Jeannette Campbell's turning 100!

Jeannette Campbell's story began when her expectant mother, Lillian Greenwood, was crossing the Atlantic at the beginning of the First World War, following a holiday in England. Because of the German naval presence on the Atlantic, the passengers had to endure blackout conditions at night as well as the constant fear of attack. The safe return of Lillian and her husband, Dr. William Greenwood, to Saint Catharines, Ontario was followed some time later by the birth of Lillian Jeannette on April 26, 1915.
Jeannette and her older siblings, Carolyn and Bill, lived for much of their childhood in St. Catharines, When Jeannette was a young teenager, her widowed mother married James Parker, who was originally from Stirling. At this point, Lillian and her children moved to Toronto where Mr. Parker then resided. Mr. Parker had previously purchased his cottage (later named Ardrossan) on Marble Point Road from local banker, A.W. Carscallen, his former father-in-law. Thus began Jeannette's connection with Marmora and Crowe Lake.

For most of the year, the family lived in Toronto, but once summer arrived, they embarked on the long journey to Marmora, travelling by train to Bonarlaw, and from there by car to Ardrossan.
At that time, the Parkers had two employees, Jessie and her brother, who helped with the arduous running of the household. For indoor washing, water had to be carried up from the lake. Laundry was done on a scrub board in a tub at the back door, then lugged to the lake to be rinsed. Everyone bathed (with soap!) in the lake. Drinking water was hand pumped from the Bleeckers' well two doors away, then carried in buckets to the cottage kitchen. Meals were prepared on a wood stove.
The "young people" passed the long summer days swimming, playing croquet, and going for picnics by boat across the lake or far up Crowe River. Twice a week, they attended dances at the "pavilion" at Marble Point Lodge. Jeannette recalls, "One time, the Judge and Mother came up to see what we were doing. We were dancing to music supplied by live bands. It was fun! I danced with Sally Jones who was a good dancer. Everybody liked to dance with him."
After completing school, Jeannette became a secretary in an investment firm, and in 1940, married the dashing Irving Campbell. As a married woman, Jeannette was given special permission to continue working, and was responsible for selling Victory Bonds throughout WW 11.

After the war, Jeannette and Irv became the quintessential host and hostess, and the cottage was filled with the joy and laughter of their extended family and many friends.
When their daughters, Judy and Carolyn, were born, summer life at the cottage continued, and, as the girls grew, Jeannette and Irv witnessed the next generation immerse themselves in the glorious summers at Crowe Lake. With the advent of high-powered motors, the activities became faster and noisier.
in 1964, Jeannette and Irv purchased Ardrossan from Judge James Parker's grandson, Ronald, at a cost of $10,000. At this point they "modernized" the cottage by adding running hot water, an updated kitchen, and a new bathroom. Guests no longer had to venture outside to use the old three-holer outhouse.
Over the ensuing years, much has changed. Jeannette now watches her great grandchildren swimming and boating on Crowe Lake; but, much remains the same. Jeannette, at almost one hundred years of age, still spends summers at Crowe Lake and continues to delight in her family and the many other families along the shore.
On recent weekend spent at Crowe Lake, Jeannette said with her usual gusto, "Let's stay here!!"