There is an old saying; “You can live without your relatives, but not without your neighbours.” This was a common saying of . . .
my grandfather.
When our ancestors pioneered this valley, they emigrated from far away lands and often many of their family members remained behind in the old country. Sometimes a brother or a son came about the same time but your neighbours, be they family or friends, relied on each other to get important jobs done.
Whether you were clearing a field of stumps, having a threshing bee, butchering hogs or beef for the winter to come or having a barn raising so you had a shelter for the animals and storage for the feed, many of these jobs could be much easier and more fun if the neighbours worked together.
The neighbour ladies also planned the meal and worked together to feed all the men who showed up at the bee. The ladies also got together and socialized at quilting bees and even jam making.
When there was a fire and a building burned or when a new house had to be built in a hurry to replace it before the cold winter arrived there was no time to wait for permits or inspectors, only for the neighbours to choose the most knowledgeable neighbour to lead the project while other neighbours went into the bush and cut trees to build with. Many of those buildings still stand proud today as a testimony to the quality of workmanship that a group of neighbours could put together.
If you are lucky enough to partake in one of the sumptuous church fall suppers that can be found throughout the valley, take a minute to appreciate the organization of preparation, presentation and the super quality of foods. Then realize that this was all accomplished by a group of neighbours who learned how to make this happen because they worked and socialized together.
When we visit the many fall fairs and county plowing matches that dot our valley we are amazed at the variety and quality of events to enjoy. All of these successful events are organized and run by hundreds of neighbours who volunteer endless hours of time.
At 4-H, where the motto is “learn to do by doing,” young people learn how to appreciate and select quality. They also learn how to work with and depend on each other, how to meet people and speak in public, how to win, and how to lose. My dad once told me that if you come last in a class you make the person that came second last really happy. Members of 4-H quickly learn that success does not come easy. They also learn that friends and neighbours are the real prize and are priceless wherever they are from.
I once wrote a series called “The Seven Bank Accounts of a Farmer.” Neighbours are one of the important seven bank accounts. It’s not much fun farming if you don’t have and work at being a good neighbour.
Chris Judd is a farmer in Clarendon
on land that has been
in his family for generations.
gladcrest@gmail.com
