THIS IS ALL ABOUT KATIE (Deceased May 10, 2014)

I knew Jim before I met Katie and after meeting her I became encouraged….there was hope for this guy yet.

There was a special bond created between Jim and I when we unceremoniously became delegates to initiate a unification of young Doukhobors in Western Canada back in 1969. January was a bad choice to go to Saskatchewan but after six days of marathon meetings, blizzards mixed with hospitality, I knew that Jim was a good leader when he drove into Swift Current in a blinding snow storm while I navigated. I asked that infamous question “are we there yet as the speedometer suggests we must be?”

His answer was “how would I know as I cannot see a thing!”

I opened the door and bumped into a parking meter, “We are here!”

Yes I knew then I was safe with Jim. No, we did not achieve unification of Doukhobors!

But we created a bond, recognized by Katie as she melted into this friendship through the rest of our lives.

Katie had unique attributes which revealed an intelligence that was modest as she never boasted nor indicated any desire to stand above anyone around her. Her Doukhobor upbringing enabled her to live entirely under the direction of the psalm Be Devout. When you read this psalm, Katie’s character becomes clear.

Oh yes, Katie could party with the rest of us and so she was part of the gang.

Right at the outset Katie couldn’t wait to start her family and when she became pregnant with Jamie, there was a glow around Katie as an enthusiastic and expectant mother. She immediately became involved with raising her family which was to be her obsession as the rest of the boys came along.

It was volley ball, baseball and about anything the boys did always received the entire family support with love. Coaches and the team families became welcome at their house, room, campground or wherever the event was being staged. All these people became the extended family.

This meant that getting together with the Laktins had to be second to what was happening in the family. We all understood and were happy for them. Of course that did not prevent soaking in their Jacuzzi and drifting on the Arrow Lakes in their House Boat whenever time permitted.

At this time the Latkins were part of the Doukhobor Cultural Association that interested themselves in hearing from thought-provoking speakers on a variety of subject matter. On one such occasion, John Verigin Sr came to speak to us. Katie was our Secretary at that time and I occasionally looked her way to see what she was doing about making notes on this profound presentation by our speaker. I did not see her make one note. Two weeks later, she gave her seven (7) page account of John Verigin Sr’s presentation that astounded all of us in its completeness and clarity. So you be the judge of that lady’s capability.

Katie’s reputation of a good cook was well known by those who had the privilege to sample same. I recall our infamous Curling Team decided that a Bonspiel in Revelstoke was very necessary. We convinced our wives that we would have to leave Wednesday to get there by Friday evening using the irregular Galena Bay Ferry schedule, icy roads, etc., as justification for the lengthy trip. Katie took this very seriously and loaded the van with countless jars of dill pickles, pickled cabbage and asparagus not to mention pickled hardboiled pickled eggs. We found it amazing that Katie knew what food was necessary for professional Curlers.

Well everyone at the Bonspiel heard about our stash and crashed our room till all hours of the night exalting at the fantastic cook that created all this. Needless to say, Katie won in the culinary field but her heroes lost every game.

In recent years the Laktins came back to the Kootenays and we reinstated our relationship when Jim and I started working together at Grandview.

There were times that I was present when Jim was having lunch. Let me tell you that Katie knew how to pack a lunch. As I watched Jim gorge himself, my saliva dripped. It was an easy decision to stay away at lunch time so that I would not have to watch with envy. I tried different times and guess what: he was eating no matter when I showed up. What a lunch lady!

We decided to do things like creek fishing, picking Suzziki, mushrooms or Huckleberries and just plain visiting. No matter when, eating and Katie’s hospitality abounded. I am not sure now what was more exciting, the fishing and outing event or getting to see what Katie packed for lunch. There was always enough for twice as many people and perhaps Katie was naturally always ready for that possibility.

When Jamie became an entrepreneur with the Market, Katie was there in support, creating her special borsch recipes along with an endless supply of Pyrahaee for the enthusiastic customers.

A special high light in Katie’s life was when the grand children came along. It just seemed that her love for family rose to an exceptional height. Although all received an equal love, her excitement over the arrival of the triplets made even all her friends share in her rise to this wealth in family relationship. I never heard the word triplets used so many times with the corresponding amount of love.

Then when the Medical Fraternity gave Katie a clean bill of health this past February we decided to celebrate that occasion. We loaded up with:

• Fresh Oysters
• Lobster Tail
• Jumbo Prawns
• Scallops

and headed for the Laktin house. The visit started with the fresh oysters and carried on from there. We were overjoyed that Katie loved seafood and also knew exactly how to prepare same.

Wow what a party!

No such celebration can be enjoyed by Doukhobors unless there is a competition between men and women with a game of Doorock. After 20 or more games the ladies asked if we had been cheating. With absolute innocent faces we responded , “of course not. It is just the way the cards fall. You know that Doukhobors don’t cheat in Doorock!” Sorry Katie, now I must confess to your spirit that maybe I did once or twice but I am sure that Jim did not.

We made plans to go on a Casino junket next time but it was not able to happen. I have to admit that 24 hours after she died, she was pressing the right keys for me at Chances and let me win a few dollars. If that is the way you want to continue participating Katie, I am fine with that.

When I ponder on this issue, I cannot fathom what goes in our bodies when over 10 trillion cells that make up our bodies regenerate so that, save our heart, bones, teeth and brain, replace themselves every 7 to 10 years. This means that Katie’s body was able to do just that at least 6 times successfully. Medical Science is still determining why this last time Katie’s body became a victim of faulty programming of those cells who attacked each other in a futile control struggle that resulted in her body expiring.

In my understanding, Katie is just in another dimension and with us even today and likely with remain with her family for a time. Quantum Physics agrees with this but unfortunately we are not able to communicate between dimensions although we can feel that something is definitely happening.

Katie, our memories with Jim and you will be ours for a long time.

Elmer and Marilyn Verigin May 16, 2014

Allan:

I noticed that you visited my blog recently and I do hope it was an enjoyable viewing. I still am susceptable to a Priincipal’s grammar and spelling check even if he is retired.

I provided you with my email address but I failed to obtain yours in the exchange. Perhaps, you can communicate this to me.

John Slastukin called me yesterday from his place North of Regina and advised that it was very cold in Saskatchewan this year. We recalled digging the snow along that roadway that serviced Rezansoffs, Paul Kondratoffs, Slastukins and your home place.

I also talked with your relatives yesterday, Lawrence and Kathy Popoff. Lawrence is related to your mother, the Dootoffs. They still remember the beautifal visit with your parents a few years back.

I encourage you to comment on my blog or email me privately so that I would have your contact information.

Elmer

The last trip to Mazatlan that I took with my family was the celebration of our Golden Anniversary that Marilyn and I enjoyed with our entire family two years ago. We all recall how beautiful that experience was when we all “bonded” in a fashion that our collective spirits can only appreciate. We are now merely adding to that “cup that continues to fill” with love.

As it has been my habit of late, I again awoke at 3:00 A.M., to thoughts that kept streaming through my head. They were creative thoughts and have recently improved in a positive fashion from the scattered and discontinuous “ramblings” in the past, that were most disturbing and troubling to my already tortured spirit.

So I rose out of the recliner in my office (I seem to move from location to location in my house) as I search for a “comfort zone” where I can drift back into slumber. This time I was reflecting on the three family occasions, this 2013 holiday season, where we were all able to again be entirely together: to laugh, embrace, love, revel, feast and toast each other to build on all that continues to be our family “wealth”.

