Starting when I was young, probably about 6 or 7 to about 16, My mother would send me on the train or bus from Detroit to Calument, MI to spend the summer with my Grandmothers. Grandma Sophie and Grandpa Matt Ollila and Grandma and Grandpa Olander shared me each summer. I shared a birthday with Grandma Ollila and was the oldest grandchild.
The train station was so grey and old. The train was so big and black. The conductor was in charge of me and always made sure I traveled safely since I was alone. Even the conductor sent me cards at Christmas time we got so close. What a sweet man.
Sometimes I had to take the bus. It was long and I never got off. I made sure to get a window seat and the seats were so big as a small kid. If no one from my family was coming south, I had to take the bus back.
We went to Big Traverse a lot while up north where my Uncle Ralph had a fishing boat. The little fishing boat was named the Millie after my Aunt Millie. I only got to go on the long day trips because I hid on the boat when they took off. I usually had to stay behind because I couldn’t pee like a boy. Uncle Ralph tried to teach me how to swim by throwing me off the boat and i sank. He had to dive in and get me, which he was not very happy with.
I used to go berry picking with Grandma Olander and Aunt Ida. She was a tall blonde, and certainly where I got my looks from. My job was to skim the foam off the top of the blueberry jam.
When my grandma’s were busy, Grandpa took over taking care of us. For breakfast, he would make us coffee with crackers and cream from the top of the milk. We never complained because we were always told we had to eat whatever was put in front of us. The only thing I absolutely hated was pea soup. I’d hide if it was served. I would climb a tree until dinner was over and ate again at breakfast.
Not many people spoke English in Swedetown so Grandma Ollila was the mouthpiece for most of the town. She translated for many people and went to appointments with them. She basically acted as a teacher and helped the migrants from Finland and Sweden get their Green cards.
My Grandpa Ollila was the sheriff of the town. My cousins weren’t always up there the whole summer with me. I always came up the day school let out and came back the day before school started.
One of the lasting things that will stay with me forever is that both of my grandparents loved and respected each other so much!
Summers in Swedetown
