ASSINIBOIA — Assiniboia provided many fond, favourite Christmas memories for this writer, and while this story may have been included in one of the publications I wrote for several years ago, great things are worth repeating.
They say our hometown is where our story begins. Assiniboia is that place for me. I started a Facebook group in 2011 to help generate interest for the upcoming centennial taking place in Assiniboia in 2012. I started this page on a whim and I have been amazed at how people, with feelings just like mine, got on board, and we have all been connected there for the last 10 years.
I put up a post recently asking people to recall their fondest Christmas memories and there were many.
I loved Christmas in Assiniboia growing up there from 1972-82. It was simpler times when everyone wasn’t connected on social media, so we relished the opportunity to meet and greet friends and neighbours at a downtown late-night shopping event, at the rink or taking that traditional Main Street drive.
The twinkling lights town employees put up, the freshly fallen snow and the sheer joy and enthusiasm in everyone you met were exhilarating.
My dad was a Kinsmen and stopping at their Christmas tree lot was a must-do activity. Inhaling that fresh pine scent while hearing hearty laughter from volunteers and shoppers alike under the temporary hanging lights set up at this location infused Christmas spirit. I do chuckle, that as I grew older there, I realized some of the laughter might have had something to do with the Christmas cheer being shared at this spot.
They say you never forget the neighbourhood you grew up in and I can affirm this. Kasper Crescent was the greatest. Long before cellphones and internet, you headed outside on any given night to meet up with friends. Savouring all the fabulously decorated Christmas properties in winter or heading to the wide-open field behind us for a snowmobile ride occupied us. It would be hard to pick out the favourite neighbours because they all held that distinction, however, I would be amiss to not recall countless great memories with Marj and Red Delyea next door. They were like our in-town go-to grandparents. Marj’s warm, loving personality would melt anyone’s heart and Red’s jovial interactions with any generation are memories we always treasure. We cherished our Christmas get-togethers with them each year.
The Christmas concerts at elementary school with music orchestrated by the fabulous Mrs. Dean were memorable. It was easy to become enthused under her leadership. As you grew older, the Christmas lights at Assiniboia Comprehensive High School were epic. Whether they poked fun at a teacher or two or surprised the audience with the presenter’s talent, such great memories are held of these events.
As a kid, you always had that favourite store that helped define your hometown experience. It might have been the local convenience store because wasn’t that a treat as a kid? Or a local restaurant where you could meet your friends for coffee or go to the New Moon Café for their famous sweet and sour pork. However, Telestar was one of my favourites. Not only did we love the jovial humour of owner, Dan Mireau, the nickel candy bar at the front and the assortment of giftware was a special stop at Christmas.
The rink was the best hangout and we headed there nightly for public skating or a hockey game. You knew you would meet up with someone to hang out with. It was fun to cheer on your hometown team, and if you were hungry there was nothing like a Civic Centre special for a buck (burger, fries and a drink). Yes, I just dated myself.
As I am writing this my mind is flooded with hometown memories that I couldn’t possibly include all of them in one story. I can ramble on for pages about the many great memories made in Assiniboia. You see, one of the best things about memories is making them, and the next best thing is reminiscing about those memories.
May this find you keeping up the tradition of that Friday night drive down Main Street, turning around in the courthouse parking lot to continue the trek just to soak in some of Assiniboia’s atmosphere and wave at a friend or neighbour? May you be enjoying some fresh baking from the Assiniboia Bakery, or enjoying a coffee with a friend at a local coffee shop. Reflect on all the memories as a young adult that had left their hometown for the next stage of life, returning home at Christmas to head straight to the Franklin Hotel where you were sure to meet up with others heading home for the same reason.
Thank you, Assiniboia, for being the place where my story began, and thanks for the memories. Wishing you all much health and happiness.
