Collected by editorial for use in a January 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "Verne Stemo and Penny Christensen work on their samba steps on Monday, during a workshop at the Edmonds Community Centre for Seniors."
This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s volunteer activities with the Swedish Canadian Rest Home Association and Dania Homes Society, which includes giving talks to seniors about Burnaby Mountain parks. She also talks about kinds of accessible activities that people can do on Burna…
This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s volunteer activities with the Swedish Canadian Rest Home Association and Dania Homes Society, which includes giving talks to seniors about Burnaby Mountain parks. She also talks about kinds of accessible activities that people can do on Burnaby Mountain.
Recording is of an interview with Maureen Olofson conducted by Kathy Bossort. Maureen Olofson was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Maureen Olofson’s memories of growing up on her parent’s Burnaby Mountain mink ranch between 1942 and 1950 and about the operation of the farm. She also talks about her parents’ history, her teaching career, and her thoughts about the beauty and value of Burnaby Mountain’s natural area.
Biographical Notes
Maureen Olofson was born 1938 in Glote, Harjedalen, Sweden, to Axel (1906-1998) and Kerstin Margareta (1906-1980). Axel and Kerstin Olofson, who had separately immigrated to Canada in 1928 and 1913 respectively, married in Canada and then returned to Sweden where Maureen was born. They moved to Burnaby in 1942 with their daughters Maureen and Anita Lea, and bought land and a mink ranch on Burnaby Mountain with their partners Gus Skofteby and Karin Ericksson (Kerstin’s sister). The GAK Fur Farm, located in the old Hastings Grove subdivision on 4th Avenue near Curtis Street, was one of the largest mink ranches in BC, an award winning operation with over 1200 mink animals. In 1950 the partners sold the land and the Olofson family moved to rented homes on Sperling Avenue. In 1952 Axel sold the last of his minks and opened a sporting goods store on Hastings Street. In 1954 the family moved to North Vancouver where Axel Olofson reestablished his sports business. Maureen attended Sperling Avenue School from Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 and Burnaby North High School to Gr. 11, completing school in North Vancouver, before going to UBC where she trained as a teacher. She returned to Burnaby in 1977 to teach, retiring in 1997. She is a volunteer with the Swedish Canadian Rest Home Association and the Dania Homes Society. Maureen continues to enjoy activities on Burnaby Mountain and works toward preserving the natural beauty of the mountain.
Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
File contains photographs of The Moore's Milers, a group of seniors that has gathered to exercise and socialize three times a week at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium for 25 years. Photographs depict the group exercising and laughing together in the stadium, and the file also includes a photograph of a l…
File contains photographs of The Moore's Milers, a group of seniors that has gathered to exercise and socialize three times a week at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium for 25 years. Photographs depict the group exercising and laughing together in the stadium, and the file also includes a photograph of a laughter clinic at New Westminster's Century House.
Collected by editorial for use in a May 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata for 535-2349-2: "Betty Bradbury (right) enjoys a joke at the end of the Moore's Milers' exercise session. "It's good to laugh," says Betty."
Caption from metadata for 535-2349-3: "Laughter clinics, like this one at New Westminster's Century House, help seniors keep their mind, and wit, sharp."
Caption from metadata for 535-2349-4: "Hazel Binyon limbers up."
Caption from metadata for 535-2349-5: "Three times a week, for the past 25 years, the Moore's Milers have been gathering exercise and socialize in front of the empty grandstand at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium."
Caption from metadata for 535-2349-6: "Florence Daws, 86, leads the Moore's Milers in stretching exercises. She's one of the oldest members of the club, which has been gathering to work out and socialize three times a week at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium for 25 years."
Collected by editorial for use in a February 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "Auriel Arner and Eira Koch visit with their mother, Ivy Hear, one of five remaining patients waiting to be moved out of the Dogwood Seniors' Home."
Photograph of Kay MacLean, surrounded by flowers and wearing a name tag, and three other unidentified seniors in the garden at an unidentified care home.
Photograph of Kay MacLean, surrounded by flowers and wearing a name tag, and three other unidentified seniors in the garden at an unidentified care home.
