It was the Fall of 1968 and John N Postnikoff called in to our Millwork Plant (Verigin Industries Ltd) at Bear Creek (near Trail, B.C.). He was an amicable person and involved in the Doukhobor Society of Canada (DSC).

“We are having an annual convention at Tarrys and would you be interested in attending?” he invited after a philosophical discourse on where the Doukhobor way of life had transpired after sixty-nine years in Canada.

I had not participated in Doukhobor Meetings since my days in the Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth in 1963 and was lonesome to at least meet people from my heritage and so Marilyn and I attended.

What I noticed, immediately, was the lack of people my age and younger in attendance. This led to my question to the assembly, “where are all the Youth?”

There ensued an interesting debate which resulted in a challenge from John J. Verigin, Honorary Chair of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC) who was attending as a guest. “Can you go and find them and have them tell us why they are not here”, he ended after a long and philosophical statement on that subject.

1. Organization of a Youth Conference

With the assistance of Jim Laktin, a USCC youth member, Elmer Verigin made contact with:
1. Vancouver Doukhobor Youth
2. Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth
3. Calgary Youth
4. Veregin Doukhobor Society

We travelled and met with all these organizations and promoted an April 1969 date for a Convention in Tarrys, B.C.

Representatives of all these organizations met and agreed to continue with efforts to organize the youth into one group. An initial National executive was selected with the idea of meeting again within a year.

Two other yearly conferences followed.

2. Castlegar Discussion Group

In the winter of 1969, promotional work started to form a youth group in the Castlegar area. A list of subjects were formulated and placed unto a chart. Interested people gathered and discussed these subjects, all of which were of interest to Doukhobor Youth. Meetings were hosted in various homes on a volunteered basis.

This resulted in dissemination of information to friends and acquaintances that eventually resulted in attendance of about thirty people.

Many became volunteers in organizing the first Youth Conference at Tarrys Hall near Castlegar, B.C., as well as providing catering and other services for the conference.

3. DYNEC (Doukhobor Youth National Executive Council)

This was a result of the conventions and what the youth had legislated. Implementation was undertaken by travelling the provinces to encourage membership. It was reported that costs were high and it became difficult for the Council to self-finance this effort.

The effort was subsequently abandoned as the youth interest could not be solidified.

4. Castlegar Doukhobor Youth (CDY)

The Castlegar Discussion Group became the first organized group as a result of the Youth Conventions that strived to begin a process of similar organizations in other communities. The Vancouver Doukhobor Youth continued operations. It was not clear if the Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth ever took a formal position in this process.

The CDY continued to function as a continuance of the Castlegar Discussion Group.

5. Formation of the (DCA) Doukhobor Cultural Association

The DCA was the eventual result of the CDY when it became apparent that the membership was maturing and could not continue with the designation as “youth”.

Some of the challenges and criticisms came from the existing parent organizations:

• Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC)
• Sons of Freedom (SoF)
• Canadian Doukhobor Society (CDS)

The critics alleged that no youth organization had actually resulted but a new society was being promoted, This was not the collective opinion nor intent of those who participated in the DCA. The members were a surprisingly even distribution that somehow came about from the three (3) parent groups.

It was agreed that this may be a wonderful opportunity to determine where the differing philosophies could be melted into a functioning group.

Was it possible that a form of unification did take place? This a subject that will require a separate research and not the intent of this writing.

The use of “Association” in the name was to identify that the DCA was not a separate society by definition but merely a gathering of interested Doukhobors from similar cultural heritage. So the name Doukhobor Cultural Association came into being.

Minutes of every meeting were recorded and exist to this day.

6. Education in Association and Social Skills

We realized that most of us that gathered together had difficulty in communicating with each other in meeting skills such as:
1. Chairing meetings
2. Preparing for meetings
3. Presenting ideas
4. Parliamentary procedures
5. Listening to each other
6. Respecting another’s opinion
7. Every member had a right to speak no matter of gender and age
8. Other

We agreed to obtain professional help to alleviate these deficiencies that may have come from our background culture. We needed to change if we were to be successful as a group.

We approached Selkirk College and two Professors accepted the challenge at a reduced fees in evening sessions. We practised parliamentary procedures in mock meetings as well as listening. Learning how to include everyone in a discussion. The result was that we understood that even the meekest have something to say and we needed to hear.

So we practiced that every member would serve a term on each of the four Executive positions and that an Executive Committee, consisting of the four executive and one other member, would be responsible for planning and calling meetings every two weeks. The executive would be elected and serve yearly terms.

We met in each home so that we could learn more about each other as well as enjoy our collective hospitality. Friendship and compatibility became a natural result of all these actions.

7. Pursuit of Research in the Doukhobor Culture

Perhaps it was not accidental that all three (3) of the Doukhobor parent groups were represented in the DCA and this encouraged us to learn more about what had separated our parents in the first instance. By understanding the differences, we could better apply that which would unite us.

