I spent the morning having breakfast with some of my cronies at the University of A & W, Castlegar Campus. I found them all well and still full of valuable information fit for any educational class. Marilyn was allowed to sit at table #2 and experience the aura.

Some seats have been vacated due to travel arrangements with the “spirit world” but the rest courageously carry on.

Castlegar Sun Fest is on this weekend and I decided to sit on the sidewalk in front of Kootenay Market and enjoy the parade. In order to be able to park the car and get sidewalk space, I used that parking lot and noted the Castlegar Rotary Club was having their usual fund-raiser Pancake Breakfast. It was impossible to walk by all these great Rotarians and so I ate another breakfast and was able to talk to Gerry Lee, a retired Cominco Engineer who came from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He had graduated a year earlier than me and we had kept contact over the years.

The other entertaining table guest was Wilf Sweeney, a retired Pulp Mill Manger and a graduate Engineer from the University of Toronto. I had participated with both Rotarians for much of my 35 years in Rotary. We covered the many years that Castlegar Rotary had sponsored the Pancake breakfast as they raised money for local projects and especially, Bursaries for local scholarships.

The subject of the Grandview Seniors project was brought up and what will happen with the Supportive Living Project which I had been involved with. Age and subject matter become predictable as everyone is concerned with seniors care as we progress through our lives. Not much that I could tell them as I am not sure what is taking place.

The Sun Fest Parade was due to begin at 1100 hours and so I took my lawn chair out and headed for the sidewalk. Already the spots along Columbia Avenue were few and the crowds were already well situate on either side. There were empty chairs that soon were filled by Jim and Inga Lamont and their family. It didn’t take long for their daughter to start talking about Whatshan Lake Retreat and how she had attended several Weaving and Sewing Retreats, She just could not stop talking about the beauty of Whatshan and how peaceful it was. Well that was an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

I missed the marching bands and the only band was the Maple Leaf Band from Trail but they were all on a flat deck truck compliments of MTI. No Kilties and bagpipes this year. The candies and suckers were being thrown from all the Fire Department vehicles from Castlegar, Robson, Ooteschinia, Tarrys and others. It was nice to see all the youngsters charging after their prizes. Yes, I took a few also.

Then on my way home as Marilyn was to be occupied with our granddaughter’s, Kara, wedding Shower and I thought about mediating for awhile. The phone was ringing with quotations on lodging at Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Yorkton for our choir planned trip to Heritage Days in Veregin July 15 and 16. The plans are shaping up well and I am looking forward to a great Doukhobor cultural exchange between the Saskatchewan and British Columbia brethren.

I just started looking for the words to this hymn that kept humming in my head when Jim Laktin showed up for our customary weekly “Safety Meeting”. Marilyn was not around to read the minutes of the last meeting but we carried on regardless. That radish and green onions was good with the Scottish beverage.

I can’t really find anything wrong with the entire day.

Under construction as of June 04, 2017, 0230 hours. Amended 1530 hours by Elmer

We are all here at another AGM and blessed with your presence. Some of those who attended our dedication ceremony in July of 1999 are with us in spirit but left to us in body, to carry out the message that JJ Verigin gave at that occasion at Whatshan Lake Retreat:

“The Society dedicates this project on behalf of the 7,400 Doukhobors, who were able to migrate to Canada in 1899, to all the peoples in Canada, in appreciation for that gesture of goodwill.”

For eighteen (18) years, we have successfully improved and operated this 204 acre site that started with the Retreat Building and now boasts:

1. Eight (8) cabins of which three (3) are equipped with kitchens
2. Over seventy-four (74) campsites equipped with power and water
3. Over ninety-one (91) RV spots with access to water
4. Over twelve (12) tenting sites
5. A services building that has showers, washrooms, kitchen and patio that services those campsites
6. An acoustically designed stage together with performance area
7. A fire suppression system equipped with a 40,000 gallon water reservoir, fire pumps equipped with four (4) fire hydrants and an emergency electric generator that will service this system

We are currently completing:

1. A Volunteer Services Building that will be equipped with:
   1. Washrooms
   2. Showers
   3. Dressing Room and Bauna
   4. Kitchen
   5. Two patios
   6. RV Sani-dump
   7. Landscaped private area
2. A large wood shed that will protect twelve (12) cords of wood that is being salvaged from the thinning of “dangerous” trees.

What is amazing that all this has been achieved within our means, be it:

• Donations of labor, material and equipment
• Grants
• Donations

At this time the Society has no mortgages nor loans from any financial institution. It has been the policy of the Directors, thus far, to remain independent of such commitments.

The Society has operated with a balanced budget this past year and is planning to do the same this year. The most difficult challenge is to provide Care-taking over the winter months. Absentee Care-taking balances the budget but becomes an issue when the Rental Coordinator is three (3) hours off site. With sacrifices, this has been achieved for two (2) winters but a change appears possible for the winter of 2017-18.

We have now experienced four (4) different Care-Takers since 1999 and it has been difficult to attract responsible people. We are confident that the current people will meet the expectations of the Management Committee for a continuum. Let us work with them to that objective.

With reference to the relationship of Care-Takers and the Directors, let us ensure that instructions pass from Rental Coordinator directly to Care-Taker. If you as a Society Member and / or Director have an observation or a suggestion, the route is to the Rental Coordinator. If it is a policy issue, the RC will refer back to the Management Committee who may in turn need a Director’s opinion. Let us understand that all policies emanate from the membership and are usually passed at a General Meeting. So asking the Care-Takers to look after your RV and / or bring you ice, is not a recommended action as that is beyond their job description.

The CEO will outline plans for a substantial change to the earning capability of the Whatshan Lake Retreat with the possibility of marketing our water. Establishing an independent and fundamental source of income for the DHRS #1999 needs to be the Society policy going forth. Relying on grants and donations is not the recommended method in these times of government policy changes and economy.

