Today it may be aerobics or any of a variety of specialty classes, but back in the 1960s they were called plain old “KEEP FIT” classes. The classes were taught by Myrna (Mrs Rod) Sullivan, and at that time took place in the gymnasium of Edward Milne Secondary School, which pre-dated the fine gymnasium of today’s Edward Milne Community School.
We had a lot of fun, and it was kind of neat to see this photo turn up recently, sent by one of our Jordan River friends. This was our volleyball group, and it allowed young mothers from Sooke and Jordan River to get together for a little boisterous activity interspersed with catching up on neighbourhood gossip.
It’s been a challenge, though, to try to remember everyone’s names from nearly 50 years ago, even though we were a much smaller community then. A long ago year book found in a Jordan River trunk finally confirmed the names for us.
At left, rear, Minnie (Mrs John) Bartanus; Carol (Mrs Howard) Elder; Olga (Mrs Fred) Oakes; Diane (Mrs Joseph) Murray; Norma (Mrs Bob) Lajeunesse; Ellen (Mrs Dennis) Smith; Jo Ann (Mrs Danny) Lajeunesse.
Front, Dorothy Bower (a teacher at Jordan River school); Valerie (Mrs Charlie) Clark; Barbara (Mrs Ardy) Wickheim; Doreen (Mrs. John) Pearson; Joan (Mrs. Bob) Mounce; Judy (Mrs Larry) Jay; Elida (Mrs Jim) Peers. At the risk of having Judy at the cash register in the hardware store mad at me, I’m suggesting you take a look at her hairdo in 1967. What’s even more embarrassing though, is the wording in the yearbook; it says we were called “The Fit Fillies.”
While half a century has meant the passing of several of these women, almost everyone in the group has children living here today, now playing a role in our community.
Elida Peers, Historian
Sooke Region Museum