Riley Park Stories

The Riley Park Stories Project

2010-08-23T21:25:00.004-07:00

Although the Riley Park Stories Project has come to an end, the stories collected can continue to be explored and experienced on this blog.

These stories, collected from February 2009-July 2009, form a memory of this wonderful neighbourhood. Exploring these stories you can really understand the sense of the community, you can see how lives interconnect and you can piece together how this neighbourhood has grown.
Here are the direct links to the video stories:

Our Dad Percy
Conversation with Daphne
Seniors Diving Club
Tailored Memories
Full Circle
Changes
Generations Passing
The Columbia House
The Homeless Person
Fraser and 33rd Dissolve

Read a little, watch a short video, send a link to a friend, add a comment of your own memories and definitely, definitely come back again and again!

Many Many Thanks

2010-08-09T13:29:00.007-07:00

Collecting stories for the past 6 months in the Riley Park Neighbourhood had been such an enriching experience.

I feel lucky to have been involved with such an amazing project and because of it have met some truly lovely people.

Right from the very beginning and down to the very last moment we knew we couldn't tell everyone's stories. We did our best with time we had.
Consider the blog just the tip of the iceberg!

On the final celebration screening we had a full house of friends, family, community members and staff. I have to say it was one of the warmest rooms I have been allowed to celebrate in!

Even during this screening we were again told many more stories!

On behalf of Lisa Walker and myself, lisa g, thank you for opening up to us. We hope to see you all again!

studio: July 27th screening!

2010-07-21T09:10:00.002-07:00

RILEY PARK STORIES

is celebrating community with a FREE SCREENING of collected stories on:

TUESDAY JULY 27

4:30 - 6:30pm

in the Assembly Room

(at the Riley Park Community Centre)

ALL Storytellers who attend will receive a complimentary compilation DVD of stories!

story: Our Dad Percy

2010-07-16T23:08:00.005-07:00

Ralph and Ernie Norman spoke with artist in residence lisa g.

Here is part of their conversation:

Thanks to Ralph who wrote down some thoughts about his Dad.

Thanks also to The City Archives, The Vancouver Public Library and the Percy Norman Pool for the archival photographs.

story: A Riley Park Soundwalk

2010-07-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Local artist Lindsey Bond put together this amazing Soundwalk that ties together many sites and stories from our blog!

Lindsey walked around the Riley Park neighbourhood and recorded the everyday noises around. By downloading the file to your iPod or CD player, you can follow along with her.

Please take a moment to visit her website. I hope many of you will be able to take this lovely walk and reflect on some Riley Park Stories!

Special thanks to Lindsey for this contribution.

story:one armed pitcher

2010-07-07T11:28:00.006-07:00

James Anthony Abbott (born September 19, 1967 in Flint, Michigan) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who is best known for playing despite having been born without a right hand! He played for the California Angels, the Yankees, the White Sox, and the Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.

Imagine playing baseball with only your left hand! Abbott used his to throw a no-hitter for the Yankees on Sept. 4, 1993, used it to compile an 18-11 record with a 2.89 earned-run average with the Angels in 1991. He used it to pitch the USA to an Olympic gold medal, used it to win award after award from sports and charitable organizations.

After all this came an extended losing streak. Jim was demoted to the minors in August 1996 to work on his pitching form.

On Aug. 22, 1996, in his home debut for the Pacific Coast League Vancouver Canadians at Nat Bailey Stadium before 6,638, Abbott lost the first minor-league decision of his career, 5-0 to the Tucson Toros. I was at this game at Nat Bailey Stadium and saw Jim pitch well, but he did serve up a three-run homer to Roger Luce, the No. 9 hitter in the Tucson Toros' lineup. So the questions he faced from the media, were about one thing and one thing only: The enduring agonies of constant, relentless losing. He had a truly terrible year in 1996, posting a 2-18 record with a whopping 7.48 ERA and briefly retired.

"I'm a believer that through adversity, there's growth," Abbott said. "Sometimes you have to break through ground to get to the more fertile soil. I am a believer in that. I think this year, in a way, has been profitable. I'm not sure that the Angels want to hear that, and I'm sure I didn't want to go through this, because it hasn't been a whole lot of fun. Sometimes pain can be an important part of finding out who you are."

James Anthony Abbott is an inspiration. He is proof that through perseverance, almost any challenge can be overcome. There are thousands of two-handed pitchers who never came close to Abbott's stature, never showed one hundredth of his courage. The way he handled the success was a marvel; the way he has confronted this debacle of a season has shown, almost refreshingly, that everyone has limits.

By a Huge Fan, Doug Anderson.

How did he play with only one hand?

When getting ready to pitch the ball, Jim Abbott would rest a right-handed thrower's glove on the end of his right forearm. After releasing the ball, he would quickly slip his hand into the glove, usually in time to field any balls a two-handed pitcher would be able to field. Then he would remove the glove by securing it between his right forearm and torso, slip his hand out of the glove, and remove the ball from the glove, usually in time to throw out the runner and sometimes even start double plays. At all levels, teams tried to exploit his fielding disadvantage by repeatedly bunting to him; this tactic was never effective.

studio: June 27 screening!

2010-07-02T09:11:00.004-07:00

During the 18th Annual Little Mountain & Riley Park Festival, we showed videos all day in the story studio theatre!

It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday, with nice people, fun food.... and the dunk tank not far away!

Come this way!

Free popcorn!

Strollers and Hot Dogs allowed!

Even though it was overcast and sometimes sprinkling with rain, the Riley Park Story Studio often had a full house!

story: The Homeless Person

2010-07-01T09:00:00.003-07:00

Beza learns a little something from her Dad about a homeless person.

story: community gardener

2010-06-30T16:33:00.008-07:00

Beverly has lived in Riley Park for a long time…it is here that she raised a family. She often brought her kids to the Riley Park Community Centre.

She first lived on 17th in a house but now lives on 31st (at Fraser) in a townhouse…when she made this move she became interested in finding a community garden.

It has been 3 years now that she has been working with Eddie in Riley Park's Community Garden.

Beverly is in charge of the flowers and Eddie is in charge of the vegetables! They sometimes have meetings over the phone about what is going on in the garden, but now their partnership in the garden has it's own rhythm!

When Beverly is not gardening she is an artist! She has just completed an artist in residence at Carnegie Centre and she performs in a sextet called Zeellia - Beverly plays a Hurdy Gurdy and sings!

So, next time you see a community gardener, say "Hello! What do you do when you are not gardening?"

You might be surprised.

story: Chuck and Irma

2010-06-29T15:59:00.001-07:00

Chuck grew up in and around Riley Park. He sold Kool-aid on hot summer days and tried to pull down the girls bathing suits at the Sunset pool.
One unsuspecting girl, Irma, was the recipient of such affections and she was, understandably, none too impressed. Chuck had a bit of a reputation!

Chuck is pictured here in 1963, he is the enthusiastic kid in the foreground!

As Chuck got older he partied in Queen Elizabeth Park in the summer and he skied over moguls on the hills in the winter. Finally, Irma became interested.

Both Chuck and Irma remember making out on the bleachers in Percy Norman pool... and now... they have been married for 33 years!

Chuck became the Engineer of the Community Centre and continues to live in the area!

story: In and Out

2010-06-28T09:00:00.004-07:00

Kelsey Mackintosh took these amazing polaroid photos during Car Free Day on Sunday June 20th. She is a local photographer who lives in the Riley Park neighbourhood.

story: Sunshine Club

2010-06-27T09:01:00.001-07:00

When me and my twin sister were in high school, Mom organized a Sunday afternoon film program for the disabled at Riley Park Community Centre. This was the early 80’s after the community centre’s expansion.

Dad was the projectionist, and got the films from the film library at the National Film Board. Mom ran the concession. Us kids would be the helpers.

Folks would enter from the double doors off Ontario and make a left into the first room. It was the room opposite the Senior Centre.

My mom thinks it was called the Sunshine Club.

This program ran for years until it just got too big for the centre.

My parents were always trying to help us kids understand the lives of other people. They wanted us to be more accepting of others and for us to be thankful for what we had.

They would always volunteer us to help out in the community.

Of course my sister said we didn’t volunteer we were volunTOLD!

Haha!

by Ingrid Steenhuisen

story: friendly neighbourhood

2010-06-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

My Parents moved into the housing complex at 33rd and Main in 1957 and we moved to various units as the family grew.

Our house was the go to house for whatever you needed: a cup of sugar, babysitting, a shoulder to cry on or as a community resource.

My mom was just like that.

There was one row of houses in this complex called the Pensioners Row for folks who were 70 or older.

When I was about 8 and a half one pensioner in particular would come by and ask “Would you like me to take the kids for walk?” My mother was grateful for this break in her day as he would take us around Queen Elizabeth Park for an hour or more! Here would be this nice old guy with 4 or 5 kids tagging along!

