Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark591

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Commercial building.

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

3 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 12771

Enactment Date: 19/04/2010

Description: Commercial building.

Heritage Value: While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.

Locality: Vancouver Heights

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Willingdon Heights Area

Community: Burnaby

Names: Helen's Childrens Wear

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Street Address: 4142 Hastings Street

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign at night, 2010 (View from the west. Other). Copyright: City of Burnaby.. . thumbnail

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign from the east, 2013. thumbnail

BBY-4142-Hastings-c1975-502-1441 thumbnail

Andy Digney Film

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85335

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1934 and 1961]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 optical discs (approx. 2 hrs, 40 min) : digital, b&w, col., si.

Scope and Content: Item is a collection of 18 short films on DVD. These films were created by Andy Digney using his 8 mm camera and provide views of the Digney family gatherings, trips, vacations at home and abroad. They also provide glimpses of Burnaby parades, celebrations and the Digney Speedway. The 18 segments h…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1934 and 1961]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Physical Description: 2 optical discs (approx. 2 hrs, 40 min) : digital, b&w, col., si.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 562-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2014-04

Scope and Content: Item is a collection of 18 short films on DVD. These films were created by Andy Digney using his 8 mm camera and provide views of the Digney family gatherings, trips, vacations at home and abroad. They also provide glimpses of Burnaby parades, celebrations and the Digney Speedway. The 18 segments have all been described at item level.

Subjects: Animals - Dogs; Recreational Activities - Fishing; Recreational Activities - Camping; Recreational Activities - Picnics; Geographic Features - Rivers; Events - Parades

Names: Digney, Andy; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Creator: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film; The original 8mm film footage was digitized and broken down into 18 segments, reflecting the original order. Items are described as 562-003-1 : 562-003-18

Burnaby Heights Square Dance club

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription76939

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), digitally copied 2012

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : col. ; 300ppi

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Burnaby Heights Square Dance club. The location has not been identified.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), digitally copied 2012

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History project series

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : col. ; 300ppi

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 549-069

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2012-30

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Burnaby Heights Square Dance club. The location has not been identified.

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Dancing

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Original spelling of surname "Stiglish" was "Stiglich"

Images

Burnaby Heights Square Dance club, [195-] (date of original), digitally copied 2012 thumbnail

Helen and Jack Stiglish

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription76940

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), digitally copied 2012

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : col. ; 300ppi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Helen and Jack Stiglish in square dance outfits. Helen and Jack were part of the Burnaby Heights Square Dance club.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), digitally copied 2012

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History project series

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : col. ; 300ppi

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 549-070

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2012-30

Scope and Content: Photograph of Helen and Jack Stiglish in square dance outfits. Helen and Jack were part of the Burnaby Heights Square Dance club.

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Dancing

Names: Stiglish, F.J. "Jack"; Stiglish, Helen

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Original spelling of surname "Stiglish" was "Stiglich"

Images

Helen and Jack Stiglish, [195-] (date of original), digitally copied 2012 thumbnail

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory542

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1947-1976

Length: 00:09:36

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the functions at the “Gai Paree”, including its popularity as a wedding reception venue; how customers circumvented the 1950’s restrictive liquor laws; and the kinds of clubs in Burnaby in the 1950’s

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the functions at the “Gai Paree”, including its popularity as a wedding reception venue; how customers circumvented the 1950’s restrictive liquor laws; and the kinds of clubs in Burnaby in the 1950’s

Date Range: 1947-1976

Photo Info: Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712

Length: 00:09:36

Names: Gai Paree Supper Club

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Dancing; Legal System

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: April 4, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.

Total Tracks: 10

Total Length: 00:56:44

Interviewee Name: Morin, Severin "Sev"

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Images

Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%206.mp3

School room at Oakalla

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38146

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.6 x 4.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a school room at Oakalla Prison Farm. Men are seated at desks, and a student and teacher are at the blackboard standing beside a map. A list of words is on the blackboard.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.6 x 4.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-733

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a school room at Oakalla Prison Farm. Men are seated at desks, and a student and teacher are at the blackboard standing beside a map. A list of words is on the blackboard.

