8 Terrace Review — Wednesday, December 3, 1986- Terrace Old ~ gain recognition In the current edition of the Canadian Oldtimers’ Hockey Association Journal newspaper, there’s a full page story on Terrace’s Timbermen Oldtimers’ team, and some history of Terrace as well. The story was put together by John Taylor, one of ~ the team players. This paper has world-wide circulation, thus ensur- ing that the local team and City of Terrace will now become known to many more thousands of people around the world. - Here’s the article Taylor wrote: TERRACE — Some towns perch on moun- tain tops, others cling to shorelines and others rise > stark from flat land- scapes. But Terrace, B.C. grew strongly and unpretentiously along the Skeena riverbank, like’ the magnificent forests which search for the clouds from the borders of the town. The rich valley was ideally suited to peo- ple. by John Taylor Terrace, population of 17,000 people, is nestled bet- ween the majesty of the 6,000 to 7,000-foot high Coastal Mountains on the Skeena River, just 93 miles inland from the Pacific coastal port of Prince Rupert. The actual history of Terrace itself starts with. the survey of the townsite in 1911, but before that year, there was a hotel, store, post office, telegraph station and settlers. Long before that, of course, were and still are, the Tsimpsian natives of the Pacific Northwest. PACIFIC RAILWAY When the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway started pushing east - from the tent town of Prince Rupert in 1908, men from the world over answered advertisements for jobs grading the right of way and laying steel. With the completion of the railway in 1914 came the need for col- onization to the now easily accessible Skeena Valley and _= great numbers of men with families arrived to settle. Then with the war years, a great influx of workers was necessary to cope with the cutting and shipping of lumber need- ed in the war effort, par- ticularly the Sitka Spruce which was vital in the manufacture of airplane parts. POLE CAPITAL The end of the war curtailed the market for lumber and the popula- tion of Terrace remained more or less static — ex- cept for the rush for cedar poles during, the 1920s when Terrace became known as the ‘pole capital’ of the world, until the advent of the Second World with a War and the choice of Terrace as the site of an army base. Again the population soared, this time by 6,000, with both good and adverse effects on the tiny town of less than 500 people. The years 1945 to 1952 were busy ones in the lumber industry and _ small mills were again the mainstay of the economy, give or take a few recessions. A huge economic im-. petus took place in 1952 when the American Celanese Company located their northern woods division, Colum- bia Cellulose, in Terrace, and built a pulp mill just outside: Prince Rupert as a ready market for the vast cut of timber inthe area. HUB OF NORTHWEST | Although the present global stockpiles of pulp products have decreased _ the pulp market and the lumber industry is not what it used to be, Ter- race has become the ‘hub’? of the Pacific Northwest in the service industry. Due to the warm winter climatic condi- tions and the proximity to the Pacific Ocean (35 miles to the south at Kitimat on the Douglas Channel), weather played a key role in the lack of history and tradi- tion for hockey in Ter- race. Prior to the building of the Terrace Arena in 1972~-there was no hockey to speak of as outdoor ice was uncer- tain and trying to plan any resemblance of a schedule, unpredictable. There was, however, ice on takes and ponds in the area and pick-up games of shinny were not un- common since the day Terrace was settled. Once the Terrace Arena was in full swing, artificial ice brought forth an opportunity for many young boys and many older fellows to learn to play hockey or play again. SENIOR TEAM EMERGES The early seventies saw a senior team emerge to play im .ite Pavilic Northwest Lédgue. They were. called the Skeena Tigers and comprised mostly of transplanted ‘eastern’ and prairie boys who had some hockey experience. After one season,: the Skeena Tigers senior team folded and then Scotty Munro brought in the Terrace Centennials, a Junior ‘B’ farm team of the Calgary Centen- ninals. During this period Terrace also had a very strong, competitive Commercial League. This same period saw the formation of one of the strongest minor hockey associations in B.C, In the late seventies and early eighties, Ter- race was home of the Provincial Champion peewee, bantam and midget teams all of this