The DCA organized speakers on many subjects of Doukhobor history and spiritual understanding from each Group. We interviewed John J Verigin Sr from the USCC as well as Stephan Sorokin from the Sons of Freedom several times. It was during these informative sessions that we were accused of being “messengers” to the other group, in a negative way and these meetings ceased to be available to us.

The more we learned about each other the more we realized that there were little to no differences. We took advantage of the similarities and began to have social functions together. We understood that if we could play together, then it would result in better ability to work together in harmony.

We extended this to organizing opportunities for the public to participate in a Doukhobor Sports Day at South Slocan where some unconventional events were planned such as:
• Tug of Peace
• Women’s Plow Pulling Contest
• Women’s Hollering Contest
• Sunflower Spitting Contest
• Ball Games
• Peace Burgers
• “Sergio” Fried Potatoes
• “Pass Creek” Salad
• Nailing Contest
• Log Sawing Contest
• Three legged races
• Tandem grass skiing
• Slippery pole climbing
• Children’s Races
• Evening Programs with musical instruments and singing in both languages

This proved to be popular and Doukhobors attended from all the Groups and were able to socialize in a neutral environment.

This continued until we could not handle the intensive workload with age. There was no one to take over and the successful event ceased.

8. Community Living Research using Champion Creek as a site and model

The idea of determining why a communal living model would not be something that perhaps could become a reality since this was the model that was brought to Canada in 1899. Also many of the members had actually experienced communal living in their youth.

Pete Oglow had personally held the Champion Creek property (about 1,000 acres) when Judge Evans was made responsible to redistribute the lands seized in bankruptcy in 1940. Pete undertook this responsibility as a favor to JJ Verigin Sr. so that this land would not leave Doukhobor hands and be preserved for future Doukhobor use.

Pete talked to John and it was agreed that using the Champion Creek property (formally the CCUB settlement of Blahadatniya) as a model for such an effort would be acceptable and that DCA was an approved group to conduct such a research project.

The DCA finally had a real challenge to exercise their collective skills as the human resource base that included:
• Carpenters
• Machinists
• Loggers
• Teachers
• Masseurs
• Trucking Executives
• Electricians
• Stenographers
• Engineers
• Contractors
• Writers
• Salespeople
• Care Workers
• Berry Farmers
• Mechanics
• Welders
• Tinsmiths
• School Maintenance Supervisors
• Financial Advisors

The project was eagerly accepted and the research began. It is important to note that the DCA at no time thought that they would be candidates to actually live in the resulting community as this was an “assignment” so to speak.

Maps were accessed, groundwork covered and sketches of the proposal unfolded that included:
1. Egg production
2. Dairy production
3. Gardens to commercially produce
 Tomatoes
 Cucumbers
 Other vegetables
4. Pickling production
5. Contact was made with the Ministry of Agriculture in Creston for advice
6. Discussions with Ministry Of Highways for Road access
7. Seniors housing
8. Economic Housing units for small families
9. Wood working plants to manufacture millwork
10. Fresh water was available from Champion Creek for:
 Irrigation
 Domestic Use
 Fire Protection
 Possible Water Energy for a Power Dam to produce Electricity
11. Much more which can be read in the report

A report was generated and submitted to the USCC Directors for review and comment.

A short while later, two USCC Directors personally met with the DCA and reported that the Directors had rejected the proposal and that the USCC Youth would undertake their own project.

It was later determined that there was never a record in the minutes of a USCC Directors meetings, where that subject had been discussed and decided.

This was a serious disappointment for JJ Verigin Sr and Pete Oglow but the DCA used this experience in later applications.

9. Participation in the construction of a historic Doukhobor Village in Ooteschinia

Members of the DCA took an active part on the executive and directorship of the Kootenay Doukhobor Historical Society (KDHS) in the challenging process to build a duplicate of the original villages that were constructed in British Columbia starting 1909 with the migration of Doukhobors from Saskatchewan.

This involved countless hours of investigation of remaining villages, drawing plans and physical work in building as well as preparation of exhibits.

10. Construction of a Banya at the Doukhobor Village

In response to a plea from the first Curator at the Doukhobor Village, Peter Legebokoff, that the construction of the Banya be expedited so that he may utilize it as that was a tradition for him. The DCA agreed to undertake this project. It was anticipated that this would be a good test for the DCA members to determine how well they could work together.

It was challenging in that translating a good idea into practice always takes commitment. At that time most of the members worked at day jobs so this had to be scheduled on weekends. With small families, this is also difficult as family needs would take precedent.

The Banya was completed and watching Peter Legebokoff have his inaugural “banya” and sprinkling Ucalyptus Oil for aroma, was a sight to behold.

It was very rewarding and payment enough for the sacrifices taken.

11. Participation in the construction of the first Seniors Project, Parkside Villa, at Grand Forks, B.C., with the Doukhobor Benevolent Society (DBS)

This was a partial involvement for the DCA as some members became part of the construction and development in an advisory capacity.

