Meet the People in our Neighbourhood
Edited for clarity. |
Trudy Lake, March 13th, 2022 |
Tacha Reed
I thought, maybe we could start up like what we've done with the “Meet the People” (interviews) and I'll learn a little bit about you first. Is it true that you grew up on the peninsula? Am I right in that?
Trudy Lake
No, not completely
Tacha Reed
Okay.
Trudy Lake
We did live in a small house on Chip Hill at one time, the house is long gone now .. (it was in the 50’s ?) This was when my dad, Herman Harvey was living and we also lived in a many other places in Hants County (laughter).. so I always tell folks I am from my mother when they ask me where I'm from.
Tacha Reed
(laughter) Very good.
Trudy Lake (Harvey)
I was actually born in Wentworth. My Father’s name was Herman Frederick Harvey and my mother was Mildred I. Cochrane from Sweets Corner. My father was a 7th generation descendant of James Harvie 1760 who came to Newport Landing on the Sloop Sally. The descendant line is then down through Archibald, Archibald, Thomas, Israel, Morris, Gerald and then my father Herman. …I am proud to be a Harvey and living / building our home right here in Newport Landing 225 years later. (NOTE: I did not know this history when we built our home 1985.)
I thought, maybe we could start up like what we've done with the “Meet the People” (interviews) and I'll learn a little bit about you first. Is it true that you grew up on the peninsula? Am I right in that?
Trudy Lake
No, not completely
Tacha Reed
Okay.
Trudy Lake
We did live in a small house on Chip Hill at one time, the house is long gone now .. (it was in the 50’s ?) This was when my dad, Herman Harvey was living and we also lived in a many other places in Hants County (laughter).. so I always tell folks I am from my mother when they ask me where I'm from.
Tacha Reed
(laughter) Very good.
Trudy Lake (Harvey)
I was actually born in Wentworth. My Father’s name was Herman Frederick Harvey and my mother was Mildred I. Cochrane from Sweets Corner. My father was a 7th generation descendant of James Harvie 1760 who came to Newport Landing on the Sloop Sally. The descendant line is then down through Archibald, Archibald, Thomas, Israel, Morris, Gerald and then my father Herman. …I am proud to be a Harvey and living / building our home right here in Newport Landing 225 years later. (NOTE: I did not know this history when we built our home 1985.)
Trudy Lake
My father worked at the gypsum company for number of years in Mantua and Wentworth, then during the union strike, he left and our family went to work / live on local farms in the area. The last farm was Falmouth, Castle Frederick Road where my father died when he was only 38 years old.
Tacha Reed
Wow, what did he… how did he die?
Trudy Lake
Heart attack.
Tacha Reed
Scary.
Trudy Lake
Yes, my mother had 6 children living and was seven months pregnant at the time in 1961. I was only 6 years old at the time. We moved few times and lived in Belmont, Poplar Grove, Avondale area in my teens.
My father worked at the gypsum company for number of years in Mantua and Wentworth, then during the union strike, he left and our family went to work / live on local farms in the area. The last farm was Falmouth, Castle Frederick Road where my father died when he was only 38 years old.
Tacha Reed
Wow, what did he… how did he die?
Trudy Lake
Heart attack.
Tacha Reed
Scary.
Trudy Lake
Yes, my mother had 6 children living and was seven months pregnant at the time in 1961. I was only 6 years old at the time. We moved few times and lived in Belmont, Poplar Grove, Avondale area in my teens.
The Harvey family in 1956
Tacha Reed
So what brought you back to Avondale? (laughter) Billy?
Trudy Lake
Billy. (laugher) Well actually yes... but was a few years later of course. I first met Billy through my older brother. The boys had both been living in Ontario and Billy had come home to Avondale. I was living in poplar Grove at the time.
My best friend lived in Avondale, so I spent a lot of time there. She and I would walk back and forth a few times a week. That was just what you did back then, walked everywhere. A few of us would hang out down by the little bridge at the bottom of hill where Kenny and Jean Lake live now, because there was a big white post railing on that little bridge at the time and we could sit and see folks as they went by ..
Tacha Reed
So where about?
Trudy Lake
Um, just where the deer cross from Raymond Parker's/ Eva Evans into the orchard. That little crick (Westbrook) that goes underneath? There used to be a white wooden bridge on both sides, which had long wooden railings over the Westbrook stream. Few of us would meet
there or … perhaps up on the metal rail fence at Tom Mounce’s house, which was empty at the time. There wasn’t much to do in Avondale back then. Many of us were always welcome at Gladwin and Clare Ricks home. (Charles Trenholm now).
This house actually used to belong to Billy’s parents’ - Harvey and Grace Lake for many years and where ½ of their 14 children were born.
Tacha Reed
Where was that?
Trudy Lake
Frist house past George Mounce coming down the hill .. Where Charles and Eleanor Trenholm live now .
Tacha Reed
So where you live now, was this land already part of Billy's family?
Trudy Lake
Yes. Billy's grandparents Leonard and Edith Lake moved there in 1918. The used to live on the Ferry Road where Leonard moved his bride in 1902 . He married Edith Emma Harvey. They had 6 children and were all born there in a little Cape Cod style home apparently a little farm. The children were Harvey Lake, one brother Wilfred and 4 sisters, Ruby, Hilda, Pearl, and Myrna. The oldest 4 started school in the one room school house in Poplar Grove. Their home was situated on the highest ridge on Ferry Road where you could overlook Poplar Grove and see the St. Croix River. There is still a big elm tree there I think. I have a picture of the house.
So what brought you back to Avondale? (laughter) Billy?
Trudy Lake
Billy. (laugher) Well actually yes... but was a few years later of course. I first met Billy through my older brother. The boys had both been living in Ontario and Billy had come home to Avondale. I was living in poplar Grove at the time.