So I decided that I would record these thoughts for eternity rather than continue to twist and turn like a dog or cat that “scratches” its resting place in a fruitless effort to make it a more comfortable place. I started thinking of Winston Churchill who would apparently spend the entire evening with his friends and associates, wining, dining and philosophizing and then in the wee hours of morning, begin his writing of speeches, reports and agendas that were the focus of his “finest hours” as Prime Minster of England during World War II challenges. I heard inspirational speakers suggest that no one should resist this early morning creativity as it is then that your best thoughts come forth with an ease that perhaps become personal highest achievements.

I have to preface this writing with the preparation that my parents afforded me in my youth as my role in the family and my personal responsibility as what comes first:

• Wake up early
• Feed the chickens
• Feed the horses and cattle
• Fill the rough with water for all the animals
• Open the coop and allow the poultry freedom to roam again in the absence of threats from weasels, skunks and coyotes
• Milk the cows and separate the milk
• Feed the calves with skim milk and take the cream to the “ice house” where it will keep until there was enough to fill a cream can and send away by rail to the Creamery some six times a month. This was the major revenue for clothes, etc.
• There were many other farm chores that were absolute necessities for survival on a family living farm

After all that I could go to school. This meant a fifty minute walk each way. Play was in all the time that remained.

Little did I realize the impact of all this upbringing would have on the development of my character and all those who grew up in a similar fashion.

University was first and then the job which would get me the car that I “needed” to sport a girl friend. Then there was the job that was needed to ensure my future. Of course, my role always seemed to be leadership and the responsibility associated with that.

With that responsibility, it was my understanding that the job was foremost before family. It became a routine that my family was always waiting for me to come home and share whatever time remained with them. So it became my depravation and disappointment that I missed out on too many segments of their lives which is now lost forever.

This Christmas, I decided to change my habits and I achieved a tremendous personal success.

My family had three major functions planned together:

• Daughter Lori’s fiftieth surprise birthday
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

All these would be attended by all my family but I had a responsibility to the Kootenay Mens Choir as it was committed to performances at community events. I made my decision that my compromise would favor my family and so I left immediately after we sang at the Pentecostal Carol Fest and the Christmas Concert at the Brilliant Cultural Centre. Yes I was late for the family events but I at least captured and enjoyed the greatest portions.

I used my time to talk, one-on-one, with my grandchildren and here are the magnificent obsessions that I was able to experience and enjoy.

It was mostly the finest moments in my life and, as such, share with you now:

1. I started with my oldest grandson, Sean, who drove from Kelowna to attend all these family gatherings. After successful graduation with a Degree in Business, he decided that he wanted to take a practical approach to life and enrolled in a Millwright apprenticeship program. He is now rebuilding rock crushing equipment in Vernon, B.C. He enthusiastically explains all the various Trades People that he is associated with in his job. He logs some fifty hours a week and just loves it all. He aspires to become an Owner / Manager in the Heavy Duty Mechanical Industry. His practical expertise, coupled with his professional Business Degree should ensure a successful future career.
2. Roxy, his attractive partner, outlined her career as a Beauty Technician, doing everything with hair including trimming beards and moustaches (to the male population, of course, when they drop in). Interestingly, enough, she works on commission and essentially is rewarded for performance and ability by the customers that opt for her expertise.  She attended the appropriate schooling and now is applying her knowledge with practical application. Her goal is to purchase her own Salon.
3. I was not able to have a serious chat with Kayla, my senior granddaughter but I will reserve that to a time when both us can visit. In the interim, she has added to our family, our first great grandson, Maxx. What a hit this child has made ever since he joined our family this past summer! I know that she is planning a direction to add to her Health Services Management Degree with an application that will challenge her capability. For now she is enjoying serving as a Stay-at-Home Mom. I am looking forward to that interview.
4. Nathan, Kayla’s partner is now a Journeyman Electrician after serving his apprenticeship. They are obviously enjoying all the new challenges of a young family. This chat will also wait for a more opportune time.
5. Kara has now graduated in Human Kinetics and her first job is with Pure North Wellness Clinic in Calgary. She is now organizing the vitamin and supplement program for the Canadian Olympic Team. She has taken to this job with great enthusiasm as she likes what she is doing. At this time she is not sure of the exact direction her career should take and that is something that will require more research. At this time she is the “bread-winner” on their partnership. She sang a solo for Gramps, a special rendition of “Don’t Cry for me Argentina”. Tears came to my eyes as did to the entire audience at Lori’s birthday party. If I could only get her to the voice confidence of Celine Dion, there would not be much difference in the end.
6. Her partner Tyler continues with his Hockey Scholarship at SAIT and is now enrolled in Computer Programming. He is doing well in both and expects graduation in the summer of 2015. Both young people have a great future ahead of them and we all look forward to future interviews for updates. Kara’s parents bought him a Beer Fridge for a Christmas present so that he can get his weight up for more inertia in his hockey checking.
7. Allie has been taking correspondence courses in a gradual process to attain a degree in Nursing. She is enjoying an A grade in all her courses and is now getting practical experience as Director of a Group Home for seriously handicapped seniors in Peace River Alberta. She started this fall as a Worker and has already risen to Director. The Owner of the Group Home gave her a substantial Christmas bonus and a major raise in pay which demonstrates her total commitment to doing her job well. While all this is going on, she continues with her On-Line Studies and the A grades. She absolutely loves her job!
8. Her partner, Taylor, is due to achieve his Journeyman status as a Heavy Duty Mechanic. He currently logs long hours servicing Oil Pumping Stations in the Peace River area. Taylor spent his holiday with his family in the Okanagan and was unable to join us. Allie explains his challenges of servicing motors in 45 below weather. I can’t wait to be debriefed with this aspiring young man.
9. Garrett is now enrolled in Golf Course Management at Selkirk College and will achieve a Certificate this summer in this field. He had worked at a golf course in Osooyos, after two years as Captain of the Osooyos Coyotes. He now plays on the Selkirk Saints Hockey Team. Garrett is torn between becoming a Journeyman Carpenter, a professional Hockey Player or continuing in this field of Golf Course Management. The lure from Hockey Teams enticing him to join them continues to distract him. It will be interesting to see where the “beacon” directs him in the next short while. It is obvious that he is poised to succeed wherever he sets down.
10. Nigel has always shown signs of being a Graphic Designer and has been sketching since a small child. He has a full briefcase where he is accumulating his workings. It will be a treasure chest when he achieves his final career echelon. Since his grade twelve graduation, he has been trying to find a source of income that will raise enough capital to pay the tuition for Graphic Designer. His current job with City Furniture as Shipper / Receiver and Delivery Specialist has impressed his Employer to provide him with a substantial bonus of furniture which he proudly showed the family. What is exciting about Nigel is his thirst for knowledge and his ability to write. He emotionally read his latest poem at Christmas Dinner. It has been accepted by a local magazine for publishing. He is certainly following a Grandfather Elmer gene in that area. It will be exciting to watch this unfold with time.
11. Malcolm is in his graduate year at Stanley Humphries and continues being on the Honor Roll. At this point he is applying to Selkirk College in the Medicine and Marketing Programs. It will be interesting to see his success in achieving entry. This is the first year that Selkirk College has offered the Premed course and it is likely that there will be stiff competition. The beauty here is that he can take either course and live at home which can make College very affordable. In the interim, he works at Boston Pizza after being with Chopsticks, his friend’s family Chinese Restaurant. This one will also be an interesting career to follow. His drumming passion has progressed to playing in a local band.
12. Solomon continues to achieve invitations from professional Hockey Teams for try-outs. At fifteen he has already been at the Everett , Washington WHL Camp last Summer and achieved the top four Goalies status which was enough to have him signed for future reference as he is too young to play at this time. He has now received an invitation to attend the Michigan Hockey try-outs in the summer of 2014. What I have not been able to determine is whether it is hockey or girls (very handsome guy) that are distracting him from his formal education but he will need to improve this area in order to secure an invite to the Colleges and we are all confident that he will do just that.
13. Abby is in her undergraduate year at J. Lloyd Crowe and tells me that she wants to be an Educator like her father Kim. She is aspiring to the Human Kinetics field. In the interim she has developed great skills in all kinds of crafts. She has joined friends to place tables at Craft Fairs and has made bracelets and necklaces for the entire family which we all proudly display. Participation in sports also occupies her time and I was not able to get a list of boyfriends but I will just have to ask her sister Macy about that. Abbie is saving money for  Grad trip abroad in 2014.
14. Macy is the youngest and in grade six. Already we have seen her achieve great winnings in Karate and Track & Field. This slightly built young lady just seems to glide naturally into victory as most champions do. Of course sometimes boys distract young females from achieving their goals but she is a very determined girl. As he sister, Allie, Macy tells me that the Human Kinetics field is what she is currently aspiring to. She loves her Dad a lot and he is her idol as Athletic Director at Selkirk College. Perhaps this is influencing their choice but we will see as all this evolves.

