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Walter and Verla (Armitage) Haight

Come summer time and school was out the Haight children (Ruth, Don, Doris, Vera) got to go to the lake for most of the holidays. They hauled a caboose (cook car) up to the lake in 1939. It had homemade wooden bunks on each side for sleeping, a small 2 burner gas stove, small table and some dishes. To keep the perishables fresh, a hole was dug in the ground and a small barrel was put in the hole and covered with a good lid. When the food started running low they would borrow Mr. Henderson's boat and wooden pole, orange peel for bait and go fishing. Those little perch were delicious.

The caboose had to be removed from the lake so Don hauled to the museum in Unity and it rolled along on the original wheels.
When Grandma Haight took the grandchildren to the lake in the summer with small ones there was always a need for water. So to lighten the task of carrying water from the well which was near the booth it took a bit of ingenuity. An old baby buggy was left there so a 5 gallon cream can was put in the buggy. Next a harness was made for each kid and attached to the buggy. Grandma told them they were like a dog team and were told to act like dogs so they pulled the buggy to the well. While Grandma filled the water container the kids were lying on the ground puffing and panting like dogs. On the way back the oldest would steer the buggy and the rest pulled this contraption up the hill. One day going up the hill the can fell over and spilled all the water so they had to go back and repeat the whole performance. That can of water lasted all day.

2

Carrothers Cabin
Circa 1960
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Haight, Gloria

3

Memories of Atton's Lake
Gloria Haight

My first memories of the lake was when Mother and Dad (Erma and Charlie Carrothers) operated the booth. I wasn't in school so we would go out in May and get things ready. It was really camping as our living quarters was just a granary. However I didn't mind because it was great to be at the lake.

Dad would drive into North Battleford and pick up grocery supplies.

We didn't have far to go for water as the well was just outside our door.

As there was no electricity it was necessary to have ice to keep things fresh.

In the winter my Dad and my Uncle Vern Cameron would go down to the lake and cut big blocks of ice. They would then haul it up to a spot beside the booth and stack the bolcks. It was then covered with sawdust and straw and chicken wire wrapped around the blocks. Amazingly it lasted most of the summer season.

4

Cancelled Cheque for Cabin Purchase
July 25, 1946
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Haight, Gloria

5

In 1936 my folks built the store at Wilbert so there was a time that we didn't get to the lake. However Mother did go back out and run the booth for another few years.
I remember Mr. Henderson arriving at the lake and was a self proclaimed caretaker. Whether he got a wage I really can't say. He was a large man with only one arm but could he every swim. He could swim across the lake and back without any problem.

In 1946 Dad bought the little 24 square foot cabin from Mr. Jack Hamilton who was the station agent in Cut Knife. He paid $200 for it and was I ever excited. We could now go tot the lake any time we wanted. It was one of the first cabins at the lake and it had 2 inch drop cedar siding and on the lakeshore. Several years later we tore the little cabin down and built another just a bit bigger. Now with all the necessities it didn't seem like camping. Rent in 1961 was $10.00 per year.

6

Haight Family Renunion 1937
1937
Atton's Lake Campground; Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Haight, Gloria

7

The Cameron Clan

The Cameron Clan would meet on a Sunday in the summer and have a delicious picnic. Everyone brought food and the specialty for all us kids was Uncle Ross Cameron's homemade ice cream. He would bring all the ingredients and then we all took turns cranking on the ice cream maker.

After the picnic everyone had to play ball even Grandma Cameron took a swing at the ball.

In later years, Uncle Les Cameron came home with a fancy boat and we all lined up for a ride.

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Ball Game at Main Diamond
Circa 1960
Ball Diamond

Credits:
Haight, Gloria

9

Les Cameron with his new boat.
Circa 1960
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Haight, Gloria

10

When we were teenagers at the lake we always looked forward to the dance in the pavilion on Saturday night. Verna Phillips (Telford) and myself (Gloria) washed our hair and had it all done up in pincurls. Verle Kelly was visiting Roy and Ethel Dion so asked us if would like to go for a boat ride. We thought this would be a great way to get our hair dry out in the wind. So away we went. However Verle thought it would be great fun to chase the mud hens. However his turns were too sharp and we leaned the wrong way and over went the boat. Neigher ofus could swim and verle was recovering ffrom surgery but Verna go him around the nec and they stayed afloat. I was going down again when Mr. Perkins swam out and hauled me in.

Thank goodness we were fairly close to shore, but still in the 'hole'.

Needless to say our hair was far from dry and our watches were soaked as well.

Next door to us at the lake lived Mr. and Mrs. Hart. He was a jeweller from Wilkie so he took our watches and climbed up a tree and there they hung until dry and they started working again.

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Don Haight Painting the Cabin
Circa 1960
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Haight, Gloria

12

Several years later we tore the little cabin down and built another just a bit bigger. Now with all the necessities it didn't seem like camping. Rent in 1961 was $10.00 per year.

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Cabin Rent Receipt
July 24, 1961
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Haight, Gloria

14

Bill Halstead at Main Beach
circa 1960
Main Beach, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Haight, Gloria and Don