Welcome to my nifty Dreambook, a free guestbook service from New Dream Network and the DreamHost!If you have a minute, please add your entry to those below by signing my Dreambook!
| Name: | Patrick Moore |
| Comments: | Born Port Alice 1949. Would love to have a look at the website but appears to not be working. Does anyone have a proper link? Thanks |
| Name: | Jerry Rougoor |
| E-mail address: | jvrougoor@bell.net |
| Comments: | Hello..I use to live in Port Alice back in 80-81...Jim Belutz was my room mate... |
| Name: | Ralph Colebank |
| E-mail address: | ralph.colebank@telus.net |
| Comments: | I lived in Port Alice from 78 to 84. Lot's of great memories, from Victoria Lake to Devil's bath. Would like to say hi to many old friends. I now live in Kamloops. Hope to be back in PA for the next reunion???
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| Name: | Gail Lind |
| E-mail address: | clerk@portalice.ca |
| Comments: | Message for Mike Scott.
Great pics from Mike Halliwell. Brings back many great memories. Mike can you please email or give me a call at 250 284 3391. I have a message for you from the 101 Squadron regarding the Norseman 695. Thanks Gail |
| Name: | Ralph Williamson |
| E-mail address: | lkenward@telus.net |
| Comments: | It 's been (gulp) 30 years since I left PA but I do remmember it like yesterday. It is amazing to me how many people I have talked to over the years that at one time or another had their paths go through Port Alice.Thank you Mike for all that you have done to bring back all the great memories. |
| Name: | Ron Polson |
| E-mail address: | rpolson@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Hello Port Alice
My name is Ron Polson I was born in Port Alice and went to school their until about 1959 or 1960 but who is keeping track... Anyways I did grade 11&12 in Vancouver then put in 46 years on the Vancouver waterfront. I was the[Dick Walker] of my dock..Maybe I caught the bug after going aboard a ship in Port Alice Soooo with retirement as a hobby or new occupation maybe I will have to take a cruse up to see how the town has weathered the recent shut-downs. Like everyone else I have had some good and bad developments in my life.Hopefully some of my fellow students are alive and kicking. My brother Norman is also living on the lower mainland Ron Polson |
| Name: | Dennis Hartford |
| E-mail address: | dvhart@telus.net |
| Comments: | To Michael& all involved in putting this dreambook together congrats!!!! The content& presentation is great. I had many flashbacks to the goodtimes that we all enjoyed so much in the old P.A. town. As most visitors to this book will remember the Hartford family,I regretably inform you that my father just passed away this past Sunday May 17 2009 at appx.2:45 am, he was 90 years old and 10 days ago fell and broke his right hip, he was operated on in the new hospital in Abbotsford and transfered to the Misson hospital where he suffered a mild heart attack early Fri.May 15 09 He was stabilized but passed in his sleep early on Sun. morning. I am sure that many folks that came& went through Port Alice will rember him. If so please take a moment to wish him a fond farewell...Thanks so much, #2 son Dennis Hartford... |
| Name: | Faye Andrade (Hartford) |
| E-mail address: | faye.andrade@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Just an update for all who might be interested; Vic Hartford passed away yesterday, May 17, 2009. He fell about 10 days ago and broke his hip. Following surgery to repair the hip, he had a heart attack, which he survived. Last night he passed away in his sleep. |
| Name: | Tom Lopinys |
| E-mail address: | homer1@cablerocket.com |
| Comments: | Thanks Mike for the continued work on the old Port Alice page.Having been born here in 1962 and still calling it home,i'm either crazy or fortunate,still trying to figure that out.My father(Walter) and Mother(Gladys) came to Port Alice in 1952 and stayed 39yrs until 1991. They moved to Courtney after retirement.My Mother passed away recently on April 27th 2009, her love for Port Alice was unmesureable. I have many fond memories of living here and many friends that have shared the good times. |
| Name: | Emma Hartford |
| E-mail address: | emmagh@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Just wanted to say it was so nice that Faye showed us your website. We have so many wonderful memories of people and events we encountered during our 40!!! years in Port Alice. Some of the best years of our lives!! We're sad that so many of our old friends are now gone, but are happy to still be kicking around at our old ages of 89 and 90.
I'm going to look up some old pictures and see if we can't get them to you for posting. Congratulations on the wonderful effort and splendid idea for this website. We would love to hear from anyone who remembers us, and oh, by the way, Bill Wyness...it was Vic in the digesters, not Dennis!! LOL |
| Name: | Faye Andrade (Hartford) |
| E-mail address: | faye.andrade@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | What a blast from the past!!! My parents and I thoroughly enjoyed viewing this website!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for putting it together.