So, I have compromised in favor of my family this Christmas as I am starting to do more and more. My rewards have been substantial in what I learned. I love all my family and I do feel that I should record this Christmas 2013 moment in their developmental history.

Elmer Verigin

Entered directly into Laptop. Last notation December 26, 2013

EXCERPT FROM “CHICKEN SOUP for the  UNSINKABLE SOUL”

1999 Jack Canfield; Mark Victor Hansen and Heather McNamara

I was reading this book that Marilyn had bought at a ‘Flea Market” for $1.00 as she was desperate for me to come out of my depression. This article caught my eye and I will share with you:

……………….” You Can Beat The Odds and Be a Winner, Too

Bury him in the snows of Valley Forge and you have a George Washington.

Raise him in abject poverty and you have Abraham Lincoln

Subject him to bitter religious prejudice, and you have a Disraeli.

Spit on him and crucify him and you have Jesus Christ.

Label him “too stupid to learn”, and you have a Thomas Edison.

Tell her she’s too old to start painting at eighty, and you have a Grandma Moses.

Have him or her born black in a society filled with racial discrimination, and you have a Brooker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman, Marian Anderson, George Washington Carver or Martin Luther King Jr.

Make him the first child to survive in a poor Italian family of eighteen children, and you have Enrico Caruso.

Afflict him with periods of depression so severe that he cut off his own ear, and you have a Vincent van Gogh.

Tell her in the later 1800s and early 1900s that only men can be scientists, and you have a Madame Curie, who eventually won two Nobel Prizes — one for physics and the other for Chemistry.

Tell a young boy who loved to sketch and draw that he has no talent, and you have a Walt Disney.

Tale a crippled child whose only home he ever knew was an orphanage, and you have a James E. West, who became the first chief executive of the Boy Scouts of America.

Make him a second fiddle in an obscure South American orchestra, and you have a Toscanini.

Abigail Van Buren…………………………..”

This is meant for those of us who keep thinking that we are failures and cannot get ahead.

Transcribed December 23, 2013

Elmer Verigin

Welcome!

Let 2014 bring you health, happiness and a purpose in life.

I often check my dashboard and I see that a substantial number of you have vsited my blog but very few stop to comment on what stories have interested you most. Although I appreciate your interst, I would lie to know what portion and sublect matter of my large inventory of stories that my Readers would like read most.

My diary notes may be still too senstive for various agencies and organizatons that I still deal with, and so publishing, will have to wait.

I do have personal observations on my life within the global environment.  If that sort of subject is of interest to you, please let me know.

Many people have impressed me and I have written about my association with them. In those cases, I have their permission to publish their stories. Others will remain as my accounts of the events as I experienced same.

There are other true stories where I have played a significant role that will need to wait until I am deceased to be published in whatever format my family may choose.

There are many stories in my memory bank about actual events that I have yet to set in print. Your interests will influence a priority in my attendance to this.

This past year, I have been challenged in attending to my many social organzations and their contnuing struggle to maintain ther function in this world. I found that my attention there took me away from my writing, where I really wanted to be. I also suffered from a bout of depression which my Chiropractor was able to relieve now.

 My Xmas wish list includes Peace on Earth and for my Readers to write me!

The best to all of you in 2014!

Elmer

QUICK CHANGE ARTIST

There we were in the Mount Sentinel Chiropractic Office in Castlegar, this morning, November 13, 2013, conducting an active discussion on “allowable” legal actions that a Car Driver can do while driving. The list was humerous and unending as everyone participated with all that they had experienced:

1. Plucking eye-brows
2. Putting on make-up
3. Spreading jam on toast
4. Cell phone usage
5. Animated discussion wit oethsr in the call
6. Drinking a beverage of all discript
7. Reading
8. More

Then I thought of what I was able to do in desperation back in 1984.

I was a Project Manager appointed by Travel Industry Development Subsidiary Advisory (TIDSA), a B.C. Government granting agency which provided funds for Municipalities to improve tourism around the province and in the Yukon.

I was on my way to a Waterfront Development meeting in Port Albernie on the Island. The Ferrie to Nanaimo was late and I had already broken every speed limit when I realized as I got to the Rain Forest area just outside of Port Albernie that there was no time to stop and change into my three piece suit from my casual wear and still arrive on time.

So I reached back to the hanger behind me and brought out the suit and surveyed the situation.

“If I could at least get my shirt off and the white shirt on, that would help in the end”, I started concocting my plan. One hand on the wheel and alternating, the feat was completed successfully.

“Let’s try the pants”, as I glanced at the extremely curved road which was set to miss all the virgin rain forest and started the unplanned maneuvering to slip my jeans down while my right leg came off the gas pedal. Then it was the left foot which was a bit easier.

“I will leave the socks on” I decided as there just would not be enough time to change them.

I slipped my suit pants into position and started with the right leg as the car slowed with no gas propulsion. “Made it!” I spoke to myself.

The left leg was easier again but slipping the pants back under my seat was a bit more challenging but I got there.

“Better tread the belt now because it will show if not there,” proved to be tougher as I was already on the outskirts of the City.

“Those women have no idea what multi-tasking is all about”, I smiled as I continued with the process.

Tying the Boston Knot on my necktie with one hand was definitely most novel. “I will adjust it as I leave the car and before I enter the meeting,” I reassured myself.

“The vest was relatively easy and I could just slip into my oxfords as I left the car”, I had it all set out as I parked in the City Parking lot.

I grabbed my briefcase and hurried up the steps and down the hall to the meeting room. My watch read just a few minutes late.

The assembled Committee gave me the once-over and it was strictly business as we had a Water Front Development to construct.

Elmer Verigin

Written November 13, 2013

MARILYN AND ELMER’S INTERESTING SUMMER OF 2013

It all started at Whatshan Lake Retreat with a wedding for Rod and Laura Lodon on July 06, 2013. What was unique is that all the members of the Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 (DHRS #1999) and the Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) were invited. It was an opportunity to utilize all the facilities along with the ingenuity of daughters Nona and Lori to make this wedding something to remember for the Markin and Lodon families.

