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MWWW.TRICITYNEWS.COM TRI-CITY NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016, A25 COQUITLAM 125 Coquitlam’s rich history JANIS WARREN The Tri-CiTy News Emily Lonie got a pleasant surprise in the mail last sum- mer. The archivist for the city of Coquitlam received a scrapbook from a woman in Connecticut, who had cleared out her grandmother’s attic and found an album with about 60 photos of the building of the Coquitlam Dam. The book is a treasure trove, showing black and white im- ages of the construction crews and their families from the winter of 1912 to the summer of 1913. The pictures, which have since been uploaded on the city’s website, show the camp, a bridge and skaters on the Coquitlam Lake, among other leisurely scenes. “It’s an amaz- ing collection of photography,” Lonie said. It’s these kinds of unique do- nations that are steadily build- ing the city’s archives, a collec- tion created when Lonie was hired about three years ago. And, next Wednesday as part of the Coquitlam 125 cel- ebrations and in conjunction with BC Heritage Week, she will talk about the fonds that are now being housed on the ground floor of city hall. Her presentation, titled 125 Years: An Archival Tour of Coquitlam’s 13 Decades, will start with a document of the first council meeting on Aug. 22, 1891 — presided by Reeve R.B. Kelly, when there were two motions on the table: to hire a clerk and to adjourn the meeting — and the 1894 letters patent to incorporate the dis- trict of Coquitlam. Her slide show will also include a timeline; the original boundary map of Coquitlam (without Fraser Mills, the largest sawmill in the Commonwealth at the time); photos of the Minnekhada hunting lodge (used by two B.C. lieutenant governors); Riverview Hospital; and the Westwood racing circuit (the first purpose-built track for motor sports in Canada). “Coquitlam certainly has a rich history considering its size,” Lonie said. “There’s been a very dominant narra- tive about the city but there’s more to be told and that can be found in our records.” Lonie said she’s eager to expand the archives and plans to be at several Coquitlam 125 events throughout the year to educate the public about handing over their one-of-a- kind materials to the city for preservation. These include photos, letters, diaries, busi- ness records, newsletters, maps and videos, for example. Recently, Lonie received the meeting minutes from the Northeast Coquitlam Ratepayers’ Association — a valuable resource to look at the history of Burke Mountain, an area the city plans to develop with 25,000 more residents over the next decade or so. • 25 Years: An Archival Tour of Coquitlam’s 13 Decades will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at Coquitlam city hall (3000 Guildford Way). Admission is free. Visit co- quitlam125.ca. [email protected] @jwarrenTC JANIS WARREN/THE TRI-CITY NEWS Emily Lonie is the archivist for the city of Coquitlam. Her Feb. 17 talk, titled 125 Years: An Archival Tour of Coquitlam’s 13 Decades, is part of the city’s 125 anniversary celebrations and BC Heritage Week. Valentine’s for singles, couples ARTS IN BRIEF If you’re looking to do some- thing special with your sweetie this Valentine’s Day weekend, there’s plenty to do in the Tri- Cities. But singles also have a few local options, too. Port Moody librarians are setting patrons up on a “blind date” with books. For those who take up the experience, the library (100 Newport Dr., Port Moody) will host a special afternoon meet up on Feb. 20 give book lovers a chance to talk about their “dating experi- ence” with literature. Call 604- 469-4577 to learn more. For seniors wanting to know what their New York counter - parts are doing, a film about seniors speed dating will be screened at Port Coquitlam’s Wilson Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) on Friday at 2 p.m. The flick, The Age of Love, is being presented by the Astoria Retirement Residence, Amica Mayfair and the Wilson Seniors’ Centre Society. And for couples, the Arthur Murray Dance Studio (212-1090 Lougheed Hwy., Coquitlam) is offering a free lesson for beginners on Saturday from 4 to 5p.m. As well, the Hot Salsa Dance Zone will have its seventh an- nual Valentine’s Latin Night on Saturday night in the re- hearsal hall at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). No partner is needed; chocolates will be supplied during the free dance lesson. Admission is $10. Visit hotsalsadancezone.com. HOMEGROWN Aspiring writers wanting to hear the words — and see the actions — of Tri-City scribes and performers can visit a Port Moody eatery next week. Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St.) is hosting its second liter- ary event called Writers in our Midst 2 on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Presenters include the- atre producer Sarah Dixon, non-fiction writer Amanda Maxwell, poet and fiction writer Lenore Rowntree, Metis pipe carrier and storyteller Aline LaFlamme, poet Richard Dixon, performer Rocky Menzies and writer Stefano Mazzega. As well, visual artist David Carey will talk about his night- time bookworm exhibit, which is now on display at Gallery Bistro. A set menu diner is also available for $12 at 6:30 p.m. To save a seat for dinner, call 604-937-0998. MISTOFFELEES Fighting Chance Productions has its claws out this and next month for Cats. And about a quarter of the cast in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical hails from the Tri-Cities including Randy McCormick (Gus the Theatre Cat) and Lyndsey Britten (Cassandra/Dance Captain), a graduate of Gleneagle second- ary school in Coquitlam. The show recently wrapped up at the Coast Capital Theatre in White Rock and will con- tinue its run Feb. 19 to March 12 at the Jericho Arts Centre in Vancouver. Visit fightingchan- ceproductions.ca. [email protected] @jwarrenTC 2786 Barnet Hwy., Coquitlam • 604-941-3411 • www.lazzezsgrill.ca NOW OPEN Lazzez’s Grill INDIAN CUISINE - FULLY LICENSED You’ve tried the rest Now try the best! Internationally Experienced! India • Scotland • England • Canada LUNCH BUFFET $9.99! Over 18 Items 11:30am-3pm (Mon-Fri) Free Appetizer for Dinner with purchase of $30. Open till 10pm daily Master Chef GURU Take out 10% OFF Free Delivery Over $30 within 5KM Next to Crossroads riſtstore Johnson St. RONA BARNET HWY X Lazzez’s Grill Special Packages for Corporate/Birthday Parties. Landsdowne St. Aberdeen St. It’s a Relay Reunion! Calling all Relay participants, past and present. Join us & celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Coquitlam Relay For Life. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2016 EVERGREEN CULTURAL CENTRE Program at 7pm Please RSVP to [email protected] by February 15, 2016 relayforlife.ca PRESENTED BY iA Financial Group is a business name and trademark of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