My best friend lived in Avondale, so I spent a lot of time there. She and I would walk back and forth a few times a week. That was just what you did back then, walked everywhere. A few of us would hang out down by the little bridge at the bottom of hill where Kenny and Jean Lake live now, because there was a big white post railing on that little bridge at the time and we could sit and see folks as they went by ..
Tacha Reed
So where about?
Trudy Lake
Um, just where the deer cross from Raymond Parker's/ Eva Evans into the orchard. That little crick (Westbrook) that goes underneath? There used to be a white wooden bridge on both sides, which had long wooden railings over the Westbrook stream. Few of us would meet
there or … perhaps up on the metal rail fence at Tom Mounce’s house, which was empty at the time. There wasn’t much to do in Avondale back then. Many of us were always welcome at Gladwin and Clare Ricks home. (Charles Trenholm now).
This house actually used to belong to Billy’s parents’ - Harvey and Grace Lake for many years and where ½ of their 14 children were born.
Tacha Reed
Where was that?
Trudy Lake
Frist house past George Mounce coming down the hill .. Where Charles and Eleanor Trenholm live now .
Tacha Reed
So where you live now, was this land already part of Billy's family?
Trudy Lake
Yes. Billy's grandparents Leonard and Edith Lake moved there in 1918. The used to live on the Ferry Road where Leonard moved his bride in 1902 . He married Edith Emma Harvey. They had 6 children and were all born there in a little Cape Cod style home apparently a little farm. The children were Harvey Lake, one brother Wilfred and 4 sisters, Ruby, Hilda, Pearl, and Myrna. The oldest 4 started school in the one room school house in Poplar Grove. Their home was situated on the highest ridge on Ferry Road where you could overlook Poplar Grove and see the St. Croix River. There is still a big elm tree there I think. I have a picture of the house.
Leonard Lake House on Ferry Road
Tacha Reed
So what generation would Billy be, would he be an eighth generation descendant from the (New England) Planters that landed in 1760?
Trudy Lake
Billy would be seventh generation from Caleb Lake, (born in 1722) who landed here in 1760 on the Sloop Lydia. Billy’s family descended through son Nathan, then Caleb, George, Stephen , Leonard , Harvey and then Billy .. and we are, Billy and I both 7th generation descendants of those first planters of 1760.
Tacha Reed
So I know that you're sort of the family historian (laughter) and seem to know more about the Lakes then maybe Billy does.
Trudy Lake
His family seemed more historically interesting, however I traced both families - the Lakes and Harvey names back to 1760. It Seemed like we were drawn back here to this very area
Tacha Reed
Can you share some of the things you've learned over the years or are there any stories that stick out for you?
Trudy Lake
For Billy of course was the immediate large family of 14 Lake children ( see picture of first 13) who grew up here in Avondale, all Born between 1930 to 1958. They all left Avondale at some point in their lives moving to Florida to California and Ontario to BC. Most stayed away with only 4 still living here in Nova Scotia. As of May this year 2022 – eleven of the 14 are still living.
Billy was named after his great uncle - William Howard Lake (Leonard Lake’s brother) who served in the first world war 1914 – 1918 but never made it home. He was killed the week before Armistices day Nov 1918. He was only 24 years old. His name is on the War Monument in Windsor. We have a picture of his handsome self along with a letter dated 1918 that was sent to his mother when he was killed .
So what generation would Billy be, would he be an eighth generation descendant from the (New England) Planters that landed in 1760?
Trudy Lake
Billy would be seventh generation from Caleb Lake, (born in 1722) who landed here in 1760 on the Sloop Lydia. Billy’s family descended through son Nathan, then Caleb, George, Stephen , Leonard , Harvey and then Billy .. and we are, Billy and I both 7th generation descendants of those first planters of 1760.
Tacha Reed
So I know that you're sort of the family historian (laughter) and seem to know more about the Lakes then maybe Billy does.
Trudy Lake
His family seemed more historically interesting, however I traced both families - the Lakes and Harvey names back to 1760. It Seemed like we were drawn back here to this very area
Tacha Reed
Can you share some of the things you've learned over the years or are there any stories that stick out for you?
Trudy Lake
For Billy of course was the immediate large family of 14 Lake children ( see picture of first 13) who grew up here in Avondale, all Born between 1930 to 1958. They all left Avondale at some point in their lives moving to Florida to California and Ontario to BC. Most stayed away with only 4 still living here in Nova Scotia. As of May this year 2022 – eleven of the 14 are still living.
Billy was named after his great uncle - William Howard Lake (Leonard Lake’s brother) who served in the first world war 1914 – 1918 but never made it home. He was killed the week before Armistices day Nov 1918. He was only 24 years old. His name is on the War Monument in Windsor. We have a picture of his handsome self along with a letter dated 1918 that was sent to his mother when he was killed .
Lake family, 1954
Tacha Reed
So the Lake family seems to have a lot of relatives in the States, were those people that had lived here for a while and then the family migrated back?
Trudy Lake
Harvey’s Father - Leonard Lake had 11 brothers and sisters and yes some of them had moved to the states to work and live.
Harvey’s sister also lived in the United States, in Wayland Massachusetts and later in Cape Cod. She was a great letter writer and had sent me many informative cards and letters over the years as I tried to keep in touch and send her news and pictures of Avondale.
Billy’s brother Wilfred and 4 of his sisters also moved to the states to work and live.
Once Grace – Billy’s mother passed away in 1967 at age 54, two of younger sisters also moved to the states to live with an older sister .. The only time all 14 Lake children were together at one time was at their mother’s funeral 1967.
Tacha Reed
I was just curious because I know in some cases when the Planters came in 1760 some of them didn't like the life here and went back to the States, and I wondered if that family connection still existed at all for the Lakes?
Trudy Lake
I don't know the connection back that far .. I do know that Leonard Lake had many siblings that all lived in the United States which would have been 1870’s – 1920 era. They were all hard working individuals. It is written in a book and told that a neighbour once said – “Leonard was such an honest man who would never cheat a neighbour in work nor money”.
