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Pages West Vancouver Historical Society May 2004 from page 7 specializing in selling mattress-foam for cushions, boats, RV’s, hotels and hospitals. Don had his own steam launch for many years. She was an 18-footer and the pride of his life. He was sorry to have to sell her when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable form of cancer. He put his engineering knowledge to good use in the condo. Noting that the building was always running out of hot water, he solved the problem by the simple expedient of placing the thermostat at the bottom of the tank instead of at the top. Don is modest about accepting the praise of fellow residents. He is more delighted at the monthly reduction in the gas bill. Now nearing 80, he brings his lifelong firmness of purpose to fight against cancer. Although it seems to be in remission, he cherishes each day as another gift, and stays active on the building committee of the strata council. Don has nothing but praise for the staff at the hospital and cancer clinic. “They are so compassionate, so wonderful,” he insists. Perhaps the medications are working to keep the cancer at bay, but deep down Don believes that there is a higher power sustaining him, a spiritual force that defies simple explanation. “There is more to life than the things we see with our eyes.” Amen to that, I say. January 10, 1935 Mr. and Mrs. Swanson of East Beach have moved into the house they purchased at 20"’ and Argyle Avenue. (WVN) Letter from Dale (Eriksen) Cragg At last I’m knuckling down and sharing some of my fond memories growing up in West Vancouver during the ‘twenties and ‘thirties. My parents bought a waterfront lot on Travers Avenue around 1922 or ’23. There was a land boom and they paid top dollar. Our grandparents helped with financing the completion of the house by moving in as star boarders. The P.G.E. ran a train from Horseshoe Bay to Lonsdale until around 1928. Mother took us by train to buy our shoes at Farquarsons in North Van. We caught it at 3 L' Street at the overhead trestle. After the P.G.E. stopped running we enjoyed traveling over town via the bus and ferry. One of our favourite crew members was “Uncle Chick” Nicol. He was first mate and kept an eye open for us as we always ran up to the top deck. hoping for a rough ride. On one trip my brother George, dressed in a brand-new navy-blue reefer outfit received a splash down from a passing seagull. Uncle Chick spent the whole trip cleaning George’s clothes. We thought Uncle Chick was quite wonderful. One of the highlights of the summer was the I.O.D.E. garden party held at Reeve Leyland’s beach property and adjacent lots. I’m sure the sun came out especially for that occasion. There was maypole dancing as well as lots of entertainment followed by bonfires at night. One of Reeve Leyland’s popular quotes was “See Naples and die; come to West Vancouver and live.” I attended Dundarave School in 1927 for grades 1 to 4. Our teachers were Miss Nairnâ€"grades 1 and 2, and Miss Jonesâ€" grades 3 and 4. They were firm but lots of fun, and we put on plays, entered singing contests at the Moose Hall, bunted our heads with soccer balls on our playing field (where the West Van Care facility now stands) and played “Run Sheep Run” in the woods surrounding the school. Moving on to Pauline Johnson School was a traumatic experience for some of us after enjoying a sheltered life at Dundarave. I keep in touch with Dona Koch (nee Cave) now living in Port Hardy. She has a beautiful singing voice and enjoys contributing her talent at gatherings in Port Hardy. Our May Day celebrations were awesome and marked the beginning of summer. The whole program was carried out in clockwork precision, and behind the scenes were about 6 to 8 ladies under the direction of Mrs. W.B. Small. Believe me. Royalty couldn’t outshine West Vancouver’s May Day. World War II brought about many changes in our living. We moved to Esquimau as our Dad joined the Navy as a shipwright. Uncle Chick and wife. Aunt Alice, moved to Victoria, as he became a naval officer there. We were saddened by many of our high school friends who lost their lives in the war. They served valiantly. I am so grateful to have returned to live in West Vancouver, and appreciate all the good work done by you and your competent staff. Sincerely, Dale Cragg (nee Eriksen) What did these people have in common (so to speak)? Sheilagh, William Henry “Biir, Myrtle, Irene, Florence, Stella (See page 9)