John talks
about the political scene in Alberta, and the formation
of the UFA government. He says that because of a lack of
communication systems, you hardly ever saw
politicians.
Prior to World
War ll John says that there were not enough Italians in
one place to make a significant contribution to culture,
but that after the war there was a large Italian
community in Edmonton.
John says that
the economic development of the province experienced big
changes with the discovery of oil in Leduc in 1947.
Before that he says that there were no social programs
to help people, you were on your own. But now there are
programs like medicare and family allowance to help
families.
John is asked
if he would homestead all over again if given the
chance, and he replies by saying that he asked another
man the same question. This man had been a prisoner of
war during World War l, and said that he would choose
war over homesteading! John agreed with him because of
the many hardships he endured as a pioneer.
John concludes
by saying that the smart people gave up homesteading,
and that he was one of the fools who stayed.
Home Country
John's first
trip home was in 1961, 52 years after he came to North
America. Although his mother and father were dead, he
still had two sisters living there. He could not believe
the changes in Italy.
In conclusion
he says that he might have retired there, but he thinks
he has it pretty good here in Alberta. He went back two
more times since that first visit in 1961, but he says
he is too old to travel anymore.