Another soul has returned to Heaven recently. Bill had impressed me so that I am compelled to say a few words about him to remind me why…..

William (Bill) Cheveldave

The Cheveldave’s were the family that my brother Russel got to know well when he married Tillie, his life long partner. Bill was Tillie’s relative and they seemed to make that relationship close as Bill and Lola would keep themselves in close company on many occasions. I soon learned why and so it was that Marilyn and I became part of this association.

Bill was a Machinist with Cominco Ltd and soon became very respected in that he was part of a recruiting group that Cominco sent everywhere to accept the 600 or more Tradesmen that they needed for their new Zinc Plant Construction at Trail, B.C. He was part of their excellent Apprenticeship Program as well. Construction stories were always of interest to me and so there was never enough time to “quench” our mutual interest. Yes, we drank wine, too.

I was always interested in whether he was related to the Cheveldayoffs that I knew in Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan. He said that the “blood line ran out” but that he had met a Cheveldayoff from there and that they had exchanged visits that were much appreciated by both families.

Bill was always great at social functions because he participated and was part of the fun. Yes, he bragged about his wine making skills and was always ready to share and taste his vintage with friends.

What I enjoyed most was his sincere honesty with no attempt to distort his many talents and capabilities. I recall that he brought out his trusted Machinist’s Level to set the slate surface on the Pool Table that I obtained from Silver City Billiards in Trail. “Right on!” That was the only acceptable trade comment. Yes, we also had wine.

When Marilyn and I returned from the Coast in 1993, Bill joined my brother Russel for many hours of renovation work on our residence in Genelle, B.C.

Bill and Lola travelled and enjoyed many times on their motorhome. I felt that I had been with them because on their return, Bill would go into detail on their experiences along with people they had met. It was much more economical way to travel for Marilyn and I. A real “perk” was to share the wine as the stories unfolded.

All the research on Green City (the lost Silver Mine) by Salmo, B.C., could not have been complete without the daring challenge that Bill undertook to drive up that “goat trail” that was the only access to that “Campground”

If I remember correctly, Lola thought she had “lost” Bill somewhere in the bush and Violet was pointing to the direction she last him going. Oh, the pain, of it all! It was amazing how much suffering we endured to have a good time.

We will miss you, Bill, but I am sure that God has already found a spot for you with your friends. Say hello to all of them and have a wine with brother Russel for me.

Posted January 01, 2021 by EWV

This Blogger’s technological handicaps have delayed entering a video of the Doukhobour Wedding that our children and grandchildren blessed us with on December 23, 2011 at Mazatlan, Mexico. They all became part of a family project that even had them singing “Precious Moments” and “You Know God” in Russian which most of them previously did not speak Russian.

When Marilyn and I got married on December 23, 1961, we went in front of a Judge in Saskatoon to legalize our marriage. The Judge correctly informed us before the ceremony, that Doukhobour Marriages were legal before the law on their own merits. We had many other events that would take place that day and so organizing a Doukhobour Wedding Ceremony was not on the agenda. So we requested that he proceed as earlier arranged.

When our family asked us what sort of present we would like for our 50th wedding anniversary, we responded with “we would like a Doukhobour Ceremony” with all our immediate family present. Since we never did go on a honeymoon, we also decided we would take our entire family with us to Mazatlan.

So here is the ceremony:

Just so those who recall the wedding and can compare, here is the bride and groom 50 years previous to this:

Wedding at Marigold Restaurant, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, December 23, 1961.

In background, Elmer’s sister Mary and her husband, John Khadekin.

Updated by EWV December 31, 2020 with actual video for a public file. The best of the season to all of you!

At 0905 hours, Tuesday, December 01, 2020, I drove Marilyn to the Trail Hospital where her long-awaited elective surgery was to take place with Dr. Cook.

There was a great deal of anxiety on the part of the patient with all the various descriptions and after effects of such surgery that she had heard from her friends and people who have had that surgery.

