As youngsters raised in Flin Flon during the baby boom, we would hear our fathers speak about miners, muckers, trammers, float operators, punchers, tappers and longhole drillers – all foreign terms to us.
But this was a hard-rock mining and smelting town, and we were fortunate indeed to grow up in a community with secure jobs and financial stability.
Education was, of course, a priority, and Flin Flon established a first-class school system.
Schools came on line as the town grew, including one in Channing. One-time Channing School principal Art Dinelle once jokingly told me after his retirement, “I’m not sure if they put me out there to get rid of me or not.”
For students, the “big move” was not to Channing School, but from junior high to high school at Hapnot Collegiate, then ruled by principal John Kines. Teachers of the era included Bob Osborne, Jack George, Dave Trainer, Gail McDonald, Anne Siryj and my all-time favourite, Archie Thom.
Minor hockey was big at the time. There were no dressing rooms until the midget level, so you put on your gear at home, caught the early morning bus if your dad was on shift and quite likely took in the Saturday afternoon movie still in hockey regalia.
One of the more original sporting activities for youth was the annual cordwood bonspiel. It began on the various outdoor rinks around town and then finally moved into the arena, with the hockey ice surface divided into sheets.
The quality of the homemade rocks varied from the crudest models – a handle consisting of a huge bent spike – to the more sophisticated varnished style with fancy closet handles. Remember the “measuring ceremony” to ensure that all rocks (or logs) met specifications?
The men’s and women’s annual bonspiels drew many visitors to the community. The opening ceremonies, often hosted by Jimmy Wardle, included the HBM&S pipe band and the draws went on 24 hours a day.
A packed rink would watch the men’s final for the cherished HBM&S gold wristwatches. Some of the big-name curlers were Mac McCrimmon, Blaine McCluckie, Hugh Howat, Fub Krezeski and Lee Fisher.
Growing up in Flin Flon was growing up with the Flin Flon Bombers. If only we could make the team – imagine the glory.
Remember sneaking into the rink to watch Bomber practices? Arena manager Pinky Davie tolerated it provided you weren’t skipping school.
Hit Parade
AM radio was another huge focus, and CFAR filled the bill from its famed studios at 75 Callinan. Teens waited all week for the “Hit Parade” top ten sponsored by Foto - Music Supplies.
Our hard-earned dollars were invested in 33 (rpm) records and LPs (Long plays). Famous acts of the pre-Beatles era included Bill Haley and the Comets, Bobby Darin, The Four Seasons and Roy Orbison. The Beatles were great, too, but times were different before the “British Invasion” of ’64.
Younger kids were relegated to the comic book trade. When it came to swapping comics, there was an unwritten code: two without the cover for one with the cover; three with the cover for a giant; and two for a classic.
Who recalls the old train station in the present area of the Barrow Building and City Hall? Steam locomotives and sleeping cars were the order of
the day. The Bombers travelled by train for road trips. Then-coach Motto McLean once gave a few of us kids a tour and introduction to the players before departure.
Phantom Lake was our “summer home.” Remember the canoe club, swimming lessons, tennis courts, three docks, a huge sandy beach, lifeguards, water slides and a bandstand – not to mention the famous concession building. All with CFAR broadcasting over the loudspeaker.
Another memorable place was the Jubilee Hall (and library). Teen Canteen featured youthful local musicians and bands along with a “strongly supervised” dance atmosphere.
Then there were our booming movie theatres, the Rex and the Northland. I recall standing in line Saturday morning (along with hordes of others) for what seemed like days to receive a free silver bullet (made of plastic) containing a secret message from the Lone Ranger.
Many Flin Flon boys received their first “culture shock” by attending cadet summer camp. Somehow the word discipline took on a whole different meaning.
More outdoor adventures were available at the Little Cliff Lake swimming hole, where kids would dive off the gigantic rock face.
Baseball fans were served up top-notch ball with the area’s Polar League and home games at Foster Park. We watched stars such as George Chigol, Bob Remmington, Bob Quinn and brothers Ernie and
Vic Poirier.
On the television front, CBC began broadcasting by transmitter on channel 10 (circa 1961) with a kinescope system – delayed live programming on film. Remember staying up until 3 am to watch a World Series game for which you already knew the score?
Pit stops
We grew up in different areas of Flin Flon, so we had different preferred “pit stops.”
Johnny’s Confectionery had everything. Mr. Boychuk was strict, but a nice guy. The curling rink concession booths were great places to get warm on long winter treks.
The Whitney Forum concession served up great food. How many million hamburgers did Mrs. Hutton cook? Sue’s Lunch offered lots of treats and was always fresh – a great halfway stop to and from Uptown.
At the Doghouse, Mr. Hicken was a nice guy, but he’d say we were too young to get in (no Wurlitzer juke boxes for us). Bell’s Hardware carried a huge supply of hockey sticks, while WB Hardware sold fabulous toys.
At Club News, Mr. Meyers had lots of goodies and sold The Hockey News. Over at Freedman’s Fall In, Mr. Freedman always called you “son” and didn’t mind if you were a few pennies short.
Different time
Growing up back then was so different compared to today. We slept in cribs with lead-based paints and drank water from the garden hose, and very few of us suffered any ill effects.
We were always outside playing. We had friends because we went outside and found them. We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and knocked teeth out, and no one filed lawsuits because of it.
Neighbourhood parents knew us all by our first names. We tried out for minor league sports and not everyone made the team.
We were no angels. We bumpershined, played knock out ginger and raided gardens. If caught, we were punished.
For members of the baby boom generation, there could not have been a better place to grow up. Thank you, Flin Flon.
