Page 4 Cassiar Courier February 1988 We present. Patrick Waldera, teacher, sports fan, photo- grapher and practical joker. Where does a man such as this come from? What is the “mission” in life for a man who is an ardent fan of the Minnesota Twins? Cassiar Country answers these questions and looks at the man behind the fan! Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Pat was the older brother of four sisters. “It was awful!’} remembers Pat with a smirk. Pat’s dad owned his own small printing business. “He printed office forms, and newspapers, such as the Courier.” offered Pat. Childhood for Pat was one filled with friends, sports, school afd a happy home. “We had a cabin on Deer Lake which is about an hour out of St. Paul, actually it is in Wisconsin. We spent every weekend at the cabin”, I learned to swim early and by grade four | was enjoying waterskiing behind a fishing boat on the lake!” In comparison (to the days of his youth) Pat thinks that kids today do not enjoy the unorganized sport adventures as much. “You rarely see the kids on the ball field just for fun.” That’s bad in his opinion. The spontaneous act of kids kicking around a ball, throw- ing a basket, and going swimming just for fun, lends itself to the development of social skills not hindered by adult interruption. Pat remembers getting together with his friends “nothing really organized - just for fun” he emphasizes. Graduating from Johnson High in 1969, (a year for rebels as history will recall), Pat says there were over 800 students in his grad class. “We didn’t have a dance. I think the school authorities were concerned about what might happen because it was such a large class.” - 1 wondered at this, as Pat was so very tight- lipped concerning his own activities that particular even- ing. He did, however, admit to not arriving home until 5:00 a.m., but said, “All we did was ride around all night long!” Attending St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Pat took Education with a Math major. He graduated in 1973. “I went to work for a cousin of my stepmother (Pat’s mom died in 1969) at a fishing lodge at Dawson Creek that summer.” By January of 1974, Pat had ap- plied and been accepted as a teacher in this British Columbia community, teaching a combination class of grade six and seven. “I stayed in Dawson until the end of the school year - then | applied and got a job teaching grades one to seven in a one room school in Dease Lake.” He was employed there until 1980. Taking a year away from teaching, Pat attended Western New Mexico University. “Upgrading courses in Education and to further my degree were the reasons for this!’ says Pat. Returning to the north, Pat started teaching in Cassiar in September of 1981. “I started out teaching grades four and five - but now I have only grade four students, quite a change from grades one to seven!” Patrick is well known for his annoying ability to make even the most uncaring non-sports person pain- fully aware of his favorite baseball team, the Minnesota Twins. a ae te ee ey ee oR NN et mn of money. ~ FOUNDED 1919 Gp == =e ‘promoted them. Their win (Oct.26, 1987) may never I’ve been a fan since the team moved to Min- nesota in 1961. I have attended from eighty to one hundred games, cheering all of the time!” Pat has several autographs of team players, getting some himself, and/or asking friends to attain them. “This team has been down so long,” (now he is interested in the interview), Pat says, “T’ve always 7? happen again! Convert June Evans Gets A Hug From Patrick. I suggested to Pat that his involvement as “A Most Ardent Fan” of the Twins was a “mission in life’. He denied it. However, who in town could ignore the sign in his window, or the flag in the bar! Why he even carried the newspaper with the Twins winning headline around with him, and was not shy to present you with the “good news!” He caught this writer at the Watson Lake Hotel! This whole procedure may not be a “Misson” but Pat does admit to converts. “Keith Taylor, Alun and June Evans, Jim McGuinness, these are but a few,” says Pat proudly. “Why Keith even asks me to tape the games when he is out of town!” Sounds like an obsession to me!) “‘Basically what I have done,” con- tinues Pat, “‘is to bring happiness and excitement into the lives of my friends and I think that they will probably spread ‘The Word’ !”” To further this, Pat says ‘he had calls from all - over North America after the Twins win and one from Australia. “A dream come true”, exclaims Pat the fan! Photography is an important hobby for Pat. His interest in it developed as part of the appreciation of the beauty of the North. One can spot Patrick on a weekend afternoon out, camera in hand, focusing in on some point of scenic appreciation. Travelling to Australia in 1986 and to. Europe, Ireland, and Britain last year, Pat’s photographs now have an international flavour. “I enjoyed my photography adventures in Aus- tralia remembers Pat, but the fishing trip I went on where the crocodiles would come swishing right off the bank of the river was one trip where I didn’t have the camera!” Sounds like a fish tale and a photographer’s tale all rolled into one! Travelling last summer with friends Pat was especially impressed with his trip to Wales. “One of my travelling companions and | almost got into a fight -in a pub there!’ (By the way the pubs there are pieat ll | Minor Hockey Needs Your Help!! ~ Save the UPC Codes from all KRAFT Products Kraft Ltd. will donate $.25 for every UPC Code to Minor Hockey Associations across the country. With the many products Kraft sells, it should be possible to easily collect large numbers of the UPC Codes. It will be surprising how quickly they'll add up! At TWENTY-FIVE CENTS per code, this could add up to a substantial amount This fundraiser will continue until June 30, 1988 Collection boxes are located at Snowridge Elementary, — Cassiar Secondary and the Cassiar Shopping Center the hats of the visitors. (Pat’s was his Twins hat, need I say more?) It all came out in the wash, but a few tense moments occurred. Once the local realized the artifact he was abusing - he gladly returned it to Pat. One of Pat’s most unsightly memories of his time in Cassiar was a “Garbage Party” held at his house and orchestrated by “good friend” Keith Taylor. “From my point of view, it was an occasion where a group of misguided people set about to mess up my clean house. I could not understand why! My first reaction to garbage being thrown around my place is to get even!” “Some of the participants have now seen thes error of their ways, but others have yet to discover my wrath,” threatens Pat. (Gord B. beware!) Pat collects hats. He-has an assortment of over 200 of them. riding last spring,” cried Pat. “We got off the horses and were looking down into a canyon. A gust of wind came along and whoosh - it blew my hat off my head and down into the canyon.” His companions, even though they realized the shock Pat was in made no move to jump into the canyon to retrieve the hapless hat. Pat was dissappointed, but one of them (Gary Swift) did lend him a hat for the rest of the journey! “] hope my hat made it to Wrangell. May It Rest In Peace!’ sighs Pat. Pat is a member of the Lions Club in Cassiar. He is responsible for the Lions Sports Programs in town. “We support softball, soccer and basketball. I enjoy giving - time and effort into this, and I think the kids benefit by the games, and their involvement in them,” says Pat. “Teaching is. my profession,’ continues Pat, “and I really enjoy it. There is a lot of satisfaction in seeing kids grow, learn and mature. add to this process!”’ Pat says he is impressed with the closeness and friendliness of the people in Cassiar. Not a philisophical »person, Pat takes life as it comes, enjoying his time here and the people in his life. He took the opportunity of the interview to thank all of the people in Cassiar who have assisted’ ” him with the Lions Sports programs. He also compliment- _ed the kids of Cassiar. nice bunch of young people. them and to work with them.” The interview concluded with a sensitive and somewhat delicate question. I asked Pat why strange things occur whenever he is around? Like boots tied together and mismatched; purse handles tied in knots or scarves, belts and other available objects? Why coat sleeves would be turned inside out or bottle caps would be found in boots? The list goes on but I stopped there embarassed at the thought of uncovering a sickness in an otherwise wonderful human being! He looked at me, and readers in this answer he is most definite. “Lorraine, I figure someone else is doing these things, and I am getting the blame! After Mr. Patrick Waldera left my house I noticed my phone receiver was upside down on its cradle and in the morning there were bottle caps in my boots! What rHelpl! fill | It is a Peaaite to know THANK YOU CASSIAR MINOR HOCKEY Boer ar pee te wes ts Ben as . o = according to Pat). It seems one of the local fellows stole “Ji Jost my Expo hat while horseback Hopefully I can “They are on the whole a very, ~ eee el —— st A period and held for a 3 - 2 final score. ~ TEAMS ON ‘MINOR HOCKEY | IN WATSON LAKE -. The weekend of January 22nd - 24th the two Novice teams and the Atom team travel- led to Watson Lake for a hockey tournament. Teams also were there from Whitehorse and Fort Nelson to participate. All teams had good compe- tition with most teams fairly evenly matched. The majority of games