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Before they were grandparents, they were champions Arnie was the first BC baseball player to make the 40-man roster of a major league ball club, and he will likely tell you he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Before Ted Bowsfield, Larry Walker, and more recently, Jason Bay, it was Arnie Hallgren’s trail around the bases that BC’s Little Leaguers wished to follow. For more of Arnie’s story visit his BC Sports Hall of Fame profile!

Before they were grandparents, they were champions

Arnie was the first BC baseball player to make the 40-man roster of a major league ball club, and he will likely tell you he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Before Ted Bowsfield, Larry Walker, and more recently, Jason Bay, it was Arnie Hallgren’s trail around the bases that BC’s Little Leaguers wished to follow.

For more of Arnie’s story visit his BC Sports Hall of Fame profile!

Before they were grandparents, they were champions Before Dan was a grandfather, he was a few other things, including someone else’s grandson, but that is another story. He was a boy and son, student, athlete, scholar, student some more, graduated from UBC as a Food Scientist and worked in Research at General Foods (Ontario), husband, became a student again (Guelph) and then again (UBC), then started working with his shiny new PhD, yes in Food Science, for the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Nova Scotia).  Somewhere around the end of being a student Dan became a father and after starting work, father again a couple more times. To be a grandfather, first you gotta be a Dad. He was a researcher, then research manager (BC) and all the while was running all over the place, literally - even doing a marathon. Somewhat to his own surprise he found himself a diplomat over in Brussels. Later he left the government for industry but the research/research management theme continued, as did the running – even though he and his wife lived in Malaysia for almost two years. He invented stuff and wrote things, lots of things, but mostly scientific and technical. He traveled for work and fun, and just kept running (over 20 countries now, racing in four). In 2003 he retired, but kept running and kept writing – a book and a blog called Running in the Zone, and took up coaching and race directing. Then it happened. In 2006 Charlie was born and Dan was a Grandfather. But, he kept running and writing and then was discovered and became an actor! Now, here he is – a story teller. - We’d like to thank Dan for this fantastic guest post. If you live in the Vancouver BC area and would like to hear Dan tell one of his stories in person, RSVP to our “Before they were grandparents…” live event this Thursday!

Before they were grandparents, they were champions

Before Dan was a grandfather, he was a few other things, including someone else’s grandson, but that is another story. He was a boy and son, student, athlete, scholar, student some more, graduated from UBC as a Food Scientist and worked in Research at General Foods (Ontario), husband, became a student again (Guelph) and then again (UBC), then started working with his shiny new PhD, yes in Food Science, for the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Nova Scotia). 

Somewhere around the end of being a student Dan became a father and after starting work, father again a couple more times. To be a grandfather, first you gotta be a Dad. He was a researcher, then research manager (BC) and all the while was running all over the place, literally - even doing a marathon. Somewhat to his own surprise he found himself a diplomat over in Brussels. Later he left the government for industry but the research/research management theme continued, as did the running – even though he and his wife lived in Malaysia for almost two years. He invented stuff and wrote things, lots of things, but mostly scientific and technical. He traveled for work and fun, and just kept running (over 20 countries now, racing in four).

In 2003 he retired, but kept running and kept writing – a book and a blog called Running in the Zone, and took up coaching and race directing. Then it happened. In 2006 Charlie was born and Dan was a Grandfather. But, he kept running and writing and then was discovered and became an actor! Now, here he is – a story teller.

- We’d like to thank Dan for this fantastic guest post. If you live in the Vancouver BC area and would like to hear Dan tell one of his stories in person, RSVP to our “Before they were grandparents…” live event this Thursday!

