Page 6 Cassiar Courier February 1987 Cassiar ANNE AND FRANCIS GLEASON This month Cassiar Country sets its sights on Anne and Francis Gleason, who not only have put in their time in our community but who have spent the majority of their lives in Northern B.C. They have braved the long ’ winters and have taken advantage of the short summers by raising a family and, more recently, running a business. Both Francis and his wife were born in Telegraph Creek, Francis left in 1947 to work in the logging and fishing industries. His work took him from Prince Rupert to Vancouver, from the Queen Charlottes to Terrace, and in 1953, he toiled on the Terrace-Kitimat railroad. He then settled near Fort St. John, working as a mechanic for the Shell station at Mile 101. By this time, Anne had joined Francis, having met him in 1954 at the Watson Lake Hotel where Anne was chambermaiding and cooking part-time. Their family was added to in Fort. St. John with the arrival of son Chris and daughter Lois. In 1966, a curious coincidence brought Francis back north. The same day he decided to quit his service sta- tion position, he received a call from the Equipment Superintendent for Cassiar, Gordon Edwards. The very next day he was enjoying our scenic vistas und the following March saw the reunion of his family as Anne and the children rejoined him in their first house on Hunt Street. In their time since then, they’ve seen the town grow and change, including their own surroun- dings as they moved down the street to their present home. The ties the Gleasons have to this area are not limi- ted to Cassiar. The couple bought one of the first lots for sale in Dease Lake, on which they’ve built a small house. As well, they own the two oldest buildings in Telegraph Creek. This community is the base of their business ventures, which include a bus service, winch truck service, tourist information and, last but certainly not least, the Trina Anne charter boat enterprise. Francis is on the Telegraph Creek road every other week but his daughter Lois and her husband Mickey handle the day-to-day business. The Trina Anne offers tours on the Stikine River from Telegraph to Wrangell, Alaska and also does commercial work along the river. Each year starting in April (and running until October) Francis gets off work on Friday, drives in to Telegraph and takes the boat up to Wrangell on Saturday morning. Sunday he returns to TWIN CITY MEATS LTD. 4545 LAKELSE AVENUE, TERRACE, PHONE: 638-1312 ECONOMY PAK Country by Karen Taplin Anne and Francis on the dock at Telegraph Creek Telegraph and heads on back to Cassiar to report for work as a heavy-duty mechanic at the mine. The trip on the Stikine takes 8 hours each way. With two large boats, one allowing for 15 passengers and the other for 6, and a few small craft, the business keeps him busy and in the great outdoors. Sixtly miles from Telegraph down the Stikine the family has their camp. Situated about two miles from a large glacier, plans this summer are to build an additional two cabins. The camp sees a number of campers, kayakers and rafters each year, the emergence of the Trina Anne enterprise, to me, best illustrates this family's s closeness. “‘All the kids help- ed us make a go of it, ” says Francis. “Without them I couldn’t have done it!” The business itself is named for the couple’s granddaughter Trina, who lives with her Grandma and Grandpa in Cassiar. It’s a family business, So the Gleasons spend a good part of each summer on the river, giving tours and doing the odd bit of commercial work. Francis has done some work for B.C. Hydro on the Stikine, taking water samples. But the river has also given this couple their share of memories. When asked about adventures and excitement, Anne remembered one trip in particular. “We were with the Zemenchiks (Bill and Eileen) and Francis had set up the stereo out on deck. Bill and I two-stepped from Telegraph to Wrangell.” The trip had a somewhat rocky culmination as they hit a sandbar outside the Alaskan community and had to get help out. Anne, when asked about her involvement in Cassiar, admitted that her family had kept her at home for a great part of the time. With baking and sewing, she did not find time to stay involved with many of the activities in town. She and Francis were involved with Minor Hockey when Chris was playing and they helped to build the arena. She is most proud of her work with Karen Clark, Program Specialist for the Stikine schools, when the School District was developing a native studies program. Involved with Anne were Irene Inkster, Judy Joseph and Rose Quash. Over three winters, they began the development of a program for Tahitan studies, to be: implemented in Telegraph Creek originally and later in Dease Lake, Iskut and Cassiar. Meanwhile Francis kept busy with Boy Scouts for a couple of years and skidooing. He bought the first skidoo into Cassiar in 1966 and used to race them. He still goes out, occasionally on the 8 hour trips, and keeps five machines. “‘I love to break trail,’ he told me. “And I've been lucky so far... I haven’t had to walk home yet.” Francis also used to play guitar and sing in his “crazy days”. These days Anne complains that the guitar just gathers dust.” After 20 years with the company, Francis is looking towards his retirement in the next few years, planning to spend even more time with his family. That love and commitment to the family is evident with Francis and Anne, who noted that the best part of living here was “watching the kids grow up and start their own families so close.” Francis added, “Trina keeps us going now.” This upcoming Canada Day will be the couple’s anniversary: 35 years of life together, just another reason to feature ® @ 3 50ib 75Ib 100 Ib _—_—*150 Ib S0lb___ 75 1b 100 Ib__150 Ib ; 3 Reg. 