had only one or two goal differences and all fans agreed it was very enter- taining and exciting minor hockey. NOVICE B The Novice ‘B’ team played three games against the Watson Lake team. While we fielded all but three first year players, some as young as four years-old; Watson's players were older and a little more experienced. The “‘little guys” did a fantastic job and although they lost all three games, the fun and experience of their first ‘real hockey games’ and the cheering of: _the many. fans will be remembered for. weeks to come. All players received a silver medal. The first game was 3 - 0, and the second and most exciting score was 3 - 2. Both goals scored by Myles Carlick, with Brent Babiuk having a hat trick for a 6 - 3 score in the final game. Medals were awarded to the Most Valu- able Player for each game.. They were Myles Carlick, Andrew Johnston, and: Morgan. Quinn. NOVICE A The Novice A games were very evenly matched. Cassiar had one win and two losses - and all these games had only a one goal spread. Again, excellent hockey by our players ages seven to nine years old. Cassiar 4 - Westcoast 5 Ft. ‘Nelson’s team was late arriving so borrowed a goalie with players going on the ice as they arrived. After the second period, Cassiar led 3 - 2;~but with fresh players, Ft. Nelson managed three goals in the third period. Goal scorers. were Aaron Tripp with two, and ‘Ricky and Robby Howard each getting one past -the goaltender: Robby Howard took home the M.V.P. medal. Cassiar 3 - Kelly Douglas 2 Cassiar had a 3 - 2 win over Kelly Douglas of Whitehorse on Saturday. Our boys were down 2 - 0 and came from behind during the second David Hardy with two goals received the M.V.P. medal. Robby Howard scored the game winning goal. Two members of the Terrace R.C.M.P. Detach- ment visited Cassiar in mid-January. Pax, and his handler, Corporal Lothar Bretfeld, were touring the north, visiting the various schools and detachments. Pax, an eight year old German Shepherd, weighing about ninety pounds, has lived with the Bretfeld family since a pup and has served with the R.C.M.P. for seven years. Bretfeld and Pax cover an area from the Queen Charlottes to Houston and from the Yukon border to Bella Coola. Pax who is a multi-profile animal; is trained in tracking, searching (both people and evidence), and narcotics. Bretfeld explained the costs for training and maintaining R.C.M.P. canine members is high. He estim- ated that initial expenditures sometimes run as high as $50,000. This would include the animal itself, train- ~ ing both the animal and the handler, a support vehicle, and medical and maintenance costs. Once the dog and handler are ready to work as a team, annual costs are just as high. When asked if such expenditures were necessary, Bretfeld replied, “Pax has been personally responsible for recovering stolen property worth hundreds of thou- sands of dollars!” or “What price tag can you put on a lost child who is located through the efforts of these dedicated animals?” Pax, after many years of service will be due for retirement in another year or so. Hopefully a “very special home” will be found for this loyal member of the R.C.M.P. The value of trained police dogs has gained wide- By virtue of certain ~ spread recognition and support. pliysical talents, the. trained police service dog can per- form support: tasks- suchas -searehing and tracking’more * « Nationally-*-* << «++ secre sees sees eee nm mes iatiniiasaaaasaniesal 2818S Nata Se aN a aa er a ya a EA a A ES AS OO a et hee ee ee ies a Cassiar 1 - Trade North 2 Sunday's game against Trade North of Whitehorse was a close, hard hitting game. The ~ lone goal was scored by Aaron Tripp in the first period. Trade North’s goals were scored while Cassiar was shorthanded. Tripp took a penalty in the second and Hardy in the third period. The goalie was pulled in the final minute of play but to no avail. Christopher Woodrow was awarded the M.V.P. medal for this game. ATOMS Cassiar 3 - Pacific Northwest 4 Cassiar Atoms had three defeats in Watson Lake. Friday nights game against Pacific North- west of Whitehorse saw a 4 - 3 loss. Cassiar was up 3 --0, but Whitehorse got a second wind to came up with four more goals. The final score was Cassiar 3 - Pacific Northwest 4. Goal scorers were Damian McGuinness with one and Bradley Creyke earned the M.V.P. medal for his two goal effort. Cassiar 2 - Cablevision 8 An. early Saturday morning game pitted _Cassiar against a very strong Cablevision team . from Ft. Nelson. Our boys managed only two goals compared to Ft. Nelson’s eight goals. Scorers were Bradley Creyke and Stephen Ho- ward. Andrew Smith was named M.V.P. Cassiar O - Watson Lake 3 Watson Lake had a shut out later Saturday evening