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This Was Then... With Old Ike
‘Yes, I was Miss Idlers ‘65’ – Lorraine Gates (nee St. Jacques) Think of Lorraine (nee St. Jacques) Gates’ reaction as she looked back 46 years to when she was “Miss Idlers ‘65”, a contestant in the Miss Alberni Pageant. “I had not seen this picture prior to this week, so you can imagine my surprise to see myself sitting in that convertible,” Lorraine emailed last Saturday. “I remember sitting in the back of this convertible for the parade and I was quite concerned about the high heels I was wearing, trying very hard not to press the spiked heels into the seat so as not to make a hole in the leather. Seeing the picture brought back so many memories of that time in my life! I was shy at the time but my experience in the pageant helped me gain so much confidence it was a personal success for me, for which I’ve been very grateful.” Lorraine was in Grade 12 back in 1965 when she entered the Jaycees-sponsored Miss Alberni Pageant. “Miss Alberni week of May 10-15, 1965 was proclaimed by Mayor Les Hammer,” Lorraine wrote. “There were nine contestants in total and the judges were Red Robinson (radio & TV personality), Diana Ricardo (Sun Fashion writer) and Dr. Tom Cosgrove (Honourary President, Jaycees). Lt-Governor and Mrs. George R. Pearkes were the guests of honour at the windup banquet on May 15.” Miss Idlers ’65 and the other eight contestants were “presented/
introduced” to the public on Friday, May 7 at 9 pm at the Paramount Theatre and then again the next night at the Capitol Theatre. Folks may also remember the young ladies making a public appearance at a teen dance in the old Civic Arena on May 8, 1965. “It was the first event of its kind held in the arena where a permanent floor had been installed the previous fall just prior to the opening of the skating season,” Lorraine noted. “Then we were at the Jaycee-ettes Spring & Summer Fashion Show at the Legion Hall on Tuesday, May 11.” Lorraine, who was raised in Port Alberni, has fond memories of when she worked weekends as a carhop at the A & W Drivein on Third Avenue (where Pley’s AutoTown is now). “In fact, I was working in 1964 when the Tsunami hit Port – I’d been serving a customer in the middle of the lot when I looked down to see water swirling around my feet – and it just kept rising extremely quickly,” she recalled. “I ran to inform our manager who directed myself and the other carhop (Sandy Cousins) to tell everyone to clear our immediately. I recall about 7 cars had been left in the lot, unattended, which ended up floating away when the high water mark was reached. It was an absolutely unforgettable experience.” Lorraine now lives in Sidney but
“Ron DeVito is driving the car, but I don’t know who’s car it was,” Lorraine Gates (nee St. Jacques) emailed last week about this picture that appeared in This was Then on Feb. 3. “I’ll ask my brother Romeo St. Jacques when he returns from holidays.” Lorraine said photo was taken during a Miss Alberni Pageant convertible parade held at 2 pm on Saturday, May 15, 1965, after a civic banquet at noon in the Beaufort Hotel’s chandelier room, where the contestants were judged on public speaking. “Following the banquet, hosted by the councils of the Twin Cities, the parade went from the Beaufort Hotel, around Woodward’s Store, and down Third Avenue to Alberni and back to the original Barclay Motor Hotel (Third & Redford),” Lorraine recalled. “The Banquet and Ball (winding up the pageant with the judging) was held at the Barclay at 8:00 that night. Joanne Bryson, Miss Chamber of Commerce, was chosen the winner.”
returns regularly to visit her parents, one brother and a sister here. “They read your article, sent me a copy and asked if I’d like to respond,” she said. “I moved from the Alberni Valley in the late ‘70’s, (to Vancouver, Calgary and
then to Mississauga, Ontario) and then pulled back to the west coast 10 years ago because my aging parents (who celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this month). Oh, the changes I’ve seen in the Valley since I lived there!
Thanks to the Gislason family for taking the picture and thank you Ike for giving me the opportunity to relive these memorable events. They really didn’t happen so long ago – they’re still so fresh in my mind.”
What do you know about this parade moment? It’s believed that Ken Soderlund took this picture of what I believe is a May Day parade between 1948 to the mid fifties. Although the photo is a little faded, you can see the red convertible is heading south on Victoria Quay, past the legendary “Three Sisters Café” bound for Port Alberni. I’m hoping that someone’s memory is still sharp enough to shed some clarity on this rare snapshot. If you can help, please email me at: ikepatterson@telus.net
This Was Then
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FEBRUARY 24, 2011
This Was Then... With Old Ike
Valentine’s Day is past – What ever happened to? St. Patrick’s Day is next
These Grade 3’s from John Howitt School crowd around a shamrock cake on St. Patrick’s Day 28 years ago. Dolina Berg’s Grade 3 class raffled off the cake, baked by Mrs. Berlinski, mother of one of the students, and the proceeds went to Red Cross Youth. Surrounding the cake on Thursday, March 17, 1983, are, left to right, Denise Wilson, nine; Tiffany Huss, eight; Bryce Blake, eight; Kenny Wilson, eight; Michelle Berlinksi, eight, and Gordon Stewart, nine. By the way, St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 (also Art Wynans birthday) falls on a Thursday this year, just like it did in 1983.