The condition is usually the result of Asthma and related conditions and surgery will relieve the condition by removing the blockages caused by the Polyps but is not a cure. The condition was seriously affecting her hearing, speech and continual nose draining which was not acceptable. So Marilyn agreed to the procedure and the wait was about 18 months. She sacrificed here previous appointment in March of 2019 as my Cystectomy operation was more serious at that time and we could not be both compromised, healthwise, at the same time.

So she opted to let me go first for act which I really appreciate.

With the Covid situation, I was not permitted to wait in the hospital and at 1400 hours, I was called to bring her home.

Marilyn was still oozing blood that was being eased by gauze in her nostrils but otherwise was quite positive as I drove her home.

Our daughter Lori prepared some Varenekee which she enjoyed for dinner yesterday (I was allowed to have the potato filled variety as she prefers the cottage cheese). Thank you Lori.

This morning, she is much better and the oozing has reduced substantially. She is now preparing to start the nasal rinse procedure which she will need to do twice a day. This part of the recovery was what Marilyn dreaded the most but unfortunately there is no other way to keep her nasal area healthy.

I need to thank Dr. Cook and the Medical staff at the Trail Hospital as her visit with you was very enjoyable. She appreciated all the TLC to which she was the recipient.

Thank God for TC Douglas that brought us universal healthcare as I am not sure how we would survive without it.

We look forward to a healthy Marilyn in the years to come.

Posted by EWV 0910 hours Wednesday, December 02, 2020

In 1898-99, a largest single migration of 7,400 Doukhobors were welcomed to Canada from religious persecution in Russia. They were settled in the Northwest Territories (later became the Province of Saskatchewan). All were united and guided by their Leader Peter V. Verigin.

The Doukhobors had strong religious convictions which can be researched by reading many articles in Doukhobor Genealogy complied by Jonathan Kalmakoff and posted on Google. There are many other Authors that have written about this group of migrants. This article will focus on an incident that took place in the early 1970s in British Columbia.

First, some background that will explain how Polly Chernoff and I met and events that contributed to that meeting.

After initial settlement in Canada, the Federal Government in 1907, called on these newcomers to register on individual farms of 160 acres. This requirement was a distinct change from the original agreement with the Doukhobors who understood that they could communally farm the Crown Grant of approximately 743,000 acres as agreed prior to migration.

This then became the beginning of separation of the original group into three parties:

• A large group of about 4,000 agreed to move from Saskatchewan to British Columbia to lands not subject to the Homestead Act. This migration started in 1908 and was essentially complete in 1912. These were referred to as communal Doukhobors and coordinated all their holdings and activities under the Christian Community Of Universal Brotherhood (CCUB) and was formally registered in 1917
• Many agreed to register according to the Homestead Act requirements and remained in Saskatchewan. This group was identified as Independents. Some Communal Doukhobors continued to operate remaining holdings in Saskatchewan and lived communally under CCUB.
• A third group lived amongst both groups and cultured a strong understanding that materialism and ownership of any nature was contrary to Doukhobor principles as they understood them.

There was always a desire by many adherents to the Doukhobor beliefs for a united organization, either formal or informal. To this end a 1937 convention was held in Veregin, Saskatchewan at the Head Offices of CCUB and a Society of Named Doukhobors was the result. Although the convention was well represented by all Doukhobor factions, the operation of this Society was never totally accepted by the rank and file of Doukhobors in Canada. The CCUB was the largest formal and many independent Regional Societies of Independent Doukhobors were also in operation.

The third group became known by the name of Sons of Freedom and other names were given, depending on the understandings of each faction.

Doukhobor Youth, at various times, would gather in an attempt to organize a Canadian Youth Organization. With the demise of the CCUB in 1937-39, the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC) was constituted and a Union of Youth was organized to meet the needs of the USCC Youth. Although the UoY invited unaffiliated Doukhobor Youth to join, this was not that well received.

So the search for an “all inclusive Doukhobor Youth” organization continued with attempts in 1948 and the mid 1950s with no success.

In mid 1950s a group of Youth In Saskatoon had come to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to attend higher education and along with others, organized the Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth (SDY). This was a “melting pot” for the Saskatchewan Youth and functioned well for many years.