within a span of six to-10 years from the first ar- tificial ice surface in the town, Many boys from the Terrace Minor Hockey Association have graduated to the Western Hockey League and the B.C. Junior Hockey League. The 1985 NHL draft -gaw the first of many ‘young boys’ from Ter- race drafted when Jeff Sharples, a defenceman, was taken in the second round by the Detroit Red Wings. During the summer of 1979 three ‘older fellows’, Dick Shinde, Harold Cox and John Taylor decided that they had tired of the rigors of commercial hockey. Having reached or sur- passed the age of Oldtimers’ consent, they thought that they would write away to the COHA and find out what Oldtimers’ hockey was all about. Consequently, the fall of 1979 saw the formation of the Terrace Timbermen Oldtimers’ Hockey Club, OLDTIMERS’ SPIRIT The first years were lean for over 35-year bodies, competition and finances for ice time ex- penditures. Luckily the team comprised of many prominent Terrace businessmen who paid for ice time and purchas- ed a set of uniforms from a defunct senior team called ‘The Timbermen’. The spirit of Oldtim- ers’ hockey in the Pacific Northwest grew as the Timbermen found com- petition in the neighbor- ing towns of Prince Rupert, Kitimat and Smithers, As the popularity of oldtimers’ hockey grew in the Terrace area, the Timbermen had a very difficult decision to make in 1982. Should they allow newer members to join the hockey team to become more’ competitive or ‘should they freeze ‘the roster to the fellows who stuck throughout the lean years and stick to a social hockey club. That was the big ques-. tion. The answer was quick. The Terrace Timbermen were not go- ing to disrupt the ‘fami- ly’ and if any person wanted to play Old- timers’ hockey, they could start their own team just as the Timbermen had a few years ago. At this stage the Ter- Trace Timbermen also decided that they would like to participate in more COHA sponsored tournaments. In order to do so, it was decided that the club would become a year- round, active organiza- tion and work throughout the summer . on projects that would enable them to travel to the exotic hockey destinations where COHA tournaments were held. COMMUNITY PROJECTS Every summer the Ter- race Timbermen cut, sell and deliver birch firewood in order to raise funds for team travel and community projects. In 1983 the Timbermen travelled to San Diego and won their division and did the same thing in 1985 in Florida. During the past season, the Timbermen won two of their three games of the National Cup tournament in Ed- monton, . . They also host their own tournament each year that attracts teams from the northern part of B.C. From a community point of view the Timbermen host and sponsor the event of the year on the Terrace social calendar — the Annual Terrace Timbermen Banquet and Ball. In the latter part of spring they host a mixed, two-ball golf tournament and in summer, an Oldtimers’ Slo-Pitch tournament. The Timbermen are also, and have been for some time, very active in the Terrace Minor Hockey Association through coaching and helping with garage sales, bottle drives and other fund-raising ac- tivities. ' The Terrace Timber- men Oldtimers’ Hockey Club are family. The toughest decision they will have to make in the year 2026 is what exotic destination will they choose to play in that year’s schedule of COHA tournaments. . Terrace * Cc * Coming Events Wednesday, December 3 — The general meeting of the . Terrace Rod & Gun Club will be held at the Clubhouse on Alfle Range Road at 7:30 p.m. We are pleased to have as our guest the new Conservation Officer, Mr: Terry McGunigal. A question and answer period will follow the introduction of guest speaker: the main tapic of discus: | sion willl be wildlife control. All Interested parties are welcome to attend. Bring a quest. December 3 and 4 — The Rotary Ciub of Terrace will be holding Its 26th annual Radio and TV Auction from 7 p.m. to midnight on both nights. The auction will air on cable Channel 10 and CFTK-AM. Auction phone number Is 635-1986, Don't miss the fun!!! Thursday, December 4 — Northwest Community College prasents Christmas Chocolate Making, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Skeena School. How to make delightful chocolate sur: prises for yourself or for Christmas giving. : Friday, December 5 — Skeena Squares Square Dance Club is having their annuai Christmas party for all square dancers - out of town dancers are most welcome - in the Arena Banquet Room-from 8 to 17 p.m. December 5 & 6 — Christmas show at the Art Gallery Fri- day