Who Scared Who on Moffat Street

In 1968 we lived in an old three story home along the side of two rivers. Actually we were on the point between these rivers and the land came to point, hence the folks who lived on this street were called pointers. At this time my mother-in law Marg was living with us and would look after the children when we were working.

On this particular fine day my daughters Dar and Glenda were playing with the neighbours when they burst through the door of the summer kitchen. "Grandma, Grandma there is a bear chasing us" they shouted, and began to put the knife in the door. We had no locks on our doors or keys either but we did put a knife between the door and the door frame for security.

Marg entered the kitchen and tried to settle the kids down by saying that it was not a bear but raccoons. We had raccoons in our yard every day and night. Dar was not content with the explanation and continued with Glenda to protest.

Marg had enough and picked up the broom and proceeded to go to the back door to chase away the intruders. As she opened the back door, there was a huge mother bear standing on its hind legs with a cub by its side.

Marg screamed and slammed the door, the bear looked shocked and bolted over the back fence. The cub climbed the fence with difficulty and both ran down the bank of the Indian River and swam across to the high school playground where a track meet was being held. The thousand or more students parted faster than the Red Sea as the bears ran across the field and on away to the river and safe wilderness.

To this day we talk about this event and discuss it in detail. We still wonder when Marg opened the door - who scared who ... Marg or the bear? My money is on my mother-in-law.