Remembering Meaford

It is exciting to be a current resident of Ottawa during Canada’s 150th year celebrations. There are so many events happening here.

This year in September I am celebrating my 70th birthday. I can’t help reminiscing about my beautiful hometown of Meaford. I was born in Meaford in 1947 and graduated from Meaford Elementary School and Meaford District High School.

Thank you to the elementary and high school teachers in Meaford during the 1950s and 1960s.These teachers instilled a love of learning in us. I hope my fellow classmates reached great heights in life. I do remember you all.

For many years our family lived above the creamery in an apartment which is now 92A Sykes Street. I can remember looking out from our 2nd story window at the Meaford market square. At different times over the years there were many events on the market square. For example, there was an outdoor skating rink in the winter, lots of Saturday auctions in the summer, a baseball field, majorette practises, band shell concerts, etc. I can remember the huge maple trees that lined the street along the market square. I felt very sad when these beautiful trees were cut down one year.

Living in Meaford as a child was fantastic. Everything in town was within walking or bicycling distance. I used to walk all over town in my bare feet in the summer. You didn’t need money as a child in Meaford. The whole town was an outdoor playground. Our family could not afford bicycles but our childhood friends, Marjorie, Marion, and Joanne Bumstead were always willing to share their toys and bicycles. Because of these wonderful outdoor experiences in Meaford, I am in excellent health, enjoy nature, and still walk or ride a bicycle every day (weather permitting).

Rowe’s movie theatre was just across the street from our apartment in Meaford. I spent many Saturday afternoons watching movies there. Sometimes just a few wire hangers would give you admission to the movie theatre.

Recently a childhood friend of mine mentioned how much fun she had on Halloween in Meaford. I can still remember the heavenly smell of the fall leaves as we ran from house to house collecting candy.

I’m grateful to the people and to the beauty of Meaford for giving me so many happy memories. My celebration of Canada’s 150th includes my hometown of Meaford.