My Dad’s Recess at the Paradise Academy

Submitted by Anne Marie Pearle

This is really my Dad’s story, but unfortunately, I didn’t hear it from him. My Dad was Gordon Balcom. My Dad passed away when he was 41 and I was 15 and since I was at Paradise Academy for a couple of short stints as we travelled throughout UK and Europe with Dad being in the Air Force, I heard this from Jack’s Uncle Chris (Jackson) as he went to school with my Dad, as did Barbara Bishop’s Dad.

I’m not sure if this happened more than once, but likely did if they were able to get away with it! One winter day at recess, Dad took his toboggan up to the top of the steps, got on it, and hollered for Chris to open the door at the bottom. And away he went, and I understand quite a distance. The railing outside wasn’t there at that time.

I expect this was not his experience alone! Stairs were likely used many times as a ski slope! Wish there were photos!

From the 1930s