In the mid 1960s a similar situation took place in Vancouver, B.C., and the Union of Young Doukhobors (UYD) was constituted. This also operated well for many years.

in 1969, at a Convention of Society of Doukhobors In Canada (CDS), (an offshoot of Named Doukhobors), had a discussion item , “Where are all the Youth”? This was enthusiastically debated. Representatives of all the Doukhobor factions were partly, in attendance.

Marilyn and I had been invited to attend and at 29 years of age, I was still considered Youth in relationship to all the aging people there. Marilyn and I met at a SDY meeting and we had been in contact with the UYD so we had an empathy for their interests. We also belonged to a Doukhobor Discussion Group in Castlegar which gathered to discuss Doukhobor philosophy and had organized seminars in the community. I was asked to travel Western Canada and enquire of all Doukhobor Organizations with Youth, as to their interest to attend a Convention at Tarrys Hall in Tarrys, B.C., to explore a Canadian Doukhobor Youth Organization. I agreed on the basis that the USCC send a representative of the Union of Youth with me.

And so it came into being that I met Jim Laktin who was selected from the Union of Youth.

We travelled that January 1971 to Calgary, Saskatoon and Veregin to meet with Youth in all these locations. We informed them of the intent and invited them to attend this forthcoming convention at Tarrys Hall. We also met with the UYD and various locals of the Union of Youth in the Kootenays.

So this is how the Youth Convention was convened at Tarrys Hall in April of 1971.

The Castlegar Discussion Group was very instrumental and helpful in the organizing of this event. I knew that there would be meeting challenges and thus invited Norman Reibin from Saskatoon who had established himself as a Motivational Speaker and was thus very capable to control a convention. Norman had been a member of the SDY and had attended organizational attempts to assemble a Canadian Youth organization in the mid 1950’s by travelling with a Saskatchewan Youth Group to visit the Union of Youth in the Kootenays. This experience should be a benefit at this time.

Delegates to this Convention advised of their presence from:

1. Union of Youth
2. UYD
3. SDY
4. Castlegar Discussion Group

There was a registration desk set up at the Hall entry and all registrants were required to sign in and provide contact information so that convention minutes and future meetings could be coordinated as may be required.

An inverted U-shape of tables and chairs were set up at the foot of the Hall Stage for the Delegates with an Administration table at the bottom of the U for the Moderator, Convention Organizers and Minute Takers.

Chairs were set up for all those who wished to participate by listening to the proceedings. These were seated around the assembled delegates.

At the appointed Convention start at 0930 hours, all were asked to recite the Lord’s Prayer as a blessing to a positive Convention result.

At the close of the Prayer, with all being asked to be seated, when it was noticed that two women were still standing and disrobing. This was not totally unusual as some Doukhobor Meetings had been disrupted by members of the Sons of Freedom Sect who had disrobed and the meeting would hurriedly find blankets to cover the disrobed people and rudely escort them out of the meeting place.

Norman looked at me to receive my suggestion as to how to proceed and so I suggested that he ask the two ladies what their purpose was at this time. This is how the next portion of the convention took place:

Moderator: “Who are you and what is your purpose here?”

Women: “We wish to address the gathering”

Moderator: “Are you registered Delegates?”

Women: “No, we do not believe in registration requirements at a Doukhobor meeting”

Moderator: “As per the convention rules provided to the Delegates, only Registrants are permitted to speak. If you wish to speak, then you must register and provide the information on the form from the Registration Desk”

Women: “We do not wish to do that but we would like to address the meeting”

Moderator: “I will discuss this with the Registered Delegates to determine if they wish to permit a change to the registration requirements. In the interim you will wait until I can obtain their decision”

And so the Moderator, Norman Reibin opened the floor to the delegates to consider the request not on the Convention agenda. The Delegates were mostly young University students who were very capable debaters and had a clear understanding of parliamentary procedures. They understood quickly that this might be a special opportunity to discuss actions such this one taking place to achieve a positive process in dealing with this in the future.

