Lewis Beck

I remember you guys doing that song, Jim--crystal clear-like it was yesterday!  I can still see you doing it.  Funny the things that stick in your mind, n'est pas?  Our grade had been divided into "houses" and each house had to come up with a little act to perform for the rest.  Yours was really well done, I recall.

Jim Thomson

Thanks Lewis.

Kerry Carlen (Holden)

I thought Louie Louie was the number one song for us

Marti Eilau (Tutti)

I agree Kerry!

Lewis Beck

It certainly was for me ;-) !

Anne McQueen (Strother)

Still like the Sewer Song! Just sang it to my 6 yr old and he loves it Too! 

Eric Thomson

Not much going on on the site so thought I would toss this out for fun. Not sure if getting a 9 week old pup at our age is a good idea but this little guy has already given us more laughs and smiles than we could have imagined. Six day drive down to Mexico coming up in a few weeks. Should be interesting. :-)  

Marti Eilau (Tutti)

Oh so very cute. Will sure keep you busy!!!!!

Maui is heaven right now.

Ann Robison (Knapp)

We adopted a (now) 60 pound, probably primarily border collie/retriever cross pup a year ago. We figured she would either keep us young, or kill us. We're still alive, and friends with 3 teen-aged boys said she will keep us young; it's the kids who will kill you. Point taken. I think you're good. The pup is adorable. Name?

Eric Thomson

His name is Kamoy. A Thai word meaning bandit. He has a bit of a mask in his face hence the name. 😊. 

Joan Fraser (Conklin)

that is one cute puppy!!  i can understand how you got sucked in!!  what breed?         joan (fraser) conklin

Eric Thomson

Hi Joan, He is a Havanese. We have had a number of Lhasas in the past and we're looking for another but could not find a breeder locally. Went to a dog show in Sydney and saw one of these. Game over as they say! 😊😊  <>>

Many Vaartnou

Hi All,

Really quiet since Magee's 50th, After 50th, Val & I went to Newfie for a week, bit later to New Orleans, Xmas at home, then in Feb (daughter attached), to Huatalco, Mex for a week. Since then, nothng but chopping trees: However; for the first time since Mom packed it in in January, 2013; the survivors are having a group Xmas: Peter, Cindy & Nicholas (from Oak Bay) are going to join us at our house for Xmas eve, and then at Erik/Linda's/Tiiu's house for Xmas day dinner. Fortunately, our daughter Christie will be in town then, as she does not leave fo Tampa till Jan4. Take care to all. Many & family

Mark Read

for anyone in pheonix area. i tired of old radio station. wandered across AM 1440, solf rock from

60's. easy on ears, really

Lewis Beck

Dear fellow grads;

Would you like one of these?  If so, please let me know ASAP!   Our hard-working committee gave me the go-ahead to offer them to you.  I'll be bringing all orders to our "do" May 5 unless you want one and are unable to make it in which case I'll ship it to you.  Cost?  I'm offering them at cost: $3.00 per mug and $7.00 per t-shirt.  Sound good?  Get yours today ;-)!

Philip Allingham

Wonderful products, Lewis! And I am certainly interested in one of each, preferably in the XXL (I like a big cup of coffee in the morning). Since you have all that white space on the back of the cup and the t-shirt, would it be possible to have the names of all those 70-somethings attending the bash stencilled in the void? Anyway, we shall talk further, I'm sure. I applaud your enthusiasm--and entrepreneurial spirit: go, Magee!

Judi Miles (Paget)

Hi Lewis; From Judi Miles (Paget)  I would love to have one  of the T-shirts for women (size Xlarge) and one also of the ones for men, size large, both with nothing on the back please.   I will happily pay on the day, if OK?   Wonderful idea and am grateful;  i've not posted before so not sure how this works.  

Jim Thomson

Why We Are The Luckiest Of The Luckiest!

When I look back on my experiences, this thought reoccurs over and over. As we approach our “70th Birthday Bash” I would like to take a moment to share my thoughts on some of the factors that contribute to this conclusion.

