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Glacier Heritage Power and
Equipment Club
From March 1992:
PRESIDENTS REPORT:
Heritage Week (pictures) at Comox was a great time for us to display some of our
collectibles. The club had a wonderful showing in the Comox Mall complete with a
club table with information and members for the whole week to answer questions.
While George Bentham was on duty, the Courtenay T.V. station interviewed him and
I understand he did a super job. ...
SUMMARY OF MINUTES FOR MEETING ON FEB. 9/92:
The logo was chosen by the club. It was designed by Maureen and Rob Wakefield
and now graces the top of this paper.
It was agreed upon by the group that the club will put a float into the parade
in Cumberland on the 24th of May. The float committee consists of George, Len,
Tom, Fred, Bill, Darrel, Ron, Land and Rob. Anyone interested in putting
anything into the parade contact Fred W.
SEEN IN PASSING:
Fred W. asking Paul Shulkowski if he was Irish... Len L. owning his first John
Deere watch... George B. outbidding Tom M. at the auction for an old seized up
two man I.E.L. power saw... Pat W. finding Fred's shorts... Joe K. and son
staring at their brand new Wonderwrench... Robin W. saving our brand new North
Island Collage... Maureen W. designing the clubs logo... Neil. B.B. looking for
new places to sow his oats...
Comment... Bill Granoukos must be Irish he likes the colour green so much.
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From April 1992:
REPORT ON MARCH 8, 1992 MEETING:
Twelve members snuck away from their gardens for a very casual meeting at Halbe
Hall on Sunday, March 8. With president Bill Granoukos on holidays and
Vice-President, Tom Morton in hospital resting after an adverse reaction to
prescribed pain killers for his back pains, Fred Wood took charge and chaired
the meeting.
A short discussion took place about the wrench in the logo, some members feeling
it should be a monkey wrench rather than a crescent wrench. I believe the
subject will come up again at the next meeting.
George Bentham has the TV tape from Cable TV of the interview at the Comox Mall
display. George will chair the Cumberland float committee. It was suggested
everybody thank about items for the float or floats.
Meeting adjourned to Black Creek Market for coffee, donuts and lively
discussion.
SEEN IN PASSING:
Maureen finding a monkey wrench and redesigning the club logo...Pat and Tom
discussing remedies for worn out backs... Fred helping Tom take out spark
plugs... Len giving advice on how to handle the electrical inspector "pretend
you're dumb and let him tell you everything he knows"... Betty Jane getting a
new chainsaw for valentines... Bill having a standing reservation at the tables
in Vegas to leave his green stuff behind anytime... George making his film
debut, truly an Oscar winning performance... Fern and Jim new faces at our last
meeting, Welcome.
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From May 1992:
PRESIDENTS REPORT:
There is no doubt about more things happening this time of the year. April 12
was our tour at Neil Brady-Brown's and all of you that attended would have to
agree that the hospitality shown was wonderful. For this I thank Neil on behalf
of the club. Your efforts will long be remembered. Thanks also to Fran York who
took the minutes of the meeting held that day. The minutes appear elsewhere in
the Primer this month. pictures
Len Lightfoot and myself (now recognized as the "KLUTZ BROTHERS FARMING Co."
took on the job of planting the crop to be threshed at this hears Fall Fair. Len
and I decided to seed wheat this year, however getting the seed was something
else. Every store we phoned said they had lots of wheat for seed except they
neglected to mention it was chicken feed. After several phone calls to Vancouver
we were able to get Registered Seed. The variety is "MAX" and matures in 100
days. Len and I both had our tractors working several days to get the field
ready to seed. We roto-tilled first then Len plowed while I disked. With Len's
seeder we put the fertilizer and seed down on May 7th. I'm happy to report that
May 24th the wheat is up 5 inches. Klutz Bros. have financed this project so
far: fuel, fertilizer, seed and gallons of coffee for Len. i calculated Len
drank more litres of coffee than his tractor used fuel. Neil Brady Brown has
donated the use of his land to plant the crop on. How big is the field? Well we
have had estimates from three to five acres. So we rounded to four acres.
