INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND BUSINESSES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (ICBA)
40TH ANNIVERSARY, November, 18, 2015
INTERVIEW OF ELMER VERIGIN BY GORDON STEWART, ASSISTANT V.P. ICBA
QUESTIONS CREATED BY: JONATHAN MCGILL, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, ICBA OF BC
INTERVIEW DATE: July 23, 2015
1. Can you share some memories of how ICBA started?
a. An article in the Journal Commerce in 1973, reported a group of Contractors attended a Vancouver Island Right to Work Association meeting in Victoria, where the guest speaker was Ralph J. Purdy, VP of the Saskatchewan Employers Council. The emphasis of message was that everyone had the Right to Work no matter union affiliation or otherwise.
b. This struck a tender chord for me as because it was at this time that the NDP Government of the day was legislating a Public Works Fair Employment Act (PWFEA)which seriously contravening that right.
i. Of the 100,000 Tradesman qualified by the Government Apprenticeship Programs, only 33,000 (those in the Craft Unions) would be only eligible to work on government funded projects
ii. Worse yet, competition for these projects would only rest with the unionized Contractors who employed those workers
iii. My company, with the majority would be barred from tendering
iv. Something appeared to be out of place with this scenario!
c. Contact was made with both Ralph J. Purdy and the VIRTWA and soon a convention was called in Trail, B.C.
d. This convention was attended by small individual operated firms across B.C. We were immediately recognized as an information picket line was set up in front of the Terra Nova Hotel to protest the reasons why we were meeting . It was decided that a Committee of 5 would request a meeting with the Labor Minister Bill King to consider repealing this PWFEA
e. On the trip to Victoria, the VIRWA hosted this Committee consisting of :
i. Joe Pagurut from Cranbrook
ii. Nick Plotnikoff of Creston
iii. Norm Husband of Creston
iv. Gordon Laarz of Trail
v. Elmer Verigin of Trail
f. Everyone was surprised that Bill King listened to this fledgling group for 2 and 1/2 hours in his Victoria offices
i. His reasoning for the enacting the PWFEWA was that Alberta Contractors were unfairly competing for Highways Contracts because of their “Open Shop” status and so the Act would now favor B.C. firms.
ii. When the Committee pointed out the devastation to all the Contractors in the B.C., he countered with the fact that he was not aware of all these contractors and perhaps they should organize to speak on their behalf
iii. The Founders of ICBA always considered that Bill King was the real “Founder”
iv. Due credit must be given to Mr King as he did repeal the PWFEA later during his term of Office
v. After the NDP lost the election at the end of their term, I met Bill King at the Vancouver Airport. He walked over and shook my hand and congratulated us for forming the ICBA and influencing a strong political campaign to change the government of the day.
g. Ralph J Purdy was hired to solicit members. The results were that small chapters were formed in:
1. Cranbrook
2. Creston
3. Trail-Castlegar
4. Penticton
5. Kelowna
6. Kamloops
7. Abbottsford
8. Victoria
h. The first provincial convention of all these branches was held at the Sandman Inn in Vancouver to celebrate the first open shop major project constructed on the Lower Mainland. There were several members from Vancouver but not enough to form a branch at that time.
i. The constitution that was drafted by a committee, earlier in Victoria, was approved at this convention. Much of the pertinent wording came from the ABC Incorporated , by permission, from this successful open shop movement in the USA

2. What is your strongest memory from the early years of ICBA?
a. Even though the ICBA members were active in changing the politics in B.C., it was very difficult to get government speakers to speak at the early conventions because ICBA was associated with radicals who dared to oppose compulsory unionism
b. Member firms were targeted with picket lines as intimidation tactics
c. Many executive members were threatened
d. Ewald Rempel was hit by a vehicle as he crossed the street and ended up holding the windshield wipers staring at the union driver who fled
e. Ed Rempel was jailed in Langley for allegedly attempting to run over a staged action on the picket line at the Overweigthea Foods Warehouse project. We could not believe that a 250 plus picket line was orchestrated by the BC Yukon Trades Council which physically prevented our employees to enter the site
f. Despite all these troubled times, we were able to band together as a strong association. Our conventions were full of social events such as dancing, socializing with skits, jokes, etc.
g. We were fund-raising as we were always short some $12,000 at the year end. So we organized auctions where we sold objects like:
i. Boxes of apples for $350
ii. Cartons of eggs for $100
iii. Cases of jam for $500
iv. The shirt off the auctioneer’s back for $400
v. The special lady’s undergarment (bought in an envelope) by the owner for $600
vi. A large rum and coke mixer in the function of as B.S. Grinder sold annually for about $400 each year
vii. A broken concrete block stolen from the Sandman Inn in Vancouver brought about $300 annually
viii. We even had a picture of a black and white crow on a lawn that brought the curious with $200 annually
h. The owners and their wives (who were usually part owners) looked forward to the yearly conventions

3. How did the ICBA shape the history of construction industry in BC?
a. A major change from a time when repeated work stoppages when 80 % were the norm in major construction work built by those firms employing union personnel.
b. Work stoppages on major projects are now a past history as a reverse with 80 % of the work now being constructed by Open Shop Contractors.
c. Projects can be completed on time and on budget
d. ICBA now speaks for the construction industry in B.C.

4. What are some of the challenges you faced during the first 10 years of ICBA?
a. My firm was not able to obtain trades from Canada Manpower if they were union members. Manpower refused to honor a worker request despite the fact that they had unemployed suitable candidates
b. My firm was successful on a seniors project in Castlegar but the award went to a union firm deliberately
c. There were active public relations campaigns in Trail and Castlegar, advertizing not to support the members in the Trail / Castlegar branch of ICBA by the Trail / Nelson Trades Council
d. I was threatened many times

5. Tell me about the most rewarding part of being a founder of the ICBA?
a. Meeting people in business that believed that everyone had the right to operate their businesses as they saw fit. It was a privilege to work with these principled people to initiate change
b. Establishing that these businesses had the right to hire whoever was capable of doing the job was comforting
c. Being able to establish a portable fringe benefit package for all small to medium sized firms

6. What was the biggest hurdle you experienced?
a. Overcoming union interference at Expo ’86
i. First time ever floating picket lines to interfere with delivery, by water, of pre-built manufactured sections to construct the International Pavilions
b. Overcoming intimidation and fear to successfully complete all 29 international pavilions and 10 restaurants at Expo ’86

7. What was a pivotal moment for ICBA during the first 10 years?
a. Changing an association operating policy from pursuit of an ideal of Right to Work philosophy to a business organization that could offer services to its members to make them more competitive such as:
i. Fringe benefit packages for employees at much more competitive rate than the union organizations
a. Convincing Insurance firms to risk doing business with Open Shop firms
ii. Apprenticeship delivery as an association in contract with BC Labor Ministry rendering employee contracts to be portable
iii. A strong legal opinion and defense when necessary
iv. Presentation of courses that were useful to member firms
v. Other services
b. Christina Koechl as the first female President of ICBA solicited a change in association management by recruiting Phil Hochstein away from the Mechanical Contractors Association of BC to take the position of Vice President of ICBA
i. This took away the stress of raising money at each annual meeting to balance the budget to one where the association could raise income from sources such as a premium on fringe benefits
ii. Success of ICBA followed
c. Any other pivotal moments?
i. Assisting Expo ’86 in creating an open tendering site for the government of B.C.
ii. Successfully tendering a major tilt-up concrete warehouse for Overweightea Foods and completing same by facing serious union opposition

8. What has been the biggest change since ICBA started in1975?
a. Removal of fear in operating a business in the manner which best suits an individual

9. How was the role of ICBA shaping the construction industry today?
a. Apprenticeship has increased
b. Projects can be completed on time and on budget

10. Where do you hope to see ICBA progress to?
a. The central operation needs a return to provide branches throughout BC so that educational and business support would be more readily available at a local level

11. If you could go back to 1975 and give yourself a message about the future of ICBA, what would you say?
a. It was very difficult to imagine that a group of dedicated people, with a cause, would eventually overcome a well-entrenched union philosophy in construction, especially when threats to personal safety of the members was rampant
b. Perhaps the message, is that a few people with dedication for a cause that is legal and right, in the first instance, can overcome. The example of the young man with a sling subduing Goliath still applies.

12. What are you most proud of over the past 40 years with ICBA?
a. The camaraderie once established with individuals when oppressed still exists today when I meet those pioneers.
b. I am proud that the association has grown in public support, financial growth as well as in number of members
c. Just about every time the press seeks an opinion in construction matters, I see a representative of ICBA being quoted.
d. So we need to remind ourselves that this success cannot be unattended but must continue to be nurtured and to stay viligent as the opposing forces will always remain poised to undermine and attack ICBA
e. During Expos ’86 construction, I received a phone call that identified himself only as a Director of the BC Yukon Trades. His message was ” I just wanted to tell you that I have been told to hate you but I cannot hate a man I respect.” I responded by telling him that “this is perhaps the best phone call I ever received from a union source!”
f. In 1977 after a bitter campaign in Trail against my firm while constructing a 98 unit townhouse project, my sales staff sold a unit to the President of The Steelworkers who were part of the campaign. When I called him and asked him why he would purchase a “hot” product he responded, “this is the best price for a well built product and it is what I want!”
g. In 2003, the Whatshan Lake Retreat near Edgewood, B.C., was expanding. It was suggested that young apprentices could be utilized as part of their training. So a Journeyman Carpenter, who taught at J. Lloyd Crowe High School in Trail, agreed to teach a pre-apprenticeship course in Carpentry as part of the grade 12 curriculum.
i. 15 students took the course in 2003 with another 10 in 2004
ii. ICBA signed all contracts for apprenticeship
iii. Three retired union carpenter superintendent volunteers at Whatshan Lake Retreat were responsible for the 8 week training period during actual construction of cabins, Stage and Washroom / Shower building
iv. Apprentices were all paid as per the wage scale
v. The local President of the Kootenay Carpenters Local spoke on CKNW that this was a sham and the apprentices learned nothing and that this was a typical misuse of youth and workers were not paid. Typical of Elmer Verigin’s philosophy and method of doing businesss.
vi. ICBA called me and asked permission to pursue this legally as they were not comfortable with the unfounded accusations regarding
vii. the ICBA Founding President
viii. The result was that the Union President had to apologize on CKNW and the Press. He also had to pay Elmer Verigin $5,000 damages
ix. I took this check to the Treasurer of the Whatshan Lake Retreat to deposit as a charitable donation from the Carpenters Union. A charitable receipt was then sent to the Union. We never received an acknowledgement of any sort
x. Yes I am proud of the ICBA!
End of Interview

Some of my readers have may have noted that I have a difficult time with the “Global Warming” predictions that Dr Suziki and Al Gore have been speaking on.

