Post by Sharon on Aug 16, 2010 23:06:59 GMT -5
A friend of mine on Facebook recently posted some pictures of Pinawa where he spent some time this summer and they brought back a flood of memories for me.
You see I used to live in Pinawa which is located in south eastern Manitoba in an area known as the Whiteshell on the Canadian Shield, about 110 kilometres north-east of Winnipeg.
The community of Pinawa was originally established in 1901 to support the operation of Manitoba's first hydro electric generating station but was abandoned in 1951 when the site was shut down.
Pinawa was re-established about 10 km from the original Hydro town in 1963 when Atomic Energy of Canada Limited built the Whiteshell Laboratories nuclear research facility in the area. This was when my dad and mom moved there with us in tow.
I have so many memories. I can remember going down to the swimming hole, salt shaker in hand, because of the leaches. I remember the fish flies and the fire flies.
I remember the ticks, the snakes and the bears but what I remember most was the beauty .... the fun of being one of the first few family in the newly established township -- one of the first students in the newly built elementary school (with the meanest principle ever I must add ... I even remember his name -- Mr. Thiessen), the beautiful new playground and lots and lots and lots of new friends.
I had all but forgot about Pinawa and the Whiteshell and was so pleasantly surprised when I saw the pictures and I cried as the memories flooded back.
The stories I could tell you ... suffice to say once I was babysitting and the whole back wall of the shed outback was torn off by a black bear -- just a bit scary, lol! I think the man of that house walked me home that evening but I only lived across the street.
Then there was the time I was chased by a bear -- it my mind it was a huge as a giant grizzly bear but in hindsight I am sure it was a small black bear just playing about. Never knew I could run so fast. Did not want anything to happen because after all I was in a restricted area and I would of been in a lot of trouble if anyone found out .... the foolishness of children 'eh?
Also I remember school trips to the Atomic Energy Plant and having to wear a "magic" badge to protect us from harm; looking back on that now I strongly doubt it would of been any deterent ... exposure is exposure! The field trips were fascinating though.
I have one very strange and very haunting memory though and it goes back to babysitting. I remember hearing a baby cry as clear as though it happened only yesterday. The children I was caring for had gone to bed -- they were toddlers. I checked them and they were asleep. Then I went to the front door -- nothing; back door -- nothing. This has always bothered me. I mentioned it to the parents on their return but they had no reassuring answers for me. Happened a few times that evening and I was totally spooked. I do not remember it happening again but then I am not sure if I babysat for this family ever again. I thought of it for years and now I am thinking of it again, YIKES.
Anyway it was lovely to think back to Pinawa and I understand it has changed dramatically -- some sort of resort town now -- would be lovely to go back one day!
Sharon
You see I used to live in Pinawa which is located in south eastern Manitoba in an area known as the Whiteshell on the Canadian Shield, about 110 kilometres north-east of Winnipeg.
The community of Pinawa was originally established in 1901 to support the operation of Manitoba's first hydro electric generating station but was abandoned in 1951 when the site was shut down.
Pinawa was re-established about 10 km from the original Hydro town in 1963 when Atomic Energy of Canada Limited built the Whiteshell Laboratories nuclear research facility in the area. This was when my dad and mom moved there with us in tow.
I have so many memories. I can remember going down to the swimming hole, salt shaker in hand, because of the leaches. I remember the fish flies and the fire flies.
I remember the ticks, the snakes and the bears but what I remember most was the beauty .... the fun of being one of the first few family in the newly established township -- one of the first students in the newly built elementary school (with the meanest principle ever I must add ... I even remember his name -- Mr. Thiessen), the beautiful new playground and lots and lots and lots of new friends.
I had all but forgot about Pinawa and the Whiteshell and was so pleasantly surprised when I saw the pictures and I cried as the memories flooded back.
The stories I could tell you ... suffice to say once I was babysitting and the whole back wall of the shed outback was torn off by a black bear -- just a bit scary, lol! I think the man of that house walked me home that evening but I only lived across the street.
Then there was the time I was chased by a bear -- it my mind it was a huge as a giant grizzly bear but in hindsight I am sure it was a small black bear just playing about. Never knew I could run so fast. Did not want anything to happen because after all I was in a restricted area and I would of been in a lot of trouble if anyone found out .... the foolishness of children 'eh?
Also I remember school trips to the Atomic Energy Plant and having to wear a "magic" badge to protect us from harm; looking back on that now I strongly doubt it would of been any deterent ... exposure is exposure! The field trips were fascinating though.
I have one very strange and very haunting memory though and it goes back to babysitting. I remember hearing a baby cry as clear as though it happened only yesterday. The children I was caring for had gone to bed -- they were toddlers. I checked them and they were asleep. Then I went to the front door -- nothing; back door -- nothing. This has always bothered me. I mentioned it to the parents on their return but they had no reassuring answers for me. Happened a few times that evening and I was totally spooked. I do not remember it happening again but then I am not sure if I babysat for this family ever again. I thought of it for years and now I am thinking of it again, YIKES.
Anyway it was lovely to think back to Pinawa and I understand it has changed dramatically -- some sort of resort town now -- would be lovely to go back one day!
Sharon