Once a definitive Society income is known, then policies can be generated as to where the Society can contribute to continue its social and benevolent purpose. This again, becomes a function of an informed membership to the Directorship.

We have reached a time in our existence when many founding Directors have left us in body and those that remain are in need of retirement and in the process of doing so. The recent Directors and those who are “coming on board”, will guide the Society into the future. There has been some very exciting professionals who are suggesting projects for consideration that are on the “leading edge” of medical technology. I foresee where the DHRS #1999 will become the “incubator” that will establish these ideas into substantial contributions to the health of the public.

Each Director needs to understand that serving for the Society is more like the Rotary Club policy of “Service Above Self”. Your reward is achievements in social movements. Personal monetary benefits and privileges are not expected. You have stewardship of a project that was created by people who had a cause and were able to fulfil that dream. It is your responsibility to improve this and pass it along to others.

There must always be a Whatshan Lake Retreat for eternity!

Elmer Verigin

President

Let us start by saying that Lawrence was born in 1931 to father Wasyl and mother Annie (nee Morozoff) Verigin. At that time the Verigin homestead was five (5) miles straight North of Veregin, Saskatchewan. The  Wasyl Verigin clan started out living together and farmed communally with Uncles John and Sam with families. Uncles George and Alex remained single all their lives.

There are stories about cousins (in order of age) Mildred, Michael, Lawrence Russel, Peter and Sam, all laying on their backs in the Living Room, with makeshift nipples on whatever bottles may have been available. “SEESYA”,  the cry went out and the young mothers rushed to the rescue.  Yes the cousins got to know each other well.

The Wasyl, John and Sam families soon separated from the homestead and started their individual farming operations.

I remember Lawrence as the serious oldest brother who was comfortable directing his brother Russel. I heard that they were given the responsibility to care for sister Mary in her baby carriage in Canora. There was a slope to the large pond located near there and it seemed like a great sport to launch the carriage down the hill to the waiting other brother at the pond. The neighbor, Negrieffs, would call Mom, in hysteria as all she could see is a carriage racing down the hill with a baby in it, on its own and out of control.

Lawrence understood about life and creation. Russel was asking his older brother as they walked from Phoenix School “how did our brother Elmer come to be?” just after the day that I was born. Lawrence rose to the challenge and pointed to our father cleaning the well with his neighbor, “see they pulled him out of that well!”

I guess that is why Russel kept reminding me later that “I was wet behind the ears”.

Lawrence learned farming by operating the implements with teams of four (4) and two (2) horses depending on the application. He learned the rudiments of steel-wheeled tractors as well as operating threshing machines.

He also experienced mixed farming with milking cows, chickens, swine, sheep, geese, turkeys and ducks. That meant shearing sheep, castrating male animals which was the farmer’s method of birth control.

Being a blacksmith, mechanic and being able to fix everything was just another day’s work to a Farmer. Lawrence was able to pick all this well in his stride.

Farming meant building the house to live in, barn, granary, sheds, coops, fence and anything else that was necessary. He adapted to carpentry at an early age.

I recall that Lawrence was also a good cook and was able to bake fantastic lemon pies and perfected an Angel Food Cake which was a wonder with a wood stove. Oh yes, Borsch, stews and just about any food preparation, was well within his scope.

(Picture of three brothers in Veregin here)

Our mother taught us how to prepare wool and spin it into yarn. Lawrence was able to knit stocking and sweaters. Mother would chide him with “you never know that you might marry some girl that will not be so capable so you need to know!”

The small farm community was under pressure to expand and although the farm of 1950 was usually 320 to 480 acres, whereas farms now are a minimum of 8,000 acres. This forced young men to leave the farmsteads. Lawrence caught a ride with friends going to British Columbia in 1951 and that started the rest of his life.

Lawrence was a hard worker and capable in many ways. One of his first employment opportunities was being a Saw Filer on the Emerald Mine in Salmo, B.C. When they asked “can you sharpen saws?” the answer was “yes”.

The Trail Hospital was about to start construction and was hiring Carpenters as well as all Trades, but so was the Waneta Dam. The rumour was that there would be many overtime hours on the Dam and so his buddy Phil Zaitsoff and him headed for the Waneta Dam Offices. Both were able to convince the Superintendent of their capability and knowledge. The Carpenter’s Union was just in its infancy and so they were hired on the spot.

This steady employment was a dream come true for Lawrence. There was now enough money to buy a car and a 1953 Pontiac was his pride and joy. This also made attracting girls much easier, especially when you are tall dark and handsome. Apparently, with Bill Novakshonoff (Satch), they became the terror in the Kootenays that made many mothers become concerned for their daughters.

One girl named Mable Soloveoff could not resist the temptation and soon they became a couple. Mother did not need to worry as Mable was an adept Seamstress, Rug-Maker, Weaver and talented Artisan and they started a long life together.

Lawrence was always an independent person that started with a farming background.With his friend Phil Zaitsoff, they formed a partnership to build houses after the Waneta Dam Project was over. This was short lived as both men were strong-willed and strong-minded which caused them to separate and begin individual contracting firms. Lawrence incorporated L.W. Verigin Construction Ltd in the mid 1950’s with bother Russel and Book-keeper Mable they started their future self-employment building construction enterprise.

Contracts were undertaken for building construction of Custom Homes and Additions. Russel became the field superintendent and Lawrence immediately drifted into Millwork and Custom Kitchen Designs and construction. It was something to witness, watching Lawrence “carve” a kitchen in someone’s house while they lived there. He became so popular with the female part of the client family because every kitchen was a unique design with many portions of the cabinet fitting perfectly into each kitchen. It was amazing how in the end everyone were still remained friends.

The clientele increased by “word of mouth” advertising until it was necessary to hire employees starting with Phillip Sherstobitoff who remained a loyal Craftsman and friend throughout the years. Others followed but the crews stayed under six (6) until well into the mid 60s.

