Chilliwack: 'The President's Tour'. (Branching Out).

Chilliwack Branch enjoyed an exciting and rewarding fall season, beginning with the late September BC tour of Dominion President C. William Terry UE.

Our Abbotsford members arranged an entertaining welcome luncheon, "All Aboard for UEL", for the President. Audrey Maclean UE and Barb Wilson UE convened the event at the home of Audrey and her husband, Dr. Bruce Maclean.

We toured the north side of the Fraser River to the Agassiz Museum, (a former CPR station c1885), where much fun was had "riding' the caboose. Chilliwack prepared a Loyalist area dinner attended by over 80 members and friends. A highlight was the presentation of certificates to three daughters of our long time member and newsletter publisher, Judy Scholz UE, (John Thornton), and her husband, Wolfgang. The President presented certificates to Cindy Lyftogt UE, Rebecca Heibner UE and Vicky Heibner UE. Certificates were presented in absentia for Colin Van Horne UE and his father Philip Van Horne UE, and were accepted by latter's parents Bircham Van Horne UE (Cornelius Van Horne) and his wife Mary Van Horne UE (Michael, Carman), both valued members and Conference delegates. The setting for the impressive ceremony, the beautiful sanctuary of Carman United Church, had special meaning as the girls' great-grandfather George I. Thornton had been a member of the original congregation. It is named for Rev. A. Carman, a M ichael Carman UE descendant. A moment's silence and candle lighting remembered September 11th.

The President's Tour continued with dinner in Vancouver; a luncheon with Victoria Branch and a visit to the Thompson-Okanagan Branch at Vernon. All in all, he met approximately 230 UEL people; travelling for 32 hours and 2,000 km. It was a whirlwind weekend that was a real privilege for BC. Our thanks to Doreen Todhunter UE, C.M.H., who suggested we take the President to the Branches. Thanks also to Pacific Region Vice-President Shirley Dargatz UE and the Chilliwack Branch Leadership Team. Appreciation is also extended to our youth contacts who so enthusiastically participated.

The Tour also recognized the 11th anniversary of our Branch, chartered 18 Oct. 1990. On Nov. 11th, we followed the Branch's six-year Remembrance Day tradition and presented a poppy wreath at the Chilliwack cenotaph. For the first time presenters wore period costumes at the request of the community. Representing us were Barb Wilson UE and her grandchildren Ryan, Cody, Rusty and A.J. Wilson.

"All aboard (for Christmas)" was our annual turkey dinner. Our oldest member, 93-year-old Gladys Van Baaren, said grace. Carols were enjoyed and the meeting's climax was the special presentation of certificates to two American members, Linda Clark UE and her father, 94-year-old Douglas Clark UE of Bellingham, WA. Christmas music from the Peace Tower in Ottawa was played and large pictures of the Peace Tower and the Peace Arch formed the background. The American flag was displayed for the first time. It was a moving moment with us close to the American border, and with September 11th much in our minds.

Dec. 27th on the historic balcony of the museum, (former city hall, 1912), Philip Van Home UE and Colin Van Home UE, ages 8, were thrilled to receive the certificates previously presented to their family. Jim Merkley was a young guest.

The spring holds promise with our increased membership, annual celebration of Heritage Week and the Arrival of the Spring Fleet, May 18.