Lena Smith Centenary

It is an honour, challenge too

To capture time as past it flew

100 years is a long long time

Encapsulate in a short rhyme

A starting point, Lena a teen

If we were there what would be seen

New Liskeard was dynamic town

A frontier in much reknown

Lena was a lively lass

Very popular in class

Hearsay is she loved to dance

Kicked up her heals every chance

Alf too methinks a lively guy

Lena Morris caught his eye

Personality had both

Alf the one to pledge his troth

‘Yes or no’ she had to choose

Very soon they said ‘I do’s’

Depressions grip was taking hold

Time to place one’s faith in gold

Malartic was the place to be

A prosperous community

Everyone was neighbourly

A good place for a family.

Marj, Bill and Fran a happy group

Games & songs unless with croup

Curling, tennis, hockey too

They really were a sporty crew

The War disrupted things of course

Alf joined the Military Force

Alf absent Lena managed fine

To keep her Billy boy in line

The War over, High School loomed

Marj and Bill to Almonte zoomed

Leaving Lena / Fran behind

A peaceful life Fran did not mind

Then changes came both thick & fast

Fran went off to Almonte at last

Alf retired, a new career

In Brighton, highway 2 was near

Hospitality/service was the name

Alf & Lena learnt new game

Providing tourists place to stay

Filling tanks with gas all day

A busy life: Alf’s great P.R.

While Lena many ways the star

Keeping books and cooking food

Always seeming in good mood

Alf was friendly: loved to chat

Sports and politics: chew the fat

Summer thus was never quiet

Winter saw a change of diet

Kids off hand: No one to rear

Florida was the best place where

The sun was warm and also rain

In neat abode on Grapefruit Lane

Friends and family often came

Local community the same

Early bird special: Mels Diner spurned

Winter baseball & the ‘Dogs’ yearned

Sadly though ‘Old Father Time’

Dictated hiatus in this rhyme

Marj & Alf and Fran too were hurled

Into we hope a better world

Devastating though this loss

Lena managed to survive this cross

Clearly a model for us all

When adversity comes to call

Fast forward on to Brighton bound

Apartment and good friends around

Applefest where we are now

Active as nature will allow

From here survey a dynasty

Members of our family tree

Generations times three

Starting first with Alf and me.

I wish you all the joy I’ve had

More of the good less of the bad

Enjoy yor life – you’ve only one

Make most of it – have lots of fun.

Our wish Dear Lena is to see

Continued enhanced mobility

Keeping still your joie de vie

Breaking records - longevity