Vic & Emma Hartford moved to Port Alice in January of 1946, from the Air Force Base in Coal Harbour. They had two boys already, Tom and Dennis (who had been born in the Port Alice Hospital...they had to travel there by boat when Emma's labour started...) Pat was born the following year, then they waited 10 years for me!! Vic worked in the digesters, for 33 years!!!! and has the distinctive honor of never missing one shift in all that time!! Emma started working as a cook in the hospital in 1966, when the cook up and quit, they asked her to fill in for a month while they looked for a replacement...that month turned into 14 years, and the patients in the hospital during those years ate darn well!! She worked 7yrs in the old hospital and 7yrs in the new clinic at Rumble Beach. Vic retired from the mill in 1978, and worked around town as Maintenance and groundskeeping for the Stratas, then maintenance at the Medical Clinic until they fully retired in 1980. They wintered for many years in California, and moved to Mission in 1986. They still live there, are doing fairly well for the ripe old ages of 89 and 90!! Tom and Pat left PA in their teen years, Dennis hung on in the mill until the mid 70's; I had a little hair salon there in the early 80's, and moved to Port Hardy when the forest industry went on strike; stayed there for 10 yrs and am now in Victoria, have stayed involved in the hair industry and am now teaching the trade. I'm thrilled to be regaining contact recently with some of my old buddies from the "good old days", and would love to hear from more of you!! |
| Name: | Rev.Bob Stevens |
| E-mail address: | boblou70@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Just a note to change my email.(Inow use the one above)Had a great time in Port Alice in 1959 working to establish the UNITED CHURCH.bILL fRIZELL WAS MY CONTACT PERSON THERE.
REV.BOB STEVENS FREDERICTON,N.B. |
| Name: | Patricia Lopinys |
| E-mail address: | plopinys@gmail.com |
| Comments: | So many memories, thank you Mike! |
| Name: | Jacqueline Gariepy |
| E-mail address: | j-gariepy@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I was in Port Alice about 5 years ago.It was a beauitful place.We husband and grandson will be coming back this year hopefully to live.I've never seen a more beauitful and welcoming place.Everyone one was so friendly there.Our grandson made friends the same day,we had a great time there n are looking forward on coming back ,thanks Port Alice, Jacqueline Gariepy,Thorold Ontario. |
| Name: | Bob Murray |
| E-mail address: | bodee11@telus.net |
| Comments: | Thanks for creating a great medium for reliving the past, Mike. Great to read comments from a lot of familiar names. Every so often I wonder "Whatever happened to ..." and now I know (at least some anyway).
My dad was Murdo "Mud" Murray and worked in the pulp mill, loading boats and then as a pipefitter. My mom was Myrt Murray and worked as Dr. McDaniel's receptionist. One older brother Bill (Courtenay), younger sister Pat (Prince George) and younger brother Jim (Castlegar). Dad also tended bar at the Legion on Friday and Saturday nights, while Mom played the piano to entertain the regular crowd of rowdies. We moved from Port Alice in 1965 along with about half the town and ended up in Prince George for many years. I still think back fondly about growing up in P.A. and some of the crazy things we got into. Long summers in isolation at the lake (our cabin was across the lake). I returned to P.A. in 1994 or so and couldn't believe how small the townsite actually was. When I was growning up it all looked so big. The one thing that struck me was how beautiful it was there and yet I don't recall thinking that when we lived there. It was also kind of a shock seeing the old townsite with no houses, kind of sad and depressing. I look forward to reading more comments from old friends and acquaintences from the past. |
| Name: | Ken D'Orsay |
| E-mail address: | ken_d210@telus.net |
| Comments: | Just a wonderful labour of love this website and after reading ever entry I was sad to come to the end. OMG, it brought back so many memories. Thanks so much for putting this together. |
| Name: | Ray Hirtzel |
| E-mail address: | rhirtzel@xtra.co.nz |
| Comments: | Great site
I was in Port Alice 1988 to 1989 I worked in the machine shop . great times |
| Name: | Martina Tarr/ Hilgemann |
| E-mail address: | wescon1@telus.net |
| Comments: | Fantastic pictures! Those were the good old days...what fun thank-you :) Martina |
| Name: | Gail Bartrim |
| E-mail address: | gailbartrim@live.ca |
| Comments: | Hey All,
Would love to hear from anyone from Old Port Alice.Still living in Port Alice and loving it!! Call evenings @250-284-3273 |
| Name: | Charlotte C. Sherriff |
| E-mail address: | charc@telus.net |
| Comments: | We were only in Port Alice for a litle over two years 1965-67, but I have many fond memories of the area. Swimming at Grieg's cabin at Victoria Lake, fishing and crabbing at Rupert Arm, picking blackberries up the "Trail". Bowling alley, company store, and R.H.Richmond school....
Still have a class picture from Mr. Hambly's Grade Seven class. |
| Name: | Derry |
| E-mail address: | dmann4@telus.net |
| Comments: | Hey Port Alice ,great to be back there last month.Was very nice to see the mill going and everyone secure.Hope to see you all again |
| Name: | zinnia eve hamilton |
| E-mail address: | zinniahamilton@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Hi all! Im so happy to find this site! Ive been trying to find everyone and see how everyone is doing, I phoned Gloria, and told her about the site, and she is going to get on to, I am now living in French Creek on the island, and Gloria is in Prince George. Looking forward to chatting with you all!! Zinnia(Eve) Hamilton. |
| Name: | Bruce |
| E-mail address: | ccbruleen@telus.net |
| Comments: | Very nice to see you have taken the time to put this site together , and relive the history of our great country.