night and all day Saturday. Entry forms are available at the Gallery, \lbrary, Wallinda Crafts, Northern Light Studio and Co-op Insurance. Entry forms must be In by Nov. 30, Saturday, December 6 == United Church women’s annual Christmas bazaar will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in Knox United Church, 4907 Lazeile Ave., Terrace. Knitting, sew- ing, home baking and preserves, novelties, etc. Afternoon {ea will be served. Saturday, December 6 — Christmas bake sale sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society, Terrace branch, at the Skeena Mall from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Donatlons gratefully accepted. Call Pat at 635-5078 or Kathy at 635-5909. é Saturday, December 6 — A pancake breakfast will be held at the Happy Gang Centre from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Everyone welcome!! Saturday, December 6 — The Terrace Minor Hockey dance, featuring Fox, will take place in the. Arena Banquet room starting at 8 p.m. Refreshments, raffles, plus door prizes. No minors, please. Sunday, December 7 — Community potiuck dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. at the banquet hall in the Terrace arena. Bring one potluck dish and wear the traditional clothing of your homeland or your ancestors! Evening entertainment will include Fillpino, South American and Indlan dancers and singers. Sponsored by the Terrace & District Multicultural Association. Gall 638-1084 or 635-6244 for more informa- tlon. Monday, December 8 — A slide presentation entitled “Primary Health Care in Nicaragua” will be presented by Martlyn Mardiros R.N., the OXFAM-Canada represen- tative on an international study-tour on health in Nicaragua, at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium at the Skeena Health Unit, 3412 Kailum St., Terrace. Tools for Peace donations gratefully accepted at this meeting. Everyone welcome. Sponsored by Northwest Development Educa- tlon Assoc. For more Information, call Frances, 635-2438. Tuesday, December 9 — Monthly meeting of the Cana- dian Cancer Soclety, Terrace branch in the library arte room at 7:30 p.m. New members welcome. December § and 16 — Terrace Little Theatre are having readings for the comedy/thriller “I'll Be Back Before Mid- night” at 7:30 p.m. at the Terrace Little Theatre bullding on Kalum Street. Interested producers, stage managers, backstage craw and actors should plan to attend. Thursday, December 11 — Reel World Film Society and Northwest Community College present, during their Inter- national Film Series, "His Girt Friday”, an elegant com- edy about love and divorce, at 7:30 p.m. at Caledonla Secondary School Lecture Theatre. December 12, 13, 14 — The Terrace Little Theatre presents a Christmas production for young children, “Who's Afrald of the Big Bad Wolf” at the Little Theatre, Kalum St. Performances are: Fri., Dec. 12 at 7. p.m.; Sat, and Sun. at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Tickets available at the — door. Sunday, December 14 — The Terrace Badminton Club is having a Fun Tournament at Thornhill Secondary School at 9 a.m., followed by a potluck supper. This Is expecially far the new members to get out and have fun. Everyone will be given a handicap either plus or minus to even up the teams. Doubles and mixed only. Contact any member for more Information. Wednesday, December 17 — Terrace Women’s Resource Centre will be having ano-host “Open House” from 2 to7 p.m. at 4542 Park Ave., Terrace. Everyone welcome. Call Candy Kerman at 638-0228 for further information. Friday, December 19 — Terrace Peaks Gymnastic Club will be holding a bake sale at the Co-op starting at 4:30 p.m. and run until finished. All contributions welcomed. Al-Anon family groups. Meetings for friends and relatives of alcoholics. Meetings are held evary Monday at 8 p.m. at . Mills Memorlal Hospital in the conference room In the psychiatric ward. . Terrace Asscctation for Community Living needs ad- vocates for handicapped people living In Terrace. For more information please phone Janice at 635-9322 or Carol-Ann at 635-3940. Kermode Knit Wits, a club for all persons interested In fur- thering machine knitting. Regular monthly meetings will be held on the 2nd Tuesday at noon and the 4th Thursday at 7:30 p.m. For further information call Audrey 638-1335, Jan 635-7517 or Nancy 635-5319. Everyone welcome. UNICEF Greeting Cards, notelets, gift packs. Call Pat at 638-0228 weekdays 12 noon to 4 p.m. The Debt Counselling service is no longer available in Ter- race. To recelve this service, call Vancouver 660-8950.