12. Development of Rosewood Manor, the second Doukhobor Seniors Project in Castlegar, B.C. with the Doukhobor Benevolent Society

An invitation was extended by the DBS that a much needed seniors project be undertaken by the DCA in Castlegar. The challenge was accepted and the DCA took educational tours of seniors housing projects in the Okanagan to be get a perspective of the possibilities.

This project involved negotiations for land with the USCC where the former Castlegar Hall was located. It also meant preparation of applications to BC Housing to obtain funding.

All came together successfully and the project was built using a Design / Build tender process that resulted in Tri-City Contractors from Kamloops building the 20 unit project.

The DCA met in the Assembly Room during the time of operation. Rotating host members would be responsible to preparing refreshments, desserts and cleaning up after.

Christmas parties, complete with food and entertainment became an annual event that the DCA enjoyed with the Tenants. About 50% of the Tenants came from Doukhobor backgrounds.

Complete operations of Rosewood Manor were the responsibility of the DCA. After 25 years of operation, the mortgages paid, the DCA presented to project to BC Housing who now continue to operate Rosewood Manor to this day.

13. Development of White Birch Manor, the third Doukhobor Seniors Project in Delta, B.C. with the Lower Mainland Doukhobor Benevolent Society (LMDBS)

Some DCA members became involved in projects in the Lower Mainland. Along with many Doukhobors that were also residing in the Lower Mainland, the LMDBS was incorporated after an idea that perhaps a seniors project could be developed using a Developer, that would combine land acquisition, design, application to BC Housing and construction.

So a 48 unit development became a reality on the corner of 80th Avenue and 120th Street in Delta, B.C.

This facility is still being operated by two DCA members and their extended family and friends.

14. Incorporation of the Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society

In 1981 a property acquisition opportunity came forward and the DCA decided to accept that challenge and incorporated a Society to do that. (See Elmer Verigin blog for “Miracle at Whatshan Lake” for more details).

Most of the DCA members became immediate members joined this society with others joining at a later date.

The society name was changed to Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 in the process of qualifying for charitable tax number. Society Director, John J Verigin Jr. recommended that #1999 be added to record and date the centennial project, Whatshan Lake Retreat.

15. Development of the Whatshan Lake Retreat

In 1993 a development project was initiated. (See Elmer Verigin blog for “Miracle at Whatshan Lake” for more details).

The majority of the DCA members donated, funds, equipment, labor and expertise to this successful project.

The project was substantially completed in 2005 with continuing infrastructure additions taking place as this article is written

16. Incorporation of the Kootenay Columbia Seniors Housing Cooperative (KSSHC)

With substantial completion of the Whatshan project, many DCA members suggested that a seniors project be undertaken that could be utilized by members as well as others. The observation was that there was a strong need for seniors housing and so why not make use of the collective expertise and undertake this project.

From 2002 to 2005, a great deal of research took place. (See a separate article “A Chronicle on the Grandview Story). The DCA underwrote the feasibility study and financed same with approximately $50,000, paying for consultants and architects.

In September seven (7) DCA members signed the application to incorporate the KCSHC in September 2005. Seventeen (17) members took out the first memberships in the Cooperative.

The executives and committees that were responsible for construction and development were partially staffed by DCA members.

17. Construction of Grandview Housing

Eight (8) DCA families purchased bungalows and duplexes in the resulting project and live there today.

It was determined that the trust and compatibility that was extended to the public from the original 17 DCA members families to the total 289 members did not always reciprocate.

There are challenges that still exist at the project today and the seniors care project remains undeveloped.

