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Ralph Berry has always been somewhat of a
teller of tales; some factual, some leaning towards
the variety usually known as "tall tales". Ralph has
plenty of background to work with. He married into
the McNichol family of the Johnson's Landing and
has stories to tell of his exploits among that family
gathering to last a long time. Needless to say, they
cover both of the categories I mentioned.
Today we are going to tell another facet of
Ralph's experiences, one he is going through right
now. Ralph has a grandson, of whom he is very
proud. This boy has been playing hockey ever since
he could walk and has come up through the ranks of
minor hockey to where, today, he stands on the
door-step of a National Hockey League career.
Willie Anderse-i was taken in the seventh round of
the recent draft by the New York Islanders.
Andere was on the negotiating list of the Edmonton Oilers, while playing for Kamloops but
spend most of last season with the Victoria Cougars.
He had hoped for a chance in the draft, and was not
impressed with being picked from the seventh
round. But the Islanders coach told him he has no
worries, all he has to do is prove himself and a job
with the former Stanley Cup champs will be open for
him. So, Willie, (or maybe I should call you Bobby,
Ralph's nickname for Willie is Bobby Orr) have a
good time up there and we'll look forward to seeing
youintheN.H.L. tostay!
This must be the week for Willys. Last Tuesday I
received a bulky package from a long-time friend.
It was a six-page letter from Ghana, Africa, from
Willy Dorey. After retiring from Cominco, Will
decided to take a job offer to go out there and work
for a mining company. His letter is filled with interesting items on the mode of life in that country.
From what Willy says, snakes are quite abundant in
Ghana and he mentioned two varieties, the sitting
cobra and the mamba, both poisonous, and apparently sightings are quite frequent. The wild
animals also come in numerous varieties which I
won't try to mention here.
Willy mentions that the coastline of the country
has many beautiful beaches but he makes mention
of the fact that there is no television and no shopping. In other words, I guess the amenities that we
take for granted in our country have not found their
way into the hinterlands of Ghana. He wanted me to

pass the letter along to his many friends in the area
and I am in the process of doing just that. I talked to
Pat, Willy's wife, the other day and asked if she was
planning to go see him. Pat said she would be happy
to see him but wasn't too enthusiastic with the
picture of Ghana as a meeting place. Maybe Paris
or London would be a better spot!
Willy mentioned the natives who work around the
mines and mills. He says they make things go,
despite the fact that they have few, if any, what we
would consider necessary tools to get a job done.
They just cannot get delivery of the tools and
equipment they need. He says all the natives are
fine looking, statuesque people; even the kids show
early in life that they too will be that way. The thing
that amazes Willy is that everything is carried on
their heads. The women even carry their sewing
machines on their heads. Just imagine a woman
with a Singer - just like your mom probably had at
home - balanced on her head and both arms
swinging from the shoulder. Some balance, what!
I mentioned the snakes, Willy says coming from
work one day he saw a bunch of people beating the
, ground with sticks and saw the battered remains of
a huge cobra lifeless, on the ground. He says the
kids even tackle these things themselves all the
time.
The natives belong to the warlike Ashanti tribe
who gave the British a lot of trouble during their
attempts to colonize the country in years gone by.
Now to this weeks' golf at the upper course. Some
50 retirees were out. I did not make it but Romeo
DiBiasio passed along the results and here they are.
In the low gross department it was Jim Scott at 41
and Jack Buchanan at 42. Rich Watkinson edged out
Vic Bordin in low net with a 33 to Vic's 34. Ike Bosse
took closest to the pin on no. 5. He left a tap-in for his
birdie and Bill Leaman managed to sink a seven-toeight footer to take the long putt on no. 9, after a
dozen others had missed from inches further away.
Anyway, next week I'll get a partner and take
care of things. Davey has a special treat for next
week. He will cook breakfast and serve it up for the
fantastic price of $2.25. You can eat before you go or
afterwards. Do like I did last year. Pick a batch of
mushrooms during your round and he'll cook em up
for you 'along with your meal. And so, till next time
then!