October: how some things have changed

St. Vital

I realize I am aging because I often think about how things are so different now than when I grew up in St. Vital. For better or worse… that might be for you to decide.

The month of October holds a lot of memories since there are so many special events… Thanksgiving, the World Series and Halloween all come to mind.

Thanksgiving has not changed much. Families still get gather to share good food and time together. I always loved the weather this time of year. No bugs, vibrant colours, and that crisp autumn air… love it!

The World Series is similar, I guess. Major League Baseball has been sped up with the pitch clock – which is a positive step – but the drama and power of the moments are exactly the same.

A main difference when I was young was that there were no night games in the World Series. The first night game was on Oct. 13, 1971, in Pittsburgh, when the Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles. Until then, I had to sneak a pocket radio into my jacket on the way to school and keep tabs on the score as best I could. I remember one teacher allowing the entire class to listen to the end of a game. What a highlight!

I used to cheer for the Yankees back then. I can’t remember when my cheering preferences turned to “anyone but the Yankees”, but the real draw for me was the baseball. That’s my game. I loved to play, and I understood the subtle nuances of the game.

Sometimes, a friend would say baseball was too slow and boring. Good grief! They just did not understand those nuances… signals being flashed on the field so defensive players knew what pitch was being thrown, the majesty of a double-play being turned by skilled middle infielders, and on and on and on. One big benefit of being the general manager of the Winnipeg Goldeyes was that, after a long day’s work, I could sit and watch a ball game. For me, that was a treat.

And then there’s Halloween. Children then and now love the costumes and treats. The kids who come to our door are still very cute and having a wonderful experience. We used to dress up to hand out candy, and we even dressed up our dogs.

Halloween was not for everyone, though, and perhaps the numbers of children participating has diminished. There are more parents out with children now than there were years ago, but that is part of our current way of life. When I was young, everyone I knew walked on their own or with friends to elementary school and beyond.

So yes, some things have changed in ways that increase the fun, while others take some of that fun away. But the sparkle in the eyes and warmth in the heart are just the same.