The past does seem a strange place, sometimes. An item which made its way to the archives this week is a case in point. This object was originally given out as a prize at the Lucky Strikes Lanes, the bowling alley which was where the Deseronto Public Library (and the Archives) is now. It was run by Ernie and Gladys Luck – and Gladys’s apple pie was legendary, it seems.
Even as recently as the 1960s or 1970s, it was perfectly fine to hand out an ashtray as a prize. It’s hard to imagine this happening today!
We’re not sure who donated this object to the Library – so please let us know if it was yours!
Deseronto Archives 
March 9, 2015 at 1:38 am
I recently joined the Kingston branch of the OGS and in the latest newsletter, this site was referred to. Imagine my delight when I came upon this ashtray. Gladys was my father’s eldest sister. She was the only one of five children born in England prior to the family moving to Belleville. I have fond memories of bowling at Lucky Strike Lanes – but never won an ashtray. The second eldest child in the Mills family, also owned a bowling alley with her husband in Stirling, ON. I have no recollection of Aunt Glad’s famous pie!
March 9, 2015 at 6:43 am
Thanks for commenting, Nancy! You might also like the photograph we recently acquired – taken inside the bowling alley: https://flic.kr/p/qcDaHF.
March 9, 2015 at 7:17 am
Thank you Amanda. We don’t have any pictures with inthe family, so it is great to get this.