The Church of God in Christ Mennonite held their annual summer Vacation Bible School during the week of July 9 through 13. The classes began each morning at 9:30 a.m. and continued over the lunch hour, concluding at 2:30 in the afternoon. Forty-seven children attended over the course of the week, with an average attendance of 44 children. Friday evening the children presented a program for their parents, friends and members of the congregation. Refreshments were served after the program and a time of fellowship followed.
The teachers at the VBS were Jessica Thiessen from Smithers, B.C.; Danielle Wedel of Prescott, Ariz.; Kaitlyn Wiebe, who came from Roblin, Man.; Natalie Barkman from Bredenbury; and Charlotte Goosen from Leoville. The helpers, who are all local young ladies, were Shelly Thiessen, Lauren Wiebe, Krista Loewen, Lacey Toews and Jacey Loetkeman.
Congratulations to Arischa Boyle and Blake Walde who were joined in holy matrimony July 7.
A celebration of life was held to honour Dr. Robert Makaroff and Dr. Shauna Makaroff (née Little) July 7 at the Mountainview Cemetery, off 39th and Fraser Street, in Vancouver. Both of the Makaroffs worked at the Neilburg Hospital and were a vital part of the community for many years before moving on.
Both born on the prairies, the couple spent over 63 years together in Neilburg, Edmonton, Vancouver and Salt Spring Island and they savoured the roads in between. The peace movement, social justice, mental health, medicine, politics, the environment, architecture, carpentry, DIY, gardening and friends and family were all important to them.
Charley Beresford gave the opening and closing remarks at the memorial. Speakers at the event were the Makaroff sisters, Sonya, Sylvia, Ruth and Joan; Murray Ball; Bryn Makaroff, for Jean Ball; Patience Silbernagel; Kay Swalwell; Denise Little; Gerry Hills, for Myra Thomson; and Bill Hurst. There was also an open mike, followed by light refreshments and music.
Robert Peter Makaroff was born in 1921 and passed away May 8, 2011. His wife, Shauna Gibson (Little) Makaroff was born in 1922 and died last May 23. Remembrances can be shared online at www.drshauna.ca orwww.bobster.ca
