Page 18 - Card Photo Flipbook-December 2022

16
Early Years - the Farm
Helen was born in the Perkin family farmhouse on John Street in Vineland Station, Ontario on
Friday, March 3rd, 1939. She was the third daughter of John (Jack) Carl Perkin and May
Pearl Perkin (née Griffith).
This farm was 5 acres and basically produced tender fruit for delivery to Vineland Grower’s
Cooperative, with vegetables and chickens (for eggs) for the family. Running the farm was a
family affair with everyone taking part. Helen was a dedicated and champion fruit “picker".
Sour cherries remained her favorite throughout her life. Preparing chickens for the table was
her least favorite.
There were many animals and pets on the farm over the years. Helen's favorites were her
dogs Trixie and Tiny. She fondly recalled playing monopoly with Tiny (she often won!). The
farmhouse is still standing with an address now of 3687 John Street. After the Perkins moved
(~ 1967) the new owners made a number of additions.
The skills she learned on the farm were ever present in her life - scraping the last part of the
turkey off the bone, able to grow anything, making crabapple applesauce! When she moved
to Saskatoon she never gave up trying to grow red tomatoes - with Sharon, Mike & Geoff
getting many green tomato dishes! Of note, Mike thinks he never ate his...
She never did get comfortable killing chickens however!