I will never forget him.

Wilf Polkinghorn.

by Ingrid Steenhuisen

story: Eddie

2010-06-25T09:00:00.003-07:00

Eddie has volunteered here at the Riley Park Community Centre for about 5-6 years. He manages the Community Garden and is on the Seniors Committee. Eddie seems to be a very busy fellow, despite being retired for 20 years!

Eddie wanted to start the garden here for the seniors. He began getting involved by leading the groups of high school kids who would volunteer to clean it up and get school credit. Although he has never worked as a gardener, he learned all he knows through reading, as well as trial and error he says.

Eddie shows me (Lisa W.) around the garden, pointing out that not much has come in this year due to some cold weather. He is growing three different kinds of lettuce, potatoes, beets, and loads of rhubarb. He also has numerous planters of beautiful flowers, which are planted by Beverly!

Eddie comes here a few days a week to care for the garden, which is handy because he lives across the street from the community centre! Before being involved here Eddie ran a grocery store on 41st and W. Blvd. His family is from China. In 1851 his Great Grandfather started a sugar plantation in Hawaii, and in the 1880's his Grandfather came to BC to work on the rail roads. Eddie was born in Vancouver, and was the only Asian person in his high school grad class in 1948. He just had his 60th reunion at Magee Secondary School.

In the four decades he has lived in this neighbourhood, Eddie has noticed a lot of new families moving in. He hopes the garden will stay where it is even though the Community Centre is being demolished. He is busy today preparing the garden for the 18th Annual Little Mountain and Riley Park Festival, which is Sunday June 27th from 11:00am - 4:00pm. He will be giving away plants, flowers and bulbs.

Eddie says of the garden, "It's a nice little plot for anyone who wants to grow things... It gives me a little peace of mind."

story: MONKEY BARS

2010-06-24T10:55:00.003-07:00

Me and my twin sister were 13 years old in the early 1970’s and living at 36^th and Main at the time. Mom would let us take our younger siblings (there were 4, soon to be 5, and this gave our Mother a bit of a break/rest) to Riley Park. We would go to swim and swing … being sure to return for dinner. Our youngest brother loved the monkey bars and we learned quicklynever to be in a panic right away if we couldn’t find Fred, at least until you checked the monkey bars! Most often he could be found there!

Along the lane there was different apparatuses where all the kids and teens liked to play on back then: the swings, teeter-totters, the gymnastic trapeze bar and rings, the pool (was open 5 or 6 days a week, each summer) and the monkey bars…Everything (except the swings) was taken out - apparently due to liability issues - replaced by stuff mostly for toddlers. Within the past decade they put in the climbing rock . . . exactly in the same place - where the monkey bars used to be.

Fred was three or four years old when they were building the conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park. A picture of it was in the Sun newspaper after the brick walls and the roof’s metal framework were completed. The glass panels weren’t installed yet, and it grabbed my Dad’s attention since the construction company was made up of 9 brothers from Holland, and that was my family heritage. Dad shared the picture with all of us, and of course Fred just wanted to climb it, seeing that - to him - it was just another set of monkey bars – GIANT ONES!

story: Adam and the Electric Bike Shop

2010-06-23T09:00:00.002-07:00

Adam works at the The Grin Cyclery , at Main and 30th. This bike shop is unique as they will turn your bike into an electric bike.

Above: One of the battery testing stations at the shop

Adam takes me (Lisa W) through the process, and I won't lie I don't get it... but it sure is amazing and I am thankful he took the time to show me around and explain everything. Everyone working there seemed to be having a lovely day and didn't mind me poking around with my camera. His boss used an electric bike to travel across Canada using only 10 dollars of electricity! They also sell unicycles here, and every Wednesday they bring unicycles down in front of Science World and let people try them out.

He has been working at this company since last March. It was the first job he took since arriving in Vancouver from the UK. During his job search Adam applied to over 150 places! He enjoys working at the bike shop, and is thankful it is in the Riley Park neighbourhood.

Above: One of the workshops!

"This area has got a lot of independent stores, a vibrancy that other places don't have. I find other neighbourhoods can seem a little clinical. Main St has a good mixture of old and new. Also, the food in this stretch is one of the best parts of the job! It would be cheaper for us to be along Marine Dr. but it is worth it to be in this location, here you can go for lunch or drinks after work. I can get my good coffee too!"

story: 4295 Main Street

2010-06-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

Yamake Noodle and Fortune Cookie Factory

Oct 1972

Salt Spring Coffee Shop
June 2010

story: picture frame

2010-06-21T10:00:00.001-07:00

This is my face in a painting that I really like.

I like this photo because that's not the real me. My face is at a window.

I think there is a story along with these characters. There is a mother and a father and a child, but the child is at school. They live in a cottage. They're loving and caring. They would probably have 2 rooms and one bed, and the mother and father would usually sleep at the bed because they are old and the child would sleep on the ground with the pillow and use his clothes as blankets cause there are no blankets. Poor child!

One day the father got fired because he has been stealing money from the cashier. But one day the child decided to get his own job and a man let the little boy work at the school. He saved lots of money till one day he earned lots of money ! He told his parents, he told his neighbour! His parents were surprised of what he did. The parents thanked him so much that they gave the bed to him. The next day he woke up and he was so surprised. He saw five pots of gold money! When the parents woke up and saw five pots of gold the parents said, "Did you do this?" He said "No I didn't." So they fixed the house and it was marvellous! So they lived a happy life!

The end

story: East 33rd

2010-06-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

In 1952 East 33rd at Main Street used to look like this:

Here it is in 2010.

The Chevron apparently grew up, grew old and moved on...
Coming soon!
Condos!

story: Forests of Riley Park

2010-06-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

It is often good to get a little context in relation to the history of the area when gathering stories...in the library one day I came across this little historical anecdote:

In the early 1900's a fellow by the name of Hugh Gunn* was hired to clear Main Street all the way south to 33rd. The idea of course was to expand the community and provide roads. In those days, Hugh needed to cut down a lot of trees since it was dense forest...but what Hugh didn't know when he started the project was that between Main and Fraser was mostly swamp!

Apparently Hugh needed to fit the oxen with snowshoes to allow them to walk on the boggy areas! He certainly didn't want to lose his oxen team disappearing into the swamp!

Imagine that sight: a team of strong oxen wearing snowshoes!

The rest of the forest from 33rd south to 41st wasn't logged and cleared for housing until the 1950's.

Until that time folks continued to hunt for rabbits in there... if you can believe it!

*Hugh Gunn unfortunately blew himself up while building Hastings Street many years later.

story: good start to the day

2010-06-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

Teresa Paris at her 10am Aquafit class at Percy Norman...

you can find her there most mornings!

story: type

2010-06-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

I took this photo while Jenny was working on her post with lisa g. It's a good picture to me even though it's not one person posing. I don't care that it's blurry. It reminds me that it is art, it's just a normal day and not a special occasion. People wouldn't normally take this photo. It expresses my feelings.

Lisa is in a good pose thinking of something. I don't know what she is thinking of but I bet it's really good. Maybe she is thinking about Jenny's story, taking pictures or Sports Plus. I wonder if she is thinking about something bad or good or in the past.

By Vivian

story: 1952 Nat Bailey aerial

2010-06-17T08:50:00.003-07:00

Check out this aerial shot!

You can even see the wing of the plane at the top of the photo.

This image is part of the VPL archives from 1952.

You can get a real sense of the changes in the area around Nat Bailey. Particularly when you consider the new Olympic sized pool and all the new facilities that are built in the land to the north of the ball park!

Please notice the Riley Park Community Centre isn't even built yet, nor is Percy Norman Memorial Pool.

story: O o o o opera

2010-06-16T16:18:00.001-07:00

Every Tuesday I use to go to opera lessons with my mom. On the first day I was in opera lessons I met the most nicest girl for all the girls I knew, her name was Christina and she was my best friend there. Every Tuesday we practiced and practiced a lot for concerts. We sang in Oakridge mall, in theatres, and many more. But when the next session started I had to quit because my mom could not pick me up or drop me off. The sad part for me was when I had to leave my best friend Christina I will never forget her.

story: Tailored Memories

2010-06-16T12:00:00.004-07:00

Here is a video about the history of the building Re Entry Espresso now resides in!

story: emergency situation

2010-06-15T20:38:00.008-07:00

When I called Riley Park Community Centre I was put on hold today.

When someone came on the line to talk to me they were distracted. Their hand went over the receiver and I could hear muffled talking.

I guess there was an emergency situation going on.

When she got back on the line to talk with me I learned there was indeed an emergency... in the pool.

I asked what happened.