Leonard Lake’s mother was Barbara (Crowell) ..who married Stephen Lake when she was only 16 and had the 12 children, they were poor and lived a hard farm life … She was a very religious praying Baptist. They separated much later in life and Barbara moved to US to live with her daughters there.
Harvey Lake’s Mother Edith Emma Harvey also had sisters and brothers that went to United states to live as well. So yes there would have been relatives there I am sure.
I have always been taken with the fact that Edith named her first son - Harvey Parsons Lake from her own Maiden Name - Harvey
So the Lake family seems to have a lot of relatives in the States, were those people that had lived here for a while and then the family migrated back?
Trudy Lake
Harvey’s Father - Leonard Lake had 11 brothers and sisters and yes some of them had moved to the states to work and live.
Harvey’s sister also lived in the United States, in Wayland Massachusetts and later in Cape Cod. She was a great letter writer and had sent me many informative cards and letters over the years as I tried to keep in touch and send her news and pictures of Avondale.
Billy’s brother Wilfred and 4 of his sisters also moved to the states to work and live.
Once Grace – Billy’s mother passed away in 1967 at age 54, two of younger sisters also moved to the states to live with an older sister .. The only time all 14 Lake children were together at one time was at their mother’s funeral 1967.
Tacha Reed
I was just curious because I know in some cases when the Planters came in 1760 some of them didn't like the life here and went back to the States, and I wondered if that family connection still existed at all for the Lakes?
Trudy Lake
I don't know the connection back that far .. I do know that Leonard Lake had many siblings that all lived in the United States which would have been 1870’s – 1920 era. They were all hard working individuals. It is written in a book and told that a neighbour once said – “Leonard was such an honest man who would never cheat a neighbour in work nor money”.
Leonard Lake’s mother was Barbara (Crowell) ..who married Stephen Lake when she was only 16 and had the 12 children, they were poor and lived a hard farm life … She was a very religious praying Baptist. They separated much later in life and Barbara moved to US to live with her daughters there.
Harvey Lake’s Mother Edith Emma Harvey also had sisters and brothers that went to United states to live as well. So yes there would have been relatives there I am sure.
I have always been taken with the fact that Edith named her first son - Harvey Parsons Lake from her own Maiden Name - Harvey
Edith Emma Ancestral Chart
Tacha Reed
When did you and Billy move to Avondale?
Trudy Lake
We moved here to Avondale in 1985 after we moved home from out west in 1980 . We had started a family and plans were to raise our children in NS and hopefully Avondale. We did live in Windsor for first few years .. then bought the old homestead on New Town Road.
Harvey was no longer living in the house at that time. So our plans to bulid our dream home on the hill began. We had a blueprint of our house for 10 years before we built. We poured the basement and the driveway in 1984, built our house in ‘85. We moved into the unfinished home in Dec in the middle of the k-k-k-cold (laughter) and I have to tell you a little story. I worked at the bank at the time and dear Carolyn (Connors) would come in She said to me one day “Oh my goodness, Trudy, what are you building up there? You guys are going to freeze to death up there on that hill.” (laughter) .. and there are times it can be a bit chilly.
Tacha Reed
I bet.
Tacha Reed
So, the Lake family had quite a bit to do with the starting of the museum, is that correct?
Trudy Lake
Not the Museum in general, But the Lake’s contributed a few thousand as part of the targeted fundraising campaign for the Tea Room.
The Museum / ARHS actually was born through Wharf Day celebrations .. when we would have the Avondale historical photos and info on display at the United Church basement location for the weekend. Families here would trust us to take items up there for a few days, set a little mini Historical Museum and folks would come and view all weekend. The Museum committee started with Myself, Kathy Bonang, Judy Tamsett, Christie Sheehy, Hugh and Allison (MacNeil). Allison helped us with set up some of displays People were so very interested with the great photos, etc . (Have some of those Pictures and set up from 1995)
At that time we were full of energy and Wharf days was 3 day event, the entire weekend. We had a youth group in Avondale at the time with 20 children, where they had made Go carts, and there would be races Sat morning down the hill from the hall to the corner. Road was closed for couple hours. The Avondale Hall strawberry supper and Dance.Sat nite The wharf area was a flurry of activity with Horseshoe tournament, Ox Pulls, boat rides, dunk tanks , dog show. One year we had the little house of Kevin (Bonang) and Kathy's set up to use for an Acadian Lunch room with all the Historical costumes and Acadian Menu.
Tacha Reed
Oh really?
Trudy Lake
And then from all that -Hugh McNeil was instrumental in forming our official committee and developing permission from Waldo and Gail (Berggen) to use the front of their house for a museum ( just across the road from wharf). This was just one room we fixed up on the left hand side if you're looking at the front of the old house there, plus a little paint job on the outside. Hugh was the key in developing the proposals for funding to start the museum / and of course the Building of the famous Avon Spirit / Boat building. So yeah, many folks have been on the committee over time, but the museum idea was all started really through Wharf Celebration.
When did you and Billy move to Avondale?
Trudy Lake
We moved here to Avondale in 1985 after we moved home from out west in 1980 . We had started a family and plans were to raise our children in NS and hopefully Avondale. We did live in Windsor for first few years .. then bought the old homestead on New Town Road.
Harvey was no longer living in the house at that time. So our plans to bulid our dream home on the hill began. We had a blueprint of our house for 10 years before we built. We poured the basement and the driveway in 1984, built our house in ‘85. We moved into the unfinished home in Dec in the middle of the k-k-k-cold (laughter) and I have to tell you a little story. I worked at the bank at the time and dear Carolyn (Connors) would come in She said to me one day “Oh my goodness, Trudy, what are you building up there? You guys are going to freeze to death up there on that hill.” (laughter) .. and there are times it can be a bit chilly.
Tacha Reed
I bet.
Tacha Reed
So, the Lake family had quite a bit to do with the starting of the museum, is that correct?