The club made a good showing at the Cumberland Empire Days Parade. We had plenty
of signage so the onlookers now know about our Club. Thanks to all for your
efforts. The parade has already been on Channel 10, Courtenay-Comox Cablenet. I
know a lot of members don't get this including myself so I'm trying to obtain a
video of it. We had a fine feast at noon in the park around our parade items.
Thanks to the Mortons for the great idea. It kept us together and we could still
talk to the many people who came around.
SEEN IN PASSING:
Maureen W. face when it was suggested she redraw the wrench on the logo... Len
L. and Brian S. bug-eyed over an Oliver Cat... George B. no longer content to be
an actor but now aspiring to be a director... Bill G. and Len L. discussing
Wheat Futures... Betty Jane G. gone fishing... Bud Y., Fran Y., and Maureen G.
grilling tube steak... Bill G. getting something old that isn't green... Darrel
W. peddling the streets of Cumberland...
Welcome to new members Jim Gibbard and Brian Sheppard.
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From July 1992:
SEEN IN PASSING:
Bill G. well on his way to getting his ticket to run a steam engine... The Klutz
brothers producing a fine field of wheat, the big brother keeps the little
brother supplied with coffee to aid with the irrigation... Tom M. into wild
turkey farming and Maureen W. getting into pig farming, their respective spouses
shaking their heads... Paul S. putting on a fine show of the fine art of garden
tractor driving in the July 1 parade... Joe K. amazing everyone with his
incredible engine display and depth of knowledge about them... Fred and Pat W.
putting out a super BBQ supper... Muriel C. on the mend... Richard C. unloading
his junk onto a very happy club member... Darryl W. acquiring his first engine
and having beginners luck it even has a magneto...
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From December 1992:
Executive: Bill Granoukos/Pres. Tom Morton/Vice Fred Wood/Sce.Treas. Len
Lightfoot/Fall Fair
George Bentham/Safety Neil Brady-Brown/Director at Large
PRESIDENTS REPORT
It's hard to believe that we are at the end of a successful first year of Club
thanks to the combined efforts of all the Club members who worked very hard.
Reflecting back on the many events we have had, including an excellent fall
fair, I think our club had done a swell job. I have enjoyed being the club's
first president and look forward to helping to organize some great events for
the year to come.
Best wishes to the newly elected executive:
President - Tom Morton
Vice President - Darrel Wedman
Secretary Treasurer - Fred Wood
Fall Fair - Len Lightfoot, Darrel Wedman
Primer (new name for newsletter) - Michele Morton, Maureen Wakefield
Special Events - Bud York, Robbin Wakefield, Bill Granoukos, Paul Schulkowsky
Historian/Fund Raiser - Paul Schulkowsky
Director at Large - to be appointed
I would like to end this with a Merry Christmas and Best Wishes to all from
Betty Jane and myself.
SEEN IN PASSING
Formation of a new partnership - Alzheimers Logging Limited (very limited)...Len
L. fixing the oil gauge on his tractor. It doesn't leak much now that he has
disconnected it...Lane S. bidding up the smokies on Lois...Richard C. actually
using the cultivator he purchased at the auction...Fred W. looking for warranty
on the pumpkin he bought at the same auction...Michele M. buying her first
yellow and green thing cheap...Bill G. earning certificate of qualification to
operate steam driven equipment...The Wilies, cup in hand (coffee of
course)...Bud Y. searching for a headgasket for a Ford 9N...
THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU
To Sylvan Vale Nursery on Kelland Road for generously donating the free dry
storage for the wheat crop.
To Darrel Wedman for finding and arranging for the above storage
To Harry and John Blackstaff, Don Levirs, Darryl Stevens, Jim Mould and Ron
McQuarrie, non Club members that brought their equipment for display at the Fall
Fair.
