Wednesday September 11, 2024 Zoom Meeting
Sheila Ward opened zoom for: Ken Matheson, Rob Hohert, Bill Wedley, Joan and David McKay, John Bartok, Sylvia Enga, Bill Huxham, Diana Davidson. Apologies to Rhelda (Fromme) Nicholson and Bill Riddall who were unable to join for unexplained reasons!
Ken started off by telling us of the recent births of great grandsons and the imminent arrival of a third (boy or girl?). He also explained about the excavation of sand and gravel that is regularly taking place on the River The name of the river is the Vedder River. They are digging lakes off to the sides of the river to mitigate possible flooding during extraordinary rainfalls. The holes are setback approximately 10-15 feet from the river bank and they are dug approximately 8-10 feet deeper than the existing river bed After the small lake has been excavated they then open up the ends allowing any sediment flowing downriver to flow into this area. I know they are planning this in 11 different areas along the river. The sand, gravel and rocks ( always in short supply) removed is wanted and certainly used in Chilliwack. The sole purpose is firstly to prevent any flooding during any atmospheric rivers or extreme rainfalls. This measure is not new and used all over the country. He and his wife are very happy with their relatively new location as there are lots of long walks nearby which they both enjoy.
Rob has spent a great deal of time dispersing Lynne’s estate as she wanted various items to go to different children and grandchildren. He is nearly finished that task. He originally planned to attend the September 18th Sock Hop but had to change his plans due to other important events. Later he told us in a response to a question about his boat that he is in the process of getting new Gel Batteries for the boat and had enjoyed time on it.
Rob is planning to go on a cruise with family around the Bahamas area at Christmas. His grandchildren wrote a poem about Lynne called, “Grandma’s Garden” which was very moving for Rob. It has several stanzas and he will post it on our class website.
Bill Wedley talked about the Celebration of Life for his wife and our classmate Jo Ann Mitchell (late July) which had about 170 folks in attendance. The video that they wanted to take didn’t work so the tributes given by their grandson, by their daughter and son, and by Bill along with photos has been put on our class website (in Memory link) so those who were unable to attend can participate remotely in time and place. The socializing and communication (that Jo Ann treasured) will obviously be missed.
Bill also said he is still working with his research group which is studying decision-making among managers. He said “measurement” parameters can vary and complicate the work. He is trying to adjust to “being alone” after many years of a storybook companionship with Jo Ann. (Folks on our zoom also missed seeing Jo Ann on the couch in the background).
John Bartok told us that 3 of his grandchildren have recently married and that fishing is the best it has been in years. Once again he has had problems with his boat and has recently been told that the problem is not mechanical but electrical. He expects it to be fixed tomorrow and will be back out on the waters. Recently he had the boat on the south side of Bowen Island where he had three lines out and caught about 30 fish a day, mainly Cohoe and Spring. This past weekend the Fish and Game Club were out. ???
Even though water level in rivers is lower than usual, fish levels have been very high. There are billions of anchovies which have exploded in the waters. Herring spawn have turned the waters blue and have necessitated crews moving loads of spawn to Coal Harbour. (Diana asked if they were government crews??). He said he saw 8 Humpback whales off the Lighthouse area. They could be seen from the highway. He likes the whales because they eat seals that can be devastating to fish.
Rob brought up the fact that this zoom call has occurred on September 11th which is a major catastrophe for many. A few folks made comments about where they were when 9/11 happened. The big Harris/Trump debate (having occurred on the night of the 10th) occasioned a few remarks also.
Dave McKay spoke about celebrating his 85th birthday with many of his and Joan’s offspring and very much enjoying them all. They have been taking long walks with a hiking group that has been on the go regularly for about 40 years. The walks are all around them but they pause through winter and start again in the spring.
Bill Huxham (with his wife Vicky in the background) said hello from where he lives on his son’s trailer farm between Courtney and Campbell River. He has been with his wife for 62 years and together they have 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He talked about the Deep Cove Chicks, one of whom they will be having dinner with soon. He spoke of Marge Holden (Ron has passed) as being one of the Deep Cove Chicks.
Sylvia told us she and Eric have recently visited Iceland, Scotland and North Yorkshire in England. They did a 3 -day Coach Tour out of Manchester which was surprisingly pleasant. They visited “All Creatures Great and Small”, and Harry Potter filming sites. Their 15-year-old granddaughter wants to go to the western Caribbean at Christmas which may be in the cards. They have never been to the Caribbean. The Air B&B which they keep in their house on Grand Blvd keeps her very busy as does her garden.
Joan asked Sheila to talk about her life. Sheila said that she wakes in the morning to determine what her daily exercise program will be – swimming, walking, stretching routine for starters. She also reads a great deal to keep her mind sharp (maybe?) and tries to socialize with others to keep involved with life. Her daughter, Laura, is coming from New York for a few days and will attend the ‘57 Reunion Sock Hop along with her granddaughter, Indigo. None of the three want to miss the chance to dance.
Diana and her husband, Mark, have started a publishing business concentrating on writing about the Pacific coast and boating. They have republished a book written in 1926 by a United Church minister who ran a mission boat along the coast, “Adventures in Service”. It is popular with people who like boating and history. She has published a couple of her own books about boating
In follow up to Sylvia’s possible Caribbean trip, there was discussion of various islands and which were preferred. Rob likes Barbadoes, St. Lucia and especcially San Blas Islands (Panama). Sheila likes Anguilla where she and her family have had several vacation trips (several years ago now) with close friends. Half Moon Quay near the Grand Cayman was also mentioned as a lovely spot.
Bill Wedley spoke about the many reunions and trips he and Jo Ann have taken over the years with business school friend from Columbia University. Keystone (Colorado,) Los Angeles, Kiawah Island, (South Carolina), Cotswolds (England), Alaska, the Baltics, and Peccioli in Italy (near Florence for a summer retreat).
Ken mentioned sailing around Bowen Island with Howard Stevenson (Arlene’s brother).
Rob said each of his daughter’s visits him at least once a month and they often bring grandchildren along. He also takes a balance class twice a week.
A long discussion about bears, Grizzlies and Blacks ensued.