Chapter Eight

“Where

The Boys Meet!”

Saturdays to do their shopping. Their day began early at the Farmer’s

Market which was located on the site where the Confederation Center of the Arts now stands. Throughout the rest of the day people poured steadily in and out of town until the stores closed at nine o’clock in the evening. Most of the retail businesses in those days before shop- ping malls and chain stores were located right in the centre of town in a block facing the Farmer’s Market, and surrounded by Kent, Queen, Grafton and Great George Streets. There were more horses and buggies than cars being used then, and livery stables were more in use than garages. The area I’m talking about was nicknamed Dizzy Block because it was the custom for the people to walk around and around it. Friends and relatives from different parts of the Island would meet and catch up with the latest news and gossip; and, of course, it was a g00d place for boys and girls to meet.

Dad’s store and studio was a very popular stopping place. People were encouraged to participate if they had talent to offer. You got to the studio by going through the store to the converted shed out back. Probably one of the smallest studios ever, it housed an old upright piano, a microphone and as many chairs as could be squeezed in. There were I10 Windows, just a tiny peep-hole in the door and a glass panel to the Control room. The walls and ceiling were completely covered with an inexpensive soundproofing board material that unfortunately gave out a musty odour like the lingering smell of boiled cabbage when the

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It was the custom of Islanders in those days to come into town on