Trudy Lake
Not the Museum in general, But the Lake’s contributed a few thousand as part of the targeted fundraising campaign for the Tea Room.
The Museum / ARHS actually was born through Wharf Day celebrations .. when we would have the Avondale historical photos and info on display at the United Church basement location for the weekend. Families here would trust us to take items up there for a few days, set a little mini Historical Museum and folks would come and view all weekend. The Museum committee started with Myself, Kathy Bonang, Judy Tamsett, Christie Sheehy, Hugh and Allison (MacNeil). Allison helped us with set up some of displays People were so very interested with the great photos, etc . (Have some of those Pictures and set up from 1995)
At that time we were full of energy and Wharf days was 3 day event, the entire weekend. We had a youth group in Avondale at the time with 20 children, where they had made Go carts, and there would be races Sat morning down the hill from the hall to the corner. Road was closed for couple hours. The Avondale Hall strawberry supper and Dance.Sat nite The wharf area was a flurry of activity with Horseshoe tournament, Ox Pulls, boat rides, dunk tanks , dog show. One year we had the little house of Kevin (Bonang) and Kathy's set up to use for an Acadian Lunch room with all the Historical costumes and Acadian Menu.
Tacha Reed
Oh really?
Trudy Lake
And then from all that -Hugh McNeil was instrumental in forming our official committee and developing permission from Waldo and Gail (Berggen) to use the front of their house for a museum ( just across the road from wharf). This was just one room we fixed up on the left hand side if you're looking at the front of the old house there, plus a little paint job on the outside. Hugh was the key in developing the proposals for funding to start the museum / and of course the Building of the famous Avon Spirit / Boat building. So yeah, many folks have been on the committee over time, but the museum idea was all started really through Wharf Celebration.
Floor Plan for "Museum for a Day" at the Avondale United Church, part of Wharf Days 1994
Wharf Day 1994 Map of Activities, created by Glenn Parker
Tacha Reed
So back to the wharf, I've seen some of the photos from, I think 1989, when you could barely even tell that there was a wharf there.
Trudy Lake
Yes, just a jut of rock out there.
Tacha Reed
And I have a feeling you had a lot to do with getting the ball rolling there as well.
Trudy Lake
Well, I think what happened there, once the announcement had come out that the federal government was going to remove all the wharves out on the Avon River as they were a liability. Billy immediately had pipe dreams of re-building this one in Avondale. He and Glen Parker approached Municipal council for their support of taking the allocated federal money of 13,000.00 dollars for a Rebuild. There was a bit of legal ramblings to get the money to provincial level then Municipal level before it came to pass. Avondale had strong community support and great volunteers. ( many Newspaper articles )
The municipality believed in this little community wholeheartedly, they supported and lobbied to have the money brought down provincially then municipal level. They would then be overseeing the project. Thirteen thousand dollars didn't seem like a lot of money but once the four local landowners agreed to donate 1500 logs it seemed possible ..- George Mounce, Andrew Bennett, Herb Connors and Kim Tamsett. The logs were all cut, debarked by hand and piled in like six different locations by volunteers in the local area. The logs would then be taken to the wharf by local individuals with tractors / machinery. The re-building of the wharf began in March 1991 with the grand opening first week July 1991.
I still have the information on final cost, in a little booklet where I use to keep track of hours and who worked . Everybody locally got together and put their backs together and the re-built wharf lasted 25 years .. 1991 - 2016
Tacha Reed
Wow, that's pretty fast.
So back to the wharf, I've seen some of the photos from, I think 1989, when you could barely even tell that there was a wharf there.
Trudy Lake
Yes, just a jut of rock out there.
Tacha Reed
And I have a feeling you had a lot to do with getting the ball rolling there as well.
Trudy Lake
Well, I think what happened there, once the announcement had come out that the federal government was going to remove all the wharves out on the Avon River as they were a liability. Billy immediately had pipe dreams of re-building this one in Avondale. He and Glen Parker approached Municipal council for their support of taking the allocated federal money of 13,000.00 dollars for a Rebuild. There was a bit of legal ramblings to get the money to provincial level then Municipal level before it came to pass. Avondale had strong community support and great volunteers. ( many Newspaper articles )
The municipality believed in this little community wholeheartedly, they supported and lobbied to have the money brought down provincially then municipal level. They would then be overseeing the project. Thirteen thousand dollars didn't seem like a lot of money but once the four local landowners agreed to donate 1500 logs it seemed possible ..- George Mounce, Andrew Bennett, Herb Connors and Kim Tamsett. The logs were all cut, debarked by hand and piled in like six different locations by volunteers in the local area. The logs would then be taken to the wharf by local individuals with tractors / machinery. The re-building of the wharf began in March 1991 with the grand opening first week July 1991.
I still have the information on final cost, in a little booklet where I use to keep track of hours and who worked . Everybody locally got together and put their backs together and the re-built wharf lasted 25 years .. 1991 - 2016
Tacha Reed
Wow, that's pretty fast.
Billy Lake working on the Avondale Wharf, 1991
Trudy Lake
The grand opening that year “ Wharf Day Celebration” was intended to be a one day only .. but when fifteen hundred people or more arrived we were so full of pride. It may of been the first time I ever wrote an article in the journal (see article / story of the grand opening day). But yeah, it was great and I don't think we pounded a nail in 25 years. However, we then kept that celebration going full steam for many years. It was a fundraiser for future projects like the lighthouse, Ball-field, hall repairs and upgrades.
The latest Re-build and Raising the height of this Avondale Wharf is another continuing story of Community Spirit with local Volunteers coming on board. I hope it is here to stay for many years as it is the only access to the our Avon River. The changes have been astronomical in terms of watching the Mud monster grow out there and the shorelines on this side slip away since the causeway in 1970. We used to walk on the rocky beach from here one time.
Tacha Reed
Yeah, you must really notice it, you have been here a long time and can actually see the affects.
