Southeast Placentia By Matthew Rolls

Southeast Placentia, a community in close proximity to Placentia, extends along the breathtaking Southeast Arm for approximately eight kilometres. It can be best described as a very attractive modern day community with plenty of natural sites. The community has become very populated in recent years as more and more people are becoming attracted to its quiet serenity. Due to its closeness to Placentia it is used for residential purposes only and does not have any businesses, with the exception of one convenience store. The first part of Southeast is referred to as Bond's Path, an area with a splendid view of Placentia at night.
 
 

The community has a ball field which is used extensively by various groups for softball games and tournaments. As well, it has a playground and tennis court, both of which are used considerably by people from Southeast as well as surrounding areas.

One of the areas of Southeast which bears witness to mother nature in her finest is an area known as Shaw's Lane. Rugged, yet pretty, this area is nestled into a forested location with access to Southeast Pond and the Southeast Arm. It receives extensive use by people who like hiking, skiing, swimming, skating, canoeing, tobogganing, etc.

The O'Keefe Christmas Village
One of the big attractions in Southeast is the O'Keefe Christmas Village. This village, owned by Mr. Adrian O'Keefe and his family, is a showcase of every Christmas scene you could imagine, and every possible cartoon character you could imagine. Every year a new character, with all the trimmings, is added to the display. This is usually a very popular cartoon character - one which all kids will love. And speaking of kids, they love to walk through the Christmas village with their families during the Christmas season.

The various displays are situated all around the O'Keefe property, with several on the front lawn, others nestled in the trees along the road side, and others following a path through the wooded area on the property. Not only can people view the displays, but they can stop at various sites and listen to the interesting sounds and voices. Speakers are set up at many sites with cartoon clippings to match the scene. Both children and adults love to listen to the voices of their favorite characters or the singing of the carollers.

People are welcome to visit the village at their leisure any evening during the entire Christmas season.

The best way to describe this village is to simply say it is a masterpiece - a work of art.
 
 

 The following information was obtained  from a local resident of Southeast, Mrs. Alice Lannon.
 
 

In the 1920's and 1930's the main type of transportation was horse and carriage, and in the winter it was horse and sled. People would also use motor boats and dories to go to Placentia, in particular for Sunday Mass. People would sometimes hire others to take them there and pay about five cents for the ride.
 
 

Post Offices

In the 1930's there were a couple of post offices in Southeast operating out of people's homes. Eventually they faded out, then one returned in the 1950's in George Lannon's house. In the late 1950's it moved to Alice Lannon's house for about four years. Then it was closed for good after the Diefenbaker Government was elected.
 
 

Schools

The first school in Shaw's Lane was opened in the late 1800's. There was once an old school house on the main road overlooking the site of the present day playground and ballfield. It was used for dances around once a month for the young crowd and as well as the married couples.

Recreation

A very common pastime was playing cards at people's houses. They would often play a game called one-twenties (or auction) in the winter. This was usually with six people (a six-handed game). They also played a game called forty-fives. They would play progressive forty-fives for fund-raising for the Church or for the war effort in World War II. To do this they would have four to six tables set up in a house, with six players at each table. They would move from table to table and whoever won the most games won a prize. Each person who played had to pay (usually one dollar).
 
 

Every summer there would be an annual Garden Party in a meadow next to residents' houses to raise funds for the Church.
 
 

Trivia     In the 1940's most of the people put water and sewage in their homes. Americans who rented homes wanted to have it.     Among the first to own cars in Southeast were Vince Lambe, who bought one to serve as a taxi cab, and Pete Shaw who bought a car for personal use.  Most everyone had to grow their own crops and would own a cow or two.

Southeast received its name from its geological location, southeast of Placentia.
 
 

The woods in the Bonds path area was once known as Burnt Woods because in July 9, 1888 there was a big forest fire there.

NOTE: Because of Southeast's close proximity to Placentia, a separate section on its history will not be given, for to do so would be repetitious. The general historical topics of the Placentia area encompasses all communities, even though it may not be explicitly stated at times. Many of the communities are situated next to one another, and thus their past history have many similarities.

 All in all, Southeast is a wonderful place in which to reside. The peace and tranquility, not to mention the sunshine, make it all worthwhile.

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