Page 4B .The Castlegar Sun f Wednesday, January 30, 1991 By BARBARA TANDORY Sun staff writer She remembers working as the first paid Castlegar Librarian with pride. But she remembers some- thing else with misty-eyed fond- ness — the long years of volunteer work at the library for the prover- bial dinner. “We were all say limited and came from donations, “Oh, we didn’t have enough : . money to'buy, books,” Donnan recalled, “We were on a very slim budget. When we started it was all donations,” dinner to honor its volunteer staff, “We have a dinner every year,” »; said Donnan, ‘At this year's dinner, --earller this: month, she was hon- ored as the first ‘librarian‘in a reunion mecting with hertwo suc- Later, Charlie King was able to ''\. cessors, Audrey’ Moore and Judy “to get some money from the city,” she said. Not much, though. In 1947, for example, the Village Cc issi d the new Jessie Donnan, the head librarian of the Castlegar public library between 1963 and 1971. “Our payment was a dinner, Every year Charlie (King) used to take us out to dinner, “They used to call us Charlie's girls,” Donnan said, referring to King, the longtime early president library group a $250 donation but only after considerable opposition to the expenditure from council members, : And even in the 1960s, with Donnan as the librarian, the book budget was limited. Her requests for more books were inevitably of the library who, with his wife, Peggy, had put in a lot of service in the early years of the library, “None of us got paid for a long time,” she remembers. Donnan, now 86, has been through the many moves of the downtown library — which was amalgamated with the Kinnaird library only in 1974 — and remembers she started when it was still on Front Street (now 13th St.), where it was moved in 1951. Both the Castlegar and the Kin- naird libraries started loaning out books in. 1946. But the stock was in the negative, ‘‘No, Jessie, you can’t buy more books,’ she remembers. “We were very restricted.” In 1948 the book stock was 259 and the circulation 933 books a 1) Wearmouth. © ice 8) And while Moore — librarian from 1971 to 12975 — went'on to become mayor of Castlegar, Don- nan had turned her considerable energies to volunteer work for the Castlegar Senior Citizens’ Associ- ation, K R Donnan served as secretary for the seniors’ group. for a number of yéars and was president for seven years She is still active with the seniors’ association, : In 1981 Donnan received ‘the “Good \Citizen of Castlegar” award, sponsored by the | Castle- gar Kiwanis Club. © ~ ¥ “I think Jessie is an absolutely we ful citizen of Cast year, with an average ci i of 45 books a day. In 1971, the book stock was 7991 and circula- tion rose to 24,000. This compares with the present book stock of 43,074 — for 1990 — and the cir- culation of 93,931 a year. The Castlegar and District Library operates with the budget, in 1990, of $167,415, But in some ways things didn’t change so much, The library still keeps the tradition of an annual Mayor Moore told the Castlegar Sun last week, “If we have a’ suc- cessful library group, it probably Teflects on the service that Jessie did when the library first came into operation, She’s done a tremendous job., “She was a — flanked ‘the ‘past! and ‘current librarians, Moore ind Wearmouth — cut the ceremonial ribbon.) Donnan and her late hisband:? came to Castlegar © aftér the ‘war, First librarian tells of volunteer work for. “Previously, she lived in Revel-'~ ,Stoke the Okanagan, settling first {din Warfield where she worked for.’ “a tobacco company in Trail, which was, when and how she met her help to me,” said Moore. When, in September 1987, the present $445,000 library building was opened, it was Donnan who Jessie Donnan, Castlegar's first librarian, pours over scrapbooks full of memories. ° SUN GTAFF PHOTO / Barbera Tardory dinner late husband. said. d ¢ Moore thinks the store was : more than than —. a'part of the; early history of Castlegar. ‘That ' little store: was a very important . part of the (Columbia) River traf- fic,” said Moore. + ohn Jessie. Donnan has’ scrapbooks full of history. Two’ scrapbooks are full of newspaper clippings, a record she keeps of the activities ofthe seniors’ association,'con-. taining every annual general mect- i ing, every spring tea’ and ‘dance: and frequent trips by seniors; : “We had fun,” she said .: “We're still having fun.” And: looking at the photographs, ending . in the early 1980s, she observed: “Gosh, I was younger