Bruce. |
| Name: | Laurie-Ann Ketter (nee Hall) |
| E-mail address: | lketter@dccnet.com |
| Comments: | Wow... looking at these pictures take me back. I was born in "old" Port Alice in 1958, my sister Trish was born there in 1956 and my dad, Laurie Hall was born in Port Alcie in 1936.
Thank you whoever put this wonderful trip down memory lane together. Laurie-Ann |
| Name: | Ron Hyde |
| E-mail address: | windows@bchistory.ca |
| Comments: | The BC Historical Federation is working on a book on BC history ca 1880's - 1939. If anyone has any old pictures or postcards that have not been published nor widely displayed before, it could be something we could include. Email me and let me know and attach a jpg if you can.
Many thanks. Ron BC Historical Federation |
| Name: | Ray Kwok |
| E-mail address: | kwokie2@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Memories |
| Name: | Renee Courtemanche |
| E-mail address: | hrcourtemanche@aol.com |
| Name: | Derry Mann |
| E-mail address: | dmann4@telus.net |
| Comments: | Hello to eveyone that I knew in Port Alice.Great place to have lived when I was younger and was back two years ago working at the mill there for two months.The folks there never seem to lose there great hospitable ways and are always great to hear from.I live in Mackenzie now after being in Gold River for 41 years.I will return to Port Alice though to visit one day and look forward to seeing my old friends.Take care everyone...Derry |
| Name: | Denise Johnson (nee Payne) |
| E-mail address: | stardust@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Hello, Fellow Port Alicers!
I signed up at Mike's previous web page and received a couple of messages which the site software wouldn't allow me to reply to. And since I didn't have your home email addresses, I wasn't able to write back. So, to Sarah-Beth Monkhouse and Stephen Johnson - I wasn't ignoring you - honest! This web site format will be better since we can leave our own email addresses. I just read through the Guest Book and it was like a walk down Memory Lane. I recognize so many of the names: Vanderelst (went to school with Remy; I think they lived next door - didn't his mom teach my mom to bake wonderful bread?). Mr Hambly was a much beloved teacher - I remember him bringing a Bob Dylan record to school and playing "Blowin' in the Wind" for us. Friis, Frizell, Bartrim (Gail), and Akerley are all familiar names, as is JoAnne Gordon. And to Ron Woo - a big hello! For those of you wondering who I am - I moved to Port Alice in 1961 with my parents Gordon and Kay Payne. Dad was Assistant Chief in the Steam Plant, and we left for the booming metropolis of Gold River in 1967 when they closed down the old townsite and everyone had to move to Rumble Beach. We spent our summer vacations at our cabin on Victoria Lake. I spent much of the remainder of the summer walking the dusty road (and the water pipeline) to the lake with friends to go swimming, and then walking back again. Some of my prevailing memories: scaring each other silly with stories about a cougar who attacked someone at the lake and was killed with an axe; helicopters landing on the golf course near the church; jumping off the bridge on the golf course into heaps of grass clippings in the summer; riding my bike everywhere in the usual pouring rain; exploring the cemetary; falling off a log boom into the salt chuck near the mill and being rescued by a black lab dog - actually, it's a miracle I survived my childhood! For a brief period, Robin Schofield and I "published" a silly little newspaper called "The Port Alice Nosey News." One of these days, I'll scan a couple of editions and send them to Mike ... Thanks to Derry Mann for sending me an email message and inspiring me to look up the Mike's latest iteration of the Old Port Alice web site. Great work, Mike! One of these days I'll rummage around and find some photos to send you. Happy Memories to All! Denise. |
| Name: | carolannegraham |
| E-mail address: | carolannegraham@yahoo.ca |
| Comments: | Hi...great to read some P.A. history...I was born in Port Alice in 1934..to Charlie and Holly Brooks and lived there until seventeen with sisters June (Geoff Kiddle, Mill Bay) and Liz (Ciocca, Victoria)....as well as at the hotel with Uncles Ray and Dave Jones, Aunt Silvia and cousin Jean. I went back to teach at the R.H. Richmond school in 1956-57 and again in 1959-60. Since then I have been back to visit many times...the most memorable time being the wonderful reunion in the new Port Alice in 1987...and with partner Ralph Enridge (Ennevaara) on his first visit back in forty years when we spent two marvellous weeks at the lake and down at Quatsino..eating fresh crab and fish we had caught!! In spite of good memories from umpteen different places over the years..P.A. times still take the best prize..thankfully I am still in touch with good friends from those early days...but would love to hear from anyone who I knew and find out how they are doing...Hi Allan...great to read your blurb in this website..and to recognize so many names...please get in touch!! Carol |
| Name: | brian hawthorne |
| E-mail address: | fallen-angel2008@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | it sure is interesting seeing some old names.i lived in port alice from 1972 until 1983, couldn't have picked a better place to have grown up! |
| Name: | Walter Wong |
| E-mail address: | walterwong888@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Hi All,
Wonderful site. Brings great memories and help explain to my son a bit of what it was like to grow up in Port Alice. I was born in Old PA in 1957 and lived and learned in PA till 73 when my father retired. We moved to Vancouver and I eventually worked my way through UBC and became an engineer. I hope to hear from old friends and catch back up. Walter |
| Name: | Paul Friis |
| E-mail address: | oldviking@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | I was born in Port Alice in 1941 and lived there until 1963. I moved to the lower mainland (BIG mistake) and lived there for a year before I had the opportunity to move back to Vancouver Island a year later. I started working at the Crofton pulp and paper mill in 1964 and retired a year and a half ago.