I was told that someone had puked in the pool.

PUKED in the pool?

I was intrigued and horrified.

I guess this kind of thing happens...a public establishment and all.

I just never even considered it.

I asked about the procedures for this kind of emergency...

Well, the pool is heavily chlorinated, but first it is evacuated.

All the folks get vouchers to return on another day.

The swimming classes were cancelled.

It fully shut the pool down!

Shut down!

Of course!

What else could you do?

I just never even considered it.

This kind of emergency isn't normally talked about.

Whoops!

story: babies on deck

2010-06-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

Rose told me that when she brought her son to Percy Norman Pool when he was a baby he could play and sleep on the deck of the pool!

This was curious at first to me and I thought that this must be because she worked at the pool...so she had special privileges... but no, this was standard practice at the time! In the late 1970's, moms could come to the pool and swim and do aquafit and have their kids right there looking on - from the pool deck!

And then I found the picture below in the Percy Norman Archives!

What a great idea!

Except now the kids have to be in day care separate from the moms....

No judgement from me, things change - I know...

but, I can't help thinking what a good idea that is...and I always seem to love things from the 1970's.

by lisag

story: Conversation with Daphne

2010-06-14T08:46:00.006-07:00

How do you tell a life story encompassing 93 years?

A difficult prospect, I must say.

Also, being the collector of the stories, I feel privileged to hear and learn more than I can possibly share...but I do my best.

This short video hopes to capture the vibrancy that is Daphne, a few of her memories, a sense of a neighbourhood from a time that seems simple yet hints at the challenges that everyone has...

I thank Daphne for taking the time and having the patience for me to ask a lot of questions!

I thank her son Greg who continues to collect the family history...I hope everyone has someone in their family to take this on!

story: Turner's Dairy

2010-06-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Check out 3333 Main street in 1950!

Alot of nuthin' there now, used to be a car sales showroom...

The red brick building on 17th just peeks out from behind the old dairy in the shot from 1950, but in 2010 it gets to show off!

story: Bead Freaks

2010-06-11T14:00:00.002-07:00

Kayla runs a store on Main St. called Bead Freaks. She met with Lisa W one afternoon to tell her how her store began.

"I opened six years ago this September. I've always been at this location (4412 Main St), although I thought at first that I'd wanted to be on Commercial Dr. I almost moved in there but there was already another bead store there and I didn't want to take away from her business, although it has since gone out of business. This store has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, it's a complete labour of love. My mom imported things as her job while I was growing up. She would send me little packages, and I remember being so fascinated by them.

I know a lot about metaphysics and it's not something I push on people but if people ask I will talk to them about it. If you need something I find you are drawn to it anyway and don't usually have to ask for it. I always say, "Just look around." By this I mean, if people need grounding in their lives they are usually drawn to a stone that helps with that. Kyanite is good for taking negative energy away and providing focus. Two of my girlfriends bought pieces of Kyanite, one put hers in front of her computer screen and it turned brown and broke. The other friend put hers in her meditation room and it is still blue and fine. They say it absorbs radiation. I'll give it to people who have been through chemo therapy.

Stones were developing in the ground for millions of years and I don't like to push it but there has to be some sort of energy in them. Beads used to be currency for a long time, you know? First Nations people used to use beads to throw on the land as an offering before they settled on it. I have an energy reader who comes to the store on Saturdays. She just sits down and starts consulting your guides and her guides. She will ask you a random question like, "What's your favourite cookie?" and that helps her read your energy. It's fun to do.

I am so thankful I get to travel for my job. I go to China, Indonesia, Hong Kong. This (Above) is the girl I bought baskets off of in Bali. I sell them low so that they will sell and I can keep supporting the basket makers. (Below: More photos from Kayla's trip to Bali!)

From Indonesia I get all these glass beads. These are recycled beer bottles, these are televisions screens (pictured below)!

I sort of forgot that this was what I always wanted to do. My friends remind me. I have been blessed with friends who have helped me, especially with all the cabinets and drawers and renovations here.

I try to keep my prices real, I try not to gouge things. You shouldn't have to charge people more than they can afford and people should be able to walk away with something nice for themselves. I often get people coming in here for movies. People from the A-Team movie came and cleared me out of carved skulls and stuff. I can't wait to see the movie. One day I had Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Renolds come in. They were looking for stuff for their designer friend. They bought some wooden beads, Ryan modeled them for us. She looked gorgeous and not a stitch of make up on.
I am so thankful to be around lovely people that are just bopping around the store looking for cool stuff so they're not in a stress-y mood or anything. I want to stay in this location for as long as I can. I don't know what other neighbourhood would be right. I've been really lucky here. Beads are a destination spot, if they are a true bead freak will seek you out.

Above: Grub the shop dog.

story: an afternoon at the park

2010-06-10T14:00:00.004-07:00

Lisa W met with Marlene, Elena and Stella on Monday May 10, 2010.

Marlene and Todd have been married for 8 years now. Their twin daughters are 2 and a half years old. They live near Main and 28th. The couple met in first year at university. Todd is a web designer, and Marlene is almost done nursing school. Marlene says, "We hoped for this neighbourhood. Mount Pleasant was kind of our dream, and when we found the place we are at now we were like are you kidding me?! Yes we'll take it right now!"

Marlene takes Stella and Elena to the park at Riley Park Community Centre most afternoons after their nap. Today they ride in their red wagon with their pre-packed snacks and their shovel and bucket to play in the sand with. I am tagging along with them this sunny Monday afternoon.

Stella says she is "baking" things in the sand, and comes back and forth telling us there is a strawberry pie baking, and that when she hears the buzzer she will have to go and get it from the oven otherwise it will burn. She marches off with purpose, retrieving her pie and bringing it back to Marlene, saying "It's hot, it's hot!" and watches intently as Marlene "tastes" the pie, saying "Holy moly! It's soo good!" Stella seems quietly pleased and goes off to make another.

Marlene tells me her story in between interacting with the girls, calming tantrums and eating "pies":

"I got pregnant in Japan. Todd and I traveled around a lot before having kids. We taught english in Taiwan and Japan and then traveled all over south east Asia while we were there. We came back to Vancouver and lived in Yaletown for awhile. I notice now that this area is way more community-minded. It's easier to approach people and talk to them, no one thinks you're a whack-o. People want to make friends up here, not that they don't in Yaletown, it's just different. Plus there's houses and yards here, how fun is that, right? We go for walks in the evenings now and it's just so great.

We felt like we hit the jackpot with this park. Now they can handle being in bigger parks. Having the fence around it, and all the structures are low. If they aren't playing on anything they can play in the sand. I can see them everywhere. It's very conducive to having conversations with friends.

It's a great place to meet other moms. We all help each other out. I guess moms do that everywhere, but here you don't have to join the mom's group.

We go everywhere around this neighbourhood. We go to Re Entry all the time. We've been to the play gym in the new community centre but it's so crowded. We used to go to Once Upon a Huckleberry Bush.

The girls and I look for cats in the neighbourhood. We smell all the flowers; tulips, daisies and daffodils are our favourite. There is a house with a great water fountain at 28th and Ontario, we like to go and look at the rocks there. We explore this neighbourhood a lot, it is Elena and Stella's favourite thing to do.

These girls are so clever and funny already. When I was potty training them I would say, "Good job!" when they would do it right. I go to the bathroom with the door open when they are home and when they see me they say "Good job!" with just as much sincerity and enthusiasm as I say it."

Time at the park comes to an end. The girls return to their wagon to finish their snacks on the ride home. Stella remembers I've ridden my bike and that I have to go get it. They all wave at me as we go our separate ways.

It is amazing to me to meet these children being raised by such fantastic parents. I have met so many parents in this neighbourhood who talk to their kids as equals, instead of as little children. They engage their kids in everything going on around them. One of my favourite parts of this neighbourhood is the interesting and intelligent little kids, and one of the most inspiring parts of this neighbourhood for me has been the strong, busy and creative parents.

Thanks to Marlene and co. for letting me tag along and having a lovely afternoon with them!

story: community preparation

2010-06-09T17:19:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture from the just before the war...perhaps 1939, when Daphne, my mother, was a nanny in the south of England. As the threat of an invasion was close they moved the family inland away from the coast. It was after this that my mother enlisted in the R.A.F. and was posted in a hospital in Newcastle. It must have been chaotic times indeed for a family that was used to living the quiet village life.

These experiences must have shaped Daphne's character and is evident in her dedication to the community of Little Mountain.

Thoughts from Daphne's son Greg.

story: Prophetic Photograph

2010-06-08T09:25:00.008-07:00

The first time I entered Percy Norman Pool was on opening day in April 1960. I remember driving over Little Mountain with my parents and looking through the trees before seeing the pool. We were rushing a little to get there in time for the ceremonies. A program of aquatic events had been planned and I was in the first race...the women's 100 m Freestyle.