Dr. Helen Popova like many Russian Scientists are allowed to speak intelligently and scientifically on their observations. These gifted Scientists are not under contract to the large Corporations that “muzzle” them.
Have a look at this article and read other articles on this matter and you may soon realize that our children and grandchildren will need to prepare for when the “sun will sleep”: in about 15 years.

Yes I am also very interested to reduce emissions and cleaning up the way we live so that our planet does nor become a garbage dump but we need to recognize how the sun and the combined magnetism is a much greater power that affects us on Earth.

Elmer

Article published in “Google”………………..

“This image of the Sun was taken by NASA Solar Dynamics Observations mission on 15 July 2015, at a wavelength of 304 Angstroms. Image credit: NASA Solar Dynamics Observations.
This image of the Sun was taken by NASA Solar Dynamics Observations mission on 15 July 2015, at a wavelength of 304 Angstroms. Image credit: NASA Solar Dynamics Observations.
The arrival of intense cold similar to the one that raged during the “Little Ice Age”, which froze the world during the 17th century and in the beginning of the 18th century, is expected in the years 2030—2040. These conclusions were presented by Professor V. Zharkova (Northumbria University) during the National Astronomy Meeting in Llandudno in Wales by the international group of scientists, which also includes Dr Helen Popova of the Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics and of the Faculty of Physics of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Professor Simon Shepherd of Bradford University and Dr Sergei Zharkov of Hull University.

It is known that the Sun has its own magnetic field, the amplitude and spatial configuration of which vary with time. The formation and decay of strong magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere results in the changes of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun, of the intensity of plasma flows coming from the Sun, and the number of sunspots on the Sun’s surface. The study of changes in the number of sunspots on the Sun’s surface has a cyclic structure vary in every 11 years that is also imposed on the Earth environment as the analysis of carbon-14, beryllium-10 and other isotopes in glaciers and in the trees showed.

There are several cycles with different periods and properties, while the 11-year cycle, the 90-year cycle are the best known of them. The 11-year cycle appears as a cyclical reduction in stains on the surface of the Sun every 11 years. Its 90-year variation is associated with periodic reduction in the number of spots in the 11-year cycle in the 50-25%. In 17th century, though, there was a prolonged reduction in solar activity called the Maunder minimum, which lasted roughly from 1645 to 1700. During this period, there were only about 50 sunspots instead of the usual 40-50 thousand sunspots. Analysis of solar radiation showed that its maxima and minima almost coincide with the maxima and minima in the number of spots.

In this 1677 painting by Abraham Hondius, “The Frozen Thames, looking Eastwards towards Old London Bridge,” people are shown enjoying themselves on the ice. In 17th century there was a prolonged reduction in solar activity called the Maunder minimum, which lasted roughly from 1645 to 1700. During this period, there were only about 50 sunspots instead of the usual 40-50 thousand recorded. Image credit: Museum of London.
In this 1677 painting by Abraham Hondius, “The Frozen Thames, looking Eastwards towards Old London Bridge,” people are shown enjoying themselves on the ice. In the 17th century there was a prolonged reduction in solar activity called the Maunder minimum, which lasted roughly from 1645 to 1700. During this period, there were only about 50 sunspots recorded instead of the usual 40-50 thousand. Image credit: Museum of London.
In the current study published in 3 peer-reviewed papers the researchers analysed a total background magnetic field from full disk magnetograms for three cycles of solar activity (21-23) by applying the so-called “principal component analysis”, which allows to reduce the data dimensionality and noise and to identify waves with the largest contribution to the observational data. This method can be compared with the decomposition of white light on the rainbow prism detecting the waves of different frequencies. As a result, the researchers developed a new method of analysis, which helped to uncover that the magnetic waves in the Sun are generated in pairs, with the main pair covering 40% of variance of the data (Zharkova et al, 2012, MNRAS). The principal component pair is responsible for the variations of a dipole field of the Sun, which is changing its polarity from pole to pole during 11-year solar activity.

The magnetic waves travel from the opposite hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere (odd cycles) or to Southern Hemisphere (even cycles), with the phase shift between the waves increasing with a cycle number. The waves interacts with each other in the hemisphere where they have maximum (Northern for odd cycles and Southern for even ones). These two components are assumed to originate in two different layers in the solar interior (inner and outer) with close, but not equal, frequencies and a variable phase shift (Popova et al, 2013, AnnGeo).

The scientists managed to derive the analytical formula, describing the evolution of these two waves and calculated the summary curve which was linked to the variations of sunspot numbers, the original proxy of solar activity, if one used the modulus of the summary curve (Shepherd et al, 2014, ApJ). By using this formula the scientists made first the prediction of magnetic activity in the cycle 24, which gave 97% accuracy in comparison with the principal components derived from the observations.

Inspired by this success, the authors extended the prediction of these two magnetic waves to the next two cycle 25 and 26 and discovered that the waves become fully separated into the opposite hemispheres in cycle 26 and thus have little chance of interacting and producing sunspot numbers. This will lead to a sharp decline in solar activity in years 2030—2040 comparable with the conditions existed previously during the Maunder minimum in the XVII century when there were only about 50-70 sunspots observed instead of the usual 40-50 thousand expected.

The new reduction of the solar activity will lead to reduction of the solar irradiance by 3W/m2 according to Lean (1997). This resulted in significant cooling of Earth and very severe winters and cold summers. “Several studies have shown that the Maunder Minimum coincided with the coldest phase of global cooling, which was called “the Little Ice Age”. During this period there were very cold winters in Europe and North America. In the days of the Maunder minimum the water in the river Thames and the Danube River froze, the Moscow River was covered by ice every six months, snow lay on some plains year round and Greenland was covered by glaciers” – says Dr Helen Popova, who developed a unique physical-mathematical model of the evolution of the magnetic activity of the Sun and used it to gain the patterns of occurrence of global minima of solar activity and gave them a physical interpretation.

If the similar reduction will be observed during the upcoming Maunder minimum this can lead to the similar cooling of the Earth atmosphere. According to Dr Helen Popova, if the existing theories about the impact of solar activity on the climate are true, then this minimum will lead to a significant cooling, similar to the one occurred during the Maunder minimum.

However, only the time will show soon enough (within the next 5-15 years) if this will happen.

Dr. Helen Popova of the Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics and of the Faculty of Physics of the Lomonosov Moscow State University. Image credit: Lomonosov Moscow State University.
Dr. Helen Popova of the Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics and of the Faculty of Physics of the Lomonosov Moscow State University. Image credit: Lomonosov Moscow State University.
“Given that our future minimum will last for at least three solar cycles, which is about 30 years, it is possible, that the lowering of the temperature will not be as deep as during the Maunder minimum. But we will have to examine it in detail. We keep in touch with climatologists from different countries. We plan to work in this direction”, Dr Helen Popova said.

The notion that solar activity affects the climate, appeared long ago. It is known, for example, that a change in the total quantity of the electromagnetic radiation by only 1% can result in a noticeable change in the temperature distribution and air flow all over the Earth. Ultraviolet rays cause photochemical effect, which leads to the formation of ozone at the altitude of 30-40 km. The flow of ultraviolet rays increases sharply during chromospheric flares in the Sun. Ozone, which absorbs the Sun’s rays well enough, is being heated and it affects the air currents in the lower layers of the atmosphere and, consequently, the weather. Powerful emission of corpuscles, which can reach the Earth’s surface, arise periodically during the high solar activity. They can move in complex trajectories, causing aurorae, geomagnetic storms and disturbances of radio communication.

By increasing the flow of particles in the lower atmospheric layers air flows of meridional direction enhance: warm currents from the south with even greater energy rush in the high latitudes and cold currents, carrying arctic air, penetrate deeper into the south. In addition, the solar activity affects the intensity of fluxes of galactic cosmic rays. The minimum activity streams become more intense, which also affects the chemical processes in the Earth’s atmosphere

The study of deuterium in the Antarctic showed that there were five global warmings and four Ice Ages for the past 400 thousand years. The increase in the volcanic activity comes after the Ice Age and it leads to the greenhouse gas emissions. The magnetic field of the Sun grows, what means that the flux of cosmic rays decreases, increasing the number of clouds and leading to the warming again. Next comes the reverse process, where the magnetic field of the Sun decreases, the intensity of cosmic ray rises, reducing the clouds and making the atmosphere cool again. This process comes with some delay.