I have many fond memories of Port Alice. It was a wonderful place to grow up. We lived right on the waterfront, second house on the left as you arrived by boat! Although we didn't have all the fancy gadgets the kids have today, we were never bored. We always found something to do. I have been looking through your website and you have done a great job with it. Thanks, Paul Friis |
| Name: | edward friis |
| Comments: | hi my family was in P A from 1940 until 4 years ago --- am now retired in Surrey - I attended B C Vocational school for two years and then worked for CPA for two more then woodfibre for a while. Eventually it dawned on me that i ewas spending most of my spare time traveling to fishing spots so moved backm to PA where there is such good fishing close by I worked in port hardy and port alice until retirement in surrey 4 years ago |
| Name: | debbie verkirk |
| E-mail address: | tashtay@telus.net |
| Comments: | i signed in earlier but did't realize the amount of work that had gone into this site. My mom and dad Frank, Joan lived in port alice on the island by the mill and then moved to town. we lived in pa and in rumble beach until dad retired. Us girls left as soon as we could, Angela and me are in Albeta. Mom and dad and Connie are in campbell river. I still talk about all the great things that we could do and the fun we had growing up . Port Alice was one great place to be 1961 to 1986 |
| Name: | debbie fraser (verkirk |
| Comments: | was born in old pa in 1961 |
| Name: | Alex |
| E-mail address: | gfgdfhgfhgfh@ghgfhfghfgh |
| Comments: | Hi Mike, site is looking pretty good. |
| Name: | David Davies |
| E-mail address: | djdavies@uniserve.com |
| Comments: | Hello From David Davies
Historical info request I am working (near finished)on a CAD technical drawing of the Hornsby Chain Track steam crawler build in 1910 for use at Dawson City Yukon hauling coal later purchased by a Mr. Sibling to be used hauling pulp material for the local pulp mill around 1927??? it was barged to Apple Bay just around the corner from Coal Harbour... I read in you Port Alice History that the first caterpillar tractor purchased and was used at your mill.. It may not be what I am looking for BUT... do you have any information on the Hornsby steam crawler... If you do have any information, old photograph or textual material I will reward you with a Hornsby drawing for your efforts.. bye for now David David Davies 9405 Doyle Rd. Black Creek BC V9J 1E6 (located between Campbell River and Comox) |
| Name: | allan monkhouse |
| E-mail address: | valal@telus.net |
| Comments: | Jan 27th 2008.
Hi there, great website, I lived in PA from Dec 7th 1941, my father was Ken Monkhouse, mother, Peggy Monkhouse, sisters Marilyn and Kathy, I left PA in 1951, returned in 1958 when Bud Wallace drowned at Victoria lake, I stll miss Port Alice, mostly the people, Kenneth, Peggy and Marilyn have passed away, Kathy lives in Los Vegas NV. I would love to hear from some of the old timers, I am 74 now and times a wasting. Have lots of old pictures, living in Langley now, phone 604-534 -6693. Cheers, Allan Monkhouse |
| Name: | N.Jean Eastwood (Jones) |
| E-mail address: | ljeastwood@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Hello old P.A. folks. Thought those of you who would remember my Dad ("Jones Hotel") would be interested in knowing that he passed away December 4th, 2007. We have lost a lot of the good, old guys lately. My family are grieving but we were so fortunate to have him for so long, 95 years old his last Birthday. He leaves three grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. We are planning a celebration of his life next Spring/Summer and shall then take him to "Green River" at Victoria Lake, his favourite spot in the world. Anyone living in the area and would care to join us at that time, please feel free to get in touch with me. Best Wishes to all - Jean |
| Name: | Kerry (Tucker) Jackson |
| E-mail address: | kerry_jackson100@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Sad to hear of Bob Gordon's passing. It seems that so many of the people I knew in P.A. have gone or are spread out all over the country. My sympathy to Joanne, Richard and boys. |
| Name: | Jo Anne (Gordon) Anderson |
| E-mail address: | jo-rich@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Thank you for this great website. It's so nice to see messages from people I grew up with.