So after about 45 minutes of debate, while the disrobed women stood patiently, it was unanimously agreed as follows:

“That the women can address the convention on condition that they immediately dress and sit down or register at the desk and come to the delegate table”

Moderator: “I am pleased to advise you of the Delegates decision and read out the decision”

Women: “We wish to Bless all those in attendance and pray for positive Doukhobor action going forward.”

They subsequently dressed and sat down. The Convention proceeded as per the agenda without further disruption.

A photograph of Polly Chernoff, one of the two women who wished to address the Doukhobor Youth Convention in April 1971.

I had never met her before this Convention but had witnessed times when her disrobing actions caused the event attendance to clothe her unceremoniously and remove her from the building                                               .

A reliable source, familiar with Freedomites, explained “It (disrobing) was used as a form of protest or statement that they are free of possessions including their own clothing. When nude they are equal in the eyes of God. It was a by product of deeper concern and issue – which is materialism.”

I had never met her before this Convention but had witnessed times when her disrobing actions caused the event attendance to clothe her unceremoniously and remove her from the building                                               .

A reliable source, familiar with Freedomites, explained “It (disrobing) was used as a form of protest or statement that they are free of possessions including their own clothing. When nude they are equal in the eyes of God. It was a by product of deeper concern and issue – which is materialism.”

During a break in the Convention, I had an opportunity to meet and talk to the two women who had joined others in the audience. She then expressed that this was the first time that her action was handled in this very positive fashion. I told her that I did not agree with her method of expressing herself but that she had a right to do so and that she did so peacefully. I thanked her for that.

Since that occasion, I received correspondence from Polly where she encouraged the Doukhobor Youth to carry on and achieve their goals. Excerpts as follows:

“…It was nice to hear that the Castlegar Doukhobor Youth are still active & searching, aren’t we all?….

“….May God guide you in all your activities….”

“….May God bless you in your work, it is a pleasure to know young people like you….”

It is my opinion that there was an arterial purpose to the two women in their attendance at the Convention. Their subsequent action was to challenge the Youth to determine how serious they were in their Unification quest.

I believe that Polly and her associate were pleased with their “test”.

Polly is now here in spirit but Marilyn and I enjoy a wonderful and sincere friendship with her daughter and husband that will last for the rest our years.

We mortals are never totally sure of the reasons why separate events take place in our lives until we look back and analyze somewhat and therein are the answers.

After the Conventions there were several attempts to form a Canadian Doukhobor Youth Organization with and a subsequent Convention, DYNEC (Doukhobor Youth National Executive Council) ws constituted, but there just never seemed to be a “Melting Pot” as everyone continued with their individual aspirations and the need for a National organization just did not materialize.

The Castlegar Youth Discussion Group continued and the Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) was the result as the original youth matured. Those that were attracted to the DCA made up the fifteen (15) or so families and originated from:

• 1/3 USCC
• 1/3 Independents and
• 1/3 Freedomite

They learned to listen carefully to each other to understand what was being said. They also socially interacted and enjoyed the companionship. The desire to serve the public was a natural result as they became convinced that doing something for the public good is a much better tenet than ” all for me and less for them” philosophy.

Some of the achievements of the group can be modestly listed as:

1. Organizing Doukhobor Sports Day at Campbell Field in South Slocan, B.C., where all factions could bring families and experience family
2. Organize Psalm Seminars
3. Conduct a feasibility study to develop a community on USCC lands located at Campion Creek
4. Purchase a 204 and a separate 5 acre land parcels at Whatshan Lake near Edgewood, B.C.
   1. Develop buildings that consist of a 100 seat Assembly Building complete with kitchen
   2. Five cabins that can sleep eight (8) people in each
   3. Additional three (3) cabins equipped with kitchens
   4. Seventy-five (75) RV campsites with water and power
   5. An additional hundred (100) RV sites with water only
   6. A Washroom Rest Area for campers with showers, toilets, Kitchen and Patio
   7. A Baunya with Patio and associated recreational Park
   8. A kids Playground
   9. A Ropes Course
   10. No debt and donated all to a separate non-profit charitable society (DHRS #1999) with no debt
5. Continue directorship on Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 (DHRS #1999)
6. Raise a $150,000 Fund that donated to various non-profit societies like hospitals, etc.
7. Sponsored and developed Freedom Quest, a Treatment center for Youth Drug and Alcohol with favourable use of the Whatshan property
8. Develop a 48 unit Seniors Home in Delta, B.C. (White Birch Manor) with Lower Mainland Doukhobor Benevolent Society (LMDBS) and maintain membership on the Board
9. Develop a 10 unit Seniors Home in Castlegar, B.C., (Rosewood Manor) and pass it over the BC Housing after operating it for 25 continuous years
10. Funded a feasibility study ($50,000) to develop a three part seniors facility under the Kootenay Columbia Seniors Housing Cooperative that developed 60 acres in Castlegar, B.C. Many of the DCA funded townhouses and still reside at Grandview Housing within the development. Individual housing sites for young families were used as a fund raiser.

The DCA has now disbanded after almost 50 years but the legacy still remains.

I wonder now how much the actions and blessings of Polly Chernoff and her associate in 1971 may have influenced the DCA success?

That answer is for Historians to research but I am pleased with the results.

Written by Elmer Verigin November 11, 2020

References:

1. Polly Chernoff letter dated November 06, 1971
2. Undated memo from Polly Chernoff
3. Advice taken from a friend

This again was in my note book and written July 31, 2020

I want to record my feelings about my Hearing Handicap as it progresses to the nth stage.

At this time my “hairs” in the Inner Ear have progressively and mostly disappeared with age. One on one discussions, face to face, are still possible provided the discussion is methodical and word enunciation is taking place by whosoever is speaking one at a time.

Group discussions are impossible for me to participate and I quickly lose interest to fall into my own world to just watch what is happening around me. This is usually misinterpreted by others as my lack of interest or perhaps “being stuckup”, sometimes assumed by many. Usually I will retreat from the group and move to a more isolated location where my thoughts will drift to exciting times when my hearing did not impact my social behaviour.

I suppose I could interrupt the conversation with a request to repeat the last statement but that takes away from the flow of the discussion in a social setting. That is undesirable for the group and quite honestly, for myself.

In my discussions with my grand daughter Kayla, she too, is suffering from this hereditary condition which plagues some of the Verigin descendants. This is unfortunate!

I reluctantly gave up my Project Management pursuit as meetings were becoming stressful and as much of a challenge for my clients as well as those in attendance. A Project Manager must be totally aware of his project in all aspects for ultimate success. Misinterpretations cannot be tolerated and not acceptable.

So I find that reading, writing and solitary projects can attract and keep me occupied without making me feel sorry for myself.

At this time in my life. I worked on my Family Tree previously and now I need to compile all into one full complete one.

Slastukin / Verigin and Morozoff from my side and then joining together to Marilyn’s Maloff / Verishine side will be a definite all-encompassing challenge. I expect the finished size to be five (5) by two (2) feet. I chose a background of woven pine needles to achieve a rustic background. The intent is to set it on Colorlox and mount it behind a glassed frame to hang in our entrance hallway.

The interesting part is that it takes all my attention as I find that it is easy to place the needles side by side in an alternating weave. I estimate that there will be about 7,000 individual needles for the full mat.

Following American politics is very interesting for me as Trump’s rise to power so closely duplicates that of Hitler’s rise starting in a Munich Beer Hall in 1933. The propaganda “machine” is no different as lying is routine even then. I secretly pray that the intelligent populace will vote him out of power.

The Alien shows are very interesting as the pictorial evidence of technology and intellect is very compelling that something “out of the world” may have taken place and perhaps we inherited this in some part.

I will keep participating in the affairs at Whatshan Lake Retreat while my health and my conscious mind permits me. I would like to see successful completion of the zoning that will permit the sale of water off site so that the current revenue shortfall of $25,000 from expenses can be illuminated. This is very important as ‘we cannot continue to carry water from the well t the house with a hole in the bottom of the pail”.

