Low Down Articles
The Way We Were
Article 2 of 95
The column titled "The Way We Were" first appeared in "The Low Down to Hull and Back News".
on July 20, 2005. The Low Down's editor introduced this feature as an opportunity for long-time locals to tell their tales about what gives these Hills their particular colour. The Low Down also invited readers to write in their own anecdotes, memories or flashbacks that give a picture of what Gatineau Hills life was all about back in the day. We hope all readers, new and old, enjoy.
Anyone who knows of an interesting Gatineau Valley subject for a future "The Way We Were" column is encouraged to contact Louise Schwartz at info@gvhs.ca or to submit a proposed article of 500 words (with a historic photo) directly to the Low Down News at general@lowdownonline.com.
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'No hotdogs, just scones at 'hysterical' Moorside opening
by Catherine Joyce
Moiya Wright remembers what it was like at Meech Lake that March of 1955
"We'd had no snow for weeks, I'd just given birth to my first son in the hospital and come home in lovely, clear weather. And then the blizzard hit. The power went off. The snow was so high, no plow could get down the Meech Lake Road. I needed a prescription. David had to ski to meet his cousin who managed to drive as far as the intersection at the Camp Fortune Road with the medicine. We were socked in for days."
Ever intrepid, Moiya arrived with her family from Scotland in 1947 to make a new life. While teaching skiing in the Laurentians in 1953, she met David Wright, a direct descendant of Philomen and co-heir to the family business, Wright Brothers' Supply. Married within the year, they settled at the Meech Lake homestead and by 1960, had five children under the age of five - Phil, Heather, Jim, Ian and Susan.
Early on Moiya helped to organize the successful "Housewives Ski Day" - every Tuesday at Camp Fortune - where 200 women came out.
Soon she was involved in setting up the Tea Room at Moorside with Judy (Sparks) Crawley. "It was all boarded up but we went there to let our kids run around. While talking to the NCC about a log house museum in Old Chelsea, we asked about making Moorside into a tearoom. The NCC wouldn't let us do it without an association. So we helped to create The Gatineau Historical Society to set it up."
As the first President, Moiya remembers the 'hysterical' opening of Moorside that May 24th weekend in 1961. "The kitchen was ancient. The stove only had two burners. We'd decided no hotdogs - only scones and honey, tea and ice cream. But the woman we'd hired to run Moorside had too much to drink. People were coming up in droves because we'd made the front page news - so there we were, desperately baking, washing dishes, racing to stay ahead of the ravenous crowds. But we'd planted a seed. And it flourished!"
By 1963 Moiya and David had started their own business in Ottawa - that signature Canadian celebration of indigenous art, "The Snow Goose", on Confederation Square and later on Sparks Street. "I loved it - finding and showcasing unique crafts by Inuit women. Selling original Dorset prints." Soon David was working full time with her as the store took off.
By 1988 Moiya began painting watercolours, becoming in 1990 one of the seven founding members of Galerie Old Chelsea. "If you keep your feelings open, life leads you."
Facing the recent sale of her Meech Lake home, Moiya carries deep memories in her heart.
Watch for her next show, August 21, at the gallery.