Ah, the good old days of childhood
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/08/2021 (652 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Al Buhler recently posted a list of things he enjoyed while growing up in Winnipeg on the Transcona, and Proud of It Facebook page.
It evoked fond memories, so I put together my own list about growing up in Transcona:
A visit to Max Katz Dry Goods store was always a treat. Mr. Katz was a kind soul. I still have the treasured cloth doll I got there.
Growing up on Melrose Avenue I’d take our wooden grey wagon and go for rides around the block to Pandora Avenue while sitting with one leg in the wagon and the other leg out to push it along. Or, with a friend, we’d take turns pushing and steering.
In first grade at Central School, we’d get our chocolate milk then we’d watch Mr. Dressup and sometimes The Friendly Giant.
When my siblings and I were lucky we’d get a couple of dimes to buy candy at the Fruit Home. Our favourites were Dubble Bubble gum with the comic, chocolate bars like Treasures or Bar Six, Popeye candy sticks (the ones with the red end and the wrapper with the powder inside that poofed out like smoke when you blew into it) and, of course, Cracker Jack with the prize inside!
Our toys were simpler, but we enjoyed them all. My Nana knitted beautiful clothes for our Barbies and dolls. We’d play Barbies with my brother’s Big Jim Sports Camper because it came with cool stuff. I really enjoyed playing with paper cut-out dolls with the interchangeable paper outfits. We also played for hours with a rubber ball.
I still recall this ditty: “Bouncy bouncy bally, I broke my sister’s dolly, she gave me a slap, I paid her back, bouncy bouncy bally!”
A simple skipping rope and a range of games, such as double Dutch, also provided hours of fun.
The Hi Neighbour Festival and parade was always fun. I liked the pony rides, albeit I’m not sure how much fun the pony had going round and round in a circle.
In the ’70s we moved to Southside. There was a bush nearby where we’d build forts. At the community centre we’d often go skating or spend a Saturday night watching old Disney movies. It was also the place I’d go to bingo games with my Nana.
To get to the north side of Transcona we’d cross multiple train tracks and cut through the main thoroughfare of the CN Shops. We were supposed to walk our bikes, but we’d ride them until the security guard was in view. We’d put nickels on the tracks and wait for the train to go by, then collect our flattened treasures. I can understand why pedestrian traffic is no longer allowed in the shops!
I hope you enjoy reminiscing with your own childhood memories. It’s something fun to share with our grandchildren and younger Transcona residents.
Suzanne Hunter is a community correspondent for Transcona.