Before they were grandparents, they were champions. Barry and Louise Soper caught the attention of the figure skating world as early as 1967 when they won the national novice ice dance title. It proved to be the first in a long line of Canadian championships. In an eight year span, Barry and Louise won the ice dance title six times and finished third the other two times. In accomplishing this remarkable feat, they became the first Canadian skaters to win Canadian titles in all three categories: senior, junior and novice. They were also the first Canadian team to win the senior national ice dance title in more than three consecutive years. Nor were they stangers to the international scene, competing in the world figure skating championships four consecutive times, from 1971 to 1974. They also represented Canada in the North American championships and took part in a number of special competitions. Barry and Louise are now proud members of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and will guests speakers at our event on April 26, “Before they were grandparents, they were legends” Vancouver’ Athlete’s Village. If you would like to join us, please RSVP here! (from BC Sports Hall of Fame)

Before they were grandparents, they were champions.

Barry and Louise Soper caught the attention of the figure skating world as early as 1967 when they won the national novice ice dance title. It proved to be the first in a long line of Canadian championships. In an eight year span, Barry and Louise won the ice dance title six times and finished third the other two times. In accomplishing this remarkable feat, they became the first Canadian skaters to win Canadian titles in all three categories: senior, junior and novice.

They were also the first Canadian team to win the senior national ice dance title in more than three consecutive years. Nor were they stangers to the international scene, competing in the world figure skating championships four consecutive times, from 1971 to 1974. They also represented Canada in the North American championships and took part in a number of special competitions. Barry and Louise are now proud members of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and will guests speakers at our event on April 26, “Before they were grandparents, they were legends” Vancouver’ Athlete’s Village. If you would like to join us, please RSVP here!

(from BC Sports Hall of Fame)

Before they were grandparents, they were champions. James Leo Heximer, known as Buddy by his friends and fans, began his baseball career playing minor ball in Niagara Falls. He started off with the St. Stephen’s Midgets, who won the city championship, and progressed through juvenile and junior ball. In the summer of 1942, Buddy played for the Niagara Falls Rainbow Seniors, coached by Max Kaminsky, and in the winter played junior B hockey.  Buddy joined the Royal Canadian Navy team in 1943, helping to win three consecutive Maritime championships in 1943,1944, and 1945. Buddy was chosen most valuable player in the 1945 series.  While playing for the St. Mary’s Halifax junior A team in 1944, Buddy was scouted by many professional baseball teams including the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. During 1946 and 1947, he played for the Kingston Ponies in the Border League, where he had the team’s top batting average. Buddy was signed by the Boston Braves of the Eastern League in 1948, and played with the Hartford Chiefs. He then played for the Quebec City Braves in the Canadian-American League, winning the pennant and playoffs in 1949.  Returning to Niagara Falls in 1953, Buddy rounded off his career by playing baseball and hockey with the Cataract and Kerrio teams, and coaching and refereeing. For his contribution to minor ball in Niagara Falls, Buddy was awarded the Mayor Miller Trophy in 1964. -Lizzy K. 

Before they were grandparents, they were champions.

James Leo Heximer, known as Buddy by his friends and fans, began his baseball career playing minor ball in Niagara Falls. He started off with the St. Stephen’s Midgets, who won the city championship, and progressed through juvenile and junior ball. In the summer of 1942, Buddy played for the Niagara Falls Rainbow Seniors, coached by Max Kaminsky, and in the winter played junior B hockey. 

Buddy joined the Royal Canadian Navy team in 1943, helping to win three consecutive Maritime championships in 1943,1944, and 1945. Buddy was chosen most valuable player in the 1945 series. 

While playing for the St. Mary’s Halifax junior A team in 1944, Buddy was scouted by many professional baseball teams including the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. During 1946 and 1947, he played for the Kingston Ponies in the Border League, where he had the team’s top batting average. Buddy was signed by the Boston Braves of the Eastern League in 1948, and played with the Hartford Chiefs. He then played for the Quebec City Braves in the Canadian-American League, winning the pennant and playoffs in 1949. 

Returning to Niagara Falls in 1953, Buddy rounded off his career by playing baseball and hockey with the Cataract and Kerrio teams, and coaching and refereeing. For his contribution to minor ball in Niagara Falls, Buddy was awarded the Mayor Miller Trophy in 1964.