18. Benevolent Donations achieved

Peter Dergousoff researched the DCA files in 2010 and listed the following donations from 1973 to 2008:
1. Amnesty International – $500
2. Andy Davidoff – $80
3. Andy Savinkoff – $50
4. Anna Markova – $100
5. Anthropology 202 and 203 Doukhobor studies – $240
6. Brilliant Cultural Centre $1,750
7. Brilliant Ladies – $250
8. Canadian Red Cross – $2,850
9. Castlegar and District Community Society – $1,150
10. Castlegar and District Hospital Foundation – $350
11. Castlegar Hospice Society – $4,400
12. Castlegar Extended Care – $150
13. Cat Scanner Fund – $450
14. Columbian Family to Canada – $200
15. Community Harvest Food Bank – $800
16. DHRS (Fred Voykin Memorial Donation) – $380
17. DHRS #1999 – $17,365
18. Dr Endicott Home – $275
19. Eli Popoff – $10
20. Eli Vetrov – $50
21. Fellowship of Reconciliation – $100
22. Foster Parents Plan – $576
23. Freedom Quest – $1,400
24. Friends of Tolstoy – $50
25. Guatemala – $100
26. Harvest Food Bank – $1,200
27. International Doukhobor Symposium – $200
28. Iskra – $2,810
29. Jeen Jones – $125
30. John Munday – $300
31. JJ Verigin Sr. -$100
32. Judith Moser – $125
33. Kathy Voykin – $200
34. Kootenay Doukhobor Historical Society – $700
35. Kootenay Community Living – $100
36. Kootenay Mens Group – $100
37. Kootenay Society for Handicapped Children – $475
38. Ladies Auxiliary Royal Canadian Legion – $200
39. Mike M Verigin – $200
40. MIR – $1,250
41. Mir Peace Centre – $300
42. Mountainview Lodge – $125
43. Nelson United Church (Refugee Family) – $100
44. New Profile (Armenian Kisch-Kroon) – $100
45. Operation Dismantle – $275
46. Osoyoss Baptist Church – $200
47. Outreach (Kenya) – $500
48. Paul Koodrin – $ (need info from DCA)
49. Peter Legebokoff Fund – $400
50. Raspberry Lodge – $50
51. Rosewood Manor – $1,235.20
52. Salvation Army – $1,250
53. School District #9 (Immersion Program) – $200
54. Search and Rescue – $125
55. Selkirk College – $1,150
56. Seniors SOS – $1,000
57. Sexual Abuse Victims Anonymous – $100
58. Sharing Pot Kitchen – $100
59. Shirley Harasemow – $199
60. Silver Birch School – $50
61. South Slocan Sports Association – $380.44
62. Stanley Humphries High School – $1,500
63. Stone Soup – $700
64. Tammy Horkoff – $200
65. Tools of Peace (Oxfam) – $199.62
66. USCC Armenian Earthquake Fund – $200
67. USCC Champion Creek Water System – $200
68. USCC Cultural Interpretive Society – $200
69. USCC 4 Working Groups – $225
70. USCC Reconstruction Fund – $500
71. USCC Russian Immersion – $100
72. USCC Youth Choir – $150
73. Village Bistro – $400
74. Voices of Peace Concert Tour – $ (need info from DCA)
75. War Child – $100
76. WINS – $100
77. World Law Foundation – $100
78. Total $54,425.26

19. Current Association Membership

The members that attend meetings and social events as of 2015 are as follows:

1. Pat and Mary Picton
2. Phillip and Molly Konkin
3. Lawrence and Kathy Popoff
4. Moses and Ann Zibin
5. Bill (deceased) and Betty Zarikoff
6. Peter and Elsie Rezansoff
7. Bill and Mary Plotnikoff
8. Fred and Ann Chursinoff
9. Bill and Natalie Voykin
10. Joe and Shirley Podovinikoff
11. Nick (deceased) and Nellie Keraiff
12. Peter and Dorothy Dergousoff
13. Lawrence (deceased) and Irene Tamelin
14. Larry and Edna Sapriken
15. Elmer and Marilyn Verigin

20. Past Members who have participated and assisted

1. Walter (deceased) and Ann (deceased) Demoskoff
2. Walter and Mae Popoff
3. Cyril and Vera Woykin
4. Allan and Evelyn Markin
5. Alex and Mary Cheveldave
6. Peter and Marg Perepolkin
7. Paul and Nina (deceased) Koodrin
8. Peter and Olga Swetlishoff
9. Fred (deceased) and Nina Voykin
10. Lawrence and Mable (deceased) Verigin
11. Jim and Katie (deceased) Laktin
12. Peter and Doris Laktin
13. John (deceased) and Florence Salekin
14. Irene Hirschmiller
15. Peter and Penny Kanigan
16. Cecil and Mary Fominoff

21. Windup of Assets

In 2010 the DCA came to a conclusion that its physical and financial assets should be dispersed as the DCA did not have a younger generation of membership that was available to continue.

After many meetings the following decisions were reached:

1. The twenty (20) unit Rosewood Manor had no debt and should be passed over to BC Housing who would be the best agency to operate same in perpetuity
2. The Whatshan Lake (203 acre) property with the DHRS #1999 lease on 20 acres and development thereon, be donated to the DHRS #1999 and was so transferred on January 23, 2013
a. BC Assessment value in land at about $426,000
b. BC Assessment value in buildings $632,000 (developed by DHRS $1999)
c. Total developed value would exceed $2.5 million
3. The Whatshan Falls (5 acre) property, undeveloped, be donated to the DHRS #1999 and was so transferred on January 23, 2013
a. BC Assessment value in land at about $55,800
b. There is no development on this parcel
4. The distribution of invested funds raised from selective logging at Whatshan is as follows:
a. (Some has already been distributed with the balance pending in 2015)

22. Continuation as a Social Organization

The DCA agreed in 2012 that they would continue as a social club because they felt they had established a “family” atmosphere that should be maintained for the rest of their lives.

Social functions continue to this day.

23. Writer’s Comments

It took me a long period of time in meditational thoughts to be able to compose this story and I remain amazed at the achievements of the DCA.

Who could imagine that the result of a fledgling group formed in 1969 could achieve all that as tabulated above?

Perhaps it may be testament to the fact that the Doukhobors (and perhaps many others like the Huttereites, Mennonites) do have a collective advantage when they work together.

Where would the Doukhobors be today had they not began separating into various groups in 1908?

There are more questions than answers but the journey taken by the past and current DCA members is theirs to recount with pleasant memories.