I thought this would be a good way to share my sad news of my Dad's passing yesterday. His name was Bob Gordon and had celebrated his 89th birthday in September. He got all his leaves raked and sat down and went to sleep. My mother Zula Sorenson was born in Port Alice and my Dad arrived shortly after the war to work on the pipe line to Victoria Lake. They were married in 1947 and lived in Port Alice and Rumble Beach until 1989 when they moved to Summerland to live close to my family. My Mom passed away in 2001 and Dad has lived in his home by himself till now. I know all the oldtimers will remember my Dad and I just ask that you all wear a poppy in Remembrance of so many of our Dads who are gone. |
| Name: | Lenny Joyner |
| E-mail address: | joynerlenny@yahoo.ca |
| Comments: | I was Born there in 1953, Brother Bill in 52 and Bro.Ken in 55, Mom - Lily and Dad - Len are still alive and kickin, Livin in Maple Ridge. |
| Name: | Greg Best |
| E-mail address: | gvjb@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Well, the Best family were raised here in Port alice. They had the General store and Bowling Alley. I'll try to get some photos from that time. Reply if you know. I have some some home 8 mm film I'd love to share. It was about '63 to '67 |
| Name: | Lee Blair (Traynor) |
| E-mail address: | blairl@ihug.co.nz |
| Comments: | I was born in PA in 1946 to Barrie and Bernie Traynor. My sister was born there as well Deri Morris (Traynor). I moved to Nanaimo when I was three years old, lived there until 1993 when I moved to New Zealand. My sister still lives in Nanaimo.
Have really enjoyed going through this site and thank the person responsible for taking the time to do it. I recognize a number of the names while going through. |
| Name: | Jan Buntin (Conroy) |
| E-mail address: | janbuntin@rogers.com |
| Comments: | Thank you for this site! I was born in PA in 1947 to Jimmy and Bertha Conroy. My dad worked at the mill and I think my mom worked in Jack Woo's restaurant for awhile. I can't wait to show my mom this site; my dad has since passed away. Great pictures and great memories.
Thank you!! |
| Name: | Alistair Gillies & Janet (McArthur)Gillies |
| E-mail address: | dotty39@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | excellent web site.
Alistair Gillies father (Alex) came to Port Alice in 1931, his mother arrived in Port Alice (Isa) arrived in 1936. My parents Alex & Bertha McArthur with children June, William (billy) came to Port Alice in 1945. I was born there in 1947. Someone of the Gillies family has lived there from 1931 until 2005. We now live in Victoria. This website brought a lot of memories back to my husband even some I reconized. We miss the old friendness of Port Alice. I will pass it on to other people. Bye the way I only lived in Port Alice until 1952 then return to Port Alice when I married Alistair in 1969. we have one daughter Patricia. |
| Name: | Michelle McCaskill(nee Hall) |
| E-mail address: | m_hall@cablerocket.com |
| Comments: | This site is amazing. As I looked through the old photos I came across one of my mother, Simonne Hall and my older sister Debbie walking down the old dirt road. I was only a couple week old when I was brought to the old town, and then moved to Rumble Beach in 1968. My dad, Les Hall, who passed away in October 2006, worked in the mill from the age of 16 until he was forced to retire in 1993. He had many stories to tell about work and the old town. It would have been an experience growing up there as my three older sisters: Lorrainne, Debbie & Wendy did. As I still reside in Rumble Beach, I often take a drive to the mill, and try to visualize it as a town with so many happy people. |
| Name: | Walt Akerley |
| E-mail address: | walt@advanteks-inc.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.advanteks-inc.com |
| Comments: | WOW - I've been watching the "new" Port Alice web site for a couple of years and was blown away to see this one.
I was born in PA Hospital in 1953 and left with my parents (Haley and Mamory Akerley) in 1967 to move to Port Alberni. I've been back to the old town a few times and plan to go there again this year. After spending 20 years in the prairies my wife and I are back on the coast (White Rock) and really missed it here. Thanks for all the great memories in this web site. Like many others I'll start going thru all my old pictures and RH Richmond yearbooks and scanning them in. Cheers Walt |
| Name: | Ted |
| E-mail address: | tcompolo@shaw.com |
| Comments: | great page |
| Name: | Ron Woo |
| E-mail address: | ronwoo@telus.net |
| Comments: | Hi everyone from Port Alice
Thanks Mike for setting this up. My family was in Port Alice from 1935 to 1968. Dad was Jack Woo who had a bakery, laundry, restaurant and photo business. Kids were Henry, Andy, Janette, Peter, Pearl and Ron. Sorry to hear about the recent passing of Donny MacLeod. regards Ron |
| Name: | Ann Taylor |
| E-mail address: | anntaylor@telus.net |
| Comments: | Thanks for this site! I lived in Port Alice from age 11 to 14 (from 1961 to 1963), along with my parents, Len and Peggy Taylor, brothers Brock and Scott, and sister Margo. Dad was a foreman at the mill; Mom golfed. I remember the Sturdy family, the Woos, the Smiths, the Stromgrens, the Froeses, the Daly's, the McLeods, some teachers including the Leppards, Mr. Potter, and a black biology teacher who was very popular and inspiring, but had to leave for some reason. I loved playing in the school band and remember fun times in the summer at the lake.
We drove through the town a few years ago on the way south from Port Hardy, and it was very strange to have the highway go right through where our house used to be, which was in a cul-de-sac way out on the edge of town away from the mill. I think I could spot where it used to be by the familiar view of the flats on opposite shore. All the kids who lived around that cul-de-sac used to play outside games together until dark--like kick-the-can, hide-and-seek, etc, and there was a big rope swing I think. It was a magical time of life in a special place. |
| Name: | Jessie Lundin |
| E-mail address: | eyore2@telus.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://canada.com |
| Comments: | I live in Port Alice and it rules!!!!! I have lived here 4 ever! And i love it. So it is true there is no place like home!
