie and Trevor’s fondest memory also. They both remember the Christmas potluck  gatherings/santa, Melanie receiving a doll & Trevor receiving a truck. Melanie performed  in the play called “Down to Earth” instructed by Lori O’Neal.

Lastly, Eddy and Maureen’s son Troy and his wife, Karol contributed the following:  Karol wrote: “ My first memories of Crawford Bay Hall, started 39 years ago, when as a young girl from the big city, I met a young boy from the little town of Crawford Bay, who had written his proclamation of love for this young girl from the city, on a secret hidden back wall at theCrawford Bay Hall. Since then, that same hall holds a lifetime of wonderful memories for me and that Crawford Bay boy and our four children who grew up attending many functions in the Crawford Bay Hall over the years, building their own special memories. My favourite memories will always be the many years of wonderful Christmas potluck dinners put on for the community, by a dedicated group of ladies year after year, complete with a visit from a very special Santa for the community children.”

From Troy: “ The CB Hall for me throughout the years relates to growth both on a personal and community level. Being a mid sixties baby, meant growing up in the good old 70”s. Big Changes and growth. The hall was our community spot for events and our school gymnasium. Playing sports like handball and ring hockey, in such a confined space, you learned real fast to be quick with your mind and quick on your feet, or you were a target. Almost all that surrounded you were twice your size...not sure what they were being fed lol. Fond memories of community events, dance parties, weddings and such over the years occurred there...Oh, and Santa of course, gifting our beautiful children.

Possibly unknown to some is a secret tunnel behind the stage. “Tunnel of Love”. After 39 years I believe there still exists a heart on the wall that says Troy Karol. Might have to grab my love and check it out.”