Shared memories of St. Vital childhood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/02/2021 (846 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I grew up in St. Vital when Bishop Grandin Boulevard and St. Vital Centre were just visions of the future. The cornerstones of commerce in those days were St. Mary’s and St. Anne’s Roads.

Jim Hamilton wrote me recently. He’s a name from my past whom I remember as a good athlete.

“I just wanted to let you now how much I look forward to your column in The Lance,” he wrote.

“I find myself reflecting often on growing up on Poplarwood — roaming the streets on foot and bike; walking to St. George School and home each day for lunch — lots of steps.

“From the DQ where I started my first job at 15, Shop Easy (grocery store), the Roco garage, Norberry Shoe Repair, Lee’s Confectionery, Horseshoe Inn, Murphy’s Drug Store, Art’s Flowers, the Lotus Restaurant and Delta Hardware…we had it all. 

“And of course, Norberry Community Club, where we both grew up.”

Yes Jim, I have many of the same memories.

Almost everyone walked to school and we knew most of the neighbourhood kids. In my case, the schools were St. George, Norberry and Dakota Collegiate. The Horseshoe Inn had pinball machines and I fancied myself as somewhat of a pinball wizard. To leave the machine with free replays still available was the height of excellence. Computers and video games were, of course, non-existent.  

My brother, Garry, remembered the fabulous fish and chips at the Horseshoe Inn. They had a commercial potato peeler and when St. Vital United Church was hosting a fall supper, the church would borrow this impressive machine. It was fascinating to watch it peel hundreds of potatoes.

The entrance to St. Vital Park used to be the entrance to the Scout camp. Garry was a Queen’s Scout and we both have fond memories of camping in the park overnight. The Boy Scouts used to organize bonfires, singalongs, and memorable weekends at the camp. Now it is all part of St. Vital Park.

While most of our shopping was done locally in St. Vital, the family would, on occasion, put on nice clothes and go downtown. Eaton’s and The Bay were marvellous stores with exciting mechanical window displays. An early memory is of sitting on Santa’s lap in Eaton’s.

I asked Garry about going downtown. He remembers just the two of us taking the bus downtown and that it cost just six cents. We would visit the two big department stores and Woolworth’s and then watch a movie at the theatre (The Guns of Navarone, From Russia With Love, Sink the Bismarck all ring a bell…) It was quite an adventure!

I am not the only person who enjoyed my childhood in St. Vital.

As Jim reminded me, “we all grew up in an amazing, safe neighbourhood with lots of friends and no need for a watch… just be home by the time the street lights came on.”
 
John Hindle is a community correspondent for St. Vital. Email him at john@johnhindle.com