Love ya Port Alice! |
| Name: | janice vanderelst |
| E-mail address: | janice.vanderelst@gov.bc.ca |
| Comments: | Hi everyone who ever lived there, definitely a one of a kind beautiful places to grow up. The people were what made the memories (not to forget the beauty) I left in 1978, onto vancouver where i have resided ever since.
would love to hear from anyone that remembers me. home # in Vancouver is 604-737-7994 |
| Name: | Rex Price |
| E-mail address: | rex_price@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I worked as carpenter at the mill 1977-1978. Port Alice is a very beautiful place, I would love to visit again sometime.
Do you have more recent pics? |
| Name: | Norman Doll |
| E-mail address: | norru@telus.net |
| Comments: | I was born in Port Alice on June 9, 1937
Lived there untill 1954. Return in 1980 till 1998. Mom and Dad moved to Port Alice in 1935 and retired to Courtney in 1967. They have both passed on. I have a sister Carolyne, also living in Nanaimo as I am. It was a great place to grow up and I enjoyed living there, in the new town in the last stay.Glad I stumbled on this sit and will forward it onto some friendsd of the past. |
| Name: | Pat Hambly |
| E-mail address: | kiwieh@pacificcoast.net |
| Comments: | Just found out about this wonderful site. Bernie and I went to Port Alice in 1961 as young teachers. I remember flying in on BC Air - Beaver. We married in 1962 and apart from one year out stayed until 1971. We remember so many of you from RH Richmond School. We are now parents of 3 sons ( the youngest was born at the old hospital in PA) and one daughter and 9 grand children. We have many school pictures and will sort some out and send them along. We agree, there was something about life in that old town that we will never forget.....so many friends made and kept through the years, although we are now scattered. |
| Name: | SANDIE HAWES |
| E-mail address: | SANDIEH@YRB.CA |
| Comments: | I LIVED IN PORT ALICE FROM 1972 TO 1979 WITH MY THEN
HUSBAND SID AND 2 BOYS MIKE & CHRIS. I HAVE VERY FOND MEMORIES OF THIS BEAUTIFUL TOWN AND IT'S PEOPLE. AM NOW LIVING IN PRINCE GEORGE AND HAVE 2 GRANDSONS RILEY AND JAXSON. WOULD LOVE TO TAKE THEM FOR A VISIT TO PORT ALICE SOMEDAY. |
| Name: | Dave Evans |
| E-mail address: | dave.evans@kwantlen.ca |
| Comments: | Boy, does this take me back! Congratulations on the work you have put in to develop this site. I'm going to go down into the crawl space and rummage around for pictures that you may be able to use on your site.
I have often thought about growing up in PA and miss it very much - sad to see its gone. I think Moraine Sturdy said it best "maybe it was the isolation", but you knew that in Port Alice you were always a member of a big family. My family (Father-Jack, Mother-Pat, sisters Ann & Lynn and brother Jackie) and I moved there in '58 and moved away just after the earthquake in Alaska in '64 - remember the tug boats swirling around in the "chuck" when the docks broke free. Anyway, keep up the good work. Anyway I can help out, give me a ding. |
| Name: | Rev.Bob Stevens |
| E-mail address: | loubob70@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | In 1959 I had the pleasure of serving in Port Alice during the summer as a Student Minister for the United Church of Canada. Rev.Wayne MacKenzie,my supervising minister from Alert Bay sent me in to see if there were people of the United Church who might like to organize a United Church congregation.We held our services in the Golf Clubhouse ,the beginning of the United Church in Port Alice.
I have fond memories of my time there. Someday would like to return for a visit. |
| Name: | Gail Morrison |
| E-mail address: | gailtrent@cablerocket.com |
| Name: | Carol (Bodger) Hall |
| E-mail address: | mcsghall@shaw.ca |
| Homepage URL: | http://home.cablerocket.com/~mscott/pahistory.html |
| Comments: | We moved to Port Alice in February, 1944 Mom (Marjorie)dad (Clyde) my brother (Phil) and myself. We were there on and off from February 1944 to May 1946. Mom,Phil & I loved the small community but my dad was very restless with the isolation but work was scarce so we did stay until the end of the war.