Lawrence made sure that there was a job for brother Elmer who would come from the farm during school Summer Holidays starting in Grade 10 right through University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was in 1961 that the three (3) brothers agreed to form a Construction Company that could grow. Brother Elmer would complete his Engineering courses and join the firm as a shareholder. This had to wait until Elmer served two (2) years working with practicing Engineers at a Pulp Mill in Prince Rupert from 1963 through to 1965.

It came about that Lawrence welcomed his two brothers into a new company that was incorporated as Verigin Industries Ltd (ViL) in 1967 just after Obal Sash and Door Company was purchased. Windows, Doors and Cabinets could now be manufactured under a roof at Bear Creek, on the outskirts of Trail, B.C. Lawrence used his skills as Master Craftsman to supervise the manufacturing and Millwork was added to the products that ViL could supply to the industry.

Business improved and the Plant was expanded from the original 6,000 square feet to 12,000 square feet. Lawrence continued to supervise the Plant and Russel supervised the construction division. Elmer was able to bring some design projects and soon design / build contracts became a reality

Lawrence handled this inclusion of his brothers into his original company and the three (3) brothers respected their individual territories of responsibility. It all worked well.

In 1972 a development opportunity presented itself at Elkford, B.C. to build a hotel and shopping center. It is necessary to note how Lawrence was to make the most significant contribution and perhaps influenced my life as well as the family business.

Financing is always a challenge in projects of this nature and so the Financier was that of “last resort”, the Federal Business Development Bank (FDDB). Elkford is at elevation 4,200 feet and so the project was estimated at $1,000,000 and to start in May. It was mid August that we got the call from FBDB to see them in Cranbrook.

There was “good news” and “and news” and I was informed that the loan was approved with Fording Coal Ltd guarantee of $50,000 but the funds available would be $750,000 far short of the million required. I did not know what to do but left for Elkford to sort all this out. An office trailer had been set up in anticipation of a construction start.

“How to do this with the funding available?” I started mulling this in my mind as I drove the pickup. I got to Jaffray and decided to phone brother Lawrence in the Trail Offices as I knew he was waiting for the news. I relayed the offer to Lawrence and offered my opinion that “we should scrap the project, as there is just not enough funds”.

There was hesitation on the other end of the phone until I asked “are you there?”

“Yes,” was the answer. “So we have $750,000 which we never had before. So what is the problem?” he added.

“Lawrence, we are $250,000 short!” I frantically retorted. “Where do we get the rest?”

“Let us start and I am sure you will figger it out.” he responded.

Lawrence just then presented the biggest challenge to his “kid brother” and literally pushed me forward. I am not sure if Lawrence really knew what we were about to move onto but that was what really launched ViL to the next plateau.

The project was successfully completed by May of 1973. The raw entrepreneurs found that success in building construction was possible but operating a facility like this 275 miles from home base was an entirely new dimension, especially with absentee management but that is another story and we will get back to Lawrence.

Lawrence built his own house in Montrose for his family of daughter Patricia and son Mark. This construction was organized as after hours and weekends project which tests an individual who is also moving an enterprising organization. Nonetheless a construction  achievement of translating a forward design by his brother-in-law Harry Soloveoff grew on the hillside.

Lawrence had started a tradition of sponsoring yearly Shishliki parties for his crews, families and clients. This event meant that he would marinate the Lamb and paid special attention to the way it was barb-b-qued. He would not allow anyone else to do this function. So it came to pass that Mable complained to Russel and I that she wanted Lawrence to enjoy the guests instead of “working all the time”.

Russel and I did our best but Lawrence just could not stay away and kept up with critical comments to point of when Russel said “just do it!” The result was a confrontation with Mable and we sent her to her husband. Whatever exchanged between them was evident by the way Mable raised her hands in disgust as Lawrence carried on with a beer in his hand and a smile on his face.

The trust and work ethic that Lawrence set initially was continued by the company and many projects were contracted by a handshake. And so it came to be that the Rempel Bros in Abbotsford, invited us to join them in a partnership to tender projects at Expo ’86 in Vancouver. This was at time when “Open Shop” construction was competing against the “closed” policy of the Union Trades organizations that were threatening the Expo project unless it was all to be built “Union”.

Lawrence was all in favour of this new challenge of tendering major projects on the Lower Mainland and encouraged me to do just that.

The short story is that we were successful in receiving contracts to construct all 29 International Pavilions and 10 Restaurants.

Our Partnership of Rempel and Verigin families was Marbella Pacific Construction Ltd. The resulting multi-million agreement was a handshake demonstrating an historic trustworthy relationship of Doukhobors and Mennonites that started in the Ukraine in the 1800’s and continued into Canada.

Lawrence was proud to be part of a group that was able to overcome the negative prediction of the Expo ’86 Project Manager that was “these house-builders from Trail will be the embarrassment to British Columbia and then to the World”. Jim Pattison called me to ask “can you do it?” My answer “of course!”

Yes, it was stressful, especially when that same Project Manager attempted to interfere in the award of a roofing contract to a certified union subtrade. The result was that the famed Project Manger was released by the Expo organization and the “house builder” completed the project successfully and made money.

Lawrence took countless photos of the project and proudly strutted around when the exposition opened to the public.

After Expo ’86, our General Manager suggested we tender Canada wide. This resulted in a one acre sized school for the First Nations in Nelson House. Everything went well except that a Mechanical / Electrical subtrade experienced financial difficulty. Although the sequence of events are difficult to explain in the context of this blog entry, it is better to say that the large margin achieved at Expo was invested in the semi-permafrost of Manitoba.

It was difficult to bring this news to our partners the Rempels who accepted this as “part of doing business”. Lawrence listened to my report attentively and then came back with “are we going to have a shishlik this year?”

You have to love this brother!

I can recall one disagreement which was over the brand of coffee at the Plant and Office of Verigin Industries Ltd. Lawrence preferred MJB but a special was out on Nabob which our Office Manager purchased. I noticed that Lawrence suddenly stopped drinking coffee.

