22 - Sunday, May 24, 1992 - North Shore News Unsung aunt gave values | arpacH HUNTER TURNER IT’S SPRING-TIME at Elder College, which means a fresh selection of courses for exploration and stimulation. I chose a couple of short promising adventures. (It’s still the first year, you see, so one’s original fee covers this cost. New memberships will be required starting September, of course.) “Behind the Scenes" offers to reveal the workings of some taken-for-granted local facilities, and ‘Human Genetics’? will pre- sumably concentrate on some of the things that make us tick in our specific tocks. Our first expiore undercover, as it were, was into Gertrude Lawson’s house on 17th Street in West Vancouver. When the owner — and builder — lately died, the municipality acquired the house in order to de- velop it into a community museum and gallery. This seems very suitable in view of her fami- ly’s having played a very visible part in the establishment and growth of West Vancouver. Of course a lot of poking and probing had to be undertaken, in order to determine the health of the structure, since its role as a harbor for history would demand heat and moisture controls that weren't dreamed of when it was originally designed. And “designed”? it was, by Miss Lawson. herself, but in a very unorthodox fashion. Turns out this lady was ahead of her times and that the dignified stone struc- ture concealed a surprisingly un- conventional interior. The City Fathers of the time would have had a fit, had they known. As it was, they were sim- ply pleased to see some further development abcve Marine Drive, reinforcing the hoped-for ur- banization of, the new territories ‘ to go beyond the “summer cabin’’ Stage. The .very stones used for the impressive cladding of the house were themselves out of the ordi- “nary. Some came from the local shores and gullies, but a lot of them were (are) granite out of New Zealand. Eleanor Godiey THE VINTAGE YEARS Miss Lawson’s father, the well known ‘‘John L,”’ had learned of a ship arriving from the Antipodes in ballast, and on discovering the nature of said ballast he made a deal for the lot. it was off-loaded they say about where the Safeway store sits now. The pile provided a handy adventure playground for the local kids till! Miss Lawson got her house framed up... When completed, it contained six small kitchens, along with matching bedrooms, a couple of bathrooms and a very handsome main living room which -com- manded the only entrance. It had been carefully planned to accom- modate Miss Lawson herself, of course, but would in addition house half a dozen gentlewomen in temporary distress. Miss Lawson was obviously one of that army of unsung maiden aunts who gave us so many of our best life values. Now that its future. lies in becoming a home for locai memorabilia, the house is THINKING ABouT How You CAN GET A BETTER DEAL ON YOUR MORTGAGE? If money matters have been on your mind, then head into Bank of British Columbia. Because from April 1S through to Béaa.5/0 June 30, 1992, we're offering some very special deals on our 20/20 Mortgage and Guaranteed Investment Certificates. _ Deals like giving you 1/4% off for conventional first mortgages with terms of I-2 years closed. 1/8% off for terms of 3-5 years closed. And waiving our transfer fees, paying up to $150 for penalty fees undergoing all kinds of modifica- tions. It required heat controls, humidity controls, up-to-date lighting and security, all ef the newest technology, while at the same time preserving the private aspect of the original residence. The ancient basement furnace had its tentacles detached; all windows had to be double-glazed, cleverly using the original glass to ensure no change in the exterior elevations. Tle two fireplaces, one on the main floor, one in the basement, have not been disturb- ed, nor has the living room, which was planned by Miss Lawson to the exact proportions needed for two sets of Scottish country dancers. Provision was made for the piper, too, a special rise of two steps at the far end. This was in- deed a Iady of grace and convic- tion. Miss Lawson herself played and taught the violin, and there is sheet music of her own scoring in the growing collection. Pendant to the visit to the Lawson house was a short walk down to Argyle to witness some simpler reconstruction at The Silk Purse. It, like the Ferry Building and Klee Wyck, is also slated for artful use by the West Vancouver Parks and Recreation people, assisted by the Historical Society and the Archives. It started life as a summer shack on the waterfront and sim- ply grew, receiving extensions and additions until now it offers enough attractively intimate space for music recitals and small art displays, as well as lectures and classes in various disciplines. - Capilano College has two regis- tered programs scheduled there. If you’re wondering about the name, it is supposed to have come from the son of the man respon- sible for the many years of. ad- ding-on and embellishing. As the place had had little te recommend it at its birth, the young man sug- gested his dad was up against the well-known ‘“‘sow’s ear.”’ WONDERING IF YOU COULD BE MAKING Moré ON Your TERM INVESTMENTS? charged by your existing institution and making an appraisal of your property at absolutely no charge, if required. And on GICs; deals like bonus interest of 1/8% on deposits over $5,000 with a minimum | year term. Barristers & Solicitors Personal Injury, AFTER HOURS FREE iNITIAL CONSULTATION Criminal Matters Only | 986-4366 | ses-aze6 #300-1401 LONSDALE, NORTH VANCOUVER, BC. CAULFEILD PLATEAU NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES West Vancouver School District #45 invites you to attend the second series of Public Information Open Houses on the proposed new Middle School for Caulfeild Plateau. Members of the design team and representatives from the School District and the Municipality will be on hand to discuss issues and answer questions regarding the project. These Open Houses will be held at: Wednesday, May 27, 1992 2:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Caulfeild Elementary School 4685 Keith Road, West Vancouver ; -— and — Thursday, May 28, 1992 2:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at West Bay Elementary School. 3175 Thompson Place, West Vancouver _ We welcome your participation! | Hopinc THAT Luck Is HEADED . Your Way? So come into our nearest branch today. We want to heip you get ahead. 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