Remembering my Grandmother, Helen Rowan, on her Birthday

On January 27, 1894, my grandmother, Helen McMillan, was born at 81 Roxburgh Street, Greenock, Scotland.  Her parents were Robert Sheddon McMillan of Greenock and Jane (Jean) Blackburn, formerly of Loch Winnoch, Scotland.  I am very much enjoying looking into the family genealogy.

Here is a picture of my grandmother at about age 12:

Helen McMillan

Robert and Jane had six children: 

1. Jean McMillan, born in 1882, who married William McLay.  They have descendants living in Victoria, Canada;

2.  Anne Sheddon McMillan who married Henry Currie in 1908.  She died in Victoria about 1946.

3.  Margaret McMillan who died at the age of 10.

4. Thomas McMillan born in 1889, who died in Victoria in 1961 with no descendants.

5.  Elizabeth McMillan, born in 1892, who married Robert Sharp, and died in North Vancouver, BC; and

6.  Helen McMillan (my grandmother), who died in Victoria, Canada on January 15, 1988.    Helen immigrated to Canada in 1912 and married Robert Spiers Rowan in Victoria, BC. in 1913.  Her descendants live in Vancouver, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Calgary, and Prince Edward Island.

I am fortunate to have a collection of old postcards of Greenock, Scotland, which my grandmother may have brought with her to Canada.  The scenes look quite old and give an impression of what the area looked like when she lived there as a child.

Here are a few:

West End, Greenock

On the Cut, Greenock

The Cut from Loch Thom, Greenock

Lady Alice Park, Greenock

Grosvenor Bowling Greens, Greenock

Unfortunately, there is very little information about my grandmother's life prior to immigrating to Canada in 1912.  However, I do have a hard cover book called "The Blessedness of Irene Farquhar" by Eglanton Thorne, which was awarded to "Nellie McMillan" as the First Prize in the Scripture Knowledge Examination in December, 1904 (she would have been 10) by the Free West Church of Greenock:

The above drawing of the Free West Church  of Greenock was taken from the Archseek website

I searched the author, Eglanton Thorne, and discovered this name was a pseudonym for Elizabeth Emily Charlton.  There are no biographical details available for her.  She wrote over 50 children's stories, with an inspirational Christian, romantic theme.  Her books are out of print, of course, but available free online (eg Google books).

So there is still lots to discover through my genealogy searches.

Robbie Burns Supper

Robbie Burns
Born January 25, 1759

Last night we attended a Robbie Burns Supper as guests of my brother, Ken, put on by his Lodge at the Masonic Centre.  This has been a wonderful family tradition for over 4 years now. 

The program follows the order of service for Robbie Burns suppers, so after the piping in of the head table guests and the Toast to the Queen, there is the traditional "Selkirk Grace" written by Robbie Burns:

"Some hae meat and cannot eat.
Some cannot eat that want it:
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.'

 

This is followed by the "Parade of the Haggis" when guests stand and clap their hands while welcoming the haggis which is accompanied by bagpipes of course, and the platter is set down on its own table at the front of the room:



Parade of the Haggis

Each table then received their own haggis:

Our Haggis

The tradition then requires a proper "Address to the Haggis" in gaelic before the knife is plunged into the haggis to rip it open:

Next, we had the traditional supper of:

Cock-a-leekie soup

Roast Beef (prime rib), with gravy, bashed neeps,

mashed tattie and wee green things, with haggis of course:

After dinner there is always entertainment, and this year the North Shore Celtic Ensemble was featured.  I had never heard of this group before and they were wonderful.  A group of young students, mainly from the North Shore of Vancouver playing traditional Scottish and Irish music, fiddle music as well as original compositions:

You can find out more about this group from their website:  http://www.nsce.ca/

The evening carried on with the "Immortal Memory" - a speech in honour/memory of Robbie Burns, a toast to Robbie Burns, a "Toast to the Lassies" and a response.  Robbie Burns Day is celebrated all around the world.

Hoito Restaurant, Thunder Bay, ON

Neil grew up in Fort William/Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay) ON, and has great memories of riding on his bike to pick up bread at the Kivela Finnish Bakery and the family going for meals at the Hoito Restaurant/Finlandia Club, 314 Bay Street, Thunder Bay.

We recently learned that the Hoito Restaurant is being featured on the Food Network's "You Gotta Eat Here" program and has been noted as one of the top ethnic restaurants in North America.

The Hoito celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010.  Thunder Bay at one time had the largest population of Finns outside of Finland, drawn by the forestry and mining industries.  The Hoito Restaurant is in the basement of the Finlandia Hall, and features Finnish style food.  It is famous for its Finnish pancakes, of course.

Finnish Pancakes from the Hoito

According to the souvenir placemat which of course Neil saved from our last visit there years ago, the Hoito Restaurant originated with Finnish bushworkers at a camp near Nipigon.  These single guys had no trouble finding accommodation in the town, but couldn't find a decent meal at a good price.