I am well advanced in researching a potential logging harvest of marketable timber over 200 mm on the butt. This revenue can be used to improve essential maintenance projects as well as install the water dispensing mechanisms. I am also exploring the feasibility of a commercial RV Park. Based on the rentals this year, it appears that this could be very feasible provided the Society can find the development funds to construct same.

I would really like to see the fronts of all the cabins, the side of the stage and Whispering Pines, all have a painted outdoor scene. This would render the buildings “alive” as the Marketing Study had recommended.

Without any argument, $55,000 needs to be allocated to replacing the aging shake roof on the Retreat Building which is overdue.

Transcribed 1640 hours, September 22, 2020

Transcribing from a “lost” writing pad.

Nona and I are travelling on Highway 3 leaving Oosooyos, B.C.,  September 04, 2017 at 1110 hours.

It was a different experience this weekend……

Firstly, I had no commitments nor responsibilities whatsoever. That alone was very different for me.

We went to Chillwack, expressly, to watch Garrett play in the Vancouver Gold Tour that included three (3) separate golf courses:

• Chilliwack (SW of Chilliwack)
• Sunpiper (near Agassiz)
• Falls (West of Chilliwack)

Garrett fared 14th out of forty (40) professional Golfers. What became his greatest challenge was the Falls Course, where he had set a course record that has not been beaten to this date. The course beat him this time as he went eight (8) over par, for a tournament total of six (6) over par.

He wanted, so hard, to be successful for his Gramps and his mother, especially for Don, his original sponsor (Owner of First Class Waste Services Inc,)

His drives were more tan acceptable but his lack of performance in the putting became a dilemma and 2″ was a s bad as a mile at that point of the game.

Upon arrival in Chilliwack, Don and his entire family met Nona and I at a restaurant in Chilliwack, on Thursday night upon our arrival at 1830 hours. They waited for us even though we were a half hour late. We enjoyed meeting everyone and Garrett, was especially proud to introduce us all. Gramps was the only one who had not met the group before.

The next day, watching Don and Garrett interviewed later on TSN Radio was another treat. Garrett was so comfortable and truly was a Pro.

I reflected on how his great grandparents would have felt to witness all this in person.

During the golf game, Garrett became frustrated, and Nona tried talking to him as did Don, but there was no way that Garrett could settle down. He dismissed his mother with a disparaging statement “you are just a spectator”. Perhaps it is a sit will be…..Garrett will need to find his way to control matters when they do not meet his expectations.

I feel strongly that Garrett will achieve his place in the Golf World as it is a difficult chore that he has ahead of him but he appears determined in his journey.

He has many tournaments and the next one waits for him.

Transcribed 1545 hours, September 22, 2020.

Marilyn found this writing pad where I had written some notes. This one is dated September 02, 2017 0945 hours.

There are two families of Arabic ancestry, dressed in kerchiefs and other traditional Arabic clothing. The women have sunglasses perched on top of their foreheads. Their children are screaming…. Oiyayoi!

This is the new Canadian Mosaic of family scenarios.

I decided to stay back this morning as my daughter Nona joined her son Garrett at the Cascades Golf Course on day 3 of his VGA Golf Tour.

Yesterday was quite trying with the heat and walking eighteen (18) holes as a spectator. I am still a bit weak. I am resting for the Falls Course tomorrow. It was the Falls Course that Garrett had set a course record last year, that has yet to be challenged.

He is trying very hard and the difference yesterday was his putting. “Wobbling” at the top of the cup and rolling away in the end.

I needed a day to myself as I immerse into a world where no one knows me. I actually enjoy that experience. Watching people preform as they do, is very entertaining to me.

Just buy a coffee and a donut, with a hole right through it, and the scene is a kaleidoscope of life in action.

Hey, Tim Horton’s just emptied….!

Coped to my blog September 23, 2020, 1510 hours

On August 12, 2020 Elmer Verigin celebrated his 80th birthday and on August 28, 2020, Marilyn  will also reach this maturity.

Our family decided to honour us with a party at our eldest daughter Nona’s house on Arrow Lakes Drive, Castlegar, B.C.

