Page 8 West Vancouver Historical Society February 1999 Hollyburn Ski Camp Project (Contd. from p. 5) Rembering Bernie Holt By: Hugh Johnston made of the Cypress Recreation Area indicating that the Lodge at First Lake site would be retained to perpetuate its heritage values. CBRC Ltd., the present overseers of the Hollyburn Ski Camp, plan to restore and reconstruct the building and to aisure that it will be used as it was in those early days, except that it will not be used for accommodation. To be called â€A Place of memories since 1926" the Camp would also incorporate a historical and heritage presence. In 1997, Gordon Knight and Bob Tapp, two old-time skiers from the West Vancouver Historical Society, began meeting with the Cypress Bowl Recreation people to e?q}ress their interest in establishing a ski museum in the replicated Camp building. The envisaged restoration has been named "Hollyburn Ski Camp Heritage Project." A small committee, led by Society Director Bob Tapp, has been formed. Presently the project is at a preliminary, planning stage, but we hope to collect oral histories from old time skiers. In the meantime if you, your relatives or friends have any old records from your Hollyburn days (photographs, news clippings, ski equipment, club badges or trophies) please contact either Bob at 926-3748 or Gordon at 922-7358, so that they can record the whereabouts of these artifects for future reference. We are selling tea/coffee mugs, bearing a logo from a drawing by Jackie Baker, of the old Hollyburn Ski Lodge. Priced at $7.50 each, they are on sale at the gift shops at Gertrude Lawson House and the Cypress Bowl downhill and cross-country ski areas. We lost a good friend and the first elected President of the society on Christmas Eve 1998 when Bernie Holt passed away. Bernie served as Secretary on the interim committee formed by the Rotary Club in 1979-80 to see to the founding of The West Vancouver Historical Society. He was elected President of the Society at the first Annual General Meeting in 1981 and led it through a number of its formative years. In addition to his duties as president he also founded (and wrote) the society newsletter, *'History-Onics" until the fortunate arrival of Geoigie and David Wilson. The sound foundation he helped set in place, combined with his commitment and dedication, contributed greatly to the success the society enjoys today. His style of leadership encouraged "team effort" and led to a time of rapid growth and accomplishment in the early years of the society. Bernie, assisted by Rupert Harrison, prepared and conducted the "Village Walk" and the "Dundarave Walk". These two historic walks were sponsored in conjunction with Expo '86. Bernie, who was always an active member of the community, served for 23 years as a prominent educator and administrator at West Vancouver Secondary School. The Rotary Club of West Vancouver named him a Paul Harris Fellow for his contribution and commitment to community service. Rupert Harrison. (Contd. from p. T) As if Rupert's blue blood credentials as a "true West Vannie "weren’t enough, he married Grace Thompson in 1939. Grace’s grandfather was W.C. Thompson, one of our earliest settlers, active in the real estate business and a partner in the West Vancouver Transportation Company, which began the first ferry service in 1909. Her grandmother, Grace Lawson, was John Lawson's sister. Her father, Harry Thompson, was the engineer on the inaugural run and served the system until it shut down in 1947. So, what Rupert doesn’t know about West Van’s early days, Grace does! Rupert was (and still is) in demand as a public speaker and has given generously of his time. He has spoken at our meetings, particularly on the subject of the Ferries and the Blue Buses. He has addressed the ElderCollege and numerous service clubs, and is still at it. After two careers spanning 60 years what next? Rupert says that he will spend more time in the garden. But he still has lots of pep and his mind is sharp and I am sure that he will continue to be active. He has contributed much and we salute him and thank him for what he has done, and done so very well, and look forward to him continuing to do just that.