There were typical Doukhobor prayers by Alex Wishlow and even all the DCA/DHRS #1999 members sang traditional hymns and songs. We had guests that flew into the Barnes Creek International Airport on a “white knuckle express” flight.

No, we were unable to complete the planned clay oven to bake the ceremonial wedding bread and so we “cheated” by baking it in the Retreat ovens.

On Sunday, Alex Wishlow treated us to an excellent Prayer Service, right in front of the stage. Followed by a Shishliki brunch.

Entertainment was supplied by Moe Zibin and the Balladeers, Patricia Markin, Dr. ‘Eclectic” Allan Markin, the Rippin’ Rattlers and a Disc Jockey as well as some Pickin’ and Strummin’ around campsites.

All Aunt Flo’s immediate family attended and we have pictorial evidence of Flo sliding down a playground (she donated) chute smoking one of her son Allan’s cigars. My mother (Flo’s oldest sister), would have said “ Prama Stramata.”

Late Tuesday we left Castlegar in pursuit of Rick, Lori and Nona who were to meet us at Lethbridge RV Park. Our first challenge came after our faithful First Nations entrepreneur at the Red Feather service station in Brocket, AB, was not open at 1030 P.M. and so we ended up searching for the gang in the huge RV Park at the entrance to Lethbridge on an empty gas tank.

We assumed as much and found them at the Casino. They pampered us with drinks and explanations that they had left large signs on their RV advising us where they were. Who would anticipate such thoughtfulness from our offspring?

We made up and all slept in the RV to save the money we lost at the Casino. We didn’t leave Lethbridge until the Ford Mechanics could make repairs to Rick’s air intake system in the early afternoon.

Although we took advantage of the great Prairie Highways and understanding RCMP, we passed Asquith at sundown. Then Granny and I took the lead as we were supposed to know how to get to Jade and Marnie’s on the back road shortcut. Little did we know that the wet Saskatchewan Summer had rendered many of the farm road system impassable. We watched Rick maneuver some pretty treacherous “soft spots” that even a veteran farmer would have avoided.

It was a surprise for the entire Verishine family as they sat on their deck wondering who was driving in unexpectedly. It was Jade’s total pleasant surprise to see his first cousins who he did know that Marnie had secretly invited to their wedding.  

Marilyn and I were expected at Mitch and Dorthy Ozeroff’s that evening and so we arrived with Mitch already in bed. Checking in at the Ozeroff Motel, in Langham, is a formidable challenge as there is the need to be treated with Scotch and “have you eaten yet as I have two roasted chickens which were ready for you at dinner?” It was typical prairie hospitality with Doukhobor Heritage influence and very trying on the waistline.

Using the Ozeroff Motel as a “base camp” we started our visitations with Aunty Ann and Cousin Kathy Verishine’s as well as trips to the wedding site which was the next farm over from Marilyn’s home place. We all went over to do a nostalgic visit to the family farm and were met by Geoff, Marilyn’s Nephew and current owner. Of course, we toured everywhere including the still operable “banya”.

The farm immediately North of the former family farm was the site of either an arrowhead factory or a massive native battle as arrowheads have been found there in past by all the family. Nona dreamed of finding at least one arrowhead and she was not to be disappointed as she now has one for the effort.

Marnie and Jade’s wedding was typically ‘country’ in theme with bales of hay for seating and a huge tent to house the wedding dinner. What became the highlight was the taking of vows in a former Lutheran Church with a picturesque steeple silhouetted along a country road. All guests watched their adult children and partners, all dressed in western garb, be the attendants. What “stole the show” was their three year old son, Jacob, who became the “ring bearer” as he strutted up the aisle, smiling, clutching his sister’s arm.

Special people at the wedding for Marilyn and I were Marilyn’s brother Allan and wife Leah from Whitehorse and her first cousins, Leonard and wife Connie with Harvey and wife Diane. Within the gala wedding celebrations we also were treated to meeting many former neighbors and friends that we had not seen for awhile.

The next day we were off to Saskatoon where we established another base using Alex and first cousin Elaine Derkachenko’s house as a “motel”. From here we were able to visit with Donna Hunchak and John and Ruth Sirota.  Ruth and Donna were my “adopted sisters” when I boarded at the Tarasoff house with their brother Keith during my university years.

Alex is an outstanding chef and the entire household enjoyed the prairie hospitality that Marilyn and I hold so dear.

Here we were able to visit with Cousin Donna and Larry Henderson and Aunty Alice Maloff. It was unbelievable the number of people and memories that were discussed in the days together. Along with all the shopping that Marilyn was able to treat herself with in the this City of 500,000, the Derkachenkos took us on a tour that included the architectural masterpiece, Dakota Dunes Casino, South of Saskatoon. I couldn’t help but smile as I left my contribution of $100 to the revolutionary social enterprise of the First Nations accepting the Canadians willingness to support their business. I am totally impressed with our “first Canadians” becoming self-sufficient.

On Sunday, we were invited to a “garden party” at Wilf and Jeanette Stringer’s residence at Millardville, North of Saskatoon. Jeanette had invited:

• Jeanette’s sister Leona
• Jenaette’s daughter Charla and daughter
• Peter Pereversoff (who came out of hospital for a few hours for this occasion)
• Edna Wright
• Mitch and Dorothy Ozeroff
• Parents Billy and Helen Voykin
• Dr. Veronica Makorova
• Alex and Elaine Derkachenko

The weather was just great, the conversation excellent and Wilf’s bar-b-q delivered all that a summer “get-to-gether” needed to keep everyone laughing and swapping stories of by-gone days when we knew some very young and immature people.

We responded to Dr. Veronica Makorova on her invitation for a return visit after she had spent time with us last May. Veronica and her daughter treated us to a delightful Russian delicacy of salads and a specially prepared chicken dish. Veronica offered to take us for a tour of the University of Saskatchewan. Since I had not been there since graduation in 1963, we eagerly accepted.

It was absolutely unbelievable what my eyes perceived!

Although the original Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Administration and Library Buildings could be picked out with difficulty, they were added to and renovated.  New and beautifully designed buildings filled out the former empty spaces. Vehicles once travelled in the core, this was all now pedestrian only with many enclosed walkways joining the buildings.

I just smiled, remembering the ten minute dashes, between classes, from the Engineering to the Chemistry Buildings, in windchill temperatures of seventy below. Entry into the Lecture Theatre would be a challenge as my glasses would be totally frosted up and I had to rely on feel and a keen sense of direction to find my seat, just after the Professor was well into his lecture.

Now the trip is on an elevated walkway with tropical plants growing along an educational journey through the Saskatchewan prehistoric times when dinosaurs occupied the very site of the University of Saskatchewan. I was speechless which is difficult to witness for Elmer.

Yes, I went in the former Administration building and stood where the original counter was located. I remember asking the Head Clerk in 1958 as to whether the Saskatchewan Government had approved my Student’s Loan of $500. I needed to know as the registration fee and books for 1^st year Engineering would total $450. An atrocious sum of money, that would wipe out my $450 summer earnings to fund my entire year.

After a tense fifteen minutes, he came back to advise me in the affirmative tense. I am sure that the young people reading this blog would say “that’s all!” I wonder how students of today can ever afford the costs of college education.

