UNIVERSITY OF A and W (Castlegar Campus)

I have been fortunate in my life to have grown up in a farming community with many others, struggling to survive with challenges from weather, disease, predators and government interference. At this early age I was able to understand the intelligence of this part of society. I found that they could sense weather changes, animal moods, crop rotations, and understand Electrical, Mechanical, Carpentry, Veterinary and many other specialized areas that was necessary to economically deal with farming. I am comfortable in this discussion group even though some misinformed public have nicknamed them as “dumb farmers”.

Then I entered the University fraternity with many ordinary people who were destined for higher learning. I met young people who later went on to successful professions and never changed their simplicity and genuine ordinary folk mindset. I found that the rest of the population felt intimidated because these people spoke on subjects with an entire different point of view. Not always were these people speaking down on the rest but perhaps were just misinterpreted. Nonetheless, I feel at home in this environment when I am in that crowd which some refer to as “suits”.

I worked with Trades people and I learned how skillful these people were and how fundamental this part of society was to the whole. Of course these people have their points of view and ways to express themselves which again differed from the rest. In their midst, I can fit in here very comfortably. Perhaps the School Career Counsellors do not understand this sector well enough in that they do not provide the encouragement necessary for more young people to enter these fields which has resulted in such a shortfall of tradespeople.

Since I was a General Contractor during my professional years, working with Trade Contractors and their Tradesmen was a natural consequence for me in organizing an association of Construction Contractors. They too have a fraternity that operates within their spectrum. My experience in this area is that there was considerable encouragement for workers to enter apprenticeship programs.

And so it is with those who come together at A and W for coffee and visiting. I find them all within their very unique environment where they have a comfort level all their own. Most are from many different backgrounds, careers and knowledge. Each one shares opinions and are prepared to defend their philosophy.

I am very impressed with this group and so they now become the subject matter for this satirical chronicle which will be written with humor for the enjoyment of all those who participated as well as the unsuspecting reader who may come across these words.

My immediate designation of this sector as the University of A and W and I have yet to meet one that is not an expert when they speak as it was always with conviction and authority on whatever the subject matter may be.

It makes sense then to call them all participating in graduate studies as most have at least 70 or more years experience. It lends itself to refer to them as Professors as other designations commensurate with their place in the respective fields.

And so let us begin with the scene.

We are in Castlegar, B.C., along Columbia Avenue and our first class begins at 0600 hours which is opening time for our campus.

Pacing the concrete sidewalk are two of the most eager alumni:

