ICE SKATING

Winter sports have always proved a popular and inexpensive way to pass the time during the long and dreary P.E.|. winters. Boughton River was used for ice skating as soon as the ice got thick enough. Young people who were for- tunate enough to own a pair of skates would take to the River and skate for miles. Pius Blackett described his first pair of skates for us. They were called Stock Skates. They were made at home by laying a file on its side and inserting it in a

piece of flat wood shaped like your boot. There was a strap worn around the toe and heel to fasten this to your boots.

In 1933 The Women’s Institute of Bridgetown and Dundas held a concert to raise funds for an outdoor rink. This rink was built close to the Bridgetown School. The citizens all donated lumber and contributed to the erection of this rink. Every- one turned out for the flooding. Farmers brought puncheons of water. Dressing rooms were built adjacent to the rink and lights were provided by gas lantern. This rink was used by a lot of young people from the surrounding areas. Bridge- town, Upton, Forest Hill and Mount Hope each had hockey teams. Leslie Hunter, a well known merchant and politician, first learned to skate at the age of 70 years.

In 1966, the community of Little Pond erected an outdoor rink on the grounds of Little Pond Community Center. Howe Bay and Annandale shared in building this rink. It proved to be very difficult to flood and was never a success. It was

torn down after a few years. The young people from Boughton River area now take part in Minor Hockey and figure skating in Montague and Souris.

TRAVELLING ENTERTAINERS

James Norton’s diaries of the early 1900’s mentions Dr. Herman‘s Travelling Show. On September 19, 1911 he set up his big tent in Henry Norton’s field. He came to Annandale from Launching and then went to Bridgetown. Again on July10, 1913, he mentioned Dr. Hermans Show and concert lasting for one week

and the Norton family attended every night. He also spoke of the circus boys being quite “wild”.

Another touring performer who visited the area and was remembered by many locals was known as “The Strong Man”. Nelson Acorn and Lorne Wigginton both remember his show above the Bridgetown Cheese Factory. He would lie On two chairs with his head resting on one, and his feet on the other. A large stone weighing about 150 pounds would be placed on his chest and broken by

a mall wielded by some young husky picked from the audience. He could also tear a pack of playing cards in two.

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Christmas Concerts were common to all schools in the area. Children would start preparing a few weeks before Christmas. A tree would be brought in from

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