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

15

Children Sitting on Ruined Pier
1945
Main Beach, Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

16

As the weather got warmer, we spent most of our time on the lake or on our boat. Rolley's Bakery and Tea House would be open and we would get some of his cinnamon buns and, on some weekends, one of his pies. He did all of his baking on a coal and wood stove. On Saturday night we would walk downtown and get an ice cream cone. That was a real treat!

17

Rolley's Staff
Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

18

Inside Rolley's Kitchen
Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society

19

Finally school was out in June and we got to spend more time at the lake. Dad got two weeks holidays and we spent them all here. We also went fishing every night and caught Jack (northern pike). They were very plentiful. Once in a while we were able to catch a pickerel (walleye). We ate all we caught. Then supply truck would only come to the Beach once a week and that is when you were able to get fresh meat and other perishable items. Jack Clarke would come around during the week to sell milk from the back of his wagon. Roy Patterson sold vegetables and I remember John Oselies selling eggs. This was all done on the street from the back of their wagons. There were no Farmer's Markets in those days but the concept was the same.

At this time we got to stay on a Sunday night so we were very excited to take in the movies at the dance pavilion. Ray Meurin ran these. They were National Film Board films but to us it was heaven. There was also a movie shown once a week at the Community Hall.

20

Swimming at the Lake
1948
Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Alberta Beach & District Museum & Archives Society