Subjects: Documentary Artifacts - Maps; Buildings - Public - Detention Facilities; Buildings - Schools; Occupations - Teachers

Names: Oakalla Prison Farm

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Negative has a pink cast

Geographic Access: Oakmount Crescent

Street Address: 5220 Oakmount Crescent

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Oakalla Area

Images

School room at Oakalla, [195-] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Interview with Janet White May 10, 2005 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4370

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [195-] (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:03:12 min)

Scope and Content: Track 1: This portion of the recording pertains to Janet White’s school years and the activities and sports she participated in, formally and informally. She lived near 6th and Edmonds St., and then in the Cascades area, by Nithsdale St., and attended Schou Elementary. She attended many schools as …

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Growing Up in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:03:12 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Janet White Date of interview: May 10, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 8 Total length of all Tracks: 0:31:34

Scope and Content: Track 1: This portion of the recording pertains to Janet White’s school years and the activities and sports she participated in, formally and informally. She lived near 6th and Edmonds St., and then in the Cascades area, by Nithsdale St., and attended Schou Elementary. She attended many schools as soon as they were built, attending Gilmore Avenue, then Cascade Heights, Alpha Junior High, Moscrop Secondary, and finally Burnaby Central Secondary. Play was unstructured, with the Cascades bush and the tunnel parallel to and going under Smith Avenue being favourite places to play.

History: Recording of an interview with Janet White recording by Tom Gooden on May 10 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1950s.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Schools; Sports; Recreational Activities

Names: Gooden, Tom; White, Janet; Schou Street School; Gilmore Avenue School; Cascade Heights Elementary School; Alpha Secondary School; Moscrop Secondary School; Burnaby Central Secondary School

Geographic Access: 6th Street; Edmonds Street

Accession Code: BV017.45.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [195-] (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Media Type: Sound Recording

Planning Study Area: Cascade-Schou Area

Audio Tracks

Interview with Janet White May 10, 2005 - Track 1, [195-] (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0001_001.mp3

Story time

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription52968

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1957 and 1968]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Tinkerbell Kindergarten class sitting in their classroom in small wooden chairs, with the front row sitting on the carpet, for "story time". One child stands up and points to the book as the adult reading leans in and listens to his comment as she holds the book up for everyone to…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1957 and 1968]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Tinkerbell Kindergarten subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 246-008

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1990-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Tinkerbell Kindergarten class sitting in their classroom in small wooden chairs, with the front row sitting on the carpet, for "story time". One child stands up and points to the book as the adult reading leans in and listens to his comment as she holds the book up for everyone to see.

Subjects: Buildings - Schools; Documentary Artifacts - Books

Names: Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Ellesmere Avenue; Hastings Street

Street Address: 300 Ellesmere Avenue North

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Images

Story time, [between 1957 and 1968] thumbnail

Men with fishing rods in Simpsons-Sears

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17418

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 5 May 1954

Collection/Fonds: Simpsons-Sears Limited Burnaby fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of three unidentified men looking at fishing rods inside the Simpsons-Sears store in Burnaby on opening day, May 5, 1954. Two of the men are holding fishing rods and a display of fishing rods is visible on the wall behind them.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Simpsons-Sears Limited Burnaby fonds

Series: Simpsons-Sears scrapbook series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of three unidentified men looking at fishing rods inside the Simpsons-Sears store in Burnaby on opening day, May 5, 1954. Two of the men are holding fishing rods and a display of fishing rods is visible on the wall behind them.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Department Stores; Recreational Activities - Fishing; Events - Openings

Names: Simpsons-Sears Limited

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4750 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV021.26.164

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 5 May 1954

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2022-07-08

Photographer: On-The-Spot Photographers

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph was removed from original scrapbook that included photographs, newspaper clippings, textual records and ephemera; Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "ON-THE-SPOT PHOTOGRAPHERS / NEW WESTMINSTER B.C."

