One of the things I enjoyed so much, as our whole family did, were the Community picnics that were held in Herb Spencer’s orchard. Herb was our neighbor who lived across the Lemhi River from us. People would come from miles around and bring food which was put on big, long tables and everyone would help themselves. Everything was homemade, which made them so delicious. Roast turkeys, hams, fried chicken, beef roasts, rolls, salads, pies, cakes. It was impossible to have some of everything, your tummy just wasn’t big enough.
After everyone had stuffed themselves, we had a program. Someone could play a musical instrument and others would sing, give a reading or poem. Dad and Mother were usually asked to sing. Mother sang the melody and dad sang tenor. Roy and I usually sang, and if there was a board surface large enough, they would ask me to dance for them, Roy would sing for me, and sometimes Dad would play the harmonica. And of course, all of the kids who could, played baseball and there were the usual number of tree climbing accidents. However, none were very serious. We were all adept at climbing trees, that was part of making our own entertainment! When evening came, we were all loath to go home, but chores had to be done, and some had quite a drive home, by buggy, wagon and team of horses, ourselves included.
Mentioning the Spencer’s ranch, reminds me of the stunt my brother Roy and a friend of his, Frank Barnett pulled on the Spencer’s. The Spencer’s raised lots of chickens, and one day Roy and Frank decided they would sneak into their chicken house and “borrow” a couple of fryers and have a “chickaree”. This of course, late at night and they grabbed a chicken a piece and rank like heck. When they got to the place of “chickaree”, they found out they had grabbed two old hens! So, their stolen “feed” was mighty tough eating! Boy, did I laugh.
*I have no idea what a “chickaree” is or if I read it incorrectly, or if my mom was making up a word. She did that sometimes! *
