When I write stories about old times, it’s important that my facts are accurate and my descriptions correct. So I’ll share a secret with you. My go-to authority on rural life in the last century is not the internet; it’s 101-year-old Ed Poffenroth.
Only an Email Away
I’ve known Ed Poffenroth of Okotoks, Alberta, since childhood. His wife, Mary, was my beloved sixth-grade teacher, and his daughter, Carol, is a dear friend. Some years after losing Mary, Ed married my treasured third-grade teacher, widow Theresa Patterson. So that’s our personal connection, but we have another link.
Always a decisive businessman and community leader, Ed thoroughly enjoys using email. Now that we live 2,037 miles apart, it’s lucky for me that this retired farmer, municipal district councilor and meat packing plant owner/operator has kept up with the times. He responds to my messages quickly with thoughtful, insightful comments. Sometimes, he asks Carol to scan and send me pages of books that I can’t access.
Here’s one example of the type of information that Ed shares with me. I sent him an email explaining that my sister, Shirley, had sent me a very, very old Canadian cookbook that had lost its cover and front pages a long time ago. The only clue I had to how long ago the recipe book was printed was an advertisement in it stating its flour could be bought in barrels.
Ed wrote back, “Robin Hood had a mill on 9th Avenue and 4th Street West in Calgary. We sold some grain there. The stores had barrels of flour, and you could scoop out how many pounds you wanted. My parents bought it in 100-pound bags. Mother loved those bags because she could make a lot of different things with them.”
Ed’s information tells me that the cookbook is in the range of 100 years old. What a reliable primary source ˗ as first-person accounts of events – he is.
Observations of a Centenarian
Because Ed’s memory is so crisp and his thoughts so clear, I thought you’d enjoy reading some of his observations. What’s changed in his lifetime, and what’s stayed the same?
Q. What do you consider the greatest invention in farm equipment?
A. The tractor that replaced horses for fieldwork.
Q. What’s the biggest improvement around the farmyard?
A. Electricity.
Q. What’s the most important invention for the farm kitchen?
A. Electricity.
Q. What is the most significant scientific breakthrough for rural folks?
A. The telephone.
Q. What’s the greatest improvement in transportation during your lifetime?
A. The airplane.
Q. What’s your favorite form of transportation?
A. Horseback riding. There is nothing nicer than riding a horse through the pasture amongst the cattle.
Q. What’s the best vehicle you’ve ever driven?
A. My Toyota Venza.
Q. What was your favorite meal back then and now?
A. A roast beef dinner.
Q. What world leader from the last century do you admire most?
A. When I was in my late teens and more aware of world affairs, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president of the United States. I remember him having practical, common sense leadership and creating many employment and economic programs for the depression years and wartime.
Q. What three things haven’t changed in your lifetime and never should?
A. Family life, community life, and respect for others.
A Few of Ed’s Favorite Pictures
“Communication is Overwhelming”
Ed wrote the three words above at the end of a recent email. We can all relate to his comment, even though we aren’t close to turning 102 in August 2023!
Thank you, Ed, for your kindness and wisdom. Your Texas writer pal and her readers look forward to wishing you another very happy birthday in a few weeks.
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More stories about old times in Foothills County, Alberta:
- Pink Ladies Packed a Vintage Cookbook with TLC - September 15, 2023
- “Don’t Forget Your Hanky” - August 18, 2023
- Want to Know a Secret? - July 10, 2023
How very fortunate Elaine, that among other friends and mentors in your life, you have Ed and another late, great friend in Winston whom we miss so much and in whom I was always in awe.
Malcolm, yes, I am very fortunate that two gentlemen I’ve known all my life have been willing and able to answer my questions about rural life in Foothills County long ago. I always regretted that I didn’t ask my parents enough questions.
The Ed’s of this world are true treasures. We are lucky to have him in our community. Happy Birthday. I am sure that there are many who would echo your regrets regarding your parents. My efforts to have mother put on paper her thoughts and memories of the “tween wars” years in industrial England were not very successful. Not because of her reluctance or inability to do so. Rather, my interest did not resonate sufficiently due to the distance and difficult communication after I came to Canada. This, along with her incredibly busy life volunteering at Church and in the broader community left her little time right to her passing at 96 years young.
Some of the very best stories we can learn from come from humble people like Ed, Winston, your mother and my parents! We will certainly remember that quality about them.
Some of the very best stories come from humble people like Ed, Winston, your mother and my parents. We admire that quality!
Wishing Ed a blessed & wonderful 102nd birthday in August, what a great friend & mentor for you.
I always enjoy reading your stories each time that they are shared.
Blessings, Leonita Sanders
Thanks for reading, Leonita. When you stop and think about rural life a century ago, it’s hard to comprehend the changes that Ed has seen in his more than century-long life. Amazing!
What a treasure Ed is, to you and to us! I so enjoyed this article and photos. Would it be possible to send him a birthday card from Texas for his upcoming 102nd birthday? That might be a lot of fun for us and for him. If not, birthday greetings here Ed! May God bless you on your birthday and always!
Hello Lemae. I’m delighted that you enjoyed ‘meeting’ Ed via this blog post. I’m sure Ed would enjoy hearing from Texans on his birthday, especially those with rural roots like yours. I’m sure his comment about being out among the cattle must have touched your heart. I will email you Ed’s mailing address. (It often takes about three weeks for a letter to trek to Alberta.)
I am so delighted to know that Ed is still among us. You have lightened my heart and given me encouragement by sharing this information. Stay cool, sweet lady.
Jeanie, so good to hear from you. As always, you look at life On the Bright Side! Like you, I am encouraged by Ed’s tenacity and interest in the world around him. Ed’s a good example of the adage ‘attitude is everything.’
What a wonderful gentleman and uplifting story! Sending early happy birthday wishes to Mr. Ed! Thanks again, Elaine, for sharing. Stay safe and cool.
Thanks, Darlene. I will pass along your good wishes to Ed. He’s a true member of the Greatest Generation!
Ed sounds like an amazing person. The type of person who helped set our respected nations on a right path. Next time you communicate with him tell him he would enjoy and fit right in here in Fayette county.
Thanks, Sam. I will certainly pass along your comment to Ed. I know he will appreciate your kind words.
What a lovely post Elaine. 101 – fantastic. Go Ed! I agree with him about the roast beef dinner (with Yorkshire pudding. Do you guys have Yorkshire pudding?).
Yes, Janine, Yorkshire pudding is big in Alberta, although I have never run into it in Texas! Hope all is well Down Under.
A lovely story, Elaine! One cannot dismiss the knowledge of our elders.
Anne, you’re so true!