It was the summer of ’79 when Mary Primeau and Christine Bakker set up a “cool spot” at Tenth and Argyle. Times photographer Roy Snikkers caught the pair hard at work on July 17, 1979 and this picture appeared in the AV Times the following day. The girls’ lemonade stand hit the spot at the time because the Valley was experiencing a heat wave, thanks to a high-pressure ridge off the west coast of the Island. The airport weather station reported a high temperature of 34 degrees Celsius on July 16, which tied the record high for July set in 1958. So, where are Mary and Christina today? Did they ever use their business experience from 32 years ago in later life? Lets chat at: ikepatterson@telus. net
My son is in that Youth Choir picture: Marilyn McPherson “Glen McPherson is pictured front left in the photo you published,” Marilyn McPherson emailed recently about the 1981 Community Youth Choir item on Feb. 10. “I have been looking for my notes on the trip (spring tour) to no avail so far. It was a wonderful experience for everyone, taken at spring
break. German composer Engleburt Humperdink’s opera Hansel and Gretel was a large undertaking with wonderful costumes, scenery and make-up. Melanie White (back row center) was Hansel. Al Evans drove the large truck needed for the sets, and school teacher Bill Mosdell drove the bus carrying all
the choir members and chaperons. Irene Loewen was our first-aid person. My jobs were arranging billets in each city we visited, organizing make-up and acting as a chaperon. Robin Mitchell was the director of the choir, and arranged the tour schedule along with many other things.”
Can you recall the “Mr. Port Alberni Contest” held on Saturday, March 12, 1988 at the Italian Centre? Jeff Lott, representing Big Brothers, performed a hilarious Diana Ross number, assisted by two lovely Supremes, for the talent act and won the title. Jeff donated the $500 prize money to the Red Cross Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Runner up in the contest, sponsored by the AV Musical Theatre, was Rob Simons of Huckleberry Theatre, who did a wonderful Elvis routine.
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FEBRUARY 24, 2011
Pennyworth • 39
This Was Then... With Old Ike
It happened in February
Sunshine Club members took people back in time during their “Pioneer Tea” at Echo Centre on Thursday, Feb. 18, 1993. A pioneer parade of costumes, with historic commentary by Shelley Harding of the Alberni Valley Museum, was the highlight of the afternoon event held to celebrate Heritage Week. Here (left to right) Ann Morrison wears an afternoon dress, Marion McKimm is in a 1919 hobble outfit and Vivian Hewlett models a day dress. The Costume House and Portal Players provided the costumes.
Twenty-five years ago the Kinsmen Club of Port Alberni donated a biofeedback unit to West Coast General Hospital. This picture, taken from the Feb. 11, 1986 issue of the AV Times, shows biofeedback technician Karen Urarili demonstrating the unit to Kinsmen members Glen White, left, and Vern Barnett. “The waiting list of patients recommended by doctors to receive biofeedback has been completely booked several months into the future,” Urarili told reporter Shelley Browne at the time. Can you identify the local celebrities who kicked off the annual Big Brothers’ Bowl for Millions Week at Rainbow Lanes on Saturday, Feb. 5, 1983? From the left, then Big Brother local president Mike Sywulych, economic development officer Ken Hutcheson, Jake horst of the Beaver Creek Community Association, Mayor Paul Reitsma, Alderman Len Nelson, Parks and Recreation chairman Bob Eyford, Gerry Kupser of the Kiwanis Club (partially hidden), MLA Bob Skelly and CJAV’s Dave Stathers. The celebrities, and well over 100 other charity bowlers on hand, let it roll for pledges of pennies a point for most of the day. Pledge bowlers kept it up all week at Rainbow Lanes and other bowling alleys across the country.
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FEBRUARY 24, 2011
This Was Then... With Old Ike Picture this – you’re on the corner of Third and Reader Response Dunbar in 1954 as the May Day parade passes by
An excited Armand Denis came to see me last Thursday afternoon after seeing that aerial picture of Franklin River’s Camp B.