Written by Elmer Verigin January 25, 2015. These are personal memories and not to be construed as a historical nor a professional study. There remain records that can be studied in detail for a more factual account. The purpose here is to leave a story that Readers can add to on my blog with information that they may feel was omitted or necessary to record.

A VISIT TO COEUR D’ALENE CASINO RESORT

On January 19, 2015, Marilyn and I took a break and decided to visit this resort as we had a two day complimentary room from a previous visit to the Casino at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. That always helps in making a decision!

I am inspired to write about our First Nations people. It will be limited to my exposure and relationships rather than an historical account which I will leave to the many researchers who have already written about this subject matter in a positive and sometimes destructive fashion, depending on their personal biases.

I need to identify my past so that the reader maybe determine how I may have developed my understanding of First Nations people.

I am a descendent of Doukhobors who had settled and in Saskatchewan in 1899, amongst three reservations already there. So these Russian-speaking people became neighbors to the descendants of the resident migrants who apparently came down from Eastern Russia some 20,000 years ago.

Or did they simply move North as the ice melted from the Aztec and Inca nations already in North America?

We lived near three Cree reservations: Keys, Cote and Kissakosee nestled between the communities of Pelly on the North, Kamsack on the South and Canora to the west. My initial exposure (in the fifties) was to see these natives walking around the community, almost aimlessly with no agenda, or simply “hanging around”.

At harvest, we would have one or two come to work and help. After two or three days, they would want to be paid and leave even though the help was still required. There was no apparent incentive to accumulate wealth.

Yes, I wondered about the residential Catholic school at St Phillips and the reasons for same.

I played competitive sports and attended several festivals where I observed Powwows and other native events and became convinced of their beautiful culture that always left me wanting to know more.

In my professional years, I was privileged to have two native brothers erect all the steel, roof and wall panels for the International Pavilions at Expo ’86. This was the first time that I was able to understand the capability of Crees in an entirely different perspective.

I was also able to be chosen to build a one acre sized school designed by First Nations at Nelson House Manitoba, near Thompson. There the fire walls penetrated the roof to display thunderbirds. The 600 student school was staffed with over 40 First Nations Educators. My firm used many of the residents in the various Trades. This was in smart contrast to the negative reputation of the former Residential Schools

Yes, but the dated stigma was still there for both groups of peoples that we had to counteract. I was part of the “Dirty Douks” and they were the “Lazy and Drunken Indian”

All of us in North America needed to change the dated “stigmatization” we seemed to establish before we got to know each other.

I had visited many Casinos in the USA and Canada which were an excellent result of committees that decided these sources of revenue should be designated to the First Nations and constructed on Native lands. As in the school that I had build, the designs and construction were all to the highest standards with top workmanship.

I would compare the Coeur d’Alene resort in Idaho to that South of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

So it has taken me some time to get to my main objective in this article. In the two days that Marilyn and I stayed at Coeur d’Alene, we experienced:

1. Top notch rooms and cleaniness in a very professional manner
2. We liked the selection of appointments which were used in decorations which provided a strong education into the culture of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe
3. The food was of the highest standard, presentation and selection
4. The friendliness is in keeping with the historic information that was available for guest to read
5. The professional dress, smiles and every staff action that made a welcome easy to enjoy

To me, it was such pleasure to see a transformation of the native image to fitting First Americans and in my country, the First Canadians. The pride that was prevalent in all that we met was fitting.

The fact that some of the net proceeds is being donated to Education, from the operations, is a demonstration that the Coeur d’Alene Tribe is doing isr responsible part within the community.

Marilyn and I are still smiling!

Written by Elmer Verigin January 25, 2015

My friend, Hans Peter Barth has shared part of his extensive library with me on our visit December 27, 2014.

We had a spiritual discussion which led to Edgar Cayce and my comment that I had heard much about Edgar and his prophetic abilities but that I had yet to read anything on that subject. Has rose to the occasion and produced “Edgar Cayce On Prophecy” by Mary Helen Carter and under the editorship of Hugh Lynn Cayce, first printing June 1968.

Since this was my first association with the Edgar Cayce and his prophecies, I was impressed in the manner with which Helen presented these prophecies and so it will likely take another reading, at least, to absorb an understanding.

To those Readers who may be part of the Doukhobor philosophy, I found this interesting response that Edgar Cayce provided to an inquiry as follows (pages 164 and 165);

“……Is there any indication of what church I should join and associate with?”
“Remember, rather, the church is within self,” he answered. “As to the organization, choose that, not as a convenience for thee but where ye may serve the better……..whatever its name, let it be thy life proclaiming Jesus the Christ.

“For the Master built no churches, but He laid the Foundations.” He told another person that the church was within, as he had learned in a former incarnation: “Before that, the entity was in the English land during those periods when questioning arose between church and state. And there the entity for itself settled the question for good: the church is within yourself and not in any pope or preacher, or in any building, but in self. For thy body is indeed the temple of the living God and the Christ becomes a personal companion in mind and in body…..”

