Alberta snapshot: Cross Conservation Area.

“Look up…waaaay up.”

Definitely dating myself here. Back in the *mumble mumble*ties we had a really sweet children’s program here in Canada (and in some parts of the States) called The Friendly Giant. In the very special intro to the show (watch here), Friendly, played by Bob Homme, would call the viewers to the castle where he lived with his friends, Rusty the rooster and Jerome the giraffe. There was always music and a story. I didn’t realize it until reading about it recently, but apparently much of the show was completely ad-libbed by Homme, and Rod Coneybeare, the puppeteer who worked with Rusty and Jerome. (You can really see that in the segment of the episode presented in the clip I’ve linked to). I think it’s a rare Canadian – of a certain vintage, that is! – who looks back on The Friendly Giant without affection.

What were your favourite TV shows as a child?

And now?

Posted by:

Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

Sheryl Normandeau is a writer and gardening enthusiast living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in the foothills of the spectacular Rocky Mountains.

30 responses to “Alberta snapshot: Cross Conservation Area.”

Deb

January 28, 2015

Remember the little table and chairs? That and the music was my favorite.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 3, 2015
  
  I loved the music, too!
  
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Donna@GardensEyeView

January 28, 2015

Oh I remember that show but for me it was Captain Kangaroo as my fav childhood program.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 3, 2015
  
  I never saw Captain Kangaroo, but I know that was a favourite for many kids!
  
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The Canadian Cats

January 28, 2015

I remember babysitting and the little girl wanting to watch The Friendly Giant….I got so I looked forward to it too. I did not know that ad libbing was going on. Thanks my friend.

Jean

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  January 29, 2015
  
  Wasn’t it such a sweet program? – nothing bold or brash about it, just gentle talk and stories and music. I think that’s what was so appealing about it – maybe for parents (and babysitters), too!
  
  Hope you’re having a wonderful week! 🙂
  
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Cynthia Reyes

January 28, 2015

I didn’t know it was ad libbed either. And I produced Children’s TV for a while.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 3, 2015
  
  I think they must have had such fun with this show; it really comes across even as I watch it now. What an experience to produce children’s TV – that would have been very interesting, I think!
  
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Walter

January 28, 2015

Thatâs a very nice picture, but some more snow will change that.

Love

Grandpa

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  January 29, 2015
  
  Hi, Grandpa – I hope you’re doing well! This unseasonal January feels so strange…but very pleasant! A bit of nice fresh snow would sure make everything sparkle, though. 🙂
  
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insearchofitall

January 28, 2015

I love the crystal clear sky in that photo. I miss seeing clear sky but in a few months I’ll be moaning over the heat. That is a beautiful stand of trees. I didn’t watch much television as a child but the very first one I saw after coming to the states for a time, was Howdy Doody. I think I was allowed to watch to help with my English. I loved it.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 3, 2015
  
  Isn’t it fun to look back on those shows from our childhood? Fond memories, for sure. 🙂
  
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KerryCan

January 29, 2015

I don’t think we got the Friendly Giant here–it sounds sweet. I’m a Captain Kangaroo kind of gal. I do love photos of trees and sky!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 3, 2015
  
  I simply must see if I can find some Captain Kangaroo clips online – that’s one show I never got a chance to watch. We didn’t have cable when I was little and I wonder if it may have been on a channel we didn’t get.
  
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Gallivanta

January 29, 2015

Oh, that is a fun programme. I didn’t have TV when I was little and I don’t watch much now. When my daughter was young we used to enjoy watching Mr Rogers.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  January 29, 2015
  
  Mr. Rogers was really popular with so many little ones, that’s for sure!
  
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colorpencil2014

January 30, 2015

Too bad I never saw the friendly Giant, I googled it and I know I would have loved it. My sisters and I watched Floris…about a knight, with castles, combats, etc We would make pointy gothic hats and tied little scarf on it and wear long nighties and than played very convincing damsels in distress in the garden. And Star Trek with Captain Kirk was pure magic and how I wished for the silver boots the space girls often wore. have a great Weekend, Johanna

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 3, 2015
  
  Oh, Floris sounds like a show I would have really enjoyed! I love the fact that you and your sisters played dress up and imagined you were in that world – such a sweet memory of childhood!
  
  And oh, yes, indeed, Star Trek – it’s funny, I was just thinking about the “Trouble with Tribbles” episode the other day, hadn’t thought about that for years. Loved that one.
  
  I so agree – those boots were fabulous!
  
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Lori Fontanes

January 30, 2015

OMG, I remember the Friendly Giant (though, have not thought of it in decades!!!) Was that a Canadian show? Had no idea! So charming! Thanks for the link to a fond childhood memory!!!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2015
  
  I’m so glad you enjoyed – it was fun to watch that segment, wasn’t it? “Charming” is definitely a great word to describe the show, that’s for sure. I read that it was started in Wisconsin, but was bought by the CBC in Canada in the late 1950s. It ran for nearly thirty years.
  
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gardeninacity

January 30, 2015

I never did see The Friendly Giant growing up. As a little kid I was a big fan of a Japanese show called Gigantor and also Rocky and Bullwinkle. With my kids I enjoyed watching Sesame Street, the Magic Schoolbus, and Where in the World is Carmen San Diego. The only TV show we watch now is Downton Abbey, everything else is online.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 3, 2015
  
  I love the sound of Gigantor! Have to look that up for sure. I was a devoted Sesame Street fan, of course.
  
  Ah, Downton Abbey! I am terribly late to them…but we have copies of all of the seasons at the library and they’re high on my to-borrow list. Looking forward to them.
  
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  1. gardeninacity
    
    February 3, 2015
    
    To this day I remember the Gigantor themes song, which I taught to both my boys:
    Gigantor’s a space age robot
    He’s at your command
    Gigantor’s a space age robot
    His power is in your hands!
    Bigger than big, stronger than strong!
    Ready to fight for right, against wrong!
    
    What a great show. You can find it on Youtube.
    
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Robbie

January 30, 2015

I did not grow up with that show, but loved your clip! Reminded me of Mister Rogers in USA- he seemed to be Mister Rogers of the Castle:-) what a great memory. We had Bozo out of Chicago + Frazier Sunday Classics for black and white movies us kids watched with our parents- Charlie Chan + Sherlock as a kid on Sunday + a bowl of popcorn! I don’t think kids could sit through that today:-) with all their gadgets!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 3, 2015
  
  Yes, I think both Friendly and Mister Rogers shared a gentle, sweet demeanour. And you’re right – there was something special about those old movies and TV shows and the hours we spent watching them – I don’t think kids today would “get” it. 😉 And it was wonderful to watch with our siblings and parents, too.
  
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  1. Robbie
    
    February 4, 2015
    
    ” gentle sweet demeanour”- so true! I noticed it in my children + I felt relaxed!
    There were reruns when my kids were young of MIster Rogers + I use to watch them with my children. It always was calming They were never hyper after watching him-can’t say it about the other shows they watched-LOL.
    
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thefolia

January 30, 2015

I looked up today as I reclined my seat back in the car while I had a few moments to spare before my appointment. I was amazed to see virtually the same as in your photo–leafless branches reaching toward the heavens. Happy peaceful thoughts!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2015
  
  A quiet moment just to breathe and enjoy…. 🙂
  
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richfinck

February 1, 2015

Nice shot. I like it.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2015
  
  Thank you! 🙂
  
  Reply