Lynne Kendrick (now Flint) was about two years old when her mom took her to watch the May Day parade as it went from Alberni up to Recreation Park. Judging by a photo of Lynne with her mom, taken at the parade, it’s a fair assumption the year was 1954. Lynne’s family lived at the corner of Fourth and Dunbar, a short block from the parade route, which came from Alberni along lower Third, turned up Kingsway to Argyle, on the way to Rec Park where the May Day festivities were held. The photographer was looking north when he snapped this picture of the “Valleyettes” as they were turning in the intersection at the bottom of Third Avenue hill, about to go up Kingsway. The buildings in the background, formerly M & B offices, were torn down a couple of years ago. Can you recognize anyone in the picture? Were you a member of the popular Elks Club’s group back then? As usual, lets chat at: ikepatterson@telus.net
“Shortly upon arriving in Port Alberni in September 1955, I was hired at Franklin River,” he told me. “I stayed in the old bunkhouse for about a month while the new ones were under construction. I got in the new ‘house’ in November and it was great. One side had six rooms (two men in each room) and each room had a bathroom. The other side had four rooms, with a big room to put our boots and rain gear to dry overnight.” Armand worked as a chokerman, earning $1.50 an hour, with free room and board at the camp. “I was 19 years old, right off the farm in Leoville, Saskatchewan,” he recalled. “In late December, 1955, there was lots of snow and we were laid off. I moved back into town and got a construction job at the pulp mill.” Given his experience, Armand figures last week’s picture of Franklin River’s Camp B at Coleman Creek was probably taken in the late spring or summer of 1956.
Classic business cards Recalling ‘SupPort Alberni’ from Darrell Ohs and Turner Brothers Travel Former resident Darrell Ohs emailed last week from his home in Nanaimo. “Last Christmas you reprinted a 1956 Twin Cities Times editorial about Christmas in the Albernis in 1899,” he noted. “The article made a reference to Fitzgerald and Burke’s Livery Barn. Anyhow, here’s the business card of Alberni Livery, Sale and Feed Stables. This card must be several years into the 20th century, as Burke is the sole proprietor now and he’s added “Autos Accommodated” to the services. From somewhat later in the evolution of transportation in the Alberni Valley, I’m also sending the business card from the Bill Ohs Texaco Service Station – from the late 1930’s I believe. This garage was located at the corner of Third and Athol (the current site of The Brick) and Bill and Ernie Ohs had the Dodge and DeSoto franchises at the time. After the war they built Ohs Bros. Motors on the other side of Athol, where they were dealers for Austin Cars, Indian Motorcycles, British and domestic Fords.”
Port Alberni and proud. That was true of the staff at Turner Brothers Travel back in June 1996 when they were winners of the SupPort Alberni mystery shopper program, sponsored by the Port Alberni Commercial Enhancement Society (PACES). The program, launched in 1995, was designed to promote stay-at-home shopping. You may remember that on the third Friday of each month, the staff members of participating local businesses were to wear their SupPort Alberni T-shirts for the entire day. PACES would send out a mystery shopper on that day and pick out two businesses whose staff members were clad in those special shirts. The winners would each receive $200 worth of advertising space in the AV Times, which cosponsored the program. Twenty-five years later, PACES and Turner Brothers Travel no longer exist, but I believe most residents still realize the benefits of shopping-at-home. The Turner Brothers Travel staff, shown here in their SupPort Alberni shirts were, from the left: Pat Schellenberg, Judy Richmond, manager Edna Hahn, Michele Maidment and Sharon Fedirchuk.
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This Was Then... With Old Ike Rock & Gem Show returns to Cherry Creek Hall March 12 – 13 It’ll be another solid weekend at the Cherry Creek Hall March 12 and 13 when the Alberni Valley Rock & Gem Club presents their annual show. “We’re hoping to top the 1600 mark for attendance this year, like we did two years ago,” Club spokesman and show organizer Dan Mooney revealed. “There are 12
dealers confirmed and all of the regular features, except for the treasure rocks, will be back. There will be slabs and fossils for sale, as well as demos and displays.” Admission for the two-day family event, which always draws lots of interest from out of town, is $2.00 a person (children under 10 free with an adult). The Rock & Gem Show
runs from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, March 12 and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, March 13. For more information, contact Dan Mooney at 250-724-2832 or stop by the Harbour Quay on Saturday, March 5. “We’ll have a booth and display table set up at the Farmers’ Market from 8:30 am till noon,” Dan added.
Who were these creative bikers? This bicycle built for, well, three – appeared in the Echo Centre area on Monday, July 2, 1973, during the Kiwanis second annual Dominion Day Bicycle Races here. More than 100 competitors from out side Port Alberni took part as well as local cyclists. Does anyone know the identities of this trio? They certainly caught enough attention with a bike that would be popular around town today. As usual, please email me at: ikepatterson@ telus.net
This picture of the late Jack Clayton and his unique fireplace appeared in the AV Times on March 4, 1983. “Jack was a Life member (over 20 years) of the Alberni Rock & Gem Club,” long-time member Joan Humphries commented. “He was the president when I joined in 1977. Club members went over to his house for the unveiling of the fantastic fireplace and we toasted it with root beer. That fireplace was made of rocks that Jack himself had collected on his many trips over the years. One side is made with just Vancouver Island rock.”
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