Time with Sammy (Part XI)

In this eleventh installment of Sammy’s story, we pick up as the family leaves Italy and arrives in Calgary in late 1979. Sammy, joined by his grandson Ramone, reflects on first impressions of the city—its emptiness, its sprawl, and the early days spent downtown near Prince’s Island Park. He recalls landing a drafting job within weeks, launching a 38-year career with the same company during Calgary’s oil boom. He and Dinna quickly adapted to English through work, newspapers, and community life. Ramone prompts stories about school strikes, cultural gaps at Hebrew school, and the excitement of getting their first color TV—a massive set that introduced young Elliot to cartoons, hockey, and Battlestar Galactica.