The Enefer Family

The Enefer family has deep roots in South Vancouver, going back to 1912.

2 minutes, 1 second

By Jerry Vernon

Jerry was born in Vancouver in 1935, attending schools in Aldergrove and Vancouver including John Oliver High School. He graduated from UBC in Electrical Engineering and worked at BC Telephone for 34 years. Starting at age 16, he also spent 49 years in Canada's Reserve Forces, including the RCAF Auxiliary and the Militia.  

Memories of John Oliver Secondary

Former student of John Oliver recounts the special days of high school. 
1 minute 54 seconds
By Ken MacLeod
Ken is a retired teacher and military historian in Courtenay, BC. He has conducted more than twenty military pilgrimages to Canadian battlefields in Northwest Europe and Italy and is presently writing The History of South Vancouver and John Oliver High School for the school’s 100^th Anniversary in September 2012 

Steel Cleats and Chaperones

Growing up with lessons of self-respect, pride and good parenting.

2 minutes 10 seconds

by Rose Point

Rose Point is Thompson and Stalo who grew up living mostly with her Aunt and Uncle, on Seabird Island Reserve. She attended St. Mary's Residential School near Agassiz as a day student. She raised her children on the Musqueam Reserve with her husband Cagney Point. She is an early-childhood educator, BCIT's Aboriginal Elder-Advisor and is the family archivist. 

Childhood Days

Memories of Prior Street in the 1940's.
2 minutes 31 seconds

By Joyce Berry

Joyce was born in Vancouver and during the 1940's she was a resident of Prior street until age 7.  She is a mother of 9, a grandmother of 14, and a great grandmother of 4.

"Working" at the Beach

From adolescence to adult hood...

1 minute 53 seconds

By Glenn Schultz

Glenn still owns his family home across from the beach. He has stories about growing up at the beach to entertain for days on end!

The Homeless Person

A lesson is learned from Dad.

1 minute 16 seconds

By Beza Kassay

Beza used to meet at Riley Park Community Centre Wednesdays for the Sports Plus after school program. She likes to draw.

Originally collected for Riley Park Stories.

A Little Bit Country

A life that thrives in nature.

3 minutes 22 seconds

By Jennifer Maynard

Jennifer still lives in her Southlands family home and now runs Southlands Farm. She married a fellow who was born in Southlands and has 3 grown children. 

Originally collected for Kerrisdale Collective Memory

Stubborn Streak

An inspirational story for anyone who has ever been told that they can't do something.

3 minutes 22 seconds

By Shirley Gordon Olafsson

Shirley feels like she had a marvellous life! She has spent her whole life teaching kids sports: track and field, basketball and curling, in order to give all kids a  good experience with sports regardless of their abilities. She is in the BC Sports Hall of Fame for both basketball and track and field and she has also been inducted into 'In Her Footsteps' to recognize her inspirational achievements on behalf of women in sports!

The House with the Monkey Tree

A delightful place to visit.
2 minutes 28 seconds


By Susan Gordon
Susan became a “horse addict” after visiting the ponies in Stanley park as a child.  She would often try to get a whiff of the horses at Southlands when in Kerrisdale!  She rode professionally and taught, and also ran a stable in Ladner for many years.


Originally collected for Kerrisdale Collective Memory

Finding Normal

The meaning of soccer is more than mere play.

1 minute 30 seconds

By Jinny Lim

Jinny enjoyed editing her 2011 school annual and she was elected President of the whole school. She starts her term in the Presidential Office starting in Septemeber 2012. 
Jinny plans to be a doctor

The Stairs

A definitive moment in a school staircase.

2 minutes 09 seconds

by Paul Livingston

Paul lived in Kitsilano for the first 10 years of his life. He says this about growing up in Kits in the '60s: "Kits was a beautiful place to live until I was about five. Then, the hippies moved in. The neighborhood became very colourful and noisy. Mixed in with families like mine, were the free-spirted transients. These were exciting times for many. but for me—a conservatively-raised kid—they were turbulent, troublesome times. I went to Henry Hudson Elementary and I was having a rough time of it myself. "Shortly before he and his sister and their family moved to Burnaby, an incident happened that has stayed with him ever since. He visited his old school and brings us inside to re-live the moment with him.

Class Distinctions

Farm life to a private school in the city
2 minutes 56 seconds

By Mary Holmes 
Even at a young age Mary was passionate about food security.  She has worked for numerous organizations, from artist advocacy to the UBC Aboriginal Garden, Mary's common thread has been to help improve peoples' lives.  She lives in the Commercial Drive area.

Kaleidoscope Childhood

From baton to berry picking, growing up is FUN!
3 minutes 21 seconds

By Sital Dhillon
Sital was born and raised in Vancouver and has resided here for over 50 years. She has been working and volunteering with schools and community organizations, for almost 40 years. Since 1975, she has also been a Board member of the India Mahila Association.  Sital's volunteer efforts have been instrumental in implementing and presenting Race Relations workshops to groups of all ages, her mantra is Unity through Diversity!

Nature Lesson

Learning the ways of the salmon is a memorable time in grade four.
1 minute 26 seconds

By Jennifer Lim
Jennifer came to Vancouver from Korea via Germany. She speaks Korean, English  Mandarin and French. She recently visited her best friend in Iceland on a trip through Europe with her Dad. Jennifer is a girl of the world!

37th and Mackenzie

A childhood home full of memories.

1 minutes 53 seconds

By Nan Lawrence Spedding
Nan grew up in Kerrisdale but spent much of her adult life in England where she married an Englishman. She moved back to Vancouver when her husband got a job here. It was just by accident that they ended up buying a house in Kerrisdale, bringing Nan's life full circle. Today she is an avid gardener and has a beautiful garden.
Originally collected for Kerrisdale Collective Memory

Parks of My Childhood

Childhood memories of Marpole parks.
1 minute 26 seconds

By Vivienne Van Slyke
Vivienne has lived in Vancouver and Richmond since her family’s arrival to Canada in the late 50’s.Vivienne has owned and operated several businesses over the years and she and her husband are currently putting the finishing touches on their fully renovated home in MacKenzie Heights. She has 4 grown children, 2 grandchildren and has recently celebrated her 37^th wedding anniversary. 

Changes

Childhood memories of Queen Elizabeth Park form the basis of existential angst.

2 minutes 5 seconds

By lisa g

Lisa likes to walk or ride her bike around Vancouver looking at public art. She believes public art is an important part of any city. She, in particular, loves the Vancouver Biennale.


Originally collected for Riley Park Stories 

Dance School

The former dancer in 2011

A recollection of rehearsing and performing around Vancouver in the 1930's. 

3 minutes 3 seconds

By Madge Marlatt

A Vancouver local, born and raised, Madge fondly remembers growing up in her 10-room family home in the 300 block of West Broadway. Madge became a gifted seamstress designing and sewing for Vancouver’s wealthy, she raised a daughter as a single mom and now, she is a social butterfly and craft artisan around the Kerrisdale Seniors Centre.

The Daily

A memory of a place of fun and freedom on four wheels. 
3 minutes 6 seconds



By Brian Lye
Brian grew up in Kerrisdale in the 80s and 90s.  When asked about
the best part about the neighbourhood he grew up in he responds, 
"that was The Daily."