Dr Helen Popova responds cautiously, while speaking about the human influence on climate.

“There is no strong evidence, that global warming is caused by human activity. The study of deuterium in the Antarctic showed that there were five global warmings and four Ice Ages for the past 400 thousand years. People first appeared on the Earth about 60 thousand years ago. However, even if human activities influence the climate, we can say, that the Sun with the new minimum gives humanity more time or a second chance to reduce their industrial emissions and to prepare, when the Sun will return to normal activity”, Dr Helen Popova summarised.
.

Bradford University

climate

Dr Helen Popova

Dr Sergei Zharkov

Earth

Hull University

Little Ice Age

Lomonosov Moscow State University

magnetic field

Maunder Minimum

NAM2015

Northumbria University

plasma flows

Prof. V. Zharkova

Professor Simon Shepherd

Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics

Sun

sunspots…………………………..”

There are many construction stories that did occur in my thirty years as a Building Contractor but this one still makes me smile.

Verigin Construction (1983) Ltd., was low tender on the Grand Forks R.C.M.P building in the early 1990s. As is the usual procedure with Public Works Canada (PWC), a project orientation meeting is called prior to construction on site. The meeting is usually called in the Federal Building in Vancouver, B.C., and since I had estimated it and also the company representative, I went to the meeting.

At the appointed meeting room on Alberni Street, I was met by the designated PWC Project Manager (PM) as well as a few other officials. The PM was friendly and in the time before the scheduled meeting time, we were able to establish that he was from Greenwood, B.C. just a short distance West of Grand Forks and I, of course, had lived in Castlegar prior to taking residence in Tswassassen. He also explained that his family had been relocated to Greenwood during the Second World War, as were many other ethnic Japanese-Canadians, forced to do at that time. Yes, he knew many Doukhobor families in the Grand Forks area, played ball with them and so we were looking forward to pleasant professional association on the construction project.

The meeting was called to order and the agenda presented. It included many questions to the Contractor which would determine his understanding of the intended project. As well it is customary to outline the regulatory requirements of PWC. I responded with a suggestion that I intended to ask questions of PWC as well and would that be acceptable?

“Oh yes” was the PM’s response and immediately started the meeting.

Most questions were already in the contract documents and required a simple “yes” answer. The process continued in a positive fashion, with the recording secretary making notes where required.

Suddenly, the door flung open and in swaggered this uniformed individual, all decorated with significant ornate pins and other hanging decals, that clearly identified a man of distinction. in “DR. Parkinson in Parkinson’s Law”, warns that a person, in authority and responsibility, usually can be rated by the minutes that they arrive after the scheduled event start time.

The PM, immediately interrupted the meeting by introducing the gentleman as the R.C.M.P. Commissioner for British Columbia and the Yukon. The man did not acknowledge anyone and seated himself as if he was just a bit late for dinner.

The next item on the agenda was to do with Project Signage and the PM went on to explain that no signage would be permitted on this project that could identify, the project, those contracting, nor any other phone numbers, names, etc.

I must inform the Reader that my General Manager had already set a policy whereby our company should not waste any money on signage for advertising as the only sure method to be a successful tenderer is to tender the low bid, plain and simple.

Despite our company philosophy on signage, I decided to ask “why not?”

Almost as if by rehearesment, the Commissioner rose to attention and proceeded to explain, “Grand Forks has many residents who belong to a religious sect named Doukhobors”, he explained. “These people are known for their terrorism acts and likely will be arrested from time to time for their actions.”

He went on with additional explanations, “having your name on a sign could result in these people taking action on you at a time when someone is incarcerated. This may cause construction information to be so elicited, to be used by them to free whosoever may be held in this facility” . With that closing remark, he seated himself.

The PM gave me an apologetic look and before he could say anything, I stood up and replied as follows:

“I am a Doukhobor and my company secured many competitive sub-trade and supplier tenders during the tendering period. I can assure the Commissioner that we took precautions in awarding as follows:

“The Excavating Contractor is a Doukhobor also, as is the Electrician, the Mechanical Contractor, Drywaller and Painter. The Superintendent is a Doukhobor and the three Tradesmen Carpenters on site are as well. The Masonry Contractor is from another town but we will keep an eye on him.”

I closed with “so you see sir, you might say we are in control of this project!”

The rustle of tunic brushing the table and chair was clearly audible as the embarrassed Commissioner hurriedly left the room.

The PM had a difficult time controlling his laughter and with a professional clearing of his throat, he went on with the next item on his agenda.

We never did have the honor of a visit by the Commissioner nor the R.C.M.P., throughout the construction period……………….

This chronicle was written by Elmer Verigin, from an actual event
June 04, 2015, EWV was inspired to make this first entry

Written May 22, 2015

To My Dear Great Golfer Grandson Garrett,

Have you noticed that all of the words I have used to describe you start with the same letter?
This is called Alliteration.
I love to use this type of wording when I want to emphasize a certain point.

Needless to say, I was very emotionally overwhelmed with your posting on Facebook.
I immediately imagined myself being a beautiful butterfly perched on the tip of
your driver.

You are a very loving, caring, thoughtful young man!
I am a very grateful grandmother!

I am grateful for the opportunities life has granted you.
I am grateful for the humility you possess when you are being interviewed.
Our friends that have seen your interviews are impressed with the ease with which you speak.
There seems to be a comfortable feeling that surrounds you when you express yourself.
I am grateful that you appreciate and acknowledge the people that have made this journey possible.
I am speaking of your sponsors and your coach who have recognized your talent and potential.
I am grateful that you love and respect your parents even through the ‘Tough Love’ times.
You have never forgotten the part that your paternal and maternal grandparents have played in your
Journey of life.
They are all with you now and will never leave you.

Keep Cool And Keep Grounded and remember To Never Give Up!

Gramps and I send you All our Love!

Granny

P.S.
I wrote a draft of this letter at 4AM this morning. I couldn’t send it then, because ……
It got to the point where your Go, Go, Go Granny had to Go Back to Bed!

Reply May 22, 2015

Dear my granny and gramps.

I find my greatest success and strength when I make it not from my thoughts but from my heart and how I feel. I’ve been very close to my goals and there has been lots of learning and shining moments in my journey that has begun. I want you guys to know, I need you to know that I think about you two everyday. Not just from playing with my new pink driver but from the lessons, memories, and pure love you guys send my way at all times. It’s tough on the road sometimes by myself but it’s all part of it and I’ve been learning how to play on the road and also live a healthy lifestyle . It’s not just a game to me anymore it’s my life and I’ve realized that it just doesn’t happen overnight in this occupation I’ve chose. It may take some people 1 year or others 10 years to accomplish their goals but for me I’m in it till I make the PGA on TV and nothing is going to stop me. Recently I have quit drinking, not even a casual beer. It’s been 2 weeks so far. I don’t even drink pop. I’m trying to take the great opportunity I have in front of me and make the absolute best of it! I want you guys to know that I’m surrounded with lots of caring people down the coast here and my sponsor and living arrangements is just fantastic!. I hope to swing up there next week sometime if I squeeze some time off! Lol

I love how busy I am and how healthy I feel! everyday I wake up I create my day and push myself forward to greatness!
I love you both very much!
love your dearest grandson
Garrett.
I hope gramps can read this email with you together!

A basic principle, that Lawrence related to me was that, in his family, working hard was something that was understood well. Perhaps the Doukhobor religious tenet “Toil and Peaceful Life” meant exactly that to them.

The Popoffs lived in Buchanan, Saskatchewan on a quarter section of land. Lawrence’s grandparents met in Buchanan and married in 1914. Lawrence’s parents met in British Columbia and married in 1938.

The stories that Lawrence remembers were that of the drought years of the ’30s when meagre crop yields were coupled with poor wheat prices and so a decision to follow other Doukhobor families to British Columbia became an alternative.

All their holdings of equipment, animals and land were capitalized to provide the funds necessary to purchase a small plot of land in Castlegar, B.C., and the family moved. The first source of income was splitting logs for fence posts at a property in the Pass Creek area. A dangerous occupation for grandfather and Lawrence’s father, Sidney, as both had no prior logging experience.

Other occupations included digging ditches, for the first water lines in Castlegar as well as excavating house basements with shovel and wheel barrow.

An opportunity became available to purchase a small farm near Taghum so that the family could contribute to the basics while Lawrence’s father found work in a Planer Mill as well as driving trucks for Blue Line Freight and others.

Lawrence was born in 1942 at Nelson Hospital, while the family was still in Taghum. It was at this farm in Taghum, that Lawrence’s earliest memories were recalled, “I followed my grandfather everywhere as he could no longer work.. One day we went to the furthest corner of the farm, far beyond the sight of houses. My grandfather collapsed and was not able to walk home and asked me to go and get help. At the age of four, I found my way through the thick bushes and trees to raise the alarm.”

“I recall riding horseback as the horse pulled the plow handled by my father as he tilled the garden areas,” as he smiled in this memory.

Steady employment as a Hard Rock Miner and Blaster became available at a mine near Salmo and so the family moved to Ymir in 1948.

“I started school in Ymir in a two-room school with one classroom teaching grades one through four while the other taught grades five and six. I enjoyed the multi-grade classroom as the Teacher instructed us to print letters of the alphabet while she taught lessons to the other grades,” he reminisced . ” It was interesting to listen to what the other students were being instructed.”

“I managed to get myself into trouble quite easily and was rewarded with a spanking when my Father returned home from the mines,” Lawrence smiled, ” getting the belt was bad enough but he would tell me to go get my favorite and only belt, with beaded western scenes on it. Somehow getting ‘smacked’ with my own belt was more traumatic.”