Images

Men with fishing rods in Simpsons-Sears, 5 May 1954 thumbnail

Bonsor Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37282

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Bonsor Hall (formerly the Kingsway West School). A note on the back of the photograph reads: "The Old Bonsor Hall - Formerly Kingsway W. School as in Burnaby Courier." The photograph was taken by the Burnaby Courier newspaper ca. 1958.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Norah Code subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 345-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1997-05

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Bonsor Hall (formerly the Kingsway West School). A note on the back of the photograph reads: "The Old Bonsor Hall - Formerly Kingsway W. School as in Burnaby Courier." The photograph was taken by the Burnaby Courier newspaper ca. 1958.

Subjects: Buildings - Recreational - Community Halls; Buildings - Schools

Names: Bonsor Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Code, Norah

Notes: Title based on caption.; Photographs in this collection were taken and compiled by Norah Code, former editor of the "Burnaby Courier" newspaper during the course of her work for the newspaper.

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4800 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Old Bonsor Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37281

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the old Kingsway West school building which also served as the Bonsor Hall.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Norah Code subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 345-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1997-05

Scope and Content: Photograph of the old Kingsway West school building which also served as the Bonsor Hall.

Subjects: Buildings - Recreational - Community Halls; Buildings - Schools

Names: Kingsway West School; Bonsor Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Code, Norah

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photographs in this collection were taken and compiled by Norah Code, former editor of the "Burnaby Courier" newspaper during the course of her work for the newspaper.

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4800 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

At the Gai Paree Supper Club

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66396

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: March 6, 1952

Collection/Fonds: Grieve family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm, mounted in card ; 12.5 x 33.5 cm, folded to 12.5 x 17 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of William Ewart "Bill" Grieve sitting at a table at the Gai Paree Supper Club with Clifford G. Brown. The four other individuals at the table have not been identified.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: March 6, 1952

Collection/Fonds: Grieve family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm, mounted in card ; 12.5 x 33.5 cm, folded to 12.5 x 17 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 523-010

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2011-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of William Ewart "Bill" Grieve sitting at a table at the Gai Paree Supper Club with Clifford G. Brown. The four other individuals at the table have not been identified.

Subjects: Events - Parties

Names: Grieve, William Ewart "Bill"; Brown, Clifton Gilbert, 1889-1960; Gai Paree Supper Club

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on recto of card mount reads: "2004 January I believe the Gai Paree has disappeared"; Notes inside card on recto of photograph mount read: "Maybe wartime?", "Bill Grieve, Chair of Burnaby School Bd circa 1955?" and "Clifford [sic] G. Brown, a school superintendent after whom a Pool named by Burnaby Lake"

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 6669 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Donnie's birthday

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79625

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1955

Collection/Fonds: Yanko family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the celebration for Donnie Yanko's birthday. Rhonda Yanko, Kenny Yanko, Donnie Yanko, Sherrie Yanko and Carol Yanko are sitting together on a couch. A cake with one lit candle is on the floor directly in front of Donnie. Siblings Kenny, Donnie and Carol Yanko are cousins to Sherrie an…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1955

Collection/Fonds: Yanko family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Material Details: Secured to album page with photo corners

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 545-204

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2012-09

Scope and Content: Photograph of the celebration for Donnie Yanko's birthday. Rhonda Yanko, Kenny Yanko, Donnie Yanko, Sherrie Yanko and Carol Yanko are sitting together on a couch. A cake with one lit candle is on the floor directly in front of Donnie. Siblings Kenny, Donnie and Carol Yanko are cousins to Sherrie and Rhonda Yanko.

