half bushel of potatoes for dinner. Some of the boys would manage to cut a roast of beef from the frozen carcass that was hanging in an outer building. After dinner, the table cloth would be removed, washed, ironed, and placed back on the table before it was time for the next meal. At night, one of her brothers would carry a basket of lunches down to the train to feed the weary men.

Frolics were very common in these times, and occasionally, there were dances in the station-house. If the train was late, Reggie Peters would play the mouth organ and before long, an old-time set would be in progress.

Kay’s father played the violin; so often people would gather at her place. Music attracted party-goers, as well. As one person said, “We went anywhere where there were girls.” The school—house was a popular place for dances. The young and older went at seven o’clock, in the evening, and often arrived home at three in the morning.

Music was plentiful in Bear River, where the Chaisson and Burke families devoted time and their talents, helping the young people enjoy themselves.

Sometimes, pie socials were organized in the community. The girls brought Washington pies, decorated with tissue paper, which were put up for auction. The gentleman who purchased the pie expected to escort the young lady home who had baked the pie. Occasionally, the girl would skip out with someone else, thus causing some ill feelings.

Tea parties in Bear River were the highlight of the season. Every summer in July , a day was set aside for this event, when work stopped and people dressed in their best clothes and attended this social event

It was held in the field north of Gerard McCloskey’s residence. Music, dancing, meals, a cake—auction, a home-made bowling alley, and a swing for the children were a few of the activities that made the

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