as. Cassiar had the shots but just were not able to get the puck past the opposing goalie. Stephen Howard took home the M.V.P. medal _ for this final game. This first out-of-town tournament was excellent experience for Cassiar’s young hockey players. They are more aware of their strengths and weaknesses and will be working extra hard before meeting some of these teams again in March. R.C.M.P. Dog ‘Pax Visits Cassiar édfficiently than police officers. When used sapere the police service dog isan important asset that the patrol officer should not overlook. Training dogs for police work was originally developed in Ghent, Belgium, at the turn of the century and the practice soon spread throughout Europe. From 1908 onward, before the RCMP dog section was formed, members recognized the value of canines in police work and occasionally used privately owned dogs to assist them in their investigations. Originally, Riesenschnauzers, Rottweilers, Dober- man pinschers and German shepherds were used for police work. However, through the years, the German shepherd became accepted not only in Catiada-but inter-- HE Cassiar Courier, February 1988 fees > 5 ViF C.S.S: BASKETBALL : Fort Nelson. We came. We saw. We fast breaked! Over the weekend of January 22 - 24, the Girls and Boys teams from Cassiar Secondary travelled to Fort Nelson for their Fourth Annual Basketball Tournament. While the teams had mixed. results on the scoreboard, one can.only see the weekend as an overwhelming success. Why should High School athletes have the opportunity to. travel to tournaments? The an- swer goes far beyond the winning and losing of games. Our young athletes gained valuable com- petitive experience unavailable in our town. Play- ing. basketball against teams from Hudson Hope, Fort St. John, and Fort Nelson allowed our teams to compete and exhibit essential qualities: true sporting attitudes. Indeed, both the girls. and boys’ teams received ‘Most Sportsmanlike Team’ trophies. The character of these athletes was evi- dent in their behavior on and off the court. As ambassadors of Cassiar Secondary and the Town of Cassiar, the players came through with flying colours. TEAM MEMBERS Patricia Quash Dave Lanphear . Ellen Artico Adrian Dostie Julie:Creyke - Binder Mangat Chris Hyde Janice Joseph Derek Andrews Robert Dostie : - Darla Creyke Kelly Huber Stephen Ryan On the court, the girls teatie led by the . scoring Ellen Artico, won one game and lost two. The losses were by a combined total of eight points. The boys team ran, raced and rebounded but were unable to beat their opponents. Still, the improvement shown by all players, and the enjoyment experienced combined to make the trip to Fort Nelson a successful one. : SUBSCRIPTIONS $10.00 per year . CASSIAR COURIER. Box 100 ~ Cassiar, B.C. Name Address City Province. Postal Code The German shepherd breed displays the versa- tility, strength and courage that makes it eminently suitable for police work. Their heavy coats allow them to work under extreme climatic conditions. In addition, their presence seems to have an inhibitive psychological effect on potential wrongdoers. German shepherds trained to attack will invariably make a successful arrest despite the fact that they are trained only to hold, never to be savage. Only purebred German shepherds are considered for the RCMP Dog Services. Male dogs are usually chosen. In addition to being in perfect physical-condition, they must have particular personality traits which make them suitable for police work; aggressiveness and even tem- perament are essential. All RCMP dogs are taught to attack under gunfire and wielded club. Any that display reluctance to do so are not accepted. In 1976, the RCMP started a breeding program to produce a working strain of dog most suitable for law enforcement duties. A number of pups from this program have already graduated to field service. All dog handlers are regular members of the RCMP who volunteer for Police Dog Services. From the volunteers, selected members attend a two week Police Dog Refresher Course where they act as criminals or quarries during exercises. Trainers and field dog handlers on course assess each volunteer’s reactions to the dogs and the various training situations. At the course’s conclusion, the aspirant is advised whether or not he/she will be considered for dog handler training. If accepted, the handler is usually assigned a pup to rear. When the pup is about one year old, the team is ready to return to the kennels for basic training which lasts approximately 14 weeks. Its main purpose is to mold a handler and dog into a capable and efficient * ‘working unit but. course success or failure depends upon , the handler. having wonthe dog:s confidence. -. .- a