Monthly Archives: October 2013

Elmer’s Diary Note August 19, 2013

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

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Elmer’s Diary Entry Dated July 19, 2013

Mary Khadekin Residence, Benito, Manitoba, 1635 hours

I took the nostalgic trip to Pelly, Saskatchewan this morning, hoping so that I would be able to take a cup of coffee with the locals at the Penguin Café. My first pleasant surprise was being asked by those on the veranda “so what part of B.C., are you from?”

“Castlegar” met with a knowing nod as they continued to sip their coffee, the three gentlemen seated there.

I had met the interesting Proprietor during the 2011 Pelly Centennial Celebrations and in true prairie hospitality, she walked out of the Penguin with a steaming cup of coffee “Peter wants you to come in!” she reported.

“Peter who?” I queried but did not hear the identity.

“I will be there in a minute as I finish my chat with these guys,” I added.

I continued to identify exactly who I was and what I was doing in town as all this is very important stuff for these farmers who were obviously either semi or totally retired. This involves locating my exact farm where I grew up. Besides this will be news that will be carried on from one to the other for a few weeks.

“Two miles East and 1 ½ miles North of Pelly was where I grew up and I am the Verigin family,” I located and identified myself.

“Oh yes that was a mile West of John Rezansoff father’s farm …..Across from Kondratoffs, wasn’t it?” one of the men zeroed in on the location.

“John used to play in a band that entertained at dances and other local events.” As he became increasingly friendly breaking out in a smile.

“That’s the guy alright!” as we bantered about people of that vintage (late 50’s and during the 60’s).

A fellow came out the door which I recognized as John MacLise, older brother of my classmate Roberta MacLise. “You still pushing that Tractor around the field or did you learn to drive it now?” I quipped.

“A lot better than walking behind horses,” he shot back with recognition. “What are you doing in town?”

“Just thought I should see if you guys are looking after the place.”

I then followed his path into the Penguin to see which Peter was there. Sure enough it was Peter Negraeff and his wife Sylvia, smiling in a welcome that was very meaningful to me. Peter was my Educator from grades 8 through 12 in various subjects. He was more than that….he was my Mentor!!

We finished our hearty hugs and started to catch up on where we left off some two years previous.

“There are some who are Educators and others are just Teachers”, I began my appreciation to this man who had made such a significant contribution to developing my character and influencing my life.

“I will never forget how you were the reason that I write today. You inspired me to do so in grade 12 English.” I became increasingly enthused in the recollection of that memorable time in this chance meeting.

Sylvia (also a Teacher) was moved by my comments “It is rare that one meets their students and get thanked for what we do.”

“I am fortunate to be able to identify myself to my Mentor as his prodigy”, I continued. “I think of you a great deal and now I can thank you in person.”

We carried on about how his family of Negraeffs lived next door to my family Northeast of Canora, on a farm where I was born.

“You know that I am the last one of nine children that is still alive,” Peter was pensive for a moment. “I am 89 years of age!”

I could not help but notice that he was looking in good health along with his wife, Sylvia who was much younger.

“I hear you still entertain almost everywhere,” I was really enquiring rather than making a statement of fact.

“Yes we actually played last night in MacKenzie Park at the North end of Main Street,” they informed me. “We also play at Heritage Day in Veregin on Sunday. Are you going to be there?”

“That is one of the reasons that I am in the area. I want to enjoy that celebration this weekend,”  I responded.

“How’s Jack Henderson?” I enquired.

“He has had an operation on his rectum to remove a large part of the growth there. He has had two Chemo Treatments so far and his daughter has taken him back to Saskatoon for another treatment yesterday,” they advised.

“Is it malignant?”

“We were advised that he may have had the growth there for a long time now. We are not sure of any spread through the body,” Sylvia further informed me.

And so we hugged each other and bid adieus to meet again on Sunday in Veregin.

As I write this I have a smile in appreciation of a truly serious Educator and my Mentor. It is not often that one is able to express their feelings to someone who has provided a path as such an Educator to his student. All this took place in one life time.

Elmer Verigin

Ring Bound Sketch Book. Transcribed October 09, 2013

Elmer’s Diary Notes on Pulp Mill in Prince Rupert

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

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Elmer’s Diary Entry Dated July 30, 2012

Prince Rupert Campground, 1106 hours

I never expected to come back! There was no reason to as the expected two years stint from May 1963 to April 30, 1965 was a planned work commitment to Columbia Cellulose Co. Ltd (the pulp mill owner at that time), to achieve my Professional Engineering status after graduation in Civil Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan .

Still it was my first real job in my career and no question; it set a lasting imprint in my life.

As we drove up to the gates, Marilyn, Rick, Lori and I, to witness the slowly deteriorating equipment and buildings that represented the Kraft Mill that was situate on the hill beside the decaying Sulfite Mill that was my original jobsite. The Kraft Mill was my responsibility for the start of site preparation with blasting, etc.

What greeted us took my breath away. The inmates of the guard shack were two intimidating men who my opening joke of “reporting for work after a long absence” as sort of an affront, really.

The question of “why are the lights shining on all the buildings” was returned with “a security reason” and followed by “we don’t allow anyone to walk around up there”.

Then I asked “does anyone come around?” The response “sometimes guys like you!”

The entire parking lot was stacked with lumber pallets marked Fraser Mills Lumber, which obviously was on its way to overseas markets or perhaps the Lower Mainland, by barge.

The gate was still there and in the distance, the former Administration Building in sad shape. I noted the second floor Engineering Office where Chief Engineer George McLeod and Assistant Engineer __?__ Martenussen had adjacent offices.

I was able to get a glimpse of the former Sulfite Mill Machine Room that was likely used for other purposes after the Sulfite Mill shut down. I still recall the agitated telecom was having with Gene DeLucca at Head Office in Vancouver “you are crazy to build a Sulfate Mill beside an operating Sulfite Mill……..one will “eat” the other in a year’s time”. Those words rang like clarion screeches in my ears.

I am not sure whether I know all the reasons for the demise of both Pulp Mills but it appears that perhaps senior management may have influenced some significant injury to that process.

I noted that the former settling pond that once “bubbled” with caustic chemicals and drained on the outgoing tides was standing empty. I just wonder what the chemical analysis would show now.

No, the security guards were somewhat less than good Public Relations Officers and so Rick and I walked away but not before Rick took a photo of me embracing the sign posting “No Admittance” along with other discouraging statements.

1240 hours

I am now in “Breakers Pub” looking at the harbor where Sid Corbett used to park his yacht in the Yacht Club. Many happy times were spent in that boat with Ron Ross, Robert Miller, and Jim Holloway and of course, Sidney Corbett our “fearless captain”.

I just visited the Port of Prince Rupert and noted their interesting data:

  • 2,700 permanent jobs in the harbor which involve shipping coking coal, all kinds of grains and other exports to the Asian Markets. I was not aware that Prince Rupert is closer to the Asian markets by 1,000 miles than Vancouver
  • #150 million in wages

So losing 600 jobs in the Pulp Mill operations has not daunted the continuing growth and existence of Prince Rupert.

Elmer Verigin

Spring Summer Fall Winter notebook by Kim, Lora, Abby and Macy October 08, 2013