then,’’: she said looking “Those were: seniors" no longer faithfully record their activities in press releases as she and her friends used to do. “I don’t know why they don't do it now because it’s history,” she noted. Stanley Humphries Secondary granted accreditation By BARBARA TANDORY Sun staff writer The granting of a provincial accreditation status to Stanley Humphries Secondary School will permit the high school to go abead with a six-year growth plan, said SHSS principal David Hogg: More than a year since accredi- tation reviews began at SHSS, the process of accreditation was com- plete with a formal recognition from the Ministry of Education on last Dec. 31. “You've done a good job,” Tumer lis the teaching PEARSON WINDOW SOLUTION * Custom Sized - No Extra No More Cleaning ‘Mutt Panes of Glass * No More Moisture Between Glass * Solid Vinyl- No Painting + Easy Silding on Rollers « Easy Installation staff and administration who com- pleted the internal part of the accreditation process during the 1989-90 school year. “And parents can be assured that they ‘we got a good school for their kids,” ; According to the school board chairman Tumer, “there’s a bit of an uplift” for the school undergoing ditation process. “It's my Graham Read 365-3461 222 - 102 Street Castlegar Quallty Products Guaranteed ___ "Because You Deserve The Best” an belief that going through accredita- tion is a bealthy process.” - 54, But Tumer also, observed that there's “no penalty” for schools that have not gone that route. Before SHSS's accreditation’ only Kinnaird Junior Secondary School acquired the accredited sta- tus. Among the clementary schools, Woodland Park Primary is the first in the district to begin an accredita- tion process. ‘When it comes to the implemen- tation of the growth plan, ‘the reno- vation is going to be a major, major challenge,” noted Tumer. The implementation of the school's Growth Plan — prepared by the SHSS school staff. and approved by School District No. 9 — will begin this year, with addi- tional funding through the school board district. ss “The (school) district is prepa to support this school to the limits of our resources,” said Castlegar school board chairman Gordon ‘Tumer, wishing SHSS officials suc- cess with the implementation of the growth plan. The school board will make $26,000 available for this purpose. Hogg said the amount is for the six years of the current growth plan but added it'll likely be used for projects in the first two years. A summary statement in the growth plan prepared at SHSS — and approved by Wayling — notes that “the physical plant requires attention.” Many of the earlier maintenance, programs over the years have been interrupted “in anticipation of a forthcoming build- ing upgrade,” the ing looks neglected.” Moreover, said the statement, “the reducing of regular maintenance programs has reduced school morale. Many of the maintenance pro- grams have been recently reactivat- ed, however. Principal Hogg said the high school bas been hoping for a “facil- ity upgrade” for some time now. “Our hallways are dark," be * noted. “That was perhaps the stan- dard in the 1940s but not necessari- ly in the 1990s.” ‘The school building is old. Since it was built — in the early 1950s — the high school “has given almost 40 years to the community,” Hogg Temarked. ‘The SHSS staff spent 18, months’ on the accreditation review, he said. “It will provide a blueprint.” a] ¥ Gua Se ne statement noted. ,AS.a result, “the. (school) build- ranteed* Delivery ANTHONY S Hh f @rhecosteser Sun 365-2 reas, you can still have FREE get there. CALL US AT 188 for more details 4 *or we'll give you *5° back on the cost of you . Guaranteed 29 minute delivery area Includes: Celgar to 28th St., ' I all of North Castlegar (to the Castlealrd Plaza), 6th Ave., and up to the 2800 : block of Sth, 10th, and 11th Ave. If you live outside ‘these a DELIVERY. However it may take a few minutes longer to. ‘Choose any item on our take-out menu pizza - pasta -ribs - salad - chicken -veal_ Anthony's Pizz OPEN 11 am -1 am weekdays. 