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May they have many more! VARIETY PAK No. 1 LIBRARY NEWS by Karen Taplin Greetings from the Library. New books have just arrived so come in and take a look at the collection. We* re sure to have something that appeals to each and every one of you. The Library (which is experiencing cutbacks in funding, as are other organizations in. town) recently received wonderful news from the B.C. Library Associ- ation. The Board of the Vancouver Foundation voted in November of 1986 to offer the B.C.L.A. funds for the purchase of children’s/young adult books for smaller libraries. We have been advised that our library qualifies for a gift of children’s books under the terms of the grant. It is anticipated that*Cassiar will receive between 65 and 80 books, a generous addition to our collection. More news will be forthcoming when the books arrive, most likely in May, and the Library hopes to have an open house at that time. Our volunteer system for librarians seems to be working. Those interested in participating (extras are always welcome) can contact either John Marks. or Karen Taplin. The Library is also happy to see Peggy Brohman, our Librarian, back in town with Rebecca. Peggy will be back in action at the Library on February 1. A REMINDER ABOUT OUR HOURS Sunday - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Monday - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Thursday - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Friday - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Saturday - CLOSED If you cannot make it to the Library during our regular hours, books can be left in the drop box on the door, o-oo ofo-ofo-0fo-0fo-0fo fo fo Se oko fo of fo of of tk & OOPS! WE GOOFED + Xs %* In the December issue, we inadvertently & %* missed Dave Gunning as having completed & % the Mine Rescue Course held recently. 2 ¢ Writer's Conucr FAILED PROJECT by Lorraine Lanteigne As a grade three student in 1959, | was not very good t art. / tried, but my colouring was always over the line; / didn’t fold well and my cutouts were usually in terrible eril of being clipped where they should not of been lipped! Being February it. was ordained that we would do a ecial project. Our teacher carefully explained the de- sign of one “pouch” Valentine. /t would require tracing, folding, cutting out and pasting. We would receive red construction paper, whie construction paper and one (each) white paper doily. | watched carefully as she com- pleted the design. My mind tried to grasp the details but somewhere before the attachment of the doily over the fanned back of the heart, | realized this might not work for me! ! tried as hard as was possible,but soon the whole thing seemed to slip away from me. Fleetingly | thought 1 might be able to pass my project off as some sort of artistic impression of the teachers Valentine , but looking down at. my paste splotched replica of the “Pouch Valentine’) realized | had failed! Standing in line waiting my turn for the inspection of the art project | listened as the teacher praised my classmates. | knew that there would be no praise for me. / learned the meaning of ‘Hot Tears that day as the teacher held my poor Valentine up for public criticism. My face was red with embarrassment and my cheeks burned as tears dripped down them. Our class was having a Valentines party. All of our ‘Pouch’; Valentines were stapled. to the bulletin board, waiting to be filled with cards from our class-mates. the morning and during lunch she would put them into ‘he pouches. Through noon hour | sat alone, my lead-lined stomach onjuring up my worst fears before the afternoon class arty. Who would give me a card? The embarrassment of my failed project was bad enough. My ‘Pouch Valentiné looked quite out of place in row with all of the others in the class. ! wished it was Christmas. | had managed to get the paper angels, stars, and Christmas tree ornaments down mot too badly and | had ¢ even been complimented on my Christmas cards with the sparkles on. We had dutifully handed these cards into our teacher in Cassiar Courier February 1987 Page 7 \ What a wonder it was for me to return to the class) room to discover that my Pouch Valentine’ was as full® as most of the others. It did not even look ugly anymore! Happiness filled my little girl’s heart as | realizedy. that | was still acceptable to my class-mates even if¥ | was not as good at something as they were. | think IS also. began to understand the meaning of HappyS Valentine’s Day! SEND A VALENTINE by Lorraine Lanteigne Valentine’s day, red hearts and flowers Candies in boxes and cupids with arrows. One time of the year that is set aside To display our affection with pride. A day when we send to someone special The “Valentine Card” with its verse nestled Inside with words carefully chosen Aimed at the heart of a dear person, Who to our life has brought much, Whether it be friendship, love or luck! To all of the lovers of romance | say Send a Valentine on this day. Be mysterious if that is your wish; But send one at least from the list Of people who brighten up your life! Friend, son, daughter, husband or wife, Yes, send a Valentine straight from your heart To that special person joy and love impart. PRPDRP LDAP OP LDP OLD LP VLP OLD OLD LP LP OLP OLD OLP OLD LP OLD LP OLD OLD OL LPO OLD LO OOO LOO On re le On fase cate ce enna uses eee ame coon coe S as can eae ene? °° 0) “ Sorry, Dave. eX ree OO SO eo ee ¢ eo % HAPPY VALENTINES FROM CASSIAR HAIR DESIGN TREAT YOURSELF CUT AND BLOW DRY 20% OFF Surprise Your Favorite Valentine With a Giit From THE CLOTHES CLOSET 30 - 50% Oft All Stock! FEB. 4th - i4th V TREAT YOUR VALENTINE 10% OFF ON ALL GIFT ITEMS Corner of Kennedy & Connell Dr. Cassiar B.C. 778-7476 —