File contains photographs of the Community Centred College for the Retired just before the grand opening of its home at the Alan Emmott Centre. Photographs depict Mac Robinson, Delphine Lupis, Babe Diwell, and Pat Wilson in an organ class, and Krystyna Clarke viewing a schedule board with an uniden…
File contains photographs of the Community Centred College for the Retired just before the grand opening of its home at the Alan Emmott Centre. Photographs depict Mac Robinson, Delphine Lupis, Babe Diwell, and Pat Wilson in an organ class, and Krystyna Clarke viewing a schedule board with an unidentified man seated in the background.
Collected by editorial for use in a February 2003 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata for 535-2031-1: "Mac Robinson, Delphine Lupis and Babe Diwell enjoy Pat Wilson's (standing) organ class, at the Community College for the Retired. The College will celebrate its 30th anniversary next Friday by officially opening their new home in the Alan Emmett [sic] Centre."
Caption from metadata for 535-2031-2: "Krystyna Clarke checks the schedule board at the Community College for the Retired. The College will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next Friday with the grand opening of its new home in the Alan Emmett [sic] Centre."
Photograph of Jock, a miniature Schnauzer dog, standing in a room at the Community Centred College for the Retired. In the background, Norma Gibson plays the piano while Millie Wiley watches.
Photograph of Jock, a miniature Schnauzer dog, standing in a room at the Community Centred College for the Retired. In the background, Norma Gibson plays the piano while Millie Wiley watches.
Collected by editorial for use in a March 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: ""Jock," Millie Wiley's three year-old miniature schnauzer, stands guard as she gives a piano lesson to Norma Gibson. Jock has been accompanying Millie to her classes at the Community Centre College for the Retired since he was born."
File contains photographs of residents of the New Vista Seniors' Care Home with Cory, a 20-year-old Arabian horse from Mustang Riding Stables, as part of a therapeutic visit. Photographs depict resident Dorothy Beauchamp with Cory and Joe Milankovics; Mary Scardina with Cory; and Cory's unidentifie…
File contains photographs of residents of the New Vista Seniors' Care Home with Cory, a 20-year-old Arabian horse from Mustang Riding Stables, as part of a therapeutic visit. Photographs depict resident Dorothy Beauchamp with Cory and Joe Milankovics; Mary Scardina with Cory; and Cory's unidentified handlers bringing him to the home as other staff and residents look on.
Collected by editorial for use in a July 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata for 535-2589-1: "Dorothy Beauchamp is thrilled as she's helped down from her ride on Cory, a 20 year-old Arabian, by Joe Milankovics, at the New Vista Seniors Care Home. The horse, from Mustang Riding Stables in Maple Ridge, is making its second annual visit to the home, as therapy for some of its residents."
Caption from metadata for 535-2589-2: "Mary Scardina meets Cory, a 20 year-old Arabian from Mustang Riding Stables in Maple Ridge, at a theraputic visit to the New Vista Seniors Care Home."
Caption from metadata for 535-2589-3: "Cory, a 20 year-old Arabian from the Mustang Riding Stables in Maple Ridge, arrives for a visit at the New Vista Seniors Care Home."
File contains photographs of the Normanna seniors' residence, on 4th Street, and the Cascade Residence at Burnaby Hospital. Photographs depict Keith Anderson and Margaret Douglas-Matthews on Normanna's outdoor patio; senior Ina Soros in her room at Normanna; and resident care aides (unidentified an…
File contains photographs of the Normanna seniors' residence, on 4th Street, and the Cascade Residence at Burnaby Hospital. Photographs depict Keith Anderson and Margaret Douglas-Matthews on Normanna's outdoor patio; senior Ina Soros in her room at Normanna; and resident care aides (unidentified and Taz Hanif) at work in the Cascade Residence.
Collected by editorial for use in a June 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata for 535-2445-1: "Keith Anderson and Margaret Douglas-Matthews, in one of the secured outdoor patios at the new Normanna residence."
Caption from metadata for 535-2445-2: "Ina Soros is able to surround herself with her own personal things in her room at Normanna, including a stuffed cat much like her beloved cat of 15 years, Rusty."
Caption from metadata for 535-2445-3: "At the old Cascade Residence in Burnaby Hospital, storage space is wherever staff can find it, including alcoves in the hallways."
Caption from metadata for 535-2445-4: "Privacy is at a premium in the Cascade Residence at Buranby Hospital. Taz Hanif, a resident care aide at the facility for 23 years, brings new linen for a room that is home to six residents."
