x WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1972 ‘The Geeraerts standing in “front of the winner of beautification award — _THE we HERALD, ‘TERRACE, B,C, 7 ic. Northwest's Congratulations “Van” John: ‘Geeraert a ‘didn't. ‘make’ it -to ‘the’ official opening of his parents new Terrace. Hotel, Tuesday night... - But. it. ‘appeared. that: everyone'else did: 5 ~. Included among the 200 ‘guests were Mayor. and Mrs. Lloyd Johnson, Mayor and Mrs.. Ian McLeod from Stewart, .Mr.’.and Mrs, Dudley Little, MLA for the : Skeena Riding, relatives of the: Geeraert family from Red Deer Alberta, and representatives for ‘the School: Board, the - RCMP Gideon In- _ ternational. of Canada and Labatts Breweries. | Everyone remotely involved in the con- struction of the new, over one and a half million dollar building was in- vited’ to the informal - opening, given by the owners, Augie and Lenora Geeraert. a Augie gave particular thanks to Chris Laurson of C.M. Laurson’ Con- struction Ltd. and chief contractor for the. hotel, without | whom, ‘Augie ~ said, “Td still be in the basement, nm Fred’ Weber, Managing . Director ; ‘for’ Skeena Broadcasters - “Limited, was. Master. ‘of . “Ceremonies ‘for “the gathering and. set: the pattern for .the short, warm and witty speeches which preceeded — the actual ribbon © cutting -ceremony,: - Augie’s brother-in-law from Red Deer; Louis Kathol, recalled when Augie “didn't have a pot to pit in. Now you can see how many pots he’s got.” After a- buffet-style dinner, Mayor Johnstone was invited to ‘cut the ribbon with the Geeraerts, which sym- bolically and offically opened the hotel. Mayor Johnstone remarked on the great contribution the family. has made to the com-. munity of Terrace. He hoped they’d be around a lot longer to do more and ‘that the — Geeraert ‘children would even- j “people ‘attend the | -qpening sent telegrams of : congratulations. : : T