I will post some of the photographs and cards that were part of the festivities that included great food prepared by each family to create a Feast.

All my family gathered around a campfire at Whatshan Lake Retreat on August 01, 2020. My partner Marilyn being the eternal school teacher, asked the twenty eight (28) attendants to coin one word that would be associated with PEACE. These are the words from all, including a four (4) year old great grandson who suggested “Hugging”.

The “Tree” was then developed into the above by my daughter Lori Woodhouse. Thank you Lori.

This photograph is of the four members of the E. Verigin Family that followed an item in Elmer’s “bucket list” to attend a Grey Cup with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders playing. This happened in Regina in November 2014

Marilyn and her brother Allan, the Fall before he passed away. He came to see his sister with the comment, “I am having a serious operation to replace my shoulder joint and I thought I should visit you just in case something happens.” It was prophetic in that it was a few months later that he died of heart failure.

This site is under construction as of 0900 hours, Wednesday, September 02, 2020 EWV

I was sorting through my collection of photographs this morning and thought I should write something about these family photos and their part in the development of Whatshan Lake Retreat at 645 Whatshan Lake Road, near Edgewood, B.C.

The Oglow Bros were raised at Glade, B.C. They learned the Carpentry Trade from their father who was a skilled artisan. In the beginning, they obtained their work experience by participating in projects undertaken by others. They then decided to work together and established a construction company, Oglow Bros. Construction Ltd. This followed with construction of a building to house a Building Supply Store, Oglow’s, in Castlegar, B.C. They supplied their construction operations as well as the public.

They are shown here, after retirement, when they travelled to Whatshan to encourage construction of the Retreat building and make a financial donation. William is in the front row on the left with Pete, Nick and Paul in order on his left.

Verigin brothers migrated from a farm in Saskatchewan and became involved in construction with a start of working on the Waneta Dam. They later formed a construction company, Verigin Construction Ltd and eventually purchased a Sash and Door Shop, Obal Glass. This operation was later converted into a Millwork Plant (supplying millwork to schools and hospitals throughout Western Canada) at Trail, B.C.

In the photo, Elmer is in the back row on the left, brothers Lawrence and Russel are in order to left of Elmer.

The partially completed Retreat as in the background.

Verigin started dealing with Oglows in the early years and thereby established a relationship that remained to the date of the photo in 1998. Oglows were very interested to see the Whatshan site where the Verigins were donating labour and expertise.

This photo is also unique in that Elmer, is the last remaining person alive at the tim eof writing this blog.  The “Last Moehican” we might say!

Florence (Aunty to Elmer and his family) and Andy Markin became interested in the Whatshan Lake Retreat project during their visits to their nephews living in the Kootenays. The Markins encouraged financial donations to the Whatshan Project.

In this photo, Florence invited much of her family to attend the Music Festival in the early 2000s and here they all are posing South of the Band Shell at Whatshan.

The names are too numerous to identify here.

Aunty Flo, organized as many of her family as she could, every year starting 2000 to attend the yearly Music Festivals until she passed on. Some members continue to attend every year.

Marilyn and I were habitually at Whatshan on every work party. In this photo, my immediate families came to visit us and see what it was that drew us to the project.

Front row left to right: Kara Chahley (Lori’s daughter), Kayla MacKinnon (Nona’s daughter), Garrett Kucher (Nona’s son), Nigel Burk (Tamara’s son), Allie Kucher (Nona’s daughter), Sean Chahley, (Lori’s son).

Second row left to right: Marilyn Verigin, Nona Kucher, Lori Chahley, Lora Verigin, Kim Verigin holding his daughter Abby, Tamara Verigin-Burk holding her son Solomon

Rear: Elmer Verigin, Larry Kucher, Kyle Burk holding his son Solomon.

To this day, every member of the family is still drawn to Whatshan where they continue to volunteer as well as enjoy the development. The family now numbers 33 including partners, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They all try to attend scheduled Work Weekends as well as other occasions such as major events.

Completed and posted 1730 hours, July 20, 2020 EWV