Collected by editorial for use in a March 2003 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "The Mellowdares, featuring Irene Kyle on the piano, practise Wednesday afternoon in the basement of Edmonds Senior Centre for a concert coming up April 9 at Fairhaven in the seniors' homes."
Collected by editorial for use in a January 2003 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "Maria Phillips, a rehab assistant at Burnaby's New Vista Society Care Centre, helps Joseph O'Connell with his exercises on a mobile active bike. The Centre opened a new exercise room on Friday, to launch its "Strong Seniors-Well Seniors" program."
Photograph of the cast of Alpha Secondary School's production of Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lantern, including J-ann Capila and Jonah Fernandez, posing in costume.
Photograph of the cast of Alpha Secondary School's production of Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lantern, including J-ann Capila and Jonah Fernandez, posing in costume.
Collected by editorial for use in a November 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: ""Princess Jasmine" (J-ann Capila) and Aladdin (Jonah Fernandez) express their love for each other, in a scene from Alpha Secondary School's presentation of Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lantern. The play runs December 4-7."
Collected by editorial for use in a February 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "Like father, like son; Steve Anderson and his son, Brody, 14, hone their archery skills at the Burnaby Lake Fields archery range. They took up the sport late last year."
Photograph of Burnaby North Secondary School students Silvana Lovera, Acca Yeung, Ashley Chow, Alyssa Murdocco, Dorothy Kuk, and Monica Simone, posing and dressed in costume for the school's production in Annie.
Photograph of Burnaby North Secondary School students Silvana Lovera, Acca Yeung, Ashley Chow, Alyssa Murdocco, Dorothy Kuk, and Monica Simone, posing and dressed in costume for the school's production in Annie.
Collected by editorial for use in a February 2003 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "Annie (Silvana Lovera) revels in her new lifestyle, much to the dismay of some of her friends from the orphanage, Acca Yeung, Ashley Chow, Alyssa Murdocco, Dorothy Kuk and Monica Simone, in Burnaby North's production of Annie."
Photograph of Anthony Johnson performing in the play "The Princess Who Never Laughed" outdoors in Deer Lake Park, in front of an audience of unidentified children seated on the grass.
Photograph of Anthony Johnson performing in the play "The Princess Who Never Laughed" outdoors in Deer Lake Park, in front of an audience of unidentified children seated on the grass.
Collected by editorial for use in a July 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: """Waldo Wienerhead," played by Anthony Johnston, and his pet pig, "Stinky," plot a way to make Princess George laugh, in an outdoor performance of "The Princess Who Never Laughed" at Deer Lake Park."
Collected by editorial for use in a June 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "Da Boyz, a local tap dance troupe, are trying to raise money to attend a tap dance festival in Minneapolis. Their showcase number is a take on Wild Wild West. They are: (r-l) Andrew Learnmonth, 10; Drew Christensean, 9; Steven Learnmonth, 9; Torian Chase, 9."
Collected by editorial for use in a February 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata for 535-1730-1: "Jade Peredido busts a move in a Hip Hop dancing fitness program at Douglas Road Elementary. The dance classes are offered by the Burnaby School District as an alternative to competitive sports to keeps students fit and active."
Caption from metadata for 535-1730-2: "Samantha Albanese gives it her all in the Hip Hop dancing program at Douglas Road Elementary."
Caption from metadata for 535-1730-3: "Matthew Baldisimo leads his kindergarten class in the Hip Hop dancing program at Douglas Road Elementary."
Caption from metadata for 535-1730-4: "Sue Cejalvo-Howse leads a group of kindergarten and grade one students at Douglas Road Elementary School in Hip Hop dance moves."
Caption from metadata for 535-1730-5: "Eventhough the dance class is a fitness program, just looking cool is part of the cirriculum."
Caption from metadata for 535-1730-6: "Getting fit through Hip Hop dancing, allows students at Douglas Road Elementary School to take the sign on the gymnasium wall to heart."
Caption from metadata for 535-1730-7: "Fortunately, choreography doesn't count in the Hip Hop dance program at Douglas Road Elementary School, in Burnaby."
Caption from metadata for 535-1730-8: "Dance skill doesn't count as much as participation and activity, in the Hip Hop dance program at Douglas Road Elementary School in Burnaby. The dance classes are offered by the Burnaby School District as a fitness alternative to competitive sports."