1. Country - Canada is a country that has provided us with more than we could ever hope for. We have enjoyed 70 years of peace. Yes, we have put people serving in the Canadian Forces in “harms way” but we have had the luxury of not having our general population being in a war zone. Our generation has never been subjected to a draft. Canada provides a  healthy environment with overwhelming beauty and riches. For the most part we are a caring and welcoming country, and in good standing with virtually all nations. While there are times when our health care system can be frustrating, it is there when needed and provides a high level of care for all. As we get older, more and more of us are becoming aware of just how true this is.
2. Timing -  We were very fortunate being born at the leading edge of the “baby boomers” era. It was a time when Vancouver was just beginning its growth spurt. There were still empty lots and undeveloped wooded areas in which to play and explore. We grew up with so much freedom to roam our neighbourhood without fear and this allowed us to play without constant adult  supervision. In turn, this freedom allowed us to be our own referees and to learn problem solving skills when interacting with others. As we watched NFB films in school the underlying theme was, “Things are getting bigger and better.” We were optimistic about our futures.
3. Our Neighbourhood - The westside neighbourhoods of Vancouver provided a deep sense of community. Whether you lived in Marpole, Oakridge, Kerrisdale or Dunbar there was that deep feeling of belonging. The rivalry that existed was competitive but friendly. The neighbourhood and school sports teams were numerous and certainly reflected this. These neighbourhoods weren't transient in nature. There were often strong friendships that remained in tact from elementary school through to high school graduation and beyond. These neighbourhoods contained many small businesses such as confectionary stores,  barbershops, pharmacies, and restaurants.  The owners and employees often welcomed students with a smile and often by name. For many students they provided employment.
4. Schools - The system and teachers generally provided a high quality of education. This was in part to the value of an education that was instilled and supported at home. I think we were also lucky to have had the middle school experience that Point Grey provided. When we arrived at Magee as either ninth or tenth graders there wasn't that overwhelming feelings that seventh graders would have experienced. 
5. The Student Body - I can’t believe the number of outstanding people I met at Magee. Many of our graduating class have gone on to be  leaders in ours and other communities. To share those important and fomative years, with wonderful friends is one of my luckiest experiences. Recent connections with some of my classmates has proven this.  Thank you to our hard working organizing committee for making this happen. I hope that in the little time left to register many more of you will sign up so that I may have the honour of sharing some time with you.

Ross Ellison

Well said, Jim - I couldn't agree more!  Ross

Eric Thomson

You took the words out of my mouth, Ross. Very eloquently said, Jim. 

Many Vaartnou

Hi Jim

!) good point - my dad and my namesake uncle, (Manivalde) lost a couple of rounds in WW!I (win FEW, LOSE A FEW)

2) Timing - good re your timing re your rugby team & our Grade XII soccer team, with you as OUR REF

3) Neighbourhood - Good point; I attended Kerrisdale with Ron H, you, Bill, John Arm, Wendy, Dave P, Steve, Doug Robinson, Greg Soohen, Gord Davis, Barb B, Sheila, Janet, Nancy, Mr X-Smith and the late Laurie N, Sue R  & Joan H (and a whole bunch of others, which includes Rick Shelley in Japan)

4) Schools - I was at PG for 7&8. Magee was very good (once I convinced Syd that I was too small to play rugby - although I got stuck for Latin to complete 3 years prior to UBC)

5) Student body - Great people; many memories; but males forgot to win a point in tennis - ladies were superstars - never lost

Peter Lefroy

Very, very well said and very well thought out. When I look at what is a happening to the south of us I am so glad that I am a Canadian!

Lewis Beck

1000 thanks for this, Jim; you really nailed it!  I'd like to add my two cents' worth to what you said.

!) 70 years of peace; yes to that.  I thank my Maker on a regular basis that I never had to go out and fight in some of the insane conflicts we have gotten ourselves into over the years.  My dad had to and so did my high school buddys dad--on opposite sides, by the way--but not us, thankfully.  Further, in more recent times no one is blowing up any of our market places either.  Thanks be for that also!

2) Peaceful, safe neighbourhoods generally: yes to that too.  I recall my own south Vancouver neighbourhood, full of kids happily playing late into the summer evenings on our own recognizance--except for one memorable baseball game where the dads all joined us boys.  Those empty lots and unexplored wooded areas you speak of: I remember those too.  I remember getting (temporarliy) lost in the woods near my own house!  So many such places to enjoy back then which are now developed with houses on them.  Sigh.

3) Our own neighbourhoods: yes on every point you brought up.  Those strong friendships from elementary school right through to graduation--yep--and, it must be said, thanks to the work of our Magee 65 committee, many have obviously been renewed.  Bonus!

4) Our schools: yes here as well; some of the best.  Magee certainly set the bar high for us.  We had some great teachers, didn't we?  Your point (get it--"point"?) about Point Grey is well taken too.  It definitely eased the transition to high school.

5) Our student body definitely included many outstanding souls..  I'm honoured to have spent four years among such people and to call some of them friends to this day.

So, indeed lots to be thankful for.

Gordon Davis

Thanks Jim for sharing this.  Clearly your words resonated with  our classmates.  I together with many of us have had the great experiences  of traveling throughout the world.   For me it has always confirmed that we are so fortunate to have been born or raised in Canada with the freedoms and benefits we enjoy and often take for granted.  The more I traveled  the more I think that people everywhere  have more in common with each other than differences  and I don' t mean just cell phones. We have the same hopes and worries about our children and families. It is sad that the political rhetoric gets in the way much too often.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the reunion. 

Gord 

Gordon Ellis

Jim! You are full of surprises. Eloquent and deep. Well said. If your golf were as impressive as your literary skills you would be much too good to play with us.

Thanks