It was only a couple of days after our arrival that the Norseman crashed and the stories were that they were "showing-off" for the girls in the store at the time and that was what I knew to be the truth. I will never forget the terrible smell and smoke from the wreckage which was there for days. We lived down "the Trail" and some of our friends and neighbours were Fred & Herb Coe,Norman & Carolyn Dahl, Desmond Newby and the Hegglund family. The classmates from the "townsite" were Nancy Miskemin, Donnie "Peanuts" Palamar. While working for the Royal Bank in Vancouver in the 1960's I learned one of my co-workers was Julie (Palamar) Sereda a classmate of my brother. I also remember the abundance of bald eagles at Spry Camp, so many it was frightening to go there, they were so big and so many. One very funny tradition that took place was every Halloween,the guys from the mill put cement in the school chimney and without heat school was always closed November 1 It has been so delightful to find this page and I thank Elisabeth Formosa for letting me know. - Carol |
| Name: | Gary Bartrim |
| E-mail address: | garyrbartrim@dccnet.com |
| Comments: | Hello Mike:
Sorry I took so long to respond, was interesting reading of old Port Alice acquaintances. I must send some of my old PA pictures that go back to I believe 1928 when my grandparents, Bert & Ethel Bartrim arrived with Muriel, Bill and Russell. Although I was born in Vancouver, Port Alice was my home. I started my Pulp & Paper carreer, first in Mill Stores working for Jim Brownlee, then in the Finishing Room with Paul Sprinkling and Eldon Terry. Now after 45 years, six mills and seven start-ups, it is time to start something new. PA is the source of many of my memories and stories. Wherever I have travelled, from Australia, Japan, Turkey, Canada and USA, Port Alice people have come into my life. I also have family still in port Alice and have connections to The Norseman 965 story, which I found very interesting. I look foreward to my PA visits with Bill Bartrim & Family, also Don McLoud and other old friends. Keep up the good work. |
| Name: | Jim Cavers |
| E-mail address: | cavers@sfu.ca |
| Comments: | What a great website. The photos bring back many happy memories of growing up in Port Alice in the late 40s and the 50s. I see some familiar names in the guestbook, too - hi to all of you.
Jim Cavers |
| Name: | Len Woods |
| E-mail address: | lwoods5@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Looking at the site and it was like I never left good times had by all.To all the old Legion boys I am still here and going strong.Len, legion worker and builder from 1961 ?? till 1966. Cheers |
| Name: | Pilar Brieba |
| E-mail address: | prum13@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I really would like to know how you guys are doing. Really miss you in this end of the world. Hope to hear from you. How's my beautiful god-son? |
| Name: | Fred |
| E-mail address: | fred (at) lepitre.org |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.lepitre.org |
| Comments: | Hi there! Very nice site.
I see that two of my aunts (Marie and Terry) signed below, so I thought I ought to join the fun too! Here's a webpage I created mainly for sharing photos related to the Lepitre family. There are many photos from the reunion this year, and many from the old days in Port Alice. If you recognize anyone in the photos, please add a note. Cheers, Fred. http://www.lepitre.org |
| Name: | Elisabeth Formosa(Betty Corman) |
| E-mail address: | pgrant@interchange.ubc.ca |
| Comments: | For some reason I've been thinking about Port Alice alot lately. My parents were Fred and Flora Corman and Dad was an acccountant with the mill. We were only there for two years (1956/58) but I have very fond memories. My brother Jack and I played in the school band and I believe that is me in the photo on the right holding the tuba! Loved Mr Martin.
This was a great idea...thanks for doing it. |
| Name: | Jamie Farrell |
| E-mail address: | jamiefarrell@telus.net |
| Comments: | hello again port alice. I here there could be some good news reguarding the pulp mill !!excellent !! take care.
jamie |
| Name: | Roy Newby |
| E-mail address: | roynewby@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Hello,
Fantastic site. Was born in Port Alice in 1951. My dad was Dennis and Shirley. My grandparents were George and Rhona Newby. They all worked around the Town in the early days. |
| Name: | Bill Wyness |
| E-mail address: | bwbw2@tamarack.nt.ca |
| Comments: | I ran away to Port Alice in 1962, and started as a cook's helper for Dennis Hartford in the digesters. Daughter Jill was born there at the old Port Alice hospital 40 years ago this month. I remember all the wonderful - and interesting - folks from my "Port Alice" years (1962 through 1974) when working in the mill finally paid my way through 6 years of UBC.
Barbara and I rolled into PA 15 years ago this week for a two day visit, and Walter Platka's familiar voice greeted us the moment we walked into the Quatsino Chalet coffee shop. I guess you never really leave good friends and great memories behind..they are always just a "Hi There" away. Bill WYness Yellowknife NWT |
| Name: | Doug Ward |
| E-mail address: | pdward@telus.net |
| Name: | Gail (Ward) Dowswell |
| E-mail address: | artandgail@dowswell.com |
| Comments: | Hi there- great site- I was born in Port Alice June 28, 1940, one of four children of Jack and Olive Ward. Our dad worked as an electrician in the Mill. I remember great times and great friends we made over the years.
My older brother Jack sent me this site and it looks great keep up the good work. My parents were in Port Alice 1934 until 1951. Soooooo many good memories. Gail |
| Name: | Jeri Lidstrom |
| E-mail address: | kaukas_m@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Hi, does anyone remember my dad Len Lidstrom?