Some research later, I instructed the Office Manager to buy a can of MJB and leave it on the counter to see what would happen. The peaceful protest stopped and Lawrence drank coffee again.

From a personal perspective, I need to explain that I had offers:

• Masters scholarship in Environmental Engineering at the Univertsity of Saskatchewan along with teaching
• Join a Design / Build group to develop Pulp Mills
• Various firms

But I opted to work with my brothers Russel and Lawrence. There is no comparison of financial rewards to family love. We were inseparable! I am the last brother on this Earth and I can attest to the fact that “we loved each other!”

Mark and Patricia decided that a Celebration of Life would be held on May 13, 2017 near their father’s birthday May 09. Lawrence was not a formally practicing Doukhobor and so they are offering a Shishliki Party at their cousin Rick and Lori Woodhouse residence in Genelle, B.C. We fully expect that the unattended skewers will be mysteriously turning and we will all know who will be doing that.

“……..Here is the Event link. Password is Lawrence.
Your event, Lawrence Verigin Celebration of Life, is up and running and ready for action. Go ahead and check it out.

Lawrence Verigin Celebration of Life

Love Patti ……”

The link you can forward or post: https://www.myalternatives.ca/trail/obituaries/2017-verigin-lawrence-william

Blog development:

1. This blog is under construction as of 1430 hours, Tuesday February 14, 2017
2. Next contribution 1835 hours, Tuesday, February 14, 2017.
3. Next contribution and edit February 16, 2017 at 1700 hours
4. Next contribution February 17, 2017 at  0920 hours
5. Continuing contributions from time to time to follow

Elmer Verigin

It is with deep sorrow that I announce the sudden passing of Allan Verishine, formerly of Langham, SK, on Sunday, December 18, 2016. He is survived by wife Leah (McCaw), sons Jeff (Tracey), Jade (Marni), Cory and Merle, sister Marilyn (Elmer), nieces Nona, Lori and Tammy, nephew Kim, grandchildren Amanda, Alexander, Austin, Kennedy, Cade, Levi, Daniel, Aaron, Ellen, Justin and Jacob as well as several cousins.

Al spent his former years in various places west of Langham, until he moved to the Yukon in 1990. As an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing were top of the reasons for moving there, as well as a lifelong dream to do so.   He met Leah in 1992, they married in 1994 and had been partners ever since.

His 73 years have brought many adventures. Everything from rodeo in the young and stupid years, to airplane painting, to mining, heavy equipment operating, all the while honing his skills as a carpenter and master craftsman.   His last 25 years in Whitehorse, Yukon were spent mostly self employed as a carpenter, and the latest of those years as a master – making furniture and designer kitchens for some of the select people of Whitehorse. His work was so revered that they’d wait over a year for him to have time to do their project.

As well as working more than full time at times, he always had time to volunteer. Just as Leah came on the scene in 1992, he was in the process of organizing a Rodeo in the Yukon. That project lasted about 7 years, then he decided he wanted to go fishing instead of living and breathing rodeo. But that’s how he was, giving his all. His next volunteer organization was starting the Harley Owners Group, after obtaining another lifelong dream of owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in 2002. The dealership started up in Whitehorse, and he was there, lock, stock and barrel.   The culmination of that venture was hosting the 2008 Western Regional Rally. After that, somewhat at the urging of Leah, we left that club in other’s hands, and ‘retired’ from service work, again. That almost lasted a year, when he was approached by the Ride for Dad group. They raise money for prostate cancer research and awareness across Canada. The executive convinced Al that he was the right person to head it up in Whitehorse, so we embarked on 6 years of working tirelessly for that group. Again, he gave his all to the group and the cause.

All his years of heavy, physical work took its toll, and his body dictated the next move – to Vancouver Island. Leah’s family is all there, so what better place to retire. No snow to shovel! The move was made in 2015, to settle in Nanaimo, with plans to transfer to Victoria area. He was just starting to get into the swing of retirement and taking it easier, when tragedy struck him down.

His wishes were simple. Love family and friends like there is no tomorrow. Start the day with ‘Good morning, I love you’. Laugh every day.   He didn’t want a lot of fanfare upon his passing, but if you feel like you would like to hoist a rum and coke or chocolate milk in his honor, please do. In lieu of flowers or a service, he would be pleased if you wanted to donate to the Ride for Dad or a Childrens Hospital charity in his name.

The above obituary was created by Allan’s wife Leah and posted here by Allan’s brother-in-law, Elmer Verigin, December 25, 2016.

I wish to add that I found Allan’s Artistic talents akin to the most professional that there could be. Allan would create a masterpiece and then after he was able to complete a project that included his work, he would lose interest and would find another challenge and start all over again. He left with his sister many such examples that include:

• One-of-a-kind Rocking Chair
  • His written instructions to his sister Marilyn included, “please sit in this chair for a least 15 minutes each day and relax. It has not happened thus far
• Leather workings
• Sand-blasted Etchings

I witnessed examples of his ability to:

• Metal welding
• Cabinetry of various descriptions
• Play musical instruments and sing
• Tree Faller
• Fiberglass caskets
• Fiberglas boat building
• Carpentry and construction of housing and commercial buildings
• Just about anything Allan touched would be a one-of-a-kind master piece

I also witnessed his difficulty in human relationships. Many people with artistic talents have issues in dealing with family and people.

Marilyn and I were able to keep a bond with Allan and Leah right to the time of his passing.

We also enjoyed a close bond to the rest of Allan’s family.

May he rest in peace!

Elmer December 25, 2016

 

(Celebration of life December 22, 2016)

Everyone who has met Theo, immediately experienced an instant warmth, which was amplified by an unrestrained smile. It was in this memory that “Temma”, his Russian name, honored his grandfather. Tim Rebalkin had a similar aura that his friends enjoyed.