It turned out to be a significant step in my Olympic journey.

The previous year, when I was thirteen, my mother told me that my best chance to make the Pan American Games team was to finish among the first 4 in the 100 m Freestyle at the trials. This was because the Selection Committee would likely send the top 4 girls for the Freestyle Relay.

You should always do what your mother tells you. And I did!

However, for the 1960 Rome Olympics, my mother predicted they would only send a Medley Relay (a team of four, one swimmer for each stroke). If I hoped to be chosen, I would have to win the 100 m Freestyle.

Well, again, I did as I was told!

Margaret Iwasaki had been alternate for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and was, by this time, the best in Canada for both Butterfly and Freestyle. I was not expected to win this exhibition race at the new pool. But I did! By 1/10th of a second!

And my family, including my sister Helen (1956 Olympics) knew that this boded well for me to make the 1960 Olympic Team.

An interesting note, I think, is that there were only 4 women swimmers representing Canada in Rome and only 10 women on the entire Canadian Olympic Team!

This photograph of the opening exhibition race (taken by Bill Cunningham of the Vancouver Province) was a foreshadowing of the 1960 Women's Olympic Swimming Team.

All 3 swimmers, coached by Howard Firby of the Dolphins, earned a spot on the team.

Myself, Mary Stewart for the 100 m Freestyle; Judy McHale for the 100 m Breaststroke and Margaret Iwasaki for the 100 m Butterfly.

The announcer standing behind us in the photo is Dick Jack who was named as the Swim Team Manager for the Rome Olympics.

By Mary Stewart McIlwaine

Mary taught school in Vancouver for 38 years. She and her husband, Robert, have a son, Edward, and a daughter, Marina.

On June 1st 2010 Mary posed for this portrait at Percy Norman Pool.

story:1960 Canadian Swim Team

2010-06-07T09:30:00.002-07:00

From the Weekend Magazine Nov 5 1960

Photo by: Gerry Zwirn-Rome

1960 Rome Olympics

Canadian Women Swimming and Diving team

Judy McHale 200 m Breaststroke (far left)

Margaret Iwasaki- 100 m Butterfly (second from left)

Mary Stewart 100 m Freestyle (handstand)

Irene MacDonald Diving (kneeling)

Sara Barber 100 m Backstroke (far right)

All these women, except Sara Barber from Ontario, swam and dove at the Percy Norman Pool!

story: Daphne's kids

2010-06-03T13:15:00.038-07:00

Daphne Holmes moved here from England in the 1940's and raised a family...

She was a longtime resident of Riley Park,

a true community player,

a mover and a shaker and

a generous spirit with a very forward thinking attitude toward children and their education.

Daphne with her great-grandchild Abigail Lim in her side garden in the summer of 2008.

One rainy morning I sat with her and her son Greg to learn more about her.

"It is important to get kids to like to come to school. It was Greg who couldn't stand the grade one teacher and I had an awful time with him! He would get to the end of the street and then that was it…

I would get a phone call, 'Is Greg sick?'

And I would say 'No, I sent him to school.'

And he would be hiding and I would have to go find him, but he just couldn't stand that teacher. So I said to the principal at the time, 'Can we change him over?'
And the principal said 'No, he'll have to get used to all these different teachers.'
So I called the school board and said 'He is only 5 years old, and it is an experience for him and he can't stand it! Every child is an individual and you never know what is going to happen, and this one just can't take it!'
I thought this is one time I've got to stand up for him and protect him."

The PTA at General Wolfe School. Daphne is sitting down second from the left.

Circa 1962 or 1964...

"And so I joined the PTA and told them that we have got to do something, so kids are not scared to come into school!

A lot of the kids couldn't care less but then you get these ones that are a little bit shy and people would call them slow, but they are not slow!
A lot of parents would say 'Oh well, they will get through'…but I think you have to stand behind these kids."
(Daphne got Greg successfully transferred from the class but then he got that same teacher again in grade 3!)

"I warned the principal that I would be watching out for him!"

"Because I had 3 boys I was very interested in what was happening in the schools, and I have always gone up different times to meet the new principals to see what was going on, you see, eventually I had my grandchildren going to the same school. It is still a very good school!" (General Wolfe Elementary.)

"I think all my kids' friends knew exactly where the cookie pot was. It was a good thing my husband was on shift work, because after school they all came swooping in! Some mothers were working but of course I wasn't, so I had babysitting at my house. I did eventually go to work, but not until after the boys had grown up."

This picture is from a camping trip in and around the time of cookie thievery, 1962.

Greg (top left), Carl (top right), Marc (bottom left) and Steven (bottom right).

Carl wasn't Daphne's son but a neighbour kid who hung around with them A LOT. Kind of an honourary member of the family.

Also notice Daphne's husband George chopping wood!

"I volunteered every Thursday afternoon, for many years and weighed all the new babies in the neighbourhood at the Health Clinic on Main street at 24th. In fact I might be right to say 27 years! They gave me a little tea and presented me with a little gift saying I had weighed the babies for 25 years... and then one of my neighbours got up and said 'She has been doing that for more than 25 years!'

I knew every kid and watched them grow up! What a happier life than that? And some of their parents I knew when they were kids! Everybody knew where I was on Thursday afternoons."

Here is the health centre June 3, 2010, still there after all these years...

"I met someone I had weighed just the other day at the Centennial Anniversary of General Wolfe School. I attended with my two sons but as we got out of the car into the beautiful blue sky day...there came this incredible storm! So Greg got me settled in the basement so he could go and help outside to bring in chairs and hold the tents down. Rocks were flying off the playground into their faces! I sat with one of the present day General Wolfe students -- because he also didn't want to go out into the storm! As we were chatting, I realized he was a little scared. I told him that one of his parents would soon come and he would be ok. When his mother showed up, I recognized her and then realized I had weighed this little guy I was talking to! He was much bigger of course, so I joked: 'I don't think I could lift you now!'"

"I always liked kids. I took a few years of training [in England] - how to look after kids and that...then, much later, I went back to night school here in Vancouver -- at Langara -- to get my Pre-School Education. I should have done this before my kids were born!

[Historically speaking this program wasn't offered back then!]

I learned an awful lot! I went for 3-4 years, and I was the oldest student. I was in my 50's, I was a grandmother! And I was with all these young people and I had never been to college in my life! But I was the top of the class, probably because I had so much experience being with children already."

Greg: "You got the job right across the street from our house, at Little Mountain Daycare!"

Daphne: "Yes that's right, and I would open up the daycare, then go back and help at lunchtime, and then go back and close. I did that 5 days a week. I was so happy to get so far and in my 50's! And pre-school in those days, was not so well looked after, but now they go to UBC to get their degree. It was a new thing back then. I worked at Little Mountain Daycare until it closed, probably about 20 years or so. I thoroughly enjoyed that."

Daphne and her Little Mountain Daycare kids in and around 1974.

"My husband wasn't too keen on his wife working, but I enjoyed it, and when he saw I was enjoying it, he quit yakking about it and if he got home before me he learned to put the supper on!"

Greg: "Which he never did before…"

Daphne: "And then I would come home from the daycare and supper would be ready for me! I mean, I would make it ready but he would cook it. He would look outside the front window for the last car to leave picking up kids and he would turn the oven on!"

Daphne's husband outside General Wolfe's birthplace in Westerham, Kent... England.

Greg: "It was handy for the daycare too, having my Mom live across the street, when parents couldn't make it to pick their kids up on time, she would just bring them home and then the parents would pick them up here at our house! Convenient for people…especially single moms."

Daphne: "Some kids would even come to my house at 7:30 in the morning... since the daycare didn't open until 8am! And you know, no one ever took advantage of this. Which I was very proud of. Also every year the city would come and check things out at my house to make sure it was all safe. I was licensed to have the kids there. I had a good relationship with the health department! The neighbours wouldn't complain either. The kids would of course play outside too!"

Greg: "My mom, my father and my aunt Pearl started the Seniors Group at Little Mountain Neighbourhood House as well."

Daphne: "It is still going on I think."

The Riley Park Seniors Group. A bunch of big kids! Daphne sits second from the right.

"I think getting my preschool certificate was one of my biggest achievements since I didn't have that much education, there was no such thing as education when I went to school. You went to school, you turned 14 and then you were out. And I was a woman, so there were only so many things you could do. You could be a teacher if you were smart, or a nurse, but that took years."

"The most amazing thing [in regards to living 93 years and seeing so many things change], was the change in children…in that they now ask questions. I don't think at my age we would have ever dared to have done it! I think they aren't closing kids down now, they are opening them up more. That is what I noticed and that is what I tried to do to bring kids out."

