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Column: Now and Then

Keith and Alice Varey

Both Keith and Alice have a strong community orientation, as can be attested by their involvement with various community-oriented organizations over the years. Keith had been a member of the of the Lions Club for 25 years, a Mason for 40 years and ongoing, and a Shriner for 30 years. He and Alice have also been 35-year members of the Eastern Star, a group that welcomes both genders. The Eastern Star hosts one of the largest ‘fraternal’ groups in the world as does the Masonic Lodge. Alice has a BSc in Nursing and has spent her career as a nursing aide in southern Ontario and as an RN at the Manitoulin Health Centre. Keith has his medical laboratory technologist diploma and had spent most of his 35 working years at the Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current as lab manager. The couple lives in Little Current in a beautiful home that boasts a lovely interior, an outdoor swimming pool, two charming cats and a talking doorbell. 

“Both my parents emigrated from Holland to Canada, in the mid 1950s,” Alice begins, “My dad, Conrad Pinkse came by ship and landed in Montreal in 1955. My mother, Bartha Langejan, joined my dad in 1956 and were married shortly after ,on March 5, 1956. My dad had been a baker in Holland like his father, but he wanted to try a new career. They settled in Ayton, south of Hanover. His baking expertise directed him back into this previous business. He started work at the Wittich Bakery in Ayton and stayed until it burned down. Subsequently, he worked for other bakeshops until 1966, when he bought his own bakery in Palmerston, about 40 miles north of Kitchener.”

“I have three brothers,” Alice adds, “Harry, Ed and Mark. We were all born in Hanover but spent our early years in Ayton. I was born two weeks late, on November 3, 1958. I spent the first two grades in a two-room school in Ayton. Grades one to five were all in one classroom. I started grade three in Palmerston.  My favourite subject was always math. At school, I used to play a lot of hopscotch, and we enjoyed a unique winter tag game. We would make paths in the snow, with designated ‘safe zones.’ You couldn’t be tagged in a safe zone, so it was a challenge and lots of fun to get to them before being tagged.”

Our wedding day in Little Current.

“I remember both parents being busy at their bakery. We would spend our entire summer at our cottage on Lake Conestoga, about 10 miles from our house. We swam a lot, and we had a sailboat, canoes, and a motorboat for waterskiing. It was a great place to be. Our parents would join us after they finished working at the bakery.”

“High school, Grades 9 to 13, was at the Norwell District Secondary School. Music was my favourite subject. I played the alto-saxophone. It seemed to be the only instrument that really responded to me. I participated in both the Junior and Senior bands, and we would march and play in local parades. I still liked math, algebra, geometry and calculus. In high school, our French class enjoyed a visit to a French restaurant in Toronto. The frogs’ legs I ordered were very tasty. That year we also toured the parliament buildings and an art museum in Ottawa.” 

Summer jobs for the Pinkse children were at the bakery. “We all received an allowance for our contributions. When I wasn’t needed at the bakery, I also worked at the Clarkwood Estates Nursing Home, starting in the kitchen there, until I got an aide position with on-the-job training. I got my BSc in Nursing at Laurentian University, graduating in 1981 when jobs were scarce. Luckily, that summer, the Director of Nursing for the Manitoulin Health Centre needed some help so that was my first nursing job. I wrote my RN nursing exams about two months later. I got my registration papers, and on June 15. 1981, I was hired by the Manitoulin Health Center along with another RN, Janice Brown and two RPNs. I really loved the work. After the summer was done, I got a full-time position at the hospital.”

Alice plays with her two granddaughters in the backyard.

“I met Keith when I was orientated with three other nurses at the hospital on June 15, 1981.Joanne Thurston (lab technologist) was also hired and toured by Keith at the time. We met that day and went on our first date in August, on the Haweater Weekend. He was easy to talk to, very genial and we just clicked. We danced together that evening and many subsequent Saturdays after that, at several local dances. We also went fishing, boating and attended many family events. In September 1981 we got engaged . We married on April 24, 1982, in the Catholic church in Little Current.”

Alice had two bridesmaids, Denise Beauparlant, her maid of honour, whom she met at nursing school, and Jean Omnet who was her attendant. Keith ‘s brother Alan was best man and a friend Jack Omnet, husband of Jean, was his other groomsman. Keith’s brother Tom had two young children at the time. Shawn became the ring bearer and Crissy, the flower girl. Both the reception and dinner for about 100 guests were held at the complex where Mary Ellen Bailey cooked the meal. “It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny. It was also the first day that the ferry ran, that year. Guests from the south arrived on that inaugural trip. On Sunday, we also held a barbecue for about 10 family members at our home. The wedding had been well-timed for pleasant weather because Monday brought back cold and snow.”

A week later, the couple travelled to the Barbados for their honeymoon. “It was warm and lovely on St. Lucia. We took a cruise on the Jolly Rodger and a boat trip to see the  ‘Pitons’ the mountains of St. Lucia. We also saw unique, black volcanic sand on the beaches there. We had a wonderful time and by the time we came home again in May, spring was well on its way.”