I first met Theo as part of our friend’s Kate and Jim family as we enjoyed many outings and visits between families. No question about love……….. it abounded and each member of the family had a special place and was so honored by the rest.

I once enjoyed a special place in Society as Mayor of Green City (if you do not know where it is look it up on Google) and it was election year. My Campaign Committee was confident that I would win comfortably as nobody of any repute was even considering to compete for that hallowed position.

Then arrived Theo and his brothers along with their dog named Roxy and they started erecting signs in that pristine wilderness. It was the methods they used to promote their candidate for Mayor, that would equal the tight race of the recent Trump / Clinton debacle. You might even call it a “Dog Race”. It was the first time that I was impressed with the ingenuity and fortitude of the Laktin family. I lost the election but I forgave Theo for that.

Theo and his brothers were responsible for interfering in our adult social life. Every time there was another outing, the Laktins would have excuses:

• “We need to take Theo to championship playoffs for:
• Volleyball
• Baseball
• Fastball”

• “We need to take the entire family as our boys are on the same team”

• “This time we are going to Calgary, or Saskatchewan for the Western Canadians”

• I even heard that they competed in the Canadian and Olympic playoffs and won top ratings

• There were times that they played in Alaska

 

I decided to check this out and sure enough it was true.

Rand Wayling a mutual friend and I chatted the other day and Rand expounded on the talents of Theo as a Volleyball Player that could easily be attributed to a Professional Player.

So it was true about the Laktin family supporting their sons and they as a result brought them much joy.

There are conflicting stories on what happened that fateful morning when Theo was wounded and became wheel chair bound. The recount alone was chilling and appeared senseless but the results were a calamity for Theo as well as his extended family.

We can say we understand the plight of a handicapped person, but can anyone that a renowned athlete describe the frustration of never being able to run, walk or ever be able to move without a wheelchair?

Within that once beautiful body was a soul, trapped and encumbered through no fault of his own!

We all can suggest that one can rise above their handicap but how many of us go to bed and wake up in the same hopeless condition? It is akin to an innocent prisoner in a penitentiary serving a life sentence.

Theo and his beautiful family of Kim and their triplet girls were able to attend the Whatshan Jam this past summer with many more of the Laktin Family. It is a project that Theo wanted to see as his family was partly responsible for its development. He convinced Kim that he wanted to have a “Whatshan Experience”. It will always remain a mystery in the way Quantum Physics is involved in matters of this nature but you can be the judge of what took place:

• There was dancing in front of the stage as Theo watched, hung

• rily, from his wheelchair as he was once enjoyed dancing. My daughter Nona asked him for a dance. A video would have best described the smile on Theo’s face as he wheeled around with Nona, holding hands. We all must realize that it took a great deal of dexterity to achieve this. Yes Theo had the time of his life!

• Theo and is family asked to stay back after everyone else left after the event that Monday. It was only this Fall that Theo asked his father to check the campsite and there Jim and Michael witnessed what Theo and his doting daughters inscribed on the grassy campsite with stones were the words………………….. L-O-V-E. It will likely be preserved for a long time

• It was a “Whatshan Experience” for all

 

Well Peter has done an excellent job of explaining our Doukhobor traditions and how we handle the transfer of life on Earth to the Hereafter.

Dr. Lipton, a Cell Biology Researcher, witnessed that his experiments with one of the sixty odd trillion cells that make up our physical bodies, proved that each cell actually communicates with the environment……….Quantum Physics, perhaps. After thirty years as an Egnostic, he realized that a “Higher Force” directed the cells as well as the atoms. He is now a believer in God

Dr Lipton also suggests that passing of a person is only of that physical self. Life of an ancestor is passed on through the off-spring into eternity.

And so Theo continues to live through his three daughters who will be loved even more by their families

Written by Elmer Verigin , December 22, 2016

(Deceased October 31, 2016 funeral November 04, 2016)

Some of you are aware that I spent five years at an University but I was not able to carry on with Graduate studies due to circumstances that involved raising a family and the need to eat and live.

I was very fortunate to be admitted a little known but highly recommended place of higher learning, the University of A & W, Castlegar Campus located on Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, B.C..

it was there that I met a faculty that superseded all that I had ever experienced up to and including that era. This included meeting Bill Stoochnoff:

• Unchallenged Governor,

• Avid Debator

These Philosophical Statements will equal those of Socretes:

• “No one knows for sure about Heaven and that is very good in my opinion. If someone ever came back and confirmed how good it is, would anyone want to stay here on Earth? So it makes sense that this does not take place, otherwise everyone would leave Earth right away and there is just not enough room in Heaven for all of us at this time.”
• “Education is great but one cannot get much nourishment from Education alone but hard work can produce gardens that will keep you healthy and the income necessary to survive instead of just talking about it. But therein is the problem, one has to work that is a common sickness that does not seem too exciting for so many”
• “I grow an abundance of extra apples, nuts and produce that I cannot give away as no one even wants to harvest all this and for the taking and help me out. So I don’t believe that there is an actual problem with local hunger as much as there may be no willingness to trade harvest and work for a food return. I cannot even give my produce away.”

Bill has been honored with a hallowed position at the University of A & W, Castlegar Campus:

• Accepted and acted as Governor at classes that started at 0630 and usually ended at 0800 hours

• Held a chair located at the Northeast end of Table 3 that no one dared to occupy
  • This has now been taken immediately over by Count Alexei Rebinoff upon Bill’s passing
  • Does this mean an over zealous replacement?

