This week, instead of writing about a senior, I would like to invite you to attend a local heritage speaker series at the Prince George Public Library to listen to four amazing local seniors who will give their perspective on the early years of Prince George as a part of a pioneer panel discussion.
What exactly is a pioneer? The dictionary describes a pioneer as a person who is among those who first enter or settle a region, thus opening it for occupation and development by others; one of the first to open, take part in the beginnings of or prepare a settlement.
The free to the public panel on Oct. 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. is being called a pioneer panel discussion and I am proud to say that I have been invited to have the panel discussion focus on my new book entitled People of Prince George - the Foundation of our Community.
I have selected the following people from my Citizen columns in this book to sit in on this panel and share their stories about early Prince George.
Former Mayor Colin Kinsley will talk from his political point of view, 71 year Northern Hardware employee Hilliard Clare will of course talk about the Northern Hardware's successes and growth over the years, sports enthusiast Dick Voneugen will dwell on sports and Noreen Rustad, who is now the Rustad family pioneer since the passing of her mother Bea Dezell, will give some family history. The Rustad family, for example, has been a huge part of the sawmilling heritage of Prince George since 1947 and the Dezell family started in the construction business around that same point in time.
These four interesting and entertaining panelist swill participate in the event held at the Prince George Public Library. You won't want to miss this discussion.
The local history series is possible because of a partnership with the Prince George Public Library and the Prince George Heritage Commission. This event, under the direction of Darcie Smith, the community outreach librarian is their third in a series of three local history events.
Now about the book: I have gifted my book People of Prince George - the Foundation of our Community to the Prince George Community Foundation and all proceeds from the sale of the book go directly to the Prince George Community Foundation.
The president of the foundation, Teresa Saunders explains, "The Prince George Community Foundation, founded in 1995, is an independent, volunteer driven, charitable organization that brings together people who care about their community. We are a member of the Community Foundations of Canada, the Prince George Community Foundation facilitates philanthropy, by partnering with donors to build permanent endowment funds that support community projects.
"The Foundation offers you the unique opportunity to support your community and to share in shaping its future by pooling and investing the charitable gifts of our donors. Gifts and bequests are accumulated in a permanent trust fund managed by a highly skilled team of professionals. Investment income is allocated carefully and responsibly to charitable organizations committed to enhancing the quality of life in our community."
Copies of the book are being sold at The Citizen, Books and Co, Studio 2880 gift shop, Two Rivers Art Gallery, Exploration Place, Child Development Centre, Railway & Forestry Museum, Tourism Prince George, University Hospital of Northern BC Auxiliary gift shop, W D West and Van Horlicks Trophies and Gifts.
A special thank you goes out to all of these groups who have contributed to the success of the book. It will make a great Christmas gift for friends, family and your staff in support of the Prince George Community Foundation.
There will be two door prizes at the library event: Noreen Rustad will offer up one of her mother's cookbooks; a collection of the favourite recipes of Bea Dezell and the Prince George Community Foundation has donated a copy of People of Prince George - the Foundation of our Community.
Autographed books will be available for purchase at the library event and again at the Prince George Community Foundation's Citizens of the Year event on Thursday, Oct.12.
The casual pioneer panel event at the library is free, registration is not required and you do not need to show a library card so come out and enjoy the discussion and ask questions. Take your family to the library for an evening out - there will be snacks, coffee and tea served and there will be two door prizes plus you can purchase an autographed copy of our book.
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The Prince George Council of Seniors will be holding their second annual fundraising dinner and trivia competition on Saturday at the Hart Pioneer Centre, 6986 Hart Highway. The doors open at 5 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the competition fun will go on all evening. Tickets are $25 each and are available at the Seniors Resource Centre, 721 Victoria Street.
If you would like to enter a team of four fun loving competitors just phone the Resource Centre at 250-564-5888.
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September birthdays that I know about: Christine Hinzman, Alberto Sultano, Clarence Wigmore, Claude Bussieres, Eva Werlberger, John Werlberger, Roberta Barnes, Ernesteen McNeil, Colin Blair, Vi Merritt, Alan Thorp, Joellen Burgess, Velma Wortman, Karin Burke, Irene Rigler, Mike Bundock, Len Shankel, Ernie Myers, Vern Wright, Bill Palmer, Mike Padalec, Mary Campbell, Ray Lougheed, Anita Robertson, Bill MacIver, Roberta Johansen, Gerda Korolek, Marie Moore, Marie Trew, Linton Walker, Russell Padalec, Kelly Ashton, Betty Anne Brittons, Marcella Dunbar, Howard Orser, Jason Shankel, Ken Royston, Diane Bock, John Row, Celestina Johnson, Esko Karlson, Dorathy Cormack, Dan Clay, Leo Manning, Marie Harmon, Mary Jane Campbell, Velma Senner, Lester Pearson, Benita Karlson, Linda Iverson, Herb Bosham and 98 years for Eva St. Pierre.
Anniversaries for September that I know about: 63 years for Jack and Louise Little, 62 years for George and Hilda Lippke, 62 years for Bob and Marvina Nikkel, 60 years for Svend and Julia Serup, 58 years for Arnold and Leona (Buchi) Nyberg, 52 years for Dave and Doreen Erickson, 51 years for Roland and Barbara Chartrand, 50 years for Carlos and Mildred Green and 44 years for Denis and Shirley Dunkley.
