Pat (WARREN) Drugge
That I am included in this celebration of the 50th year since graduation is a tribute to the spirit of inclusiveness of the class of 1954 because I did not graduate from Nelson High School!! Having spent from grade nine to half way through grade 11 with you, it was devastating to leave such friendly, accepting peers.
Some Favourite Memories:
What fun we had together. I’m sure we’ll bring back lots of “do you remember scenarios” when we are together again in Nelson. Some of my “do you remembers” include: playing hearts at noon hour; knocking on the doors of all the Jr. High neighbours to get permission to have their flowers to create a volleyball net full of blossoms ... a beautiful backdrop for graduation; spending hours getting costumes ready for the House Parade through town to the track meet; the House shows competitions ... I was in House B and we always came in second to House C as I recall; playing basketball around the columns in the gym; the Student’s Council structured as a Parliament; being Brown Owl for the little ones in the Guide/Scout Hall; the badminton tournaments held in the Civic Centre; neon coloured socks and shoelaces; happily taking journalism because there was no room in home-Ec for any girl whose last name fell between T and Z (the sewing machine hated me and the feeling was mutual); decorating the Christmas dance by hanging strings of marshmallows across the stage to emulate snow; being allowed to write exams wearing slacks; Sally Butling had the first pair of seamless nylons; our Scottish exchange teacher who nervously snapped her garters; cramming math into someone minutes before an exam and coming second to my erstwhile student; learning to drive on the baseball diamond in Fairview. This barely scratches the surface, but “enough,” you say, and so it is.
We were fortunate to have lived in Nelson where adults, teachers, neighbours and the community in general respected us as teens and gave us many opportunities to grow and learn, supporting our projects and ventures. To them we must say a belated thank you.
Work, Family, and Retirement:
Following High School, UBC was next. There I was reacquainted with many of you, and dated one of Salmo’s finest, Len (Leo) Drugge. We were married in 1959 following my year in the School of Social Work at the University of Toronto. Fortunately, Heather and Carolyn, our daughters, now live close by in West Vancouver and Burnaby, respectively. Their Dad is currently helping them build a Mirror (dinghy). Heather’s husband hates construction, so he washes the cars ... a bonus!
Since Len retired I’ve withdrawn somewhat from Guiding and we’ve been traveling and redoing the house. Oh yes, GOLF has entered our lives. In self-defense to Len’s addiction, I’m golfing once a week with a neighbour woman. PEO, Guiding, walking the West Van seawall, entertaining, and reading round out the days ... and happy days they are.
Once again, thank you for your generosity by including me in the Nelson High School class of 1954.
