Bridgeland 1212.indd - Calgary Communities and Community ...

Bridgeland
...back in the day
by Larry Simon
Well, we had a good Christmas and nice New Year. We
sincerely hope this year will be a great year for all of us!
We were a community of a different generation. Most of
the kids’ parents were in the services. My eldest brother was in
the RCAF as an Airframe Mechanic. He was stationed down
east. During the war, his job was a little different than today.
In those days the Airframe Mechanic had to go up in the plane
they repaired. It was a way of making sure the work was done
properly and that the plane was safe.
After the war was over, the soldiers bought some souvenirs
home. We had hand grenades, rifles, swords, pistols, etc.
One of the kids threw a grenade at a teacher and blew the
side of the block stairs off. The teacher ducked behind the steel
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fire door. Despite all the weapons we had in our little arsenal,
that was the only incident I can remember.
We didn’t have bullying instead we all stood together and in
our new tough area. Our sports teams were outstanding and
considered to be the best. Our schools had trophies galore and
everyone was proud of being from our area. We were known
as “Little Italy” and “Little Germany” but it never bothered or
separated us, in fact it made our area stronger.
This regular column running in your Bridges community
newsletter. Larry spent his formative years in Bridgeland-Riverside
and went on to become a multi-talented artist. He loves to share his
stories and memories of the way things were, “back in the day.”
Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association
917 Centre Avenue N.E.
Calgary, AB T2E 0C5
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22 Bridgeland-Riverside Bridges
February 2013