Memories & Musings
November, 2022

The Sussums Family

By Leona Keraiff

Since November fourth marks the 84th anniversary of the night the Crawford Bay Community hall was opened and celebrated I thought I should investigate a bit the comings and goings of certain folks living here during that time.

When I discovered that the Sussums family had “seen” Mr. Jacobson in their home (in which the Jacobsons lived many decades ago), I knew I needed to get more details!  Through my reading of Remember When written by Susan Hulland and A.Terry Turner as well as Impressions of the Past written by the same authors I have surmised that Mr. Jacobson was probably one of the 100 volunteers involved in the building of our community hall and Mrs. Jacobson was probably a member of the Women’s Institute. At the very least I am sure they attended the gala opening.  Since the Sussums family has memories of the Crawford Bay Hall, I thought it time to make some connections.

Donna and Don Sussums were kind enough to chat with me recently about their many sightings (approximately 12) of Mr. Walter Jacobson over the years. Apparently he favoured red & black plaid shirts and visited in February. He was most often seen walking across their porch but when the family went to investigate nobody was there! Evidently their grandson Aidan also saw “a guy outside on the porch” but when no footprints were seen Aidan remarked ”don’t know where he went”. Interestingly, Don has a vivid memory of seeing a woman wearing a long red gown, albeit transparent; “she walked down the stairs, made a right hand turn into the living room and walked into the kitchen. She looked to be about 30 or 40 and was quiet.” 

There is other history hidden in the house at the end of Jacobson road. The Sussums found some newspaper dated 1912 between the siding and shiplap. Thomas Edison was the featured article!  The local history books cite Walter & Mickie Jacobson’s first home as the original Murray cabin on the Kokanee Springs golf course, built in 1934 by Walter but burned down after one year. Perhaps Walter built the present Sussums home in 1935?

My main objective of course is to regale you all with tales of the hall and its import on people’s lives. The Sussums family have fond memories of times spent in the old building over the years but are disappointed it isn’t as used or valued today as it once was. Don fondly recalls Christmas parties with the Draper family (D3 Logging) and Spring Dances. “The hall always had a warm and friendly atmosphere.”

Donna remembers: Daughter Laura playing saxophone in Band and Drama with Doreen Zaiss.. ”The play was awesome with the crowd on their feet, funerals which drew the community in together, bingos which were so fun. I once won a beautiful gift basket made by Lorraine Van Rusyskenvelde.” Donna also recalls working in the hall during an election and Santa at the Christmas PotLucks. Her first Community Christmas dinner (1992) in particular stands out as Donna attended with Kimberley Snelgrove and between the two Moms were SEVEN kids! 

Donna & Don’s son Dave once lived in the cabin behind the house. One night after work the stereo suddenly shut off then came back on. Loud. Dave turned the volume down but it returned even louder. Dave then unplugged the stereo and you can guess what happened next: it came back on! Dave decided it was time to spend the night at Mom & Dad’s. The Jacobsons must like it here because it appears they haven’t really left. 

I also want to acknowledge Cliff Hawkins who confirmed some of the above details for me.