“Our family was not well off and everything had to be shared with my older sister. Ymir was in the snow belt area and skiing was very popular. So you can imagine my excitement when my Father brought home a pair of wooden skis with leather straps that would wrap around my rubber boots,” he smiled at this memory. “I didn’t get any formal lessons but I was not going to be left behind when the older kids went cross-country skiing. I managed to get through most of the day without problems until we came to the edge of town and had to ski down a hill studded with tree stumps sticking up through the snow. The older kids skied, swerving in and around the stumps while I aimed my path between the stumps. What I did not notice was a solid board fence at the end of my ill-fated run. My plan now changed to fall off the skis before the fence but the straps held me to the skis and I went right through the fence. My sister never got a chance to use the skis as they were in pieces after that run. That pretty well ended my skiing career.”

“Sleighing down the streets in Ymir was another popular pursuit except that all streets went downhill to the main street which was the original highway”, Lawrence went on. “We had lookouts for on-coming cars and once the main street was crossed, there was a huge bank of snow to stop the sleigh. My parents warned me not to participate in this dangerous game but I still did it. One evening as I was to take off on the ‘all clear signal’, the sleigh took off but I was suspended. I realized then that my father had come to get me and so he did. I got the infamous belt,” Lawrence shook his head in memory.

The rock dust and moisture took their toll on Sidney and Lawrence’s Father developed Silicosis. The need for a drier climate resulted in another move was chosen to Grand Forks and the “Sunshine Valley” , rather the Okanagan Valley in 1951.

It was in Grand Forks that Lawrence matured at a greater rate than usual for people his age. The “work hard” message became a reality and at twelve years of age, he was working in the Texaco Bulk Station office where Sidney had obtained a franchise. That meant marketing, deliveries to Loggers, Service Stations, residential housing that utilized oil and gas; wherever the demand for fuels was necessary. Lawrence could not legally drive and learned accounting quickly. There were receipts to write, records to keep and essentially manage the station while his Father, Sidney, made the deliveries. Once he reached the legal driving age of sixteen, Lawrence was now “on the road”.

These are some of the “hair-raising experiences as Lawrence recalled:

1. The Logging Contractors were in the mountains where the trees were obviously. It was necessary to deliver along a narrow access roads gouged out along a mountain, “switch backs” and all. The Truckers were equipped with CBs and were synchronized at twelve (12) minute intervals so each unit would find a suitable siding to permit an oncoming unit to pass safely. The fuel truck driver with no CB connection, had to do the best which meant being precariously perched on whatever siding could be found. A young driver had to learn to think and plan quickly
2. A delivery to Anachist Mountain near Osoyoos was to be coordinated with the crew on site as the road grade would be too steep to climb without assistance of a caterpillar or a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Lawrence was to wait at the bottom of the hill for such support. There seemed to be many hills on the way up and it was difficult to determine which hill it was to wait by. Wanting to be a solution and not a problem, Lawrence slipped the truck into bull low and started climbing the steep grade. Just as he negotiated the last leg of the road, he was met by a pickup that seemed to not have any wheels. When all stopped and got out, Lawrence sunk to his knees in volcanic ash which was the road surface.
3. A friend came along on a trip up Christian Valley on a weekend when snow, ice and severe winter road conditions became a challenge. They chained up and just as the brow of the hill was in sight, the truck began slipping backwards on the treacherous road. Lawrence shouted to his friend, “keep your door open and jump when I give the signal.” Lawrence knew that the switch back behind them would not permit any chance of stopping the truck in its slide. Fortunately the chained wheels dug through the ice and snow and the forward movement continued.
4. Typically, left fenders on Logging Trucks were significantly missing as the narrow logging road and a slipping truck were combinations that meant side-swiping or a more serious accident would take place.
5. Fuel unloading safety at an incident at Kingsley Camp in Christina Lake was probably the most potentially dangerous of all his trips. Lawrence was unloading fuel with a hose connected to the fuel tank for this boat landing. The elderly Owner, smoking a pipe, was descending down from the store. Neither Lawrence nor the man felt there was any danger except that it was a hot day
and the fumes were drifting upward to the smoking person. There many campers in the a area at that time. Suddenly a flame connected the hose and the man and the grass caught fire. Lawrence was able to quickly shut off the fuel pump, disconnect the hose and throw it unto the grass while replacing the cap on the burning fill line to the fuel tank. It was noon and all of the tents were having lunch or were within their campers as no one noticed how close to a disaster thy had been at that time.

Unfortunately, Sports, Fishing and Swimming had to be fitted in between what the business could offer in “down times”. What is usually considered accepted Teenager’s recreation and pursuits were compromised with the family need for survival. Swimming in the rivers after work and playing fastball on teams that were formed in the many Doukhobor Villages were some of the activities were enjoyable.

In Grand Forks, the rural community all had animals. Popoffs had a cow, some chickens, pigs. etc., which helped to supplement the basic needs of a family. Lawrence’s mother was not well, which challenged her efforts around the farm. This meant that Lawrence was a cow-milker, sprinkler-mover and many of the handy man jobs that were always necessary.

A plucky rooster would meet Lawrence in the Chicken Coop as he gathered eggs. This would result in a game where Lawrence and the rooster would charge each other. Neither of them hurt each other but it became a daily ritual. One day Lawrence’s sister had to get the eggs as Lawrence was away. The rooster was ready to do his part of the game but the sister did not understand her role. This became a frightening experience for her which included crying and a complaint. Lawrence admitted that the rooster was a good loser when he was served on the table that night.

A Root Cellar was necessary and a salvaged building became the source of building materials including straightening the nails for reuse. This was further augmented with “cull” 2x4s from local sawmills.
Excavation was a shovel and wheelbarrow. Lawrence paced himself at digging a 6″ lift a day, in his preteen years, until the sun became too hot in the afternoon. Then he would sneak off with his friends to go swimming or whatever else was on the agenda. The Root Cellar was completed with laminated 2x4s and whatever else could be salvaged in the process.

Lawrence also looked after preparing firewood. The sources of this was slab wood from nearby sawmills. Splitting wood and kindling was a steady chore. A large house furnace burned sawdust from the mill as well. This needed regular stoking in the winter. One time the furnace accumulated too much methane gas from the sawdust which ignited and an explosion was the result. The danger was not that great but the basement cleanup after was significant.

Farmers needed potato diggers and sorters. When Lawrence was too small to lift sacks of potatoes, he would work on the Potato Digger, culling and sorting potatoes. He also remembers assembling boxes for one cent a box.

Sidney purchased a 1924 three ton truck that was converted into a tractor. The tires were filled with sand and the unit was used to plough fields at home. Lawrence and his friend tested to see how fast this “unit” could go. Just when they got up to an exciting speed, one back wheel flew off due to loose nuts. There was a jack of course, but the sand was too loose under the truck to support the jack. The boys did a Physics experiment with a pole and a large block of wood to lever the rear high enough to get the wheel back on. The field was finished harrowing and nobody had to be told. Yes, the belt was not used that time.

Sidney and his brother-in-law were backfilling a basement with the converted 1924 “tractor”, when the father of Lawrence’s friend came over and said that he had just bought a new Pony Massey Harris tractor and he would show him how it it’s done, claiming that the ole conversion should be retired. They hooked up the Pony tractor to the scoop and it would not move it with dirt at all. He thought he was going to show off his new purchase and show up the old “tractor” and was totally disappointed in the turn of events. They rehitched the old “tractor” to the scoop and finished filling the excavation.

Every Saturday, it was customary for the rural community to travel to Grand Forks to stock up on supplies and visit with each other. Well that was when the swine decided that an opportunity was appropriate to leave their pig pens and visit the neighborhood. There were no phones or texting privileges available except for a mother hollering for help. A posse was formed to convince the pigs to return to their home base. Those of you who have herded swine will smile at the experience. Lawrence was small enough in size at that time, to crawl under the log floor barn to coax the hiding rascals out. The space was confined and the pigs had no other alternative but to charge Lawrence who was just lucky enough to lean over and make room for the squealing animals. The Saturday entertainment ended upon sale of all the pigs.

At age eighteen, Lawrence’s parents went on a well deserved cross-Canada trip leaving him in charge of the operations. As is typical in this situation, the Texaco Auditor scheduled a trip to inspect the business. The typical records that were kept by the Franchisee were:

1. Inserting a level gauge into the bulk tanks above ground to note:
a. Top level of fuel
b. Bottom level of fuel
c. Level of water under the fuel. This was achieved by installing a brass weight at the bottom of the probe. The water level would be indicated by the difference in color on the probe due to the chemical action.
2. All paperwork with sales and invoices
3. All had to be cross-checked against the supplies by Texaco

Firstly, all the books had to be brought up to date in advance of the visit. Then when the Auditor arrived, it meant that the entire mornings were devoted to providing all the detail requested by the Auditor and then all afternoon and evening, all the deliveries and customer needs took place. It was a busy and challenging time to be sure.

After graduating from grade twelve from grade 12, university and a higher training was not possible nor practical, as the business was being cultured for a future take over from father to son. This was the cultural practise in those years and the business required full attention of both men.

Lawrence remembers this shy girl from grade five who filled in with Lawrence and the students in grade six to complete a “Maple Dance” ensemble. Not many boys wanted to dance in those days and so the need for girls was a matter of convenience. Lawrence didn’t think much of it except when in grade 11, and it was a necessity to ask a girl to the school dance, he shyly resorted to a familiar face in the hallway and got the courage to ask her out. It appears that he caught Kathy off guard as she agreed to go. Later, she asked a friend “who is that guy?” After courting for three (3) years,. they are now married now for 53 years but that is how it all started.

