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![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Environmental Issues
- Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection
- Geographic Features
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Housing
- Occupations
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Occupations - Writers
- Persons - Volunteers
- Persons - Jewish Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Religions
- Religions - Judaism
- Names
- Schwartz, William "Bill"
- Schwartz, Ellen
- City of Burnaby
- Polestar Communications
- British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Images
![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg)
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_003.mp3![Velodrome cycling competition, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1745-2.jpg?width=280)
Velodrome cycling competition
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95994
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of track cycling competitors in action at the Burnaby Velodrome in the Harry Jerome Sports Centre.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 535-1745
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of track cycling competitors in action at the Burnaby Velodrome in the Harry Jerome Sports Centre.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a January 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata for 535-1745-1: "Gina Grain heads for the fastest qualifying time in the Women's 200m, circling the track at the Burnaby Velodrome in 13.84 seconds, at the first races of the Winter track cycling season. Some of the top cyclists from BC, Alberta and the Western United States competed all weekend in timed events, sprint races and keirins."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1745-2: "Jeff Ain bears down as he leads a rival out of the corner in the first round of sprints for the B Group, at the first track races of the Winter cycling season, Saturday at the Burnaby Velodrome. Top cyclists from BC, Alberta and the Western United States competed in three days of sprints, timed events and keirins, on the 200-metre wooden track at the Harry Jerome Sports Centre."
- Geographic Access
- Barnet Road
- Street Address
- 7564 Barnet Road
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
![Velodrome cycling competition, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1745-2.jpg)
![2002 Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships, [2002] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2347.jpg?width=280)
2002 Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96748
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2002]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of DJ Bucher competing on the rings during the Still Rings Junior Men's competition at the 2002 Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships at Copeland Arena.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2002]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2347
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of DJ Bucher competing on the rings during the Still Rings Junior Men's competition at the 2002 Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships at Copeland Arena.
- Subjects
- Sports - Gymnastics
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a May 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "DJ Bucher, of the United States, competes in the Still Rings Junior Mens competition at the 2002 Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships, at Burnaby's Copeland Arena."
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Lake Sports Complex
- Kensington Avenue
- Street Address
- 3676 Kensington Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Ardingley-Sprott Area
Images
![2002 Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships, [2002] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2347.jpg)
![Afghan Association of BC, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2848-1.jpg?width=280)
Afghan Association of BC
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97509
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- File contains a photograph of Zamarai Aziz, Abdul Hakim Nazeem, Abdurrah Ghias, and Abdul Ghafoori, the President of the Afghan Association of BC, standing outdoors and speaking together, and another photograph of an unidentified man.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 535-2848
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- File contains a photograph of Zamarai Aziz, Abdul Hakim Nazeem, Abdurrah Ghias, and Abdul Ghafoori, the President of the Afghan Association of BC, standing outdoors and speaking together, and another photograph of an unidentified man.
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Social Issues
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a September 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Abdul Ghafoori, President of the BC Afghan Association, Zamarai Aziz, Abdul Hakim Nazeem and Abdurrah Ghias, say they're concerned about a backlash against their community as the United States targets their homeland in a war against terrorism."
Images
![Afghan Association of BC, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2848-1.jpg)
![British Columbia Society of Model Engineers, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2635.jpg?width=280)
British Columbia Society of Model Engineers
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97108
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Paul Roy, of the British Columbia Society of Model Engineers, polishing a Model M420 train engine at the Burnaby Central Railway at Confederation Park, ahead of a meeting of the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2635
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Paul Roy, of the British Columbia Society of Model Engineers, polishing a Model M420 train engine at the Burnaby Central Railway at Confederation Park, ahead of a meeting of the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a July 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Paul Roy makes sure his wife's Model M420 train engine is looking its best as the British Columbia Society of Model Engineers prepare to host a meeting of the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers, August 11-14. More than 500 engineers from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, England, Germany and all across the United States and Canada will gather at the park to swap stories and drive their trains."
- Geographic Access
- Confederation Park
- Willingdon Avenue
- Street Address
- 250 Willingdon Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
![British Columbia Society of Model Engineers, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2635.jpg)
![Lindsay Angelo, [2002] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2330.jpg?width=280)
Lindsay Angelo
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96725
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2002]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby Central Secondary School student athlete Lindsay Angelo, posing with a volleyball in the high school's gymnasium.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2002]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2330
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby Central Secondary School student athlete Lindsay Angelo, posing with a volleyball in the high school's gymnasium.
- Subjects
- Persons - Students
- Persons - Athletes
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in an April 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Lindsay Angelo is leaving the confines of Burnaby Central's old gym to play college volleyball in the United States."
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4939 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Lindsay Angelo, [2002] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2330.jpg)
![Oxana Gaidesheva, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2459.jpg?width=280)
Oxana Gaidesheva
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96902
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Oxana Gaidesheva, a student at Maywood Elementary School whose art is the "Arts Alive" exhibition at the Shadbolt Centre, posing with a jar of paintbrushes and an artwork in the background.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2459
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Oxana Gaidesheva, a student at Maywood Elementary School whose art is the "Arts Alive" exhibition at the Shadbolt Centre, posing with a jar of paintbrushes and an artwork in the background.
- Subjects
- Persons - Students
- Arts - Paintings
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a May 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Oxana Gaidesheva, a student at Maywood Elementary School, has had two of her pieces selected for the Arts Alive exhibit at the Shadbolt Centre, and her work has also been exhibited in Kelowna and in the United States."
Images
![Oxana Gaidesheva, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2459.jpg)