Thanksgiving Day

A day of giving thanks to God is Thanksgiving Day. I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful that I have a God who loved me so much that he would look past all of my faults and all of my sin, to forgive me and save me. I am thankful that He has provided me food, clothing and shelter. He has given me a wonderful family, a sound mind, health and strength to move about independently of others. There are so many things that I could go on and on and there would not be enough time to tell everything. I am thankful for my brother (Clayton) being my pastor and for my sister-in-law (Betty). I am really thankful for the new relationship that I have with my younger sister. Veronica, if you read this, know this, that I love you and I thank God for you.

George Street in Amherstburg

By mejamison

If there was anything more fun than an amusement park, I would say living on George Street in Amherstburg in the 50's. The winter provided us with an opportunity to slide down the middle of the street on homemade sleds (cardboard from boxes). In the summer, my brother Clayton and other boys in town would compete in making their own go carts. They would use wheels and axels from off the baby buggies and old wood to build their go-carts. Then they would find different things to decorate them with, like tin cans and bottle caps. Broomstick handles would be used to push the carts from behind. The kids would line the street just like it was a real race. The cart that made it to the end of the block first would win. My brother for some reason would win the majority of the time and I think because he received a few tips from my Dad or older brother(I'm not sure).
I must say that my family members were hilarious at times, (I just might do a blog on them someday) but not now.

Amherstburg: Personal and family details.

Amherstburg: Personal and family details.

The Harrises: Cousin Don and family, Uncle Howard and family, Uncle Chester and family, Grandma and Grampa all lived in their own houses down the street. Lots of Hursts lived on King Street; Stewarts on Park; Wilsons and Handsors lived behind town, McCurdy's all over town. My friends coming up in Amherstburg were Jean, Lana, Donna, Brenda, Diane, Gloria and Emily.

My father pastored a church which was one block over from our house, Mount Zion Church of God in Christ. We walked to church and everywhere else in town: school, downtown, the park, museum etc... My father also was overseer to two other churches outside of the city under the leadership of the late Bishop C.L. Morton Sr. and my mother was a missionary to the Indian Reservations. So you see, they travelled a lot and most times we little ones were with them.

I forgot to mention that one of our friend's (Liz T's) father operated a ferry that he took back and forth to Boblo (an amusement park at that time) and sometimes he would let us ride over for free on his ferry. Lots of Detroiters would go to Boblo on the big boat, so it was very exciting and fun to go ride on the rides.

In the winter, my mother used to have us go outside and get some fresh fallen snow and she would make us snow cones. Most of the towns people were poor and these were the food services that we had in Amherstburg: milkman, iceman, vegetable man and egg lady. My father and his friends would go fishing and hunting to bring in the meats and he raised his own chickens. We would pick dandelions for greens. From time to time in the winter we would go to Bluefront Market (remember Bluefront?) to get some meats. We were flooded in the summer time with fresh fruits, fish and vegetables from the townspeople. You see, they all looked out for each other then. We got free bread and sweets and chips from the bakery. There were twelve in our family and ma would prepare food everyday to feed us, and aside from that she would bake a dessert a few times a week.

The one doctor in town (Dr. Hutchinson) would often make house calls if the patient could not come to the office.

I am once again requesting old photos: maybe of Bluefront, the Library, the theater, Park, Waterfront, Post Office, summertime photos of flowering trees, the church, high school, elementray school, family photos. Whatever you can contribute to this web will give viewers a picture of what a beautiful place Amherstburg was. Not only photos, but give descriptions of the photos and your input. Maybe you remember some things that I don't.

By mejamison

Amherstburg Fond Memories Continued

Amherstburg fond memories

I love it when fond memories return. My mind goes back to Amherstburg when they had the canning factory, and my aunt and cousin used to walk home with their aprons still on, carrying their lunch boxes. My father worked at the quarry (Brunermond) and everyday we would try to be the first to run and meet him because he always left a little of his lunch in his box. A lot of the adults either worked at the canning factory or Brunermond. Amherstburg sits right on the Detroit River across from Boblo... Hey! Remember Boblo Island? My brothers and their friends used to swim across the Detroit River to Boblo Island.

There was a museum that used to be a fort right on the waterfront with high hills that we used to run up and down; lots of trees and greenery with little steps and passages and flowers. What a beautiful place it was, especially to let your imagination run away with you. There was one public elementary and one public high school; one butcher shop, one shoe shop, one library. I think just about every child owed money to the library. There used to be a bakery and potato chip factory there and everyday they would set out barrels of day old potato chips and bread for the poor to take.

My father (Ernest Harris)would often go down to the waterfront with his minister associate and fish. Sometimes they would go to LaSalle, but we were permitted to go with him when he was in town.

I wish someone who lived in Amherstburg will find this blog and add comments and pictures to it, because there is so many good memories about Amherstburg.

By mejamison

Amherstburg As I Remember It

I think I would like to digress a little and go back to where I was born. Is there anyone from Amherstburg, Ontario reading this post? Any Burgers out there? Do you have any fond memories or photos of old Amherstburg that you would like to share?

As a child growing up in this what-was-once a small town, I have so many wonderful memories, even though I was still young when we moved from there. I remember the wonderful smell in the air in the spring with all the blossoming fruit trees; going to the convent and stealing the green apples from off of their trees, always narrowly escaping the watchful eyes of the nuns.

There was at the time one small theater and a park with a swimming pool where all the young people would go to swim or ice skate in the winter.

The population was so small that everyone knew just about everyone regardless of what race they were. I remember a house on George near Dalhousie Street (I think) hosting an ice rink in their back yard and allowing us to come and skate.

Our summer days would be filled with fun because the towns children would come over to George Street where we lived and would always be playing some sort of game or sport: hopscotch, skip, baseball; shoot the marble, drop the marble in a can, drop the knife; hide-n-go-seek, tag, or some other game like 'big step, little step' etc... We ALWAYS found some sort of way to have fun. The older children did not exclude the younger children, but we all participated in the games.

I remember the Parish Hall where once every so often there was a rummage sale and we would crowd those steps to be the first in line. I remember buying makeup and lipstick once and mother making me throw it away.

Remember Brown's Confectionary, and Bussy's Ice Cream Parlor?

So many thoughts coming to my rememberance (thank you God).

By mejamison

Babies

Today was my first day caring for a new 6 month old baby.

Babies are sheer joy...so innocent and pure. Keep them fed, changed, and burped and there's not a lot more to do but to hold and spoil them. Last year I tended to a one week old newborn, a one month old and a 1 year old at the same time. People would often ask how I was coping and my response was " love it". You don't have to be concerned with them objecting, or rebelling, or smart-mouthing. They are satisfied putting their complete trust in the one who is caring for them. I had my breaks when they napped, and they usually napped together.

At times, I would have both of the new babies in my arms at the same time feeding or just holding them. It is such a joy when they laugh or coo.

I still have the first children and I have pretty much taught them things to make my responsibility a little easier. It is a lot more of a responsibility now, but I know that if I can pretty much balance the feedings, keep their diampers changed, and keep them entertained, I won't have too much of a problem.

I'm still loving it!

By mejamison

Family

I was pleasantly surprised today to hear from a family member that I haven't heard from in quite some time. Families are tied together through bloodlines.

Thoughts:
It makes no difference whether family members are close or distant, there is still that bond through the blood. Sooo, whenever an opportunity arises to tighten that bond, one should not let it slip.

By mejamison