Trudy Lake
OMG Yeah, when we first moved here in 1985 there were busloads of children that came here every spring and fall from Halifax / plus Rocks and Fossil tours lead from Dalhousie University coming to see all the fossils on the beach below us. (See the brochure and news clipping)
The many school trips, lots of children with their little backpacks. There’d be 20 or 30 children, maybe 5 or 6 busloads a year. They would walk along the beach, come back with their little backpacks full (leaning back) because they’d have all these little clear see-through rocks or fossil rocks in their packs. Those fossils are long gone now as the banks have all collapsed due to rising waters. I have always used the analogy that if you take your toilet which holds 5 gallons of water, put a brick in the back every single day and flush it, then repeat, you will soon get sick of that water flowing out on your floor. Seems that is what happening here on our river with the same billion tons of water coming in and out every day from the Bay of Fundy and there's just nowhere for it to go. The space is being blocked or filled in.
Our Tides flow in as fast as a galloping horse, hits this blocked wall at the causeway contributing to the growth of the mud monster. I've seen tremendous changes. We have walked out there many many times and now there is a mountain of Mud in the middle of the River. We actually had a 40 Foot boat in Hantsport in the 80’s, and we would come up to the causeway in morning tides, sit about 10-20 feet off of the (Windsor) causeway and have breakfast on the boat. That same spot there is now filled in and some seem to think it now a bird sanctuay !. So yeah, I've seen that all happen over the past 50 years.
Tacha Reed
I imagine.
The grand opening that year “ Wharf Day Celebration” was intended to be a one day only .. but when fifteen hundred people or more arrived we were so full of pride. It may of been the first time I ever wrote an article in the journal (see article / story of the grand opening day). But yeah, it was great and I don't think we pounded a nail in 25 years. However, we then kept that celebration going full steam for many years. It was a fundraiser for future projects like the lighthouse, Ball-field, hall repairs and upgrades.
The latest Re-build and Raising the height of this Avondale Wharf is another continuing story of Community Spirit with local Volunteers coming on board. I hope it is here to stay for many years as it is the only access to the our Avon River. The changes have been astronomical in terms of watching the Mud monster grow out there and the shorelines on this side slip away since the causeway in 1970. We used to walk on the rocky beach from here one time.
Tacha Reed
Yeah, you must really notice it, you have been here a long time and can actually see the affects.
Trudy Lake
OMG Yeah, when we first moved here in 1985 there were busloads of children that came here every spring and fall from Halifax / plus Rocks and Fossil tours lead from Dalhousie University coming to see all the fossils on the beach below us. (See the brochure and news clipping)
The many school trips, lots of children with their little backpacks. There’d be 20 or 30 children, maybe 5 or 6 busloads a year. They would walk along the beach, come back with their little backpacks full (leaning back) because they’d have all these little clear see-through rocks or fossil rocks in their packs. Those fossils are long gone now as the banks have all collapsed due to rising waters. I have always used the analogy that if you take your toilet which holds 5 gallons of water, put a brick in the back every single day and flush it, then repeat, you will soon get sick of that water flowing out on your floor. Seems that is what happening here on our river with the same billion tons of water coming in and out every day from the Bay of Fundy and there's just nowhere for it to go. The space is being blocked or filled in.
Our Tides flow in as fast as a galloping horse, hits this blocked wall at the causeway contributing to the growth of the mud monster. I've seen tremendous changes. We have walked out there many many times and now there is a mountain of Mud in the middle of the River. We actually had a 40 Foot boat in Hantsport in the 80’s, and we would come up to the causeway in morning tides, sit about 10-20 feet off of the (Windsor) causeway and have breakfast on the boat. That same spot there is now filled in and some seem to think it now a bird sanctuay !. So yeah, I've seen that all happen over the past 50 years.
Tacha Reed
I imagine.
Tacha Reed
Kings Wharf, do you recall it being more exposed in the past?
Trudy Lake
Yes .. It was probably another four feet above the grass level when we first moved here. Our boat could come in on the end at one time as there was a (place) for Billy to tuck it in behind there. That wharf was still well intact up to a point . Billy’s father said after the gypsum stopped, apparently folks cut a lot of the rafters off at the top. .. But yeah, that was way before my time. I so love seeing the pictures of how enormous that Kings Wharf was, how that was built back in 1800’s with a rail line that went out to the end to load those 3 mast schooners.
Tacha Reed
When you look at Google Earth, you can still see like this little line.
Trudy Lake
Oh, Really?
Tacha Reed
And when you compare it to the Avondale Wharf, the Avondale Wharf is like an eighth of it-
Trudy Lake
Oh yeah, I have a picture of the Kings Wharf and a few men working at the bottom, this would have been like the late 1800s, at the turn of the century and they are 11 men, some with shovels and wheel barrels in this picture. I'll show you later. Looks like there were reinforcing a crib base on the bottom for those boats to set on at low tide. Yeah, very interesting indeed.
I think you probably have that research online that says 80% of the people left Avondale when the shipbuilding era was over.
Kings Wharf, do you recall it being more exposed in the past?
Trudy Lake
Yes .. It was probably another four feet above the grass level when we first moved here. Our boat could come in on the end at one time as there was a (place) for Billy to tuck it in behind there. That wharf was still well intact up to a point . Billy’s father said after the gypsum stopped, apparently folks cut a lot of the rafters off at the top. .. But yeah, that was way before my time. I so love seeing the pictures of how enormous that Kings Wharf was, how that was built back in 1800’s with a rail line that went out to the end to load those 3 mast schooners.
Tacha Reed
When you look at Google Earth, you can still see like this little line.
Trudy Lake
Oh, Really?
Tacha Reed
And when you compare it to the Avondale Wharf, the Avondale Wharf is like an eighth of it-
Trudy Lake
Oh yeah, I have a picture of the Kings Wharf and a few men working at the bottom, this would have been like the late 1800s, at the turn of the century and they are 11 men, some with shovels and wheel barrels in this picture. I'll show you later. Looks like there were reinforcing a crib base on the bottom for those boats to set on at low tide. Yeah, very interesting indeed.