Above and beyond goes to Paul and Deb Schulkowsky and family. Paul in
consultation with Deb thought that a child's pedal tractor would make an
excellent prize on a raffle to be drawn at the Fall Fair. They were able to
purchase a little John Deere tractor at bargain prices from Andrew Lawnmower
Services. Deb and the girls, Mandy, Rhonda, and Cassandra, made the raffle
tickets. The tickets sold like hot cakes thanks to supporters like Andrew who,
not only sold us the tractor cheap but also bought two books of tickets. After
expenses, the raffle made a profit of over $300. As a result, the Club is now in
the black as the accountant says. Thanks again to the Schulkowskys.
To everyone who had the faith to stick through our first year and are willing to
sing on for another.
This newsletter contained one of the first cartoons that Maureen Wakefield has
provided through the years. Thanks Maureen for sharing your talent and sense of
humour.
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From June 1993:
SEEN IN PASSING:
Bill and B.J. celebrating their 33 years together on March 11 with a pizza from
the Black Creek Store...The value of a horse drawn cultivator increasing by 300%
in less than a year...Darrel W. now in residence in his new house...Paul,
Rhonda, and Cassandra S. being towed through Cumberland...Len and Joan L.
celebrating 29 years of marital bliss on May 16 at the club BBQ and
Auction...Bill G. discussing the obsticals he encountered using 18" centers when
he built his first home...Fred W. off the evil weed and on the patch...Ron D.
now the proud owner of a Stover stationary engine...
THE LADIES OF THE CLUB:
The following is from quite a long feature on the ladies in the club in 1993.
The profiles listed below are for those ladies who are still member of the club
in 2002.
COLLEEN WYLIE - Colleen was born in Edmonton, Alberta. She came to the Comox
Valley when her dad, who was in the Air Force, was transferred.
She tells us that when she first met Les, later to become her husband, she was
completely indifferent to him. However, their friendship developed and it was
discovered that they had many things in common. Included was the fact that they
both liked to play hooky and preferably to do so together.
Well, what more can one say? They are now a happy family with three children -
two sons and one daughter.
Colleen is presently working at two jobs. In the mornings she is employed at the
Dairy Queen and in the afternoons, at Panagopoulos Pizza Place. Along with her
busy time schedule, she tries to fit in knitting, crocheting and gardening.
Colleen is a collector of antiques and has displayed her collectible items, such
as sewing machines and flat irons, at the Club's display at the Comox Mall
during Heritage Days.
BETTY JANE GRANOUKOS - Betty Jane was born and raised in Union Bay, B.C. She has
also lived in Courtenay, Port McNeil and Comox.
She worked at Alma's Tea and Cake Shop in Union Bay and the Courtenay Bake Shop
before becoming the milkman in 1951. When there was no milk to deliver, she
drove the school bus, crew bus and a taxi. In between trips, she was a travel
agent and did all the book work for her husband and sometimes even cooked for
him as well.
Betty Jane has many hobbies and interests. She loves to fish, camp, golf, garden
and gamble. The rest are not to be mentioned but we are sure that she does them
well and with her usual great enthusiasm.
She has quite a few claims to fame. Betty Jane has taken part in a few parades
and has even come first, with the help of others of course she tells us. As skip
she and her team, which she is very proud of, have won many curling bonspiels.
She has landed the largest salmon in one year to capture the Ladies Title in
Sidney, B.C. She makes the best shortbread in the entire world and the best
things she makes for dinner are "Reservations". Betty Jane as shown in the
picture, spent a day with John Travolta. She took him and a pilot to Sidney
Island in her boat. Her last but not the least claim is that she landed the best
man in the world in 1960. Did she use the same hook for Bill and that winning
salmon?
Betty Jane says she has a lot of fun with the Club and will leave us this quote:
"If you don't like the way I drive, get off the sidewalk".
FRANCES YORK - Fran was born in the Comox hospital and has lived in the Valley
for all of her forty-nine years.
Fran is the wife of Bud and is the mother of five children and the proud
grandmother of three grandchildren and four inherited ones.
