Growing up in STRATFORD in the late 1930's & 1940's was just the best time, I have fond memories of those years, and I may not be too accurate in all the events that I can now recall. The Milkman, iceman, baker, all delivered their merchandise with horse drawn carts or wagons the garbage wagons and even the sidewalk snowplows, were horse drawn. The free rides us kids would get from the farmers, with their horse and sleds or wagons,loaded with either, bales of hay, or huge sacks of grain, or large milk cans, a great treat for us. Most folks who had automobiles, stored them in winter.(A break in insurance cost)
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Sounds of Church Bells.(St James was the best)I think it was the Westminister Chimes. Sounds of the Canadian National Railway Shops Whistles, at 7:40 a.m. & 7:52 a.m. & 8 a.m. then 12: noon & 1:00 p.m. most of the Railway workers would walk home to a large hot meal, then be back before the 1 o'clock whistle. The huge clocks on the Post Office, we really had no use for a watch, to know when to go home. Best Cheese in the world came from Tavistock, a town not too far from Stratrord.The wonderful PARKS,with two Lakes and even an Island, where one can meditate and enjoy the many beautiful SWANS that so gracefully swim up to greet you.Our Stratford Indians, Senior "A" Hockey Team, we had the best line of; "Flick, Roth and Flanagan" these three players were chosen for the Canadian Olympics Team, they played in the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley Ca. Flick was a Boilermaker, Roth, was a School Teacher, and Flanagan was a Fireman. Wonderful and exciting hockey acton.
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For me and my chums, there were exciting adventures during all four Seasons. Summer, when school was out for two months, those were the best of times, we would grab our fishing poles, and head out the railway tracks towards Godrich, (a good 45 miles away) we never got more than a few miles out into the countryside, then, following the Avon River,(really just a brook there) we would swim, fish, cross cow pastures, and just have a grand day. Thank God for Mum's peanut butter sandwiches that kept us explorers from starving. We would always keep our eyes open for bears, or other wild creatures, which added to the intrigue and excitement of our expeditions.(never saw any)
"About Canada"
There are so many joyful tales to tell, but we were truly blessed to be born and raised in God's paradise. One mile walk in any direction and we were in the countryside. I can never forget how beautiful my home town and the towns around Stratford were and still are today. It is this sense of love and pide that I am devoting this page to my home town. Some of my family still live in Stratford, as do some of by closest buddies, two of my friends lost their lives in the Korean War, they were just too young....
[Page-13 My Awards Page]
[Page-12 My Links Page]
[Page-11 Funni-mations]
[Page-10 Locomotives]
[Page-9 Those Iron Horses]
[Page-8 Trains]
[Page-7 Doggies]
[Page-6 Special Friends & Special Kitties]
[Page-5 More Kitties]
[Page-4 Our Kids Pictures]
[The Civil War]
