Page 27 - With Hilda Mleczko, Glace Bay

ISSUE : Issue 54

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1990/6/1

(I want to take you back to 1946. I want to know what you thought you were coming to--what you thought Glace Bay and Cape Breton were going to be like.) Oh. Well, the first thing, when we were on the boat--this is awful. Some man had come in, and he was asking us--it was a lec? ture, and we were all sitting around in a great big pile. And he was asking us what parts of Canada we were going to. He said, "I've been all over Canada, so I can tell you the general area." And he was asking this one and this one. And he said to me, "And what part of Canada are you coming to?" I said, "Glace Bay." He said, "Ooo, that's the garbage dump of Canada." Well, you imagine how I felt. You imagine how I felt, in the middle of '' the ocean, and that's said to me.... And I was in a store--oh, I couldn't get used to the fact you could go in a store and buy something without (rationing) cou? pons. And the food--I knew I'd come to a land of plenty. And then I was in--I think it was old Shore's store--it's gone now. One of the Jews' store--Shore. I was in there, waiting my turn. I always got to kind of gingerly ask, "Could I have a pan of sausages, please?" Like as if I got to whisper, you know. And there was one woman talking to another woman. And they were displeased over the cut of a roast of beef they had. They were complaining about the colour of it or the shape. And it took me all my energy and all my will power not to turn around and say to them--I was wanting to tell them, "How would you like, instead of that roast, to eat cat meat? Or cow's offal? And stand in line for one egg, or an ounce of cheese. How would you like that?" But I didn't say it. Because I like Cape Bretoners; they've been good to me. And they didn't know-- they didn't know what was going on (in England, during the war). But I did. I did. And that really--to hear them going on about the meat in the store--a piece of meat that I hadn't seen the size of for 5 or 6 years. It really got to me. Little things like that, you know. It's like--something like the rationing. I heard once--and this was in the war-- everything was rationed, but eggs were like gold. They were a very scarce commod? ity. And I remember it went around that this grocer had one box of eggs for sale, and one (to) a customer. Can you imagine? One egg a customer. So I went and stood in line, waiting my turn to get my egg. Fan? tasizing whether I'd have it fried or boiled or poached. I couldn't wait to lift that first delicious forkful to my mouth. Fantasizing, just like Disneyland. Well Overlooking the Margaree Valley at the Junction of Route 19 and the Cabot Trail A full-accommodation Lodge featuring: DINING ROOM LOUNGE SWIMMING POOL SPACIOUS ROOMS Take advantage of nearby recreation: BEACHES GOLF FAIRWAYS CAMPING FRESH AND SALT WATER FISHING HIKING The best of Nova Scotian musicians entertain in our lounge every weekend. Check with us to see who is playing, and drop in for an enjoyable evening. P.O. Box 550 MARGAREE FORKS Nova Scotia BOE 2A0 Phone (902) 238-2193, William F. Maclsaac, Manager RELAX IN THE BEAUTIFUL MARGAREE VALLEY mi SHOPPING CENTRES LTD. A&W; 539-7222 Olympic Shoe Repair 564-8112 Agnew Surpass 562-3129 Orange Julius 539-0134 Bank of Nova Scotia 539-6760 Radio Shack 539-4617 Bill's Pet Centre 539-2243 Reitman's 562-3177 Bi-Way 539-8860 Sam The Record Man Candy and Things 562-6292 Shoppers Drug Mart 562-1144 Carlton Cards 564-6531 Sobey's 562-1762 Cole's Book Store 539-6053 Sony Store 562-8811 Fun Villa Arcade 539-2215 Super Touch Fashions... 539-4454 Gals and Guys Suzy Shier 539-5538 Hairworks 539-1811 St. Cinnamon Bake Shop. 539-4900 Heather Bowling Centre. 562-2695 Take-A-Break 539-1908 Homemade Memories... 539-1794 Toys & Wheels 564-6256 Home Brew Centre 562-3035 Tim Horton's 539-4287 Lynn's Gifts 539-7273 Uncle Chow's 564-6487 Lord Fin 562-6745 Vanelli's Mrs 539-7882 Mark's Work Wearhouse. 539-0441 Zack's Frozen Yogurt 539-3550 Metropolitan 562-1134 Zeller's 539-5600 Munroe's Barber Shop Zip Photo 539-1539 HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. MALL OFFICE • PRINCE ST., SYDNEY, N. S. B1P 5K6 • 539-6912 HEAD OFFICE • 115 KING ST., STELLARTON, N.S. BOK ISO • 755-4440

Cape Breton's Magazine