Unfortunately the fuel business “dropped off” in the sixties with the reduction in demand for forest products and the corresponding price reductions. This led to less Loggers and thus a smaller share of the market for which four Bulk Dealers were competing in the Valley. A Texaco Service Station was added to the total business enterprise but even that did not make ends meet as by this time Lawrence found a real partner with Kathy joining him to start their personal family.

A friend was working for Boundary Electric and invited Lawrence to meet the Owners as the operation in Castlegar needed someone to work in the retail store. Much as the Popoff family would have preferred a different route, it was obvious that Lawrence needed more security in employment and so the offer was accepted and Lawrence left the family business.

Work in sales and operating the desk was well within the expertise of the young Popoff and Lawrence started by commuting initially and then, moved his new family to Castlegar. It was obvious that the Tradesmen were being paid considerable amount more that the office personnel in the business and Lawrence was requesting an opportunity to get into the Trades for Electrical or Plumbing as a preference. Entry into the respective unions was very difficult as membership was closely controlled at that time.

Lawrence did get opportunities to go on projects with those Tradesmen as a Helper. Although the preference was otherwise, an opportunity did become available in the Sheet Metal Trade and Lawrence accepted this right away. Again, a compromise took place when Boundary needed assistance in the Office, Lawrence was taken away from the tools; however, his skills in procurement, and other associated office processes made his talents invaluable to the Estimators as here was experience in actual cost control from projects that was also part of Lawrence’s knowledge.

Lawrence received his Interprovincial Sheet Metal Trades Certificate in 1976. By this juncture, Boundary had expanded to separate divisions of Electrical, Mechanical, Structural as well as Machine Shop. The Mechanical Division was where Lawrence became proficient at:

• Buyer
• Purchasing Agent
• Invoicing and Accounts Payable
• General Office Procedures
• Estimating and Cost Accounting on various contracts

Unfortunately. working on the tools was something that many capable Tradesmen did not accomplish but the need for adequate paperwork in a business of this nature becomes essential to the success of the operation and Lawrence was called back to the Office. Lawrence did get some opportunities to lead crews unto jobsites to many local projects.

Some projects that were within those jobsites are as listed:

• Mine Developments
o Westmin Mines
o Kaiser Resources
o Line Creek
o Fording Coal
o Greenhills
• B.C Hydro
o Seven Mile
o Kootenay Canal
o Hugh Keenleyside
o Mica Creek Relocation
• Buildings
o Hospitals
o Extended Care Homes
o Colleges
o Schools
o Breweries
o Many Commercial & Residential Buildings throughout the East and West Kootenay areas

With Dag System Inc., Lawrence performed similar work at:

• Fisheries and Oceans Laboratories
• Nelson House Secondary School & Teacherages
o there was a necessity to set up a credit at a Mechanical supply house in Winnipeg. Lawrence recalls a major process to bypass the Credit Manager and meet the President himself to convince him that Dag was a credible Mechanical Contractor
• Tadoule lake Airport

This was followed by employment with Martina Enterprises in Surrey. Responsibilities here were similar to that at Boundary and Dag.

An incident at Martina was the case of non-delivery of materials to a jobsite at Cordova Street in Vancouver. Materials left the offices but did not seem to reach the site. Debates ensued (office to site) until finally, the Superintendent paid a visit to an adjacent Pawn Shop and discovered equipment and materials with identification marking from Martina. The Skid Row habitants were the culprits and a construction fence was the final solution.

Lawrence was always interested in spirituality and it was within the six week trade yearly academic sessions on the Coast, that he met a Land Lady who also shared this interest. He had already shown a thirst for reading starting with the typical Western pocket books of Luke Short, and later become interested in expanding his knowledge in a variety of subject matter that lead to spiritual Writers like:

• Edgar Cayce
• Arthur Ford
• Other Writers of psychic phenomena

Mrs Kozak found Lawrence a good listener as she shared her spirituality interests and the discussions would carry on much after the supper table. It was here that the Land Lady suggested that he might want to visit a group in Washington State that would hold Spiritual discussions at Leander and Lawrence’s curiosity was aroused. He decided there was no reason why he could not attend as he had spare time available and who knows, he might gain some additional learnings.

A white-haired British Lady was in a group that would spirit herself into a trance that made have her speak through a medium from another time and person, a slave “Beulah”. She invited Lawrence to a private session. This became something that was both frightening and at the same time very interesting. Lawrence’s skepticism was shared in his session reviews with Mrs Kozak. She suggested that he take the opportunity and create a list of questions to ask “Beulah” so that he would not be awed and lose perspective during the session.

So Lawrence listed forty-four questions and off he went to Leander Washington, very skeptical and obviously nervous about this meeting. “Beulah” started with prayers and eventually fell into a trance that caused her to speak with a Southern accent, distinct with the Southern States and totally different from her normal British accent.. He was allowed to have a tape-recorder and so the session began.

1. She answered his questions on:
a. Reincarnation
b. Life after death
c. Dream analysis
2. Lawrence then found that she would be answering questions further down on his list that he had not yet asked. This impressed him.
3. He was able to record two hours of this session and found that he forgot to flip the tape which he eventually was able to do
4. Lawrence felt a shiver and felt a presence behind him
a. “Beulah” told him that he had a native American Indian Guide “Nakeem” standing behind him
b. That he would always accompany Lawrence for his entire life as a Spiritual Guide
c. That everyone has a Spiritual Guide in this life
d. “Nakeem” would be riding a horse alongside Lawrence no matter what mode of transport he was using
e. Lawrence could not see ‘Nakeem” but felt his presence
5. “Beulah” charged $10 for this personal interview but he was so moved he paid twice that

Mrs Kozak eventually suggested some special volumes of books written by Baird T. Spalding on his experiences in the Far East in the late 1800s which are entitled Life & Teaching of the Masters of the Far East. An excellent source of spirituality that takes one to a higher plane. Lawrence was able to purchase the entire volume by special order from Hudson’s Bay store.

Lawrence has now revealed his inner self that takes him beyond the materialistic life we all live and has built his character that will unfold as we write this chronicle.

Lawrence always had interest in people and the community. While at Grand Forks High School he participated in:

• Student Council
• Stage School Dances
• Staged drama and related events
• This always involved accounting for monies raised and the necessity to have bills paid

While in Grand Forks, he served on the Supervisory Committee for the Grand Forks Credit Union. This provided an insight into the complexity in operating a financial institution.

In Castlegar, Lawrence was invited to work with the Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCs). Along with Andy Boolinoff and many other local young men, they all felt comfortable promoting Castlegar as well as working at making the community a better place to live in. Lawrence served as Secretary and the JCs partial list of achievements included:

• Travelling to different communities to visit JCs there and learn about the economies in those areas
• The JCs raised funds and purchased the first set of Xmas lights as well as stringing them across the Castlegar streets late at night when there was little or no traffic
• Many other local projects

The Lions Club was suggested as a service club that could benefit Castlegar and so Lawrence was a founding member and part of the Charter Executive. He served as the first Vice-President followed by filling all the other offices during his time with the Club. Achievements partial list included:

• Organizing the first Trade Fair that was extremely successful and raised a great deal of funds that were invested into the community
• Sponsored Rodeos, RCMP Rides and other major entertainment events for appreciation of the public
• Participated in Tel-a-tons to raise money for handicapped children
• The Lions financed and developed Kinnaird Park, an extensive park with ball diamonds and recreational areas.

He joined the Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA)

• Served on all the executive positions
• The DCA was able to raise funds by sponsoring
o Doukhobor Sports Day
• Organized, Conducted and participated in many Doukhobor spiritual and educational seminars and workshops
• Raised funds to support many local endeavours
o Red Cross
o Health and Care Equipment
o Other
• Raised the initial startup funds for the DHRS #1999
• Raised the initial startup funds for the KCSHC

Became associated with the Doukhobor Benevolent Society:

• Served on many of the executive positions
• Participated and developed the following projects
o Grand Forks, Parkside Villa, 25 units
o Castlegar, Rosewood Manor 20 units
o Delta, Whitebirch Manor 48 units

Lawrence was a founding member of the Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 (DHRS #1999)

• Served on all the executive positions
• Developed the following project:
o Raised funds to purchase two parcels of land at Whatshan Lake totaling 209 acres
o Rezoning the land and removing it from the Agricultural Reserve
o Raising funds to construct:
 Retreat Centre
 Eight (8) cabins
 Caretakers Offices and Quarters
 Acoustical Stage
 Washroom and Conscession Building
 175 campsites
 A substantial Infrastructure system with power, water and sewers
• Sponsor Freedom Quest (FQ) Youth Drug and Alcohol Treatment operating in all the West Kootenay communities
o Continues to serve on the Liaison Committee DHRS #1999 to FQ

Joined the Doukhobor Historical Society

• Served on the Directorship
o Maintained a reconstructed a full size Doukhobor Village

Founded and sponsored the Kootenay Columbia Seniors Housing Cooperative (KCSHC) that developed 60 acres of land in Castlegar for seniors.

• Raised $50,000 feasibility funds to start the developement
• Lawrence chose not move to that project but many of his friends now reside in this development

Lawrence continues with his cultural background by participating in the Kootenay Mens Choir that strives to learn Russian hymns and songs. The Choir Participates in entertaining many local functions.

He also works with the Kootenay Mens Group that manufactures wood products along with wooden caskets.

