Back in the summer of 2012, a contributor provided me with an array of excellent photographs, many taken up in the area of Sawblade Falls, on Burke Mountain c.1950. They depicted three individuals – one being Rudy Soball and the other two, unidentified males – all of whom appear to have been out on a relaxed afternoon outing on Burke. In the 1950-1951 era, Bill Brownlee, Jerome Olson and Norm Johnson were actively logging in that specific part of Burke Mountain with the part-time assistance of Rudy Soball who drove a bulldozer, making roads for the logging operation. Unfortunately, although the contributor could readily confirm Rudy Soball in the photos, he was unable to identify the other two males. These are excellent photographs and some should definitely be included within Volume Two of Burke and Widgeon – A History. I can’t begin to relate the amount of time spent and people interviewed in an attempt to establish the identity of these two males. It is hoped that by identifying these two men, new avenues will be opened up and new information thereby garnered. Included here, is one of the photographs depicting the two unidentified men.

Who are these mystery men? If anyone knows their identity or has any information about the early 1950s logging operations on Burke Mountain by Bill Brownlee, Jerome Olson and Norm Johnson, please email me at pebblestonepublishing@yahoo.ca

If you have just purchased a copy of “Burke and Widgeon – A History (Volume One)” and initially only have a few minutes’ time, carefully read the Preface and the Acknowledgements sections in the beginning of the book. The Preface tells of how this book came into being and discusses some important, overarching themes such as accuracy, the real significance that small ‘patches’ of information can have towards contributing to a larger picture and also the sad truth that when our early residents pass on, their stories often pass with them – forever. The Acknowledgements segment attempts to extend a word of thanks to each of the many people who contributed information that will be recounted in one or both volumes of Burke and Widgeon – A History. Its modest descriptions of those individual contributions often don’t do them sufficient justice as many were truly remarkable! Reading this section also provides one with an appreciation of the significance that small tidbits of information can have towards painting a fuller picture of a community’s past.

Volume One generally covers some of Burke Mountain and the Widgeon’s history during the decades leading up to and often including the 1920s. The words, “some of”, are deliberately chosen. There is always more information available and more stories that need to be told. Let this blog be the start of those stories being brought to life. Volume Two will cover the period from that 1920s decade, up to the formation of Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park in 1995. For any who feel that they may have some stories to relate about the history of Burke and Widgeon – regardless of the time-frame – I really look forward to hearing from you! Please email me at pebblestonepublishing@yahoo.ca

This may be the most important page of this website. But why the blog? What’s its purpose?

Well, there are several answers to these questions. This blog will be the place where special events can be announced and where the author can update readers about the progress of Volume Two. It will also serve as the vehicle in which I can provide additional information and clarifications relating to any information contained within the first volume, particularly if new, additional information comes to light.

But, this blog should be much more than that. Most importantly, this blog will serve as a discussion forum, one that has a central topic, a common thread: local Burke Mountain and Widgeon history. Questions can be asked and answered here. You can ask those questions of me. Or, they can be open in nature, directed towards anyone who may be able to contribute towards an answer. I will also be asking my own questions, looking for answers from anyone who may have them. A community’s history truly is like a patchwork quilt. Every one of us can contribute a ‘patch’. The more contributors, the more patches and the better the ‘quilt’ becomes.

Some of the absolute best contributions to Volume One had inauspicious beginnings. Little tidbits of information which, at first blush, seemed obscure and limited, but often, in the end, netted the most prized collections of stories and rare photographs. The larger point, here, is that a story about any of Burke Mountain and the Widgeon’s early residents can remain obscured forever, for want of someone offering up that information. I sincerely want to hear every one of these stories. Perhaps they can be included within the next volume! Offer them up here, in this blog, if you wish, but certainly, also please privately email me about them. I really do want to hear – and follow up on – the information offered! My email address is:
mailto:pebblestonepublishing@yahoo.ca
And, just so that you can also see who you’re writing to, I’ve included my photo here . . . the camera once again just barely escaped breaking, when this shot was taken (lol).