Individual preferences and temperaments should be considered, Cayce said, in choosing one’s church. :The let each test themselves with that chosen. That it will make for life in thine own experience will aid another. Not that each has the same vision, or the same experience, but the Lord addeth to the church daily such as should be saved, when all of one mind!”

Cayce interpreted Jesus’ prophecy: “Upon this I will build my church.” What church?” The Holy Church! Who is the head? The One upon whom the conditions had been set by the question asked. For here ye may find the answer again to many of those questions sought concerning the Spirit, the Church, the Holy Force that manifests by the attuning of the individual; though it may be for a moment.

“He asked, “Whom say men that I am?” The Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God!” Then, ‘Upon this I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!”…………..”

Much of the above is with the understanding that Doukhobors have taken as their ‘Way of Life”.
I leave this to my Readers to comment.

Elmer’s writings dated January 12, 2015

Alfred was that shy guy that hailed from Blaine Lake and came to the Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth Choir (SDYC) Practice in 1959. It worked out that we caught the same bus from choir and Alfred felt comfortable with me. The conversation was not quite over when we got to his stop and flowed over as we stood in front of his grandfather’s place where he boarded. I then caught a bus to my stop off on Ewart Avenue.

So the friendship was cultured and eventually included Keith Tarasoff and Mitch Tarasoff. Alfred invited us to visit his parents on their farm in Blaine Lake. His parents were very hospitable and those visits were sure to add a few pounds as well as genuine love that they showered upon their son and his friends.

We sang many songs together on outings such as these. It was fitting that we sang a quartet as part of the program that the SDYC developed in our tours throughout Saskatchewan.
Alfred went into Education and taught throughout Saskatchewan but kept his home base in Saskatoon. He married Betty Shiskin, a SCDYC member. This seemed to be typical of many of the Choir members who enjoy married life till today.

Marilyn and I left Saskatchewan in 1963 to pursue my career in Engineering and Building Construction. Although the friendship continued, opportunities to enjoy each other’s company became challenging. When Marilyn and I came to Saskatchewan, we had to split the two weeks available with large families in the Eastern part of Saskatchewan with those in and around Langham. There was little time available for friends when two day return trips back to British Columbia needed to be factored in to the time.

The Kabatoffs did come and visit the Verigins in British Columbia once and there were group gatherings in Saskatchewan that were attended by the old gang from SDYC. There were occasions when we would go to dinner together.

Once Alfred and I did get together at his house after his unfortunate accident and retirement was his only alternative. That was quality time for the two hours we spent together. I asked Alfred about his continuing use of crutches et al and why not get another operation to fix it. Alfred was uncomfortable and had lost his trust in the medical fraternity. He just was not able to make another try.

In 2014 we called the Kabatoffs for a possible dinner date but they were busy and so our last opportunity was lost as Alfred passed away shortly thereafter.

This note is to fondly remember a friend.

Elmer’s writings dated January 06, 2015

In Memory of Bill Zarikoff (deceased November 10, 2014)

I first met Bill as a young man when he took interest in the discussions that were taking place in the late ’60s about the Doukhobors and where Youth was in the future of Doukhobors.

This resulted in the formation of a Castlegar branch of the Doukhobor Youth Discussion Group. The intent of this assembly was to explore all avenues in how the “splintered” groups of Doukhobors could work together on common areas of agreement. This group of some twenty-five members eventually registered under the British Columbia Societies Act as the DCA (Doukhobor Cultural Association) when it became obvious that “Youth” was an aging process and would not be appropriate as a name.

It was the organizing fundamentals of the DCA to have all its members become knowledgeable in parliamentary procedures and using known techniques to become capable of chairing meetings and working constructively in committees so that any objective could be developed with a strong support of the group.
Bill served in all capacities, as Chair, Treasurer and Director during the continuing existence of the DCA of over forty-five years as a functioning group.

During this time the DCA was involved in sponsoring seniors projects under the Doukhobor Benevolent Society with projects constructed in:

• Grand Forks
• Delta
• Castlegar

Bill became very much part of the founding, construction and management of the Rosewood Manor, the twenty unit seniors project on second street in Castlegar, B.C.
Bill can be congratulated for being the organizing Management Committee which was responsible for incorporating the budgets and operating procedures with B.C. Housing that essentially became the successful management for twenty-five years. During this time, the following can be attributed to Bill’s careful administration:

1. Balanced budgets
2. Maintenance program
3. Equipment replacement
4. Housing applications for applicable Tenants
5. Retirement of mortgages
6. Transfer of property back to BC Housing once mortgages were retired

Bill also supported the Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 in its establishment of a Retreat at Whatshan Lake on 208 acres of property. Bill participated in the following:

• Signing Betty and his name along with thirteen other for DCA Members for a loan that was able to fund a $125,000 bid on the estate property initially in 1981
• Careful DCA management to conduct selective logging to retire the debt
• Bill also served as Treasurer once the Whatshan Lake Retreat became a project under construction and for a short time as an operating entity
Bill also participated with the DCA in the following successful efforts:

1. Participating in a yearly Doukhobor Sports Day that was a Fund-raiser
2. Conducting a selective logging operation on the DCA lands at Whatshan that raised over $100,000
3. Distributing funds to many worthy recipients including
a. Student Scholarships
i. Selkirk College
ii. Stanley Humphries High School
b. Third World child support
c. Hospice
d. Canadian Red Cross
4. Whatshan various needs
5. $50,000 feasibility study that was a precursor to launching the Grandview Housing Project
6. Castlegar Health projects
a. Hospital Foundation
b. Talarico

Bill eventually settled with Betty at Grandview by purchasing a duplex unit. He resided in this unit until his passing.