School District 20 was Lawrence’s final career position as Assistant Maintenance Superintendent located in Castleagr, B.C. His previous experience in the construction industry made him a natural administrator as all the Mechanical, Electrical and Building issues that came to his attention were very familiar and could be handled efficiently along with the expertise that was common knowledge to him. Interesting to note that Lawrence had applied for a similar position in Clearwater but had opted for an interview in Castlegar. Clearwater advised him later that he would have had the job there had he showed up for the job interview.

During this tenure, Lawrence became involved in the following:

• Provincial Secretary for the Association of School Transportation Supervisors of British Columbia
• School Plant Officials Association of British Columbia
o Became involved in the examination process for all Building Maintenance Personnel
• Served on the Safety Council
• Travelled extensively in Alberta as well as in British Columbia
• Attended numerous Conferences and Training Sessions
• Survived the difficult amalgamation process of the neighboring School Districts of Castlegar with Trail with bussing increases and school closures.
• He was in charge of organizing the bussing at the B.C. Summer Games when 50 Greyhound buses were added to the School District fleet to distribute the athletes to venues at Castleagr, Trail and Nelson.

It is time to interpret all the above into a manner with which the character of Lawrence Popoff was developed and became the impetus for his untiring effort in his work, family and all the extra-curriculum involvements. These are the current thoughts of this writer:

1. There is no question that an upbringing of hard and devoted attention to hard work in the family influenced his development to become what he was in his adult life
2. Honesty came from family example and was to become a fundamental part of all that he did
3. A feeling of comraderie with childhood friends became a standard search for same in all that Lawrence became involved and was subsequently found in each endeavour. He relished that desire and expounded this enthusiastically.
4. He saw a need to community peace and tried to influence this comfort to that end in each and every effort
5. He never commanded a return for his volunteerism as the satisfaction in creating and delivering every project and effort was all that he expected. Waiting for honors and gratitude was not on his agenda.,
6. Although Lawrence does not consider himself religious, he did participate in Doukhobor activities whenever he is able.
7. His search for an understanding of his spirit has caused him to read many volumes in this regard. This has brought him into an understanding of Quantum Physics and deep appreciation of all living things on the Earth and a conviction the past is trying to communicate with us but we still do not have the understanding as to how to understand the message at this time.
8. There is a depth within this person that only Lawrence can measure. Perhaps this quotation from one of the Doukhobor philosophical Leaders may describe him best:

“Do not believe everything you hear.
Do not desire everything you see.
Do not proceed to do everything you are able to.
Do not proclaim everything you know,
but only that that should be proclaimed.
That which you do not know, do not affirm or deny;
Best of all – inquire;
then will thou be discreet – Ilarion Pobrirokin”

So this is a chronicle on Lawrence Popoff, a man I have got to know well – my friend.

Written by Elmer Verigin May 05, 2015.
The process involved interviews with Lawrence Popoff over a period of time.
1. April 17, 2015
2. April 25, 2015
3. April 30, 2015
4. May 05, 2015
5. May 20, 2015
The final draught was subsequently approved by Lawrence for publishing in this blog

After Deck on the “Candide”
Kootenay Lake
West side of Mirror Lake
1330 hours

There is always a debate regarding the fishing sport, why do men do it?

So here I am with no fishing Licence, no fishing gear, writing in my sketch book on this beautiful day. It is sunny and about 12 degrees Celsius. What am I doing here?

It is not often that your son and two sons-in-law will ask an old man like me to join them in male camaraderie. We are compatible and keep up a banter that makes it enjoyable for all.

I applied for the position of Cabin Boy and I understand that I have a good chance to get on steady. I am not sure when the Selection Committee will convene to make the final cut. Patience is a virtue and I will await the outcome with confidence.

We beached the Candide at Coffee Creek last night. It was just great! Jason and Rick barb-b-qued steaks with corn-on-the-cob and salad. Of course there were the usual pre-dinner cock-tails followed with wine at dinner.

Kyle, Kim and I rustled the bushes for deadwood as the banks had already been cleaned up as this area has access from the highway above and must be used frequently by the public. Kim says he dragged wood from across the highway. We managed to get a formidable bon-fire going. Later that night, Rick wrapped some potatoes which we roasted in the fire. Wow, my favorite!

It brought me back to my teens when I was first introduced to this delicacy of baked potato on a campfire by my cousin Patrick Potatoff in Arran, Saskatchewan. We had no aluminium foil then so we just threw the spuds into the fire for a 1/2 hour or so. Trying to distinguish the potato from the charcoals was a challenge but eventually we found them.

We pealed about 1/4″ of burnt surface to uncover the top end. We did have butter along with salt and pepper. With a flattened willow bough as a “spoon”, we dug into the potato. We really had fun and a delicious treat. Pat’s pretty sister was hanging around and we let her share in our experience.

Pat is gone now, succumbing to lung cancer about 25 years ago. When I see a potato being baked on a campfire, I see his smiling face which will be an association I will keep forever.

So we had a gourmet potato, wrapped in aluminum foil. Thank you Rick! Yes the butter and salt were also available this time. Consuming skin and all with as spoon was pleasure indeed.

How can one eat again after a delicious meal? Well the ambience was too much to pass up. The company was excellent and discussion natural and without hesitation.. Well the Spiced Rum and Fire Balls helped, I am sure. I managed to down two large potatoes.

Sleeping on the Candide is not quite the same as the Empress Lines but when your body is compromised, sleep comes quickly.

We are on day two of a three trip. I look forward to another evening which is suggested to surpass last night. I hear garlic prawns, Liguinni Alfredo are on the menu.

1652 hours

Back to the sport of fishing. What is interesting is that Scientists have found that the basic cell structure is similar for all living matter. So a fish is similar to mankind essentially; therefore, is it fair to catch a fish as a sport?

We are consuming a living cell structure, not much different whether it is a fish, animal or plant. Ugh!

We take advantage of something helpless and consume it as our food. That is the way it is and has been since time began. We are eating living matter even it has been “killed” as the cells are still alive. We ingest all this so that all the organisms in our stomachs can begin to devour all this to create the heat and energy that it takes to make our bodies function so we can exist.

What a gruesome series of events! Then what would happen to us if we did not eat? There is the entire question.

I will prepare myself for the worst and eat all that we will prepare tonight. Why not? The option is not acceptable.

It all started with the Carbon atom combining with Oxygen and Hydrogen atoms to form the molecules that was the basis of living matter. From then on it was the weak perish so that the strong may survive.

Nothing has changed since, the way I see it.

Written by Elmer Verigin April 04, 2015 on board the Candide on Kootenay Lake, B.C.

How many of you remember going to Grade 1, barefooted? Do you recall that being bare-footed in school did not make you conspicuous either, as the rest of the kids were the same and the accepted attire in the Spring and Fall sessions?

That was the way of life for Alden after birth in 1930. His entered school at the age of eight following his older brother, Floyd, sisters, jean and Sue, four miles to Pine Ridge School located near Bright Sand Lake. The nearest community was fourteen miles to St. Walburg, directly North of North Battleford, Saskatchewan..

Alden recalls his brother Floyd asking his father “what is the difference between Dynamo and Dynamite?” after returning home from the Bright Sand School which was the equidistant to Pine Ridge School from the family farm.

His father questioned his brother, “what did your teacher say?”

“No difference,” responded his son.

“Well from now on, you kids are attending Pine Ridge School, where the teacher likely knows the correct answer” the father decided.

The family originated in Michigan USA.

“Even before the Great War,” Alden went on, “Dad had heard about all this unsettled cheap land on the Canadian Prairies. He travelled to have a look before he married and thought that at some time that locating there would be a way a man could afford to raise a family”. To this end he signed a commitment to the Canadian government in 1912, that he intended to become a Canadian citizen, paid a $10 fee and received his homestead.

Then the War broke out and his dreams were interrupted. He returned back to the USA and enlisted in the US Navy. Alden recalls. “My Dad served in the First Great War on a Mine Sweeper stationed at Inverness, Scotland. He didn’t talk much about the war but had an aversion to the smell of cabbage and boiling mutton which reminded him of his sea sick days.”

After the War, he became involved in various occupations which included:

• Building cars in a Chevrolet Factory
• Tried Teaching
• Trained as a Bookkeeper
• Returned to the Chevrolet Factory after the War

Marriage and a disinterest into these various career opportunities brought back visions of freedom in the open lands of Saskatchewan. After a few more investigating trips, the family decided on moving in the mid 1920s, to three (3) quarters of land (480 acres) on the shores of Bright Sand Lake.

Alden’s memories were of hardships and ingenuity that it took those pioneers to eke out a living on virgin soil that required clearing trees and breaking land so that marketable grain crops could be grown. Nothing was more disappointing to another “crop” of stones to gather in the Spring after a thorough job last year, it appeared that they “grew continuously”. He also recalled that at no time did they feel that the government needed to support them or that they were unhappy. It seemed that an acceptance of all that came was their way of life.

Alden could not stop laughing as he recalled this incident, “Harry Read brought a load of firewood to Bright Sand Lake School. In those days people traded services for taxes and everyone contributed what they could to ensure that community facilities, such as schools would be available. Harry was proud of his newly painted red grain box that was set over the sleigh. This was too much for one of the students, Alonzo, who took a chalk and wrote, on the side of the box, the words “BULLSHIT HARRY READ” and promptly scampered over the field, directly home. As it was in those days, it seemed that news of his prank preceded him home. Alonzo’s father started looking for him and found him under the bed. All attempts to coax him out failed and so a poker was heated on the stove and one poke did the trick. Yes, capital punishment was administered by the parents as it was customary in those days.”