I think you probably have that research online that says 80% of the people left Avondale when the shipbuilding era was over.
Kings Wharf, courtesy of Trudy Lake.
Kings Wharf at low tide, around the turn of the 20th century. Artifact #D995-01-01D
Kings Wharf at low tide, around the turn of the 20th century. Artifact #D995-01-01E
Kings Wharf at high tide, around the turn of the 20th century. Artifact #D995-01-01H
Tacha Reed
Yeah, because this (pointing to the surrounding wooded area) is called New Town Road.
Trudy Lake
Yes, that’s right, New Town Road, because they had this laid out as a town originally at one time. There used to be many houses here in this hamlet. I have an envelope with a piece of plaster from the old Mosher house that was tore down in 1929. It was just there on our property, just up above where the pine trees are. This house was 2 story and had three dormers on the front of the house. Billy's aunt had this envelope in her belongings and so they passed it on to me. There are four pictures, one from every side of the house, plus a piece of plaster she wrote on it that it was torn down in 1929. Yeah. there would have been children her age that lived there perhaps, Mosher was the name and he was a sea captain and just never returned. And there was another house that same size on the other side. So there was two monster houses up there and there was a house at the bottom of our driveway. There was a house, where of course Billy's father lived, where Devin (Lake) lives now. There was probably three or four houses just in the field down below. When you look at the photos you can see them all Time changes everything, especially in a hundred year span.
Yeah, because this (pointing to the surrounding wooded area) is called New Town Road.
Trudy Lake
Yes, that’s right, New Town Road, because they had this laid out as a town originally at one time. There used to be many houses here in this hamlet. I have an envelope with a piece of plaster from the old Mosher house that was tore down in 1929. It was just there on our property, just up above where the pine trees are. This house was 2 story and had three dormers on the front of the house. Billy's aunt had this envelope in her belongings and so they passed it on to me. There are four pictures, one from every side of the house, plus a piece of plaster she wrote on it that it was torn down in 1929. Yeah. there would have been children her age that lived there perhaps, Mosher was the name and he was a sea captain and just never returned. And there was another house that same size on the other side. So there was two monster houses up there and there was a house at the bottom of our driveway. There was a house, where of course Billy's father lived, where Devin (Lake) lives now. There was probably three or four houses just in the field down below. When you look at the photos you can see them all Time changes everything, especially in a hundred year span.
Kings Wharf at high tide with the homes of New Town Road pictured in behind, around the turn of the 20th century. Artifact #D995-01-02I
Tacha Reed
I was wondering if maybe you could tell me a little bit about the origins of the lighthouse?
Trudy Lake
Oh, yeah, that's kind of an interesting story.
Tacha Reed
I asked West Hants (staff) about it once many years ago and they were like, “we don't know, it just appeared one day” and I’m like, I don't think it just appeared, but I need to find out more about this (laughter).
Trudy Lake
Because none of the people on council now would have been there when that was built. I can't tell you the exact year, when we put the lighthouse there. We'd had Wharf Days, you know, for a few years, and we'd always borrow one of the farmers hay wagons as a stage.. We would put the hay and the big banners on it. One year we had Molson Brewery, whoever would sponsor Wharf Days, we didn't care. (laughter). We always had sponsors, and their names would be along the front of the hay wagons. It was kind of- a real fair back in the day. We thought about a permanent stage.
Billy and I had gone for a drive. Now, it's gonna leave me the name of the place (Shediac, New Brunswick). and there behold, right in the middle of town is this lovely lighthouse stage, and it's in a park! So we took photos. I am sure I still have all the photos in my items here. We come home and I'll never forget, Bill said “we’re going to build this here, it will be perfect. It's got the stage, the lighthouse, it’ll be great for events…”. So we went to the municipality at the time, and applied a small grant to start building. It wasn't enough, so we raised more money around the community, which we were famous for back then.
I was wondering if maybe you could tell me a little bit about the origins of the lighthouse?
Trudy Lake
Oh, yeah, that's kind of an interesting story.
Tacha Reed
I asked West Hants (staff) about it once many years ago and they were like, “we don't know, it just appeared one day” and I’m like, I don't think it just appeared, but I need to find out more about this (laughter).
Trudy Lake
Because none of the people on council now would have been there when that was built. I can't tell you the exact year, when we put the lighthouse there. We'd had Wharf Days, you know, for a few years, and we'd always borrow one of the farmers hay wagons as a stage.. We would put the hay and the big banners on it. One year we had Molson Brewery, whoever would sponsor Wharf Days, we didn't care. (laughter). We always had sponsors, and their names would be along the front of the hay wagons. It was kind of- a real fair back in the day. We thought about a permanent stage.
Billy and I had gone for a drive. Now, it's gonna leave me the name of the place (Shediac, New Brunswick). and there behold, right in the middle of town is this lovely lighthouse stage, and it's in a park! So we took photos. I am sure I still have all the photos in my items here. We come home and I'll never forget, Bill said “we’re going to build this here, it will be perfect. It's got the stage, the lighthouse, it’ll be great for events…”. So we went to the municipality at the time, and applied a small grant to start building. It wasn't enough, so we raised more money around the community, which we were famous for back then.
Tacha Reed
When did they put the ball field in?
Trudy Lake
That was the first thing we did, even before the wharf. We moved here it was all high grass. You couldn't mow it, you know, it was very difficult. George (Mounce) agreed to allow the community to use it. So we thought to do it properly, we would have it graded up with a dozer and place some sod so it was nice and flat. The community donated $ either 50 or $100. Back then it was cost maybe $500 total to complete the ball field, as it was volunteer labour and donated equipment once again. So yes that was the first thing we had done. George Mounce kindly signed that land over to the Municipality to ensure that it would remain a community recreation area for Avondale.
When did they put the ball field in?
