The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Garry was born on December 31, 1938 at the Company Hospital, delivered by Dr. Guttormson, to Joseph and Mary Haensgen. Garry smiles, "I was told that our first home was in the disposable area in Mile 84. My brother Ronald Harvey was born in 1940, while we still lived there." The family later moved to Callinan Street and lived there from 1941-49. Garry laughs, "We had a little shed out back where we kept our '37 Ford Coupe and some chickens." Later the family moved to 19 Ross Street about the time Garry started school. He went to Main School for a couple of years. Then in the interim, while waiting until Terrace School was built, some of the school children - including Garry's class - had school in the old Anglican Church that was behind Scheider's Men's Wear. Garry attended Terrace School until grade 7/8 when he went to Ross Lake, and then he finished his schooling at Hapnot in 1957. Some of his school chums included Ed Tickles, Mel Husti, Ted Steventon, Colin McDougall, Gail Lethbridge, Andy Scozs, Jim Stevens and Marilyn Ballard. Some of the teachers were Archie Thom, Mr. Wilson, John Kines (principal) and Miss Loader. During his years growing up, Garry played hockey and had Milt Young (owner of Milt's Sweet Shop) as his coach in the Bantam years. "It was neat," Garry smiles, "as Milt supplied us with Cokes and chocolate bars." See 'Skiing' P.# Con't from P.# Garry belonged to the Flin Flon Canoe Club for many years and curled every year in high school. "High school curling was a big thing then," he stated. "The teams were picked out of a hat and we had a bonspiel and everything. Some of the people I got to curl with were Ed Tickles, Norma Nast, Earl Einarson, Marvin Fieber, Fay Agmundson, Colin McDougall, Jim Stevens, Bruce Keddie and Al Bolton." Garry goes on to say "We would downhill ski at Second Valley and at the end of Spirit Lake or even on Phantom, we'd get pulled behind a car." "I had a great interest in the outdoors, actually still do. I even had my own little trap line and I always had a dog to pull the sled. I was a member of the Cubs and Scouts and spent many a summer at Camp Whitney with leaders like Neil McLellan. I actually worked my way up to Queen Scout." Garry smiles, "Some of my first jobs were selling paper boxes for two cents and glass bottles for three cents. As kids, we'd strip wire and sell the copper, sell the lead out of old car batteries, and I had a paper route. As well, I'd sell the odd weasel I caught for 75 cents. "I got a job at Wright's Sawmill, shoveling saw dust for 25 cents an hour, and for peeling railway ties I earned a grand dime per tie. "As kids we'd hike out to Phantom. My dad was one of the original 'bull gang' who built the original footpath. "After being away for about 21 years, I brought my mom back to Flin Flon and went out to Phantom Lake and almost cried at the sight of it. Our Golden Years of Childhood were due, in a major part, thanks to HBMS. For example, the hockey rinks, curling rinks, golf courses and Phantom Lake. Flin Flon on return is not the innocent town it once was, but it is more beautiful... the greenery is spectacular. However, why the graffiti on the rocks? It just spoils the beauty and uniqueness, that the kids are allowed to destroy." Garry left Flin Flon and went to university in British Columbia, where he graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Physical Education. He eventually got his teacher's certificate and his Masters in Science, teaching high school in Vancouver from 1963-1999. He was also on the University of British Columbia faculty as an advisor for five years. He had to retire at 65. He has since gotten his St. John's Ambulance Industrial First Aid and is still an instructor at a children's camp in Squamish, B.C., which he has done for 36 years. Garry says, "It is thanks to the incredible memories and experiences at Camp Whitney that I have taken on this job." Garry is married to Sonja and has one daughter, Krista and a dog Tikka. They live in North Vancouver. He tries to come "home" when he can. He came this year with his uncle, Ted Daubert. Flin Flon will always be in his heart and he just lights up as he remembers the wonderful childhood he had here. There will always be that connection. Thanks for the memories, Garry! Just a note: There will be no Looking Back articles in July. I am taking some time off. However, I will be around and if there are people visiting from out of town who grew up here and would like to share their story, please feel free to call me at 687-3344 and leave a message. We are planning to have our second Looking Back book out in late fall-early winter!
