In the fall of 1963,
I entered Grade Eight
in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
And among my many new friends
was an irrepressible bundle
of zany fun and energy,
the one and only Ronnie.
Always in the thick of things,
Ron was the life of every party.
Need I say that he was a popular
member of "Our Gang"?
This photo was taken
at a party at my home
on June 16, 1964.
Ron Tangled up with Renee and Mary
Here are a few more photos
from Ron's teenaged past:
Swimming at the Three Pools
was a favorite activity of ours,
especially after the long, hot
bike ride and hike to get there.
This photo was taken in
the early summer of 1964.
Ron Front and Center
Horsing Around in Wolfville
Pete, Ron, and David
Summer 1964 0r 1965
We had a lot of parties
at various homes!
Beside dancing and eating,
we had intense checkers
and chess games.
Bet that doesn't happen
at teenaged parties now!
And look how dressed-up we were!
Ron styling as always!
Party Checkers
Jayne, Ron, Renee, and Pete
Summer 1965
Our Gang at the Swinging Bridge
~ at least some of us!
Pete (standing), Ron, Barb, Bruce,
Jayne (standing), John, Lella, Margaret, Mary,
David (standing) and me (sitting on the bridge)
May 24, 1964
I moved a lot,
and I only lived in Wolfville that one year,
until I returned as a Freshette at Acadia University
in the fall of 1967.
Ron and I had summer jobs at Acadia's library
in the summer of 1968 ~
when I was too poor to take photos,
let alone develop them!
He was still cute, still styling, and still
a bundle of energy and fun.
We ended up in two countries
on opposite sides of the continent,
but I never forgot him.
And thanks to computers and the internet,
we reconnected over two years ago!
It was the reset of a great friendship.
And then, last summer, we met in person again!
Ron, Me, and Jim
Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia
Summer 2014
Wishing you
the best of birthdays,
and many more,
and many more,
my friend!
Can't wait to see you
again next summer!
Ron, Sophie, Jim, and my sister Barb
MacDonald Hill
Near Lawrencetown Beach, N.S.
Summer 2014
Ron and Sophie with Mr. Orangie
MacDonald Hill
Near Lawrencetown Beach, N.S.
Summer 2014
It features the equally one and only Ms. Sophie Doodle!
Ron is the person who pushed me into blogging!
Sophie with Mr. Orangie
MacDonald Hill
Near Lawrencetown Beach, N.S.
Summer 2014
How fun is this!! What a great story-- love the "vintage" photos!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday dear Ron!!
Vicki
Thanks, Vicki! My few black and white "vintage" photos are some of my most valuable things! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThank you Louise.
ReplyDeleteYou just don't know.....then again, I think you do.
I do know, Jim! Can't wait to see you, too, my friend! Your tribute to Ron was lovely, as always!
DeleteOMG, what are you doing to me.......I'm a quivering mess.....in a GOOD way of course......it's just that when something works well it really works. I truly loved that year when we all hung out, so innocent so pure and so much fun.
ReplyDeleteSophie of course loves you too...........'cause she told me so!!
Many many thanks and I certainly can't wait for summer to arrive.
Ron
:) Birthday Boy! It was a wonderful time! The best year of "high school" for me, even if it was only 8th grade! I can only find some of my Wolfville photos because I'm in the middle of a massive photo project. One step at time. One step at a time! Have a great week!
DeleteLouise!
DeleteI just put some retro pics up on FB and YOU are in them!!
ENJOY!!
The internet sure helps out with reconnecting indeed. Sounds like a great year and great visit home. Sophie looks to be having fun to.
ReplyDeleteMy year in Wolfville was probably the best year I ever had in school, Pat! What a great group of kids I had as friends! It's always wonderful to go back to Wolfville and walk its streets and the grounds of Acadia. Hope you're having a good Monday!
DeleteWhat a beautiful photoprogression, and so well captioned. I spent those years in rural California and know the importance of a stabilizing gang of kindred souls. As to Ron, I can see that effortless look that says "Where ever I am, THAT'S the place to be." In other words, Ron's cool and still is. Too many of my early friends have wandered away in this strange new world, but I remember them fondly and am proud to be part of their pasts. In contact with so many of your life-long friends, I congratulate you, Fundy Blue --and maybe envy you just a little. Thanks for the good vibes here!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see you, Geo! Thanks for your kind comment. It was a magic time and place, and I am so happy to count Ron among my good friends! I hope you and Norma have had a great start to the new year!
DeleteYes, I remember that photo of you posing with those two tall handsome fellows! The joy is evident in your faces.
ReplyDeleteLove that photo of you perched on that bridge! Will you do that now? Just wondering!
Happy Birthday to Ron!
