Cleaning out Grandmas’ Fridge — Noreen Tyers Summer Vacation at Richard’s Castle

Names: Buddy the Dog, John and Charlotte Lahey, Grandpa and Grandma, Clarence Lahey, Don Lahey, Earl Lahey, Betty Lahey, Jack and May Lahey. At the Falls I cannot make out who is in the picture. Photo- Noreen Tyers

Summer is coming Another memory from the Summer Holidays, Kinda Yuky!Cleaning out grandmas’ Fridge– Noreen Tyers–PICTURES FROM THE Lahey Photos of time spent at Richard’s Castle in Snow Road in the 1940s The Falls on the Mississippi and on the lawn at the house. Noreen Tyers

Every year we couldn’t wait for Final Report Cards to be handed out and the end of the School year. YEA! My mother would work hard preparing for the event and gather up what was needed for a two-week holiday. This is just my most favourite memory. The holiday was to at the old Stone House, in Snow Road, Ontario just outside the hamlet of McDonalds Corners. This house was also known as “Richard’s Castle”, and was owned by an Executive of the K & P Rail Company. (Kingston- Pembroke).

My Grandfather first heard of this place from a co-worker at Charles Ogilvy Department Store in Ottawa. This friend Johnny Miller, was from Snow Road and worked part time at Ogilvy’s in the Sportsman’s Lodge, the sports Department. Now Johnny was a Guide for people who wished to hunt and fish. One day while talking, the conversation went to the House at Snow Road. I have never been officially told, but I can almost say that the rent of $13.00 for the two-week visit was as a result of Grandpa doing some repairs. He was a painter and decorator and painted the rooms inside. He also did wood graining and there were a lot of areas in Richards Castle where he could do his magic.

The Falls at Snow Road, Mississippi Rive, there are some people but I Cannot make them out. My Guess on the Far Right, ?? Grandma and Grandpa (John and Charlotte Lahey the ones on the left ????? I have tried to enlarge but the picture becomes fuzzy-Photo Noreen Tyers

To me there was just nothing my grandpa could not do. He was also a very patient, caring and loving man. While getting ready for our trip to Snow Road, my mother would feed us a very light breakfast, and nothing creamy on the menu. No cereal, no milk if I recall right it was toast and juice or water. Now my mother was well aware of what happened on the trip up to Snow Road, if we ate a big breakfast. We would all end up CAR SICK and my Mother would end up with her house dress removed and travel in her slip as we had all been sick and thrown up on her.

Thus this was why we had such a meagerly meal to start the day off. We would be asked to go down the street a couple of doors where Grandma and Grandpa lived, to help them get ready and pack the car for the trip. We would help carry out the food, and clothes and the towels and sheet required for our stay. There was one item we did not have to help with and that was Grandpa’s Fishing Rod and his fishing tackle. That was Grandpa’s job and he would tuck it in a safe spot that would not allow it to get bumped or fall over.

Back in the house Grandma would be cleaning out the fridge of any food that was not making the journey. There would be some good treats to be cleaned up and Jack, Grace and myself would do that job without any trouble. After our very light breakfast the food looked oh so good, and let’s face it, we were helping Grandma. Some of the treats we managed to clean up for her was things like Milk, maybe some rice pudding or a delightful custard that had been made from scratch. God know what else might have been eaten, all was just so perfect to make the young ones car sick. Never once was our story ever told to my Mom, or she would have had a fit and we would have gotten into big trouble.

NOT A WHISPER

I am sure my Grandmother would have been aware of our motion sickness as she had watched my mother arrive every year in her slip and the vehicle smelling so YUCKY AND SOUR, SOUR PUK! Back up the street we went all prancing at the bit to get going, as my parents did not drive or own a vehicle my Uncle would transport us. Our means of travel to our destination at Snow Road was in the back of a delivery truck owned by Ogilvy’s.

The motion sickness would begin anytime we would be on twisty, with lots of turns, country roads and in that era the roads were not paved. We would be so sick, no window in the back of the truck and before we knew our Dad was joining in deposits in the barf bucket. OH MY POOR MOM (four kids and a husband being sick for miles and miles and miles.

From the pen of Noreen Tyers April 13, 2018

PICTURES FROM THE Lahey Photos of time spent at Richard’s Castle in Snow Road in the 1940s The Falls on the Mississippi and on the lawn at the house. Noreen Tyers

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)