It was time to travel to Canora for our scheduled educational experience of Bread-baking. We had to rush as there was a funeral for Polly Strukoff at 1:00 P.M., that day, in Kamsack. Although we had enough time to get there (we thought), construction of a new bridge just East of Canora meant finding a detour. With no signs, I relied upon my faint knowledge of the alternatives and went north to find another bridge that I knew. Well Elmer got lost and we arrived two minutes before the funeral was to start.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that a Doukhobor Choir was singing the Lord’s Pray in Russian and so I chimed in trying to remember where the chants were different (British Columbia and Saskatchewan) and was surprised that there was no difference. I really got into the feeling and memories of my friend’s mother and neighbor and felt my voice carry throughout the packed chapel. I was congratulated later on my singing as I was accompanying a taped British Columbia Choir. I must have sang reasonably well as many people who I didn’t know, walked up to shake my hand and thank me. Well so much for coming to the region where I was born and raised.

We had a preset reservation at Keith and Sonia Tarasoff’s farm north of Mikado and so we followed their pickup (I was not taking any chances on getting lost again). Marilyn and I were elated to see that the prearranged occasion included Mitch / Dorothy Ozeroff from Langham with Dr. Jack and Jan Tarasoff from Calgary. A treat for me was meeting my old friends Fred and Eileen Konkin from Pelly. I need to mention part of the Canora Doukhobor Choir showed up with a delightful supply of Saskatoon Berry and Kalina “Pereeshkee”. Yes I made a fool of myself again because I kept forgetting how many I ate.

Bright and early the next day we were off to the Doukhobor Heritage Village in Veregin where I was to serve my apprenticeship in baking bread at an authentic Doukhobor Petch. This included:

• Organizing the kindling in the Petch to progressively stoking the fire into the oven
• Learning how to test the oven when it was ready to receive the bread for baking
• Learning to mix the ingredients in the bread mixer
• White bread mixes and not to forget the brown bread with Tarasoff wheat specially ground at the Village
• Watching the ladies knead the bread and then place it into 58 pans (capacity of the oven)
• Carefully organizing all the pans into the oven in a “sequence plan”
• Yes, I was allowed to take measurements of the oven for future drawings
• Listening to Keith explain the specialized “tricks” of the Petch design that was related to Keith by the designer and builder, Nick Trofemenkoff (deceased)
• “The roof of the oven must be arched at the rear of the Petch so that the flames “roll over” and down to the floor in a special sequence that heats the oven
• Steam Engineers 1st Class probably never had that explanation in their courses
• Raking the coals and embers carefully to the front opening and placing on either side so that heat can be retained at that point for a more homogenous oven heat
• Then getting the baked pans out in the prearranged sequence
• Removing the bread from the pans without damage
• Brushing butter over the bread surface

Did I ever realize that this was not only a science but also a cultural art???

The best part of this whole event was realizing that Dorthy and the ladies had brought out Borsch, Pereehee, cut-up cucumbers, tomatoes, etc., that we had to eat before the next batch of bread. This was a planned get together of the Ozeroffs, the two families Tarasoffs and the Verigins. Yes I always knew that Doukhobors had to suffer to achieve salvation and I am prepared to continue doing that. Wow, what a spread!

With that education behind us, we carried on to Benito, Manitoba to set up another base camp at Sister Mary Khadekin’s house. Upon entering Benito, the Benito Chamber of Commerce had set up a sign “Home of the Wrench.” They boast proudly of the home town world champion curler Ed Werenick. I started thinking of the many characters that had come from this part of Canada:

• Ben Ginter. Major Contractor in B.C. and developer of Uncle Ben’s Brewery
• Ed Werenick (The Wrench) World Champion Curler
• Yukon Joe (Joe Prokopchuk from Watson Creek School South of Aaran)
• To mention just a few

My only sister lives alone in the house they built together with her deceased husband John Khadekin. To the North stands the sentinel “Thunder Hill”, the remaining evidence of the last Ice Age. It is unbelievable what rich black soil is prevalent throughout this area stretching from Madge Lake in the South, all the way North to Swan River. One of the most fertile soils in Canada that is home to many successful farmers. Mary’s garden was also unreal. She can plant in mid June and within a month she has luscious garden greens that would make any Gardener “green” with envy.

As has been my routine, I would travel to my former home town, Pelly, and sit in the Coffee Shop to catch up on all the local information. Most of the people I would meet would not even remember our family which essentially left Pelly after I went to university in 1958 followed by my father’s sudden death that Fall; however, it was a treat to see Roberta MacLise’s (maiden name) oldest brother John, who was still hanging on to the family farm. Roberta was top of our “large” graduating class of 13 in 1958!

But the real satisfaction was chatting with my former Teacher, Peter Negraeff and his wife, Sylvia, who also taught primary grades at that time. It was a pleasure to advise Peter that he had been my Mentor. He was an Educator in the purest sense as he imparted to his students, the desire for information and excellence. He was who inspired me to do the writing that I now do. The Readers of this blog need to know that the atmosphere in the Pelly classroom in “fifties” was that farm machinery, crop cycles and cattle breeding was the discussion as that were our lives. I recall that I used to average 120 days of attendance of the 200 day requirement because family farm help came first.

Peter smiled when I related the story of my father receiving a letter from the Department of Education in Regina, demanding an explanation as to why his son, Elmer, was being delinquent in attendance. My father had not gone to school and could not read but recognizing the government seal on the envelope, he asked me to read it to him. I did not want to upset him as there was nothing he could do about the contents.

“What do they want?” he looked at me when he saw that I had finished reading.

I replied, “They are asking statistics as to how many cows, horses, chickens and other farm animals on the farm.”

“Could you answer then please,” he requested.

“No problem”

My Teacher, Peter knew the situation not only in our family but in many others. Most boys just were not able to keep abreast of studies and would take to farming or leave home to work in Winnipeg. I was fortunate enough to be able to cope with all and make the entry level requirement for university along with three others in my class.

It was already noon when we realized that it was time to break up this impromptu meeting as our stay at the Restaurant was perhaps beyond the normal customer welcome. It was time for me to take the sentimental journey.

Of course, I knew the drive to the family farm would be nostalgic. I could not help but note the tremendous growth of trees that literally oliberated the original farm yard. Only Mom’s irises continued to survive the gravelly soil bearing testament to Mom’s love of flowers when she first planted them. Her spirit could be felt as I walked around visualizing the once very busy yard with my dog Duke patrolling and my goat Billy, controlling the affairs of all the farm animals.

There were neither buildings nor animals about…..only the eeriness of the wind blowing through the Trembling Aspens, repeating and whispering the sounds that used to prevail there.

Tears came to my eyes as I turned the car around and trespassed over the wild grass that used to be the driveway into our yard and out to the roadway.

Mary’s grandson, Drew, had a summer job with A & W in Swan River. Mary drove him every day and so Maryilyn and I “tagged along”. We all got a chance to play VLTs on one of the Hotels.

Travelling past lush stands of Canola, Wheat, Barley and other grains, brought back memories of farming. In mid July, the deep colors and the patchwork mosaic were astounding;

1. Yellow in Canola
2. Deep Green in Barley
3. Lighter Green in Wheat
4. Blue in Flax
5. Purple in Alfalfa
6. Red in Clover

The aromas of each of these crops filled the air and added to this natural beauty that is our Canadian farmlands. Observing all this from the vantage point of Thunder Hill is also a scene to behold.