So they held a meeting, raised money in small loans from prospective customers and commenced operations at the current location.  The restaurant has hearty food in large portions, low prices.  Originally diners ate at large communal tables accommodating up to 12 people.

Here are some pictures from the souvenir placemat:

Joan's 75th Birthday

Neil's sister, Joan, celebrates her 75th birthday today!  Born in Flin Flon, Manitoba in the middle of winter - she was a beautiful baby.

Joan as a baby - this was actually a postcard
which I assume her parents mailed to family and friends.

The family moved a few times and eventually settled in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), ON.

Joan as a baby being held by her mother, Gertie.

Joan as a teenager - note the saddle shoes

The family moved from Port Arthur, ON to Vancouver in December, 1953 so that the children could live at home while attending university.  Joan quickly became popular among her high school classmates at Magee.

Joan posing in the back garden of their Vancouver home

High School Graduation Picture - 1955

Joan modelling - note the 1950s full skirt with crinoline

A recent picture of Joan, taken in her home with granddaughter, Gabby

Happy Birthday Joan, and many more healthy, happy years to come.

Miho Museum, Japan

Sunday night we had dinner at Minerva's Restaurant in Kerrisdale with a business associate of Neil's, Earl, and his wife Hanna.  They wanted to talk to us about their upcoming trip to Japan, and get ideas of special places to visit there.  Neil and I spent three weeks in Japan in April, 2003.  After dinner they came back to our home to look at our Japan pictures.  This sure brought back memories for Neil and I.  We had spent 8 days in Tokyo, 4 nights in Kyoto and 2 nights in Osaka.  We made many day trips out of Tokyo and Kyoto.

One of the biggest highlights of our touring throughout Japan was spending a day getting to and from the Miho Museum, located about one hour by train/bus from Kyoto.  We took public transit, first by train, then bus to the JR Ishiyama train station. From there we took a taxi up the mountain to the museum, which had opened just the year before.  So there was no regular bus service from the train station to the museum then, but there is now.

The Miho Museum was designed by world famous architect, I. M. Pei, who designed the Grand Louvre glass triangle in Paris.  The museum was the dream of a family in Japan who had collected many interesting art objects and antiquities from ancient civilizations - the Middle East, Greece, Asia, China and Italy.

But it is the spectacular design of the museum - including the approach and its setting in the wooded mountains that makes you gasp with delight and amazement.

Entrance - Parking Lot

Spectacular Entrance way from the Parking Lot - Tunnel bored through the mountain

Coming out of the Tunnel at the other end and approaching the Museum

Arial View of the Museum Complex - from the Museum website

View from Main Floor Lobby Entrance to the Museum -
large windows which bring in the outdoors - pine trees, forests and mountains

Another view inside the entrance way - this shows of I.M. Pei's design
of the roof complex form underneath

Looking down the long hall to the right of the entrance

Close up of the tile mosaic in the floor in the above picture

Egyptian Statute

Oriental Statue

Saying one last goodbye in the lobby of the museum - spectacularly beautiful

This was truly the most memorable part of our visit to Japan, and I highly recommend that visitors make the effort to get to this site.  The air and the drinking water were much purer and satisfying to the soul.  Lovely restaurant too.

Nephew Sam's Birthday

Our nephew, Sam, turns 22 today.  He is presently an Honours Political Science student at the University of British Columbia. 

We had a wonderful birthday celebration last night for him.  First, we held a family dinner at Bistrot Bistro on West 4th Avenue, a boutique French Restaurant, that reminded Sam of the 2010 - 2011 year he spent in Paris France at SciencesPo.  The restaurant features comfort French food such as Boeuf Bourguigon, Fisherman Stew, Lamb Shank, all a la carte.  Sides included yummy mashed garlic cream pototoes, frites and ratatouille and we started with a fresh baquette with olive tapenade.  I will certainly go back.  Afterwards we all went to Linda and Shelly's home for a delicious chocolate birthday cake.

Sam studied International Relations at SciencesPo which hosts over 1,200 international students per year.  He had an opportunity to explore Paris while living there for about 10 months.

Last night while eating birthday cake, we each shared our memories of Sam growing up - both funny and reflective.  Here are a few memories of Sam in pictures:

                            Sam - Just a few weeks old, held by his proud Dad, Ken

Being held by Uncle Neil, who looks terrified at holding such a small baby!

Sam as a toddler - isn't he darling!

As a teenage - with long hair!

Here he looks more clean cut

Sam at about 15 years old - He was a fabulous Baseball Player - pitching and Centre Field

Sam at 18 - Graduation from Kitsilano High School, Vancouver

Sam on the fashion runway in Paris - He was asked to model in a Fashion Show

Sam exploring Paris