Alice, Harry, Mark and Ed around 1968 at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.

Keith adds his early years. “I was born to Milford and Kathleen (Norquay), Varey, in the Little Current hospital. Dr. Bailey attended. Dr. Bailey also sent me to the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto. I was told by my mum that we got there by train and that I was there for a couple of months.” Keith has three brothers, all retired. Tom, Alan and Don.

“My paternal grandparents are Charles and Elizabeth (McLennan) Varey. Charles worked on the CPR coal docks in Little Current. I remember spending a lot of time at grandmother’s house in Little Current. Maternal grandparents are Thomas and Lillian (Ferguson) Norquay. Thomas emigrated from Scotland in the mid 1800s and Lillian arrived from England, but I’m not sure when she came. Thomas had a garage in Manitowaning and worked on the family farm in Bidwell. Sadly, my grandmother Lillian died in her early 40s with heart disease. My mother helped take care of grandfather in his later years.”

“Dad, Milford owned Snappy Cartage and Used Furniture store. Mom stayed home to look after her four sons. An early memory for my brother Alan and I at Christmas time was the sound of Santa’s reindeer on our roof.  We were about five or six years old, and we were over-the-top with excitement at the time. We were so sure we heard them. In our early teens, we all started to help at the store. I also got summer jobs at Fairways, a variety store beside Turner’s where the old pharmacy used to be. Our high school had a greenhouse, and I spent time there each summer as well. This was part of my agricultural course taught by Gary Chandler.”

Alice as the District Deputy Grand Matron for the Eastern Star in 2007.

“Our family had a cottage across from the ski hill just outside of Little Current near Honora .We spent all our summers, from June 30 to September 8, there. The buzz cuts we got on June 30 lasted until we got back home in September when school started. I liked school especially the sciences: biology chemistry and math. I was fortunate to have been chosen to take two trips in secondary school. One was to the Ontario Athletic Leadership Camp in Orillia. We participated in many athletic events and took leadership courses. My second trip was to Expo’67. I stayed with a French family that did not speak English so could practice my French. I had a terrific time at Expo’67.”

Keith reached ‘Venturer’ level with the Boy Scouts and later ‘Queen Scout,’ the highest level. He was subsequently chosen to attend the World Jamboree for the Boy Scouts in Boise, Idaho in 1967. “Boy scouts from all over the world attended. It was a real learning experience for me. We made everything from well-planned meals to a wooden tower made of logs.” The last year of high school, Grade 13, was offered in Mindemoya and in Espanola, but Espanola offered Biology, so Keith decided to go north for his last year of high school.

“After graduating from Cambrian College where I spent three years getting my diploma as a medical laboratory technologist, I worked at the Sudbury General Hospital where I spent four years in their lab. When a similar position opened at the Manitoulin Health Centre on the Island, I applied and got the job as lab manager on December 30, 1980.” He met Alice in 1981, and they were wed in April of 1982. The couple rented initially and built their beautiful home where they live now, on Draper St. in 1984. “We moved in on Thanksgiving weekend that year.”

Alice and Keith January 8, 2025.

The couple had two sons, Darryn and Christopher. Today, Darryn has his BSc from Laurentian and his medical lab technologist certification from Cambrian. He is a lab technologist in North Bay.  Christopher works for the Near North School Board as an IT technician and is based at the South River High School. He is married to Robyn Gilpin, and they have two daughters, Emery, 10, and Thea, eight.

The Eastern Star, as mentioned, has been an important aspect of both Keith and Alice’s lives. “There are ‘subordinate’ chapters that we are dedicated to, and they provide money for many services, including the dialysis unit of the local hospital, the diabetic clinic, the chemotherapy unit, the food bank and Pet Save, to name a few.” Alice has become a Worthy Matron of the local chapter for the Eastern Star. The Grand Chapter of Ontario, in past years has raised $50,000-$60,000 to help with services like cochlear implants, breast, and prostate cancers. Alice was the District Deputy Grand Matron of the Eastern Star for the area between North Bay and Sault St. Marie. In  2024, their annual Hunter’s pie sale here on the Island brought in $3,000 in five and a half hours. “We made 135 meat and turkey pies and 100 fruit pies, all donated for the cause. Keith and I started this pie sale in 1998, and it has been held every year since.”

Keith was also on the Board of Stewards and chairman of finance for the Little Current United Church. Alice was the envelope steward and collected weekly offerings for about 10 years. Alice was Worthy Matron of the local Eastern Star four times and Keith has been a Worthy Patron six times. Alice was chosen to be a Grand Representative, a two-year position, and a distinctive honour. She represented North Carolina in Ontario and attended their Grand Chapter Sessions twice. In the late 80s, Alice was the founding president of the Home and School Association, staying for three years. Keith has also been busy in the Masonic Lodge being past Worshipful Master and is a past Grand Steward with the Grand Lodge of Canada. They both continue to be busy with Alice serving as Secretary of the Eastern Star Chapter and Keith as Treasurer in the Masonic Lodge.

