What’s UP at the Archives – December 9th, 2024

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Holiday Season Hours

The Mission Community Archives will be closed from Monday, December 23, 2024 to Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 to celebrate the holiday season with our families and friends. 

A special thank you to all who generously supported the operation of the Archives in 2024, including: our record donors, volunteers, benefactors, business sponsors, visitors and more than 4,000 social media followers. 

We look forward to serving you beginning on Thursday, January 9th, 2025.

Wishing you a memorable holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Happy Holidays,
Val Billesberger, Archivist

What’s UP at the Archives – December 6, 2024

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Archives Assistant Charis Young with donations collected by Archives volunteers for the Mission Community Services Christmas Bureau.

Holiday Spirit at Mission Community Archives

The Mission Community Archives was filled with the spirit of the season on November 28tth when staff and volunteers gathered for the 31st Annual Holiday Tree Decorating Event.

While Christmas music played in the background, the tree was adorned with a unique, eclectic collection of ornaments contributed by volunteers over the past three decades ranging from traditional items like angels, Santas, and snowmen to unconventional ones such as a Starbucks cup, and one crafted from outdated computer hardware and software.

This year items from the Archives COVID-19 collection were also placed on the tree – a series of colorful, decorated tags, each containing a holiday wish message from staff and volunteers gathered via email and telephone during the Christmas lockdown in 2020. They undeniable radiate the true meaning of the holiday season – goodwill to all!

In addition, staff and volunteers donated unwrapped gifts and non-perishable food for the Mission Christmas Bureau. Too find out how you can help spread the holiday cheer to those in need, please visit their website.

What’s UP at the Archives – November 9th, 2024

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Remembrance Day 2024

On Monday, November 11th, we remember the fallen, we remember those they left behind and all who have served to the defence of Canada. More than 4,000 men and women from Mission have served in Canada’s Armed Forces, both in time of war and time of peace.

As a tribute to those who have served, the Mission Community Archives has an exhibit at the Mission Leisure Centre from November 1st to 13th and a feature story in the November 8th issue of the Mission City Record about the experiences of those who served in World War I.

This year’s Remembrance Day service will start @ 10:50 AM at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 57 located at 32627 Logan Avenue, featuring a parade and wreath laying.

What’s UP at the Archives – October 25, 2024

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MISSION’S EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN: Back row from left to right: Shirley Hilton, Barbara Fehrmann, Pascale-Sara Frenette, Marilyn MacDonald, Lori Wikdahl, Judith Ray, Deborah Handley, Ann Mohs, Lorraine Hughes, Joy Cox, Margaret Peake, Diana Muntigl, Joan MacLatchy, Pam Alexis. Front row from left to right: Jo Priestley, Karin Edberg-Lee, Kuldip Herar, Camille Atebe, Bonnie Harber, Carol Hamilton, Daphne Sleigh and Eleanor Lobb.

2024 Annual Women of Mission Gala

On October 19th, 2024, nearly a hundred guests were welcomed to the 27th Annual Women of Mission Gala, braving the torrential rain of an atmospheric river to attend. Despite the weather, there was a warm, inviting atmosphere filled with lively conversations over refreshments of tea, cookies and fresh strawberries. This year we were proud to have 19 former honourees in attendance along with the three new inductees Camille Atebe, Carol Hamilton, and Bonnie Harber.

Around the room, 40 unique storyboards were on display documenting the lives of the extraordinary women being honoured at the Gala along with 37 others previously honoured.

The uplifting afternoon was spent celebrating women from distinct walks of life, including stories speeches, and music. Miss Shauna, a local musician, was in attendance and performed a song titled “C.O.M.E.T” inspired by records housed in the Archives about a women’s club of the same name which stood for Count On Me Every Time.

Attendees got to hear from the honourees themselves, who had the opportunity to speak after being introduced. Camille shared a stirring and insightful speech about life, Carol recognized her Mothers -biological and adoptive- for their strength and passing it on to her, and Bonnie tearfully expressed thanks to her family. During the presentation, Archivist Val Billesberger, took a moment to read sections of the deeply touching nominee letters, emphasizing the profound impact the inductees had on the lives of the people around them.

There was tremendous support from businesses and private donors this year for the Your Choice Toonie Raffle, door prize, and table sponsorships with over 35 contributing to the program. The generous support of donors allowed us to raise over $1,296 from the raffle alone to support the ongoing effort to acquire, preserve and make accessible women’s history and records. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s raffles!

