September 1, 2024

Hello Members and Friends,

Such a gorgeous day – first day of September so we can expect to see the leaves changing soon, Our August has been a full one. Clean up at the Upper and Main Phoenix Cemetery was completed. We had an aggravating and sad discovery when Bob McTavish and his nephew and I visited the main cemetery. Hazel Mary Clayton’s marker was missing. This is the first time I have experienced vandalism at the cemetery, but I know it certainly happened in the past. Such a disappointment. We have a new plaque for this baby and this time Bob said we will really cement it in. My first thought was to check for Mr. Walters plaque – thankfully, it is still there. We are moving Hazel Mary’s further down – beside another baby’s grave. We do not know where Hazel Mary’s grave is, but we will continue to honour her memory.

Our picnic and celebration of Al Donnelly’s life was lovely. Such a beautiful day. We made a “house” with four tents, so we were mostly all shaded. Bob did an excellent job with the hot dogs, and they proved popular. Lots of lovely goodies and watermelon. Mickey’s coffee was delicious – Gladys would have been so pleased. First time we have had a microphone for the speakers and thanks to Les Johnson that worked out very well. First time we have opened the other window!! We had about forty guests – Greg Nesteroff and his wife Anitra drove over from Trail and member, Gloria Currie, from Salmo camped over at Jewel Lake and attended our picnic. Gloria is interested in restoring the Ymir cemetery. Hope she made it up to Phoenix okay! We shared memories of Al, renewed memberships and sold copies of Al’s Greenwood- Heritage Comes Alive. Such a nice visit – I am sure Gladys would be so happy with our gatherings at her cabin.

Before the picnic, Boundary Woodworkers, Bob McTavish, and Bud Smith installed a sign in box for people who visit the cabin to sign in at. Al’s bench was placed earlier in the month with the help of the Boundary Woodworkers. We are always grateful for their help and expertise.

Despite a downpouring of rain on Saturday, August 24th, Yoko Nishi’s meeting of Japanese scholars and Japanese families who were interned in Grand Forks during WWII took place. Anne Verigin and Olga Lebedoff took them on a tour of some of the Doukhobor villages. They enjoyed a drive up the North Fork and had a great visit at the Boundary Museum with Denise Frocklage, the new curator, helping with the tour. Les Johnson and I were privileged to attend the dinner on Saturday evening at the Station Pub. The Pub is the train station at which the Japanese internees disembarked. They were not allowed to disembark at the Grand Forks Station in town. The scholars from Japan explained how they had found a book about Grand Forks in their archives, and it set the search in motion for more information about Japanese emigration and the forced internment of Japanese families living at the coast. What an interesting afternoon and evening. Les gave a short speech and passed on four of our Reports as gifts for the scholars. We are hoping to get some stories for our next report. Thanks to Yoko Nishi for giving us this opportunity.

We have the Grand Forks Fall Fair coming up on September 7th and 8th and we have volunteers for our BHS table. I will be travelling out to the Rock Creek Fair on September 14th and 15th. A good time to renew your membership if it is coming due.

On Sunday, September 8th, members Mel and Joan Carroll, will be travelling the Franklin Trail with our local ATV Club. Huge congratulations to the Grand Forks ATV Club for saving this trail and erecting information kiosks along the way to the Union Mine. A huge piece of our history.

I have already signed us up for one Christmas Craft Fair – that is early!! Our AGM is scheduled for October. I will have more information after our next regular meeting on Wednesday, September 18 in City Park.

Historically,

Doreen Sorensen

Secretary