I came across this piece of classic Bea Hamilton 'flavour of the times' reportage, which I have to share with someone: it belongs with the 'flavour of the times' photo, of 27 years earlier (1945 - 1972): the place originally built a century earlier (by Theodor Trage)
from Bea Hamilton's regular 'FROM FULFORD' column on page 7 of the November 9, 1972 Gulf Islands DRIFTWOOD
Talking about travelling, I met two young ladies coming back on the ferry, quite charming and tuneful. They had a guitar and a flute? I think that was one instrument but I hadn't seen one quite like it before. It made octorina noises that blended well with the guitar. Anyway, Kathy and Susan wore the long old-fashioned dresses so dearly loved by the present day generation, but oh, dear, it was pouring rain and the girls were walking to Beaver Point, where they are living as caretakers for some property.
Their abode is a humble but converted log cabin that must have been built in the 1870's as it belonged to the first Mr. Trage. Theodore Trace had quite a bit to do with the first settlement at Beaver Point and
the politics of the early days that rocked the island. A lot of history surrounds this old log cabin in the woods. Remember the old Family Herald that carried the Primrose Page ? No, you wouldn't - 'way before your time. But the walls of the cabin were originally lined with old copies of this farm paper to keep out the cold. The Family Herald expired a few years ago after bringing up the older generation on its varied and very fine editorials, stories and farm notes. It also brought a number of people to
gether in matrimony through its Primrose Page.
The cabin was a storehouse for apples during its early days. Apple cider barrels were a common sight along its walls and as those were the days of great quantities of bottled fruits, shelves were lined with
all the fruit of the seasons for different people who lived with in its walls or who used it as a storehouse.
None of this can be seen today and the place has been renovated into quite a neat little
livable place of several rooms. And in their modern-old fashioned styles in dress, Kathy and Susan have brought a bit of the past back to live with the present.
Here they will be adding a new history to blend with the ancient walls and the echoes of their music will no doubt be in harmony with the winds that sweep through the trees.
Menhenick Cider House 1945 |
