Hello, Fellow Verdunites—Past and Present!
My name is Jack, and I just dropped in to say greetings to you all, and to touch base with anyone who might remember me. I have very fond memories of Verdun and all the close friends and people I grew up with.
Here's a little about me . . .
I lived with my foster parents and other foster children on Melrose Avenue, between Bannantyne and Champlain, until I married in 1967.
I attended Woodland Public School (WPS) and Verdun High School (VHS), but was never graduated (VHS, that is!—I left grade 9 in '62).
The last names of WPS female teachers I remember are Armstrong, Daigle, Harvey, and Foot (music); the only male teacher was Salmi. The principal then was Dryburgh.
At VHS, I remember only these male teachers: Oulton (class teacher for grades 8 and 9); Stirling (math); Hiltz (phys. ed.); and Cameron (metalwork, but only briefly, as I transferred to the art class—with all the girls!). Dr. Grant, affectionately (!) called Pussyfoot, was the principal of VHS.
Some of my childhood friends were David S., Gary M., Gary H., Ian M., John G., John W., Norman B., and Victor T.-L. Except for Ian, they all lived on Melrose.
Some teenage friends were John N., Rick C., Craig M.; and also included as friends were the girls I dated: Carol L., Cheryl M. (Craig's sister), Geraldine C., Heather M., Pat P., and Linda L.
I'm related by marriage to one of the members listed here in Verdun Connections, but, sorry, I've promised not to reveal her name—well, at least, not yet . . . !
Have a GREAT day, Everyone!
J. Haines
8 comments:
Sorry for the change in font. Computer glitch!
Jack, You must be referring to Bill Monroe, check my message of October the 22nd and you are right, he was a fantastic piano player and I remember him. One member mentioned that he died at the beginning of this year and his brother was his neighbor. Check the replies. Guy
Hi, Guy! Nice to meet you. Sorry, but I think you might have wanted to send your reply to someone other than me. Reason? I don't know a Bill Monroe, nor did I mention anyone by that name in my posting. Take care, Jack
Jack, I replied to the wrong message. Sorrry for the oversight. My reply was intended for Norman and I have corrected my mistake. Guy
Hi Jack, Are you still drawing horses?
Hi, U2clueso! I don't remember drawing horses that much. My class teachers in Woodland use to give me a section of the blackboard near the entrance to the classroom. And it is there that I did coloured chalk drawings of, if I can remember correctly, seasonal themes, such as Christmas, Easter, etc. I had in mind to do others, specifically caricatures of teachers, but I'm sure I would have been expelled had I carried out my thoughts. BTW, were you in my class U2? I recognize your first name. Is your last name H, and did you live on Melrose between Wellington and Verdun Avenue? You can reveal here or you can send me an e-mail to . . . hainesj@videotron.ca Nice meeting you here, Jack
Hi Jack, Yes it is me. I was a little disappointed that I wasn't added to your list of girlfriends, but then you had so many, I guess the pc would have timed out had you listed them all. I still have the picture of the horse you drew for me and it influenced my being the crafty person I am today. (Although my husband could probably kill you for it). I have one room in the house just for my crafts - air brushing, ceramics, fabric painting, sewing, etc. etc. etc. and the latest scrapbookking. Thanks Jack for encouraging me to keep trying to draw. I am still trying. Phyllis
Oh, Phyllis! Is that you? I can't believe it? Your reply has made me blush! I can't believe that you kept one of my drawings after all this time . . . I just spoke to someone who went to school with you, was a classmate of yours in high school--Darlene Hills, also a member of Verdun Connections. Do you remember her? Her son and my youngest daughter are married to each other. Re drawing and such . . . my-my-my, you are multi-talented! I studied commercial art for three years in the late sixties, but then dropped it. I should've gone into fine art and starved with the rest of them. I ended up in customs and transport, where I now work as a rate auditor—and really looking forward to retirement so I can devote myself to sketching once again. Phyllis, I could go on and on, which is usually what I tend to do when writing, so to spare all the members from my ramblings, I shall end my reply here. Would you mind very much if I continue with this with an e-mail to you? If you'd like to e-mail me, please use . . . hainesj@videotron.ca Really great to hear from you! Jack Haines
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