View the honouree’s biographies and our photo gallery of the event featuring photographs by Bob Friesen & attendees on our Paths & Pathfinders Page.

What’s UP at the Archives – October 10, 2024

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Archives Celebrates 35th Anniversary

On Thursday October 3rd, the Archives celebrated its 35th anniversary with a series of presentations and refreshments. A highlight of the event was the unveiling of a restored “1891 Plan of Mission City” donated by W. Yeomans made possible by the generous sponsorship of The McPherson Family Foundation & Top Producers Realty LTD.

While showcasing the restored 133 year old-map, Tara Fraser, of Fraser / Spafford Ricci: Art and Archival Conservation Inc., gave an informative presentation detailing the extensive80+ hours of work undertaken that will allow the plan to survive for hundreds of years.

The Heritage Places Website (heritage-places.com) was also launched, which has been the hard work of Archives staff Val Billesberger and Kyler Garza. The website features “History Pin” which allows visitors to view different sites in Mission along with a historical photo of each one.

To conclude the presentation, the archivist announced a virtual volunteer program titled “Citizen Archivist”. The program has volunteers transcribe information from records into a digital format, allowing the materials to be accessed by more members of our diverse community.

After the presentation visitors were encouraged to get a closer look at the 1891 Plan, enjoy custom designed, hand-painted cookies by Lexi’s Treats sponsored by Mission Community Skill Center; and to speak with Val and Tara about Archival and Conservation Work.

All attendees could get a $10 e-gift for the Archives online store. There was also a free draw for a unique tote bag – congratulations to Kim on your win!

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the Community Archives journey, from coming in to see our holdings or donating records. Every member of Mission – past & present – is what makes us great and we wouldn’t be the success we are without your support.

View our photo gallery of the event featuring photographs by Bob Friesen and Ellen Nguyen.

What’s UP at the Archives – September 20, 2024

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Paths and Pathfinders Annual Women of Mission Gala

A key part of the Paths & Pathfinder Program is the Annual Women of Mission Gala (formerly known as the Annual Celebration of Women). Held in October as part of Women’s History Month in Canada, the event acknowledges both the exceptional and every day real life contributions of women. 

This year’s gala is being held on Saturday, October 19th at All Saints Anglican Church Hall doors open at 1:30 PM and the program begins at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $20 plus fees and must be PRE-PURCHASED through Eventbrite.

Our 2024 honourees are: Camille Atebe, an award winning actor and talented, multi-faceted writer, who is a champion of performing arts and stagecraft; Bonnie Harber, a truehearted caregiver who’s touched the lives of countless people and a cornerstone member of the Steelhead Community; and Carol Hamilton, a visionary long-time community leader who has worked tirelessly to benefit the community while facing life head on.

A very special thanks to our corporate partners and private donors for supporting our event!

DOOR PRIZE: Lanka Jewels ($500 Diamond Pendant Necklace)

TABLE SPONSORS: Michele Cummins – RE/MAX MAGNOLIA | Goody Two Shoes | Lanka Jewels | Sue’s Copy Place| Tom Osterberg – Lighthouse Realty | Steelhead Community Association | World Odyssey Travel – Leah Stewart

YOUR CHOICE RAFFLE BASKETS:

• A Taste of Mission: Browns Social House | Rocko’s 24 Hour Diner | Corona’s Mexican Restaurant | Lexi’s Treats

• All About Me-ow: Mr. Pets | @That.Cat.Tia

• Get Dolled Up: Beautiful U Boutique | ZZ Cuts

• Cook’s Delight: Totally Bookish | Pantry Natural Food | Meridian’s Farmer’s Market | Hunter’s Dale

• Mission Grab Bag: Trendy and What Knot Yarn | Karla’s Speacialteas | The Penny Coffee House| Goldenball Mercantile

• Night at the Theatre: What’s ON! Mission Magazine | Clarke Theatre

• An Afternoon Out: Magnolia’s on Main | Mon Cheri | Browns Social House

• PAW-fect for Me: Bosley’s at Heritage Park | Mr. Pets

• Picture Perfect Day: Clarke Theatre – City of Mission | Casa Del Sol Tanning Salon | Mackie Naturals Spa | Totally Bookish

• Fun in the Sun: Perfect Piece Optical

• Showstoppers: Clarke Theatre – City of Mission

Buy Tickets Here

What’s UP at the Archives – July 4, 2024

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL – Incredible Storytelling!