"I still get Christmas cards from some of the kids I looked after!"

transcription by lisag

"I feel honoured to meet Daphne."

story: 3900 block Main Street

2010-06-02T11:00:00.001-07:00

All it takes is 46 seconds to see the changes since 1946!

story: tomato nose

2010-06-01T09:38:00.002-07:00

This is me.

I have been carrying this tomato around in the cuff of my pants all day.

story: Main and 25th - south west corner

2010-05-31T08:45:00.001-07:00

1939
2010
*archival image courtesy of Vancouver Public Library

story: family outings

2010-05-30T13:04:00.001-07:00

1971

1978

2001

See these images in a video called Changes.

story: Fraser and 33rd dissolve

2010-05-29T12:07:00.002-07:00

47 seconds to show the "progress" at the corner of Fraser and 33rd.

story: Percy Norman Still Life

2010-05-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

1960's tile style

Lifesaver

story: it got me thinking

2010-05-28T14:15:00.008-07:00

I lived in a cute little apartment at 18th and Main Street in and around 1995. It was on the second floor of a big old house and organized like a railroad flat in New York City. Super narrow with room after room in a chain. I liked that. You entered in the kitchen and if you made a right you would hit the tiny little living room and then 3 steps forward, remembering to step over this weird step you would be in the bedroom. The living room had room enough for 2 comfy chairs, so entertaining was limited but not impossible. From the kitchen if you made a left you would be in the bathroom. All the rooms had a window except the bathroom so it felt bright and airy. I painted my bedroom dark brown. My living room was beige with burnt red trim and the kitchen and bathroom were baby blue. I had a claw footed tub which was really the clincher for renting it. I was delighted to live there. Prior to this I had had roommates and this place was all mine!

Now, I didn't really know many of the neighbours. Sure, I said hello if I saw someone in the hallways, but that was seldom. For me, this was perfect. I had this idea of anonymity, it was what I was looking for. You see, when I wasn't at home I was on the road, in a rock band. This was a time in my life when sometimes up to 10 months would be spent in a van, loading or unloading gear or at a motel. Of course a small percentage was the stage performance but all things considered, this didn't take much time. We had A LOT of fun but I was always around people, even our motel was shared. I was lucky since my band mates and tour manager were my friends, but being a kind of independent person who likes their down time… touring was a challenge.

With this new apartment came a new sensation…the magic of closing the apartment door and knowing it would only be me.

One of the few times I was back in Vancouver, I came up the front steps, checked my mailbox and opened the shared door to the entrance hallway. I was met with a bit of a bad smell. As I walked up the stairs it got a little worse, and more so as I walked down my hallway. I was a little nervous to open my apartment door. But when I did and went inside the smell was almost indiscernible. Apartment hallways often had strange smells, so I guess because of this I didn't worry too much about it.

The next morning however, as I left my apartment, the smell was much worse. The odour hit me hard in face. It was the kind of a smell I had never experienced. Was it mold? Was it garbage?

When I returned the smell again seemed worse, so I decided to call the landlord. We chatted about the kind of smell it was and wondered if a rat or a cat had died in the walls. Hmmm. I certainly didn't like the sound of a rat, but the idea that it could be someone's cat made me sad.

The next morning there was a kerfuffle in the hallway. When I peeked out my door I saw a whole fleet of men in hazmat suits…and the door to my neighbours apartment was open. A woman who lived in the floor above, the most prestigious apartment since it was the biggest and at the top, told me I should come to her house to hang out.

Very mysterious and definitely not on my solo agenda.

She introduced herself as Maryann and made me a cup of tea. She was older than I was and her place reflected this advantage over me. The view from her window was spectacular.

“Do you know the guy in the apartment opposite of you?” she asked

“Not really” I said. “I've seen him collect his mail once, but that's it”.

“Well, he died in his apartment and that's what's been smelling up this place for weeks.” she told me.

“Weeks?” I asked

“He was in there for 2 weeks… “ then with a change in her voice she added “No one called him. No one came by. No one missed him.”

This of course got me thinking. How long could I be dead and alone before someone missed me? People who knew me, knew my hermit practices. If I died people would just assume I was antisocial!

Well, I would like to wrap this story up in a tight bow and explain how I immediately changed my ways and welcomed friends and family into all parts of my life at all times. Change doesn't happen so quickly for me.

But it got me thinking.

by lisa g
inspired by The Columbia House

story: Lucky's Comics

2010-05-27T14:00:00.007-07:00

Lisa W. met with Ben of Lucky's Comic Store. Ben works for Gabe, who opened the store 15 years ago. It used to be in the storefront where Regional Assembly of Text is, a few doors down. Here is what Ben had to say:

Above: Ben poses for a few snapshots.

"I really liked comic books as a kid, yeah, I still like them. I don't like the super hero stuff, I like the kind of underground more avant garde, stuff like that; graphic novels that tell really good stories, something that's different. You can only read X-Men for so long……..for some people.

Gabe opened up Lucky's 15 years ago. It used to be at another location for about 4 years. I came here 3.5 years ago. I think it used to have a bit too much of a Magic Card feeling to it. I'm happy with the new colours it is painted, it brightened it up.

Above: the old skull gate.

Lucky's used to have this gate with skulls all over it. I was like, "You want kids to come in here?!"

A lot of regulars help support us for sure. They're the ones that know to come here to get different stuff. I think the general public is either totally blown away by this store or totally don't understand it at all. I've had a lot of people come in here and be like, "So, adults read these?" and I'm like, "Yeah, you'd be surprised."

We have a very specific selection of books. We are a niche store that is well known for that. Lucky's is the place to go to get really good graphic novels and lots of local artist's work.

I have had to run down shoplifters a few times. There were some kids here once who stuffed their bags with comics and then ran off. So I ran after them and brought them back here. I gave them two choices, I could call their parents or call the cops. They cried. One of them came back here and apologized.

It's a really hard business, especially right now. On the flipside there is so much amazing stuff that no one's buying. It's not a cheap hobby to have.

Above: Children's drawings inside Lucky's

I love this neighbourhood. I hope no one purposely burns down our building and opens up a Tim Hortons. No one wants that.

Above: one of Ben's drawings

I'm an artist myself and any media that's interesting I gravitate towards whether it's film, a painting or a good comic book. I like to know what is good right now and different. Working here has been a big eye opener for me, and I've been able to meet a lot of people who have helped me along. It's nice to be a part of the community."

Lucky's also has a gallery, this is the upcoming show!

story: Walden Building

2010-05-27T09:00:00.001-07:00

1930

2003
courtesy of superdubey

2010

This historic landmark
is located at 4120 Main Street (25th and Main)

studio: sport plus photo workshop

2010-05-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Lisa Walker gives photo tips before kids from the after school program Sports Plus go out and take some on site photos.

story: Doors

2010-05-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

I sometimes like to take pictures of doors because they may change...or be redesigned.

by Vivian

story: Main and 25th - south east corner

2010-05-25T09:03:00.002-07:00

1946
2010
1946
2010

Archival images courtesy of Vancouver Public Library

studio: video in progress

2010-05-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

Matt works on his video on a rainy afternoon in the story studio with lisa g making edit notes...

Tailored Memories is a video story about honouring the building's Tailor Shop past where Matt's current coffee shop business resides.

photo by Lisa Walker

studio: swimming story

2010-05-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

Rose and Lisa g work on Rose's story called FULL CIRCLE.

story: I like taking pictures!

2010-05-22T09:02:00.004-07:00

I really enjoy taking pictures of painted stuff.

I like taking pictures of corners!

It looks like they are having a lot of fun!

I really like badminton, it is really nice to play.

This picture is blurry but I like it...

just in case the windows get washed...

and they did get washed!

by Vivian

story: Main and 15th: then and now

2010-05-21T15:00:00.001-07:00

Times change and cities grow but a heritage building can withstand these changes if the city protects them and finds new uses.
Here is a good example.

1927 - Postal Station C

2010 - Heritage Hall

Camera and camera lenses also change, trees get planted and electrical wires installed -- all things that make recreation photographs challenging.
As well, the ability to move as far back as necessary to get the same shot! For the picture below my back was right against the building on the other side of the street!

by lisa g

story: one night we met...

2010-05-21T14:46:00.001-07:00

a beautiful anonymous love story from the story-box.

story: one happy mountain

2010-05-21T14:42:00.003-07:00

a wonderful anonymous submission from the storybox!

story: magic wading pool

2010-05-20T09:15:00.007-07:00

Before Percy Norman Pool was built, kids in the neighborhood learned the art of swimming and other things in the wading pool beside the caretakers house along side the lane.

Wading pool photo courtesy of VPL

I can remember those hot summers when our mother would round us up and lead us to the pool. We would make the trip up Ontario Street from 24th with our towels flung over our shoulders and our swim suits under our shorts, hopefully.

