Summer of 1980 ~ First Kiss, Mowing Lawns, & a Tornado

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2022: Week 39 (ROAD TRIP)

The prompt ROAD TRIP left me thinking about Google Maps street view. 

I then started thinking about what time and place from my past I wanted to revisit. 

I decided I would try to find the house I had lived in during the summer of 1980 in Dashwood, Ontario.

Walking the streets I am fairly confident this is the house we lived in

At first I thought the house was rebuilt since it had a dormer with balcony off the upper section when we lived there 42 years ago. 

BUT then I noticed the imprinting where the balcony would have been when I zoomed in closer. 

The pear tree in the front of the house is gone. My mother canned those pears, but first my brother and I had to collect them. I'm pretty sure it was me that climbed the tree & my brother that put them in the pail. 

I also walked the street and found the Fire Hall in the next block. 

I used to stand out on the balcony by my bedroom on the top floor watching the volunteer fire fighters run down the street from all directions when the bells began to ring. 

I remember watching my dad's friend, Jim Rumball,  snapping his suspenders into place as he was running. They lived a few doors down the street. I babysit their 3 kids. 

It's also where I had my first kiss. 

I don't know if my parents or the Rumballs knew I had my boyfriend over while I was babysitting. 

My clearest memory of that first kiss?  How strongly he smelled of Aqua Velva aftershave and his sweaty palms. 

I wonder if he even remembers that kiss.

I also remember how big the lawn was. My brother and I took turns mowing that lawn. While one mowed the other sat on the picnic table with a timer. When I looked at the photo I realized the lawn wasn't as big as I remembered. I've mowed way bigger lawns over the years. This one likely stands out as it was the first time we were responsible for lawn mowing. 

I walked up the street on the other side, and immediately flashed back to the summer Rec program I attended at the park. 

That summer the summer rec staff person taught me how to flare my nostrils like a rabbit. I can't remember if she showed it to us like a party trick. The moment I saw it I knew it was a skill I needed. It took all summer, but to this day I can flare my nostrils on demand.

I remember she was very friendly, fun, beautiful, and had an NFL football player boyfriend. He joined her one time that summer, and did trust exercises with us. All I remember about him was that he had dark curly hair, was fun, and very good looking. 

The other summer rec memory I have was the trip to Boblo Island. We were loaded into various parent's vehicles for the 3 hour drive. 

It was just my brother and I from our family, and we traveled in different vehicles. It was my first time being brave enough to go on the roller coaster. It might have been peer pressure or trying to look brave in front of the younger children - all I know is that was the first time I chose to conquer a fear. That roller coaster ride was fantastic. 

By the time we came off the roller coaster the sky was dark. They began shutting down the bigger rides. People waiting in lines began yelling at the staff while their children were crying. 

Then we heard the tornado siren. 

The summer rec staff began gathering all the children to load them on to the ferry that took us to the island. We had walked on the ferry leaving the vehicles in the parking lot so it was quick to get all the kids off the island. 

When we arrived to the parking lot it was remembered that one of the parents had dropped the kids & left. The plan had been to come back at the scheduled end time. In 1980 there was no cell phones. We were leaving the island earlier than expected. The summer staff explained to the three oldest, me & 2 boys, that we were going to stay behind to wait for the parent who would be there in at the expected departure time. 

In looking back I should have been more afraid then I was. The 3 of us took cover under a large bush, and waited. It was rainy, the wind was howling, and it was dark. We stayed right there until the parent arrived. Complicating things further - we weren't the children she had dropped off. We didn't know her or her car & she didn't know us. I have no idea how long that was exactly, but it felt like hours. 

When my brother arrived home my parents were relieved. They had heard about the Tornado warning, and were worried. When they realized my brother was alone they were confused. Their confusion turned to fear when he explained I was left behind in a parking lot with 2 boys while the tornado siren continued to blare. The response I got when I arrived home made me realize the situation had been scarier than I realized. Looking back on it now as an adult & parent I can't believe the decision was made. Then again - what other choice did they have given the parenting of the time and no way to contact anyone. 

The entire summer rec program is reduced to these 2 people, my nostril flaring skills, and that field trip.

I know there were other staff & activities, but they didn't make any lasting impressions on me. 

I also remember my bike ride home from the park, and was delighted to find this photo that is exactly as I remember

Looking back through your own memories!!!

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Photos:

Google Maps. Streetview & Directions. Retrieved October 2nd 2022 from 
https://www.google.ca/maps?hl=en&tab=rl&authuser=0

Sources:

Haddad, Ken. The story of Boblo Island. Click On Detroit. Originally published May 25th 2020. Retrieved October 2nd 2022 from
https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-michigan/2019/06/28/the-story-of-boblo-island/

The Haunted Theatre Of Boblo Island. Your Ghost Stories. Old Dude. Originally published December 15th 2014. Retrieved October 2nd 2022 from https://www.yourghoststories.com/real-ghost-story.php?story=20963

We visited Boblo Island 23 years after its amusement park closed. Originally published August 1st 2016. Retrieved October 2nd 2022 from

https://www.mlive.com/travel/2016/08/this_is_what_life_is_like_on_b.html

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

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