Memories of Growing up in a Small Town

I have to say that social media has been a game changer for me in many ways.  Many of us are mocked by other generations for our constant use of smart phones, and our addiction to Facebook and Twitter…  I choose to see the upside.  It has meant a reconnection with people from my distant past that otherwise would never have happened.   More years have passed than I care to remember since attending High School in the Highlands of Haliburton.  But suddenly via social media I’m sharing pictures and updates with old high school and elementary school classmates, even my Grade 7 teacher!   In several instances the result was a reunion.  25 years after venturing out into the world we discovered that we are practically neighbours, we just didn’t know it.  In essence technology has reunited me with my very tech free youth.

I also love the immediacy of what social media offers, and the instant feedback.  This technology brings news to my world immediately, worldly or personal.  A Mayor smoking crack…my Blackberry lights up with commentary from my Twitter friends.   A news story about my neighbourhood, 1 tweet brings almost instant information. 

Sometimes the worlds converge…instant news and the past. Yesterday, within minutes of it happening, I was saddened to see the old bowling alley from my childhood hometown go up in flames.  What was known as Medley's Dance and Bowl when I was a kid was built by Bud and Muriel Medley in 1948. I went to school with their grandson.   It was a little surreal to be viewing on Twitter what was happening 250km away. My parents still live 10 minutes away but I probably knew faster that this landmark was ablaze. The “Carnarvon Bowl” is now gone. 

My parents moved to the area from Scarborough in the late 60’s and as a kid on special occasions we got to go to the bowling alley.  In the 70’s high technology was an automated bowling alley that retrieved the bowling balls and sent them back and stood the pins back up…it was magical. Not a flat screen TV to be found, but a pad of score paper with some fat pencils, and possibly an 8-track player and some Tommy Hunter`s greatest hits playing in the background.

It was in some ways a simpler time. Staying with all the neighbours kids at one house, with strict instructions to obey the 1 or 2 teenagers, while all the parents went to the “Dance” at Medleys was exciting.  Being allowed to stay up late to watch the hockey game on CBC, because that was the only channel we got, was the big thrill. There was no cell phone to call, no internet, email or bbm service to contact the parents if we got into trouble or had a fight.  We were on our own for a few hours.  In today’s world that might be considered child abandonment!   But for me these times represent great memories.  

 

I have not lived in Haliburton for many years and have not darkened the door of the old bowling alley in at least 20 years. But I feel for the people of Carnarvon and the surrounding area.  When a small community loses a business, it`s a personal tragedy and changes the community. A landmark of 65 years is now reduced to ashes, and I dare say unlikely to be rebuilt.  My information suggests nobody was hurt during the fire but the community is forever changed.  Thanks for the memories Medley`s Dance & Bowl. A good time was had by all who knew ya…