Although there are fewer farmsteads now; howver, the Hutterite and Mennonite presence is a huge success as they have been buying up the family farms when the Pioneers have aged and their children have gone off to higher learning and jobs in the “concrete jungles”. This is the pattern. A farmer relative of one of my friends in Kamasack, confirms that his cousin had sold his farms at $1,600 an acre to collect over $7 million from a Hutterite buyer.

The stories abound from alarmed farmers who are feeling the pressure to sell to overseas buyers like the Chinese and Europeans. They are aging and there is no one in the family to take over. It seems like yesterday that the Federal Government was offering land at the turn of the century for $5 a quarter section or $0.31 per acre. What happened?

Even the former Saskatchewan Wheat Pool has sold out to Viterra, a European corporation.

I went to visit nephew Dan Horkoff and then on to nephew Jason Morozoff who had flown his plane from Calgary to land on his farm a mile west of the Tolstoi School. He wasn’t going to miss Heritage Day in Veregin. I was treated to his radishes which he says are the best (they were good with beer).

I dropped in on Cousin Peter Verigin just a ½ mile west of Tolstoi School. His son Murray is living with him and keeping him company. He advised me that there were only two of them left at the Veregin “Drop-in Centre”. It was time to sell out and get rid of the Hall, Pool Table, Dishes and everything else as there was no one to look after it. What a shame!

Then I drove off to visit the retired Professors, Bill and his brother Jack Chernoff. There they were still farming (in retirement from their university teaching) the family farm which has only one full time resident, sister Dora. They live right across the road from the former Linden Valley School where both studied from grades one through eight inclusive. Bill and I drifted into the subject of Quantum Physics again while Jack “tolled his eyes” and questioned our sanity. Bill treated me to fresh garlic which he claimed would “smarten me up.”

Heritage Day in Veregin on Sunday, July 21, 2013 started with a Moleniya at 0930 hours led by my friend Keith Tarasoff. It was nice to also see many of our former choir members from the dated Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth:

• Mich Ozeroff
• Dorthy Ozeroff (nee Soukoroff)
• Mae Popoff (nee Chernoff)
• Peter Chernoff
• Irene Chernoff (nee Samarodin)
• Lydia Cherkas (nee Konkin)
• Dr Bill Chernoff

There were members of the dated Pelly Youth Choir:

• Fred Konkin
• Sonia Tarasoff (nee Konkin)

The ever harmonious Canora Choir was present along with many of the Saskatchewan Choir including Lorne and Verna Negreiff from Watson.

Those that were not at the Moleniya had been cooking since 0500 hours that morning preparing Bleenzsee and all the associated sauces which included:

• Saskatoon Berry
• Cranberry
• Strawberry
• Raspberry

Then there was the pure juices from all the above along with coffee or tea.

We were “allowed” four (4) pan-sized Bleenzsee as our quota but all I could see myself eating were two (2) and that is what I placed on my plate with all the sauces, whipped cream, etc.

I sat down on a table with many friends but what I noticed was this young lad of about nine (9) years of age who was very enthusiastically devouring his full helping and so the conversation went like this:

“What’s your name” I asked

“__? __ Shukin”, he responded between swallows.

I knew many Shukins and I thought maybe he maybe a grandson of one of them and so I asked “what was your grandfather’s name?”

He wasn’t sure but he confided that his family was from Yorkton.

“Were you able to eat all four (4) of your Bleenzee?” I smiled thinking that would have been quite an accomplishment for a small boy like him.

“This is my second plate of four (4),” he smiled.

“My goodness gracious,” I was impressed and proceeded to advertise around the table of this “he-manic” lad beside me and his poweress in eating Bleenzsee.

I had almost forgotten about him as we got into reminiscing with all the other folks at my table when I was alerted to an elbow poke from this Shukin boy as he smiled and advised “I just finished another two (2) more for a total of ten (10)”

This young lad could not get that smile of his face as he proudly accepted an accolade from our table.

As I looked around this building, I could imagine the history when farm machinery parts were brought here from many Equipment Manuafcturerers and assembled by the original CCUB and distributed throughout the prairie Provinces. Unbelievable what our Doukhobor ancestors were able to achieve.

Yes, they were selling loaves of bread that had been baked in the Doukhobor Oven. Perhaps even some of the loaves that I had been involved with on the Thursday training session I took under Keith Tarsoff. This was their museum fund raiser as they sold the loaves for $6 each. The entire event raised much needed $4,000.

There was an entertainment program following this brunch that included:

• Duet with Keith and Sonia Tarasoff
• Saskatchewan Doukhobor Choir
  • Yes I was invited to sing with this excellent choir. It was an honor to accept
  • Canora Doukhobor Choir
  • An accordion soloist Linda __?__
  • A musical singing trio from Pelly which included:
    • Peter and his wife Negraiff
    • A Restaurateur __?___
    • A local band of eight (8) musicians who played everything from Ukrainian folk songs to western music
      • An especial appreciation for me was that the band included
        • A retired school principal, __?__ Kondratoff on guitar who once was my neighbor
        • Friend Peter Cherkas on the fiddle
        • Nephew Dan Horkoff on the accordion
        • A nostalgic sound of the once very popular Cymballa played expertly by an Ukrainian mystrol
• They entertained us for over an hour to a rapt audience

On the way from the Doukhobor Museum, I noted the single grain elevator standing where once there was a row of seven. This was one of the two built by the former CCUB and then was purchased by the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and now donated back to the museum. How wonderful if they could get it operational as a tourist attraction.

Well that day was far from being over as Keith and Sonia invited a gang of us to their farm for a social after which included:

1. The hosts of course
2. Mich and Dorthy Ozeroff
3. Jack and Jan Tarasoff
4. Marilyn and I

The jokes abounded and our old friends felt like fifty (50) years had not elapsed. We laughed and celebrated accordingly. Yes, we ate, did we ever eat the cooking that Sonia and Dorthy had created along with our barb-b-q expert Keith.

As I sat in the house my thoughts were on the former Dergousoff family that built this house. My mother had informed me that it was in this house where many socials were held when Peter Verigin Chiastako used to visit the Canora Doukhours back in the late 1930s. My mother would know as they were neighbors at that time, just across the still-existing pond.

I was born in a house across that pond that does not exist anymore. Yes, I was able to feel the vibrations and it almost seemed that I was communicating with all those spirits from that time.

Of course we sang! That was the traditional custom at Doukhobor socials. The more we sang the more gracious and accommodating were the hosts. What can I say…………it was difficult to excuse ourselves as we were expected in Benito that night.

There was a final day of visits on Monday, July 22, 2013. We started with Uncle Pete Popoff at the Kamsack Seniors Home who was always a pleasure to see in his 100 year, 10 month state where he still cooks his own breakfast then dresses like a gentleman to carry out his day with all the “old people” as he refers to them. What a positive nature and a deep memory for facts and recollections.

We then drove to see Cousin Florence Trofemenoff, still living on her farm just ½ mile North of Veregin. The visit and memories all had to be reviewed, laughed and cried about.

We had a predetermined appointment at the Veregin Ceremony at 4:00 P.M., where sister Mary and her daughter MaryAnne, Cousin Peter Verigin and son Tim, Nephew Jason Morozoff,   Bill and Jack Chernoff, Marilyn and I gathered to conduct a mini-service in memory of our parents, grandparents and many relatives. We prayed and we sang hymns to the rapt audience.