Subjects: Events - Parties

Names: Yanko, Rhonda; Yanko, Kenny; Bayntun, Charmaine "Sherrie" Yanko; Yanko, Donnie; Yanko, Carol

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note written on album page reads: "1955 / Donnie's birthday / Rhonda / Kenney [sic] / Donnie / Sherrie / Carol"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Rhonda Kenny Donnie Sherrie + Carol / Donnie's Birthday"

Geographic Access: Broadway

Planning Study Area: Sperling-Broadway Area

Images

Gai Paree Supper Club

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36075

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: November 21, [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 13 cm (sight), mounted on green paper 33 x 12 .5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of men and women sitting at a table at the Gai Paree Supper Club. Wine, beer and scotch bottles line the table.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: November 21, [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Ephemera subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 13 cm (sight), mounted on green paper 33 x 12 .5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 219-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1989-16

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of men and women sitting at a table at the Gai Paree Supper Club. Wine, beer and scotch bottles line the table.

Subjects: Events - Parties

Names: Gai Paree Supper Club

Media Type: Photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 6669 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Images

Gai Paree Supper Club, November 21, [1955] thumbnail

Group at Gai Paree Super Club

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64878

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: March 25, 1950

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13 cm (sight), in card 12.5 x 35.5 cm folded to 15.5 x 17.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a large group of people at the Gai Paree Supper Club. George Grant and his wife are identified as the second and third from the right in the first row; all other individuals are unidentified.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: March 25, 1950

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Richard Hardy family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13 cm (sight), in card 12.5 x 35.5 cm folded to 15.5 x 17.5 cm

Material Details: Photograph is housed inside a souvenir card

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 312-005

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1993-09

Scope and Content: Photograph of a large group of people at the Gai Paree Supper Club. George Grant and his wife are identified as the second and third from the right in the first row; all other individuals are unidentified.

Subjects: Events - Parties

Names: Gai Paree Supper Club; Grant, George Jr.

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Hoyer Studios

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Front cover of souvenir card reads: "Souvenir Photo / Gai Paree Supper Club / on Kingsway / Your Friendly Inter City Rendezvous / DEx. 4505 / Between Vancouver & New Westminster, B.C. Canada / Featuring Rudy Morin & His Orchestra / Canada's Liveliest Band"; Inside front cover of souvenir card reads: "Hoyer Studios / 2321 Kingsway (Burnaby, B.C.) Canada / Photographers / Gai Paree Provides Free Personal Table Cards For Birthdays & Anneversaries [sp] / To reorder No. Scouts / Have this Photo Enlarged to any size / Phone Particulars DEx. 4504"; Photographers name on recto of mat reads: "Hoyer Studios"

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 6669 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Images

Group at Gai Paree Super Club, March 25, 1950 thumbnail

Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19604

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their p…

1 image 1 audio

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., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah Location of Interview: Nalliah family home Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 68 min., 6 sec. 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: Ruth (Angela) Nalliah with husband Samuel Nalliah WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this interview (00:40:58 – 00:57:31) regarding the Tamil genocide may be upsetting to some people.

