I grew up in, the west end of Regina. Three prominent institutions, that some from Prince Albert may know about, were close to my neighbourhood. They were the RCMP Barracks, Luther College, and Government House (the residence of Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor). 

In this column I wish to turn to Government House. It is a regal place, with its sweeping driveway, captivating flower beds, elegant entrance, grand ballroom, and its restored period furnishings, that sweep one back in time. Some of you may have been to the site to watch and even participate in John Coulter’s play “The Trial of Louis Riel.”

Government House, if you make the trip to our provincial capital, is a must see.

But for me, back in the 1950’s, the tree covered grounds on the west side of Government House was a play ground for  games of ‘Hide and Seek,’ or a hideaway to sneak off to and have a much disapproved of smoke, and on occasion a not so pleasant stand off of fisticuffs. 

It, Government House, at that time was not even Government House. In 1944 the building had been leased to the National Department of Veterans Affairs to be used as a veterans’ rehabilitation centre until 1958, when it was renamed Saskatchewan House and used as an adult education centre. Finally in 1968, the House was designated a National Historic Site and it became the official office of the Lieutenant Governor. Since that time extensive renovations have returned the building to its original elegance.

Recently, the Prince Albert Historical Museum has employed a young person who has taken on the role of developing educational programs. She is doing a great job and I recommend you visit the museum to meet her. 

When she heard I was originally from Regina, she asked me if I was familiar with Government House and some of its history.  Excitedly, I launched into a series of personal recollections, most of which happened while the building served in its capacity as a veterans’ rehabilitation centre.

 Way back then, to keep we local ruffians from disruptive shenanigans in the neighbourhood, the Mounties set up a ‘boxing academy’ in our elementary school. I was the youngest pugilist and my only opponent was my older brother. The folks at Government House heard of the program; they invited us to come and demonstrate our prowess. Thus I and my brother faced off, in a makeshift ring in the house’s main dining area, to the cheers of the raucous vets. It ended when I threw a mighty right, only to have my brother deftly block it and reply with a right. I fled from the ring with a bloody nose and huge tears. My brother won, but I received the purse as several sympathetic vets forced dimes (a lot of money in 1948) into my hands to assist my recovery.

Later in the mid 1950’s, I inherited a large paper route from that self same brother. I always ended my deliveries at Government House where I had several clients. They were  very gracious to me and I enjoyed many a good chat. Perhaps my mother might not have totally approved. A few ‘jokes,’ not always appropriate for mixed company, assisted in my education into teenage years.

In one large room there was a full sized billiard table. It was first rate. There I was initiated into the fine art of ‘snooker.’ My teachers, those jolly vets, were avid players. I learned and loved the game. Of course I could not tell my mom about my new interest. Pool Rooms then were sites of all kinds of ‘evils’ - smoking, gambling, and goodness knows what else, according to mom. 

Years later I confessed to my dad about my wayward ways. To my surprise he drove me to one of those ‘dens of iniquity’ and promptly showed me how a ‘real shark’ played.

Back during those paper route days, I would pause before leaving my veteran friends to watch “Howdy Doody Time” on the T.V. at Government House. It was one of the first sets in west-end Regina. It was a treat to sit there and get to view something I could brag about to my envious siblings. 

Some events at the House were educational in other ways. The upper floor contained most of the care rooms. A few of residents suffered from nightmares, derived from wartime. That floor’s oval balcony, which looked down on the main floor, had to have a raised barrier to prevent a sufferer from falling over during a panicky return to traumatic times. 

While I viewed a few of these situations, they served to remind me what my new found friends at Government House taught me – appreciate what we have and appreciate what those veterans gave us.

2020 has been a tough year, but what we have will carry us all into better times.

Take care – and have a Healthy New Year!