Vesta Douglas was born on September 20, 1910 in Glenboro, Manitoba.  This year she will have her 90th birthday (33 Celcius) as she states). Vesta was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1971, Freeman of the City of Terrace in 1987.  She is a much loved school teacher from 1951 to 1975.  She taught school in Manitoba, Ontario, and British Columbia.  Vesta helped found the Terrace Ladies Curling Club and the Terrace Arena, was a member of the Centennial Committee that built the library, a member of the Northwest Music Festival.  She is an honourary member of the Beta Sigma Phi, Terrace Pipes and Drums and a dedicated member and great supporter of the Greater Terrace Beautification Society. Vesta and her late husband Doug have been world travellers. Vesta is a well respected citizen of Terrace and much sought after public speaker for the city, and is loved by all.

Contributed by the Terrace Historical Association

 Terrace and Region Archives Committee:  You are to be commended for undertaking some historical facts of our region for posterity.  This is a most appropriate project for our Millennium year 2000.

 Doug and I came to Terrace via Manitoba and Ontario in 1950. Our first impression of this hamlet was the scenic beauty and second reaction was the response of friendly people.  Those two facts remain to this day - fifty years later.

 We are loyal to family members but have adopted B. C. as our permanent home - our haven after many holidays abroad, including a trip “ ‘round the world”.  We are like homing pigeons and feel most comfortable and happy here.  Our retirement came and went and we still decided to stay here.

 Considering the request to note some of our opinions, I think it could best be tackled by listing a few thing not here in 1950 but have ensued to our local modern city:-

 - Our local volunteers are a special breed.  They do not say, “Why don’t “they” do so and so,” but they do say, “Why don’t we do so and so.”  That separates the boys from the men and our communities thrive on the philosophy.  Council  appreciates that service.
 - Our beautiful Heritage Park
 - modern Terraceview Lodge for our Seniors
 - Mills Memorial Hospital
 - 15 schools - including 3 High Schools
 - new R.C.M.P. headquarters and Ambulance building
 - First Class Firemen services
 - new and updated hotels, motels, trailer courts
 - Northwest Community College
 - Northwest Music Festival (some 4000 people involved in year 2000)
 - C.F.T.K. Radio and T.V. station
 - ultra modern library
 - modern swimming pool, arena, curling rink and skateboard park
 - Shames Mountain Ski Resort
 - George Little Memorial Park and Jim Ryan Bandstand
 - Elk’s Park and Lodge
 - Rotary Park and Rotarians
 - Tennis courts and golf course
 - Aboriginal communities and housing units
 - Thornhill and Remo made advancements
 - Farmer’s Market Garden is a local plus
 - R.E.M. Lee Theatre
 - local Little Theatre more active
 - have a new Masonic Hall and many modern church facilities
 - Scouts, Cadets increased membership up to 2000

In 1950:
 - No malls, few stores, little pavement and hardtop
 - no general water system, sewage or street lights
 - Hot Springs existed but have been improved
 - needed more cafes but have them now
 - logging and fishing grew a great deal after 1950

 As memory serves me, I have a mental list of names - those having served our area well and dozens of names are missing:-

George Little family, Kerr, Frank, Sande, Houlden, McRae, Ted Johnson, Normandeau, McColl, Wells, Buschmann, Kenney, Robinson, Nattrass, Hicks, Rugg, Ben Dodds, Cassie Hall, McLaren, Munthe, Braam, Dubeau, Gair, Felber, Jim McKay, VanHeek, Kirkaldy, Mueller, Watmough, Amdam, Talstra, Cathie Fraser, Ruth Hallock, Vi Seaman, Thomas Sr., Kerby, ad infinitum.

 And with thanks to one and all contributors, including those not on my short list above.  Everyone counts, everyone is responsible for making our area better because we live or lived here formerly.

This Millennium year - 2000 - urges us to:-
“March breast forward into the storm,
never doubting clouds will break.”

I take a friend’s delight in wishing you a Prosperous, Healthy Millennium Year 2000.

       Sincerely,
       Vesta Douglas