Or have any memories of the west coast and especially Minstrel Island they would like to share? |
| Name: | Lynne Frizell |
| E-mail address: | arthurmcnamara@bigpond.com |
| Name: | marie elliott |
| E-mail address: | lepitre@telus.net |
| Comments: | I was born in Port Allice Stptember 13 1940 My father was the electrician at the pulp mill.I do not remember aneything of my birth place as my father died when i was 8 months old and as there was no one of my brothers 9of them and no sisters 8 of them that were old enough to work in the pulp mill we had to leave Port Alice as it was a company town at that time. We have just had a Lepitre Family reunion and i received this sight contact from Peter he is part of My family given some time i will have some pictures to send. that you might be intrested in. Please forgive my poor spelliog as i am just learning how to use the computer. |
| Name: | Terry Levett |
| E-mail address: | schnoodle@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | great book, fabulas job/ |
| Name: | Brett and Lynn Horrocks |
| E-mail address: | meikoll@telus.net |
| Comments: | Hi Mike and Bernadette,
This is a fabulous website. You have done a great job Mike. I have some slides of Port Alice and when I can get them made into photos I will scan them in. Thanks for the e-mail. I worked in Alice from 1979 to October 22, 2004 until the mill closed. It is a beautiful place. Now reside in Port Alberni. Keep up the good work. |
| Name: | Cheryl Rahn |
| E-mail address: | jc_canam@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | This site is a wonderful labour of love Mike. I am going to forward the link on to my parents .. my dad would love to see the pictures. He was a millwright there from '67 to '73. I am not sure what pictures I have but I know i do have some. I definatly will go through them and see what I can help you with. Keep up the good work and we can all help to keep the spirit of Port Alice alive. |
| Name: | Susan Lees (nee Monkhouse) |
| E-mail address: | SusanLees@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Hi Mike, As noted earlier, Morraine Kennedy came to my Dad's funeral in November and since then we have been sharing old Port Alice information and pictures. She sent me the link to your website - Great Work! Today I came across an old magazine (no front cover or date) in my Dad's belongings. There is a story about "the new Bleach Plant", a social page (pictures by Jack Woo) and a story about the famous attack on Gerry Walters (cougar killed by Buck Richmond). There have been more recent cougar attacks in Port Alice but I was born in the Port Alice hospital in 1953 and that's the story that I grew up with! I try to scan these articles and send them to you. Keep up the good work! Susan |
| Name: | Glen Williamson |
| E-mail address: | glen1963@telus.net |
| Comments: | Hey Mike:
Great piece of work in progress here.. I had some pics of the Recovery Boiler going up, and some stuff.. but in 1982 (in Edmonton) I was B & E'd and the jerks stole my photos.. yeah. Go figure. My brother, Ralph might have some good shots. If I see him I will get some pics and scan/download/ send, etc. God bless U all Glen aka 'flash' Powerhouse 4 class Eng'r '76-'80 |
| Name: | Tim Woodland |
| E-mail address: | twoodland@telus.net |
| Comments: | Great site. I really enjoyed the Port Alice page, and hope that you are able to share more of your 'labour of love' with us. I am a former North Island resident and logging industry employee, now a collector and historian of the forest industry.
Tim |
| Name: | Moraine Kennedy (Sturdy) |
| E-mail address: | hmkennedy@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | I was thrilled to stumble on a web page on Old Port Alice. The new townsite has been in the news so much I just had to look for connections to the old one. And I had just attended a memorial for Ken Monkhouse, who recently passed away at 95! He sold records out of the basement ( as well as suits), and we bought many treasures there. I have since reconnected with Kathy, my age, and her stepsisters, Susan and Sarah.
A wonderful place to grow up in. I have very vivid memories. I have never been back since (1965)and it was demolished and rebuilt further down the inlet, to Rumble Beach (where we used to go for picnics.) But I still have it all in my head! I have sent the site on to brother Daryl. Ken, our father (going on 92), went there in mid 30's, stayed during the war years, and was tinsmith when I was young, and then Townsite and Personnel Mgr, from about 1955 to 1966(?). Dad ran the projector for the theatre, and was also in the dance band playing saxophone, for years. I have several pictures of the town, that I will try to get to you. By Jack Woo, of course; his wonderful talent for documenting PA... I am not sure when you started this project but as the comments are dated recently, I assume it's quite new. Great idea. Hope you get lots of response. I think everyone who lived there in the 30's, 40's 50's exspecially have a bond. Maybe it was the isolation. |
| Name: | Gordon Payne |
| E-mail address: | gordonpayne@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | Steam plant shift engineer; assistant chief engineer, 1961/1967. |
| Name: | Denise Johnson (nee Payne) |
| E-mail address: | stardust@shaw.ca |
| Homepage URL: | http://N/A |
| Comments: | Hi there! My father was a manager in the Port Alice mill steam plant from 1961 to 1967, and I have very fond memories of growing up there (despite walking to and from school with my jacket over my face in an attempt to ward off the noxious sulphur smell from the mill). I still have my Brownie uniform with the "First Port Alice Pack" patch on the shoulder and have been toying with the idea of donating it to a museum (does Port Alice have one?).
I'm fascinated with everything about the old Port Alice! Ron Woo, whose family lived there for a long time, recently lent me the book by Eve Smith, and I'm trying to locate a copy for myself. Do you know if it's available? Thanks for posting these photos and accompanying information. I can hardly wait to share them with Ron and my Dad! Denise Johnson |