There was a lighter side to Bill as a model in various fashions shows Betty would enter him at the DCA social events. He enjoyed good jokes!

Bill was always a good neighbor and a friend!

He was honest, very dependable and trustworthy

Elmer’s writings dated January 02, 2015

This year was a combination of health challenges for Marilyn and good news stories in the results:
1. Breast Cancer – clean bill of health follow ups
2. Min-stroke – no noticeable changes in health as a result
3. virus Infection in the Eye – successful treatment
4. Peripheral vision issues – no change

Elmer and Marilyn continue to respond well to the Pure North Health Maintenance recommendations and are feeling very good for our age. So now our health is now off the agenda for this year’s story

We now have twelve families and two Teenagers that make up our growing tribe. All are actively pursuing their goals in life successfully and enjoying good health. We could not possibly be more thankful for all these very important gifts that have been afforded us.

Some notable events n our family:
• Another college grad
• The first Masters pending grad
• Another thinking of starting a Masters Program
• Two more entries into College
• A two year old Great Grandson that can almost drive
• Rumors are that another may be on the way
• Career promotions abound
• Everyone has jobs
• A wedding in 2015 with others potentially to follow
• Another High School grad
• Our last entry into High School
• A Great Grandfather who continues to pursue his enjoyable career
• Another very happy house owner

Our real lives are still filled with experiences that seem to add humor and spice that never seem to stop to make us “scratch our heads”:
• We now will park our car in Pelly when we visit sister Mary in Benito (ask Mary why)
• The “musical” locks on our car doors that make it very exciting as we never know which door will not open under any circumstances
• The car heater switch that can only be turned off when the driver’s door is opened
• Our hearing aids and glasses that keep moving from where we left them but are eventually found in mysterious places around the house
• The dastardly TV controller that keeps hiding on us
• “Mice” that keeping eating chocolate bars, candies and other goodies that Marilyn hides but somehow disappear
• Credit cards, passports and other vital information that are “stolen” for weeks at a time but “someone” puts them back just when the RCMP were being contacted
• A neighbor continually leaving our garage lights on
• No matter how many garage sales Marilyn has, the accumulation of “prized possessions” continue to multiply
• The designed empty crawl space has been inundated with cardboard boxes so that maintenance crews are unable to service our furnace

We are very thankful for our family and friends. We are always ready to have another visit. Do drop by!

Marilyn finally has her kitchen table and chairs. Do come and break bread with us!

Elmer and Marilyn

Sometimes we are concerned when young people say they will go to the “End of the Earth” to get to know the World and experience life. So six weeks ago they set off for Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

This is likely better than two years of University credits!

Here is what they have to say about their trip so far. (I was not able to transfer the pictures which are referred to in their Facebook entry). This was forwarded to Gramps and Granny by his mother Nona,

From: Garrett Kucher [mailto:kucher16@me.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 10:29 PM
To: Kucher Nona TRAIL
Subject: my experience

Hi family,
I’m almost 6 weeks into the trip and Santana and I are having the trip of a lifetime. I just wanted to say hi to everyone because I miss you guys so much and Christmas is coming, unfortunately I will be on the islands of Thailand and anyone is more then welcome to join us! 🙂 Anyways, I feel I should share some of the experiences and things I’ve learned along the way with whoever would like to read. ( sorry about the grammar and run on sentences Kayla and Allie) I’m in a small cafe on the side of the street in Battanbang Cambodia stealing the wifi so I’m writing this as quick as I can. I’m not sure where to start but I will tell you some things and my thoughts about them.

Eating in Vietnam- if you want to know exactly what your eating, only eat vegetable pho. It is the best thing in the world, but once you get something else I’m not even kidding it’s a flip of the coin wether it’s dog or cat( I’ve never had chicken that looked or tasted like this so this is my guess). The butchers on the side of the road just lay all the meet on a table in 35 degree weather all day, you can buy anything you want, cat, dog, turtle, snake, eye, buffalo nose, chicken feet

Dining- when you use something or it’s garbage everyone just throws it on the ground, napkins in restaurants get thrown on the ground, trash is literally everywhere.
Transportation- everyone rides scooters, in Hanoi there is 6 million people and 5 million bikes, I’ll show you the video of trying to cross the street when I get home if anyone would like to see!, they carry everything on bikes, up to 5 people, kids ride on them and everything, babies just get held in between the parents, and kids under the age of 6 don’t wear helmets because it could “hurt their neck”.

anyways that’s just a brief touch of Vietnam it’s tough to really explain how everything is but it’s honestly like being on a different planet, I’ve never experienced anything even close to this before that’s why I’m sharing this crazy eye opening trip. I’ll touch up on Cambodia after we finish the temples and get into Thailand.

