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Variety, The Spice of Life
Having attended the recent concert in the hall and the get together afterwards, my mind started to work on a little idea that I could stage a sort of “junior concert” of my own if I could but just find a suitable venue. A brain wave hit me and I thought of the huge attic in our house (Coles’s). With Aunt Allie’s permission I surveyed the huge attic which led off the three upstairs bedrooms.ie mine, Bessie’s and Gladys’s.
The attic was quite spacious for my needs. A chair or two were requisitioned and boxes too were located to sit on. Some old curtains were located and put up to cover my stage.
Now, my production! I requisitioned two chorus girls.
ie Bessie and Carol. I was the Director, Producer, Master of Ceremonies and Head Cashier. Original thoughts were mine, such as they were. The chorus girls did step dances with ribbons around themselves and ribbons in their hair. I sung an Eddie Cantor song as I twirled my cane (really just a thin bamboo stick). My song was “Ma! She’s Making Eyes At Me”. They step-danced around me and as I rolled my eyes (as Eddie did), they came towards me as I sang, “Oh Ma she’s kissing me” they then broke away and sang nursery rhymes and gave recitations of various poems. Then I became their funny Man!! Played “Knock, Knock, (audience) “Who’s there?” Answer: Ivor . Question? “Ivor who?” Answer: “I’ve a bell on me bike.” (get it?). Then the oldie, “My dog’s got no nose.” “Oh, how does it smell?” Answer: Terrible.
My audience was just young children but Aunt Allie and Gladys gave us their support. Admission was modest – just 2 cents which included a cookie and a drink of lemonade.
We had great fun and it went down well. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->I finished off by singing, “It’s A Long Way To Tipperary” and as my audience went home the murmurings were heard, “when will the next concert be?” Oh well, I thought, that’s the price of fame I suppose. I’ll have to start thinking again.
Reverend Barratt had left off at Etter Road and had been moved to Sambro, further around the Atlantic coast. We did visit him and his family on one occasion and enjoyed looking around and meeting his flock. Reverend Guy Case took over from Rev. Barratt. He was the man who heard our un-English or un-Canadian language when our makeshift raft was being attempted to launch earlier.
The Reverend went around visiting his flock in a Mode-T Ford. One evening whilst he was at the Hall conducting some meeting or other, I was outside and noticed some of the older boys lifting up the rear part of his car and putting two blocks of wood under the rear axle so that the rear wheels were just off the ground. After this prank was executed they just hung around in what you might call a nonchalant fashion, looking as if butter would not melt in their mouths. Eventually, the Reverend came out, waved to his onlookeers, jumped into his “Tin Lizzie”, started it up and off he went – but he didn’t!! His back wheels spun like billyoh and he went nowhere. It wasn’t until some of the elders spotted the problem and to a man lifted up his car whilst another extracted the blocks. Problem solved, the Reverend smiled all around and off he went. No hard feelings there!
Saturdays I began to help Gordon Mumford when he went to Halifax for Glen to collect items for Glen the store keeper. I naturally didn’t attempt to lift the sacks of flour, just small items. It really was just a ride out for me and to keep Gordon company in the Ford pick-up. When we passed the Bedford basin and gazed at the freighters at anchor and the RCN warships, Gordon pointed out to me the side of the hill where Halifax used to be until it was blown away by the repercussions of an explosion in the 1st World War.
I became quite friendly with the Mumfords who lived on the Uniacke Estate and I became a frequent visitor and stayed many times to evening meal. Harry was a good friend of mine as well and he trusted me with his .22 rifle in the woods but I did not shoot at birds. If I had, I’m sure Uncle George would have found me out. Harry went into the Army later and served in France (later being wounded, I think), however, he returned home safely and took up his civilian life once again, thank goodness.
Monday came again soon enough and off I went to Windsor Academy again. My attendance was going well, so I thought, but I was somewhat concerned that I was missing part of the first lesson and the last part of the second. Perhaps coming to the Academy was a mistake and not a good idea after all. I was struggling and could not make it up at home on my own, however, I plowed on and eventually arrived at the summer break and on the last day was handed a report card to take home. My heart dropped. I didn’t do very well except in English, Georgraphy and History. Oh well, I did my best, but Uncle George was not exactly over the moon. I noticed that he did not mention renewing my rail tickets for next term. Oh well, I thought, plenty of time yet, but was there?? About a week into the school holidays a man arrived in his car and was in private conversation with Aunt Allie and Uncle George. Bessie and I were told not to wander off. Later, the man took us to his car and introduced himself as Mr. McKinnon from the Department of Health in Halifax. He inquired how we were and if we were happy. He then bade us goodbye and off he went.
Things returned to normal for about three weeks then Mr. McKinnon returned again and talked further with Aunt Allie and Uncle George, then Bessie and I. It transpired that we were leaving Mount Uniacke and we were to collect all our belongings. ie clothes, toys, books, etc. and in a flash we boarded Mr. McKinnon’s car and off we went waving goodbye to the Coles. No one else was about so in my mind’s eye I bid goodbye to all my school friends forever and with a heavy heart, endeavoured to prepare myself to return to England, so I thought.
Oh no, I was going to Pastures New.
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Ronald Mizon 1940 -1944 