Next we were guests at Tim Verigin’s house in Veregin for an old fashioned Shishlik. This came the frozen remnants of Cousin David’s business. We had Lamb, chicken, pork and beef varieties. David (Mort’s) memory and spirit was certainly there amongst the invited guests:

• Mary Khadekin, son Kenneth and daughter Maryanne, her two sons Drew and John
• Peter Verigin and sons Tim and Murray
• Jason Morozoff
• Dr. Bill and Jack Chernoff
• __?__ and Nadia (ex-mayor of Veregin) Chernoff
• Their son, daughter-in-law and three children
• Randy and Barb Trofemenkoff
• There may have been others

We ate, sang, gossiped and reminisced.

Tim was proudly advising us that his son Tanner, a graduate in Dietary Science, received multiple scholarships to conduct graduate studies in various parts of the world. That was something to be proud of.

The next day we had a breakfast appointment with our friends Peter and Lydia Cherkas in a quaint restaurant in Kamsack. Peter was a retired Farmer and Lydia was  a retired Practical Nurse. Soon we came on the subject of his cousin who had sold his fatmers to the Hutterites. “Is it true Peter?” I asked. ‘Is he related to you?”

‘Yes, he is my cousin and it is true,” he answered. “No, there will not be a windfall for me!”

We went on about the times when we used to belong to the Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth Choir.

Our next objective was to check if Cousin Mike Verigin would be having his morning coffee next door in the Chinese Restaurant. Peter and Lydia went with us. Sure enough, there was was with a big smile on his face as her recognized us. He was proudly informing us as to the educational pursuits of his granddaughter and his great grandson. An elder Trofemenkoff came in and I recognized him as the President of the Kamsack Museum. There was much to talk about but we knew that we had to carry on and bid our adieus.

Then we were off to Regina to visit my former Pelly buddy Ernie and his wife Jane Paluck. What hospitality again. They continue to be very active in the Ukrainian community, volunteering for everything and been very busy at it. Ernie had to make breakfast the next morning and it was the usual farmer style with fried potatoes, eggs and too much bacon. Jane had to go early to a provincial Catholic meeting at Munster, near Humbolt.

I remembered that I had forgotten my hearing aid monitor at the Khadekins. Marilyn reminded me that I should smarten up in my old age.

It wasn’t until Moose Jaw while we were touring the underground caves, that the notorious Al Capone had used during prohibition, when Marilyn noticed her hearing aids were missing. She had tucked them under the pillow at Palucks and left them there. We returned to Regina to find that Ernie had left for the lake and so Marilyn had to rely on me raising my voice to communicate. There is nothing more comical that two hearing impaired people talking to each other above the normal background of car sounds.

Yes we realized that we were both getting senior and very vulnerable.

We stayed overnight in Swift Current and were in Calgary late the next afternoon to check in at Jason Morozoff’s house. Jason had his entire basement flooded in the Calgary flood and had to destroy his entire finishing, furnace, hot water tank, etc. He showed us around the neighborhood and described the levels of flood waters. That must have been frightening as well as frustrating.

Jason treated us to a visit to his favorite Italian Restaurant. I am not a fan of pizza but I admit the special oven baked variety right on the brick oven floor was scrumptious.

We used Jason’s house as a base and visited Aunt Flo Markin who was recovering from major surgery. We were pleasantly surprised to find Cousin Diana Lodon (Aunty’s daughter) there helping Aunty recover. We enjoyed recounting all the events of the wedding at Whatshan. It was obvious that the annual Whatshan summer holiday would continue with a Music Festival in 2014 with Aunty making strong suggestions as to who should be invited to entertain.

We returned to Jason’s place to find him preparing his favorite steak fry over a wood fire that evening. It was great to see nephew Sidney Trofemenkoff come down along with his friend Shelley. Later that evening Jason’s neighbor Dr Anita Hui came over with her two pet dogs. Jason brought his Russian Song Books out and he and I had to sing. I am not really sure how entertaining we were but we sang our hearts out and drowned out the Music Festival that was in progress down the street.

Jason is now in third year Engineering studies a few years following his graduation in Music in Victoria. The family business in Earth Sciences needed this additional expertise to survive in this very competitive business.

After a farmer’s breakfast, Marilyn and I departed for home. We tried my First Nations friend at Brocket (see my blog “Sentinel on the Prairies) and were saddened that his service station was shut down. I hope this is temporary.

We hurried to Fruitvale where our granddaughter Abby was celebrating her sixteenth birthday.

Many of our friends ask us the question “why do you guys go to Saskatchewan every year?” They believe a trip to Mexico or some exotic island is much more exciting.

We just smile!

We came back very refreshed and ready for the next chapters in the Grandview, Whatshan and Freedom Quest stories!

Elmer Verigin

Written August 17, 2013 and completed with many interruptions September 22, 2013

DOUKHOBOR CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (DCA)

FINAL REPORT ON WHATSHAN LAKE RETREAT

DCA Annual General Meeting

September 20, 2013

At this final formal meeting of the DCA, it was requested that I report on the Whatshan Retreat for the record.

The history and development of the Whatshan Lake Retreat has already been documented and presented to all the members. There is no need to repeat any of that at this time.

When I thought about what I would report, I asked myself the following questions to determine how I felt about Whatshan in the end analysis. I decided then to answer my own questions and share with you now.

In the end, it will be you who will answer these questions for yourself as a member of the DCA.

A) What was the purpose of the DCA in the first instance?

1. I wanted to research why there were so many different Doukhobor groups and organizations when the Doukhobor precepts were the same for all.
2. I met with many others who were prepared to participate in discussion groups to conduct this research
3. We then met with Doukhobors across Canada and continued with these discussions
4. Some of us decided to experiment with a loosely tied association and named ourselves the Douhkobor Research Committee
5. We were just about evenly split from the USCC, CDS and the SoF
6. We began to associate
7. We registered a non-for-profit organization with the Societies Act as the Doukhobor Cultural Association
8. We wanted to make a difference and influence for a uniting philosophy amongst Doukhobors

B) Why did the DCA purchase the Whatshan Lake Property?

1. From my perspective, I had no specific purpose but I had a dream
2. I dreamt that children from all walks of life and persuasions would be facilitated in this beautiful place at an affordable price
3. I was prepared to work hard to make this dream a reality
4. I was prepared to work with my friends who wished to share this commitment
5. The idea was presented to the DCA by Jim Laktin and I with the result that it became a DCA project
6. We did not know what that would involve at this time but we were prepared to gamble with destiny

C) Why was the Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 constituted?

1. It became clear right from the outset that not all members of the DCA were in agreement on a specific project
2. About 50% were convinced that buildings needed to be constructed so that the property could be better used
3. Peter Rezansoff prepared a conceptual drawing of a Retreat Building
4. Many people were drawn to this concept and philosophy
5. It became obvious that a separate society from DCA would be necessary to engage on such a project
6. Some DCA members were joined by other Doukhobors and the DHRS was registered as a non-profit society
7. Twenty-two (22) acres were subsequently leased from the DCA for a project
8. A few years later in 1998 the society became DHRS #1999 under the suggestion by JJ Verigin Jr. who felt that the Whathan Project should be dedicated to the Canadian society as a gift from the Doukhobors to celebrate a 100 years in Canada at the 1999 centennial celebrations
9. A charitable tax number was applied for and granted in 1998

D) What was the purpose of the Whatshan Lake project?

