Cape Breton's Magazine

but we always knew we were allowed. He nev? er drank, my father never took a touch of liquor in his life. He'd drink a little wine at Christmas, that's all. But oh, busy, busy, busy Saturdays, and Friday evenings, in our house! (I bet!) Oh, gorgeous. My mother put more food out-- she'd find it somewhere. She'd make big lunches out of sliced onions and ketchup and bread! You know, you didn't have to have big feeds. Or cheese, or something. But oh, we had a lot of fun, lot of fun in our house in those days. And Dad in later years--when he gave up the choir, or they gave him up--the Sacred Heart Church--which would be in, around '49, I guess. He operated a little store on From Centre 200 to the #i'i* Mira auction and barbecue, V iSIl from the most modern '' . r'' motels to the homey w/Vl tZ comforts of bed- i-' i-' • ?-??-'% ' I and-breakfasts-- BRETON Cape Breton County meets your every f'''UKITY requirement. X'V'%' Cape Breton County is an excellent base for your visit to our island. Drive or hike beside our rivers, lakes, or seacoast. Enjoy the music and humour of our festivals, concerts, plays. Pick a beach for swimming ( clam-digging. Visit a museum or archives. Walk streets where soldiers marched and workers "stood the gaff." For more information contact: Mr. J. Cunningham, Executive Director, CAPE BRETON JOINT EXPENDfrURE BOARD County Administration BIdg., 865 Grand Lake Rd., Sydney, N.S. 81P6W2 TELEPHONE 1-902-564-5541 Cape Breton County • a County to Explore! OINTEX the corner of Terrace and Townsend. My brother, when he came home from the war, had a little money that he had saved, and he started this little corner store. And he didn't make a go of it because his girl? friend was living in Glace Bay, and he was working nights in the store, and he wasn't too happy with that. So he finally gave the store to Dad, and he went to Ontario to work. Dad had the store from about--I guess it was earlier than that--it was around '47, while he was still teaching. Five or six years he ran that little store. And made enough to feed us, from the little store--and teaching voice, in the house. And his health deteriorating all the time. He had a long, slow (period) of bad ill health. This disease he had. Krohn's Dis? ease, disease of the bowel. It was terri? ble. Like a cancer. And it was a slow, slow thing. Just kept tearing him down and mak? ing him feel rotten and cranky, and so on. Suffered--suffered terrible with it. Until it got the best of him. Those were the hard years, when he didn't have much money. But always put a good meal on the table. Always ate well. We had holes in our pants, you know, and things--but always ate well. But his musical career was--he was very well-known. M. J. Ballah, boy, could sing with the best of them. He loved to sing, loved to sing. All he lived for was singing. KIERAN BALLAH CONTINUES NEXT PAGE DAN ALEX MACLEOD ENTERPRISES LTD. Suppliers of Lobster Trap Material Sills * Bottom Laths * Laths * Door Cleats in botti Softwood arid Hardwood * "Service with a Smile!" * Phone 884-2794 Stirling, R. R. 1, Gabarus, Cape Breton Connors Office Products Typewriters * Typewriter Rentals * Photo Copy Service Drafting Supplies * Office Supplies * Calculators Artist Supplies * Laminating Service * Office Furniture GBC Punch & Bind Machines * Canon Personal Copiers A Your One-Stop Shop in Cape Breton! '' Phone (902) 562-7900 Fax # 539-8672 ' 350 Charlotte Street, Sydney Fully Licensed Restaurant cwow Van too '/mmimw' OPEN DAILY 11 A.M. to 1 A.M. FRI. and SAT. till 2 A.M. SUN. till MIDNIGHT Major Credit Cards Accepted Gift Certificates * Ample Parking Oriental and Canadian Cuisine in a relaxed and elegant dining atmospiiere Daily Luncheon Specials Banquet Facilities Available Take Out Orders Delivered A Warm Welcome Excellent Service and Fine Food '>460 Grand Lake Rd,, Sydney 562-0088 or 539-2825