To get a break from working at the store, dad bought a shorefront lot in Rosebank with an old cottage on it. He paid $600 for it. There was no water, no electricity and no washroom facilities, but over time we gradually made improvements. We were only five minutes from home, but my parents would not stay overnight. The cottage was adjacent to a farm owned by a Dutch family, the VanOmmes. I thought the Lebanese people were hard working until I met the VanOmmes! Nothing seemed to grow on that farm except wild mustard until they took over. On occasion, Joe, Abe and I would stay overnight at the cottage, especially if there was a party the night before. As soon as we would get to sleep, we could hear Mr. VanOmme working every inch of the land right up to our property line, and beside him was his wife, who could do the work of two men. The Dutch had a good appreciation of the land due to their experience in Holland where they utilized every bit they had.

Old cottage, August 1972, with addition on the left. Back Standing: sister Jean, cousin Lillian Seated: my mom, my son Steve, brother Joe In Front: ?

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