Marc (left) and Greg (right) sit on Dad's Austin
in the backyard of their house at Ontario and 24th.
photo courtesy of Marc Holmes

We would be strung out along the street following our mother like a family of ducks off to the pond. Our bare feet flapping on the warm pavement and dancing over the scorching asphalt roads that crossed our path. When we rounded the corner, where Percy Norman Pool is today, there was a vacant lot to navigate covered with clover, buzzing bees and hidden pieces of broken glass. Stepping ever so carefully and weaving our way through the maze of traps waiting for us in our bare feet.
Bare feet?
Mother must have been saving those new Woodward's Dollars for runners at $1.49 Day!
All the local families would be spread out on blankets on the grass around the wading pool. We would make our way to the water and stick our feet in. Jeez it was cold! I can remember it like it was yesterday. You would gradually make it in up to that most private of places for kids and stop cold. It seemed like an eternity standing in one spot frozen in time and thought... until some kid splashed you from behind! The culprit most likely would be your older brother and so you got in to it and entirely wet in the following melee forgetting the cold water altogether.
Everyone learned the dog paddle. You could cheat by keeping your feet on the bottom and pretend to swim, but everyone knew what you where doing.
It was primeval panic in that little pool like a school of fish jostling for position and water going every direction at once. Amazing any of the water stayed in the pool! The surrounding concrete was soaked with it.
Boys went running with cupped hands full of water to throw on the backs of girls laying on their blankets peacefully minding they own business. Somehow it delighted us to hear the screams and get a reaction as the cold water splashed over their backs.
There was a magic to that outside pool that you don't get from an indoor one. A certain freedom to run around and just be a kid. Great memories that I'll always remember.
The pool was taken out along with the teeter-totters because of a budget cut from someone at City Hall who probably already lost their own memories of being a kid.

By Greg Holmes

Greg Holmes in an exception to the dress code of the day.

(He was sure to have gotten out of those clothes
immediately after the picture was taken. )

story: my preschool past

2010-05-19T15:39:00.006-07:00

photo courtesy of Michelle Noel

This picture reminds me of when I was little and I went to preschool. I remember sitting on the alphabet carpet. I felt shy to make friends. I went there for 2 years!

Now I am 10 years old.

By Jenny

story: Mr Baseball's extraterrestrial experience

2010-05-19T09:01:00.001-07:00

Doug Anderson remembers a story told to him by “Mr. Baseball”, Bud Kerr, before he passed away. This was Bud's greatest memory of an actual ball game at The Nat and it is one of the highlights of Vancouver's baseball history.

photo from Tom Hawthorne's blog

According to Bud, it was amazing night at Nat Bailey when he was there for the game on May 28, 1962.

It was unexpected and came as a big surprise to all attendee’s that night as a fiery flying object appeared over the North Shore Mountains and seemed to be heading right for Nat Bailey Stadium. It may have been a comet, but to many it seemed to be a visitor from outer space and it scared the whole crowd!

As the UFO approached Nat Bailey Stadium, pandemonium enveloped hundreds of the spectators and all the ball players. Both teams fled the field running to the safety of their dugouts as the crowd scrambled for the parking lot – many choosing not to return for the end of the game. Bud said people called the police and the military but neither had any aircraft in the air at that night and couldn’t identify the UFO!

*Bud attended the opening game at the Stadium on June 15, 1951 when Capliano Stadium officially opened (it was later rechristened after Nat Bailey). Bud was a regular attendee for over 55 years of our beloved ball park.

story: The Columbia House

2010-05-18T10:35:00.006-07:00

Recollections of a shared house.

Created by J Peachy

story: ABC's on the swings

2010-05-16T18:00:00.002-07:00

Marlene and her wonderful twin daughters Stella and Elena.

story: Ellie's Drawings

2010-05-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks Ellie! These were submitted into the story-box.

story: salvation 1969

2010-05-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

click on article to enlarge.

story: end of an era

2010-05-11T09:58:00.002-07:00

I chatted with Darwyn Hermann (Recreation Programmer for Mount Pleasant Community Centre) one day over the phone and he had some hilarious and thoughtful Riley Park memories.

Darwyn remembers being 5, 6 and 7 years old spending at minimum 3-4 days per week at the Percy Norman Pool. His Dad (Doug Hermann) was the pool's Assistant Manager and a tough guy water polo player (his words). Darwyn, the third youngest of 4 would play with his two brothers and one sister at the pool when his Dad worked. The pool was closed everyday for an hour or so which meant Darwyn and his siblings ran amok in the pool. They loved to dump out the entire box of kickboards into the pool and make a raft. It sounded like such a magic time.

When I went to visit him I recorded his memories, here is what he had to say:

"We used to run those hallways, the tunnels, and play tag in that building as kids, a lot of memories. We spent so much time there. We used to fight in the building with my siblings.

Going back to the mid 60's early 70's there were some really memorable swimming instructors...although it was a very different method of teaching. One guy, Jack Lugrin, he was old back then and he walked with a limp…Jack would have this red pole and would say 'Jump to the red pole!' And the first couple of times he would pull you across while you kicked, and then he would pull the pole away and you would be fighting to get the pole! He would make you go a farther and farther distance until he wouldn't give you the pole for the whole length. So that is a very old school method of teaching, where now it is more a progression based system. This was the method back then, they didn't know any better. There were definitely some unique instructors over the years."

"There used to be days during public swimming where they lined up 200 hundred people deep and right out to Main Street. So, pool staff would let the maximum capacity in and an hour and a half later they all had to get out and the next bunch of people would be let in! That used to be regular on the weekends up until the 70's….because there wasn't so many pools around. Templeton, Britannia, and Lord Bing didn't come in until 1976. Prior to that there were less pools. Kensington didn't come until the early 80's. We only had Kerrisdale which was an outdoor pool and then you had Kilarney. Even the Aquatic Centre didn't come in until the 70's."

public swim at the Percy Norman Pool circa 1963

"There were days I remember walking from school to the pool. Coming down by the Kentucky Fried Chicken, Main and 31st, and coming in the back of the park by the back of the ice rink parking lot. One gang was in Riley Park, another in the parking lot with bats and chains, sniffing glue! I was about 7 years old when I saw this --probably early 70's. So very rough community growing up. It was a rough neighbourhood with the projects down the street.

We used to run the hallways and I can remember me and my brother were chasing each other around and he goes to take a drink from the fountain and I bonked him on the back of the head and knocked all his front teeth out! That was my little brother.

As kids not only were we in swim club, we also took judo. So 5 or 6 days a week we were in sports. Judo and swimming, Judo and swimming…so we used to fight with each other all the time whether we were in Judo or not. My little brother survived it though…there were 3 boys and one girl.

My sister worked at Percy Norman while she was in university as a cashier and lifeguard. My older brother lifeguarded at the beaches and the outdoor pools. When he was 19 years old he became a police officer. So, you see the influence. At one point, four of us worked for the City of Vancouver. My brother was the police officer, me and my Dad were working, my sister was working...so when the T4 slips came that said 'D Hermann' we had to look at the social insurance number…all our names start with D (Debbie, David, Darwyn, little brother Dillon and my Dad, Doug!) Five D's in our family!

I can remember one time a cheque came in the mail for 'D Hermann' and we didn't know whose it was so I cashed it. It was some retro for some contract settlement or something , but it was my older brother's …

The Vancouver Park Board system progressed very rapidly over a 30 year term. We went from 1 pool to 7 pools and we built them very quickly. It is interesting because how people view aquatics has changed. It used to be 25 meter box pool and dive board tank…now they build them with zero depth entry so they are more wheelchair accessible. Yet, Percy Norman always had those special needs groups in there but really had very difficult accessibility issues. They always struggled with accessibility, but still handled it….we had a hand crank lift. One of the people, Bonnie Friesen, a special needs aquatics specialist in Vancouver, has been really progressive teaching people how to work with special needs groups. Percy was always known for that."

photo courtesy of Percy Norman Pool, circa 1963

"In the new facility the bottom of the pool will raise up to the surface level, so you will be able to get people into the pool and then lower it again. It will also be zero depth entry into the leisure area, so there will be a lot more accessibility in this pool. We learned a lot from Percy Norman Pool.

There were some big events held at that pool. Nowadays, it is too small and you wouldn't be able to dive at that pool. I remember some guys that used to work there and they would double bounce on the high diving board and literally almost landed on the deck in between the dive tank and the lap pool!

The new pool facility will be different from what we already have in Vancouver, not necessarily competitive, our goal was to make it accessible to everybody and have it more leisure based. A far cry from the old Percy Norman!