She is employed as a teacher and, this June, will have completed twenty-four
years in that field.
One of her main interests is, as she puts it, "Traveling!!Now!". Last year she
did do some traveling and had lunch with Rita McNeil in Big Pond, N.S. and
brought back many great pictures. Another claim to fame is that she had lunch
with Charlie Pride in Regina.
One claim that Fran did not have to add, is that she makes great desserts that
we have all appreciated and enjoyed at some of the Club outings.
JOAN LIGHTFOOT - Joan came to the Comox Valley four years ago directly from
Victoria where she was born and raised.
Joan is the "first lady" of the Farmers' Market (Len, the President) and she
spends most of her time raising chickens for eggs and meat, planting and
harvesting a large vegetable garden and raising turkeys, hogs, hay and tobacco.
This hard work is shared with Len, her husband of thirty years.
Joan and Len have two sons. One is an Agricultural Engineer and the inventor of
Aqua Dung. The other son is a Design Engineer.
When Joan has some spare time, she likes to play bridge and golf. She tells us
that she keeps her husband poor and barefoot. Very busy gal.
MAUREEN WAKEFIELD - Maureen was born in Victoria but spent a lot of years in
Prince George where she raised horses, dogs, chickens, hogs and her son and
daughter.
She moved back to Victoria about seven years ago and met and married Robbin and
acquired a step son in the bargain.
Maureen and Rob moved to the Comox Valley three years ago. In her spare time,
she enjoys gardening and oil painting.
LOIS WRIGHT - Lois is another gal born in B.C., Vancouver to be particular, and
raised in Victoria. In years gone by she roamed Canada and Europe as the wife of
a Canadian serviceman. She is the mother of three sons the oldest of which still
lives at home. Lois loves to square dance and round dance, an activity she and
Neil take in several times a week. Lois tells me that it keeps you fit, alert
and attentive. She and Neil are off to the States to take a two week course in
advanced dance...
This newsletter had a definite "female slant" and the cartoon went along with
the theme.
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December 1993
Executive:
Tom Morton, Pres. Darryl Wedman, V/P Frances York, Sec. Michele Morton, Treas.
Directors: Joe Kovacs, Len Lightfoot, Bud York, Rob Wakefield, Neil Brady Brown
PRESIDENTS REPORT
..Tis the end of another busy and very successful year, made possible by the
efforts of many club members. The highlight of the past year would have to be
the very successful Fall Fair antique machinery display under the leadership of
Michele and lots of help from each and every member. Club effort was also very
evident at Comox Heritage Days with Dick's able leadership and then there was
the Cumberland and Courtenay parades. Paul and his girl crew even got the
Gravelly across the finish line with the throttle butterfly jammed under the
intake valve and in a small but noisy way accounted for our first prize.
With the annual elections several new faces are on the executive. To those who
retired we give our thanks for the many hours and effort that they put into
making the club what it is today....
Tentative Schedule of Events for 1994 to be discussed at the next meeting:
Jan. 9 - Meeting at Halbe Hall at 1:30 pm to conclude bylaws and plan year to
come
Feb. 13 - Help Dick set up the Comox mall for Heritage week followed by a pot
luck supper or maybe supper at the Leeward.
Mar. 13 - Trip to Wes Piercy's century old farm on Denman Island followed by
picnic at Halliwell Park.
Apr. 10 - Spring start up at Tom and Michele Mortons. Bring your troublesome
project and lets see if many hands can get it going.
May 8 - Trip to Jim and Harry Blackstaff in Ladysmith to view their amazing
family collection.
June 12 - To Port Alberni to visit their club and view their collection.
Jul. 9 - Possible invite to participate in Woss Camps 50th anniversary
celebrations.
Aug 14 - Annual clean up of the fair grounds and BBQ
Sep. 11 - Fall Fair planning meeting
Sep 17-18 Fall Fair
Oct. 9 - Wind down celebration and BBQ probably at Bill and B.J.s if they are
willing
Nov 13 - Elections and meeting at the Halbe Hall.
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