He also commented that “in those days there were no flush toilets at home or at school. In fact, the first time that I saw a flush toilet it scared the living daylights out of me.”

Then the Depression and the climate change of the 1930s challenged even the hardiest of these settlers so that money became a scares commodity. The Bigsby family had decisions to make:

• The oldest brother, Floyd, was completing grade 8 and high school would require boarding in North Battleford, the closest high school
• The economic conditions looked bleak and may not recover in a farming enterprise
• A decision was eventually made to return to Michigan where Alden mother’s brother had stayed to look after the family dairy farm.
• Alden’s uncle was by himself and there was an opportunity to become involved in this operation
• Alden’s father remembered his Chevrolet Factory days and perhaps there was some confidence that he could gain employment again

“Let’s sell out and go back to the USA!” was the family decision.

There were displaced people from Europe being relocated to various parts of the Prairies, at that time, and so the government needed to assist and became interested in the family farm which sold for $1,500. Alden reminisces “that the land adjacent to the Bright Sand Lake is now populated and developed with recreational cottages. Pity that the family could not retain ownership as a small family fortune may have resulted.”

Alden recounted the story of his father directing the hired hand to transport grain to St. Walburg with the rail line located there. He never returned! So his father investigated and found that the hired hand had received cash for the grain (the practice of grain buyers then), left the horses and wagon at the Livery and absconded with the cash. The RCMP was able to catch up with the rascal and the Bigsby family ended up with his vehicle since the cash was spent. This 1929 Chevrolet was the car that became the moving van and passenger vehicle to move the Bigsby family off their farm near Bright Sand Lake.

In 1939, the five siblings and parents travelled to Biggar the first day and then on to the USA border the next.

The Second Great War had been declared and Floyd Bigsby and his wife, Edna, originally from Bohemia, could not produce proof of their former American citizenship, and that he was a returned Veteran. All attempts could not convince the US Border Guards that they and their Canadian-born children had every right to cross over and back to the USA.

Returning to Regina and an unsuccessful attempt at obtaining visas, precipitated a search for alternatives. Many were considered but it was unlikely that any action on Visas could be expected before their meagre funding was depleted. Then an idea: ” why not contact our former neighbors, the Milligan’s, who used to send us apples from Summerland? Maybe there are opportunities there?”

And so it ensued that the Bigsbies travelled to Summerland, stayed with the Milligan’s and were able to pick fruit that harvest to make ends meet.

But the Bread-winner was bound and determined to be just that and the elder Floyd started looking around at options. A farm two miles from Armstrong became an interesting prospect and with assistance of a Veteran’s Land Administration (VLA) loan, a total of 103.25 acres was purchased for $5,000. Five (5) years later an additional eight (80) acres of “wild” land was obtained for $200.

Soon a fledging dairy and chicken farm became a reality. The Bigsby family settled in the community. It was a struggle financially but at least it provided a place to live and the ability to grow most of the family food. It was home at last!

Alden was able to continue his schooling with a high school available to the elder siblings, Floyd, Jean, Sue Alden and Bob , all in Armstrong.

“Sue and I were often obligated to take care of our youngest brother Bob,” Alden reminisced, “so we decided that Bob would enjoy a ride in the wicker buggy. We let it go down this hill and somehow it stayed upright after the hundred feet or so that it travelled on its own. Thinking back now, makes me realize that there was not much thinking, at that time, by Sue and I!”

In later years, Bob would be frustrated by some mechanical problem that just could not get fixed on his various toys. Alden was very consoling to his kid brother by making faces at him and Bob calling him a “stupid ass” in return just as Bob turned to realize his mother was standing behind him. Well siblings had a special way to bond and they did.

Alden found a distraction in the local Pool Hall and was considered a front runner in Snooker 101. The fact that Alden was color blind and could not always differentiate the four ball (brown) from the reds, did not prevent him from establishing himself as a proficient player touted to be a match for “Minnesota Fats”. His fellow students who were missing school to play pool knew that one of the High School Teaching staff also frequented the Pool Hall and could be there after classes ended at 3:30 P.M. Of course, Alden and the gang would be long gone by that time.

In Grade 11, Alden became a bit impatient with schooling and was able to get a job building cement blocks for a Contractor in town. He found $0.30 an hour an enticing distraction from classes for forty-one (41) days. When questioned by the Principal, Charlie Clay, as to his absenteeism, Alden responded with “my Dad is bed-ridden and I have to help Mom with the chores and farm.” Well Mr. Clay did check up on Alden and was proven correct in his alibi as on that particular day, the elder Floyd was in bed. Still the Principal was able to use his Psychology on Alden and his Grade 11 was completed.

In the Summer of 1947, Alden “thumbed” a ride to Princeton after hearing that they were hiring at the Copper Mountain mine. By the time he got there, after a day and a half, they had already hired someone. Prior to “getting on”, he spent one night in jail, a courtesy by the local RCMP as he had no place to eat or sleep that night.

Alden decided to get serious about grade 12 and graduated in 1948.

That Summer, Alden was able to work on construction of the Highway from Enderby to Armstrong. His sudden wage increase to $0.61 an hour was almost too hard to believe. He saved his money and bought a second hand Fordson Tractor for the family farm and a 1926 Model T Ford for himself. He recalls, “that car had four gears, two in the rear end and two in the forward transmission. It had slotted floorboards so I had to lift my feet whenever we would go over a puddle.” This act, for the family who did not have a car and still worked the farm with horses, was one that indicates Alden’s dedication and love for the family unit. This was a prevalent and a family attribute of love in the Bigsby family.

Summer of 1948 was spent in a Lead – Zinc mine at Field where he experienced working underground. These were some of the experiences there:

1. There was no electricity underground
2. Only light was with a head lamp
3. When Alden advised the Boss that he was leaving that weekend to go back to school, the next day he was taken off his sit down job of Shusher Operator and given a job of removing unused rails in an abandoned tunnel,……….. alone
a. The head lamp went out within the first one half hour with seven and a half hours of shift to go
b. Alden had to spend the longest day of his life, waiting for someone to come to his rescue as there were abandoned pits that could be stumbled into and so no chance to “feel his way out” on his own
c. Thoughts floated by Alden:
i. Was this an intentional act by his boss to “hurt” him?
ii. He could hear water dripping………
iii. He knew there were rats somewhere………..
iv. There was this absolute darkness………..
v. It was eerie and noises imagined and otherwise…………..
vi. His mood went from angry to disappointment
vii. “Why did he do this to me?
d. The rescue did not come about until the end of the shift when it became apparent that Alden had not reported in
e. One wonders why any supervisor, especially in a mine, would send a worker into an abandoned shaft alone????????????

It was back to Armstrong in the Fall where he was able to take his Grade 13 (actually first year university in these days). Try as he might, English 100 became a challenge with 51% his mark. This needed improvement if he was to pursue further education and so taking English by correspondence seemed like the best solution and a year off to earn some funding, all to further his education.

That year was spent working in a garage where his mechanical skills were perfected. Everything was just fine except the drip from under the cars, while he serviced under the hoist, became a constant irritation to Alden. This helped him resolve that he needed another career to make a living as the drips always seemed to find their way behind his neck.

His effort to improve his English 100 that year became a marginal success with a 56% improvement!

So off it was to Normal School (the dated equivalent to Teachers College) at Victoria College, to gain his Teaching Certificate in ten (10) months/ He completed a questionnaire that was to establish what Alden wanted to do with his career. He chose Industrial Arts.

After many applications, a response came from the school in Ashcroft to teach grades 7 through 12 with a speciality in Industrial Arts (IA). This meant a required stint of several weeks at Vancouver Tech to become trained by the Department of Education as to what would be required in an IA course.

He arrived at his first teaching job in mid August to find a big surprise. The IA shop was in the basement of the school and could only be accessed through the Boys Washroom which became a humorous challenge that had a story in itself. But the biggest surprise of all were the following:

• No power tools
• A small cupboard with hand tools consisting of:
o hand planes
o hand saws
o miscellaneous tools like chisels, etc
• No benches
• It basically did not look like an IA Shop whatsoever

The other surprises was mixed with a personal disappointment when Alden found out that he had only one class to teach IA and had to make up his day with other classes including his favorite — English.

On the other side of all this was that the classes were made up of the local mixed population that consisted of Chinese, Natives and many other foreign nationalities that were located in that area. His lasting memory was of one student named “Butch” Yeung, a Chinese Canadian who would use his “authority” to settle the rest of the class down with a very authoritive “shut up, Mr Bigsby is talking!”

After five (5) years, where Alden was able “build up” the IA Shop with proper tools, benches and much more, he decided to improve his experience by accepting a position in the Langley School District. Although the facility and equipment were much more sophisticated, the attitude of the students lacked the respect and discipline of the school and classes he had left. Obviously, the character and professional conduct of Alden, precipitated his interest to look for other possibilities.

While in Langley, the work ethic in Alden, found him finishing his work day at 1200 noon meant additional opportunities could be available. The family financial challenges at that time were as follows:

• The five (5) year expected salary was $340/month for ten (10) months with no salary for summer holidays in every year
• House rent was $60/month
• Coal costs were $28/week ($112/month)
• Power utility $25/month
o All that did not encourage him to stay as his house had a crawl space of about 6 feet and no insulation so that a ton of coal each week was required to heat that house in the winter, (December and January).

With an associate, they contracted framing of houses to the roofing and “lock-up” stage. This meant being on the supplementary job at 0500 hours and then being at school from 0700 to 1200, with the afternoon back at this framing job. This made life very busy but obviously met the financial needs.