Tigger watches the storytelling from above.

Their children were raised in this charitable environment and learned a lot from their parents. “We did take them on a few trips too. We took them to Disney World in Florida three times, in 1992, 1996 and in 2000. They loved those visits and the ones to the Canadian Exhibition, Santa’s Village, the Ontario Science Center, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Toronto Zoo. In the winters we would visit the Caribbean or Mexico for a warm-weather get-away. At home, on summer weekends, we spent time on the boat with them, fishing.”

Alice’s brother Mark is a graphic artist. His art is visible in signs at Three Cows and a Cone,  and the entrance signs for Little Current and  AOK (Aundek Omni Kaning). Her brother Harry also has a sign business in Mount Forest. Tobler Truck signs are examples of his company’s work. The third brother, Ed, is an electrician in Harriston. Keith stayed for 32 years at the Manitoulin Health Centre and didn’t retire until 2011. Alice retired on December 31, 2015. 

Were you named after anyone? “My maternal grandmother’s name was Alida which encouraged ‘Alice.’ My paternal grandmother was Coralius which encouraged my middle name, Cora,” Alice adds. Keith: “My names are Milford Keith after my father.” 

Fondest memories? “Getting married, having two sons and now two granddaughters, as well as the friendships that we have.” 

Favourite pets? “We have always had cats. When we lived above the bakery, we had Charlie and Duster, now we have Taffy and Tigger.” 

Favourite season? “Summer for sure. We have our swimming pool in the backyard, and it is very welcome in the hot season. After that sizzling summer in 2016, we decided it was time to invest in a pool. In the past, winters were fun. We used to take our snowmobiles all over the Island, the North Channel and as far as Mattawa.”

Favourite books? John Grisham books for Keith and medical or mystery books for Alice. Collections? “We have dad’s pen and ink renderings of an Inuksuk, the Iron Bridge and old houses.” Hobbies? Crocheting and knitting for Alice. “I have made at least 100 stockings for family members, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.” 

Favourite television show? ‘Yellowstone,’ ‘Land Man’ (Paramount) and the news.” 

Awards in high school? Both Alice and Keith were on the honour roll for all five years.

Favourite teacher? Keith: “Mr. Hodder for Grades 6 and 7. Today John Hodder is a Brother Mason at the Lodge.” 

Favourite sport? Softball, track and field and curling for Keith. For Alice ‘it’s softball, volleyball and curling. “We both played badminton at the public school along with Ivan Wheale and  his wife.”

“First hourly wage? One dollar at the Clarkwood Estates (Alice)” “What are your strengths? ‘Getting up in public for the Eastern Star has helped me gain confidence,” Alice declares. “Knitting, crocheting, and cooking have been sophisticated over the years. For Keith it’s gardening and a leadership role in his associations that has matured over the years. “People come to us with questions.” “Something you still want to learn or do? See Europe in 2026. Holland is on our agenda, but we want to see other countries as well.”

What did you enjoy most as a parent? Alice: “Reading stories at bedtime. We also enjoyed seeing them happy when we went to Disneyworld and other similar places. Now they are grown and have their own homes and families or friends.” 

Holiday traditions? “Christmas is our favourite time. We have two real trees in the house, and we anticipate we will have a good family get together soon.” 

What are you most proud of? “Our family.” 

What are you most afraid of? “Not seeing my grandchildren grow up and of course, any limitation that might impact on our ability to stay independent.” 

If you could only keep three items from your current life, what would they be? Alice: “My phone, photos and the two cats.”

Looking back, is there anything you might have done differently? Keith: “No. Spending more time with my parents as I got older. 

“Did you later realize a dream that you had as a child? “I always wanted to be a nurse,” Alice adds. For Keith, “I was always interested in  a profession in the medical field.” 

What problems may still be around 100 years from now? “Likely wars and conflicts of some kind due to the competitive nature of humans.” 

Greatest hope for the future? “Peace, despite all the conflicts.” 

Legacy for the future? “Our history of volunteer work for the Lions, the Masons and the Eastern Star.” 

Do you have a recipe for happiness? “Say ‘I love you’ to each other every day.” 

Any messages for our youth? Alice, smiling, “say thank you once in a while.”

“I am a Haweater, born here and I love the water, the remoteness, the wonderful lakes, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and the slower pace of life here,” Keith offers. “I am happy that it is not a fast pace. I love the scenery, the rocks, and the feeling I get when we cross the bridge. It is a calming realization of ‘I’m home’ that we don’t feel anyplace else. Of all the locations in the world, this is home for me.” We had done all we wanted to do when we got married, and the children were growing up. Now, we just want to spend the rest of our lives here, in comfort and peace, with visits from our family.”

Article written by

Expositor Staff
Expositor Staffhttps://www.manitoulin.com
Published online by The Manitoulin Expositor web staff