It is kind of the end of an era."

interview by lisa g

story: lifesaver

2010-05-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

story: 100 Sunflowers

2010-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

an anonymous drawing left in the story-box drop off:

story: The Regional Assembly of Text

2010-05-09T09:00:00.001-07:00

Above: Rebecca stands in front of the wall of filing cabinets, one of which came from her mother's office.

Lisa W. met with Rebecca from Regional Assembly of Text. Rebecca is a co-owner of the store, an adorable text-based craft store on Main St, just near King Edward. Rebecca is from Calgary, her business partner and close friend Brandy is from Victoria. Rebecca currently lives on Commercial Dr, and rides her bike to work at 3934 Main St. everyday. The store is reaching its five year anniversary this coming August, and they are slowly getting busier and busier as time passes.

Here is what Rebecca had to say:

"Brandy and I met at Emily Carr and liked to collaborate. We both started printmaking and bookmaking. We started selling stuff at craft fairs and progressed from there. We did really well, and wanted to find a studio space together which eventually turned into finding a storefront together. We wrote a business plan, and searched until we found something we liked.

We knew in our hearts it would be Main St., and went through the motions of looking at spaces in Kits and Commercial Dr, but found a space on Main St near King Edward that we thought was the best fit. It took about a year of searching.

I like Main St. because there is a mix between old and new. I really like that there is still The Legion across the street and great restaurants that aren't too hip. As opposed to places like Kits where many spaces seem like they are just doing what they know sells.

Above: The back studio space.

We tried to make everything we sold. There is a studio space in the back with printing stations for us to create things. One of us usually works in the back while the other runs the store out front. We do all the prints in the back, and often collaborate with each other. But each of us has our own projects, some things are my baby, some are Brandy's baby. We work really well together, and I wouldn't open a business with anyone else.

Above: There is a cot in the top-left corner, covered by a blanket.

When we first opened we had a tiny spot for a cot in the back studio space, we used a little ladder to climb up there. We were working 6 days a week, ten hours a day, so we used to take turns having naps up there!

Above: The typewriter on the far left is Rebecca's Grandmother's typewriter, which she used to play office with as a little girl.

We have a lot of typewriters here now, and use them all during our monthly Letter Writing Club evening, which is the first Thursday of the month. At first it was started as something free to involve the community, I feel a bit weird about being so retail and consumerist involved. We didn't imagine it would be as popular as it is. Basically, at 7, people show up and use our typewriters and materials to write letters. These often seem to be letters for loved ones. At first we thought only a few people would come to these nights, but now we get 35 people or so every month, a few are regulars but for the most part it is new comers.

We also find a lot of people want to write articles about this event, and have received a lot of press for this event. We get a lot of newspapers and such writing about us. We don't do any advertising so word of mouth is really how we have gotten so many customers.

We fix typewriters as best we can, but usually just fiddle with them until we figure out how to make them work again. We have a typewriter repair fund and ribbon replacement fund (pic below) where people who come in just to use the typewriters donate money. Once we get enough we take typewriters we can't figure out how to repair to this guy in town who fixes them, he oils them up replaces the ribbon and makes them feel shiny and new again. It's not cheap, though.

Brandy and I are both big fans of zines. We both have huge collections. We started the Lowercase Reading Room to celebrate our love of zines. It used to be a gallery but it got to be too hard to keep up with. We still have book launches and little events, though.

Above: The Button Making station.

I like the idea of making your own cards. Someone once told me, "Don't sell anything you wouldn't buy yourself."

I hardly ever buy cards, I always make them myself. We make pretty much everything here, and created a card-making station and a button-making station to celebrate that. I love when someone asks me if we have a specific card, and I can reply, "We don't, but you can make one yourself! "

Above: The card making station.

We have an old letter press in the back, which I wish I had more time to use. You have to place each letter one by one. I remember we had this group of students coming in to look at it, and wanted to use a different font, or make the letters bigger. It was kind of nice to say, this is all you can use, this is it. I feel like people are so used to having so many options and take for granted the old processes that got us to where we are now."

story: Pool parties, dance parties!

2010-05-08T09:00:00.002-07:00

Two stories from Erin G!

I have lived in the Riley Park neighbourhood for 9 years. I live at Ontario and 23rd, just along the bike path in the house with the white dog in the window. Everyone in the neighbourhood knows the house because of the dog, and there is usually lots of bikes locked to the front steps. Our dog is like the ambassador of the bike path.

I have a pretty great story about our house:

There was this heat wave in August about four or five years ago and it was the hottest week ever. My roommates and I decided to go buy a 3 ft deep kiddy pool, big enough for the three of us and a couple of friends to sit and drink beers to cool down. It was in the front yard; people who were biking by used to stop and sit with us in the pool to cool down.

Eventually the landlord complained because it was "unsightly" and asked us to put it in the backyard. I was dragging the pool into the backyard when I guess I must have nicked it a tiny bit and didn't realize. I started to pump it back up again when I got it into the backyard, and filled it up. I went inside to phone some people to come over for a pool party.

The neighbours that lived in the basement had taken their dog for a walk. My boyfriend and I heard what sounded like a waterfall! I ran to my window and looked outside and saw that the pool had collapsed and all the water had flown into the bottom floor.

All the neighbours had heard the noise and were standing around watching. I started screaming; we grabbed all the blankets and towels we could find and ran downstairs to sop up all the water. The whole basement was soaked! I tried throwing buckets of water up the stairs but of course it just kept falling back downstairs. We worked so hard and so fast trying to get all the water cleaned up that my arms were sore for days. We somehow managed to clean it all up before my neighbours got back from walking their dog! You couldn't even tell anything had happened, it just looked a little cleaner than it was before!

So that was the end of the pool parties.

I also have a great story about Cinephile, where I've worked for about 5 years.

I decided that Friday is the most fun day to work, since you get the happy before dinner rush, and the slightly drunk after dinner rush. One night last summer I made a party playlist for the after dinner crowd. At about 9 o clock that song Hey Ya by Outkast came on. I was playing it pretty loud as the store was empty. But then a huge rush came. I noticed that people were slowly and quietly bopping their heads to the music, getting more and more into the song. Eventually, everyone noticed that everyone else was also into it and began to dance a little more. It turned into a full on dance

party! It was about 10 people who just danced for a little while, then stuck around and made friends! It was so hilarious!

story: Nothing is as it appears to be

2010-05-07T09:00:00.004-07:00

When I first came to Vancouver faced with no job and a very expensive city to rent in, I chose to live out of my car. Which was a brand new Toyota Matrix with tinted windows. This car is actually designed to sleep in. A sleek looking set of wheels parked in front of your house. No one would make assumptions. I quickly found the Main Street area to be my place of comfort. Cool record stores, saucy Cafe barrista's and wannabe fixies who think blowing their knees out is cool.

I was recovering from a sprained ankle procured from the Blowmedown's in Newfoundland. Sometimes tele skiing sucks. Rehabilitation for me was found in the pool. And perfect for $40 a month you can frequent all city pools. As living in a car showering proves to be difficult. Percy Norman became my favourite. Great lane swimming with no Kits jocks and not too many old fogies wanting to race me.

Then of course off to Nester's for a bite and Re-Entry to catch a bit of cool. What a fantastic neighborhood. Funny enough I met the girl of my dreams at Re-Entry, who happened to live on Main and 28th. A love story in it's own for sure. Then moving in with her. Couldn't exactly invite her back to my place. But sadly after 2 years the partnership ended. No longer leasing a Matrix, I find myself living on Ontario and 33rd. Something about Riley Park. I use the kids playground as my gym and run laps around the fields. Pavement is not my thing. I love it here and have fond memories of my car house days. Too many stories to tell. And excited to see what comes next. Remember nothing is as it appears to be.

---Zak Knight---

story: one son's memory

2010-05-06T10:05:00.001-07:00

Ralph Norman remembers his Dad, Percy Norman,

on the 50th Anniversary of the Percy Norman Pool.

Ralph Norman in the story studio at Riley Park Community Centre

(click on image of text below to view large)

story: Full Circle

2010-05-05T08:30:00.002-07:00

Rose Marie Pepe tells her tale of aquatics

and her connection to the Percy Norman Pool.

story: MY Neighbourhood

2010-05-04T11:00:00.001-07:00

click on the images to see Linda's 2007 scrapbook up-close!

story: Tom's drawing

2010-05-03T10:00:00.002-07:00

A drawing by Tom, left in the story submission box at Re-Entry Espresso!

story: Olympic memory

2010-05-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

All of us from Sport Plus afterschool program painted these on the windows of our room in Riley Park Community Centre in February 2010 to support the Olympics.

by Jenny

story: Opera Singing Lifeguard

2010-05-01T11:00:00.001-07:00

Jason Cook: Lifeguard by day... Opera singer by night

I began life-guarding at Percy Norman while I finished up school. I used to work mornings 6am-1:30pm at the pool, then go straight to school after! I received my BA in Music with a major in Voice Performance from UBC in 2009, and have been involved in many operatic productions.

