Remembering Harry Jerome at High School Track Meet

The Vancouver Sun newspaper is featuring today in its "This Day in History" column, which is part of the celebration of its 100th anniversary, an article about Harry Jerome, a great Canadian Sprinter.  Harry had just broken the world record for the 100 meter dash.

This brought back so many memories for me, because I was in Empire Stadium at the Great Vancouver High School's Track Meet in May, 1959 and saw Harry run the 100 yard dash and other races, I think the one mile and the 400 yards relay if I recall correctly.  Harry was representing his North Vancouver high school in this track meet.  



I have never forgotten that day.  There was one race where Harry pulled so far ahead of his competitors that he was one-quarter of the track ahead of his competitors.  All the spectators in the stadium, regardless of which high school they were from, rose to their feet and screamed encouragement at the top of their lungs as he approached and then crossed the finish line.  We had never seen anything like it.

He went on to a great career, competing for Canada in the 1960 and 1964 Olympics.  Here is a short history of Harry from Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Jerome 

Unfortunately, he died young at the age of 42.  There are comemorative runs in his memory.

Empire Stadium was built so that Vancouver could host 1954 British Commonwealth and Empire Games.

Celebrating 40 years of Marriage Today

Today Neil and I remember back 40 years to our wedding held at Cecil Greene  Park at UBC on May 22, 1972.  It started out cloudy and drizzling with rain in the morning, and then the sun came out for us in the afternoon.  We were married on the terrace at the back of the house, facing Spanish Banks.  The lilacs and snowball trees were in full bloom.

About 130 family members and friends came from near and far to share with us in this special day and to wish us a good start to a happy life.  We made it to 40 years, so we must have done something right!

Here are a few of the official photographs from that day:

Taken in the back garden of the bride's family home.
L to R: Junior Bridesmaid - Neil's niece Janice, Maid of Honour - my sister Linda,
Bride - me, Bridesmaid - long time friend - Kerry, and Bridesmaid -  Neil's sister Marilyn

Dad escorting me to his decorated car as we were
leaving home for Cecil Greene Park

Photo taken after the ceremoney in front of the lily pond
with the lilac tree in the background
L to R: Linda, Neil, Me and Jack

L to R: Dad, Mom, Neil, Me, Irving (Neil's Dad), and Yettie (Neil's Aunt)

Walking the grounds at Cecil Greene Park

Cutting the Wedding Cake - Wine Glass and Grapes decoration

And so we were off on our married life.