Trudy Lake
That was the first thing we did, even before the wharf. We moved here it was all high grass. You couldn't mow it, you know, it was very difficult. George (Mounce) agreed to allow the community to use it. So we thought to do it properly, we would have it graded up with a dozer and place some sod so it was nice and flat. The community donated $ either 50 or $100. Back then it was cost maybe $500 total to complete the ball field, as it was volunteer labour and donated equipment once again. So yes that was the first thing we had done. George Mounce kindly signed that land over to the Municipality to ensure that it would remain a community recreation area for Avondale.
Newport Landing Waterfront Park during the launch of the Avon Spirit, 1997
Trudy Lake
Anyway the lighthouse, we had a few more donations / fundraisers to finish the project. People would come by help Billy when they could as it was all volunteer labour This was in 1995 and finished for wharf day that year. Billy’s brother-in-law who did metal work in the States, built the Avon Spirit weathervane for the top and installed it. Wilfred Lake also home from US did a lot of the metal trim work / welding up on the top. Everyone just chipped in until it was all finished. So of course, over time the wood structure got bad on the bottom, because they used those big railway ties underneath, so needed some work after 25 years. Great to see All new again.
Tacha Reed
Still took 25 years though (laughter).
Trudy Lake
So then we had the idea of opening the door so that we could have the canteen. So it just served all purposes, you know, we had a freezer in there, a little fridge and a canteen was born. Local community people like Vivian (Feltham) and Gail (Berggen), my mother, her friends other community volunteers would all work in the canteen during Wharf Days, it was great fun. We had the music on stage of course so was like the backstage performance area.
Anyway the lighthouse, we had a few more donations / fundraisers to finish the project. People would come by help Billy when they could as it was all volunteer labour This was in 1995 and finished for wharf day that year. Billy’s brother-in-law who did metal work in the States, built the Avon Spirit weathervane for the top and installed it. Wilfred Lake also home from US did a lot of the metal trim work / welding up on the top. Everyone just chipped in until it was all finished. So of course, over time the wood structure got bad on the bottom, because they used those big railway ties underneath, so needed some work after 25 years. Great to see All new again.
Tacha Reed
Still took 25 years though (laughter).
Trudy Lake
So then we had the idea of opening the door so that we could have the canteen. So it just served all purposes, you know, we had a freezer in there, a little fridge and a canteen was born. Local community people like Vivian (Feltham) and Gail (Berggen), my mother, her friends other community volunteers would all work in the canteen during Wharf Days, it was great fun. We had the music on stage of course so was like the backstage performance area.
The Full Circle Festival, as captured by Avondale denizen, Ken Greer
Tacha Reed
Well, hopefully this summer we can bring some of that vibe back with our plans for Sofa Sundays. We’ve moved Artisans in Action to the third Sunday and put them together. So we're going to hopefully, when the weather's good, have music on the lighthouse stage and kind of have a little mini Wharf Day vibe once a month.
Trudy Lake
It was great and there was lots of people that attended, you know, from all over. People planned their vacation to come home around Wharf Days. Any of our visitors that would come, like Billy’s family and others from Avondale would all come during Wharf Day.
Tacha Reed
It would be nice if we could get some of that interest back again.
Trudy Lake
I know, it would. We always ended with the big dance Sat night. We would be full to the rafters (laughter) no tickets as they would be all sold out early. If the hall held 100 people, we tried to squeeze like 110 in, so it would be just rocking up there.
Well, hopefully this summer we can bring some of that vibe back with our plans for Sofa Sundays. We’ve moved Artisans in Action to the third Sunday and put them together. So we're going to hopefully, when the weather's good, have music on the lighthouse stage and kind of have a little mini Wharf Day vibe once a month.
Trudy Lake
It was great and there was lots of people that attended, you know, from all over. People planned their vacation to come home around Wharf Days. Any of our visitors that would come, like Billy’s family and others from Avondale would all come during Wharf Day.
Tacha Reed
It would be nice if we could get some of that interest back again.
Trudy Lake
I know, it would. We always ended with the big dance Sat night. We would be full to the rafters (laughter) no tickets as they would be all sold out early. If the hall held 100 people, we tried to squeeze like 110 in, so it would be just rocking up there.
Wharf Day 1994 Memories, collected by Trudy Lake
Tacha Reed
So you said it was sponsored, do you remember any of the sponsors?
Trudy Lake
The sponsors are all listed on the wharf day programs. We had many sponsors for different events for prizes, to build go carts, sponsor the strawberry supper, the fireworks, etc.
We had a youth group, Avondale Loop Youth Group - every other Saturday we would do some type of adventure. We took them to Mockingee in the summertime, we’d either go camping, hiking, or mud sliding, etc.. and there would be some fun thing at hall every odd Tuesday, Maybe games and you know, whatever. We had 15 – 20 children .. Folks would just drive up, drop their kids off and come back. (laughter) all for Two dollars.
Tacha Reed
(laughter) Wow. What a great deal. (laughter)
Trudy Lake
Anyway, so that youth group, of course, it was Butch (Sheehy), Billy and Glenn, and they had the idea of building go carts. So four sponsors. Trans Canada Credit, Pothiers Motors, Hawbolts and Burgess Esso I think. … I’d have to look at the pictures. Anyway, we even had their license plates to put on them. Races were on Wharf Day . - from the Avondale Hall driveway, to the bottom of the hill. Glen Parker had the (laughter) microphones /speaker- “Now car number 14 is in the lead …” and they would race would last most of morning . We had trophies and ribbons. We tried to do race on the hill coming from the Mounce’s like halfway down Chip Hill to the wharf, but it was too steep..too fast …
Tacha Reed
Scared they’d shoot out into the water? (laughter)
Trudy Lake
(laughter) They needed a gradual decline at the bottom, so that one worked the best. So two at a time would race together. Then after Wharf Days, we still had those go carts around so we decided that we would auction them off. So, I don't know if Dawson (Sheehy) has one or not. I forget who won them. But anyway, those kids were happy when they got those carts.