Last Saturday’s Up Close and Personal event at the Fraser River Interpretive Center on the waterfront was an unbelievable success! With our special guests Deborah Handley and Ann Mohs lending their blinding personalities and memorable stories to an enraptured audience.  Archivist, Val Billesberger, received many rave reviews from those in attendance, including feedback that – “This has to be an annual event!”

We at the Archives would like to thank everyone who joined us for an afternoon of laughter, commiseration, storytelling and a joyful performance by Sing Out, a choir directed by Deborah Handley — as well as the delicious Tea Sandwiches and sparkling juice provided by Amazi Coffee and Superstore respectively). We’d also like to thank our sponsors for the event: Mission City Keto Ltd., Swing Optical, What’s on! Mission Magazine, and private donors.

This event was also the first announcement of 2024 Path and Pathfinder’s Program honourees: Bonnie Harber, a truehearted caregiver who’s touched the lives of countless people and a cornerstone member of the Steelhead Community; Camille Atebe, an award winning actor and talented, multi-faceted writer, who is a champion of performing arts and stagecraft; and Carol Hamilton, a visionary long-time community leader who has worked tirelessly to benefit the community while facing life head on. This year’s event will be held on Saturday October 19th at All Saints Anglican Church Hall.

View our photo gallery of the event featuring photographs by Ellen Nguyen, who was the official photographer. If you wish to order any images please contact Ellen Nguyen Photography

What’s UP at the Archives – May 27, 2024

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Special Upcoming Event

MEET MISSION’S EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN! Join us for an inspirational afternoon of unique storytelling featuring Mission’s Deborah Handley, a talented, innovative musician whose boundless dedication, infectious laugh and incredible spirit has impacted all those who cross her path; and Ann Mohs, a tireless advocate of indigenous culture, successful publisher, and international award-winning competitive paddler. Limited tickets available!

For further information, please call 604-837-7569 or send an email to the Archivist Val Billesberger.

BUY TICKETS

What’s UP at the Archives – May 6th, 2024

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NEW VIDEO – DONATE YOUR RECORDS!

The Mission Community Archives is very pleased to announce that a new video DONATE YOUR RECORDS! is now live on the website. 

Produced by UBC graduate students Gabriella Cigarro, Katherine Hodgson, Jordon Kerr, and Elizabeth Robertson in consultation with the Archivist Val Billesberger, the short video (2:23 minutes) demystifies for individuals, businesses, and organizations what and how to donate materials to the Mission Community Archives.

The new video also addresses the importance of donating to the Archives. Archivist Val Billesberger explains, “Collectively, the materials donated document the community’s storied past. They are extensions of our community’s human memory, originally created to record information, to document transactions, to communicate thoughts, and to provide evidence of people, organizations, institutions, businesses, events, infrastructure, the physical landscape and developments. In essence, archival records provide the basis for understanding where we have been, they orient us to the present, and they offer guidance for shaping the future.”

Be sure to view our new video HERE!

What’s UP at the Archives – March 8, 2024

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NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Paths & Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program

The Mission Community Archives is once again accepting nominations for the Paths & Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program. Since the inauguration of the program in 1996, the Community Archives has recognized and built its holdings on more than 100 women who have helped shape the community.

We need your help in identifying who will be honoured in 2024. Within your organization, family or workplace there are undoubtedly women who are worthy of recognition.  We encourage you to use a nomination form to let us know who they are.

Nominations for this year’s Annual Celebration of Women are being accepted until the end of April. To be eligible the nominee must have lived or presently reside in the District of Mission, Hatzic Prairie, Hatzic Island, Dewdney, Deroche, Nicomen Island, Lake Errock and/or McConnell Creek.

The nominator must submit, on two pages or less, biographical information about the nominee, including her length of residence in the community, field of endeavor and personal attributes along with 2 letters of support for the nominee from family, friends, organizations etc. Click Here to download the 2024 Nomination form. The deadline is Tuesday, April 30th.

For further information, please call 604 837-7569 or send an email to the Archivist Val Billesberger.

NOMINATE ONLINE
DOWNLOAD NOMINATION FORM
Nomination Submission Countdown