Am I lucky or what! That day with Ron and Jim was one I'll never forget! I would still perch on the swinging bridge, but Ron told me that it has been torn down. I'm not sure why that happened, but it's sad to think of. Have a great week, Kay!
DeleteWhat a wonderful post, Louise! We all love Ron, and we all wish him a very happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteRight on, Martha! BTW, I love your new do!
DeleteAnother fantastic post, and I remember this photo as well. Happy birthday to Ron! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! Why share a happy photo just once is my creed! Have a great week!
Deleteas a military brat I'm somewhat envious of anyone that stayed at the same place for all their life..then the other part of me says ...noooo let me run free somewhere else..any where..just let me go.
ReplyDeleteHi Jackiesue! I moved around a lot too, so I get what you're saying. I was always making and leaving friends, sometimes two or three times a year. It was very hard and leaving my Wolfville gang was the hardest. But like you, I've got to run free! Happy running in this new year!
DeleteWhat a great and thoughtful post... looks like a lovely set of friends!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Ron!
Thanks, Dawna! Our friends are always in our hearts, even when separated by time and distance. Have a good one!
DeleteHow great that you two got in touch after all that time. Your friendship stood the test of time. I love the vintage photos of the gang.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peggy! This is what is so wonderful about the internet ~ You can reconnect. My nieces and nephews have lived all over the world, and they never have to be disconnected from their friends when they move. And through the internet, we can meet new and wonderful people all over the world. We truly live in an amazing time! I'm so glad I "met" you! Stay warm. I know it's getting cold in your neck of the woods!
DeleteHappy Birthday Ron, you youngster.
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile, Susie! Happy day to you!
DeleteBoy, those were the days, eh? Chess and checkers at teen parties, my oh my. How wonderful that you re-connected with Ron after all those years. And we who love to read your posts owe him a great debt of gratitude for encouraging you to start blogging!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Debra! I keep trying to get Terry to play chess, but he says he has to retire first! I wonder what his dodge will be when he does? Currently he's enjoying trouncing me at crib. I hope that you are surviving the deep freeze! Take care!
DeleteHow fun that you could meet again ... and weren't you all so stylish in the 60s! :)
ReplyDeleteI think my fashion sense peaked in the 60s! It's been downhill ever since! Have a good one, Sue!
DeleteHappy Birthday to Ron!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great how our technology and connectivity can help us find our friends? I am truly enjoying getting to know my high school friends as adults.
It sure looked like you packed a lot into your year in Wolfville!
Hey Dreaming! I'm loving how connectivity works today! I hope that you dodged the crud before Christmas! I was thinking of you! Have a great day!
DeleteIf not for our parents settling in BC after the war, I may have been tagging along, a skinny 9 year old wanting to hang out with the older kids. Happy Birthday, Ron. Loved reading of your adventures. Kudos, FB.
ReplyDeleteHi Joylene! Sorry, I missed replying when this popped up ~ got distracted! Do you have Wolfville connections? Did perhaps your parents go to Acadia? Have a good one!
DeleteI am humbled by all of your BEST WISHES!!
ReplyDeleteBirthdays come and go, but for some reason this 65th is sorta kinda monumental me thinks!
Sophie constantly licks me, she must feel for me!
Oh well, such is my life with my Doodle Dog Extraordinaire!!
Cheers Louise!!
Got you Xmas Card ~~ YAY!!
Ron
PS: check out the retro pics on my FB page.....you'll probably recognize a few of us!
Winks!
Hey Birthday Boy! You have been well celebrated, Ronnie! 65 is monumental! You are a wise old man ~ Just kidding! You may be wise, but you are anything but old! Maybe Sophie is licking you because you taste good ~ LOL! I'm glad you got the card. I was so off-track at Christmas, and I still haven't gotten back on. But I'm just letting it go. Noreen and Cathal (Terry's sister and BIL) gave us a portable, wireless speaker that hooks into Terry's iPad for Christmas. I'm SO-IN-LOVE with Pandora, especially the Van Morrison and Passenger radios! I found your retro pictures ~ what fun! Have a good one!
DeleteHello dear Fundy,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to meet up again with friends that mean something to you :)
Happy birthday to Ron, then!!
Much love, hugs from France!
Hi Noushka! I love the on-line world because it allows me to connect with friends old and new! Love and hugs right back at you!
DeleteLouise! That is so awesome. Ron looks just the same! I'm so thankful he did talk you into blogging because it just wouldn't be the same without you. Just seeing your name in my Inbox today made me so happy! Thanks for sharing this awesome story (complete with photos). XOXO!
ReplyDeleteIt's so great to see you back! I have missed your cheerful presence! Thank you, Audrey! XOXOX!
Delete