I started playing piano when I was 6. Then I became part of the elementary school choir. I remember the teacher saying that I was a good singer and that I should try out for the BC Boys Choir. I did, and got accepted in as a Boy Soprano! I have continued on with this Choir until today, and will be traveling to Australia and China with them in August. I have traveled all around the world performing with them, but this will be my last year with them. I will now focus on my own career. I am so thankful for the Choir, as they have offered me many connections and opportunities. Over the years my mom got me many voice lessons and throughout my voice change I went from Soprano to Baritone.

I am currently performing in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Ruddigore", presented by the North Shore Light Opera Society. In June I will appear as Ottone in Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea which will be performed at Vancouver's Metro Theatre. I am also currently the Musical Director of a high school production of Footloose!

Above: Jason as Robin Oakapple in Ruddigore

Above: Both of Jason's worlds. His life guarding whistle and the poster for the opera he is in!

As for how I got into life-guarding, well, I was never a kid who grew up in the pool. My mom swam, and encouraged me to take swimming lessons and consider about a career as a lifeguard. I got up to around green or blue, one of the mid-top levels in swim lessons, back when they used to have colours as levels. I then stopped swimming for awhile, but at about 16 I started to think about life guarding as a job. I talked with lifeguards at the pools and asked how they got started. I used to be a Camp Counselor at summer camps around BC, and always noticed how much fun the guards have on the beach!

I took all the courses, and I discovered that the more I did it, the more I enjoyed it. I started out working at Lord Byng Pool where I also went to high school. I worked at almost every pool except the Vancouver Aquatic, which always intimidated me for some reason, I guess because it's so big. Although the new pool is going to be very big too!

I think Percy Norman is a great place. I really enjoy that it's so culturally diverse, and found it to have the closest sense of community than any other pool I've worked at. I find the people actually look you in the eye and say good morning, people bring in baked goods, and everyone wants to know your name. I think the thing I appreciate the most is that people really appreciate each other.

I haven't had to ever give CPR, in fact the most common issue at the pool is people getting heat exhaustion in the sauna. But I have saved a few kids who have fallen into the pool and can't swim. I remember being at an ESL summer camp, and asking one of the kids if he could swim and he nodded yes, but actually he couldn't and didn't understand what I had said. He jumped into the ocean water and immediately sunk right to the bottom! I remember diving in after him and seeing him sitting at the bottom, looking up at me as if to say, "Aren't you going to come get me?"

I try not to stress out too much. I'm only here for 8 hours, I can't dwell on the negative. I look forward to coming to work and talking to the patrons. If I never have to save a life that'd be perfect, but I try not to get riled up, it's not good for my heart!

story: fire at the pool

2010-05-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Derek Laverty was the first Manager of the Percy Norman pool. He worked there from when it opened in April 1960 until 1982 with his assistant and friend Doug Hermann. Derek even lived in the suite above the Percy Norman for 15 years where he raised 2 kids.

This was a simpler time when the pool was run independently from other pools and recreation centres. Derek and Doug ran the show.

Here is a letter (click to view it larger) that Derek wrote and then faxed as the record of an explosion and electrical fire that happened in 1972.

What is interesting is that this serious situation was all taken care of without a lot of administrative red tape....simpler times.

To: Don Laing

From: Derek Laverty

Re: Fire at Percy Norman Pool, Monday, October 30, 1972

The construction electrician from the new Riley Park addition was in the process of adding two new breakers to the main panel when some metal object fell down inside the switch gear and shorted out the power, causing an explosion and fire in the lower area of the panel.

Fortunately the electrician had put on his glasses which saved his sight. He was burnt slightly but had the immediate presence of mind to run to the nearest phone and call the Fire Dept. He was joined by the pool engineer Jim Mac Gowan they both returned to the scene of the fire with fire extinguishers and had the fire out when the FIre Dept arrived. Jim MacGowan treated the electrician for First Aid.

The pool, rink and centre were closed all Monday. Radio and paper notified through Don Laing. A temporary electrical panel was installed that evening and will remain in place until the circumstances have been investigated by the Electrical Inspector and Insurance Companies. The pool lost just over $300.00 revenue due to this closure. (Pery Fox has the exact figures).

story: preschool

2010-04-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

I remember the times when I was in preschool...like on the first day I cried.

Then my mom took me home. The next day she brought me back and then I didn't cry.

By Jenny

story: monster filters

2010-04-29T09:00:00.003-07:00

Ever wonder how the water in a pool stays so clean?

Well, for a pool built in 1960....these are the kind of filters that do the thankless job.

Industrial genius. Such beauties.

Thank you Percy Norman Memorial Pool filters!

Oh, the stories you could tell...

Thank you Simon, Riley Park's Facility Engineer, for the behind the scenes photo!

story: monster boilers

2010-04-28T09:00:00.005-07:00

These are the boilers

at the

The Riley Park Community Cente r.

They are called "Steam Pak" and were built in 1959.

Photo by Simon: Riley Park Facility Engineer

story: change room cacophony

2010-04-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Nancy Miller writes about her experience in the Percy Norman Memorial Pool change room...

Tile walls amplify the sounds of many different accents and languages as the women, shower and shampoo. It often seems to be a screaming match or panic but then after rushing to assist, the culprits will be laughing! Language barriers do not permit making friends with many but at least we can all smile and say good morning and share benches.

story: Sports Plus group makes Sandwiches

2010-04-26T09:00:00.002-07:00

Here are some very creative peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from the Sports Plus group who meet after school at the Riley Park Community Centre.

story: John Oliver High School

2010-04-24T09:00:00.006-07:00

(top)

August 22, 1939

Gymnasium under construction

image from VPL special collection

(bottom)

May 3, 1966

Victoria Orchestra

image from VPL special collection

story: Fraser and 33rd

2010-04-23T09:00:00.001-07:00

July 1944
photographer: Leonard Frank Studio

April 2010
photographer: lisa g

story: 100% serious business

2010-04-22T09:00:00.003-07:00

Once upon a time, Jenna and her co-worker were working at the cafe Re Entry Espresso during odd hours. They were supervising a student film crew filming a short film in Re Entry, about donuts, and they were all 100 percent SERIOUS BUSINESS. The Re Entry employees were there to close up the shop after they were done, which wouldn't be until the middle of the night! Jenna made her co worker hang out for a really long time to keep her company. As the two were taking a break by the outside basement door, a furious gust of wind slammed it shut, locking the poor girl and the young Jenna outside. Oh no! Feeling like it was an urgent emergency, the two girls sprang out of the doorway, running down the block like maniacs through the worst wind storm of '09. I forget the rest but something about how they got inside and weirded out everyone else by their hilarity.

The End.

From Jenna K

story: My Memory of Riley Park

2010-04-21T16:35:00.022-07:00

Hi everyone my name is MaryKimberly and I`m in grade 4 I am 10 years old and my dream is to become a superstar singer!
This is an old sign that I have seen for a long time for about 2 long years inside Riley Park community centre.

The beautiful flowers and the green fresh plants are so pretty that I won`t ever forget them even though they smash down Riley Park because now I have nice pictures of them.

I took a lot of pictures of the building because I heard they were going to break down Riley Park!

I wanted to take amazing pictures of Riley Park so I can remember what it looked like if it`s ever going to be a long time to remember what it looks like.

story: telephone talk

2010-04-21T09:00:00.006-07:00

Do you remember

your old telephone number?

1949 rotary phone

Linda remembers...

My first phone number was Fairmont 8125L, this was in the 50's when I lived at 71 West 18th.
Obviously there weren't alot of telephone's at this time.

My friend across the street had Express in front of her number instead of Fairmont so I am not exactly sure what the word meant. I had another friend who had Dickens in front of her number. Also you had to go through an operator to make a call.

Those were the days that the operators could listen in to your conversation!

1950 telephone operators

Then our family phone number changed to Trinity6 9494 in around 1960's.

Then Trinity6 changed to 876 (mid 60's)... and if you look at the number 8 it corresponds to the letter T and the number 7 corresponds to the letter R.

TR for TRinity.

876 9494.

Then, of course later, came the area code 604.

*photos from Vancouver Public Library

Special Collections Historical Photographs

story: copycat gardening

2010-04-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Riley gardens are a constant source of delight for us all.

The colour combinations are unique and the varieties differ every year.

When the seasonal clean-ups occur, we know when to trim, rake, prune, fertilize and dig in our own gardens!

Many many thanks to all the gardeners for bringing us so much pleasure.

by Nancy Miller