• His debate status with Professor Jean Brocelex regarding the Hobb’s particle in the Atom and mutual agreement that was where God resides. We are not sure if Bill can take the credit for naming it “God’s Particle” as it now referred to by those who discuss Quantum Physics

Some of his notoriety is being remembered as:

• The man who always treated so many by bring his nuts to the University. If you were a good person, he shared his nuts with you. It is amazing how many handfuls of his nuts that he sent home with me to pass on to Marilyn. We now have three (3) gallons of nuts saved in Bill’s memory because both Marilyn and I have false teeth and cannot handle Bill’s nuts very efficiently

• Being able to deflect a slap on the face from the Home Economics Dean, Lynn Smith, for rather off color sexist remarks but then Lynn is from Empress Saskatchewan and very adept at handling “Dirty Old Men”. It was actually very much acceptable at at a high level “Educational College”

• His debates with the “Count” Alex Rebin regarding religion were really very educational and usually ended in a stalemate much to the enjoyment of the entire class of about ten (10) of us. As their voices raised with passion regarding who did what in the “Doukhobor Way of Life”, we realized that their understanding of that subject was deep and with conviction

Bill was always interested in what I was doing and would ask me to provide information on:

• Saskatchewan:
  • He had never been East past Calgary and knew that he had relatives there and hungered to visit them
  • We talked about the former Doukhobor Villages and I reassured him that they can still be located by all the horse radish still growing around them

• Whatshan:
  • He was intrigued on why I was always contributing so much with so many to this project
  • This year, he asked if I would take him there
  • I had a one on one opportunity to hear all about his healthy understanding of giving without expectation of a reward
  • He approved the Banya that was under construction
  • We ate lunch together and had a beer to celebrate our friendship

I need to add much more but I think all of you have now got the message that Bill will always remain as a large part of my positive memory of a man who deserved the title of Governor.

Most of the Academia are present here today.

We will miss Bill at the U of A & W!

Written by Elmer Verigin , November 04, 2016

It was May 1963 as I looked up from my newly acquired desk at the Engineering Office at Columbia Cellulose Co. Ltd., (CCCL) at their Sulphite Pulp Mill located at Prince Rupert, B.C., to survey this new arrival.

“So where are you from?” I started the conversation.

He smiled to what became his habitual drawl, “Caaalgarryee!”

“Married?”

“Yup!”

“We need to have the wives meet then as soon as possible as Marilyn is already afflicted with ‘cabin fever’ with all this rain,” I suggested.

“Elaine asked me if was going to stop raining when I left for work this morning,” he returned. She was not smiling when I suggested that “we can expect 96 inches this year”, he responded. “Yes good idea!”

That was the beginning of a fifty-three (53) year friendship.

We were the first of many other Engineers that the CCCL Recruiting Committee selected from across Western Canada. However destiny arranges these events, a Mechanical Engineer named Robert (Bob) Miller and another Civil Engineer named James (Jim) Holloway, all became part of a close friendship in the two (2) years we all worked at CCCL. It was more than just a bondage that was created at work but our social life that followed the workplace, seemed so natural together.

Most times “The Fearless Foursome” (TFF), as we self-named ourselves, became associated with the following:

1. Fishing
2. Curling
3. Poker
4. Social Evenings (everyone visited everyone else as there was little else to do as it rained steady)
5. Crab Trapping
6. Clam Digging
7. Watching Friday Nights at Moccasin Square Gardens (there were three (3) hotels at one end of the main street (3rd Avenue) that perpetually had RCMP vehicles picking up inebriated patrons from 8:00 P.M. on Fridays)
8. Bridge and other card games
9. Other:
   1. The birth of a child
   2. Catching a fish (a 40 to 60 pound Spring Salmon was not unusual)
   3. It did not rain today, ……….yet
   4. My wife got accidentally pregnant, again
10. Those who follow this chronicle, must realize that in 1963 through to 1965, Prince Rupert was essentially isolated and even now, Highway 16 is the only access from Prince George some five hundred (500) miles to the East. Flying in was subject to weather which included ninety-six (96) inches a year of rain clouds. Ferry and Boat service was the only sure way to access this coastal city. The residents (some 12,000) became Natural “social animals” and there were parties to celebrate just about any excuse of which there were many such as:
11. Photo taken at Whatshan Lake Retreat, see blog entry THE FEARLESS FOURSOME (February, 2016) a reunion of TFF, February 09, 2016. Left to right: Jim Holloway, Bob Miller, Elmer Verigin and our buddy, Ron Ross.

So it was in this environment that my friendship grew with Ron and our wives, Marilyn and Elaine, were also compatible. This ensured a lasting friendship that has matured since Prince Rupert.So, my methodology in this writing will be to capture Ron in the events that I best knew him and that would be of which his children and current friends may not be aware and may even have difficulty believing.

The road from Prince Rupert to the Pulp Mill was twelve (12) miles long that was laid out by a drunk Surveyor as there was no distance more than a hundred (100) yards that was straight. Work started at 0830 hours and our carpool was usually picking up the last guy at 0815 or later. Needless to say that we were on time only when Ron drove. One of our coworkers knew the Morse Code and tried to warn us with his tail lights that we had just passed a radar trap. We failed our first lesson on the Morse Code when we passed him much to the benefit of the Constable who later wrote out our ticket with a smile.

Ron was a faithful employee and would go back to work on weekends to check on crews working his projects over-time. Not to waste his valuable private time, he would improve on his travelling time and in one instance, he was unable to stop his drift on one rainy curve and rolled his 1965 Volvo 122S (with 5,000 mileage), end over end, after bouncing off a rock embankment, winding back on the road. His passing account of the incident was that “it was embarrassing trying to disengage the seat belt when the car is on its roof.”

