emptied. Every winter the sleighs bringing families to Christmas con—
certs, box socials or dances were fewer.

Never to be forgotten are those figures wrapped to the eyes in
coats, shawls, scarves all shining with frost, their arms filled with
small children, cakes or sandwiches for the ”supper”, and blankets to
keep them warm during the return trip in the ”cold wee sma' hours".
While the men were busy stabling the horses, the women and girls remov-
ing layer after layer of clothing from themselves and the children.
Finally they blossomed forth in gay colors to enjoy the dance. For the
early part of the evening the floor became a hazard with small children
running about, and youngsters learning to dance. Later, as small legs
and bodies grew weary and eyes closed, the blankets and coats were used
to bed down the small fry on the platform. At long last the adults
could relax and have their enjoyment.

Among those who moved into Spearhill from Springburn district
were the Walker, Low, Dunsire, Wilson and Rogers families. With them
came much in the way of entertainment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were
fine singers. Bob Walker could set toes tapping and feet stamping with
his drums, and Mrs. Redwood (formerly Miss Dunsire) could add the finish—
ing touches at the piano.

In the early 1920's, families from other nearby districts came
to Spearhill. Claus Jensen, Nels Hansen, Ludgar Genest, Karl Titz,
Ernie Redwood and Jim Cook brought their families. Within a few years
several young married couples had homes there too - Bob and Delia Walker,
Don and Jean Jardine, Dick and Ethel Francis, Ralph and Olga Ruchotski,
Alex and Mary Daly, Bill and Alvina Hubert, Herman and Lena Knutt were
among them. It wasn'tlong till our school was filled to overflowing!

Then came the 1930's with financial depression that slowed busi-
ness to a standstill. In order that all might have a little work, the
men at the plant decided to voluntarily lay off for short periods.
Times were hard at the Hill as they were everywhere.

At this time in Winnipeg an inexpensive and popular form of
amusement was the "singsong". Young and old by the thousands gathered
on summer evenings in Assiniboine Park to join in singing songs from
the song sheets distributed by the Free Press or the Tribune, and
conducted by one of the city's fine musicians - Davidson Thompson.

This idea was taken up by our community and for some time was
very popular. A small booklet, "Spearhill Community Song Book" was set
up and printed, and Charlie Grieves, who had a gift for improvising good
accompaniments on the piano, presided at that instrument. Sometimes for
a change various people from the audience would perform solo - singing,
dancing or occasionally reciting. Much enjoyment was experienced by
young and old in making music together.

Staging a play was one of the most popular methods of raising
funds for worthy causes. There was seldom any difficulty about finding
actors and actresses willing to play the parts. The fun and nonsense
which was part of the practices went to making the effort well worthwhile.
Many and varied were the titles of the plays that were staged. Excite-
ment ran high both on and off stage. How well the players acted their

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