1. A uniting influence for all Doukhobors to work together
2. The idea of building a place that could serve as summer camps for children influenced the designs of the overall Retreat
3. To offer something to the community without personal compensation or reward
4. My underlying motivation was, in part, to improve the Doukhobor image in society

E) What was the idea behind volunteering at Whatshan?

1. To the many who did, being able to work together was to experience the fundamental cooperative spirit of Doukhobors that was able to bring us here to Canada in 1899
2. To be able to create something that would be eternally useful to society
3. A reason to bring people together from Creston, Krestova, the rest of the Kootenays, the Okanagan and the BC Coast for those who were so motivated
4. Cooking and eating together meant talking to each other as well as singing and socializing. This builds community!

F) Where did the confidence and resolution of the members to engage and follow through on the Whatshan Lake project come from?

1. Not every DCA member had confidence that the project would succeed and this was part of their resistance to support the project.
2. Many of us felt the aura of Whatshan that was an intrinsic basis of the history of Whatshan
3. It was the feeling of peace and tranquility that was evident everywhere
4. When there was need, there was always a fulfillment so that the project never ceased
5. This was part of the resolve of all those involved and became a trademark of the Whatshan project
6. People that were never involved before became attracted to the project irrregardless of their expertise, talent or financial capability
7. Eventually, more DCA members came to assist the project as well
8. It became evident that the project was going to succeed and confidence grew with that progress
9. Spirituality abounded everywhere at Whatshan

G) Who participated in the management of the DHRS #1999?

1. At first there was an even split of DCA members along with other Doukhobors
2. This did not change much over the 15 years that the DHRS #1999 existed
3. In 2013 we have now Directors as follows:
   1. Lawrence Popoff, Treasurer, a DCA member and Director since inception
   2. Peter Rezansoff, Chair of the Building Committee,  a DCA member and Director since inception
   3. John J. Verigin Jr. a USCC executive member and Director since inception
   4. Lorne Markin, Secretary and a Lower Mainland Douhkobor and a Director for many consecutive  years
   5. Nona Kucher, Past President and a daughter of a DCA member and a Director for many consecutive  years
   6. Paris Voykin, a recent Director and a daughter of a DCA member
   7. Lisa Poznikoff, a recent Director and a daughter of a DCA member
   8. Ed Dergousoff, a Lower Mainland Douhkobor and a Director for many consecutive  years including past President
   9. Doug Ozeroff, a Lower Mainland Douhkobor and a Director for many consecutive  years
   10. Peter Dergosuoff, a  DCA Member, Chair of the Maintenance Committee, and a Director for many consecutive  years
   11. Elmer Verigin, current President, a DCA member and Director since inception
4. We have a strong representation of DCA members and youth remaining in the DHRS #1999
5. Future Doukhobor participation is always a concern

H) Where did the idea of sponsoring Freedom Quest (FQ) come from?

1. One of DCA members daughter, Tamara Verigin-Burk, became the Executive Director of FQ and approached the DHRS #1999 to sponsor Youth Drug and Alcohol Treatment in 2004
2. DHRS #1999 needed to support an active operating group to meet the requirements of the Federal Government in order to maintain the charitable status and number
3. After much discussion, the DHRS #1999 signed its first contract with the Interior Health Authority in 2005
4. The idea was to utilize Whatshan Lake Retreat facilities as much as possible to create much needed income

I) Whatshan Lake Retreat operation today

1. The DCA has completed its donation of all lands to the DHRS #1999 in January 2013
2. Lawrence and Colleen Marshall have renewed their management contract for another three (3) years
3. The operating budget has increased to $135,000 annually
4. 2013 will be the first year that the operation will break even
5. Philantropical Grants continue to fund capital works
   1. A new well, storage tank, Emergency Power, fire hydrants and related infrastructure are being installed
   2. Playground Equipment has been installed
   3. Backfill, irrigation and lawns have been installed behind the Retreat and 5 cabins
   4. A new propane cook stove has been installed
   5. On Demand water for the Retreat washrooms and showers is to be installed
   6. A storage building is under consideration
   7. The facility is in good repair
   8. Business interest continues to rise
6. The DHRS #1999 has no debt
7. Philantropists include:
   1. Allan and Patricia Markin
   2. Keith and Kathy MacPhail
   3. Florence Markin
   4. Peter and Elsie Rezansoff
   5. Donna Hunchak
   6. Annette Barnes
   7. Many others

J) Freedom Quest operation today

1. FQ funded and built the Ropes Course in 2009
2. FQ operates independently as much as possible with a Liaison Director from DHRS #1999
3. All financial transactions of FQ needed signatures from DHRS #1999 Liaison Directors
4. Since John Kazakoff passing, the FQ Liaison Directors are a group that consists of:
   1. Lisa Poznikoff
   2. Paris Voykin
   3. Lawrence Popoff
   4. Elmer Verigin
5. FQ operates offices in the following West Kootenay Communities
   1. Grand Forks
   2. Trail
   3. Fruitvale
   4. Salmo
   5. Nelson
   6. Kaslo
   7. Slocan
   8. Nakusp
   9. Head Office in Castlegar
6. There are 14 Youth Workers
7. Budget is over $1 million
8. Demand for FQ services continues to expand in the West Kootenays which is a “hot spot” of drug addictions and a higher per capita than other areas
9. The intent of FQ is to obtain a greater amount of funding to expand its operations
10. FQ administration is working with FQ to expand funding to increase use of Whatshan facilities into the lest used shoulder seasons
11. The result would be a higher financial budget impact for Whatshan operations
12. Current funding is from:
    1. Interior Health Authority
    2. Ministry of Children and Families
    3. Columbia Basin Trust
    4. School  Districts
    5. Philanthropists
       • Allan and Patricia Markin
       • Other
13. FQ operates with no debt with an approximate surplus operating capital of $60,000

K) Did we as DCA Members, achieve our initial objectives?

1. I personally feel that the DCA has reached and exceeded the initial objectives
2. The potential for greater things are still to come
3. The concern is that Doukhobor Societies and activities have not come to utilize Whatshan no matter how much we have all tried.
   • This needs work!
4. We have successfully associated these 44 years.
5. What is yet to be determined is how many more years will we as members of the DHRS #1999 continue to support Whatshan?
6. Have we established a common philosophy to the future Directors when our senior ones have gone?
   • Reality is that three (3) active Directors have passed on already.
7. We have created a $3 million facility that has no debt and:
   • Approximately $350,000 in Trust Funds deposited at Vancouver and Okanagan Foundations with interest only paid for overhead expenses
   • A surplus budget dedicated to maintenance replacement and reserve funds
8. A Planning Meeting will be held at Whatshan November 09, 2013 weekend
9. You are all  welcome and will be sent a special invitation by Secretary Lorne Markin
10. You will be provided with Whatshan hospitality and accommodation
11. Your counsel will direct the future at Whatshan

L) How do we feel about the legacy we leave to society in general?

1. The name Doukhobor has been misused as associated with violence as this was a dated Press priority and sold papers. This has changed significantly
2. What we have achieved in Whatshan is:
   • Construction and workmanship to the highest standard
   • Ability to preserve wilderness for our future populace
   • A Doukhobor unity that abounded and continues
   • DCA’s objective of unity in action is workabl
     • It replaces  the usual discussion, debates and planning to unite sometimes that continues to fail for some reason
3. DCA has never asked nor did it receive any public credit for “a job well done”.
4. This is part of our Doukhobor philosophy and I am personally satisfied with that.

Elmer Verigin, September 19, 2013