11 am -3 am Saturday 12 pm - 12 am Sunday & Holidays >» _& Steakhouse 1101 2nd Street Castlegar 365-2188 ~ The Castlegar Sun y fas veryone around Calgary in the good * old days thought William Fisk was a fine fellow. The good old days were 1889, Fisk, whom everyone called Jumbo, was well known and respected in the gommunity. Jumbo hailed from froquois, Ont. He and an uncle had headed west in 1882, where Jumbo made his living as a blacksmith. After a short while, big, affable Jumbo gave up the blacksmith trade for work building the Canadian Pacific Rail- way. Laboring long and hard, he accumulated enough cash to purchase a ranch. Jumbo had one vice. He loved to gamble and he didn’t often win. In fact, his lough luck at the card tables led to his losing his ranch to pay off his debts. With funds left over from the sale of the ranch, he moved into town and purchased the Turf Club Saloon. Jumbo ran the saloon for two years, selling the popular watering hole in the winler of 1889. lust because he was no longer the owner was no reason for Jumbo nol to frequent the saloon. What A tip of the hat from January 21 school board meeting = "better way to ward off the chill winter aii” han a few slugs of whiskey? Besides, the conversation inside (he ‘urf Club was very interesting. The main topic of conversation that winter was about the maniac who was terrorizing the Whitechapel District of London. England. Folks called him Jack the Ripper. That cold February afternoon of 1889, Jumbo was in a good mood. He bought a round of drinks for three or four buddies from his good friend, bartender George Kelsey. With a jaunty wave, our boy Jumbo left the Turf Club with time on his hands. While still in the vicinity of the club. he met several young women who were intent on finding payin customers to purchase their unique wares. ‘he girls were prostitulcs. One, Rosalie Grass, was a particularly good-looking, shapely Cree. She and Jumbo had a short No doubt, fi i remuneration was agreed upon. Jumbo knew exactly what he was doing. He and George Kelsey had a little arrangement. Whenever Jumbo wanted to take a lady friend up to George's bedroom above the club, he was free to do so. 0" Big Jumbo and Rosalie made their room and wenl back to work tending bar. A half hour later, George heard a thump on the cciling of the saloon. It was Jumbo's signal that he Wanted: oul. urge went up the stairs, opened the door and gazed in amazement at the sight he encoun- tered. There was Rosalie, lying on the bed, partial undressed. The bedsheets were covered with blood. George checked the girl's breathing and told Jumbo that he thought she would be okay. The two men didn't take the incident that seriously. Jumbo walked down the hall and washed blood from his hands, after which he went to the Windsor Hotel and ordered supper. George went back to his bar- tending duties. Later, when the relief bartender showed up, he joined Jumbo at the Windsor, The two friends finished their meal and returned to the bedroom above the saloon. George put his car to Rosalie's mouth. She had stopped breathing. Rosalie Grass was dead e George convinced Jumbo thal the best thin; was to contact the police. Jumbo had difficulty finding a police officer, so he looked up Justice of the Peace George Murdoch. He told Murdoch that he had taken the girl (o the bedroom for sex and that she musl have died of a heart attack. Soon, Coroner A. Grant Mackay, Dr. J.D. Lafferty to do next day, a coroner's ju q version of the events leading pe to Rosalio's death, olice station, The heard George Kelsey's Dr. Lafferty testified that in opinion the victim had been beaten and had died from shock and loss of blood. As a result of the Inquest, Jumbo’ was ‘held over for trial. me he to trial. for the Mable McGilivray says we have 1 member, Shirley Sommers and 5 non member knitters. . The flower arrangements and other crafts are selling very well in our giftshop. « - ; <. Christmas trays and Christmas flowers in Extended Care. Unit were well received. * Area Rep. Muriel Wilson reports that the B.C.A.H.A. Con- ference will be held in Vancouver May 27, 28 and 29 at the Hyatt Regency. The conference for Candy Stripers is in Dawson Creek. Approximately 5000 hours were recorded for 1990. | The Sun is your source for news, sports and general interest! KOOTENAY SERVICE TO ADVERTISERS e Castlegar Sun © West Kootenay Advertiser © Nelson Daily News ¢ Trail Daily Times © Cranbrook Daily Townsman © Kimberley Daily Bulletin ® Cranbrook / Kimberley Regional © Fernie Free Press ¢ Creston Valley Advance OVER 132, 800 READERS WITH A TOTAL PAID AND CONTROLLED CIRCULATION OF OVER . 44,060 COPIES Target Your Market WITH ANY COMBINATION OF OUR DAILY, WEEKLY OR BI-WEEKLY PUBLICATIONS Call Today for Full Details WE The Gastleg: jarSun > ona 465 Columbia Ave. 365-5266 Kootenays Pool is still .50 a game ‘= .Remember-not to Lose Jim’s Place in the Paper. Located just North of Salmo.357-961 1