Today I selected two special birthdays to highlight from my list of those celebrating their birthdays this month.
In August of 2015, I wrote about Lindy (Lyndon) and Roberta Barnes. Lindy was born in 1928, grew up in Trochu, Alta. and completed his welding training in Vancouver. It was during this time in Vancouver that he was introduced to Roberta Swan. The young couple married in 1952 - that was 68 years ago.
After a 37-year career as a welder, mechanical technician and working in pipeline maintenance for major pipeline companies, Lindy retired in 1993.
The young couple moved to Prince George in 1969 and have been here ever since.
Lindy has an extensive woodworking hobby and specializes in building miniature barns, prairie grain elevators and miniature log houses, many of which also serve as indoor or out door decorations and as mailboxes.
He has been a member of the Masonic Lodge for nearly 55 years and both Lindy and Roberta have been members of the Order of the Eastern Star since 1967.
Lindy recently turned 91 and once again concludes his story with this explanation: "When I was born my dad specifically chose my name as Lyndon after Charles Lindberg. Lindberg was nicknamed Lucky Lindy and my dad hung that name on me. It is true, I was lucky because I married the sweetest, prettiest girl in the world. We have three children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Life is good, we are thankful for our family, our many friends and for each and every day."
My second selection, from a column in January of 2018, is Esther (Hamblin) Creuzot. Esther was born in Bottineau, North Dakota in 1921; she was four years old when her parents moved to Canada to homestead property in LeRoy, Sask.
After high school, she started her nurse training at the Bottineau Hospital. Esther said, "I met Henry James Creuzot at a dance. He was my knight in shining armour and the love of my life.
"We moved to Prince George in 1951 with the intention of only staying here for two years. When we came to Prince George, we arrived with literally nothing. Henry went into the construction business and built houses and apartment buildings and then our family home where I still live today."
There have now been three generations of the Creuzot family involved in the construction industry here in Prince George.
Esther and Henry were married for 70 years when sadly Henry passed away in 2014.
Esther recently turned 98 years old.
I would like to wish both Esther and Lindy a very special happy birthday.
For their complete stories just check out my books; People of Prince George - the Foundation of our Community volume I and volume II at Books and Company. All proceeds from the books go to the Prince George Community Foundation.
Other October birthdays that I know about: Kelly Flath, Emma Mauro, Barbara Chartrand, Dave Mazurak, Helen Green, Alda Russman, May Hickson, Florent Foucher, Kathleen Haynes, Pam Boulding, Minnie Meier, Myrna Krekoski, Janice Taylor, John Broderick, Pietje Kragt, Joe Chartrand, Frank Sarrazin, Judy Shul, Bill Mintenko, Cameron Sutherland, Robbyn Unruh, Sally Rosevear, Yvonne Rowe, Don McLaughlin, Bobbi Pringle, Bertha Orydzuk, Otto Kedl, Pat Husberg, Shirley Smith, Ann Miller, Henry Engelsjord, Donna Roach, Larry Rowe, Ute Schuler, Margaret Smith, Don Wilson, Tony Carpino, Christa Hughes, Bill Jones, Hope Humm, Denice Gudlaugson, Irene Fortin, Mike Hein, Magdalene Pudlas, Barbara Phillips, Ann Fitzsimmons, Steve Marynovich, Ida Nikkel, Marie Prentice, Claudette Beauchamp, Ralph Fetterly, Irene Hnatyshen, Susan Lacasse, Gwen Pitts, Synove Dedreu, Gordon Sewell, Terri Phipps, Audrey Ebert, Margaret Schroeder, Shirley Drolet, Patricia Harbak, Jim Morgan, Heather Macintosh, Susan Wood-Levesque, Emily Norum, Gene Hamel and Gus Krauza is 90.
October Anniversaries that I know about: 66 years for John and Ethel Esler, 65 years for Allan and Gladys Thorp, 59 years for Hugo and Ursula Riske, 58 years for Dr. Phil and Jean Staniland, 57 years for Bob and Ruth Reid, 57 years for John and Judy Elmquist, 55 years for Roy and Sandra Goodkey and 50 years for Stan and Linda DeMerchant.
