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| March 1 / A Whole Year! |
| Cheers! And many many thanks to Sandy, Richard, Gary and everyone who planned our exceptional reunion! It was the major highlight of 2000 for me..not only the reunion itself but also the reacquaintance with Victoria, a place I once professed to dislike. I've been back for short visits twice since the reunion, and I see it very differently now, thanks to the most awesome memories some of you have! (and Gary's historical tidbits) Thanks to everyone again! |
Blessings to all, diane
ddyer2001@excite.com |
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| March 11 / Oak Bay History |
| Everyone is familiar with the little island by the Oak Bay Marina's breakwater and east of Rattenbury's Beach. Always known as Jimmy Chicken Island after the native fisherman and his wife who once lived there, it was officially named Mary Tod Island by the Oak Bay fathers in their infinite wisdom. The little island became a summer retreat for the renowned architect F. Rattenbury in the early 1900s. Known for designing the Legislative Buildings, the Crystal Gardens and the Empress Hotel to name a few, Rattenbury built a beautiful home on Beach drive around 1899 (now Glenlyon-Norfolk School). At some point he took concrete and rocks and made a natural tidal swimming pool on Jimmy Chicken Island that would fill at high tide and then get heated by the sun. Rattenbury would then row over to the island from his home to relax in the warm water. Some years later he divorced, married his mistress and moved to England. He died violently when he was murdered by his chauffeur who was involved in an affair with his wife. Many years later, students unearthed a human skeleton on the school property leading to schoolboy speculation that they belonged to someone "done in" by the chauffeur. The remains turned out to be ancient female native and while awaiting appropriate disposal, vanished. It seems that some of the students each took home a bone much to the horror of the parents. |
Richard
rgoodall@sunwave.net |
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| March 14 / Charmaine in Canberra |
| Hi everyone...as one result of the reunion, I have had more guests in Canberra than before!!! Standing beside me is Charmaine Armstrong (now Bradley), visiting from Vancouver! We have had a lovely if quick visit...over to Charmaine... |
| I highly recommend the Bed and Breakfast, and the rate is excellent! Rob and Sandy were great hosts to me and my friend. We're discussing the next reunion, and Phil Johnston has e-mailed me with the suggestion of a cruise. Phil, I will answer your e-mail when I return. In the meantime, how about outlining your ideas on the chatline? Goodbye from sunny and vibrant Oz. – Charmaine |
| sandy and charmaine / canberra / redoak@dynamite.com.au |
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| March 17 / Hi All |
The reunion was a fine event and I once again thank the organizers. I came home elated and with two truths:
...1. I NEED a computer.
...2. Physical education is NOT an elective. Gary looked as young.as the grads.
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| I've written in a couple of times but wonder if I'm getting through - please let me know. |
| I have a letter from Pheobe Noble, Dean of Women at UVic. She wrote to inform me that it was inappropriate for young women to wear slacks on campus after I had gone to study in the evening in slacks. |
Marilyn
Marilyn Walmsley (Britt) / Port McNeill / mwal@island.net |
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| March 18 / Walk to Lunch, March 24th |
| Hi All, |
| Neat to read that Charmaine found her way to Canberra! |
Our walk this month is out around Tod Inlet, in Phil Johnston's stomping grounds.
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Phil's directions:
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The Tod Inlet/Gowlland park is reached by coming out the Pat Bay Highway, taking the Keating X-road turnoff and following west on Keating which then becomes Benvenuto at West Saanich. Keep on going as if you were heading for the Butchart Gardens. At the bottom of the hill on Benvenuto turn left on Wallace Drive and the Park will be easily found a short distance along on your right - directly across from the old Quarry lake/reservoir. There are bound to be cars parked on the street there.
...Alternative route is to go out West Saanich road to Benvenuto; or to turn left off West Saanich just past the Red Barn and take Wallace along past the rifle range and to the park.
...† A word of caution when parking comes from the police who recommend locking the car 'cause there have been some thefts what with the ever growing popularity of the park on these nice days.
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| The Brig Pub: we will drive to it: It is part of the Brentwood Inn Resort Motel at 7172 Brentwood Drive, in case anyone wants to meet us there. |
| We start the walk at 11 am. Lunch about 12. Hope to see you there. |
Dave
Dave Foster / davfoste@islandnet.com |
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