1

Spring was finally here. Easter meant it was time to start thinking about going back to the lake for the summer. A week or two before the 24th of May (Victoria Day), we would go out on a Sunday afternoon to look at the cottage, to see how it had wintered, and take the shutters off. Everything was always just as we left it in the fall. We had no contact with anyone from Alberta Beach during the winter except for the annual Christmas card from Dan and Ciss Klinkhamer. The permanent residents during this period averaged about 50 people.

Finally the big weekend came! In the early days, the 24th of May was celebrated on the exact date so if it was during the week we would just come for the day. When it was changed to a Monday we got to spend the whole weekend. By the weekend I mean from Saturday afternoon on as Dad worked Saturday mornings (five and a half day work week back then). It was more of a challenge then to get to Alberta Beach as pavement was only on the two lane Highway 16. We passed by Edmonton Beach corner, through the small hamlet of Carvel, onto Highway 43, and past the Hillcrest Creek Store to Highway 633 (as we now know it). It wasn't uncommon to get stuck on the highway during the spring.

2

Somerset Cottage
Late 1940s
Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

3

On the May 24th weekend, the Alberta Beach Hotel, Rolley's Bakery and Tea House, and Clarke's Confectionery and Cafe would open for the season. I believe the Red and White grocery store was open all year round at this time.

4

Meurin's Red & White Store
1956
Main Street, Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

5

On arrival at the lake, we had to unpack the car. Then Dad would go down to Pete Frick's wood and coal yard to get a block of ice for the ice box. The next thing that had to be done was to go to the town pump for a couple pails of drinking water. The car was then parked in the yard and left until we went home again on Sunday evening.

6

Cutting Ice
1949
Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

7

Pete Frick
Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

8

On this first weekend there were extra things to do. All the bedding was left there over winter but we had to make up the beds and put the canned goods away. Then it was time to put our wooden row boat into the lake. As we lived a block and a half off the lake, this took some effort but it was just carried, dragged, or rolled on logs. A pole was pounded into the water and then the boat was simply tied up with a chain. I don't believe we ever locked it. The water was still cold at this time of year but we had to try it out anyway. Early evening we would go fishing in the boat, dragging a line behind us. No rods and reels in those days let alone motors for most people.

Then it was off to the dance pavilion. What a thrill! The pavilion had a screened porch all the way around where you could go to watch the dancers and listen to the music of Joe Johnson's orchestra.

9

Enjoying the Lake
1947 or 1948
Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

10

Alberta Beach Dance Pavilion
1950s
Main Street, Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

11

Dancing at the Pavilion
1955
Main Beach, Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

12

All of our meals were cooked on a coal and wood stove and that was also the only heat in the cottage. Our only light was coal oil lamps. In later years, we were able to get gas lanterns that gave more light. We had a battery radio but it could only be turned on for the news. Our friends had a wind-up gramophone and one record which was great fun when we went to visit.

On Sunday morning it was off to Our Lady of Victories church for mass then we could play again all day. We would go throw a ball over the roof of the cottage and play "Anti- Anti- Over". If we couldn't throw that ball over the roof, we would call out "Pig's Tail"!

13

We had lots of walks downtown and walked our beautiful walking pier at least two or three times a weekend. It was a tradition to take family photographs at the end of the big pier.

Being the long weekend, we got to stay Sunday night which was a special pleasure and there would be another big dance. Sadly, Monday came and we had to go back home only to wait impatiently to return back the next weekend.

14

Posing for a Photograph at the End of the Pier
1943
Main Beach, Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society