Vancouver's 130th birthday: April 6, 2016

Today, April 6, 2016 is Vancouver's 130th birthday.

This photo of myself and Matthew on Vancouver City Hall's front steps was taken 15 years ago in 2001. I had an invitation to attend the ceremony because a short story I wrote was included in the book "Hurricane in the Basement" which was put together for the Millennium the year before, in 2000.

I'm not sure why the city isn't celebrating this year for the 130th. If they are, I haven't heard of any special event taking place.

Myself standing beside the story I'd written which was enlarged on a large poster at the Vancouver Museum. We visited it after the events and birthday cake at City Hall.

The "Hurricane in a Basement" book was laminated and put into a binder in the museum.

They also included a photo in this binder which didn't make it into the actual book due to room constraints. I wonder what happened to this binder?

Another photo of City Hall. I've always liked this building on W 12th Avenue.

By Loretta Houben

The 7th day of Christmas

Every year at this time I wax nostalgic.

In 2001 we bought our first digital camera, which is still going strong.

I gave it to Leona, but she doesn't have a blog. (yet)

Here are the cute boys on Dec 9/01.

Matthew, Colin, Paul, in their costumes for the Sunday School Christmas program.

We all went to church on the corner of Kingsway and Rupert, yes, the same church my parents went to all their lives (except for 7 years in the late 60's and 70's).

I still have dreams about this church.

Little James saying his speech.

This is the same platform that Leona and I stood on as we sang our carols way back in 1965.

(see previous post on Dec 20)

I wish we had pictures of us!

Matthew and Joel as shepherds, with the "lambs"!
After evening service, we sometimes went to White Spot near Kingsway and Knight, for a special treat. Matthew loved these times.
I really like this photo; it's one of my favourites of the 3 of us.
Beside our Christmas tree, Dec 24, 2001.

By Loretta Houben