It was partly based on the student attitude as well as his unsatisfactory residence that he began a process of finding another school. In this search he came to his final school, Stanley Humphries High School at Castlegar, B.C. in 1957. He intended to stay two years but ended his career with retirement in 1985.

It all started with applications being sent out in the Summer of 1957. Alden had a friend teaching in Salmo and wanted to find a position close to there. Salmo was a small school, but positions became available in Castlegar in the new Stanley Humphries High School built in 1952 to teach in the Metal and Wood Shops. Alden participated in the planning for Shop upgrades in 1962 through 1964.

Alden’s reflections in those years were of a working atmosphere between Administration and Staff as one where it was like a “family”. Everyone got along and cooperation was prevalent. This was passed along to the student body who were serious to learn and respectful of their Teachers.

During his teaching career, Alden needed to improve his qualifications credit from a two (2) year University of Victoria to enable him to teach at Senior Matriculation level. This was achieved by attending eleven (11) years of Summer School. Not much of a “Summer Holidays”.

Recollection of some of the following humorous incidents during those school years made him smile:

” There were two classes of Grade 12 girls developed to give young ladies some experience in the work world dominated by a mostly male population. Each class would spend one half semester in the automotive shop and the other half in the wood shop. Both were over-subscribed. The time table was so arranged that practical courses would have longer periods so that shop projects could be completed rather than stopped after one hour and so the lunch hour could be included in the project time. This was scheduled every four days.

After talking to the girls at the start of one of the double classes over lunch hour as how this could be accommodated to complete their projects, he explained that “today you can have a double period”………..a small voice from the group said ‘I sure hope not!’ He had to go to his office and close the door but could still hear them all laughing. He meets some of them from time to time now and they still laugh although they are grandmothers now.”

“The metal shop was demonstrating how to harden and temper steel by quenching hot metal in water. The first day was hardening and the second tempering. Frank came into the office with a grin on his face, ‘I fixed those little bastards.’ A number of them had urinated in the quench water! The steam had an unbelievable smell but Frank had recognized it right away but made no indication that anything was amiss. He made them all stay in the small forge room to enjoy their own sweet smell. Frank had told them that from birth he had not been able to smell. It never happened again.”

As the number of students and Teachers increased in the Province of British Columbia, both Government and Teachers kept searching for an equitable process to negotiate Teachers salaries so that the province, as a whole, was fairly dealt with.

Historically, each school district bargained independently, although the settlements in each district where known throughout the province. This had many different advantages as well as disadvantages in each district that may be, in part, listed as follows:

1. A recognition of special circumstances and living conditions
2. Cultural and economic status of the residents
3. Teaching staff and Administrators were all part of the B.C. Teachers Federation (BCTF)
4. Settlements affected Teachers and Administrators alike
5. There was binding arbitration
6. Many more

At the end of each negotiating year, there would be the negative issues like “why are Teachers being paid more in one district than in another”. Settlements then became an opening negotiation in the ensuing year.

Governments have historically taken action to resolve issues like these which inadvertently result in the “solution being worse that the initial problem.” During the term of the Vanderzalm Social Credit government, a legislated “solution” forced all teachers to collective bargaining as a whole.

The results, as Alden recalls, did not achieve the desired benefits as has been the experience with many government actions:

1. The local conditions were sacrificed for a province-wide model which did not meet local needs
2. Administration was separated from Staff suggesting a “professional boundary” that was not there before
3. The binding arbitration that was formerly existent in the previous system was traded for a collective bargaining model which introduced province-wide strike action as a bargaining tool that was totally negative for students and education providers alike
4. The BCTF became more of a union rather than a professional organization as a result

In Alden’s opinion, the system did not provide the intent of education with the student in mind.

Norman McNabb was a neighbor in Castlegar and a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. He invited Alden to join in 1958. Since then Alden enjoyed the comradie with 15 to 17 Firemen that performed the following community functions:

• Replace street lights
• Wash out parking lots
• Practice burns on dilapidated houses or buildings
• other community services

Typically there were four different contact groups who would get a call in emergency and they would “fan out” the calls to members in their group. There was one Fire Chief and an Assistant Fire Chief that led the Department during this time.

He enjoyed his years with the Castlegar Fire Department and retired in 1983.

With the growth of Castlegar and the need for city workers increased in numbers. Separation of responsibility between Firemen and City Workers changed the original model.

Destiny placed Alden with a fellow Shop Teacher, Frank Bonderoff. The relationship evolved to common interests and an idea gelled for the construction of an airplane to travel into some of the local lakes for fishing. And so the talented individuals used their collective ingenuity to obtain drawings for a Sportsman Flying Boat.

Portions of the plane were prefabricated in the School Shops wherein students had an opportunity to experience the construction of a plane. Bill Plotnikoff, a School Teacher and son of a local businessman, was a trained Aeronautical Engineer, contributed his expertise to approve construction of the special parts.

The plane was completed in the years 1966 to 67. Alden along with Frank successfully graduated their flying lessons and the dream of fishing at a pristine lake became reality. Alden’s Pilot’s License was VRP-12624. Because he was color blind, he could not land on controlled airports but rural “landing fields” were just fine, especially lakes.

A favorite “hole” was Beatrice Lake located in the mountains between Burton and Slocan. There the two friends built a hunting shack together with two (2) Boy Scouts, and equipped it with sleeping bags hung from the ceiling, silverware and cutlery along with emergency foods so that not everything had to be brought in each time. They even left their fishing gear there so that the shack could be used by visitors as well as themselves. Fishing and hunting trips were usually three (3) to four (4) day duration.

They built a raft of logs and were are to get an outboard motor in so that this raft could be propelled around the lake. They would watch bears on shore but kept their distance. At one time, after the near left, they checked on his activity and found teeth marks through an aluminum pot. This discouraged further attempts to befriend the animal after they found scratches on the shack door.

Probably the most humorous event is when Alden recalled Frank shooting mice through the spaces in the logs to stop the irritating scratching at night.

This worked well for a time until they found the food all used up and the shack left in a mess. They tried to mitigate this abuse by caching their equipment, etc., to find that the desecration continued and especially the writing of notes that “people should not use planes to enter the wilderness.”

Eventually the shack was “torched” by someone. This entire episode sadly affected the two “partners” in “how could anyone be so short-sighted and unable to understand the law of the wilderness that when a shelter is discovered, use it and leave it in better stead than when found?”

The Sportsman Flying Boat met with a tragedy when Frank had an unsuccessful takeoff attempt from a private field in Salmo and the plane went down over some stumps. An energetic attempt to repair the plane was equated to an advertised Sea-Bee in Bellingham being available for $3,500. The decision was made to do the following:

1. Purchase the Sea-Bee
2. Spend two (2) years in counselling
3. Have all the parts checked out by a authorized Inspector
4. Such an Inspector was found in Abbottsford who also painted the plane
5. It took four (4) weeks to assemble
6. After four (4) years they were able to fly again.

There is more to the adventures of Frank and Alden when a hobby Sawmill and Planer Mill were constructed at Salmo. The majority of the parts came from abandoned equipment at former sawmills as well as structural steel members found at those and other sites. Both friends were Scroungers and capable Welders as well as Mechanically apt so manufacturing and assembling operating equipment was not a challenge but an enjoyable pastime.

Frank stopped teaching and got more involved in the Logging operations. Alden recalls that they undertook contracts to supply timbers to the Parks Board as well as other specialty lumber that customers requested.

Alden went on to get involved in the construction of a major seniors housing project at Grandview in Castlegar. Here he served as:

• Director of the Kootenay Columbia Seniors Housing Cooperative
• Committee to build Supportive Living component of the project
• Volunteered his skills to build various advertizing display boards
• Served on the Promotions Committee
• All with an absolute positive attitude

Alden remained an enthusiastic member throughout the project wherein he purchased and still occupies a bungalow.

People who knew the Bigsby family and their humble beginnings and lack of wealth, “how did all of you afford to obtain a higher education?”

Alden reminisced with this explanation:

1. Mother, Edna Bigsby, had a brother who was a practicing Engineer in the USA
a. He would send money to Floyd to assist in his education as an Agricultural Engineer
b. Floyd eventually became a Professor in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan
2. Jean was fortunate to obtain scholarships to assist in a degree in Food and Dietary Science
3. Floyd was able to send part of his income to assist Jean and Sue
4. Floyd, Jean and Sue all stayed in one apartment, at one time, to save funds
5. Sue graduated in Home Economics
6. They all assisted Alden in whichever way to obtain his education
7. Bob worked as professional Faller in the woods
a. He also worked in a garage
b. A course opportunity came along in Industrial Arts Teaching which he took in Mechanical
c. He eventually carried on to obtain a PhD after using “Training of Untrainable Adults” as his thesis
d. Bob worked with
i. CIDA in Kenya
ii. the World Bank
iii. spent sixteen years as President of Olds College

A remarkable achievement for an ordinary farm family!

Today Alden enjoys working in his well-equipped wood working shop set up in his double garage at Grandview. The workmanship and array of various manufactured goods are a marvel to behold.

The listed experiences of Alden, provide only a brief profile of the depth within this person who very silently and modestly goes about his life without fanfare and self idolation. In one of the year books at SHHS, a comment was made by the editorial staff at that time which is very descriptive of their Shop Teacher:

“…….I can look on tempests and never be shaken…….”

That is definitely defines the person within this chronicle in the Writer’s opinion.

Written by Elmer Verigin March 11, 2015. The process involved interviews with Alden over a period of time. The Bigsby family have a well documented family history that is well written. This is intended to be a chronicle of Alden’s life.
The final draught was approved by Alden