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their parentage, place of birth (Sri Lanka), spoken language and education. Sam Nalliah shares details on his education while living in Sri Lanka, his later education in Wales where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and his migration to Halifax in 1978 after obtaining a job at Dalhousie University as a systems analyst. Sam conveys how he decided to relocate from Halifax to Vancouver in 1986 and started his employment with BC Tel. Angela Nalliah shares details on her education and employment after immigrating to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1986. Angela conveys how she first lived in Ottawa, moved to Toronto in 1989 where she began working for TD bank and moved to Vancouver in 1999. 00:13:31 – 00:20:03 Sam Nalliah talks about how he and his wife Angela first met and married in 1999 and moved to Vancouver. Sam shares information on where his other family members immigrated to and why he decided to immigrate to Canada. Angela shares information on other members of her family who immigrated to Canada before her and how her uncle sponsored them all to come. 00:20:04 – 00:29:30 Sam provides further details regarding his family make up including; his first wife, his daughters (born in 1983 and 1985), his step daughter (born in 1991) and his youngest daughter (born in 2000). Sam tells how he worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Sam provides locations of homes that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver. Sam and Angela describe what they liked about living in Burnaby, where their daughter attended school and where they did their shopping. 00:29:31 – 00:32:11 Angela talks about working for Prospera Credit Union from 2003 after TD bank downsized. Sam describes how they rented out their house in Vancouver and lived in a rental home in Burnaby that was owned by the City of Burnaby. Sam and Angela recollect the time period that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver before deciding to move to Surrey in 2015. 00:32:12 – 00:35:59 Sam and Angela provide details regarding their daughter’s post-secondary education and careers. Angela talks about her social activities, volunteer work and involvement with the Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia, the Women’s Network as well as the Westminster Bible Chapel Church in Burnaby and the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church in Surrey. 00:36:00 – 00:40:57 Sam recalls hearing Prime Minster Pierre Elliott Trudeau speak about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at Dalhousie University and the effect that his speech made on him. Sam talks about joining the National Democratic Party when Peter Julian was elected as a Member of Parliament for Burnaby. 00:40:58 – 00:57:31 (WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this portion of the interview may be upsetting to some people) Sam and Angela speak about their involvement with the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC). Angela describes the brutal violence that she witnessed while living in Sri Lanka during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide in the 1980’s. Sam and Angela recollect and discuss their views and actions pertaining to the MV Sun Sea incident where a Thai cargo ship carrying Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to British Columbia were identified as terrorists by the Canadian Government and held in detention facilities. 00:57:32 – 01:08:07 Sam reflects on what he likes about Burnaby. Angela and Sam talk about Hindu temples attended by many Tamil and Sri Lankan people living in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Angela talks about the many cultural events and celebrations that are celebrated within the Tamil and Sri Lankan community including the Pongal Festival. Angela and Sam reflect on how grateful they are to be residents of Canada.

History: Interviewees biographies: Samuel (Sam) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1949. Sam immigrated to Halifax in 1977 after obtaining a position as a systems analyst at Dalhousie University. In 1986, Sam sponsored his parents to come to Canada. In 1986, after being introduced to the milder weather in Victoria, Sam decided to move to British Columbia. He moved to Burnaby in 1990 and began working for BC Tel in Burnaby. Following his job at BC Tel, Sam worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Ruth (Angela) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1964 and immigrated to Canada in 1986. As a Tamil living in Sri Lanka in the 1980’s Angela witnessed first hand the brutal violence during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide. In 1986 Angela was relieved to be able to immigrate to Canada after being sponsored by her uncle. Angela first lived and worked in Ottawa and Toronto before marrying Samuel Nalliah in Ottawa in 1999 and the couple moved to Burnaby. Angela worked for TD bank in both Toronto and Vancouver until it downsized in 2003 and she began working for Prospero Credit Union. While living in Burnaby, Angela attended the Westminster Bible Chapel and after moving to Surrey she became a member of the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church. Sam and Angela Nalliah have four daughters and since moving to British Columbia they’ve lived in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey. Both Sam and Angela are involved with the Tamil Cultural Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) as well as participates in Sri Lankan and Tamil community cultural events. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Events - Festivals; Government; Government - Federal Government; Migration; Occupations; Organizations - Political Parties; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions; Religions - Christianity; Religions - Hinduism; Rights; Rights - Human Rights; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues - Discrimination

Names: Nalliah, Ruth "Angela"; Nalliah, Samuel "Sam"; Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC); Westminster Bible Chapel; Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia (TCSBC)

Responsibility: Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.16.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah, 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0008_003.mp3

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory544

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1947-1990

Length: 00:03:38

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s many photographs of people and events held at his restaurant, and his political activities, including his interest in running for the federal Liberals in 1979 and 1988.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s many photographs of people and events held at his restaurant, and his political activities, including his interest in running for the federal Liberals in 1979 and 1988.

Date Range: 1947-1990

Photo Info: Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712

Length: 00:03:38

Names: Liberal Party

Subjects: Elections; Events - Parties

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: April 4, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.

Total Tracks: 10

Total Length: 00:56:44

Interviewee Name: Morin, Severin "Sev"

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.