Vavenby resident Marie Visser, affectionately known as Oma (grandma in Dutch) celebrated her 87th birthday on Friday, Jan. 9.
Daughter Mary Vollans organized the party, then was unable to come as a family member had an emergency in Kamloops.
There was a beautiful birthday cake provided by Vollans as well as a delicious cold soup called pluma moos – thick and made of plums and other fruits. Everyone had a good time eating and visiting with each other.
Oma's great grandchild, 10-year-old Keziah Vollans, did a school project about her Oma's and Opa's journey to Canada. She found out that 28-year-old Marie (Oma) and Adrianus (Opa) got married on May on May 24, 1956. The very next day they boarded the ship SS Ryndam in Rotterdam. There were 97 passengers on board. They brought one suitcase for their clothes. The only English they knew was, "Yes" and "No."
After 16 days the Vissers arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They then travelled by train to Grand Forks, B.C. That trip took five days.
When the Vissers arrived in Grand Forks, friends had found a job for Opa on a seed farm. The friends also had a house for them to rent.
When asked by her great grandchild if Oma had been scared on her journey Oma replied, "Nope. Oh no, it was fun."
Marie told friends later that it was an adventure that she never regretted.
Next the Vissers moved from Grand Forks to Armstrong. Oma moved to Vavenby 24 years ago to be closer to her daughter Mary Vollans.
She joined Vavenby Christian Church when she arrived and has been a member ever since.
Winter has returned
With this heavy snowfall many thanks need to go out to those who have been going around town to plow and/or shovel out driveways. Due to the low temperatures we had the outdoor rink is usable. Many thanks also need to go out to all those who volunteered their time when they went to the rink on Jan. 7 and shovelled and scraped the snow off of the ice. George Mattenley generously donated his snowblower to help.
When there is snow on the rink it would be greatly appreciated if people volunteered their time to shovel and scrape it off. Shovelling and flooding the rink is all volunteer time. If there are any questions or concerns about the rink, phone Kevin Sheffield.
Games nights at the hall
Crib and darts have started again. Crib is held on Tuesdays and darts on Thursdays, both at 7 p.m. sharp. The cost is $3 a night. Both are held at Vavenby Community Hall.