Just thought I should post my reflections on this event last weekend.

The Society Rental Coordinator, Nona Kucher, Jim Laktin, President and myself, Elmer Verigin, Past President of the Doukhobor Heritage Society #1999, attended a local event at the Whatshan Lake Retreat.

It was billed, as the “last weekend of summer music festival” but it was more than that, it was a successful local entertainment event. It was a great pleasure meeting friends from the past and new faces that I had the opportunity to meet for the first time. Smiles by everyone and some great concession stands with great food. I do hope that some of these with consider future events including the Whatshan Jam in the second weekend of July 2019. Yes, 2019 will be a twenty (20) year celebration of when the project was dedicated to society in July of 1999.

Many of the Musicians were part of a local group that would prepare “pot luck” entrees in 1998 and 1999, and come to the Retreat building under construction and to lift the spirits of the volunteers who were building at that time. There amongst the piles of drywall, insulation and tools, we ate and then the music would start. I recall “Banjo” singing up a storm with his rendition of “Seven Spanish Angels” with a definitive Hank Snow twang. Bill Penner and many more would round off the spontaneous program.

They all never really understood what encouragement it was to those who had travelled from far on that building program. Kudus to all of you!

Many local entertainers made the day and evening enjoyable with donations to the Edgewood Fire Department. I was especially impressed with the volunteers who prepared the Pancake Breakfast. Definitely, very professional and those would missed it are forever handicapped (healthwise, I mean).

Thank you very much to Dean and Patti Taylor who did much to organize this event and the Society is very appreciative of your efforts far and beyond your Care-Taking duties at the Retreat.

Note that Rodeo, Taylor’s ‘watch dog’ made friends with Nona right away and was much relaxed by the music.

It was great to see Bob on stage and happy to see his healthy face. Thank you also, to Bill Penner, our first Care-Taker and long time volunteer, to come and say hello.

Bob Baker brought the Gingersnap Lady out and I was disappointed that she didn’t bring a bag of ‘snaps’ out. I am sure that Larry noticed that too! Yes Bob, the bunkbeds that Bill and you constructed and donated to Cabins 6 through 8 inclusive, are still performing as they were intended. Thank you very much!

A lot of hugs with Karen and Judy (I hope Bill and Orville understand). They say what happens in Whatshan stays in Whatshan but at Whatshan people are old-fashioned with their appreciation of each other and we do not need CNN to dictate what we can do in normal lives.

I understand that I missed a great dance and music within the Retreat on Saturday Night. Please understand that my “candle does not burn as long as it used to”!

Then perhaps, the Baunya steam bath with Jim may have compromised my stamina. The report that Jim gave us was that it was a great event and well attended.

I look forward to this fund raiser taking place next year and I hope that it was as financially successful as it was socially.

Thank you all!

Elmer

October 01, 2018