Tacha Reed
It would be wild to track one of those down, we could have it on exhibit for the summer, it would be great.
Trudy Lake
And of course they- You know, with their feet, right? (indicates pedaling) Yeah, it was great. So yeah, we were busy.
So you said it was sponsored, do you remember any of the sponsors?
Trudy Lake
The sponsors are all listed on the wharf day programs. We had many sponsors for different events for prizes, to build go carts, sponsor the strawberry supper, the fireworks, etc.
We had a youth group, Avondale Loop Youth Group - every other Saturday we would do some type of adventure. We took them to Mockingee in the summertime, we’d either go camping, hiking, or mud sliding, etc.. and there would be some fun thing at hall every odd Tuesday, Maybe games and you know, whatever. We had 15 – 20 children .. Folks would just drive up, drop their kids off and come back. (laughter) all for Two dollars.
Tacha Reed
(laughter) Wow. What a great deal. (laughter)
Trudy Lake
Anyway, so that youth group, of course, it was Butch (Sheehy), Billy and Glenn, and they had the idea of building go carts. So four sponsors. Trans Canada Credit, Pothiers Motors, Hawbolts and Burgess Esso I think. … I’d have to look at the pictures. Anyway, we even had their license plates to put on them. Races were on Wharf Day . - from the Avondale Hall driveway, to the bottom of the hill. Glen Parker had the (laughter) microphones /speaker- “Now car number 14 is in the lead …” and they would race would last most of morning . We had trophies and ribbons. We tried to do race on the hill coming from the Mounce’s like halfway down Chip Hill to the wharf, but it was too steep..too fast …
Tacha Reed
Scared they’d shoot out into the water? (laughter)
Trudy Lake
(laughter) They needed a gradual decline at the bottom, so that one worked the best. So two at a time would race together. Then after Wharf Days, we still had those go carts around so we decided that we would auction them off. So, I don't know if Dawson (Sheehy) has one or not. I forget who won them. But anyway, those kids were happy when they got those carts.
Tacha Reed
It would be wild to track one of those down, we could have it on exhibit for the summer, it would be great.
Trudy Lake
And of course they- You know, with their feet, right? (indicates pedaling) Yeah, it was great. So yeah, we were busy.
Trudy Lake
So yeah, going back to the lighthouse, it is great to see it all spiffed up red roof with the green lights on every nite .
Tacha Reed
Oh, it looks so nice, the red and white.
Trudy Lake
Yes.
Tacha Reed
Before the colours had just gotten so faded that it really kind of just blended into the background, but now it's “pow”… although I wish there was a different light, I’m not a fan of the green.
Trudy Lake
Oh, I love that green.
Tacha Reed
You love that green? I’m glad you do.(laughter)
Trudy Lake
It has to be green or red.
Tacha Reed
Yeah. Yeah. (laughter)
Trudy Lake
Or maybe it could just be clear.
Tacha Reed
Yeah, I think a nice bright clear light would be nice.
Trudy Lake
Yeah, it could change, it's just a floodlight. I had gone down when they were redoing that and I asked him if he would see if they worked, and he said, “I don't think they're on” because he said “none of them is coming on, but I'll check.” So the next day I'm on my way to work, I drive back down to the electrician again. He said, “I did get that light to work up there.” I forget what was wrong. Anyway, he said “Do they use them?” I said, “Well, no, not now, but unfortunately, someone took the light off the end of our wharf, broke it off, so it’s gone, so there needs to be a light here if someone is out there in the water.” So Electrician has the lights to come on and off at a certain time. So it's perfect.
Tacha Reed
It's looking really good down there, it's a really special spot.
Trudy Lake
It is for sure. As you know, I've lived here a long time, I have literally watched thousands of people drive down there, sit out on the end of that wharf. On a nice evening, guaranteed that bench is like magic, people have been engaged there, married there and now we have Yoga there... Yeah, it really is a special spot for many to enjoy.
So yeah, going back to the lighthouse, it is great to see it all spiffed up red roof with the green lights on every nite .
Tacha Reed
Oh, it looks so nice, the red and white.
Trudy Lake
Yes.
Tacha Reed
Before the colours had just gotten so faded that it really kind of just blended into the background, but now it's “pow”… although I wish there was a different light, I’m not a fan of the green.
Trudy Lake
Oh, I love that green.
Tacha Reed
You love that green? I’m glad you do.(laughter)
Trudy Lake
It has to be green or red.
Tacha Reed
Yeah. Yeah. (laughter)
Trudy Lake
Or maybe it could just be clear.
Tacha Reed
Yeah, I think a nice bright clear light would be nice.
Trudy Lake
Yeah, it could change, it's just a floodlight. I had gone down when they were redoing that and I asked him if he would see if they worked, and he said, “I don't think they're on” because he said “none of them is coming on, but I'll check.” So the next day I'm on my way to work, I drive back down to the electrician again. He said, “I did get that light to work up there.” I forget what was wrong. Anyway, he said “Do they use them?” I said, “Well, no, not now, but unfortunately, someone took the light off the end of our wharf, broke it off, so it’s gone, so there needs to be a light here if someone is out there in the water.” So Electrician has the lights to come on and off at a certain time. So it's perfect.
Tacha Reed
It's looking really good down there, it's a really special spot.
Trudy Lake
It is for sure. As you know, I've lived here a long time, I have literally watched thousands of people drive down there, sit out on the end of that wharf. On a nice evening, guaranteed that bench is like magic, people have been engaged there, married there and now we have Yoga there... Yeah, it really is a special spot for many to enjoy.
The bench on the Avondale Wharf placed in memory of Kristie Sheehy.
Image captured by Trudy Lake, March 2022
“This project has been made possible in part by the Documentary Heritage Communities Program offered by Library and Archives Canada / Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au Programme pour les collectivités du patrimoine documentaire offert par Bibliothèque et Archives Canada.”