Davis McNeill was employed with Messrs Simmons and MacFarlane Ltd ., Freetown , for a number of years in the potato business. The Foresters Hall at Freetown Village was the scene of considerable boxing activity around the turn of the century. The ring was set up in the second floor and many boxing matches were held there. John Lewis , Von McCaull , Frank Deacon , Edison Dammarell , John Taylor , Henry and Bruce Reeves were among the many young men who were involved. John Taylor was the trainer. Many evenings each week during the winter were spent sparring. In later years, George Reeves , Edgar Reeves , Walter Simmons , Walter Campbell , Charles MacKenzie , Walter Paynter and others did a lot of sparring. Partially submitted by Wilfred McCloskey , LOWER FREETOWN SOCIAL GATHERINGS These were held in many Lower Freetown homes. Frequently the homes of Jardine Stavert and Ray Lidstone were used. Couples who frequently attended these gatherings were Albert and Mattie Campbell, Elton and Lottie Cairns, William and Marion Rogers, Charles ( Chum ) and Anna Taylor , Scott and Jennie Jardine, Russell and Katie McCarville, Fred and Louise Reeves, Austin and Marion Hamill, Wilbert (Bert) and Emma Reeves . The furniture was moved out of the living room and a dance would commence. Dances included Scottish reels, lancers, quadrilles, waltzes, schottishes and hornpipes. Step dancing was often featured to the violin of Scott Jardine and organ by Anna Taylor . Sandwiches and baked goods were abundant and drink was not prohibited, especially among the men folk. The party would begin about 9:00 p.m. and when Scott Jardine slowed down at 11:00 p.m. more refreshments could tide him over until 12:30 or 1:00 a.m. Reels for eight and quadrilles for sixteen were the favorites. This activity might not have been supported or enjoyed by all members of the community but was a focal point of the social life of many. . Submitted by Keith Cameron , Halifax HALLOWE'EN There are many memories of activities on Hallowe'en night. For the younger folk there are memories of getting sick after eating too many treats. For the older ones it may have been a trick played on a local resident or being chased by the "mounties". On one Hallowe'en in the 1960s, a group of energetic Freetown pranksters managed to push a hay loader from behind Hubert MacNeilPs barn (code 38). They pushed it up the Mill Valley Road to the Presbyterian church then eastward to the residence of Charlie Murl . They placed it against Mr. Murl 's door, making it very difficult for him to get out of his house. Mr. Murl placed a notice in the Journal-Pioneer advising the owner to come and remove the hay loader before he sold it. Mr. MacNeill did not claim his hay loader but Mr. Murl was unsuccessful in his efforts to sell it. There were several incidents of outhouses (privies), bales of hay or straw, and piles of used tires and rubbish being burnt. Quite frequently, these burnings occurred on a road and caused great inconvenience to motorists and the local constabulary, Lloyd Murl . There was also the traditional soaping of windows and throwing of eggs and tomatoes. Most of these pranks were intended for fun but occasionally ended up as arson or vandalism for the R.C.M.P One year the pranksters were just about out of steam trick wise. One bright young lad suggested that a trick had to be played on Sterling Burns , a resident of the Village who was nicknamed "Gump". Sterling kept a cow and she was in the stable on the night in question. There was a pretty good stairway up to the loft and someone suggested the cow be put up in the loft and hidden. Up she went with about ten fellows almost carrying her. Next morning, Mr. Burns got up and went out to milk the cow. She wasn't to be found. So down to the village store he goes and spread the news that his cow had disappeared. It created quite a sensation and laugh but Mr. Burns got very serious and threatened to call the police. He went back home and out to the barn presumably talking quite loud. What do you think happened? The cow bawled quite loud and Sterling finally discovered she was up in the loft. It was never discovered how he got her down to ground level again. TUG OF WAR Around 1929, Freetown and districts assembled a team to compete in a tug-of-war tournament being held in Bedeque Rink. This coincided with the opening of the first closed-in rink there. The first competition was open to teams that were made up of as many heavyweights as possible. These teams were from Albany, Lower Bedeque and North Bedeque . 173