I’ve never seen or imagined that anyone can be this poor, from living In wood huts and eating rice and fish they catch, and just going to the washroom where ever they are close too it’s all so crazy, the kids are all just naked in Cambodia playing in the mud and dirt. Here is a house that a mother and 3 babies live in

Seeing all this stuff has really changed my outlook on life and how fortunate I am to even just have a house and family to go home too, the kids play with a beat up old soccer ball for all hours of the day because that’s literally all they have, they all sleep in hammocks outside their huts. Santana and I have chose to rough it like I mean really rough it to get the experience of having nothing, we have stayed in 1$-6$ hostels and a couple decent rooms along the way, but I’m telling you it’s not very fun having the runs for three weeks and this is your toilet

or waking up and having to go shower using this

it honestly blows my mind to see all this people that have nothing at all and still when you walk by them or come to give them something they have the biggest smile on their face, for example we were on a bus from Kampot to Phnom Phen the other day and we had a tray of cookies so I leaned forward and gave two cookies to two middle aged Cambodian men and they didn’t stop saying thank you and staring at me, it was like they have never had a cookie before. Don’t get me wrong their is a lot of nice places and people with lots of money over this way but it’s very scarce, majority of the country is dirt poor. I’m not even half way through this trip and I can say that is has changed my outlook on life in many many different ways, I’m so thankful to have all of you and we are so lucky to have a family like this, oh ya and gramps, I don’t know what you would do if you saw what a construction site looked like over here haha, anyways if anyone wants to FaceTime or catch up at anytime just Facebook me and hopefully we can find a time, I think I’m 15 hours ahead over here, love you all very much and I hope everyone is doing awesome have a great holiday season.

One last thing, Nigel I’m so proud of you brother, I heard you had a great opportunity tonight and you just killed it!!! Good for you cousin! Keep rockin it!

Love everyone very much hope to talk to all very soon

Love Gus

PETER VERIGIN TRIBUTE
(Deceased August30, 2014)

Peter Verigin comes from a special fraternity nicknamed: “The Fabulous Fourteen”. With great pride, I too, have membership in the group of first cousins born to brothers Bill, John, Sam and sisters Polly and Anne, all children of Vasyl and Auxuta Verigin.

Interestingly enough, the original family started out living communally on the original homestead, five miles North of Veregin. Peter played with his cousins Mildred, Mike, Lawrence, Russel until the decision was reached that Bill, John and Sam would leave the homestead to George, Alex and Anne and raise their families on their own.

That original kinship continued over the years with the fourteen cousins so that everyone considered themselves as brothers and sisters rather than cousins. We have now lost five (5) of this group.

So some stories that I recall about Peter include:
1. Tolstoi School was the educational hub of many of these cousins with an unbeatable school softball team. Some of these alumini are present here and can attest to how formidable this team was at all the school track meets including the Regional Meet at Kamsack. Peter was the Catcher and Sam the Pitcher they became able to predict what each were going to do. With the support of teacher MacLaughlin, they perfected skills that were unusual in a rural community
2. Peter and cousin Sam carried on their compatibility to cooking and realized that butter must be used in a pan when frying potatoes after inundating the kitchen with smoke
And so years went by and families grew along with the maturing of friendships beyond the blood relationship. I would classify my personal kinship with Peter was to total love which extended to my wife Marilyn and then to all my children who became attached to all Peter and Evelyn’s offspring. This continues to this day.

Peter also had total confidence in his sons that was demonstrated a few years ago when I had asked Jason Morozoff if I could meditate in his White Sand River Retreat. Jason was not so sure about his uncle’s ability to challenge the Beavers, Bear, Ticks and Mosquitoes and had taken the precaution to ask David and Tim to keep an eye on me.

I was leaving one day and decided to clean up. Cleaning up meant emptying the spent ashes from the stove and barb-b-q. Being an Environmentalist of sorts I decided that dumping in the river was not as good an idea as spreading them in the ravine across the road as fire remains assist plant growth. This followed by a trip into Veregin to the Drop-in Centre to join Peter and his friends and learn all about Philosophy and the History of Veregin.

On my way back I saw smoke and realized that there may have been embers that were encouraged by the wind to burn the dead grass that was below the spring grass. I called Peter for help and got Tim. David followed sometime later by Peter on his van. Peter never even got out of the van after seeing that his sons were in control of the situation and just proceeded to return home.

Now that was confidence!

That was definitely confirmed when David causally remarked after the fire was out and we were dousing the flames inside us with a beer “so what will you do for excitement this afternoon?”

Yes there will always be pleasant memories that will be recalled.

Cousin Elmer