-Lizzy K. 

Before they were grandparents, they hit nothing but net. In gearing up for our sports themed storytelling event next Thursday in Vancouver, we’ve browsed the Vancouver Archives and found some fantastic photos of Vancouver athletes in their prime. And since basketball has strong Canadian origins, we couldn’t resist posting this photo of the Arrows v. Cloverleafs from the mid 1940s. If you want to join our online conversation about Vancouver sports, use our hashtag #BTWGchampions on Twitter and Instagram!

Before they were grandparents, they hit nothing but net.

In gearing up for our sports themed storytelling event next Thursday in Vancouver, we’ve browsed the Vancouver Archives and found some fantastic photos of Vancouver athletes in their prime. And since basketball has strong Canadian origins, we couldn’t resist posting this photo of the Arrows v. Cloverleafs from the mid 1940s.

If you want to join our online conversation about Vancouver sports, use our hashtag #BTWGchampions on Twitter and Instagram!

Before they were grandparents, they were champions. Last July, we held our first intergenerational storytelling event in Vancouver’s historic Gastown district and were able to breathe life into the photos and stories we share online. Next week, we are proud to host our second storytelling event in Vancouver’s  Athletes Village under the theme of sport titled, “Before they were grandparents, they were champions”. Our event happens on April 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. - stay tuned for more information. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in attending our event, don’t hesitate to contact Lizzy at the RSVP details above.

Before they were grandparents, they were champions.

Last July, we held our first intergenerational storytelling event in Vancouver’s historic Gastown district and were able to breathe life into the photos and stories we share online. Next week, we are proud to host our second storytelling event in Vancouver’s  Athletes Village under the theme of sport titled, “Before they were grandparents, they were champions”.

Our event happens on April 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. - stay tuned for more information. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in attending our event, don’t hesitate to contact Lizzy at the RSVP details above.

The Vancouver Archives & Historypin When technology and history are combined, we’re always delighted and fascinated by the results. Historypin is a great example, taking the idea of archiving and turning it into a crowdsourced history project. For an example of this site in action, take a look at the Vancouver Archives profile - it’s fantastic.  Oh, and if you like to archive on the go, Historypin has an app.

The Vancouver Archives & Historypin

When technology and history are combined, we’re always delighted and fascinated by the results. Historypin is a great example, taking the idea of archiving and turning it into a crowdsourced history project. For an example of this site in action, take a look at the Vancouver Archives profile - it’s fantastic. 

Oh, and if you like to archive on the go, Historypin has an app.

Before they were grandparents, they were survivors. Living nearly 70 years in Vancouver, Titanic survivor Bertha Marshall was open about the horrifying experience of sailing on the “unsinkable” ship. She spoke with our friends at The Province twice about that fateful night and cast a truly personal light on the tragedy. You can read Mrs. Marshall’s vivid accounts here.

Before they were grandparents, they were survivors.

Living nearly 70 years in Vancouver, Titanic survivor Bertha Marshall was open about the horrifying experience of sailing on the “unsinkable” ship. She spoke with our friends at The Province twice about that fateful night and cast a truly personal light on the tragedy. You can read Mrs. Marshall’s vivid accounts here.

Before they were grandparents, they were cooling down on the coast. You wouldn’t think the Northern Pacific would be a swimming destination, but we’ve got some incredible beaches. The one from this photo is still around and used, but not to the extent back when my grandparents would take my parents there. Still, as long as I can remember we’ve made a trip to this secluded spot - and I’m in my mid thirties. -Kate G.

Before they were grandparents, they were cooling down on the coast.

You wouldn’t think the Northern Pacific would be a swimming destination, but we’ve got some incredible beaches. The one from this photo is still around and used, but not to the extent back when my grandparents would take my parents there. Still, as long as I can remember we’ve made a trip to this secluded spot - and I’m in my mid thirties.

-Kate G.