l. Professor Jean Brocekx arrives at 550 hours and always backs in his vehicle so that he is able to drive directly out should he succumb to too much caffeine. He settles into the North side of Table 2. Mr. Brocekx expertise is farming, trapping, hunting and trekking the wilderness along the Swan River, Thunderhill and at times the Duck Mountains. He has piloted planes into airports that even crows would not have attempted to land but he was always successful which is testament to the fact he has lived to tell all his students about it. Jean is well read and can participate in almost any subject of conversation and has shown authority in Quantum Physics and well versed in the existence of the “God Particle” in atoms. Jean was born in Bellsite about 15 km North of Birch River, Manitoba, in the skyscraper shadow of Swan River. He knows fully well that you can “take a horse to water but you cannot make him drink”. At 76 years young, he can still cut and prepare 2 cords of wood in day after attending his class.
2. Salvage Specialist Dave Gavrilik is always at the door at 0555 hours. It seems when he arrives, the staff opens the door no matter who had been already been standing there. That is instant recognition of a man of importance. He occupies the West side of Table 7. Dave had achieved his welding talents through the sheet metal trade and mostly in the salvage metal business where he would cut scrap metal into maximum 4′ x 2′ pieces for ease of handling into rail cars or trucks. He speaks of his time with automobiles that are heading for the shredder: “we take away the tires and gas tank and 17 seconds later, the car is in shreds!” Dave’s vast areas of expertise encompasses the manufacture of zoo cages to the journeyman Sheet Metal trade in the industrial field. Dave’s grandfather was a Master Mechanic at the Smelter in Trail, B.C., during the days when Blaylock was General Manager. The family residence was adjacent to the Blaylocks along Ritchie Avenue in Tadanac. Dave’s father recalls the Blaylock daughter working on repairs to her blue Roadster that eventually became the pride and joy of Dick McLeod here in Castlegar. Dave has survived 15 years working for Millionaire Pete Stoopnikoff managing his apartment. That feat will likely be noted in infamy as one of great survival.
3. Madam Lynn Smith unlocks the door at precisely 0600 hours. She is the Home Economics Dean as she efficiently plies her way amongst the class knowing what to say at the right time while she deflects rather sarcastic and cutting remarks that come from Governor Stushnoff. It is amazing that she knows so much about her class that she can predict what they will say even before they say it. She will have the coffee poured and set on his table even before Metallurgist Arthur Hagen makes his way slowly into class usually at 0620 hours. Lynn may almost be better described as an Empress as she comes from Empress, Alberta. She is a heroine in her birthplace as she lived on the Saskatchewan side of town but was born in the hospital on the Alberta side. Perhaps she may take her leadership quality as her father hailed from Leader Saskatchewan. Considering the dangers in her current workplace, Lynn married an RCMP Officer just to ensure that the unruly class behaved themselves.
4. Woodsmith Jim Dahl light steps his shyly on his way in and orders his usual Deluxe Bacon & Egger and coffee and then proceeds to the southwest corner of table 3 to face Governor Stushoff and Dr. Harshenin who are expected there shortly. Everyone knows their places and respect the Pecking Order that has been established over the years. Jim hails from a strong background of Woodsmiths and was born and raised in Rossland, B.C. Jim can read wood and can predict which way a piece may naturally warp and so can ply counteracting grains to end with uniform material in the end analysis. Being proficient in this Art separates the Masters from the Journeymen. It is very difficult to get Jim to expound on his talent as he is far too modest.
5. Governor Bill Stoochnoff holds his place at the desk with authority. His is located on the Northeast end of table 3. Everyone knows that seat is a hallowed chair and no one would dare to sit there with a risk of expulsion in disrepute. The Governor has an opinion on everything and claims authority over all. He has been the Area J volunteer Development Chair Committee for the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary for a record number of years that will never get broken. He was the spearhead organizing committee and was able to raise the funds as well as install the first water system in Ooteschina District. His claim to fame comes as a result of being part of the lead group of Doukhobors that settled that area in 1909. Governor Bill’s professional ability as a Mechanic, has taken him to his own garage in Castlegar and, later, fixing just about any vehicle in the City of Trail garage. It may be part of the reason that to this day, residents of Trail don’t get along with the citizens of Castlegar.
6. Dr. Larry Harshenin occupies the northwest corner of table 3. Larry was born in the metropolis of Robson but escaped to Pass Creek at the tender age of two. He has many years of Lab experience slacking lime. He knows the exact amount necessary in the plaster mix as well as time it will take to mix with water to form that consistency necessary for finish coat plastering. This is almost a lost science as that trade has been replaced by the lesser alternative plasterboard. His expertise takes him to the exact sieve setting for the sand that he must proportion with the cement and water that is the preparatory mix for the base coat.
7. Geographer Roy Keillor slips in about 0630 hours and takes his appointed spot on the North side of Table 1 in his very relaxed fashion. Roy was born on a farm about 8 miles from Norquay at a community known as Melmore. He is not sure what direction from Norquay it was located. He cannot remember how the family subsisted on that very meager farmyard of his birth to a large family. Few people have been where Roy has favored in his day. Places like Swan Plain, Norquay, Pelly, Aaron, Hyas and Stenen drop off his lips in his seasoned recall of days gone by. His students listen in awe as he brings on more famous places like Durban, Kenville, Benito and other famous towns. There were many opportunities for Roy to become a famous Jockey as he was entered in local Rodeos and Sports Days riding in Horse Races. We have not heard too much on how to judge a winner but that was in the days when drug enhancement was not even thought of yet. Roy took his Geography training on the road as a professional truck driver when it was shorter between points in miles.
8. Table 3 is definitely the most popular place as the Professors use their seniority in reserving their places. Sometime akin to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. As he slips into the South East corner of Table 3, Fred Pozdnekoff could be best described as a “Survivor”. Fred hails from the metropolis of Brilliant and became proficient in the Celgar Sawmill for his entire career under the scrupulous administration not only the tyrant Alex Cheveldave Sr., but also Bill Mazoroff. In the many years I spent volunteering with these two senior Celgar Executives at the Doukhobor Village Museum, I realized what the definition of perfection meant. Fred had to be exceptionally perfect to outlast Bill and Alex. Even his wife and partner recognizes his perfection and that is why they continue to live in the house that Fred built in Castlegar, these past fifty years.
9. Count Alexi “Rebinoff”, is one of the last to arrive pushing 0700 hours. The Count has seen every major construction project from the eyes of a Carpenter but has always keep abreast of his health. To this day Alexi grinds his grains to make whole flour to bake his bread. Strangely enough, he does not share his recipes nor his secret for longevity but is known to disagree with the Governor on Doukhobor History and Philosophy which has resulted in the Governor honoring him with the title of Count. The Count favors the North East corner of table 3 and those who may have occupied that chair, will immediately remove themselves in respect, including the Governor himself.
10. Metallurgist Arthur Hagen was born in Trail, B.C., but immediately went up in the world to Rossland. He spent many years in researching the tank rooms at the Smelter and knows all about the extra work involved when the Lead Vats are not completely drained after each cycle. Jackhammers were some of his tools of trade when all else failed. Art slips into his spot on the South side of Table 2 at about 0620. There is much that Art can share with his class as he was a veteran in many classifications during his tenure at Cominco Ltd. Zinc M and S; Fertilizer Plant; Absorption Plant and his rise to Operator in the Acid Plant. There are many more stories that can be told here.

The information has been gathered over a period of time that began about May 12 and completed May 26, 2014 by Elmer Verigin, in respect of this alumni and the preservation of humor.