No wonder we all worried about our weight.  Seems like we went out to eat every time there was an opportunity to celebrate something.  The Beach House was such a place.  In North Vancouver, on - where else - the Beach.  First had a nice walk to whet the appetite and wouldn't you know, a seagull got me, on my brand new (expensive) jacket.  Uncle John knew exactly how to get it clean.  I can't pass on the tip as 1997 is too long ago, suffice it to say, it worked.  uncle John was full of helpful household hints.  And dinner... great success.  Wonderful ambiance, wonderful food, and the best, the very best company!

 July 2001 - Rosemary's 80th birthday.  A wonderful opportunity to visit Hilversum where Winifred met John in 1944.  We went to the Singer Museum in Laren.  A wonderful, wonderful sunny day (don't forget this is Holland = often rain)... And when the sun comes out - so do the Dutch.  You can eat and drink outside almost anywhere and so, that is what we did - had a wonderful lunch on the sidewalk near the museum...

My earliest memories go back to Rainier street in Toronto.  Sunday mornings, breakfast after communion...You giving Uncle John polish sausage with candles for his birthday.  And then... LA, 1960 when I was 15 and pregnant, when Terri met her John at the church dance.  You were so kind and loving, only worried that Uncle John might find out and get upset (more nervous with Terri).I so envied Terri having you for a mum... Having you all as family.Fast forward to 1970 when Bob and I came to visit and my Rob fell in the pool. Uncle John had such a fit - he was such a worry wart.  In 1986 when you went to visit Dennis in Geilenkirchen, we were fortunate to have you visit us - I learned to make chicken soup from Uncle John.  I remember all the tinned food you took with you to visit Uncle John's relatives in Slovakia because Chernobyl had just happend.  Uncle John having borrowed our car worried about parking under a tree that 'leaked' some kind of sap.  Thought it was his responsibilty to keep the car (ultra) clean.

In 1989 again a visit, this time with Pieter to Oceanside. My running gear was not such a success.  You worried all the old codgers might get a heart attack :) ...2001 and mum's 80th.  Thank you so much for making the journey.  Your presence made it so very special for all of us - in spite of mum not speaking to you for throwing an apricot pit in the garden - "we (white man) don't do that kind of thing here" :). It was so nice to reconnect.  But most of all I would like to thank you for the last six years.  I am just sorry visiting again wasn't an option.Since mum's passing I have gotten a great deal of solace from our telephone calls.  I will most certainly miss your cheerful, "Hi Hon"...I did so enjoy talking with you.  I will miss you greatly.  Thank you for being my Aunt Winifred...

Love always, Joan

Our favorite summer past time when we lived in Toronto was to go to Wasaga Beach.  You could drive your card on the beach and I rmember just loving to make sand castles and float in the water.  They also had a midway and I remember always asking for the corn on the cob on a stick, except I would say can I have a cob on the corn.  My mother worked at Silknet and she would bring home bathing suits that they made there and she and I would have matching swimsuits and I thought that was great!

One of my fondest memories is of my 7th or 8th birthday and having all my friends over for my party.  Mom and Dad made up a game where there were two teams.  One team played the part of the fox and the other played the part of the hunters.  My Dad took the fox team and they would go through the woods and drop stones or make markers so that the other team could follow.  It may sound quite boring by today's standards, but my friends and I loved it.  We played pin the tail on the donkey, clothespins in a bottle, had hamburgers and corn and I thought that was the best!!