One day the Engineering Office at CCCL was buzzing with the rumor that the Shrimp Boats were abound with their catch that could be purchased for 10 cents a pound. Ron and I liked shrimp and so we were led by Ron Wright, onto the docks at Point Edwards, pails in hand, as the Fishermen dumped these ugly looking things that looked like grotesque infant toys. These two naive Prairie Boys started to wonder “how do we gut these things” but never let on to The Pro, Ron Wright. It was only when we got home to meet the enquiring looks of Elaine and Marilyn that we had to call Ron and ask “so what do we do with them?”Ron was obviously enjoying this and was very light with his advice that went something like this:

• “just boil a pot of water,
• drop them in.
• When they rise to the top,
• they are ready,
• Pull them out”So being Engineers, following instructions was definitely in our training and so we ended up with these strange things that did not all resemble the prepared Shrimp that we had become accustomed to and craved back home. They still had all these “Porcupine Quill-like” stuff sticking out along with two eyes that were not blinking at this point.”How do we shell them?” I looked at Ron and he looked at me as our wives watched in disgust that once again we were in trouble. “Well, let us call Wright and I am sure there is a technique to all this”, I suggested.So I dialed the number and, it was almost as if Ron was expecting the call, so when I asked the question, “so how do we clean them?” I asked.Calmly, which I am sure must have really been difficult, Ron outlined the procedure, “just take the Shrimp in one hand and poke the eye out with the other. You are now removing the ‘pin’ that holds the head to the body, and now you have the ‘meat’ “, Ron stopped. Then I heard the receiver drop on the other side with uncontrolled laughter as the now loose receiver kept banging against the wall.After the first one or two Shrimp, we figured it out but Wright was still laughing as we entered the office the next morning. Yes, the fresh Shrimp did taste good.

Clam digging rumor was taken on one Saturday, by TFF as we all headed for the beaches with shovels, rakes and gunny sacks. So they said t5hat watch for “geysers” shooting up through the sand and there would be a clam. “Hey, this is a snap”, Ron muttered as we started seeing signs of clams everywhere. we did not stop until we had a full gunny sack and headed, jubilantly, with our booty as the successful hunters to our waiting wives who were not that impressed. We sat around and drank beer while the girls started looking at cook books as to how to deal with this things. Trail and error resulted in clam chowder, stabbed palms as we fought to open the blessed things and of course more beer.

We did not realize that Ron was a Song Writer until the CCCL honored the staff with a company party. Ron advised TFF that we had to be ready to perform on stage when called upon. We were handed the words to “I’ve Been From Main to Prince Rupert” and were instructed to follow his Ukulele as he strummed and led us in song:”….Well I’ve been from Maine to Prince Rupert Well And Rupert is the best now you hear. That’s where the annual rainfall  is 96 inches a year…..”

There were at least fifteen verses that depicted life in Prince Rupert but not all the words are fitting to be quoted here and besides, Ron has the copyright.

 

Yes, the unlikely foursome made history and won the Grand Aggregate in the Marine Bonspiel at Prince Rupert in 1965.

• Ron played Second on our Curling Rink that was skipped by Bob. Bob had spent5 four years curling in Winnipeg with the many Curlers that had represented Manitoba as well as some that had won the World Championships. So Bob was fussy about his rink “hitting the broom” and being 1/4″ off was considered a miss. It became a challenge for Bob to keep his cool when Ron’s left-handed delivery just seemed a bit awkward. Bob’s persistence paid off and the two times a week in regular curling and bonspiels in Kitimat and Smithers found us at the Marine in Prince Rupert.

TFF enjoyed our camaraderie and favored the Legion in Prince Rupert where would sip a few pints and at times, perhaps a few more than we should. One night as we were leaving Jim decided that he could leapfrog on Ron’s hood and vault himself onto the roof to slide down the back of Ron’s Valiant. This became a sport that the rest of TFF had to try while the RCMP watched, a bit surprised. Just as Ron was picking up speed for the hood, a constable stopped him and asked “whose car is this?” Without any hesitation Ron answered, “Mine!”  “Do you mind these guys using your car as entertainment?” he carried on. Hell no, they are my friends,” as Ron completed his routine.

 

Competition to break the one and a half (1 1/2 ) hour record in driving Highway 16 the hundred (100) miles from Prince Rupert to Terrace on the dated Highway had become a well-known challenge. Even the new Architect in town, Inselberg started bragging how he had broken the 1 1/2 hour record. Ron with TFF went fishing one weekend in Lake Else River and we did one hour and twenty minutes. No, we did not stop to relieve ourselves but the odor in that Volvo was not fit for the squeamish.

Ron left his CCCL job for Cominco in Trail in the spring of 1965 and I followed shortly thereafter to join a Construction Contracting Company in Trail with my two brothers. We enjoyed our friendship until Mickey Thomas, found Ron and offered him a position that he could not refuse and moved to Surrey, B.C.

I was honored when Ron accepted my offer in the formation of an Engineering Firm EMCO Engineering Ltd. The idea was to have Electrical, Civil and Mechanical Engineers represented with :

Ron as Electrical

Les Kitchin as Mechanical

Elmer as Civil

Harry Soloveoff as Design and Drafting

The idea was good but I soon realized that my contribution was difficult as I was also President of a Construction Contracting Company and when tenders were advertised, a conflict of interest was definitely a factor. I also could not contribute my designs due to time constraints. There were other challenges to the partnership that resulted in Ron going on alone to establish a very successful Electrical Design / Engineering under the name EMCO with offices in Castlegar, B.C. Ron invited partners and eventually sold the business to Ready Engineering that still operate in Castlegar.

Ron’s Rotary achievements:

1. Castlegar Swimming Pool
   1. Chaired the Projects Committe
2. Castlegar Skateboard Park
   1. Chaired the Projects Committee
3. Castlegar Seniors Patio
4. Founded Castlegar Morning Club
5. Millennium Park Celgar Pavilion
6. Rotary District Governor 1997 / 98
7. Rotary International Achievements
   1. Tegucigalpa Market Children
   2. HELP Honduras Society (Registered CRA Charity)
   3. Group Study Exchange Co-Chair and Chair
   4. Ron and Elaine hosting twenty-one (21) Youth Exchange (YE) Students from the following countries:
      1. Finland
      2. Poland (2)
      3. Germany
      4. Mexico (2)
      5. New Zealand
      6. South Africa (a Zulu)
      7. Japan (4)
      8. Phillipines
      9. Ron still smiles with memories of these students who still keep in touch with Ron and Elaine. Many have invited them to their weddings and / or have visited them in their home countries. Others have visited in return.
   5. Established the Conger Memorial Scholarship for YE Students with economic difficulties
   6. District Representative for eight (8) years on Pacific Northwest for President Elect Training Program
      1. Program Chair foe three (3) years
      2. Audio Visual Chair for three (3) years
   7. District Committee Chair of
      1. World Community Service,
      2. Membership
      3. Rotary Foundation
      4. Group Study Exchange
   8. Awards from the Rotary Foundation
      1. Distinguished Service Award
      2. Citation for Meritorious Service
   9. Donald McCrae Peace Award foe 2012 (annual award to one Ro9tarian in Canada)
   10. Past President of Castlegar Rotar6y Club
   11. Past President of Castlegar Sunrise 2000 Rotar6y Club
   12. Paul Harris FellowAs I write this chronicle about my life-long friend, it almost appears that Sir Winston Churchill would be easier to interview. There is no question that Ron’s philosophy on life meets the Rotary Four Way Tests:

“Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to All Concerned?

Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”

There is no question in my mind that he has surpassed all the tests that anyone can make in this regard.There is another saying that Rotary attests to which goes like this:”We are sent to this Earth and rented space. Check from time to time if your Rent has been Paid….”It is my opinion that Ron has a significant credit for his rent payments.

Ron and I had lunch together June 30, 2016. It was just like times of yore as Ron handled his Chemo Treatments well. I commented that it was commendable that he did not complain about his struggles. His answer to me was “I never took any courses on ‘self pity’ and so there is no room in my discussions in this area.”

Jim Holloway suggested that we get together again and Ron invited us to his summer home on Christina Lake. This started with Jim being there on August 01, 2016 and Marilyn and I followed on August 02, 2016. We all stayed together till Thursday, August 04, 2016. Jim and Ron went Kayaking down the River from Grand Forks to Gilpin while I became the Shuffle Driver. It can be termed “a time of our lives”.

“Wednesday, September 27, 2016…….Gord, Elmer, Jim, Bob and Bill

Elaine and I met with Dr. Malpass Wed AM, and examined the facts which were: 1) The newest chemical seemed to be taking a severe toll on my ability to function, 2) the time to recover from the various side effects was longer than the other chemicals, 3) the side effects were more severe, 4) there was no improvement of the various cancer markers, and in fact they were getting much worse.

We decided it was time to pull back, get healthier, adopt some policies to extend my life, and look forward to each day as it rolls around.

Ron…..”

“…..Hello to all of you

Ron died this evening Sept 28^th.  He was suffering badly, and was in great pain.

It seems hard to believe I don’t have him in my life any longer.

No flowers.

Perhaps I can set up a donation in his name for Help Honduras.  He would really like that.

More with regards to plans later.

Elaine…..”

This blog process involved interviews with Ron Ross over a period of time.

• June 02, 2016, I started this without interview
• Ron and I had lunch June 30, 2016 with where he provided some input
• Ron provided a list of Rotary Projects July 01, 2016
• EWV made emendments to the original Ron Ross Story October 06, 2016
• EWV entered the final draft into this blog October 06, 2016

 

This is an extraordinary compilation led by Ute Scheub and contributed by Haiko Pielow, Hans-Peter Schmidt. & Kathleen Draper.

The notation on the front cover:

“….How the World’s Most Fertile Soil Can Help Reverse Climate Change and Reduce World Hunger…”

The back cover provides the enticement to read the contents of this book:

“…..More than 2,500 years ago, the original inhabitants of the Amazon Basin made terra preta, or “black earth,” the world’s most fertile soil. They created this potent substance by taking regular soil and adding biochar–charcoal made from organic wastes. This ancient cultivation method has the potential to solve two of our greatest problems; climate change and hunger crisis.

This sound instruction manual proves anyone can make terra preta and includes inspiring examples from around the world. Passionate and practical, this book offers indispensable advice to all those who feel strongly about creating a better world from the ground up….”

I plunged into this book and, although I am an Applied Scientist, I found examples after examples of basic information that I lacked and did not even comprehend was taking place around me.

Page 6 is one of these:

“….In the topmost 30 centimeters (1 foot) of 1 square meter (11 square feet) of healthy soil there is an incredible abundance of living creatures:

• an estimated 1 trillion bacteria,
• 500 billion flagellates,
• 100 billion rhizopods,
• 10 billion actinomycetes,
• 1 billion fungi,
• 1 million algae,
• 1 million paramecia
• 50,000 furculae,
• 25,000 rotifers,
• 10,000 polychaetes,
• 300 polypods,
• 150 insects,
• 100 dipteran larvae,
• 100 beetles and larvae,
• 80 earthworm,
• and 50 each of spiders, snails and wood lice.

Microorganisms are the oldest form of life on Earth; incredible numbers also live on our bodies–10 times the number of our body’s cells. We are inundated with them, but without them we could not live. They occupy all our surfaces, they protect the skin from pathogens, and they live in our intestines and control our digestion. We are constantly accommodating new microorganisms and dispensing others. They ensure that infectious organisms don’t develop, and even pathogens have their function. When life expires, they create the prerequisites of a new beginning……”

“…..Researchers….have projected that up to now only 5 to 10 percent of all soil organisms are even known, With such limited knowledge, it is impossible to clearly know and recognize their diverse reciprocal effects, coexistences, and symbiotic relationships. The use of metabolic wastes is one of the secrets of living, fertile soil…”

One does not have to be technically educated to appreciate the message in this edition of many books on the subject. As a person born and raised in Saskatchewan, I now find that most farmers cannot drink water from wells on their lands because of pollution from fertilizers and various sprays that control weeds and various infestations. Only sixty years ago I enjoyed that water. What happened since?

The book took me on journeys where it is possible to make your own terra preta as well as biochar and reverse the process of climate change in a positive fashion.

A must read!

Elmer Verigin September 03, 2016