Remembering our roots ~Chas & Marguerite Watson

Times Contributor

 

Chas’ grandfather’s family owned a china shop in the Grass Market in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was intrigued by the CPR and Canadian Government advertising Western Canada as the “land of milk and honey.” 

Plans were made and he immigrated to the Namaka District on his own in 1911. His wife was booked to travel on the Titanic in 1912 with their four children, but one of them became ill, so their passage was delayed a couple of weeks. How fortuitous!

Marguerite’s grandfather Hope, emigrated from England to Canada, and after working in Southern Alberta for a while, homesteaded in the Neutral Hills area in 1906. Marg’s brother Rick, who is third generation, now operates the ranch near Czar, Alta. 

Chas was born in Calgary in 1940, and attended Namaka School through Grade 8, then attended Samuel Crowther in Strathmore through Grade 12. Marguerite was born in Provost in 1943, and attended a one room schoolhouse called ‘Good Luck’ through Grade 6. Her home was about a mile away, so she rode a horse to school each day. For Grades 7, 8, and 9 she attended school in Czar, then went to High School at Hughenden for Grades 10 & 11. They met while they were both attending Olds School of Agriculture, and were married in Provost in 1962. They started their married life, living in a small house on the west side of Namaka which was basically two granaries that had been pulled together. Daughter Cheryl joined the family in 1964, and son David in 1968. They now have seven grandchildren.

They bought their farm in 1969 from Andy Thomson, and 44 years later still live there. Chas and  Marguerite work together – swathing, haying, running the combine and looking after their cattle and horses. She says there are few things she won’t do, like cleaning chickens! Marguerite says she loved gardening, and always had a large vegetable patch. In later years, she changed to growing lilies and other flowers. 

She spent 12 years as a volunteer with the Prairie Rose Fashion Pageant sponsored by the Calgary Stampede, under the guidance of Opal Siefert. 

In 1978, she organized a group to research, compile and publish a history book on the Village of Namaka and District. She became the Managing Director, and the book “Trails to Little Corner,” was completed in time for Namaka’s Centennial celebrations in 1983.

Chas had the pleasure of being part of “The Rancheros” for over 20 years, playing alongside the likes of Chuck Mercer, Ray Newell, Joe Bochek, and others. They played their Olde Tyme music for many weddings, New Year’s Eve celebrations and the famous ‘New Years Night’ dances at Namaka Hall.  Along with farming with his Dad ‘Verdie’, Chas was a grain buyer for National Grain Company and spent a few winters working at the Strathmore Seed Cleaning plant. 

Their community involvements include the Namaka Community Club, the Namaka Friendship Club, and Strathmore United Church. They served for many years on the Board of Directors for Rosebud School of Arts.

Marguerite has served on the Old Sun College Board, worked with Home Care for six years, spent a season working at AVB Greenhouses, and was Assistant Program Director at WFCSS for a year. In 1998, she joined the RCMP Regional Victims Services Unit as a volunteer, a commitment that continues to this day. Marguerite and Chas serve as Class Agents, and Chas served as board member for the Olds College Alumni Association. He was also involved with Strathmore Rural Firefighters Association.

The 1980’s were tough times for farmers, so to bring in a few extra dollars, Chas became the Trade Show representative for Shurtight Mfg, a farmer-owned operation from Czar, Alta. They both travelled the trade show circuit for 13 winters. During this time, Marguerite created “Forget-Me-Nots” which produced framed dried flower keepsakes, from wedding and funeral flowers.

The biggest change they’ve seen in the area is the growth in the number of acreages. They commented there are more people and fewer farms.

They both enjoy travelling, but do not like to be away from home for too long. They have been on a couple of cruises, and love attending antique shows. In the Fall of 2012, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Their closing comments were “and so the world keeps turning, and we are left wondering where did all the time go? How did this happen? And, so fast!”