September 3, 2023

Hello Members and Friends

            Another busy month has gone by for the Boundary Historical Society.  We are heading into our Fall months and getting close to AGM time.

            On a sorrowful note, we received notice from Paul Lautard’s daughter, Janine, that her father passed away on August 25th in Hardy View Lodge.  We will always celebrate Paul’s life – he spent a good deal of his time repairing and replacing picket fences at Phoenix Cemetery – a job that the Boundary Woodworker’s Guild have taken over.  Paul is well-known for his work along the Trans-Canada Trail near Rhone where he constructed a rest stop for bicyclists. He has a story in Report # 13 about the Rhone Monument. Paul made his  100 years that he so desired to.  Marnie Green and I attended his birthday that year! A loss of a Life Member and a friend. Our sincere condolences to Gloria and all his family. Janine has indicated  that there will be a Celebration of Life next year for Paul – I’ll let you know when I know the details.  Condolences can be sent to Gloria and the family at P.O. Box 476, Midway, BC V0H 1M0 or by phone 250-449-2489.

            Our Annual Picnic was a rousing success on Sunday, August 13th.  Showed the cabin to many, many people, shared goodies, and stories and  just thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Nice to see a few new people out – lovely to chat with Bonnie McMillan whose father worked on the cabin for Gladys and to talk with Wayne Tblus who helped Gladys with her house and cabin.  Thanks go to Orlanda Brown for giving us some more of Gladys’ pictures for our album at the cabin. We renewed a few memberships and sold some Reports.  A lovely day.  Thanks to everyone who came out. 

            Jesse completed the bush clearing at the main Phoenix Cemetery and arranged a work crew to go up on Friday, August 18th.  Jesse, Denise, Bob, Mike and his son Ryan, Kevin, Gordie, and I all pitched in to give the cemetery its best clean up for a long, long time.  Graves were cleaned off, all the debris was cleared, dead tree branches lopped off.  I’m sure that you will be impressed with all the work that has been completed this year at the Cemetery. The day was smoky, and my camera batteries died but you can see Ryan on the bench waiting for the branches that his father Mike Is lopping off trees in this picture. Jesse also cleared the Upper Cemetery again and cut a trail for our fencer, Justin Perras – The Fence King –  to work on the Upper Cemetery’s left-hand side and back.  Hope he can get to it soon – I’ve offered to be a guide to the area as he is fairly new to our beautiful Boundary country – we have given him a deposit.

            We’ll be at the Grand Forks Fall Fair on Saturday, September 9th, and 10th.  Cher will be taking charge of our table with help from Karen, Mel and Joan and Mickey.  Thanks to all of you for helping – Jo Ann and I are in charge of the Exhibition Hall, and we cannot be in two places at once!

            Jo Ann and I took the Greenwood “ghost” tour with Maureen Grant on her last venture out for this year. That was so enjoyable – hope many of you book in for a tour of Greenwood next year.  What a wonderful job you are doing, Maureen!  Keeping history alive.  Maureen’s family are pioneers in the area.

            Our President, Joan Heart, finished her project article for the BC Historical Federation magazine and it has been submitted.  Great job, Joan.

            We will also be present at the Rock Creek Fair in the Education area of the Pavilion on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17th.  If you are out for the day, stop in and chat. 

            Our AGM in October is fast approaching, and all those Christmas Craft Fairs are in the nearer than I’d like future!!

            Our next meeting is Wednesday, September 20 , 2023 – Grand Forks City Park – 1:00 p.m.

In history,

Doreen Sorensen

Secretary