May (20.7 MB) - Senior Connector

Page 20Senior Connector www.seniorconnector.comMay 2012Submitted by Peter GrauerA local Kamloopsassociation of like-mindedcitizens has made asubstantial contributionto Thompson RiversUniversity. The KamloopsAntiques, Collectibles andHeritage Club wanted torecognize the bicentennial ofthe first fur trade settlementin the southern interiorof BC and the foundingof Kamloops. On behalfof all its present and pastmembers, the organizationhas entered into animportant and meaningfulcommunity partnership withTRU.The small club hasbeen meeting regularlyfor almost twenty years.The membership is varied,united by a common interestin antiques, collectibles,artifacts, our Canadianheritage and a belief in theuniqueness of the history ofKamloops. Over the yearsmembers have taught eachother about the intricaciesand distinctiveness of theirown collections, venturedforth on numerous bustours and road trips, andlistened to dedicated andinteresting speakers from allwalks of life. The membershave visited garage sales,thrift shops, flea markets,road shows and auctionsin every corner of theheartland. They havetoured heritage sites andplaces of historic interestthroughout the southernhalf of the province. Sinceits formation, the generosityof the club has contributedback to the community inmany ways. Each Christmasseason those less fortunatewere recognized witha number of initiatives.Hampers were given tothe food bank. Specialcontributions were made tothe Women’s Shelter.Revenues to sustainthe club and its functionswere raised by membershipdues, flea markets, in-houseauctions, roadshowsand investments. Thesesavings were gradually andsystematically collectedand banked over the years,slowly adding to the bottomline. This spring the clubdonated $500 of theselong-term savings to theKamloops Heritage Societyto assist in installing newstained glass windows in thechurch at St. Andrew’s onthe Square. ContributionsHonouring the past and the presenthave also been made to theKamloops Heritage Railway.During this past winter,numerous and lengthydiscussions were held onmonthly meeting nightson how best to give thanksand recognition to thecommunity for the benefitsbestowed upon the club inso many ways. After muchdebate, it was decided toapproach TRU with the ideaof the creation of a bursaryspecifically associated withthe history of the area. Asa result of these first initialPhone and place your grocery & prescription orders.Grocery ShoppingAssistanceSeniors Outreach Services Society, inconjunction with Canada Safeway will helpyou do your shopping. No extra cost!Submitted photoKAC&HC-TRU Bursary-cheque. ( L to to R.) Dr. Will Garrett-Petts, Professor and Asst. Dean of Arts,Dr. Tina Bloc, Asst. Professor of History, Peter Grauer, Club Chair, and Karen Gamracy, TRU DevelopmentOfficer.inquiries, the club hasreached an agreement withthe Philosophy, Historyand Politics Departmentof the Faculty of Arts.The Kamloops Antiques,Collectibles and HeritageClub felt strongly, becauseof the very nature of theclub, that it would be fittingto encourage the researchand study into the heritageand history of the southerninterior. It was sensed thatby partnering with theHistory faculty an annualbursary might prove to bea stimulus and incentiveto achieve this goal. It isthe club’s belief that thispartnership will motivate acloser relationship betweenthe general tax-payingpublic and the universityin an area not formerlyenjoying a high profile.In order to promote thisinitiative it was decided bythe membership to offera $5,000 bursary to TRUwith a $500 annual awardbeing extended to thebest senior student workon research and writing asubject pertaining to thehistory and heritage of thesouthern interior of BC andthe Kamloops area.Talks with the Universityhave resulted in theadoption of the initiativeand the presentation ofthe annual award overthe next ten years. OnThursday April 12, acheque for $5,000 waspresented to representativesof the University at themonthly meeting of theclub at Heritage House.Peter Grauer, Chair ofthe Kamloops Antiques,Collectibles and HeritageClub, presented the chequeto Associate Professor TinaBloc of the History faculty,Professor Will Garret-Petts,Associate Dean of Artsand Karen Gamracy, TRUDevelopment Officer.It is expected that thewinning composition eachyear will be publishedand distributed to ensurethe greatest amount ofexposure for the student’sachievements while alsoenhancing the community’sknowledge of its heritage.The winning work willbe published online onappropriate TRU websitessuch as the Small CitiesImprint, as well as anywebsites of local historicalsignificance. Local media,with the author’s permission,will be free to republishthe essay. It is hoped thatin the future economicallyproduced print editionsmight be made availablefor local sales and revenuegeneration and that thesemight include the secondand third place entrantsin the annual competitionif warranted. Revenuefrom sales of these printedpublications might wellserve to perpetuate thebursary into the future. Itis hoped by creating thisexposure to the work ofTRU’s History faculty thatinterest in our heritageand history, already high,will become a topic ofeveryday conversation. Itis anticipated that futuredecisions and initiativesaffecting our heritage mightbecome more reflective ofa community awarenessenhanced by this annualaward and communitypartnership. The firstpresentation of this award isexpected to take place in thespring of 2013.FREE DELIVERY(with minimum $35 order)Service available to seniors in need ofassistance, shut-ins and disabled only.Available every Thursday 9 am to 12 pmTheLate Bloomerssinging duoFor more informationplease call250.828.0600Sahali Safeway 250-374-2811 945 W ColumbiaNorth Shore Safeway 250-376-8439 750 Fortune DrEasy listeningsongsyou rememberFor Booking inFormationJudy: 250-319-9138